Brotherhood by Bodkin
French Pony · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Ah, Gilraen. Be careful what you wish for. . . This probably applies to Elrond as well.
Author's reply
I don't think Gilraen minded the mud too much - she is, after all, one of the Dunedain - but I suspect she's not fond of frogspawn. I suspect brothers, frogspawn and the ewer on her wash-stand are responsible for the feeling. Elrond might be having a bit of a sinking feeling at the moment - a bit of a 'back on the merry-go-round' feeling.
French Pony · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Brotherhood
Here I am, many days late, and entire national budgets short. Sorry about dropping the ball, but I'm ready to sit down and read this now. I like the atmosphere here a lot. I especially like the sense of age and remoteness about the sons of Elrond. They really are a couple of thousand years old, and it's hard to get that feeling about them, but you pulled it off very well.
Author's reply
Welcome! One of the things that crossed my mind before starting this was the contradiction between the age of E2 (and their noted prowess as warriors) and their becoming 'brothers' to a small child. It must have been a conscious decision on their part to spend time with Estel - and it must have come in the full knowledge of the pain that would come from a close relationship with a mortal. Even if they didn't know quite what the cost would be. Thank you!
Lianna · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Oooh!!! I just saw this story for the first time today, after being offline for awhile. What a great concept! I hope it will eventually compete with Reflections in the length department.
Author's reply
Well - it's growing quite quickly! It will certainly continue to grow over the Christmas season - with a very little Estel. I'm not sure about later - but the chances are good! I'm glad you're enjoying it.
SurgicalSteel · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Liked this a lot - I like the recognition on Gilraen's part that for all the differences, there are a lot of things she has in common with her Halfelven host, and loved loved loved Glorfindel's 'Let battle commence.'
Author's reply
I think Gilraen will feel a lot more at home in Imladris now she has seen that she shares a common experience with with the elves around her. Glorfindel does love stirring things up! But I don't think Estel will win this round - he really is rather too young. He'll have to wait a bit longer to acquire a pet.
Selene · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Lovely again. It's good to see that Gilrean realises that she is not alone in this afterall. I would love to read about Elrond "spoiling" Glorfindel's kids. I can just see Estel following the twins AND Glorfindel around Imladris with big adoring puppydog eyes... Elladan says, Elrohir says, Glorfindel says ... **snicker** And for pets ... let the battle begin ;)
Author's reply
Gilraen will be happier, I think, now she has realised they are a team. And, after however many months in Imladris, elves no longer seem as alien as they did when she first arrived, bereaved and exhausted and alone. While Estel certainly adores these elves who play with him and teach him all sort of exciting things. (I don't think Estel will get the kitten, though. Not this time.) And as for Elrond offering the same services to Glorfindel's children - wouldn't it be a joy!
vampfan30 · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
ah, the joys of parenthood... this is why I only have one - & plan on keeping it that way. the "kids" in this story I can enjoy like an aunt - from close up, but, without the responsibility of cleaning up after the youngsters. I can send them home when done!!!!
Author's reply
They are becoming a family there in Imladris - their shared desire to raise a healthy, happy and well-balanced child is overcoming their differences. And it should be exciting - because, after all, they are all adults. And keeping track of one kid shouldn't be difficult. Should it?
Armariel · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Kitties and froggies and puppies, oh my! Such lovely childhood memories! I always loved critters when I was a kid and still do. Well, the adults are going to have their hands full, but it's nice to see the twins are learning to have fun again. And kids and their critters are a delight to watch so I imagine Gilraen will be resigned before long.....
Author's reply
Imladris must be a perfect place for a future Ranger to grow up. And the twins will introduce him to every corner of it. Trees and pools and animals of every description - and all in a safe and sheltered environment. The twins are being more uncle-like at the moment, but they are refreshing their memories of what it is like to be young - and I suspect every game they play with Estel is releasing some of the built-up crust of bitterness they have stored. Gilraen will give in in the end, I expect - but not this time!
Idril Celebrindal · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Oh I can't wait to read about this "Battle". LOL
Author's reply
Um. The battle hasn't been written. Although I think Gilraen won this one. Estel really is too young to look after a pet just yet. And the twins are probably not willing to be too manipulative this early in the growing family relationship. But I'm sure there will be other battles!
Lindelea · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
You very nicely draw the underpinning of the scene--the sense of family belonging--while most of the reader's attention is on the spoiling, er, raising of the child. This was amusing: ‘I do my best,’ And Elrond's ambition to become an entertainer some day was priceless. (Does Glorfindel ever have children? I forget. I have read some of your chapters of Elladan and Elrohir and Legolas in the uttermost West, but don't remember much about Glorfindel for some reason. But of course, have not yet had today's coffee, so it may be my memory is not working anyhow.)
Author's reply
Glorfindel is just such a ... glorious character! I wonder if Elrond would take joy in leading his friend's children astray ... What am I saying - of course he would! They are moulding themselves into a family there in Imladris. While all Gilraen could see at the start was their differences, now she is beginning to recognise their similarities. Glorfindel doesn't feature a lot in the E2L stories - but he is in Discretion and his - romantic intentions - feature in Exiled. But, as yet, he has not been gifted with children. (Well, he's not married yet.)
Jay of Lasgalen · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
No pets, hmm? Famous last words, Gilraen! She'll be helpless against the combined wiles of E3. I like the sense of history repeating itself in this chapter - I can just hear the twins starting every sentence with 'Glorfindel says', and can guess how irritating it must be, then and now. I'm really enjoying this series, Bodkin! Jay
Author's reply
No pets yet, perhaps. Estel is a bit young right now - and I'm sure he'll find himself in the stables as often as he can get someone to take him there until the kittens grow. And E2 would be able to wangle a way round most things, probably. And wouldn't they just have quoted Glorfindel at every opportunity! It must have driven their parents wild. Thank you, Jay. I'm glad you're liking it.
perelleth · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Yay! Let it flow! Dragging in Glorfindel was very considerate, I say, or he would feel disregarded. And of course the child could not be less than awed by his powers! This is wonderful. Surely seeing the amount of care devoted to her child will be a comofrt for Gilraen, but I loved at Elrond's veiled threat: ‘I hope – very much – that, one day, a time will come when I shall be able to provide entertainment for your children while you attempt to instruct them in the merits of hard work and responsibility.’ Now that would be an amusing tale, wouldn't it?
Author's reply
Well - Glorfindel didn't want to be left out. And can't you just see the hero-worship in Estel's eyes! I think at first Gilraen would only have been aware of the differences between men and elves. Now - she is noticing the similarities - and those will offer her comfort in this new life. It would be very amusing to see Glorfindel struggling with parenthood while Elrond made a point of being the provider of mischief and adventure. Very amusing indeed!
Kitty · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Another wonderful chapter, Bodkin, and hilarious, too! I was snickering through the whole chapter. Oh, I loved the bickering between Elrond and Glorfindel and the way it helped Gilraen to feel more at ease in this new home and with the elves. Of course you were right in your last answer - if Arwen had been around, I doubt, too, Estel and Arwen would have fallen in love, but as Tolkien neglected the females so badly, I know only Arwen and Celebrían in Imladris. Well, I trust you can find an original character, if necessary. And I can imagine little Estel so well, hero-worshipping the twins and the legendary balrog-slayer :) To have living legends to play with is very exciting for a little boy. Oh, and I *love* the idea what the peredhil will do if Glorfindel ever has children of his own and hope your other stories will eventually lead to this promising plot bunny *grin*
Author's reply
Glorfindel will be a great support for Gilraen - and I do think he is very soft-hearted when it comes to women and children. While shared experience will give Elrond and Gilraen a bond that goes beyond their race. I have a few female characters who live in Imladris - (I love reusing characters from previous stories) - Mothwen, who is a housekeeper and was widowed when Ost-in-Edhil fell, and Iavas, who is a cook - and particularly good with honey-cakes! They both appeared in A Proper Little Lady and Mothwen was mentioned in Unearthing the Past. I wonder if Elrond would be too controlled to lead Glorfindel's children into mischief ... ... ... No, of course he wouldn't!
daw the minstrel · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 3: Admiration
Ah, Glorfindel. What a wonderful addition to the mix. Estel does sound quite star-struck about the twins, but if Glorfindel can order them around, he must be an even higher order being. At least, Estel is seeing someone model obedience to authority, which might come in handy, given the cat situation.
Author's reply
How could Glorfindel keep out of it? I remember once reading somewhere - I have absolutely no idea where - a story where a grandmother impressed her grandchildren immensely by announcing, 'This is the hand that smacked your mother'. Elladan and Elrohir can do anything and yet, when Glorfindel speaks to them in a certain tone of voice, they obey him without question. Power enough to impress an observant child! And actually, they obey Elrond, too. It's just less dramatic. I think Gilraen will win on the cat quite easily. This time. Estel really is too young to look after it properly - and the twins will see that he spends plenty of time in the stables until the kittens become independent.
perelleth · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Another delightful piece! It is true that children that age demand full attention, so they are good to keep other prolems or thoughts away!And Gilraen is revceiving just what she asked for! ;-) I liked that it was from Elron'd pov, and he being looking down. IT gave the piece a certain detached yet profound detail.
Author's reply
Children are excellent at providing just what you don't expect, too! The twins didn't expect to be receiving quite so much back from him, I think. At least, not yet. They are being his indulgent uncles right now - and offering him the sort of experiences that mothers might prefer to omit from their child rearing. I don't think Gilraen minds the mud, really - but she wished that Arathorn had been there to be on the receiving end of his son's admiration. And she's not keen on frogspawn. And the twins' involvement will, I think, be part of deepening Elrond's interest - and turning Estel from fosterling to son.
treymaine · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Oh this was wonderful. I loved it.
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope you continue to like it.
Linda Hoyland · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Raksha reccomended this lovely story to me and I'm so glad she did.I don'tusually like little Estel stories but this is most enjoyable and i'm so pleased you keep Gilraen alive !
Author's reply
Thank you! Little Estel is unlikely to make much of an appearance - at least until he's bigger Estel. I think it's more likely to be about how the adults deal with the presence of a child. (One of my initial thoughts was to have Estel as a non-speaking role ... but when he gets older that might be a bit too much of a limitation!) And oh yes. Gilraen is not only alive, she is a strong woman who will insist on parenting her only child - and on having her voice heard, especially if she disagrees with others' ideas!
Agape4Gondor · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
ROTFL - so now the fountain is going to be a breeding ground for frogs. Good tale, as always. Looking forward to watching them all grow....
Author's reply
Elves are happy to co-exist with the natural world. A courtyard full of frogs is a small price to pay. (At least when the alternative is a house full of frogs.) Estel is already the twins' devoted admirer - and Gilraen is beginning to see a different side to the ruthless warriors.
Agape4Gondor · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Brotherhood
I like the fact that Gilraen is suprised that the twins would 'adopt' Estel. I loved Elrond... and, of course, the twins. Though they are past the time of 'insane' Orc killing - the damage is done and needs healing. I will be glad to see that healing as you continue this.
Author's reply
Gilraen - at first, anyway - sees the twins very much as elven warriors. It must have taken her a while to see the playfulness hidden deep inside them. And it is a big offer - Elrohir knows how much it will hurt to have little Estel grow up and old and die, even if Gilraen doesn't understand that side of the relationship. The twins are, I think, still badly affected by their mother's loss - and Elrond will be delighted if they can find again the inner child.
Gwynhyffar · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Bodkin, this was too cute and I really hope you continue it. I love Elrond's thoughts on the twins and the return of playfulness - of life really, I suppose. There is nothing like a child to remind people of how wonderous the world is. I look forward to more!
Author's reply
That's exactly it! The twins have been involved in death for too long. They are no longer the driven elves they were just after their mother's wounding, but they have not indulged in happy things for a long time - and they are introducing Estel to the delights of boyhood in Imladris and seeing them all through a child's eyes. It will be good for them - and I think the relationship is essential for Aragorn. Without his 'brothers' he would have been even more alone - and that isn't good for a child.
Larner · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Yes, I knew this would be freeing for Elrond's sons, and reassuring for their father as well. Yes, the lords of Imladris have needed Estel--needed him a great deal, certainly as much as Gondor and Arnor will need him!
Author's reply
I think the twins will be surprised how deeply Estel embeds himself in their hearts. They are ready for love again, really, although they know that it will come hand-in-hand with loss and sorrow. They are indulgent uncles at the moment - but they will become true brothers of the heart.
Selene · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
I can just see Gilrean's face.. tadpoles?? :) It is good to see the twins open up in the presence of the child, you can almost feel their enjoment at Estel's happiness with the tadpoles. It does indeed seem that they have learned something, keeping them outside the house. Imladris will have to be prepared for the three of them, but hey, it did survive the twins growing up didn't it?
Author's reply
I don't think Gilraen is very keen on frogspawn. Or slimy things as a whole. The twins are offering the child their affection and opening up to show him the delights of being a boy in Imladris. They know they are making themselves vulnerable to the pain of losing mortal friends, but they are doing it anyway - and, in the process, they are finding it offers them rewards far beyond their expectations. But they are adult - and they much prefer their baby frogs outside their bedrooms. Imladris will watch - and enjoy the view.
Raksha The Demon · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
‘But Gilraen…’ Elrohir protested mildly. ‘You said you wanted Estel to play in the mud …’ -- SNORK! Boys will be boys. Even Heirs of Isildur and semi-adult Peredhil, it seems. Estel really really really really really needs a puppy - the twins could help him learn to care for it, and it would certainly provide fun and love and access to lots and lots of dirt.
Author's reply
Elrohir is more than old enough to know better than to make provocative remarks like that - but he couldn't resist. At the moment I think the twins are more like indulgent uncles than brothers - and they are taking pleasure in introducing Estel to the delights of boyhood. And you're a boy-and-his-puppy fan, are you? I don't know that Elrond would be keen. Imladris is a bit too elegant for dog hair ... But you never know!
Lindelea · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
Ah, but you brought more than one smile to my face as I read. So many little turns of phrase... (I used to be able to see the review window and the chapter window at the same time and cut and paste between them, but this new browser doesn't seem to allow that) It seems to me that there may be some healing going on, and that Estel is not only receiving benefit, but giving it.
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it! I think healing will go all ways - from Elrond to the twins and bringing in Gilraen, Estel and a lot of others along the way.
Lindelea · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Brotherhood
Lovely! I'm not sure I've read anything that touched on this time, early on in Ara - I mean Estel's - association with the sons of Elrond, though I have been contemplating it. I was very surprised to find that Arwen's first meeting with Aragorn was when he was 20 - so she was away from Rivendell 18 years? Did I get that right? Who is Valandil? The name is familiar but I cannot place him, or his time, with the "other orphaned children" who were his companions. Is he the remaining son of Elendil or Isildur? Sorry to be so muddled over something I ought to know. Having read your stories about Elladan and Elrohir's mischief (with a little Legolas thrown in on occasion), I think they are probably well-equipped to tackle the present challenge. (How sad it must be for an immortal, to watch a baby grow to a man, and age, and die. Worse, even, than it is for a dog or cat owner.)
Author's reply
I suppose that, to elves, an absence of 20 or 30 or 50 years isn't really that long a time. After all - Arwen and the twins are nearly 3000 years old - Elrond is 6000. And elves count time in periods of 144 years rather than in individual years. Valandil is Isildur's youngest son. He was born in Imladris in 3430 of the Second Age and became King of Arnor when Isildur and his other sons were killed. He was left in Imladris with, probably, his mother and other women and children, when the armies headed off to Dagorlad. While the descendants of Isildur were generally fostered in Imladris at some time in their lives, I tend to believe that they were educated there in early adolescence rather than arriving as small children to be raised. Elladan and Elrohir were undoubtedly adventurous as children - I think they were brave and ingenious and enterprising and tended to involve themselves in activities that no-one would have thought to forbid - but they are undoubtedly adults now. I feel they would have encouraged Estel and widened his horizons - but that they would not have deliberately led him into mischief. He would probably have managed that on his own while trying to emulate them. Watching those they loved grow up and age must have been almost intolerable for elves - and I suspect led many to avoid any kind of relationships with men. Could well have affected poor Legolas very badly in the aftermath of the Ringwar, I suspect.
SurgicalSteel · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Discovery
*giggles* Oh, too adorable. I'm looking forward to seeing what they get up to next!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm sure Estel will be having a lot of fun - and that the elves of Imladris will take it all in their stride.