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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	18 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/31/2006
If I went through everything I love about this chapter, the review would go on forever, but I have to mention Arwen’s methodical preparations for war, Glorfindel as the voice of reason, the ranger’s revelations about the orcs watching E&E. But the scenes with A&A are just lovely. And of course Arwen had to be the one to make the move, because I agree with you entirely – having seen so much of the world and the terrible brevity and fragility of mortal life, there is no way Aragorn would have made any demands of her. I think this is the only version of the betrothal I’ve seen that goes into Arwen’s feelings and motives in any depth. But after starting the chapter with Aragorn’s incredible stoicism and lack of self-pity despite the isolation he has endured his entire life, it’s nice to conclude with him ‘no longer alone’. Author Reply: Arwen is, in my opinion, the reason that Aragorn was able to make a successful transition from wandering-Ranger-heir-of-Isildur to a king able to manage the needs of two divided kingdoms. She has the management experience that he lacks - and the ability to run complex operations without making a big thing of it. Glorfindel is gorgeous - and he is in a perfect position to put forward the sensible viewpoint. The ranger's thoughts just occurred to me as I was writing this and I just thought - yes, the twins would be so obvious. Of course the orcs would be watching them. Aragorn had learnt too much to make any demands of Arwen, no matter how much he loved her - and she might actually have found it quite difficult to overcome his scruples. In fact, she might have had to deal with them more than once! (He had to get past Galadriel to get to Arwen in the first place. But once Daernaneth had approved, he didn't stand much of a chance.) Aragorn needed Arwen desperately from this point on - and I believe he would have failed if he hadn't had her love and trust to bolster his own will.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/3/2005
Argh. I promised you a decent review of Chapter 8 and you've gone and posted Chapter 9 already! Not that I'm complaining, though. I enjoyed Elrond and Glorfindel's discussion. I can see where Elrond would suffer from "what if" syndrome, but Glorfindel was right to remind him that it was not his choice to make, just as Arwen's is not his to make. I cheered at Aragorn's snappy comeback to the snotty Marchwarden (this can only be Haldir, right?), and your descriptions, as always, are lovely - "half-strangled shadows" - wow. And I love the description of Lorien as a "dream of perfection in a marred world." Galadriel, too - "a figure spun from light" is a wonderful image. So poor guy, he stands there mesmerized beyond comprehension by this image of unearthly beauty and when she finally speaks to him, she tells him he needs a bath! LOL. I like the idea that she was testing his attraction to Arwen and finding it to her satisfaction. I love the image of Aragorn cupping the mallorn flowers in his hands as they fall, and the way he and Arwen fall so easily into warm and comfortable banter as if they had not gone 30 years without seeing each other. Haldir's definitely got some issues, though. He should pull out his pay stub and remind himself who he works for. If his boss gets wind of his intentions for her future grandson-in-law, it won't be a certain Ranger who gets left out for orc-bait. The troth-plighting is lovely. It feels right for Arwen to be the instigator - she's the elder, has had nothing but time to think about her decision, and she's the one who's not afraid of Elrond. A beautiful exchange of promises. Author Reply: This story has been creeping along since April! But, every now and then, it seems to burst into life - and just at the moment it is flowing nicely. Sometimes, Elrond's role in all this seems to be one of the very hardest - it's not easy to be the one who sends those he loves into situations where he knows that, whatever the outcome, it will cause them all suffering. These choices are not Elrond's to make - but he has to be willing to allow the situations in which they are made. He had to allow Isildur's bad decision - knowing that it would probably lead to another age of strife, and he couldn't knock Arwen on the head and send her with her mother - because denying her her part in this could have caused the end of all things. I don't know if Aragorn could have managed a snappy comeback to anyone after a bit longer in the Golden Wood - I think it might turn mortal brains to marshmallow. And I'm glad you mentioned Galadriel's test of Aragorn. She put on full entrancement mode - and she couldn't stop him seeing Arwen. And he did need a bath! This meeting would have been harder on Aragorn anywhere else, I think. I'm not sure he could have become betrothed to Arwen anywhere else. Aragorn has learned to be hard-headed and practical - and this is not what he would see as a sensible move. But here - Arwen can twist him round her little finger, and she knows that he needs this level of commitment - yes, she is his shining star, but she has to be within reach, even if only just. Haldir is not all that fond of mortals, I think. Perhaps he has some issues from the Last Alliance. And this - relationship - is not being all that warmly received by his lord. Even if his lady is smiling (sadly) on it. Arwen has had much longer to think about all this. She was probably aware of it centuries before Aragorn was born - and she would have made the first move. I'm glad you liked it.

RS	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/28/2005
What beautiful moments between Aragorn and Arwen. One may want to believe that Aragorn was the persuer in this relationship but Arwen proved otherwise. She can also be called the aggressor. I love it!!! "What makes you think the choice is yours, my lord?"...Great line!!! Aragorn's humble reaction to her words were so endearing. BEAUTIFUL!!! I giggled at the reference she had made on her brothers remarks regarding his resemblance of a goat. Very funny!! It's very interesting to hear Haldir's thoughts on their relationship. He sounds a little jealous to me. All the male elves are very overprotective over their Evenstar. Can't say that I blame them. Galadriel actions are of a person who knows that fighting it will not change anything, so why not make it easier and help them come together? The future cannot be changed!! What does Celeborn have up his sleeves? "We shall see"?? Wonderful chapter. Author Reply: Thank you. As I began to think about this moment, I found it hard to imagine that Aragorn would - even with a bit of tacit support from Galadriel - take the step of pursuing Arwen at this time. He has nothing (to his mind) to offer her - he is a wanderer, in exile - and he would remember Elrond's words. Arwen, on the other hand, has had a lot of time to think about this - and she can see that Aragorn needs the hope provided by the betrothal - to anchor him and to offer him some light at the end of a long tunnel. Haldir - might have been interested in Arwen if she had shown any signs of interest in him. But she never did. And his anger here is more the resentment of family against an unsuitable boyfriend. Galadriel has accepted that she can't change the inevitable by fighting it head on - but Celeborn isn't there yet. Seeing Earendil in Aragorn - and realising that the age is ending and any hope of success is in his hands - will probably help him to defer judgment, at least. I'm glad you liked it. More soon.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/26/2005
First apologies for being so late, but I've ben away for most of the week... This was a great chapter bodkin, a particularly great chapter I'd say. The tone was somehow different, and despite the details and the slow pace, it had that quality of distance that suit so perfectly this important moment. THe betrothal upon thee hill of Cerin Amroth was simply perfect, the inevitabiliy, the decision on her part, and the way they booth had changed and had perceived it really moved me! The conversation between Glorfindel and Elrond was great, and I loved the detail of linking Arwen's choice with all other father losing a daughter to etrnal doom. (Whi knows what Turgon guessed when he allowed his only daughter marry an Edain?;-) YEt I really loved Galadriel's role here, and the way she admits that it is still part of the price they have to pay. She behaves every inch the great elf she's supposed to be and I find it very apprpriate that during this story it is Celeborn who's more reluctant to accept his granddaughter's fate. Great! Author Reply: Thank you. I'm glad you like the chapter. In some ways, there is a lot to be said for the chapters where some of the action (and language) is set. The tone - to my mind, Lothlorien is so different - a dream-world that is not entirely set in the present in Arda. Galadriel has (maybe) done neither herself nor the Wood a favour by making it so removed from life outside - but it must have been very disconcerting for those who came into the Wood. Things move more slowly - more poetically - with a greater detachment. I'm not sure that Aragorn would have - could have - become betrothed to Arwen anywhere else. He would have been too aware of the many complications and resisted more strongly. (I am sure she must have been the chief mover.) Glorfindel is a great support for Elrond. He would find it even harder to do what he must without Glorfindel at his shoulder. And Elrond is not the only elf to have to endure division - even if most of those who have suffered are members of his family! Galadriel is more practical, I think. The male elves are wrapped up in wanting to protect Arwen - but Galadrie acknowledges that her granddaughter's role is as important as - if not even more important than - anything else that's going on. Aragorn needs to be there - ready and strong and prepared to resist to his last breath - and he can't do that without Arwen's support. Celeborn wants to stand between his granddaughter and her fate and is finding it hard to realise that he can't. But at least he will be able to stand by her until the end.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/25/2005
I thought this chapter was extraordinarily well written. The opening paragraphs told so much about how Aragorn had lived and changed over the years. It was very interesting to see Arwen busy managing the preparation of supplies for war, and I imagine that bolt of cloth she set aside for Galadriel eventually ended up as cloaks for the fellowship. Then, in the end it was Arwen who was in control when she and Aragorn made their commitment. There is nothing at all passive about her here. ~TF Author Reply: Thank you. Thirty years have passed quite quickly - and 20 - 50 is quite a significant time, even in a man who can expect another hundred years or more of life. Arwen has grown up to run kingdoms (just as well, really) and managing logistics is a bit part of that. Her grandparents are happy to delegate such matters to her - knowing that she needs to be able to do it. Yes, the cloth is intended for Fellowship cloaks! I can't see Aragorn taking the step of asking Arwen to commit to him at this time - even in the dream-like atmosphere of Lothlorien. He knows in too great a depth how far he is from achieving the goal of defeating Sauron and reuniting the kingdom. He has nowhere to take a bride - except perhaps a village in the Angle. He would not consider taking Arwen from the protection of her family - it would be dishonourable. But Arwen could see that he desperately needed something to reinforce his hope of success / drive / ambition - and she could push him into making a commitment. Not passive. Not weak. A worthy partner.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/25/2005
Bodkin, this is wonderful! When I started reading it, I was surprised to see Aragorn. For whatever reason, I did not expect to see him. And I could barely stop myself from skimming ahead to see if that meant what i thought it might for the direction of the chapter. Again, I liked how you showed how difficult times were with the discussion about the orc attack. And I liked when that conversation turned to Arwen. ‘This is Arwen, my friend. Snort! And I liked Elrond's thoughts about the Ring. He must have thought that many times. I read this really funny article once called "Push him Elrond" which explains to those who had only seen the movie why Elrond didn't make sure the Ring was thrown in Mt Doom. I liked reading Elond's comments here. And the idea of E2 being watched to bring Sauron to Aragorn--that is a scary thought I have never seen written about before! Aragorn's interaction with his escort were hilarious. And I loved, of course, Aragorn's meeting with Arwen! 'I could,’ he declared in a voice that rang of the finality of blades. Loved it! And I loved even more that he saw Eärendil in Aragorn. That is so perfect. As was when Arwen plighted her troth to Aragorn. I loved the whole scene. It was wonderful! Author Reply: Aragorn pretty much had to turn up here. There's only so much that can be done on the in-between sections - unless the chapter count is going to go up into the hundreds. (And I reckon 12 is a pretty good number if you can manage it.) And I'm glad you got excited enough to think about skimming ahead! Outside difficulties - require switching the focus from Arwen. Her male relatives are all determined to protect her from nastiness. But the nastiness is there. Elrond is right to be proud of his daughter - she will do what is right. And the poor elf must have been tormented by doubts throughout the last half-millennium or so of the Third Age. Along the lines of 'does the end justify the means' and lots of 'could have' versus 'should have'. I love the thought of 'Push him Elrond' - that made me laugh just in imagination. It wouldn't take much brain for someone to realise that E2 were likely to turn up when needed - and that their peregrinations could lead to something or someone interesting. (Some of these thoughts just arrive.) Poor Aragorn. I can't imagine the Galadhrim would think too highly of him. Especially those who met him before he bathed! And the whole atmosphere of the Golden Wood - its dreamlike perfection - is just the kind of thing that would make a grounded Dunadan do something he didn't mean to. Especially when pushed by an elleth of decision. I'm glad you liked it.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/25/2005
I woke up this morning feeling guilty about you! Just to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter and am dying to chat about it but it's the final few days of NaNo so I'm trying not to allow myself be tempted by distractions :-/ I will leave you a review soon. Great chapter, btw. Author Reply: Aww, thank you. I'm glad you liked this chapter. It just flowed - unlike the last. Of course, it always helps when certain parts of the chapter are set down in stone - and you can just build on what is dictated as fact. Have fun NaNo-ing! Avoid distractions at all costs!

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/24/2005
What a great chapter of the visit to the golden woods by Aragorn. I loved how you wrote his courtship of Arwin. The thoughts of both Aragorn and the elves. Galadriel was priceless with her comment about his clothes. Author Reply: Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I love Galadriel - and she was right! Smelly, grubby, dirt-spattered Aragorn has his own appeal, but clean, groomed, elf-lord Aragorn is much better! I rather liked the way Galadriel came out in full Sorceress of the Golden Wood, stunning beauty mode - just to see how Aragorn would react. And he passed the test. Arwen must have had to make the move on Aragorn. He was too honourable to have take advantage of her - knowing what Elrond had said, and knowing how far he was from his goal. But she had had 30 years to think about it and knew that this was what was needed - here and now. And so she did it.

Amy	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/23/2005
Have managed 3 or 4 more readings and wanted to say a few more things. I appreciate how Arwen's decision is informed by foresight, thoughtful (and explains the snippets about laughing less, which I'd always attributed to the menace in the East), and yet triggered by Aragorn's appearance. I love how she's the one who pledges first, and he's so spellbound with her that he answers automatically, so he doesn't willingly defy their father's conditions. I assume that Elrond never placed conditions on Arwen's choice (which would have negated his children's free will). Glorfindel urging Elrond to loosen up a bit rings true as well, Elrond having had a little time to think about things. The Earendil parts are simply lovely! But I think that Galadriel knew exactly what she was doing when she had Aragorn cleaned up. Author Reply: Three or four more readings! That's great. Foresight runs through Arwen's family - and I think that the meeting with Aragorn at 20 was enough to get all her spidey-senses tingling. She has to have a difficult time coming to terms with the idea of choosing mortality and abandoning not just her people, but her father - who has been hurt so many times. And the world around the Wood is increasingly dark - it is not just Aragorn who is in constant danger: for him to succeed, they are all facing the end of the world as they know it. I can't see Aragorn claiming Arwen - he's too responsible; knows how unlikely he is to achieve his goal; knows what Elrond has told him; knows how much this will hurt his foster-father; sees Arwen on a pedestal - a star too far above him for him to win. But she knows that he needs something more than a very distant dream to bind him to his task and offer him hope - and sees it as her role. In this time, in this place, Aragorn would find it impossible not to respond - but it would, I think, be a very pure commitment. Emotional rather than physical. Difficult for all of them - Galadriel/Celeborn/Elrond/Glorfindel - they are all wise and knowledgeable enough to be aware that, however little they like it, this is one of those bonds that is inevitable. Like Luthien/Beren and Tuor/Idril. I'm glad you like the Earendil parts. And yes, Galadriel knew what she was doing. She didn't push, but she provided the opening. They didn't have to take advantage of it - but I suspect that she, too, knew it was necessary.

WindSinger	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/23/2005
I finally found a bit of time to sneak out of 'lurk' mode to let you know, at least once, how much I am enjoying your story. You have done a marvelous job of examining how those closest to Arwen and Aragorn evolved in their varying levels of acceptance of Arwen's choice. And I just love your Arwen! She is just the right mix of wisdom, compassion, passion, strength and self-knowledge. I love how she accepts/embraces her choice and how she helps those who will eventually loose her understand the rightness of that choice, mainly for her, but also for the good of all of middle earth. Sigh ------- Also, very nice Elrond! And Galadriel, Celeborn, Curaniel, Elrohir, Elladan, Glorfindel and, of course, Aragron/Thorngil. Well drawn, mulit-fauceted, characters with the depth and honesty to almost walk right off the page and into my living room! Very nicely done! Thank you very much for taking the time to share this wonderful story. WindSinger Author Reply: Thank you. I started this because I wanted Arwen to have more of a role in the decision-making than she usually seems to get. I am increasingly seeing her as having been the chief mover in this betrothal. Aragorn would adore her - but be typically alpha male about not wanting to take advantage of her / let down Elrond. She would have to be pretty forceful to overcome that. Although the atmosphere of the Golden Wood would help, I think! I have grown so fond of all these characters - and I'm glad you like the way they come across. Thank you for commenting.

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