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The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden	134 Review(s)
Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/7/2004
Hiya. I’m finally getting around to it! Apologies again… You know, I love the idea of the twins taking the time to train Estel. They’re very encouraging too and I imagine it must reassure him somewhat to know that even they weren’t always as good with a bow as they are now. Elladan and Elrohir play off each other wonderfully – you write them so well. Although, I did cringe during the horse story, having a little inkling that perhaps it wasn’t the greatest idea to share such escapades with a ten-year-old boy! I laughed at Elladan nudging Elrohir to remind him of that fact. LOL at ‘Snowdrop’too. I loved that little glimpse into Elrond’s sense of humour! The description of how much of a handful Estel is was great. I can just imagine him getting into anything and everything. You create such a vivid image of this vibrant little boy and even though he does get into scrapes, it’s still wonderful to see him so full of life. The unspoken messages passing between the adults around him really made me smile. Teensy question, if you don’t mind – why is Elrond referred to as a ‘Sindarin Lord’. I’ve just never seen him called anything like that anywhere else and I was wondering why Gilraen sees him that way. I really liked the little comparison between Elrond and Gilraen, that they’ve both lost someone and had to learn to live with that pain. I think they could be good for each other. Gilraen certainly seems to get strength from his presence and I suppose he might gain some comfort from what she brings to the household as well as from the unquestioning love of her son. I almost couldn’t bear to read the part with the horse! There was just no way that was going to end well for poor Estel. I guess he’s just at the age where he feels that he must prove himself and it can’t be made easier by the fact that he must sometimes feel he has to live up to the standards of the elves, something he’ll never attain but he may not have fully realised that yet. That scene with Elrond was fantastic. He must have been horrified and then he has to not only help Estel and hide his alarm but deal with a panicked mother as well. I just love the way he takes control, despite his worry. What a great person to have around in a crisis! It seems too that this little incident has really brought home to Elrond how much he has come to love the child. That moment of realisation was so touching. Aren’t you clever to fit in the White Council! I’d never have realised that, me being absolutely terrible with dates. It’s a good reminder of the events that are taking place beyond the protection of Imladris in the world into which Estel will venture. I actually felt quite bad for Elladan and Elrohir when they were told about Estel. After all, they genuinely didn’t think he’d do anything like that. Still, I suppose it’s made them realise how Estel sees them and has probably made them more aware of how much influence they have over him. I thought Elrohir explained it to Estel very well, and of course Elrond is as wise as ever in what he says to him. It must indeed be hard for them to watch him take pointless risks when they know that danger is likely to be in Estel’s future anyway unless times drastically change. It’s quite sad, really, to see them trying to protect him and all the while knowing that he’s beginning to leave childhood behind already and cannot forever remain in their protection. But for now he’s just so lucky in the family he has and the love they give him. Great chapter as always. And now on to the next one…!:-)

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/7/2004
I've often wondered about that time before Aragorn was 20 when he rode out on "deeds of errantry" with Elladan and Elrohir. He was amazingly young to do it, but I guess men were expected grow up quickly. He does need to learn about the people he will lead. He can't be a good king unless he does. Author Reply: Daw! I agree that Estel is very young to be going out and about, but that's written in the Appendices to LOTR. Also, thinking about it, any 15-year-old is going to be restless and the inquisitive, curious child that I painted Estel to be would never settle for pat answers. Elrond had to do something, going out on patrol gives Estel a purpose and it's serves the purpose of giving the boy knowledge without letting too much knowledge out. Thanks for reading and reviewing! MM

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/7/2004
great chapter. So brave and wise of Elrond to let Estel go at such a young age. He was walking a fine line , what to tell him and what not. Loved the blessing of the elves at the coming of age for Estel. Elladan and his cooking had me laughing. Glad to see Erithain again, glad he was there to see Estel again after his first battle. looking forward to more Author Reply: Thanks Grumpy! I wanted to see find a way to work Erithain back into the story because I grew very fond of him, but for secrecy's sake I did not think that I could bring him into Rivendell. I figured a secret as important as Aragorn's existence had to have no word leaked. Glad you liked the story! Yeah! MM

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/1/2004
I loved it when Elladan elbowed Elrohir to make him say that riding Elrond's horse was, "of course," the wrong thing to do! Also, "Snowdrop" was a hoot! That does sound like an Elrond with a smart sense of humor. There's a story on the site somewhere (I think it's called "Toy Story") that talks about how Estel's time in Imladris was different from that of the other heirs of Isildur because he didn't know who he was and also because he was younger when he came. I thought that was an interesting notion and it fits well with what you have Elrond feeling too. Elrond's explanation of the difference between bravery and recklessness was right on. Author Reply: Daw! I have a lot of fun writing Elladan and Elrohir! They flow through the keyboard and are so easy to write! Also I wanted to further strengthen the relationship between Estel and them. I think it was a very important one because I don't imagine there were any Elfings in Rivendell at the time Estel was growing up there. Also I wanted section where Elrond and Estel were sharing father and son moments. I have read some really good ones and want to do the relationship justice! I'll check out that story you talk about. It sounds like it would be worth a look. Thanks for always reading and reviewing. It is really appreciated. MM Author Reply: Daw! I have a lot of fun writing Elladan and Elrohir! They flow through the keyboard and are so easy to write! Also I wanted to further strengthen the relationship between Estel and them. I think it was a very important one because I don't imagine there were any Elfings in Rivendell at the time Estel was growing up there. Also I wanted section where Elrond and Estel were sharing father and son moments. I have read some really good ones and want to do the relationship justice! I'll check out that story you talk about. It sounds like it would be worth a look. Thanks for always reading and reviewing. It is really appreciated. MM

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/21/2004
I just clicked onto your bio after leaving the review... You got married! Woo-hoo! Congrats!! I guess I have to forgive you for disappearing so... ;-)

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/21/2004
Well! Hello there. I’m so thrilled to see you back again with this story. I was worried. I hope all is well. And what a great comeback! This chapter was fantastic. I thought it was a very good idea to bring the time forward a little. I’ll admit that I haven’t actually had time today to re-read the rest of it - I will when I can – but your pacing seems perfect to me. Estel appears to have well and truly settled in – and taken over as only a small child can! I loved the start with him trying to catch the fish. Elladan was certainly amused anyway! I guess our little man will have to learn throughout his life that elves can do some things that he just can’t, but at the moment he doesn’t seem at all bothered and is clearly determined to keep trying – and with his resolve I don’t doubt for a second that he’ll succeed eventually. You know, I always find it weird when Aragorn calls Elrond ‘Ada’. I just don’t see it. But in fairness, it does make sense in this story. I love that Estel is comfortable enough with him to run up and hug him. I get the impression that Gandalf is seeing a whole new side of Elrond as well! I really like how light-hearted Elrond and Elladan are with each other as well as the child. “I’m not having a repeat of last summer when she gave me an earful when you came down with the sniffles.” Oh, I love that. Apart from the hilarious image of Gilraen tearing into Elrond, it really showed how the elves had to take some time to adjust to having humans around. Clearly it didn’t dawn on them that little boys can’t be allowed to wander around in wet clothes… I thought you wrote Gilraen really well. Her pain doesn’t come through as strongly any more but there’s still a sense of it being there somewhere, buried perhaps not quite as deep as she thinks, as well as a certain loneliness that comes through despite her new life. I’m glad she’s found some peace in Imladris but I guess those hidden memories will have to be faced some day. I loved the line “They had given Estel back his smile.” It seems that as a mother that was all she wanted. It’s interesting that Estel senses that his mother is troubled sometimes but doesn’t know why. How hard it must be for Gilraen not to share his past life with him. It seems to that there’s a divide between them now, in that Estel becomes more elvish every day, adopting their tongue and way of life but Gilraen will always see it as something different than what she is and what she’s used to. Elmiran seems nice! Is there anyone at all who hasn’t fallen under Estel’s spell…?!! I get the impression that the frog incident is only the latest in a long line of such occurrences. I suppose Estel’ll eventually learn the lesson that Elrond is trying to teach him. “All living creature thrive best where there is a place to grow and be happy.” Ah, how wise. I must say, I totally agree with you that having Aragorn meet Gandalf is a great idea. There’s such instinctive trust on Estel’s part that it certainly gives weight to their later relationship. I enjoyed watching Gandalf piece together the different parts of this child’s life. He should really just go back and talk to Elrond!! Is Gilraen going to meet him? This was a wonderful chapter. Thanks for coming back to it. I eagerly await more :-) Author Reply: Dot! So happy that you’ve remembered my story! I’m glad that you liked the chapter. It wasn’t an easy one to write after being out of the swing of things for so long. I thought it was time to bring a little light-heartedness into the story. After all according to either the ROTK appendices or the HoME series I can’t remember which say that something about Estel charming the inhabitants of Rivendell. So I went with that. Elrond is for all intents and purposes Aragorn’s father. The only father that he remembers and in the appendices to ROTK it says that “Elrond took the place of his father and came to love him as a son.” So it is a double tragedy for Elrond. If the Ring War is lost it is obviously a tragedy, but if it is successful then he looses his daughter to the man he has come to love as a son. In the films this father/ son relationship is completely lost, which is a shame. You would never know that Elrond is Aragorn’s foster father. It was obviously something that Peter Jackson decided not to show. I thought about how to portray Gilraen living in Imladris. Given that she actually says “Onen I-Estel Edain, u –chebin estel anim.” (I gave Hope to the Dunedain, I have kept no hope for myself.) I thinking that she never learned how to live past the tragedy of her husband’s death and realizes that little Estel would never wholly be hers only. There is, as you say, dividing wall between them placed there by fate and circumstance. Later she comes to completely accept it, but it takes time. She doesn’t have the happiest of lives after Arathorn dies. But for now she is still a major part of little Estel’s life. I thought it was a good idea to have Aragorn meet very early. In the films and in the book you sense Aragorn’s complete trust in Gandalf. Their meeting when Aragorn is still such a young child can help to explain why it is so strong. Thanks for all the thought put into my work. It is really appreciated. :-)) MM

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/20/2004
Oh my goodness, I can't believe this story is back! Yay! I loved the picture of Estel sitting in the pond, trying to figure out what went wrong. After all, he did just what Elladan did! But the poor little thing -- worried about his mother's 'troubles.' Children really are very sensitive. I have a friend who married a Frenchman. Their three children were born in the US and then they went to live in France for a while. The kids all spoke both languages, and so did she, but it actually sort of shook her when her kids started to be French children instead of American. She had no problem with a husband who was 'foreign,' but she didn't want her kids to be. Author Reply: Thanks! Daw! Glad to be back! I'll going to try to find more time for writing now! Hopefully. Glad you liked it! I found the chapter not easy to write because at first I felt it shifted too quickly into "happiness and light mode." But then after reading it through I think the shift was needed. After so much pain a little hope (no pun intended) was needed. A couple friends of mine in England were American but they had been living abroad for so long that their daughter (who is technically American) has never lived in the States. She was an English school girl, no different from her friends while her parents have never lost their accents. I was thinking of that when I was writing Estel. MM

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/28/2003
Hi there! Welcome back. I hope all is well – I certainly missed you! Did my e-mail get through alright? What an incredibly powerful chapter. Yeah, it was short but that gave you a great opportunity for some deeper characterisation. You did a particularly good job showing Gilraen’s sense of futility and her questioning of her life now and her place in the world. She seems at a total loss as to what to do with herself, especially when she is without Aragorn to keep her focused. I’m glad Elladan and Elrohir are spending so much time with Aragorn – the child could probably benefit hugely from their influence. They’re just so amazing – I imagine Elrond must be very proud of them. I really like your portrayal of Elrond, actually. I think it’s important to see that any decision he makes is only done so with difficulty and that he is completely aware of the pain he may cause. He strikes me as so compassionate, which is exactly how I would have imagined him. I never thought before how the protection of Aragorn would have affected Gilraen in the sense that she is forced to hide so many of her memories instead of sharing them. It was his devotion to his people and his heritage that made Arathorn the man he was and yet she cannot share this with his son. That’s really quite heartbreaking - you really made me stop and think! That part with Erithain receiving the news was handled so well. The numbness, despair and reluctant acceptance of his new position... Arathorn played such an important role in his life, and his devastation is portrayed so realistically. Galadriel??! That was unexpected! But a beautiful touch. I like the way she reinforces the importance of the unity of the Dunedain. I’m beginning to suspect that Erithain has a role to play yet (yay!)... I was a little worried about him but he’s lucky to have such a friend as Erkenthal, who really must be equally devastated. Our boys’ll be alright, won’t they...?!!:)

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/27/2003
The two sections of this chapter showed the brother and sister suffering the aftermath of Arathorn's death, each in their own way. You made the pain very real. I could see how much at a loss Gilraen was as her life was stripped from her. And her brother is now alone with heavy responsibilities. Great chapter. Author Reply: Thanks Daw! I tried to stay true to how the emotions of these people would unfold. At first I thought to leave Fornost entirely and not show Erithain's pain but I developed a great fondness for him and thought he needed to express his grief! MM

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/4/2003
One other thing I forgot to comment on - I like your elves. You have given them a dignity like what I think Tolkien intended - they are gracious and well spoken and funny. They can be very serious and full of mirth. Yet they are different than the humans. Not everyone manages to capture that :) Author Reply: Nilmandra! So glad you are enjoying it! I have try to give the Elves grace and dignity, because like you I think that is how I think Tolkien did intend. Also they have a joy for life and I wanted to show that also. I'm happy to know that the subtle distinctions between men and Elves comes across in the writing! :-)) I thought hard about what I could use as a catalyst for moving Aragorn to Imladris and how best for Arathorn to die in a battle. After studying the timeline in the ROTK appendices I decided to use the Gladden fields report of activity because that would have directly influence the Heirs and everything they've worked for. Thanks again for all the kind words. :-))

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