Vaire Elentari
· 8 April 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
That was amazing! I love how people like to analyze the relationship of Maglor and the children. I thought that that situation was odd. He destroyed their home and took them into his. I had first thought that they were meant to be hostages but then I read that there was love between them. My jaw dropped open for a moment but then I thought that he must've felt guilty for what happen to Elured and Elurin at Doriath. This was a interesting twist on that story.
perelleth
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
I was egaer to read this chapter and then found out that it was the last! I really enjoyed it, FP. You ahve suhc a talent for the realistic day to day as well as for emotions! What I most liked in this tale was MAglor´s characterization as a country lord in his manor. (I pictured him like that with his tweed cap and his riding boots...and the shawl in this chapter was a great touch!!!) BUt I also loved Maedhros, and his fierce defence of his borhter. As you say, a family, of a kind, yet a family. I buy that. and it showed clearly in this tale. Congratulations!
grumpy
· 25 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
I am coming out of lurkdom, to tell you that I have enjoyed each and every chapter of this story, I found it very facisnating, the goings on between the twins and Maglor. You made it all so real. Thanks for the good read.
JastaElf
· 25 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
LOL! Sorry, it WAS rather bad of us to talk about a book and then not tell... It's the Camber of Culdi trilogy by Katherine Kurtz. Specifically, Camber the Heretic. Rhys is a lovely character, a Deryni healer, and he dies... by striking his head on a step during a nasty indoor battle, when he slips on some blood on the floor. Wham. Brilliantly done, and horribly painful to read....
Anyway! I'm sad to see this story end, but OH what a wonderful tale it has been! So beautifully, realistically characterized... such superb dialogue and inner workings... just lovely and perfect! Thank you so much for sharing more of your genius with us.
Is there any chance we'll ever get to see maybe a short story in situ at Sirion? With Little!Twins and big, blood-covered, yelling Sons of Feanor?? *looks hopeful*
In any case... I will adore anything you write. *g* Thank you SO much for this great tale!
Bodkin
· 20 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
I can't help but think - poor Maglor. I hope his relationship with Elwing's sons brought him some comfort. And, actually, I can feel sorry for poor tormented Maedhros, too. The rest of Feanor's sons - blah. Cardboard cutouts.
But poor Elros and Elrond, too. The fact that they weren't crazy crack-head (or Middle-earth equivalent) kids is probably down to Maglor's care more than anything else. But what a family situation! Tolkien didn't make it easy on any of them.
I'm glad to see them coming to a better understanding of each other.
ponypetter
· 15 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
What a fitting end. Maglor is such a tragic character, moreso than any other I can think of. We can see the true remorse in his character, a facet I don't think is seen in the others, like Maedhros. Maedhros regrets the loss of his family, but Maglor seems to understand he's lost much more than that. I think that's why he was drawn to the twins.
SurgicalSteel
· 13 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
Firstly, I very much enjoyed this story - portrays the remaining sons of Feanor as complex people who were forced to make decisions that they didn't much like sometimes. And Maglor, especially, as somewhat sympathetic, and someone who's trying very much to do right by the twins.
That book that Jay of Lasgalen and JastaElf were discussing? Unless I'm very much mistaked, it's Camber the Heretic by Katherine Kurtz - it's the third book in a trilogy: Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber, and Camber the Heretic. Well worth a read.
meckinock
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
I'm glad that Elros feels better. About everything. He was so crushed when he realized he had destroyed (in his mind) his comfortable, happy family. I was glad when he woke up and saw that Elrond was all right, and overheard Maglor and Maedhros talking about him, and realized he was forgiven. I wasn't left quite certain if it was forgiveness he needed, or just peace, though. Sometimes we have to shut our eyes to things about the people we love in order to keep loving them. He realizes now that Maglor is not going to kill him and Elrond, but has he made peace with what happened in the past or has he just decided the present is more important? Whatever the answer, the warm, loving interaction between these characters was very well done and it left me wanting to believe in it, too.
Larner
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
Yes, a proper family they make, this melding of what children and foster parent from both sides of a pointless quarrel made out of pride gone beyond hubris, a pride that destroyed so very much. And it has sparked something for the end of my own story, once I get that far, of course--have a good deal more to look at before I get that far.
Larner
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Poor children, both of them as they seek to make sense of it all.
meckinock
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Wow. Scariness in the river. I don't know which was worse - Elrond's terror at being swept away or Elros's terror at seeing him stranded in the floodwaters. And poor Elrond; he wants to be rescued but he doesn't want to have to touch Maedhros's stump. I really felt sorry for Elros being assigned to write a composition after all that! I was very relieved when Maedhros let him off the hook. The final scene was very touching, with poor Elros trying to get comfortable in bed all alone. He has a lot to think about. Have his feelings really changed or not?
Elena Tiriel
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
An interesting tale, French Pony, and also an intriguing take on how Maglor (and Maedhros) might have related to Elros and Elrond.
Nicely done!
- Barbara
Nilmandra
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
A nice reconciliation at the end here, to bring this small group back together. I couldn't help but wonder, though, if Maglor and Maedhros would ever apologize to the twins for what they did at Sirion, in destroying their home and people and taking them captive? Maglor grew to love them, but it is hard to get past the fact that it is his and Maedhros's fault that they are orphans. It would be an interesting look in later years to see if the twins would see the one-sidedness of this apology/forgiveness and be brave enough to broach the topic.
MithLuin
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
I agree with you that it is a very complicated situation. I wonder how much the twins knew, as children, and when they learned various details. I am actually working on my own fic detailing their lives after the Havens, so I guess if I ever finish it, you will see what I think of all this! But I like your version of events, where the trust is broken before it can form, and that fracture makes it very, very weak. And yet...Maglor is open enough about it that they cannot feel betrayed. Interesting. Your story does have a 'love conquers all' feel to it, and I would like to think that, ultimately, the relationship did last. Someone else pointed out that Elrond refers to Eãrendil as his "sire," not his father, so perhaps even at the time of LotR, he considers Maglor to be his father.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
I've really enjoyed this story.
Bravo for Elros confronting his feelings, acknowledging his shame and remorse, and finally finding his love for Maglor again. I also liked Maglor and Maedhros confronting their own actions and the consequences of That Oath.
The story Jasta referred to is by Katherine Kurtz, one of her Deryni Chronicles (I can't remember the particular title.) One of her central characters Rhys (a hero of mine since I first read him), was killed in a senseless accident that seemed to sum up the pointlessness of battle and war. It's years since I read it, but I immediately recognised the scene - it was that powerful!
Jay
daw the minstrel
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 5: As Little Might Be Thought
The most interesting part of this chapter was Maglor, wrestling with the truth of his own actions. He seems to me to be struggling for understanding almost as much as Elros was and he has no kind parent to help him.
This was a good read, FP.
ponypetter
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
I just found this beautiful story. I think the most striking scene featured Elros telling Maglor and Maedhros that their oath and quest was stupid. Maglor seems to agree in his heart, which probably has a lot to do with his adoption of the twins. His loyalty to the rest of his family is difficult to shake especially now that so many have died, but I get the feeling he is finding it increasingly difficult to accept his role in the deaths of his adopted son's family.
Bodkin
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Thank goodness Elrond is rescued! Elros is learning more about his guardians than perhaps he realises - their deep love for each other, for one thing. And that they are suffering from the events of the past age or so. And, perhaps, that working together will achieve what a solo effort won't.
But Maedhros can still be rather scary. (Protective of his younger brother, perhaps. Even at the expense of children.)
Jay of Lasgalen
· 6 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
(Sorry - this is more a comment to Jasta about her review)
'A friend of mine killed off a VERY popular character of hers in a series of novels--he needed to NOT be there for future events--but rather than succumb to the temptation to kill him off in some special or meaningful way, with perhaps a lovely protracted death scene... he slipped in blood during a brutal massed fight, struck his head on the edge of a stone stair, and... died. Wham. A brilliant moment that had her fans screaming in outraged admiration... *g*
I know the scene you mean - and I hated it. It was so senseless, and such a waste of a wonderful life - and exactly what happens in battles and a time of war. So much that is good is lost in just such pointless circumstances.
JastaElf
· 6 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Superb chapter! A lot of emotions... a lot of pain and terror. I can feel SO much for Elrond here... I have a deep and abiding terror of drowning (yet am drawn to water, the rougher the better... go figure....) and I know I would not have been able to let go of the rock either.
One thing that struck me so powerfully (among the many!) was the fact that Elrond was in the act of moving away from the dangerous river--sensible child!--when he was taken away by an act of nature. This is never an easy thing for a writer to convey; we always want to make it something more than it is, but accidents sometimes just happen. A friend of mine killed off a VERY popular character of hers in a series of novels--he needed to NOT be there for future events--but rather than succumb to the temptation to kill him off in some special or meaningful way, with perhaps a lovely protracted death scene... he slipped in blood during a brutal massed fight, struck his head on the edge of a stone stair, and... died. Wham. A brilliant moment that had her fans screaming in outraged admiration... *g* I thought of that when I re-read Elrond falling into the river. He didn't fall because he was out of control with grief and upset--though there was every reason for that to be the case. He didn't fall because someone pushed him, or was trying to rid the world of him... he just... fell. The riverbank let go and he fell. JUST brilliantly simple, and perfect!
Elros's actions throughout are also perfect. He is acting very much his age, and very much the characterization you have created for him--and it's wonderful to see. I love the fact that he actually noticed--and understatedly reacted to--the fact that Maedhros brought him unmatched stockings and Elrond's trousers. Grief and anxiety are like that... we catch ourselves winkling at trivialities, and often bash ourselves for doing so, and yet... do it anyway. It shows so clearly and simply and brilliantly the way a mind and spirit behaves when dulled by fear... so very well done. I love that you show, by people's actions and words, what state they're in--rather than telling, you show. And you do so VERY well.
The end bit, with Elros realizing that Maglor is weeping and that he, Elros, is probably the cause of it... is just stunning. In fact the entire part from when they rescue Elrond reminds me of a song I heard a few times on the radio as a child, and have not been able to find since. It is called "November Snow" and is apparently about someone looking back on the death of a brother many years later. Like your story it is elegantly simple and yet so complex: "November snow, stretching far away/on a Kansas City morning, people talking low;/but the doctor shook his head/and left the rest unsaid..." and later, the line that has haunted me ever since: "And we always will be brothers/though there always will be others/to call my name..." The whole second half of this chapter leaves me in the same contemplative state of mind, observing a grief and an anxiety from outside, wanting to comfort but not able to because I am not truly there... but strongly marked by what I am observing.
*Stands and applauds* Just SUCH a wonderful chapter, in a superb, beautifully crafted story! Thank you for this update!
Daynawayna
· 6 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
OH my! Poor Elrond! Poor Elros! POOR MAGLOR!! And for good measure... good 'ole Maedhros! LOL
You certainly know how to put male elves thru the ringer, French Pony! I'm totally taken with this story and can't wait for the next update! This is some pretty fine angst, and I'm lovin' it! LOL (does that make me a sadist?) :O OH dear... shutting up now... :D
perelleth
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Ai, poor Elros! WHat a difficult day! He will learn a lot from this, I believe, poor child. And I loved the subtle irony of the punishment that MAedhros chose for him!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
An exciting chapter! Thank goodness Elrond was rescued - and I'm glad that Elros's instinct was still to run to Maglor for help. That makes me sure that the breach between them will heal eventually. But however badly Elros had behaved, I think that Maglor and Maedhros (as brothers themselves) should have allowed him to see Elrond, to reassure and comfort each other. Even if Elros is still being punished, Elrond needs his twin.
Jay
MithLuin
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Poor, poor Elros. He can't help but feel miserable to know it is his fault Elrond got into danger, and same with Maglor's being upset. He is alone and miserable right now, even if his brother had the worst of it. I am glad Maedhros calmed down, but I can understand why his anger would be enough to frighten a child!
daw the minstrel
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 4: Waters Deep And Cold
Poor Elros. Elrond has had a frightening experience, but Elros has come face to face with the consequences of his own actions. Poor baby.