Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


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Light on the Way by Larner	5 Review(s)
grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/30/2004
Such a great chapter, this story is so good. I love it that the Warden was so concerned for Arwin. Actually I love the whole thing, from the Warden not really knowing that Arwin was a elf, to the conversations between the warden and Eldarion, and between him and his mother. That Aragorn has Arwin's light, that he will be looking for her. Looking forward to more, now where did I put my kleenexs, i need them. Author Reply: Hope you don't need too many tissues. ;->

Imrahoil	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/30/2004
A very satisfying read. I'm now hoarding hankies for the next chapter, hopefully I'm going to be alone when it's uploaded. But something bothers me since chapter 4, why do you describe Merry's and Pippin's and later on Sam's spirit as tall? Why not bright, luminous, clear, ...? It somehow doesn't feel right to describe their greatness in terms of height. Just interested in your point of view, so don't get mad. And it's your fault anyway, you're too patient with people meddling with your stories and so it gets on and on and on. Author Reply: Why should I be angry? The question of why they should be tall is a valid one. I suspect that Aragorn, were he to measure himself against them, would find he was just as tall. Height seems to have been important to Tolkien as a sign of leadership and greatness. Someone figured out Elendil the Tall was indeed a giant among men, being somewhere in the area of eight feet tall, which would be not far short of three meters. Aragorn was also quite tall, as was Boromir, whose shoulders were also described frequently in terms of their breadth as well. We are looking both at the idea of true shapes and of personal perceptions and conceptions of greatness. No, the Hobbits don't have to be tall; but they have crossed the River, and their true natures are being revealed--not cute little halflings, but spiritual Lords, particularly Frodo, Sam, and Bilbo. And I'm again inspired by C.S. Lewis's _The Great Divorce_, particularly the final imagery of the great Lords and Ladies playing their cosmic game. And at the same time they are now revealed in their greatness, greatness greater than the Elves, mind you, I still envision them all enjoying a nice picnic at the edge of the River and Merry and Frodo having to fish Pippin out of it.

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/30/2004
In a way it was considerate of the Warden to ask after Arwen but what a shock to him, if truly not many believed in Arwen's heritage. Perhaps it was alwo good for Eldarion to speak to him. I must say this was very lovely and made me think "Elves love but once in their lives, lord Warden. Their love is intended to last to the end of Arda, so they give their hearts fully, fully to the ones they love." It gives some more depth to Arwen's sacrafice and the love that she shared with Aragorn. I certainly hope she can find her way back to him! Author Reply: It is also important to remember that the people of Gondor had had no dealings with Elves for many generations until Aragorn took the throne. The knowledge of the nature of Elves would have been far less in the Southern Kingdom than in the Northern Kingdom, where Elrond's and Gildor's folks as well as those of Thranduil had more frequent interactions with non-Elves.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/30/2004
Good explanation of Arwen's last months. Interesting how over 112 years, the fact that she was an Elf has become a myth rather than a statement of fact. Given another century, the people of Gondor (and elsewhere) will no longer believe in the existence of elves at all. Author Reply: I agree, and am glad you are finding so much to respond to in the story.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/29/2004
One of the best chapters, that reprises JRRT's theme of the fading of the magical and beautiful from Middle-earth - something I hate about the end of LOTR, since I don't want the magic to end. But you write it very well; Arwen's bereavement and the loss of her light since Aragorn took it with her; she cannot last, and though it hurts Eldarion, he accepts it. Interesting that her subjects, epitomized by the well-meaning Warden, are so far removed from the events of LOTR that they can't believe their queen is of Elf-kind. And sad. Author Reply: When something is with us for so long, we tend to take it for granted. That the Queen should have failed as she did seems, from the book, to have gone remarkably unnoted. And there are already so few Elves left in Middle Earth--once Legolas is gone, how long do you think the colony in Ithilien will continue? Not long, I fear.

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