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Arwen's Heart by Bodkin	15 Review(s)
jules	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/4/2006
This chapter is a real testament to Arwen’s strength. Even while she’s having a temporary crisis of faith, its not her faith in Aragorn, or her love for him that is shaken, nor is she wallowing in self-pity about her own situation, being betrothed to a man who has just headed off on an apparently suicidal mission. No, Arwen is only worried that she hasn’t helped her man enough, or has given him another burden to carry. Good thing Elrond was there to set her straight, and his assessment of her value to Aragorn was lovely and very true. The scenes of the Fellowship in Lorien through Curaniel’s eyes are very powerful, and it is interesting to see that Curaniel has become much more worldly-wise, without ever having left the Golden Wood. It wasn’t just Arwen preparing for the future, Galadriel’s preparations in grooming Curaniel for her future role have also paid off. I liked the way you handled the summoning of the dunedain, I’ve always regretted that Tolkien didn’t show this episode, and the dunedain with Aragorn, in a little more detail. (Particularly Halbarad, the poor guy was obviously one of Aragorn’s nearest and dearest, but he only scores a couple of lines, and his death is only mentioned in passing.) Your take on the moment of the ring’s destruction, and Arwen’s role watching over Elrond, was also very interesting. I bet Glorfindel never thinks of her as a fragile little flower again. Author Reply: Arwen is strong - and wise. Which is probably what Aragorn really needed - just as he needed someone who could wait and trust him and offer wordless support across the miles. Elrond was not (unsurprisingly) desperately keen for his daughter to sacrifice her immortality for Aragorn - but he does understand, better than any, just how important she is in maintaining Aragorn's inspiration and bolstering his resilience. And waiting to marry is part of that - I don't think Aragorn could have worked single-mindedly for the 'ultimate good of mankind' if he had been happily married to Arwen and producing little Dunedain. Galadriel knows that if Curaniel is going to support Arwen, she needs to know more of the outside world and has been educating her. The Fellowship must have been strange birds of passage in Lothlorien, though. Much odder than they were in Rivendell. The gaps Tolkien didn't show are wonderful fodder to those who enjoy filling them in, though - and the preparation of the Grey Company is among them - as is Halbarad. The Ring's destruction must have had an effect beyond the Black Gate - and the worry about the three elven rings suggests that Elrond and Galadriel might well have been affected, one way or another. I'm quite curious to know what Gandalf felt at that moment, actually. And Glorfindel will always think of Arwen as his delicate and beautiful surrogate daughter - to be protected. Male relatives, whether by blood or love, are very good at closing their eyes to things they don't want to see in their fragile little flowers!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/27/2006
I found so much to delight in here, and loved the training puppies to dogs so one need not bark oneself. (My friend's guide dog smiled to hear that one!) And, no, neither Elrond nor Arwen will seek to break the bargain now--and especially not Arwen. Loved the sending of the standard, and the question of getting Aragorn somehow clean and presentable.... Author Reply: Glorfindel doesn't want the twins to get above themselves! It must be hard in elven society, where there is no automatic passing on of responsibility from one generation to the next. Elrond and Arwen know what must be done - and probably have a far better idea of the cost than any of the others. Aragorn has been far too involved in getting to this point - but I imagine he will be bathed in guilt once he begins to think about it all. It can't be easy to get the prospective king looking the part - I don't imagine he had much left of the pack he took from Rivendell and I doubt that was packed with coronations in mind. And, with all the battles, and stresses dealing with the injured and burying/burning the dead and clearing up the worst of the damage, it would take a very comprehensive viewpoint to get someone stitching suitable garments for a returned king. (I think Faramir is probably up to the task! Especially with the aid of a certain pair of foster brothers.)

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/14/2006
Wow! Again, so much is in this chapter! It really fascinates me how much you manage to imply/show about the events in the quest that impact the characters in this story without actually 'following' the Fellowship. The twins I think would understand Elrond's decision, but not like it one bit. I enjoyed that part. And the news of the Fellowship coming from Lothlorien to Imladris--Gandalf's fall, the Ring and Galadriel--I loved seeing the reaction that caused in Imaladris. And Arwen watching the Dunadain and speaking with Halbarad! Wonderful! But my favorite part of this chapter was everything that happened after the Ring was destroyed. I loved the portrayal of Elrond and Galadriel. Those scenes contrated well with the conversation the twins had with Gandalf. The victory is rather bittersweet. I am rushing on to the next chapter. Sorry. I want to see the wedding. Author Reply: It is a good thing that people who read this don't need to be told about what the fellowship was doing at this time! It means that you can imply and know that everyone will understand. The twins will have hated being left behind. But they are noticeable - and the enemy has been watching them for years, and that in itself is, I think, enough reason for them not to have been sent with a group whose mission involved secrecy. Riding later to meet Aragorn in Rohan is another way of taking attention from Frodo and Sam - keeping the enemy wrong-footed, with his eye in the opposite direction. The destruction of the Ring - I reckon Elrond would have known at once. There is enough of a link between the Three and the One for its obliteration to have shocked Elrond and Galadriel - and I wonder how Gandalf took it down by the Black Gate. Might the twins, in fact, have leapt to protect the bearer of Narya? Maybe he would have coped with it better. A bittersweet victory - but better than the alternative. Thank you.

Amy	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/11/2006
I come back from 4 days offline and what has happened? The Dark Lord has fallen! Such a relief and no mistake. The preparations for dispatching the elven ringbearers if necessary were chilling. Sometimes I think that this story should be called Elrond's Heart. Rather endearing how the king doesn't know how to dress himself. I love the comments about him needing Arwen's color coordination. I love how Curuniel puts Haldir in his place. This is such a satisfying read. Will be back to reread as usual. Thank you! Author Reply: Well - the end came suddenly! And I can't help but agree with those who think that the elven ringbearers would prefer to be sent to the Halls of Mandos by the hand of a friend rather than be enslaved to Sauron. Elrond has taken on rather bigger a role than he was meant to have at the beginning - but then the whole story has grown! I expect Aragorn could manage his wardrobe, given the need, but he's spent so many years in ranger scruff mode, he hasn't had to think about impressing people by what he wears. And the twins are a bit picky - when they get the chance, they do like to look elegant. Estel might have decided that there's no way he can compete with a pair of beautiful elves, so he might as well not bother. Curaniel is observant - and Haldir is a touch xenophobic. Not only is he suspicious of other races, he's not altogether sure about elves that don't live in the Golden Wood. But then it's an isolated community. Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it. There will be more soon.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/11/2006
It was fascinating to read the story that Tolkien only hints at at to realise how much the Elves must have endured too. I just loved the end part.I was once heavily crticised for writing a story in which ARagorn had only the clothes he stood up in at this time,so I'm glad someone else thinks that would be the case !I liked your interpretation of what it was like when the Elven rings lost their power. Author Reply: Thank you. In truth, I expect Aragorn had a change of clothes. But I can't imagine they would have been in any better condition - or that he would have had much time to think of (or opportunity to) launder them. And he could have lost them - keeping track of your baggage is hardly going to be the first thing on your mind when you're confronting Sauron's hosts! There was a lot going on in the elven lands while the battles were going on in the south - and not much of it was good. Lothlorien and Mirkwood particularly were fighting for survival. And those who knew must have been terrified about what would happen either way with the One Ring - destroyed it could have shattered the elven ringbearers and, of course, if it returned to its master's hand - who knows what could have happened! But the Witch King of Angmar might have found himself outranked.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/9/2006
It's interesting how much you can show of what went on apart from the main action. All these people went on with their lives and felt strongly about what was happening, even when they could do little. And as it turned out, most of them did quite a lot. Author Reply: Thank you. Sometimes it is very tempting to do something from the point of view of someone who had absolutely no idea what was going on. At least this lot are aware of who is trying what and why. They just can't be centre stage - but then, without them, it's quite likely that the main protagonists wouldn't have succeeded, so maybe they were more important than they realised. Short of expanding the next 120 years, the story is becoming rather ... emotionally draining. And I never meant to go there!

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/9/2006
What a wonderful chapter, Bodkin! I have not stopped reading the great stories on this site, but I have become a lurker, and I DON"T like it, not one bit! I never thought about what might happen to the elven ringbearers if Sauron had regained the Ring, and I must say, the idea is well past scary! Arwen was definitely a strong character, to take to carrying a knife around for the purpose it might possibly serve! But the whole chapter was great - from Aragorn and his brothers (LOL) to Galadriel and Curiniel, and of course, Glorfindel and Elrond. Gotta go - lunch is too short! Am looking forward to more, even tho' I know I'll need dozens of boxes of Kleenex! sniff Linda Author Reply: Good to hear from you, Linda. How are the squirrels? Are this year's lot driving you mad? I'm sure, if Sauron regained the Ring, he would have been vengeful towards the bearers of the elven rings - Elrond was at Isildur's side when Sauron fell, after all, and Galadriel always stood as his enemy. And he would have used her to torment Celeborn, too. I didn't mean Arwen to end up with the knife - I would rather Glorfindel had handed it to Erestor - but she just insisted that she was the one beside her adar and she would do what needed to be done. A strong female, is Arwen. Resolute. I'm thankful Elladan and Elrohir are so fond of keeping the mood light and making little of danger, because as the story goes on it gets harder and darker. They all do their best in the next chapter - but times are coming when even they will find it hard to laugh. Thank you for commenting - glad you like it. There will be more soon Two chapters, and, I think, an epilogue.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/8/2006
I really like these openings with Arwen and Elrond having a talk. His pointing out that being someone's inspiration is a daunting responsibilty was very welcome. In my view of things, Arwen is the one who decided it was time the the Grey Company to ride because she was the one keeping an eye on Estel. You are becoming a master of glimpsing events from another angle. And Curaniel is a very good character for doing this! The scene with the wounded soldier was moving. I am glad you brought this into your story. There are not alot of wounded veterans in ME, it appears. Perfection of form seems to be more important to an elf or maiar than to a mortal. Which is another good reason the wizards were made old and more amenable to men. Recently, Nilmandra also mentioned the idea that worse-comes-to-worse someone would have to be there to 'save' Elrond and Galadriel from being taken alive. Both because of the harm that would come to them and the harm they would do to others. This is not an general element Tolkien included in his narratives and I cannot help but wonder if it was because of his religious beliefs against the sin of despair or his cultural bias in novelizing events. It is a very dramatic element in a war story though. The little twist you put on it by having Arwen picked out for the task shook up that idea, I must say. The observations about the path of the Fellowship was very entertaining, to say the least. I like your examination of their situation very much. With the exception of Boromir, all those chosen were accustomed to passing unseen, unheard, unsuspected. ;) He did have to blow his own horn, didn't he. In so many AU stories, people want to try out different characters as part of the Fellowship, but do not include some rationale along with the action. The recognition that the end of the battle and its victory was not the end of the struggle was much appreciated. Who better that E2, and this time with Gandalf, to put a lighter light upon the aftermath. :D Just another wonderful chapter. Thanks for letting us enjoy the fruits of your - especially this round - hard labors. Author Reply: Thank you! I don't really think Arwen gets a lot of credit - she seems to be seen as a rather irritating canon addition to the general fun and games. But she spent a long time watching over Estel and helping him stay on the right path - and she, really, was the one with experience when it came to running kingdoms. And managing touchy councillors. There must, given their fighting prowess and that they fought with long sharp blades and axes, have been a lot of elves with the kind of injuries that even elven healing couldn't touch. And that's not to mention the kind of belly wounds that soldiers of the past just didn't survive at all. Lost limbs cannot have been that unusual in times of war and immortal life could only mean that said elves a) were still around living useful lives, b)sailed to the Blessed Realm, which would then have been full of war-damaged elves, or c) faded. Gave up their lives because physical perfection was so important to them as a race. I find it hard to go with c). Surely they could not have been that narcissistic - and their understanding of Arda was not one that rejected anything that wasn't perfect. The saving the Elven Ringbearers from being taken by Sauron - I have seen it elsewhere. Nilmandra and Marnie come to mind, and someone (sorry, forgotten who) used it as a possibility to save Frodo if Elrond hadn't been able to get the Morgul shard out - but it is such a logical idea. Armies have long done similar things to prevent people falling into the hands of the enemy and, as enemies go, there couldn't really be worse hands to fall into. And not thinking of it would be worse - knowing that failure would lead to Elrond and Galadriel - and Gandalf - becoming wraiths enslaved to Sauron. Arwen wasn't supposed to get that job, but it just made too much sense. She was the one there. Boromir was the least likely to end up on a mission that required secrecy - Faramir would have been better - but he was a given, really. Going home to Minas Tirith: how couldn't Elrond have picked him! And he proved his worth, even if in a rather twisted way. Those left behind wouldn't have been able to resist all the second guessing, either. And, afterwards, be able to tell them what mistakes they made, I shouldn't wonder! The aftermath is often worse the original struggle and lasts far longer (like chapters 13 and 14, full of sad bits and really sad bits) and I'm deeply grateful to E2 for the way they manage to lighten the mood. Most of the time. I'm glad you liked it. More soon.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/8/2006
I really loved the mood of this chapter, Bodkin, and that they still keep their light tone amidst it all. The first conversation between Arwen and Elrond was very moving.I liked that Elrond brought up the desperate quest of Beren and Lúthien, not to speak of Earendil! It seemed very apropriate that he truly trusted that beyond all hope, things might as well find a way to turn into good,even if perfectly conscious of how difficult it was... except for Glorfindel! I have seen slimmer hopes come to success.’ LOL! Over optimistic to the very end, even when he has been left behind! The way they clearly spoke of the chances of failure and what to do then impressed me, yet they all udnesrtood what it would be, and Lerond´s relief -and also kind of pain- when he realized that Vilya had lost its power was only understandable! ‘Many times,’ she agreed, and the desolation in her voice made him shiver. ‘But this will be the last. Bows to author! It sums up the whole story to me, the unstoppable change, no matter the outcome, and knowing how elves dreaded and avoided change, it becomes even clearer how conscious she is of what she´s leaving behind. This moment was extremely well chosen! Seeing Galadriel through the eyes of Curaniel was very interesting, too, in the sense of how a stranger she still was to those people who had adopted and loved them as their Lord and Lady. And the conversation between the twins and Mithrandir is soooo amusing! Do the three of them -and LEgolas- ever get to meet again in the Blessed Realm? Author Reply: Light is getting harder and harder - there's a bit of it in the next chapter, but the one after! It's just impossible. I find these elves are getting increasingly likely to muse a bit on their ancestors! It just seems that they (and I) are finding more and more things in common with the struggles of the past! I think Glorfindel may have learned the value of keeping your hopes high on the Helcaraxe and the flight from Gondolin - and that for all that everything might seem lost, there is always a chance. Unstoppable change - one way or another, nothing will be the same again. That must be really frightening to elves who can spend a century contemplating a single song. And she had so little time - betrothed 40 odd years and at the very best a century to be with the man she loves. Three per cent of her life. It must at this point have seemed less than a blink. Curaniel didn't realise that there had been someone watching over Galadriel -(Harthad, I think) - prepared to see that Sauron could not rip her soul from her body and turn her into his Witch Queen. But she could see that she was operating on long experience and that she was having difficulty pulling herself together. I think Galadriel would have got any weakness under wraps by the time the wedding party arrived - not that she wasn't hurt, but she wasn't showing it. Or not in a way that a relative stranger would realise. Meet in the Blessed Realm - of course they do! Mithrandir really should pop up sometime, shouldn't he. Now, that makes me think of something more cheerful!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/8/2006
‘If the worst should happen,’ Glorfindel’s gleaming eyes settled on Elladan, ‘you and your brother are to take Arwen and ride for Mithlond as if the Dark Lord himself were after you – which he will be.’ His gaze turned to Elrohir and Arwen in the window. ‘For there will then be no hope left for men or elves in the wreck of Arda.’ This line gave me chills. It's such a good look at the precarious place all of Middle-earth was in. If the Fellowship failed there was no hope for anyone. We all knew this, but this line brought the possibility of ruin to a personal level. People all over Middle-earth must have been putting plans into place to try and save their loved ones from the evil sure to take over if the ringbearer failed. Only the elves had the option to sail--if they could make it. That leaves some very disturbing last-ditch options for men and dwarves. Very scary thought. You captured Arwen's dilemma well. There was no perfect outcome for her--or for Elrond, for that matter. I liked that she was completely aware of what she would be giving up and what she would gain if Aragorn was successful in claiming the kingship. There was no romantic fairy tale:And they lived happily ever after ending. Joyous, yes, but the cost was high for Arwen and her family. The stakes were high and everyone was on 'red-alert'. I liked Glorfindel's observation that he tended to underestimate Arwen. He forgot she was not just a lovely bloom of Imladris, but was a capable, strong woman in her own right. I also liked your take on Elrond's physical reaction when the One Ring was destroyed. Arwen observed how solid he had become again. The closer the One Ring came to Mordor, the pull on all the ringbearers must have become stronger and more dangerous. Sauron was so close to the ring again that everything seemed to be drawing toward him and his goal. And then the tie was abruptly cut. I can see how that would drop Elrond to the floor. Poor guy. Bet he had one heck of a headache...which was better than the alternative. It was a good thing the twins got to see some action before this thing was over. They needed to. They had been serving as warriors for quite a long time, then to not be allowed to participate would not have set well. They, just like everyone else, had a lot at stake. Of course, Tolkien told us the sons of Elrond were there, but from a logical perspective, it was a darn good thing he remembered to send them. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would have been to have your little brother and everyone else you know engaged in this war and you're at home...guarding the flower beds? I prefer the 'fell warrior' image to the 'pansy protectors' one. The discussion about Aragorn's clothing was delightful. Typical 'big' brothers. I also like that Mithrandir wondered aloud if Elrond would be able to go through with his promise and the confidence his sons showed that he would indeed. I imagine Mithrandir knew Elrond would, but what was being asked of the Master of Rivendell was almost more than should be asked of anyone. It's reasonable that such thoughts would cross the wizard's mind. I know you said this was a hard chapter, but you did an excellent job. Very well done. I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to the next one. Karen Author Reply: Thank you, Karen! This wasn't the hardest chapter - but it's all downhill from now! The next one contains a lot of pain - and the one after - aaarrrgghh! But what can you do? I think I've taken the last bit and epilogued it. Although even that can't do a lot for the jolliness factor of chapter 14. I'm sure that Glorfindel, in particular, would have given some thought to getting the kids out of there and on their way to Naneth. It would never have worked though. The twins wouldn't have backed away from the fight and I reckon Arwen would never have been prepared to leave them all. And whatever the end, it was going to make them all suffer. I know the what-to-do-if-Sauron-gets-the-Ring dilemma is a shared thought (thanks, everyone else), but really, it makes tremendous sense that there would have been someone on hand to see that the Ringbearers were not Nazguled. (I wonder if someone had been detailed to see that Gandalf didn't survive?) And the effect of the Ring's destruction on the Elven Rings, even if they weren't deprived of their power, must have been shocking to the bearers. In some ways becoming more real and in some ways losing touch with the world, I think. An unfillable gap that drew on their remaining strength. The twins needed to fight - professional orc-slayers as they were - and it's not as if a suitable degree of battle came to Imladris. In Lothlorien, now, they might have been hard pushed to go and offer little brother their aid. Had they stayed home - they would have had to sail to hide their embarrassment. I expect Mithrandir was at the point where he couldn't quite believe it would all go according to plan. After all, he must have out-lucked anything he could imagine! Next chapter soon. Make sure you have chocolate handy for the rest.

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