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| Aleglain by Redheredh | 26 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| rick | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/1/2010 |
| This story is very good & interesting. I like the way you reconcile Tolkien's contradictory stories about Celeborn being either Umanyar or Amanyar, depending on which volume of HoME you're in. Making him both is very clever! Please do continue on & finish. Thanks for writing. Author Reply: Hello, Rick! Please forgive the late reply, but I was on vacation, motoring in the Mid-West, and have finally returned home to find my mailbox stuffed. Thank you for your kind words! :D For me, "interesting" is the praise I crave. I do enjoy trying to engineer a supporting framework for the Professor's wonderful designs. His thing about Celeborn is that he becomes what he needs to be and does what is needed to further fulfill Sauron's doom, as much as does Galadriel - whose story is just as contradictory concerning her morality rather than her nationality. I hope to continue now that RL has settled down some. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! | |
| BeeGee | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/25/2009 |
| Let me begin by saying that I'm one of those old-timers who, as a fan of Marnie's Celeborn, does remember the idea behind the story. I'm really enjoying not only this "continuation" but your notations and extra info. Your characterizations are excellent! Even though I did enjoy the movies of LOTR, the PJ depiction of Elves as skipping merrily through the clover tossing rose petals, or dancing and singing all day really don't compare with Tolkien's information. The underlying tension and political climate in your story are much closer to canon. Author Reply: That is wonderful to hear. You understand how a really good writer can illumniate a character and be a hero to this fan of a character who in the past was never duly appreciated. Thank you very much for mentioning the notes etc. :) I do work on those to get the right background, before taking off on my own. Because I am at heart a canon geek, who loves a good rationalization as much as a good gap-filler. As well, I like romance and an occassional hurt/comfort scenario, but reality is made up of other kinds of conflict besides emotional. There is ethical and cultural drama, besides spiritual. History contains it all, and to me that is how Tolkien looked at his stories. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I really do appreciate it. | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/24/2009 |
| Darn! YOu cannot leave it here!!!!! Ninloss and her longing for the chieftain are entertaining and endearing! And in a masterfully simple stroke of genius, you've jsut changed my opinion of Orongil, seeing him through Nimloss' eyes. I loved their barter and the deep respect that underlies their exchange, despite the mild, affectionate mockery. And all the politics, of course, and the economics of this early Beleriand. I rather go for wandering, nomadic elves, but the socio eocnomic structure you have cme up is wonderfully detailed, and wholly beliavable to me. Why! I wonm't even contest the fact that kinslayings were not invented by the NOldor! :-) SEriously, this is getting deliciously complex and full of hints for future developements. I bow at your masery fo setting up itnesrting characters. NOw I'm looking forward to more, much more!!!! MErry Christmas, Redheredh, may your muses and the love of writing never leave you! Author Reply: Well, this is where it will sit for awhile, and I apologize for that. Very glad you like Nimloss. :) And are ok with Orongil. ;p I sorta keep the ancient Persian world in mind when I think what commerce may be like in Beleriand. Kinslayings?! Good heavens, no such thing! Please! Just the usual gang violence and tendency to dominate! Not mass murder, but territorial takeover. Very different... I think, guilt might have been a major contributing factor in why there was no retaliation with the sword, when the tragedy at Alqualonde was revealed. The Sindar were no less guilty of having killed their own kind to dispossess their opposition of what they wanted for themselves. And then on top of that, here were the Calaquendi acting in the same benighted way... Ah, future developments... on paper will develop slowly. I really love side characters as much as main. The fruit and vegetables that make the meat a real meal. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I appreciate your comments very much. Have the best and happiest year to come! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/24/2009 |
| Wow! I was so looking forward to the continuation of this story! And it was a good excuse to go back re reading, so I could pinpoint everyone. I loved the exchanges here. This young Celeborn is such a surprise! A jester, and so eager and extrovert! He really fits with his older version in Cleebrian, but still is like a welcome surprise to me to see this hopeful and joyful young elf. I really loved the scene with teh telescope, with Cirdan's private, sedate musings and genuine awe... the showing off technological supremacy was countered with political wisdom and certain reticence from the locals that makes it all delightful and so believable. Speaking of colonization.... I had to laugh at Orongil's relief, and their inner conviction that not everybody would be so willing to depart as the confident brothers seem to believe! On to the next one. I'm so eager to meet this guide! Author Reply: *G* Surprising!Celeborn is exactly who I am trying to get across. I feel I will have accomplished something vital to understanding Book!Celeborn if the characters of this story - and the readers - cannot quite 'pinpoint' him. And know that it is perpetrated. Cirdan is one of my favorites. Not many really know his interesting background either. "Believable" - Yay!! At least in context, anyway. And speaking further of colonization... the Eldar have been on the road for millennia. It is in their evolution, so as a cultural species, they are not going to stop cold turkey. But on the same basis, they also know a good thing when they have it, and will settle in for good. Oddly, the Vanyar and the Nandor are the two ends of that curve, with the Noldor and the Sindar in the middle. And I think we shall indeed discover strong connections with Celebrian's family in Edhellond. Thank you so much for the review! | |
| Aiwen | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/23/2009 |
| I am enjoying this story. You have added a lot of detail and I enjoyed that. Thank you for writing. Author Reply: H'mm maybe I take up too much time with the details I chose... but that's what I do! ;D Glad to hear you are enjoying it! Thank you for continuing to read and review! Have a Happy New Year! | |
| Aiwen | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/11/2009 |
| Very interesting. Will you be continuing it? Author Reply: Thank you, Aiwen, for reading and the unexpected review. :) I am glad you found the story interesting. Well, there are more chapters in the works but RL has slowed my usual tortise pace even more, sad to say. I will be adding more whenever it gets done. | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/29/2008 |
| I like the play on words in the chapter titles. And I love Círdan more and more – quite warm with his great-some nephews. He was right to find Telpe and Isil entertaining. I was chortling the whole time. “Stop interrupting, Telpë.” And my favorite line was “He is a genius.” *chokes on laughter* They seem too young to have done what they did; then again, if they were older they would never have done it. Ohh yes, Telpe is very rude and very enthusiastic. Orongil’s claim they do not consider themselves “abandoned” must have been rather startling to the youths, a destruction to their expectations, that these poor hither land Elves won’t be groveling to go to Valinor; why it even silenced Telpe - for a moment. Sorry for joking about the chest. *hangs head* So... what is in it? Interesting about the prospects Círdan has about his vision. I think trying to reconcile the different accounts about Círdan is still easier than trying that for Galadriel and Celeborn. You know I cannot wait to see how you continue with this… With more Círdan please. *g* Kitt Author Reply: *g* a present-times storyteller's license... Happy to see you are still happy with Cirdan, and very happy that you got a chuckle out of this! You are probably right about their inexperience shielding them from giving up too soon. Telpe's energy is different than his brother's, to begin with much more athletic. His personality will mature soon enough, right now he is on an adventure and high on adrenaline. Orongil's response is the first step in a long journey towards him transforming into a prince of Doriath. But, I love joking around! And you already know what is in the chest, Isil told you that last chapter. Cirdan is the one who does not know what to expect. ];} lol! Well, we'll see how well I'll do. But, sorry to say, you'll have to be very patient for the next part. Of course, there is more of Cirdan in it. Thank you for all your comments! I appreciate the feedback very much. | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/28/2008 |
| Yay!!! Círdan! He always fascinates me, and I *love* the way you’ve shown him. He is not afraid at all to speak forthrightly, by the way he speaks to Orongil and Glinnor… and he is kindly too, of course, how he is moved at the revelation about Calindor and Glinnor. And politics, politics… they were lively and not tiresome, well threaded in the fabric of the story. I guess they do not mean to cause chaos in the realms, and hopefully it will not come to that! (Will it?) Círdan’s examination of the four was enlightening. So Celeborn reminds him immediately of Elmo. Since first reading about him in BoLT, I have had trouble imagining Elmo anything more than a *little* brother of Thingol, nevermind how old he is. (I really would like to be able to take that image out of my head and see him “On the hunt and ready to leap to the chase”.) Círdan’s beard is something to wonder at – I always thought he did age faster for his extending of power. From all the theories of hear of, I’ve come to think his powers did drain him fast, or was a mixture of tiring things like his great foresight, age and the ring (giving it up, anyway). Hmm, maybe even talking with Ossë gives him grey hairs. And oh, yes, err, I was being sarcastic. ; ) Kitt Author Reply: I am glad that a another Cirdan fan likes this rendition of the Shipwright. :) Politics make up the major portion of any real ruler's life, me thinks. How that ruler deals with it must be part of his character. Besides, the kingdom housekeeping must get done or the realm shall be a ramshackle one. At the moment, the princes have no plans to move into Beleriand. But, we know that circumstances will change for at least one of them. Hmm, I think you meant UT, not BoLT. Younger siblings grow up, and someone had to keep things together until Elwe came back to his throne. imho Royalty is still rather a new concept even at the end of the Great Journey. Those who were great leaders became the first kings. If he were an adolescent prince, Elmo could not just walk in and take over without proving his leadership, not in a true hunter-gatherer society. So, for me he is an adult when the quendi leave the East for the West. And probably still had rival for the regency. Who knows what the Professor really intended when he thought to make Cirdan wiser than any other. He made the wizards elderly to appear wiser too. But, you've got my vote for Osse being the real reason! ;D Thank you again for being so kind as to read and review. | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/27/2008 |
| Well, I had not gotten bored with this; I'd have read sooner except I went out of town and came home to my internet had died... As always, I am awed by the details - the smells, Isil's blurry sight and his feeling of healing (which was particularily vivid). I like Isil and being in his POV. And the flashback fit seemlessly, very well showing his, uh, wet state of mind. I was sad to learn so few had survived and I do think Telpe was slightly crazy to save a chest full of trinkets... Trinkets for Cirdan! I cannot wait to see him! It seems Telpe has the situation under control. But poor fellow: "Halfig, the bucket please." *wince* Oh, and I love the healer and his daughter. -Kitt :) Author Reply: I am happy that your interest persists, and I understand first-hand the difficulties of pursuing and participating in fanfiction. Yep, details r us. :) One reason I wanted Isil prominently figured in this tale is because he is in so few. He is an adult-in-charge and so can be more layered. Where Telpe is still rather young and finding himself. Coming of age stories have their place, but I wanted to temper that basic plot just a little. A chest full of trinkets?! Oh, you are being sarcastic, right? ;) Cirdan's pov actually takes over the next tale. Telpe still needs a steadying hand himself, and Isil will continue to be that for the time being. You have to have had an inner-ear problem to really sympathize! It is something you can die from the symtoms. Extreme sea-sickness is a serious threat, even in this century. *g* Well, Isil of course would not know it yet, but the healer does not live in the village. He is an itinerant doctor. They were plain lucky he was in the vicinity. Halfig is the chief's daughter and normally works as his helper along with her younger brother. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I do appreciate each one. | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/19/2008 |
| Hey! I’ve been wanting to read this for a while. No disappoint here: terribly exciting! Horribly traumatic! (Just what I need right now: ^_^). This line especially moved me: “The crew was baling, desperately baling.” No, Ossë cannot be trusted; I always thought that his deviousness would a fun to play with in a story. What research you need do to add the details! I have a mental block when it comes to ships. True feeling of the crew’s despair, loss of their elation, was in every line, I cannot begin to say how well done it was. Most impressive! Now this is quite a way to end a chapter… but I’m worried for all the crew. Wait, so Telpe is Celeborn? Then I need not worry for him dying, right? Nor his brother. I had not heard that Varda had moved the stars back for the sun. What is the reference to that? Things are crazy now, but I do hope to read more again soon. Kitt : ) Author Reply: I am glad the chapter did not disappoint. :) But goodness, who needs more drama in their life? ;) Hmm, I really do not think of Osse as devious, but rather a self-centered fellow. He is capable of good deeds as Ulmo commands, but he does serve his own interests while doing so. He is quite open about that, and someone who could easily become a bully. *g* As you know I try to build a solid stage on which to perform, so I do take the time to verify a story's background. But, in doing so, I am always hoping for inspiration to write the story. You are very kind with the compliments. Thank you. And yes, the brothers are indeed better known by other names when they live in Beleriand. A lot of people do not realize that Varda did not create all the stars. Some were "ancient and far", already existent. Besides creating brigher ones, "many other of the ancient stars she gathered together". She did this to provide better light for the awakening of the elves. Twilght, not night. She set the sun and moon to "traverse the lower regions of Ilmen". imho, Tilion's behavior as not being illogical or erratic or wild or arbitrary. He was placed first with purpose, not just because Telperion was eldest Tree. It was the Noldor that called him wayward, never the other kindreds who better understood his actions. I could go on by comparing Tilion and Arien to Celeborn and Galadriel. But, I...will...not... *resisting with visible effort* A review is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you again! | |