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| Happily Ever After by Nilmandra | 17 Review(s) |
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| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| Arwen's death was very moving,sad,yet hopeful. Author Reply: I always imagine Estel waiting for her, like Beren did Luthien. But oh, such pain for those who are tied to the earth... or those who must make their own choice! | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| This was heartwrenching in so many ways, Nilmandra. You really brought out how painful and confusing the depature of Arwen must have been to the people of Gondor, still reeling from Elessar's death. I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for Eldarion and his sisters to see her go. But this story made me think about how Arwen's children, being mortal, would have always known their parents would die someday, while Celeborn and Glorfindel and her brothers would have found her passing to be much harder to come to terms with. And Arwen herself, as you illustrated so beautifully, had to be ready. What really got me, though, was the painful choice that Elladan and Elrohir had to make. Author Reply: Plus the elves don't know what happens beyond the circles of the world - Men - good Men, anyway - had a knowledge that death was a gift and there was more for them beyond, and that they would be together there. So there is a hope of eternal reunion. Not only do the elves not understand this, they know that they are sundered from mortals. So the waiting had to be hellish - they don't want her to go because it is the end of their relationship with her, either forever or until the end of time. Yet her staying as she was was tearing them apart, and her as well. All of that made me wonder - if an elf is by nature content within the bounds of the world and a man is by nature always seeking beyond the confines of the world, what would someone with both natures be like? What would they want - would they always be torn in two? | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| I am really having a hard time putting into words how wonderful this chapter was, I have tears in my eyes, all the drama between them all was so well written I could almost feel their pain, you are masterful with your words and I loved it. Hugs Deb Author Reply: Thanks, Deb. I have been really thinking about the dual natures of the peredhil - not to mention throwing in the blood of the Ainur - and I am feeling very inspired to write aobut how 'happily ever after' may take a little work and time. Thanks for reading! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| I expected Arwen's end to be sad. I was prepared for that. Even for the sadness of her guardians, but not prepared for their troubles. Maybe they were not either. Feelings get put off or set aside, waiting upon events to demand decisions. Then is when we face the pain. Well at least, they are on the boat now... "... Elladan’s face was resolute as he stepped aboard the ship. Elrohir followed more slowly, and to Celeborn’s eye, he had grown more translucent. Elladan glanced at Elrohir with unguarded heart, and Celeborn read the depth of the love he bore for his twin, but also the depth of some greater sorrow." I have hope for Elrohir. The mellyrn, which had been preserved by Nenya's powers, revived with time and the proximity of grace. Hopefully, when they reach Aman, Elrohir will revive, too. But I worry for Elladan. Has he traded the sorrow of being seperated from his brother just to be burdened with another? The sea-longing can be devastating. What if he finds on reaching Eldamar, he longs to return? Can we count on him being healed of that? Is that what he is counting on? The peredhil's differences and similarities to their progenitors are fascinating. The gift of deciding to which people they will belong is as bittersweet as the gift of mortality itself. Are they blessed or would they have been better off without the choice? Beautiful beginning... although, very sad... although, I am happy this was told from Celeborn's pov ;) ... Looking forward to more. Author Reply: You know, you hit on the key thing that I think had been missing when I previously worked on this (it was for HLIII but I never used it). The peredhil troubles would not simply end when Arwen departed - and then I saw this flash and new that for the twins, this may simply have opened the door to greater troubles. Elladan is a bit of an enigma in all this - and I think his parents and those who love him will discover that! I'm glad you like Celeborn's POV. I am sure I didn't do him justice, but the emphasis will be the twins as seen through Elrond and Celeborn's eyes. Thank you for reading. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| This is so beautifully sad. It must have been so hard for those that loved Arwen to watch her fade - but I'm glad she wasn't alone at the end. I've always felt that her brothers were there somewhere, watching and waiting. And someone had to make her grave. I'm very glad you've returned to the theme of what would happen after Vilya was destroyed - but I didn't expect it to have an effect on Elrohir so long after the event. He seems much more fragile here than Elladan - and Elladan seems to be hiding his feelings behind a mask. I'm glad there's more to come - and I'd love to know what was said between the twins in that final conversation. **Reads last two paragraphs again** They have both sailed, right??? Author Reply: They both got on the ship :>) But there is more to come and other conversations to be had. I hope this works out as well in practice as it does upon my head! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| I found this very sad. The grief of the four watchers must have been great, especially knowing that the best thing would be a quicker death. But of course, she had to be ready, had to need Aragorn more than she needed life. You were quite scary with the twins. I can't imagine Celeborn having to leave one or both of them behind. Author Reply: I like that way of saying it - Arwen did need to determine what was the greater need. I really didn't envy Celeborn or Glorfindel - they had their own grief, but also that of the twins to deal with. | |
| Ces | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| Wow. This brought tears to my eyes. You can't help but feel sorry for all of them. Waiting for someone to die, and having to watch it happen is one of the hardest things to do. I can only imagine for Elladan and Elrohir to watch their sister die is to die a little themselves. And Celeborn has a burden just as big to bear. I think Glorfindel is their strength here and they rely on him more than they even realize. I look forward to reading more. Ces Author Reply: Having to watch - and not knowing how long it would take... how awful. And you can't wish it to hurry along either! Glorfindel had a tough job and I think it nearly broke him. They all need to go find healing now. | |