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| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 20 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/25/2006 |
| And so Elladan continues to blame Elrohir for seeming passivity; they have bidden Celebrian farewell and sent her to the healing she couldn't find here; and they face the last push to removed the shard from Frodo. Quite a lot for one chapter. Author Reply: These are heavy chapters. There are some interesting parallels than can be drawn between Celebrian's torment and poisoned wound, and Frodo's. Certainly Elrond must have learned much in treating them. And yeah, the twins are busy beating each other up. :/ | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/30/2005 |
| You feel for Elrond as his wife left, and his children are in Pain. Elladan took it out on his brother by hitting him and it is unspoken.... Love it... | |
| Elenluin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/26/2005 |
| I had tears in my eyes when reading about Celebrian's leaving... You really have a way with describing emotions, how Elrond finally gives in to his grief is just heartbreaking, as well as how the twins try to deal with their emotions. Really wonderful piece of work! Author Reply: I am glad you like the emotions, as devastating as they are to read and write. I am glad to resolve them, though too! | |
| paranoidangel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/21/2005 |
| I the d to read the latest four chapters in one go but just couldn't do it -they were so sad. I do really like Elladan and Elrohir's different reactions to what has happened to their mother. Author Reply: Oh my, I'd have to pay for therapy if you read it all through at once! Its like a majory angst-fest. I depressed myself. But then, those times were rather awful for the family of Elrond :/ | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/17/2005 |
| I've just discovered that lunch time is a good time to engage in ff reading! Ther are many things I loved about this chapter. Mithrandir's good humour despite the situation is something I appreciate very much, and Sam was needing that! As I do not tire of saying, the "making of" the council of Elrond from Imladris pov is something I'm enjoying greatly: so many peple coming there, called, though not by Elrond, but brought there for a particular purpose, and how they all feel that there's something going on... masterfully done. "the hands of the meek and dispossessed. Those same hands, if they won this victory..." interesting choice of words, very appropriate to define what is going to happen. The elves shall play their part, but, as TOlkien said, in this age, theirs was a lesser role. And it took all their wisdom and humility to let things pass as appointed, and not as they would have them. I also liked Elladan's struggle. He's being unfair with his brother, of course, above all when he says that he gives up, for it is not thus, he can ease the pressure by accepting darkness, enduring means not giving up, and resistence is another form of fighting, but for those more prone to action it is exasperating, irritating and almost cowardly. It is very interesting to see the developement of both characters. Of course, if Elrohir doesn't remember, he may as well return the punch to his brother once he's aware of what actually happened :-)! Author Reply: I must admit I have a hard time letting the sun go down on the twins' fight. I want to resolve it right away, but everything must occur in its time. They will survive, of course, and be fair and gallant by the time of the War of the Ring. I like how Tolkien used unlikely people to change his world. That fits, I think, with real life...the hands that accomplish the greatest deeds are not often the greatest people. Glad you could read over lunch! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/15/2005 |
| It is where Elrond "found himself again on the path of dreams. He did not like to relive the time he found himself in, reminded again of his failure to heal Celebrian, yet if greater powers were at work, then there was reason for him to remember these times and he would not resist" that I was truly struck by his continuous courage in facing adversity. "He had left dreams of despair for a reality of confidence and strength. ... Elrond bowed his head for moment, knowing indeed that higher powers were at work in Imladris, as well as Middle-earth." The reward for his faith, being ready to serve as the means to their purpose, was knowing that the pain had not been suffered in vain. The way you draw connections from past to present is excellent. Each of the two stories in this chapter was great. Events had such a natural flow and once again the characters remain true to their emotional cores. The reality you create so seamlessly made Celebrian's leaving very difficult to read. But, then the wonderful writing itself was a balm and eased having to witness such tragic scences. Now, I am very anxious to read the next chapter. Author Reply: Faith and courage are very good descriptors of what I was hoping to show in Elrond by accepting what comes along. He has a good sense of what he can do and what he should do, as well as what he is meant only to learn from. It takes a certain humility to be willing to relive your pain and failures and learn from them. I am glad you find the flow smooth and the characters consistent. It is always a challenge to show them growing and changing while keeping them true to themselves. Thank you for reading! | |
| Nikara | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/15/2005 |
| Excellent so far. Very poignant, and some very interesting parallels between the two incidents. I love knowing what is going to happen, but not really knowing. Author Reply: I love knowing what is going to happen, but not really knowing. I love that statement - that is why we read and write fanfiction, isn't it? I am glad you are enjoying the story. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/15/2005 |
| My LOTR focus has always been on the hobbits. Most Elf stories bore me to tears, for some reason. I have never thought much about Elrond, to tell you the truth, and he's always been a somewhat remote character. So in this story you've done somehting nobody else has. You've made me feel his anguish, and share in his frustration of fighting the long defeat. What a bitter, bittter parting from Celebrian, and what horrible pain he feels as he watches his family spend itself for the sake of defeating Sauron. Tears were rolling down my cheeks by the time he finally let her go, and even though we know how it all turns out in the end I feel just as strongly for the fear and hurt and anger of Elladan and Elrohir. Very powerful and emotional writing, on Elves of all things. E'm really looking forward to reading more of this story. Author Reply: I am glad you were moved by Elrond and his plight! He is an important character in Tolkien's world, though throughout, his wisdom and power are understated. It wasn't until I looked at him throughout Tolkien's timelines that I realized what a tragic character he was....and when I coupled that with the hobbits' impressions of him, I found myself in awe and love. I am looking forward to some scenes with him and Frodo after the Quest. I think their plights share some similarities as Ring-bearers and their need for healing. Thank you for reading and taking the time to say you enjoyed the story. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/15/2005 |
| I loved Sam at the beginning of this--can you just see him grabbing the hand of the Lord of Imladris and greatest healer in M-e and demanding to know 'what he did.' That is so perfect. And all that when his is too exhausted to stand up. Great! And of course I loved the woodelves' appearance and their refusal to speak to anyone but Mithrandir--hehehe. I love woodelves. ;-) And poor Elrond not able to identify the food at his own table. Hobbits are great. I loved the exchange about eating and then napping. Hilarious. But, wow! Celebrian's departure was every bit as tramatic as I imagined it would be. Seeing Elrond on the ship made me cry. The entire part describing the departure of the ships was very powerfully done. The twins complete inability to understand each other was also very well done, tragic, and very realistic, I think. Of all the details of this situation, that was by far the most...angsty (though I hate to use that word because it is so twisted in fandoms--I mean it in the true sense of the word), powerful and just simply...tragic. Especially the suggestion that they reconcile before going into battle. The world is truly falling apart for these people and it would be after such an event. Really well done! Author Reply: Poor Elrond..not only did he have to live through it, he has to re-live it in his dreams. I am glad he is humble enough to accept the path of dreams chosen, in the hopes that either the humbling events or some rememembrance may aid him. And the twins are the picture of angst! How hard for their family and friends to see the rift between them, damaging them and others around them, and yet they have to wait until something happens for the two to finally accept help. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/15/2005 |
| Nilmandra, what a wonderful chapter. I'll go straight to the heart of the chapter...Celebrian leaving. I have to admit that I got teary eyed as Elrond kissed her goodbye and Cirdan had to tell him it was time to leave. She's so pitifully frail that Elrond knew he was doing the right thing, but that didn't ease the pain of separation, nor the guilt he felt for not sailing with her. I figured someone would see her to the Undying Lands and Tolkien tells us that none of the children went, so placing a good friend with her was the best any of us could hope for. I don't see how Arwen or the twins stayed behind. I know they had a role yet to play and that's why Tolkien left them in Middle-earth, but it was hard to watch. And Elrond, of course, as a ring bearer, still had a huge role to fulfill as did Galadriel. And Celeborn. Kind of makes me want to slap the good professor though and tell him that Celebrian needed someone to go with her. But he set it up so that everyone had to stay. Okay, I accept that, but I don't have to like it. Poor Elladan is nearly over the edge of reason. He's furious at himself and the world. Elrohir is so withdrawn and depressed that he accepts his brother's fury. That must have been some right upper cut to cause such a concussion that the poor younger twin can't even remember what happened. When he does remember, he might find a few choice words for his twin. That actually could be quite healing for the two of them to let all this come to a head. In due time, I'm sure. But...in the meantime, poor twins. The hobbit scenes were great. I got such a kick out of Sam. He'd take on the Dark Lord to protect Frodo and in reality, he did! Good for him. Everyone should have someone so devoted to them. But not even the stern look of Elrond would move Sam from Frodo's side. Love Gandalf. He has such a soothing way about him. And Glorfindel. He does too. He's Elrond's Sam. The time has finally come to remove the shard from Frodo's shoulder. I'm glad to hear that! Poor Frodo. Poor everyone who has sat at the hobbit's side as Elrond fought to keep the darkness from taking Frodo. And Lathron! I can't wait to get an update on the woodland king's family. I loved that they wouldn't tell anyone their message but Mithrandir. No one can accuse the wood-elves of not keeping a secret. I also look forward to Elladan seeing a grown up Legolas. I imagine it'll be hard for him and his brother to see the youngest of Thranduil's brood go off on the quest. Kind of takes rearranging one's view of the 'little one'. We won't even talk about what Lathron will go through seeing his little brother go off what essentially looks like a suicide mission. Wonderful, just wonderful. I'm looking forward to the next installment. Can't wait, in fact. Karen Author Reply: Kind of makes me want to slap the good professor though and tell him that Celebrian needed someone to go with her. One is left to wonder if this was a conscious decision of Tolkien and I just cannot see the reason, or if in the larger scheme of creating his world he thought only of the impact of her leaving on those left behind and not on her going ahead all alone. Yet, all of her children did have roles left to play and perhaps determined their father had the more trying role in the fight against shadow. As for Elrohir...well he is accepting his brother's fury and he is doing it consciously. I have the scene written where Elrond figures out why and I want to get to that soon, as the poor elf(ling) is driving me nuts like this! I am so glad to be able to insert Lathron into the story, even if only a tiny part. He is one of my favorite OC's and him being here is the fulfillment of his vision. Thanks for reading! | |