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| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 24 Review(s) |
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| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/11/2005 |
| There are a lot of really good things here. I think my favorite scene is the sparring with Glorfindel. I loved the moment when Glorfindel knocks him down and kicks his sword away. He's Elrond's friend, but he's not taking any crap! In general, I thought Elrond's relationship with Aragorn was well done. He sees how Aragorn has grown, how he's a man now, not a youth. In some ways, what he sees is a worthy opponent. But he's also able to see the son he loves and wants to guide. What a mixture of feelings he must have toward Aragorn. So that's the standout, for me, but there are so many other wonderful threads running through here, including parts of canon that it's easy to forget because there's so many rich threads in Tolkien. You remind us, for instance, that Arwen isn't the first beloved person Elrond has lost to this choice. You take have us wondering what Denethor suspected or knew. And then you make that nice link to your earlier scene with Elrond's sons on the balcony during a feast. Author Reply: Glorfindel loves Elrond enough to know when he needs to be taken down a notch or two! He lets him play unfair, as life is unfair to him, and then whacks him with the consequences. Everyone needs a friend willing to stand between them and their children and let them work their anger out before speaking to the child.... and Glorfindel's standard is high - he lets Elrond feel what he has to feel, validates the feelings, mourns and sorrows with him and for him, and then gently reminds him of what he needs to do, no matter how hard. I love Glorfindel, but I ache for Elrond. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/11/2005 |
| Great to see an update of this! I always like the contrasting strands in your stories; the mix of past and present. Elrond's realisation of the pledge between Arwen and Aragorn is sad, especially his vision of the flower fading and dying. Lovely imagery there. I'm glad that he saw the future of Aragorn crowned King, and Arwen pregnant - it gave him hope. I think the idea of Arwen as a beacon of light and hope for Aragorn, to guide him through all the dark times ahead, is right - without that dream I think he may not have succeeded. I was very glad to see the twins again - and I like your take on why they and Aragorn weren't at the feast. I think encountering Boromir the most likely explanation (and I loved the idea of Elrohir throwing acorns at him!) Jay Author Reply: Poor Elrond, it seemed everytime he looked at them, he had some vision of the past or the future haunting him - he keeps seeing what has been and what will be or could be, and yet he has to go on living in the present and dealing with the pain. Ack, I would hate to be him. We'll see more of the twins in chapters to come. :D | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/11/2005 |
| Enthralling how you write the familiar story being played out. Marvelous. Will come back to reread this chapter. No time or brain for thoughtful feedback, but I wanted to mention also that I love the finding of the white tree quote. If I made a list of Proof that Aragorn is the king returned, it would be long and contain many things and deeds, but the white tree is the most beloved and oldest. Author Reply: I love the White Tree too - not only is the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen the final 'Last Alliance of Men and Elves' it is blessed from the Valar and Eru himself in such a sign. Glad you liked the chapter, too! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/11/2005 |
| Goodness, this must have been difficult to write. So much emotion - and the rationalising of some of the more difficult parts of the Aragorn/Arwen relationship. Whilst at the same time not going over the top into bitter Elrond or tragic hero Aragorn. Or, come to that, princess-in-a-tower, no-brain Arwen. And you have done it so beautifully. Pain everywhere - yet understanding and love and reasons. I am so impressed. Elrond's immediate understanding of Arwen's decision - feeling the change in her and their relationship. What a difficult moment - and he knows how they will see his insistence that things go no further until Aragorn is king, but he is right. Aragorn cannot afford the distraction - his is a race of endurance that must be run alone. And yet, Arwen's presence - beacon - is what holds him to the path and keeps him true to his destiny. Elrond's vision of Arwen as she approached him - I'm not surprised he went into shock. And twice! Losing not just Elros, but Arwen too. I'm glad that Elladan and Elrohir are there for him. And I love the understanding that Glorfindel has of them - and that Elrohir has accepted being called elfling. (And Glorfindel was right to be more concerned about Elrohir than Elladan.) Glorfindel gleams - what a hero! And he's so much more than the warrior (although that part of him is rather . . . special). He's calm and reasoned and understanding - and the glue that is holding all these pained people together. Absolutely perfect. I adored the Elladan, Elrohir and Estel on the balcony bit. Hard as it is for all of them, they have come to terms with their emotions by the time the ring arrives in Rivendell. Which is just as well, because, had they not, the ring would have been able to play havoc with them. Thorongil enquiries, keeping men out, Boromir's approach, the council - it's all there, all thought through, all logically meshed together. Fantastic chapter, Nilmandra. Very well done. Poor Elrond - that elf deserves to have a happy ever after. Author Reply: I was trying to imagine Elrond playing parent to both Aragorn and Arwen, when his role as parent to one was in conflict to being parent to the other. It led to some interesting dynamics, especially when one considers that Aragorn directly disobyed Elrond's command to him of 'you shall have neither wife not bind yourself in troth'. Yet he had to see when Aragorn returned home from the south, he was no longer a boy but a man, and perhaps even an equal... and a competitor for his daughter's affections. How in the world do you juggle all those roles and try to be fair to everyone? In the end, of course, it is Elrond who must gracefully give way and love them through his pain. Glorfindel is the knight in shining armor - I have to bring him down a notch or two after he just shines in situations like this :/ Hard as it is for all of them, they have come to terms with their emotions by the time the ring arrives in Rivendell. Which is just as well, because, had they not, the ring would have been able to play havoc with them. You know, that is a really good point and perhaps why Aragorn was to have no wife or be bound in troth.... this created division within the family and could have created problems between the men and elves, and led to a rift that would have prevented them all working together at the end to see to the One's destruction. The ring could have played on their dissent. I guess we give them extra kudos that they managed to resolve and/or live with their differences and still put the good of the many ahead of any one's hurt feelings. | |