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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	13 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/31/2006
I like Celeborn the daeradar. All the rest of the wise now seemed resigned to the fact that Arwen is a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter, but there’s no way he’s just going to accept it quietly. But there’s something slightly disturbing about the way that Arwen herself has accepted her fate – “I will do what I must… And this son of Elros’s line will have his due.” Not sure I like the fact she seems prepared to hand herself to Aragorn out of duty, but maybe (hopefully at least) there’s a bit more going on at a subconscious level – “She spoke his name apparently carelessly, but her tongue caressed the syllables”. I’m choosing to interpret that as her being already at least a bit in love with him, even if she hasn’t admitted it to herself yet. You’ve painted her as so strong and determined (very much how you’d expect given her family tree) so I suppose I can see her accepting that her marriage to Aragorn is quid pro quo for him reclaiming the throne, reuniting the free peoples, saving the world etc etc. The romantic in me doesn’t like it, though. The twins teasing of Aragorn in absentia was fun, but I think they’re secretly jealous they can’t grow beards of their own! Author Reply: Celeborn is rather less accepting of the demands of fate, I think - and more convinced that fate is what you make it. He lost Luthien to Beren - not that he loved her in that way, but she was his cousin and family - he lost Celebrian, and he doesn't want to lose his granddaughter. But I suspect he knows that he isn't onto a winner here. He could fight fate, but not Arwen's desires. Arwen has known this would happen, I think, for a long time. And saving the world isn't always romantic - but her acceptance does mean that she is willing to love him rather than fighting it. She has spent a good few years thinking about him - and he did make a good, if very youthful, first impression on her! And she does want to hear all about him. There can't be anyone better to tell her about him than the twins either - because they love him as a brother and know him better than almost anyone.

viggomaniac	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/7/2006
Have read through chapter eight and continue to find your story enthralling. I like the way you present Arwen and company as mature, thoughtful characters that we can care about. Would like to comment more, but I'm off to review more stories. If this was a 'real' job I'd never sleep. Great story. I'll be reading it all though it might take me a while to get to it. Author Reply: I'm glad you like seeing the characters portrayed as mature and thoughtful - it was another of those things that made me want to write this. I had seen rather too much in the way of 'pranking' twins, petty Elrond and dumped Arwen and was wanting to show them as I see them. (I'm sure the twins could have been a pest when they were adolescents - but they're nearly 3000 here! Light-hearted at times - they are elves - but not petty, spiteful or juvenile.) Reading and reviewing is such fun - I love it. Much more fun than the printed word these days. Thank you, viggomaniac. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/25/2005
I am so sorry I missed reviewing this chapter. I read it when you posted it and I would have sworn I reviewed it. I loved Celeborn in this. He is exactly the grandfather I think he would be. And I loved his conversation with Gandalf, especially where Gandalf says Be blind enough to believe that the immortality of the elves is to be craved at all costs? That is so true and such a good way to make Celeborn come around. And I liked how you showed the increasing dangers and the problems with Saruman. But I laughed myself to exhaustion over the conversation about Aragorn and his less than elven perfect grooming. Great chapter. Author Reply: You have had more important things to think about than reviewing. (Sleep, eat, get well!) I'm glad you loved Celeborn - he is so desperate to protect Arwen, and is finding it so hard to acknowledge her as an adult, able to make her own decisions. He needed to hear what Mithrandir had to say - Galadriel has been saying similar things, but she's his wife, so he doesn't need to listen! Hopefully, Mithrandir has made a chink in his armour - and Celeborn will be able to accept Arwen's choice. Because she will need him - and Galadriel and Elrond will need to know that they have left her safe with her daeradar to watch over her. Saruman must have been stretching his arm for decades while everyone was too blind to notice - and he was arrogant! He will have refused to acknowledge Celeborn and the twins as being any danger to him. Inferior, unimportant elves - like Thranduil. Not Eldar. I'm glad you enjoyed the twins' perspective on the - er - rather shaggy Aragorn. I'm sure they find the bathing and grooming of men their least appetising characteristic - and are disappointed to find that Estel has sunk to the level of those around him. Glad you liked it!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/21/2005
What a wonderful chapter! Good grief, they always are... I really enjoyed the beginning with Curaniel. :D I do like her and she had so much wisdom to impart. Arwen's response made me cheer. The description of Celeborn and Galadriel as they greeted Arwen blew me away. I could just see the Light around them and feel their angst. And Celeborn still resisting, continuing to think he might overcome fate by willpower. Wonderful just wonderful. So was the rest of the chapter - every single scene, dialog and description. Writing to aspire to. Watching the dark tide washing up around the domains of the elves was especially distressful. Comprehending that what they had been fighting back for so long was slowly encroaching closer was chilling. But, seeing Gandalf doing his thing was great. ;) Watching everyone trying to cope with the minor and major was fascinating. I really like that description of Celebrimbor as a 'sprig from Feanor's tree'! And speaking of family trees, I am surprised Celeborn is not more concerned about Aragorn. He certainly seems to be more in tune with him after the betrothal and of course Isildur's heir is also Thingol's heir. Well as usual, I am coming to this review rather late. Sorry 'bout that. I wish I could stay up all hours and still remain human. But, that is sadly beyond my meager, faded powers and I turn into a squash of unknown variety even before midnite now. It hurts* when your head hits the keyboard.* Author Reply: Thank you. I like Curaniel. I haven't quite decided the course of her life yet, but she might be around for a while. And she's right - I was so longing to say those things about all the background work being an essential part of fighting and that not every hero carries a sword. I can just imagine C&G's emotions being powerful enough to be felt throughout their lands - and Celeborn being like King Canute and fighting the tide. And Curunir must have taken decades, if not centuries to build up his own personal orc army - and tested them carefully against their enemies. I can't picture him thinking highly of non-Valinorean elves. Arrogant little Istar. Gandalf turned up simply to give Celeborn a bit of a rocket, I think. He can do emotional things as well as dragon-confrontation and Celeborn needs to be ready. Celeborn doesn't know Aragorn. He might accept the abstract concerns of the line of kings and Thingol's descendant - but at the moment he sees him mainly at a personal level as a threat. I think he might see him differently once he knows him - and, at any rate, he will support his struggle as best he can. What? You mean you need to sleep? I can't understand it! (I can't stay awake in the evening at all. I'm hopeless. But fortunately I'm a very early morning person - and my brain works so much more efficiently in the dawn hours!)

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/20/2005
I like the choice of using Cúraniel to give us an insight into the characters and situations. It works very well. My favourite part – though the one I find most heartbreaking – is when she thinks back to Arwen’s return and her grandparents’ reactions, with Galadriel’s quiet grief mixed with acceptance and Celeborn’s anger and heartache. And the idea that the melancholy echoes through the Wood is very moving. Cúraniel herself possesses a lot of wisdom. Her thoughts on how it is better not to be the subject of song are interesting and I think she told Arwen a lot of what she needed to hear – that their work is necessary and important for others to go and fight. Not that it makes things any easier, really, but at least she won’t feel as much like she’s sitting around while Aragorn goes off into danger. I thought Cúraniel’s point about Arwen already knowing what she must do or it wouldn’t cause her such anguish is also very shrewd. What I find most interesting about the scene between Galadriel and Celeborn is how very different they are, how Celeborn knows, really knows, his wife and yet he admits to himself that there are things that he just cannot understand, that he would do differently. They are not afraid to disagree and yet they work together and can find comfort in one another. I enjoyed the scene between Haldir and Mithrandir! But Mithrandir’s thoughts on how reliant Galadriel is on Nenya and whether it is wise to be shut away from the outside world are just fascinating. Of course, in some ways dealing with events of the outside world in the way that Galadriel does has to be harder than if she were to tackle them head on. I love the banter between the twins, and even more so the way they switch so quickly to alert and deadly warriors. But the appearance of the orc and the twins’ confusion set against their cheery discussion of the delights of the Wood is a wonderfully, horribly effective sign of things to come. The discussion between Celeborn and Mithrandir is just brilliant. This is so difficult for poor Celeborn. It’s hard to see him in pain but I admit that I really like the idea that he’s the one who wants to fight against this. Elrond and Galadriel are in no less pain but they add this sacrifice to the many others and resign themselves to fate but Celeborn really just doesn’t want to lose his granddaughter. Only Mithrandir, really, could point out to him that death is a gift and not only is Arwen’s choice her own to make, but is itself a gift. Even Celeborn will have a choice before him. I suppose at least he can stay until the end. I get the impression that Mithrandir, at least, knows that Elrond and Galadriel won’t have that opportunity. Although, now that I think about it, I’m not sure if it’s better to have to leave Arwen behind or to stay and have her leave them… My heart goes out to Celeborn, though. He does know that this is Arwen’s destiny. He just doesn’t seem ready to accept the loss to come. Ok, I love, love, love the idea of his grandsons coming to interrupt Celeborn’s bath!! It’s very interesting too to see them piecing together information. Celeborn is so cool even in the face of a new threat and clever enough to realise that Curunír could be behind it, as well as recognising that he would be arrogant enough to dismiss the Moriquendi. Seeing this side of Celeborn makes his reaction to Arwen’s choice so much more effective. As always, I enjoy seeing the three siblings together, although the neatly skipping over tales of Aragorn and the focus on teasing shows the effort that goes into maintaining their familiar relationship. You made me laugh with the goat comparison, though!! The mention of Gilraen was very poignant. Aragorn soon really will be left with nothing to hold him back. I particularly liked the ending here, with Arwen ensuring that Aragorn has all the support he needs and urging her brothers to see it done. In a way she almost seems to be giving them permission to play an active role if they are needed, and thus persuading them to accept that this is the future that she has chosen. And I adore the last two lines. Fascinating chapter :-) Author Reply: I rather like having someone on the edge of things - who doesn't know all the ins and outs of several ages of foresight and suffering. The elf on the street. Celeborn is fighting this - I think he finds it hard to accept fate at the best of times, and this is his granddaughter! And I did want to say that it is not just those who are wielding the swords who are the heroes of epics! Armies fight on their stomachs, to quote a rather successful general - Napoleon, wasn't it? I don't think Celeborn is about to stop denying this possibility yet - although he is also prepared to deal with its outcomes. Should, of course, they all manage to survive to get to that point. And he might be angry with Galadriel (and have cause to get angrier) but he does understand that she is pursuing the course she sees as inevitable. Even if it is part of what leads to their separation. Haldir. Well, having introduced him, he has to turn up every now and then! And he did amuse Mithrandir. Who can see Lothlorien as a haven trailing wafts of Valinor, but see at the same time that that is not altogether a good thing. Whatever he might say, he came solely to give Celeborn a talking-to - and he got his point across, I think. Celeborn knows he's doing a Canute. The twins - poor twins, they do get to be light relief to intolerable angst. I like having them turn up and be brave or offer support. And interrupting Celeborn's bath amused them too! I don't think Curunir would have bothered much with those he thought were inferior. He was an arrogant piece of work. Aragorn the goat. Made me laugh. And I then found that Gilraen was around a bit longer than I thought, so I expect she will feature in another chapter! Her brothers must be such a relief to Arwen. They don't like it, but they accept it and will support her when she is struggling to convince her elders. Thank you. This is on a roll at the moment after bogging down for a bit.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/20/2005
Do I end with the bethrotal?.... Wow! It depends on how do you feel, bodkin! I'd vote for your keeping with the story, if you feel up to it, yuet it is very painful, isn't it? maybe you can go on until the wedding? :-) Author Reply: Well - I've done the betrothal. And Celeborn says that if he doesn't get the chance to tell them what he thinks of them, he will be extremely cross - so I'm two pages into chapter nine. I think it'll have to go on to the wedding - but I flatly refuse to write the following hundred and twenty years. Oh drat. I don't want to. But suddenly, I'm not sure.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/20/2005
This is just so beautiful the way you depict Arwen's knowledge and acceptance of her destiny,your story has helped me understand Tolkien better.I loved the touch of humour with the twins too. Author Reply: Thank you. I can't see how Arwen can have gone into this without knowing and accepting what would happen. Of course she loved Aragorn - but she was nearly 3000 years old. She can't have simply been sitting around waiting for a 20 year old boy to turn up and call her Luthien. I do think all this is fascinating from her point of view. And the twins are delightful - every time things are getting a bit heavy, they turn up and horse around and act loyal and loving.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/18/2005
Every piece is falling into place... in such a snooth way. It is an interesting period this, and I liked above all Mithrandir's meddling! A mover of things, after all! and he manged to make celeborn lose his composure.. or almost! Death is Ilúvatar’s gift I liked that he reminded the lord of that... the boss' rules are not to be forgotten by the players, and busy people are likely to forget the inner and main goal of the game... even if you are a wise elven lord! The sibling's bantering was relaxing, even if the subject was tense... Such difficult times ahead, yet ths was like the calm before the storm! Author Reply: Mithrandir's visit this time is principally to be firm with Celeborn. He's a brave wizard! Celeborn really doesn't want to accept that he is going to lose Arwen to mortality - but Mithrandir made it plain that her fate is a privilege rather than a penalty. Don't know if Celeborn is really ready to understand that. But he, at least, can stay as long as he is needed - while Galadriel and Elrond will have to sail and leave Arwen behind. Thank goodness for the twins! They kindly offer to lighten up most chapters with a bit of banter - all this could get very serious if it weren't for them! Yes, difficult times ahead. Now, do I stop with the betrothal, or go further?

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/18/2005
All the pieces are falling into place, each playing its part whether it would or not. Each piece is unique and seems made for its role. You really evoked a feeling of fate hanging over everything in this chapter. It's both beautiful and sad. ~TF Author Reply: Thank you. It is a sad situation, I think. Love, yes. Romantic, in a way. But sad, too. Arwen has long since understood what must happen, I think. Possibly even before her naneth sailed - but the problem is getting all those protective male relatives to accept it and come to terms with it before it spoils their last years together.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/18/2005
There's so many things I like about this chapter - the initial dismay of Celeborn and Galadriel at Arwen's choice, and her own clear awareness of what the price will be. Cúraniel's observation that it was better to be ordinary is true, and reminds me of Sam and Frodo talking about being the subject of stories and ballads in Cirith Ungol. I liked the banter between the twins as they approach Lothlórien, and the way they switch instantly to deadly warriors at the first hint of the orc. And they're working out that this orc is different, and where it probably comes from. Author Reply: Yes. Better to sing songs than be the subject of them. Curaniel is fortunate to realise that. Galadriel accepts the inevitability of the choice more than either Celeborn or Elrond. Perhaps since she did something of the same thing herself. Celeborn and Elrond both want to protect Arwen - but she won't let them. As it says 'her face was more grave and her laughter now seldom was heard'. She knew what it meant. The dear twins. Light-hearted banter is needed - so that is what they provide. But they can switch in an instant and they have no need of conversation to know what the other will do. And Saruman must have taken some time over his orc-breeding programme. His little friends must have been trying their strength by now. I don't think Saruman would have thought Celeborn and the twins were much of a threat. Arrogant barely begins to describe him.

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