Estel Counts by Larner
Kitt Otter · 6 December 2010 · Chapter 6: Six
Five and six cheered me up! So Estel's not a natural musician... ya can't have everything... I am reminded how much I want another litter of kittens. I'm envious of Estel right now. ;)
Author's reply
In my-verse Aragorn is a wonderful singer, but has been less than stellar at learning to play an instrument or to dance. And it's been a while since we had kittens, also! Heh!
Cairistiona · 6 December 2010 · Chapter 6: Six
Kittens! One of the wonders of childhood, seeing a litter of kittens. I can just picture this.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--how I agree. Kittens and puppies are both delightful!
Ellynn · 6 December 2010 · Chapter 6: Six
Awwww, so sweet! I love this. :) I am sure little Aragorn cares for all the animals. Is this described from personal experience? :)
Author's reply
But of course! Have had puppies born in my closet and kittens under my bed, and once in my underwear drawer. Must have smelled safe there, although we had a good spate of laundry to do afterwards, of course! Heh! Thanks so, Ellynn.
Andrea · 6 December 2010 · Chapter 6: Six
That's a nice scene between mother and son! And the fact that Imogen the cat chose the chest in Estel's room as the safest place to give birth to her kitties tells a lot.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree! There they will remain safe and comfortable until they're ready to go forth.
Andrea · 6 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Five
He might have been not so good at playing the harp, but if I remember right, the hobbits found his singing voice quite charming when he sang about Luthien. We just have to wait some years ;-)
Author's reply
I've always seen him as a singer rather than a musician or dancer, myself. But the first lessons are often the worst, no matter what the instrument! Heh!
Linda Hoyland · 6 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Five
These are just lovely. I've only just found them as I read more on LJ nowdays, but I'm loving these plimpses of Aragorn's childhood.What a great idea for Advent!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you've found them here. I'll be continuing these throughout the month, so do check them as you have time.
Teresa · 5 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Five
My thanks for these glimpses of Aragorn's childhood! That music lesson was wonderful! Happy holidays to you and your family! :)
Author's reply
And you are welcome. It's proving fun to imagine Aragorn as a child and to see the world through his eyes. And thank you, particularly as Channukah winds down and Advent progresses and the winter solstice and the turning of the year approach.
Cairistiona · 5 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Five
Oh goodness, poor Estel, driving cats from the room and his mother to wince! Aragorn is good at many things but there's no guaranteeing he's a success at *every* thing he puts his hand to.
Author's reply
No, not quite an immediate success at everything! Heh! Thanks so!
Armariel · 5 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Five
Well, there's always the harmonica.........
Author's reply
Perhaps--or the shepherd's pipe. Maybe a panpipe? Heh!
Cairistiona · 4 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Four
And someday Aragorn will become very well acquainted with 4 Hobbits. :)
Author's reply
That he will, following his friendship with Bilbo, of course.
Kitt Otter · 4 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Four
I bet he remembers well Elrond's words later!
Author's reply
Of that I am certain, Kitt.
Andrea · 4 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Four
Unlike Treebeard Elrond knows about hobbits - thanks to Bilbo! So young Estel is very lucky to get such a complete education. "Four" could also stand for the four travellers of that particular race Estel will meet in the future!
Author's reply
Yes, Bilbo is well aware of Hobbits, unlike the Ents. And indeed he will know the four Travellers as well as Bilbo very well one day.
shirebound · 4 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Four
I enjoy thinking that Estel's early lessons also included hobbits. *beams*
Author's reply
I'm certain they would include Hobbits as well as the histories of Men, Elves, and Dwarves. He will be King of the Shire as well as the rest of Arnor as well one day, after all.
Raksha The Demon · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Two
Awwwwww. Well, at least little Estel had two fathers who loved him. It's neat that he can sense the presence of Vilya.
Author's reply
That is so true. I'd think he'd have at least a vague awareness of Vilya, after all.
Raksha The Demon · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 1: One
It must have been hard for young Estel to grow up in Imladris without any playmates his own age. I like Estel's sense of anticipation here; and of course, the reader knows that he will be disappointed, poor kid.
Author's reply
I know. Two grownup brothers, no matter how much they play with him, just isn't the same thing at all. Thanks so much, Raksha.
Kitt Otter · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Three
This made me chuckle. I hope Erestor didn't continue the lesson much longer - otherwise Estel'd have an Oliphaunt of a headache!
Author's reply
I do suspect you are correct, Kitt. Glad to give you a chuckle today!
Soledad · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Three
I tip my hat in respect for you writing an Advent calendar. I did it three times in this fandom, but I don't think I'll find the energy to do so again. It's just too much labour for too little reward. I like your idea to base each new part on the number of the days. And Estel is right. Having three kings *is* confusing.
Author's reply
It was most interesting last year and the year before, so I thought doing one on a single theme might be interesting. As for the three kings--yes, I've always found multiple rulers to be an interesting situation. More an oligarchy than a proper monarchy, I suppose. But in time it did devolved to a more common monarchy in both kingdoms. Thanks for the comments--glad you're apparently following the series. It's going to be more difficult as time goes on, I suppose.
Andrea · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Three
A history lesson! I always liked history at school but I can understand people who get bored by it. It depends on the teacher. Estel however, has a very good teacher with a nice sense of humour.
Author's reply
To have a teacher who remembers many of the times he teaches of can be fascinating, I've found. And I suspect that Erestor would have been able to present some droll lessons! But this would be one subject I'm certain that Elrond would insist that the child study, preparing him for the day he must follow in his ancestors' footsteps. He doesn't want to repeat Earendur's mistake, I'm certain!
Andrea · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Two
Papa and Ada - two different fathers from two different races. And still both of them wear a ring to indicate their status among and their responsibility for their people. Beautiful image!
Author's reply
He's not likely to appreciate what Ring it is his ada wears, but in the end the Ring his papa wore will come to him, go on to Arwen, and then most likely return to the lineage of the Kings. Thank you so, Andrea! Am so glad you think so.
Andrea · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 1: One
On the one hand Estel might have been a little disappointed that he *still* remained the only child in Imladris, but on the other hand he found a second "only one" - Bilbo! So, he's not alone any more :-)
Author's reply
Well, a Hobbit can be almost as fun as a child, I think. But you are correct that Bilbo is the only Hobbit about at the moment, so it is a fun thing to imagine that the two of them did manage to meet, if only briefly. If nothing else, meeting the Hobbit could definitely break the monotony! Heh!
eiluj · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Three
That's a lot of kings explained in a short drabble! Very deft!
Author's reply
Isn't it, though? Heh! Thanks so, eiluj!
Cairistiona · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Three
As hard a time as I had sorting out the kingdoms, I always feel for Estel, having to learn it all. At least I didn't have to take exams! Another very nice glimpse into young Aragorn's life.
Author's reply
This would be one aspect of his education I'm certain that Elrond would insist on the child studying in depth, I believe. Thanks so, Cairistiona!
Cairistiona · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Two
I like how you differentiate Arathorn and Elrond as "Papa" and "Adar". And connecting the two with their rings, and having his mental image of them very vague, was brilliant. I'm very much going to enjoy your Advent gift to us, I can tell!
Author's reply
I'm not as well versed in Adunaic as I am Sindarin, which isn't saying a good deal, I know. But I suspect that little Aragorn referred to his own father as an equivalent to "Papa," so I decided to go with that as it is common enough in our world as well. He might be able to feel the ring Elrond wears, but I doubt he could see it any more than any other individual who did not wear a ring of power, or at least not until after Sauron's Ring was destroyed. But I can imagine that vague awareness of what had been felt that helped to tie the two fathers together in his mind. Thanks so for your insightful review!
Cairistiona · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 1: One
Aw, how sweet! I love the idea that Estel might have looked upon his first hobbit as a potential playmate!
Author's reply
Well, certainly Bilbo was about the right size! Heh!
Lindelea · 3 December 2010 · Chapter 1: One
LOLOL! Love this! "a playfellow at last?" ...if he only knew... ...if he only knew how those journeyers will affect his fate, and the fate of nations, of Middle-earth itself...
Author's reply
It was fun to imagine what young Estel might have been thinking at the time. But at the moment perhaps only Gandalf had any inkling of what Bilbo's inclusion in the mix might inspire in the future, although I suspect he won't truly appreciate that until he meets Frodo, who after all wasn't born yet.