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| A Fire Long Kindled by Nilmandra | 57 Review(s) |
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| Mandy | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| Once again, Nilmandra has surprised me. I never thought to be interested in the First or Second Ages, nor the courtship of Elrond and Celebrian (I'm more of a Legolas/Aragorn fan), but knowing how her writing has pulled me in before, I thought I'd give it a shot. This is a wonderful little story. In the film, Celeborn came across as rather one-dimensional; it's nice to see him portrayed as a real person. And to think that at one time Elrond was actually happy. Now, if she could only finish "History Lessons: Third Age," I'd have a new reason to logon. Thanks for this one, and all the others I've read and not reviewed. I especially liked the side plot with Elrohir and Arwen. Author Reply: Now, if she could only finish "History Lessons: Third Age," I'd have a new reason to logon Ack, I got stuck, but the next chapter is half done! Thanks for the kind words. :D | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| That must be weird, to be able to feel all the goings-on of pregnancy so early. Just the thought of that poor confused little fëa, only a couple of days old and already suffering the great shock of twinning. It kind of makes me feel sorry for Elves who miscarry, though, if they can feel the fëa so early. It must be a horrible loss, and so many pregnancies miscarry so early. You'd think they'd be more on the lookout for twins, though. Twins tend to run in families, and Elrond's family has a habit of producing them. Author Reply: I admit that this really got me thinking, as if I haven't thought enough about elves before. If they choose to conceive, I wonder what part of conception they have control over. Can they pick the sex? Is the guy remote control driving a particular sperm while the female is coaxing out an egg? Or is it a little more chancey than that? And if they can control certain factors, do miscarriages really happen? Tolkien wrote that there was no 'fall' for the elves as there was for men. So does that mean their childbearing (the curse for the fall) is not as painful? Ne deaths in childbirth? No miscarriages? And if a person is a soul that has a body, which seems to be the belief Tolkien had in line with the Judeo-Christian teaching, then what exists first? Does the zygote need to merely form.. then it gets a fea? Or does it need to implant? and if so, then what happens if there are twins ... the twinning happens 4-12 days post fertilization.. so does one fea split or two exist in the same zygote until then? If yes, then it implies someone (Eru?) knows that twins are meant to exist and the 'twinning' is under control, not chance. Or perhaps its some predetestined thing. Twins seem very uncommon in elves.. the only twins are in the Line of Feanor and the twins of Luthien's descendents. Tolkien made it seem like a big deal, I think even wrote some theories about the strenght of spirit of the fea or one fea needing two distinct bodies to fulfill some purpose. As for them not thinking about the twins ... those twins did exist but over 3000 years ago! Elwing's brothers were lost/died so young and Elros didn't have twins. Out of sight, out of mind! The whole thing was fascinating and I really had to remind myself that no one but me cared and answering all these questions was not needed for the story. The story was supposed to end with the begetting... until I realized I had to know at least a little of when they knew there were twins ... and well, you see how my mind works. I have enough education to be dangerous. I'll shut up now. | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| Poor Elrond, then Poor Celebrian, and then even Poor Glorfindel. It was all very entertaining to read though! :-) Author Reply: Angst snuck in there unexpected.. but, on the other hand, they had a lot of un with the pre-begetting and actual begetting, so that sort of makes up for it :D | |
| dkp Alaska | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| Thank you for another wonderful story, Nilmandra! I have been enjoying all of your writing that I've worked through so far (mostly the History Lessons series), but this one struck a special chord. I love how you portray Elrond and Celebrian's marriage as so full of love and passion. And, my husband and mine's anniversary is at the end of December, so I had plenty of personal joy in this, too. :) This is a marvelous testimony to the joy that can exist in married life - thanks for giving it voice for us! Author Reply: Thank you for your kinds words.. and definitely you need to claim this story too! I am not married and children are no longer a possibility, but this to me is the fantasy or ideal of what marriage and parenthood should be like. I am glad you enjoyed it. | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| Just wanted you to know I loved this story.Sorry I didnt review the rest of the chapters. Have a Merry Xmas! Author Reply: Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too! | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| I really liked Celebrían's conviction that *this* was the right time to conceive an elfling (or two). I also liked Elrond's uncertainty when he couldn't connect with the embryo - because we know it works out in the end! As you may have noticed, I rather like the twins. I just hope that if you ever write their birth, it's a little less traumatic than when I wrote it! Jay Author Reply: This was the most fun to write, I admit. I enjoyed it. I have written the birth (I think I posted part of it in my LJ around Father's Day).. it will be in HLIII at the right time. And yes, less traumatic, definitely! | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| I was reading the beautiful account of Elladan and Elrohir's conception and thinking what a great gift that would be - for conception to always be a conscious and purposeful act, and for the parents to be aware of the new life from the moment of its conception. But then I decided that what works for Elves, probably wouldn't work for humans. We need accidents and even mistakes, because discovering their meaning and rising above them is part of who we are. But your account of the twins' conception made me regret the callousness and ambivalence with which humnans often regard procreation. Author Reply: Everything you said is so true... yet I think if we had this level of control, we would also miss out on some wonderful gifts in life. I have four siblings... and neither of the girls were planned (and I wasn't really 'wanted' - third kid in three years was too much). I am glad abortions were not easily obtained, as I would perhaps not be here. We beget callously and thoughtlessly and dispose of any who are inconvenient. :( | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| Celebrían can’t keep anything from Elrond, can’t she? It’s intriguing how well he knew what she wanted. Maybe he could feel it because he is a healer? Or is that something every married elf knows? It must have been very worrying for them not to be able to connect with their child at first. What a luck Celebrían’s parents came! Of course, they are among the few who knew the other twin parents. I loved the part with Celebrían and Glorfindel at breakfast and Elrond’s question about misbehaving! And of course the bets at the end! (Interesting way to bring the younger elves to learn of the history of Doriath and Sirion – especially as Erestor didn’t truly look for this information *grin*) Thank you for a wonderful story! Author Reply: I think he new the state of her body because of his healing skills and what she was thinking because of his bond with her as mate. At least, that was my thinking. IT sure was fun though, to have him know she is up to something and come prepared to play. I also liked advancing their relationsihp to this kind of playfullness. They know each other well and still enjoy the physical/mental components of their bond. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2005 |
| I love Glorfindel and Celebrian's relationship. They're like the best kind of brother and sister - and they conspire against Elrond in a most delightful way. Love the romantic, rose-scented set-up - and the fact that Elrond was sufficiently clued-up on her machinations to be .... prepared under his Lord of Imladris robes. Absolutely gorgeous. And I'm so glad to see that the gilt hasn't worn off the gingerbread - they can still drive each other to a frenzy with a touch .... and, of course, to so much more than a frenzy with a little more. It's just perfect that it's Gil-galad's begetting day. It makes a wonderful link between the generations. Although the complication of 3/32nds-worth of Man, combined with the complication of being twins makes it unlikely that the pregnancy will last a full year. The instant knowledge of conception is so elf-like - and I'm fascinated by the confusion they feel as the - is it a zygote at the moment? - implants and splits. It would be bewildering - not really there and not ready to make contact. Totally disconcerting for both of them. I love even Elrond and Celebrian being subject to the traumas and insecurities of first time parents. It's also great that Galadriel and Celeborn can come in and set their minds at rest so easily. The family references and recollections are lovely. What a time of joy. Author Reply: I like the idea that Elrond has this group of people who loved him this much. To be that powerful and good, and to have had all those losses .. well, clearly something had to outweight that stuff. The zygote implants at day 3-5 and the 'twinning' happens at 4-12 days, and I admit I got a bit hung up about when the fea would be identifiable and what it would be like when the cells divided to become twins. Did the fea split? Were there two fea the whole time? It was interesting to think about and could become a whole chapter in itself! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/14/2005 |
| She slipped into the dress and then allowing her mother to fasten the clasps, of which there were few. Very farsighted of Galadriel! Elrond will be thankful! It’s very touching Círdan gave Celebrían the necklace which meant so much for Elrond’s family. Very fitting wedding gift. As for the beard, I remember in Dreamflower’s „Eucatastrophe“ Gandalf told the hobbits his beard is there for hobbit children to play with it. Why shouldn’t be Círdan’s beard be there for elflings for the same reason? :) The wedding was wonderful described, and I loved the idea of Círdan speaking in stead of Elrond’s father. He had helped to raise Elrond, after all, and I am sure he is something like a surrogate father to Elrond. Even more wonderful was the wedding night. I’m a bit envious of Celebrían ... Oh, and have I to mention the last line left me giggling helplessly? Author Reply: Part of what was enjoyable in writing this was the chance to bring in some history - all made up, of course - into the story. Like the necklace or Cirdan's 100 year old permission letter. Elves are so long lived that their treasures would be pricelss artifacts (3000 year old pearls? 4000 year old saphhires?).. and for them are just something they held waiting for the right time. LOL, I was envious of Celebrian too! I am glad Elrond lovd and was loved in return. And good, I hope you giggle plenty in chapter 3 too. :D | |