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Far Horizons  by Bodkin 8 Review(s)
lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/22/2004
Now that Artamir is wonderful shining example of elfhood, isn't he? He and Minastan would make quite a compatible pair! YUCK to both of them! Artamir picked the very worst thing he could have said to his wife, guaranteed to hurt her a much as possible! What a jerk! Off with his head! (oops, sorry :-/ ) I hope Tarannon is taking note of things and seeing what exactly needs to be done...seems he is, and learning painful lessons from it! Thank goodness Celeborn and that captain (?) of Finarfin's were with him when Minastan struck!

The interrogation of Calion by Galadriel was especially effective...talk about gentle intimidation! And good for him! He's doing much to redeem himself, too!

Poor Elerrina! She's very naive, and learning some hard grown-up lessons. I'm glad she has friends like Miriwen and Sirithiel, tho'. They'll help her deal with all this danger and intrigue, and maybe even her overprotective adar-in-law! *vbg* (Can't say as I blame her, tho', for pining for her sweetie! lol) *sighs* ;-) Great action, Bodkin!

linda

Author Reply: Artamir is seriously nasty. In many ways I think he is nastier than Minastan, because the things he does and says, while not criminal, have a long-term effect on those he bullies. (Not that shooting people doesn't have a long-term effect, of course.) Minyariel is not the nicest or most popular elf - she is snobby and rather silly - but she has had too many centuries of being married to Artamir. I can't help but feel for her. Her boys, too, have had to put up with that kind of 'you're useless' kind of emotional abuse - I'm surprised they are redeemable.

I don't think many elves could stand up to Galadriel for long. (In fact, as soon as she started, I thought, 'Why didn't they just wheel her out earlier. There would have been no need for the rest of the story?' Calion has found somewhere he is actually quite happy - and, surprisingly, appreciated.

Elerrina has changed role - from child to naneth, from protected to protector and it is taking some adjustment. Particularly as Thranduil can no more give up shielding people than he can give up breathing. Miriwen is more experienced and Sirithiel is a bit more sheltered, but observant and learns quietly. They have Celebrian, too, which helps. They all want their rather adorable husbands back, though!

Glad you are enjoying.

AliceReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
This story keeps on getting better and better. Every chapter lately leaves me longing for more, since you insist upon tormenting us with cliff hanger endings. It's a good thing you update frequently otherwise I would go insane.

Minastan is a really good villain. He's brilliant but without morals. He also seems to be targeting relations of Elerrina. What with the attacks on her cousins and husband and elflings. ex-boyfriend perhaps? Or maybe it's some famous historical figure. The intrigue deepens with each chapter.

I'm enjoying your characters. I like Calion and his brother and Naneth. His father needs to spend some time in Mirkwood during its darkest days though to gain perspective. The rest of his family is all right though. They have the potential to learn. And Calion is cool for learning to be loyal to the Mirkwood family.

I'm really enjoying all the different plot lines. There's so much going on and our intrepid(sort of) heroes are just beginning to touch the surface of it all. I look forward to the next update.

Author Reply: There will probably be one more update and then I am away for a few days!! However I've got the chapter after that practically ready, so it will join the rest as soon as I get back.

Minastan is quite nasty - I hope he is not too unelfy, but he does have his reasons. Sort of.

Calion, Tarannon and Minyariel are growing on me - I had better not think about Artamir too much or I might even start to find excuses for him, and I don't like him at all!

I'm starting to try to pull it together. I just hope I can do it properly.

Thank you for reading.

EllieReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
Excellent chapter. I wasn't expecting Minastan to act so quickly or the lieutenant for that matter to get Tarannon out of the way. I want more chapters. I don't want to wait. The edge of my seat is a most uncomfortable place to be perched.

Author Reply: Minastan is beginning to panic. It is quite easy being an evil plotter until things start going wrong. He wants to be sure there is no evidence against him.

More soon.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
I was interested in Elerrina struggling to see the world differently. What do you think is happening here in Valinor, Bodkin? Was it peaceful before so many elves came from ME? Is it the mix of the old and the new? Or was this kind of thing always there and Elerrina just didn't know it because she was sheltered? (And btw, I laughed a little that Thranduil is still sheltering her. And I'm still giggling over the idea of Galadriel as Celeborn's 'dependent.')

When Galadriel first said they would put their pets on leashes, I thought she was talking about the elflings. :-)

I feel so sorry for Minyastan and Tarannon. They have guilt and grief and fear.



Author Reply: I don't think even Valinor can have been all elves on clouds playing harps and singing. They are quite a prideful race - and there were always elements of contention. The influx of new people may just have increased some of the tensions. They are more tolerant than men - well they have more time to learn and are more reasoned, but some niggles just get worse with added years.

Elerrina is becoming an adult, not in the sense of age - she has long been adult in years - but in the sense of taking responsibility for others. She has been fairly sheltered by her parents (and Thranduil). At the same time, this is the first time anything nasty has been aimed directly at her and those she loves, so it has come as a bit of a shock.

Galadriel the little wifie. Just doesn't work, does it? I liked Galadriel thinking of the guards as pets - she is probably more likely to look after them than they are of looking after her!

I feel sorry for Minyariel and Tarannon. Every time I start really writing about a less pleasant character, they start to grow on me. This could be a problem.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
You sure do know how to write a mystery! I loved Galadriel's references to leashing her pets....and that Celebrian knew exactly what was meant. I also like the dignity and grace those two have - they accept that they have guards yet still manage to go on with their lives.

I think we are coming closer to finding out who Minastan is - and I am curious to know if he is merely an elf gone bad or whether a new follower of Shadow has arisen. We know it does one day shake Valinor again...

Author Reply: I am so glad you have mentioned the pets! It seemed a very Galadriel-ish way to look at guards. I'm sure she is as much protection to them as they are to her!

I am trying to pull it all together now - it shouldn't be too much longer before All Is Known. (Though don't expect anything that requires too much knowledge!)

SharonBReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
Oh, Finarfin can deny no attemp at kin slaying this time. Good thing Celeborn and the guard were there. I feel for poor Calion too ... "The Lady Galadriel was not, he had discovered, one with whom you could refuse to co-operate. " That whole family is in a heap of trouble.

And at last news of the latest pregenancy is getting out to all of the family. A nice ray of hope amidst all the treachery.


Author Reply: No, this one is going to be in big trouble when he is caught. And the sooner, the better.

I am feeling sorry for both Tarannon and Calion.

I started off with Sirithiel's babies being born before this story, but I remembered that in Reflections, Elrohir told his friends about them when they were visiting Glorfindel. The timelines probably don't match too well, but I thought I would keep to that. I am trying to put happy bits into the story as well.

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
Well, the assassination attempt comes as no surprise bearing in mind how evil this 'Minastir' is. Can none of the elves who saw him draw? That could help identification. BTW, when they found the hair in the dragonfly wings in the last chapter, I had a bizarre idea of some sort of elvish DNA testing!

I find I'm liking Calion more and more, which is more than I can say for his father Artamir - what a jerk!

Finally, I loved Celebrian's words about Nessariel's letters: ‘It is astonishing,’ Celebrian observed, considering the rather immature writing, ‘that she can have covered so many pages, whilst at the same time conveying so few ideas.’ Sounds like 99% of ff.net! (Not this site, though thank God.)


Jay

Author Reply: Ha! You are too clever. Elvish DNA - I thought it could be more Galadriel with eyes unfocused as she senses him from the contact, but DNA would be great.

I find I am having a terrible job continuing to dislike people - I will have to avoid thinking about Artamir, or I will be coming up with excuses for him!

Love - and do so agree - with your last comment. I can never resist looking, but it's like panning for gold. So much mud.

Poor Nessariel. She only wanted to be loved.

Rose SaredReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/20/2004
My goodness this is getting dangerous! Most exciting. Hopefully the baddy will come to a really sticky end - I know I am looking forward to it!
Rose

Author Reply: He is not a very nice person - I hope they get him soon. I've forgotten what chapter number this is, but I am trying to pull the pieces together now, so it shouldn't take too much longer.

Thank you for reading.

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