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| Eärendil’s Tale by Bodkin | 5 Review(s) |
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| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/29/2005 |
| I really enjoyed hearing Earendil's history...the conflict with Maeglin (even elves have their crazed ones, it seems), the sacking of Gondolin and the flight from the city, Glorfindel's battle with the balrog, the life in the wilderness that changed them (tempered, like steel by the fire), until they finally end up by the sea. So many descriptive moments, and Earendil remains a heartbreaking figure. Elrond's request to continue the story and his father's reply/reaction was very touching. Excellent chapter, Bodkin! linda Author Reply: Poor Maeglin. Not the most normal of elves - but not the most normal of upbringings. And so he loved Idril - and first cousins were not allowed to smooch, but then first cousins once removed seem to be OK. Of course he couldn't take 'no' for an answer - but he was tormented by Morgoth and I'm not sure how many elves could stand up to that without going mad. The fall of Gondolin is a tragic story - but nearly everything that happened in the First Age is bad! A refugee childhood must have left Earendil very frightened of being left - which might account for why he felt the need to chase after Tuor and Idril when they sailed off into the sunset. (But doesn't account for why he abandoned his sons.) I'm glad you liked the chapter. | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/15/2005 |
| Sorry I didn't review earlier. Loving this story, Bodkin. I particularly love Elrond's sheer wisdom, his ability to put things in perspective for his father. Earendil is a hero, but I don't know if he has the advantage of his son's wisdom. I do hope that we'll have some more from Elwing's POV. I know she was probably too young to remember Doriath, but I would love to hear about what SHE thought when she met Earendil ... maybe you'll just have to write another story: Elwing's Tale ;) Looking forward to more. Author Reply: Elrond has had a lot more to do with other people (of all races) than Earendil - who was only about 30 when he ended up heading off to Valinor - and he is hugely wise. I think, in some ways, Earendil and Elwing have been rather cut off and lonely over the millennia. It will do them both good to spend more time in the company of their son - and I hope he will draw them out of their isolation. Piloting Vingilot and flying the dawn sky sounds very romantic until you think about it, but really it's not much of a reward for getting the Valar to come and chain Morgoth, not if it means you remain on your own for ever. Elwing is currently sitting in among the roses talking to Celebrian. They haven't finished their conversation yet, but I'm sure Earendil will feature. And the pleasures of having twins. | |
| SharonB | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/14/2005 |
| Sigh, yes so many of their family they will have to wait until the end of Arda to see ... Luthein, Beren, Elros, Arwen, Aragorn. I'm not sure of the paths for Dior and Nimloth since they ruled an elven realm they might come out of Mandos to Valinor. Eärendil and Elrond have much in common with their childhood and apparently their guilt over events in their childhood over which they had no control. I'm sure Elwing would rather reminise (?somethow that spelling does not look right) about Elrond and Elros and the times she had with them. She was fairly young when she fled Doraith wasn't she? Author Reply: Dior is a difficulty - it doesn't seem to say, but Luthien is supposed to have been the only one of the Firstborn to pass beyond the Circles of the World, so Nimloth must have passed to the Halls of Mandos. So I've decided that Dior probably did too - and then the Valar can do the 'choice of the half-elven' retrospectively for him. And he chose to be of the Firstborn. And so did his sons. And since Tuor (messenger of Ulmo) was apparently the only mortal-born to make it to Valinor, I reckon that the Valar must have decided they made a mistake with Beren and Luthien that they didn't want to repeat. I was watching a TV programme last night where, in passing, they said that children who lose their parents often feel guilty for what has happened, regardless of the fact that it was nothing they could help - and I reckon that both Earendil and Elrond are the types who would take to heart the events that happened. Elwing - probably not: I think she was too young to remember what happened in Doriath - only two or three. I think she might enjoy a discussion with Celebrian on the merits of having twins. Perhaps she'll get to that soon! | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/14/2005 |
| You know I love these stories where the characters reflect on how some canon event impacted their life. I especially like the First Age stuff because there is so little on it. So this is so perfect to me. And I love the way you mix in the little, peaceful natural images--the rabbit and kingfisher (especially loved the kingfisher one--they are one of my favorite birds and you have it right on). These images seem to be, in addition to just beautiful, an interesting contrast to their surroundings. A couple of things touched me here--the lost toys in the tree hiding place (such a sad child's memory); Elrond saying he's familar with guilt (I just feel for Elrond so much); the very end where Eärendil says 'until tomorrow, my son' (how many times in the ages that he's been a father has he been able to say that). Very well done. There is a lot of potential in these given the 'memories' direction you are going with them. Keep going in that direction. I love it. Author Reply: Thank you - I started of thinking about Earendil's voyages, but got too involved in the background (which at least has bits you can look up!) I think it could possibly the first time Earendil has been able to say that - at least to a son who would remember what he said. Poor Elrond has one of the most dysfunctional families in Middle Earth. I like to contrast the peace of their current setting with the horror of their memories - and kingfishers and rabbits are good for that. The First Age stuff is becoming rather exasperating - there are so many dead end trails (and occasional bits where I say 'I'm not having THAT! It was dumped for a reason!') I've got Elwing and Celebrian interrupting now, I think! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/14/2005 |
| What a grim story for a father to tell a son, and it seems to be the son who offers comfort. The tragedy of the Noldor indeed. Author Reply: On the other hand, that son is Elrond. And he is over 6000 years old. And his father is less than 30 years older than him. Poor Earendil hasn't really had many people to tell his story to over the years - but that will change! He will have his great-grandsons in a few hundred years and then their children. Although he probably ought to avoid this particular story - I don't think it has much potential for bowdlerisation. You wouldn't be left with much. At least Elwing won't to want to relive the Sack of Doriath. A formative time of her life - but she was too young to remember it. | |