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All That Glisters by Lindelea	7 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 12/14/2004
Yes, something to remember him by. Beautifully written.

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/30/2004
Wow! That flask certianly did have tale! All the way from when the Ring had been destroyed and it belonged to such a one as Elrond! That was amazing, and that no one knew that it was such a great treasure, not only the elixir but the mithril! I'm glad that Arwen has something that was so close to her father to "remember him by". That made me nearly cry, Sam, Merry and Pippin's understanding. Very well done! I, personally, would like more details on the flask and it's history, maybe it is too obscure to get it's own tale but I can't help being curious about it. Well looking forward to more, hope it is soon ;) Author Reply: I wonder just how many covers that flask had, over the centuries, and who fashioned the latest, that grew old and battered by the time Jack got hold of it. I did some speculating in the review below this one (the reply to Grey Wonderer, I think), as to some of the flask's adventures. It is interesting to contemplate all the people and travels and adventures it had! And the fact that it wasn't quite empty when it came to Jack, even after that long! (Perhaps it's a bit of a stretch, but I could see it being an heirloom, passed down for years, and never being opened.) Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/29/2004
I am even more impressed with the medicine of the elves. Seems it has no experation date, or at least none that will matter. This was fabulous! I love Arwen's reaction at the end, Merry's entrance into the room, Pippin's badgering for the story, and the image of the flask being passed from hand to hand over the years. (That might be a story in itself? 'bunny') Waiting for more. Author Reply: So glad you liked it! It boggles the mind to think of the flask passing from hand to hand over the centuries. Picked up by an Elf who meant to return the flask, who was perhaps slain by a not-yet-dead Orc, the Orc picked it up and cast it away because of the "Elf-stink", it fell into the open bag of a healer tending the wounded on the battlefield, he picked up the bag without noticing and marched all the way back to Minas Anor (I think, my 2nd age geography is a little shaky), unpacked his bag and found the flask, found the elixir within and remembered what it was for, resolved to send it to Imladris, a thief heard him talking about it in the surgery and stole it, etc. Thanks for hitting the hightlights! I love hearing what stood out. More will hopefully appear sometime next week, if the bronchitis doesn't lay me low. Think good thoughts! Thanks.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/29/2004
Such a nice chapter. I loved the thoughtful arrangements Arwen made for the banquet, and the banter between the hobbits, something you do awfully well. The explanation of the flask/healing draught was an excellent one, and not one that would have occurred to me. And the moment at the end where they think of their loved ones across the Sundering Sea was so touching! Excellent, and looking forward to more (I haven't yet forgotten those other ruffians.) Author Reply: When I read somewhere that mithril never tarnished, the grain of an idea began to grow in the back of my brain... I wasn't sure how the elixir could keep its potency for an entire Age (but then I thought, perhaps it simply improved with age. It might have had truly miraculous power by the time Hilly took his sip, and the same for Ferdi!). I'd be tempted to end the story on this high note, but the Muse hasn't forgotten those ruffians either. Thanks!

Connie B.	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/29/2004
Interesting. I hadn't expected the story of the flask to be anything like that. I'm glad nothing seriously underhanded was involved in Jack getting the flask. Too bad the elixir is so rare. Connie B. Author Reply: Yes, it's too bad, but if it weren't rare it would be popping up in subsequent stories and then where would the drama be? g My idea of Jack is that he's a basically decent Man whose worst vice is the thrill of the toss of the dice, and hopefully now that he's got two boys depending on him he can put that behind him. Thanks for commenting!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/29/2004
What a fascinating story. Elrond and Gil-Galad and the flask - I take it that the healing potion doesn't carry a use-by date! (Use by the end of the next Age.) It's a shame Woodruff won't get any to silence the Tooks as they recover from their ailments. (Pippin could do with some to keep him going until Sam's inspiration about Ent draughts.) I hope that when Jack turns up he receives a bit of extra appreciation for being the catalyst that returned the flask to the hands of the offspring of Elrond. Author Reply: LOL. Perhaps there's a bit of magic about the flask that keeps the contents fresh... mitrhil, don't leave home without it! Thanks!

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/29/2004
It is interesting to speculate on how Frodo and Sam were healed at Cormallen. Despite the healing hands of the king, despite the powers of athelas, it just never seemed well-enough explained that Frodo and Sam, rescued at the brink of death, would stay in a healing sleep for a week, and awake ready to go to a feast and sit around talking half the night. Elladan and Elrohir were at the final battle before the black gate: did they bring their own supply of healing elixer? Your description of the warm flavour and color of your healing draught did remind me somewhat of miruvor, though that is described as a restorative cordial more than a healing one, and it didn't put uninjured people to sleep. So I'm not surprised to find an elvish origin for it. Miruvor was never explained either: are you intending them to be identical? I am moved by how much Arwen is touched by the reminder of her father. She always seemes serene and unflappable, though her parting from Elrond is described as bitter and their final scenes together have a very sad quality to them. (boy, this is a scattered review. sorry.) Author Reply: No, the healing/sleeping draught and miruvor are not identical at all, since miruvor gave energy, rather than sleep. Perhaps it's from the same kind of plant, only a different process, rather like cocaine and codeine? (Or am I mixing something up?) Yes, I'm thinking Elladan and Elrohir each carried a flask on their errantry and when they joined Aragorn, and that their supply was what was given Frodo and Samwise. As a matter of fact, the draft of the story has a conversation about this; we'll see if it stays in the final. I always wondered about that "healing sleep" at Cormallen... This could be one explanation.

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