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Reach for the Stars  by Raksha The Demon 12 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/10/2009
A neat story! Bitter-sweet and loving. It must have been hard for Eärendil to be parted from his children, but such are the sacrifices one makes at times, for the greater good. I applaud him and his loving gifts to his son and little Estel and am glad he has been able to watch his children grow even if they do not know him anymore. Very good tale, heartaching and heartwarming at the same time. I applaud you too! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Thanx for your review, Antane - I was definitely going for heartaching and heartwarming at the same time, so I'm glad that you found it so. At least we know that it won't be too many more years, compared to the thousands of years Earendil has been astro-navigating, until he'll get to meet his son in person.

RSReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/6/2009
The image of Elrond lifting Estel towards the night sky while his little hands are outstretch towards the stars is both beautiful and touching. What a powerful picture!

I enjoyed this tremendously.

Author Reply: I just had to have little Estel reaching for the star that he's named for; it occurred to me that he would want it, want to take that beauty and hope for his own; as in later life he will live by hope and aspire to another 'Star'...

Thanx for reading and reviewing, RS!

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/6/2009
This is a most moving tale, Raksha. I do think you gave us an excellent portrayal of what might be going through Ëarendil's mind through his long years kindling hope in the heart of Men and Elves.

I like very much the idea of Elrond climbing up the cliff to present his sons and fosterlings to his father. And the image of Aragorn lifting his hands up and stretching them to reach the Star of Hope is a beautiful one.

Author Reply: Thanx for your review, Estelcontar. Earendil is fascinating to write and his family connections are poignant as well as interesting. I would think that Elrond would hope that his father could see him and his children and foster-children. And I could just see little Aragorn reaching up to try to seize that wonderful star!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/5/2009
This is just lovely, and very moving.

Author Reply: I'm glad you found the story moving; I've always found the story of Earendil and Elwing and their sons to be a brilliant study in subtle issues of priorities, ethics, and necessity. Thanx for reviewing!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2009
This is beautiful Raksha. And thank you for friending me.

Author Reply: Glad you liked the story, Harrowcat; thanx for the review.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2009
Yes, indeed, often we do think alike! It's happened to me, too, and I love this look at young Aragorn first desiring to hold that Hope within his own arms.

Very nice!

Author Reply: I think little Aragorn would have known clearly what he wanted and definitely tried to get it; and he would have wanted to hold onto the light of the Star, or even the star itself, not understanding that it was only possible spiritually (which he did, as well as becoming its living exemplar).

Thanx for the review, Larner!

utfrogReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2009
This is lovely. I think it is the first time I have read speculation on where Elrond's features came from in his mixed ancestry. I really liked the description.

Do not worry about similarity in stories. The topic is similar, but not the tale. Both are excellent.

Thank you.

Author Reply: I had a discussion with another fanfic writer (who does some great Silm stories) about Elrond's features - she felt that Elrond would have resembled his Sindarin ancestors, especially Luthien, and there is canon support for that - I think he could also have looked at least partially Noldo/Finwean, but with Luthien's eyes.

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Utfrog!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2009
I think it's delightful when different fic authors find a similar approach to a canon subject! Not only is it a case of "GMTA", but it also shows that there is enough consistency in the marvelous world JRRT made for us that different people will come to the same or similar conclusions about things!

Your Earendil, watching down on Elrond and little Estel, is actually a magnificent counterpoint to Mirach's story-- they fit together just as well as if the two of you *had* consulted over them! I find that also delightful!

I especially love the image of Elrond holding the little one up to see better, and Earendil's response in giving out a flare of extra light! That is just lovely!



Author Reply: Earendil's life is an unplumbed mine of fanfiction opportunities; it's surprising that so few fanfic writers have tried.

It's a fanon of mine that Dunedain fathers hold their infant sons (perhaps daughters too) up to the Star of Earendil; and they would probably take them out as the kids became more capable of understanding, to see the star and hear the story. For Elrond, I think the compulsion would have been even stronger, because of his own personal connection to Earendil. Not sure if it was Elrond's idea or little Estel's to lift the kid up; I think Estel would have wanted to see the pretty star as clearly as he could; I don't think Estel would have been shy about expressing his desires, at least at that age.

Thanx for the review, Dreamflower!

InzilbethReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2009
This is wonderful, Raksha! Earendil made a tough decision and paid a high price, so how he must have treasured moments such as this. I especially love the obvious affection that Elrond already feels for his foster son.


Author Reply: I think Elrond would have been a very kind foster-father to little Estel. I don't see Earendil as that much of a hands-on father, had he been able to stay in Middle-earth, but he would have insisted on guiding his children's education and providing for their safety when he was at sea or preparing to go to sea; and taken one or both sons with him when they were older.

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Inzilbeth.

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2009
What a neat and very effective, very touching story! I particularly liked this line: "But this wound is ancient and will never heal." How sad and yet how true....

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the tale. Yes, Earendil would have had to deal with some things that would not get better; he abandoned his sons for the sake of all Middle-earth; it was the right choice, but a terrible one to make, especially since he could never really heal that particularly wound and had no choice but to watch his sons reared by others.

Author Reply: Oops; forgot to thank you for the review!

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