singing-sorrowless
· 4 July 2026
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
This was so beautiful! So much emotion and so hope much hope for a light and quick read. I don't normally like fics about Aragorn's childhood in Rivendell because they make me sad for Gilraen, but this was lovely!
“At least we know that Adar is reunited with the other half of his soul, even as we rejoice in one another, my beloved, and that Frodo now dances again beneath the Sun; and one day we will be reunited with all we have ever loved.”
I thought this line was especially beautiful.
Antane
· 18 January 2011
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Finally got to all of these! Love the first one the most and also cute that the problem of the missing socks is also experienced in Middle-earth! Interesting that he had a dream of the Quest. And this makes me wonder if we shall see Estel in Imladris when Thorin and Co. come visiting. Hmmm....
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Darkover
· 11 January 2011
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Dear Larner: I very much enjoyed these tales! I'm not sure if some of the things Estel was counting could actually be considered blessings, but you did a fine job of portraying his childhood. BTW, for some reason I assumed that the gift given to him by the twins was a chess set, rather than toy soldiers, and it wasn't until the final chapter that I realized otherwise. The final chapter was particularly well-written, as you summed up everything that had come before. Also, the assurance given by Aragorn to Arwen was well done--as she said, he was well-named, for he gives hope even to her. Thank you for writing and posting "Estel Counts." Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
And I rejoice that this gave you such pleasure. No, perhaps not all blessings....
His foster father did name him well, thoughm didn't he?
Tari
· 3 January 2011
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
And they were reunited with their loved ones when their lives on earth were spent. At least in my opinion they did.
Well done
Author's reply
I believe so, too, Tari. Thank you so!
Raksha The Demon
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
A lovely, heart-warming end to an impressive holiday series! Well done
Author's reply
I'm so honored, Raksha, by such a comment! Thank you so!
Raksha The Demon
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 24: Twenty-four
I love the magic expressed in this drabble, and the reference to the famous Finrod/Sauron song-duel.
Author's reply
I simply couldn't imagine how else the fight was fought against such a foe; and there's no one better than Finrod to reference (and reverence) in this new battle against the Shadow.
Thank you so!
Larner - Throughout this reading it has been a true pleasure. But having all of those loose ends tied up in the final chapter was excellent and unexpected. I hope you have had a wonderful Yule and I will take this opportunity to thank you for your fanfic over the 2010 year. They have enriched my life. Le hannon.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
And I thank you for all the comments you've made--it's made the writing more joyful. And am so glad this ending for the series has proved so right for it. Thanks so, and may the new year bring you much peace and joy.
UTfrog
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Lovely series and a lovely gift to us all. Hope your Christmas was great. Best wishes for the New Year.
Author's reply
Am so glad you enjoyed it, UTfrog. You are so welcome!
Christmas was far too quiet, but well interrupted by coughs, I've found. Hope to be fully recovered by New Years, of course. And I wish all a New Year filled with hope and delight.
Cairistiona
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
An absolutely fitting end to the Avent tales! I especially appreciate that this one touches on the hope that Aragorn--Estel--holds, and that last line especially is perfect. Very well done, the entire series.
Author's reply
I am so honored, Cairistiona. And thank you for your feedback throughout. It has been very heartening.
Lynn H
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Thank you for the gift of the tale, so very suitable for the season!
Author's reply
And thank you for taking the time to respond to it, Lynn! Joy to you this holiday season!
Kitt Otter
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
This was in so many ways (25?) the absolute perfect ending. I love that items from the past chapters made their appearances, and that it finishes on such a bright, hopeful note - most appropriate for the season!
I hope you're feeling better! Happy New Year!
Author's reply
In the very earliest celebrations of Christ's Mass, what was being celebrated was more the anticipation of the Coming Again rather than the birth of Jesus, or so I understand. Under Constantine, as he chose Christianity over Mithraism, the celebration was recast, and Mithra's birthday was reassigned to the infant Jesus. So it has been most of the time since.
Many glimpses of former chapters and stories are hinted at here--in my-verse Melian marries Hurin's son, and is the eldest of the three children I've given Aragorn and his bride, gladly giving over the task of ruling Gondor to her younger brother in the end. And part of the charge with which Elrond and Galadriel part from Aragorn at the end is that he will teach his wife the faith by which those who are mortal can sustain themselves--that this life is not the end of all awareness, but that more joy is ahead for us in which all is perfected.
In my-verse Bilbo became aware of Estel during his short visit to Rivendell with Thorin and company, and wished to send something of the Shire to the child. However, as seedcakes would likely go stale, he sends the book of tales, later making copies for his nieces and nephews, and having a young Frodo copy and illustrate another copy that Gandalf gives to Faramir.
Thanks so for your faithful comments throughout all of this. It was a joy to write, in spite of what real life throws at me at the moment. I do appear to be recovering from the flu--slept most of yesterday and throughout the night as well, and just finished some chicken noodle soup. Hopefully will be ready to return to work tomorrow night without more than a residual cough as I rid myself of the last of the crud!
A joyful Christmas season and new year to you as well!
shirebound
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
This has been a lovely series, ending in peace and gratitude for all the riches they've earned and are enjoying. Joyous Yule to you my friend!
Author's reply
Thank you so, Shirebound. Yes, they have earned much, and deserve this time of peace!
Ellynn
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Awww, such a wonderful ending to this serial! *melts* I love how you intertwined some details from previous chapters into this one. Beautifully written.
Author's reply
I am honored, Elynn. A proper ending for the child to be remembered by the King, father, and husband in time he became. Joy to you!
Andrea
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
“Ah, but Ada did well to name you Hope,”
A perfect and beautiful ending!
Life went on and all the gifts little Estel received a long time ago in Rivendell have been passed on to his son Eldarion, who will be a great King himself one day, I'm sure.
Thank you very much for these little glimpses into Estel's life!
Author's reply
Yes, his own children rejoice at what young Estel was once gifted. And so life continues through it all.
Thank you so, Andrea.
Lindelea
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
A perfect ending, and certainly one that fits well with hope.
Well can I imagine Pippin shamelessly sharing that recipe. Perhaps he was sowing seeds of a different sort--ensuring a sufficient quantity of seedcake for himself during his first and subsequent visits to the White City...
Poor Arwen. And yet, Elessar's complete confidence must be some comfort.
Time itself an illusion... yes, that rings true. It is how I write the Feast myself: "...for there is no time there, and all one has ever lost is restored once more."
Lovely! Thank you for the nightcap. And a very happy Christmas to you and yours. We miss you! (The wee hobbits wonder, do you like mint hot chocolate?)
Author's reply
In "The King's Commission" I have Ruvemir learning that in endowing rooms to be fitted for Hobbit visitors in the future, Pippin ordered that a part of his annual stipend as a Guard of the Citadel be used to see to it that seedcakes and mushrooms be served at regular intervals to those guests who use said rooms, and that he gave Bilbo's recipe to them for the seedcakes. It just seemed fitting, you know? Heh!
For one who has known the certainty that tomorrow will always come in this life, to know that the one she loves believes that that tomorrow will come in another, one to which they both will be privy--that is a lesson she needs very much, I think. And I so love your gift of the Feast! A necessary article of faith for our beloved Hobbits!
And tell the little Hobbits that, indeed, I LOVE hot chocolate with mint. I hope to perhaps come down for Epiphany--Meesh is having a party....
Linda Hoyland
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
A lovely ending to a lovely series. The ending was beautiful with Aragorn's memories, happy home life and hopes for eternity.
Author's reply
And I thank you so, Linda. Love to all in your family as you prepare for the year to come. I'm certain that Mettare was a delightful one for Estel's new family.
Teresa
· 26 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Sighs happily.........I love how each of this vignettes have flowed together! They are wonderful glimpses of Estel's life and so many others! Seeing Estel and Arwen with their children was fantastic! It was a lovely family moment, full of things that showed both the continuation of life and the changes that everyone eventually faces. He spoke so movingly about those parted from them by death or distance but with the firm belief that the separation would not be forever; and that was so touching. The memories that Estel spoke of, both good and bad have given him the strength to accept whatever might happen in the future, and he shares that so beatifully with Arwen! Seeing the book and the other items from his childhood being used by his children was sweet! And through their children, and those items the hope goes on........ Many thanks for this gift! :)
Author's reply
You have said it so well, Teresa. And I thank you so very much! God keep you and yours through this season.
Rhyselle
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
Merry Christmas, Larner! Thank you very much for this wonderful series. This conclusion tied it all together and I love it so much!
This series has been bookmarked so I can return to it in future days. It is a precious gift. Bless you for it!
Author's reply
I am truly honored, Rhyselle. And I bless you for all of the feedback you have given me over the years, and for your continuing friendship.
Rhyselle
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 24: Twenty-four
What a fascinating idea that Sauron was ousted from Dol Guldur by Songs of Power! I'd never really thought of the actual method that the White Council would have used to kick out the Necromancer, but this works perfectly!
Well done!
Author's reply
Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel might have had the Three to call upon, and Saruman, Gandalf, and Radagast their staves; but for Thranduil, Gildor, Cirdan, and whatever other great Elves might have come, for them there would be primarily their songs of power and little else that they might offer. This would be, I suspect, the framework of the power offered against the Necromancer, augmented as possible, with the other means and receptacles of power that each might hold; and without his own Ring, Sauron would be at a loss to offer much in response, particularly if his own orcs and bats and wolves had been offered to the orcs of the Misty Mountain to help in their attacks intended upon the impending battle near the gates of Erebor.
Using the Dwarves and Bilbo as a distraction and hopefully some means of taking the dragon out of the picture and thus removing one more weapon from Sauron's arsenal was a brilliant move on the part of Gandalf, as it left Sauron, holed up as he was in Dol Guldur, with little he could use in defense when he himself was assaulted.
It was ever through harmony that great works were done throughout Ea!
(Well, at least it made sense to me!)
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 25: Twenty-five
O Larner, what a beautiful, sweet Christmas scene, or Mettare, rather, to peek in on when I woke up...I'm afraid the celebrations exhausted me, a bit, and I fell asleep for a couple of hours. I haven't even eaten Christmas dinner, and it's already 8:30, LOL! Well, since it's only me and my mum now, my sister's gone, I can go grab a bite...but first I'll just tell you how much I enjoyed this beautiful tale, all of it, everything culminating in this final chapter...ah...and do I see hints that "Or Perchance" will continue soon??? oh, please! :-)
I hope you had a blessed Christmas, Larner, and that joy will surround you! Good wishes go with you, and Eru's blessings on you, mellon-nin.
Kaylee
Author's reply
My Christmas was very quiet, as I have the flu and slept through almost all of it. I received some candy and a wonderful snowglobe with Gollum creeping down the cliff in the Emen Muil in his attempt to sneak up on a sleeping Frodo and Sam, and loaf of Amish Friendship bread which was very, very good.
And I AM working on that next chapter, but it just isn't coming very swiftly, I find! Alas!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and that the last ficlet was as pleasing as the drabbles that went gefore it. And thank you for your constant comments on it. Now, to finish my last Yule fic and to focus on Lynesse once more!
GamgeeFest
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 19: Nineteen
LOL! Even in ME, socks wander astray! :D
Author's reply
I think, GamgeeFest, that the loss of the odd sock is universal in nature! Heh!
GamgeeFest
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 18: Eighteen
I'm sure it did feel as though they were walking endlessly at times. Interesting dream.
Author's reply
I found I had to find a way to work the Quest into the count somehow. Yes, the foresight of his ancestry is at work in young Estel!
GamgeeFest
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 17: Seventeen
Bilbo's handwriting may not be as smooth and fluid as an Elve's, but I'm sure Estel will manage it. What a lovely gift.
Author's reply
I've written that book into other tales--I had to show how the child Estel got it, I found!
GamgeeFest
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 16: Sixteen
A very big cart, if you count high enough. What a fun way to teach a child to multiply.
Author's reply
I can't remember the name for this conundrum, but remember being told about it in a class on logic and rhetoric. The sum for all the powers of two up to the sixty-third power plus one more for that first square....
GamgeeFest
· 25 December 2010
· Chapter 15: Fifteen
Love this imagine. The buck watches over his herd from afar, just as Estel will one day watch the Shire, and later his kingdom.
Author's reply
Indeed--just the image I was hopeing to conjure!
Thank you so, GamgeeFest!