ana · 8 March 2011 · Chapter 4: Departure
God, I loved this. All the character voices were so real and poignant.
Partings by Bodkin
Reviews (32)
Vi Janaway · 9 November 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
There may come a time when I will not tear up as I read a story like this. but that time is not with these chapters... So well done There is seldom a good time for goodbyes.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. Goodbyes are so hard - and knowing they are coming just extends the pain. In some ways, the short notice that Sam, Frodo and Merry had was probably better - although they may have felt that they didn't have long enough for their farewells. And, too many of these people saying their goodbyes had no reunions to anticipate.
SharonB · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
Okay, I sniffled through this one. A good ending, no one really wanted to go but they needed to. And, LOL, "Meriadoc Brandybuck appeared to possess more common sense in his curly head than three ages of elves, many of whom had taken personal word of friends and family, but had never, as far as he knew, thought to treat the grey ships as a postal service." If I remember one fo your other stories, Celeborn took over that same idea and sent letters along to Galadriel. That one knows a good idea when he sees it and runs with it, no wonder he is the wise! Although I like her name for her husband ... "impetuous Lord of Trees".
Author's reply
The thing about the West is the irrevocable nature of the decision to go. No-one would have felt nearly so bad if they could have popped back to visit in a decade or two. Merry always seems to have a practical edge that is good at seeing two points and drawing a line between them. I hope Frodo is allowed to receive mail - maybe they'll make an exception for him. Yes - in Letters from Home, Celeborn sent letters, but they went with those who were sailing rather than just being delivered to the ships. I'll bet he'll try that, though. I'm glad you liked it.
Bejai · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
Y'know, you are so good at this! Have I mentioned recently how much I like your work? And how awed I am at how fast you are at getting it out? Celeborn's thoughts about Celebrimbor were wonderful. Angry at an elf who has been dead for more than an age! And the he talks himself down with this: "he could not help being the idiot descendant of an obsessive line, born to be destroyed by jewels and curses and dooms" Ha! The hobbits were wonderful, still merry despite the sadness. And the partings! Just beautifully done.
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm flattered. This just flowed - and didn't need a great deal of background checking. I'm much more awed at people who tackle the complexities of fitting stories into the context of the previous ages. I don't think Celeborn was very keen on the outcomes of the production of the rings! And I imagine elves could probably still be angry with elves who haven't been around since the beginning of time - although they'd try not to be. I like hobbits. And being mortals, they seem to try harder to look for the light side. But the partings are so sad.
Marnie · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
Hm, and yet I don't know, for all its sadness it seems very *fitting*, if you see what I mean. The Hobbits really helped to lift this chapter, which could have been too sad to bear. I loved Merry thinking of the Postal Service, and Gandalf with his pipeweed seeds. Poor Elrond and Galadriel do seem shattered and fragile. I really liked the way you showed that with the translucence - like Frodo has when he's recovering from the Morgul blade. I loved the little glimpse of Celeborn's fatherly care for Elrond - not something you often see, and yet he *is* his father-in-law, and boy! Elrond needed a hug from someone then! A very right ending. Tragic, but right. And a lovely story. I recommend writing 'Reunions' now though - cos otherwise you'll just be depressed for weeks ;)
Author's reply
You're right - I'm thinking of Reunions - although there's another thing that I started a while ago that I'm thinking of doing first . . . I just need to know a bit more about the middle of the Third Age. Gandalf seems to be dealing with the Ring effect better than Elrond and Galadriel - but that could be partly because of his Maiar (does that have an 'r' or not?) status and partly because he hadn't spent long centuries maintaining an Elven haven with it. Celeborn is about the closest thing that Elrond has had to a father since Gil-Galad was killed. (I suppose there's Cirdan - but he doesn't seem to be that close.) I'm glad he was able to put his own misery to one side and comfort Elrond. When I first read Lord of the Rings (donkey's years ago), the sadness and many threadedness of the ending distressed me rather - but it has much greater potential for the imagination. I'm glad you liked it.
Marnie · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
Funny, isn't it, that in all the talk about Elrond's parting with Arwen his other children get forgotten. Yet it must have been almost worse with them, going and not knowing what they would chose. I hadn't thought about it, but you're right, Elrond and Rivendell too must have been damaged as Lorien was. This is too sad! Waa! Talk about an unhappy ending :)
Author's reply
There's not really much about Elrohir and Elladan in the books (as far as I know), and they certainly didn't merit an appendix. I suppose that at least Elrond knew that he wouldn't see Arwen again, but with the twins he didn't know whether to hope or not. I don't think he would have had much hope - most things went bad for him in the end. There wasn't any fighting to damage Rivendell, I think, but the failure of the rings must have let time in. Though I tend to think Elrond's use of Vilya was more subtle then Galadriel's use of Nenya, it must have come as a terrible shock to the twins to see their home and adar fading. Wallowing in sadness.
Marnie · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
Goodness! How do you manage to write so fast? I can't keep up with you! This was a lovely chapter. I suppose it doesn't take much guessing to realize this was my favourite bit: He looked down from the wall contemplating this land of men, tall, his silver hair lustrous in the sunlight, an imposing figure, like a hero of legend, bright and pure and deadly, his eyes filled with the experience of the ages. Beside him stood his granddaughter, slighter, as dark as he was fair, but beautiful as a star-kissed night, her hair studded with sparkling jewels, gowned in blue silk the shade of the sky just after sunset. Because I loved Arwen and Celeborn's chat. I was really pleased that she got her due as being someone who had been raised to rule a realm. I think you're right, it'll be Arwen who pulls the kingdom together and teaches Aragorn how to be king. So many partings! I'm glad that Elrond and Aragorn didn't end up estranged, as could so easily have happened. This really brought home to me what a terrible period, personally, it was for the elves - the cost of the victory for them. Fascinating!
Author's reply
No, I'm not altogether surprised that you liked that bit! Despite his time as Thorongil, I don't really think Aragorn was terribly well prepared for the nitty-gritty of being a king - he spent too much timing running around in the wild on his own far too far from bathing facilities. And even as a fighter - he had directed smaller groups of fighters that responded to events, rather than directing armies and considering overall strategy. I think that, about two to five years in to being king, Aragorn might well have gone through some dreadful personal crisis when he realised how dependent he was on Arwen and Faramir - and how much he hated the monotony of sitting in Council and listening to petitions. I don't think Elrond would have wanted to leave them in bitterness, no matter how sad he was - and that he probably had a better idea of just how fated this had been. It's one of the things that makes Lord of the Rings so interesting to play with - nothing is simplistic, it's all multi-layered - every happy outcome spawns misery for someone.
daw the minstrel · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
Oh, that was lovely! Beautifully written, moving without being sentimental, just lovely.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it. It just flowed from the pen . . . well, clicked on the keyboard. Whatever. I think they'll all feel a little better once the train has pulled out of the station. Elrond is right - goodbyes are dreadful.
elliska · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
These are characters and events that everyone who reads Tolkien knows very well and had thought about and created their own visions of, since Tolkien left us so many things to wonder about. We all have our own images in our heads for how this went. This subject--the departure of the Ring Bearers--has always been, for me, one of the most poignant (possibly the most) in all of Tolkien's world because it means so much to so many characters. Every reader's expectations for this event would be different but I must say, you have captured and portrayed mine to the letter. Of all the stories I've read about this event, this is by far the one I've liked the most. I love Elrond in this--it would be so hard for him to hope having seen so many of his hopes destroyed and so much of his world lost. I loved that the twins promised to sail at the last moment. I love the hobbits and Gandalf--the letters and the pipe weed. Too perfect. And poor Celeborn and Galadriel. Taking that last step off the shores of Middle Earth. Wow! And the image of Arwen and Aragorn in Minas Tirith. Powerful. They would be able to feel the change in the world, wouldn't they. I absolutely loved this. Thank you for writing it.
Author's reply
Goodness - thank you. Such a compliment. I know when I first read Lord of the Rings about a hundred years ago when I was young, I rather wished that Tolkien had ended it at the coronation in Minas Tirith - you know a HAPPY ENDING. But then he took it on into the Shire and the long term emotional and physical damage leading to the journey to the West, and it seemed to leave so many trailing ends - and all of them sad. The more I think about Elrond, the more I feel for him - so much rotten stuff happened to him. I feel that Elrohir wanted to sail, but it took this emotional crisis to get Elladan to promise. There is a possibility of a lot of reunions for Elrond in Valinor - I wonder what he thinks of that? Ah, hobbits. I like hobbits - and Gandalf come to that. They have a quite different tone. And I like to think that letters to Frodo would be permitted, even if others aren't, because he's special. (Sam could send him some pipe weed seed of his own.) Poor C and G indeed. They know they can be reunited - but it's in Celeborn's hands, and I don't think Galadriel is too keen on letting others take charge. I think A and A would know. And their world would become a little bit more desolate and colder. I am glad you liked it.
Jay of Lasgalen · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Departure
Another sad chapter! But what can I expect from a story entitled 'Partings' and a chapter called 'Departures'? The final thoughts of all here were so sad, and for most of them, hopeless. Elrond's loss of hope - that Celebrian would not be waiting, that his sons would never join him - was very poignant. He has lost all those he loved, why not his sons as well? Celeborn's response was just right and lifted the angst a little. Jay
Author's reply
I think perhaps a companion story is called for - which is rather more cheerful. 'Reunions' perhaps. This is just such a sad time, though - where, even when you know what is going to happen, you can't help the tears stinging - whether viewing or reading. Frodo has, I suppose a faint hope that somewhere in the distant future, Sam might come - but he knows he will never see Merry and Pippin again in this life; Elrond knows he won't see Arwen or Estel and just doesn't know about any of his family; Galadriel and Celeborn don't know when or if he will sail. Tolkien really didn't give an easy happy ending. Of course, that is what makes it so intriguing. This actually changed in writing - it started much more Galadriel / Celeborn -centric and did move on to the Blessed Realm, but once it focused on the partings, it really had to stop here. Sorry if I've depressed you so early in the day.
Ellie · 20 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
That was beautiful. Very well handled. Elrond does seem so thin and frail and the twins still seem so strong and hale. Good job!
Author's reply
Thank you. The effect of the failure of the Elven Rings seemed to me to loosen Elrond's contact with Middle Earth - and I think he is pained emotionally at the coming parting from his children and feels he is betraying them by leaving. More emotional agony coming.
SharonB · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
Poor Elrond ceratinly does feel he is deserting his children. But the twins are right, it is time for him to heal and renew himself with their naneth. And it makes sense that Glorfindel would stay as long as the twins do. And where would he be without Erestor to needle both him and the twins. Ah, Celeborn will have quite a group to marshall along when they leave to sail west. And yes, the flavor of Forever Autumn does also fits the theme of this story. I can imagine that is the way Elrond has been feeling since Celebrian left and now the way the Celeborn will feel until he lives ..... "my life will be forever autumn without you". But I do wish I could have been a fly on the wall for the talk between Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor when they talked about staying or sailing.
Author's reply
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, Elrond was a trebly abandoned child himself - Earendil, then Elwing, then Maglor - and lost his twin and his surrogate father when Elros chose to be a man and then Gil-Galad died. (Not to mention the later loss of Celebrian.) I think he would have vowed to himself that nothing would make him desert his children - and he would have looked on this as abandonment, especially as Arwen could never sail to join him in the Blessed Realm. In one of my very first stories I have Erestor finally sailing when Imladris is abandoned and the few remaining elves retrench to Lasgalen, which, having been shielded by the efforts of the elves rather than magic rings, I think lasted longer, and Celeborn, the twins, Glorfindel and Thranduil being among the very last to sail. I'm not sure Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor would have needed to talk much about what they were intending to do. I think it would have been clear to them - and possibly decided with no more than a word or two, a look and a touch. Sometimes big decisions are much easier to make than little ones. Yes, the Third Age - the long autumn of the elves, fading into the winter of the Fourth Age.
Jay of Lasgalen · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
What a very sad homecoming for the twins, to see Imladris fading, susceptible to the winter and to time, and their father so diminished. Elrond is wise not to push them into their choice but to allow them to come to the decision gradually. I agree that they would both be Lords of Imladris - they would complement one another perfectly. Jay
Author's reply
They have been delaying their return for fear of what they will find - and unfortunately it's even worse than they thought. Elrond is wise. Nevertheless, I think he could do with a bit of good news - I think he would have wanted to stay, and probably promised himself long ago that he would never leave his children, but now he is leaving and, worse, he has no guarantee that he will ever see any of them again. Elrohir and Elladan do complement each other - they are the kind of twins who can perform a task together without actually discussing who does what.
daw the minstrel · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
‘You will want to change into dry clothes,’ Erestor told them, lifting an eyebrow at the drips they were leaving on the floor. ‘And a bath would not come amiss.’ Apparently some things never change, despite the ring's loss of its power. You are very good at these vivid character-driven moments, Bodkin. And I liked the fact that you explained why Elrond could not stay for his children.
Author's reply
No, thank goodness. There are some constants in the world. Life, love and laundry. I think Elrond would have felt terrible about having to leave - I suspect he decided long ago that he would never abandon them as he had been abandoned - and now he is. Thank you. I'm blushing.
grumpy · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
such a good chapter, I needed lots of kleenex's for this one. Celeborn and Galadriel are such wise elves. So glad that Aragorn and Elrond talked. They needed to clear the air. loved the conversations between Celeborn and Arwin, and Galadriel telling Aragorn that it could have been Arwin taking care of him when he was young. looking forward to the next chapter
Author's reply
I think it must have been quite difficult for Arwen to deal with Aragorn's feelings of guilt - and he probably kept his distance from Elrond because he felt bad about what their marriage would do to him, which would have made Elrond feel even worse. (I think growing up with Arwen as a substitute mother and knowing that she had changed his dirty bottom and scrubbed his teeth and combed the tangles from his hair would have been a real passion killer.) This is such a sad division, because they have no hope of reconciliation while the world lasts.
elliska · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
I burst out laughing at the 'a bath would not come amiss' comment. That dry wit fits my view of Erestor perfectly. But I cried through the rest of it. Of all the things that would be hard for the twins to see, I think seeing Imladris entering the unprotected world would be the hardest. Amongst all the hardships they must have seen, they could always go home to the strength of their realm and their adar. Knowing they no longer can would be an eye opening blow. Very powerful. Great job.
Author's reply
I like Erestor. Though I think he is feeling the strain of this time, too. The twins must have known intellectually what could be happening in Imladris - they had visited Lothlorien - but it's not the same as actually being there. I think they have been avoiding returning home, because they dread what they will find. And they don't want Elrond putting pressure on them to sail. Elrond feels he is betraying his children, I think. His father left him and I feel he has always sworn to himself that nothing would make him desert his children - and now he is. It must have made his departure even harder. Glad you liked it.
rikki · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 3: Separation
Ah, thank you. I know that Tolkien never made a list of who went overseas and who didn't, but I have always hoped that the twins, Glorfindel, Erestor and Celeborn did finally sail after all their sacrifices and hard work. I think this is your sadest chapter. Through your description of winter you have shown time is marching on at an even faster pace for the Elves who have had a long springtime and summer of immortality to enjoy. Imladris is shrouded in ice. Elrond and Galandriel are shadows of themselves and passing on to the West. It is the end of an age of Elves. "If ever we needed proof that the Age of the Elves is past, my brother, then it has been provided to us." I don't know why but I am reminded of the movie Dr. Zhavago (tells you how old I am!) and the scene where Lara and Yuri go to the summer palace and it is draped in ice. Not as severe here, but definitely an end to an era. I could go on for pages, but I am going to be late getting to work as it is. If I am responsible for this, then I am happy while there is no definite ending, there is hope.
Author's reply
In my mind all of them sailed - in the end. I think they stayed, at least partly for Arwen, and after she, Estel and their children passed, they had less reason to want to stay. And as the world changed and became more man-centric, they would have longed for the reunions they could have. It is sad to see the refuge of Imladris fading and time coming in to destroy it, but in some ways I find the division of Arwen and Aragorn from the elves to be the saddest, because there is no prospect of a reunion for them. I feel for Elrond here - he had such a rotten life in many ways - everybody who could leave him, did - he was abandoned as a child, his wife was injured beyond his ability to heal, his daughter chose mortality and his sons wouldn't make up their minds. I think he would have vowed to himself that he would never leave them, that he would always be there to support them through whatever they did - and now he is forced to go and leave them behind. I think he would have looked on it as a betrayal of his children. And you are responsible for this one!
SharonB · 18 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
Ah, even moe ... this is still great. I'm glad that Galadriel seems more at peace with her decision. But every body feels bad because not everyone they love will go with them or stay with them. In some cases cannot stay ... G & E that is. It's true that both Aragorn adn Arwen are outsiders to Gondor and how right you are that Aragorn may chafe under the protocol of Gondor. Wise indeed is Celeborn to tell Arwen for then to spek to each other of all things so they can suppor each other and find thier place leading the White City. I'm glad you like the analogy of lyrics I quoted for chapter 1. If you are interested it's the first song off an album called Strange Times the Moodies put out in 1999. The theme of the album was about time and change and the coming milleninum. So it does sort of relate to the idea of Partings since it is the change of the 3rd to the 4th age. If you think there are more pieces to this story please do finish them up and post them. Thank you.
Author's reply
I think Galadriel is good at hiding how she feels - except from Celeborn - and she is working at easing the parting for A&A and Elrond. The more you think about this aspect of their separation, the more horrible it is. Arwen has been trained by her mother and Galadriel to be not just a lady but a Lady - she knows how to run households / realms, even though they are of the elven variety, and I think she would pick up the traditions of Gondor quite quickly. She knows who to listen to and how to delegate. Aragorn could, I think, be absolutely hopeless at it. He has always done everything himself, either on his own or with a small group of companions. Once the drama of battle and coronation is over (and the reward - the wedding), he is going to find the day to day business of kingship terminally dull. And he will hate being chased around by people all wanting to do things for him - and wanting him to grant honours, lands, trade concessions etc to them. He will need Arwen and Faramir to help him cope. And probably lots of very fast gallops away from the city so he can breathe fresh air. Thanks for the information about the album - I'll look for it. I like an old song called 'Forever Autumn' which is, I think, Justin Hayward. I was going to move to the grey ship next - but Rikki said that the twins should have their own section - which immediately got my mind going, so they will be next. This started with a simple cast of two and it is growing enormously!
Ellie · 17 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
"His princess, his Evenstar, his Luthien, his hostage to fate, his gift to the new age... ...tall, his silver hair lustrous in the sunlight, an imposing figure, like a hero of legend, bright and pure and deadly, his eyes filled with the experience of the ages. " Such brilliant descriptions. Wow! Excellent job. I love the closure you give to Elrond, Arwen, and Aragorn. Very well done.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm really happy you like the descriptions. I like to think that Elrond, Arwen and Aragorn managed to come to an understanding that there was no happy ending that would suit everyone - and that they needed to accept each other's choices and make the best of a happiness that would come with grief attached.
rikki · 17 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
Wow! What a lovely but bittersweet story. I love reading all your stories, your ability to paint a broad landscape with just a simple description or thought is always enjoyable. It seems that everyone has accepted what they can not change and yet the final sharing words have not been spoken. It was a loving goodbye present that Galandriel gave to Arwen by talking to Aragorn - making him see that Elrond had never stopped loving him and Arwen because of their choices. The bittersweet part for me was the last paragraph where Elrond sees he must talk to Arwen. "She needed to know he understood. Although Estel had not been able to put it into words, she needed to know that he loved her, that he accepted her decision and that he would let her go. He could do that. He must. If he had to sail to join her naneth, leaving their daughter to die a mortal death, the least he could do was to leave Arwen secure in the knowledge that the bonds of love would hold them beyond time and distance until the final day when the world would be remade and they would be reunited." I do hope that you have at least one more chapter to add to this as the only two family members you have not included are the twins.
Author's reply
Thank you. I think they all needed to acknowledge that they accepted each other's decision - everyone is rather inclined only to see their own sides. Aragorn was so immersed in his own guilt that he couldn't see that Elrond, too, felt guilty. I hadn't thought about doing a special twins' chapter, but now you come to mention it. . . - that makes you responsible for chapter 3!
elliska · 17 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
Wow! You have done it again. There are a lot of 'last moments of Arwen and Elrond' stories out there and many of them are very good. But this is incredible. I read most of these because they always touch me. I don't remember many that included all the possible elements--Celeborn and Galadriel along with Elrond dealing with Aragorn too. You captured every angle of this--how each person was affected by that one simple personal choice and exactly how they must have seen it and reacted to it. I absolutely love it. Such a tragic decision but, as you showed, one destined to lay a smooth path for the Age of Men. Arwen Peredhel and Aragorn the Dunedian would have needed each other's strengths to lead Gondor successfully I think. Celeborn would understand their love having seen Luthien and would probably have seen the importance of their union given his years of wisdom. As would Elrond and Galadriel. But it would still be such a wrenching decision that would produce all the emotions you describe. Such a good analysis and portrayal of it. I just loved this. Please continue this if this is what we can expect!
Author's reply
Goodness - thank you. It's an impossible situation really - especially because of the different fates of the mortal and immortal. Yes, I don't think seventy odd years as a Ranger, even with part of it as Thorongil, is a terribly good preparation for a century of being king of a very formal society. Arwen (and Faramir) would have been essential to see him through the early years. I hadn't really thought much about the Luthien angle until Marnie's latest piece, but, having seen that blow up into disaster, Celeborn would have a very strong reason to do his best to support Arwen. There's probably more - though less painful, since most of the others can expect to be reunited.
daw the minstrel · 17 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
This was lovely, Bodkin, especially the ending. I loved Elrond thinking of Arwen as his gift to the new age. How fortunate that Galadriel and Celeborn were able to help these two reconcile with Elrond.
Author's reply
Thank you. I can't help but feel that Galadriel and Elrond knew what would happen - and they had a good while to accustom themselves to the situation. I can see Aragorn chockful of guilt about dividing Arwen from her family, but I feel that Elrond also felt guilty for leaving when he did. They needed to acknowledge each other's pain - or Arwen would have felt torn between them. It's an impossible situation really.
Jay of Lasgalen · 17 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Division
What a lovely tale to read on a Sunday morning, Bodkin! Very bittersweet. The sadness from all is so perfectly explained, but also the inevitability of Arwen loving Aragorn. I loved Galadriel's idea for preventing it - Few men fall in love with those who have changed them when they were wet and insisted that they ate their greens. I also liked Arwen's request that Celeborn take E2 with him when he eventually sailed - which, of course, we know he managed. Jay
Author's reply
Thank you! I do think that if Arwen had been responsible for raising Aragorn, their love would have been less likely - it's a bit hard to get sentimental over grubby little boys putting tadpoles in your water and frogs in your bed. And those boys probably aren't likely to go google-eyed over someone (even a beautiful elven lady) who has scrubbed the dirt from their faces and nagged at them for ripping their clothes. Those final years must have been very painful for all concerned, especially for those who couldn't comfort themselves with the knowledge that they would meet again. And of course Celeborn took the twins - anyone capable of managing Galadriel could manage the sons of Elrond!
elliska · 16 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Parting
This definitely worked. I love your Celeborn and Galadriel. I hope you add the other parts you mentioned. "...if you would like to see it..." Too funny! Can't you just see that conversation! And the imagery all through this is great. I liked the comparison of C and G to the Two Trees in the beginning and it just got better from there. Great job!
Author's reply
I'm glad you think it worked. I like to picture Celeborn tormenting Galadriel - I think he must have driven her mad until she learned not to react to his teasing. (You would think, with a heap of older brothers, she would be used to teasing, but I picture her as rather a spoilt little sister.) Next bit has rather more conversation than imagery, I think. See what you think of it!
Marnie · 16 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Parting
I don't think it's cliche'd. When you come down to it, all stories have been told before, what sets a good one apart from the others is its execution. And this one is beautifully done and works, emotionally and in terms of the sheer pleasure of reading it. Thumbs up all around!
Author's reply
Thank you. You've just made me feel really good. This seems to be growing at the moment - a really nice bit occurred to me when I was on the verge of sleep, and surprisingly I remembered it when I woke, so there might me another chapter or two.