Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Celebrian, Sell i Nos Galadhad   by Redheredh 4 Review(s)
perellethReviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/4/2005
Wow! I enjoyed very much your description of the palace, and, above all, celebrimbor's artistic "restlessness", and his utter disregard for anything beyond his artistic pleasures. You've made him such a wonderful character! I particularly liked his reasoning for his not being better smith! Smart guy! And that remark about his relishing others' happiness...I think this suits well with a Nolodirn elf completely enthralled by a fair maiar offering healing for the ailments of arda, and makes Celerbimbor's demise even more painful. Good job!

Author Reply:
Thank you so much for the compliments!
I actually like Celebrimbor very much and never thought of him as unlikable as so many other authors depict him. He has to have a few self-esteem issues, but does not have to deal with them by being overly-superior. Certianly, he has an artistic arrogance, but he has seen the same disdain practiced without any basis by his fellow artists and teachers. He has seen what Feanor's incredible obsessions and resentment did to him. Without those kind of people around him, Celebrimbor would be more content, it seems.

However, if talent is in his blood, so are some accompanying flaws. Which in my book, makes him all the braver at the end.

Thanks again for reviewing this chapter!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/23/2005
I find myself enjoying this hunt myself. Ah, the politics of ruling!

Author Reply:
I very glad to hear that. :) Love, Religion, and Politics. We argue about them because they are important. We read about them because they are entertaining. We write about them because they are interesting. But, only in the order they are listed and politics is definitely last.

Thanks for the review!

Sophia SilfaeryReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/22/2005
In addition to saying how much I enjoy this story and how wonderful I think it is, I would just like to express my utter astonishment that it hasn't had more reviews. You write so well and conjour up the atmosphere in which your characters move with amazing clarity. Well done!

Author Reply:
I have said it to other authors and I try to take my own advice. You must write because you want to tell a story, not for reviews. They are only the gravy.

That said, I admit that when I go to KFC, I always order an extra gravy.

Now, *you* should be working on *your* Celebrimbor! Put up another chapter and I'll bring a whole pint from KFC or Boston Market if you prefer. :)

Thank you for the compliments! I really appreciate them and your review.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/22/2005
Well - at least the note at the top let me know that Hrassa and Celeborn were too busy reuniting to stop by here!

I'm not sure I like Laerlínath. She seems a bit too much of a social climbing snobby type. Unless she grows on me, I'm rather going to hope that she gets well squashed by the Lady Galadriel. She seems to be giving Aurthôn rather a hard time - and I'm not really too keen on 'girlish'.

On the other hand, I'm taking to Celebrimbor. He seems to have a pretty good understanding of his own strengths and weaknesses and is prepared to let other people do what they are good at.

And I love the idea of the three of them having trouble with 'whiny bourgeoisie with clout'. And, actually, picturing elves who are not lords or their staff but who are bourgeois. (Elven society so often doesn't seem to have any depth or breadth.) But perhaps Celeborn should watch who is exposed to his sharp tongue - 'worse than wealthy dwarves', indeed. How to alienate two races in one simile. It's great to see Celeborn keeping two descendants of Finwe in line with his line in sarcasm.

'He always did enjoy the happiness of others as though it were his own.' What a nice Celebrimbor. I agree with Galadriel. Generosity of spirit would certainly draw a line between Celebrimbor and his father / grandfather.

This chapter certainly has my curiosity aroused. I hope it's not too long before it's satisfied!




Author Reply:
Sorry about switching scenes. But, there are a great many people in Celebrian's life and Hrassa and Celeborn have a lot to talk about.

*Sigh* Laerlinath is who she is, but Aurthon loves her dearly so I cannot be too mean to her.

Everyone gets down on poor Celebrimbor for being Feanorionath. Tolkien tells us he has a conscious and he still fell under Annatar's influence. So, he was swayed, but only up to the point his inate goodness would be compromised. After all, he did break with his family over right and wrong, not greed or ambition. He is destined to atone for giving into temptation as will Boromir in a later age.

I think one reason people react badly to what Celeborn says is that what he says is usually very true. And who wants to hear the truth about themselves?

Eregion had to be based on trade and that means middle-men and shopkeepers. I like to think of it as a Renaissance Italy in Arda. Acceleration of the arts and sciences is almost just a side-effect. Heh, I can easily imagine a Romeo&Juliet affair between two Amanyar and Umanyar families with the Lord and Lady simply trying to keep the two sides from killing eachother, all set in the midst of an opulant society. 'She does teach the stars to burn bright' Ah, but I have already be chasitized for the eldar-violence going beyond the pale.

I am in the process of polishing the next chapter, but it is a tough one. Absolutely no plot development, just talking... talking... talking...

Thank for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Return to Chapter List