Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Nadhemmen by Redheredh	6 Review(s)
Kitt Otter	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/20/2008
Well, this was angsty! You are quite skilled at getting into Mirathel’s head, at how desperate and alarming their situation was. I like the gradual revealing of the back story. Mirathel is right to be angry and to bring herself out of it to comfort Galadriel and others. I had thought Sindar marriage customs were less strict. But what a situation that leaves Galadriel with her brothers - “An ongoing scandal!” I was very relieved when Hrassa arrived; everything seemed alright again. It is like him to remember well the orders of Thingol, to not speak Quenya. And certainly Celeborn could not forget Galadriel. No, never! I was suspicious that Galadriel was pregnant, but had thought that cannot be right. Then again, they had gone so long without children, I think yours is a good explanation. It is terribly tragic about small Amroth. That Amdir named his son for a lost brother is sad but consoling. Would they meet their miscarried children in Valinor? I would love to see that. I was giddy over the many notes. You put together the story of Galadriel and Celeborn well with the clues that were given. -Kitt :) Author Reply: Kitt! I swear I did not get an email notice for this review else I would have replied long before now! My apologies for he late reply! In our culture, a long 'engagement' no longer raises any eyebrows, but there was a time that would have happened. And I would think elves love gossip as much as anyone and are embarassed by their family member as much as anyone. ;) Hrassa does represent his prince and his people, so most of the time he acts accordingly. Celeborn struggled with what to do. Someday I hope to get around to telling his side of events. One of the things I love to do is reconcile the different takes the Professor had on his characters. But, many people simply prefer other ansgty explanations rather miscarriage as an explanation why there was only Celebrian or they simply accept that Amroth of Lothlorien was their son. Personally, I think unborn elven children get another chance at birth, but elven children who die before their time do indeed go to the Halls of Waiting and may be reborn, like Rostaro. I very much appreciate your mentioning the notes! :D Thank you for the kind review. I do appreciate it, and wish I has seen it much earlier. Once again sorry for the late reply.

Bejai	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/24/2006
I really do have to apologize to you. I read this story weeks ago, and have been meaning to come back and give you a review. Somehow, I always seem short on hours at the end of the day! But here are a few comments on your brilliant story, late though they are: - As ever, you have an interesting OC from which we get our point of view. I'm really starting to warm up to that particular story technique of yours. You manage to get so much description, insight, explanation, and eloquence from it. What an intriguing glimpse we get into the politics and early history of Middle-earth, even incorporating earlier events regarding Cirdan and Thingol and the mistakes and decisions they made. It makes this chapter so rich. - This was glorious: "Throughout the ordeal in the great hall, they had stared blank-faced at each other, mutely bearing up under the agonizing probability that they would be forever parted by her complicit deception and his intolerant loyalty." What a brilliant way to put it. - Galadriel weeping! - I loved the commentary on their marriage, on what they had done for each other, on their roles, on how they were meant to be together even as it looked like everything was falling apart. I also really enjoyed the full explanation on what you had hinted at in other stories--the difference in the marriage ceremonies and customs. - Hrassa's appearance was certainly tense! And exactly what I'd expect from him :) - What great politics in Celeborn's move, helping to smooth things while saving his marriage. How like him to do many things at once. - Pregnant. Heh. Although this is one of her many miscarriages hinted at in your stories :( Great story, so rich, so full of so many delights that I can't possibly mention them all. What a treat to read. Again, I'm sorry for my tardiness! Author Reply: You know a review is always welcome! No matter when! I am very glad to know that you are happily busy and still enjoying fanfiction. :) Thanks! I was debating with myself this time round whether or not to keep to the same format as I used in Hrassa's other tales. I did purposely choose Mirathel because she would a view of many sides and be on the inside of events more than another character. But, I despair at how many pages I took just setting up for their rescue! Thank you! hugging those two lovely adjectives to my chest She had to have a breaking point. No one is that invulnerable to that much heartache. Between you and me, she believed so strongly in her vision of permanent separation that she absolutely had to have something of Celeborn and their marriage to hold on to. Perhaps as proof it all had not been a mistake. As a foundation for romantic conflict and angst, LACE is terrific. However, obedience to it or obediance otherwise is not the completely involuntary behavior many people want to believe it to be. Even angels can sin. Yeah, this is Hrassa on the job. Maybe just a little* Marty Stu...? ;)* Well, sometimes the prince just cannot help himself. We really need to hear his side of the story about why he did what he did during this whole incident. Yes, their lack of children during the young phase of their marriage simply cannot be explained as being caused by wartime. Especially, since a long peace actually follows this banishment and third great battle. The facts scream for angst and tension! Thank you for reviewing and letting me know you're still out there reading. ;) I enjoy having you drop in unexpectantly like this! Anytime!

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/11/2006
This had a surprise ending with Galadrteil being pregnant and not knowing if Celeborn still cared. I loved the elf coming and offering his services at teh end as well. This was a wonderful telling of an event I've not read about before in fan fic. well done! Author Reply: Thank you! I hope you enjoyed it! The review is appreciated. In "Oak and Willow", Marnie wrote a version of the throneroom scene when Thingol confronts Finrod. It ends sadly with their parting and Celeborn with his head in his hands. But, it is a great interpretation of the text. I think it is the second to the last chapter. I like their reconsiliation too.;)

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/8/2006
I love the depth of the story, both in the words and in all that is suggested but not told, from the many obstacles to Celeborn and Galadriel's marriage to the heated scene in Thingols' halls. It is easy to picture the bewildered, worried, stunned party, looking around themselves in the middle of nowhere and wondering why, again, they were in such straits. Mirathel's tired, sad but also firm and realistic eye gives us a complete view of what the situation loooked like. And then Super Hrassa. Galadriel's embrace and teasing must have make him grumble, and surely that is something he may still hold against Celeborn!:-)LOL. No, seriously, he is greatly depicted, and also makes his character in CSING even deeper, for here we learn the levels of trust and the demanding duties that this dependable bowman exchanged with his prince, since so long ago. Celeborn is clearly more than indebted with his bowman.... The sun was sinking behind the enclosing fir trees and the shallow bowl of warm light in which they sat was slowly filling with cold shadow. I loved this image. Their situation is so dismal that one can quickly perceive the cold of night, despite the fact that the sun is still on the sky. And the second part of the story is delightful. I love the trasition from the tale telling to the sewing scene. Laerlinath seems well at ease in her job and showing a god sense that I wasn't so sure she possesed. And Celebrìan is delightful, such an impossible mix of both her parent's characters! she must be driving Hrassa crazy, for all that he's too used to dealing with both! But she's something different. A wonderful tale, Redheredh, and a pleasure to read and re read and re read and yet again. Thank-you! Author Reply: Thank you! I purposely chose Mirathel's pov because she would have a feel for both the Noldor and the Sindar. But, she is very pragmatic as well. Given a still moment for refection, she would certainly use it better than most. And I like your comparing being abandoned by Feanor to being abandoned by Thingol. Although, Thingol did not really* intend it.* Heh! Yeah, Hrassa does get a little Marty Stew here, doesn't he. ;) But then, he's right on his game at this moment. Well, what guard-dog likes being made into a pet? Galadriel might as well have tied a big ribbon bow around his neck. ;) I think you are right about who's indebted to whom, though. Hrassa is dependable, but he did choose to disappear. He left without leave because he could not abide with them anymore. That might convince many later to think that he is not that dependable. Thank you. I liked that too. Indeed, it was meant to invoke the large stage setting. I am glad you enjoyed it. I appreciated your reservations about the break from past to present. Sorry I could not do better with that. Laerlinath had gotten over some problems at this point, believe me. Celebrian is in a phase that would drive anyone crazy. Thus, the needed extra help. ;) Thank you again for the helpful remarks on the draft and also reviewing. I am encouraged to get on to the next one. After I do my beta chores, of course!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/8/2006
Do you know, one of the things I love most is the suggestion of the depth of Galadriel's despair - the bond between her and Celeborn is such fundamental part of who they are, and remarking on the difficulties they had overcome to be together really reinforces the pain of tearing them apart. And then, of course, her pregnancy... And knowing that it will not have a happy outcome again builds up the sheer enormity of their shared experience. In sending Hrassa - and a heavily-laden packhorse - Celeborn is saying far more by action than in words. Galadriel's transformation, seen through Mirathel's eyes is emotionally very satisfying - as is Mirathel's realisation that Galadriel had not foreseen this. And I'm sure she was very aware of the difference in Hrassa's level of commitment to the Rin, his Prince and the Lady! (Laerlinath seems to have settled in well - and have a natural talent for managing children. Although Celebrian is very skilled in provocative. What became of her ... later - once Ost-in-Edhil was no more?) Author Reply: Thank you so much! Yes, there is a poignancy to their life together that Frodo could not see from his pov in LOTR. But, it does irk people, speculating that there were other unhappy reasons why they did not have children at the proscribed time or that their son was taken away from them because he would have had no legitimate claim in Lorien (anymore than Galadriel waltzing in and setting up her own realm) or that they almost did not have a daughter except that there had to be a elven-queen for Aragorn. Many really prefer Amroth be theirs and not Amdir's, with all the terrible angst that entails, instead of this possible sort of heartache. However, it just ain't so. Together, C&G seem to overcome obstacles that others cannot. And yet, never quite win either. Thank you again! All these things are, as you say, seen from Mirathel's pov. I could not find anyone else as close to the general Sindar population's perception of how devastating the Kinslaying really was and be aware of the background politics. She provided a general moral reaction. She is sitting between old and new loyalties and regimes; she knows both sides. I was asking myself why would the entire (Beleriand) Sindar population obey Thingol's edict? Who outside of Doriath's court would care about the politics or Thingol's relationship with the sons of Finarfin? They would want - and take - revenge. Perhaps not execution, but desire some form of justice. So, whose non-violent lead would they actually follow? Cirdan's? Thingol's? The northern Sindar had a sour relationship with Thingol. (Supposedly because they acted as spys and agents for Morgoth.) Anyway, Mirathel does not know the truth or understand everything that happens around her, anymore than most people bearing witness to history. That comes later. Hrassa does seem to follow an order of preceedance. ;) But, that has been forcibly adjusted by Celeborn's and Nimloth's commands. Not to say, he does not use his own judgement in such matters. (Galadriel knew when she saw her that she should get her into the Household. What happens to Laerlinath later? Well, all I can say is that she and Aurthon do not die in that war.) Bodkin, I very much appreciate your reading and reviewing.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/7/2006
This isn't a proper review - I'll come back to it later after I've had a chance to read it again. I love it - both the story of the desolated Galadriel and her kin and the look at Celebrian's childhood. Laerlinath is doing a good job of managing the little princess - who is clearly the offspring of both her parents! And the notes are excellent. (I learn so much from reading well-organised notes!) Then there's the added spookiness of this being posted between me looking at what was new and going through the business of adding the last (I think) chapter of Ripe for Change! I love this. Deliciously dense and demanding at least another reading or three. PS: I love Hrassa. Author Reply: Golly, reads like a review to me! ;) I am glad you like it; it's nice to know when someone does. But, you offer opinion as well; that's nice too. Ah, the notes were my desperate attempt to justify my slightly different take on the roles of Celeborn and Galadriel. Yes! I saw that too and it was spooky! Especially after reading your opening scene. !0.0! I am going over to leave a review for that as soon as I am finished here. Heh! I hope you mean it is dense reading and not thinking. ;) Maybe, that is why most people don't care for these stories, just too much work to get any pleasure out them. Not that I make it easy. RE: PS: I do too.

Return to Chapter List