That was beautiful... I am glad you brought up what fostering can mean to children in need.
Sharing a father does finally make them real brothers. But, just to be fair, does that mean that Gilrean gets to be a mother to the twins as well?! Now, they have to eat their vegetables and drink their milk too? ;) Wipe their feet... come right when called... explain that broken cup... that empty candy dish... heh!
Whilst waiting for Santa to come down the chimney - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Bodkin! To you and *your* family.
Author's reply
I think Dunedain life would have made it necessary for parenting to be the responsibility of the community - and to have Estel adopted into the family in Imladris makes his future more certain. She would have mourned the need - but far better for Estel to have a father. And it does make the twins his brothers - I can somehow see them responding to Gilraen in a maternal role. At least during daylight hours ... maybe once Estel is in bed their relationship would change.
A Happy New Year to you, Redheredh. Enjoy the weekend - and best wishes for 2007.
Larner
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
How wonderful that we get to see the moment when Elrond becomes a father of four. And love how he dives on Elrohir here.
Author's reply
You learn to be very wary when kids are trying to get comfortable! Elrohir accepted Estel's announcement very well - and I'm glad he was concerned about Gilraen's response to Estel's adoption of Elrond. But I think she would be practical about it - even if she mourned the need for her son to have a substitute father.
Selene
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
Now this is a very significant turn of events. Estel has just received two older brothers and I think that is something he really loves, especially if they are Elladan and Elrohir.
Author's reply
Estel admires them immensely - I imagine that when he grows up he wants to be just like them! And he would want their adar to be his adar - such a little word and yet so meaningful when it comes to Estel's position in Imladris. And I do think that Gilraen would deal with it well - in public, anyway - and see it as a good thing, even if she spent long nights grieving over the need for it.
grumpy
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
It must seem strange that young elves would know men from long long ago. I too think stories with talking animals would be a something that Estel would like.
Author's reply
Knowing previous generations of the Dunedain would seem oddly alarming, I think. Whereas having known legenday elves would probably seem fine.
Whereas talking animals are something anyone could relate to!
Armariel
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
Sweet! My favorite, so far. So nice and so telling of Elrohir not to be annoyed at having his blissful rest so precipitously interrupted, and lovely that he should accept little Estel as his brother. He's a sweet little boy, small wonder!
Author's reply
Elrohir was thoroughly enjoying his lazy morning in the warm and dry - so it was good of him to welcome Estel. But I think of Elrohir as having a very warm and loving heart - and he realised before sending the child away that actually his presence there was a gift. Accepting Estel as his brother has implications that Elrohir understands - while Estel just knows he is with his family.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
*Happy sigh**
I'm loving all these tales - but this is the best yet. From Elrohir's happy dozing - a feeling I love when I wake at the usual time and realise I've got the day off - to Estel's appearance after Elladan's suggestion that his twin might be lonely, and especially Estel's casual mention of 'Ada'.
Elrohir is wonderful in the way he responds to Estel here, and I simply love the final line: ‘Brothers,’ Elrohir agreed. ‘You, me and Elladan – we will be a team.’ He offered a big hand to the boy in a grip that just felt – right. ‘Brothers to the end.’
:>)
Thank you, and merry Christmas to you.
Jay
Author's reply
To wake up warm and dry - especially if the mud is still close enough to taste - must be a whole different level of pleasure. Elrohir felt tempted to send Estel back to persecute Elladan - but fortunately realised in time that there are far worse ways to spend your day off than cuddling a little live-wire and listening to him burble on. And of course the foal is much more important than the word!
Elrohir is a star - and (unlike Estel) he does realise the full implications of declaring brotherhood with the child. ... ... Although I doubt he suspects the Arwen outcome. Not yet, anyway.
Glad you enjoyed it - and a Happy New Year back!
daw the minstrel
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
Now that's a nicely achieved moment. Brotherhood through having a common adar.
Elladan was sneaky to suggest Elrohir might be lonely. LOL. But Elrohir is wise enough to realize that these moments don't come along all that often in one's life.
Author's reply
Very manipulative of Elladan! But Elrohir is awake enough to realise that this is one of those moments for joy! They will lose Estel in time - but he will have had this day. And Estel would, I think, adopt Elrond to a fatherly role - especially if he spent much time playing with the twins!
The irony would be that if Estel adopts Elrond as an adar and E2 become his brothers, then Gilraen becomes adoptive mother to the twins ... Weird situation that would be! But I think they'll cope with being extra adoptive sons during the day - although she might find it rather odd.
SlightlyTookish
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
WHat a lovely chapter! I love the understanding between Elrohir and Estel, and the understanding Gilraen shows as well. I'm so glad I found this story.
Author's reply
Thank you. Gilraen is a good mother - and prepared to sacrifice her own wishes to raise her son. I think the twins show courage, too - because they know, as Estel cannot, that they will lose him to duty and old age. One way or another. But not yet - now is the time to build up the memories and the love that will sustain them.
harrowcat
· 24 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Rain
Brothers,’ Elrohir agreed. ‘You, me and Elladan – we will be a team.’ He offered a big hand to the boy in a grip that just felt – right. ‘Brothers to the end.’
Brothers? Oh, oh that can spell a lot of trouble for Elrond and the whole of Rivendell as well as a lot of joy. I do love the way that you meld together all the potential joy and grief on many levels for so many people at once. Masterly Bodkin!
Author's reply
Thank you! I think their role is more uncle-like at the moment - but they are growing together, and I reckon Elrohir has taken to the child far more than he would have believed possible. Still - brave to let a child so deeply into his heart, knowing he would grow and age and die. But that's a good while off yet - and Estel has the pleasure of growing up among those who love him.
Redheredh
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
I liked getting more about young Gilrean in this chapter. I can appreciate her initial shock and subsequent excitement of hearing eye-witness accounts of history where you really did not expect to find them. Especially, if they included friendly dragons!
I would love to talk to someone like Casca Longinus - after I got over the terror of meeting him face-to-face!
Author's reply
Rats - I just answered this and it got lost.
It must be really disconcerting to sit down and find you're talking to someone who knew your great grandparents and their great grandparents. Possibly more disconcerting than hearing them talk about Eonwe and the War of Wrath or Gil-galad.
Smudge the friendly dragon probably seemed totally innocuous in comparison. At least unless she discovered that they were true ...
Larner
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
Indeed, family history is always interesting, particularly when told by those who lived through it. And Aragorn will have the chance to know more of his family's past than most of his family have known.
One day I must write the story I promised in which the twins discuss Isildur's skill with whistling with Aragorn.
Author's reply
That sounds a good story. I look forward to it!
Aragorn might well find hearing it rather less disconcerting than Gilraen would, though. He will have grown up knowing that the twins were more than they seemed. I'm not sure she wouldn't find it easier to hear Elrond talk about Gil-galad, though, than to have the twins tell her about her immediate ancestors. It's more personal.
Larner
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Comfort
Joyful interruption. So glad that the twins decided to teach Estel this so much needed skill, and that all three Elves are finding themselves eased and refreshed by the child's presence.
Author's reply
Oh yes! The twins are playing with Estel and teaching him at the same time - and of course Elrond should get to join in! Others at Imladris might decide that Elrond was too important to play with a child - but who better than the twins to know how much he enjoyed doing just that.
Estel is living up to his name, I think. And acting as a catalyst for change.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
I'm enjoying these short episodes so much. In this one I liked Gilraen's uncertainty about which twin she was talking to - and her reluctance in asking. Yes, it must be irritating for them (but I was told by an identical twin I once worked with that they answered to each other's names to save trouble!)
I also like Gilraen's shock at realising just how ancient the twins are - even though it's half the plot of a challenge story I'm trying to write!!
Author's reply
It's so difficult with identical twins - you can only ask so many times without looking as if you're not trying! I like the thought of them answering politely to either name. Good for Gilraen and not too much of a pain for them!
Gilraen was nervous of the twins at first - seeing them as the ruthless warriors of legend - and she has just begun to get used to them as amiable companions for her son - (and ones who will teach him all sorts of things she might prefer him not to know) - and this has come as a reminder that they are more than that. Interesting plot device! Looking forward to seeing it.
SlightlyTookish
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
This is a lovely story. I just discovered it today and read it in one go. Little Estel is just darling, and I enjoyed reading about both Gilraen's and Elrond's internal dialogues and their doubts about themselves and the situation. The twins are wonderful, and the baking scene especially was very sweet. I'm looking forward to more of this story.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Estel is young enough that he is just taking this all in his stride, but the more adult inhabitants of Imladris are taking a bit of time to adjust. Elrond will relish the challenges of substitute-fatherhood - and it will do the twins a power of good to have to seek their inner child and nurture Estel. Gilraen - well, it's going to be hard on her, whatever. Because, as I recall, she gave Hope to the Dunedain (and the rest of M-e) and kept none for herself.
Armariel
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
Eeee so are we going to get the dragon story? We wants it.............
Author's reply
Um ... I don't think the tale of Smudge the Talking Dragon is imminent. Although you never quite know what will announce itself to the brain in the middle of the night.
Agape4Gondor
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
'Gilraen finished the tale – the bold Ranger escaped peril and made it home safely to his loved ones – purely for her own satisfaction...'
I loved this line - I myself have 'had' to finish a story after the children have fallen asleep - cause I've got to read the ending. Delightful and brought back such neat memories!
And this line made me cry... ‘Most stories have their roots in the same hopes,’ he said softly. ‘That the heroes win through and everyone lives happily ever after.’
I am still looking for that hope - hope you have much hope yourself. And thank you for writing this - it is poignant and very nice!
Author's reply
Telling tales is a very ... rhythmic thing. You have to complete the story! And then, I suspect Gilraen took great pleasure in watching the innocent sleeping face of her son - and having him to herself while she could.
Thank you. I'm glad you liked this. I do think that the great tales are stories of hope.
Agape4Gondor
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Comfort
Had he stagnated? Flattered himself that he was offering a refuge, but sealed the valley away so that none could approach it – so that none could approach him? Was his sons’ abandonment of their home – his daughter’s absence in the Golden Wood – more due to his paralysis than their restlessness?
Incredible questions and quite valid. I'm glad Elrond has such wisdom to look at his actions and wonder. Very appropriate for this story too!
I giggled during most of this - a pleasant diversion from the hardships of Middle-earth.
And I loved the last part about who was going to be blamed! Delightful chapter!
Author's reply
The twins responded to Celebrian's wounding with relentless orc slaying - Arwen seems to have been unable to bear being at home. Elrond must have reacted in some way - and a desperate attempt to preserve Imladris as it had been when she was still with him seems quite a likely response. But Estel changes things. Quite inadvertantly he brings a fresh challenge to the elves of Imladris.
And Elrond needs to have some fun! And learn to play again. I can just picture Gilraen's reproachful look at the twins, too. Because of course it is their fault!
daw the minstrel
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
It's very hard to imagine knowing people who knew people who are distant history for you. That kind of longevity must change one's perspective on almost everything.
Author's reply
I wonder if distant history is easier to deal with than recent... Overcoming the general weirdness of it might be easier for something that seems like a story anyway - while realising that your substitute family knew your great-grandparents as children might feel more peculiar.
Being old enough to have seen mountain ranges wear down must make human-scale events seem very transient - it's a wonder, really, that the elves and men were able to communicate on any meaningful level.
Kitty
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
Bodkin, you're outdoing yourself with all these updates in so short a time! I'm impressed! *bows*
It is not always easy to live as a mortal among elves. I suppose you can know deep down that they are thousands of years old and have known your great-great-great...-grandparents, but they appear so young that you tend to forget it, and then happens something to remind you of their true age. It must be unsettling for Gilraen. But she copes admirably with it, and if she is using it to learn more about the history of her people first-hand, it may work out well for her. At least I think it could be interesting, too, to know someone who lived through the old tales, as soon as Gilraen has gotten used to it and feels more comfortable with the whole thing.
Merry Christmas to you and happy holidays!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm afraid catering duties interrupted the flow - but now people have come and gone or are spending half the morning asleep, I'm getting computer time again!
It must be very disconcerting for Gilraen at times. In some ways, perhaps it's easier to have the elves talk of people they knew from ancient history than to realise that they knew her own great-grandparents. Or to hear them talk of distant places rather than history in places she knows. And I think they would be careful around her most of the time. They want her to feel comfortable in their company. But adjusting to their age and experience is part of learning to live in Imladris - and part of what will make it very hard for her ever to leave and become an ordinary mortal again.
And a Happy New Year to you!
harrowcat
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 6: Tales
I, too, want to hear the story of the dragon who couldn't breathe fire! *smiles winsomely*. Pretty please!
Author's reply
I'd rather like to hear it too! Perhaps Elladan will indulge us both ... It is Christmas!
Armariel
· 23 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Comfort
Oh gracious...I want to adopt Estel now...well, I might return him after about 10 minutes, but then again maybe not! I can see it's doing a great deal of good to have some fresh blood about the place. Critters, cookies, ink blots, the whole works....
Author's reply
Fresh blood - yes, that's it! Imladris needs Estel, I think, at this point. Just as much as the child needs the safety and security that Imladris provides.
They should have an exciting few years ahead of them!
grumpy
· 22 December 2006
· Chapter 4: Spice
What a delightfull story. Love your characters, the twins and little Estel are charmers. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thank you! Estel is almost too charming - but fortunately we're looking at the effect he has on others, so hopefully we won't overdose on sugar! More coming!
Redheredh
· 22 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Comfort
The last two chapter were very sweet and heart-warming. And you write so beautifully besides! You have such talent... Each of these marvelous little episodes are certainly about the people around Estel and how he affects them more than their effect upon him.
However, this chapter was just overwhelming. Had he stagnated? That entire paragraph - whew! I love this one for the so many reasons, but mostly for Elrond acknowledging that change does not mean more loss than gain. Yes, he preferred a feather quill and some long-past days. That did not mean he could never find another use for the nub or renewal in another mother and child's future.
His automatic correction of Estel's bad grammar was a perfect note. That is what others hear - his confidence, not his worries. There are always so many nice subtle touches like that in all your stories.
The budding Ranger is indeed lucky to have the benefit of teachings that took so many "years of practice to acquire". However, there is cunning there too!
Wonderful series so far!
Author's reply
Estel is just ... there. Small children are very egocentric - I suspect they are of the opinion that the world ends just where they can't see it any more. And the adults musings are far more fascinating, really. So many elements mixed together.
And poor Elrond is left brooding whether he is to blame for the change in his children. But they are ready for change, I think. Even if it comes at a price. (And he just would correct Estel's speech. And make sure he held the pen correctly.)
Practice - and experience, I think. As well as a certain amount of cunning.
I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Lindelea
· 22 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Comfort
Awww. They *do* grow up so fast... I miss those days of delight.
Author's reply
Children are enchanting at the age when everything is new and exciting. Tiring, too. But it does pass far too quickly.
Kitty
· 22 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Comfort
Estel is truly good for his new family. I'm glad to see how much this child influences Elrond and his sons, giving them back the joy that was missing so obviously over the last few centuries. The twins seem so much more relaxed and content in comparison to the vengeange-driven warriors earlier, and even Elrond is increasingly bewitched by this boy. Simply cute to watch Estel sneaking closer and then attacking :-)
Oh, and of course I would not mind a lot of "Elladan / Elrohir / Glorfinden says" if I could cuddle Estel. On the contrary - I would be very happy to know everything Estel could tell me about them! ;-)
Author's reply
I suspect that destiny was playing its part in Estel's arrival in Imladris. And in his name! Elrond and his sons - and the rest of the household - do need the freshness that he is bringing to the haven. And he needs their love, experience and constancy.
In your dreams tonight! You will be visited by a very cuddlesome Estel. (I'm sprinkling the fairy dust now.)