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| Partings by Bodkin | 32 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/17/2004 |
| Wow! You have done it again. There are a lot of 'last moments of Arwen and Elrond' stories out there and many of them are very good. But this is incredible. I read most of these because they always touch me. I don't remember many that included all the possible elements--Celeborn and Galadriel along with Elrond dealing with Aragorn too. You captured every angle of this--how each person was affected by that one simple personal choice and exactly how they must have seen it and reacted to it. I absolutely love it. Such a tragic decision but, as you showed, one destined to lay a smooth path for the Age of Men. Arwen Peredhel and Aragorn the Dunedian would have needed each other's strengths to lead Gondor successfully I think. Celeborn would understand their love having seen Luthien and would probably have seen the importance of their union given his years of wisdom. As would Elrond and Galadriel. But it would still be such a wrenching decision that would produce all the emotions you describe. Such a good analysis and portrayal of it. I just loved this. Please continue this if this is what we can expect! Author Reply: Goodness - thank you. It's an impossible situation really - especially because of the different fates of the mortal and immortal. Yes, I don't think seventy odd years as a Ranger, even with part of it as Thorongil, is a terribly good preparation for a century of being king of a very formal society. Arwen (and Faramir) would have been essential to see him through the early years. I hadn't really thought much about the Luthien angle until Marnie's latest piece, but, having seen that blow up into disaster, Celeborn would have a very strong reason to do his best to support Arwen. There's probably more - though less painful, since most of the others can expect to be reunited. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/17/2004 |
| This was lovely, Bodkin, especially the ending. I loved Elrond thinking of Arwen as his gift to the new age. How fortunate that Galadriel and Celeborn were able to help these two reconcile with Elrond. Author Reply: Thank you. I can't help but feel that Galadriel and Elrond knew what would happen - and they had a good while to accustom themselves to the situation. I can see Aragorn chockful of guilt about dividing Arwen from her family, but I feel that Elrond also felt guilty for leaving when he did. They needed to acknowledge each other's pain - or Arwen would have felt torn between them. It's an impossible situation really. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/17/2004 |
| What a lovely tale to read on a Sunday morning, Bodkin! Very bittersweet. The sadness from all is so perfectly explained, but also the inevitability of Arwen loving Aragorn. I loved Galadriel's idea for preventing it - Few men fall in love with those who have changed them when they were wet and insisted that they ate their greens. I also liked Arwen's request that Celeborn take E2 with him when he eventually sailed - which, of course, we know he managed. Jay Author Reply: Thank you! I do think that if Arwen had been responsible for raising Aragorn, their love would have been less likely - it's a bit hard to get sentimental over grubby little boys putting tadpoles in your water and frogs in your bed. And those boys probably aren't likely to go google-eyed over someone (even a beautiful elven lady) who has scrubbed the dirt from their faces and nagged at them for ripping their clothes. Those final years must have been very painful for all concerned, especially for those who couldn't comfort themselves with the knowledge that they would meet again. And of course Celeborn took the twins - anyone capable of managing Galadriel could manage the sons of Elrond! | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/16/2004 |
| This definitely worked. I love your Celeborn and Galadriel. I hope you add the other parts you mentioned. "...if you would like to see it..." Too funny! Can't you just see that conversation! And the imagery all through this is great. I liked the comparison of C and G to the Two Trees in the beginning and it just got better from there. Great job! Author Reply: I'm glad you think it worked. I like to picture Celeborn tormenting Galadriel - I think he must have driven her mad until she learned not to react to his teasing. (You would think, with a heap of older brothers, she would be used to teasing, but I picture her as rather a spoilt little sister.) Next bit has rather more conversation than imagery, I think. See what you think of it! | |
| Marnie | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/16/2004 |
| I don't think it's cliche'd. When you come down to it, all stories have been told before, what sets a good one apart from the others is its execution. And this one is beautifully done and works, emotionally and in terms of the sheer pleasure of reading it. Thumbs up all around! Author Reply: Thank you. You've just made me feel really good. This seems to be growing at the moment - a really nice bit occurred to me when I was on the verge of sleep, and surprisingly I remembered it when I woke, so there might me another chapter or two. | |
| SharonB | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/15/2004 |
| I don't know, I think you did a good job with this story. Quite a different view than most folks take on C&G's views on her departure. I think I like your's better, yes they are both strong personalities and it shows here that they can both give and take. Tolkien never said but I always felt that in the end Celeborn must have sailed to be with Galadriel. Some of your writing reminded me of a bit of verse from a favorite song from '99. "I can feel the rythym of the Earth in my soul tonight, may it never fade away, I can wait for the requium and the sad decay --- from English Sunset by Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues". It has the same feel that the emotion your story gives here. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it. I feel he would have sailed in the end - not so much because he wanted to go to Valinor, but because their relationship was too strong for them to want to be apart for ever. I think Celeborn would have seen that Galadriel needed to go, but I can't seen her wanting to give up on anything. I like Justin Hayward, but I don't know that song. My look at it is that the fading away of the rhythm of the Earth is what made the last elves leave. Thank you. | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/15/2004 |
| Ah, beautiful, Bodkin. Loved the reversal -- Celeborn talking her into going, and recognizing that she cannot heal in Middle Earth. And her rationale for not wanting to go. They'd been parted before, but if she goes, she can't change her mind. Lovely images throughout which underscore they long and lovely relationship. The small touches between them is really the masterstroke of emotion behind this story. And Galadriel will defend his honor in Valinor, even though he really doesn't care. Heh. Just a very nice story. I sure do enjoy all your work. Author Reply: Thank you very much - I'm blushing. I don't think Galadriel much liked being pushed into anything, and telling her she couldn't do something would be likely to make sparks fly. (Possibly Celeborn would be the only one who could get away with it - and he would have to choose his battles!) I wouldn't like to be an elf in Valinor who belittled Celeborn. I think Galadriel might eat him. I might extend it a bit - maybe the Havens - but I'm not entirely sure. I will see how it goes. I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Marnie | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/15/2004 |
| Oh, I love this! Thank you for writing it. I love 'like bluebells in the rain', and them arguing about whether the elves of Valinor will be able to dismiss Celeborn's contribution to the war effort or not (I expect they will!) I like Galadriel in this! The first picture of her sitting curled up in misery made me actually like her - which is a rare thing, I can tell you! I loved the descriptions - the pollen on the breeze, the little white flowers and the primroses, and couldn't help but wonder if the fallen oak was a nod to Oak and Willow ;) I adore your Celeborn - he's so droll, and he refuses to either shove or be shoved around; that's so him. I laughed a lot at the 'would you *like* to see it?' And the whole interchange that started with 'I see what it is; you do not trust me.' LOL. They're such a great couple. And this is a great story - it certainly works for me. Would you mind if I put it on my website, which really wouldn't feel complete without it? Author Reply: I'm so pleased you like it. I was afraid it might be a bit mushy and cliched. I bet the elves of Valinor will do their best to dismiss Celeborn, too. Actually, I think they'll probably do their best to dismiss Frodo's contribution. I do think they make a good couple - I don't think they could have lasted so long if they weren't. They are both strong enough to give each other enough rope and that goes with laughing as far as I can see. I also liked to turn it slightly so that she wanted to stay - I can see her giving in to anything willingly - and he insisted she had to leave. I'm glad you liked the descriptions - and Oak and Willow was in the back of my mind! There is a possibility that I might add some of the other bits I'm toying with - and of course you can put it on your website. I'm flattered. Author Reply: Without Oak and Willow, I would probably have made it a beech, because they are my favourite trees! | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/15/2004 |
| Escellent Story! I love the way you depict Celeborn and the realtionship between him and Galadriel. sigh... Write more Celeborn stories. They make me want to take him home with me... Author Reply: Thank you! I like them together - they certainly had long enough to develop a good relationship. I'm thinking of adding other bits to this - their actual separation at the Havens maybe and moments between then and their reunion. You'd better not take him home with you, though. I don't think Galadriel would like it, and she could be pretty dangerous if crossed! | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/15/2004 |
| Oh my, believe me, Bodkin, this definitely worked! I have always enjoyed (and often revisit) your stories about Celeborn and Galadriel and their reunion once he sailed to the Undying Lands ("Letters...", "Healing", come to mind). This is a wonderful addition to that group as it shows the "why" of things. I love your Celeborn and how he more than holds his own with Galadriel's strong character. They compliment each other so well, and the give and take of their relationship is by turns, funny or touching (or both!) and always the underlying love between them shines through. I would love to see Galadriel's reception when she reaches those far shores....(*clears throat noisily* that's a hint! *vbg*). I thoroughly enjoyed the description of the wood waking from winter, Galadriel's misery by the pool came through loud and clear, and Celeborn's use of the lightning damaged tree as a symbol of life renewing itself was especially poignant. I liked this...a lot...it most assuredly worked!!!! Would not object to a little more either.... :-) linda Author Reply: I am glad you think it worked - I was concerned it was just a mushy cliche. I like Celeborn teasing Galadriel - although I imagine it caused rather a few loud disputes in their early days until she learned not to react. Galadriel arriving? Maybe I will do some more bits. I've got this section of her receiving a letter from him, but I think there's potential for some bits in between - not a serial story with a plot, but a series of moments, maybe? Thank you for reading. I feel rather better about it now. | |