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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	13 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/1/2006
I like the way you handled Arwen’s connection with Aragorn. You show the depth of Arwen’s strength and love, that she is able to comfort and inspire and support him even when they are far apart, but you also show Aragorn’s character perfectly - his determination to shield her from the harsh realities of his life, until exhaustion and near despair take the matter out of his hands. Their reunion is lovely, the intimacy, the way so much is conveyed without words. But the days do indeed grow short. Author Reply: I do think he needed her and depended on her love to bolster him at times. And yet their link cannot have been too complete, or he would have had her in his head at all times. Aragorn would want to shield her - he would definitely be the sort to admire the woman-on-a-pedestal - and would certainly sacrifice himself to keep her safe. (Elrond has no doubts of that, I am sure!) And I am sure that their familiarity with each other has grown remarkably deep - and that there is no question of their love for each other. So many years past - and so few months ahead.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/14/2006
I am so, so sorry for being so behind in reading/reviewing. This was a great chapter with so much in it. I love how Elrond and Arwen comfort each other. And I like how you show Elrond bringing the neighboring men closer for protection. That is a very Elrond type thing. And the later scene with the less than clean refugees was funny for that reference and sad because of the little child and his sister. And I thought Arwen's fears were very interesting there--she would have to worry how she would be accepted. And I really liked how you then answered some of those fears in the later part when Galadriel speaks with Cúraniel. You Galadriel is great! And I agree with Celeborn--better to have the orcs spend their numbers on skirmishes that help the elves remember their long unused skills than to wait. Ooo, I like the picture of Warrior!Celeborn alot. And I liked this: ‘We are well prepared, my lord,’ Harthad said seriously. ‘I thought Lady Arwen was being overly zealous, but she has seen to it that our warriors will lack for nothing... But the parts I liked the best were the parts with Aragorn and the parts with Gandalf. I liked Aragorn's introspection trying to decide what to do with Gollum. And his return visit to Imladris was perfect. As was the twins' conversation with Gandalf: ‘I think we have been insulted,’ Elladan declared. ‘Although I am not quite sure how.’ Snort! Great chapter! Author Reply: Both Elrond and Arwen are too wise and experienced, I think, to waste what they have in bitterness. They have this time to savour their relationship - and they would! The Rangers were few in number and exposed - they would have wanted their most vulnerable kin somewhere safe. It would have made it a great deal easier for them to do what they must and be scattered across the north - and Elrond would want to protect them. Yet most of them can't have been very familiar with elves, except the twins. Arwen must have thought on occasion what it would be like to be the only elf - even if one who had accepted mortality - among a kingdom of men. She would have been silly to take too many elves with her, even if they would have gone, because that would have made men suspicious - but one elleth, in a male-dominated society. That's not too much of a threat, yet Curaniel would provide a level of unspoken understanding and shared familiarity that could only help. Warrior Celeborn in his armour - rather appealing. And he is right, I think. A sudden massive attack on rusty elven warriors could probably have done more harm. As far as Arwen's preparations go - it's easy to think of arrows and swords - even clothing and food - as being needed, but then you think - well, they would need to grow the plants to make the yarn to weave the cloth and it all becomes rather like the house that Jack built. I love writing the Dead Marshes bits. And incorporating events from the timeline. And I love the twins. Every time things are getting a bit intense, they are happy to come out with their shiny carapace intact and pretend to be light-minded and frivolous. And Gandalf is happy to play straight man! Thank you.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/7/2006
I wish I had the chance to read today's chapter, also. Too little time, unfortunately. Love the description of Aragorn's reaction to the Dead Marshes. Bad enough for hobbits--but for the Dunedan raised by his great-father's Elven brother it must indeed have felt horrible beyond bearing. And poor Smeagol--what a glimpse of him. As for Gandalf on the way to Denethor's library and the brothers' arrival at Rivendell--wonderful! Author Reply: Thank you. I really enjoyed writing the Dead Marshes - they are a truly nightmarish environment. And Smeagol is such a sad - if horrific - character. I enjoy the opportunity of adding the light and amusing encounters to the increasing intensity of events - it is great fun to look at some characters when they are 'off-duty'!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/4/2006
Phew! I've finally caught up. I'm sorry I've been so tardy. I can't form a coherent thought, but I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed this tale. It's excellent. Just delightful. Even if this is the worse review in history, I wanted you to know I'm reading and loving it. Now that I'm caught up, I hope I can stay that way and write more in depth reviews in the future. I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter. Karen Author Reply: Perfectly understandable - there is so much to do, one way or another, and the Christmas season only seems to make it worse. I'm glad you are enjoying this story - I'm finding at the moment that it is one where, short of stopping with the bells of Minas Tirith ringing out for their wedding, there is no way of achieving a happy ending! It's even getting rather hard to insert moments of joy. It's odd, isn't it, how much easier it is to manage anticipation. Realisation, however, can be much darker. Thank you for commenting. Good to hear from you.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/4/2006
I agree with Arwen about tea !I love the link you give her and Aragorn. I liked Galadriel's throughtfulness in seeing she has an Elven companion in Gondor,it must have been very hard for her. THis is a most enjoyable story.You write both ARagorn and Arwen so well. Author Reply: You need a cup of tea. Even if she must be drinking a herbal brew rather than a good cup of Ceylon or Darjeeling. It says in the Appendix that Arwen watched over him in thought. That could, of course, mean that she was doing just that - watching. But I want Arwen to be a bit more involved than being a kind of Lady of Shalott. Their communication must have been fairly empathetic rather than too specific, and I suspect she was more able to control it than he was, but she would have used any link to offer Aragorn support and comfort. Arwen just seems to be abandoned - they ride away and leave her to be Aragorn's wife and queen - although Legolas (no evidence he was a friend before the war) is around, and her brothers and grandfather at least remain east of the sea for an unspecified time. I just cannot imagine Galadriel or Celeborn or Elrond or, come to that, Aragorn doing that to her. She would have wanted a friend. And even Gondor wouldn't, surely, have looked on as one fair-haired elleth as a threat. Thank you. I'm glad you like the way Aragorn and Arwen have come out.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/1/2006
Another great chapter, Bodkin! I especially enjoyed the opening and then going down to the kitchen for a chat with Dad. I do like Harthad! One can draw a couple of nice parallels between the Dunadain and the Galadhrim, I think. Arwen dealing with the refuges were marvelous. I really liked your characterization of the Dunadain and both parties looking eachother over and both not at their absolute best. I hope we see Edebion again. No wonder Arwen fell to questioning how she would fare among them. Her questions did make me wonder who would be there for her. And then you gave the answer. ;) Of course, we all kinda expected Curaniel to stick with Arwen. But, you make it clear that loyalty should be a free choice just like choosing to be generous or doing the right thing. Else it loses worth. The scene between Galadriel and Curaniel was very amusing though. until the end anywhere As are all your conversations, no matter who is speaking to whom. But, poor Aragorn's days were not too pleasant at all, were they. Your descriptions are incredibly poetic and eerie. Gollum as a creature. But, the horse story was just hilarious! As was the continual foreseight/poetic licence of Glorfindel! I liked Elrond questioning what Thranduil had to do with things and being given the kind of answer most people get about him. Ha! Galadriel essentially says the same thing later to Celeborn. Again, the bathing habits of Rangers?! And this time with an adquate explanation! Maybe next time, a description of the procedure? Gosh, I suppose I have ignored the more serious aspects of this chapter. But, I really don't care. :) I am in too good a mood. Tea, she thought. The answer to all things. :D Yes. Yes, it is. I am a life-long tea-drinker (that's only a bit odd for an American) and totally agree with Arwen. Author Reply: Thank you. There was an icon thing doing the rounds after July 7th, with the general message that a nice cup of tea could make all things better! Don't know about that - but it does help. It's a comfort food that is (when sugar-free) non-fattening, too! I like Harthad. I had a little job for him in the next chapter, but I don't think it will become apparent what it was. Shame really, but suddenly there is just so much to include in the space available. Some of the Dunedain would be quite familiar with the elves of Imladris, I think, but the women and children would probably be less so - and crisis time is difficult for all of them. It must be rather much to be taken into the care of tall, beautiful, silent, alien creatures when you are feeling particularly dirty and lost. Children would adapt first, of course. And I don't know that Arwen has too much to worry about in Gondor - queens are supposed to be tall, beautiful, remote, other worldly - and silent! An elf would be perfect for that. Arwen's problem will be more in wanting to be real. Most stories seem to have Arwen alone in Minas Tirith - yes, Legolas is around on and off, there and in Ithilien and her brothers turn up occasionally, but surely she would need more than that. I reckon she and Eowyn would actually get on quite well (once Eowyn had got used to her) because they are both foreigners popped down at the pinnacle of Gondorian sociaty, but Galadriel would never have left that to chance. Even wanting to blend in - which would be a sensible thing to do - nobody would begrudge the queen one attendant/friend from her own people. Poor Aragorn. That was some task that Mithrandir set him. Difficult and dangerous and it took him to some places that one would think it would be wise for the last heir of Isildur to avoid! (It was a great opportunity to indulge myself on descriptive bits too!) And poor Gollum. Living on rage and desperation here, I would think. I liked the horse! It's fun to throw in some frivolity. Glorfindel is a very useful character for being there at key moments and revealing information. Bathing habits are so useful! It'll be a shame once Aragorn has an unfortunate valet (and a wife) to ensure he doesn't get too rank. But anyone who spends weeks in the saddle, living in the wild and cooking over camp fires is going to be a little malodorous. It's not his fault! It just goes with the job. This was fun to write - the next one is a bit too action-packed for me - and the one after is getting rather lugubrious. And I'm not looking forward to the end. Might just have to throw in a very, very far-in-the-future epilogue, just to cheer me up. Glad you liked it! Sorry about the delay in replying, but I wanted enough time to do a reply justice!

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/1/2006
What a lovely way to start the New Year! There were some lovely scenes in this - I liked the cosy, homely image of Arwen and Elrond drinking tea in the kitchens of Imladris in the early hours. And Aragorn in the Dead Marshes - what a wonderful, horrible, vivid description. It says much of Aragorn's dedication and determination to continue in such conditions. And, of course, I loved the scene with Mithrandir and the twins. I liked him trying to stare them down, and especially this: 'They encouraged their acquaintance to forget it, but these – disturbances – were, after all, the latest products of some very obstreperous lines of elves and men, and power flowed in their veins. ' That's a lovely image of them, and their hidden strength. Thank you, and Happy New Year to you! Author Reply: The Appendix says that Arwen watched over Aragorn in thought - and that must have led to some really disconcerting moments when she was sitting in the luxury of Imladris touching the thought of someone on the edge of nowhere enduring intense physical discomfort! I couldn't feel they were able to contact each other in the Elrond/Galadriel conversation manner. (It would have been too useful for passing messages.) But there must have been a level of emotional contact where Arwen could have offered support to Aragorn. I like Mithrandir and the twins together - he and they are good at appearing harmless, but they all know that it's fiction. I'm not sure that everyone has cottoned on to quite how illusory the twins' frivolity is, but Mithrandir certainly knows! Thank you - I'm glad you liked it. Happy New Year to you too!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/1/2006
Curaniel; sorry! Author Reply: OCs! Designed to make life difficult!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/1/2006
I read Perelleth's review - at first I thought he was in Moria, too! But I think it was the chapter title that got me. Once I realized he was in the dead marshes, it made perfect sense. This paragraph was wonderful: The stench of decay was in her mind; endless festering pools of abandoned hopes and noiseless screams beneath a sky of frowning doom. He slept. She knew it. Alone and close to despair in a place sinking slowly back into the bones of the earth. Seeking she knew not what with the dogged persistence of which he was capable, buoyed up by no more than a promise. It was wondeful later, too, from Aragorn's perspective, when he's having a moment of despair at the hopelessness of it all and Arwen reaches out to him to buoy him up. I loved the warmth and ease of the scene in the dark kitchen with the tea and honey cakes. And the filthy little Dunadan boy is adorable with his half-chewed oat cake! I have to forgive Edebion for taking a pass. The description of the Dead Marshes gave me shivers, and Gollum - Skeletal. Pallid and cold. Like some dead thing dragged from its tomb – until it turned its eyes on you. shiver Yeah, Aragorn's right. Can't be two like that! Araogrn's weariness is so palpable here. It really comes across how Arwen helped hold him together through these long dark years. Galadriel is always thinking three steps ahead of everyone else, isn't she? They're worried about the battles to come and she's filling positions in the royal court. But good for her; she's right that it will be a great comfort to Arwen to have a friend from home with her. I really liked the little exchange about the plumbing on Galadriel's mirror! But oh, Bodkin, how powerful and absolutely chilling to have Galadriel and Cunuriel standing in the sunshine of the Golden Wood (and the description of how even time seems to slow in the glade was delicious) calmly discussing when the time comes. There was such a nice mixture of moods in this chapter - from light to dark and ominous to light again. The final segment with Gandalf and the boys was one of my favorites: I am too old and shabby to be a myth,’ Mithrandir said firmly. ‘And too much of an irritation. Besides, Denethor knows me – and, even if his dislike of me colours his understanding, he is too clever to deny me entrance to his library.’ ‘He will have you watched.’ ‘Let him.’ Mithrandir’s eyes sparked, like steel under a hammer. ‘He will find out nothing useful from me.’ ‘Why would he expect to be the first?’ Elladan agreed smoothly. Too shabby to be a myth, LOL! Great chapter, Bodkin Author Reply: I'm not very good with chapter titles. (As proved by the fact that I have only recently noticed that two chapters have the same title!) I often mean to change them later - and don't get round to it. Here the beat is speeding up as the age comes closer to its end and all the threads are drawing together. The Dead Marshes - and Gollum - are a gift for a bit of descriptive overkill! I couldn't resist. And a superb place for despair. The Appendix says that Arwen watched over him in thought - and there must (I think) have been a level of emotional rapport tied up in that. Not (as would have been useful) real communication. Flashes, perhaps, for Arwen to see, but passing and inconsistent. And it's great to counter Aragorn in the wild with Arwen making tea and organising Dunedain refugees! When I saw LWW the other day, it make me link this with the evacuation of the big cities in 2WW - I can picture the Dunedain (even Halbarad) wanting to send the old folk and mothers with their kids off to fairyland where they will be safe while the big tough Rangers take on the world. And I could imagine, too, that the response of the uninitiated to elves might worry Arwen and make her fear that, in cleaving to Aragorn, she was condemning herself to being an outsider for the rest of her life. Galadriel has far too much sense to want to fill the Citadel with elves - any more than she surrounds herself with Noldor - but Arwen will, at times, need someone who understands without having to be told, and surely Gondor will be able to cope with another elleth! Their society is fairly male-dominated, so a girl won't be too much of a threat to them - especially if she makes it perfectly plain that she has no interest in romantic involvement with any of them! And how long is a century or two to Galadriel, who grew up under the Two Trees? I wonder if she has a better understanding than those elves who are solely of Arda of the nature of different planes of existence? It could account for why she is more willing to accept Arwen's choice. I must admit I enjoy playing with segments containing the twins. They can be whatever they want - but they are usually happy to conceal the serious beneath a layer of humour and Gandalf enjoys that, too. The next chapter is going to be a tough one to keep light, though! Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

Amy	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/31/2005
This chapter has nearly too many good moments to list, including: Arwen enheartening Aragorn from a distance and on their meeting in the courtyard at Imladris Arwen wondering about life among Aragorn's people, and Galadriel preparing for this eventuality Reunion in Imladris, and Elrond suggesting a few days' rest tea and honey cakes nods I really love Arwen's ability to be in Imladris and with Aragorn at the same time. This is a poignant way to describe her situation during the waiting years. Arwen's relationship with the Dunedain refugees in Imladris is so thought provoking. She must have been a truly lovely person. I think also that she might have delighted in the chance to do Something New. The twins continue to delight. They must have been formidable indeed! This story makes me so happy. Thank you! Author Reply: The Appendix says she watched over him in thought - and it must have sustained them both, I would have thought. And worried her a lot, probably. It must have worried Arwen to think how men would deal with an elven queen - mankind isn't really noted for being broad-minded and tolerant. The elf/man unions in the past involved the man part living among elves: Luthien/Beren, Tuor/Idril - I can only think of Mithrellas/Imrazor where the elf lived among men. Of course, queens are looked on with wonder anyway and not treated like normal people - but Arwen must have been very certain of her love for Aragorn to be prepared to subject herself to an alien life among strangers. And Galadriel is determined that she shall have at least one person by her side who shares a common background. (And I think Eowyn would be a great help - they are both strangers to Gondor.) The twins are quite happy to let people think of them as pussycats - but when they want, the lion emerges. Thank you. I am glad you like this story. That makes me happy!

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