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| History Lessons: The Second Age by Nilmandra | 18 Review(s) |
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| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| I love this little island of bliss that Elrond and Celebrian and the kids are floating in. Watching Elrond and Celebrian watch the twins play, I thought: This is how it's supposed to be for Elves. This is their natural state. Contrast to the Second Age flashback - war and seige and desperate survival. It's amazing to think of the Imladris we know, the Imladris of the Third Age, as a collection of shacks hastily thrown up before the onset of winter. To think that the roar of the waterfall and Elrond himself will still be there in 4,000(?) years. I love Glorfindel and Erestor's protection of the human women and children, and Elrond's leadership and vision. I found Celebrian's comment interesting that she and her mother had a difficult time finding Imladris. Is it just geography that protects its location, or is there more? Author Reply: Ah, you caught exactly what I was doing with that contrast. Their joy is supposed to be their normal state of being - beloved children, spouse, friends, nature, home and time to tell stories and explore the world. The contrast to the second age, which feels like a hopeless dark age, is meant to be stark. We see Imladris besieged and then we will see Imladris as they go home - a true refuge and place of rest for any who come near. The difficulty is more Celebrian's perception :-) | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| Quite the engrossing contrast between joy and despair. It was terribly sweet that Elrohir’s ecstasy brought everyone to tears, but I especially loved Glorfindel’s pragmatic hope in this chapter (‘course, I have fallen quite thoroughly in love with your Glorfindel and your Erestor, but that’s an aside, isn’t it. ;-)) A wonderful chapter all around. I enjoyed it greatly. Author Reply: Glorfindel (my most humble muse) says that he thinks the aside is indeed the most important statement you make! He says it with a wink and a smile, of course. I am glad you liked the chapter...and thank you for your encouragement last evening. I needed it. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| How nice to see a new chapter! I enjoyed the Third Age story, and it was wonderful to see Elrohir so enthusiastic and full of joy at last, finally free of his cast. Who, I wonder, is Lothriel? Will we see more of her? The Second Age story is equally good. The logistics of feeding and caring for such numbers, so many of them women and children, must be almost impossible. And Erestor is injured? I could imagine his expression at Elrond's comment: It will be difficult, but we will manage without you for a day or two. No one likes to think themselves dispensable! Jay Author Reply: I admit it was fun to write Elrohir's joy at being well again - he really has come from the brink of death to wholeness and it must feel good to come home on his own two feet. And yes, they did manage without Erestor for a day or so, but I know I am glad to have him back! He really is amazing :-) | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| Wondrous.. and most moving as usual. Even your OCs become so.. lovable, I simply bow at your skill. I've recently read a moving paper about the "beauty" and "dignity" to be found even in war (a prologue to a new italian edition of Homer's Illiad by Alessandro Baricco) and it somehow connected in my mind with Tolkien and his vision of dignity and solidarity as important as bravery and honourable deeds. I can seee much of it in your heartfelt rendition of this war, I'm really enjoying it in a special way. I very much liked the idea of introducing humans here. It is amazing to consider how close both races were at that time, and in the years to follow, until the elves and even Imladris became almost a legend in the third age (by the time of the war of the rings)It is awesome when you consider these same elves had been there 2thousands and something years ago, while generations over generations of men had passed away.And still they lingered on.. to see their task done.. On my whishlist...I´d like to see more glimpses of Gil-galad...I mean, I`ve always thought that his surrendering of both rings to Elrond and Cirdan was a remarkable deed in itself... Thousands of thanks for your time and dedication. It is a very much needed pleasure.Perelleth. Author Reply: Hello perelleth - I think you have picked up on one of the key things in writing (and reading) about war. The darkness and pain and struggle and horror are real, but they are not what defines the war - what defines it is the beauty of the human (elven) spirit, the dignity of the individual in the face of indignous acts, of the solidarity of joining with others in common battle, and in all of these things overcoming evil or dying trying. Some things are worth dying for - and I think Tolkien well knew that. Thank you for your lovely review. Gil-galad will appear next chapter. :-) | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| A little jig in an open field, it seems, is good for whatever ails you. It's good to see Elrohir back on his own two feet. And I'm as bad as the elflings; I can't wait for the fireside story. This is my favorite line: As Elrond turned back, he saw the eyes of the Noldor smiths fixed on the hungrily eating children, and he realized they had likely always been eating themselves or were even finished before the children ate. The sight of the children eating would move the hardest of hearts, and Elrond knew the hearts of these elves were not hard, merely preoccupied. There is something hauntingly beautiful about this. I can't even tell you exactly what, but I see the eyes of the Noldor as they watch these children and I feel something in my heart that speaks of compassion and sudden enlightenment. I just loved it. The eagles were wonderful. I can imagine how awe inspiring they were. And boy were they big! Very majestic. The interaction of Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor is so well done. They are so alive and distinct. Poor Erestor. Wounded and got caught too. I don't think I'd go against Elrond either. I did wish for Elrond to be around to place his hand on my head and send me into a deep sleep when I'm still wide awake at 1 AM. He'd come in handy. I can't get over what a fine story you've made of the SA. It's just delightful. The personal touch of what each character brings to the story has rounded it out into something that the reader can not only grasp, but something that the reader cares about. Very good. I'm looking forward to the next part. Wonderful! Karen Author Reply: I think that is why commerials promoting the care of children in third world countries always show the children eating - those big hungry eyes do move people. The second age feels like the 'dark age' - it was a time of little hope, when the struggle for survival was long and hard fought, yet people did persevere, and that had to come through the love they had for their families and friends, and a nobility in character to do the right thing, to stand firm in the face of certain death. I am glad you liked it. And ten pages of the next chapter are done! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| Where do I start? Fantastic stuff. Third Age - they are all so gorgeous. Elrohir recovering - so imaginative and sensitive. Elladan - so fun-loving and protective. Arwen - delightful. Elrond, Celebrian, Glorfindel - even the cook. Watching Elrohir and Elladan celebrate his recovery was lovely - all the prancing and spinning and sheer enthusiasm. It's difficult to think that Gil-Galad was only a century older than Elrond - they were both little more than children during all the drama of the end of the First Age and both had disturbed childhoods. I'm not surprised that the pain of all those insecurities can (be used by the ring to?) make him envisage a beautiful haven of safety where people can feel secure in the dangers to come. And then - the joyous homecoming of the Third Age contrasted with the fear and deprivation of the Second. Hunger, refugees, inter-racial tensions, worries about attack, worries about others. And silly Erestor in 'I am irreplaceable' mode, endangering his own health. I'm glad the humans showed that they are not completely dependent on the elves - they know how to find food in the countryside. Good to see Glorfindel still in protective paternal mode. And I loved the theme of eagles. Just so good. I'll have to read it again a few times to pick up all the nuances - but that'll help me survive until the next chapter. Author Reply: Gil-galad and Elrond did have their fostered childhoods and growing up in war in common, didn't they? They were both fortunate to have Cirdan and other elves in their lives - I think their greatness as leaders was at least partially made by their upbringing. I am glad you liked spinning elves - I wanted Elrohir and Elladan to be as carefree and happy as the elves in the Hobbit, to take joy in the very simple things. The eagles have been long planned, especially when I realized that they would have in common Gondolin and the fighting in the War of Wrath - Elrond is the son and great-grandson of someone the great eagles respected - so it was fun to introduce them. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| In the TA, I enjoyed Elrohir's delight at being free and Elrond's toying with the ring. How ironic that his son thinks he's in pain. Maybe he is! But the SA story is always the one that captivates me. I love the way you've brought the seige to life and also the problems of dealing with this mixed population of elves and men. They'd each have things to find out about the other. Author Reply: Elrohir was as carefree as 'The Hobbit' elves, I hope, as that is what I was going for! The second age is coming together, and I keep thinking of all the problems and challenges they faced, its hard to limit what I show to just a few things. Elrond is amazing, really. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/31/2004 |
| Oh joy, oh joy, oh joy. Now I'll read it!! Author Reply: Oh, I am glad the chapter is met with enthusiasm! I am so far behind! (and you have finished one story where I have the review half done and started another one!) | |