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Reflections from the Paradise of Elves by Bodkin	6 Review(s)
Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 7/15/2004
O so true. Our children don't believe that we were children upon a time. '...we are to say nothing else today that is not entirely frivolous and light-minded.' *** ‘For a frivolous and light-hearted conversation, this is very depressing,’ Elrohir commented. That was my thought! Good chapter, nice sense of balance and timing. Just how many thousands of years old would "middle age" be in an elf, anyhow? Author Reply: Age can mean anything to an elf, I think. I've sort of decided it's more to do with stage of life. They are into the married with children stage, when you realise you are no longer able to behave on impulse, you have responsibilities and duties and you can't expect someone to come and clean up behind you. (Men often seem to get very stressed and nostalgic for their carefree youth when they become fathers. Although this is before the point when the children are growing up and they go off and buy red Harley Davisons or two seater convertibles.) Thank you. I'll try to be rather lighter in tone next time!

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 7/15/2004
One of your slightly more sombre chapters, especially Elladan's remembering of his mother. But the elflings need to know; maybe not all the details and specifics, but they need to know of the horrors their parents and grandparents faced. I wonder what their reaction would be when they learn that Legolas (ada or uncle) is such a hero? Awe or disinterest? Jay Author Reply: It must be very tempting to bury the dark memories - much as soldiers from WW1 and other wars did - but you're right, the young need to know. Although how much understanding they can have in a world where there are no nasties, I don't know. How well can you comprehend hunger or fear when you live in a first world country? Legolas as a hero - do you think they might feel the stories are about someone else, and he (boring older generation elf complaining about table manners and consideration) was just given the same name? And then disbelief, followed by acceptance, followed by disregard?

Artemis	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 7/15/2004
snicker I was thrown into helpless fits of giggles by your little story...it's great! Congrats on making the ever-hyper twins scared of turning into their Adar! And Legolas turning into Thranduil is funny...nice work ^^ Author Reply: If children realised they would probably turn into their parents, do you think they would be kinder when they were young? Or do you think they would be rather harsher? Of course, Elrond and Thranduil are not bad people to turn into - it's probably the sobriety that gets to the elflings.

	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 7/15/2004
We want to keep them innocent, but that is not the same thing as ignorant.’ Outstanding line. Author Reply: But, I feel, so true.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 7/15/2004
Oh my, can I ever relate to this. My mother's words come right out of my mouth. How did they get in there??? I was intrigued to read these three wondering how much to tell their children. I think the children do need to know about evil. After all, Valinor has been the site of some pretty awful things. The distinction between ignorance and innocence is one it's well to remember. Author Reply: Isn't there a saying that: All women turn into their mothers, that is their curse. No men turn into theirs and that is their curse. Insult or compliment? Matter of opinion. The desire to protect your children is very strong and it is easy to confuse ignorance and innocence, but there are things (eg holocaust) that should never be forgotten; where innocence is best protected by ensuring that ignorance is banished. Valinor has been the site of awful episodes - and possible only the immortality and perfect memory of elves has prevented repeat events.

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 7/15/2004
Silly boys, as if they could stop their children hearing of the doing of their great days in Middle-earth. Better to write it down otherwise it will get all twisted methinks. Lovely. Rose Author Reply: Yes, they ought to write their history. I can see why they don't want certain stories to come out, though. Some tales are just too much. It's why war stories are always about the excitement and the fellowship rather that the less glamorous aspects. But the truth should be somewhere. Thank you.

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