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| History Lessons: The Third Age by Nilmandra | 19 Review(s) |
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| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/7/2006 |
| What a beautiful, sad and tender chapter! I did not realize I had missed a chapter until I started on the new one... The farewells are so heart-breaking, and yet they are also filled with a sort of hope as well. I don't read a good deal of Elf-fic, but you are one of about four Elf authors that I *do* read and enjoy on a regular basis--and you seem to have so much insight into Elrond. As this winds down to the Ending of the Third Age, you seem to make so much clear to me, about things that I had not thought of a good deal, being focussed more on the hobbits. I loved the flashback, of toddler Arwen trying out her independence for the first time--there was so much love and good humor there, and we see also just *why* letting go of his daughter was so painful to Elrond--her pulling away had been difficult for him from the beginning. *sigh* We're coming to the end very soon... Author Reply: Thanks, Barabara. I just realized I haven't responded to reviews either! I am glad you are enjoying this. It is amazing how many new angles one can see a story from simply by changing whose eyes you are seeing the story through. I've enjoyed getting to know Elrond. But yes, soon the story will end. :D | |
| Del | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/3/2006 |
| Please, please, I'm pleading. I've checked everyday since I found this installment awaiting more. Oh please finish it out. Yours, Del Author Reply: LOL, sorry Del! Real life has been a bear all summer. I will have a chapter up by Monday and the last four are mostly written after that. Life is still a bear, but hopefully I'll finish the story pretty quickly. | |
| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/6/2006 |
| *sniffle* This was completely heartbreaking, and utterly lovely. Author Reply: My heart broke writing it, I admit. :/ | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/1/2006 |
| Thank goodness for Glorfindel. And Celebrian and her wonderful and so necessary contact with poor suffering Elrond. Without the two of them, I'm afraid he would have been unable to make the break and choose to go. Not that Arwen and the twins weren't trying their hardest to do what was best for everyone. I feel sorry for Aragorn. Despite his best efforts, he knows that he is piggy in the middle and the cause of a lot of angst - and yet he loves Elrond as a father and wants to please him, too. Wonderful, painful, tragic chapter. Yet, they will be reunited - they will. In time. And what is time to an elf? And Elrond will have Celebrian. Strong and healthy and recovered and forgiving and able to support him through his recovery. Poor Arwen. Poor Elrond. At least they've made the break. Now they can begin to build from this point. Which takes me back to the first sentence. Author Reply: Poor Aragorn really was caught in the middle, wasn't he? His joy came at the expense of so much, but this was the best end for the good of Middle-earth and a picture so much bigger than all this. It is painful. One more parting, and then finally a long awaited reunion. :>) | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/29/2006 |
| Apt title. In fact, overflowing... Celebrian's presence saved the day, but only Glorfindel could rescue him. It was comforting watching Elrond and Celebrian's reconnection continue to strengthen. The flashback was lovely and enlightening about Arwen, but also about each parents and their relationship. ...your example of endurance... Those two paragraphs revealed the core of the love between father and daughter. And what make each of them so endearing to us readers. Author Reply: Thanks, Redheredh.. I am glad you liked this. I liked the idea of the Valar making it possible for Celebrian to be Elrond's strength right now - with their aid, she is holding up and holding him up. But Glorfindel is there in person, still serving, still taking care of his friend. I love him (I'm such a fangirl!). Glad you liked Arwen with the parents - that little scene was fun to write! | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/29/2006 |
| Whew. That was a tough one, but beautiful. Last partings are always hard, and the parting of Arwen and Elrond broke my heart. Accepting that you will be parted and actually saying those last words, touching one last time, and then turning and walking away and not looking back, are two different things. Their excruciating final farewell reminded me of "Little House on the Prairie" (of all things.) When I was little, we lived a long way from our nearest relatives, and yet we saw them several times a year. So it wasn't until I read LHotP that I realized that for our ancestors, coming to America or even moving a few states away meant knowing you would never see your family again. This chapter really reinforced how hard this must be. How hard it must have been for Arwen to say those words: "Tomorrow will be the last day I see you." And it must have taken extraordinary strength for her to countermand her father when he wavered, thinking of his desire to see the kingdoms restored and see his grandchildren. As much as she must have yearned for him to see them also, she saw what needed to be done. That was so hard to read! I was glad for the sweet flashback in the end (you do always seem to know when we need a nice flashback.) I love the image of Arwen with her little arms crossed in from of her, demanding that she get her way. And Celebrian's willingness to let her make her own mistakes and Elrond's desire to protect mirrored Elrond's confession to Arwen earlier. And yet he respects her decision and doesn't try to cage her. I also really liked Aragorn writing letters to everyone, particularly Celebrian. Author Reply: I tried to write something after Elrond held out his hands and turned away forever, but I couldn't. There were no words. That image has been in my mind and I thought anything else would be extraneous, as it said so much. I am glad Arwen comes across as strong. On the one hand, she is trying to order her world as she sees fit. On the other, she doesn't want to see her father suffer, and they both need a clean break. I think it would be hard for her to get on with her new life if he stayed. Little Arwen is fun to write, now that I can 'see' her clearly. :D | |
| paranoidangel | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/29/2006 |
| That was so sad, even though I knew what was going to happen - I had to stop in the middle for a break! Author Reply: I cried plenty while writing it. :/ Knowing it and putting it into this form was painful. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/29/2006 |
| A very moving chapter,especially the flashback.I like to imagine too that Arwen sent letters to her mother. Author Reply: I am glad there was a chance for farewells, even if they were in letters! | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/27/2006 |
| That was good early morning reading,a nice way to start the day,it was very emotional I almost cried at parts(but I always feel that way about sad partings)I am just glad Elrond has some comfort and a love waiting for him,Thankyou for all your wonderful writing. Author Reply: Elrond has got love and comfort and peace waiting for him, and I hope those things do help ease the burden he bears! Thanks for reading. | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/27/2006 |
| A very sad chapter! Its made me sniffly every time I've read. Bravo! Author Reply: You and me both. :) | |