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| The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden | 8 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/19/2025 |
| MM! I'm glad, at the start of the chapter, to see Erithain seeming to have more balance in light of circumstances, even to smiling warmly at Arathorn in welcome. He makes me smile every time he appears in the chapter. Alas, poor Dirhael and Ivorwen. How bittersweet to know that their daughter will be happy while also knowing that her happiness will be cut short. I wonder if it also occurs to them that the line of Chieftains (the direct descendants of Isildur) is at risk of dying out if Arathorn does not marry and beget an heir? Such an outcome would take away all hope for Middle-earth... wouldn't it? (Is Arador at all concerned about the succession?) By the way, your world-building is quite plausible in the discussion of marriage customs and the political system amongst the Dúnedain. It also crossed my mind that Elrond had the same concern for Arwen: no matter how happy she'd be on marrying Aragorn, she would almost inevitably know the terrible grief of outliving her husband. But now I'm wondering if Dirhael's discussion with Gilraen was a catalyst of sorts that tipped her over from neutral to thinking about love and marriage? I love Arathorn's comparison of the upcoming talk with Dirhael to past Orc-battles. But I suffered a pang when he said "all the days of my life", knowing how little time remains to him. Lake Evendim sounds beautiful. I loved the glimpse of Elladan escorting Gilraen and the young Heir to Imladris, as well as the vision of "her husband" (but really her grandson). I will have to look for that quote in my copy of HoME! Well done, as always. I'm looking forward to reading more, hopefully tomorrow but if not, then soon after. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Thank you for the wonderfully long review! I love it! Erithain become a favourite character of my mind. He just needed encouragement to start growing into his own. The succession is most definitely on their minds. It is the guiding force of Arador's life. Each Chieftain is only a caretaker until the time of the King but they do not know when that will be. I find them such an interesting people. Bound by honor and hope. And as Arador says they carry the legacy and are bound by it. They cannot force a marriage. They bound by their ideals and working for a possible future not an all-important present. I thought about how their society which I surmise was not too different from Gondorian society until Arthedain falls and their society is completely torn to shreds. They keep the living ideal working toward a possible future whereas Gondorian society kept looking to the past as the line of kings died out. It is tragic Dirhael and Iorwen that in order to bring the future they and all their people have striven for has to come with the sacrifice of their daughter's happiness. It has to happen but sacrifice has to be made. The same can be said for Elrond, he sacrifices so much of his own happiness so that the greater good is served. Dirhael has to know if Gilraen truly loves Arathorn which as you say I think that Gilraen didn't realize until she spoke with her father. Lake Evendim. I grew stomping around parts of Millerton Lake by near our town. Climbing rocks overlooking the lady early in the morning with my dad, hot coffee in hand. Water for me has always had a soothing effect, this is reflected in my description of Lake Evendim. The vision is what gives Iorwen both torment and comfort and is the deciding factor to Dirhael saying yes to the match. So happy you are enjoying it. Looking forward to the next review! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: "Climbing rocks and overlooking the LAKE" is what the line was supposed to be! DAMN AUTOCORRECT....what you don't think I'm going to take responsibility for my own typos. Pshaw!!! :-))) (((hugs))) MM | |
| Nurayy | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/11/2021 |
| Mirkwoodmaiden, This was such a beautiful and sad chapter. So well done! The vision touched me really and made my eyes sting; so meaningful, so important, and yet so sad. The feelings of her parents at that knowledge, you wrote them so vivid, Gilraen's pain in the vision with her little son, it pulls at the heartstrings. So good how you give her credit in this story! Oh, and beautiful image of Elladan! If I think this was even your first fanfic... Wow! Author Reply: Nurayy!! Thanks so much! There is not enough written about Gilraen. She is often forgotten or written out of so much Fan Fiction but she is so important and sacrifices so much for her people. Her life is unfortunately not really a happy one. Read on! There is much more of Elladan and Elrohir! They are so easy and often so fun to write! Stay Safe! Mellon nin! ((Hugs)) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/10/2020 |
| Ah, yes. I love the thought you’ve put into the lifestyle and mindset of the Dunedain and heirs of Isildur. (Typing on my phone, so please excuse any errors that may creep in!) Gilraen’s father’s dilemma reminds me a bit of what Elrond faced. And Gilraen’s mother’s vision was both breathtaking and heartbreaking. One final thought...I too could watch waves for hours, and I find comfort in them. Author Reply: Lindelea! Thanks! I am fascinated by the Dunedain (as you are with Hobbits) and how they survived over a thousand years with the one purpose and I thought what would that society look like and think like. Their cities destroyed and the fabric of their society rent irreparably. And this story is what I came up with the guidance of what is written in the Appendices from ROTK. What Ivorwen saw is in the appendices and I wrote around that. You are right Dirhael's and Ivorwen sacrifice is much like the sacrifices that Elrond willingly gave, cost what it did to him (one of the reasons I have always admired Elrond.) Dirhael's watching the waves crash is really me sitting and watching the ocean waves crash. Like you I can still a beach for hours watching the waves. I find it so comforting as well. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/7/2020 |
| Am revisiting this, and rejoicing to do so. Alas for the visions of both Dirhael and Ivorwen. Author Reply: Larner! So glad you are re-reading and enjoying the visit! And yes, It is so hard for Dirhael and Ivorwen to know that their child will be made unhappy by the very thing that the Dunedain have lived for. MM | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/2/2005 |
| Beautiful imagery, and love the Thane sitting on the rocks overlooking the lake and its windblown waves. Gorgeous! | |
| Eruanneth_Luin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/29/2005 |
| It is good to see that developing friendship between Erithain and Arathorn which bodes well for eventual kinsmen-by-marriage, and I highly agree with the realistic moral tone set by Gilraen as to her thoughts of marriage. It is refreshing to read of attraction, respect, and even duty on both parts rather than mere physical desires. Her willingness to obey her father’s will and eventual answer ‘Yes, I think I do’, says it all. Arathorn seeking the hand of Gilraen brought into focus the intense feelings and uncertainty associated with the joining of two houses as well as two peoples, though blood-allied, yet independent. The visions of Ivorwen were of particular moving and well done, showing the absolute courage it took to allow her precious daughter to move forward as she must despite knowledge of the brevity of her happiness. Author Reply: I really loved writing this chapter because it gave me a chance to deepen the relationships all around. Also I was able to speak a little more about the strength of the Dunedain culture among both men and women. Their faith in their destiny is the only thing that Iorwen and Dirhael would allow to stand in front of their daughers' happiness. Iorwen is either blessed or cursed with the sight. I think she have had to have a great deal of strength to go forward with her vision. Thanks for reading! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/1/2003 |
| I have heard very good things about this story, and already they are proved true! You seem to have put considerable effort into your development of the Dunedain culture and what is known of the story of Arathorn and Gilraen. The Dunedain were proud and independent people, and it is intersting to see both the strength and weaknesses this causes them. I like how you have shown Gilraen's parents concerns and the strength within them that allowed them to choose what was right rather than what was easy. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2003 |
| I think it would be awful to be able to see the future of one's children. Surely there is sorrow for all of them, although you hope it's not only sorrow. I don't blame Gilraen's parents for feeling anguish over this. Author Reply: Yes. Especially if it is a harsh future that you cannot change. That would be H*ll. I had to be careful to not display their trepidation and pain too much because then Gilraen, who already suspected something, would logically want to know why they were so upset. I've still yet to decide whether Gilraen will ever realise that they knew what would happen, and how she will feel about that. Betrayed? Anger? Will she understand and accept? Answers to these questions I'm sure she will share with me sometime during the story. MM | |