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Elflings   by Bodkin 8 Review(s)
artistic spriteReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/9/2007
Wicked!When are you going to update it?It'll be a shame to leave this unfinish!

GwynhyffarReviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/14/2007
Bodkin, I have been rereading this series over the past couple of days and wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed it! I love the extended families and close friends all trying to guide the elfling in their growing, and I love the elflings turning the tables when Oropher returns in order to try to get him and Galadriel to reach a more peaceable understanding. Thranduil and Laerwen having a baby is great, and I look forward to seeing more of them, as well as more of Oropher with Eleniel. It's been awhile since you have written any chapters here. ... surely it's time to revisit these wonderful tales??? :-)

Author Reply: Thank you, Gwynhyffar. I do enjoy playing with these - there is another one part written, but I seem to be in holiday mode at the moment and am finding it hard to focus on much... I will (if I can ever kill all the paperwork) get back to the fun soon. I've got so behind on everything that it's quite disheartening ... but it's great to have you reminding me why I enjoy all this so much.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/29/2006
Ah, a most satisfying tale of youth and parenthood. ;) But, then "Elfings" is always like that! :D

I am glad Galanthil stuck in there. Glad you included the surf lessons. And disappointed that Radag was not allowed to burst in on the ellyn later as a joke.

Actually, none of the kids, except maybe Eleniel, really understood how brave Surion truly was. He did not take the easy way out. He accepted the challenge to his courage, even if he saw it as a mere question of face. If they had all come there as friends, he still would have stepped up to this endeavor. As he will Galenthil's future suggestions for fun.

Loved Elrinna trying to console Nisimalote.

And their dads getting together to check on them was so entertaining! Eleniel the diplomat! Camentur should know! But,ROFLMAO "I need a daughter!" That was absolutely great!

I am sure Surion's parents will be very relieved that they made the great effort to help their son find less damaging activites, if not completely safe, than what he had open to him to in the city.


Author Reply: I so wanted the dog to burst in on the ellyn and have them fearing that Eleniel was just about to turn up - but it just didn't work itself in!

Surion is at that awkward nearly-grown-up age when kids think they know so much more than they do - but Galenthil is a good kid. I'm sure that now they've all been waterfall-surfing together, Surion will be more one of the crowd. And, actually, I think Calion could be a really good influence on him.

Eleniel - being a girl - is just a bit more mature for her age than Galenthil and his friends. And, I think, she is naturally clear-sighted and thoughtful. And possibly feels slightly less need to keep up with the challenges the ellyn enjoy.

If Legolas and Camentur get damaged, though, Elerrina and Nisimalote won't be impressed! Although I think Thranduil would laugh his head off.

And if it's a toss up between Surion's city pals and some good healthy(?) country activities, I'm sure Surion's parents will resign themselves to waterfall-surfing.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/26/2006
‘No rolling,’ he commanded. ‘Not for a while anyway – you would not want me to feel that my efforts had been wasted.’ *grin* I wonder if elven horses listen to advice like this? My own pony certainly doesn't - as soon as I release her, she is rolling in the dust, or even better, in the mud. She is not the one who has to clean her up, after all ;(

Súrion isn't making it easy for the others to get along well with him, but well, he is of a difficult age. There is not much difference between men and elves, between Middle-earth and our world, I fear. Galenthil certainly did his best to help him and to include him in his circle of friends. I was glad he succeed in the end, at least for now. Hopefully Súrion will change for the better during this visit.

Loved the conversation between Thranduil and Legolas, particularly about Legolas' friendship with the twins. And of course the one between Legolas and Camentur. The idea of the fathers slipping out in the evening and doing the same as their sons was so much fun!

Legolas proved a very good father in this chapter - making sure they were all right, but not spoiling their fun. He was so understanding - obviously he has not forgotten how it is to be a child, as many adults seem to do.

Author Reply: Well - as an elven horse, he might wait until he's out of sight before he rolls. Maybe.

Surion is going through a difficult time - he'll get on better with the ellyn now he's shown genuine admiration for their waterfall-surfing skills. And now he's stripped off his fancy clothes and joined in with their games.

I'm sure Thranduil would have been in despair if Elrond's sons had grown up on his doorstep. (Not that they're the same age. As far as I'm concerned, the twins are a couple of thousand years older than Legolas. But then, Elerrina is chronologically quite a lot older, too. Age doesn't really matter much when you're immortal!) But Camentur is happy to stand in and sneak out for a night of fun!

Legolas is aware, I think, that kids need space to grow. And he's sensible enough to check out their game while they're not looking and then prepared to pretend he doesn't know. Sometimes you just can't give permission - but you don't want to forbid, either!

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/23/2006
Ho! Surf's up!!!!! This was a neat addition to the Elflings saga and I liked hearing more about Surion and his enforced trip to the woods. He sounds so much like my middle son, I almost cried! And good for his parents seeing that they needed to remove him from the temptations of his friends! Galenthil and Eleniel are great (I would love to see more of the interaction between Eleniel and Oropher, as well as the twin elleth getting hold of Surion...but...that would be mean, wouldn't it? *g*) I'm glad Surion was experiencing a change of heart (sort of) at the end, and the thought of Legolas and Camentur trying to shoot the waterfall that night was intriguing! (Sure they don't belong in this Elfing group?) :-) Wonderful as always, Bodkin!

Linda

Author Reply: I hope your middle son outgrew his adolescence and grew up to be comfortable with himself. Although I suspect he didn't find himself through surfing waterfalls! Poor Surion - he is such a much-loved child, but I don't think cities are great places for kids trying their wings. Too many traps. Surion has shed a bit of his I'm-almost-grown-up-and-you're-kids dignity - and will be much happier for it.

Oropher is relaxing in the deep woods at the moment. I'm sure he'll be back. And Aewlin and Nimloth are about due an appearance.

Thank you, Linda. I'm glad you liked it.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/23/2006
Cool, adrenaline junkies. I hate to admit it, but I'd be out there with the ellyn. Surfing a waterfall. Dude!

Author Reply: And dude is elvish for ...?

I'm sure most active kids are adrenaline junkies and this is better than a theme park! Eleniel is miffed that she isn't allowed to play, I think, but the ellyn don't want her around while they're skinny-dipping.

Perhaps she needs to arrange a girls' day out - with Aewlin and Nimloth.

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/23/2006
Riding a waterfall?? It sounds horrendously dangerous - and just the sort of thing boys (and girls) would love. Poor Surion didn't have a choice, really - he had to do it, or lose face.

I'd love to see the older (and supposedly more sensible) elves trying it - but I seem to remember that the sons of Elrond and waterfalls are a bad combination ...


Jay

Author Reply: It's not a very big waterfall - but it still has potential to be dangerous. But what hasn't? (Well - I suppose there's not much risk sitting in the library researching old scrolls...) Surion is a bit nervous around water, but you're right - he had to do it. Or he would never have been able to show his face around the lads, however much the girls admired him. And seeing the younger elves do it has been good for him - how can he not be impressed? So he's shining their egos and they're appreciating him. They should get on much better now!

I'm sure the older elves will have a go - I can't see them resisting it. And I'm sure the sons of Elrond don't hurt themselves every time they're near water. Probably!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/23/2006
Lovely chapter, Bodkin. I think these elfling tales are my favorites among your ongoing stories. I like watching kids grow. Surion is touching, I think. You can see his fundamental sweetness but it's time to rescue it now or it will be gone forever. His parents did a good thing in getting him away.

Author Reply: I enjoy following the elflings - there is something very satisfying about the trials of young ones. Things that seem so important to them - and life lessons learned. Surion's parents needed to get him away - he was in a silly crowd of spoiled brats. He will be better in this pond.

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