Reviews (579)

Author's reply

Thank you. This was one that made my toes curl in delight - it does feel like something dwarves would do. And I can imagine them listening to Elladan's language skills with totally straight faces as they relished his words! A computer problem destroyed a day's work - that is just so awful. Real banging your head against a wall stuff. Fingers crossed you can recover it.

Author's reply

Thank you. I'm glad to make you smile - and would love to know any other phrases you come up with that he might have been spouting over the centuries! I think the dwarves would get a lot of pleasure in hearing Elladan use his phrases of Khuzdul, too. And keep their faces totally straight as they listened. (But don't let the thoughts come between you and your plotting!)

Author's reply

E2 aren't too interested in mithril either - neither Elrond nor Celeborn would consider it worthy of disrupting the harmony of the forest, I think. Not so sure about Galadriel - or Celebrian, but I think they would subdue any thought of exploiting it. I wonder if Legolas would find that his love for Gimli had made him unexpectedly interested in true-silver? Probably not. (Elerrina might be rather bemused by their indifference.) Water, rocks, the sun gleaming through fresh green leaves. The presence of the kind of friends who can accept and understand you. A perfect way to spend a day. Who needs gold?

Author's reply

There is something about rocky streams, deciduous trees, sunshine - and games. And elves. Such a relaxing combination. Some of my favourite days have been spent with four of the five. It's good for E2L to play like elflings at times - and they know just when they can drop their responsibilities and allow themselves to be frivolous. (Good thing they have understanding families!) Writing these 'playing in the woods' type Reflections is fun - but I'm always worried that they might get a bit repetitive. Sometimes the need is just irresistible, though.

Author's reply

I don't reckon E2 are very interested in gold, despite their Noldor bloodlines. Too much Elrond in them - people are more important. And Celeborn - interest in the natural world. I always rather like the cultures that use shells to represent wealth. I suppose it's whatever is rare - the possession of rare items indicating status. Sunny hours passed sitting by rocky streams, playing in clear water. It's always been one of those images of the perfect day to me. Reminds me of a day in Ireland back in the last century. And a day in Devon with los hijitos. And, come to that, a stream in Scotland. Not to mention several in France. OK, everywhere I go. Almost.

Author's reply

A perfect day. And spent with the kind of friends who never need explanations - or their egos pandering. And insults between them are never hurtful, either. E2 are showing their Sindar side, I think. I'm sure that there are elves to whom gold would be interesting, but they don't include the twins - and Legolas, of course, is far too Wood Elfy to be really interested in metal. Even after a long friendship with Gimli. They can act grown up! There are some people who wouldn't recognise the eternal kid that comes out when they get together! Not many, admittedly. But some. Somewhere. Maybe.

Author's reply

Yes - the Valinorean Gold Rush would definitely not be appreciated by the elves who love the forest for its trees and peace and harmony with Eru's song. Whereas playing Pooh Sticks is a much better use of the materials provided by nature. Splashing in water and playing . . . not to mention elves. Very pleasant mental images. Inspiring, even. Thank you, Rose.

Author's reply

I can imagine him standing back and looking totally bemused. Although, if he's sensible, he'll start paying a little more attention to how Eleniel manages to wangle her own way. And, just as it's a grandfather's right to indulge his granddaughter and conspire with her - Legolas can play the big brother game with his little sister, but without the danger of being sent to his room. Oh, this could be so much fun! I think it might lead to a lot of memories of a different time, though - here is a child who will not need to be protected from evil. The only dangers to confront her will be the normal dangers of growing up in a forest. No orcs, no spiders, no Nazgul, no men, no dwarves. It'll take some adjustment. E2L are going through that 'been there, done that' part of watching other people tackle parenthood. Of course, Thranduil and Elrond can just step the other side of them and do the same to them! Elven timescales are just such fun! (I think they're all wary enough of Thranduil to keep their amusement to themselves. They have a strong instinct for self-preservation, after all!) Laerwen is enjoying Thranduil's attentions. But she will have to get him calmed down before the bump really starts to make her feel uncomfortable. I'm glad you enjoy the prospect of a girl! Thranduil sends his thanks.

Author's reply

I agree - a daughter will be able to manage him far better than Legolas ever could. Even though he's had training in the wiles of ellyth from Eleniel! I don't think he's quite prepared for the shift in focus. And then, of course, there are no orcs, no Ulairi, no giant poisonous spiders, no evil-intentioned men. Just normal things to protect her from. But, on the other hand, he's no pussycat. She might spend her adolescence complaining about how unnecessarily strict and old-fashioned he is and how none of her friends have to do whatever he insists on! I imagine that if Thranduil decides to care for you, you stay cared for! Laerwen might have to have words! It must be hilarious for E2L to be watching from that slightly patronising 'we've been there, we've done that, we've got the T-shirt' point of view. (Parents of older children are always saying, 'you don't know what trouble is yet, just you wait until . . .) Of course, Thranduil - and Elrond - can turn round and reciprocate. Could make all the mingled relationships rather fun! Shame Glorfindel didn't persist - Elrond could have done with another daughter - one whose fate wasn't bound up with that of mankind - but never mind. Elrond is happy now. Interesting to think about elves and the birds and the bees. I'm glad you enjoyed it - it was fun to do and queue-jumped the next one. Posting this week? Aargghhh - I shall miss it. But I will be back to reading as soon as I can! (Don't let insanity or hurricanes stop you - they're minor inconveniences!) Thank you - I shall try to enjoy my break as much as is possible in the absence of the internet.

Author's reply

Up near the Lake District. Never been there before! Glorfindel should have kept them teasing for siblings. And got Arwen in on the act. Elrond could have done with another couple of children, I think, to help him through the trauma of the dark years! Thranduil could be a bit - tiring, perhaps - as a nervous, concerned and caring husband. But Laerwen is tougher than she looks and she can cope with the fussing. At least at the moment. Thanks for the good wishes! Hopefully I'll come back with lots of new words written, as well as an appreciation of the scenery.

Author's reply

Thranduil is pleased as punch - he doesn't realise he's become a spectator sport! And E2L are certainly not going to let him know that they find his plight a little on the entertaining side. I don't think Celebrian and Elrond could have brought themselves to enlarge their family before the twins arrived - it would have been like admitting they had lost hope. And they would have felt as if it showed that a new child could replace one lost. But now - they have E2, healed and happy with families of their own. Maybe this new arrival will encourage them to add to their family. A sister - some 1300 odd years younger than him and some 40 years younger than his own children. But elves must be used to all sorts of odd age gaps. After all, Elrond is more than 1500 years older than Celebrian - and Elladan is over 2000 years older than Miriwen. Thank you for commenting!

Author's reply

Being indulgent is a prerogative of grandparenthood! That and handing them back as soon as they get sick or petulant. I think Thranduil will find it a bit harder to deal with the eyelashes of a daughter than of a son, but he is only too well aware of the responsibilities of bringing a child up right! This child will have a naneth, though, and will be safe from the dangers of orcs and Ulairi. He might find it takes him a while to adjust to the difference. And the generations are pretty mixed up - the child will have a niece and nephew on the verge of adulthood by the time she is sitting up and taking notice - and Legolas and Elerrina are certainly more up-to-date with the trials of parenthood. I reckon E2L would still be far more careful and respectful in Thranduil's hearing. No matter how old they are! Some habits are very hard to overcome.

Author's reply

I have been resisting the temptation to present late offspring to E/C and C/G - mainly because they then have to be incorporated into all future tales! Thranduil seems the most likely parent - partly because Laerwen - (how I hate typing that name. That and Goerfer. They knot your fingers up.) - is rehoused, which must, I would think, be somewhat rejuvenating. And, of course, he wouldn't give a tinker's cuss about upsetting the usual conventions of not having children once you have passed the torch on to your children. And why should he!! A child born to live as a Wood Elf should, in peace and harmony with the living world. Bliss. Probably. Another part soon! (And then I'm away for a bit. And will try to complete some of my half-finished chapters.) I'm glad you're back - and looking forward to the next Interrupted Journey. No desperate rush. Mid-August suit you?

Author's reply

(I skimmed the recent addition to The Grey. It was too uncomfortable to linger.) Yes, Reflections will stay frothy! Well, some of their musings are more serious, but they are the musings of generally-contented people happily settled in a place of safety. How do you fancy a 1300+ year age gap? Offspring are reluctant to imagine their parents doing it at the best of times! Actually, E2L are mature enough to be happy for their parents - back together after long division - and know perfectly well the - er - excitements of renewing bonds. Legolas is quite happy at the idea - even if his own children are adolescents now. In fact, he's quite looking forward to seeing his adar deal with the stresses of caring for an infant. Thank you. I find a lot of my stuff just comes as conversation most of the time. The trouble I have is with action! Not that that's a problem with these - they are supposed to be idle chat!

Author's reply

Good for him! Laerwen is delighted. I long to do the same to Celeborn. (And Elrond.) But I'm trying to restrain myself. E2L are filled with that feeling of expectation that delights tired parents when that childless friend knowitall suddenly finds out how lacking in control parents inevitably are. Not, of course, that Thranduil doesn't know - but now they can watch him flounder!

Author's reply

If you think a 15 year age gap is bad, Legolas is facing one of somewhere in the region of 1300. And he is a married elf with two elflings of his own! But I don't think he minds. I can imagine that Legolas and the twins will rather enjoy seeing Thranduil pacing the corridors with a sleepless infant, with a frazzled look about him and baby sick on his shoulder. Thank you. More soon.

Author's reply

And if the Noldor to be scandalised are Legolas's in-laws, then that's even better! It will be strange - it's a long time since Thranduil has had to think about child-care, and this is a different world. E2L are already beginning to angst a bit about what there is in the Blessed Realm to offer their children a worthwhile future. I don't think Legolas minds. If he were a few hundred years younger, perhaps, but he is a married elf and an adar himself: he's secure. I suppose he might fret about his relationship with his naneth - after all, he hasn't really had a child/mother relationship with her. I'm rather wondering if the example might lead to some other unexpected arrivals. (And trying to resist the temptation.)

Author's reply

It's quite a large age gap, though! Some 1300 years. Thranduil and his wife are, I think, the most likely to go in for adding to their family. Laerwen is rehoused and they are reunited - I think the strength of the renewed bond might be close to the - er - passion of early marriage. I long to gift Elrond and Celebrian with offspring, but my fingers itch to present Celebrian with a sibling or two. I'm fighting the temptation, because once written these whizzy ideas stick with me - and the cast grows ever huger. But it would be fun!

Author's reply

They were being rather deliberately obscure. Yes, there is going to be the patter of tiny Wood Elf toes, and Legolas, aged somewhere in the region of 1300, is going to be a brother. Of course, he is already a father of two 'teenagers', so he'll be more of an uncle really. But the new arrival certainly puts a seal on the reunions in the Blessed Realm.

Author's reply

Wood Elves. So inconsiderate. How could they embarrass Legolas's in-laws like that! I think - with the rehousing of Thranduil's wife and the joy of reunion - not to mention the uncontrolled ways of Wood Elves - that they are the most likely older couple to add to their family. Thranduil and a toddler. Of course, I will have to do that, won't I? I don't know - E2L just talk their way into all sorts of situations! But that could be quite a fun thing to write while I'm away next week.

Author's reply

Nothing like a bit of deliberate obscurity! Yes, the joy of reunion seems to have - hmm - brought about a rather belated excursion into the delights of parenthood. Do you think 1300 years or so is a bit of a bit age gap? You could be right. And this kid'll have a older niece and nephew - but that must happen all the time among elves. Now if Galadriel gets broody, that'll be some age gap! 5000 or more years. But she wouldn't do that. Would she?

Author's reply

It's letting yourself eat the first strawberry. Once you've broken and that slightly-too-squishy, I-can't-put-that-in-my-basket, oh-I'd-better-eat-it berry has found its way into your mouth, you're lost. They do have a different perspective on growing methods. I was thinking it probably had to do with space - Imladris small, Mirkwood big - and population density - as much as that the Noldor like to control and the Silvan prefer to live with nature untamed. The whole of Middle Earth (and everywhere else) would have collapsed without all those wives and mothers performing female magic while they debated the important things! Thank you. There are more waiting in the wings, so there's no prospect of this stopping yet. (I sometimes think I should go back and read them all from the beginning just to see how they've changed.)

Author's reply

Berry picking is irresistible, isn't it? And yet there appears to be a whole generation of ignoramuses growing up who have no idea which of the wild berries and nuts are edible! Or are afraid to eat them because it might be unhygienic. Yet that big squishy blackberry - or blueberry - or strawberry - sunwarmed, and picked from the hedgerow, is just so gorgeous. Like peas from the garden or a tomato from the vine. E2L can't get together without talking about something - and maybe leaving the work to the elflings is part of their cunning plan! Perhaps their wives need to get them competing with each other for who can pick most - that would certainly increase their productivity. Thank you.

Author's reply

Blackberry picking. I'm sitting here with a reminiscent grin. Blackberry picking is one of the few harvesting events that you can do without being a)landed or b) paying. Just by going out into the countryside - and it's hot, wasps buzzing, still, sticky purple fingers, niggling little scratches from tiny thorns. Although hazelnuts and chestnuts are good for collecting, too - only that's colder - crisp autumn days. Stop. Mustn't get ahead of myself. Well - it's case by case really, I think. Imladris needed to intervene more - they had a high population density (and a load of Noldor who couldn't see why nature shouldn't fit their view of the world), where as Mirkwood had a low population density and, consequently, less need to meddle. But simply encouraging a few trees to grow where it suits you doesn't seem too terrible to me - why should seed be scattered by birds and not elves? But then an awful lot of bad environmental damage has been done by people who thought their little intervention would be either beneficial or totally harmless. (Rabbits. Australia.) But then, fortunately, E2L talk - but I never need to decide who is right! Thank you.

Author's reply

Woodelves/festivals, festivals/Woodelves - they go together like a horse and carriage. And there's nothing like gathering food to encourage people to celebrate full storehouses! The Woodelves' way would probably be more fun, except in bad seasons when there wasn't so much to gather - when a more structured arable system might seem a better idea. But I think (apart from it being more Noldor to change the world to adapt to you rather than vice versa) it could tie in with the size of their realms. Imladris is small: you would have to be very organised in making sure that it supported the population - whereas Mirkwood is huge and relatively sparsely populated. Like the difference between Holland and Canada. Take a vacation - harvest festival time in Kentucky. It could become like New England in the fall! Thank you.