News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Beech Leaves by Redheredh | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/23/2008 |
| As it is a rather rainy day I decided to finish. Hmph, that dream is rather taunting; you make it eerie; so sad! But it is good to see he is recovering more, though with a wide range of emotions. I love Cirdan – on my list of favorite characters. I’m glad he got to play a part. That was such a wonderful way to end - “only a follower of Oropher.” Oh no, he *is* Oropher! Since Feren had died in a battle field, Oropher had come almost alone to my mind, though, ah, he certainly isn’t the only one who died in such a manner. Thanks for an enjoyable tale! -Kitt :) Author Reply: I like indulging on a rainy day too. Foresight/insight is an important virtue in ME, especially for a ruler. And the few mentions of Oropher by the Professor paint him as impulsive. Which I interpret as emotionally driven. Oh my, I like him too! :) He is as important to the saga as Elrond and Galadriel, if you as me! But, like Celeborn and Gil-galad, he has more impact in the First and Second Age, not the Third, which when LOTR is set. Heh! Bodkin did continued the story from here. But, she did so her way, which was wonderful. The grandchildren she gave him were a lovely aspect of his return to life. Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it, and let me know. | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/25/2006 |
| I absolutely loved this tale. I really enjoy your writing style and your grasp of the "feel" of elves in Valinor and the "feel" of Valinor intself. This story was delightful! Thanks for sharing it here. Author Reply: Thank you so much! Some people do not like my approach to Valinor and it's nice that someone thinks that it ain't that bad. The review is much appreciated. | |
| Alassiel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/10/2005 |
| This was a wonderfully engaging tale. I really like the idea of a healing sisterhood dedicated to the help of the re-housed, something in the manner of a medieval healing order. I also thought the recall of physical memory and sensation as the re-housed one climbed the stairs out of Mandos was very effective. I hope your scholar Rostaro will feature in other tales, as he intrigues me. Thank you very much for a fascinating story. Alassiel Author Reply: Thanks you! That was Ulbanis' origins alright. That and pilgrimage hostels. Personally, I do not like refering to the reborn as 're-housed'. For me, it brings up associations with unhoused spirits. I do say Holy Spirit and not Holy Ghost. I like to think the revived spirit is returned into its original, renewed body. Like the medieval idea of the last resurrection. ;) Gosh, a lot of people have asked about Rostaro, but I have no immediate plans for his future. Thank you very much for reviewing! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/10/2005 |
| Again, politics puzzle me here, it seems way too much complicated, Aratar of Alqualondë? that would be King Olwë? And I had never imagined Cirdan, among of all elves, with secretaries, and audiences… and issuing safe-conducts to ensure welcome and acceptance to fellow elves in elven realms…Would they be made prisioners if they had not a safe conduct? Life in the blessed realm seems quite far from easy, I'd say! ;-) Wow!!! He was Oropher after all!!!! My! Brilliantly done, girl! I hope he finds his loved ones in Eressëa…Great job done here, Redheredh, even all the Noldorin-directed barbs! It so perfectly fits Oropher! Even dead he would be a nuisance to Mandos!, and, of course, a special case when reborn. And I most definitely liked Rostaro! A masterfully crafted portrait of a “Less than Blessed, much politicized realm!" Well done! Author Reply: Hmm, perhaps it the same problem for you as with many. They need to think of Aman as a blissful, placid, healing place. Like a resort. I tend to see in as a place that's run as a resort. And not everyone is a oblivious guest. The Aratar is like an 'Archbishop of Westminster'. Where the Aramille was a 'mother superior' or abbotess of her hospice. Ulbanis just may find herself summoned to his chambers one day soon to explain her actions. For two ages, the last ships have been sailing from ME. Cirdan has to have a residence/operations in Alqualonde and Eressea. I don't know how everyone gets the idea that an ancient city or a civilization can be managed like a cabin in the woods. There are hundreds of people on the move any one day in Arda. Tolkien simply focused on the elite. But, there are plenty of others trying to get where they are going besides heroes and royalty. Those that provide for them do require more than one person to get those needs met and see that things get done. Despite some readers' illusions, elven society does have social classes. As to the need for a pass, I would throw any stranger out of my backyard if he did not have a badge or a note from my trusted neighbor. I certainly would not keep the dogs from cornering him. Sorry about the rant...no I'm not... Thank you for the reviews, I am very glad you liked the story! Someday, Bodkin may get Oropher to his son's place safely. Personally, I want to be there when he meets his grandson's in-laws. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/9/2005 |
| I have to say I spent as much time guessing at who Rostaro might be. His lack of parents to be reunited with made me think at first he was Elured or Elurin, but they were not nursing infants. Plus, there were two of them, and Elwing and other kin are in Aman. I am curious why the Valar would rebirth a child without his mother, though, so feel free to tell us Rostaro's story! Author Reply: You're curious about Rostaro? Hmmm... seems you're not the only one. But, to answer one of your questions at least, a child that dies at birth would not have any memory of their parents. Should children be deprived of a promised second chance at life - perhaps in a safer place then the first - simply because they had no sins to be forgiven nor life to be remembered? So, do you think They should wait until the mother dies and then sent them both back together? What if she survived Ennor and sailed to Aman? Do you think they would know eachother on sight after the child was grown up? Somehow, I don't think that would be the case. Yes, an interesting premise to write a story around. Though not right away. But, I am very glad this tale caught your interest beyond the simple story. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/9/2005 |
| Ah, I am so pleased I was correct. How wonderful to see the strong leader, the playful Sindar/Silvan fall out of the worn and weary elf we saw earlier. I am thrilled he is rejoining his people. Very good storyelling. I felt I was there like a fly on the wall, observing all that was happening. And I like happy endings. Author Reply: Well, whether he rejoins his people remains to be seen. Hopefully, Bodkin will let us know if he actually makes it. Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. It is a happy enough ending, I guess. As Bejai has pointed out, his beloved is not with him and shall not be again. But, that's life in Arda. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/8/2005 |
| Aha! The tale is now told, the identity known! Well told, and quite the mystery. You had me guessing all along the way! Had it in mind it might be Amroth. Author Reply: Thank you, I appreciate the compliments. Amroth? Close, but no lembas. ;) I glad you like it! | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| Ah! You finished it, then? ;) Redheredh, this was brilliant. What a breathtakingly, jaw-droppingly well done story. I'll go back and review the chapters individually, 'cause they deserve it. - Love how you played with us until the end, dropping little hints, but not telling us who it was. So coy, so writerly of you! - Cirdan! I love Cirdan. The image of them peeking through the curtains -- and instantly recognizing Oropher -- was wonderful. Love too that they keep it to themselves ;) - That moment when he names himself! Wow. Powerful. Made a chill run down my spine. - His wife isn't there, then? Well, this is Tolkien. We can't have entirely happy endings. I'm just in awe of this story. The tale of rebirth, of finding himself and being who is his always been ... I'm having a hard time articulating how much I enjoyed this. I have an Oropher/Last Alliance chapter of my own to write one of these days, and this story will certainly inform the decisions I need to make about characterization. Bravo! Bravo! Author Reply: Yep. ;D Thank you for the compliments! They mean alot coming from you. I wasn't trying to drop clues so much as be true to the circumstances. Well, there is backstory to that I left out entirely. Oh, thank you for saying that! True. I have always thought the Silm rather grim. Please write it soon! *blushing uncontrollably* geez, now what do I do? Say - Thank you! | |
| Silvae | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| Oropher?! That was great and very original, I thought. Poor Ilcanu - kids should not be allowed close to the more... difficult patients. Anyway, good luck and a lot more of well-written chapters, please. =) Silvae Author Reply: Thanks, I appreciate that very much! Maybe another story about another elf since this one is completed. Bug Bodkin, it's all hers now. ;) Very kind of you to review, thanks again. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/7/2005 |
| This is the first Redheredh story I've read ... and now I shall definitely read more. What wonderful details you provide, and so much emotion. I had thought that Feren might have been who he turned out to be ... An excellent tale, and masterfully told. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I hope you are not disappoint with what little else there is to read. This story was not so much about leaving clues as being true to what would actually happen with him under these circumstances. I'm very glad you liked this! Thank you again! | |