Reviews (110)

Author's reply

Thank you, Gwynhyffar. I do enjoy playing with these - there is another one part written, but I seem to be in holiday mode at the moment and am finding it hard to focus on much... I will (if I can ever kill all the paperwork) get back to the fun soon. I've got so behind on everything that it's quite disheartening ... but it's great to have you reminding me why I enjoy all this so much.

Author's reply

I so wanted the dog to burst in on the ellyn and have them fearing that Eleniel was just about to turn up - but it just didn't work itself in! Surion is at that awkward nearly-grown-up age when kids think they know so much more than they do - but Galenthil is a good kid. I'm sure that now they've all been waterfall-surfing together, Surion will be more one of the crowd. And, actually, I think Calion could be a really good influence on him. Eleniel - being a girl - is just a bit more mature for her age than Galenthil and his friends. And, I think, she is naturally clear-sighted and thoughtful. And possibly feels slightly less need to keep up with the challenges the ellyn enjoy. If Legolas and Camentur get damaged, though, Elerrina and Nisimalote won't be impressed! Although I think Thranduil would laugh his head off. And if it's a toss up between Surion's city pals and some good healthy(?) country activities, I'm sure Surion's parents will resign themselves to waterfall-surfing.

Author's reply

Well - as an elven horse, he might wait until he's out of sight before he rolls. Maybe. Surion is going through a difficult time - he'll get on better with the ellyn now he's shown genuine admiration for their waterfall-surfing skills. And now he's stripped off his fancy clothes and joined in with their games. I'm sure Thranduil would have been in despair if Elrond's sons had grown up on his doorstep. (Not that they're the same age. As far as I'm concerned, the twins are a couple of thousand years older than Legolas. But then, Elerrina is chronologically quite a lot older, too. Age doesn't really matter much when you're immortal!) But Camentur is happy to stand in and sneak out for a night of fun! Legolas is aware, I think, that kids need space to grow. And he's sensible enough to check out their game while they're not looking and then prepared to pretend he doesn't know. Sometimes you just can't give permission - but you don't want to forbid, either!

Author's reply

Thranduil has high expectations of the members of his family - behaviour and responsibility. He had the same expectations of Legolas, too! Galenthil isn't the sort of child who is deliberately confrontational - and his father is prepared to let him learn what interests him. There is no need, after all, for him to dedicate his life to being a warrior. The badger is prepared to accept the elves - they are part of the world, too, and offer him no harm.

Author's reply

Olostariel is far too 'mature' for her age. And has a mind that thinks Elrin is a very good prospect as a beau. (I don't think his cousins would let her keep that illusion for too long. They might not be interested in ellyn yet, but they can see falseness when it's in front of them!)

Author's reply

Very eerie. The dream of Numenor drowning has always seemed horrific to me. As has poor Miriel's fate at the hands of her horrible cousin.

Author's reply

I hope Miriwen and Sirithiel are prepared to produce a few more grandsons for Elrond - because I have quite a list of possibilities! E2L will never entirely get over grieving that Arwen and Estel and Eldarion (and whatever daughters) are lost to them. Neither, of course will Elrond. Or Celebrian and Galadriel and Celeborn. Or Glorfindel. And Legolas will always have a place in his heart for Gimli - and Boromir and the hobbits. I'm sure Elrohir's hair would be grey now, were he not an elf! But Aewlin and Nimloth are showing signs of growing out of the worst of their habits - a big relief to all and sundry.

Author's reply

I reckon Earendil will still be wary of them. At least until they are grown up! But they are beginning to mature out of that exclusiveness that twins can show - and they will improve. Their family wouldn't have it any other way! I think being a star is a bit of a cruel fate in a way. Splendid. But very, very lonely.

Author's reply

The chapter titles are getting harder to find! Legolas's pair are calmer and more reasonable than poor Elrohir's. And their interests are much less likely to have them deep in trouble most of the time. Legolas enjoyed sneaking up on Hithien - who is pretty good at sneaking herself. It would be great to have Oropher and Galenthil hawking together. Hawking seems quite an elven sport to me - in that it provides food for the table and the hawks agree to co-operate with those who fly them. Without hoods and jesses. Maybe one day!

Author's reply

It would be a truly amazing experience to journey with Earendil. I wonder if he has taken Elrond with him ... I think Elrond might have refused to go - at least until there was no longer anything drawing him back to Middle-earth. He would have been afraid of breaking his heart, I reckon. The twins would go - and relish the experience ... probably. Once they are truly recovered from their last years in M-e. I don't reckon Aewlin and Nimloth will be asked back. Not until they are at least a century old and displaying much more sense of responsibility. Elrin, though, will, I am sure. And he found it a wondrous experience. I feel sorry for Earendil. Yes he can occasionally offer this splendid experience - but Celeborn raised his daughter and loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Earendil has had to watch from afar and none of his descendants really have a loving relationship with him. He seems so lonely. And so does Elwing.

Author's reply

Aewlin and Nimloth have the kind of certainty that I suspect Galadriel had as an elfling. And Aewlin has inherited double shares of foresight, I think. Nimloth's talents are a bit different. They don't show it at the moment much - and don't want to see it, either - but they will. In time.

Author's reply

It must be fun to sit back and watch! Eleniel and Galenthil aren't going to be quite as close as Elrohir's pair, I think - but that's fraternal as opposed to identical. I just watched a most fascinating TV programme on the dangers of carrying twins. A good thing that Elrond is such a skilled healer, I reckon!

Author's reply

When I was posting the last chapter, I noticed that the last one was last December! Where does the time go? Parents so rarely think to point out to kids that baby brothers and sisters come pretty small and helpless. And that you don't generally want older siblings to treat them like dolls. E2L are ready for parenthood, I think. An adventure to replace orc-slaying. And Elrin is a star. A typical oldest child of a group. Very responsible - but sweet and hard-working and genuine.

Author's reply

I hope your middle son outgrew his adolescence and grew up to be comfortable with himself. Although I suspect he didn't find himself through surfing waterfalls! Poor Surion - he is such a much-loved child, but I don't think cities are great places for kids trying their wings. Too many traps. Surion has shed a bit of his I'm-almost-grown-up-and-you're-kids dignity - and will be much happier for it. Oropher is relaxing in the deep woods at the moment. I'm sure he'll be back. And Aewlin and Nimloth are about due an appearance. Thank you, Linda. I'm glad you liked it.

Author's reply

And dude is elvish for ...? I'm sure most active kids are adrenaline junkies and this is better than a theme park! Eleniel is miffed that she isn't allowed to play, I think, but the ellyn don't want her around while they're skinny-dipping. Perhaps she needs to arrange a girls' day out - with Aewlin and Nimloth.

Author's reply

It's not a very big waterfall - but it still has potential to be dangerous. But what hasn't? (Well - I suppose there's not much risk sitting in the library researching old scrolls...) Surion is a bit nervous around water, but you're right - he had to do it. Or he would never have been able to show his face around the lads, however much the girls admired him. And seeing the younger elves do it has been good for him - how can he not be impressed? So he's shining their egos and they're appreciating him. They should get on much better now! I'm sure the older elves will have a go - I can't see them resisting it. And I'm sure the sons of Elrond don't hurt themselves every time they're near water. Probably!

Author's reply

I enjoy following the elflings - there is something very satisfying about the trials of young ones. Things that seem so important to them - and life lessons learned. Surion's parents needed to get him away - he was in a silly crowd of spoiled brats. He will be better in this pond.

Author's reply

I think Galadriel would be secretly highly entertained by the statement. But she wouldn't show it! They are very observant elflings - and the whole situation is rather obvious. Oropher's - well - not-quite-monologue almost took over here and I stuck there for a time wondering whether he ought to have his own showcase. (By the way, I've been stuck with an idea for something to do with Oropher around the time of the War of Wrath that might find itself getting some attention shortly.) Laerwen is the one person there who really understands how it feels to return to life - and probably the one person he would be prepared to listen to. What he really needs is someone - or several someones - to look after. I even researched fish eagles! And used some of the information to describe their behaviour, so that Oropher and Galenthil could have a really fun day. Galenthil is rather one-track-minded, though. For him, it's enough to spend time in the forest with its creatures - whereas the ellyth have more long-term schemes in mind. I think, since they have been in the Blessed Realm, the friction between Thranduil and Galadriel has become rather more of a game than true ill-feeling. Neither is prepared to back down and admit they are actually quite alike in some ways, so they continue to jab at each other - but everyone ignores it. Oropher means it - and Thranduil has found himself saying all those things he has been denying for years! Oh yes - I can see little, golden-haired Artanis deciding she wanted to be boss of the world. And then she would make her brothers do what she told them. She probably became a bit more sophisticated about it - and she does come from quite a competitive family. Galadriel, the original feminist. Equal rights for ellyth. (Tolkien's equality doesn't seem to put females in positions of power. They might be able to do the same jobs, but the top elves are mostly male. And they appear to have Salic law when it comes to inheriting thrones.) The 'little oyster' story just came - and I have to say I loved it. Thranduil will cringe. This must be one of the downsides to have multi-generational families! You are never allowed to forget the more embarrassing episodes in your life. Galadriel and Oropher have quite a lot in common, really, if only they could be persuaded to look for it. And admit their weaknesses. I'm so pleased you enjoyed this chapter. And Oropher is fighting to escape from Elflings and have his own series. Too many prima donnas!

Author's reply

If you were at a safe distance, I think it would be rather amusing. I think Celeborn finds it entertaining - but then he is a skilled warrior of endless experience, who knows that, at a pinch, he can get Galadriel to comply with his wishes. Oropher hasn't given enough time and thought to what return would be like, I think. Or maybe he thought about his son, but overlooked the political implications. Galadriel can cope with Oropher and provide him with some privacy - and she and Celeborn live the furthest west, where there are the fewest people to come and gawp at the returned king. A bit of elfling-like behaviour might do them good, too. Childhood is pretty universal - and often provides incidents you really don't want revealed to all and sundry. I have found myself wondering about Oropher's parents. I'm sure they have a story or two! Which Oropher would much rather not hear. (And Galadriel will have returned to Aman to hear about the time when she ...... I suspect there have been times when she has sorely missed being the eldest of the Noldor in Arda, when nobody could bring up embarrassing elfling stories.) The elflings have the best chance of arranging a truce. For one thing, they are too inexperienced to see the difficulties - and for another, their great grandparents are too fond of them to want to hurt them. Given a bit of time and forced friendliness, they might find that the things that have made them cross are actually not divisive. Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed this.

Author's reply

Thank you! Galadriel and Celeborn haven't yet revealed much about their first meeting. But you never know! Sometimes the most unexpected thoughts start off a whole series of ideas. And, come to that, the most unexpected people decide to appear in the depths of the night, demanding their say.

Author's reply

Thank you. I'm glad you were pleased to find it. Laerwen is the only one here to understand the insecurities of returning to the business of life, because she's the only one who has been there and done it. She is very connected to the forest, too, and will have used that connection to ground herself in the now. Oropher would do well to learn from her, but he is a very different character. There had to be some reason why Oropher had been take to visit Galadriel and Celeborn - and I think Galadriel would be better able than any other to ensure that others kept away and gave Oropher time to adjust. They live the furthest west, too, where the population is smallest. And the population that has gathered round them is mostly Galadhrim, who would be more inclined than Mirkwood elves to leave Oropher to have some privacy. Galadriel would have been more than happy not to argue - although that wouldn't stop her getting her back up when Oropher persisted in treating her as if she was the enemy - but Oropher is really not yet recovered emotionally, whatever he might think. His love for Eleniel - and the simple inexperience of the elflings in general - is what made him able to decide to put his resentment aside and behave as if the past is past. Oropher thinks that maybe his wife has chosen not to join him. I don't know that he is right - I think that his need is likely to draw her, insofar as returning is in the hands of those in the Halls. And if Oropher thinks that putting insects down Galadriel's back would make her squeal, he really doesn't understand her very well yet - and his respect for her might well grow as he learns the hidden hoyden behind the flawless image. I don't think it would be bliss returning to life in the Blessed Realm. I reckon it would be very complex - with moment of intense joy to counter the problems. Maybe if all there had returned from the Halls, it would be different, but there are at least four types of elves all living cheek by jowl: elves from the journey, elves born and always living in Aman, those who have sailed and those who have returned from death. And, come to think of it, group 2 elves who went to fight in the War of Wrath. Then, as well, they divide up into all the different Houses and sub-Houses: Vanyar, Noldor, Teleri, Sindar, Lindar, Lasgalen, Lothlorien, Edhellond, Mithlond, Doriath, Gondolin. The place is a hotbed! With potential for all kinds of problems! I'm glad you mentioned the pebbles! Elflings need little guidance - I believe! These are impetuous, headstrong at times, dive into things they don't fully understand, but they are good-hearted kids with great parents and loving extended families. Aewlin and Nimloth were a little cut off from others by their closeness, but they are out-growing it and becoming the kind of kids you would expect of their parents' children. They make mistakes, but they aren't going to turn into monsters! I hadn't thought before how the Taryatur and Legolas dislike must be affecting the children - but the atmosphere must have got through to observant elflings. Taryatur and Oropher. That could be an interesting meeting. Legolas might decide to run, though. It would be like being in the way of a volcano. And I've just had all sorts of interesting thoughts about them. Will it turn into more? Only time will tell!

Author's reply

It is rather mind-numbing when they are all together. Most of the episodes break them up into smaller groups now, but I quite agree the general relationship terms can get muddling. It's like when you are in a shopping mall and a kid cries 'Mom' and half the people turn round. But what else can they call them? Thranduil and Galadriel enjoy arguing with each other - and I think the elflings have realised that there isn't any vindictiveness behind their squabbles - it's just how they are. Even Celeborn only casts up his eyes and ignores them. But Oropher hadn't had the chance to move on - and his hostility was meant. But the elflings managed to make a crack in the attitude - and they will do things for their great grandchildren that they wouldn't do for themselves. They can take the time to move beyond the past. Of course, giggling over the past is highly amusing. And, if Mrs Oropher turns up, he might learn that things weren't always the way he thought they were anyway!

Author's reply

Thank you. Eleniel hasn't featured as much as the other elflings and I wanted her to be the focus of this one. She is very calm and reasonable and sweet-natured, so she tends to take a bit of a back seat and be out-shone by Elrohir's naughty twins. Elerrina is very fond of Thranduil, but she has been brought up to abide by convention - and, to a degree, I think she holds on to some of it as self-defence. She has made a lot of changes as part of marrying a Wood-elf, but she doesn't want to reject her family and her past. If only her parents and Legolas could get past their hostility, she might find it easier to relax, but I think she finds it very hard. And some of her expectations are so deeply engrained - that is just what you do. They can be the hardest assumptions of all to change. I can imagine the solemn-eyed advisors suggesting to Oropher that he was rushing his return and needed to talk, while he curled his lip and rushed in - only to find that they were right. Thranduil and Galadriel tend to squabble - but I think it's mainly for entertainment these days - and they have a long history that Oropher can't understand. Yet. But he will learn if he is to settle into the Blessed Realm. Physical contact is so important. And only possible, at that uncomplicated level, with the very young. I'm sure Eleniel doesn't think of herself being that young, but she is happy to provide simple touch and uncomplicated love - which is probably far more healing than decades of counselling.