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| History Lessons: The Second Age by Nilmandra | 17 Review(s) |
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| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/6/2004 |
| Elrond was silent for a long moment as he stood next to this powerful, re-embodied warrior of the first age. Glorfindel had heard the Doom of the Valar spoken, had seen it come to fruition, and yet had returned to the cursed, fading and weary elves of Middle-earth. Elrond thought of why Celebrimbor had made the rings: to aid in understanding, making and healing, and preserving things unstained. Had his motivations truly been to counter the Curse? Could understanding, making, healing and preserving be turned to evil? Or would these things merely contribute to the final words spoken in their doom, increasing their weariness of life in Middle-earth? He heard the laughter of his children, and as often happened, felt his weariness evaporate, at least for the moment. Under the curse they might live, but Middle-earth was the only home they knew. “Yet you came back,” he answered as his thoughts returned to the one at his side. “I am here,” agreed Glorfindel with a merry laugh. Elrond turned to meet the bright eyes and joyful face, and thought again about the light of Valinor that shone from Glorfindel like a beacon. That Glorfindel was in Middle-earth was proof enough, should he need such a thing, that while the elves who endured here did grow weary with time, they were not forgotten. Sorry to waste so much space with the recap, Nilmandra, but this one passage highlights so much that was wonderful about this chapter. A deep and warm friendship that spans two ages, an abiding love of family and world and creation itself that struggles with the awareness of evil, a deep yearning for something greater than the unending weariness and toil of Middle Earth, and the forebearance and humor to endure. What a great segue to the action. This story brings the Second Age to life in all its gut-wrenching tragedy and heroism (And dirt. Don't forget the dirt.) It would have been gripping even had the very same heroes of the struggle were not sitting around the campfire telling the tale; but to gain such insight into the past adventures and sacrifices of characters we love so much already was an even more special treat. And shirtless, bleeding Celeborn was a nice touch, too. Author Reply: You have warmed the cockles of my heart. I actually pity the elves, they lived so long they had to see evil rise and fall, only to rise again - and they really could not escape it except to sail west. Glad you liked Celeborn. He held out for over a year waiting for help, and so greatly outnumbered it had to be by cunning and wits alone. The arrival of help too late...still breaks my heart to write that. This chapter was a bear to write. Thank you for taking the time to let me know what you liked about it - I am so glad to know it did make sense and the points I hoped to make were made. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/6/2004 |
| Amazing, as always. And what a good lesson for us all, Nilmandra: "Things we value too highly can come to own us." How Galadriel MUST have "longed for home" throughout the Ages. Since I always need to think about "happy endings", I like to imagine her very joyous homecoming at the end of the Third Age for which she had waited for so long. Author Reply: Tolkien wrote in 'Unfinished Tales' that Nenya awakened the sea longing in Galadriel and she had to contend with it for nearly an age before sailing. That did give me more respect for her, that she held out until the Ring business was over before giving in to what surely was a deep and powerful longing. I think she was happy to go home, and I am glad that Celeborn did eventually join her. Fortunately for Middle-earth, a ring of power did not come into her possession when she was younger and greedier for power! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/6/2004 |
| I am so impressed by the way you bring this story to life. In this chapter, I like the glimpses of a different kind of Erestor than we normally see. And then the loyalty of wondrous Glorfindel, and the anguish of Elrond who came too late. And in the Third Age story, I loved the glorious silliness of Elrohir and Arwen as they do each other's hair. Oh, and I almost forgot! The ring coming alive. Oh my. What a moment. Author Reply: There is a lot stuffed into this chapter, isn't there? I admit I want the war over because it is so hard to write about. Its good to have some silliness in the third age story - the elflings deserve it and those who are telling their story need it. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/6/2004 |
| What a very tense, complex chapter. Erestor is a revelation, scouting behind enemy lines and sneaking right into Celeborn's tent under the noses of his guards! The deaths and injuries are tragic, especially the elf who held his dead son. Very sad. When first Glorfindel, then Elrond, fell it made me jump, even though I knew they survived. It's so good to see Elrohir recovered at long last, even if he did have a bad hair day! The love and laughter between him and Arwen is lovely. Jay Author Reply: This chapter sucked the life out of me, Jay! I am glad you jumped when Glorfindel and Elrond fell, because they did not think they would live. I could only imagine what it felt like to face death as they did, courageous and willing so that others might have a chance. And Elrohir is thankful that he is no longer being used as an object lesson! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/6/2004 |
| Absolutely wonderful and comprehensive and well-thought-through. A fantastic combining of humour and lightness with the tragedy of war - pictures of pain, like the death of the ellon who fought with Celebrian, Celebrimbor's end, the vivid imaging of the ground over which they fought. All the factual elements drawn in and stirred up with the personalities and personal experience of those elves we care about. I shall read this again - several times, I expect, before I have absorbed it fully. And the Second Age stuff is just lovely. Elrohir recovered in spirit - the hair-styling competition - the cook - the description of the ring coming alive and singing to Elrond - Glorfindel's reluctant acceptance and proviso - and at the end, Glorfindel's invocation of Valinor and Galadriel's longing, foreshadowing her eventual departure. I'm glad Celeborn appeared to have come to terms with her use of the ring - I can imagine a very intense wordless tussle between them here, with neither prepared to concede an inch - but I like to think that he knew the use of the ring was inevitable and that he would agree that Elrohir's recovery is a good cause. I may be forced to review again when I have had a chance to reread, but this is just brilliant stuff. I can understand that it took time to write - but I am sure that you will realise that it has left me hungry for more. Author Reply: Bodkin, it thrills me that you enjoyed this, because it was an absolute bear to write and I did fear that it would make no sense! I can only imagine Elrond's confusion at having Vilya come alive before him - what do you do with it? He is fortunate Glorfindel is always watching his back! Tolkien wrote in UT that the Ring awakened a latent sea longing in Galadriel that she had to control until she did leave Middle-earth. That gave me new respect for her, that she stayed until the business of the Rings was done, at a great personal cost to herself. The war was hard to write about, and to try to think what these poor elves must have thought as they faced a war machine sure to devastate them. It is not over yet, but I am looking forward to the arrival of Numenor! | |
| Amlee | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/5/2004 |
| I haven't reviewed in a while, but I have been keeping up with the story. As always this is a great story. I am learning more through these story than I did when I read the books. I look forward to more updates (I was starting to worry about this). Also to future stories that you have plan. I am still waiting on Estel to make his grand entrance in your future story. Author Reply: I am glad you are still enjoying the story - this was such a dark time in Middle-earth - truly, they must have felt such despair and wondered if there time was ended there. I look forward to writing young Estell too! | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/5/2004 |
| A rather melancholic chapter, Nilm. Beautifully written, as always. Elrohir, Arwen and their hair adventure was a lovely scene. :-) Author Reply: Karri, you have to be the fastest reader in the west! The chapter is melancholy, isn't it? Defeated and pursued, now they are being chased into the wilderness to face who knows what. Elrohir is glad to no longer be an object lesson and enjoyed feeling good and having some fun. :-) | |