Reviews (174)

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But do they have all the goods? Was Galadriel playing her cards close to her chest? Did she lose one trick to gain the hand? (All card-playing metaphors dodgy, since I don't play.) Glorfindel might be worrying about the possible revelation of matters much more serious than thumb-sucking! But what he is going to do about it all . . . remains to be seen. He has a very devious streak beneath his obvious perfection - but whether he will employ it. Maybe the twins have given him the way to take the perfect revenge. This has been such fun. I'm almost sorry there's only one more part!

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Well, if they tell too many people, knowing the stories will lose their effect. Maybe Elrohir will allow a controlled release of certain snippets. The thumb-sucking, maybe. A reference here or there to Glorfindel's first horse called Asfaloth. A few judicious sniffs and glances. But the foreshadowing dreams are the sort of thing that would touch their hearts and soften their desire to retaliate - so maybe they won't make Glorfindel suffer for too long. Last part coming! This is turning into the second longest one-part story ever! Author Reply: By the way - the Adventure in the Water changed to feature Wallowing in Pig Products. Probably even more cringe-making for the impeccable elf!

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You liked the line? The twins are pleased. And they have discovered that revenge doesn't have to be pro-active. A few knowing grins and they have the Balrog-slayer twitching. Sirithiel would have had Elrohir's ears if he had deliberately included Nimloth in his game. As it is, she and Miriwen are doing a bit of looking up and sighing over it. But Nimloth - and Aewlin, who can be even more devious - are learning. Perhaps their Adars should bear that in mind! The foreshadowing dreams are probably enough to soften the twins' hearts. But the thumb-sucking! And the pig-dung! They feel entitled to a little enjoyment. And you are quite right - Glorfindel is only vulnerable here because he has kept all knowledge of his past hidden to enhance his super-shiny exterior. The twins are known to be flawed and happily admit to having made mistakes - some of them huge - and even their children have some knowledge of their follies. Thank you. One more part!

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It must sometimes be difficult to be the offspring of Elrond and Celebrian's houses - you must feel that you can never measure up to your ancestors. And then the twins abandoned diplomacy and went off orc-slaying as rather unsubtle warriors. But they have potential! (Much like Nimloth.) Thank you. One more part!

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Not the nightmares about Balrogs and Ice - but the lap-sitting and thumb-sucking, maybe. And his own version of Khuzdul cursing. And the shiny Glorfindel would just hate to be reminded of the smell of pig dung. Glorfindel has been picked on as the official victim of the twins' revenge - but Galadriel has had a hand in this, so I hope she has decided to limit the information to the fairly innocuous. Thank you. Last part coming!

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So simple. So hard to counter. How can you argue against a smile? Poor Glorfindel is feeling most uncomfortable. I'm glad you liked it. Happy birthday to daughter. And good that Gimli will be back soon.

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And the twins, like Glorfindel are soft-hearted when it comes to ellyth. Even ellyth as dangerous as their daernaneth. I can't imagine that the Khuzdul mix-up crossed their minds more often than once every couple of centuries - it could easily get overlooked! And wangling assistance from Daernaneth to catch Glorfindel out - worth more than forgiving this oversight!

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Glorfindel has a good sense of self-preservation. And distance is one way of keeping safe! Galadriel has been put in the situation of answering a request she cannot refuse. But you can't get much wilier than she is!

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Apprehension can be the very best revenge of all. I wonder how long they could smile before Glorfindel cracked? And getting him to demand that they tell him what they know could be the best revenge of all - demonstrating that they are now players in the game. Names are bad - even passing characters that you can't just call that elf any more, but it's so tempting just to call the new realms by the names of the old - but I'm sure they wouldn't be that unoriginal. Occasionally you get a name that just seems right from the moment it occurs to you. Aewlin worked for me - and Thranduil's as yet unborn, unnamed daughter's name. Others took ages to settle in. I had to look up Elrohir's wife's name for months, because I just couldn't remember it. Two more!

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Unknown threats - far more torment than facing up to your fears! Perhaps there are enough shady moments in Glorfindel's past to get him really worried. Perhaps it doesn't really matter what E2 know - as long as Glorfindel has his own concerns. He might even be relieved when he hears the stories. Thank you. Two more parts - and I'm drawing a line under it before it gets too far away from the core plot point.

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Two more parts. Then this one chapter spin-off from one of the Reflections will have to end. It risks becoming as long as that if it doesn't wind up soon. Of course, spin-offs from the spin-offs are always possible! Will the twins manage to torture Glorfindel? Will Galadriel release controlled information from the elven CIA? Will Glorfindel retaliate? Answers soon! (How's Gimli doing?)

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Oh, brilliant. A story on its own. And so, so likely. Elrin is a nice kid - but you are so right. Just let the twinlets spot how this game is played and they'll be in there. And Elladan and Elrohir wouldn't even see their destiny approaching until it tapped them on the shoulder. When you come to think of it, if Galadriel and Elrond, plus Celeborn and Celebrian are allowing Glorfindel to take the fall on this, there's no reason why he can't release a bit of controlled information. I just love the way you have expressed this - all of it - but somehow the bit that curls my toes with delight is 'King Finarfin suggested she speak softly lest her own childhood haunt her.' It stirs up such wonderful images. There are two more bits of this coming - and then I think this will stop. Not, of course, that that precludes something else starting! Thank you, Glorfindel, for revealing that the secrets of that evening!

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Poor Glorfindel. I think the twins just smiling at him is probably the wickedest revenge they could take. He will just get more and more wound up, wondering what Galadriel and the twins have done to him! Only two more bits to go!

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Thank you! Glorfindel is just soooo smooth and in control. You can't help rubbing your hands just a bit at the thought of his pedestal wobbling slightly. And he might be ancient and wily - but Galadriel is older and wilier still. Where she is concerned, too, Glorfindel is handicapped by his old-fashioned gentle-elfly prejudice against attacking ellyth. Only two more parts to go!

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A lift from Earendil - that's a great idea! And a parachute for the vertical bit at the end of the journey. Or on the other hand . . . I don't think Galadriel - or Celebrian - would let the twins be too cruel to Glorfindel. They just need a bit of fun to re-establish their self-confidence. And tweak Glorfindel's tail. Elrond will put his foot down. In the end. Maybe.

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That's a good one. I was tempted just to repeat the Hall of Fire - but hopefully even elves wouldn't want to be that stick in the mud. Their new realms need names, too, really. They surely wouldn't just call them New Imladris, New Lothlorien and New Lasgalen. It would be terribly unimaginative. But on the other hand, I can picture them taking several centuries to settle on a name. (No bother that delaying too long would mean that the Post Office won't know where to deliver the letters.) They'd have to get it right.

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Now, if the twins just realise that they don't need a plan - they just need to keep Glorfindel fretting that their scheme is still secret! Clever - and difficult to respond to. Nimloth? Would Elrohir do that? One thing I can promise you. There will be no turnips harmed in the execution of this plot.

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I think the anticipation will be the worst for Glorfindel. And he must know that Galadriel is in the position to do him the most harm - if she wants to. She's even older and wilier than he is. And he is handicapped in retaliating to anything she does, because he has old-fashioned Southern gentleman characteristics. Glorfindel was there for the twins raising - and was closely involved in training them and setting them on the path to warriorhood. He is their Captain, I suppose, even though they have long since been in authority themselves. And they - well, everybody - respond to his presence. It is difficult naming some things - sometimes you just don't feel entitled to do it - and other times it's just plain impossible to come up with something good. I've just realised that those new realms of theirs need names more imaginative than New Imladris or the New Hall of Fire. And it's hard enough naming people! (Although sometimes a name just feels right straight from the beginning. Like Thranduil's daughter. If she ever gets round to being born.) Two more bits and I'm stopping this!

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The aftermath won't splash too many in this tale - only two more bits to go. Although I never know when spin-offs will strike! But not knowing what is going on is undoubtedly far more worrying for Glorfindel than actually confronting one of the twins' convoluted schemes. Perhaps they are growing sneakier as they get older. (And Daernaneth's assistance should help!) Thank you.

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Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm not sure how many of Glorfindel's less glorious moments will be revealed. Probably not many. He is after all, so he tells me, the Perfect Elf. More tomorrow.

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Well, if anyone can wangle Galadriel's co-operation, it should be her grandsons. And perhaps she might be able to convince them to be subtle rather than headstrong. Glorfindel really is the only 'elder' they would feel able to challenge. I hope they manage to make an impression - but he is wily as a fox (and proud of it). He won't let them get him if he can help it. Two more bits coming soon!

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It's a dangerous game, but if they've got Galadriel playing on their team they might just get away with something. Maybe. For a while. If he lets them. We'll have to see what happens. (Although this has GOT to stop soon before it drives everyone insane!)

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It was such a dreadful time for all of them - but it's in the past now. And it's not as if the twins went round yelling ridiculous statements in Khuzdul all the time! So probably no-one thought about it for whole centuries at a time! Glorfindel really is the only member of the group of elders available for retaliation. Trying to get him will be dangerous, but probably not lethal. And they've got Galadriel batting for them. But I don't think they've got what it takes to hook the golden elf's feet from under him. Not unless he lets them.

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They are her grandsons - and if she can be won over by anyone, it's probably them. And Galadriel might just decide they're entitled to a little payback. But will she keep Glorfindel from retaliating? It remains to be seen!

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Galadriel might just be convinced that they deserve to have the upper hand - for a while. I wonder just what she will consider suitable information, though? And how Glorfindel will take her betrayal?