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Of Elves and Men  by Eruanneth_Luin 5 Review(s)
Miss Cara HolmsReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/18/2018
I cannot fathom the raw emotion you have captured in this story. The words, the unadulterated love between Aegnor and Andreth. I love the Finarfin sons racing eachother. Baby Andreth siezing Aegnors hair capturing his heart instantly. And that cherished memory of mesmerised curiousity in each others eyes when first they noticed each other. Your expressions of love and affection are so poetic and beautiful you lose me every time I read this story. Try as I and all others might. I will never read or write this story the way you have. It is exactly how the tale of Aegnor and Andreth would be told and how I would like to know it.

artanisnerwenReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/19/2015
I really enjoyed reading this fic. It is so sad shipping a pairing who only appear in HoME, and have such a disapointing end, because there are so few fics (and even less in canon) and they are just so sad, dying stubbornly alone. It was so nice reading a fic about them which I both liked the writting of and where they get the ending they should. I have no idea if you will get this, given how long ago it was you last put something on here, but thanks for writting this, and I would totally love it if you wrote any more of them together.

AlquawendeReviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/6/2007
Ellie had advised me to read this, and I did. I love it. YOu have clearly shown your knowledge of the Athrabeth. I am also glad that someone has added to the archives about the House of Finarfin. I always went with the thought that Andreth died and Aegnor remained in Mandos tell Dagor Dagorath which is also canon, but I prefer your version. There is a happy ending, but it also is sad when Andreth dies. Few people have written of Aegnor and Andreth and I do say that you have done them justice. I enjoyed reading about Bregor's transformation. It was very detailed. In the first few chapters I never thought about Aegnor meeting Andreth when she was a child and becoming her protector. It certainly gives more reason for their relationship to be even more tragic than it already is. Fans always say that Luthien and Beren's relationship was the first all the time, but they forget Aegnor and Andreth. Another plus for them is that this is the only one where the male elf falls in love with the mortal maid.

Thanks again for writing such a wonderful story!

Author Reply: This tale has haunted me for years, but until my elusive muse, Daeron, consented to reveal some interesting details, I had no idea how to share my yearning to explore the heartbreaking tale of Aegnor and Andreth.

Since elves are not drawn to the fëa rather than the hröa and even then are in no hurry, his acquaintance with Andreth, babe, child, youth and young woman merely indicates, for him, a natural progression. Then too, elves and men worked in close alliance during those perilous times with a strong likelihood of frequent visits.

Like most tales of extraordinary relationships, there is hardly ever a “happily-ever-after” ending. Like Beren and Luthien, this remarkable pair experienced a period of great and unique blessings after enduring seemingly endless grief, but were fated alike to a “high doom”. We cannot expect to attempt to alter our Eru-given natures without dire consequences.

Most people side with Andreth and feel that Aegnor should have acquiesced simply to meet her wants, regardless of the eternal agony he would have suffered when she died.

Alassiel asked me for the details of Beren's transformation, so I must thank her for the thought.

Thank you for the wonderful review, Alquawende. It is a joy to know that the effort was not in vain.

ellieReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/27/2007
This was so exquisitely beautiful. It will be difficult to read any one else's take on this tale for you have just completed it in the most wonderful way possible. Loved the guests getting wet, too cute! I'd say more but it's hard to type when one is crying.

Utterly beautiful and so very well done!

Author Reply: One of the resaons I wrote this tale is that I had read other versions and found them unsatisfying at best.

You never can tell what will occur when Valar and Maiar are included among the guests. Ossë's arrival caught me quite surprise, too. Here I thought it would be such a solemn event. :)

It was also very difficult to write when crying. Tears tend to blur one's view of the computer screen, and they are not the best cleaning agent for the keyboard.

I thank you, Ellie, for taking the time not only to read, but to review. It means a lot to know you have done a credible job with an unusual situation.

A am well satisfied that now the tale of Aegnor and Andreth has been told with compassion and a deeper understanding from the dual perspectives.

ElflingimpReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/27/2007
Not until the ending of Arda is a line I think that gives hope that at least they will be reunited,I want to tell you that was the lovelyest story I have read in a long time(yes I cried at the end) I wonder what it will be like if they ever are reunited but that is another story is'nt it?

Author Reply: Yes, that would be another story!

Aegnor and Andreth are shining examples of enduring, selfless love. Though both struggled, in differetn ways, with the frustration of singleness, neither would forgo the commitment to one another. We have much to learn from such steadfast faithfulness. It gives hope that they will again be joined together.

I am glad you enjoyed the story, Elflingimp. It is what encourages authors to write in the first place.

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