shirebound
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 39: All Woods there Be Must End at Last
What a delightful story! Hobbits will be hobbits, no matter how young or old, single or married, in the Shire or in southern woods. I love how Pippin shared the plums and was still so eager to learn new songs, and how fondly Legolas and Faramir think of them.
Author's reply
It was fun to try to find ways to work that line from the song sung in the Old Forest into a new tale. And, yes, Hobbits will indeed be Hobbits, no matter the place or circumstance! As for Legolas and Faramir, I suspect these guests to Ithilien are keeping them mightily amused. Heh!
harrowcat
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 38: Faith Tried
I am always intrigued by Galadriel and Celeborn's relationship. She is so powerful that he much be a very special person to cope with and balance her. He is wise enough to sense her hurt.
And I love this meeting between Arwen and Aragorn - true to the high tradition of courtly love.
Author's reply
Thank you, Harrowcat. I agree--there had to be a very special relationship there. I love how you describe the two of them and how he must cope with and balance her. It is said he was one of the wisest of Elves remaining within Middle Earth, after all.
As for Aragorn and Arwen--yes, he needed his maiden fair in whose name he might conquer the world and prove his true worth!
Thank you so!
Lindelea
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 38: Faith Tried
:::applauding:::
O well done! Very believable, indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Lindelea! I am honored!
inzilbeth
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 38: Faith Tried
Galadriel's motives are indeed complex and I think that's a valid point that Celeborn probably didn't appreciate her reasoning at first.
Very beautifully done
Author's reply
First, the thought that Galadriel found Aragorn the equal of an Elf lord must have been a shock, but a worse one when he realized the fate of Middle Earth might well rest in great part on the choice of Arwen and whether or not the Man had even the hope of winning her. That would be a very chilling thought, or so I would think.
Thank you so, and I'm so glad you feel this way.
Linda Hoyland
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 38: Faith Tried
I loved this,both uplifting and chilling.I have a soft spot for Galadriel and her wisdom.
Author's reply
I'm glad you did like it, Linda. I, too, have a good deal of honor for Galadriel and Celeborn both.
Linda Hoyland
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
This was just adorable and how lovely Gilraen knew the mother cat! I'm sure Imogen with help Aragorn turn out the great man he becomes. I love to curl up with my Leo and hear him purr!
Author's reply
My Zubran is lying at the foot of the bed right now as I type in all his grey tabby glory. Lydia is lying as she's been doing the last few days on top of the laundry basket.
Radbooks
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 38: Faith Tried
Oh, nicely done. It must have been so difficult for the two of them to watch their granddaughter's love for Aragorn unfold right before their eyes.
P.S. - I'm so behind on my reading and reviewing! I have a nice stack set aside for when I have some free time... maybe the Christmas holidays! ;)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you like it, Radbooks! This is one that truly moved me even as I wrote it. For Galadriel to possibly realize that her granddaughter's love for Aragorn must be that he be motivated to do his utmost for the good of Middle Earth--and then for Celeborn to realize this is a needful thing and have it war against his instincts as her grandfather.... It must have been terrifying to him.
I'm just glad you managed to read this one in a spare moment.
lwarren
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 38: Faith Tried
Wow. Just. Wow. You certainly captured the grief of two powerful people watching something unfold that neither had much, if any, control over. So much said so clearly - such strong emotions, Larner. Again, WOW.
linda
Author's reply
Having been made aware how this is needed to motivate Aragorn to do what he can on his side to continue the war against Sauron, it must have torn Galadriel right in two even as she saw the necessity of accepting this mortal is the equal of the noblest of the Noldor and making that plain to her own granddaughter. Indeed the beginnings of the new age unfolding here. I think.
Thank you so, Linda. I am honored.
grumpy
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
What a good thing to bring Estel, a kitten, later a cat is the best to keep him company. I myself have four, all of which are locked outside this room till I finish typing, it is the only way.
I love how Estel totally got into the care and feeding of his new pet. They can wear each other out.
Author's reply
My Zubran is lying on the bed, near my feet, which are propped up while I sit in my rocker. Lydia has been sleeping in the laundry basket, and Bookie is sitting in the livingroom on top of a bookcase, of course. Where else for a cat with that name, right?
And the dogs would like to come in and spend time with me, I suspect. They're in the back room at the moment.
Yes, Estel now has a kitten of his own, and at least today they've worn each other out! Heh!
Raksha The Demon
· 15 November 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
Elrond is probably my favorite Elf, and his and Elros' saving and rearing by the Kinslayers who destroyed Sirion is one of my favorite bits in the Silmarillion - there is so much irony and poignancy there. You've done a fine job with the characterisation of Maglor and Maedhros, the doom-ridden brothers saddled with the terrible legacy of an Oath that never should have been sworn, and the children who they could save but not shield from the truth. It is very credible that Elrond, even when very young, shows compassion towards their foster-fathers as well as his brother.
My own personal fanon (shared by some other writers) is that Maglor did return to the West eventually. The part of the Silmarillion that said he never was seen again by other Elves was written in the First or Second Age; so if Maglor took ship in the Third or Fourth or a later Age, his leaving would not have been known to the writer of the Quenta Silmarillion. I hope you will eventually write about it!
Author's reply
Am so glad you feel I caught your own feelings about this situation. I rarely write First-Age stories, and this was the best situation I could think of that fit the challenge of "Don't tell me--I don't want to know."
As for Maglor--one day I'll finish "Stirring Rings," and you'll see what I think possible for Maglor. (The end of that story has been written for months!)
lwarren
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
Oh, the origin of Aragorn's love of white kitties! I love it, especially Elrond's l-o-n-g list of "Things to Do If You Want to Keep This Cat" that he had ready for Elrohir and Estel. That little aside of Gilraen's was nice, too - I could picture Belleth curled up beside a very pregnant Gilraen! And it was sad that cats had disappeared from the Last Lonely (oops!)...I mean Homely House. Estel seems to be bringing a brand of healing to those elves that only a small child can. Lovely story, Larner. I enjoyed remembering Elessar in "Lesser Rings" when those kittens were born and the little white one adopted him right away. Now I know why he was so partial!
linda
Author's reply
Well, of course Elrond would have a list of requirements for them to meet before he'd allow them to keep the cat. And of course the child of Gilraen would find himself curling up with the child of the cat who used to sleep with his mother! And now the house is nowhere as lonely as it used to be.
Oh, yes--this is indeed why he's partial to what cats! He undoubtedly remembered this when Kitling's kittens were born!
Thanks so much for the feedback.
Dreamflower
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
Awww...that's just adorable! I love the way Elrond keeps listing all the things Elrohir will have to teach little Estel about taking care of the new family member--and how he hoped that Gilraen would say no, LOL! I hope we see more of Imogen.
About how old is Estel in this one?
Author's reply
I can remember a friend telling us we must do these for her daughter when we gave her a kitten! Poor Elrond was overturned by the charm of a small white cat!
I see Estel as being about five or six in this story--just old enough to begin learning such responsibilities and not to be disgusted by watching a kitten eating the liver he himself hates! And I'm glad folk love Estel's first white cat's coming. After what Lady Roisin wrote the other day, I found my own muse insisting on seeing Imogen arriving in Rivendell.
Andrea
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
What a sweet little story!
It's understandable that Estel felt lonely without playmates his age. Imaginated playmates can be fun to play with, but a real cat is of course much better (Although, *these* imaginary friends are very special).
I'm impressed with what Estel learned about responsibility and caring for others in a single day.
And the image you created in the end, boy and kitten sleeping together, was really cute :)
Author's reply
Oh, I agree that young Aragorn's imaginary brothers are special ones! And it doesn't tend to take too long to begin teaching a motivated child some levels of responsibility, particularly if that's his basic nature to begin with.
And I, too, love the image of the two of them sleeping together. When Zubran isn't in the house Lydia, my snowshoe Siamese, will sleep in the hollow between my pillow and the bed rail on my waterbed.
Antane
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
A sweet story - Estel was a fun lad. It's nice to see him excited and innocent and loving of his foster brothers and his new friend.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I agree. He began his life the one mortal child among Elves, and Frodo finished his the one mortal among the Elves of Tol Eressea. I always found that significant, somehow--a parallel of sorts between them, part of their spiritual brotherhood.
One day I must finish and post my AU story on this....
.net6336
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
Oh, I know how empty a house can be with out a cat in it! I get so much joy from my two rascals, even if they have managed to kill a printer and maim a curtain rod between them!
Estel will enjoy his Imogen and she will enjoy him and maybe other cats wil start coming back to the Last Homely House!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Am glad Imogen's coming means so much to you, Lynda! I agree--a home isn't a home without a pet or two in it.
Kitty
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
Oh Larner, that's such a lovely story! So that was the first one of the white cats Elrohir made sure were there for him over the years, as Aragorn mentioned later on in Minas Anor.
I was rather amused by Elrond's long list of what Elrohir had to do - but of course, it didn't get him out of allowing the cat into the house *grin*
That kitten is just perfect for Estel - it keeps him occupied (and tires him out) and isn't always going away to do boring adult business, as his other playmates have to do. And the end was so sweet, child and kitten snuggled together in bed!
Author's reply
Lady Roisin wrote a lovely story of Aragorn's children bringing a white kitten into the Citadel, and it escaping his daughter's room to sneak into the Council Chamber and play about Aragorn's throne, tugging at boot laces and hair. That inspired this story, as I'd never indicated how a white cat came into Rivendell to begin with.
I do hope she will forward some chapters for Nilmandra to examine--I think she'll be a good addition to the archive.
shirebound
· 14 November 2008
· Chapter 37: Imogen
What a sweet, gentle tale. Naturally Estel would want playmates, and something to care for.
Author's reply
I pictured Bilbo seeing Estel in the gardens of Rivendell with a white cat in his arms in "Fostering," and gave her name in "Lesser Ring." Lady Roisin recently wrote a story in which Aragorn and Arwen's children brought home a white kitten and introduced it to the Citadel, and I felt inspired to write how it was that Aragorn grew up with white cats.
And I do believe he would have needed a pet of some kind, growing up as he did within the Last Homely House.
Thanks so for the feedback, Shirebound.
Virtuella
· 5 November 2008
· Chapter 16: The Ring that Sauron Forged
Very clever!
Author's reply
Thank you! It was an interesting experiment to find a way of taking such an additive poem as "The House that Jack Built" or "For the Want of a Nail" or "Green Grow the Rushes" and adapt it to Middle Earth.
Kitty
· 2 November 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
As much as I despise Fëanor and his sons, these two were always the ones I disliked the least. Without this unfortunate oath, I think they would not have been too bad. And they didn’t kill Elrond and Elros, was was done with Elured and Elurin, but raised them – and raised them well - and set them free in the end. Sometimes I even wonder if Maglor would have been allowed to return to Aman after suffering all these millennia in isolation.
Anyway, to overhear this conversation must have been hard for Elros, bringing back his memories of the attack on Sirion. But maybe it showed him at least that Maedhros and Maglor were not happy with themselves, either. Though that might have been part of the reason why he chose mortality, as you hinted.
Author's reply
There must have been at least some mixed feelings in the sons of Earendil and Elwing regarding the one who raised them as his sons and his brother. This gave Maglor a chance to atone for what he and his brothers had done, at least. Alas for what that foul oath brought them to!
As for Maglor's final fate--I've considered that, and it will one day be posted, once I've finally gotten that far in the particular story I've seen it as part of.
Thanks so for the feedback!
Sunny
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
An unusual time period for one of your stories, but it is well written, and I certainly enjoyed it.
I tend to consider Maedhros and Maglor – especially Maglor – to be among the most interesting characters in the Silmarillion. At this point in time they have lost just about everything to their Oath and the consequences of the actions it has driven them to. At this point in time they must hate that oath with every fiber of their beings, yet it still remains the center of their lives.
After Sirion, with the loss of the only available Silmaril (the ones still in Morgoth’s crown being out of their reach), _and_ Ambarussa, Maglor still manages to find the compassion to _not_ kill, but instead become foster-father to Elrond and Elros. Maglor is described in Tolkien’s writings as being probably the gentlest of the sons of Fëanor, so I suppose one might speculate he _needed_ someone to care for. Also, with so much lost to him, he might also need to find – or create – some kind of meaning in his life that had no connection to the Oath. And the Peredhil gave him that opportunity, at least. Still, he _would_ be a troubled soul. And I expect that his love and caring would also be mixed with guilt and shame. And both of those aspects – the love, and the guilt – are shown well in your story.
Maedhros is not mentioned particularly in connection with the Peredhil. There might be more than one reason for that: He might have become more case-hardened than his brother during his time in Middle-earth. He might have been more _driven_ by the oath, as his father’s eldest son (and he _did_ persuade Maglor to join in the theft of the last two Silmarils). He might have seen that his brother _needed_ someone to care for – and the Peredhil brothers provided an opportunity for that. Pick any or all – or none of the reasons. Maedhros as a sort of an uncle certainly seems to fit.
Author's reply
I see that your take on the relationship between the last two of Feanor's sons and those of Earendil is almost completely in accord with my own. I am so glad you found this story managed to express your understanding of the period so well.
This was written for the first challenge cycle for the A_L_E_C competition, and I was deliberately trying a different period and set of characters than I usually write. I've been reading some Elrond/Elros stories in the MEFAs, of course, and have read a few more here in this archive, so I feel as if I'm acquainted with them now a good deal more than I ever felt when reading of the situation in the Silmarillion. That others also would be drawn to this theme in light of the "Don't tell me--I don't want to know!" challenge for the stories I should perhaps have anticipated.
Anyway, thanks so for the detailed comments on it. I do appreciate them a good deal.
6336
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
So, one reason of many that Elros chose to be Mortal! Why is it always assumed that Elros and Elrond, Elured and Elurin are twins, I have been reading the 'Sil' and apart from stating that 'she bore him two sons' Nimloth to Dior and Elwing to Errendil, nowhere does it say that they are twins, or is it mentioned in Tolkiens writings somewhere?
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
I'm not completely certain where the idea came from that Elured and Elurin, Elrond and Elros were twins as well as Elrohir and Elladan, but I'd always thought of these other two pairs as such. But I do think that the matter of the oath of Feanor would be part of the dynamic that led Elros to choose as he did.
I may write more, or be drawn away into other writing--you never know where my muse will draw me next! Heh!
Inzilbeth
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
The Silmarillion fleshed out can sometimes be too painfully tragic as you showed so well here. So Elrond already has some idea of what Elros's choice will eventually and a very interesting reason for Elros to be swayed against being an Elf. You really capture the whole tragedy of Maedhros's and Maglor's plight especially where you remind us that their father is not even around to receive the Silmarils should they ever reclaim them.
Author's reply
Thanks so, Inzilbeth. So much in the Silmarillion is tragic, and the plight of the sons of Feanor, particularly the last two of them, has to have been among the most tragic of all. What a vow to have holding them!
I have written more about Maglor, although it will be a while before I post what I've written, for it is tied to another story I'm working on.
Thanks again!
harrowcat
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
Oh this is so sad. When love and duty clash the result is anguish for all concerned.
Author's reply
I so agree. It was an ill-advised vow, to say the least. And now these are caught between the love they feel for these who rescued them and care for them so and the hatred they feel for their actions in attacking their mother and slaying her folk.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 36: The Pain of Remembrance
An interesting look at Elros choice and the horrors these twins were brought up amongst. I find the Simarillion very dark but fascinating.An excellent story.
Author's reply
Thank you indeed, Linda. I, too, find the stories from the Silmarillion rather dark in much of it.
Linda Hoyland
· 25 October 2008
· Chapter 35: Escort
I,m very glad I didn't have to travel in days gone by. It sounded tiring and scary! The Hobbits very very brave as Hobbits are.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Linda. And I doubt Merry would allow fear of the possibility of enemies and danger to put him off doing much of anything.
Thanks so for the feedback!