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New beginnings  by perelleth 4 Review(s)
elliskaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 9/18/2005
:-) Given how much I love birds, I adored the opening paragraphs of this chapter--especially the reference to the silver feathered vs the black feathered vs the golden feathered elves. The bird's POV was excellent!

And Celeborn! He got an ear-full and eye-full in this, didn't he. Between what he hear and saw with Galadriel and what he and Gil-galad heard Elrond and Elros saying! There was a lot packed into Elrond and Elros's conversation, for certain.

And I enjoyed the celebration, traditions you included in it and the appearance of Ulmo.

This is such a rich story.

Author Reply: Glad that you liked the bird, elliska, she just came flying in... and I found her amusing, and Ingil could not ask for more!

I'm quite glad that Tolkien did not dwell much on the Peredhil's decission, for I found that one of the most difficult partings to accept and understand, and I wondered how they would have reacted to each other's decision.

When I began the story I was not fully sure who's story this would be. YEt as it grew up, I found more and more similarities between Celeborn and Ereinion's problems, and in the end it turned out to be almost a coautios dance between both.
I'm glad that you liked the festival.I 'm sure they all needed that. Thanks for your words!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 9 on 9/15/2005
I love that seabird and her perceptions on silver and black feathered elves. And adore the fact that she has a penchant for a particular golden elf.

Not one of Celeborn's finer moments. I'm sure that, in the future, he will remember that sneaking is a skill better left to others. He should be thankful that Galadriel had at least hurried away before that hand landed on his shoulder.

I'm sure Ingil appreciated the sardine. (Probably as much as Celeborn relished the other - er - offering.) Though it was tactless not to thank the lady.

Good to see Olvárin and Elros are getting along. Olvarin will be able to visit Elros once he is settled in Numenor, too.

The festival does seem to be a good night. Ereinion seems to be having fun - as do Galadriel and Finarfin. Celeborn, on the other hand . . . He and Ereinion are both torn between two worlds really. Open enough to have a grasp of both, but not really accepted by either. (Love the Finrod asides.)

And the Elrond / Elros confidences - so much covered - sorrow and division and position and resentments and responsibility and time and longing. Not the mention the Cunning Plan. Ereinion seems to have taken it better than Celeborn.

Watching Celeborn dismissed by the Eminence Grise was very amusing.

And listening to Galadriel disputing with Celebrimbor is very educational. (Although firing a dwarf's beard is less than tactful.)

Erestor has revealed his loyalties - and Galadhond has put his foot down. (So much more impressive than Oropher. Exudes power rather than clutching at it.)

I love this line “Be at ease, Lord Oropher,“ Ereinion added conversationally, “we keep the poisoned broth in separate bowls...” Beautiful.

And involving Elros and Elrond in the ceremony - with all the formal welcoming responses.

The song - both Vanyar and Ulmo's horns - very impressive. I can see Ereinion's concern. And I think it's time someone came in on his side. The chaos seems to be unravelling - just a little. And a better understanding is forcing itself on all this amazingly diverse range of people.

Author Reply: Yep, you see, at least there is someone who appreciates Ingil's vesion of M. Earth's song.. :-)

I'm particularly glad that you noticed and liked the Finrod asides. I was tempted to remove them many times, yet, first, I really like the elf, and he is rarely mentioned, second, and less important, it made sense to me, given Celeborn's sullen and contemplative mood, that he might be remmebering this particular elf. Whatever. He came to viist and I was glad to have him in.. :-)

And I think it's time someone came in on his side Yep. But there are times that nobody is by your side when you really need a hug... no matter how well loved you know you are. But he's resilient and strong, and Este was there to take care... I believe that there is nothing like a good night of revelry to help you see things in another perspective.

And now that I come to think of it, I muyself am sorely needing one..
Thanks for your kind reviews Bodkin! :-)


French PonyReviewed Chapter: 9 on 9/13/2005
Oh, the seabird! She is marvelous. It is a wonderful thing to be able to see things from her perspective -- including the fact that sometimes birds really are dumb enough to try to buzz through the legs of someone standing in front of a rock. And her "gift" to Celeborn -- which we all knew was coming, it was just a question of when -- reminds me of the old "Far Side" cartoon called "How birds see the world." It consisted of a view straight down onto people and dogs walking around in a park with targets on their heads.

And Elrond and Elros will soon learn that the way to keep a secret is to not talk loudly and drunkenly about it at a party.

There seems to be a trend with Elves juggling. The thought of Galadriel juggling flaming torches is one of those brilliant images that just works beautifully.

Author Reply: Well, I'm not that sure about elves juggling, but the image came from this past summer, in the town I was living at the solstice time, there happened to be a convention of jugglers. Yes, don't ask me what they talked about when in sessions, but at night they filled the streets and the beach, and it was sheer magic to see them juggling torches around! so I suppose that it came from that...

The seabird came flying and I had to let her in, lest I ended up crowned like Celeborn, but she was great fun, poor thing, trying to impress her thick prince with a wobbling sardine....

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 9 on 9/13/2005
I liked the bird's perspective. What a shock for Celeborn to hear Galadriel in the building!

The Peredhil are amusing here. I've never seen them portrayed as tricksters like this before. This was a really magical celebration, especially the dawn.

Author Reply: I suppose that the peredhil, as some "others" here, had a lot of growing up to do back then... and they sorely needed to reaffimr themselves, I suppose... I liked the seabird, too, poor thing! :-)

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