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Stewards of Arda  by perelleth 6 Review(s)
elliskaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/16/2008
I love Celeborn in this and I love the lynx's POV in the beginning. Very cool. And SOD is a topic dear to my heart--very well done here.

Author Reply: I did not know that SOD is spreading at such alarming speed in the US! I jsut know about my side of the ocean, it was worrying enough!

Thnak-you again... I am glad and tickled pinK that you took time to catch up.. and managed to read it all!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/6/2008
Time, eh? Interesting....

Celeborn seeks a vision of his beloved, while Thomas and Maria fight time and their differing, sundering fates as each tries to find the Answer.

Entropy happens, as Asimov once noted.

Author Reply: Entropy happens, as Asimov once noted LOL I fonly apparent. Everything makes sense, depending on the point of view... These whole cycle was inspired by reading Arthur C. Clarke, though.. :-)
Thank you for reading and reviewing, LArner.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/31/2008
Poor Thomas and Maria! Echoes of former loves and partings swirl around them - and I wouldn't be surprised to find that both of them shared some distant connection to the elves. I hope Thomas manages to ... attract the funding to help the forest, but I doubt he will have any long-term success. But at least he might be reunited with his wife. In time.

I loved Celeborn and the lynx. And his discovery of the pond. And his ability to cope with the ingestion of quantities of vodka. While the Steve McQueen style Great Escape from Valinor is highly entertaining - when is the potential escapee going to try the motorcycle technique?

It would seem as if Celeborn's reluctance to suggest that the end is nigh is justified. Although I'm not as sure as Manwe is that he's never been wrong.

I'm looking forward to part 2.

Author Reply: Thank you, Bodkin, your wishes are commands, there you go part 2...
Time is ticking off, as always, only at different scales, but for Thomas and MAria is always more pressing, while Celeborn measures it differently... and yet he knows that arda, somehow will reach its end eventually.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/11/2008
Thank you so much for another chapter! You know how I love this story!

Each chapter highlighting a different location and crisis is a marvelous construct. You portray the awful decline and the condition of those working to salve these hurts so very well. In general, people have become so focused on the plight of the rain-forest, they have barely noticed the failing of deciduous forests. Yet, it is the same problem in their own backyard!

I like the setting in Poland and environmental subject of this chapter very much, and seeing this particular one of the last four of quendi kind as the protagonist. The hunt was a nice, tense start.

But, the sub-theme - the solitary male - catches one's attention at the very beginning and does not let go. I love how you used the solitary lynx to introduce that theme and establish the parallel between elf and man. Then, you show the parallel between Celeborn and Thomas so clearly. It was very touching, how they yearned to fulfil a higher purpose that included their natural purpose on this earth. And facing the usual next step of disoriented pursuit.

Although... It was a little cruel of you to have Maria look so like Galadriel. And comparing poor Thomas' options to Celeborn's. Cruel in just making their situations so alike. Still, the irony you created, especially for Celeborn offering Maria the job, was very well done. And what reader does not enjoy good angst? ;)

Hiding the path into Caras Galadhon was neat. Even if the mellyrn have been replaced with oaks, the way into the heart of elfdom on Earth remains secret. That some of old magic remains is appealing.

Oh, you are such a romantic! I admit that I absolutely love what you do with people in love. Is the song a real song? Gosh, I wish that to be so. I could just hear the violin and Thomas singing in a voice like Yul Brenner...

Hmm, I have a couple of guesses who this pesky grey-cloaked elf could be... ];}

One reason I enjoy your stuff is that your ideas mesh well with my own. That is very reassuing that I am not so silly. :)

Lastly, I must say that I feel Maria and her dilemma represent you. If not absolutely so, than you have lent her character a good deal of your personal experience. Her decisions look to be tough as well.

Thank you again for this update and birthday wishes! But, I hope we do not have to wait until next November for Part 2! Sheesh! Post sooner than later, please!

Pierogi! I like the ingredients in your recipe better than those in my grandmother's!


Author Reply: YOu are most welcome, my friend. I was saving Celeborn for the last chapter and his stroy grew out of control... SInce your non birth-day is a moving date, I am expecting to hace the second part ready in a month or even less...

I so love your thoughtful reviews! I was struggling with the part of the lynx for I was not sure that the theme would come across.

Cruel in just making their situations so alike LOLOL AS I have recently expereienced with my re readings, when the personal mood is receptive one can easily deceive himself or herself with parallels and resemblances that are not so clear... and life is ironic, and cruel...but also rewarding, all at the same time. Only at times we see one side more than the other I suppose... :-)

I pesky grey-cloaked elf could be... :-) I seem to remember that I wrote grey cloakked figure????

And THomas with Yul Brenner's voice had never occurred to me, but sounds inspiring... :-)

I must say that I feel myself closer to Thomas's approach than to mAria's, even if I travel a lot... and life insists on placing me on a different ladded than the one I would climb! :-(

And let me say, perhaps be both are silly, but at least are fools in good company! We could exchange perogi recipes: I used the one I got when I last was in BIaloweza three years ago, so I would love to taste your grandmas' reciep as well.

HAve a good belated un birthday, and may our silly ideas never leave us.

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/10/2008
Well, this story is truly fascinating, Perelleth! I love all the details of various locations, and it looks to me like you catch the "flavor" of the inhabitants of each area really well. Either you are an anthropologist, by training or by inclination, or you are simply brilliant!

Or both.

Well done!

- Barbara

Author Reply: You are too kind, thank you very much! SInce I am not fond of elves in moder times I am glad every time a reader is entertained by the tale!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/9/2008
I love the idea of Celeborn having a "mane." The lynx's POV is wonderful, making it clear that a human POV is not the only possible one in this ravished forest. And of course, elves have a different POV yet. "Herds" of birches, alders, lime trees, oaks! Now that's elfy and I suppose lynxish. I laughed when Maria compared him to an elf lord.

The discussion of the oaks' problems was fascinating and very well presented as dialogue. And the mixing of personal and environmental problems was so sad, stripped of sentimentality.

he knew everything about fruitless wars

That's a wonderful line, very evocative.

So the scene in Valinor. Hm. Time is ebbing to a close? And who is this troublesome elf?

TBC? Yay!

Author Reply: Thank-you Daw. I really appreciate the time you take to read through *and* point out details. I was struggling withthey lynx from the very beginning, and particularly with those two words that you point out!

The second part won't take too long, I hope.

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