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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	14 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/1/2006
Gilraen’s assessment of the difference between men and elves was interesting, the need of the edain to strive in hope and then hand the fight on to the next generation. But her acceptance that she has now effectively played her part is quite breathtakingly sad. She has endured until now to give Aragorn the sort of unqualified love and support he needed, but now Arwen has taken on that role and she feels free to leave. It’s one of the points that I can never quite forgive Tolkien for – Gilraen’s entire life was just a means to an end, he could at least have let her hang around to see the happy ending. It seems Arwen has had enough of being silently courageous – her little outburst might have shocked the twins into awareness of how their errantries may have affected others (a few centuries too late, probably), but poor Aragorn has no idea what’s going on! I really felt for Aragorn in this chapter – he must feel so impossibly torn. Gandalf all but blackmails him into going off alone on yet another seemingly hopeless mission in the name of ‘duty’, but what about his duty to his family and the dunedain? Gilraen seems to accept that family comes second, but there must have been many times when Aragorn wished he was just a normal man without the weight of destiny and duty hanging over him. His final parting from Gilraen is heartbreaking. Author Reply: I can see the literary neatness of not wanting a mother hanging around to deal with - but it does seem desperately unfair that Gilraen should sacrifice so much and yet not live to know that her son achieved the impossible and lived happily with Arwen for 120 years. I doubt Arwen is always silently courageous - I reckon she must have given her brothers some serious stick when they were younger! But in the post-Celebrian years I doubt anybody was able to say anything that helped and she might have got into the habit of being tactful and discreet. But there are times when a little foot-stomping is far more effective! Aragorn had a hideously tough time really - trying to be all things to all men. Heir of Isildur, chieftain of the Dunedain, Elrond's foster-son, Mithrandir's protege - not to mention Thengel's Rider and Ecthelion's Thorongil - he never seemed to get enough time to do anything thoroughly. And this is a particularly dirty duty. I'm glad you found his parting from his mother to be heartbreaking - she deserved more, but was prepared to sacrifice it all for her son. I suppose at least she knows that he has Arwen - and that Arwen, as an elf, can wait indefinitely and unchanged for whatever time Aragorn can given her.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/30/2005
"The three males gazed at the door as it slammed behind her. ‘What did I do?’ Estel asked in confusion." Snort-chuckle Guys. I love elves. The elves were good in this chapter but the very best parts, to me, were what you wrote about Gilraen: her feeling like a cipher now that Aragorn is securely on the path of his fate and her need to return to "reality". The interlude when Aragorn visits her at her own place was just darned good writing. Were you implying that she sickened and died untimely because her purpose was fulfilled? Oh, and the scene at Mithrandir's camp was so rich. ~TF Author Reply: Arwen has a right to feel annoyed! They all come home to be cossetted and then, bam, off they go into another adventure! She must hardly ever see them unless they are covered in blood. I like Gilraen - she is such a strong character - but her role is sacrificial. She abandons her own life to nurture her son and, I suspect, when she was eventually free to return to the world she had been hankering for over however many years, she found that life outside Imladris had moved on and she didn't belong there either. I think she had probably lost much of her urge to fight for survival - and that she was afraid to endure to the end, because she feared that Aragorn might fail. Also, her long years in Imladris probably reduced her ability to cope with the general infections and hardships of life beyond the bounds of the elven haven. She did die - and she was young for her people. Probably a combination of factors led to her death. It's a pity she didn't live long enough to see her son become king. I'm glad you liked the Mithrandir part! I was going to try to avoid the action - but every now and then a reminder of what is happening is necessary to move the years along. Thank you - I'm glad you are liking this.

Tithen	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/30/2005
The three males gazed at the door as it slammed behind her. ‘What did I do?’ Estel asked in confusion. Author Reply: Poor Estel. He doesn't understand the impulse that leads a mother to shout at a child she has just pulled out of the road. Yet.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/19/2005
Getting caught up...again... I really like Gilraen in this. I think someone like her would need to 'get back to reality' after sacrificing so much to protect Aragorn. And I liked her conversation with Arwen. You made her into a very full character in this story. I like that Arwen had time to have a good relationship with her future mother-in-law. ‘Are you insinuating that I cannot read?’ and ‘Was he one of Mithrandir’s dwarves?’ Snort!! Great conversation. As was Elrond's call to prepare Rivendell for defense. Surely he must have but you don't see many people portray that. I liked it. And the twins and Arwen and unbathed, wounded men! Great! Poor confused Aragorn. That was hilarious. I loved the next conversation with Mithrandir--that is the beginning of another story in itself. But the conversation between Aragorn and his mother made me cry. That was so well done. Coupled with the conversation between Arwen, Galadriel and Celeborn, which was also very powerful, the end of this chapter was very 'heavy.' Which is very appropriate given where we are in history here. Great job! Author Reply: Gilraen - like most of the female characters - is under-recognised and doesn't get enough credit. But then, most of the female characters display female characteristics: resilience, self-sacrifice, determination, caring and so on - and they tend not (Eowyn excepted) to run round with swords slaying baddies, so they are not particularly obvious about what they do. Aragorn left Imladris at 20, got betrothed at 50ish - and Gilraen lived another 27 years. She had a pretty good chance to come to know Arwen and I can't imagine any other reason she would want to hang around Imladris. Although - despite her family - going back to her previous life wasn't exactly going to happen either. She had been totally dislocated from normal Dunedain life. I love Glorfindel - and we know Imladris wasn't really subjected to much in the way of attack - but they didn't. I've a feeling that there must have been a bit of a move to get non-combatants to sail, too, while those who remained prepared for the last battles. Poor Aragorn! Still - I'm with Arwen. I'm sure he only turned up to be tended, cleaned, healed and fed before going off to save the world again, while she was left behind to be protected - and worry herself sick! Mithrandir seems to be popping up in a wizardly way to point out that the story is proceeding. Very appropriate! He's in the next chapter, too! I'm so glad you liked the Aragorn/Gilraen final meeting. And it doesn't seem to matter how you try to see the joyful side of this, the whole situation is chock full of grief and uncertainty. Thank you!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/15/2005
Aragorn and Gilraen's parting was just so heartbreaking and beautifully written. Author Reply: Thank you. It's such a sad moment. I can imagine that Aragorn, once he had ridden away, tried to turn a blind eye to the signs he had seen and - because he was so busy, probably managed to convince himself - but Gilraen knew. She knew she would not endure another winter - and that she would pass before her son returned. I'm so pleased you think I did this meeting credit.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/15/2005
This is going at a fast pace! I love the title. Old in years as she was, those mere fifty something years must have felt like ages for Arwen, poor one! Yet Gilraen´s part moved me most... and I loved it that you chose to show that last meeting between her and her son. That verse sums up all her sacrifice, it is very poignant! Author Reply: It's speeding up as the age moves to an end. Knowing her time with Aragorn was limited by his mortality - even as Isildur's heir he wasn't going to last anywhere near Elros's 500 or so - each of those fifty odd years must have felt like dropping pearls in a well. But I agree that Gilraen's fate - and much of her life - is so sad. All about sacrifice for the greater good. And love - and loneliness. Those years in Imladris must have been hard, especially after Aragorn grew up and left - she had about 45 years after that and, despite whatever family she had, she lived them alone - and in fear for her son's future. I'm not surprised, in a way, that she didn't want to see the outcome. She deserved her final meeting. And then, of course, she had to say those words! Thank you. I hope your affairs settle down a bit so you can relax for a while.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/12/2005
I really like how you progressively cut to several small scenes to build up the big picture of how events and people were more swiftly moving forward. The very choice of each small event was well done too. But I gotta say, the second theme of the story was very moving in itself. ‘Those who remain’ do serve and suffer. Poor Arwen is frustrated at the moment, but I think only because she must change gears before proceeding on with her own war efforts. She appears to need to reorient herself a bit and then she will see what contributions only she can make. I love your Gilraen’s humanity and how she is the person Arwen must learn a new attitude from. I need reality. Arwen’s conversations with her made for a more informed comparison of how temptation is handled by Edain and Istar as well. The little asides you always include were lots of fun. The ‘architectural’ writing of the dwarves and Dain’s worried secrecy – 'elaborate courtesies' and the Balrog-slayer’s crooked grin. I smiled at the idea that Elrond sees the dwarves as having started things on a steeper roll what with Celeborn complaining about it later. And the bathing habits of Ranger are a much better trite topic than whether Balrogs have wings. Events are moving ever faster – and they will soon be out of our control. I was not aware that they had ever been under our control in the first place. Oh my, that is so funny for being so paradoxical – just like they are! Since, she is the one always bending towards fate and he is the one always trying to maneuver around it. ;) Loved that exchange. There was so much in this chapter that, I agree with you, would have happened and would be how they would feel. I do not want you to see it, Undomiel…what one creature can do to another. Including trying to harbor some source of purity that promises unmarred renewal. That good old 'girl worth fighting for'. As Estel is man’s hope, you are ours. The elves having a stake in the unseen future of Ennor just like men having a stake in the future of their unseen offspring. Great chapter and a good story - with the talented writing and descriptions that make it an excellent one. Author Reply: The danger here is that the events could start taking over from Arwen and how they affect her. There is too much of a temptation to go with Major Events! I have loved featuring Gilraen and thinking about how it was for her to live in Imladris over many years - and for her to wave off her only child into a world where she could never count on seeing him again, or hearing his voice on the end of the phone. I like asides - and attempts at humour - to lighten a story. And having the Tale of Years in front of me is very handy! Although the story is rapidly approaching a point of action overkill. I can imagine Arwen getting very frustrated as everyone wants to protect her and keep her from all harm. Waiting must be so hard for her - even with elven patience! Thank you. I'm glad you are enjoying this. It's great fun to write.

Amy	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/12/2005
The waiting really is the hardest part. Aragorn gets a taste of it waiting for Arwen in Minas Tirith and not being able to do a thing to speed her arrival, but still it's only a taste. Great scene where she gets fed up with all of the sons of Elrond! Author Reply: Poor Aragorn - waiting in Minas Tirith while trying to learn - and impose on others - his own style of kingship must have been hard. But he knew he could trust her. (And Elrond, even if Aragorn must have been torn by the pain he was inflicting on his foster father.) Arwen could be patient and loving while Aragorn needed it - but her frustration just couldn't be contained when they were earnestly telling her that they needed her to be safe! And she knows just how easy it would be for Aragorn to die out there in the wild - on some insignificant task, from some unconsidered injury, so that all comes to nothing. Still. Poor Aragorn had only just roused - he didn't know why she was so cross!

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/11/2005
You tell this story so well.Every chapter I read just makes me want more Thanks for writing you do the tale justise Author Reply: Thank you. I am glad you are enjoying it. In some ways, it is getting simpler to put together as it goes on - and, in other ways, the fact the story is coming close to the Actual Trilogy is going to make it far more complicated!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/11/2005
What a great line: I need reality. Dang, Bodkin, are we tuned in to the same radio station or something? I really enjoyed Gilraen's thoughts on Imladris (I suspected when you dropped that line in the review the other day that it was from Gilraen) - and it reassured me greatly that (my version of) Halbarad isn't the only mortal to be uncomfortable with being plunked down like a pig in paradise. This is something that Captain Kirk would have understood, though - wasn't he always zapping some planet's Shangri-La master computer and shouting something about how humans weren't supposed to be happy, dammit? I liked the scene between Gilraen and Arwen very much. It's nice to think that even if Gilraen didn't live to see Sauron defeated and her son become king and peace restored, not to mention ever getting to bounce her grandchildren on her knee, at least she got to put the official stamp of approval on her future daughter-in-law. Interesting that as much as Gilraen, as a mortal, needed the struggle to survive, she must have found it hard to imagine that an immortal would freely choose that "hard path." Glorfindel's sarcasm about Dain, and his banter with Elrond are delightful - and I love the line about the dwarves seeing little point to the "elaborate courtesies in which the elves delighted." So Elrond is going to make everyone do weapons training? That ought to be interesting. Now there's a job for Arwen the Organizer - somehow I don't think Elladan and Elrohir are up to tearing some ethereal old gardener away from his orchids! Now...Oh boy oh boy oh boy - what is this, an early Christmas present for us Aragorn fangirls? A nice little hurt/comfort scene (featuring no vomiting, thank you very much!) Arwen's point that the ones at home worrying about their loved ones being in danger have the heaviest burden was so true - really, it's MUCH easier being Danger Dan. Pity poor Aragorn had to bear the brunt of her frustration when he woke up, though! Your descriptions are fabulous, as always - I love the image of Gandalf's boots, the sun-hardened ruts of the road, and of Aragorn - a lean figure in shabby grey, his cloak pinned with a star. I love seeing Aragorn and Gandalf together ("That was going to be soup" LOL) What a great moment to bring to life - the beginning of the never-ending Gollum Quest. I'm glad I'm not attempting the last meeting of Aragorn and Gilraen; it would be hard to top this. So many poignant and believable thoughts going through Aragorn's mind - when did his mother get old, is the same thing going to happen to Arwen. I liked no-nonsense, goat-milking Gilraen - mothers can always push you around, even when you're a grizzled, tough old Ranger. Lovely, sad and sweet. Author Reply: It is fascinating how the same themes emerge - although I suppose that could be why we like each other's presentation of the world: if we were into fantasising about Elrond's previously-unknown daughter running off with Legolas - or other things - we would be looking for something completely different. Gilraen spent the better part of 60-70 years in Rivendell - she had plenty of time to work out what she found hard to cope with there. And I reckon - completely unscientifically - that it probably contributed to her premature death. For much of that time she felt completely irrelevant. Not just... human, but purposeless. Not special. Treated kindly, consulted - but irrelevant. Her purpose, over those last years was to come to know the elf who would, perhaps, if all went well, marry her son. That done - she wanted to be free. Even if free meant dead. And, in some ways, she could see how hard it will be for Arwen - to be taken out of some perpetual Fairyland and put down in the real world, because she had endured the ... dislocation of it. And at least arriving in Rivendell is like being wrapped in cotton candy. Becoming a mortal queen of men must be more like having protection torn away and being exposed to a cold wind. I don't know that Elrond is thinking of making everyone a warrior - although some of those old orchid-growers are probably employing well-used elven blades in their pruning - blades that have been sharpened on orc-bone. But he has seen sieges before and endured battle - and his people are not going to be defenceless. They need to be reminded that the outside world can be dangerous. And Arwen would be a good person to coax them into compliance! (And Glorfindel and Elrond's debate over Dain is one way to detail the time scale! Balin to Moria 2989.) Poor poorly Aragorn. Tucked in his bed, not realising just how badly he had frightened his beloved - and just how aware she was of the frailty of mortal life. While her brothers tell her how much peace of mind it gives them knowing that she is safe. Yeah, right, you two! Think how she feels!! I'm sure she got over it enough to indulge in a little consolation before Aragorn was well enough to go off and put himself in danger again. Gandalf is feeling a little frustrated here. And a bit stupid. (Not that anyone would dare tell him.) He wants Bilbo supervised - not to end up in unfriendly hands! And the Gollum search, indeed (3001) begins. Which is, most definitely, interminable. Poor Gilraen. I did want her to see her son this one last time. And, of course, she had her big line here. Her life was given up to raising this son and setting him free to take his chance in the world - and she could see that he was a good'un. I don't blame her for not wanting to know how the last years turned out. Better to die in hope than live and know he failed, I suppose. Though better still to live and see his success. Thank you. This chapter flowed. And the next one is coming on.

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