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Discretion  by Bodkin 13 Review(s)
Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/12/2005
It's noble of Aragorn to want to warn his brothers, and save them from embarrassment. It's notable that he's the only one of the family who want to - the rest are enjoying this far too much. I can easily imagine Arwen getting her revenge for millennia of brotherly torment.

I love the final thought of Gimli subtly adding to their vocabulary!

Author Reply: Aragorn is the only one to be caught out using dwarven 'curses', too. He can empathise with the twins' embarrassment - because he's feeling it.

I'm wondering if Arwen had managed to pick up on the joke along the way. Maybe one of the reasons (apart from 'they're my brothers') is that she knows it is her naneth's wicked little jest.

And Gimli's scheme to add to their collection of phrases is so sneaky that they'll never work it out. Probably not even after Legolas has let the cat out of the bag!

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/12/2005
Good old Aragorn. I was kind of touched by his concern for the twins. Of course he had no chance with Arwen turning on the charm. I really like the way you create a humorous situation without making the characters cartoonish. It's all the more fun for the subtlety. On to the next! ~TF

Author Reply: Aragorn was caught out too! I think maybe that gave him a fellow feeling of sympathy with his foster brothers. Of course, once he'd had time to think about it . . . And Arwen - (I wonder if her naneth told her why she shouldn't copy her brothers' vocabulary?) - wasn't going to let this joke be ruined. I can't help inserting a tinge of weltschmerz - elves, particularly just have this unavoidable edge of sorrow.

And I'm glad I manage to avoid cartoonish. Thank you.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/11/2005
Arwen has a sense of humor and wants to keep it secret, I wonder who all knew this as the twins said these words.
Gimli as well has his eye on not telling and enjoying himself too...

Author Reply: Gimli is going to try to collect the phrases used by the twins - and he has a cunning plan to add to their vocabulary. He isn't actually going to teach Elladan and Elrohir new expressions. He is just going to use them where the twins can hear him - and then give himself points on the strength of which ones the sons of Elrond pick up and how absurd they are.

And Arwen knows, I think, that her naneth is in on this joke and doesn't want it spoiled by a bit of brotherly solidarity between Aragorn and the twins. She has some very effective weapons when it comes to bending Elessar to her will - and she is prepared to use them!

Thank you.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
*Snicker* The King wisely pronounces his verdict. And the Queen approves. Hehe! All she needed to do at that point was patronizingly pat his hand. LOL!

All these little scenes were just wonderful! Excellent explanation for why the joke went on for sooo long!
Thnaks for writing them down for us all to read and enjoy.

...untidy hair... You can take the king out of the ranger, but you cannot take the ranger out of the king, eh? ;D


Author Reply: Arwen isn't managing the King - is she? She's not really using millennia of experience to turn the Dunedain to mush while she messes with his mind?

I think she's be in on the joke for a long time - probably since before her naneth sailed. She's not going to let a bit of brotherly solidarity spoil it now. Not to mention that she and Gimli can see the potential for even more fun in this.

I'm glad you've enjoyed this. It grew rather - and could actually grow further, but I think it's gone as far as it should. I'm starting to feel rather sorry for the twins!

Untidy hair, straggly beard, unable to keep his clothes looking immaculate! I don't know what Arwen saw in the ranger. Oh, wait . . .

Thank you.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
OOOHHHHH--Arwen is WILEY! Letting her brothers continue to make verbal fools of themselves for Gimli's amusement while distracting her beloved so physically! Hehehehehe! Wiley woman, wiley woman! Love IT!

Author Reply: Arwen can twist Aragorn round her little finger. Not, of course that she would take advantage of that!!

I wonder if Arwen knows that Glorfindel knows . . . and that her adar and daeradar and daernaneth know . . . and that her naneth . . . Do you know, I think she does!! Little Arwen was only too keen to copy her big brothers, now wasn't she? But her naneth could hardly permit her daughter to use that kind of language . . . And then, maybe Arwen was a bit more enthusiastic a student and found some of those words in Elrond's Khuzdul dictionary.

She and Gimli are going to have a lot of fun with this. (So is Aragorn, once he has got over the awkwardness.)

EllieReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
This is precious. Too funny!

Author Reply: You like the King of the United Realm being turned into mush by his wife? And an alliance of dwarf and elf?

Poor twins. I'm beginning to feel sorry for them!

Thank you.

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
This is just too hilarious! Poor Aragorn trying to defend his brothers. Arwen was great. And again, I love Gimli. You should do more stories with him. You really capture him well here, I think. These were great, Bodkin. :-)

Author Reply: Aragorn might have been a little more enthusiastic about the joke if he hadn't just been caught out. And could picture himself putting his foot in it with the dwarven diplomats. But Arwen managed to convince him . . . Or, at least, take his mind off the subject.

I'm so pleased you like Gimli. Maybe I will have to do more with him. Thank you.

Rose SaredReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
Oh no, now you have done it, over a hundred years of subversive elf baiting just to find out their full vocabulary - hehehe. Your Gimli is so spot on I find myself retrospectively missing his voice in your other work. Bother mortality anyway - bah!
Loves ya
Rose


Author Reply: And, what is more, he has developed a cunning plan - he is going to see if he can add to that vocabulary. Just the odd muttered imprecation - uttered so that only elven hearing can pick it up . . . and Gimli keeping careful score. A dangerous game, but someone's got to play it.

I have written very little Gimli - so I am very pleased that you think he is in character. (Not least because your Gimli is such a great character.) Yes, it's a shame that the Fellowship end up divided by something as tedious as mortality.

Thank you. (Looking forward to your next instalment!!)

EthareiReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
LMAO! TeeheeHA, this is a gem! Had me laughing from chapter one, especially with the thought of such a wise, stately Elf as Galadriel being aware of the more, uh, vulgar aspects of communication *g* I think my favourite chapter was 'Brothers Beneath the Skill', especially Gimli's translation on these mysterious phrases. Mind you, I'm a bit suspicious now of all those Sindarin and Quenya phrases I've picked up over the net ^_^ Definitely a breath of fresh air to see the Peredhil twins being the clueless subjects of a self-inflicted joke. Thank you, I really enjoyed reading this!

Author Reply: Galadriel likes to put across the image of Miss Perfect Hair, but underneath it she is quite earthy. It's one of those things she hides - except from Celeborn. Not to mention one of the things he likes about her!

Brothers Beneath the Skin just jumped out at me and begged to be written - it was difficult to think of suitable phrases without becoming too vulgar myself. I'm sure some of the things they say are a little cruder. Dwarves, too, are quite earthy.

Someone's review mentioned teaching foreign exchange students to use really unsuitable language - I just hope that LOTR enthusiasts are more mature. No? Maybe not!

Poor twins. I think they will have to get their own back somehow. They really aren't simple-minded jokers. Most of the time.

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

perellethReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/10/2005
Now all he had to do was get those flighty elves, without realising his intent, to reveal all their choicest expressions – and that would make a pleasant project for him over the many peaceful years to come. NOw, come, did he, did he, did he? When, how, why?

Oh my, thanks I'm all alone on the whole floor, I was able to snicker all the way! You know, this has actually finished up the twins in my eyes! Never again I'll be able to read about them without remembering this, I fear! That was superb! :-)

Author Reply: I've just copied a bit of what I said to Dot here

- However, Gimli (this one is NOT going to make it to paper) has a devious little scheme of his own to keep him entertained over the next century. Not only is he planning to collect the phrases used by the sons of Elrond, he has in mind the possibility of adding to them. Just a few casual phrases - accidentally employed in elven earshot. Elladan and Elrohir will collect them thirstily - like a plant in the rain at the end of a dry week. And Gimli will watch and listen and act dumb. And enjoy. Although he will have to act carefully so as not to pollute the mind of his elf.

I have no plans to add this at the moment. For one thing, it would turn snippets from various points of view into a Gimli story - so it would have to be a stand alone and I don't think I'm confident enough to centre a whole story on Gimli. And for another - the poor twins have suffered enough! For the moment.

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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