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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	14 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/4/2006
We may have to agree to disagree on the matter of Elrond, but maybe I should explain my description of him as ‘arrogant’. It’s funny, but the point you brought up in your review response in his defence is one of the main problems I have with him – “He been has managing these affairs for a long time”. He has indeed – together with Galadriel and Gandalf, he has been managing and manipulating the lives of generations of dunedain (and, to an apparently lesser extent, the other free peoples). Doubtless it has all been with the most noble of intentions, but there is still something quite patronising about it. (I confess I have a similar problem with the inferences in the book and in a lot of fanfictions that all of the wisdom to be found in Middle Earth left on a grey ship at the end of the 3rd Age – the idea that of course the eldar were superior to men and therefore they had a right to move the chesspieces.) I do believe Elrond genuinely loved Aragorn, but I’m afraid the way I see it he tried his best to keep A&A apart. I agree that they would never have fallen in love if Arwen had been around when Estel was growing up, but somehow I don’t think that was Elrond’s intention when he packed Arwen off to Lorien and kept her very name from being mentioned around Estel. I can of course sympathise with the unfairness of the situation from Elrond’s point of view, but to me it still smacks of hypocrisy to raise Estel/Aragorn up under the imperative of duty and destiny, but (in my view at least) take concerted action to prevent his own daughter’s part in that destiny. While Gandalf at least appears to have been involved in ordering the dunedain world (it’s not clear whether Galadriel cared all that much about them either way), he seems to be much more accepting of destiny in general (perhaps because he does not become too attached to any of his chesspieces, except for Bilbo & Frodo?). And as for Galadriel, she certainly did nothing to keep A&A apart, and arguably she helped it along – she could have denied Aragorn access to Lorien, or kept him oblivious to Arwen’s presence, instead she decked him out like an elf lord and all but presented him up to her. That aside, I have to say that your Elrond is on the whole quite a likeable chap – once he accepts the inevitability of their bonding, he becomes quite a decent advocate for Aragorn, leaving Arwen in no doubt about the depth and purity of Aragorn’s love for her (in ch 12), and reassuring Aragorn (in ch 13) that he is worthy. I guess it is a testament to the shades of grey Tolkien wrote into his grand tale - we wouldn’t still be debating motives and characterisations 50-odd years on if it was all black and white. Cheers, jules Author Reply: I suppose in many ways the Elves must have felt like parents when dealing with the Secondborn. They've always 'been there, seen it, done it'. 'Tried that and it didn't work'. But then, as a parent, it is very difficult seeing your children learning from hard experience lessons you could have passed on - if only they wanted to listen. You could say - (although I won't convince you!) - that in trying to keep Aragorn and Arwen apart, Elrond was giving into his human side! He raised Estel to be the best Man he could be - and kept Arwen out of his way. And if destiny meant them to be together, then let destiny look after getting them in the same place at the same time! Galadriel, on the other hand, didn't mind shoving fate in the direction she thought it needed to go. She offered it a hand - and then let it take care of itself. Elrond could be considered - if you wanted to think of it that way - as having been damaged by his own experiences. Father - gone when he was so young he doubtless didn't remember him. Mother - flung herself off a cliff to avoid murderers. Brought up by said murderers - probably Stockholm syndrome there. Lost his home - at least twice. (Sirion and the whole of Beleriand.) Experienced war young - lost his closest friend and surrogate carer in a later war. Lost his wife to torment and despair that made her choose to leave him (no matter it was to save her life). Sons descended into emotional instability for a while. No wonder he was suffering from separation anxiety and a desperate desire to protect what he had left. The Elves were right to sail at the end of the Third Age. They didn't have all the answers - but they did have a lot more experience than Men - and in the end you just have to let people live their own lives and make their own mistakes. I'm still fond of Elrond - whom I see as a chap trying hard to do his best in a situation where most of the decisions were very difficult to call. The complexity of Tolkien's world - and the amount that is just sketched out or offered with tantalising wisps of information - is what makes it such a great place to play. Thank you.

jules	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2006
‘I think I might prefer to confront Elrond than come up against the displeasure of Estel’s naneth.” Gilraen really does take charge in this chapter, bringing Aragorn down to (Middle) earth with a thud, then switching to pep-talk mode, then giving Arwen a not so subtle shove back to Lorien and out of Aragorn’s way. I thought there was an interesting parallel here to the opening of ch 1 – beware a woman with an embroidery needle, in Bodkin’s world it means there’s a serious conversation coming up! The most serious of subjects debated behind a façade of utmost gentility and decorum. Meanwhile, poor Aragorn is desperately confused and unhappy, and Gilraen is right, he has had to deal with too much too soon. You do a good job of showing Elrond’s pain too, but personally I can never get over his complete arrogance – the attitude that it is his right to dictate the course of Estel/Aragorn’s life, while at the same time doing all he can to keep Arwen from her own destiny because it doesn’t quite fit his plans for the future. Anyway, having done what he can to prevent them meeting, it has all started to unfold now, and for all his power and influence he can do nothing but watch. Author Reply: I wanted a strong Arwen - but I also wanted a strong Gilraen! She chose to leave her people and raise Aragorn in Rivendell so that he should have the chance to grow up safely and learn to be the man who could be king. I suppose it could be looked on as a wimpish evasion of her responsibilities - but it could also be seen as a very courageous and self-sacrificial thing to do. She committed herself to living alone among an alien race of people, keeping silent about her son's family to protect him. That is endurance. And yet she managed to raise Aragorn to be a man influenced by elves rather than a man who wanted to pretend he was an elf. Women with embroidery needles are to be feared! And I like to think that Gilraen and Arwen understood each other perfectly. And that Gilraen's ability to deal with Arwen as Aragorn's mother is definitely strengthened because Arwen was not there when she arrived as a young widow with an infant son. This must have been a dreadful time for Aragorn - he is still so young to have the bottom ripped out of his world. He no longer knows who he is - or what he has to do. The sight of Arwen - it is almost as if he clings on to it as something between rebellion and a desperate need to have a guiding star. It's not love - not yet, not really. But it is something that will enable him to endure the next years. I don't see Elrond as arrogant. He has been managing these affairs for a long time - at a bit more of a distance, but Aragorn matters to him far more - he is a foster son who has become family. He knows he must let him go - but, to him, Aragorn is a child barely halfway to adulthood. He does not want Arwen to take up this destiny - but you could say that keeping her away from the child Estel actually facilitated their relationship. Could either have loved the other if Arwen had helped Gilraen rear him? Elrond is used to personal sacrifice - but he doesn't want to sacrifice his daughter - and who can blame him for that?

RS	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/12/2005
I was browsing through and found this story. I am so pleased !!! GREAT!! The twins are so endearing. I think I have a crush on Glorfindel!!! The anxiety of Celeborn knowing that the day they have dread is coming, The mental torture that Elrond is going through... You get a feeling that something is hanging over their heads and it is about to fall!!! ARwen is a very gentle soul who adores her family and yet is very strong-willed. The relationship between Aragorn and the twins is wonderful!!! I love the fact that Arwen got to know Gilraen (your characterization of her is what I have imagined her to be). I love the twins reaction to Aragorn's feelings towards Arwen!! Hilarious!! Poor Aragorn...wanting to grow up so fast and have responsibilities and then all of a sudden...bam..he got what he wished for and more. The last conversation with Aragorn and Elrond was very touching. Such a beatiful story. I can't wait for your next update!!! Author Reply: I'm glad you like it. I am shamelessly fond of the twins. And Glorfindel. And Elrond. And I think that Arwen is a very underestimated character, who almost never spent time draped on sofas looking mournful. Poor Aragorn is so young here - and has just had so much heaped upon his head that I'm not surprised he is finding it hard to cope. Really the last thing he needs at the moment is to fall irrevocably in love - but you can't argue with Appendix A! He won't be nearly as young next time he shows up, I'm afraid. Thank you for your kind words!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/24/2005
I can't decide which part of this chapter I loved the most. Glorfindel is wonderful; both in the opening scene, where we can see his devotion (great chapter title!) to and concern for Elrond and then later, when, sweaty and dirty (oh yay) he dispenses wisdom to the twins. I loved his enjoyment of the ability to still boss them around! The twins are great, too. I loved the threat to turn the next arrow on Elladan, and the image of the sons of Elrond following Aragorn around like sheepdogs, trying to protect him was delightful. Glorfindel's observation that whatever they do was likely to be received with resentment by Aragorn but they should go ahead and do it anyway was right on the mark. But then he's dealt with surly youngsters before, it sounds like. The conversation between Arwen and her brothers was delightful. There is such warmth, acceptance, and humor there, and she is very gentle with them, while making it clear that she'll make her own decisions. And Gilraen is strong as nails and sharp as a tack. She is a wise woman to see that Aragorn needs time to sort everything out, including his feelings for Arwen. Oh, and Gilraen barging in on her sleeping offspring was perfect. It is really nice to see Gilraen so strong and decisive. Arwen is really strong here, too, and she seems to be easing her family toward what will be a very difficult realization. It was intriguing to see Elrond's mental machinations -- like Glorfindel, he knows his own power and realizes he could keep Aragorn and Arwen apart if he really tried. It must have taken all his love and trust to refrain from doing that. This was a great chapter. Author Reply: Thank you. Glorfindel has this tendency to turn up at key moments - and then leave everyone speechless. He has done a good job with training the twins, I reckon. He retains the power, even when they are more than old enough to demand to be on equal terms. But they are adult - and they are powerful in their own way. And they have their own role in this budding culmination of Elrond's long years of endeavour. I actually started this in the sheer frustration of all the female characters being portrayed so often as wimps, who get in the way of the real business. Except, that is, for Galadriel, who is evil-dragon-woman. (Not everyone, of course, and not all the time - but too often.) I loved your Elrond/Aragorn rapprochement. It is so good - it's probably just as well that my focus is Arwen, because maybe I won't touch on that at all. It was just too perfect to want to do it any differently. I'm glad you liked this - and I really must engage my brain to attempt to get further. So far the next chapter consists of about two paragraphs - and it's been there for weeks!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/9/2005
Late as usual... my apologies... But, impressed beyond belief. What a wonderful chapter! The settings you crafted for Tolkien's word-gems were themselves works of art. His words sparkle on their own. But now, they can be moved about and seen from another lovely angle; beautifully framed for hanging so to speak. Heh, the twins want to protect both their siblings and may find that very hard to do. Although he holds up as a tough commander, Glorfindel seems helpless against feminine wiles. How sweet. ];} Elrond continues to be overly-protective too. Sadly aware of possiblites. He knows Arwen and Estel's fates are intertwined, but does he really know how much or in exactly what way? Is this infatuation a true indication? Everyone fears that Arwen will be the price for the return of the king, but how? With her actions or her life or her heart? Well, her father has a few more decades while Aragorn is told to stick to plans - to set things aside and concentrate on graduating from 'king college'. What will happen when Aragorn does graduate? What will his education have taught him? He was weary when he came to Lothlorien. Personally, I never thought Aragorn was angry or confused about his heritage. He was proud of it. He was proud to tell the elf-maiden he met and instantly adored the day he learned of his true parentage. But, he was made aware what he had in hand was not enough to gain Arwen Undomiel. For him, it was a cruel twist of fate that the desired elf-maiden was Arwen and not some other to whom he could offer less. This story is just so well-told and beautifully written. More than that, it is enlightening and, as with everything you write, touches our emotions. Author Reply: Thank you so much. This chapter just flowed around the scenes set up by Tolkien. This must be such a difficult realisation for the twins - who love both Estel and Arwen - but at least they get to stay for her as long as she needs them. And Glorfindel - I can't help but picture him as one who could confront anything except a tearful elleth. Elrond it only too aware of the likely outcome. He likes to think that Arwen isn't aware of the choice she will have to make - and I think she is humouring him. She doesn't love Aragorn yet. He is too young and callow. But she feels something - the beginning of a bond, perhaps, between their fear? And Elrond is honest enough to tell Aragorn that he will have to wait, remain unwed, remain true to his path - when it would have been easy enough to push him into marriage. He has a hard path to follow. I think Aragorn would have been proud to be the heir of Isildur - but maybe angry that he had been kept in the dark. Resenting that those he trusted knew, when he hadn't. And just teenagerish. Possibly loved Arwen so devotedly because of just when he first saw her. Instant endless love is rare - but then, when destiny takes a hand . . . I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2005
Already beginning to accept, Elrond knows the pain will come, yet is realizing even now it is necessary. And Arwen's heart is not quite captured yet, although that will come. Love all too often, as Elrond noted, painful and yet the more precious because that is so. Author Reply: Aragorn is too young yet, I think, to capture Arwen's heart. But he is in her mind, which in the end might be even more powerful. And poor Elrond has a pretty good idea of what will be demanded of him, I think. He knows, if anyone does, that sacrifice and self-denial are important elements of love. Thank you.

lindahoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/6/2005
What a lovely poignant scene for Gilraen and Aragorn.I will see it in my mind's eye when I read the book in future.As always Elrond's words about "binding no woman in troth" mystify me as matching him with one of the Ranger women would have ensured Arwen sailed with her father. Maybe Elrond knew what was to be ? I am enjoying this story. Author Reply: Such a hard time for them both. Gilraen knows that she will never have her son to herself again - and Aragorn must be on the edge. The confusion of the revelations about his ancestry, combined with Elrond's words about duty - and his long term marriage prospects! - must have stirred him up into exactly the right frame of mind to lay his heart at Arwen's feet. Even though she is not yet sure she knows what to do with it. Elrond must have been tempted to marry Aragorn off, while his youthful hormones were surging. But he is too honorable, I think, to mess with foresight and destiny. The third age is winding to an end and this will be the last chance of getting rid of Sauron. I think Elrond knew pretty well what was coming. There's a symmetry to it that makes it almost inevitable. Thank you.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/6/2005
I loved the twins here above all. I suppose it must have been kind of shock for them, and the remark about his scruffiness and growing whiskers.. well, I gave myself away at the office, LOL!! Great job Bodkin, it is so interesting to read this insider's look at events only hinted at... Author Reply: Making people give themselves away at the office. My mission is successful!! Poor twins. One moment Estel is their little foster brother - and the next he is that object of great suspicion to all big brothers - the drooling male hovering over their little sister. I don't know how they coped! Thank you. This chapter came easily (so many of the situations were already set up), but the next is barely begun!

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/5/2005
You’re really showing me this in a new light. I think I’d always thought of this part of the story in terms of Aragorn’s acceptance of the burden of destiny, of Elrond’s ‘ultimatum’, for want of a better word, and all that. In other words, I probably only saw the bigger picture. I’d certainly never imagined Aragorn as an infatuated young man and the whole of Imladris as witness to this. You’re doing a great job with it. Reading it actually makes me feel slightly uncomfortable!! If Aragorn were younger, this would actually be rather sweet, and even now it could be something that will be laughed off later. After all, he’s hardly the first one to fall for her. But it’s the very fact that the family are trying to convince themselves, as well as Arwen’s silence actually speaking volumes, that makes it so painful. He froze suddenly in recognition of one lay, sung now in a voice that was no longer a joyful boyish treble cringe I don’t blame Elladan for wanting to beat some sense into him. It seems that Aragorn is in his own world now and doesn’t realise how inappropriate he’s being – and not just by choosing this particular ditty. ‘You have much greater difficulty organising females – whatever their race or species. Naneth and Arwen had you wrapped round their little fingers – Arwen still has!’ LOL! He’s got Glorfindel pegged! I love Elladan hastily adding the fact that he and his brother both respect him enormously. I do love Gilraen. Although, I would have actually enjoyed seeing her chase her son through the halls of Imladris! I really like how honest she is and how straightforward. She pushes him in the direction he needs to go. He, on the other hand, is a tad dramatic. As all young men can be. But what really comes through here is her love for her son, her respect for who he is, and her faith that he will achieve what is meant for him, all the while knowing that pain will play a part but accepting it as she has accepted everything else. Her strength, I think, is what I admire most about her. I thought the conversation between Arwen and her brothers was wonderful. So well done. There’s love and teasing, but underneath the twins are starting to realise that it’s more than just Aragorn’s love for her. They’re older than her, but she seems to possess a calmness, an acceptance and a quiet faith that gives her more wisdom in a way (although obviously there are depths to the Elrondionnath that they hide). She knows that her fate is unfolding and she will wait, while everyone else around her talks and thinks and plots. I laughed at the ‘horse’ references and I particularly loved the line about her daeradar. Aragorn may have meant it as a compliment to her beauty but it was a very meaningful reminder of her heritage, of what blood runs in her veins. ‘No matter what, no matter when. Now and for ever. As long as you need us. You can rely on us.’ I love that, even if it did put a lump in my throat! Of course, poor Aragorn must be a complete mixture of emotions. Elrond certainly came to the point. Another thing I hadn’t really considered was that Elrond more or less told him that he couldn’t have any wife. He didn’t just mean his own daughter, although obviously Aragorn does know what he has to accomplish to win her. Interesting. I wonder how soon Elrond thought things would come to a head. It’s a fascinating discussion. I had tears in my eyes as Elrond explains his choice and that of his children, and I love the idea of Aragorn being told tales as a child that would make him feel more at home and important, even though I had that exact same thought, that it almost drives home even more the idea that he’s somehow less than they are. But it’s a breathtaking moment when he suddenly sees clearly that the passing of the Elves is no longer in the distant future. The whole conversation is such a poignant mixture of love and pain, of pride and bitterness. I’m glad they at least part well, though Aragorn is in no doubt as to the burden he bears. It’s a very touching thought that Elrond and Gilraen are somehow connected by pain. I found myself very moved too by the fact that Gilraen can see what all this means for Elrond and is moved to pity him, to see his fate as worse than her own. Arwen’s regret for Aragorn’s destiny seems to echo some of her father’s sorrow and I thought it was interesting that the one person who won’t allow herself to wallow in pain or feel bitterness is Aragorn’s naneth. She and her son are of the Dúnedain. She has survived and succeeded in her part and so will he. It’s what they do. You’ve an interesting take on Gilraen’s departure from Imladris, and her role in Arwen returning to Lothlórien. It’s amazing to think of all the strands that come together to form the future that we know. Gilraen seems to see things more clearly, and I think in a way it’s because she thinks in the present, and knows what her people have been working towards. She doesn’t have the weight of years and history that affects the elves in Aragorn’s life. Glorfindel offers the twins good advice. They can still be around for Aragorn, whether he knows it or not. ‘In time, we must sail,’ Elladan declared, ‘if only so that we can seek out those to whom this piece of perfection will always be an infuriating elfling. I would give a great deal to see him humbled by one who knows precisely the stories that will make him squirm like a fish on a hook.’ LOL! I love how you tie your stories together :-) A shadow passed swiftly over Glorfindel’s bright face Ack. It seems to be sinking in what may have to happen before Elladan and Elrohir leave these shores… Darker colours that fitted his mood, scented with the fragrance of endings. Oh, Bodkin. What a beautiful, heartbreaking sentence. A tormented and hurting Elrond is so hard to watch. Still, it made me smile to see him and Arwen tease one another, even as it hides so much. ‘I will always miss her.’ But I think he may underestimate his daughter a little. The ‘knowledge’ is not just his. This is wonderful, Bodkin. It really is. So moving, so insightful and so thought-provoking. Author Reply: Poor Aragorn - he's only 20, which is infatuated boy even to humans with a life span of 76 or so. As a man a tenth of the way through his life span, that would be equivalent to 7.5. And to elves of x thousand, he must barely seem like out of nappies. He'd probably be more careful - but he's feeling rather defiant and persecuted at the moment, poor lamb. I really can't imagine Arwen falling desperately in love with him at this age. Yes, he might well be prettier than he will be at 40 - but she's used to elves. Aragorn is never going to win her heart because of his physical perfection. And Gilraen and Elrond are really much more understanding than they might have been! Glorfindel is putty in female hands. But woe betide any son of Elrond who hopes to play on that weakness! Although he - and E2 will stand shoulder to shoulder to protect Arwen. It must be difficult for E2 - mentally they are still protecting Estel as their little 'brother' and here he is, making an ass of himself over their sister. But he wouldn't have been the first. Were it not for the ominous background music they might just be able to shrug this off! I think Gilraen is quite happy with her humanity - seeing Secondborn as different but not inferior - and I don't think she would accept elven immortality as a gift. She must have worried terribly about Aragorn's division from men. He grew up in safety, yes, but must have had a terrible job adjusting to life among his people. The Glorfindel's childhood bit came here first - then the Secret Language bit sprouted into Discretion and it ended up part of that. I'm glad you like that sentence. Thank you. And poor Elrond. He loves Arwen and dreads losing her. But I think he knows that this is part of what he has to do. This chapter just flowed. Of course, it was helped along rather by Tolkien himself who provided chunks of things that the characters just had to say!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/5/2005
Boy, I don't even know where to start with this one. I think this is the best chapter of this story yet. I saw this And Estel, he was sure, would soon learn to relegate the elleth to some distant corner of his heart and accept the practicality of begetting heirs for his house on one of his own people. and I thought 'boy is Glorfindel wrong! Then I got to the next line and saw he recognized the problem with that thought too. And Gilrean cornering Aragorn was great, as was the conversation she had with him. She was frank. Poor Aragorn. That must have been a heck of a thing to learn what he just had and really absorb it. And the twins' conversation with Arwen! ‘He is naturally scruffy,’ Elladan insisted. ‘And he is growing whiskers, my sister. Like a horse.’ ‘He has beautiful eyes,’ she countered. ‘Like a horse,’ Elladan nodded. Great exchange! The poor twins are so worried about her, as well they should be but this was a great conversation between them, especially the end. But my favorite parts were Elrond's conversation with Aragorn and then the last part where he's thinking about Celebrian and then talks with Arwen. Those were both powerful and captured so much. I loved this chapter. Great job! Author Reply: Thank you - and this chapter just flowed, too. Unlike the next one, which isn't getting anywhere! (Yet.) You would think - had Elrond not known what the future must hold - he would hav encouraged Aragorn to marry young and beget lots of little heirs of Isildur. But he did. Like it or not, his foresight warned him and Galadriel's mirror hinted to her and - well, pretty well everyone knew, and avoided the subject. I can't take a lot of credit for the Gilraen/Aragorn conversation - nor the Elrond/Aragorn one as Tolkien wrote a lot of the words they used there. But I accept responsibility for the horse references! Poor Elrond. (I think I end up saying that a lot.) Yet he's not movie Elrond to twist Arwen's arm and push her on board ship. He knew and suffered and accepted - not just her choice, but her destiny. I enjoyed writing this chapter - and I'm glad you liked it.

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