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| New beginnings by perelleth | 79 Review(s) |
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| BetanSurvey | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/23/2005 |
| Wow. This is a fantastic story. Funny without being silly, and at least for me a very satisfying version of what the early Second Age was like. It's an often-neglected period. I do wonder how long it took Ingil to get his seagull to stop dropping fish on him, though. Author Reply: I do wonder how long it took Ingil to get his seagull to stop dropping fish on him, though LOL! AS soon as she had her wown fledlgings to feed, she lost all interest in feeding her platonic love! :-) Thanks for taking time to let me know that you enjoyed the story! Funny though not silly is a great complment, for it is exactly what I meant, so I'm glad hat you found it thus! Thanks again. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/22/2005 |
| Oh I am sorry to see this end (and sorry to be so long in reviewing its last chapter). I really enjoyed this one and all the little explored characters in it. The scene in Valinor was great. I particularly like the part between Finarfin and Ingil--especially this: Only when I managed to overcome my fear and listen intently to what the rocks and trees and waters had to say was I able to understand that it is the same song that runs trough the veins of Arda, Finarfin, and we, “elves of the light” as we proudly call ourselves, know but one of its many chords…” Great line! And the departure of Elros was very well done and very sad. But my favorite part was Gil-galad's memory of Elrond's earlier words, his plee that Elrond return and Elrond's promise to do so. I love the relationship between these two that you showed. And the ending was great! You did a wonderful job showing Gil-galad's development into the High King. Great story! Author Reply: I'm glad that you enjoyed the story, elliska, I, too had a great time writing it and reading your entertaining reviews... and I'm sure i'm going to miss them! Ingil ended up being wiser than we thought, didn't he? and he, too has learned a lot. I started the story trying to explore how Gil-galad managed to become the king of that sad ballad, which is about all what we know about him, and it soon was full of many other characters which, now I see, must have been important in his shaping, either, so it was very entertaining, and a great challenge for me, to write down a multichaptered story with so many characters in it... Thanks for following and sharing your comments! :-) | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/18/2005 |
| Oh, what a very amusing beginning to this long epilogue! Ingwe discomboblated! Indris smirking(although in a most lady-like way)! Finarfin going blank-faced with disinterest and gloriously agape! Ingil sent down from Lorien! LOL! But, I did love seeing Ingil like this, so naively taken with the *native* style and yet clearly wise. A happy sidhartta. Your portrayal of him and the Vanyar in general was one of the more appealling I have read. Very spot on, imho. How perfect that his faithful feathered fan has been blessed, has progressed with her life, and has become a good friend - and gossip. ;) Very kind of you to have Finrod come back to his family now and not way later. And everyone else is satisfiyingly squared away too. I am really glad that you left Gil-galad with high hopes about the new age. Having the sure knowledge that things can get better and be made good will sustain him in the darker times to come. Thanks for writing this and letting us all read it. This was pratically another chapter - which was most welcomed. Author Reply: A happy sidhartta. I'm going to miss him, you know? I'm still wondering where did he come from... This almost "hippy" ending was clear to me since the beginning, anyway, inspired by that place in the Lost Tales when it says that Ingwë's son had sojourned in Eressëa when returning from Middle Earth. Lórien was simply inspired by my wicked sense of humour. YEt on the whole, the Vanyar seem to me as those enlightened people, a bit in the socratic way, with all that calmness born of a deep understanding and knowledge that gives you (well, not me, not yet,) the ability to be curious, and surprised and open to all new things, and be not afraid of learning new things. I'm glad that you found them "on the spot", despites Ingwë's momentary loss of composure! :-) Yes, it came as a whole chapter, but I myself enjoyed it so much that found it a pity to cut it shorter. SO what's another hugepick ayway? LOL Veeeeeery biig thanks for your kind help and support and your insightful interesting and warm reviews! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/17/2005 |
| Oh, a very find ending, Perelleth. I love Ingil's change - the clothing and hairstyles and all of it. The bird, too! I loved that she followed him! Rearranging Lorien's garden? I was laughing throughout. It was both hilarious and yet profound, as he showed Finarfin. I especially like that Finarfin regained his oldest son at the end of that part. How fitting that one who had lost all was given someone back in return. Elros all grown up and going off was grand and glorious, and I liked the pride that Gil-galad and Cirdan took in him, as well as the promises of alliance for so long as their descendents lived, but I think I was (predictably) most touched by Gil-galad's wish that Elrond see him as family... and I am glad Elrond did. Both young peredhil were well shaped by the young king. Author Reply: I love Ingil's change - the clothing and hairstyles and all of it :-) This, inspired by a favourite quote. " a man departs on a journey, and a different man returns..." The ability to be changed by experience is something I truly value... and Ingil really grew on me as the story progressed. I'm glad that you laughed. The sense of humour is to me the sixth senses, and one who allows to see hidden things... How Finarfin dealt with his own personal tragedy, his decision and that of his children is something that truly interests me, and somehow it seemed right, as you put it, that he who had lost everything would at least have something back...and something so special for him... I'm so glad that you endured till the end of this story, and particularly that Elrond found your approval ! :-) Thanks again for your reviews, Nilmandra. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/17/2005 |
| Yay! Hooray! You write nice endings. There's a lovely sense of wrapping-up and tying off loose ends, even as the story continues in Middle Earth. I love that the seagull has a happy ending all of her own. And the wonderful scene of Elros sailing off into the sunset, ready to begin his own adventure, is both sad and exciting at the same time. Author Reply: You write nice endings LOL, Why, thanks! The truth is that muses attack me with endings! Right now there are two stories sleeping in my computer's hard disks, both stuck at chapter three, but with ending chapters already written.. strange, isn't it? And the wonderful scene of Elros sailing off into the sunset, ready to begin his own adventure, is both sad and exciting at the same time As one more accustomed to depart than to remain, that's how I see it: excitement from the part of those departing, and sadness, melancholy for those remaining... Thanks for your amusing and entertaining reviews FP! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/17/2005 |
| And so this finishes with people letting go of those they love, who have grown in ways they might not have wished for. But they come back too. Nice job, Perelleth. Author Reply: But they come back too At least that's what we hope... Thanks for reading, daw, it's been very encouraging to read your comments! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/17/2005 |
| Poor Finarfin! What he did to Ingwe's son indeed! Remained patient and remarkably tolerant, really. But Ingil has come on a lot - he seems to see a lot more deeply into things now. And, of course, he has his feathered admirer. Ingwe isn't going to be happy to have his son go off to Eressea. But I rather think he is going to have to put up with it. I love the gleam of wisdom in his eyes - and the comfort he offered Finarfin. And I LOVE the return of Finrod. Finarfin deserves it - and so does Finrod. Not to mention Earwen. Elros has grown into kingship then. And Mariner-ing. And Elrond has been coaxed into a role of his own, so that he won't miss his brother as much as he might have done - I'm glad he sees Ereinion as family. And then there's great-uncle Celeborn. Also known as Lord of Harlindon. Ereinion's sense of humour is delightful. I am glad to see him settling into his role. Probably greatly helped by the absence of Oropher. This is a lovely story - I have enjoyed all the twists and turns and I'm so pleased that Ereinion is balancing carefully at the top of the pyramid. (And that Finarfin's oldest son has returned to his family.) Now what do you have planned for a follow-up? Author Reply: Thanks bodkin, I so much enjoy your reviews! Ingil grew on me as the story progressed, and I truly believe that in fact he already was so wise and profound since the very beginning. He simply looked at Middle earth with the eyes of a child, it was something oh so new that he wasn't sure how to confront it, and he simply explored all its edges without prejudice, while the rest (me included) looked at him with sort of smug superiority... His moving to eressëa was planned since the beginnig.. Have you read the Book of LOst Tales, when Eorl arrives at Eressea and is received at MEril's house, and she's said to be descended from Ingwë's son, who sojourned in the isle when returned form Middle Earth? that brought the whole idea of bringing Ingil into the story. This, and a favourite quote of mine " a man departs on a journey, and a different man returns" Surely it could apply to elves! :-) And Finrod just walked in all of his own and knocked at the door.. from the very beginning, too! :-) You're right, Finarfin and Earwen deserved it, (not to mention Amarië..:-) I'm glad you liked Ereinon's sense of humour. He'd surely need it... It's been a pleasure to have such wonderful and encouraging feedback! I have two stories stuck at chapter three ( both endings already written though!LOL ) but I'm not sure whether to begin posting any of them, for RL is so hectic that I fear I'd begin to feel guilty for not updating regularly... we´ll see :-) | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/11/2005 |
| Well, what more can I say, you make me laugh out loud at the peculiar machinations of history and politics. But really, Erestor's bet was a sure thing that Ereinion probably should have just let pass. Nor should he have paniced over Celeborn helping out. But, I am very glad you found the humor of it all too good to ignore. I surely love your take on Cirdan and the Hirdawar as statesmen. The council did clear the air and help everyone let go of some past grievances. It was a good example of how if the majority want to get something good done, they will. Someone just has to take the lead and bring the opportunity to participate. No easy job, though. Oropher and Gil-galad's closing conversation was very satisfyihng. Enough of a resolution for both of them. All done with a wave of a hand...! :D The armor was gloriously described, just as it should be. The homage given by all was nicely done but the Ereinion finessing Celeborn into it was perfect. But, Ingil - vernal, ingenuous Ingil - remains my favorite charater in this story. And I am very happy to see his admirer is not fickle and had made herself useful. ;) The light-banter that occurs throughout your writing is seriously loads of fun. I hate to think the epilogue is all that is left. But, then you will start a new story, right? Author Reply: I'm amazed, Redheredh, there was no need for such double take, you know? Yet I'm deeply grateful, and glad that you managed to enjoy this oh so nitpickable chapter! apologies for that! Those things seem to spring out to my eyes only once I click "post"! Politics seen from behind curtains is such a laughable game, ( when not outright despicable!!!!) and a great deal of generosity is needed to overcome suspicions, personal interests an so on. And I believed that Gil-galad must have been very generous, to have become king of such mixed crowd, for such a long time. As you say, setting the example pays out, and I believe that throughout this story Ereinion's will to serve became clear to even the most reluctant sindarin lord, ( ;-) ) and it actually eased the new beginning. I'm glad that you liked the armour and the homage. I wasn't sure I was not overdoing it all... yet I did want it to be serious enough for the King to finally feel that he was respected, beyond his own satisfaction for having mastered the waving thing! poor one! I'm so glad to have found a reader that likes Ingil as much as I do! He's turned out to be my favourite characer, either, seomehow he managed to keep himself above petty quarrels and mistakes, and pursue his own agenda with a calmness and focus that I found lovable.! :-) But, then you will start a new story, right? I have two stories going on (on dead track, for some time now) but I fear that I won't be able to post regularly, why! look at how long did it take me to end this one even if ten chapters had been alreday written when I began posting here! Many many thanks for your kind support, Redheredh,your generous nitpicking and your patience through my not too positive take on certain wood-elves...:-) Yet I liked the Hirdawar! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/11/2005 |
| I am really glad, after all this, to see young Gil-galad finally getting some respect! He is about the future and about Middle-earth, not the past. He carries neither memories of past wrongs in Valinor nor the dissent between races of elves, as he grew up in a mixed environment. He is the perfect king to lead this group of elves. He even manages to get Oropher properly in some semblance of place. And he must be relieved that Olvarin is going home! I like his reaction to Elrond, too. The disappointment that the half-elf can't wait to get out of the city, yet also a little excitement that he is being trusted by the king to carry out duties in his name. I do like your Cirdan too - that he is the first one to swear his loyalty to the young king he raised. That brought tears to my eyes. Author Reply: That brought tears to my eyes. NOw! that's a great compliment! I am glad that it moved you. THroughout the story I have tried to picture Círdan as the steadying presence behind the king, and the one who helped him become the elf we suppose he was. BOth the Falathirm and the young king could have easily entered the "grudges match" with their own list, yet I chose to believe that Círdan´s foresight managed to seep into the king along the years and teach him to look ahead, rather than back. That he would give him his support, and move the rest to do the same, seemed the greatest gift he could give to his foster son, much as Ereinion's acknowldeging it when citing his own lineage. I love to think this two were actual family to one another...:-) Thanks for your kind words along this story Nilmandra, it's been a pleasure to read your insightful comments! :-) | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/11/2005 |
| I read the "In which..." opening line and started cringing right then. :-) But this meeting did go as well as could be expected. Putting that many people with such a past into one place is sure to cause a bit of conflict and I liked it--very well done. But I loved the revelation of Celeborn's deal with the dwarves and Gil-galad's plan for shipping Oropher east. I chuckled at that for certain. But I absolutely loved the conversation Oropher had with Gil-galad--that was a perfect reconciliation, as much as those two will ever see. And the last line there with an unconscious and almost perfect wave of his hand that caught him by surprise. Great symbol for his transformation to Gil-galad. I like how you've played with that throughout the story. And of course the part where they swear their oaths to Gil-galad was wonderfully done. I was sad to see there is only an epilogue. This has been a fun story. :-) Author Reply: LOL! It could have gone worse, truly, yet the King chose not let it become a battle and refrained form entering the fray with his own list,! That would have been a new beginning! :-) You are right about Oropher this sarcastic exchange was the best they both ever get from the other, I found it very funny... I'm so glad you noticed the waving hand. The king is grwing up, ins't he? I'm certain that I'm going to miss this troupe, too, I had great great fun writing the story and reading all your kind and amusing comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! | |