Jay's Drabblets by Jay of Lasgalen
Bodkin · 5 November 2004 · Chapter 26: Midnight (R rating)
What a lovely interlude. Containing a happy and satisfied Elrond - which is a rarity. Poor Celebrian - knowing she would lose all happiness and be forced to leave the husband and sons who were her world adds a sting to the sweet contentment of this.
Author's reply
I always feel sad when I write about Celebrían because we know what will happen. Poor Celebrían. Poor Elrond. :(
Lianna · 5 November 2004 · Chapter 26: Midnight (R rating)
Is it warm in here, or what? Thanks for reminding us that there was plenty of loving in Middle-Earth, even though Tolkien didn't make it the focus of his writing.
Author's reply
Elrond and Celebrían were married for a very long time, and I think there would have been many times like this for them. It's sad to think what was in store for them.
lwarren · 5 November 2004 · Chapter 26: Midnight (R rating)
(fanning self furiously) Two words on this one, Jay....OH MY! linda
Author's reply
:) Thank you! I rather enjoyed writing this.
elliska · 5 November 2004 · Chapter 26: Midnight (R rating)
It always amazes me how much can be said in so few words. Very steamy and passionate. Love it.
Author's reply
Thank you! I quite surprised myself here - didn't think I could do it.
Bodkin · 4 November 2004 · Chapter 25: Precious
By the way (sorry, pressed the button before this thought occurred) why did Tolkien make Gollum sound like Ron Moody doing Fagin? I'm always expecting him to say 'Oliver'.
Author's reply
LOL! But surely Gollum came first? I'll never be able to watch 'Oliver!' again without thinking of him - thank you for that! Jay
Bodkin · 4 November 2004 · Chapter 25: Precious
Deagol had such a bit part, it is difficult to feel much of anything for him. But of course he is a victim of the ring, too. And of his 'loving' cousin. Can't stand the smell of fish myself. How people go out on smelly diesel boats for fun to spend hours catching it is beyond me. Still some people think doing this is strange.
Bodkin · 3 November 2004 · Chapter 25: Precious
OK, so Gollum wasn't very nice - killing your cousin isn't exactly recommended social behaviour - but you have to feel sorry for him. All those years of isolation and eating raw fish. Good one.
Author's reply
Ugh - I hate fish in any form, raw OR cooked! I just realised that no-one seems to feel sorry for poor Déagol who found the ring in the first place - not that it did him any good. Thanks for the review!
lilpippin · 3 November 2004 · Chapter 22: A Brother's Prayer
This is my favorite one; I love this drabble. I also am really enjoying "Along Came A Spider." It was a good idea to write a story based on this small drabble! Amazing! -lilpippin
Author's reply
Yes, the drabble came first, and so many people asked if it was going to be expanded. I wasn't even sure myself at first which twin had been injured, and how. The next chapter of 'Along Came A Spider' should be up by the weekend. Thanks for reviewing!
DeepBlueSomething · 31 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
(Shivers!) That gave me goosebumps. Great job!
Author's reply
Goosebumps and shivers? Wonderful! I do like to have that sort of effect on readers.
Bodkin · 31 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
Gimli seems fairly unconcerned - but I suppose he hasn't seen them yet! The whole concept of the houseless spirits of elves haunting Middle Earth is quite spooky. I hope that they manage to make their way home in the end.
Author's reply
Gimli thinks the Elf is teasing him! Little does he know ... they will have an uncomfortable journey, I think. Thanks for the review.
Lamiel · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
Ooooh... I particularly like the description, "misty flames flickering slowly above unseen candles as pale lights and shadows grew." Now I'm very curious: where are they? Where are they going? Why do the dead follow? In many ways this drabble is perfect just as it is - those sorts of questions are what gives a good ghost story staying power. But it would be nice to see it fleshed out a bit too.
Author's reply
I took part of that quote from the Passage of the Dead Marshes - it fitted perfectly. I'm trying hard to resist all th people who've asked for a longer story - I want this to remain mysterious and unanswered. Thanks for the review!
elliska · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
Also, I was looking at your reply to one of the reviews for this chapter and you said you wish you could remember where you saw the ref to Houseless Ones--you aren't talking about the reference in LaCE, are you? Where it says: "If the hroa be destroyed, or so hurt that it ceases to have health, sooner or later it 'dies'. That is: it becomes painful for the fea to dwell in it, being neither a help to life and will nor a delight to use, so that the fea departs from it, and its function being at an end its coherence is unloosed, and it returns again to the general orma of Arda. Then the fea is, as it were, houseless, and it becomes invisible to bodily eyes (though clearly perceptible by direct awareness to other fear.) It continues: But it would seem that in these after-days more and more of the Elves, be they of the Eldalie in origin or be they of other kinds, who linger in Middle-earth now refuse the summons of Mandos, and wander houseless in the world...unwilling to leave it and unable to inhabit it, haunting trees or springs or hidden places that once they knew. Not all of these are kindly or unstained by the Shadow. Indeed the refusal of the summons is in itself a sign of taint." Scary!
Author's reply
Thank you!! I knew I'd read it somewhere, just couldn't find where. Thanks for finding this.
elliska · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
Ooo, that is spooky. Somehow it's scarier if its elves because you know those that refuse the summons were not quite right. It's hard to be spooky in such a small amount of space. Good job.
Author's reply
Thank you - I knew Legolas was not afraid of human ghosts, but elvish ones? Perhaps. Jay
docmon · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
wonderfully gloomy and spooky. perfect for this day! a chilling and haunting look at how elves could have felt about their dead. monica
Author's reply
Good - gloomy, chilling and haunting are all effects I was trying to achieve here. Thanks for the comments!
LKK · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
Very spooky, Jay. A perfect elvish Halloween drabble. For an elf, being trapped between Arda and the Halls must hold the ultimate terror. The Great Unknown, just as death is the unknowable to us. shivers Well done!
Author's reply
Thanks - I'm glad this made you shiver! I just wish I could remember where I've seen reference to the Houseless Ones. I'm beginning to think I made it up. Jay
Jessie · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 24: The Houseless Ones
Spooky, very spooky. Just in time for Halloween! :) Good job!
Author's reply
Thanks! I took some of the words from the scene at Paths of the Dead, and others when Frodo Sam and Gollum passed through the Dead Marshes. Now that was really creepy!
LKK · 15 October 2004 · Chapter 23: The Gift Horse
Very nice, Jay! :) A newly born foal gifted to Elladan for his conception day. I liked that idea. The comment about Elrohir feeling paternal to the little one made me smile. I like the idea of a paternal Erohir.
Author's reply
Well, Elrohir planned all this a long time ago (how long is a horse pregnancy? That long.) The mare and stallion are both his, so he's entitled to feel paternal about the foal - especially as he helped it to be born :) :)
Lianna · 8 October 2004 · Chapter 23: The Gift Horse
I can't help but wonder whether elves have some way of knowing -- or perhaps even influencing -- the dates of birth of animals under their care. Because if they don't, Elrohir's conception day present for Elladan might have had to be a belated one. Not that there's anything wrong with belated gifts, as I'm sure JastaElf will tell you...
Author's reply
Well, Elrohir would have planned for the mare to foal at around that time, but I think he expected it a day or so earlier. As it is, Elladan's new horse will share his birthday, if not his begetting day!
Lasse-Lanta · 8 October 2004 · Chapter 23: The Gift Horse
How absolutely beautiful, I know Jasta will love this. Such a sweet gift, both Elrohir's and yours ;-)
Author's reply
Thank you! I thought it would be more meaningful if Elrohir helped his mare to foal, rather than leaving it to a groom.
Bodkin · 8 October 2004 · Chapter 23: The Gift Horse
I like the title! (I hope he isn't planning on looking it in the mouth.) Elrohir is such a caring elf. I hope this means he has recovered from the spider bite - although that's not guaranteed. And Elladan knows exactly where to find him. (I sometimes wonder if Elros / Elrond were fraternal twins, as opposed to Elladan / Elrohir's identical twins.)
Author's reply
Would Elrohir give his brother a dodgy foal? This is set sometime before 'Spider', so recovery is not implied - but I'm not sure how old the twins are here. I think you're right about Elrond and Elros - it would explain why they chose different fates. I can't see Elladan and Elrohir doing that.
DeepBlueSomething · 23 September 2004 · Chapter 22: A Brother's Prayer
Very interesting drabble. I would love to hear the back story on this one. It would make for a really great angsty story. I hope you get a chance to write it soon. Personally, I think it is Elrohir who is injured. I don't know why. It's just a feeling. Here is my theory on what happened. Maybe he was injured while protecting Elladan from something. However, he thinks he was unsuccessful and that Elladan is dead. He has taken these thoughts into his delerium and they are giving him horrible nightmares. Anyway, that's just a thought. I think this is my favorite of your drabbles. I look forward to a backstory if you decide to write one (Please!!!).
Author's reply
Most people think it's Elladan watching over Elrohir. Could be. I'm going to have to write this story one day! And injured saving Elladan? Yes, lots of potential for guilt there then. I've already done a story when Elladan is in a coma believing Elrohir dead though, (in The Search) so can't use that idea again. Thanks for the review!
Elvenesse · 23 September 2004 · Chapter 22: A Brother's Prayer
I think this is a result of Evil!Thranduil and Evil!Elrond punishing Erohir and Legolas for going troll hunting. Maybe you could tell us what really happened... But seriously, I really liked this. I'm not sure which twin this is, but for some reason it sounds like your Elladan. You can really feel the desperation.
Author's reply
I like your first idea! Evil!Elrond beating up his son - that's a new one. I'm not sure yet myself what happened, but I will follow up all those plot bunnies.
Bodkin · 23 September 2004 · Chapter 22: A Brother's Prayer
Elrohir injured, Elladan desperate. Why? Dunno really. Elrohir seems quieter to me, but although Elladan seems more boisterous on the surface, I think he might have a very strong need for his brother - and be more restless in expressing it. What happened? Well - could be lots of things. Pre-Celebrian's departure and elves don't get ill, so it boils down to falling off/in/under things (up to and including trolls), having things fall on him (up to and including trolls). Accidents - training, caused by brother, adventure, led by brother, doing what they're not supposed to, being where they're not supposed to. Getting struck by lightning. Being stampeded by a herd of terrified horses. Ingesting an unsafe substance - (no, not 'drugs' - the wrong mushrooms or berries). Inhaling bad air - cave in or volcanic lake. Accidental contact with an Elven Ring. Accidental contact with a bad-tempered dwarf with a big axe. Accidental contact with a rabid wolf. I'm running short of immediate responses.
Author's reply
Those are just your immediate responses? I'm impressed - what a long list! I'm not sure yet myself what's happened, just that he is terrified that his brother will die. This droubble is breeding lots of plot bunnies already, and I've added yours to the hutch under my desk - I think I will have to write the back story one day.
mysticheero · 23 September 2004 · Chapter 22: A Brother's Prayer
Hey Jay, dude sorry I've been so long in reviewing any of yer fics - I've read them all to date but was unable to review them - but I just had to say that I love them all so far. Its great to read them now, seeing as I have to go to work and this is brightening my mood - depite it being quite a depressing drabble. Heh heh. Anywho i hope to read more soon. Toodles and Ta me darlin' Keepon typing the honey
Author's reply
It's good to hear from you again - I'm glad you've been reading and enjoying, even if you couldn't review. (I know the feeling there - I've been unable to review on ff.net for nearly a year. My browser doesn't like pop-up windows.)
LKK · 21 September 2004 · Chapter 21: Arwen's Birth Day
A very clever and well-written solution to the challenge, Jay. It's an odd coincidence that the twins and Arwen were born 111 years apart. I wonder if it is really a coincidence? I wouldn't put it past Tolkien to have a fondness for that number and to use whenever he could.
Author's reply
Tolkien loved words, and invented 'eleventy-one' - so I don't think it is coincidence. The challenge didn't actually say it had to be about Hobbits; and I much prefer to write about my favourite elves!