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Differences  by Bodkin 13 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/23/2007
I have a soft spot for Galadriel though she cannot have been easy to live with !

Author Reply: I love Galadriel. And I love the fact that Celeborn is her equal and they spar without having to fear that they will crush each other.

Thanks, Linda.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2007
Sorry this is so late, Bodkin. It's been quite a month. I read this when you posted it and laughed my head off because it reminded me of so many people I know. The problem with people who suck all the air out of the room-there's not enough room for two of them in the same room. But there seems to be more going on here. Oropher is so insecure and jealous of Galadriel - I love the scene with him complaining to his wife about how Galadriel is mean to him - the biggest egos seem to need the most care and feeding, don't they? But what must aggravate him to the core is that Galadriel doesn't seem to suffer from that need - she just gets. The way you wrote this, I was laughing a bit at Oropher but also sympathizing with the poor old bear. And Galadriel - well, she certainly has a well-developed sense of entitlement, but then, as Oropher pointed out, why wouldn't she? I enjoyed watching these tigers circle one another.

Author Reply: I'm dreadfully late replying, too, meckinock. Too much work to let myself get diverted into hours of replying to reviews. Oropher and Galadriel are not going to give in - their irritation with each other is too many centuries old and they'd both miss it if it stopped. It's a kind of friendship, in a way. One that avoids the need for politeness. Celeborn and Idherien cope because they are each more than capable of managing their own strong-willed spouse.

Galadriel will miss Oropher terribly when he is killed. And be absolutely furious with him, too.

Thanks, meckinock.

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/12/2007
Hehehe! And I thought I loved Thranduil and Galadriel! Oropher and Galadriel are a riot too. You hit these two right on the head--this is exactly the differences I picture them having and exactly the way I see them reacting to them.

‘We are on the verge of communicating civilly, you know.’

Great! Yes, Heaven forbid that anyone else should know that there is even the slightest chink in the armor--it is much more fun the other way.

I love the way you write these characters Bodkin!

Author Reply: Thranduil has inherited Galadrien dislike - but he doesn't really know that the truly evil thing she did was to steal young Oropher's favourite cousin and make him marry her - and get him so deeply in Elu's bad books that Celeborn had to leave Doriath.

I think they've got to the point where they just like bickering, now. And they're not about to give it up just because it irritates the life out of Celeborn and Idherien.

Thank you, elliska. I love these characters - they are such fun to play with.

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2007
Oh, Bodkin, this is just delicious!

You have such a gift for dialog... and your characterizations shine with such individuality.

Thank you for this treat!

- Barbara

P.S. I again took the opportunity to mention another of your great stories in the Author's Notes of my drabble series, Fell and Fair:

The harsh details of Ranger life and death are from my imagination, no doubt influenced by many of the dozens of thoughtful Tolkien fanfiction stories I have read over the years. For example, I was struck by a line in Bodkin's fine story, Awaiting the Thaw, in which a Ranger who is dying in Imladris finds comfort in the fact that his grandsons will at least know where his grave is.

Gotta love those resolute Rangers....


Author Reply: Thank you, Barbara. I'm so pleased you liked it. I love Galadriel and Celeborn - and putting Oropher into the mix just stimulates such fun conversations.

I'm flattered that you referred to something I'd written - I always feel that I'm playing at this while other people are really thoughtful writers and I'm so pleased whenever anyone says something like that. You're right - Rangers have such courage and resilience.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2007
*snerk*
Ha!
*G*
Oh yes! I can seem them doing that!
....... ?!
LOL!
*snort*
"...I would never call you a pretty face..." LOL! Gotcha at your own game, coz.

ROFLMAO!

Very good, Bodkin. Full of laughs, but real insights too. A lovely gift for Perelleth that everyone gets to enjoy.





Author Reply: I think - despite the fact that Oropher will never forgive Galadriel for stealing his cousin - that they both know that this is now a bit of a game. And being determinedly not-friends is almost the same as being friends in a perverted sort of way. Without the disadvantage of having to be nice to each other.

Thanks, Redheredh. I'm glad you liked it. Sorry to be so slow replying, but I'm drowning in paperwork and trying to avoid getting too absorbed in the fun stuff.

utfrog98Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2007
Bodkin,

Any new story you post is a delight. I had relatives who carried old grudges for 50+ years. You capture the situation well.

Author Reply: Oropher's never forgiven Galadriel for stealing his cousin. And he never will - even if he won't admit that Celeborn was a willing participant in the marriage. I suspect they could get on better - but why bother, when Idherien and Celeborn are there to buffer them!

Thanks, utfrog.

perellethReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2007
Thank-you Bodkin, for taking the time! This was a nice insight into the relationship that had me chuckling for a while. These two are like storms colliding, and i was laughing at their surprise. ‘We are on the verge of communicating civilly, you know.’

It makes sense that they would find common grounds on the weights of ruling, and Oropher's statement that he wished he could be an elfling comes out as a bit of surprisee that he woud admit that to the enemy! :-) But it suits his deligthfully boyish behaviour for the whole piece. Idherien is a saint! :-)

Thank-you again, Bodkin, I really loved it.

Author Reply: I hope you had a good birthday, Perelleth, even though it's now ages ago and I've only just got round to replying.

I suspect that a young Oropher was enormously resentful of this dratted refugee elleth with the light of the Trees in her eyes - the evil witch who came and stole his favourite cousin and put him out of favour with Elu. And like many adolescent resentments, he's never entirely outgrown it.

They do have a lot of concerns in common - and could probably understand each other better - but why bother, when Idherien and Celeborn are there to act as buffers! Idherien puts up with Oropher well - but then, he would do anything for her.

Thanks, Perelleth. I'm glad you liked it.

ziggyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2007
This is great fun- Oropher is always convincing in your stories and I love the relationship he has with his wife. The sparks fly just so with him.And it put a new perspective on the whole Galadriel - Oropher thing whilst giving Celeborn a bit more oomph than han he seems to have in book. I am afraid I have a good old wood-elf suspicion of Galadriel too and find her a little irritating - she is a bit superior and I always felt that the Mirkwood contingent (Jasta TM I think!!) was rather hard done by fighting off the darkness without a ring. There's a whole series here - Oropher and Elrond; Orophewr and Gil-Galad; oropher and Manwe!!

Author Reply: In my mind, one of the reasons that a young Oropher came to so dislike Galadriel is that the &*%%&* Noldo stole the heart of his favourite cousin and she had no right to interfere! Celeborn, on the other hand, it the only one I can imagine being tough enough to manage Galadriel - and I firmly believe that he does.

The advantage to having survived without a ring is that the Mirkwood elves continued to survive into the Fourth Age, when all the other remaining elves were driven to sail. But they did have it rough. Maybe if their relationships with Lothlorien and Imladris had been warmer, it might have helped. But probably not.

Thanks, ziggy.

BMReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/10/2007
I enjoyed this piece! It was a great insight into Galadriel--made her more touchable and approachable, less remote. I do hope you have more coming!

Author Reply: Thank you, BM. I like Galadriel as a real person - with faults and idiosyncracies - rather than the perfect golden elf. And I really love the way Celeborn manages her - what an elf! Oropher is fun to play with, too - and I suspect he is managed better with a carrot than a stick.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/10/2007
As I think about it, I suspect both Galadriel and Oropher would be hard to live with, but I think I might prefer Galadriel. Oropher would drive me nuts. His wife is a saint. "I can if I want to," he says. LOL.

Celeborn is funny as he takes secret amusement in how riled up Galadriel gets. He'd better watch his step.

Author Reply: I think Celeborn has Galadriel's number - and I suspect he is ruthless in applying the thumbscrews when he wants to. Oropher's wife is more subtle when it comes to elf-management - and he would do anything for her.

I love playing with these characters.

Thanks, daw.

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