News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 17 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Gwynhyffar | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 7/1/2006 |
| Siiiiigh. Elrond's grief is so vivid and powerful that I could feel it with him. As sad as it is, he really needs to sail. I love the memory of Arwen deciding to take it upon herself to represent her father - with his permission, of course. Her way of handing her brothers made me laugh too, and it all seems very normal for her. Celebrian's plans for an empty house were wonderful, and I am sure she followed them all through! Excellent chapter, Nilmandra! :-) Author Reply: The time of the elves is over... and yeah, a bunch of them need to sail. Going with grace and dignity is the key here.. ending well. I'm going to have start feeding me and Elrond prozac if we go on much longer. Good think there is only really one chapter left of wallowing. :/ | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/30/2006 |
| I was so relieved when Elrond woke up to see Gandalf. Even stalwart and loyal Glorfindel didn't seem able to truly alleviate his pain, just merely to prop him up so he could be flattened by it over again, but there's something about Gandalf. Elrond's perception of him was amazing for seemingly the old man had been burnt away on Zirakzigil, replaced by this lighter being. His movements flowed with new grace. along with his musing about where Gandalf might have been before he returned. But so much pain in this chapter. It was hard enough for Elrond to see Arwen no longer as his daughter but as the queen of men, but even harder was when Arwen realized how much pain she had caused her father, and his line - there is no pain I would not bear for you brought tears to my eyes. It was so realistic that it would be out of realization that his daughter needed him that Elrond would begin to find his own strength again. I was absolutely delighted that Gandalf was empowered to grant Arwen's request, and that she was shocked that he did not merely pass along the request but granted it on the spot. I was cheering! The flashback scenes were delightful, and perfectly placed. I think already the sorrow of the resolution to Arwen's journey was bringing me to think of the earlier chapters of your story, and her happy times with her father, and then this memory of Elrond's brought that memory to life. And I love how he can recognize Elladan's drawing. Elrond is such a dorky dad, reflexively forbidding Arwen's request, although I liked his rationale that he should wait a few days so she thinks he gave it serious consideration. I'm glad Glorfindel stuck up for her so she could go. And Erestor was a hoot, assuming that he was going to be in charge. I loved Elrond's reply that he was in charge of everything except safety on the road. This was a difficult but very full and rewarding chapter, Nilmandra. Author Reply: Elrond definitely needed to be needed.. I was glad when Glorfindel told him he had one more day to sleep and rest, and then he had things to do. But very true on his strength... he accepts it better from Glorfindel, but all he can do is hold him in the present, not heal him. I was really thinking about Gandalf and what he could do and what he might have to ask! But he 'strayed from thought and time' and was sent back by 'Authority' both of which make me think he was in the presence of the One. And if Eru is the God we know, then he does not exist in time.. and thus knew of the request Arwen would make long before it was conceived in Time. And thus he was able to give Gandalf permission to grant the request when it came. One of those really hard theological thoughts, like predestination. Elrond is a dorky dad. Good thing he had a wife and friends willing to make sure his children were given wings. And I love the idea of Arwen wanting to be the diplomat. She is her father's daughter. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/30/2006 |
| This is very moving and you have made me feel for poor Elrond as no other writer has. Author Reply: Thanks, Linda, I am glad for that. Tolkien gave us so many depths to explore. | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/30/2006 |
| I do so love your Arwen, she who cannot be resisted. It must be interesting for Elrond to shift from thinking and doing to feeling and being. I wish I had more time to wallow in your fic, but at least I've had a chance for a quick read-through. Marvelous! Author Reply: I am glad you like Arwen. She came across to me, in her small role in the book, as someone who was determined, who liked to order the world in the way she saw fit, as someone full of grace and with deep insight. Not a warrior, but Aragorn never needed her to be that, and neither did her people or family. Good observation on Elrond.. and yet others pushed him to go help others, so he didn't focus too much on his own pain. Poor half -elf. Wallow is a great word for these chapters! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/30/2006 |
| Wow! Impressive Nilmandra! Poor Elrond! I particualrly appreciated how you pictured Elrond's disorientation first time Aragorn and Arwen enter the common room.. the physical image of the room expanding was very fitting, giving a perfect image of his confusion and his loss! These are painful moments and Elrond and Galadriel's strength must be wholly consumed, their living on their last preserves and it shows. Powerful Mithrandir and bossy Glorfindel are actually the support they all needed. And I really liked the flashback! I was missing those episodes!Arwen really comes out in this chapter as the noble Elf-woman she was; wise, compassionate and deeply aware of her doom, thus embracing it wholly. I liked that. As one who seldom rereads LOTR beyond "The Steward and the King", I am bracing for what comes next :-) Author Reply: The book speaks really to the joy of the time, but Tolkien sort of switched POV on us, going from Frodo to Sam sometime in Ithilien, and never really coming back. Thus the pain is hidden, but we all know its there. But I think that is what I like about Tolkien.. everyone did not live happily ever after. Loss and grief were there for most, and victory cost everyone something. Yet hope and grace perservered. I really like that. I was thinking about this today in the bookstore... my attachment to Tolkien's world doesn't extend to many other fantasy authors, and I think that is why. I need the forest, not just the trees. I need big picture, not just a snasphot. Brace yourself well.. I'll be tying myself to the rigging next to you. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/30/2006 |
| “This was a gift from the elves of Tol Eresseä, a sign of their friendship to Men. When my grandfather Eärendil sailed from Sirion in search of Valinor, he carried with him a token that granted him passage where none with mortal blood had been allowed before. Let this be Frodo’s token, a sign that we send an elf-friend, one to whom we wish the Elves to grant friendship, much as they did to Men long ago.” That's truly wonderful. We all try to explain the origin and meaning of that gem in different ways, and this is very logical and lovely. Author Reply: Thinking of the gem is interesting. I am glad I was finally able to weave some of the tale around it. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/30/2006 |
| I really like this chapter. In particular, I liked the flashback to Arwen, giving us a glimpse of how determined she was and also of the preparation she had to be queen of men and elves. I also liked the link to going home at the end and going to Elven home. This must have been hard to write, given how devastated Elrond was, but you handled that wonderfully. Author Reply: Elrond is devastated.. and like Arwen, knowing it and living it are two very different things. My first thoughts of Arwen, despite the limited exposure she gets in the book, is that she had to be one determined person. And her gift to Frodo speaks of deep insight, grace and also an attempt to order the world in the way she wishes. Funny how those few things you see of a person can shape your perception of them. | |