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| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 25 Review(s) |
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| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/1/2006 |
| It looks like one could easily count Elrond among the casualties of this War. The power of its end knocks him flat on his back for a few days, and he never really recovers from what he lost. Throughout the rest of the chapter, he moves like one of the walking wounded, learning to live his life again, semi-crippled. By this time next year, he'll really be looking forward to Valinor. But Elrond is still Elrond, and he accepts all of this most gracefully. Author Reply: The phrase 'ending well' comes to mind here. The Elves succeeded, but success merely brought about their end. Men succeeded, and brougth about their own new beginning. Very interesting contrasts. One thing I like about Tolkien is that not everyone lived happily ever after.. some suffered and never recovered, and all suffered sorrow. | |
| paranoidangel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 5/22/2006 |
| I think I've started reading this twice and got interrupted but have finally made it through now! Oh, poor Elrond. Wanting to stay and see Arwen's children. Not being able to have a good excuse for Arwen to not give up her mortality. But since angst is good, I liked this chapter :) Author Reply: These chapters feel like we've entered Elrond's private hell. Heck, this whole story feels that way. In soem ways, I have to draw back.. as he seems so real to me that I feel like I'm invading his life in ways not meant to be shared. Yes, I'm weird. :/ | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/30/2006 |
| Upon rereading, two scenes really gripped my heart: the elves singing at the sight of Arwen's banner, and the devices of the High King flying once again over the city and Elrond, speechless at joining Arwen's hand with Aragorn's The wedding comes later, and I'm simply panting for it, but the joining takes place right there. Aragorn kneeling as well as kissing her hand is just stunning. Author Reply: I was thinking of how simple yet truly stunning those events must have been to witness.... pomp and circumstance, the elves elegant and collected even after weeks of travel, and in a way, its announcing their end. The Evenstar of their people given to Men. I get all twisted up inside when I think of it. :/ | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/24/2006 |
| Wow, what a chapter. You wrote all of this so brilliantly that I'm nearly speechless, but I'll see if I can some up with some coherent applause. - the end of the One Ring. We all know how it is going to end up, of course, but somehow you managed to have me on the edge of my seat. Probably my favorite part is the flashes of Glorfindel we get. You know that he is just on the edge, ready to do whatever is necessary to protect Elrond, even if it means ending his life. Holding Arwen back until he knows for sure … ooffh. That hit me, and hard. - Just the feeling of … illness, inaction in Elrond throughout. He isn't dying, of course, but that's what it felt like. Watching a once-vibrant elder fade away. And Elrond becoming aware of his own weakness. I don't think he really is a weak person, but compared to who he was with Vilya's strength, he must feel utterly sapped. - Galadriel's wisdom, and her ability to lean back on her old wiles to support her, at least for a little while. - This was simply amazing: "he felt as if his heart were shredded, flayed, and the wounds that had been left behind could not be stitched closed, nor were the gaps small enough or few enough to simply be rewoven. Healing would take time. A very long time." What an apt way to put it. - Arwen's strength and joy as she moves forward with her life. - Irritated Elrond! That just rung so true. All these years, he has been master of so much, and now he cannot even master himself. Speaks volumes. - The youth of Eomer and Eowyn. They never feel that young in the books, but it seemed perfect to see that they truly are, especially compared with the ancient elves. Looking forward to where you take us next, as ever. Author Reply: Wow, thanks Bejai! You are very kind. This was a difficult chapter to write in that I had to really put on Elrond's shoes and see what it felt like - the sad, the melancholy, my own faults, etc. What it means to 'end well' - to go with grace and dignity. To be humbled. And to not begrudge his daughter her happiness. How young Eomer and Eowyn must have seemed to elves! I would be it felt like being next to a roaring fire next to an elven glowing ember in terms of their spirits. The Rohirrim were so very alive and vibrant. We're winding down, but there are some good parts yet to go, I think. Thanks for staying with me. I hope things are well with you. :) | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/24/2006 |
| Some striking visual images in this chapter - I had not thought that the smoke and ash from Mount Doom could be seen from Imladris, but when I think back to Mount Saint Helens, it's not so hard to imagine. Thank goodness for the west wind. And thank goodness for Glorfindel - a rock, as always. Poor Elrond, though - I don't suppose he could have imagined, when he rejected the Gift of Men so long ago, that in the end he would be forced to accept the doom facing every mortal - to leave behind the fruits of one's labor for the benefit of those who come after. Although it must bring him some solace to know he's free at last to reunite with Celebrian, what an agonizing parting he now faces. Elrond's weakness and disorientation following the destruction of the Ring must have been devastating not just for him to experience but for his family to watch. I suppose it must feel a little like drug withdrawal. Interesting how his reaction differs from Galadriel's (and what of Gandalf? Is a Maia affected at all?) Being less powerful than Galadriel, Vilya affected him more deeply. I hope that since he was a wise and powerful person before Vilya, he'll find himself again. Tough that he has to be strong for Arwen. But he toughed it out. A very bittersweet time for everyone, although I hope he finds some solace in the destruction of Sauron and the dawn of a new age. Author Reply: I hoped between elvish eyesight and a majorly erupting volcano, they could see that much. IF not, artistic license. :D I was thinking so much about Elrond and Galadriel... and all the elves, really... they are fading off into the sunset. Talk about having to learn the meaning of grace and dignity. Ending well is tough.. you have to have lived pretty well to end well, and you have to be of strong faith/character/internal fortitude. Next chapter we get into the effects on the other ringbearers. Its interesting to htink about how different the four are - maia, hobbit, elf and half elf.. and what 'injury' was similar and how their makeup either protected or made them more vulnerable. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/24/2006 |
| Lovely chapter all way round. Arwen bidding farewell to Imladris got to me. So many other elves will be doing the same with Middle-earth and lingering loved-ones. I really sympathize with Elrond relinquishing his role, his powers, and finding it very hard to do. How does one graciously diminish and accept a more feeble existence. Certainly, a metaphor for aging mortals. He'll feel better when he gets to the Blessed Realm, I hope; and discovers tranquility is not all that bad. Almost to the end... :( Author Reply: How hard it must be to say goodbye after this length of time. For Arwen to leave her home to marry not after twenty or thirty years, but three thousand.. oy, there is just no good way to imagine it. Elrond is learning what it means to end well and to go with grace and dignity. He has to go just fade off into the sunset. :( | |
| RS | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/24/2006 |
| Brilliant, Excellent! Wow! Is it panic or dread that I am feeling when Elrond realizes that Frodo is being taken by the ring? And what I sight it must be to see smoke and ash fill the sky. Amazing description! "I think I may faint" I love that line from Eowyn! I have always thought the part where Aragorn finally meeting Elrond and Arwen and the rest of the elves needed more than just the few lines that Tolkien wrote. You have enhanced it and gave it warmth and emotion! Arwen's emotions were so contagious! You can feel her pride in Aragorn and her exuberance. Such a proud moment of seeing the standard (gave me chills)! I don't know whether to cry for happiness or sadness---I'm a wreck! I truly enjoyed this. WELL DONE! Author Reply: Oh, I'm glad I made you a wreck. I made myself melancholy and sad writing it, and really wasn't sure how people would react. Thank you much for your kind words. :D | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/23/2006 |
| A tense and very sad chapter, Nilm. Excellent job! Author Reply: Thanks, Karri. Another tough one in the coming, but I'm glad its done. | |
| Lianna | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/23/2006 |
| Oh, poor Elrond. He reminds me of an elderly person who has been forced to give up his driver's license. He keeps having to remind himself that he can no longer do a thing that he long took for granted, and the loss of that ability diminishes him. For Elrond, of all people, to have to accept help from others and have them make allowances for his problem must be humiliating. And on top of it, he's facing eternal separation from his daughter. Tolkien never told us whether going to Aman actually helped Elrond or Galadriel -- or even Celebrian. I guess we have to take it on faith that they would do better in the Blessed Realm than in Middle-Earth. Author Reply: The change in circumstance does have to be devastating, as well as confusing. Fortunately, he has friends nearby.. and hopefully his heart will turn its hope to Valinor and the hope that Celebrian is healed and waiting for him. | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/23/2006 |
| Galadriel shines under a new light here! I have been humbled by Celeborn’s care. Let go of your pride and let those who love you protect and comfort you. That was very compasssionate, perceptive and even ironic comment from her part, I really loved that! Great Galadriel, as she should be! The whole chaper is very well done. It must have been terrible for the Ring bearers, and they knew waht they were risking when that moment came. IT was the role of the elves in this end of age, I believe, to allow and to resist, and that is no minor deed. The effects upon Elrond are telling. It is hard for him to accept being diminished, and in this it is also clear the insidious effects of Celebrimbor's crafts... and the bearers' risk, mistake, chance, folly, in wielding them on the first place. Arwen is great. She is not sad, how could she be? and she knows that her hapiness also gives meaning to to all that is coming to and end with the Age. I also like the moment between Elrond and his sons, after Elladan's Great Line! Those stolen moments, with his sons reporting around gobletes of wine and a fire, and Elrond concentranting in waht they said rather than in the future rang very true to me. Such sadness among the general joy must have been difficult to sort out, even for elves! Wonderful chapter! Author Reply: The effects upon Elrond are telling. It is hard for him to accept being diminished, and in this it is also clear the insidious effects of Celebrimbor's crafts... and the bearers' risk, mistake, chance, folly, in wielding them on the first place. This is so true. And though the Elves may have intellectually understood the risks, seeing what happens to them now could not have been adequately prepared for. Accepting their diminished state will take grace and humility. Arwen is great. She is not sad, how could she be? and she knows that her hapiness also gives meaning to to all that is coming to and end with the Age I wonder how she must have, to some degree, hardened her heart to her father's pain (as he would have wanted) and gone resolutely forward. She is determination embodied. Poor Elladan. He is fortunate no one boxed his ears! He's never had his father's tact, but his father has surely covered for many in that department. To see his react with ire...to be all testy and irritatble... had to take them all back! Glad you liked it. We're coming to the end. :( | |