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Elflings by Bodkin	6 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/24/2006
Yes, indeed; "Thank you, I think." He would do well to heed the girls at the moment, for they have Olostariel's number quite well, I think. Author Reply: Olostariel is far too 'mature' for her age. And has a mind that thinks Elrin is a very good prospect as a beau. (I don't think his cousins would let her keep that illusion for too long. They might not be interested in ellyn yet, but they can see falseness when it's in front of them!)

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2005
Such a lovely episode with lots of gentle wisdom and humour, a throughly enjoyable chapter. :D Neldor is a wise and caring grandfather, not only for pointing out Elrin's choices, but for telling the son that the father was never mad. Simply seeking vengence because there was no way for his father and uncle to get justice. The girls and how they handled their onerous chores made me snicker. This house is like a domestic dojo. Discipline, ladybugs! And you will overcome your most dreaded foe! No mother-in-law will win against your mastered arts! As always, all the ladies' conversations got me all nostalgic and smiling. These are truly clever females. However unlike they, I am not that enamoured of babies. I'd rather send the little ones home when they cease to be entertaining. It takes a while for children to become interesting. And Elrin has certainly arrived at an interesting age, just verging on adulthood. I wonder if there is not something for which he is storing up all these lessons in preparation to face. I was very happy that he found he does not like scheming girls and did not fall into playing any sorts of games with that hussy... eh, young lady. Much thanks to his cousins for that as well. So, is a camping/hunting trip with daeradar next? Shall Miriwen talk more to her son about her early deeds? Author Reply: It really is quite fun to do something that is simply set in this world without having to tie it to anything more complicated than the teenage psyche! Neldor is a very good grandfather for Elrin to have now - someone who points out that he doesn't have to strive to be greater than his famous ancestors, but just be himself. And he is detached enough to be able to speak of things that Elrin would find hard to discuss with Elrond. Poor Aewlin and Nimloth! Running massive extended households is difficult - though probably not a patch on trying to run massive extended households in co-operation with mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law and sisters and aunts! They need to know how to do it - after all, Galadriel combines Wood-running with her other talents. Not too keen on babies? H'mm - they have their down sides, I admit, but they are little for so short a time, and they have their own delights. Especially to an elf, probably, who counts age in centuries. (There was a woman on TV the other day who has 13 children. She just adores being pregnant and having babies. She wants at least one more, too. And then it'll probably be one more again.) Elrin is (perhaps) a bit of a slow starter in these games. (Nadhras seems to know how to play them!) But he does like to feel in control - he doesn't much care for the roller-coaster of feelings associated with ellyth - yet! And he certainly picked up that pretty doesn't mean nice. I don't think he'll be walking with Olostariel again. (Pity I called her that. I like that name and now it's wasted.) Aewlin and Nimloth will keep an eye on him. Which could be amusing. I think they will check out candidates for his attention - probably to his complete embarrassment. Camping trip with daeradar? Miriwen revealing more of her past? (You are a fount of ideas!) The next Elflings is Galenthil/Eleniel. I can say that because it's written (practically). And Awaiting the Thaw is likely to get a totally unexpected second chapter - it announced itself yesterday - where Miriwen and Elladan meet again. Thereafter . . . dunno. (I know what Thranduil's daughter is going to be called, though!)

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2005
Elrin and his cousins are so dear in this. I have to say, I am with Nimloth on the sewing. I can sew. Very well. But I have to be in the right mood for it and when I am not, I really can't do it. I could never be made to. That rant is caused by the fact that I have a blanket that I promised to make by September staring me in the face--its pieces covering my dining room table and mocking me. I cannot bring myself to finish it but I must. Perhaps I could borrow Aewlin for a few hours... :-) But seriously, Aewlin is very sweet to finish her sister's sewing and I predicted when I read she was doing that that Nimloth would appear again at some point in the story with a needle in her hand. I loved it. I could just feel her seething. :-) That part I liked the most was the end though--Elrin's little cousins are very perceptive about Olostariel, is seems. And I loved that conversation about her. I particularly liked this: It was amazing, Elrin thought, how Aewlin and Nimloth could revert from remarkable good sense to childishness in no more than a breath. At one moment he had felt as if his younger cousins had a much wider knowledge of the world than he did – only to be reminded that they were a mass of contradictions. I think you have pre-teen (they'd still be pre-teen in this, right? I mean, pre-adolescent, teen by our way of thinking) girls down perfectly in that statement--especially from the POV of boys who are almost men. I really enjoyed seeing seeing Elrin with his cousins in this. They have a great relationship. Author Reply: September approaches. Distressingly fast! Sewing is one of those girlie-skills that is extremely important in a low-technological society - I can't somehow see elves with the equivalent of sweat shops in the Third World. And embroidery is one of those elements of sewing that separates simple households from aristocratic. Which describes this household - even if elves aren't supposed to be classist. (You'd be better borrowing Sirithiel. She's good at sewing and quick. Aewlin is still learning.) Aewlin knows doing Nimloth's sewing will cause trouble - and does it anyway, because her sister works more on optimism. But no pair of 10 year olds (human equivalent: they're about 25,) is about to get the better of wily ellyth like Celebrian and Sirithiel. And being 10ish, Aewlin and Nimloth can be remarkably clear-sighted. Old enough to know something about teenage emotions, but too young to feel them. Interested enough to watch the techniques of the like of Olostariel, and perceptive enough to understand her motives. I rather like the extended family - cousins as close as sisters and brothers. Whether it's as easy to live in this kind of group as adults, I don't know. Must have been hard on Miriwen and Sirithiel to move into the Elrond/Celebrian and the twins group. Thank you - I am glad you liked it. This was rather fun to do - maybe Elrin needs to watch out. He really doesn't want to undergo too much teenage torment!

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/10/2005
I love Elrin. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He'll be all right, no matter what he does. And dare I say the twins will too? Of course, having just said that, no doubt they will go out and prove me wrong. They're interesting characters though. Author Reply: Elrin is a star. A typically responsible first-born. (I don't expect Ellanthir to be quite as sensible.) He will survive the growing years - and doubtless be a son to be proud of. And the twins' good qualities will shine more as they mature, I expect. Quite a lot of characteristics that make good strong adults are less appreciated in children! Thank you for reading!

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/10/2005
I like Aewlin here - she's getting very sharp and quick-witted. I loved her retort about Elrin's physics homework. She is also perceptive: '‘It was not really the way we imagine it,’ she remarked vaguely. ‘We will never really understand.’ ' And her comment '‘Here, Nimloth, I have finished your sewing. It is my turn to play with Ellanthir now.’ She doesn't resent doing her sister's hated tasks. Miriwen's parents seem very nice - Elladan is far more fortunate than Legolas with his in-laws! Poor Elrin is gradually discovering the delights and agonies of adolescence, and like E2L before him, is realising that some ellyth regard him as a 'prize', simply because of who he is. Finally, it must have been very difficult for Elrin to learn of his father's 'time of madness', and that the heroic figure in shining armour was a little tarnished. It would be interesting to explore that moment with him, or with Nimloth and Aewlin. Jay Author Reply: Aewlin is clever - and loyal. Her visionary talents don't give her too much trouble at the moment, but she does see further into a brick wall than most. And she knows that they'll both get into trouble if she does Nimloth's sewing for her - but she'll still do it. Miriwen's parents are very nice. And reasonable and loving. And tolerant. Elladan knows he is lucky - in more ways than one. (D'you know, Awaiting the Thaw was intended to be a one-off, but I've got them all hassling me with a second chapter - where Elladan begins to see how lucky he might be!) Adolescence. Such a joy. Why people call those years the best of your life I don't know. Elrin won't much like realising that some see him as a stepping stone to position and power - but he is sensible enough to retain the lesson without becoming too suspicious, I think. And adolescence is the time when all-powerful parents lose their sheen - Elrin might well have found his discovery of his father and uncle's trauma made them seem more real. Or not. Yes, it would make an interesting moment to see.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/10/2005
I love Elrin here. I like this age--vulnerable and full of possibilities. He's entering a world that's full of good things but kind of scary, especially when you're not sure what you're doing. It's a good thing he has all these people who love him. Author Reply: So much of those growing-up years is about losing all the certainty of childhood and moving away from your all-powerful protectors. It must be particularly hard on the kids of the great and famous. The presence of his decidedly non-famous and perfectly content maternal grandparents will probably be a boost to his confidence. (But he will have to learn to see through girls who are more interested in his family than they are in him!)

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