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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	9 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006
Poor, gullible Haldir, he has no idea he is being played. And Arwen is devious, ingenious and so very brave. It must be desperately hard for Galadriel to realise she can safeguard an entire realm with her ring and her powers, but she couldn’t protect her daughter, and can’t protect her granddaughter, from what goes on outside it. Author Reply: I feel mean, picking on Haldir! He just happens to be about the only named elf of Lothlorien I can think of - apart from his brothers. Galadriel had to learn, I think, not her strength, but her weakness - that was part of her redemption. And part of what made her reject the Ring.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/6/2005
Yes, for a time she will allow herself to be cosseted and protected; but the crysalis must break open sometime. Author Reply: Old enough to be willing to allow her kin to look after her. And knowing that it will give them comfort one day? Maybe. Arwen is not a trophy - nor one to be manipulated by her kin - she is, I think, older and more mature than they are willing to accept. The problem with being the youngest in the family!

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/25/2005
The deeper I go into this story, the more I like it. So much of it is more of what I have mentioned before: the wonderful interactions betwween the characters, the "oldness" of the elder elves while the younger ones manage to be young and yet still wise and accomplished as you would expect after thousands of years of living, and the sort of ethereal atmosphere in Lorien. But also Arwen is becoming a more fleshed-out character with each chapter. It's a pleasure getting to know her. I really admire your writing style as well. It is very effective at evoking mood and yet it is also very clear and it reads effortlessly. ~TF Author Reply: Thank you! Arwen must be such a strong character - it can't be easy to surrender your immortality for someone who is nearly three thousand years younger than you. She must have had a very clear understanding of herself - and him - and their place in the world. I'm glad you find the writing clear - I'm feeling good now! I'll go and write some more . . .

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/4/2005
It is so nice seeing Arwen like this. Fully realized and an intelligent. The stategy discussed at the beginning, keeping your enemies close, is what I think Celeborn did later with Annatar. But, it can only work so long if you can't squash the bug beneath your hand. Ha! Difficult Elves! That gentle joke had me laughing out loud! I totaly sympathize with Estel's refusing milk. I won't drink milk as a beverage/food either. After weaning, humans simply do not need to milk to stay healthy. However, it is a good substitue for meat, so a starving hunter just might know what is good for them. However, that is not exactly what Elrohir is advising the child, is it. Like Estel, I always gave my milk away at school. But, only to someonw who would enjoy it. ;) Curaniel is a very likable character, a good companion for Arwen. Both are much more than they seem. Loved seeing the mention of the farther battles in war with the Necromancer and Bilbo Baggins. And as usual, the last conversaion and all the conversations are so natural and insightful - much like a little play or painting. Arwen is being patient "For Now". But, how much longer? Estel is everyday growing... Author Reply: Thank you. Arwen must have been more than just a pretty face. (All elves are pretty faces.) She has to have been strong and forceful and intelligent and skilled. I suppose it depends on the enemy, said she reflectively. An enemy like Annatar is too powerful to hold indefinitely. Minor irritations - it's probably better to watch them rather than let them loose to get together with other malcontents. (I think Arwen would have been much better prepared than Estel for managing a council used to Denethor.) I like milk as long as it is really cold - but I can see why Estel wouldn't want some that has been hanging around all day. I'd like to see how Elladan got out of drinking any. I wonder if Curaniel went to Gondor with Arwen? I can see the politics that would make Arwen surround herself with ladies of Gondor, but she must have wanted some familiar faces. Most stories have her only elven companions in later years as her brothers and Legolas, but surely she must have wanted at least one female elf around. The burst of activity around Dol Guldur and the Lonely Mountain make this one of those exciting years. It goes quiet now - for a bit. I probably do too much conversation. But I like it. (And that tends to be how it comes to me.) How much longer? Not much. 0.37% of her life so far.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/4/2005
I’m sure I keep saying this but I love your Arwen! She’s spirited, clever, capable and it’s just wonderful to see how much of a character you’ve given her. I particularly enjoyed the scene between her and Celeborn. It’s interesting to see how little faith he puts in this “apparent peace”. I like the fact that he’ll discuss his worries with her. And what a marvellous plan she has for keeping the warriors active and ensuring their skills are used while making them think they’re just having fun! I love the line “as long as you give them the opportunity to do what they think they want, they can be shepherded gently along the path you would wish them to follow.” Now there’s a skill that every woman should learn!! I’m afraid I’ve been more like Elladan than Elrohir in Estel’s training. Elrohir is so good with him, though. Estel can be proud of himself now. It’s fascinating too to think of everything that’s going on under the surface. Apparently Elrond’s sons are far too clever to think that he’s just gone soft in his old age and let Estel go hunting! Yay for Arwen beating Haldir at archery! I have no doubt at all that she’d be able to. I love her gleeful grandparents. I don’t know how Galadriel lives with such uncertainty every day. You create a wonderful sense of foreboding but not being able to know anything for certain must be so difficult. So Haldir is peeved and determined not to lose again… Sounds like Arwen has done her job, then! Are we going to get to see this contest against Elladan and Elrohir?? I just love the way Arwen can discuss strategy one second and gowns the next. I was just riveted by the discussion of the events of ‘The Hobbit’. “I put it to him that evading the watch of a fortress full of Wood Elves – and the wrath of a dragon – suggest an unusual level of skill, but he would have none of it.” Mmm. A little further questioning of Bilbo could have changed things quite dramatically. It seems that they’re as uneasy in Imladris as they are in Lothlorien. It’s so interesting to see a glimpse of this time from their point of view. Arwen’s acceptance of her fate never fails to impress me. There’s only so much longer she’ll stand idly by, I think. Great chapter! :-) Author Reply: Thank you. Arwen must have been strong and charming and gorgeous and funny, don't you think? After all, Estel was used to being surrounded by beautiful female elves - he's not a man come freshly from the wild to fall for any gorgeous elf, but someone who has grown up among them. And Celeborn, I think, had seen too many apparent victories disintegrate to feel convinced about this one. The Necromancer had only been sent away, not defeated. Arwen has learned a lot of male-management skills from her grandmother and mother - and she's happy to hone them still further! She's even learned how to manage them by knowing when to beat them too! Poor Haldir - but at least Celeborn stopped Galadriel from beating him up. Elrohir is better at patience than Elladan, but they are both good at being big brothers. Estel is learning remarkably quickly, too, but he doesn't always get credit for his skills - because he can't quite measure up to elves, however hard he works. And Elrond doesn't want battles to be more than stories in books yet. Estel will grow up soon enough. A bit more suspicion over Bilbo's skill would have been good - but even Mithrandir, who was travelling with him, wasn't that suspicious. And prophecy - and mirrors - well, I wouldn't want to live with it. It's a good thing that Celeborn grounds Galadriel so well, or I would think it could drive her mad. (Power mad?) And both she and Arwen know that they can't change the outcomes of this, however much they might want to. Glad you liked it.

Bejai	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/3/2005
Nice, Bodkin! I fear I don't have the energy to give this the review it deserves tonight, but it was a wonderful read! I particularly loved how you brought in the elements of "The Hobbit." We are getting near Arwen's fate now! I love her wisdom, though, and her ability to be, just as cunning, wise, (and yet kind) as you would expect, given her family tree. Lovely, as ever. I've been drowning in work for the last month or so, and it is going to continue for a while, but you should know your updates are always welcome bright spots in my days, even if I don't get around to telling you so. Author Reply: Thank you! Arwen must have been a true daughter of her parents, grandparents and ancestors - she can't have done nothing but drape herself over sofas and sew! Too many formidable female role models - and she is the one with the experience and strength to rule a kingdom (- and the sense not to make a big thing of her input). Years of solitude in the wild are not the best training for dealing with a council honed by Denethor. The events of the Hobbit are fairly key here - and then there are a few quiet years when there is a lot going on below the surface. Drowning in work is not a good idea. You need fresh air, fun and fiction! But if I can provide a bright spot, I will do my best to oblige!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/2/2005
Everytime I read one of these, I just love Arwen. I have probably said this in other chapters too but it is so nice to see Arwen portrayed as a thinking adult noble elf. Better to have your enemy under your hand,’ she agreed, ‘than behind your back.’ I liked that line every bit as much as Celeborn did. And I love the rest of her conversation with him, her suggestion to keep them in shape, and especially the outcome of her initial work in that area--the idea of her beating Haldir is just great. I don't doubt she could do it too. Between her brothers and the fact that she was a noble elf, she must have learned to excel in archery. (And I loved the idea of Galadriel and anyone else sparing with swords. You have to do that sometime.) As much as I liked Arwen in this chapter, I really enjoyed the scenes in Imladris too. I felt for the twins trying to be patient and let Estel light the fire. That would be so hard to do, I think. And I enjoyed hearing Gandalf and Elrond discuss the outcome of the burglar's adventure--that was very well done. :) And the final conversation--Arwen just isn't letting this go, is she? Of course not. Good conversation. I enjoy the topic of prophecy in Tolkien's world. Change happens,’ Arwen said sadly. ‘Even among elves, although they resist it more than most.’ Great line. Too true that elves resist change and that just doesn't work, not even for them. I read a great article on this topic that Chris Tolkien contributed to. For now Little do they know that is truly all they will get from Arwen. This is great, Bodkin! Author Reply: Arwen! Arwen! She has so little to do in the text, really. How many books do you read where the romantic heroine is barely mentioned until an appendix? Yet, without her, I don't think Elessar would have coped well at all with the more dreary diplomatic organisational demands of kingship. And yet, I can see her realising that, as an elf in a man's world, she couldn't be too upfront without raising a lot of hackles - and working subtly to ensure that Elessar's kingship would be a triumph on all sides. Haldir won't have liked being beaten by an elleth. And an Imladris elleth at that! And I do love the idea of Celeborn managing Galadriel. (I'm sure he must have.) The Imladris stuff just wrote itself. And I loved playing with the twins as they worked with their little mumak. They did well with him, too, because Aragorn was pretty good at all that Rangering malarkey. I think Arwen is just looking for confirmation of what she suspects. She sees that Elrond is playing King Canute here. Poor Elrond.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/2/2005
Arwen has certainly learned how to 'manage' people. Her plan to keep everyone on their toes during the 'peace' times seems to be working, though at Haldir's expense. The poor male ego. Her next move is to bring her brothers into the game. She's pretty doggone good at this. I felt bad for little Estel trying to get his fire going. I sympathize with him. If there were no Bic lighters available, I would have had to announce that we were having a cold plate for dinner. Don't you just hate the prophecy business? That bloomin' mirror of Galadriel's gives you just enough to worry. I know she thinks it helps prepare everyone, but there's something to be said for ignorant bliss. Ah, well, she's probably right. She has had a few years to learn to interpret what she sees, even if the interpretation is that she doesn't know exactly what she saw means. Arwen's probably using these 'games' she's initiated just to keep from pulling her hair out with frustration over what her grandmother's seen but won't reveal. A very nice chapter. I really enjoy your dialogue. You give it a nice natural feel. It flows. Looking forward to the next chapter. Karen Author Reply: The power behind Gondor's throne! She's had much more training and experience in managing people. Just the right amount of stick in relation to carrot. Poor Estel. Yet within not too many years he gets really good at all this Rangering - the twins must have taught him well. Yes. I hate prophecy! It means nothing until it has happened - when you can look back and see exactly what you did wrong! And blame yourself for things you didn't even know you were doing. Arwen has suspicions, I think. She's had a long time to think about her family and their fates. Glad you liked it. Thank you.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/2/2005
The scene with Estel starting the fire was very well done. I could understand the twins' anxiety that the child both do well and get on with it! That felt like a very real moment to me. Galaldriel is really something. Her observations about how her choices have led to loss but also to growth and gain were very sharp. I was particularly struck by the one that she would still choose to come to ME, presumably because she met Celeborn, but possibly for other reasons too. It's interesting to see this time from the POV of Lorien. They were much closer to Dol Guldur than Thranduil's stronghold was. I hadn't thought at all about how they must have seen these few years of peace. Author Reply: I think it would have taken a lot to convince Celeborn of their safety. A very experienced elf who knew enough to be very suspicious of unexpected presents. And Galadriel is wise enough, I think, to prefer being who she is to hankering after alternatives. Most of the time, anyway. Possibly a over-large sense of responsibility - in the sense that she wants to control things that are not hers to command. Poor Estel. Not easy growing up with everyone else being so good at everything. Elrohir is more patient than Elladan, but they do their best to encourage him - and he did turn out very skilled.

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