Estel Counts by Larner
Cairistiona · 21 December 2010 · Chapter 21: Twenty-one
Ah, nothing like white narcissus to chase away winter's dreary days. And all the better when they're a gift from your child.
Author's reply
Oh, but I DO so agree! Have some growing in the other room now!
Andrea · 21 December 2010 · Chapter 20: Twenty
That is how a history lessons becomes an adventure! And Estel is not playing with some soldiers but with his ancestor and his men! P.S.: Concerning socks: Of course you're right. Stupid me :-D But I know of two hobbits who actually wore slippers! I think you know that story, too. But it's worth reading a second time. Here's the link: On The Other Foot by Grey Wonderer
Author's reply
Oh, I remember reading and giggling through this, and will certainly reread it when I can. Thanks for the link. As for the history lesson--yes, nothing like playing to learn! Thank's so!
Kitt Otter · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 20: Twenty
What a marvelous gift - the elven brothers really must have put some thought into it!
Author's reply
I so agree, Kitt. I think it would be a marvelous idea, myself!
Teresa · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
Chuckle....so even in Rivendell socks disappear! I wonder if that happens in Lothlorien too? Hmmm..... :)
Author's reply
Oh, yes--I must assume it is a universal phenomenon! Heh! Author Reply: Oh, yes--I must assume it is a universal phenomenon! Heh!
Cairistiona · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 20: Twenty
I just love imagining little Estel playing with his toys, whatever they might be. And these are perfect. :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoy this, Cairistiona. And I'm certain he would have treasured these.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 20: Twenty
Larner, Indeed, such was Elendil the Tall, and so shall be Aragorn, his descendant, Sixteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain and first King of the Reunited Kingdom...even if he is now only the child Estel, playing happily with his brothers and a toy army. Well done; I could just see it! One of my favorites so far. :) Kaylee
Author's reply
This was inspired in part by a story I read some years ago on HASA in which the twins had created a toy army of figures based on his father and his men, but they had to remove the figure of Arathorn as it stirred the memories too strongly in the child of his father. When he was an adult and his name and lineage and position among his people were told to him, IIRC they restored the figure to his possession. He was to treasure it afterwards as it stirred the few memories he held of his earliest childhood in his father's home amongst the Dunedain.
Andrea · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
Maybe a certain hobbit told the Elves (or Estel) about certain Yule traditions and they wanted to try it out ;-)
Author's reply
But what hairy-footed Hobbit would think of hanging out stockings? After all, it is unlikely they would even be familiar with such garments from personal experience. Mittens, perhaps, or maybe even hats.... But it is an intriguing thought, Andrea. Heh!
Ellynn · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 20: Twenty
Oh, what a beautiful scene!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Ellynn!
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
So sock-eating monsters existed even before dryers!!!! LOL!!!! Hm, maybe the twins took them for a prank? Hmm, what a mysterious mystery...Well crafted, Larner! (So...where DID they go?) Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
I suspect that socks have been getting lost throughout the history of mankind, Kaylee. And it was indeed fun to write this enduring mystery into Middle Earth! Heh! (And you tell me--where DO they go?)
shirebound · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
LOL, even Rivendell is beset by the disappearing sock monster!
Author's reply
Apparently so, Shirebound. Heh!
Armariel · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
Oh my! The Realm of Lost Socks does go back a long way, what?:-O
Author's reply
That it does appear to do, Armariel. Ain't it a hoot?
6336 · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
Ah, so the wash tubs in Imladris have black holes for socks to disapear into do they, just like present day washing machines! Lynda
Author's reply
So I suspect, Lynda. I suspect socks have ALWAYS loved to go missing! Heh!
Kitt Otter · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
I too wish to know the answer to that question!
Author's reply
Don't we all!
Ellynn · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
Ok, now you made me really really really curious. Any chance you'd give us the sequel with the solution of this mystery?
Author's reply
I've not found the answer in sixty years of life, at least fifty of which have included wondering this very question. Do you think the wisdom of Elrond could solve it?
Cairistiona · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
Ha! Even in Rivendell, socks go mysteriously missing!
Author's reply
I do suspect even there the curse strikes!
eiluj · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 19: Nineteen
I enjoyed Estel's little-boy literalness about the "spell." And I'm wondering where his socks ended up: maybe mixed with Glorfindel's? But it just demonstrates that elves weren't the infallible creatures we imagine. (And the question still perplexes us today. I'm missing three of my little indoor socks-in-place-of-slippers -- different pairs, different colors. Probably hiding inside some seldom-worn sleeves.... My brother once went on a post-Christmas cross-country visit and discovered two of my knee socks inside his shirts; he was hideously embarrassed to find *female* socks in his suitcase. I had to go back to college without them. Different colors of course.)
Author's reply
But of COURSE they were different colors! And attempts to avoid the problem by buying seven pairs all at the same time, all the same color and style, don't work, for in no time at all you are missing six, so you go to purchase seven more pairs, only to find that being of different lots the ribbing is different....
Kitt Otter · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
Oo! This one is awesome. A very clever way to use 18!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you think so, Kitt!
UTfrog · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
This is the best one so far - interesting foresight.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you're enjoying it, UTfrog! Thank you so. Yes, the gift of foresight runs true in him, too, apparently.
Teresa · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
Seeing how Estel's talents and skills improve with maturity is facinating! Did he remember this forshadowing when the Nine Walkers reached that moment in the quest? I have enjoyed each new vignette very much, and many thanks for all of them! :)
Author's reply
Now I have another plotbunny running loose around here, which is most disconcerting, I fear! And am so glad these are entertaining so many people!
Cairistiona · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
Ah, the foresight of his line! Wouldn't that have been an intriguing mystery for him to puzzle out.
Author's reply
I so agree, Cairistiona. Thanks so!
shirebound · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
Eighteen feet... that's a unique way of viewing our Fellowship.
Author's reply
Yes, I so agree--which is why the theme has been nagging at me for the past few days! At least I finally have it written out! Thanks so, Shirebound!
Andrea · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
Eighteen feet, walking endlessly… Great one! So, Estel did have foreshadowing dreams, too? And a long time before his dream actually happened! Did it affect him in some way? What do you think?
Author's reply
We know that he inherited most of the family traits, and that he had at least a partial vision of the future when he and his foster father had their talk about his obsession with Arwen, before he left Imladris to return to his own people. It might be interesting to imagine this dream being recalled later--I'll think on it eventually!
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 18: Eighteen
Ai, poor Estel, to be disturbed with prescient dreams! I do think that it's interesting that he focused on the nine pairs of feet...although of course you had to, so it would fit your "Eighteen" offering. *grin* Well done Larner! Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
It does make for a different focus for one's dreams, doesn't it, Kaylee? ;-> Thanks!
Andrea · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 17: Seventeen
Good old Bilbo! His presents are always very thoughtful! And this special present will go a long way with Estel before it is bestowed upon another little boy - if I remember right!
Author's reply
I am certain that this volume will one day become a favorite for Aragorn's children, even as the second copy will delight Frodo and Sam and then Sam's progeny, and the one Frodo makes for Bilbo becomes a favorite for Faramir and his descendants, entertaining Hurin's eventual wife along the way. There will be a few copies of it before it's through, after all. I think even Ruvemir gets a copy illustrated by Frodo eventually, IIRC, courtesy of Merry.
Andrea · 18 December 2010 · Chapter 16: Sixteen
Estel is quite good at mathematics! I admit I used my fingers, too. Later I found a formula: 2 to the power of (n-1), where n is the number of squares. If you ADD all the grains on a chessboard, however, you get a VERY LARGE number: 18,446,744,073,709,551,615! The formula for that one I looked up at Wikipedia :-)
Author's reply
I had to do so, too, just to make certain I had the successive numbers correct. And when one does add the grains, it certainly adds up fast, doesn't it? Estel's cart will be far too small, I fear, before they're done. We tried to calculate it in our logic class and were rather boggled before we got halfway done!