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Speak, Friend, and Enter  by Saelind 7 Review(s)
curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/27/2013
I am just spending the lazy days between Christmas and New Year catching up with my reading, and this is just a note to say how much I enjoyed this glimpse of Gilraen's first few months in Imladris.

Apart from it being good to see her beginning to make friends and a new life for herself, it is good to think Erestor's records are not all perfectly kept!

Author Reply: Thank you so much! And hee, I definitely like to imagine that Erestor's records are not 100% perfect...there's just so much to take care of some of it had to fall into neglect!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2013
I loved this moving tale.I always feel for Gilraen and try to imagine how it must have been for her.

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Linda! Gilraen has been on my mind constantly it seems, these past few months, and I've been really enjoying getting so many opportunities to explore different parts of her life.

CanafinweReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2013
What a charming tale! Gilraen does not find what she seeks, but she discovers a treasure of greater worth. You've captured her sorrow and her loneliness so perfectly here, and it is such a comfort to see some of that eased. And the image of Estel clamped on to Elrohir's leg is ever so adorable! Thank you for writing this lovely piece.

Author Reply: Thank you so much, I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Gilraen's early life in Rivendell has always been something that I've wanted to write more about, and I really wanted to see her developing friendships with some of the other Elves outside of Elrond's family. And hee...I like to imagine that little Estel spent a *lot* of time with his foster brothers, especially after he first got to Rivendell.

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2013
What a sweet story of friendship! I like Merineth very much; she seems just what Gilraen needs. I hope, too, that eventually Gilraen finds a cipher to encode a letter back home.

And kudos for including Lindir! *g*

And... I hereby release plot bunnies in your direction: I want to see Lindir babysitting little Estel. For that matter, I want to see Elrond babysitting little Estel. And hmm, maybe Lindir and Merineth might have a... thing...

*hides carrots under your desk*
*shoos bunnies toward carrots*

Author Reply: Thank you!! :D

I've been sort of wondering myself if she ever would find a cipher...or if Elladan/Elrohir would find some other way to enable her to communicate with her family. I remain optimistic :).

And THOSE PLOT BUNNIES AAAAH...I am such a fan of all of these!!! Definitely adding them to my list *g*

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2013
She would not want you to waste your days here in mourning, she thought to herself. She would have you take joy in what you have.

So true. I enjoyed reading this story very much. What a clever idea, to have Gilraen search the archives -- and make new friends.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I admit, I was being a bit self-indulgent with the archives bit, having spent LOTS of time in archives myself in recent years! But I'm glad the idea seemed to work :)

EllynnReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2013
This is such a warm, lovely story. I mean, there are sad moments, but there is optimism too, and it looks like a beginning of a true friendship. So well done.

Author Reply: Thank you so much!! I feel like Gilraen's early life in Rivendell had to have been a mixture of optimism and sadness--finding new friends and watching her son grow even as she mourns the loss of her husband and the separation from her family.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2013
I can appreciate the feeling of isolation and mourning that she feels, and understand the desire to find a usable code. I find myself rejoicing that she is able to know a night of companionship with new friends.

Well done!

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I imagine it had to have been really difficult for her, coming to a new place where she didn't know anybody.

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