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History Lessons: The Second Age by Nilmandra	18 Review(s)
Tina	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/5/2023
I think this is the 3rd or 4th time Ive read this series of stories. I was actually on the hunt for a story that Ive read a couple times and unfortunately I dont remember the name or author of the story. It is similar to this story but covers more of Elronds story as a child and youth, makes Erestor a bit older than Elrond and goes more into depth of Elronds skills and abilities. It includes Gil-Galeds marriage and his practically adopting Elrond. It also includes Elronds time as a scout, getting separated from his military troup, a bad head injury, getting lost in a fire, etc. If you know the story Id love to get a link. Its really good. Your story always makes me want to hear more of Erestors story and how he came to be such a great scout & more of his history. For some reason I can see him as a "Bond, James Bond" sort of individual with the skills to protect Elrond and Imladris.

soulinlondon	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/19/2004
Hi there, I have finally gotten up the nerve to actually leave you a review, of course having a computer at last helps alot. I just want to say that I really enjoyed all of your stories, History Lessons I and II and I eagerly look forward to the next installment. It can not be easy to tell two stories in one and at the same time to try to be as accurate as possible in regards to Tolkiens work. You do a great job and I hope you intend to make writing a career. Finally I would like to make a request if it would not be too much of a bother. My only regret concerning the films was that Glorfindel was not in the first one, Arwen did a great job, but for some reason that part of the book has always been my favorite, so naturally more Glorfindel please, and if you could tell how the " follies" or teasing between Glor and Erestor first started, I would be grateful. I realize that you can not keep everyone happy when writing and I know that whenever and however you continue the History Lessons , I will love it. Thanks and Happy Holidays Soulinlondon Author Reply: Hello soulinlondon - thank you for stopping by! Leaving reviews is hard at first - my hands shook hoping I said something right! All feedback is appreciated - its wonderful to know people are reading. I too love Glorfindel, and hope to get out of him and Erestor the story of their 'follies' Perhaps young Arwen can accomplish that! I am probably going to write a little Legolas story that has been running around in my head, and then I will continue on with HLIII. Thanks for the review, and I hope you have a happy holiday too. :)

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/18/2004
Alrighty, you can feel free to think as many bad things about me as you like. I’m disgracefully late with this. I actually did handwrite most of a review at work not long after you posted this chapter but then I couldn’t find it and have the horrible feeling that it fell out of my back pocket on the bus… And I couldn’t remember anything I’d said, which annoyed me for about a week! Anyway, I’m really very sorry. So, you old softie! Almost a whole chapter of Elrond in love! And what a wonderful chapter it is too. Well, I loved the opening. There was such a lovely sense of everything coming together and of the peace and beauty of Imladris soothing away the pain and grief of the years of war. It feels very magical. What an amazing image of the men’s camps stretching out even beyond elven sight. It really shows just how much of a mixture of races there are and it’s just astonishing to think that they’re all managing to not only survive together but have turned this place into a home. With such sharing of grief and love and friendship in its origins, Imladris could never be anything other than special. I’m glad for Tollyn. I think these people really need some normality and stability in their lives and she’s being offered that. It’s interesting to watch Elrond ponder the needs of humans. Again, it drives home the differences between Elves and Men when at the end of the chapter we see how long he and Celebrían are prepared to wait. I really like your Gil-galad. He’s so full of life and has an easy charm about him that reminds me a lot of Glorfindel. I can see why so many would be drawn to him. I love this sentence about Galadriel: “He had no doubt that all the elves of Lorinand now loved her, for that happened wherever she went, and if she had demurred to Amdir to his satisfaction, he likely would have let her run his kingdom in return.” It really gives a sense of her power and wiliness but also suggests a more tender and sympathetic side to her. I’d never thought about whether her people actually loved her. I can’t tell you how much I loved the reunion between Celeborn and his daughter when they have eyes only for each other. The depth of their love for each other was beautiful to witness. LOL at Elrond and his “mortal blood”!!! Aldric was in severe danger of getting squished there for a minute. I cringed when Celebrían thought the child was his. Elrond handled it very well, though. And Galadriel seems to approve. I imagine he made a rather attractive picture too standing there cradling the child, but I bet Celebrían felt some sense of relief when she discovered Aldric didn’t belong to him! You write love at first sight so well! I was glad Galadriel allowed her daughter to go and spend some time with Elrond. It shows that she has a lot of respect for him. Galadriel and Celeborn as amused parents are very funny to see too! I liked the scene where they vote for Elrond to lead Imladris. It hadn’t registered with me that a lot of those staying in Imladris had been led by Galadriel and Celeborn. You think of everything! So it’s great to see the faith they place in him. Although, I think Gil-galad was fairly determined to get his own way on that one! There’s something quite inspiring too about the way Galadriel accepts what she has foreseen and won’t question the path that life must take. Elrond’s loyalty to Gil-galad is just amazing. He doesn’t mention that he also foreseen that he should lead Imladris until they have agreed that he’ll stay there. I get the impression that if Gil-galad asked him to leave he’d do it, no matter how hard for him. Gil-galad and Glorfindel can be so funny. Elrond’s determination to take things slowly seems to frustrate them no end! But it’s so touching that what it boils down to is that all they want is for him to find genuine happiness. He really does need the love and comfort that she offers. The conversation between Galadriel and Celebrían was so well done. Just a mother and daughter talking. Galadriel sums up Elrond quite perfectly. ‘Steadfast’ is a very good word for him. Celebrían really does seem to understand ‘duty’ and seems willing to accept Elrond’s duty and her own place in that. He couldn’t find a partner more suited to him. Her parents should be very proud of her too. Not many would display such courage and acceptance. “What Elrond needs is for his wife to love him. He has suffered many losses in his life, a life still young by the reckoning of the Eldar, and I foresee more losses to come in his future.” Oh, that brought tears to my eyes! I wonder how much Galadriel does foresee. She seems to have some sense of her daughter’s future. How hard it must be for her to allow events to happen as they apparently must. And how difficult for Celeborn when something happens his own daughter and his wife may have known. But then, there’s a sense that maybe she has more of a feeling or awareness of some grief rather than really knowing anything else. Glorfindel was wonderful in the scene in the garden. He is clearly already very fond of Celebrían and I love that he is able to reassure her a little but what I liked most was his genuine joy at the prospect of Elrond’s happiness and to see how very grateful he is for that. Elrond is lucky indeed to have Glorfindel as a friend. But I think he knows that. I was sad to see Celeborn go! Your Celeborn is so amazing. And that he gave so much of himself, yet still let Elrond lead must be very gratifying to Elrond. “Elrond could only wish he would someday have that grace and dignity to let go of something he had poured himself into.” Beautifully phrased. I don’t know, though, whether I should feel sad or just nod wisely! He’ll have to let go of so much in time. His wife, his daughter, his home… God, you have my heart broken for him! The parting between Elrond and Celebrían was beautiful. They already seem to know each other’s thoughts and it’s so good to see that they’ve both achieved a sense of acceptance that they have to wait and knowledge that they will reunite again. “I am glad to know how Imladris came to be,” said Elrohir slowly. “I knew that it was founded in war, but it is different to know how much sacrifice was made to create it, how long you survived not knowing when the wrath of Sauron would come upon you, and how you kept on going, even when you thought all hope was gone.” Hear, hear! That’s exactly how I feel. And for Elrond’s children, of course, it’s important to know how their home came to be. I laughed when I saw the part about the stars being brighter over Imladris. I actually read about that recently and wondered how I’d missed it before and then it appeared in your story! To have Celeborn acknowledge it was a lovely touch too. Imladris apparently has a special place in his heart for more reasons than his daughter and grandchildren living there. The ending was wonderful. I’m glad they finally made it home. I’m still smiling at Elrond and Celebrían still so completely in love! I can’t believe this story is drawing to a close. I’m really looking forward to the epilogue(s). I can’t think of anything else I’d like to see apart from what you mentioned. Except… maybe a little bit more about Erestor?? Just to know that he was o.k. You’ve really got me so attached to him now! And yay, little Legolas! It sounds like there’ll be plenty more goodies from you in 2005! Sorry again about this being late and then having to rush through it. My bed is beckoning! Take care. :-) Author Reply: Dot, I would never think bad of you! I am equally late in answering, we won't even get into how bad the work week was. I like your perception about Galadriel. I am always reminded that she is the one who dressed Aragorn like a prince, gave him the Elfstone and then sent him to Cerin Amroth, where she knew Arwen was. It was like she saw destiny, and not even her own pain, or that of her family, would she allow to interfere with that - duty and responsiblity always came first. Celeborn has always struck me as a 'servant' leader - he seems to be many places and he is called wise, yet we don't usually hear of great deeds. That seems to me be a prime identification of a servant leader. I am almost done with the epilogue, and I admit I am glad to close the story. I am ready to move on to the next story, probably little Legolas, so I don't lose their voices. Thanks for the review, and I hope you have a a very happy Holiday. :)

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/10/2004
Lovely! It is so lovely to see this oh so softhearted Elrond blush and become tongue-tied! and a day dreamer too! Poor thing! A thousand and something years yet to go! I guess sometimes it must be hard to be an elf!. I’m impressed too by how you manage to convey a whole character with “simple” insights “Elrond knew he would miss the wise influence that Celeborn had had on Imladris...” I feel it clearly depicts Celeborn: unobtrusive but solid and present, just like an ornate tool, whose particular usefulness is taken for granted but missed once it is no more. Simple but thorough. Wow! “…This is everyone’s chance to tell me what else they would like to see .. in the epilogue…· Since you are so kind (and brave) to ask… all I can do is share what I have been wondering at while refreshing my poor knowledge of the 2nd Age... We know little of those fifteen centuries between the end of the war in Eriador and Sauron’s captivity in Numenor, but we hear they are full of events: the Nazgul first appear, the numenoreans start to make their havens in the coasts east from Lindon... it must have been a time of hustle and bustle in M.E., not wholly free of evil though… I wonder whether the ring bearers were affected by the power of their rings, and also by the fact that Sauron still wielded his and was recruiting his Nazgul... Did Elrond spend time travelling “In the westward roads” as he points out during the council? Did he meet Bombadil or even the ents then? Did any of them meet the Nazgul then, or even “felt” them? We read that when Sauron is back from Numenor, he “learnt that in his absence Gil-galad’s power was greatly increased ” Were the Rings somehow forcing or enhancing this expansion? Were there conflicts between Lindon and the Numenorean outposts? There are many questions that arise when considering those years (I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO FILL IN THE GAPS TRULY, I AM NOT!! though I would much love it...) and I am most grateful for were it not for your wonderful story I might not have given them any attention at all! So, in short, did Elrond turn a rolling stone during the rest of the 2nd age or rather spent lots of time courting his lady in Lindon? ;-) Looking forward to the next part!: The setting seems wondrously chosen to me, and maybe to match the other instalments you will have Elrohir horribly hurt in some misguided orc hunting trip and condemned to stay in bed and keep the company of a bouncing energetic ten year old human foster brother, while telling him some "history lesons"?! (Oh, this sounds evil, poor Elrohir! Forget I suggested!) Thanks again for your thorough work, it is a pleasure to be thus compelled to spend some quality leisure time at the computer! ;-) Author Reply: Thanks, Perelleth! I didn't do much with Celeborn in these last chapters, but I figured this was part of his 'wisdom' which I have always seen as of very practical, steadfast type of wisdom. He is one of those people who may not take the limelight much, but his contributions would be greatly missed if he were not there. I think I will be skimming through much of that time, highlighting more just that they happened, as I'm not sure how much inovlvement Elrond had. Bejai is writing about that, so if you are not reading Deific Flame, do so! I can guarantee that Elrond was besotted for the rest of the 1500 years, though!

Marnie	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/10/2004
LOL! I loved Celebrian's entrance to sombre, war-weary Imladris - she rushed in like a comet. No wonder Elrond was bowled over by her. And Elrond thought it was a disaster, meeting her with a child in his arms, unaware that he was presenting a lovely picture of domestic tranquility :) I like it! I'm sure his steadiness was as good for her as her liveliness was for him. All the same, I think he should have said something. No one can accuse him of rushing into things! This was a great ending to the story - after all that suffering and destruction to end in the peaceful handover of power to a new elven realm, with new love and the prospect of marriage in the future. Just right. (Though I admit to being intregued about the epilogues. Sounds good!) Author Reply: Elrond really was rather flustered by this beautiful daughter of Celeborn - and seeing her reunite with her father made him wish for her to be that happy to see him! I think this was a good place to end - much of the rest of the age is so dark, I'll leave that to Bejai and skim through those times to Gil-galad's death. I think that is likely the last major influence on Elrond's life I want to cover this age. Thanks for the review!

paranoidangel	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/9/2004
I can't believe HLII is nearly over! But at least there's the epilogues and HLIII to look forward to. As long as Gil-galad's death is in there I'm happy :) As for this chapter, I loved Elrond and Celebrian's relationship - it was quite sweet. What with Elrond falling in love and taking charge of Imladris it's as if he's finally grown up. He's really sweet with Aldric as well - you can tell he's going to be a good father before he ever is. Author Reply: Poor Gil-galad - I am not looking forward to incinerating him :/ But, I think that event really did push Elrond into his final position as one of the wisest elves in Middle-earth - he is perhaps Gil-galad's 'heir' in that regard as well.

Bejai	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/8/2004
It just occurred to me that I haven't reviewed this chapter yet. I'm sorry to see this end (although relieved for the promise of an epilogue or two!) I sure have enjoyed these history lessons, and also seeing the characters interacting as a close and loving family. You've helped me get a grip on some of the obsure history that Tolkien tosses out there in the Second Age. I enjoyed the meeting between Elrond and Celebrian. Naturally, it was attended by a bit of awkwardness, but they seem to have gotten over it ;) Aldric was just too cute. "No naps!" he says, as he falls asleep in Elrond's arms. If I didn't know better, I'd say that Elrond was carrying around cute children in order to pick up girls ... heh. The reunion between Celeborn and his family was also lovely, full of emotion, but in an understated sort of way. Loved that brief line about Celeborn's "bemusement" about Elrond and Celebrian. Made me laugh. I really appreciated the orderly, official hand-over of Imladris to Elrond. Wonderful story. I'll miss looking forward to updates, and devouring new chapters. Author Reply: It was fun to have Elrond discover that a male holding an infant is a babe magnet! I may have to have the twins pick up on that....they probably used Arwen shamelessly when she was quite small. The rest of the Second Age is dark...and I am glad there are few events until the end that must involve Elrond, as I feel like I can skim that time quickly. I will send readers to you to see more of those times!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/7/2004
“Would you like to meet Celebrían, or do you plan to just stare at her?” questioned Gil-galad, grinning This is such a great line. Poor Elrond. He's a goner. Elrond, the lovestruck, was certainly a fun and interesting side to this very staid fellow. Celebrian seems to bring out the light in him. I imagine when someone has suffered the losses he did, one would tend to tread carefully before giving one's heart so completely. I enjoyed seeing young Celebrian and her evolution into the woman she became. She went from the rather innocent youth to quite a firecracker. But even when she was going off like Mithrandir's fireworks over being kept from her children, she was still the light of Elrond's life. Their story is really a beautiful love story...well, your version is anyway. I don't know how Tolkien saw their courtship, but I think he would like your view. But 1500 years! Holy cow! I'm surprised she didn't march right back to Imladris and tell Elrond to get on his marryin' duds. Maybe...she did. :>) As sorry as I am to see this end, I'm really looking forward to the 'long' epilogues and the Third Age. What a wonderful story you have given us. Karen Author Reply: Elrond was lovestruck, wasn't he? I am afraid it continues as I write the epilogue. He is worthless when thinking about her. She really did need to marry him just so Imladris would have its lord back!

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/7/2004
From the very beginning when Elrond is carrying around Aldric to the end in the garden with Celebrian gently chastising Elrond for making her wait 1500 years (oh my goodness, 1500 years...it boggles the mind!), I loved this chapter and everything in between. I guess I am a sucker for a good love story and Elrond's so serious personality coupled with Celebrian's more youthful exuberance was a joy to read about. So Celebrian left to go home and learn more to become a better wife...I'm glad she sent the roses along with the other visitors so the garden was well established by the time she came there permanently. The reunions with Gil-Galad and Galadriel were very well done...I keep remembering the important influence Gil-Galad especially had on Elrond in History Lessons I and was glad to see him reunited with the one he saw as his father. I love your Glorfindel...so do lots of others, it seems! LOL He's definitely different, and never more so than when Celebrian looks up at him and realizes she can never play games with him. (Special note: Elladan's groan and saying he kept expecting his father to ask Celebrian to marry him all the way up til the end of the story...me, too, El! Parents!!!) Great chapter - am looking forward to the Epilogue (or 2 or 3) and History Lessons III...but first, a little Legolas story that needs telling? Oh goody... :-) linda Author Reply: I am glad you liked this little romance - they are besotted and it is very hard for us mere mortals to consider how long it was before they married! Glorfindel did his best to speed things along, as did Gil-galad, but the peredhel are very very stubborn!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/7/2004
Fifteen hundred years? That's the worst case of cold feet I've ever heard of. Guess it was True Love. Where the heck was Glorfindel all this time? Would've thought he could speed things up a bit. Oh, well. Elrond's musings on love at first sight were amusing - is it hereditary? LOL. I don't think he's going to like the answer too much. Galadriel is one classy elf. Her counsel to her daughter about marrying a man with higher duties was very wise. I guess she had to learn some things in her life the hard way, but sometimes that's best. Poor Celebrian - I wanted to shake her when she thought she should go back to Lindon and improve herself to be smart enough for learned, sophisticated Elrond. Typical girl. Although I wanted to kick Elrond for being such a duty-bound stick-in-the-mud, he actually did the right thing by giving Celebrian some time to grow up. Obviously by the time they eventually bonded, she had gotten over her insecurities! Author Reply: Glorfindel was being as royal a pain as he could be, but he informs me that there is no more stubborn creature than a peredhel. It was interesting to think about the potential age difference between them. Tolkien did not give us a birth time for Celebrian, so we are left to imagine, but I made it fairly expansive - 1650 years approximately - she did have to feel very young, small and insufficient! But, she is none of those things now!

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