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| Brotherhood by Bodkin | 21 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/10/2007 |
| Oh my gosh these are great! I just found them since I haven't had time for fanfic in so long. I love these! Author Reply: It's truly unfortunate that you've had to shelve the important stuff to immerse yourself in real-life issues! I'm glad you like them! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/29/2006 |
| I am *so* glad to have internet at home again, so I can start this very promising story! I love this: Gilraen's sorrow and perception, and Elrohir's offer--Estel will offer him and his brother an opportunity to put *aside* "implacableness" for a while. This is not just a favor to Estel's mother, as he implies with his last words to her... Author Reply: It's surprising how enclosed you feel without the net! I think the relationship the twins develop with Estel will be very good for all three of them - even if the twins do know that one day they will be left to mourn the child. | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/20/2006 |
| Underneath all that sorrow and grief (both Gilraen's and Elrohir's) is the hope unrecognized that this young life brings to Imladris. "He is kin." Elrohir said so much right there. I don't think he even suspects how deeply Estel will affect his life. And Elladan's...and Elrond's, too. Gilraen will have three sons to correct now, I think. I also think she'll appreciate it in the longrun! :-) *sigh* I know I'm going to love these just as much as the hijinks between E2 and L! (Or should I just call them EL3? LOL) Lovely beginning, Bodkin. linda Author Reply: Even in complete ignorance of the Arwen outcome, I think it is brave of Elrohir to volunteer to be a brother to Estel. I doubt Gilraen understands it - yet, at any rate - but he must know the pain that is involving in loving mortals. Yet the arrival of Estel is indeed that of 'hope' in Elrond's household. It might take Gilraen a while to recognise that she will be playing 'mother' to two elves a hundred times her age ... but she'll cope! (And I'm sorry, but Legolas won't be popping over from Mirkwood. In my mind he didn't meet Estel until after he had become Aragorn.) | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/20/2006 |
| Here I am, many days late, and entire national budgets short. Sorry about dropping the ball, but I'm ready to sit down and read this now. I like the atmosphere here a lot. I especially like the sense of age and remoteness about the sons of Elrond. They really are a couple of thousand years old, and it's hard to get that feeling about them, but you pulled it off very well. Author Reply: Welcome! One of the things that crossed my mind before starting this was the contradiction between the age of E2 (and their noted prowess as warriors) and their becoming 'brothers' to a small child. It must have been a conscious decision on their part to spend time with Estel - and it must have come in the full knowledge of the pain that would come from a close relationship with a mortal. Even if they didn't know quite what the cost would be. Thank you! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/19/2006 |
| I like the fact that Gilraen is suprised that the twins would 'adopt' Estel. I loved Elrond... and, of course, the twins. Though they are past the time of 'insane' Orc killing - the damage is done and needs healing. I will be glad to see that healing as you continue this. Author Reply: Gilraen - at first, anyway - sees the twins very much as elven warriors. It must have taken her a while to see the playfulness hidden deep inside them. And it is a big offer - Elrohir knows how much it will hurt to have little Estel grow up and old and die, even if Gilraen doesn't understand that side of the relationship. The twins are, I think, still badly affected by their mother's loss - and Elrond will be delighted if they can find again the inner child. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/19/2006 |
| Lovely! I'm not sure I've read anything that touched on this time, early on in Ara - I mean Estel's - association with the sons of Elrond, though I have been contemplating it. I was very surprised to find that Arwen's first meeting with Aragorn was when he was 20 - so she was away from Rivendell 18 years? Did I get that right? Who is Valandil? The name is familiar but I cannot place him, or his time, with the "other orphaned children" who were his companions. Is he the remaining son of Elendil or Isildur? Sorry to be so muddled over something I ought to know. Having read your stories about Elladan and Elrohir's mischief (with a little Legolas thrown in on occasion), I think they are probably well-equipped to tackle the present challenge. (How sad it must be for an immortal, to watch a baby grow to a man, and age, and die. Worse, even, than it is for a dog or cat owner.) Author Reply: I suppose that, to elves, an absence of 20 or 30 or 50 years isn't really that long a time. After all - Arwen and the twins are nearly 3000 years old - Elrond is 6000. And elves count time in periods of 144 years rather than in individual years. Valandil is Isildur's youngest son. He was born in Imladris in 3430 of the Second Age and became King of Arnor when Isildur and his other sons were killed. He was left in Imladris with, probably, his mother and other women and children, when the armies headed off to Dagorlad. While the descendants of Isildur were generally fostered in Imladris at some time in their lives, I tend to believe that they were educated there in early adolescence rather than arriving as small children to be raised. Elladan and Elrohir were undoubtedly adventurous as children - I think they were brave and ingenious and enterprising and tended to involve themselves in activities that no-one would have thought to forbid - but they are undoubtedly adults now. I feel they would have encouraged Estel and widened his horizons - but that they would not have deliberately led him into mischief. He would probably have managed that on his own while trying to emulate them. Watching those they loved grow up and age must have been almost intolerable for elves - and I suspect led many to avoid any kind of relationships with men. Could well have affected poor Legolas very badly in the aftermath of the Ringwar, I suspect. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/19/2006 |
| It is always nice to see the elves through the eyes of a human (and vice versa) - to show their differences. The twins are both young and old, depending on whose standard is used. I am sure Elrond would like anything that brings them home from hunting orcs. It is interesting to me to think of the twins' interest in Estel as a conscious act, requested by Gilraen. That is a unique twist. Author Reply: I don't think the twins were quite as obsessed by orc-slaying by this point - but they certainly haven't recovered the lightness of heart that they had before Celebrian was wounded. Somehow, I can see them rediscovering the brightness of the world through the eyes of young Estel and becoming more playful - which would have been a great relief for Elrond. Really, as an elf, it doesn't matter how old you are - you are always young to someone. Even Galadriel ends up going home to parents and grandparents. The twins are young - ish - but they are certainly legendary enough to be awe-inspiring to Gilraen. Aragorn seems so alone when I think of him in Imladris - (Gilraen seems even more alone in a way, but she was, I suppose, old enough to have agreed with the necessity) - and, without the friendship of the twins, he could have grown up into a very one-sided person. Even as it is, I sometimes think he was probably (inside his head) more elf than man ... The twins would probably have needed a little nudge - at this time, anyway - to make them realise that the child needed something more. They will be good for him. And he will help them to see the world as something beautiful and exciting again. | |
| utfrog98 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/19/2006 |
| Wonderful story to begin my day. Much as I enjoy your Valinor series, this idea has much promise. Thank you for all your work. It is deeply appreciated. Author Reply: Thank you. I'm glad you like it! I like the musings of E2L in the Blessed Realm - but this suddenly decided to turn into a series instead of being a single story, and, like you, I thought it had promise! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2006 |
| I hope this does become a new series and we get more of Gilraen. And more of Estel's new big brothers. :D Author Reply: It will! It's already started attacking me - the second one is ready to roll. I just hope inspiration continues. Thank you for your words on Finrod - I'm considering what to do there. He seems to be of the opinion that there's no rush to put fingers to keyboard. (I'm not planning to stop or anything - it's just proceeding slowly.) | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2006 |
| Oh, very well done! I could just feel the pain-filled aching heart of a mother for her young son. Elrohir's compassion for both Gilraen and Estel shone through very clearly. But that last line, about Elrond being eternally grateful about broke my heart. It actually took me a second to understand what he meant and then when it did, it was just... very moving. Of course Elrond would love to see his sons home and being an older brother to Estel instead of out chasing orcs. I do hope to see more of these! Author Reply: Thank you, Radbooks. I think the twins are past the worst of their orc-slaying phase - but they lost a lot of the joy in their lives when their mother was injured. Seeing the world afresh as they challenge and play with and indulge a child will be so good for them. Elrond will savour this time for more than one reason. There will be more! The second one is already done. | |