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| Fiondil's Tapestry by Fiondil | 12 Review(s) |
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| Maegereg | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 4/27/2009 |
| While I find the intent of the story well meaning, the execution is greatly lacking, most especially when it comes to the characterization of Estel. While the missing front teeth may make it difficult to pronounce the letter 's', the other speech elements are that of a child of perhaps age three to four, but a child missing his front teeth would be between age six and seven. Children this age can speak quite plainly and I would expect Estel even more so being raised among elves. Not just his speech however is the issue. The child ACTS like a 3-4 year old as well. This makes the piece pretty weak over all. While a child of 3-4 might play with soldiers, they wouldn't have the maturity to play at this level shown but neither would a child of 6-7 act in this manner. It just doesn't work for me at all. Author Reply: I don't know Maegereg. I didn't think either Estel's speech patterns or actions were that of a 3-year-old and I've had people who have children Estel's age who read this and did not comment on the same points that you have, so I assumed that his words and actions were appropriate for his age. Perhaps I'll ask them to re-read the story and tell me if they agree with you. If so, then no doubt they will help me to make Estel more appropriate. And, having gone through the story again after reading your review I have to wonder why you say that Estel doesn't speak plainly. He speaks in complete sentences, which 3-year-olds don't always do. If you're complaining about his mispronunciation of the word 'strategy', well, when you were six, did you pronounce all the big words correctly? I know I didn't. | |
| Kaylee | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/8/2009 |
| *had long ago settled on the opinion that her meldonya knows nearly everything* I shall have to look up this poem now, you realize. *grin* I love little five-year-old Estel and his "Stwategy" game with "Westor". Who was the cat? *looks dumbfounded that no one else knew* Valandil, of course! He had to be there to protect his beloved Ada and brothers! (Never mind that the real Valandil wasn't present...neither was the real Estel! *snort*) ~Kaylee! Author Reply: I'm assuming that Valandil is the name of a cat in someone's fic? *grin* Certainly not in any of mine. At any rate, the ceramic cat is simply a ceramic cat that Elrond had in the library, perhaps using it as a paper weight *grin* and Estel decided to include it in his game. One should not look to deeply into the so-called logic of a five-year-old. *lol* The poem is quite opaque in its meaning but rather interesting in its own right. There are online commentaries that will help you to understand it as you read it. Have fun! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/6/2009 |
| Oh, I love this interaction. They are all perfect! And who is the cat portraying? Author Reply: Thanks, Larner. I'm glad you enjoyed this and found the interactions of the characters perfect. As for the cat... I think it's just a ceramic cat that Elrond has in his library and Estel decided it should be in on the fun. *grin* | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/2/2009 |
| What a lovely story, I love little Estel stories. Big brothers do tend to take over the play, the little boy in al of them. Just what is it of Erestor's that they are using for Sauron? Author Reply: Thanks, grumpy. I'm glad you enjoyed this. I think 'Sauron' was just an statue of an elven warrior that belonged to Erestor, perhaps as a gift or something he himself crafted and naturally not to be played with, especially by a 5-year-old mortal child. At any rate, Erestor decided that it would make a good 'Sauron' for their war game. *grin* | |
| Independence1776 | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/30/2009 |
| Very sweet story. Love Erestor calling Glorfindel an "overgrown Balrog slayer!" As for Estel fighting Sauron, it won't be too much longer before he does that in reality, though he thankfully never met him in person. Author Reply: Thanks, Indy. I'm glad that you enjoyed this. It was fun to write. You're the first person to comment on Erestor and Glorfindel's little aside. *grin* And it's all to true that it won't be long, as the Elves measure time, before Estel does indeed fight Sauron, at least through the Isengard palantír, if not physically. That battle must have been harrowing enough from the way Tolkien describes the effects on Aragorn afterwards. | |
| Calenlass Greenleaf | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/29/2009 |
| Estel is such a dear. :) Humorous and sad at the same time. A perfect combination. ~Cal Author Reply: Thanks, Cal. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. While I orginally conceived the story as being straight comedy, little Estel made it more tragicomic instead, especially with all the foreshadowing of the future. | |
| Tithenaru | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/29/2009 |
| I was so intrigued by the title that I made the time to open the story right there and then; after all what's a late coffee break anyway? I was so glad I did. It was a wonderful, humorous slice of family life which brought back so many memories of my Dad and Uncles 'helping out' at our games. It featured a lot of my favourites, but it was great that it was Erestor helping out, there always seems to be more to him than meets the eye! The fact that it will be Estel who finally battles Sauron gave the story that little bit extra. Loved it Tithenaru Author Reply: Hi Tithenaru. I'm glad the title was intriguing enough for you to open the story right away and that you enjoyed the story. I'm sure we have all had the experience of dads and uncles and older bothers 'helping out'. *grin* And I think Erestor is rather underrated by fanfic writers. The ellon has great depth to him else I doubt he would have become Elrond's Chief Councillor. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed this story. Thanks. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/28/2009 |
| Oh, what a fun way Erestor has of teaching history, so much better than memorising dry facts from a book! This is something Estel will remember and who is to say he was not there, his great, many times removed, grandfather was there, so in a way he was! Hope Elrond and company put the warriors back the way they found them and I think there was a cat there too! More please, Lynda Author Reply: Well, when you have elves who actually lived through those times, it helps make learning history more fun, I imagine. *grin* Glad you liked this one, Lynda. Thanks for reviewing. | |
| ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/28/2009 |
| Male elves are just like male humans. No matter what age they are, if you give them the appropriate toys, they will happily engage in battle. Too cute! Author Reply: I guess so, but would you really want them any other way? *grin* | |
| Rhyselle | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/28/2009 |
| What a lovely way to start a snowy morning! I was intrigued by the title when I saw the alert in my inbox, and you didn't disappoint. :) The mental images your words evoked were just charming... and a trifle sad and yet triumphant too. It was an excellent foreshadowing of the future by the study of the past, and the characterizations came through very clearly. The twins reluctantly admitting that they'd take over Estel's army when they played made me laugh. I remember my dad and his friends taking over my Legos when I was a kid when they were "helping" my sister and me. LOL! I guess it's universal for adults to slip into doing that from time to time. Even knowing that almost half of Estel's long life would be spent in fighting against Sauron in one way or another, I was able to enjoy this childhood moment. I really liked his admonishing the grown-ups that "Sauwon is mine". I'm glad, in the end, that he didn't have to resort to one on one physical combat with the fallen Maia. But it's clear that from this very young age, had it been necessary, he would have done it--for those whom he loved. Author Reply: Hi Rhyselle. I'm glad this little fic gave you a lovely start to your day. There was indeed a lot of foreshadowing through out this tale. I'm glad you found the characterizations believable. I've had my own experiences as a child of grown-ups "helping" by taking over the game or whatever. *grin* I'm sure though that the twins will remember to include Estel in their games from now on or Ada will know the reason why. In a sense, "Thauron" is Estel's more than the others. He will be the one to eventually challenge him in an attempt to draw Sauron's eye from Frodo and Sam. Even though there was no physical combat between them, there was certainly a battle of wills when Aragorn took control of the Isengard palantír. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it. | |