Glistening by Ellie
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 7: Elrohir
Yes, indeed a different glistening for each generation. Lovely, Ellie. Thanks for the series.
Author's reply
I had so much fun writing this and looking for this one common thread which didn't occur anywhere else in Tolkien's world. I also had fun writing about characters I'd never really explored much before. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 6: Elladan
The dread legacy of Sauron's perfidy done through the orcs on his mother. Alas, son of Elrond; you have a long time to grieve ere you find another mistress.
Author's reply
He does have a long time indeed. I love the last line of your review. It really says it all. Thanks for taking the time to read and review!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 5: Elrond
A different responsibility he takes upon himself, and now there is the watching and warding to perform, to see life yet remains in spite of what the Enemy has done or may think to do in the future.
Author's reply
Elrond's choice after the war really did change things considerably. After more than 4,000 years there was now no more king for the Noldor. I thini it is interesting that Elrond let go of a major facet of the past in order to preserve the way things had been for elves. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 4: Earendil
Hope has come again, but it is a difficult hope for him; but from his children will other Hopes be born, until all comes full circle with Aragorn and Arwen. The grief is well told.
Author's reply
Thank you on the well-told grief. Earendil really did sacrifice everything to save the world as he knew it. Aragorn and Arwen are a pretty cool reward for all of that hard work. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 3: Dior and Nimloth
Ah, they see enough of her future to know she is named aright. Flying Elwing with her great gift, bearing the last Silmaril to her beloved husband to light the way to the aid their people need.
Author's reply
It was nice getting to write a happy moment in the lives of Elwing's parents. They had such a brief time really. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 2: Beren and Luthien
A second of the greatest loves known within Middle Earth. And the gift is given indeed between them.
Author's reply
I had never seen a story about this moment in their lives and a glistening Beren probably was a rather nice sight to behold. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Thingol and Melian
Ah--forget mere travel of his folk toward Aman--he has found his Light here within Middle Earth itself! Heh! Wonderful!
Author's reply
I think it is interesting that so many of this line had similar experiences with being intoxicated at first sight by the love of their lives: Elwe, Beren, and Aragorn. I think Nimloth was probably nigh to swooning for Dior the Beautiful, too. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Alquawende · 11 October 2007 · Chapter 7: Elrohir
I liked this. It gave me more insight into Elwe's family through both the ages and generations. You gave Nimloth silver hair? I had always pictured her with dark hair, but since Celeborn has silver hair, it could just be genetic. Bye and thanks again!
Author's reply
Elwe has such an interesting and gifted family though some generations were oh so brief - even as mortals would count them. On the hair, I was thinking of all of Elmo's line as being silver-haired like Olwe's. thanks for reading and reviewing!
Redheredh · 13 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Elrohir
Ah, two more impressive segments. I especially like Elladan's "pleasures of the flesh" being reinterpreted to killing and Elohir's "whole and well again" as dealing death. A low point in both twins' psyches. Chilling.
Author's reply
It was chilling trying to write this and figure out just how deeply disturbed these two would have to be in order to even begin thinking along these lines. When you think about it, by the time they had Estel enter their lives they had healed considerably. Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing!
Bodkin · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Elladan
I ache for the Elladan who is wed to his sword and bow. He needed this period of frozen obsession - it shielded him, in a way, and gave him time apart. And it could have destroyed him, I think, had he not had Elrohir beside him. They could still care for each other, even when times were at their worst - so that, when the ice melted, they were still themselves. And able to become the supporters that Aragorn needed. And I like to think that he did eventually find that elleth - once he was reunited with his healed and whole mother.
Author's reply
I pity Elladan, too. He was lucky that he pulled out of this obsession in time to be a brother to Aragorn. I have to wonder how many hundreds of years this thirst for orc battle lasted, though. In my mind, Elladan married a nice elleth and fathered lots of little babies, too.
Bodkin · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Elrohir
Poor Elrohir. I don't know that he and Elladan could have clung to their quest to eliminate the orcs if they hadn't had each other to ground them and support each other. Although I think Elrohir can see the flaws in his argument. I feel that he would have healed more quickly - better able to see the world beyond battle - had he not automatically been there for a one-track-minded Elladan. They did heal, though, in time. These obsessed twins weren't the sons of Elrond who stood at Aragorn's side through the Paths of the Dead.
Author's reply
The twins only had each other, so they had to stick together. Unfortunately, their emotions fed off of each other. I think they had to be brought out of this at the same time in order for the both of them to have regained their sanity. I do agree with you that these twin menaces to orcs were not the same peredhil who accompanied Aragorn through the Paths fo the Dead. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
shirebound · 4 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Elrohir
Perhaps now he was healing a different sort of wound, a wound to the life of Arda itself. VERY powerful! I feel a new insight into the Twins and their perceptions.
Author's reply
Thank you very much! I think that in a way, Elrohir had to find a jsutification for what he was doing other than simply revenge. Putting it to himself in terms of working for a greater good would have enabled him to continue on in his orc-slaying without falling into madness. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Redheredh · 26 July 2006 · Chapter 5: Elrond
My apologies for taking so long to do this. I like this one for the speculation of Elrond's reasons for not putting himself forward as the next king. Gil-Galad may not have been able to force him to take up the crown of the Noldor, but he did thrust a different circlet of power upon him, and it was one Elrond dared not refuse. Excellent line! Loved that one! ... the autumn of the world would be turned back into the gentle airy youth of spring. Loved that too! This was exactly what Celebrimbor intended. That whole paragraph was a pleasure to read. ... not to be regent of an elven nation, but caretaker of a people. That sentiment I can easily believe. Another wonderfully expressive piece. Nice quote you included, as well.
Author's reply
It was interesting and difficult getting inside Elrond's mind and trying to understand why he made the decisions he did. Thanks for citing the lines you liked. It helps me to understand where I've done well in my writing. I liked the Sil quote as well and thought it fit in nicely. Thanks so very much for reading and reviewing!
Bodkin · 21 July 2006 · Chapter 5: Elrond
Lovely, gallant, Canute-like Elrond, committing himself to holding back the shadows until the time is right for his brother's heirs. Everything gets stripped away from him until he's bare to the bone, poor elf. I'm glad he found Celebrian and had his couple of millennia in the sun. He needed that to prepare him.
Author's reply
He did need Celebrian and the time of joy to prepare him. Poor Elrond. Elrond truly is a tragic hero in his own right. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
shirebound · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 5: Elrond
The time of men was at hand. There simply were not enough of the Noldor left in exile after the war and the departure of so many elves over the sea. They no longer needed a king, they needed strong lords capable of maintaining islands of fortitude and elven bliss amidst the mortality encroaching upon and swallowing up the lands of Middle-earth. The strength of a thousand storms lay in his hand or was it the subtle power of the breath of life he held? Rivers would rage in torrents yet bleeding wounds would heal. Abundant life and light would flow and the autumn of the world would be turned back into the gentle airy youth of spring. He knew in his heart beyond all doubt that his calling was not to be regent of an elven nation, but caretaker of a people. Stunning, Ellie, as usual.
Author's reply
Thank you so very much! This was one of the more difficult ditties to write, trying to justify why such a great being would refuse one signifcant burden and yet take up another. Thank you for reading and for citing the lines that you liked so well and for reviewing!
Bodkin · 19 July 2006 · Chapter 4: Earendil
Poor Earendil. He must have been at the edge when Eonwe finally surfaced. I've always found it rather strange that Tirion was so completely deserted - I mean, it's not easy to get everyone to leave, even when the volcano in the shadow of which you live is about to blow. And surely there would be dogs or cats or birds... But still - it makes a more effective story to have poor Earendil pacing around Tirion getting covered with diamond dust. I can just feel the weight of it all bearing down on the Mariner.
Author's reply
I agree it is odd that Tolkien said that the city was completely deserted at festival time. Perhaps everyone who remained felt rather strongly that the Valar had earned their respect after the whole curse thing and everyone who had left had been banished. I think the folks who were residents of Tirion after the pronouncement of the Doom were the folks most likely to attend a Valinorean festival anyway seeing as how all of the dissenters or folks prone to not go to something honoring the Valar were either exiled or dead. The Noldor who went to the festival were there I think either out of faith and respect or out of fear of the Valar. I agree it was more effective for the story to have the wandering cute blond half-elf getting covered in diamond dust. He sure paid heavily enough for that trip with his own life, he should have gotten some sort of reward or distinguishment. Why not diamond dust, a silmaril, and a cool hallowed starship? Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Redheredh · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 4: Earendil
I am beginning to appreciate the introspection you try to include in each of these pieces. I like this one for just that reason. Him thinking Morgoth's destruction had visited even Valimar showed how his faith had suffered even after making it through all their trials.
Author's reply
I think that wandering around a deserted city would make one prone to introspection let alone the fact that he had wandered tehocean and who knows how many other strange islands in all of his journeys beforehand. I think his faith would have been shaken just a bit. And considering what he had lost and given up for this cause that was not of his own choosing... Poor guy! I hadn't read anything about how Earendil must have felt once he reached Valinor, so I guessed my best. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Redheredh · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 3: Dior and Nimloth
Lovely and sweet, even Dior's visions were not so terrible as to make him desperate. I am glad you left them both happy about being parents again. Very nice writing too!
Author's reply
I wanted Dior's visions to give him justification for the name he chose and I felt that such an odd name as Elwing should have been more signigifacnt than just something her daddy dreamed up becuase it was a lovely night. I wanted his dreams to have more substance. I thought they both deserved to be happy about being parents with no foreshadowing of the brevity of their own lives or the doom that awaited them in Doriath at the hands of Feanor's sons. Sorry it took so long to get this reply to you. Thansk as always for reading and reviewing!
shirebound · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 4: Earendil
Ohhh, how despairing and heartbreaking, and... yet full of hope. Beautifully written.
Author's reply
Thank you so very much! It really must have been horrible for Earendil to find Tirion completely deserted. Until I wrote this, I had not before considered what he had given up and endured personally in order to reach his goal. I'm glad you are continuing to enjoy these. Thanks so very much for reading and reviewing!
Bodkin · 14 July 2006 · Chapter 3: Dior and Nimloth
Foresight to do with Elwing must bring sadness along with it. And anything to do with the Nauglamir is not good. It would be nice to see more about Dior and Nimloth - they are a very attractive couple with a very sad end. Although the end of their sons always seems sadder. I hope her parents relished every second of the short time they spent with their daughter.
Author's reply
I wanted to give deeper meaning to Elwing's name besides just what the Silmarillion says about her being named for the falls beside her father's house and the starry night on which she was born. I agree that it would be nice to see more Dior and Nimloth stories, though the taint of sadness would be ever present. They really did meet a very tragic ending. I would assume that Dior was allowed to become an elf in spite of the fact that his parents were mortal when he was conceived. Nothing is ever said of his ultimate fate, is it? Thanks as always for reading and reviewing!
Bodkin · 14 July 2006 · Chapter 2: Beren and Luthien
Oh, very nice! Luthien's passion for Beren is so much harder to understand than his for her - but this Beren is definitely appealing! And Luthien had a better understanding of the requirements of fate, perhaps, than most. After all - their situation reflects Melian/Thingol, really. And Dior is on his way - just as well, since the one thing these two don't have is time. Dripping heroes. Very pleasant to imagine on hot days.
Author's reply
Seeing Beren through Luthien's eyes was the real trick here, but I think he turned out rather yummy myself. I knew that at least one of these glistening ditties was going to HAVE to involve someone dripping wet, so why not Beren? I agree that dripping heroes are most pleasant to imagine on a hot day, although that does tend to make the day much hotter...
shirebound · 13 July 2006 · Chapter 3: Dior and Nimloth
These are truly lovely vignettes, very heartwarming and exquisitely written.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you so very much for your lovely comments and for reading and reviewing! Ellie
shirebound · 13 July 2006 · Chapter 2: Beren and Luthien
How beautiful! A quiet, loving moment in the life of this amazing couple.
Author's reply
Almost nothing is said of the time Beren and Luthien spent after returning from the dead. It was fun imagining what it must have been like for them... Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Redheredh · 13 July 2006 · Chapter 2: Beren and Luthien
As usual you paint a *very* nice picture of the idylls of love. :) But, I wish it were more obvious when this scene was taking place - before or after their visit to Mandos. Then, their joy of parenthood could be more meaningful. imho, it would have provided something more in the second half. As it is now, it could be just about any couple on the river bank. Dior and Nimloth next? *goodie!* Good Grief, just as I was finishing this you are posted chap 3! I will never catch up at this rate!
Author's reply
It is stated in the book that Dior came along after their return from the dead and I did mention that they had been through so may trials together but were 'now husband and wife' and 'not even death could part them now'. Maybe I should have found another way to say that they had already returned from Mandos' halls. Sorry about that. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Redheredh · 2 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Thingol and Melian
Now, this was really something. I have always liked how well you use first person pov and cannot help mentioning it about your writing. In 1st person, we can of course only be told just who is speaking by his internal opinions, and you used that means thoughtfully. But, I have to admit that at first his opinion of his own people seemed a little too unsympathetic for a king, even at this point; but it works so well. ;) There were a few other nit-picky things about sequence and place references that *only* a nerd like me would even think worth pointing out... When really, the talented writing deserves to be remarked upon the most. You created some lovely description and nicely poetic expressions. Please keep it up. ...that I should ask such a thing of you... You are in invenerate romantic. Thank goodness...
Author's reply
Thanks for the writing compliments and for the feedback you sent me via e-mail! I felt that something called "Glistening" should be full of imagery, and the subject matter sure is fun to contemplate, being a romantic and all... Thanks for reading and reviewing! Ellie