Generations by Bodkin
Agape4Gondor · 2 June 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
I thought I had reviewed this, but I see I didn't. Sorry! It is well worth a review for your scene and the characters - everything just fit so perfectly.... However, I left off reading thinking 'I want more.' Sorry - you'ver written it way too good and it begs for more. Pay no attention to me....
perelleth · 1 June 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
well, I'm looking forward to seeing young Eldarion grow into the king he will be.. through dirt and swamps, isn't it? Enjoyable porspect! :-)
Szepilona10 · 30 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
That was interesting! Is there more? God bless! ~Szepilona10~
Linda Hoyland · 28 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
This is most enjoyable and a nice treat to find it is about my favourite family! i can imagine it would be very hard being Aragorn's heir and the Northerners will not take to soft pampered Southerners easily!At least Eldarion has better moral standards than his friend.I'll be eager to see how he gets on when he has to ride out in the wind and rain and get muddy!
Redheredh · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
What is left to say? ;) Great story and lots of delightful dialog! Dirt or mud - better to have both! lol! Spoiled or pampered, don't matter - military school, it is! Happy Birthday to Meckinock! Thanks for getting older - again!
Larner · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Ah--Bodkin--how totally realistic! Yes! Ah, yes! The joys of being parents to adolescents! And I want to give Eldarion's companion a kick to the behind myself! Yes! Very well done.
Soledad · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
"I know not what the world is coming to" - didn't Socrates already complained about the same thing? *g* That was great fun! I'd love to see one day how Baras' granddaughter taught the young brats some manners. Or how they managed to survive the... dirt!
Lindelea · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Marvellous! Great depiction of Elessar, returning if only temporarily to Aragorn's pleasures... Eldarion *has* grown into a spoiled young snot, rather. Is this to continue? I look forward to seeing him grow up a bit. His friend, too, who has flashes of perception to momentarily brighten a dulled mind.
ns_tulkas · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Oh man, I need to call my father.
Raksha The Demon · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
A delightful story; though I, like others, wouldn't mind seeing more of it. I find myself sympathizing with both Eldarion and Aragorn here. Aragorn has fought for almost everything he had, and endured decades of hard fighting and hard living in a time when danger overshadowed much of the West. Eldarion was born into the peace that Aragorn helped assure, and from the beginning, he has been raised to inherit it all; raised in privilege and prosperity and peace. Plus, having older sisters would mean he had a certain amount of coddling and loving attention from the start, as well as female authority. And being the only son of the great King Elessar could be utterly daunting; how could Eldarion feel he could possibly measure up to that living legend? I liked Eldarion's allusion to the affinity he feels for "Uncle Faramir"; who would understand the kid's feeling like something of a misfit and having problems with Pops. And of course Aragorn would feel frustrated at the prospect of his heir being a spoiled young fop with whom he couldn't communicate. He can't subject Eldarion to the same tutelage he received, the times are too different; but some hard training with the Northern Dunedain comes close enough. The description of Ceneril as a "lapdog" in silks and pomaded curls had me laughing. Though the idea of Gondor becoming so complacent that pomaded curls are in fashion is rather scary... I think it would be neat if Ceneril learned some lessons along with Eldarion, toughened up, and ended up with a Northern girl himself, but that's just me. He and Eldarion are still both very young...
Nilmandra · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Can I say I really look forward to seeing Eldarion after spending some time with his northern cousins? I think if we are to judge how the most privileged were raised, we'd have to use Faramir and Boromir as examples - very hardy, practical, duty bound men - so I have no doubt that Eldarion would turn out okay. But it is good for him to see the rougher side of the kingdom. Ceniril might be in for a bit of a shock. And it was nice to see Strider, of course. :D
Ellie · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Very interesting conflict between father and son! I had never considered that arwen and aragron might have problems with teenagers. I enjoyed this very much! Will there be more? I forgot to look and see if the story was compelted or not.
Lady Bluejay · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Now why does this say complete? I was lookimg forward to seeing Eldarion wallowing in muck out in the wilds. A lovely story - great glimpses of the relationship with his mother. And a nice picture of how easily Aragorn reverted to being a Ranger.LBJ
meckinock · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
I loved this, Bodkin! What a wonderful surprise, thank you so very very much. OK, it goes without saying that everybody who's ever raised a kid will relate to Aragorn here. Isn't it just the classic parenting dilemma - you work hard so your kids can have it better than you, only to find out that...they're soft, they're spoiled, and they don't appreciate anything you've done for them. When you think about how different the world Eldarion was born into from the one his father was born into, it's no surprise there's a generation gap. I think it really came home when Eldarion contemplated how yeah, he knows that his father saved the world and all that stuff, but he just can't really relate to any of it. After all Minas Tirith is just his home, not a prophesied yet entirely improbable destiny [eye roll]. It's always hard to be the son of a great father, and it's a tribute to Eldarion's parents as well as his own maturing character that he's made it this far without ending up in the M-e version of rehab. How do you live up to a father who saved the world? One word: dirt. LOLOL. So Eldarion is trying to put a good face on it, despite the delightfully foppish sidekick bolstering the sarcasm supply. And Aragorn is like a pig in slop. I don't know what made me smile more - my genuine delight at seeing him slouched in a chair, with his pipe, playing ranger and feeling like Aragorn, or Eldarion's slightly dismayed reaction to the same image. This story is such a nice bookend for "First Impressions." I immediately thought of that story when Eldarion started complaining about the smoke and the dirt and the chill. Yet it was different with Aragorn, as Baras points out. Aragorn never lacked the one thing that Eldarion needs: purpose. Compared to his father, Eldarion will inherit an infinitely better world but a much less tantalizing mandate - how to govern a peaceful land without becoming one of those bureaucrats that Baras loathes. I hadn't thought before now how wise it would be for Aragorn to introduce Eldarion to the Northern Dunedain at, shall we say, a certain age. A northern wife, which it appears we're heading towards here, would do wonders to ground a king who must rule both northern and southern kingdoms. I really enjoyed Aragorn's sly delight at subjecting his son to some good, old-fashioned mud. I loved the line - If he's going to hate me, he might as well have a reason. And he's so wise to leave him behind and let Baras play drill sergeant. A wise, father, Aragorn. With a good son. I also wanted to say, I love the little snapshots of Arwen we see through Eldarion's eyes. Amazing that to this young man, the Evenstar is just "Mother." Which of course is what she wanted to be.
Dot · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
I thoroughly enjoyed this! You made me feel for Eldarion even as I cringed at his attitude because you did such a great job in showing his conflict in being content with the privilege and comforts of his own life and yet knowing that his father feels he should also want something different, that he should be something different. But you can tell that he’s had a good upbringing by his manners and awareness of what’s expected from him. He’ll be ok in the end! And poor bemused Aragorn! All he’s been through and now he gets a teenager to deal with. I love him thrown in the chair, puffing on his pipe. I think my favourite thing about this is the amused commentary by Ceniril and especially Baras. I grinned just about the whole way through it. Oh, and the girl who puts Eldarion smartly in his place is wonderful. ‘You could at least try,’ she snapped. ‘We do not bite – and there are a lot of people here who have travelled a long way to meet you. Do you want them to go home with the message that the heir of Gondor and Arnor is nothing but a rude snob?’ LOL. He’ll be sorted out in no time around this lot. Really, this was great :-) And happy early birthday to Meckinock.
Pearl Took · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Great story Bodkin!! Well understood by parents everywhere in every age and place. Bravo!!
daw the minstrel · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
This was great, Bodkin! As a mother of a son, I recognize the stage. But it's also obvious that Aragorn and Arwen have done a good job with Eldarion. He has principles and standards. He just needs experience and a bit of independence.
6336 · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Oh, how true! The joys of being a grand parent, as they say 'revemge is a dish best served cold'! I do feel for Aragorn, Eldarion does seem to be a bit of a brat! Lynda
eliza61 · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
Great beginning Bodkin, I'll have to go back and read it again to enjoy it because unfortunatley my own 16 year old is living his own fantasy. He just got his first job in a animal shelter (dog walking) and is shocked to find out he actually has to work when it rains. Exactly where does he think I go 5 days a week in the rain, sleet and snow? I so feel Aragorns pain right now.
harrowcat · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 1: Generations
This is very clever Bodkin. I don't think that I have read anything with Eldarion being the pampered brat! ‘Your father worries that you are a spoilt brat, with no understanding of the world outside your own privileged circle – and you worry that you cannot live up to his standards of perfection. Perhaps you should try sharing a conversation sometime.’ Ceniril hits the nail on the head!