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| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 376 Review(s) |
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| Nikara | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/24/2006 |
| Wow. Yet again, an amazing few chapters. Elrond's pain and suffering are perfectly captures, especially when contrasted to his joy at seeing Celebrian again. I hope this isn't the end, it feels like we still have a few things to cover! Author Reply: I have more chapters written, but today when I reread this, I thought it felt too much like an end - a very good place to stop. So I changed the story to complete, and will work that which remains into its own story. :D | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/24/2006 |
| I think this chapter broke the record for the number of times you had me bawling. The whole entire ship passage, for starters. There's something about the idea of moving between worlds that's so mystical and magical and spiritual. The imagery and symbolism of the straight way was so powerful. And the departure from ME meant so many different things to different characters, yet you addressed it all beautifully. Frodo and Bilbo, leaving the only home they had ever known; Elrond, being reunited with his father and *Kleenex* Celebrian and *two Kleenexes, because it was so unexpected* Gil-galad; Galadriel, with her trepidation, and finally, Gandalf, transfigured at last into his true self. What a beautiful, inspiring, and uplifting chapter. Author Reply: I am glad you thought it worked - I had one of those 'this is the most boring uninspiring things I have written' moments yesterday. Such a trip had to be bewildering.. I'd be glad for someone like Celebrian waiting there to take charge and find me a place for a good long rest. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/24/2006 |
| I love the idea that all of the travelling Elves feel their great age slowly being stripped away. For all that they are ancient of days in Middle-earth, they are the kids and grandkids once they get to Valinor. It will surely do Elrond a world of good to be five years old again. And how wonderful for him that he got a little tiny glimpse of Earendil! I think that was my favorite part of the whole chapter. That must have been a permanent hole in his psyche, always wondering about his biological father, and there's a little bit of healing right there. Author Reply: I am glad you liked that part - of Elrond being a child in wonder again, and Galadriel being someone's daughter. Such experiences humble us and take us right back to our roots. I was glad when Earendil showed up. I hadn't expected it - he was just there when Elrond looked up! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/24/2006 |
| Wow! *sigh* That was beautiful. I'm speechless. Author Reply: I am glad you liked it. I was a bit melancholy myself about the end, so I am glad it worked. Thanks for reading. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/10/2006 |
| Yeah, my DSL is back and I get to read! This was great! Bilbo's 'when do we leave' was so perfect for him. Much better than the way PJ made him in the movies. And I really love that Imladris with the help of the twins, becomes part of the Kingdom of Men. That seems very fitting since it was always a haven for anyone in need and had been founded and ruled by the Half Elven. And I just prefer that idea to the idea of it fading away and decaying. But Elrond's departure from the house where so much had happened made me cry. As happy as he was to be rejoining Celebrian, leaving so many memories must still be sad. And by his goodbye to the twins, I was bawling. He had felt old since he was a youth himself, fighting in the War of Wrath, and since Vilya’s loss of power he had felt weary beyond hope. Thin and brittle, breakable. Could he become as his sons wished, as he wished? “Yes, you can and will,” replied Elrohir, and he smiled at his father’s look of surprise. Really well done here. That was very powerful and said a lot. And I never stopped bawling. I loved the scene you wrote for the birth of the twins when you posted in your LJ and I really loved reading it in context here. And their final departure was excellent. Estel. That was perfect. Great chapter! Author Reply: This story has made me cry much, as I think about loss and change and pain. I would not wish to be immortal in the way the elves are for all the money in the world. I am glad you liked this; I am glad that I am nearly done too. I want Elrond to find peace soon. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/7/2006 |
| So much pain and sorrow in this parting--for Elrond from his sons, for Celeborn from his wife, for Sam, Merry and Pippin from Frodo--for all of them from Mithrandir/Gandalf. The Sundering Sea has rightfully earned its name. You have dealt with it in such a wonderfully insightful way, mingling the bittersweet poignancy of a farewell, with a hope for the future of Middle-earth, even when it would become bereft of Elves. When I was young, and read the ending of LotR for the first time, I was devastated--all that they had gone through to put the world to rights, and then they are rewarded by having to give it all up, and to be sundered from those they loved--not only those leaving, but those left behind. Even now I find it painful--and sometimes seek solace in AUs where this pain is overcome and they can find peace without having to sail--a sweet analgesic, though not very lasting. They are not without their own charms, and make a delightful holiday from what "really happened." But over the years (39 since first I read the books) I have come to understand with each re-reading that the pain is a part of the greatness of the story. A conventional happy ending would have made of it nothing more than a run-of-the-mill fantasy. It was JRRT's courage in knowing just how entwined true joy and pain are, and in showing us that this was as happy an ending as was possible that gave us an enduring classic worthy of being called the greatest book of the 20th century. And I salute you for your courage in examining this pain in such a deep and personal way, taking us further into the mind and heart of Elrond Half-Elven than his creator ever did, and in breathing life into him for all time. And we can read this and anticipate the joy that awaits him with his reunion on the Western Shore. Author Reply: But over the years (39 since first I read the books) I have come to understand with each re-reading that the pain is a part of the greatness of the story. I only read the books for the first time a few years ago, and this is precisely what attracted me to the story. I know just what you mean. Everything of great value cost something. For every beginning there is an end, for every victory there is great cost, for everyone who gains, someone must lose. While it seems that the victors should gain, that is not always so. I loved LotR because of the Grey Havens chapter, because not everyone lived happily ever after. I doubt I will do justice to what lies beyond the Sundering Sea, save to say that I hope that peace is found for these ones at last. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/7/2006 |
| What a beautiful, sad and tender chapter! I did not realize I had missed a chapter until I started on the new one... The farewells are so heart-breaking, and yet they are also filled with a sort of hope as well. I don't read a good deal of Elf-fic, but you are one of about four Elf authors that I *do* read and enjoy on a regular basis--and you seem to have so much insight into Elrond. As this winds down to the Ending of the Third Age, you seem to make so much clear to me, about things that I had not thought of a good deal, being focussed more on the hobbits. I loved the flashback, of toddler Arwen trying out her independence for the first time--there was so much love and good humor there, and we see also just *why* letting go of his daughter was so painful to Elrond--her pulling away had been difficult for him from the beginning. *sigh* We're coming to the end very soon... Author Reply: Thanks, Barabara. I just realized I haven't responded to reviews either! I am glad you are enjoying this. It is amazing how many new angles one can see a story from simply by changing whose eyes you are seeing the story through. I've enjoyed getting to know Elrond. But yes, soon the story will end. :D | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/5/2006 |
| I'm glad that you managed to find some time for yourself.. and for us! ;-) I really like what you are doing with this, Nilmandra, filling in the gaps we all wondered about, and putting down conversations that must have taken place. While I do like Tolkien's understated, hurried treatment of the last days of these Elves on Middle-earth, I am really enjoying to see the "extended" version, which comes out very in character to me. Bilbo was great in his eagerness, and you are right, Bilbo *is* Ian Holm, and Ian Holm *is* Bilbo. I loved Glorfindel's easy manner with Erestor, and Erestor's efficient-till-the-last minute attitude. But I loved most the part when Elrond goes to a high place with Elladan and Elrohir and shows them the lands, (and the reference to the fires in AMon Sul) It really moved me, his acceptance of what shall come of all them in the Age of Men, and the last task he sets upon his sons. It all came out in a very powerful way to me. I too liked your version of the Grey Havens, far less poignant than Tolkien's, more full of hope and certainty of reunion, and elven centered! :-) And I am beyond words to read that there are more chapters to go! I feared it was just one left! Author Reply: I was thinking when writing this that eveyone has a 'time' when they come into their own - Elrond's time has finished. this is all about 'ending well' for him.. but for his sons, they have 'work' left to do - a purpose, at least to see Aragron's inheritance come to its fullness. They will need to know when their work is done and figure out how to 'end well' too - an important thing to figure out pretty early on. A few chapters left! Mostly written too, thank goodness. | |
| Elenluin | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/5/2006 |
| Sad, but beautiful... Too bad that this magnificant chapter announces that the end of this story is near, at least I'm glad to hear that there are a few more chapters left! Author Reply: It is true, all stories must come to an end. :( But there are always more stories that can be told. Glad you enjoyed. this is such a melancholy time. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/4/2006 |
| Those two little babies are definitely all grown up now. They've acquired much of their father's wisdom recently, and they demonstrate it in the graceful ways that they take care of him in what is the closest he will ever come to "old age." Elrond is definitely ready to see Celebrían again. Who knows, all that practicing might lead to a few more kids who'd need their history lessons eventually! Author Reply: This sudden letting go is an eye opener for Elrond that he is a parent still, but they are adults who can manage fine without him. I have oft wondered about that, when the generations do not die out, but live on like this. LOL at practicing. :D One never knows. | |