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| History Lessons by Nilmandra | 114 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Calnaurien | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/19/2017 |
| Nilmandra, "History Lessons" was an utter delight to read. Thank you. It is a big relief to see that there are other authors of Fiondil's caliber on this site, and more stories of the Elder Days to keep me happy! Grace and peace, Calnaurien | |
| WiuE5ypiH2 | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 8/25/2015 |
| I only just discovered this seeirs of podcasts via iTunes. I'm a religious person, however I've found it really interesting to find out more about the mythology of middle earth and the influence that Tolkiens faith had on his work. Keep up the good work!P.S. In this episode you mention that you recorded the journey through the game but I can't seem to find a link to the video. | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/21/2014 |
| The family interactions in this chapter were wonderful. I just can't get enough of Celebrian, and it's interesting to see how she mothers her children. Family relationships are a really interesting dynamic of elves, because there are so many more layers. Gil-galad is a fascinating character, and I'm really enjoying your portrayal of him, and Cirdan too. Both of these characters are overlooked a lot. I love how you make Cirdan both gruff and personable at the same time, and I can't wait to see more of Gil-galad. Celeborn is still one of my favorite characters. Whenever he's around, you know it's going to be a good story. You do a wonderful job of distinguishing between Elrond and Elros' personalities. So often, Elros is just known as the brother of Elrond. I've really enjoyed reading more about hi in his own right. Hopefully now that they've been rescued, Elrond will come out of his shell a bit. I also really enjoyed your portrayal of Maglor. I like him, but at the same time I feel like I shouldn't. But I really love what he did for Elrond and Elros, and I feel sorry for his being dragged into his father's mess. On the other hand, he did make the decision. You also do a really wonderful job of "humanizing" (elfenizing?) Maedhros. While I hate what he did, he is deeply conflicted, and I can't help but sympathize with him on some level. Thank you for more wonderful chapters :) | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/5/2014 |
| Wow. The bit with Galadriel was completely unexpected. I feel for Celebrian and Elrond, but I also see Galadriel's point too. I particularly liked seeing Celeborn telling Galadriel to tell Celebrian what happened. It's a nice subtle reminder that he isn't just Galadriel's sidekick. I wondered if Glorfindel would struggle with what happened. It isn't his fault, of course, but that doesn't change the fact that he still feels responsible. I think in a way, that's one of the things that is so wonderful about his character. He is prepared to do whatever he needs to in order to fulfill his mission, and he's not afraid to take or accept responsibility. Now I need to know where the pranks originated. Somehow I doubt it was Elrond because, well, he's Elrond. I would almost suspect Celeborn first, as odd as that sounds? In any case, we must find out :) | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 7/5/2014 |
| So many things happening in this chapter! I love the innocence of the elflings and how you show that through their care for Elrond. In may ways, I think remembering all these things will be good for Elrond too, not just a good history lesson for his sons. It's also wonderful to get Celeborn's perspective on events. I know it's been said that children are wonderful observers but poor interpreters. In other words, as children we observe a lot but the perceptions are often limited. I think for Elrond having Celeborn's older perspective is helping him understand and come to terms with perceptions that were horrible and confusing for Elrond as a child. Okay Celeborn and Glorfindel training. I just can't. They are both my heroes, and I think that scene just made my week... how about year? Very interesting twist to the story. I wonder how Glorfindel will deal with this over time, especially given the time and planning he put into this trip. Elrond's stubbornness in rescuing the elflings wasn't a huge surprise, but I loved seeing it. Thinking back to an earlier chapter, I have a hard time seeing Elrond making the same choice that his parents did. Perhaps that is just because we don't really know his parents that well, but there is just a part of me that can't see him doing that. But I digress. Wonderful chapter again. Thank you, Nilmandra, so much for a lovely story. | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/19/2014 |
| "Celeborn, walking on the other side of his wife, remained wisely silent." This made me laugh. Celeborn has got to be one of the strongest of Tolkien's characters, in my opinion, but he knows when to keep quiet. You write Celeborn and Galadriel superbly. There are so many facets and subtleties to their relationship, and I love how you draw them out. Seeing them with the elflings is priceless. I imagine that Celebrian was a handful as a child, and for some reason I just see her as being more mischievous than Elrond at the same stage. But I'm sure she was the perfect child none the less ;) The relationship between Glorfindel and Celeborn was a wonderful touch. It makes me wonder how they first met and what history is there. That's the cool thing about elves, they're so old there are literally endless possibilities. And the ponies... I loved this part, and it made me all kinds of nostalgic. It reminded me of my own pony that I had to leave behind when my family moved abroad. She was white, but that's still called "grey" in horse colors. Anyway, it was a lovely trip down memory lane. The elflings will have years of wonderful memories with their new friends. Oh, and Glorfindel got the worse end of the deal with this prank. I actually do feel quite sorry for the poor dear, though I did have a good laugh. Thank you for another lovely read :) | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/8/2014 |
| I have to admit that ever since reading they were coming, I have been anticipating the coming of Celeborn and Galadriel. The have always fascinated me. I think one reason is just their history. Talk about love that stands the test of time. I loved seeing them in this chapter, and I particularly enjoyed seeing so much of Celeborn. So often, I think he is underestimated and in some ways overlooked. Yet, he captured Galadriel's heart and that alone is a feat worthy of renown. The elflings were as adorable as always. It's so much fun to see Celebrian interact with them as a mother. I can see why Elrond fell in love with her, and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of her. See knows what everyone needs, and she has raised perfect elflings. Of course, Elrond helped too ;) The parts about Maglor's power as a minstrel were fascinating. I love how you explore the intricacies of elven fea and their need for connection. Maglor, and Maedhros even, are difficult characters to come to terms with. You make them so real. On the one hand, I want to dislike them for all the terrible things that they have done. Yet, seeing Maglor take care of Elrond and Elros makes me question that. It's hard to reconcile those things with Tolkien's description of elves as "good people." Maedhros is probably one of the most tragic of Tolkiens characters, I think. Anyway, thank you for another wonderful chapter. Like Elrond, I'm also looking forward to seeing the twins reaction to their grandparents' surprise. | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/5/2014 |
| Oh my, where to begin. There are so many things about this chapter that I loved, but more than anything I loved the insights into Elrond's character. He is such an enigmatic character a lot of the time, but I think a lot of that comes with how multifaceted he is. Like Glorfindel, he's larger than life, and he is so often behind the great happenings in the world that it's difficult to remember him as a person. This chapter did a wonderful job of highlighting many of Elrond's many faces. I loved the insight into him as a brother. Elros was beyond blessed. It was also interesting seeing him really work as a healer, and how he works with Glorfindel in that setting as well as in so many others. You do an outstanding job writing Celebrian. We know so little about her, but I think you write her perfectly. It will be interesting to see more of her, especially given whose daughter she is. One thing that I love about your writing is the way you showcase how Elrond and Celebrian complement each other. Finally, I really love getting to read more about Erestor. Often he gets outshines, but I think he has quite a lot to add in his own right. I mean, how else does he become the chief councilor of Elrond's house unless he's just that fantastic? I'm going to have to start hunting for Erestor bits in your stories... along with all the other characters I look for in each chapter. Reading this story has become a highlight of my week. I can't wait to read more. Thank you so much for sharing it :) | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/28/2014 |
| Dear Nilmandra, You have no idea how much this story has been a joy to me. Each chapter just gets better and I find myself rereading each one, something I know that I will continue to do in the future. But, this chapter. There are no words. I can't decide which part I like best. Glorfindel has always been one of my favorite characters, and this chapter did not help that in the least. And I love Elrond's interactions with his elflings. It's so striking to me, especially considering what he went through himself. Your portrayal of him just makes me like him that much more. Thank you so much for sharing this. | |
| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/18/2014 |
| I love how wise Elrond is, even when he feels conflicted. He is a wonderful father, and I like to think that his father would have been too. It's always been sad for me, thinking of Elrond growing up without his parents. But, he must have had wonderful people in his life to stand in those places, seeing what he has become. Oh, and if I had been Celebrian, I would have been just as excited as the twins to watch Elrond and Glorfindel. I love the idea of them both teaching the elflings. I've wondered though, can Celebrian use a sword too? I would imagine, living as long as elves do, they have time to learn all kinds of things. | |