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| Of Balrogs and Battles by Jay of Lasgalen | 30 Review(s) |
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| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/22/2004 |
| Oh this looks great. What vivid imaginations the twins have. I must say, it’s a great way for them to learn and it’s good to see them so interested in history, a subject that doesn’t often hold much interest for young children. I love the idea of their long-suffering parents wondering which tale they’re re-enacting *now*. It sounds as though poor Erestor got a bit of a fright, though. It’s interesting that their parents don’t seem to particularly mind Elladan and Elrohir playing these games but Erestor deems this one at least ‘unsuitable’. I can see that Elrond and Celebrian would probably want to encourage their interest but I can definitely understand if Erestor was inclined to believe that not only is a tale of torture unsuitable for elflings but that as these tales are real events they might deserve more respect that just being an amusement for children. Funniest line of the whole piece has to be “I hardly think that Morgoth forced Maeglin to reveal the whereabouts of Gondolin by tickling him.” What a wonderful image, these two young elves in the library, totally engrossed in this massive book. Elrohir seems to be the more studious in that he warns his brother not to tear the book and corrects his pronunciation. Someone might want to tell Celebrian that the dye in her new dress will run! “Did you know that you were named after a great hero, Glorfindel?” That conversation must have been very odd for Glorfindel. I suppose he knew the time would come when the twins would hear this story but I guess he never thought about them jumping to the conclusion that he was named after this famous elf. My favourite detail in this whole chapter has to be Elrond telling his sons that Glorfindel “may know” about Gondolin. It’s as though he allows his friend the opportunity not to speak of these events if he’d rather not but the chance is there if he’s willing to share. Of course, Elrond’s own father is part of the story too so I imagine it can’t be very easy for him to hear. I like too that Elrohir realises that maybe Glorfindel might not be too pleased with them pretending to be him. What a considerate family they are! By the way, I really like your Glorfindel. Even in his brief appearance here it’s obvious that he has a very easy relationship with this whole family. He doesn’t seem to mind their teasing and not only does his love for Elrond’s sons come through very strongly but he’s clearly very good with them and receives from them the love and respect that he shows to them. Right, I’m off to read the next chapter… :-) Author Reply: Glorfindel is very much part of the family. The twins regard him as an uncle, and they're the sons he never had. It was deliberate that Elrond gave him the choice to tell the twins or not - it's Glorfindel's secret to reveal, after all. Poor Erestor isn't really boring and disapprovng, but he thought that Elrohir was hurt and crying - it startled him. One of the ways I've tried to give the twins different characters is by making Elrohir more interested in books and maps than Elladan, and gradually developing that trait in other stories. Thank you for the lovely long review! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/22/2004 |
| I love the 'It was Glorfindel and he died. It doesn't seem suitable.' What sweet little elflings they are. The point about Elrohir being happy to have his name first occasionally is well thought of. It doesn't just apply to twins either - children are virtually always put in birth order when you name them - but it must be worse for twins who are hardly ever apart. The irony of Elrohir and Elladan rescuing Celebrian from Orc-Erestor! I imagine, if they ever think back to it, they would have been happier playing Balrogs. Author Reply: Pretending to be dead heroes is one thing, but when it's someone they know and love it's another, I think. I always write the twins as 'Elladan and Elrohir' - then I thought Elrohir might get fed up with that sometimes. You're right, it's the same for all brothers and sisters though. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/22/2004 |
| Omigod, Jay, I thought I was going to get a soothing ending and you gave me that! I'm still reeling a little. I feel like I've been sucker punched. The twins' nightmare was vivid and I liked the hint of the magical in their seeing what Earendil saw. I suppose there's that same hint in the play about their mother. Author Reply: I thought about what other games the twins would play, and sadly, rescuing their mother would seem a good game to them. I wonder if they remembered it in later years? | |
| LKK | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/20/2004 |
| Lots of amusing moments here, Jay! Starting early with the second line, even. "I do wish they could slay each other quietly" -- I snorted at that. (What an unladylike thing for me to admit to!) And then Elrond admitting that he found the twins trying to drown each other in the pond and scaring the fish! Glorfindel's reaction to learning he was named after a hero was another good one. The whole chapter is just filled with laugh out loud moments. You must have had a good vacation. :) Looking forward to chapter 2! Author Reply: Thanks for the lovely review! I had a great holiday, thank you. I think it was that second line that sparked the whole story - it just came to me. You'll notice that nobody (apart from Erestor) is particularly worried about what the twins may do - they'd never harm each other. Glorfindel has another appearance in the next chapter - this weekend, I expect. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/20/2004 |
| How cute! It's just like nine-year-olds to play at things they've read about; I have vivid memories of re-enacting Laura Ingalls Wilder's voyages across the prairie, with our large front yard playing the part of Indian Territory, and my red Radio Flyer wagon playing a prairie schooner. And the Lord Of The Rings paper doll game was a favorite. But to realize that your very own Glorfindel is the "dead" hero of Gondilin -- excuse me, Gondolin -- that must be quite a shock to the poor twins. They're about to be. . . edjumacated! Author Reply: They could accept that Glorfindel was a hero - they know that already. To find out he's a dead-and-reincarnated-hero is a little different. It must take a bit of getting used to. BTW, how have you got italics in your reviews??? | |
| Brazgirl | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/20/2004 |
| Very, very nice! Cute and everything else! I love it! Author Reply: Thank you! I always love it when I hear from a new reviewer. Author Reply: Thank you! I always love it when I hear from a new reviewer. Author Reply: Thank you! I always love it when I hear from a new reviewer. Author Reply: Thank you! I always love it when I hear from a new reviewer. Author Reply: Thank you! I always love it when I hear from a new reviewer. I hope you like part two, ready in a few days. Author Reply: Oh, God. What happened there? | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/20/2004 |
| How lovely. I especially liked Erestor objecting to the tickle torture when Elladan was trying to extract the location of the kitchens from Elrohir. It's amazing how elflings can turn anything into a game. They have remarkably tolerant parents, friends and helpers. If I were Celebrian, I wouldn't be too pleased to discover that the fabric of my new red dress shed dye so badly that it looked like blood! Even if she doesn't plan to wallow in the stream. It must be quite disconcerting to discover that your present day hero is actually the re-embodied hero of a past age. Author Reply: To adventurous children, being told that torturing someone isn't a game would be boring. Poor Erestor. Everyone in Imladris knows the twins would never harm one another or anyone else, so they are generally allowed to play unrestrained. I hope Celebrian's dress doesn't get washed with the whites! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2004 |
| Wonderful new story, Jay! I was hoping for something with the Golden One after you were searching for information about him. The wings are a great touch and your twins are adorable - just the right mixture of being cute, full of adventure and curiosity, and a hint of mischief. Author Reply: I didn't want to make the twins too sweet and fluffy - real children aren't like that! Glorfindel's main scene is in the next chapter, but you won't have too long to wait - it's nearly done! | |
| Elendiari22 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2004 |
| Yay! A new tale by you! I love how you write the twins; they're such exuberant children. I read in one of your other fics that that Glorfindel really scared them with his story. Can't wait to find out what happens next! Author Reply: Thank you! I find it much easier to write the twins now than in Two By Two - I can give them different characters. Glorfindel's story is in the second and final part - and does indeed scare them! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2004 |
| I laughed at the twins wondering whether the two Glorfindels were the same. They certainly are an imaginative pair. I think that's good. They're learning history as a form of play. What they're doing is sort of like writing fanfiction. Author Reply: They were initially disappointed when they thought it wasn't their Glorfindel - and very surprised later! They're growing up in a very safe and secure environment, and all the terrible things they learn about are far in the past - so it becomes a game. | |