There they lounge, flicking berries to catch the attentions of the young ladies, considering themselves mature? They DO need something serious to do!
Author's reply
My current thought - nearly two years on from writing this! - is that Legolas has already settled to a fairly responsible life, but that the twins are still a long way from being properly recovered. And, of course, flicking berries at young ladies is a really good way of avoiding female attention!
Larner
· 30 March 2006
· Chapter 2: New Dangers
There are few things more ruthless than one out to find a mate for herself--or her daughter! They are facing a time of it, aren't they? Heh!
Author's reply
Well - fighting off mamas with their eyes on the great-grandsons of the Noldor High King will give them something to focus on! I think they are beginning to overcome the initial sense of loss, anyway.
Larner
· 30 March 2006
· Chapter 1: First Impressions
Decided to start at the beginning and read many of those I'd not read before.
Yes, I can see how eternal "bliss" could become boring for those accustomed to up and doing!
Author's reply
The transition to life in the Blessed Realm must be huge - so much the same, and yet so different!
lwarren
· 7 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
I love these little conversations between these friends! So many little tidbits of information...so many insights into their characters...so many insults....;-) I had to laugh at the descriptions of change and patience, according to the Blessed Realm (inertia? Hehehehehehe!) And I loved Elladan's excuse for his learning (or lack thereof) - he was doing it at his own rate, while rescuing his brother from translating all those treatises into Quenya...and of course, now he's "adjusting" his pace to suit the Blessed Realm! And the picture of entish elves, complete with moss, was priceless! A wonderful addition to the reflections, Bodkin! I just hope somewhere in these stories Legolas and his father-in-law come to some sort of peaceful coexistence (for Legolas' sake, bless his heart!) Eagerly awaiting more!:-)
Linda
Author's reply
They just love talking - and don't mind having their words recorded! And male friends wouldn't know what to talk about if they couldn't insult each other. I do think that the slowness of change among the elves of Aman must have driven their more energetic kin to the edge - and the twins are definitely used to action. (They might have been exaggerating a little though - don't you think?) I rather liked the image of entish elves.
And, sooner or later Legolas and Taryatur will have to come to some accommodation. After all, they can't rely on time to remove the problem. I think I'm beginning to sense a solution - not yet, though. I've currently got Taryatur working his socks off to keep Legolas as far as possible from his cherished daughter. I don't think he'll succeed though!
Good to hear from you. Thank you, Linda.
elliska
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
Sorry about the empty review--I'm having a technologically challenged day. (*rolls eyes*) Sadly, I think I have done the exact same thing to you several times.
Thankfully, I had this to help me avoid work today or imagine what I would have done to the network. I know I say it every chapter but I love these Reflections. This one cracked me up from the very first line and never stopped. E2L were in rare form in this one. And what really amused me is that they seem to have come full circle again: ‘It takes an age for anything to change here. There are still elves following the same routines they did when the Trees lit the land. I would not want anything to give me that kind of patience.’
If they are complaining that things move slowly, that must surely be a sign of impending doom. ;-)
Great chapter as usual. :-)
Author's reply
Thank you, elliska. I'm always glad to help people avoid work - although a Reflection isn't going to distract anyone for too long!
Sometimes these three are just full of beans and can't stop digging at each other - it's a good thing they know each other pretty well! I think the difference with their protests about the slowness of the Blessed Realm is that they are now doing something - so find it frustrating, whereas, in their early days, they wanted to be entertained and found it boring. They have matured quite a bit! (Must be the wives and elflings!)
There's always the potential for chaos. No orcs though. No other monsters nor Dark Lords nor wars nor earthquakes, nor volcanoes. Just domestic disasters! Involving other elves - which is enough really!
perelleth
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
You are right. There was a time when I felt that I would be stuck for yeni negotiating over haulage rates and grain supplies... WHAT!! Legolas had to negotiate with the Chinese! I'd love to read that! ( sorry, I got carried away! ;-) )
These two last chapters are nicely linked... Patience indeed... Now I'm beginnning to pity Oropher, and to wonder if he ever really knew what he was geting into.... :-)
Author's reply
Yes - Legolas works for UNICEF. He can give his dad a hand in his attempts to save the jaguar!
Oropher is going to find it very difficult to adjust, I think. Likes things to go his way too much - and hasn't the patience for the mills of God stuff - that grind slowly, but exceeding small.
E2 can do it - if they must - and I reckon Legolas has a more natural, tree-like patience. Probably inherited it from his naneth.
Redheredh
· 5 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
their kings since the First Ages have been Oropher and Thranduil! Would you argue? ...they rarely engage overmuch in debate. LOL! So, you really do understand an old bowman's reasoning!
Maybe you have just been lucky in your Noldor... LOL again! Love the segue back to Legolas' problem.
...mountains to grind down to sand. Not to say that this is beyond a truly patient elf!
You always bring us such excellent tidbits. :D Thanks!
Author's reply
It must be infuriating - particularly to Oropher - to try to command people who have understood the power of water. They must simply have slipped through his fingers when not wanting to co-operate. I wonder if I've been influenced by Hrassa?
Maybe it makes the more Noldor characteristic of staying to argue you down seem preferable in those you rule ... or maybe not!
Poor Legolas. I think he and Taryatur will have to come to some accommodation. Perhaps now Oropher and Taryatur can slug it out, they will get over their long-held resentments. Perhaps. Legolas doesn't deserve to suffer as an inadequate-son-in-law for quite long enough for mountains to turn to sand. Something Must Be Done!
Thank you - these are such fun tidbits to write.
Larner
· 5 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
Ah, our beloved Elven trio at its best, analyzing the new world around them. Lovely as usual!
Author's reply
I love it when they settle down for a good rambling chat - especially when they start teasing each other.
Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it.
daw the minstrel
· 5 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
Wood elf lover that I am, my favorite part of this was the cracks about Oropher and Thranduil and how the wood elves just wander away when they want to be defiant! LOLOL
Author's reply
I can imagine that Wood elves have perfected the art of passive resistance. If you're just not there, you can't be ordered to do what you don't want to do! It must have driven Oropher wild - and I can't imagine it did much for Thranduil's blood pressure.
Not to mention having made Lasgalen very difficult to run at times!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 5 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
I've missed these conversations between the three. I love the insults the twins hurl at each other, and the image of Elrohir as a geek and Elladan illiterate! :>)
Then Elrohir sums up the advantages of being a twin: ‘We made a good team – together we covered most possibilities. We saved each other a lot of work.’
I feel rather sorry for Legolas though, facing the constant disapproval of Elerrina's father. Reminds me of my late mother-in-law!
Jay
Author's reply
Thank you. These three are so easy in each other's company that they can let the barriers down and say pretty much anything. Although the twins have the advantage - they just know each other without having to say anything - but sharing is fun!
Legolas and his father-in-law ... peace will have to be declared sooner or later. Once Taryatur recognises the cause of the problem possibly. (He is currently experiencing great difficulty with recognising the spark of interest flaring between his precious daughter and this former warrior with blood on his hands. I'll have to see how that goes.)
Dreamflower
· 5 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
Oh dear! We are almost back to the very theme that started this whole story--how, er, *slow* the pace of life is in the Blessed Realm...
I loved this line: ‘I would not want to develop that level of inactivity!’ Elladan declared. ‘There are those here who could have moss growing on them. It is almost ent-like.’ He paused and reflected on the image for a moment. ‘Well, maybe not,’ he conceded.
It was the "maybe not" that really got me! (That and imagining Elves with moss growing on them...)
Author's reply
It is quite a picture. Especially the moss!
The difference here, I think, is that at the beginning E2 particularly were 'being-done-to' - they were weary and far from home and had no purpose. Now they have a purpose - they are working hard towards a certain goal - and their objections to the slowness of the pace of life is more because it takes so long to tease out the conclusions they want.
I love the way these three just talk at me - it really is a case of get the first line and just cling on as they ramble. In some ways these are my favourites to write.
I went back and read a collection of the earlier ones yesterday - and it's interesting to note how my perception of the world has developed. And changed, in places! And it's also the case that these little chats have sparked off so many other tales!
Lianna
· 5 March 2006
· Chapter 81: Patience
"Half the time I think that the only purpose of lordship is to provide everyone with someone to dislike."
If you substitute "government" (or maybe "lawyers") for "lordship" here, it's just as applicable to us as to the Elves of Valinor.
Great line!
Author's reply
About the only time a whole society agrees on anything is when they're all against the government. It's much more difficult to find anything that has everybody joining together in its favour!
E2L have been lords for a long time - I think they're inured to bouts of unpopularity. They know that it comes with the job.
Thank you - good to hear from you.
elliska
· 18 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
Hehehe--there is an advantage to the elves waiting so long between children. Their earlier children are built-in nannies. Poor Legolas. I loved the "and she managed a straight face, too, which is remarkable." Too funny. As was the reason why E2 never were made to mind Arwen. And I feel sorry for anyone those three are plotting against. I have said several times before, I believe, that I completely agree with them in this case though. :-) Great chapter Bodkin. Sorry I have been so out of it and was so long in reviewing it.
Author's reply
Thank you. It must be so confusing, though, to have such age gaps - you could have grandchildren old enough to be your children's grandparents. I think in the end you might just have to treat all adults as equals and all children as children. If that's not too confusing.
Elladan (especially) would have thought Arwen made a terrific flirting accessory! And they were only just over 100 - barely out of the nursery themselves. Yes - these make pretty skilled and very relentless plotters - Glorfindel had better watch out. However, I reckon Celebrian could stymie them fairly easily. Like Glorfindel, they are putty in the hands of family females!
I hope work is less manic - and it's good to hear from you. And from elfling Legolas and his friends!
Larner
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
The wait for the door to that other room to open must at times be a great trial. Love how they look at Legolas's sister and think of their own lost ones. And I think that at that moment Arwen and Aragorn both are looking over their shoulder at the infant, smiling gently.
Glad I've been able to get back online more properly and get caught up once again.
Author's reply
It probably seemed no separation at all on the other end - but the elves had the whole of Arda's ages to endure. Even with the time perception of an elf, it must have seemed a long, long time. And I suspect that, like Glorfindel, these three are very susceptible to the charms of infants - and putty in the hands of little girls.
Thank you. Good to see you back online. It leaves quite a hole in your time to be excluded from the web!
Larner
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 79: Feeling your Years
Yes, the idea of the twins trying to talk sense into all the "adults" is quite amusing, but I agree with their advice to Legolas.
Author's reply
It must be really difficult to live in a world where you are always going to be in the middle between children and parents. But then, their parents are also sandwiched between them and their grandparents. It's a long time since Thranduil has found himself trying to placate his father and treat a careful middle path. I don't think he likes it much!
They will all get on much better if they decide not to live on top of each other - and give it time.
MaidenofValinor
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
It would be so strange for me to have someone you think of as a brother in love with your sister. I am glad the twins accept it though, but I am sure the inital shock would be something like I would feel. It took a while for me to get around to it, but I enjoyed this installment. Great work! Keep it up!! ~M
Author's reply
And Aragorn must have been particularly disconcerting - I mean, he's mortal and nearly three thousand years younger than their sister! On the other hand, the family tendency towards foresight might have made them aware that Arwen would face a difficult choice - although they probably wouldn't have seen it in the face of the boy they had been helping to raise.
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Dreamflower
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
Oh dear! Elrond and Celebrian had better watch out! Goodness--a little sister, huh? Now *that* would be extremely interesting...
Author's reply
It would be interesting. Although the cast of infants is already far too extensive. But you can't help feeling that Elrond and Celebrian deserve to have a child who will grow up in the safety of the Blessed Realm and will never be confronted with the need to choose.
Redheredh
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
The way this conversation rambles from one subject to the next is absolutely charming. That and recognizing the fact that all their girls have turned out blonds. But, in no way near the stereotyped blond of our day, thank goodness. ;)
Elrond and Celebrian having another child? Surely, their situation is not the same as Laewen's and Thranduil's. Glorfindel - obsessively loyal?! *snerk!* Well, I would have it so. "...not since his return." lol! Did you mean from Mandos or Ennor, eh? You're just being nice to those that would have him pursuing the pleasures of ME. ;) Letting an elleth ride one's horse... you brought out the lascivious side of my humor with that phrasing. *g* Arwen playing the role of Emma would have been delightful!
"Life is too precious to waste." Now, that's true Wood-elf wisdom!
Another lovely chapter done with your unique style of humor and sensibilty. Just full of hints, this one. ;D
Author's reply
Thank you. I don't know that Elrond and Celebrian will have another child. Although I suppose they could be swayed into thinking about it. Glorfindel has his principles - and they include keeping faith beyond the expectation even of elves. (Oh dear. Lascivious sides. I do try to avoid suggestive wording - but it just creeps in.) I would have liked to see Arwen trying to match him up with a suitable elleth. Not that she would have stood any chance - he wouldn't admit it, but I think his heart is already claimed - although he might think his hankerings are hopeless.
And yes - all blonds. Elerrina is reddish fair - which probably came as a bit of a surprise to her father and Legolas is blond, so none of their offspring is likely to be dark. And then the twins have one dark haired gene and one very blond gene - so with Sirithiel being pale-haired, Elrohir's offspring have a three out of four chance of being blond. Elladan, on the other hand, has a dark-haired wife. He is the best option for a dark elleth if Elrond refuses to play.
I do enjoy it when E2L's conversations ramble like this. And I'm still trying to catch up with various ramblings from earlier conversations.
Levade
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
Nothing like seeing three strong warrior types go mushy over a baby girl. ;)
‘Arwen could have done it,’ Elladan said regretfully. ‘I would have relished watching Glorfindel squirm.’
Oh, come on! No guts, no glory! Unless of course one of their daughters inherits Arwen's talent and can make Glorfindel squirm. That would be fun to see!
‘It is the only way to see it.’ Legolas shrugged. ‘Nothing is lost merely because we cannot see it: Ilúvatar would not permit it. Life is too precious to waste.’
I like that.
Fun chapter, as always. It's lovely, funny and touching by turns to see these elves live in Aman after all they went through.
Author's reply
Our big brave Balrog-slayer is putty in the hands of the females in his life! Arwen could twist him round her little finger - having picked up the skill from Celebrian! But it's a voluntary servitude - and a courtly love.
The twins, on the other hand, he likes to tweak - and he has trained them as youths and young warriors to do as he bids them! The habits of youth are very hard to overcome.
Legolas has doubtless given a lot of thought to the fate of men, dwarves and hobbits - and had made his own mind up.
Thank you. Poor E2L are leading very sedate lives at the moment - I think they need an adventure!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
I think it's about time Elrond and Celebrían had another child - and it would do the twins good to be big brothers again. She wouldn't replace Arwen, of course - but she might ease the pain a little.
Lovely to see Legolas with his little sister!
Jay
Author's reply
Elrond and Celebrian should have another child. I'm not sure I could cope with more elflings, but they should. The twins would be more like uncles than brothers really - since they have getting-on-for-adolescent children themselves.
I think psychologically E and C are probably better able to deal with having another child now - it wouldn't be like trying to replace Arwen. They have the twins and their grandchildren - and Celebrian, at any rate, would love it. Don't know that Elrond will be willing and she wouldn't push him. (I think Elrond needs an Elflings centred on him.)
Thank you - I loved picturing Legolas cuddling Celumil, too!
Lindelea
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
re: the last bit in your comment to Daw--the same had crossed my mind, about the hobbits and dwarves.
Forgot to mention, and perhaps you've already addressed it here... I'm a little confused. I don't think you meant to imply that Glorfindel fell in love with Arwen as she was growing up, though for a moment (until I re-read that bit with its reference to golden hair) I flashed to a parallel of that plot dimly remembered from some classic or other, but I didn't catch the reference. Glorfindel was enamoured of an elleth with golden hair? Or did I get that wrong?
Pardon me, my head is very thick this morning. We stayed up into the wee hours to watch the Olympics and I haven't yet had my early tea.
Author's reply
Hard divisions - Legolas has to have developed a philosophy that can encompass all those he has loved.
Glorfindel loved Arwen as a daughter, not in any other way - her beloved uncle and occasional father substitute. In Discretion there is a passing mention of the elleth-who-rode-his-horse - and there is no more than a suggestion that he might have someone to whom he is (perhaps) committed - even if he has never told her.
Early tea. Very important. Two cups.
Lindelea
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
Do you know, I started out with my lips quirking, for I kept hearing that song from "White Christmas" by the same title as this chapter, and then as I began to read I realised that it was *brothers* talking about sisters, rather than a chapter about sisters talking about each other.
And then I nearly lost it, remembering Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye doing the song, and suddenly... but you don't want to know.
Anyhow, very deftly done, starting so light and humorous and ending with I-forget-the-word, but you brought a tear to my eye. Good for Legolas!
I particularly liked this bit:
‘I have let many ellyth ride my horse, my twin. It is not a promise of eternal devotion.’
‘But you are not Glorfindel.’ Elrohir stretched. ‘Our favourite son of Gondolin is very possessive about his long line of Asfaloths.’
(and I like the fact that Glorfindel kept the horse's name the same for each successor, but was devoted to each. Somehow it reminds me of my late brother, when we were little, and his succession of turtles named "Clark".)
Author's reply
You could see them in drag, with their pretty elven hair, performing that .... No. I think I'd rather not!!
I love the turtles named 'Clark'. Such a good idea. Mice. Hamsters. They should be interchangeable.
Maybe Glorfindel is trying to pretend that time doesn't pass. Or that he builds a similar close relationship with each passing horse. As a constant in his life.
I can (well, did) picture Elladan as being happy to flirt with lots of ellyth - but feel that maybe Glorfindel has a hankering for someone from whom he has long been parted.
Lianna
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
It's so different being an elf. We humans, if we want a child to fuss over but not to raise, can only hope for grandchildren. Elves can also hope for centuries-younger siblings. Weird.
Legolas's view of those who are no longer living makes sense (especially for him), but I can't help but wonder what Iluvatar was thinking when he gave the Firstborn and Secondborn separate fates. Didn't he anticipate situations like this one?
Great chapter, even though our guys are getting a bit tame.
Author's reply
The age gaps can be - staggering. I think they might just have to work in stages rather than ages! The twins took a long time to reach married-with-children, but now they are properly adult. And Elrond and Celebrian might be ready to have another child - but, on the other hand, they might not. I think Elrond, at any rate, would have his doubts.
The different fates of elves compared to men/dwarves/hobbits doesn't seem too bad on first casual thought - but the more you consider it, the tougher it gets. Maybe Iluvatar decided it wasn't such a hot idea - once it was too late to do anything about it. If all the elves had been transported west in their early innocence and remained ignorant of what went on east of the sea, it might have worked - but the Valar didn't sheepdog them together quickly enough.
They are going through a bit of a domesticated phase, aren't they? I think they need an adventure.
daw the minstrel
· 12 February 2006
· Chapter 80: Sisters
So these three are plotting love for Glorfindel and a new baby for Elrond and Celebrian? Why don't they just work on Galadriel getting pregnant too?
The way the baby calls back memories of baby Arwen is touching. And I like Legolas's idea that things aren't gone just because we can't see them.
Author's reply
What the brave warriors of yesteryear are reduced to! Love and babies! They'll be taking up knitting next! They're trying to twist my arm, but I'm resisting. There are too many elflings already. They don't need more. Well - maybe they do, but I certainly don't.
I do (had you noticed?) like recollections of Arwen. And I think they would spend time talking about her and Estel when they were together. And Legolas has had to work out a more developed philosophy related to the Gift than most elves. More, even, than the twins. Because his concerns are not just men but also dwarves. And hobbits.
lwarren
· 3 February 2006
· Chapter 79: Feeling your Years
I had long wanted Oropher to return - and when he did, I thought it was great, especially the way his great-granddaughter (that's right, isn't it...'cause Legolas is the grandson...these elven families are SO confusing!) was there to greet him with such understanding. But I didn't think ahead to the problems involving the reunion of two kings of like temperament, and obviously the two have clashed...and wonders above, some of the clashes have been concerning Galadriel! I had to laugh at poor Legolas and his hermit wish! I can see why he would want to hit the road for a decade or two or three. As for Oropher, I think he just needs to get away and reconcile himself to his new body and life. The trip the twins suggested that Legolas take him on sounds inspired, Bodkin...soooooo?????? :-) As always, the interaction between E2 and L is amazing in its hilarity! I giggled all the way through it! Wonderful, as usual!
linda
Author's reply
Poor Oropher. He doesn't have a particularly easy personality, and he really did push himself into returning before he was prepared for the emotional interaction with others. And, I think, he doesn't really grasp the political implications. For some, Oropher is THE king - and Thranduil, much as he loves his father, isn't likely to step back and hand him back the crown. He's been king for over an age, through very dificult situations and these are his people. (I sometimes think that returning as a female might be easier - Laerwen, 'the Lady', was able to accommodate her role with reunion with her husband, because, although the forest people looked on her as their queen, that didn't preclude the arrival of a king. Oropher, on the other hand...
Galadriel, poor thing, has become a bit of a symbol of the difference between the end of the Second Age and halfway through the Fourth. Thranduil has never wanted to dispense with his suspicion - but, deep down, he knows her worth and is using his newly-announced friendship to prove to Oropher how things have changed.
Oropher does need to get away - not to some formal rehab centre, but to the quiet forest with a few trusted companions and spend some years gradually acclimatising to a new world - the trip with his grandson would be excellent (and might just happen!) but really he needs longer. And to be close enough for family, yet independent. And I'm sure he will find a load of Second Age elves willing to follow him even more deeply into the forest in search of a simple life.
I'm glad you liked it. Thank you.