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| With Hope by AfterEver | 5 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Firnsarnien | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/25/2004 |
| Wow! This is such a great story. Hardly any surprise after the last one. My heart is breaking for Elladan though. I can see his point about loving mortals. It's heart breaking to do and he doesn't think he has it in him to do it anymore. In a way, I can compare it with people having dogs. All my life I've had dogs as pets and their lives are so short compared to ours. Over the years, I've lost so many pets. I don't think my heart can take any more heartache. I think after I lose my Sugar, that's it for me, no more dogs. I just can't do it anymore. I see this as a comparison as to what Elladan is going through. He's keeping himself distanced for he fears that he will come to love Aragorn. Thus setting himself up for more heartbreak. I'm not sure if Gilraen truly understands that. But, I also think Elladan is going to fail completley in his quest to keep Aragorn at bay. That child just worked his way into his arms and soon, his heart will be next. It's interesting to see the struggle he's going through though. Great chappy! I look forward to the next one. :) Author Reply: Firnsarnien~ Hello! Thanks for checking in on the sequel -- and I'm glad to hear that you liked 'Last Hope' too. I know what you mean about dogs. I've lost two myself, both unfortunately due to causes other-than-natural. Though, as the elderly sisters at my feet can attest, I wind up with more. Guess I'm more like Elrond in that fashion. ;-) Thanks again! -AE | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/24/2004 |
| Oh, I love your work! Have I mentioned that lately? Because I really do. What a heartwrenching parallel between the horse, the pain of mortal death, and what Elladan was talking about before. This line right here -- brilliant: "I am mortal." Shifting Estel to her other hip, she shook out her cramping arm, and walked on. "We live in the footprints of death." Gives me the shivers, it does. Wonderful chapter -- it really helped cheer me up today to see that you'd updated. I managed to break my foot this week, and have been hobbling around feeling sorry for myself. Good fic to read helps ;) Author Reply: Bejai ~ My condolences for your poor foot! Though it's wonderful to hear that I helped, even a little. Still so glad that you're enjoying the story -- I hope you feel better soon! -AE | |
| D6 | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/24/2004 |
| This is such a great story. "We live in the footprints of death" Gilraen is great! ...Now I want to learn Sindarin. Author Reply: D6, if you learned Sindarin, I'd be coming to you for translations -- I only know about language barriers and being really confused thanks to them. ;-D | |
| Timon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/24/2004 |
| I see the saga of Gilraen in Rivendell continues, and, I am as dazed by this piece as I have ever been by others you have penned in the past. This is a gripping story. The way you write it...I feel like I have somehow slipped into Gilraen's skin and am looking out through her eyes, shouldering young Estel, while observing and contemplating anew the mystery of all things Elvish. I even feel the ache, deep down, inside that she lives with day and night, visions of her dead husband notwithstanding. The "ada" incident would have been quite a wake-up call for any widow living in another man's household. Very well orchestrated piece of writing, that. The death of the horse and then Elladan's explanation to Estel as to how Elves perceive death made me think. Actually, I know a few mortals that have this same perception and/or experience with each fresh loss. That Elladan "ripples" on the inside rather than outwardly was, I thought, a rather startling revelation and a very intimate one coming from an Elf who drinks to mask his words/feelings. Wow, what a maze of emotions to work through in this one! Maybe that's why it feels so real, so disturbingly sad. Of course, being mortal, what are we expected to feel? After reading all the chapters to this story, I feel like I should go grab someone I love in a fierce hug and tell them just as fiercly how much they mean to me. That's what your story does - puts us mortals face to face with the end of ourselves. The finality is out there waiting for each of us. No wonder Elladan wants to steer clear. It's dangerous to love a mortal, and he knows it only too well. I'm building courage for the next chapter. And I have this feeling that it's gonna take a boatload. Timon Author Reply: Timon, Can't thank you enough, really. That you feel secure as a reader observing through Gilraen's POV, that the characters seem realistic, that emotions and complexities come shining through... it's just the perfect thing to hear, since I truly try for these things. I thank you kindly! -AE | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/24/2004 |
| I was caught up in this. You show us mortality intruding in Rivendell, and of course that's right because there were plenty of mortal creatures around. But the really intriguing part was the clash caused by the different beliefs of Elves and Men about death. And geez, there's Glorfindel right there. Talk about returning! But I thought that was only immortals. What is Elladan talking about? I'd be like Gilraen, I think, and be furious. Author Reply: Hello, Daw ~ Such careful observations, as always. I think the next chapter will answer all of your questions. Until then! :-) -AE | |