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| An Unexpected Meeting by Bodkin | 67 Review(s) |
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| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2004 |
| I really enjoyed this story, Bodkin. It was one that I'd never even thought of, but once you started, it seemed so wonderful that you were telling it. I loved seeing familiar characters and situations through her eyes, and seeing her interaction with her noble descendants. Bravo. Author Reply: Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. There was one point when it seemed a bit of a project, but it actually rolled out quite smoothily. I'm looking forward to more from you soon! | |
| Lasse-Lanta | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2004 |
| This was a beautiful, beautiful story. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the reading, you rendered all the characters so perfectly. I've enjoyed all your 'tying up' of unfinished ends, I believe it would have made Tolkien proud. I don't know what more to say, you've done such a splendid job bringing Mithrellas and Imrazor to life. Thank you so much for sharing! Author Reply: Thank you very much - I'm blushing. I really enjoyed writing about Mithrellas and Imrazor and their descendants. I'm missing them! It was interesting writing about something that had to fit into the timelines, too, because it's the first time I've done that to any extent. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2004 |
| Started reading this again, interrupted (of course!) and no time to read more. Noticed a typo, tho, and thought I'd tell you about it: Lady what is yesterday to you is no more than legend here, he said, spreading his hands. I have no need to blame you for anything. There's a quotation mark missing, d'you see? Hope to read and enjoy sometime soon. The first chapter is still hauntingly beautiful, with the imagery of the twilight, the glorious colours of the sunrise, the changing sky. I cannot help thinking it reflects the state of the world, the Elves in their twilight giving way to the brilliant light of the world of Men--harsher, somehow, the soft edges gone. But I cannot complete the thought for the distractions around me, so I'd better leave off and hope for a quieter time. Author Reply: Thank you. There's always something, isn't there! I shall put your words in front of me and appreciate them! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2004 |
| This was moving. I actually have tears in my eyes. But before that, I have to admit that I enjoyed the picture of the heartily drinking males spilling their ale! Author Reply: Thank you. Last lines are awful to write - trying to find something that sounds final is really tricky. I rather like the image of Eomer and Lothiriel's brothers sinking a few jars of ale in an excess of brotherly love. And of Imrahil sneaking away to sip tea with Lothiriel. I enjoyed writing this - even with timelines and so on to track. It's the first story I've tried that had to fit into actual happenings. Sorry it's finished, really. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2004 |
| Wow, you do endings really well. That's the hardest part for me. I wondered how you would end this story. I did not expect this and it was well beyond my expectations in the tear-factor. I cried reading this right at my desk at work. I love the casket. I love that Mithrellas learned her son finally understood (he would at that point, I think). I love that Mithrellas copied for them Imrazor's words. And I love the heirloom Mithrellas gave Lothiriel. That was so touching and I am a sentimental sap for that sort of thing. But the "last words" of the story spoken by Imrahil were what did me in. Very wise and very Tolkienesque. Exceptionally well done. I am, as usual, exceedingly impressed with your story. Author Reply: You have no idea how many times I rewrote, chopped bits, reworded, rearranged and so on, those last speeches. They just didn't want to stop talking, and I couldn't get a last line that equated with closing the book on 'the end'. I've read it out loud about fifty times trying to get the rhythm and I still wasn't totally happy with it. But you liked it! Phew. It had to end with Imrahil really to have that feeling of completion, but there was a tiny bit of me that wanted to follow Mithrellas (- only goodness knows what could have happened to her.) No, it was a story of the line of Dol Amroth and had to stick with that. I love your reviews - they are so flattering! | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/21/2004 |
| Wow! What a beautiful story! The feelings of loss and gain and acceptance and resolution were simply wonderful! Nicely done. Author Reply: Thank you very much. I'm glad you liked it. There are a few more words to come in conclusion, but not a lot. This has made me think rather more about 'happy ever after' - I don't think elf / man romance had much potential for that. | |
| SharonB | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/20/2004 |
| AH, it still was a bittersweet reunion for Mithrellas. But so nice for her to see the family still go on. It sounds like she became somewhat attached to them even though she did not want to. Intersting that Imrahil gave her a copy of Galador's journal. It sounds as though Galador must of repented of some of his thoughts of his mother from what Imrahil said. Mithrellas and Galadriel supported each other well when they needed it. Each has an edge to give the other the advice they needed at certain turing points. How wise of Galadriel to send her back. She did need to see them for herself and talk with them to feel right about leaving for the west. Ah, but I see that you still have not completed the story even though it certianly is winding to a close. It this has been a great story so far, I can't wait to see how you end it up. Author Reply: I think she saw Galador and Gilmith in Amrothos and Lothiriel - and was able to find them some consolation. I expect Galador was angry at first, but as he grew older he was better able to see his parents' reasoning. It must have been good for Galadriel to have the company of someone who had similar 'Lady' leadership experience and an opinion worth expressing on some key issues. In fact, those conversations could be the underlying reason for the 'fate' that took Mithrellas back to the Wood rather than take ship. Mithrellas did need to make this visit - and the journal might well give her even more reason for having made it. She and Imrazor will not be reunited, but happy memories might make her long wait easier. Only one more snippet to come. (Although other thoughts are coming into my head as I type. No, no - that would upset the symmetry. Can't go beyond the circles of the world.) I'll stick with the simple ending. Thanks for reading. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/20/2004 |
| "Its exclusive tranquillity had fractured and the sound of the world beyond seemed to creep in through the cracks."--That's a great sentence. It shows what Lothlorien was like and what it lost. I also liked Celborn complaining about the amount of baggage his wife and granddaughter were taking! I suppose he was on his horse, impatiently doing whatever elves do instead of honking the horn when they were late leaving! What a lovely ending. Mithrellas is right. Her life with its joys and sorrows contributed to this outcome. Author Reply: It must have been awful to watch Lothlorien begin to fade even as the leaves were starting to turn Eryn Lasgalen green. I wonder if Galadriel began to doubt her judgment about the rings. Probably not. Yes - Celeborn's horse prancing around with impatience, and him asserting that there would be nothing they couldn't get in Minas Tirith if they needed it. And yet, getting really irritated if his favourite tunic or official Lord of Lorien mithril circlet had been left behind. Nice memories for Mithrellas to take with her over the sea - completes the circle somehow. Thank you for reading. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/20/2004 |
| There were so many parts of this that made tears come to my eyes. I liked the contrast of Eryn Lasgalen and the Golden Wood--we know that from canon but you described it well. The 'too much baggage' comment had me laughing--too typical. Elrond and Mithrellas' conversation was sad but she was right and frankly, it probably helped Elrond to hear what she said. And Mithrellas' observations in the presence of her descendants were very sad. Galadriel's advice to go see them was characteristically wise. Mithrellas would have never felt...I hate to use a stupid pop psychology term, but 'closure' is the best word. I love image of her sitting in the garden that night, alone with her memories. And I hope we get a little glimpse inside that journal. What a wonderful gift. Author Reply: Thank you. I don't think a male exists who wouldn't complain about the amount of baggage required for a wedding! And can you imagine trying to transport it all on horseback. It must have been awful for the elves of Lothlorien to see the wood start to fade even as Eryn Lasgalen began a process of healing. And perhaps the first time that Galadriel really began to doubt the wisdom of using the rings? I think Galadriel was wise to take Mithrellas to Gondor - and to send her back to make her farewells. Perhaps she was intended by fate to receive the journal at this time . . . It's unlikely to make more of an appearance though. Only one bit to come. I haven't written anything today at all, and I'm suffering from withdrawal. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 11/18/2004 |
| 'If we keep her out of his way for a century or so, he will cease to be a problem, Galadriel pointed out. ' Well, that's blunt! I loved that line. She knows herself, though: 'You counsel me not to interfere? Galadriel mused. It goes against the grain to let matters take their own course. That sounds so much like her! For some reason I hadn't twigged that of course Boromir is one of her descendants, and had forgotten that he had a trace of Elvish blood - yet I knew his mother was Imrahil's sister. Thanks for reminding me! Jay Author Reply: True though. But I suspect that Fate and the hand of Iluvatar are probably involved with Arwen and Aragorn. I think Galadriel does know herself well - she's had a long time to learn - (she might even amuse herself when she observes the way she reacts.) She knows deep down that this is one she can't change, however much she might want to. Boromir just doesn't seem to have much elfy-ness about him. Faramir, on the other hand, seems (in my opinion) to have inherited Boromir's share of the family's elfy traits. | |