Jay of Lasgalen
· 11 July 2005
· Chapter 67: Gathering
I know exactly what Elrohir means by 'eating more than they are picking'! This reminds me of hot summer days spent picking strawberries, and eating so many I felt sick, and didn't want any for tea by the time we got home.
I like the differences you draw between the attitudes E2L have to gardening and cultivation. Legolas has a uniquely wood-elf approach - take only what the forest provides, and leave enough for the woodland creatures - while the twins are more managing, but still in harmony with the land.
Jay
Author's reply
The smell of strawberries always makes me think of pick-your-own farms and strawberry-stained offspring. And blackberrying in late August - those hot days that happen so infrequently, but are always the summer days of memory.
E2 are just a bit more prepared to organise nature - and a bit less physically familiar with the process of extracting food from the soil. And they have a point. But then, so does Legolas.
But they all like the thought of the partying!
daw the minstrel
· 11 July 2005
· Chapter 67: Gathering
What an interesting debate! I like seeing the two different takes on how to live in harmony with nature, and they seem to me to be in keeping with Tolkien's vision of Imladris and Mirkwood.
Author's reply
Thank you! E2 don't see why there shouldn't be a bit of gentle tweaking - and Legolas doesn't really see why there needs to be. Apart from the Noldor/Wood Elf debate, I wonder if there is any link to the fact that Imladris is relatively small, so the inhabitants need to maximise their food supplies, whereas Mirkwood is relatively large and relatively sparsely inhabited?
However - picking berries in the forest on a summer's afternoon seems a pretty good thing to be doing regardless.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 8 July 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
Legolas as the piper at the gates of dawn is a rather melancholy image. But he's right - it should not be forgotten. That's reinforced by Elrohir's memory of Imladris at the end - the empty halls and dead leaves - against his description of the valley he remembers from childhood.
And, amongst the philosophy, I like Elrohir's 'dignified' description of his brother as orc-brain. That's a very E2 moment.
Jay
Author's reply
I think immortality must lend itself to a touch of melancholy - tout change, tout passe - except for the elves. The sheer weight of years and memory must be enormous - even worse for those, like Celeborn and Galadriel and Elrond, whose memories stretch back further and who have lost even more. But perhaps their - duty? need? - is to remember the joy rather than the sorrow. Hard, though.
They're not into romantic Byronic melancholy though. Laughter and teasing and being rude to each other is part of how they show love and support.
Redheredh
· 2 July 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
"...miss the presence of orcs..." ????! Poor Legolas really is in a nostalgic funk, ain't he! But, they all understand what he means. There is are few of the exciting life and death challenges they faced in Ennor. Now, I am scared that they will come up with one... Not that scared. ;)
Maybe the elves of Ennor should hold an offical wake since both really do work better in company.
'Nother good episode.
Author's reply
And yet . . . Orcs by themselves are essentially unmissable, I would think, but part of what they represent is - youth? adventure? risk? challenge? home? People often live in untenable positions - on the slopes of volcanoes, or in the middle of war zones - because that's their home.
Intellectually they know they are happy and better off here with their families in an beautiful land of peace and plenty - but Arda is their home. I don't think they will deliberately risk their lives in the BR - they are grown up now after all. But many of the best songs are songs of mourning. The trouble with an official wake would probably be that everyone was mourning something different.
Thank you - I'm glad you liked it. I hope they're a bit more cheerful and upbeat in the next one or two!
The Karenator
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
Oh, this was lovely, Bodkin.
I loved this line: ‘Well – he is both of those. But sometimes he accidentally lets slip the fact that he is deeper than that.’ This tells us so much about Legolas. I think we all know this, but still, it's nice that E2 recognize how deep their friend is.
‘When I mourn the passing of Imladris, it is not the empty halls that I recall, in which the stirring of dried leaves sounded like the footsteps of the departed, but the valley of our youth – full of laughter and song, with busy people leading purposeful lives.’ He paused a moment in recollection. ‘The sun always shines in memory,’ he said. This is such an evocative image. "...dried leaves sounded like the footsteps of the departed." Lovely.
I like the slow pace and the feeling of reflection. When I read it, I found it sad, but very calming. The close relationship of these three is such a pleasure to read.
Wonderful...as always.
Karen
Author's reply
Thank you. It's easy to be rather superficial with Legolas. Well, actually, with the twins, too. So it's rather fun to suggest lots of layers.
Legolas sailed at the end, really - over a century into the Fourth Age, but his outpost in Ithilien was fairly new and he had other interests - and, come to that, Lasgalen revived into a final burst of elven life in the wake of Dol Guldur's destruction - so I don't know if he realised quite how close to their end the elves were. The twins, however, left it later - and they know exactly how it was when Imladris was abandoned and Lothlorien decayed and I think they are still close enough to it to be . . less sentimental about what they left behind. At least at the moment. But they do understand each other better than pretty much anyone else can.
It's too easy to include sad and reflective moments like this - they need some joy. Perhaps next time.
elliska
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
I love these contemplative ones, but in this one, a particular line really caught my attention: ‘The sun always shines in memory,’ he said.
In context with Elrohir's memories (the stirring of dried leaves sounded like the footsteps of the departed, but the valley of our youth – full of laughter and song, with busy people leading purposeful lives.) that really touched me. It is really very true. Last year I visited the place where I grew up and I was amazed at how changed it was and how that made me feel. You are really good at catching little things that we can all identify with...universal experiences.
And I love that Legolas was ready with cups for the twins too. A great touch there at the end. I love these.
Author's reply
It does, too. Otherwise how come all the summers of childhood were glorious?
E2 are still closer to the reality - and remember better what it was like at the end, but Legolas has had several extra centuries to sentimentalise the past. (Probably as well, since late Mirkwood probably needs more sentimentalising.)
My mother still lives where I grew up - but I went back to my old school once for a reunion (on its 50th anniversary or something) and it was small - it seemed so enormous when I started there. And yet some things - the tennis courts, the panelling in the hall, the front door were just the same - and the maple tree out the front was just exactly as it was.
Yes, Legolas knew they'd be along - he'd do the same for them. And yet I don't really see them as having been bosom buddies in Arda - too far apart in age and experience. Until Aragorn became Elessar and they began to have more in common.
I love writing these. One of them only has to say something and they just flow!
daw the minstrel
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
I can see how elves in Valinor would miss ME, especially those who were born in ME. It's what they grew up with and anything else has to feel a little foreign.
Author's reply
Back in the dim and distant past, before I was even a twinkle, my mother served in the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service) in WW2 - and in late 1944 she sailed to Australia to help win the Pacific War. Which is a long way round to say that loads of the Australians who were delighted to have these girls visit trailed 'home'. Often places they hadn't seen for half a lifetime or more. And the home of your youth often has a rather beautified romanticism about it.
E2L know it wasn't like that - some of the time at least - but time's passing has glossed up the good bits and pushed some of the worst under the turf. (I'd have said carpet, but hey, they're elves. They probably don't go for wall to wall.)
Rose Sared
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
Awww, for neither the first nor the last time. I do like these tales. Of course legolas would mourn his old home, a goodly part of him was left behind there, and the twins also. Love the fact he brought enough goblets. sigh. Wish I could write this stuff.
Rose
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm so glad you like them. Legolas would mourn for the trees of his youth - and then there are of all the other lost havens of the elves and those who passed into Namo's hands and have not returned. To be an elf is to be melancholy, I would think. A la recherche du temps perdu.
They know each other too well not to know that the others would turn up in support if they were anywhere nearby.
I like the stuff you write! And I'm looking forward to more of it.
lwarren
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 66: Music of the Heart
Music of the heart deserves to be shared with friends of the heart - really no one else would do for these three who have shared so much history between them. I was just checking for updates before retiring (it's 2:00 am here!) and found this little melancholy jewel! Now I'll never get to sleep for listening for pipe music and elven song, Bodkin! LOL Once again, thank you for writing these small pearls - they are collecting into quite a beautiful string, I think!
linda
Author's reply
Melancholy must be one of the down sides of immortality, I should think. So much passes and will never come again - at least amongst those elves to whom Arda was home.
My imagination has Legolas playing Debussy, I think. It just seems to have an elven quality to it. (In fact - try lindachatterton.com and listen to the Debussy Arabesque.)
I love writing these - and I'm so pleased that you enjoy them.
elliska
· 23 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
Sorry. Buried at work again. I loved this discussion. You do have to wonder what Eru was thinking with Men and their differences from Elves. But these characters are particularly suited to have this conversation and you got all the angles on it. Great chapter.
Author's reply
Take a vacation. This is not a good time of year to be buried in anything except sand!
It is interesting to consider why Eru created both elves and men - and why he made them different. I wonder if some of the elves - in their long endurance of grief and loss - envied men the chance to separate themselves from Arda and move beyond it to the unknown? And whether some would have exchanged the Blessed Realm for the chance?
The safety of their children must have been a consolation to these three, who had all suffered loss - and probably made up for rather too many hot afternoons without that much to challenge them.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 23 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
This seems an extremely profound, philosophical conversation for a hot afternoon! Their musings on the differences and imperfections of the two kindreds are interesting - but I like Elladan's observation best: '‘Is it the part of our heritage that comes from men that makes us so irresistible?’ Well, I certainly fnd them irresistible!
He'd better be careful, too, on making blond jokes - I'd not realised just how much the twins were outnumbered there :)
Jay
Author's reply
I don't think they had enough energy to debate the topic with any seriousness! But it could be that element of Edain blood that adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the general elvish attractiveness of the twins! That or the devil-may-care glint in their eyes combined with their caring natures.
There are a lot of powerful blonds around them, aren't there, and you wouldn't want to cross any of them. Perhaps especially not Nimloth and Aewlin. Their revenge could be the most painful of them all! Though Celebrian's could be the wittiest.
Leaward
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
Bodkin, once again you have made me chuckle while still writing a lovely short story with depth!
The first paragraphs had me chuckling but the gem hidden amongst the lines was:
Do you think that the Firstborn might have been an experiment on Eru’s part and that he then took out the elements that displeased him when he made men?’
That is such a deep thought. It must have made the elves wonder why Eru felt it necessary to create a second people. And all the other elements, why couldn't they walk across the top of snow, and why were they're ears different? All genuinely good questions.
‘And yet,’ his brother said, ‘I do not miss losing them.’ And depth again! The joy of having known them, yet the despair of having to watch them age and die while you have barely changed.
Then lightness again with: "Even if they are among the most recent products of an early experiment"
Lovely! I don't know how you write so many layers with so many words!
Author's reply
Yes - and they have so long to think about such things! They must have wondered about the gift - do you think that sometimes they would have envied it? Immortality is all very well, but the years must have weighed very heavily on them at times. And in the - well - rather undemanding peace of the Blessed Realm, do you think the adventurous among the elves would rather have wished for the unknown? (That is, if the BR was peaceful. Somehow, if you picture elves like the sons of Feanor and the more snarky among the Noldor - together with some of the more strong-minded of the other houses - it's quite difficult to picture elves living in total peace and harmony until the end of days.)
And over time Elrond's house particularly were exposed to so many short-lived men - you would have thought they would keep their distance. Yet Arwen and Aragorn are the two who really bind this threesome together - more than anything else, the House of Telcontar is the link between them.
Looking at their children and knowing they are safe and will be for as long as Arda endures must be a huge consolation for them.
The thing with few words is that you can pose the questions, but you don't have to come up with any answers!
Lianna
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
Oh, dear. I'm afraid I was identifying with Eru when I read this one.
I'm a parent with two almost-grown children, and sometimes it seems to me that the first one was "for practice." I made so many more stupid mistakes raising him than I did with his younger sister. Sometimes, I'm amazed that he survived and has turned into a relatively normal college student.
Eru may not have meant the Elves as an experiment, but perhaps that is indeed the way it turned out.
Author's reply
How true! And by the second (and even more the third) you know that you really don't need to worry frantically because his friend is a bit further on in his reading, or can play chess. It all evens out in the end. I think kids are a lot more resistant than we often think. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to survive their siblings - no-one can put more stress on a kid than its sibling! But, on the other hand, kids with siblings have better rubbing-along-with-others skills.
Eru might have thought ahead and planned in all the differences between elves and men for a reason - but he doesn't see why he should explain what it is!
And these three have quite a lot of time on their hands in these post-orc-slaying days - philosophical questions are bound to occur to them at times. When they can't avoid it.
Nice to hear from you!
The Karenator
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
What an interesting discussion. I suppose it's always hard to understand our lot in life at times. We question what in the world Eru was thinking when he created us and left us to our own devices. Man or elf...we have our moments.
A failed experiment? Possibly or possibly nothing more than the difference between a honey bee and a bumble bee. Both are bees, but both have different functions. Different songs to sing in the weaving in Arda's existence. Who knows, but you've got me waxing all philosophical this morning and I'm not hitting on all cylinders yet. I need a slug of that Dorwinion to get into the swing of things! :>)
I liked the end where the three not-so-very serious philosophers decide that having their children with them throughout the ages is enough. They certainly know what it's like to lose someone they love and for a parent, that would be the hardest loss of all. Poor Elrond. I'm feeling bad for him again.
Nice chapter and very interesting. I'll think about this question more when I've had another cup of coffee.
Karen
Author's reply
I'm sure Eru knew what he was doing - but it is interesting to speculate. And this lot have the rest of Arda on their hands - I'm sure all kinds of ideas pop into their heads on lazy summer afternoons or late in the dark nights of winter. I wonder if there are any Elven philosophers, whose works are studied by young elves?
Yes, these three have had more than enough of loss - and for all the boredom I suspect they suffer at times, they will only have to look at their children and know that they will not lose their mothers to enemy action or their beloved friends to old age to realise that there is something to be said for life in the Blessed Realm.
Coffee sounds good. But avoid too much speculation - it just makes the brain hurt.
Nilmandra
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
They really should have been drinking Dorwinion and in the late hours of the night to have this discussion! I do like that they really do not understand Men or how they are made or what happens beyond the circles of the world, though. All they can do is speculate and wonder, though obviously the peredhil had so much contact with them they did find much to admire, as well.
Author's reply
It is rather a late night, alcohol inspired conversation - but it's the next best opportunity - an airless, hot lazy summer afternoon, when even the bees are too weary to bother buzzing.
They can't know - and they will never find out - why Men have been created to be different. Perhaps, one day, beyond the end of days, they might find out, be reunited with their loved ones and then the elves will be the followers.
These elves are open enough that they can admire, even when they don't understand - but I suspect that Aman is full of those who see nothing at all to admire in Men. Although they would except any they knew personally - 'of course, Tuor, I don't mean you. You're different. You're OK - almost like one of us.'
And, by the way, Happy Birthday. What a lovely day to have a birthday - almost the longest day to enjoy it.
daw the minstrel
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
You do have to kind of wonder why Eru made the second born. I hadn't thought about that. And you don't give me an answer!
Author's reply
There are no answers! Only more questions.
Rose Sared
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
Oh Bodkin, very interesting. I suppose that at least the edain are represented in the bloodlines, so the Valar are being ambiguous at best. Fascinating.
Love these tales
Rose
Author's reply
The Valar are good at being ambiguous! They are even better than the elves at saying yea and nay in the same breath.
I've forgotten just how much edain there is in E2 - although it decreases in each succeeding generation - but there are also Earendil and Elwing and Tuor in Aman. And probably Dior, if he has been rehoused. And Elured and Elurin.
I love doing these - they are such a great chance to throw in a few stray thoughts and just let them float on the ether!
Thank you.
lwarren
· 22 June 2005
· Chapter 65: Curiosity
LOL Now I KNOW that these three have too much time on their hands...or *strokes chin thoughtfully* perhaps any and all beverages of the alchoholic variety should be locked up around them, as it seems they have waxed uncommonly philosophical! LOL (again!)
I tell you, Bodkin, these 3 either crack me up...or make me cry, and sometimes a little bit of both. Where in the world did this thought come from? An experiment of Eru's gone wrong? LOL Perhaps they should be informed that the Creator doesn't make mistakes, but considers variety the 'spice' of life! I loved this discussion - especially Legolas and his comment about him being an example of 'perfection'! That, of course, left him wide open to observations of blonde heads being full of dandelion fluff...which led to threats of telling all the other blondes in their lives (i.e. Celeborn, Celebrian, Galadriel, Thranduil, etc.) who, I'm sure would NOT be amused! :-)
And then they go on to those hilarious observations about the Secondborn (wallowing in mud because of heavy feet, round ears...I felt insulted on the behalf of all humans LOL). I suppose the comment that cut deepest for all was the fact that they would be missed, although their dying so swiftly would not. *sniff* Once again that little hint of grief and sadness that is so much a part of these three...
The end was funny, with the worry that Elrohir's daughters would give him fits for choosing the life of the elves for them and not giving them a choice! I can just hear those 2 bedeviling their ada about it!
Once more, a wonderful addition to the pearls of wisdom uttered during an E2L discussion! And there really were, under all the banter and laughing, some very serious thoughts. Great, Bodkin!
linda
Author's reply
They do have a tendency to wax philosophical at times - and wind each other up! It is interesting, though, to ponder on the differences between men and elves - and why? I don't know that they're being that serious about it.
Yes, there are plenty of blond heads around the twins who had better not hear of the 'dandelion fluff' remark! They might take revenge. I somehow think that Celebrian might be the most dangerous. It could be beneath Galadriel's dignity to torment her grandsons - and Celeborn surely understand male bonding rituals and insults.
Elves (of Arda, at least) must have a broad sad streak - everything passes, except them. Even mountain ranges wear down to the sea and they are still there. For those who dealt with - and loved - the people who inhabited the land grief must have followed them everywhere they went. And for E2L it's more than just abstract sorrow - it's family.
Yes - Aewlin and Nimloth are likely to be indignant about having their choice taken from them - just on principle, but E2L are doubtless delighted to know that their offspring will be at their sides for ever. They, after all, understand the alternative.
Thank you - I'm glad you liked it!
Nilmandra
· 9 June 2005
· Chapter 64: Splashing Around
Ah, it moved me heartily to see Elladan in his current condition one up his twin and Legolas. I think Elrohir was too easily moved to pity, otherwise he would not have been caught thusly.
I have visions of Elrond just smiling serenely down upon them, regardless of the noise and disturbance. His perspective is too long to be concerned about any perceived impropriety considering that he likely wondered many times if they would end up in Namo's halls (sorry, I think I am projecting my own story on you...:/)
Author's reply
I reckon a) he was worried that Elladan had hurt himself, b) he didn't want to attempt to evade his brother for fear of hurting his leg, and c) he was really happy to see Elladan getting some playfulness back, so that he was d) prepared to be suckered. And, of course, the two of them couldn't possibly let Legolas get away unscathed. They are Team Elrond, after all.
Yes - Elrond is very good at priorities and having E2L back to full working order is much more important than a bit of splashing around and noise. This has been a worrying time - even in the peace of the Blessed Realm. And, unlike when they were elflings, he knows that they know which rules can be broken and when without doing more than outrage a few pointless conventions.
I'm smiling with satisfaction at the thought of a happy Elrond - surrounded by wife, sons and grandchildren. (Not to mention parents and grandparents. And significant others.)
History Lessons . . . need History Lessons . . . lots of History Lessons.
lwarren
· 9 June 2005
· Chapter 64: Splashing Around
Ah, unexpected swim sessions! Elrohir must be slipping indeed to fall for that old trick...or maybe he was still so focused on his injured brother he forgot to look for the signs of an impending dunk! As for Legolas, hey - what's good for E2 is good for the L of the equation! :-)
In the midst of the hilarity and hydrotherapy, you still manage to insert little bits of solemnity. It's so sad to think that the elves Legolas grew up with are still in Mandos. It must be hard for him to look for those familiar faces and not see them right away. Still, he has his buddies to keep his spirits up and his lovely wife and elflings to occupy his time (not to mention settling a new forest...and they will turn up - eventually.)
I loved the shocked elleth and the hint of squealing ellyth (at the invasion of their pool) and the delegation coming to take E2L to task for their rowdiness (Elerrina trying to be severe with her damp, smiling husband - *sigh* well, I know what I'd do with that miscreant!) ;-) I do love these little stories, Bodkin!
linda
(So, Oropher's reunion with his family has been placed by another in your capable hands, has it? :-))))))))))) *those are giggles*)
Author's reply
Anxious enough to lay himself open to a very predictable action on Elladan's part, maybe - and anxious enough not to resist too much if it might put a strain on the healing leg. And he probably wouldn't mind anyway - not if it proved that his twin was recovering from a nasty injury. And the sons of Elrond couldn't let Legolas stay dry on the bank laughing at them, now could they?
The who is reborn and when thing is very interesting - and difficult to sort out. Part of me thinks you would spend longer with Namo if your death was very traumatic. And that your life might be instrumental in your need for healing there - so that Feanor's sons, for instance, might never balance guilt and repentance. But, on the other hand, would those - murdered elflings, perhaps, be returned quickly? And to whom? And with what memories? And, (I know I've yakked on about this somewhere before), what about guilt and culpability? Some people feel tremendous guilt for things that they couldn't possibly have done anything to change - whereas rather a lot of insensitive people - Curufin, comes to mind - would feel perfectly justified in what they did. Anyway, it does mean that a lot of those who defended Mirkwood with Legolas are still in the Halls of Mandos - although they could just be somewhere else in the forests of the Blessed Realm.
E2L must have set a fair few ellyth squealing - one way or another - over their long careers. They wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they had to be sober and mature all the time.
Oropher's reunion . . . It would have to be good, to live up to Redheredh's brilliant start!! Now Earendil has finished - (I'll miss him!) - that will probably become the next project. All I need is some coherent thought! (Could be the main problem.)
Redheredh
· 8 June 2005
· Chapter 64: Splashing Around
Oh, too funny! And no-one evades the sons of Elrond No one expects the Spanish Inquisition...or the comfy chair... :D
Poor Legolas, sad circustances that may only change at the End.
So, fatherhood is better the second time around?
Very nice episode. Please keep them coming.
Author's reply
The Spanish Inquisition line was definitely in my mind!
I can imagine Mirkwood pleasures being grabbed with both hands and celebrated somewhat manically - in compensation for the amount of pain and tragedy they had to face.
And I can't speak for fatherhood (except by association) by motherhood is most certainly easier the second time around. Dealing with two is more than compensated for by the knowledge that no awful phases last too long - and that they will survive your mistakes without any damage.
Keep them coming? I will!!
daw the minstrel
· 7 June 2005
· Chapter 64: Splashing Around
I really enjoy these little moments with these elves, Bodking. They're playful and happy, and I like seeing that. But there are also occasional reminders of what they've gone through to become the people they are. So Legolas had few elfling friends and most of them are in the Halls of Waiting.
And you do such a nice job of suggesting full-blown relationships (sons to father, husbands to wives) with very few words.
Author's reply
I like them being able to have fun together and be playful - but they have experienced tragedy and it has marked them. And, I think, made them more playful on the surface. So that those who aren't insightful might think them frivolous and shallow. Which, of course, they aren't in the slightest.
Not many elflings by the time Legolas was born. And a dangerous environment. (Plus it accounts for why his best friends seem to be the twins. Shared experience and shared loved ones leading to a friendship that probably did not exist pre-Ring-war.)
Thank you. Sometimes very few words make it a lot easier.
elliska
· 7 June 2005
· Chapter 64: Splashing Around
I was so glad to see this chapter this morning. I was really up for something light and fun like these Reflections. So Elladan got a little revenge? *Grin* Good for him. I have to say I was amused by the scandalized elleth, the idea of the twins sneaking to the ladies pool (boys would think something just like that, wouldn't they?) and especially this line: It is no wonder that elves of your age are wary of you. That made me giggle. I can definitely see that. Poor things--at least they will not have to suffer this time for their silliness since they are there for legitimate reasons. Mostly. Thanks for the 'pick-me-up' this morning, Bodkin. :-)
Author's reply
Elladan must be feeling better. I daresay Elrohir and Legolas were happy (-ish) to humour him. Although maybe, from choice, they would have taken their boots off first!
Poor E2. The whole problem with being twins must have made them ten times more difficult than your average elfling - most of whom were surrounded by adult carers and siblings. I could just see them wondering why they should be excluded from that particular pool. And trying it out only to find it was rather more dull than the one they usually used.
And this is hydrotherapy! Sanctioned by Elrond. Except, of course, for Elrohir and Legolas being pulled in fully clothed.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 7 June 2005
· Chapter 64: Splashing Around
I love the image of the 'rowdy adolescents' in the elflings' pool. And more wet elves! Yum.
Either Elrohir is still more worried about his brother than he lets on, or he *let* Elladan pull him in - he'd never normally fall for a trick like that. He recovered quickly, though, if he managed to get Legolas as he went.
And amongst all the fun and laughter, you hit us with Legolas's regret that there were few elflings when he was a child, and that so many of them died. How do you do it, Bodkin?
Great to see an update - I love this series.
Jay
Author's reply
Two wet, clothed elves - and one minimally dressed!
Elrohir is still worried enough to fall for something that he would usually evade without any difficulty at all. Plus, possibly, prepared to go along with it in the pure joie de vivre of having his brother well on the road to recovery.
I'm just pleased Elrohir and Legolas didn't fall and bang their heads!
Legolas was noted as young for an elf, wasn't he? And, for all the immortality of elves, he must have seen more die in Mirkwood than most - short of survivors of the Big Battles, I suppose.
(I don't really do anything - except take dictation. These just flow.)
More soon. Ish.
The Karenator
· 27 May 2005
· Chapter 63: Finding your Feet
I'm sorry I've been so slow reviewing this chapter. And a delightful chapter it was.
Poor Elladan! His leg is simply taking too long to heal. Not to mention that his helpers are...less than helpful. Maybe they won't allow any physical harm to come to him, but they sure do sharpen their wits on him.
Interesting thoughts about Aragorn and Arwen and the differences of life span. I imagine that it was difficult to watch Aragorn age before their eyes. But I thought that Elrohir's observation that Aragorn even outlived many men was most interesting. The agelessness of the elves is a strange concept when you think about it in practical terms. Must have been tough at times. All this talk made me think of Gimli. Where is he anyway? Is this set long after his passing? Maybe you addressed this earlier and I've just forgotten it.
One of things I like about these chapters is that you let the guys rib one another, but they always end with unconditional love and support. I like that.
I'm ready for the next one!
Karen
Author's reply
Elladan's leg is taking a while. Well, Elrohir thought that it was not impossible that he would lose it, so it isn't going to mend quite as quickly as most of their injuries. And he will make his brother and friend pay.
The whole age and species thing is very hard - I'm surprised Aragorn grew up able to deal with mortality, really, since he must have felt more of an elf than a man. And then he was caught in between, living twice as long as most men (provided he survived the orc and balrogs of outrageous fortune), but still a mere moment of time to elves.
And on time . . . Legolas sailed with Gimli some century into the Fourth Age, but I then have the twins, Celeborn, Glorfindel, Thranduil and various unnamed others remaining for about another 400 years. Dealing at first with men, but later retreating, abandoning Imladris and spending their final years in Middle Earth in Lasgalen. So, by the time they sailed, Gimli had died. I haven't actually decided how long it took them to settle and court - decades, certainly.
These three share experiences that bond them together as certainly as they are joined with their wives - although, of course, in a purely brotherly way. They don't have to be polite to each other - and an insult is, in a way, only a sign of affection. They couldn't go saying they love each other, now could they? It'd be girlie!