News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Beech Leaves by Redheredh | 30 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/7/2005 |
| -- I'm intrigued by the fact that there are homes that the reborn come to, to learn and to heal. I'd never thought of that. You have such great skill in weaving a realistic world populated by realistic people. -- "As expected, she found him sitting cross-legged, perfectly balanced on a strong branch in the birch with his head bent back gazing at the stars." Wonderful detail! -- "The third time he had dreamed his end, he awoke to swear he had refused Mandos and been taken anyway." You know, I was just thinking about this today, after you told me who you were writing this story about. Would this particular elf have obeyed a summons to Mandos? I'm so delighted that you're addressing it. -- "Now, he drew back his inner Light until he was imperceptible. She knew this to be an ingrained ploy of forest quendi, something learned by those who needed to hide from the truly dark creatures of Endor." That was a breathtaking detail! No wonder the elves of Endor always seemed "dark" to the Noldor! Author Reply: I think it was you who once mentioned that elf-society hasn't much depth in many fics. And I identify with the working elves like Ulbanis and Barancevion rather than the aristocacy. So, of course, they are in my stories. ;) *sigh* that's me, all right. Tedious details are part of my psyche. And yet, I think I generally avoid specifics. Go figure. You're welcome! *I* wish someone would address why Legolas's sea-longing is such a sad turn of events. No one seems to be able to really explain why it is a sorrow instead of a revelation for him. Why this yearning was buried so deep in the silvan heart. I mean Galadriel even tried to warn him... sorry, I'll stop now... I am so glad you noticed that idea. But, you already knew I think the Noldor lack the capacity to perform most wood-elf tricks. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2005 |
| What a wonderful, lyrical start. I love how you walk us through those simple and wonderous motions of living. It seems appropriate that he doesn't yet remember who he is either, that it would take some time. -- Loved this: “You are reborn. Live now in peace and never return to this place.” Heh. Namo is kicking him out, and doesn't want to see him again. -- "He wanted to give her time to think about how he must feel not being so certain who he was." Ha! That was great. -- That moment when he thinks he might be a kinslayer! What a horrible thing that would be to wake up to. -- Wonderful that the first think he remembers it that he is a Lindar, a Silvan of Eryn Galen. Given who he is, it seems entirely appropriate! Author Reply: Heh, I do like some subtext with my narrative. But, I can't always get it to work. It's easier though when you have a canny, if not clever, elf like Oropher. Glad you liked this chapter and found it entertaining! | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| Ah! You finished it, then? ;) Redheredh, this was brilliant. What a breathtakingly, jaw-droppingly well done story. I'll go back and review the chapters individually, 'cause they deserve it. - Love how you played with us until the end, dropping little hints, but not telling us who it was. So coy, so writerly of you! - Cirdan! I love Cirdan. The image of them peeking through the curtains -- and instantly recognizing Oropher -- was wonderful. Love too that they keep it to themselves ;) - That moment when he names himself! Wow. Powerful. Made a chill run down my spine. - His wife isn't there, then? Well, this is Tolkien. We can't have entirely happy endings. I'm just in awe of this story. The tale of rebirth, of finding himself and being who is his always been ... I'm having a hard time articulating how much I enjoyed this. I have an Oropher/Last Alliance chapter of my own to write one of these days, and this story will certainly inform the decisions I need to make about characterization. Bravo! Bravo! Author Reply: Yep. ;D Thank you for the compliments! They mean alot coming from you. I wasn't trying to drop clues so much as be true to the circumstances. Well, there is backstory to that I left out entirely. Oh, thank you for saying that! True. I have always thought the Silm rather grim. Please write it soon! *blushing uncontrollably* geez, now what do I do? Say - Thank you! | |
| Silvae | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| Oropher?! That was great and very original, I thought. Poor Ilcanu - kids should not be allowed close to the more... difficult patients. Anyway, good luck and a lot more of well-written chapters, please. =) Silvae Author Reply: Thanks, I appreciate that very much! Maybe another story about another elf since this one is completed. Bug Bodkin, it's all hers now. ;) Very kind of you to review, thanks again. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| This is the first Redheredh story I've read ... and now I shall definitely read more. What wonderful details you provide, and so much emotion. I had thought that Feren might have been who he turned out to be ... An excellent tale, and masterfully told. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I hope you are not disappoint with what little else there is to read. This story was not so much about leaving clues as being true to what would actually happen with him under these circumstances. I'm very glad you liked this! Thank you again! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| Poor Rostaro! One of those sensible people who has to make a game conform to rules and doesn't enjoy chaotic. This could be a problem for him! I like the appearance of Cirdan and Draugryn. The Shipwright is very controlled - I wonder if he had his suspicions before coming near. The description can't have fitted too many people, and hope puts ideas in your mind even if you suspect it won't be fulfilled. The image of them standing back to back like gunfighters, peering through the curtains is delicious. And they show enormous strength of mind in seeing what they did, remaining silent and leaving. I hope they do get to meet again. Did the medallion bring back all the memories? Once a name was stimulated, did all the rest follow? Or has he been hugging some of these memories to himself and waiting for them to fall into place, I wonder. I could see him doing that. 'Unlike some I could name.' Couldn't possibly be referring to the dreadfully unfeminine bossy daughter of a certain High King, could he? And Oropher. (Ulbanis did a good job choosing his temporary name!) This is just SOOOO good. I love it. All the little nuances of character and the thoughts on rebirth and the politics. Brilliant. Author Reply: Yes, I think you are right that Rostaro appreciates order. But, you can reunite them! You can do what ever you want with Oropher's future and Draugryn's too. I like it when a author does this - leaving some things ambiguous enough to ponder over. And I did want there to be enough for you to work with if you do decide to continue with these events. A certain kinsman as well, I think. ;) But yeah, Oropher probably does use a certain standard of feminine behaviour for the ellyth in his life. Isn't that what mother names are all about? Thank you so very much for your kind appreciation of a meager tribute to your brilliant stories. Now, if you would please get Oropher out west to his son and grandchildren... :D | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/7/2005 |
| The waking dream is amazing. And I don't blame Feren for punching Ilcanu. I'm only surprised that Rostaro didn't join in. (Not really.) The whole is quite eerie, with the sense of distorted time. And I admit to a sneaking delight that the Lady is one who comes for him - and 'He knew that if sent for, they would have come for him and taken him in with no questions.' Now, did the admonition 'Language, Feren,' actually stimulate him to drop into another tongue? Could have done. 'You are a very impulsive person.' Is he now! Would others recognise him by that description? I like the drinking song. And dropping Ilcanu in the stream. Perhaps he is impulsive! Author Reply: Personally, I love your dreamy and ethereal scences, the way you describe trails of light spinning off from people especially. And place-bending, so cool. But, lucid dreams can be rather eerie sometimes with their mixed-up references. Have you noticed how Feren tends to notice the ladies? Could have done, at that. I think that Elmo and Elwe were rather impulsive compared to their rather staid brother Olwe. So, I do see the Elmoi as a clan of princes who tend to take action rather than mull over it. I'm stil wondering if Rostaro or Venyel even tried to stop him from dunking Ilcanu! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/7/2005 |
| I had never really thought of the difficulty of babies being reborn. But of course it must be complicated - unless their mothers died in childbirth, I suppose, and they are reborn together. And they have no memories to regain, so it must be like being born the first time, only with no mother. I wonder if the Doomsman has enough common sense to send a message ahead so that a lactating mother can be found to act as wet-nurse. Somehow, I think not. 'She had heard very little of the grey princes’ doings since the muddled rumors that Finarfin wanted to be rid of them, especially his son-in-law.' Surely not! I'm sure Finarfin loved having Celeborn and Galadriel in his court. I do like the Third Kindred being so resilient, yet needing their kin so intensely. Feren can be difficult? Surely not! (And I do like Rostaro. And his Amille.) Author Reply: Well, not in Rostaro's case it seems. The fate of children who die young is a dilemma for many cosmologies. What sins have they to be forgiven or punished for? It seems unjust for them to be deprived of their chance at life. Heh! They were muddled rumors after all. You know how news gets distorted depending on who is repeating it. What good is the good life if you have no one to share it with? What good is bounty if not as a reason to generously celebrate? The Lindar do know how to party. ;) As for retreating so often - when they do take a stand, they do not budge. Hmm, resilient or just plain stubborn? I am very glad you like Rostaro and Ulbanis both. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/7/2005 |
| The way Ulbanís compares her house to the large factory-houses that churn out the reborn without tending to them properly is great. And I love the idea that, after the War of Wrath, the reborn started arriving and none of the Valar had given any thought to how it would work! I suppose that's being a Power - embodied only because you feel like it. Elven practicality required here. And I love the moriquendi being born to the forest - and the shiny elves not even realising. Poor chap, though. He doesn't want to be alone - I wonder if that is half his problem remembering? If he is convinced that all those he cares for have cast their spirits on the wind and that he has failed them. Author Reply: Actually, the reborn began to return after the sun and moon rose, essentially being reborn themselves. But, you are right, after the doom of the Exiles was recinded, business picked up remarkably. ;) The Valar had no real responsiblity except to create a world for the Frist and Second -Born to live in, I think. They made sure it was fruitful and relatively safe and orderly, but they certainly did not govern the everyday lives of the elves. Hey now! You were the one who decided that, unbeknownst to the eldar of Eldamar, the moriquendi were inhabiting the vast west woods. This clannish thing is my take on a reason why the Lindar survived well in Ennor, Elmo stuck it out in Beleriand, Denethor sought Elwe out instead of avoiding him, Amdir and Oropher joined forces, and Thranduil held no grudge against Celeborn after the War of the Ring. Something like survivor's syndrome, I think. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2005 |
| I just love the description of remembered sensation here. And the numb tranquility of the returned. And the way he comes up out of darkness into the light. The first emotions are child-like, which seems so appropriate - but this character is not prepared to let things happen. His response to the thought of being a kinslayer is . . . thorough. He deflates like a balloon at the mere idea - it's just as well Venyel lets slip the word Sindar at that point and he was able to pull back and find something he could be indignant about. Fascinating Author Reply: Thank you! And thank you for reviewing each chapter! Goodness... I am sure Ulbanis would have headed off his misunderstanding of his vision much quicker than Venyel. No doubt she would have exploited his early capacity. I so very glad you like this! | |