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History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra	20 Review(s)
Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/15/2006
Still loving this story. It is soo incredibly amazing how much history and feeling you pack into every chapter. I was glad to see this story was nominated for an MPA. Well done! I look forward to the next chapter. Author Reply: Thanks, Ellie!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/14/2006
You know...punches finger in air to make point...we know what was going on with the Fellowship, but back on the farm, it must have been tense. I don't think there's anything worse than waiting. People who are loved by the Rivendell crowd were heading truly into the eye of the storm. Everyone must have been biting their nails. The eagles were great. I want a talking eagle. A real bird's eye view. Unfortunately, the news was sad. Glorfindel's grief was touching and a testament to his devotion and love for Gandalf. The flashback to Gandalf's first visit to Rivendell was neat and well done. All this transforming physically from spirit to flesh would tire a guy out. I hadn't thought about Olorin arriving with a hole in his memories, but it makes sense. A nice touch there. It also speaks of just how much trust and bravery it took for Gandalf to step into such a role. Not only would be a difficult job, but he would being going in sans most of his memories. This struck me as something of a birth experience, or at least as close to one that he could come by since he arrived as a full grown adult. When the Dunadain showed up, I got all excited. Meckinock has made me into a squeeing Halbarad fan, and to see Arwen place the standard in his hands was very moving, since we know that Halbarad gave his life to defend it. The other thing I found really interesting is the communication between the ringbearers. This is another point I've not considered really. I like how you explained the shared link and burden. Very nicely done. Another wonderful chapter, Nilmandra. Author Reply: Thanks, Karen. This was fun to work out, to try to take the few lines Tolkien gave us and weave stuff together that makes sense based on other things he told us elsewhere. The stuff about the gap in memories is from UT and Gandalf's return. I enjoy taking those short thoughts and making them part of the story. :D

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/14/2006
I have had such sporadic Internet access this week--I just saw this. Cool! I have been really anxious to see how you would handle the story after the Quest began and this is great. Elrond must have been so worried seeing the storm over the mountains and specualting what it meant. I'd say Glorfindel must have been barely able to restrain himself from wanting to help them seeing that, except he knows his place is with Elrond. (But I would have had trouble staying put after seeing that). And when I saw the eagle, I literally clapped like a little kid. I absolutely love the eagles! That was such a great idea. I do firmly believe they would be watching carefully and bringing news. So cool! And you did such an incredible job of showing everyone's reaction to hearing about Gandalf. I love the idea of eagles singing about the Battle of the Peak and I loved Glorfindel's reaction to the Balrog. “The wind has borne him where the sun sails and the moon walks. Surely his eyries receive him gladly at this the end of his journey.” I just love this line. And I loved Elrond's view of his sons: As knights they seemed to him, ready to stand next to their king. Wonderful! And Elrond's vision and his 'testing' of Sauron through Vilya! I loved how he concluded that Aragorn should be advised to draw out Sauron's armies, but it must have been terrifying too. Along the lines of Elladan and Elrohir, I loved Elrond seeing Arwen in her place, helping her future people prepare to go to war with their king. That was perfect. She was in his thoughts, but his intention was not to deter her. He allowed his pride to flow forth instead. Just perfect. And I liked how Elrond learned things through Vilya, especially how he learned of Galadriel's 'test' and how that turned to a contemplation of why certain people fell to the ring and others didn't. I thought that was fascinating. But my favorite two parts of this were the departure of the Grey Company--I loved seeing Elrond give his messages to his sons to carry to Aragorn and I loved Arwen and the banner--and the 'history' part of the story. I have always wondered how the elves must have reacted to the arrival of the wizards and how they figured things out and what the wizards told them and why etc etc. I thought this part was absolutely perfect. I was so surprised to see that as the history (even though it is obvious, given that this chapter is in part about Gandalf's fall). I just loved seeing that. This chapter was incredible. Great job, Nilmandra! Author Reply: The eagles's line is taken from The Hobbit, and is a praphrase of the words Gwaihir and Gandalf spoke to each other there. This chapter was fun to write - I would be off doing something and suddenly a lightbulb would go off in the old noggin and I'd think 'that's how Elrond knew that!' Thank you for the review.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/13/2006
This chapter really highlighted the relationship between Gandalf and Glorfindel, something so intriguing and yet seldom explored. It was so moving when Glorfindel fell to his knees at the news that Gandalf had passed. I especially enjoyed the flashback to Gandalf's first visit to Rivendell. How curious everyone must have been about him. I'm glad we got to see the mustering of the Grey Company and the passing of the standard to Halbarad, too. You really tied up a lot of loose ends with this chapter in a very satisfying way. Author Reply: Carving out puzzle pieces to fit in between Tolkien's was a fun challenge. I think I had every Tolkien book out on the table at some point in the writing of this - trying to use his thoughts and ideas and apply them to this gapfiller. I am glad it felt satisfying in how the ends were tied - that to me is the point of gapfillers.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/13/2006
That's ROBE and Rope, both! sheesh Author Reply: LOL, I knew what you meant!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/13/2006
Finally got to read this chapter, and have to admit it was all the more enjoyable for the long anticipation. At least, this time ;) In a way, I am glad that there are so many other reviews here already so that I can easily say: Ditto! Your readers are right! Four things, amidst so very many, really grabbed me. Although, they might be considered small matters. One was that nice turn of phrase "...unusual that the grey mists that normally surrounded Mithrandir had dissipated to fine white cloud." Loved that and its possible meanings! Another was that Gwaihir knew about the Ring, the Fellowship, and the Quest. Makes sense, but it set me pondering when would that exchange of knowledge had actually have taken place. Also, that Gwaihir’s presence (his conversaion with them was just one of many great scenes) would also mean that Manwe is seeing the same events unfolding. What a nervous time in Ilmarin! Just like in Imladris, watching and hoping and waiting on the right timing. Another thing was the wonderful ‘connectedness’ that you created here, on so many levels. That was truly marvelous. Nothing happens by accident, but also not entirely by fate. People make choices. They take a reasonable – in as much as that can be determined – course of action. They do not simply sit by and wait for the world to be saved by others – directly threatened themselves or not. Lastly, the banner. I read a one-shot fic long ago about how Arwen made Aragorn’s banner. The ideas in it were simply brilliant and this brought that story back to memory. It proposed that Arwen wove the black banner from her own hair just as Luthien had woven a rope from hers. Elven magic, since its basis is love, can seem so subtle. But, is so powerful! Well, this chapter was just incredible for what you figured out. The extensive footnote was much appreciated and well worth the risk. Please, never hesitate to include your thought processes - anymore than you would leave out the pertinent references from Tolkien! Author Reply: Also, that Gwaihir’s presence (his conversaion with them was just one of many great scenes) would also mean that Manwe is seeing the same events unfolding. Exactly!! I don't know that many remember that Manwe first sent the great eagles for this purpose. I love the idea of Arwen using her hair. Someone was very creative to think of that!

RS	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/13/2006
Wow!! One forgets that Rivendell was still around during the travels of the nine companions. Rivendell took a backseat until now! What can I say but.. Wow! Everything just tied together (and explained very well..thank you) with the book. I really felt the sadness when the news of Gandalf's fall came. Such a dark cloud over Imladris, especially Glorfindel. (Could you imagine the exhileration when he discovers that Gandalf has come back?..Can't wait). I do love Arwen's take-charge attitude. That whole description of Arwen and the banner was just breath-taking!(sent chills up my spine). I've often wondered how the Grey Company came to help Aragorn. Your interpretation (and fill-in the blanks) has truly enhanced this already wonderful story. And again, the closeness and the love that each character feels for one another is the essence (I feel) of this story. Author Reply: I am glad it seemed to tie together with the book - that was the hope, that I could take things Tolkien said elsewhere and weave them into his own story and have it all tie together. I am looking forward to writing the good news that Gandalf had come back :D

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/12/2006
It is plain that you amused and enjoyed yourself building this and making the connections between events, Nilmandra! and it shows too! It is amazing to unravel the many hints Tolkien let here and there and to discover that, after all, it was all there, and that he thought of everything, even if he only showed the results and certain povs. Yet for all of us that love his realm, it is a treat to dwell into the particulars, and your effort shows that greatly. I loved Gwaihir's comings and goings, and the Three Rings switching on and off. The departure of the Grey Company was very impresive too. I realy liked it, as well as Arwen's standing up to her role there, when everything was only "might" That really impressed me. Very powerful. This story is like being allowed into the backstage of LOTR, i'd say, :-) Author Reply: LOL, I did enjoy and amuse myself! You're right -the clues are there, so its like being a literary detective/archeologist to follow and/or uncover them. Hopefully they make sense and make appropriate use of the Rings and what Tolkien told us of the powers of his world.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/11/2006
Apologies for being late in reviewing; I skimmed the chapter when it was posted, but haven't had time to read it properly, or comment. As time presses on to the climactic events in LOTR, you bring a lot of threads together. I liked Gwaihir's farewell tribute to Mithrandir that you took from The Hobbit - that was a nice touch. I always found it difficult to work out the reasons behind the messages Elrond sent south with the twins - both to take the Paths of the Dead, and especially the advice to draw Sauron's eye from Frodo. It's a good strategy - but seems suicidal. How could he have knowingly sent his sons into such deadly danger, where their chances of surviving must have appeared zilch? Tolkien never explained much. Author Reply: I have to say it did (as Perelleth says, LOL) amsue me and I did enjoy trying to work all of it out, but it did mean hours of research and thinking and trying to map it out to make sense. I've been thinking about this chapter for month trying to uncover and decipher what clues we do have to make this make sense. Glad you noted the origin of the eagle's farewell; I started footnoting references but soon it looked like a scholarly journal article and not a story.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/11/2006
I’m not sure where to start with this one! Well, you’ve done an excellent job in capturing the mood in Imladris – of watching and waiting and hope and anxiety. I thought the way Elrond encounters “fingers of mist and gray” when he tries to connect to Nenya and Narya adds a nicely dark edge. And you’ve made a lot more of Glorfindel than I would have thought of! Which is always good :-) I like the explanation you give of him existing “both the physical world and the world of spirit at the same time.” It’s easy to forget this sometimes when we see him as someone considered a member of Elrond’s family – and we need to feel some awe of him now and then! But it makes perfect sense that his superior sight would be useful now. Plus, it’s a means of Elrond knowing more of what might be happening than he otherwise would. It’s really interesting to see what Elrond can sense – how active Nenya is, Narya’s absence, Sauron’s presence – and you really show how tense things are as he tries to work out what might be happening. No matter what he knew logically, to feel Sauron seeking the Three and knowing he’s sent the One off into the wild must be a cause of some dread for Elrond. And a pacing, tense Glorfindel can’t be helping. An eagle! Hello! That scene between Gwaihir and the elves was amazing. What a heart-stopping moment before he told them it was Mithrandir who had fallen. Gwaihir’s own grief was very moving, and my heart went out to Glorfindel. And even though I knew very well what had happened, their shock at the news of the Balrog really came across very strongly. It was a lovely moment between the eagle and Arwen. It was a very handy way too for them to get news from Lothlorien! I hadn’t really stopped to think how much Elrond knew of Boromir’s corruption or even all that had happened on the way to Lothlorien, though I suppose I would have assumed that anything he did know would be through his own foresight or from contact with Galadriel through the rings. I like this way much better! Now this is my favourite image in the whole chapter: He looked back once to see Elrohir swing up into the low branches of the tree near where Glorfindel stood, and it comforted him to know that his son kept watch and shared in Glorfindel’s grief. Ack! That brought tears to my eyes. It’s not often that Glorfindel needs comfort but he’s clearly grieving and it’s so moving to see Elrohir’s discreet offer of support and friendship to one who has done the same for them all before. The part about Aragorn having gone to Dunharrow before to find the path… is that fact or is that you? Very interesting. And I like how involved Arwen is in it all – suggesting sending Aragorn’s kinsfolk and her awareness of the Paths of the Dead as a very real option. But by now she must trust that her father does what feels right to him ;-) I just love that moment when Elrond sees his sons as “knights”, with no hint of the recklessness with which they rushed off to battle before. They’ve really become the people that we see in RotK when they reach Aragorn. I thought it was very poignant when Elrond thinks of the times Mithrandir sat on that same couch by the fire. And what a very interesting discussion followed! Of course, Elrond did know of the first meeting between Olórin and Glorfindel – I must go back and re-read that in HLII again! – but it was so fascinating to see what they do and don’t know of the Maiar and what may be Mithrandir’s fate. So, why do you suppose Mithrandir would have “forgotten much of his past” when he came to Middle-earth? Hmm. I like how Elladan and Elrohir are so at ease with him, presumably trusting Círdan and, of course, they were more light-hearted in those days and I particularly like the way you have Glorfindel sense that he should know this person but not quite able to place him. I can just imagine everyone’s curiosity about Mithrandir too! The anger and doubt and surprise when he revealed that he had Narya were just fantastically well done. “You, dear lady, see farer and more clearly than any other in Middle-earth.” (‘farer’?) It’s a good thing that Galadriel is there, for she can sense who he truly is. And I like how blunt they all are – the elves want to know why he’s there and he explains is succinctly. There’s a very definite sense of growing trust between them all too. Glorfindel’s joy when he realises why he feels he knows him made me smile. And I think that sense of hope that he felt really helps us see what the loss of Mithrandir, especially at such a time, meant for Glorfindel. I actually had a moment of feeling so bad for Elrond , alone in the dark as the Eye seeks the rings. There’s such a sense of things coming to a head, of the end drawing closer, how near evil is and how close they are to things going so wrong. But he has such strength to try to test its will – but wow, what a realisation! He can see some of what Sauron has planned. Scary moment when the Eye returned to him, though. I imagine it would be all too easy for Elrond to give himself away too. But yes, that’s how he knows what message to send Aragorn! Very clever. I must say, I absolutely loved that gathering of the Dúnedain. It’s a wonderful image of the Great Hall lined with cloaks and clothes and helms. Arwen’s thoughtfulness and determination and strength really come across and even though it’s rather a sad thought that she’ll never again prepare Lembas and that this is her starting to take on the role she will soon fulfil, I do admire the way she steps forward to do what is needed and takes her place as leader of these Men. Was she resisting the temptation of the One, or yielding to it? Crikey, I didn’t expect Elrond to witness that! I love how you connect all the events to keep us aware of what’s happening at the same time. Elrond’s thoughts about resisting the One are interesting. I thought it was a good point that the elves would not resist out of innate goodness, but rather memory and experience. It’s difficult to say why the dwarves would resist. They seem so practical and logical that they would be naturally suspicious of anything with such power. I think you’re right too that their desire is to create. And then Elrond and Galadriel both sensing Narya’s bearer… it gave me shivers :-D It was a very powerful moment when Elrond gives his messages to his sons. Especially as it’s clear what he is instructing them and none of them know if they’ll survive it. I really liked Arwen’s explanation of the banner – I look forward to hearing more about it if you choose to tell us! She’s put so much thought into it. The last line was perfect, I thought - an offer of comfort and hope just as Elrond feels such loss and despair. Thank you for the author’s notes :-) I really appreciate the chance to see your thought processes – and to learn a lot too! Author Reply: Glorfindel is glad you were reminded of awesomeness, LOL! Arrogant elf, ;). And even though I knew very well what had happened, their shock at the news of the Balrog really came across very strongly. I can't remember who I was talking to, but we were discussing how this is the goal, to write as if we don't know either what is happening. Trying to put yourself fully in the character's shoes and imagine how they felt and let the reader feel it to is the goal. So I'm glad it worked! No one in Middle-earth could know that Gandalf would be sent back. I can only imagine the grief and despair. I am glad you like the Elrohir - Glorfindel moment. Elrohir will need Glorfindel before the end. :( As for the author's notes, I probably shouldn't publicly admit how much I think about this stuff, LOL. But I am so excited when I can put the puzzle pieces together!

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