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| Arwen's Heart by Bodkin | 14 Review(s) |
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| undomiel205 | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/20/2011 |
| Wow this story is amazing!! It got me hooked from the beginning but this chapter is my fave so far, it has so much emotion in it. I especially love the conversation between Aragorn and the twins, it shows how much both sides care for Arwen and that they would do anything for her. However there is one thing I don't really understand. If Arwen did really know about her destiny does this mean that she was prepared to marry a man that possibly she might not even love, and thus forsake immortality and her family, simply out of duty? Does this mean that (before she fell in love with him) she was prepared to marry Aragorn because of duty? It would make me really sad if it really is so. I have always believed that Arwen never really thought much of becoming a mortal until she saw Aragorn in Lothlorien again where she fell in love with him for who he was and not because duty dictated her to do so. And then realising she loved him so much she could't live without him she chose to become mortal. However, you have written this story so beautifully and convincingly that now my beliefs are starting to crumble. Please explain to me how and why she decided to marry him (I'm sorry if this is in the story and you are forced to write it again but English is not my first language and I might have not understood the story fully) Anyways I would like to say again that your story is wonderful and it's a gem within LOTR fanfic. I also really liked, in the previous chap. i think it was, that Aragorn had been faithful to Arwen and never been intimate with women. I think it portrays his character perfectly and I have always had the same opinion on it and believed that his first time was indeed with Arwen on their wedding night. Keep up with the good work and keep on delighting us with your stories :) | |
| jules | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/1/2006 |
| This is a very emotional chapter, no matter that everyone (except for Aragorn, apparently) knew all along what would happen, everyone still has their issues to work through. I like that your Elrond at least appears to finally accept the inevitable with some grace – I loathe those fanfictions where he all but throws Aragorn out of Imladris, and of course the movie where he practically forces Arwen off to the havens. I thought it was interesting that both Elrond and Gilraen need to know Arwen has not acted out of duty alone, each concerned for their own child. The twins were truly horrible to Aragorn, but as he showed in the opening with Celeborn, he’s not going to be scared off. (oh, and every household should have a Glorfindel.) Author Reply: Elrond loves Aragorn as well as Arwen - but she is his daughter, and it is hard for many fathers to think that anyone is good enough for his little girl. He has seen his brother pass beyond the circles of the world, too, and has more understanding of what she has taken on, at a personal level, than anyone else. And he knows, too, that he will not be able to be there for her - I think he is fully aware that, if Aragorn comes to the kingship, he will have to sail. But Elrond has suffered so much - this is just another demand on him - and he has never failed yet to offer all he can. The twins were horrible to him - but he has grown up as their brother and he is used to them. And, I suspect, he has quite a large streak in him that thinks they are right. But all three of them are prepared to support Arwen in whatever choice she makes. Yes - I can go with every household needing a Glorfindel! | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/27/2005 |
| You have covered so much in this chapter, and so well, I really don't think I can do it justice. It was like Arwen's choice was a stone tossed into the water and you showed all the ripples fanning out from it. Wow. I love it that Elrond knew immediately when she chose and that Glorfindel sensed his distress. I know you wove some of Tolkien's words in among your own and I hope I'm not making a huge, ignorant blunder by quoting this passage--I'm pretty sure it's not his. The following could not have summed up Elrond's grief more perfectly, in my opinion: 'It is done. She will stay here and wed him – accept mortality and pass beyond the circles of the world and I will never see her again. She will never dance with her naneth on the white shores of the west and her song will fade into silence while we are left to mourn her until the end of days.’ Then for Elrond to receive Aragorn with such love later was incredibly poignant. During their conversation there was a gem of a phrase: '...his words dropping into the silence like pearls into a pool of unimaginable depth,' A wonderufl choice of words that really enhances that moment. I loved Aragorn calmly standing up to Celeborn's anger and the double threat of the twins. This comment cut like ice: 'Perhaps he feels that being Isildur’s heir entitles him to an elven bride.’ In spite of knowing better, for a few moments I felt like they were going to turn on him. The part where the twins fail in preventing the death of Frodo's parents was tragic in a brutally detached way. Though it was a departure from the main thread of the story it still fit in that it seemed to show that all the pieces were falling into place and that loss intertwined it all. This whole chapter was just GOOD. I could go on all day, but then I'd lose my job. Excellent story! ~TF Author Reply: Thank you so much. I loved writing this chapter. It all just flowed and came together - and some of those turns of phrase just wrote themselves. I do feel that Elrond would have been dreadfully torn - and yet he must have known that this was likely to happen. (Glorfindel wouldn't know who to defend and who to blame!) But Elrond was Estel's adar as well. And Elrond is all about love and giving and sacrifice. His role seems to be largely - in the Third Age, anyway - that of a nurturer who must ensure that everyone is in place and prepared to take the action that will then rob him of many of the places and people for whom he most cares. And Aragorn had to be brought up by elves - which makes Arathorn another sacrifice - in order to be able to stand up to them, and to be the kind of person to whom Arwen would be attracted. And to be the kind of person who can delay gratification over the best part of seventy years while remaining focused and loyal. The twins are displeased, in a way - they don't want their little sister to choose mortality - but they are brothers to both parties and tormenting little brothers is traditional! Arwen can twist most of Imladris's males - and Celeborn - round her little finger, though, and her brothers will find it easier than her adar will to let her have her way. For the next century, anyway. The Frodo's parents episode - well, as soon as I realised it was the same year, it just begged to be included. And you are right - I kept it because it helped set the emotional events in the timeline leading up to the War of the Ring. I am so pleased you liked this - and that you picked out some of my favourite parts! I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the story. | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/7/2005 |
| Sorry for the delay but things are totally out of control... Ouch, Bodkin, that hurt! I had just thanked Nilmandra for spaing us Gilraen´s view on these events! :-) Seriously, that part was truly painful to read. I´m truly glad that Tolkien sent that story to where he did, for, sad as the whole tale is, I find that Gilraen´s lot is the most painful, and you captured her... acceptance of her doom? so deeply here! I loved the conversation between her and Arwen, and in fact I should have been waiting for it, since it was almost heralded when they first speak, don´t remember in which chapter! Wonderful if so sad! The twins were much the same as they are in Valinor ;-) and I loved to see that kind of commedy already being played between them, even if the matter was so serious... the scene was extraordinarily amusing despite the deep sadness... And I loved the general tone of it all, despite the change of scenes there´s a very well managed continuity in it all, it´s been a great pleasure, despite the angst, yet there´s no way of escaping it in this subject, I fear! Will you stop at the wedding or shall we learn about of all these elves offering to remain by the Evenstar to her last day? :-) Great, great chapter, bodkin! Author Reply: I'm sorry - but Gilraen features in the next chapter too. Gilraen's is such a typically female role - self-sacrifice for your children, watching and waiting, surviving on whatever crumbs fate offers. And not seeing the end. Not having the grandchildren to love. Not knowing if all comes out as they hope or ends in disaster. The twins have developed humour as a method of self-defence, I think. Against the bleakness of despair that affected them after their mother's wounding. It came naturally to them when they were young - but now it can be a bit forced. It relaxes again once they are in Valinor, although a trace of sadness is still there. I nearly chopped out the Shire - but it linked together what was going on. (I was quite surprised when I first realised the betrothal / Frodo's parents' death was the same year.) And it balanced the other E2 scene. I haven't yet decided when this will stop - I hope the wedding, but if they keep on talking . . . It is certainly not going to go into detail about Aragorn's adventures in Questland. Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/6/2005 |
| That Elrohir and Elladan might have seen the deaths of Drogo and Primula seems somehow bitter beyond words, and then the grief of Frodo, before they knew he existed or to what he would come one day! A great sorrow, well depicted. And then the coming to acceptance by Celeborn, Elrond, Glorfindel and the twins.... And the final sorrow of Gilraen, who did not live to see her hope fulfilled or lost.... Lovely, Bodkin. Author Reply: There always seem to be slightly odd overtones to the death of Drogo and Primula - and having a failed elven rescue attempt could well be part of that! Then, the other idea that occurred was - a hobbit-like, fish-eating creature who might just have been searching for a Baggins round about this time could well have been creeping along the Brandywine. Gilraen lived nearly thirty years after the betrothal - but I think she had given up. Aragorn had grown and gone and he had a prospective bride. She is in the next chapter, though. Arwen's kin couldn't help but find this hard - even knowing that the chances of it happening were slim - but then Aragorn's not succeeding would have been even worse on a world-wide level. Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/5/2005 |
| What a wonderful chapter. The bits I liked best were: How you compared Gilrean to an appleblossom among orchids. Her foresight about seeing her grandchildren. Glorfindel and Elrond discussing the long line of strong ellyth he comes from. The twins warning and Estel's wisdom in handling them. And that despite all the talk of fate, there is still a chance that all may come to nothing and that none may live to see what will come of all their endeavours. I am glad you put in the Shire scene too. It made an interesting connection between events. You put so much good stuff into each piece of these story! Author Reply: Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It must have been so difficult for Gilraen to live in Imladris - not so much for Aragorn because he grew up with it. And that, probably, put enough elf in the man for Arwen to love him. Goodness, it all twists together like barley sugar! The chance of all this blowing up in their faces - and a grieving Arwen sailing after Aragorn's death - must have been far greater than that of actually achieving the happy(ish) ending. And there were a lot of strong ellyth that didn't get mentioned. Idril's mother, for example. And Nimloth. I nearly chopped the Shire scene - but putting in some of the outside events is a real help in showing how time is passing - and in linking events, so it got to stay. This story is flowing rather well at the moment, so the next chapter is likely to arrive quite soon. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/5/2005 |
| Bittersweet and beautiful,poor Gilraen and poor Elrond.I like the way you emphasise how Arwen inspired Aragorn to great deeds and their love was meant to be. Author Reply: Poor Gilraen and Elrond indeed. They have a lot in common really - those whose duty is to put things in motion, provide teaching - and then endure the consequences. Aragorn needed the strength of his bond with Arwen to help him endure the coming years. It's all very well aiming for the stars, but he needed something that was rather more attainable. Out of reach, yes, but close enough to stretch for it. I just wish both Gilraen and Elrond could be there to enjoy the fruits of Aragorn's success. | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/4/2005 |
| I can't list the parts I love because they would encompass the entire chapter, but I thought that the opening and closing scenes with Arwen's and Aragorn's respective single parents were especially poignant. I think that Aragorn must have got some of his strong will from Gilraen, and I imagine a lot of similarities in his relationships with her and with Arwen. And the scene with Frodo's parents. Brilliant section with the sons of Elrond: the twins delivering the "treat our sister right or we will come after you" speech, along with a pledge to stay with her. And I love foaming-at-the-mouth!Celeborn with calming!Galadriel. I have no difficulty in imagining them as the scariest in-laws ever. And this interpretation puts a little punch into the fact of Celeborn staying behind when Galadriel sails. I particularly appreciate Arwen's free will. Interesting how love was a surprise bonus of her choice. Author Reply: Thank you. Gilraen is a strong and determined woman - who usually gets totally disregarded. To take yourself off to an alien environment - on your own - and live there to safeguard your child takes a lot of courage. There is something self-sacrifical about her - which should strike a chord in Elrond, who is also compelled to stand back and let those he loves make decisions that cause him pain. Frodo's parents - things are coming together, and the pace is picking up. There was something odd about their accident - could this have been it? Or was something creeping into the Shire seeking a Baggins? The Elrondionnath make dangerous enemies. Fortunately they are never forced to choose on this one! Estel treats their sister just as they - and their adar - would expect. It could, in fact, be Arwen who is forced in the end to be a little more demanding! Celeborn has been doing his best to avert this version of the future - and he has failed. He is angry with Aragorn - with fate - with Arwen herself - and he is furious with Galadriel. But he will come round - he's a practical elf. It will grieve him, but what's done is done. He has no intention of going anywhere while Arwen might need him, though. Arwen's decision. She has known what the future might hold for her since before her naneth sailed, but she did not realise the sweetness of love - or the pleasure of touch. But it will be a long time before she learns of other compensations for her choice! | |
| Grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/4/2005 |
| What a great chapter. I loved it all, from stern Celeborn sending them on their way to Elrond, and the twins trying to save Frodo's parents from the river. The twin's conversation with Estel about Arwin being besotted with him was priceless. Plus that Arwin did the claiming not out off duty, but out of heart. Author Reply: Thank you. Celeborn is not best pleased. Arwen managed him as well as could be expected at the time, I think. And, when poring over lists of what happened when, I saw that poor Primula and Drogo drowned the same year that Aragorn and Arwen were betrothed - so it seemed a good idea to show it. It nearly got cut for irrelevance, but it shows how events are coming together, so I left it. Estel is safe with the twins as long as Arwen is happy - but Valar help him if he upsets her! The Elrondionnath make bad enemies - as generations of orcs can attest. I think Arwen long knew her fate was intertwined with Isildur's heirs - but was surprised and pleased to find that she loved Aragorn for himself. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/4/2005 |
| Wow, Bodkin! One of the downsides of not being at work is that I don't read my email as often and miss my story notifications--and chapters like make me regreat that. This was great. I love that Glorfindel knew something was up and the details of his search for Elrond. And their conversation was great. I really love Elrond--he is such a great character that does lose/sacrifice so much throughout the ages. I think you capture him really well here in the conversation with Glorfindel and later in the way he handles Aragorn and Arwen. My favorite part might have been Arwen's conversation with Celeborn though. It seems really hard for writers to strike a balance between making Arwen too delicate, too retiring, too warrior-princess, too bitchy (sorry for the langauge)...but you have her perfectly, as scenes like this show. I really love the way you have characterized her in this. She's smart, she will make a fine queen/ruler, she knows her own mind and she cares about the people her decisions will affect. I liked everything about that conversation from the characters reactions to the details like the discussion of the ring. Great job. And I really enjoyed the scene at the river. I was not expecting that, but showing it intertwined with all the other fateful decisions and occurances shows how everything had to be in place for them to achieve the end Arwen and Aragorn hoped for. That and the fact that it just made me cry--very well done there. Another conversation I love in this was the one between the twins and Aragorn--wow! Poor Aragorn. Good thing he learned a thing or two. That could have been bad and I love it when they say Just bear in mind, Estel, that – should the occasion arise – Arwen has first claim on our loyalty. Wonderful brothers! And I enjoyed seeing Gilraen. Her fate--not seeing her son's success--always seemed cruel to me. You showed that well. This was a great chapter--so much in it. I don't see how you manage something this complex so well. You didn't miss a single opportunity. Loved it. Author Reply: I just hope you're feeling better. Rest. Take your time. Enjoy being looked after! Glorfindel is very tuned to Elrond, I think. And Elrond is not one to ask for help, so he has to be watched. Glorfindel probably had to learn to hear his pain when Celebrian was injured, so that he could be there as needed. Elrond has a really tough time - from birth onwards, really, although the first half of the Third Age was an interlude of peace. It is difficult to do justice to him really - so I'm pleased you liked that. My whole reason for starting this was an enormous frustration with the way Arwen is so often portrayed. She's 2700 years old (ish), Elrond's daughter, Galadriel and Celeborn's granddaughter, the heir of all sorts of powerful elves - she is not going to be some dreep of an elleth. Aragorn is going to count on her understanding of ruling - certainly at first - and she is going to be a major support to him as he adjusts to a role that he is going to find a complete departure from his earlier life. I'm glad you liked that part! I debated for a while whether to include the Brandywine part - but showing that time is passing and events are coming together seemed to make it relevant. The intrusion of the twins is, of course, speculative! But I get the feeling that something always seemed a bit odd about the accident that killed Drogo and Primula - and here's a suggestion. Another thought that entered my head was about what caused the boat to overturn - Baggins, Shire. I wondered whether the arrive of a certain pair of twins might have driven off another small creature with bad hair and a tendency to wear a square of carpet. Aragorn grew up being tormented by Elladan and Elrohir - and knows when they are dangerous. They are potentially dangerous as far as Arwen is concerned, but, like guard dogs, as long as Arwen is happy, they will not bite. Gilraen makes the next chapter too! I regret her not surviving to see Aragorn's success - and Elrond not remaining long enough to know Arwen's children and see that she is indeed happy with her choice. Thank you. I'm flattered. The chapters are flowing at the moment, so the next one probably won't be too long in coming. | |