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| The Valley is Jolly by Canafinwe | 4 Review(s) |
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| LisaG | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 2/19/2010 |
| Wow, what a story so far! I didn't want to stop reading, so I'm leaving a review a the end, instead. I really like the relationship you paint bewteen Elrond and Estel (Aragorn)...you can see that the boy has stolen the elf lord's heart completely! I'm not liking Gilraen too much...she seems so unappreciative of Elrond's efforts to protect and care for her and her son. I hope she soon puts behind her ungrateful attitude. I was rather surprised that Elrohir and Elladan didn't share a close relationship with Estel...how very sad! The boy has been their father's foster son for 8 years and they barely know him and they haven't seemed to have even tried to. Poor Estel feels this estrangement...he only wants to enjoy their friendship...perhaps hoping for a closer relationship, such as that of a true brother of the heart. I'm glad in the end it appeared the twins were making somewhat of an effort to fix this situation. I LOVED Glorfindel! He's such a breath of fresh air and a true friend to Estel. Oh and I found Gandalf to be quite a grump...and rather rude at times! I'm glad Elrond put him in his place! Author Reply: Thank you for the lovely review! Please forgive my lengthy lack of a reply. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. Gilraen... well, she's only human. As for the twins, they had a lot to cope with in that first decade of Aragorn's life: the situation in Eriador was desperate! As much as I'm sure they would have loved to stay at home to get to know their friend's son, I don't think they would have had much leisure to do so. Hee. I'm so glad you like my take on Glorfindel! He's one of those fabulous characters who just doesn't have enough attention paid to him in canon. It's fun to play with him! As for Gandalf, yes, he does need to be put in his place occasionally. And only Elrond has the wit and audacity to do it! Thank you again for the delightful feedback! | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 2/13/2010 |
| After reading each chapter in this compelling story, I say to myself, that was the best yet. And I've done it again this time. The conversation between Estel and Elrohir was so touching, the growing friendship and understanding, beautifully executed. The incident with the moon letters was seemlessly inserted into the version we know in The Hobbit, but the high point of this chapter was undoubtedly Elrond and his reaction to the two swords. As someone with a soft spot for Turgon and Tuor, I absolutely loved this! In fact, you wrote the whole episode so convincingly, I had to remember to curb my excitement and remind myself that I wasn't about to discover some new fact about the Fall of Gondolin! And, oh, poor Elrond. I'm so glad that his foster son brings him such coomfort. A truly remarkable chapter, Canafinwe. Author Reply: You're so sweet! I must apologize for the delay in replying: I haven't been myself lately. I'm glad you liked the bits of Gondolin-related "history". I had a wonderful time weaving them together. I think Estel must have been a healing presence in Elrond's troubled life... I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 2/6/2010 |
| This chapter is as insightful and touching as the rest of the story has been, but in this one there is so much more: you have come up with some very clever and plausible explanations for certain things, and presented them in a way that not only makes sense of a gap of omission, but lends insight into the characters as well. You start by establishing Estel's longing to know more of his mortal father. The conversation between him and Elrohir was enlightening. I know many writers who seem to feel that the secrecy in which Estel had to be raised also must have somehow involved at least a mild dishonesty in keeping the information from him. Yet in the conversation, you show how it is perfectly possible to do so in complete honesty-- Elrond, and his family following his example, has never lied to Estel. They have simply told him that they cannot speak of his father. Of course, as he grows older and develops his imagination, he can think of many reasons for the secrecy-- and they aren't good. But Elrohir is able to honestly answer him, telling him his imagined fears are groundless, though he cannot speak of why. And it's a measure of the trust Estel has in his foster brother that he accepts this as truth, though not as a complete explanation. Elrohir's offer of one answer was both generous and trusting-- and his own trust in the child was rewarded by the question-- one which would aid him in trying to visualize his father, but which when answered would not violate Elrond's own trust in both his sons. The scene with the swords and the maps was of course, drawn from canon, but in seeing it through Elrond's eyes, we realize much that was not revealed in the story. And not only do you answer the question of the provenance of both swords, but also the very practical question which I had never even thought of until you answered it: How could a Dwarf expect to handle an Elven sword? But of course it must have been smaller and lighter! But why would it have been? Brilliant answer. But not only was it an answer to a practical detail of canon, it was also an answer that lent insight into Elrond himself, and drew it full circle back to the conversation of Estel and Elrohir. For all revolves around the questions of a fatherless boy about the father he never knew-- even if the experiences of being fatherless are separated by more than two Ages of the world. Absolutely beautifully written and well-constructed! Author Reply: Thank you so much for the lovely, detailed review! I'm so sorry it took me such a long time to reply: I haven't been well these last few months, so my online activities have dwindled to almost nothing. I'm so glad you liked my take on the swords. I had fun with that: it's one of my pet theories, and it fit so well into this story. The parallels between Elrond and Aragorn with respect to their fatherless childhoods have always fascinated me, so it was marvellous to explore them here. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 2/6/2010 |
| He and his fosterson have more in common this night than they imagine. And how wonderful to know the history of the two blades! Author Reply: Eep... sorry for the delay in replying! I've been generally absent for months. I'm glad you liked the bit about the swords! | |