We all the pain of embarrassing memories older siblings won't let us forget! Unfortunately for Estel, his brothers are soooo much older than him, he'll never know what their embarrassing moments were. :)
Author's reply
How we siblings love torturing one another this way. I remember Big Bro putting ketchup on EVERYTHING, including his pancakes one time.... But I bet that Glorfindel told a few stories on the twins to Estel so he could use them in retaliation from time to time.
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Love his theories and musings about that famous song. It's so childlike and perfect.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, GF. Yes, much as any child might react to such a song.
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 6: Six
Kitties! An Elven home isn't complete without them. ;)
Author's reply
And I so agree! Heh!
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 5: Five
Well, it's good to know that Estel wasn't good at *everything*. Some humility and limitations are good for a future king. :)
Author's reply
No, not good at quite everything, or at least not at first! Heh!
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 3: Three
LOL! Even the Elves got confused! We mere mortals have no hope! ;)
Author's reply
It must have been maddening to try to keep up with the doings of Elrond's mortal kin! Heh!
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 2: Two
It makes sense, as a small child, that he could only remember how he felt while in the presence of the rings (and his fathers) rather than the rings themselves.
Author's reply
I can remember a few tactual memories of when I was small but couldn't describe the visual appearance of the items. I could so imagine this child doing the same with his father's ring, and then not being able to see that worn by Elrond as Ada would keep it hidden, yet still being aware of it tactually.
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 1: One
Ah! Poor Estel, with no one to play with and having to be hid away. (hugs him)
Author's reply
I know--I want to hug him, too. Thanks, GW.
Cairistiona
· 11 December 2010
· Chapter 10: Ten
Distractions are so good sometimes! Especially for children.
Author's reply
That they definitely are, Cairistiona.
Kitt Otter
· 10 December 2010
· Chapter 10: Ten
The sad thing about kittens is that you go through them. :( I think younger children bounce back more quickly than older from a pet's death; they always have something new to find hope in! Estel certainly personifies that. He actually reminds me of my youngest brother. When one of the cats vanishes he's the one (I'm sure, not intentionally) who finds comforting words.
Anyway, another beautiful addition, Larner. :)
Author's reply
I know. Death is a part of life, and our common introduction is by what happens to our pets, I find. And so this day Estel sees both death and birth. Our ducks used to hatch out their clutches on Mothers Day in May, we found.
Andrea
· 10 December 2010
· Chapter 9: Nine
Now, this scene reminds me of Frodo and Bilbo!
Both, Elrond and Bilbo did a very good job as teachers, even if they were (often) faced with difficult questions.
Author's reply
Yes, both younger ones were carefully prepared for a possibly difficult future as well as could be managed. And this had to be a difficult question to answer, but one Estel would need to have the answer to one day!
Kitt Otter
· 9 December 2010
· Chapter 9: Nine
This one made me shiver. Not an easy topic for Elrond to discuss with a child!
Author's reply
Indeed--not an easy topic at all, but one this individual will need to know--well!--one day. Thanks so, Kitt.
Teresa
· 9 December 2010
· Chapter 9: Nine
Elrond handled that so well! It can never be easy for a parent to tell their child of something evil; especially an evil that exisits from a desire for power and a fear of something unknown like death. And Elrond would know that someday Estel would face that evil directly...... I think that one of the most difficult things a parent must realize is the knowledge that can't stand between evil and their children forever; and that their children need all the information possible so they can face it themselves one day. I'm sure that every time Elrond had that type of conversation with both his children and foster children it was stressful! As always, your vignettes are both excellent and to the point! Thenk you! :)
Author's reply
You have stated the situation very well indeed. I know that speaking with my own children of the evils that exist in our world was sometimes very difficult, but necessary. At least for the most part Elrond's fosterlings were willing to listen and learn, as my own sometimes were reluctant to do.
And thanks so, Teresa, for your evaluation of my writing. I'm flattered!
shirebound
· 9 December 2010
· Chapter 9: Nine
Young Estel had to absorb so much information in such a short time. What a special youngster, with such special teachers.
Author's reply
And that is so very true, Shirebound. He had to learn a great deal to prepare for the destiny it was so hoped would open for him, as terrible as the preparation for it might at times be. I am so grateful he had such teachers!
Kitt Otter
· 8 December 2010
· Chapter 8: Eight
Hehe, the mercilessnes of brothers. :)
Author's reply
Yes, they can be very infuriating, can't they? Heh! Thanks for letting me know this raised a giggle!
Rhyselle
· 8 December 2010
· Chapter 8: Eight
Sooo cute! :) I love these drabbles!
Keep counting, Estel!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Rhyselle. Decided to follow young Estel/Aragorn this year. And we will keep counting, day by day!
Andrea
· 8 December 2010
· Chapter 8: Eight
No, they weren’t about to let him forget that embarrassment!
LOL! I'm quite sure they will use every opportunity to remind him of it.
The twins seem to be glad to have a little sibling once again. Life would be so dull without a little teasing here and there ;-)
Author's reply
And I'm certain you are right! Heh! Yes--nice to have a child about the house, to give hope even to the long-angry twins as well as to the Dunedain!
harrowcat
· 8 December 2010
· Chapter 8: Eight
I would imagine that these older brothers will take great delight in telling tales on young 'Estel' throughout his life. Maybe especially to their sister after she is married!
Author's reply
Oh, I suspect they began regaling her with the former gauche actions of their mortal brother as soon as she came back to Imladris to dwell and they were certain of the feelings of Aragorn and Arwen for one another, actually! (Grinning!) Younger brothers are often so vulnerable to such stories, after all. And this is one story they will hold against Aragorn to the days after his coronation! Heh!
Kitt Otter
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Heh, the "Seven Stars" really is ambiguous! The Sickle's nice, but along with Estel I've a special spot for Menelmacar. :)
Another fun bit of foreshadowing here - he does get to hold both a stone and a sapling in his hands.
Author's reply
I'd understood that the Seven Stars referred to the seven princes of the Faithful who arrived in the ships from Numenor, although I'd not thought of them all being from Amandil's family; but I like to imagine that for young Estel he took the song literally. Orion is one of my favorite constellations to see, I find, and I was thrilled to learn that Tolkien included him in Middle Earth's cosmology.
But, yes--he himself gets to find the newest in the line of the White Tree!
eiluj
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
I'm enjoying Estel's little-boy point of view (this early in his education and in his understanding of the world and of history) musing on some of these topics.
And three or four ages later we're still wondering about the identity of those seven stars! Someone -- perhaps it was you? -- speculated once that the seven stars might be Elendil and the six princes of his line who sailed from Númenor (Isildur, Anárion, and their four sons [Valandil not yet born]). That's the only one of the theories that sticks in my mind....
Author's reply
I'd understood that somewhere Tolkien indicated that the Seven Stars were the gems in the circlets worn by the Princes among the Faithful that returned to Middle Earth from Numenor, although I'd thought of them as being the leading lords from amongst the Faithful, not necessarily all from Amandil's line. But I do suspect that for young Estel the words would be taken seriously as stars in the sky. He probably hadn't yet heard of the Star of Elendil, and never dreamed he would wear it one day--indeed, he probably wore both the original Elendilmir and the replacement circlet crafted on Elrond's behest after the original was lost with Isildur in the river near the Gladden Fields. It is sad that the original was found by Saruman and hidden in a secret cupboard or closet within Orthanc, where later Aragorn and Gimli found it, some years after the Coronation. A fascinating topic!
harrowcat
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Finally! I've got a moment to sit and review.
Have loved all these ofcourse but especially the ones about the stars, the rings and learning the harp. I can well imagine Aragorn not being gifted with stringed instuments. I would imagine him doing much better with wind instruments. However, you can't play and sing at the same time. I know, I've tried! *grin* A harp isn't a practical instrument for a Ranger. A small pipe would be much better. Mind you, if he can't find room for a comb he won't have room for any instrument so it is just as well he has a good voice!
Author's reply
These have been fun to write, I have found. Am so glad you enjoyed those in especial.
I have tried once to play a harp, and except when plucking individual strings I sounded rather horrid. I can play AT the piano (took lessons for years, but never approached my stepdad's caliber--he trained to be a concert pianist, so grew up with a nine-foot concert grand Baldwin in our living room), and I have learned a few other instruments as well, but I've always been best at singing.
I do suspect that the REAL Aragorn wasn't quite the total slob P.J. and crew presented to us in the character they crafted in the movies--although we know that he appeared pretty rough and dangerous when the Hobbits first met him!
UTfrog
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Wonderful imagery with this one. I love how little Estel learned his history.
Author's reply
Am so glad you enjoyed it, UTfrog. I suspect that Elrond ordered that his education be thorough when studying the history of Elros's lineage.
Ellynn
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Ah, the stars. :) My domain, my love. :)
This is so beautiful! And I wish I could enter the story and tell him that he'll see the White Tree one day...
Author's reply
My stepdad was interested in music and was a consummate musician, but was also interested in astronomy, mathematics, aeronautics, engineering, and gunnery, as well as HAM radio. We spent many an hour peering through his professional grade telescopes....
And it would be wonderful could we enter the drabble to explain just how HE will find the newest White Tree when he at last fulfills his destiny!
Cairistiona
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Ah, little Estel, the answers to all your questions await a little further down the road!
Author's reply
It's wonderful to contemplate just what this child's future holds for him and the world he inhabits! Heh!
shirebound
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 6: Six
Such a sweet scene.
Author's reply
Indeed! Thanks so, Shirebound!
Andrea
· 7 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Seven
Great one!
And he wondered where the White Tree might be found
Actually, he will be the one who truly "finds" the White Tree - a small sapling waiting for the King on the mountain!
Author's reply
And we look forward to that day with so much anticipation! Heh! Thanks so, Andrea.