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| The Valley is Jolly by Canafinwe | 81 Review(s) |
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| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/25/2010 |
| Oh this chapter is a delight! I see I wasn't the only one who wanted to be a fly on the wall to hear Bilbo's story! Bilbo is perfect and I do love the way you portray the relationship between Elrond and Gandalf. They obviously know each other so well and yet thoroughly enjoy scoring points off each other! But best of all here is were the exchanges between father and son. Wonderful! Author Reply: I'm glad you like it! It's nice to know that Elrond and Gandalf came across well. I imagine they would have enjoyed needling each other: neither of them had many people to tease that way. | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/25/2010 |
| Oh I do like your dwarves, and Bilbo too for that matter. And how cunning is Gandalf! So now we know when Bilbo first started telling tales in Imladris. I would love to be a fly on the wall for that one! What a difficult position Elrond was in here but it was a wise move on his part to tell Estel of Celebrian and it certainly got him settled down to work! A lovely chapter, Canafinwe. Author Reply: Thanks! The issue of trying to keep such an monumental secret from such an intelligent and perceptive child must have been a recurrent one. Fortunately there are ways of answering the questions that have been asked without delving into those that have not. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/21/2010 |
| Ah, bless the child! So, a first introduction, if slightly via the back door, if you will, between the future Dunadan and Bilbo Baggins, and a tale told that Gandalf wished Elrond to hear for some obscure reason of his own. Amusement drawn from the incident, and young Estel shows a bit of his future skill. Now--who did the repair, and how roundly shall that one be chided? Author Reply: Thanks for the lovely review (and sorry for the delay in replying...). Glad you liked the chapter... and scolding irresponsible staff is a skill that every young future king must learn! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/21/2010 |
| Aww...I do love this chapter. Bilbo really shines in his modesty and his politeness and his enthusiasm for all things Elven. I do like that both Elrond and Gandalf detected their small eavesdropper--come to think of it, Aragorn has something else in common with Sam! LOL! I also loved the juxtaposition of Bilbo's role as Hope in The Hobbit, and Estel's future role as Hope. It's no wonder that one day these two will be fast friends. I wonder if he ever confesses his childhood escapade to Bilbo? Author Reply: Thanks so much! I'm glad you like my take on Bilbo. He's such a delightful character, both to read and to write. I'm sure he'd be wonderful to meet, too! Thanks for your remark on Bilbo and Estel as Hope in their respective tales. I think that might have been one of the reasons they were such good friends: each posesses an inate, unshakable optimism. I never thought of Aragorn confessing to Bilbo... it would make for an interesting encounter, wouldn't it? | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/16/2010 |
| Oh, devious Gandalf! *tsk*tsk* What is he up to? I loved the exchange between the dwarves and Bilbo. You captured Thorin's grumpiness and Gandalf's irascibility perfectly, along with Bilbo's modest good sense. Elrond's conversation with Estel was painful but frank-- he was as honest as he could be, without going into the other reasons Estel's presence should not be known. And I have a feeling that young Estel has other reasons than studiousness in his sudden absorption in his sums... Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the bit with the dwarves. Yes, "grumpy" is about the best adjective for Thorin. I imagine Elrond and Estel must have had conversations like this. And of course, Aragaorn had to learn the fine art of honest equivocation somewhere... Pretty sure that your instincts re: studious Estel are sound! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/15/2010 |
| Ah--the father of Elladan and Elrohir would do well to think that when a child is being too good it is often a prelude to doing what he wants, with no thought to what he is expected to do--or not! Heh! Love Estel's questions and Elrond's ability to tell the truth diplomatically. Author Reply: Hee! Yes, you'd think he would have learned his lesson by now. Ah, but then there would be no story! | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/6/2010 |
| This is a superb chapter with a most touching conversation between mother and son. You've really captured the difficulties of Gilraen's situation here. Yes, Rivendell and its people are all that her son has ever known. Its people are his people, but they are not hers. And how hard is that, and yet Gilraen would sacrifice everything for her son. Your comment on her bed being a widow's tomb was particularly poignant as was the ending. Thanks for a really great read. Author Reply: Thanks so much. My Gilraen's bitterness has its root in this: she's not bitter for the sake of being bitter, but she's filled with sorrow and these feelings of alientation. I'm so glad you liked the chapter! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/6/2010 |
| Poor Gilraen! How hard it must have been for her! I really like this thoughtful exchange between mother and son-- but these nightmares of Estel's are something that she should discuss with Elrond. Poor little Estel should not be so stubbornly determined to suffer through them alone. Author Reply: I think Gilraen's burdens are often understated. The fact that she dies in despair is very telling, given Tolkien's writings on a "good" death. Unfortunately, Elrond hasn't really discussed the nightmares with Gilraen, either. And Estel, of course, is as stubborn as any eleven-year-old child! Thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/5/2010 |
| Irmo appears intent on seeing to it this child of the Dunedain appreciate just what that means, even if he has little memory of his earliest childhood among his own people. And I grieve for the emptiness Gilraen knows beyond her son. Author Reply: You know, I never thought of blaming Irmo for this! Wicked, wicked Vala... Poor Gilraen: I think her dying words express that emptiness most poignantly of all. Thanks for the lovely feedback, as always! | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/4/2010 |
| Oh things are looking up for Estel, at least for the moment. It was great fun to join him on this little adventure outside and I'm sure a ride on Glorfindel's horse would raise anyone's spirits. Your Elrohir is very engaging and I very much liked the way you include the occasional nod to his mannish ancestry. A lovely chapter. Author Reply: Thank you! It's nice to hear that Elrohir is engaging: I don't think anyone's used that adjective before! HIgh time Estel got out of the house, I think (there's only so much moping around the bedroom that a young boy can take!). | |