News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| History Lessons: The Second Age by Nilmandra | 17 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 2/7/2016 |
| I really enjoyed this! :-) It's not a section of the Second Age that I know much about, and I learned a lot reading it. Also, both story lines were very good! Thanks so much for all your hard work on this! Author Reply: It has been a very long time since I posted this and I think what I recall the most was when I started learning about the rings of power how there was lore and mythology associated with each stone - with the Ruby, the Sapphire, the Adamanat etc - and how closely tied the original and subsequent wearers and bearers of those rings were like to their rings. Planned....or shaped and molded? Celebrinbor alone may know if indeed anyone does. It is funny but just tonight I was thinking about the rings of power. We call them by other names today and they don't look quite so pretty, but they still intrigue us and lead us in what we think are paths of wisdom and knowledge, and we think it will lead us into greater good and preservation of all that ever was good. Soon, though soon we will know the truth.! Let him who has ears to hear let him hear! | |
| garrett | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/15/2005 |
| Well I have to say that these two histories have been some of the best written and researched I have ever read. I am new to SoA, though not LoTR fandom and greatly appreciated them. I was not able to leave notes after each chapter I enjoyed, so I feel I should leave my appreciation here, at the end. You have a wonderful talent for character development and detail. I also enjoyed your notes at the end of most chapters which explained your research. Your characters are loveable and, while I'm sure he would be horrified and insulted by some of the "scarier" fanfics out there, I'm just as sure that yours would be one he would be able to appreciate. Your histories are a clear and concise (and "unboring") interpretation of Tolkien's materials and certainly made stories from UT and information from HoME easier to understand and imagine. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to History Lessons: The Third Age. Author Reply: Thank you for your kind words! My apologies for the delay, too...I have been off for a bit. I am glad you enjoyed my interpretations and development of these characters - some really are a blank slate and leave much room for imagination. I admit I fell in love with Elrond and I find him fascinating - the only Tolkein character to appear in all of his stories. | |
| Eldanar | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 3/18/2005 |
| i find that i have finished this story too... and reached the end thinking..'dammit!.. tis the end!' i enjoyed every moment spent reading it and cannot imagine the amount of work research wise it took.. once again i thank you for a marvelous story.. one that has been a delight to read and an education.. an education that a certain Ada 'Brim will be delighted with..lol Thank You.. i shall look forward to reading the next installment. Author Reply: I am glad you liked this one, too, Eldanar. I think you should tell your Ada 'Brim that you need extra cake for finishing such a long story too. | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 1/4/2005 |
| I have dearly loved the way you construct the histories of the ages, and marvel every time I read at the care and attention to detail you put into each chapter (not to mention the research!) The weaving of the history with a present-day story makes the tale all the more captivating for me, as the personalities of each character grows along with the story. *sigh* This epilogue tied up the story nicely and you covered so much ground and did not seem to sacrifice any emotion or detail in doing so. I grinned at Elrond being jealous of Glorfindel's time spent with Celebrian. I cried at the tent scene when Gil-Galad gave the rings to Cirdan and Elrond. I cried more at the High-King's death and the pain and grief suffered by Elrond and Cirdan. I loved the way you had Elrond explain to Elladan how each person was dealing with the relief of being home and "stress-free"...Elladan with his sketching, Arwen and Elrohir sleeping, Celebrian gardening and Elrond, bless his heart, hovering over them all. And at the end, I grinned at that *shameless* Celebrian (you go, girl!) and Elrond's discovery of one of the side-effects of Vilya! Whew! Steamy, Nilmandra, very steamy! :-) But it does seem logical, and I had to laugh when Elrond delayed in taking the ring off because he felt that Celebrian had enjoyed things as much as he had...and hey, the night was young, after all! *g* Glorfindel keeping his watch over all was a fitting end to the whole of HII. Your characters really "live" for me, especially Elrond (and Legles, too, sweet baby that he is *vbg*), and I cannot wait for the next jewel of a story you post. At the end, you said thank you to those who review...well, I want to say thank YOU for writing such wonderful stories, being involved with this great site and so patient with computer illiterate authors like me who bug you with posting their stories! You are a treasure, fer sure! Have a wonderful new year! linda Author Reply: Thanks, Linda. I am glad the two story scenario worked for you - I know some folks read one or the other, which is okay, but the real challenge was making both stories work together. I am glad you liked the events covered - I could have written much more about Gil-galad - I love him! - but it was so hard to feel the pain I was putting Elrond through. And Shameless!Celebrian - glad you liked her! A little extra benefit from the Ring, and not planned at all - I swear. | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 1/3/2005 |
| It occurs to me that I meant to come back and review this chapter "when I had more time," and then forgot. My apologies, because I enjoyed it very much. Good to see the family back home and settled after their ordeal. Well done covering the vast history at the end of the second age; I enjoyed reading your summary of it, and it gave me some things to think about in my own story. Gil-galad's death was heartbreaking, but I think this is the best rendition of it I've read. And my heavens, the scene with Vilya influencing Elrond and Celebrian was powerful. What a rich, vibrant scene. Took my breath away, although, like Glorfindel, I'm a bit concerned. I enjoyed this whole story very much, and thank you, yet again, for taking us on a wonderful ride. And there will be a HL3?! I certainly hope so! Bravo, Nilmandra, bravo. Author Reply: Thanks, Bejai. I know the feeling about 'more time.' We have a new product launch approaching and that means working what feels like around the clock. That period after Sauron is defeated and the rise and fall of Numenor leaves much scope for the imagination as to what happened, but I am happy to leave that to you! I am glad the ending seemd alright...and I am already planning HLIII. Not sure when I'll get to start on it, but there are some good history lessons for Estel, and I think I want to cover some of the events of the War of the Ring from Elrond's perspective. We'll see! Thanks for your support. | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/26/2004 |
| Loved the epilogue. It was fascinating watching Elrond experience his ring as well as seeing him relive the death of Gil-Galad. Cna't wait for the next History Lessons series! Author Reply: Thanks, Ellie! I am looking forward to writing the next HL story. I think the format will be slightly different, as I do want to do some of the end of the age events too. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/24/2004 |
| You covered a lot of ground in this chapter, er..epilogue, but you did it so well. The beginning was peaceful as everyone dealt with the stress of what had happened in their own way. The death of Gil-galad was heartbreaking. Of course, I wasn't exactly surprised, but your descriptions made it so real and personal as we viewed it for the first time with Elrond. Such a horrible death too. The courtship was sweet, but I am a little miffed that I wasn't invited to the wedding. :>) Maybe you can show us the video sometime...or better yet, put it into another story in the future. With Erestor arranging the reception, I bet there were some good eats. I've enjoyed seeing how you brought the rings to life and the physical connection the rings make to their bearer. Very interesting. And didn't Elrond find some nice little side effects? No wonder Sauron wanted the One Ring back at all costs. He'd go from Pee Wee Herman to the Brad Pitt of Middle-earth. Explains why those kings wanted those rings so badly too. Handy little gadgets. :>) Seriously, this was a great touch. Elrond became hyper-aware, his sense sharpened and his healing skills heightened. With such power at one's disposal, it's easy to see how seductive the rings were. The ending was nice with Glorfindel standing watch over the love of two of the people he loved most. I want a Glorfindel...and a ring... I'm really looking forward to what you gift us with next. Thanks for all your hard work. Karen Author Reply: This review got lost in space when I was signing in and out on the laptop. What a pleasant surprise. I am hoping that Elrond and Celebrian will wish to tell us all about their wedding, and if they do, Erestor has assured me we will have the finest of food and drink to share. And seriously, I wasn't planning that Ring side effect. It just sorta happened. Really. But Elrond was not displeased, and Celebrian's smile has not yet faded. Thanks for your kind words. I am looking forward to the next project. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/24/2004 |
| Vilya....viagra. I felt bad for Celebrian that Elrond made her wait A THOUSAND YEARS but I guess she ended up getting her money's worth. It's fortunate that elves can control conception or Rivendell might have gotten a bit crowded. I suppose we know now why Elrond didn't seem at all guilty about making Aragorn wait 68 years for Arwen! Poor Glorfindel; he must have despaired of getting the two lovebirds to take the plunge. I guess Gil-galad did, too. This chapter was a lovely tribute to Gil-galad. I loved the last image of him sitting in his tent on the eve of battle. It was good that Elrond had Glorfindel and Cirdan to comfort him after that horrible loss and Isildur's refusal to destroy the Ring. How awful to lose his foster-father and King only to feel that his death was in vain. I'm glad that Elrond finally felt he could permit himself the luxury of a family once Sauron was defeated and peace would reign for a time. The passing of the rings to Elrond and Cirdan was interesting; and it was fascinating to see how Vilya came to attune itself to Elrond and enhance all his senses and abilities. Glorfindel's acceptance of responsibility for Vilya as well as Elrond just demonstrates the enormous depth of his loyalty and love. It was nice to see Celebrian tending her garden and the kids all nestled snug in their beds at last. Author Reply: Thanks, Meckinock. I have always wondered why Elrond and Celebrian waited so darn long, but Tolkien doesn't tell us. Duty seemed the only likely answer. And since I had to make up a reason, it was also fun to make up that it exasperated everyone else :) As for Viagra.....LOL at that - I really didn't intend it, it just sorta happened, really! Hehe - at least I don't think I've seen that done in fanfiction! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/24/2004 |
| Amazing. You're crafting a masterwork, Nilmandra, and I'm running out of superlatives with which to praise it. I can't even imagine the research it's taking to write this story. Well done. Author Reply: Thank you, Janet. I am glad its done, though, as the Third Age is waiting. There is a little more canon to work with, for which I am grateful. :) | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/23/2004 |
| A splendid finale, Nilm. I really enjoyed Elladan and Elrond's brief encounter over a sleeping Elrohir, as well as Elrond's effort at thorn removal. It is a melancholy chapter, but very entertaining. :-) Author Reply: Thanks, Karri - Elrond enjoyed the thorn removal and what came afterward too! I really did not plan to write it that way..but there Elrond was, experienceing Vilya...and Celebrian showed up. Who knew? | |