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Glorfindel's Begetting Day  by Nilmandra 21 Review(s)
BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/11/2006
What a glorious, light-hearted story! (I want to live in Imladris.)

Glorfindel is such a star - he's been through far too much to let himself be upset by a reliving of a happy childhood event, produced in love as a gift from his second family. And if he was, Celebrian can twist him round her little finger. There are so many bits I loved - I don't know if I can detail them without rewriting the whole thing! Glorfindel's admission that he had - sort of - given permission for the twins to burgle his room. Elrond's seduction of Celebrian and vice versa! Elrohir's arrival - like a pixie on a toadstool - watching smugly as his parents have fun. The conversation in the hall. Celebrian making Erestor run - and then telling Elrond to speak to him. The hangover. The ride - and Glorfindel's thought that Elrond needed coaxing into more of Celebrian and the twins' schemes. And the whole performance - ending in Galadriel calming dropping the pyramid in the drink. Not to mention Glorfindel joining in the dunking and Galadriel walking the rope to be carried off into the woods ... the very woods where sections of the Imladris population had been begotten.

A complete delight. Loved it.

Author Reply: Glad you got a laugh... everyone needs one of those :>)

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
I love reading about your Imladris in the days of the twins' childhood. Everything always seems like a wonderful Edwardian comedy of manners. It's a house that seems arranged just for the benefit of these two lucky little boys. And on this day, one of their most devoted guardians gets to experience a little of that magic for himself.

Given what's happened to Glorfindel since the original begetting day party, it was a significant risk to re-create it. It could have hurt him deeply, reminded him of absent family and the reasons for their absence. But there's so much love in Imladris -- it's just buzzing with love -- that the pure joy of the occasion shines through and wipes all the potential bad memories away.

Author Reply: Married couples love each other, friends are loyal and children are cherished. :>) Fantasy all too often, but I like the idea that this is what peacetime meant to the elves (and humans, too). I'd have loved to grow up in this Imladris.

I admit I had a grand time writing this, laughed myself silly in places. It was a fitting end to my week. Fortunately for Glorfindel, he had that time of healing in Mandos's Halls... and friends who treat him with respect.

DotReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
Ooh, fabulous! What a fun piece this is :-)

You had me grinning from the start when Glorfindel, Erestor and Elrond all watch the sneaky shenanigans from behind the drapes. Glorfindel is hilariously unworried that it’s his chamber. I think he particularly enjoyed the fact that Celebrian was involved! Though why Elrond was so startled by that, I don’t know. He must realise by now what a mischievous streak his wife has!

Speaking of Elrond, that was a very devious way of trying to get information from his wife! […] and his wife began making new noises that did not remind him at all of a contented cat. ROTFL! Still, it seems to have worked. So there’s a secret account of one of Glorfindel’s begetting day celebrations? I can see why that was tempting to Celebrian and her “wonderful” sons…

I think Elrond and Celebrian need a cranky librarian to stop them making out behind the shelves ;-) LOL at Elrohir winning the wager. Again! And that scene in the hall was fantastic! I particularly loved Erestor in the background, going on and on about not running in the halls. And what a whirlwind Celebrian is.

Loved the little bit about Glorfindel as a child. What a precious insight into his family life. I even got a little teary at the thought of his attachment to his brother and being so upset that he wasn’t allowed play with him! The twins are adorable in their desire to give Glorfindel the perfect begetting day.

Another very touching moment is Elrond’s concern for his friend when he realises that the date coincides with that of the fall of Gondolin. But it seems Glorfindel is determined to enjoy whatever the day holds. And the whole of Imladris appear to have got involved. Cook’s anxiety about the breakfast cakes made me smile. What a lovely gift for Glorfindel, even if it must have been a little bittersweet.

This was one of my favourite parts: He was casually dressed in trousers and tunic, his hair loosely tied back and he smiled in the carefree manner Glorfindel wished could always grace his countenance. It made me so glad for Elrond but I also like the way that even in the middle of all the fun Glorfindel pauses to take note of his friend’s humour and be happy for it and wish that he could always be so free of trouble. I think he’d be willing to be the victim of every conspiracy and the butt of every joke if it gave Elrond a chance to enjoy himself. I like the conversation between them too, seeing Glorfindel share his memories. It could be a day to think about all he has lost, but he’s refusing to dwell on that. It really shows that even if parents can’t keep evil at bay, at least a loving childhood means that people will always have something to hold on to. Memories of strong, loving arms might not be the same as being held in those arms but they can still provide comfort.

Glorfindel’s reaction to seeing Erestor was one of the highlights of the whole thing! I nearly fell off my seat with laughter. The performance itself sounds amazing! I read it open-mouthed. I want them to perform at my birthday! I’m fascinated by Erestor. There’s really no end to his talents.

And then the rope snapped! Brilliant! I howled with laughter when I realised that Galadriel had cut it and calmly dumped them all into the water. Very nice of her to give Glorfindel such a treat ;-)

And what a moving moment between Galadriel and Celeborn as she walked trustingly across the rope and into his arms. I’d love to know the conversation they had before she did it. Though Elladan’s line, “Should we cut it?”, did rather ruin the moment a bit!! I’d like to see him try, but somehow I don’t think he’d have been successful…

It looks like Glorfindel had a wonderful day – so it was all a success. He can be in no doubt as to how much he’s treasured by all of them. This was great, Nilmandra. There’s a wonderful giddiness and joy to it that I’m glad to see you indulge in, and you certainly gave me a much-needed laugh today :-)


Author Reply: Haha, I'll have you know I was going to have them in the study kissing, but I put them in the library in honor of you. :>) Bad Elrond! No biscuit! Celebrian may be the playful one and mischievous to boot, but he can bring her to her knees with one kiss.

The worse my week went, the more hilarious the story became, Dot. It's farce and fun and fluff, but its fantasy too. This is what life should be like. Glorfindel had a grand day... best ever in Imladris. :>)


KarriReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
Delightful, Nilm. Humor with just a touch of melancholy mixed in. *claps*

Author Reply: It is hard to write in Tolkien's world and not have some melancholy, isn't it? To give Glorfindel a memory of childhood is a reminder of all that he lost, too. :/

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
This was lovely - pure fluff, with just a little steaminess between Elrond and Celebrían! I loved Elrohir sneaking into the library and seeing his parents kiss - he seems to be good at that! And Glorfindel was making a wager on it??

I loved the four-way conversation in the hall - two entirely different subjects, and Elrohir chipping in to both - and the way you draw the differences between the twins. You make them two different people, not carbon copies as I've sometimes seen. It's difficult to choose the best line, but I think it's: 'Should we cut it?' from Elladan!

Jay

Author Reply: The young twins are delight to write, but Frisky Elrond and Celebrian nearly wouldn't behave so I could write the story. Silly elves. Glorfindel appears to have had a fine time. :)

FiondilReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
Oh Nilmandra you are so wicked! Galadriel calmly cutting the rope — I think I laughed as hard as Glorfindel. I do love your Imladris stories. It's obvious these people are not only friends but family who truly care for one another. And the twins are so delightful. Thank Eru they're not mine, though! They leave me breathless just reading about them.

Author Reply: The young twins would wear me out entirely! But yes, this was pure fluff and fun, but I do hope that the love of family comes through. Married couples love each other, friends are loyal, and children are cherished - even if they are dumped in cold water afterwards!

FireReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
I love this it is a lovely story, with a nice twist in it.

Author Reply: Thank you. :>)

perellethReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
Lady Celebrian and Master Erestor's flying circus! Look at that! This was priceless, Nilmandra, I'm still wiping my eyes! (and I've printed it out...;-)

It's so good to see them all so carefree, full of joy and mischief, as they would surely be at that time! The show was amusing, as was Galadriel´s performance, charged with such an important task! I would have paid to see their faces as they discovered that *she* had cut the rope!

And I really loved to see Glorfindel enjoying the wild ride in the open air. A good tale with some memorable moments, from Erestor running in the halls to Celeborn smugly abducting his wife. Great.

And happy birthday to Gwyn!



Author Reply: See, you know what kind of week I've had, and this is definitely the result. Its that giddy sense of freedom that leads to such a free for all!

I had fun writing this. I am glad others enjoyed it too.

EllieReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
That was exquisite! I loved it! The difference in the accounts, the acrobatics, teh hung over Glorifndel, the careful plotting and best of Glorfindel's reaction to the whole thing. How wonderful! I love it when Glorfindel is depicted as having a close and dear realtionship to his atar, but can't say why that is.
Thanks for writing this! What a wonderful tale!

Author Reply: Writing this got me thinking about what kind of child Glorfindel was... and it was fun to imagine him as the little brother, desperately missing his beloved older brother, and also as a much loved child who loved his amme and atar. I am such a fangirl....

JastaElfReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006
THAT was just plain marvelous. I adored the ending especially! Go Celeborn!!!! *g*

A lovely tale, Nilmandra... and happy birthday Gwyn!

Author Reply: What can I say.. the elves were a bit frisky. :>)

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