paranoidangel · 13 March 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
I like Elladan's unconventional method of comforting Elrohir - he knows him well enough to know exactly what will work.
Comfort by Bodkin
Reviews (20)
mistry89 · 26 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
A reminder that of all the inhabitants of ME, it is Elrond (and his family) that lost and lost and lost again. It is easy to see, as your story demonstrates, how elves less directly involved with the Big Picture and less connected to the mortal world almost drifted out of sight of the other people of ME - they had no "good" reason to mire themselves in more loss and leave-taking. Thank you - the need for comfort and reassurance in such circumstances is surely universal.
obsidianj · 18 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
A touching scene. It must have been hard for the twins to fight for centuries and watch their comrades die. Luckily they have each other to help them through times when it gets too much.
pipinheart · 17 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
Nicely done... I feel sorry for Elrohir, but love Elladan trying to cheer him up. Great job...
elliska · 12 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
Wow, this really made me sad, Bodkin! You really portrayed Elrohir's pain over the loss of his ranger comrades very powerfully. And Elladan's approach to bringing him around a bit was wonderful. I love, and really miss, the mixture of humor and seriousness in your dialogues. Orc-maidens running! LOL! I really enjoyed reading this!
Author's reply
I cannot begin to imagine how one of the twins would have coped if the other had been killed. Each needs the understanding of the other - the mix of sympathy, teasing, shared experience, unquestioning love and support ... Elrohir has reached the edge of endurance at the moment - but he knows he can rely on Elladan to bring him back. And the image of orc-maidens running screaming from a battle-befouled elf is - one I enjoyed. Thank you, elliska. I'm glad you found this entertaining!
harrowcat · 10 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
Loved this Bodkin. I, too,thought it might be Arathorn but it works equally well with an unknown man. Every life is precious.
Author's reply
I tend to think that the twins might have been rather wrapped up in the problems of Aragorn and Gilraen after Arathorn died - which would have offered enough distraction for Elrohir to change his clothes. The twins must have seen this too many times - I'm glad each had the other's support. Thank you, harrowcat. Glad you liked it.
Melethen · 10 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
This was a great story, Bodkin! It was perfect for Jay's birthday. I enjoyed all of it and was glad that Elladan was able to pull Elrohir out of his mood. *hugs* Melethen
Author's reply
I imagine Elrohir has performed the same service for his brother from time to time. Fighting with the Dunedain and enduring constant losses - one way or another - must have been hard on them emotionally. Good thing they had each other. Thanks, Melethen. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
Elena Tiriel · 10 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
A very touching story, Bodkin! Well done! - Barbara
Author's reply
Thank you, Barbara. I'm glad you liked it.
Redheredh · 9 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
This was a wonderful slice of time and deep feelings. You did leave out the Ranger's name, but it was easy to think he just might have been Arathorn. A lovely gift for Jay! Happy Birthday to the lucky gal!
Author's reply
I left out the Ranger's name on purpose!! Not having any reference books with me as I wrote. It's not Arathorn - several generations earlier, I think, and not necessarily the direct line. It must have been difficult to come home to the oblivious serenity of Imladris after time in the field, especially after losses. Thank you, Redheredh. Glad you liked it.
Dot · 9 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
I really like this, Bodkin! The opening image is breathtaking but at the same time I love how Elladan comes along and shatters it, persistently trying to draw Elrohir from the depths of his thoughts. You made me smile with the way he goes about it too – the teasing and prodding just to make him react and when he does Elladan is prepared to listen and reason. I particularly liked Elladan’s words about how they fight together with the Dúnedain, not as less or more than they are. He says it as though it’s a lesson he’s had to learn himself. I was glad to see that Elrohir allow himself to be roused at least a little from his despair. If Elladan can’t make everything better, at least Elrohir knows he has someone there who understands – not just the life they lead but understands him as a brother. And he can take comfort in that. This is a beautiful glimpse of their relationship. A perfect gift for Jay!
Author's reply
Thank you, Dot. I think Elrohir must have done the same for Elladan a time or two. (Possibly more often than this way round, too.) Making the jump from depressed-battle-survivor to dweller-in-the-timeless-halls-of-Imladris must have taken a bit of doing. Must have been hard to go home sometimes. But each twin knows the other understands / has been there - and come back. The teasing is good, I think. Too much sympathy and gentleness might lead to wallowing. And they would have had to come to some kind of understanding of themselves, the Dunedain and the relationship between them. Simple things - hot water, clean clothes, food and wine - a good night's sleep - probably offer Elrohir the best comfort at the moment. Next to Elladan's supportive presence!
meckinock · 9 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
I envy these guys. How nice it would be to have someone - someone perfectly patient and understanding - to pull us back when grief and despair threaten to engulf us. And no one can be more understanding than a twin, I suppose. This was lovely, Bodkin. And Happy Birthday to Jay!
Author's reply
Without the other there to understand and offer laughter to cut through the sorrow, I don't see how they would have endured. Hundreds of years of watching fellow warriors die in an attempt to hold back a creeping defeat - must have taken a lot of doing. Thank you, meckinock. Glad you liked it.
Linda Hoyland · 9 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
It is such a treat to see the twins as I'm sure Tolkien intended. Very well written and touching.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. Being immortal among mortals must have made their losses even harder. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Nieriel Raina · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
Simply put, beautiful. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Nilmandra · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
I like the imagery of Elrohir twirling the knife - that sets the stage and his mood well - and I like Elladan's attempt to get him to self-indulge in the bath. I can barely comprehend what it was like for them NOT to age, to go out year after decade after century as they did. Makes me very glad I'm mortal.
Author's reply
Thank you, Nilmandra. I think Elladan and Elrohir must have been essential to each other to offer sympathy and understanding - and a good amount of brotherly torment. I dread to think what would have happened to the other, had one been killed. Immortality in the Blessed Realm might have been different - but east of the sea? I think it would have been hard to endure.
Larner · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
Another Dunedan lost; another patrol saved. Grief has been their lot for so very long now. Beautifully wrought tale of loss and comfort offered, and finally received as well.
Author's reply
Immortality has definite down sides! I feel the elves who remain east of the sea must have been haunted by sadness. But it never stopped the twins interacting with men. I'm glad they had each other. Thank you, Larner.
Neilia · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
Sometimes one does get weary and moody in the battle between good and evil. We all must 'do battle' every day , in small ways to make sure good stays to the fore. Who can blame Elrohir for a time of grief? Good thing for a brother who can help straighten a tangled path and give comfort.
Author's reply
Elladan recognises his brother's need to brood - but can offer the contrast of humour together with the practical comforts of hot water, food and wine. And clean clothes, which Elrohir sorely needs! Thank you Neilia. Glad you enjoyed it.
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
*Happy sigh* Bodkin, this is wonderful. The opening paragraph with Elrohir twirling the knife is full of wonderful imagery, and sets the scene - and his mood - so well. I can really feel Elrohir's distress and guilt over the death of the Ranger (is it Arathorn? It doesn't feel like him.) Elladan is just marvellous in the way he gently cajoles Elrohir out of his dark mood by teasing, reminding him of the finer things in life, and head-on confrontation. I don't think the 'sanitised' versions of death fool anyone, but it's a comforting deceit. Elladan's reminder of Elrohir's possible fate is chilling, and reinforces the message of what *could* have happened. Finally, I love the humour of the image of an orc-maiden running screaming from Elrohir in his current state! Thank you - I love this!!
Author's reply
You're most welcome, Jay. I'm only sorry it's not longer - but I mentally had your birthday at the end of the week. Not to mention I don't know where the time is going just now! Poor Elrohir - but, in a way, I'm glad he's grieving. I think, for a time, they became very hard, and being able to mourn a lost comrade is better than taking it in his stride. It's not Arathorn. I think it's a few generations before that. And possibly not of the direct line. Elladan works so well as a comforter here - he can go from understanding to teasing to offering practical support without any problems, because they just understand each other too well to take umbrage at anything. Thank you, Jay. I'm glad you liked it.
Lady Bluejay · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
'And that, after all, is the best we can do.' How many commanders must have thought that, I wonder. A very poignant line. LBJ
Author's reply
I think that's probably a tough lesson to learn. All commanders are going to lose warriors - it must be hard to come to terms with it. And - especially for the immortal - essential really that it should always hurt, because if it stopped ... then the leaders would become as bad as the bad guys. Thanks, LBJ.
daw the minstrel · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
I really liked the image of Elrohir spinning the dagger, off in his own sad world. And the contrast between death and horror and small comforts as life goes on. It must have been hard to fight for all those years and see all that loss, not knowing if all would come right in the end or if you were on the losing side.
Author's reply
It's such a contrast, isn't it? The security of Imladris and the constant vulnerability of the outside. Not to mention mortality and immortality - and the endless exposure to death and loss for those who looked beyond the borders. Thank you, daw.
Agape4Gondor · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 1: Comfort
‘There are those who insist on visiting their baths within moments of arriving home, those who prefer to be rid of the stench of weeks in the saddle, of sweat and dirt and smoke and blood – but in all likelihood that is nothing but unnecessary self-indulgence.’ Very well written and wise... thanks for sharing!
Author's reply
Thank you, Agape. Elrohir was lucky to have his brother to come home to, I think. They understand each other very well.