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Ripe for Change by Bodkin	77 Review(s)
daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/7/2006
A very satisfying ending, Bodkin. As I read this, I thought how much joy these couples took in touching one another, but I also reacted to the women's desire to go off by themselves and be renewed on their own for a while. And I loved the image of the elfling splashing in the water. Author Reply: Thank you. I do think that a touch can be more erotic than several pages of overly descriptive - er - intimate contact. Leaves more to the imagination. E/C, G/C and, come to that, Finrod and Amarie, have spent long enough apart to appreciate the closeness that comes with reunion. Yet they have the freedom to wander now as well - no nasties coming out from the trees - and come back to each other because they choose to be together. Elflings splashing in water - makes a great image! I love seeing elves playing between their moments of philosophising!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/7/2006
It took some time and managing and even semi-divine intervention; but peace and purpose have been found, and a new home established with hope for the future. Author Reply: Celeborn would have needed a good deal of healing, I think, once he arrived in the West. First, because he didn't want to be there, but also because he had been fighting for Middle-earth since well before the sun rose. It will have taken some time for him to accept that it was all a piece of the same cloth - and that he was needed in Valinor just as he was east of the sea. He will always know that Arda is his home - but he had found a role in a place where he thought he would be an exile. Thank you!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/17/2006
I rejoice that Orome himself has led them home. They aren't yet certain what home is, but they do learn. Wonderful, Bodkin! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner. I think Celeborn was astonished and not altogether delighted to have Orome turn up here - but Bordain has stars in his eyes. They are all on the point of finding the forest they sought through all the long years.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/17/2006
Wonderful moments as the twins disengage the spider's silk and see their grandfather on his way properly, and as he prepares for a needed night alone with his wife. So glad the two of them have one another. And I do love the idea of scholarly papers on living in the forest written by those who've set foot in them only briefly, and the one who's actually done it is expected to bow to the contained wisdom? Oh, how foolish the bureaucrats! Author Reply: Scholarly papers - isn't that just the way, though? People analysing activities carried out by those who just live them - and coming up with amazing statistics like 'poverty affects life expectancy'. The twins are more grown up and far wiser than they generally bother to display - they can do all the lordly stuff, they just don't see why they should. Especially since they're surrounded by so many who do it so naturally. They've freed Celeborn - now their next task is to send Elrond off to see his new home. And, perhaps, work on their great-grandfather. While having as much fun as possible doing it! Thank you.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/17/2006
‘Is is not ironic,’ Glorfindel shook his head in mock disbelief, ‘that after whole ages of fighting the call to take ship, you should be pulled now to journey as far west as you can.’ I loved this line when I read it at the beginning of the chapter. I loved it even more when I got to the end of the chapter and saw what it was setting up/framing. But before I get ahead of the story, I enjoyed everyone's views on all the political and social aspects of the move. You know I love that sort of thing and there is so much for everyone to consider in something like this. Why is nothing to do with elves ever simple? LOL! Thranduil had told them that, with every league they travelled further west, the trees grew in immensity until it was as if a city of elves could be supported by each one – but he had not believed it. Oropher’s son had been just an elfling when Doriath fell: to him the Hírilorn was but a legend – he was used to the lesser trees of later ages. But it was true – and Celeborn found himself absorbed in silent admiration of the forest around him. I love this line. I thought it did a really great job of communicating the power of the forest. And I admit, you really had me worrying/wondering what could be going on with the call that Celeborn and the others felt to go West. Later, when Orome showed up, I was so surprised. That was just perfect! I absolutely love the idea that these elves are going to 'the place that was made for them.' And I loved the mark on the horse's shoulder and the mellyrn seeds. Galadriel and Celeborn's closing conversation was wonderful. Great chapter. You really surprised me with this. I loved it. Author Reply: I do find that, as you start thinking about the logistics of carrying out any act - other, perhaps, than warrior riding off to face orc patrol - you get enmeshed in how complicated it must be to organise anything in a world where you have forever to do it. It's bad enough for mortals! Bring together political and social implications - and moral justice - and population expansion - and factor in the will of the Powers, and it's all a giant bouillabaisse. This is one very powerful forest - anything that can make Celeborn take a step back must be special. The call to go West - maybe it just needed the right people at the right time, or maybe it just needed the right Vala to notice (I don't think the passage of time can mean anything much to the Valar. Great Journey to 500 or so years into the Fourth Age - it's nothing to them.) I don't think Orome has any real intention of hanging around to be admired, but he just wants to finish what he started. This story has been going about a year now - and it is turning out rather different to the way it started. I've tried re-reading the whole thing to see if it gels, and concluded that it probably doesn't altogether. But if I want to finish it - and I do - I've got to go with the current thread. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/16/2006
What a wonderful opening... It was beautiful. Indeed! I love your descriptions of the forest and of Orome in this chapter! I too felt the awe! Glorfindel, the Home-builder! Yet, another name to tuck into his resume. ;) I like that you supposed the weather might be much milder here than back in Rivendell. His and Bordain’s conversation was hilariously sublime and very informative. I like the mention of Haldir and those like him, those followers not necessarily caught up with longing in the same way as were Bordain and Celeborn. Not then anyway... This mystical call thing... and it being felt mostly by the ellyn... rather like when a big sports event is coming up and the wives are not feeling quite the same draw to the television or, in this case, the stadium. ;) Bordain represents his kind very well, I think. The kind of elf that would prefer the hunting horn to the lury Ulumuri. But, Bordain had been present at the beginning and end of the Journey. That idea in itself is fascinating. And now, I wonder what it truly was that let the Nandor turn aside. Did whatever this is suddenly stop calling to them or has a Vala purposely intensified the original effect, at this point in time, because the right people(the right leaders/caretakers) have finally arrived? One might think that from previous chapters. The wives make a good showing this chapter as well and are nicely managing any slacking off by their mesmerized male-folk. Loved Logael’s reunion with her family and how differently she and Galadriel were effected by Orome. Yay! for the restorative powers of a cup of tea. The twins rock the ship of state so confidently. Strategic planning for a future government is not for the faint-hearted. They are being rather bold in their speculations, although they will most likely prove to be correct. That was a welcomed look at why a ‘long-lived’ society needs expansion when the only other real solution is stabilizing the population. Will they run out of space before the End? But, then there is always outer space! :D But, the Huntsman showing up was so grand! Those three going out into the night to find who-knew-what was very exciting! And your description of the forest and Orome and his effect on Bordain and Losgael and the Ride and the mark on Lumbren - outstanding! It engendered the proper awe for the rustic Vala. And Tauron had to take Bordain and no other on a wild ride! Who better to appreciate and enjoy the favor! This was like a trophy being handed over to the representative of the ones who finally made it to the place prepared for them. Laerwen may not have been draw there perhaps because she was female, but also because – even with all her power – she was not among those Orome first discovered. The ones the Valar originally tried to save from danger. But then, why did this place await Bordain and those of his kind until now? You have created an interesting mystery for us. The mallorn nuts... now that was intriguing. Galadriel would know all about growing this particular plant. Did Orome get the seeds for or from their destination? The question of who is really in charge is also intriguing. I am reminded of what you have said about Laerwen and Thranduil (as well as Galadriel and Celeborn) that their relationship works because they are a she and a he. Well, you now have two powerful ellyn working well in partnership because they possess different strengths and both are in charge, so to speak. Bordain just might be of the mind that leadership, which includes taking responsibility for the lives and happiness of others, requires an ability he himself lacks. After all, he seems to be unwed and without children, and until now a horse - in a land where all these things could easily have been his. He is undergoning a process that could lead him onto kingship just as it did Elwe. Ai, I have rambled on too much! But, I have enjoyed this chapter soo much! I'll ponder on Elwe and Melian another time. Oh yes please, let there be one more post even if it is only for an ending. At least, tell us what this 'forest-longing' is all about! Author Reply: Well - Glorfindel wouldn't want to get bored, would he? He's an elf who likes to have a purpose! And, while some were drawn West on the Great Journey, others weren't - and some never felt the sea-longing. - I think there must have been a different level of call, depending on all sorts of factors. Perhaps some were meant to remain... And it does, clearly, compare to the appeal of a television showing a major sporting event - that's probably why the female members of the party weren't quite so affected. They still had to make the food and look after the kids and answer the phone. Multi-tasking. Even female elves are not immune. Bordain has rather taken over here. He was no more than a passing character - but he has just caught my imagination so - one of the first, from the very beginning. Maybe the call to them required the right people together at the right time. Maybe Bordain is a catalyst - things can happen in his presence. Maybe he drew Orome's attention and made him think that the time was right. I can't imagine that the Valar perceive time even in the same way that elves do - it could be they scarcely notice the time that has passed. The physical presence of the Valar must have been pretty overwhelming (especially, perhaps, to those who had come to think of themselves as the superior life form of Middle-earth!) Galadriel had to take it better - she has probably encountered Valar before, while Losgael is unlikely to have met them. Yes, a nice cuppa will have settled her down! The twins can do all the ruling malarkey - but they are familiar enough with it all that they are happy to try to manoeuvre their way around the worst of it. And impatient enough not to let it evolve. And I can't think of a society that would have needed more the possibility of opening up the West. I reckon you would have got some very very stressed elves if more kept growing up into an inflexible society. Riding with the Huntsman must have been quite a scary experience - but awe-inspiring! And, after all, Celegorm rode with him - and was on companionable terms. And Bordain - who doesn't, I think, even realise the power that being one of the first conveys on him - it a good candidate for spending time in the company of this particular Vala. And maybe each is drawn to a different part of the forest (which would be a sensible way to avoid competition.) Galadriel and Celeborn seemed to recognise that Glorfindel's choice was a perfect place for Elrond and Celebrian - maybe Laerwen knew that her 'place' was right for her. (It's north of where E and C settle, incidentally.) The mallorn nuts - I think there are no mallorns there now. Orome recognised the significance of the trees to Galadriel and presented her with the nuts so that she can cultivate them among the trees already there. And I think destiny and the Valar might have other things in mind for Bordain - maybe further west still. But I don't know. This doesn't seem to want to end - each new bit just leaves trails that want to be followed - so I'm sure there will be at least one more part. I'm just hoping an ending presents itself there! Elwe and Melian... Yes... Too big a problem for me, I think! Thank you for reading - I'm pleased you like it enought to want more!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/16/2006
Good to know Goerfér and Losgael will go West, too - I'd love to see them again when this fic is finished. And Bórdain, too. Well, in this chapter he had some wonderful moments - Galadriel giftet him with a horse, and then he was allowed to ride with Orome once more. What an experience! You're right - it is a problem that the older elves don't retire to make room (and work) for the younger generations. One of the few problems of immortality. So it may prove useful that the elves from Aman want to go further West and establish new realms. I hate to say it – triple the bureaucracy will be at least nine times the paperwork – but three. grin Somehow that sounds so familiar. Maybe the elves (and Estel) have established the bureaucracy of our days - who knows? ;-) Author Reply: Oh yes, Goerfer and Losgael are drawn West - and they're drawn quite closely into Galadriel and Celeborn's circles, too. Despite Losgael's doubts! Galadriel has identified her as an interesting and strong-minded female - and Goerfer is, of course, kin. Bordain just leapt off the paper at me - he tried to hide in the shadows, but he was just too special. And ever since he said he had seen Nahar in the forests where the elves came to be, I felt he simply had to ride with Orome. The immortality of elves does make development difficult - why would you need new jewelsmiths when the old ones' work just keeps on getting better and better? It must make it very difficult for those who are several thousand years old and tremendously skilled - who are still looked on as apprentices. And what is there for Finrod to do? He will never (hopefully) have to inherit Finarfin's role. The younger elves must have felt a desire to develop a purpose of their own. I did think of cubing the paperwork! Squaring it didn't sound enough - every time you add a layer of bureaucracy another forest has to fall to the pulping mills! But Elladan and Elrohir will do their best to keep the paper-shuffling to a minimum. Thank you for reading.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/15/2006
They are a devious bunch, aren't they? But, of course, they ARE Elves, after all. And all will come to their proper purposes in time, I think. And Galadriel knows how to play all the rest very well indeed. Author Reply: The Undying Lands did produce Feanor! Elves aren't designed, I think, to sit in peaceful contemplation of perfection - (except, perhaps, the Vanyar) - they want to improve on it. Galadriel has had a long time to learn how to organise people. And a lot of them have been people who are not too keen on her Noldor-ness. She can do subtle.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/15/2006
Ah, even in the Undying Lands there is still the need for the planning departments, and here we have a planning department of two, about to be interrupted by Finrod, who of course will get swept up with it all. Galadriel knows her daughter all too well, I think. Author Reply: Where there are people, there is a need for planners. Just as, where there are people, there is a need for intermediaries and organisers. And we wouldn't want elves to get bored in the Undying Lands. Would we?

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/15/2006
So--at last we begin to understand why these are approaching the Lord and Lady. I'd been wondering. They want a land and the protection a known Lord and Lady can give them, apparently. Author Reply: The Silvan, I think, are not particularly keen on rulers - but they do see the advantage of having someone with a voice in the halls of the powerful. And the Sindar remember Elu. And then, the number of those returning from Namo's Halls in increasing and they need space and someone to ensure that their freedoms remain. Celeborn represents that - and he is one born to serve his people. Nothing is more likely to help ground him in this alien forest.

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