Rose Sared
· 17 October 2005
· Chapter 73: Like Adar, Like Son
Loved the 'all pink and confused'young elf, and the suggestion that blond was a 'more attractrive shade' Hah!
An eternity of needling by ones friends - enough to make the woodelf sail back to M-e just to get some peace!
Great fun, well done
Rose
Author's reply
E2 are just throwing around the rumour that blonds have more fun. And look more innocent.
Poor Galenthil. He was probably squirming even more when he discovered that Nimloth was threatening her fellow ellyth with implied violence. Who wants to be protected by a girl - especially if she's younger than you!
These three enjoy tormenting each other - they are comfortable enough in their shared experience that it's water off a duck's back. And they get enough being grown up and sensible - they revert to their 'teenage' behaviour when they get together.
Glad you liked it!
daw the minstrel
· 17 October 2005
· Chapter 73: Like Adar, Like Son
Ah, parents being embarrassed by their children's actions and enjoying the discomfort of their friends when the same thing happens to them, especially if the friend's child is usually better behaved. I remember once taking great delight when another child (not mine) threw a glass of juice.
I don't the twins had bad reps because they were dark haired. They might want to reconsider that theory.
Author's reply
Parents enjoying the embarrassment of other parents - and children cringeing at their parents' activities. A friend of mine was once very pleased with her daughter for throwing up in her hands rather than over someone's sofa. What we descend to.
You think it wasn't the twins' hair colour that caused their reputation for trouble-making? But the golden Glorfindel was perfect - wasn't he? Or so he tried to convince the twins.
Perhaps they'll have to settle for staying dark-haired. I don't think the bleached blonde beach-babe look would go down too well in the Blessed Realm.
Larner
· 17 October 2005
· Chapter 73: Like Adar, Like Son
Well, if he were to do it, at least the two of them could be more easily told apart--until the hair grew out again, of course. How slowly does Elven hair grow, do you think?
I'll have to share this with my Scandihoovian blonde daughter.
Author's reply
I don't like to think how long it would take to replace a head of elven hair. (Jay had Arwen chop Elrohir's hair short because he was tired of being confused with Elladan - she might know!)
Elladan is only joking. He wouldn't really bleach his hair. Elrond would raise his eyebrow at him. And Celebrian would laugh. And his sons would be embarrassed in that intense way that children are when their parents try to pretend that they have a life of their own.
(And it wouldn't suit him.)
elliska
· 18 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
Gosh, I am so behind and you have been writing like crazy! Good for you! I love this little story arc with the dwarven 'curses.' The poor twins--so the full implications of this little situation are finally settling in here. I just laughed myself silly as they progressed from relative to relative realizing the extent to which they may have embarrassed themselves. And you have some great lines in here:
‘It is about as easy to keep a secret among elves as for a leaf to keep its movements quiet from the rest of the forest.’ -- so elfy!
‘May their beards have been plucked out by vultures,’ Elladan said spitefully. -- such a good curse. And I loved how they still were proud of their own similar trick.
This was great!
Author's reply
This whole language thing just caught hold and wouldn't let go. And, as each part is only allowed to be Reflection length - (two pages of Word) - it has built up remarkably quickly.
It's a good thing the twins are, under their frivolous exterior, really and truly mature elves. I think they will be able to deal with the long deception much better than they would have done in their youth.
I'm glad you enjoyed it - this has been great fun to do. (And it's still throwing out more!)
perelleth
· 13 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
:-)‘This,’ said Elrohir, ‘is something best forgotten. As completely as possible, as soon as possible. Snickers. Second stage of an embarrasing realization...after running out of crimson...:-) the problem is, you cannot just go out and tell everybody that it is forgotten, since you don't want them to remember on the first place... And LEgolas regretting that he ever brought up the subject.. and th twins not believeing that their mum would hve been wicked enough... LOL
DO you plan to let the twins read your Discretion series bodkin? They might die of shame! :-))
Author's reply
Poor twins. Even if they pretend ignorance, they aren't going to be too sure who has been party to this. But they have their suspicions, whatever they might say! And it's not so much believing as trying to convince themselves. They know which parent bequeathed them with their mischievous nature!
I'll bet Legolas won't be the only one wishing he had never brought the matter to the twins' attention!
I wonder whether the thoughts crossing their minds would be worse than the truth?
Larner
· 13 September 2005
· Chapter 69: Hope over Experience
How easily Elves can be amused! By throwing each other in pools, by realizing their fellows are making utter fools of themselves saying untoward things in Dwarvish, and by considering how they might lead their sisters in the future to drive their parents crazy....
Lovely as always.
Author's reply
Well - the twins and Legolas tend to be caught in holiday mood when they are together in these snippets. Most of the time they are mature, responsible elves, who work hard for the benefit of elvenkind . . . They are, really!! Happily married fathers of growing elflings organising large estates, negotiating trading contracts, working together with the various kings and lords to ensure the smooth operation of food supplies, and co-operating with others over justice and politics - and stuff.
But when they get the chance to party - they can party like it's 1999!!!
Larner
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
They so delude themselves that no one in the family has been laughing secretly for ages? Oh, dear, dear innocents! Not to mention their sister and what she's picked up over the centuries, possibly passing that story on to her children as one of the family treasures! Bet the family of Telcontar is still having fun with such stories! Hehehehehe!
Author's reply
They have this hollow feeling deep inside that says 'everyone knew but us' - but they're trying to plaster over it and pretend that their family wouldn't find this funny.
I hope the thought never crosses their minds of the Tale of the Dwarven Curses becoming one of Middle Earth's most enduring legends. (Or they might feel impelled to spearhead another elven invasion of Arda!!)
Redheredh
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
Oh, that was good! But this is me... I am your friend. *snicker*
I can just see Celebrian's face if the twins actually let loose with a really offensive phrase. ;)
She won't let that go by, will she? Not where anyone, especially the elfings, might overhear them. Or her naneth. It was distracting enough when what they said was generally humiliating and just deserts for their foolishness. Certainly, rather harmless. But explicitly humiliating? Well, they are worldly ladies who probably have heard it all any way.
And she would certainly know who added to her sons' impolite phrase book. It could not be anyone else. Legolas would be wise to simply teach them something that will indeed sound reasonable enough. Something like "Goodgollymissmolly" or "Lordluvaduck", perhaps? Then no one is the worse for it and very little blushing resulting for anyone.
Nevertheless, elflings do not need to learn arresting expressions. E2 should be curbed of this baaad Applecakewithwhippedcreamontop wicked habit. ;)
Author's reply
As soon as they did she'd know they knew - and they'd know she'd know they knew. Maybe the twins will give up using foreign tongues. Or maybe they will seek out Aule for real instruction - he'd probably be quite pleased to have three elves who wanted to be fluent in the tongue of his people.
I suspect it's the twitchy ears of the elflings that have made Legolas decide to point out to the twins that their words don't mean what they think. After all, if he'd told Galenthil / Elrin / Nimloth / Aewlin the reasons why they mustn't use certain expressions the truth would have been bound to get back to Elladan and Elrohir. Better to be upfront with it.
I wonder how well Celebrian knew Gimli? It might well be that she and Galadriel spent a lot of time with the only dwarf in the Blessed Realm. Talking about Arwen and her family. Aragorn. The twins. And Galadriel and her daughter are quite sharp enough to have picked up on Gimli's enjoyment. And he might have told them - once he realised that they would relish the joke.
The words of drinking songs are probably saucy - without being intentionally demeaning to those singing them, so they could use them . . . but really, they would be better to use some Nocussin' gum or go cold turkey - and just clean up their language. For the benefit of the young and innocent.
This is such fun. Thank you.
Dot
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
I was looking forward to this! Although, checking for it at quarter past seven this morning was probably a little too eager…
Poor Elladan! He does seem bothered by this. He’s also clever enough to realise that others must have known. I did chuckle gleefully as they dismissed Elrond, Glorfindel and Celebrían one by one, though! I wonder if they’ll ever realise that dear old grandma is probably the one most familiar with Khuzdul…
I think I agree with Elrohir that forgetting about it is the best option available. You know what’ll happen, though? They’ll start using the phrases Legolas teaches them, which will be far more appropriate, and someone will overhear them and realise that they must have found out… Celebrían will be disappointed. And I bet they’d have no trouble figuring out who ended the game too.
Oh, how I would love to be there to witness Legolas teaching Elladan and Elrohir a dwarven drinking song!! They better make sure there are no elflings around :-)
Author's reply
A quarter past seven - about an hour too early for this one, I'm afraid. I hope the wait didn't feel too long!!!!!
Poor Elladan indeed. His dignity has been affronted. I don't think he and Elrohir really want to believe their family knew. In which case they would be much wiser not to poke into the matter. Dear old grandma, indeed! (Aren't you scared she'll arrange some bolt of lightning to descend on you for that description?) The twins must suspect their nearest and dearest. They're not stupid!
You're right - if they start using proper Khuzdul cussing, it won't take their kin long to realise they've been rumbled. And it'll be pretty clear who done it. (I wonder why he revealed all. I've got a picture of certain elflings getting their mouths round tongue twisting phrases in the secret language.)
Perhaps they should reveal their skill in dwarven drinking ditties at the next delicately ethereal elven feast to celebrate the beauty of the stars. Or do you think it might not go down well?
Thank you. This has been a fun thread . . . and it might just insist on a few last kicks.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
Elladan seems to have taken this harder than his brother. I think Elrohir's right in wanting to forget - it's best *not* to enquire too closely about who knew, or might have known.
Learning a few 'safe' phrases from Legolas is a good compromise - though it shows a remarkable degree of trust. He'd better take Elrohir's warning seriously!
I'm behind on reviewing the spin-offs from this, but will catch up.
Author's reply
Elladan is a bit more miffed. I think Elrohir suspects it might be better not to dig too deeply into the matter. At the moment. Once they've had time to adjust to the idea, they might think differently.
They could trust Legolas, I think - but I don't know that they will willingly use any Khuzdul for a while. It would just remind them of all the embarrassing things they have said over the years.
I've now been made to wonder why Legolas decided to reveal the secret now - and is he setting them up? Or perhaps have some of the elflings have been discovered assiduously practising some of Elladan's very favourite expressions.
Thank you for reviewing. I'm not sure this has reached its end yet - though surely there can't be many more twists!
Lianna
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
‘You do not think for a minute that we are about to trust anyone to teach us to use words we do not understand,’ Elrohir objected. ‘We have been fooled once!’
‘But this is me,’ Legolas said, wounded. ‘I am your friend. And Gimli was as my brother. He would never have taught me to sing anything that would be insulting to me as an elf, now would he?’
Uh, oh. I hope that this lapse of trust isn't going to threaten the friendship that is the whole basis of this series. :(
Author's reply
No - Legolas is putting on the agony. He's not bothered - he can understand their reluctance. After all (not that they know it) look at who the twins can't trust to reveal all!
And Gimli wouldn't have taught him anything insulting to elves - would he? Not like the phrases he allowed the twins to learn from him. I wonder if they'll find out about those? (Although I expect his affection for his elf curbed his imagination a little.)
Thank you. I can't swear this isn't going to run a little further. It's just too tempting!
TithenFeredir
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
OK, I'm outed. I've been lurking, and your Khuzdul affair has flushed me from the bushes.
"A ghost of a grin twitched the corners of Elladan’s mouth."
Audible chuckle there. Apparently. even being victimized himself can't subdue Elladan's wicked side. Overall, though, the twins are being pretty calm and sensible about the whole thing.
Why do I get the feeling Legolas is setting them up?
~TF
Author's reply
Legolas, bless his little blond head? Setting his friends up? Would he do a thing like that?
The Khuzdul affair. I can picture it snapping at your heels and growling!
The twins are being fairly calm - but I've a feeling it could be the kind of discovery that might fester a little. Especially once they realise just who were really the most likely people to be aware of their little game.
I'm trying to put the lid on this - but it keeps swelling up and nudging. Thank you for being outed!
daw the minstrel
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 72: Betrayal
‘It is about as easy to keep a secret among elves as for a leaf to keep its movements quiet from the rest of the forest.’ ‘May their beards have been plucked out by vultures,’
Great elfy sayings! And I think I trust Legolas to teach them drinking songs only. So they suspect Celbrian, but they don't think she'd be so cruel. And they've convinced themselves that Elrond and Glorfindel couldn't possibly have known enough to understand. Teehee.
Author's reply
They might have been more suspicious of Celebrian in their youth - but too much has happened since then and they don't want to feel she has deceived them over x thousand years. (They will adjust. And maybe see the joke.) I'm not sure that they are convinced about Glorfindel and Elrond though. Or that they will let them get away with it. No Elrondion in his right mind would seek revenge against his daernaneth - even if certain of her guilt. Not if he valued his continued health.
Thank you for liking the elfy sayings. Elladan wasn't feeling so much elfy as orcish when he wished for the opportunity to torture the dwarves, but he's flattered. And says he would not have plucked out the whole beard.
Larner
· 7 September 2005
· Chapter 70: Harmony
Aha--Pooh-sticks for Elves, and a small bit of gold allowed to return to its source, coined and then returned.
Lovely images throughout.
Legolas paddling has its attractions, I think. :-)
Author's reply
Thank you.
There's one where he strips off and swims - I can't remember which one now. And another where he is - er - less than fully clothed and chopping dead wood.
Sometimes I think I enjoy writing the elves-and-nature ones as much as the ones with more of a story.
Larner
· 7 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
Oh, this is indeed priceless! As you can see, I found it at last. Oh, how hilarious!
And of course Gimli would teach Legolas enough so as not to embarrass or unwittingly demean himself.
Author's reply
He would, wouldn't he! Just enough. There remained enough dwarf in him not to want to let the elf in on the secret knowledge that was only open to dwarves. But he could be quite protective of his elf.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
pipinheart
· 7 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
Ah, this is amuzing... If only they had known what they were saying...Good job
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a good thing they didn't find out while they were young and headstrong and the dwarves who taught them the phrases were still around!
elliska
· 5 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
Oh! ROTFL!! This was the last story I read as I was catching up this evening and I thought I would split my side laughing! I soooo needed this. I think I'll go back and read it again right now. This was absolutely hilarious! Thanks so much!
Author's reply
I'm so glad it managed to amuse you. I'm feeling rather sorry for E2 as the information sinks in and they begin to wonder how many people know of their - erm - mistakes. Perhaps elven memory is not to be envied at the moment.
Thank you.
The Karenator
· 3 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
How funny! This is exactly why I'd never trust anyone to teach me to curse in a language I don't speak or understand. I'm dying laughing. Just like Legolas.
These guys are just cruising for a bruising. Yeah, buddy, we love to clean up after a bunch of rooting piglets. We also love to spit shine your boots. And we know where to put them!
This chapter was really cute. I enjoyed it and needed a good laugh. Thanks.
Karen
Author's reply
Come to think of it, I've heard of many examples where people think they've been taught to say 'it's so pleasant to meet you', or something equally innocuous, only to find that they've actually been taught something quite different. E2 must have been feeling very superior (and unsuspicious) when they were taught these expressions. And, of course, since they're sure they're cussing, they don't repeat them in front of anyone who could tell them different! They just hope Legolas keeps the matter to himself!
Typical males. Their idea of tidy is one heap. But, although they know that their wives and mothers just love looking after them, they are too tactful (just about) to put it in words. But they can do puppy-dog eyes just fine. They would have a PhD in it - if elves had PhDs.
Thank you. This one was great fun to do!
lwarren
· 3 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
Wonderfully funny, as usual, Bodkin! I can just see Elladan stomping around in a fit of temper, muttering these impressively gutteral, vicious-sounding syllables...that all the while proclaim him a lap-dog to a dwarf maiden! Oh, the embarrassment of it all!! :-) No wonder Legolas gave him some strange looks! Terrific - and welcome - fun at a dark time! (I hope I can go back and catch up on reviewing all your other great stories - I was really sick from mid-July on...and school has started up again! Can you believe it?)
linda
Author's reply
It always seems terribly unjust to be ill during vacation time. You need a break from killer squirrels when you're in a condition to enjoy it! Otherwise you get back to them without the strength to resist their chittering.
I can imagine that Elladan's - er - language skills would have entertained any passing dwarf enormously. And Khuzdul seems to be the kind of language (like German) where even pleasant expressions could sound like cussing.
I wonder if Legolas will use this knowledge - or whether Elladan will just fear that he might! Could be interesting.
I hope you are feeling better - and that you have a delightful class of little cherubs this year.
Leaward
· 2 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
LMAO, the dwarves got their own back! Wonderful, Bodkin. I like that they'd been spending all those thousand years thinking they were so clever when they were really were insulting themselves! Absolutely inspired!
Author's reply
Under-rated, those dwarves! And aware that the very best jokes are the private ones. Elladan will never feel the same about his delightfully satisfying collection of foreign curses. After all, who knows what the Rohirrim might have taught them . . . .
Thank you!
perelleth
· 2 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
;-) You know that I drop in and out of this very long series because it is almost impossible to me by now to catch up with all of them.. but I'm glad I picked this one up.. it was funny. I can picture Elladan's embarrassment! That was evil!
Author's reply
It is getting ridiculously long . . . but at least each one is quite short! I'm glad you liked this one. It made my toes curl with enjoyment as I wrote it. I think poor Elladan will be in doubt about trusting anyone for a while - until he shrugs off the experience. Thank you!
Nilmandra
· 1 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
ROFLOL! Thanks for the laugh, Bodkin. We all needed it.
I hear my Celebrian laughing very loudly...that time among dwarves in Eregion means she has enjoyed this vision of Legolas's for some time! (well, in my world anyway! Hehehehe).
Author's reply
Thank you - this was fun to do.
Elladan and Elrohir are gentle-elves. They have been brought up not to swear in the presence of ladies - and especially not their naneth! So they wouldn't know whether their naneth knows of their embarrassment. They hope not!
But, of course, you should never underestimate the power of Celebrian Celeborniel. And neither should they . . . .
Redheredh
· 1 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
ROFLMAO! Now, that is just retribution for thinking the ellyth enjoy cleaning up after them. ;)
German is always good in that way too!
Author's reply
A very male attitude. Of all species, I suspect. I'm having visions of female dwarves casting up their eyes and brushing the ashes from the smithies. Enjoy it - no. Do it better - usually. But retribution is always good!
German is a very good language that way. You can make Apfeltorte mit Schlagsahne sound really vicious. And I always used the phrase Chateauneuf-du-Pape as an expressive substitute for inappropriate language. That works well, too. We went there once - miles out of our way - just so I could see the place whose name I had been taking in vain.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 1 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
Well, he can be my lapdog!!
I've always thought Dwarvish would be an excellent language to swear in - and I'm not at all surprised that the twins used it.
I love the twist that they were teaching the Dwarves false phrases - and the Dwarves were doing the same!
Thanks, Bodkin for a laugh at the end of a long day at work.
Jay
Author's reply
OK. But I don't think he'd make a very good lapdog. Although there is something puppyish about Elladan in some ways. I think he has a hopeful attitude. (He's more of a gundog, though.) Dwarvish must be one of those languages where even endearments sounds like challenges to battle - very good for cussing.
I think the Dwarves would enjoy knowing things that no-one thought they knew - and relish the secret tit-for-tat.
Glad you enjoyed it.
daw the minstrel
· 1 September 2005
· Chapter 71: The Secret Tongue of the Dwarves
LOL. If you play with fire, you have to expect to get burned!
I've always thought Khuzdul would be a good language for cursing. The dwarves are nicely earthy and probably have words for many things.
Author's reply
You would think the twins would have learned that by now! But they - Elladan particularly, I think - still have a rather hopeful view of life. They lost it for a good while, but it's a natural part of their nature. He would hate to be told that he is not suspicious enough, though.
Khuzdul would, I think, sound great for cussing. Even 'you are my heart' probably sounds aggressive. And they are earthy. And practical. And enjoy being underestimated.