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| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 21 Review(s) |
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| Ainu Laire | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/9/2006 |
| I have not yet had the chance to read this tale- but I am so glad that I did decide to read it! Wow, that whole scene with Estel and the twins truly made me giggle. And I love how you represent Estel's and Elrond's relationship, as well as his relationship with the twins; it is a lot as I imagined it to be. I do not want to spend too long in this review, because I still have many chapters to read! *g* I am enjoying it much! Author Reply: Thanks Laire, I hope it kept you well occupied! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/23/2006 |
| And so I have imagined that when an epidemic hit the region small Aragorn fell deathly ill, and they announced it around that he had indeed died, more easily slipping him out of Dunedain lands and into Imladris. This also works and works well. Love to see the reaction of Bilbo to the Last Homely House. Lovely! | |
| Rose Sared | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/16/2005 |
| Oh, I know, this story has been posted for ages, but I have only just read it (yes procrastinating over writing the next bit of my story) What a jewel it is. I so enjoyed all the back story of Aragorn arriving at Rivendel and now the elf POV of the events of the hobbit. You have the most accurate take on T's elves. I just love it. Thanks for this I will hoard it and read it again. Rose Author Reply: I am glad you find the elves accurate to Tolkien, as I am always afraid he is shaking his head and saying 'no, no, no, you are missing my point!' I am especially glad if you find it worth re-reading. Thank you! | |
| Eruanneth_Luin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/16/2005 |
| How difficult for Elrond to know the identity of the pivotal Heir, but not know the outcome nor yet his ultimate personal cost. You have an interesting perspective in showing the difference in stature between Elrond and Glorfindel by the accommodating furniture. Dwarves! Be they a gaggle swarm or bearded flock life must have been enlivened during their stay. Not many things daunt the courageous Balrog slayer enough for him to flee to the company of the younglings; facing the Nazgūl being merely challenging in contrast. It was enjoyable watching Elrond encounter his first Hobbit and noticing the peculiarities of this hitherto unmet people and Estel netting Elrond had me laughing delightedly. The unrestrained joy of children felt by the elves is seldom explored so thoughtfully. Glorfindel aglow with eagerness to meet and best the Nazgūl shows us the two extremes of this powerful elf-lord; one side innocently playful, the other exceedingly dangerous. Thank you, Nilmandra, for another wonderful chapter. Author Reply: Glorfindel towers over everyone else, or so he tells me! LOL at Glorfindel fleeing the dwarves. I think he finds Elrond's sons more entertaining than Thorin Oakenshield blowing off hot air :>) You know I love both Elrond and Glorfindel, and to me, one of the most admirable qualities of a powerful male is seeing them mentor a young one and play with the children. I am glad you noticed and liked the contrasts in them. | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2005 |
| LOL! A wonderful chapter, Nilm! I just adore the twins here -- they behave so delightfully like The Hobbit elves of the Valley that I can almost here them singing Tra-la-la-lally and teasing Thorin about dipping his beard in the river. :-D Author Reply: *grin* I almost had them sing, but I thought it pushed the scenes right over the top! I really enjoyed writing them merry, though. Thanks :>) | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/11/2005 |
I was really worried you would get another update out before I got around to reviewing this one! Elrond's real courage is sometimes overlooked because he can seem rather powerful, but you brought his bravery out in this chapter. It contrasted nicely with Glorfindel's more familiar variety. I like that Celebrian calmed down Elladan's tantrum so soundly and how the bow gained another story in its history. Who's son will get it next? Your emphasis on the secrecy about Estel reminds me that the three rings had to be kept just as secret. Elrond probably would follow the same course in keeping the boy as safe. "It's in his blood." From the Dunedain? Who received 'it' from those elvish ancestors that long flourished in the wilderness? A royal visage that perhaps came from Elros? I can't help but think of Imrahil and Legolas' remarks. 'It' lingers in the blood. It is wonderful how you are bringing all these incidents together into a coherent whole so well. A joy to read. Very much looking forward to the next chapter. Author Reply: Elrond did carry his mantle of responsibilities and power well, didn't he? I really like how understated Tolkien portrayed him, though I suppose the hobbit POV might be mostly responsible for that. People who bear their power with humility are courageous people, I think. 'It' is an interesting concept, isn't it? In several places Tolkien reminds us that Aragorn is one of the children of Luthien, so I think perhaps it is the blood of the Maiar and Eldar, the nobility and dignity of Numenor and the strength of his direct ancestors who lived the hard life for so long. I love that comment about Imrahil too - 'it' persists for a long time. Thank you for reading! | |
| runnerbeast | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/11/2005 |
| Another wonderful chapter... filled with many tidbits I will love to ponder and dream on. I love how many details you are filling your story with. Oh, and how I love how you write your Elrond, thank you thank you! =) Author Reply: I am glad you like my Elrond! I fell in love with him when I began to realize what a tremendous character he was - he is in all of Tolkien's stories, yet understated in his power and wisdom. Thank you for reviewing. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/10/2005 |
| I really liked Glorfindel rescuing his favorite chair from the Goodwill bin. Shame on Elrond. Interesting to think about the fact that Elrond is the barometer for everyone at Rivendell - they're waiting to see if he jumps ship or not. As long as he stays, they haven't lost all hope. That's a big responsibility. Galadriel knows many things that are not told to her, indeed! Elrond must know he's not keeping any secrets from her. Thorny problem of what to do with Estel when Bilbo & Co. show up, though. Sending him camping with his brand new, slightly used bow is a good solution. It was interesting to see the Elves' curiosity about how Men keep their growing children in clothing. I guess they're not used to young'uns sprouting like weeds. It was nice to see Elrond get out of the house and have an impromptu horse race with Glorfindel. He definitely needs a little more fun in his life. Author Reply: I did a lot of thinking about Elrond's power in this story - how the ultimate fate of the One Ring and middle-earth was really his doing - the white council wasn't around and even Mithrandir deferred to thim. He did have a lot of responsiblity, which will make the ending all the more poignant, I think. And yeah - a little fun in his life is a good thing. He seems to get lost in memory often. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/9/2005 |
| I love how you've woven in the story of Smaug and the dwarves and Bilbo into this tale. It all makes so much sense in relation to Imladris. Really enjoyed that. Glorfindel was fun, as always. The little touches of personality that you've given him are wonderful. I loved the part about his favorite chair and the part where he couldn't decide if he wanted to entertain dwarves or go camping with the children...which included two very grownup twins that I'm sure are still children to him. But it still made me smile. I also really liked your take on the secrecy of Estel being in Imladris. Elrond was wise to not reveal the child's existence to the White Council, even if he didn't know exactly why at that point he was wary. I also like what he said about Galadriel. You never know what she's aware of. Wonderful chapter. Can't wait for more. Karen Author Reply: Thanks, Karen. I rewrote who saw/met Estel three times and finally figured no one could for it to make sense. This was fun to write though, since The Hobbit 'canon' involved very merry elves insulting dwarves :>) | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/9/2005 |
| There is so much in this / so many details that make it rich: He twisted Vilya upon his finger and sent his thought out over the valley, both actions unconscious. I love this line. It is very simple but it says so much about Elrond. And his thoughts about Estel and Arwen were perfect. I happen to have reread the First Age History Lessons this weekend and those thoughts seemed particularly poignant after having just read Elrond's reactions to Elros's decision. I love the idea of Glorfindel knowing Mithrandir from Valinor and I loved that story about his comfy chair. :-) Estel in his already too small clothes, with his not entirely proper manners, running through the house was great too! I always thought, as painful as it must have been at times, Elrond must have enjoyed fostering his brother's heirs and been fascinated by these children that grew even faster than he had and certainly much faster than the elves he was accustomed to. And Estel with Elrohir's bow--and that little story you hint at--that is wonderful. I definitely like that no one--not even Galadriel knew about Estel. That makes sense. If you want to keep a secret, you can't tell it to everyone. And it makes a good excuse for having meetings of the White Council other places rather than Imladris. I love Bilbo and his gaggle of dwarves. Bilbo's reaction to Elrond was exactly as I'd imagine. And those twins and Estel! It is a good thing that Estel had someone his own (mental) age to play with in Imladris. *Grin* This whole part, from the twins and Estel's antics to Elrond's 'coughing' and polite interruption of Thorin to Glorfindel's comments to the song was hilarious. Seeing Elrond in their camp, being attacked by children was a lot of fun too. I really love seeing these loving families. And the last part with Glorfindel--I really like your portrayal of him. It is the best I've read and this was a perfect example. Great chapter! Author Reply: I think its fortunate that Elrond has had nearly two ages to comes to terms with Elros's choice - hopefully it gave him a little more persepective with Arwen, though it cannot have diminished the pain he felt much- just his reaction to that pain. Poor Elrond! I have noticed in trying to write from Elrond's perspective that even the flashbacks have flashbacks - he has lived for so long that there must be memory in everything. I think Elladan would like everyone to forget that particular memory with the bow, but I don't think Elrohir brings it up, at least :) Writing at the time of The Hobbit was fun, and writing Elrond with children is always fun. In my head they adore him - his touch alone must impart complete trust and confidence in them, and that allows them to be innocently free with him. I loved that he would play with Estel like that...and have times where he could run and be free, unweighted by the cares of the world. Thanks for the review! | |