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Estel Counts  by Larner 11 Review(s)
Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/16/2010
Ah, Larner...the Ring of Barahir, and Vilya...both very important rings! And one will come to Estel himself in time, when he takes his true name; while the other provides sanctuary for Imladris...including, in time, another young Ringbearer, guided by Aragorn!

I love the comparison between Papa and Ada!

Kaylee Arafinwiel

Author Reply: I know I have some memories of being two, and suspect young Aragorn had a few, too. I'd like to think he sensed safety and love in his father's interactions with him; and I can't imagine he'd be totally unaware that Elrond wore a ring, even if he didn't particularly see it. And I must imagine he felt the love of both fathers to be equally warm.

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/11/2010
It makes sense, as a small child, that he could only remember how he felt while in the presence of the rings (and his fathers) rather than the rings themselves.

Author Reply: I can remember a few tactual memories of when I was small but couldn't describe the visual appearance of the items. I could so imagine this child doing the same with his father's ring, and then not being able to see that worn by Elrond as Ada would keep it hidden, yet still being aware of it tactually.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/3/2010
Awwwwww. Well, at least little Estel had two fathers who loved him. It's neat that he can sense the presence of Vilya.

Author Reply: That is so true. I'd think he'd have at least a vague awareness of Vilya, after all.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/3/2010
Papa and Ada - two different fathers from two different races. And still both of them wear a ring to indicate their status among and their responsibility for their people.

Beautiful image!

Author Reply: He's not likely to appreciate what Ring it is his ada wears, but in the end the Ring his papa wore will come to him, go on to Arwen, and then most likely return to the lineage of the Kings.

Thank you so, Andrea! Am so glad you think so.

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/3/2010
I like how you differentiate Arathorn and Elrond as "Papa" and "Adar". And connecting the two with their rings, and having his mental image of them very vague, was brilliant.

I'm very much going to enjoy your Advent gift to us, I can tell!

Author Reply: I'm not as well versed in Adunaic as I am Sindarin, which isn't saying a good deal, I know. But I suspect that little Aragorn referred to his own father as an equivalent to "Papa," so I decided to go with that as it is common enough in our world as well. He might be able to feel the ring Elrond wears, but I doubt he could see it any more than any other individual who did not wear a ring of power, or at least not until after Sauron's Ring was destroyed. But I can imagine that vague awareness of what had been felt that helped to tie the two fathers together in his mind.

Thanks so for your insightful review!

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/3/2010
Lovely! Nice comparison, thought-provoking contrasts. Thanks for the nightcap.

Author Reply: They wouldn't have been the same kind of personalities, so I do think that his vague memories of his birth father would have highlighted some of the contrasts, while confirming the trueness of the love offered by each. And you are so welcome, Lindelea! Joy to you and the family!

Kitt OtterReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/2/2010
Such cute tidbits! You've a talent for framing snapshots of a small boy's thoughts. The last line here gave me a chill - not that it was creepy, but that the two rings will have great ramifications in his life and he does not know it.

This is an excellent idea! I'll be looking in as Advent progresses. :)

Author Reply: I so agree--two different indicators of personal power and authority, each of which will affect him differently as he matures. Thanks so, Kitt. I found I missed the There and Back Again challenge this year, so decided to do one of my own.

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/2/2010
Glad to know you have a series in mind - thank you. This chapter gave me chills!

Author Reply: Thanks, UTfrog. Yes, an awareness of symbols of power and authority that in time will directly affect his life and actions, as he eschews the type of power Elrond wields through his Ring while wearing the ring once worn by his own father and his ancestors for thousands of years as a symbol of his own authority.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/2/2010
Oh, this looks to be an interesting series! Your pieces are so thoughtful; tiny slices of a very important life.

Author Reply: Thanks so very much, Shirebound! I am honored.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/2/2010
What a lovely and thoughtful idea! I like the idea of little Estel counting his blessings! I wonder does he get to meet the new visitor?

And I like that he can, at least a little, remember his first father.

Author Reply: I have a few vague memories of when I was two, although my coherent memories begin when I was three and we moved to our last home in Tulsa. I'd think he'd have at least the memory of a tall man swinging him up to his shoulder and demonstrating his love for him.

Thank you so very much for the comments, Dreamflower.

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