Lighting Fires by Gwynnyd
LisaG · 12 November 2010 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
Excellent "growing up" story! I just adore brother fics and this one was especially fun and interesting. I love the way Elrohir managed to convince Estel to study harder, not just learn fighting disciplines. But then he also learned a lot about his little brother and that they were restricting him to severely. I would love to read more brother stories!
Agape4Gondor · 7 January 2008 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
Incredible tale. I am sending a private email, but had to put publicly that this was incredible. Incredible *goes away shaking her head in amaze*
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 999999: Author's Notes
Excellent notes as well. Education isn't always easy, I know. But it appears Elrohir has managed to get the fire at least smoldering, and Estel is already proving himself very responsible. Sorry it's taken me to long to read this.
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
He hasn't met or slain the right dragon yet? An interesting explanation! But it has Estel thinking, at least. Wonderful!
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 5: Explorations
Hmm. Geometry and trigonometry he doesn't wish to bother with, eh? Hmm, Estel my lad, you have a lot to learn.
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 4: Escaping Orcs
So, the boy is very serious about this, and Elrohir finds himself teaching his own lessons to ease the distress. Good.
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 3: Scouts
The boy is game--I'll give him that! Marvelous training exercise.
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 2: Preparations
Excellent beginnings here.
Larner · 6 October 2007 · Chapter 1: Truant
Hmm. Change the type of lessons, perhaps, to teach the child the need for those lessons they seek to give him. Interesting premise, and excellent writing.
perelleth · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
Delightful tale, Gwynnyd, from the light beginining to the serious developement and ending. I think Erestor needs to revise his teaching techniques. ELrohir showed that he is a wonderful teacher apart from warrior. His was a lesson in easing the learning process, Erestor would do good in taking notice..and in being proud of his former student. Apart from the always intersting reflection on teaching and learning techniques, I really liked your obvious knowledge of open air techniques (or deep research? ;-) It gave the whole piece a sense of reality that was very much needed in a lesson like this. Elrohir was a great big brother, taking his responsiblity so seriously and finding a way to boost the boy's interest in his studies without betraying the secret. And Estel did learn a lot of lessons here! And I cannot help thinking that Estel being 11, this could almost be considered as an informal pre-test for some kind of rite of passage he would soon have to pass..;-) A lovely, deep tale in many levels. I enjoyed it very much
Author's reply
Poor Erestor probably feels very harassed trying to keep up with Estel. And it was all 'deep research'. I am such a city girl, but I know how to use Google! I had not thought about a 'rite of passage'. I'd love to read a story you wrote on it, though. Thanks!
perelleth · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 5: Explorations
I'm delightfully engrossed, but I would not like to forget this when reivewing at the end. Estel's conclusions were simply perfect! I so understand Elrohir's despair! Just when you think they've learnt they come up with one of those and you remember that NOTHING can be taken for granted when helping a child learn his lessons, for their understanding is totally diferent from ours! I was ROTFL at this! Great!
grumpy · 10 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed reading this story. It was great, and I was right there with Elrohir and Estel on their misson. I do believe that Elrohir got through to Estel, on why he needs to learn. Thanks for the good read.
Author's reply
You're welcome! And thank you for the kind comment. We know that Aragorn did grow up to be a wise king, but I know he could not have been born that way. It was a lot of fun thinking of ways he could be nocked down a peg by a caring big brither without damaging himself or anyone else. Glad you enjoyed it!
viggomaniac · 10 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The plot could have been predictable but you gave it a wonderfully unique twist. It might have seemed at times even to himself, that Elrohir was being a bit harsh with Estel but that wasn't the case at all. He simply needed Estel to truly understand what the realization of his desires would mean in a true life situation. The way Elrohir teaches Estel his lesson (and the value of lessons) made for very entertaining reading. Despite his mistakes, Estel still shows good qualities throughout though at times it may have been a little hard to see them. When Estel thinks that he has 'killed' Elrohir by his inattentiveness and poor judgment I, along with Elrohir, felt terrible for him. A very touching moment there. Poor Estel. It must indeed have been difficult to comprehend why his own lessons were so much more complicated than those of others near his age (another point brilliantly brought out in your story, BTW) and frustrating for Elrohir to hold in. That Elrohir has the inner strength to withhold comfort from Estel during some of the more difficult parts of this 'lesson' seemed very realistic. And what valuable lessons Estel learns this day! When Elrohir makes it known to the boy that he descended from kings and the difference between being a good soldier and a leader of men, I could almost picture Estel's change of demeanor. The ending was very satisfying. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I would recommend it to anyone who likes LOTR fiction.
Author's reply
Thank you! I do think that you never know what might be useful. I shamelessly cribbed the geometry from a biography of Julius Caeser I read once. The way I remember it, one of Caeser's lieutenants gave him a quick estimate of how wide a river was that way on one of his campaigns. I think Aragorn grew into the man he became, and was a quite normal child (as much as he could be under the circumstances). I'm not even sure JRRT realized what a hard life he was giving this Man.
Bodkin · 9 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
This is a lovely tale. Elrohir makes a great big brother - and I think he is right to question Estel's lonely development. The kid is growing up so quickly and outgrowing his friends so that he is always alone. Estel reacted very well to the 'test' - and even picked up the idea that education had some value. Very responsible of him! (Although it's unlikely to endure beyond a few tedious lessons.) I thoroughly enjoyed this - and think that Elrohir makes a great teacher. His adar should be proud of him.
Author's reply
Yes, I am sure Elrond was proud of Elrohir, after he stopped damning him for his interference. Elrond was probably carefully planning out how soon Estel was exposed to things and Elrohir upset the applecart. LOL Estel does have to grow up to be Aragorn, so he can't be stupid. And yes! I'm sure he still skipped when he felt it 'necessary'. Thank you! Gwynnyd
demeter d · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 1: Truant
I like the quote from Yeats at the beginning. I think this one is a good bit on fire already, but he needs to know there are many kinds of learning. I like your descriptions of the valley, the day. And Estel is a very real boy. This should be good. i just put you on my notification, and just got the latest chapter, but will not read it yet until I read all of them, to not spoil anything.
Author's reply
It is a completed story. Feel free to read it all at once. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Gwynnyd
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
Elrohir was too hard on Estel here. Yes, it was an important lesson he had to learn, but he's only 11! It was funny when Estel began to argue the point Elrohir had been making though :) This has been a lovely tale. I like anything with the twins, but this one with just Elrohir and Estel was a refreshing change. Jay
Author's reply
Having Elladan and Elrohir double-teaming poor Estel seemed like too much. Yes, I think Elrohir was hard on Estel, but as a brother, he could get away with being harsher. He'd also given Estel several chances to get the point and the kid missed all of them, the way kids do (my kids at least! LOL). Thank you! Gwynnyd
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 5: Explorations
Estel is learning some harsh lessons here - like the one about leaving injured companions till last to ensure the message gets through. Mind you, I can't see either of the twins abandoning the other in these circumstances!
daw the minstrel · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
Nice story, Gwynnyd. One of the things I liked best was the way it put a new twist on a common fanfic story idea. I've seen stories before where Estel believes he's ready to fight orcs and thinks the adults are holding him back needlessly. Almost invariably, in these stories, he runs away and gets in trouble. Your story was much more realistic. Elrohir behaves like a wise elf, as does Erestor really. And Estel is a more realistic kid. I also liked the way concealing his identity from him meant he had a hard time understanding why he was being educated as he was. That was something I hadn't thought of.
Author's reply
I am very much of the 'be as realistic as possible - this is history' school. The idea of a hidden prince is very romantic, but it must have been very hard to be that kid. I am tickled pink that I worked in an idea that you had not thought of. Thank you! Gwynnyd
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 4: Escaping Orcs
I felt very sorry for Estel here - he tried so hard and didn't give up, but he still couldn't solve the problem. He should have asked Elrohir to start with - his brother was injured, but not unconscious; and he has far greater experience.
Author's reply
Yes. He should have asked! I know how kids get 'an idea' of the way things ought to work and what it takes to disabuse them of the notion. Estel was very caught up in the exercise. Gwynnyd
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 3: Scouts
Ah, now I understand! All the same, it's still a useful training exercise for Estel. I loved the opening paragraph - Elrohir sounds so delightfully elfy! I liked Elrohir's 'shoulder wound' and his play acting - though the real thing sounds far more unpleasant :( Have you ever written that tale? Jay
Author's reply
No. I wanted to have some wound, and it seemed unlikely that Elrohir had escaped completely unscathed during hundreds of years of orc hunting. I dithered about a scar, but then decided I needed him to have one. Between Elrohir having some mannish genes and the severity of the wound, I thought I could get away with a scar. Gwynnyd
Idril Celebrindal · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I found myself nodding my head or smiling to see the beginnings of the tracker/healer in Estel. The strong bond between Elrohir and Estel was a great touch.
Author's reply
I like to think that Aragorn grew into the man he became, and that he could have made other choices, not that he was perfect all along. It makes him so much more interesting. Thank you! Gwynnyd
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 2: Preparations
Ummm ... they're hunting real orcs? Is this wise? Elrohir, what are you thinking of??
Author's reply
LOL - No, Elrohir is wiser than that! And you ought to know me well enough by now, to know I won't do the exptected. Gwynnyd
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 1: Truant
I like this already! Estel is a very real 11 year old, and Elrohir is just marvellous with him. Why do I get the feeling that something will happen on this adventure? Jay
Gandalfs apprentice · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 1: Truant
Hey! So nice to see this around. In case I failed to mention it before, I love this sentence: Estel quivered like a leashed hound on a scent. So exactly him!
Nilmandra · 7 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Confrontation
I enjoyed this! Elrohir is the quintessential big brother here, helping him to understand and come to the conclustion he needed to by not treating him like a child. This is a memory Estel will treasure, and perhaps a scenario he will recreate with his own son one day.
Author's reply
He will probably treasure it in retrospect, when he's grown enough to appreciate it. It will probably make him writhe in embarrasment for the next fifteen years. Eldarion, hmmm.... Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for keeping such a nice place to share it. Gwynnyd