Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Fifteenth Fosterling  by Inzilbeth 10 Review(s)
Lily BagginsReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/22/2012
I hadn't read this until Dreamflower and Cairistiona mentioned it---LOVED it! What a wonderful story, and quite unique. I had never really given thought to how close Elrond would feel to all the heirs... this really showed that.

MirachReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/20/2010
A beautiful story! You gave face and personality to the names of Aragorn's ancestors, and then showed Elrond's love to him, and the special place he had in his foster father's heart.
(P.S. I know it was meant for Christmas, but it's a great story in the middle of summer also... anyways I'm sorry for the late review!)



Author Reply: It was great fun thinking of characters to fit the names. When I have time, I might write a story about each of the chieftains. Thank you so much for your lovely review.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/16/2010
Ah, how I love this catalogue of the hidden heirs of Isildur and how each came to Imladris for fostering, and how he came to love each in spite of himself. But that final reaching for the son of his heart--that itself was heart-rending!

I see I missed this just before Christmas--I am so glad to read it now!

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Larner, for your lovely review. It was great fun trying to put together a back story for each one of Elrond's fosterlings. As and when I have time, I would love to expand this into a chapter a piece.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the end too.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/26/2009
I loved the way you brought all these chieftains to life.
YOur thoughts on hot and cold are very timely as I was playing Scrabble with a lady baking in South Africa while we were freezing and neither of us could endure the weather!
I liked the way that Elrond could connect with Aragorn.

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your review, Linda. I had similar thoughts about friends celebrating Christmas in the Southern hemisphere. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.

Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/24/2009
I can see that research went into this! I'm sure being able to contact Estel was a nice Mettare gift for them both.

Merry Christmas!

Author Reply: Yes, I needed to research both the meanings of the names of the chieftains and the workings of Osanwe-kenta. I'm glad it showed! Many thanks for your review and a very merry Christmas to you too!

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2009
I really, really, really enjoyed your story. It was great to see Elrond reminiscing about his fosterlings, and seeing the hold they had on his heart, and at the same time seeing through Elrond's eye so much of the hard life of the Dúnedain led throughout the Third Age .

Of course the way you portrayed Elrond and Aragorn's love for each other, and their intimated connection made me very happy indeed. You did a great job of showing how much they loved each other, and how close they were. Thisis a most lovely, poignant and moving Christmas fiction.


Author Reply: Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your review. I'm thrilled you enjoyed this story. I feel all those chieftains deserve a longer treatment than the brief mention I gave them but I'm quite sure Elrond loved every one of them. I'm glad you approve of my portrayal of Elrond's and Aragorn's relationship too.

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2009
That was so sweet! I loved the idea of Elrond reaching out to his foster-son with his mind and I loved even more that Aragorn felt it and responded to the mental touch. Poor Elrond - it must have been so hard to open his heart to one descendant of Isildur after the next and lose all of them. I really wonder if he could have borne losing Aragorn as well. I'm quite glad we'll never find out. ;-) It must have been wonderful for Aragorn to suddenly feel Elrond with him while he was all alone and travelling through a strange, far away land. I always enjoy the way you describe the relationship between Aragorn and Elrond. Loved it! :)

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Almut, for your lovely review. Yes, Elrond took a great deal upon himself and it must have cost him dearly. It was nice to bring a bit of comfort to Aragorn on what must have been a very long and wearying journey home. When it comes to Elrond and Aragorn, I'm always guided by the words in HOME which say that Elrond loved him no less than his own sons. Of course, he doesn't know that Aragorn is coming home via Lothlorien! I'm so glad you enjoyed this.

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2009
This is such a lovely tale. So many things to like, from the way you've managed, despite only a few words for each, to put flesh to all the Dunedain chieftains, to the sudden lightening of Elrond's spirits and the very much in character decision to consult with Erestor immediately to get the party started! But my favorite is this passage:

" 'Ada?'

The voice was clear and sure and beloved. And although he sensed a mind laden with sorrow, struggling to drive toward a body wracked with weariness, Elrond was instantly consumed with joy at finding his son alive. Immediately, he channelled all of his love and his strength towards that voice, to nurture and encourage his son as best he could across the vast leagues that lay between them. What perils he had faced, he knew not; though, from the loneliness and despair he sensed tearing at Estel’s heart, he guessed they were many. Words spoken were few, but the message was clear. His son was coming home, at last. "

What a beautiful scene, that, full of all the fatherly love a son could ever desire. Perfect for Christmas!

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your lovely review. The chieftains were quite a challenge as I was afraid they would come out reading like a shopping list!

I'm so glad you enjoyed that passage in particular. It must have been a joyous moment for them both. And thank you, as always, for the beta.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2009
The voice was clear and sure and beloved.

What a lovely moment. Poor Elrond, gifted with perfect memory of all of his cherished fosterlings. But what a noble line of Men.

(And we're on the same wavelength! A challenge story I'll be posting next month has Frodo reading something very similar to Elrond's journals.)


Author Reply: Thank you so much, Shirebound, for your review. It must have been so hard for Elrond to have loved and lost them all, which makes the choice of his daughter all the harder for him.

Journals are a rather useful device, aren't they! I'll be watching out for yours.

utfrogReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2009
I can see Erestor and the rest of Imladris scrambling to find and put up the decorations and plan the feast now! Hope they had a great party.

Thank you for a lovely holiday present. I consider all the good stories and the time you authors take to craft them, lovely presents to reader fans.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year

Author Reply: LOL! Yes, there'll be frantic activity in Imladris tonight; the lord of the house has spoken!

Ah, you are most welcome but having great readers is also a huge encouragement to keep writing!

Thank you so much for your lovely review. I hope you too have a great Christmas and happy New Year.

Return to Chapter List