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Beyond Imladris  by PSW 134 Review(s)
Sandalf13Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 9/20/2021
Your story has enthralled me since I first came across it several months ago. I have read and re-read your tale several times, each time gleaning some new insight from your fine writing. You maintained a sense of rhythm throughout the entire story, and I truly enjoyed how your interlaced the two simultaneously occurring stories until Estel met up with his Ada, Glorfindel, and his brothers in the ravine in the Breelands. Your character development was excellent, and the manner in which each individual in the story revealed his or her thoughts and feelings was meticulously done. "Beyond Imladris" was one of the two stories that I read that inspired me to write my own fictional story, an epilogue to a story by Aunt Dora Baggins, entitled "Chance Meeting at Rivendell"
(https://www.angelfire.com/my/zelime/BilboAragornfanfic.html). My epilogue has been published on the Valar Guild site. In any case, I thank you for inspiring me to get one with my own writing efforts.

One small point: earlier in the story, Dorhaur told Estel that he had several younger brothers and ONE sister, however, later in the story, Dorhaur tells Elrond that his own children were able to meet and play with the children of his own sisters (plural) and Haleth's family as well. At least those old enough to do so. Given Dorhaur's age, I suspect that perhaps his younger brothers did not have families of their own as of yet...and might have served as "older brothers" instead of Uncles to Dorhaur's own sons. Who knows? In any case, this is a very minor question, and in no way impacts the loveliness of your work.

Once again, thanks for a beautiful effort. I shall continue reading Beyond Imladris again and again. Sei gesund! Sandalf13

Author Reply: Thanks so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it — it really took on a life of its own while I was writing it, for sure. And I’m always happy to hear I may have helped inspire others to write. It’s such a fun pastime. Thx for letting me know!

As for your questions … I suspect one vs several sisters was more of an oversight/typo than anything. And regarding his brothers, the scenario you describe would be one possibility. I always sort of assumed that they just lived far enough away that easy visiting back and forth wasn’t possible—but it could very well be some combination of the two. As you say — who knows? :-D

Thx again for your lovely review.

lisagReviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/24/2017
that was quite an epic tale! i love how you write estel and his relationships with his family and the rest of the elves.

Author Reply: Thank you! I had fun writing it -- great characters. :-)

Thanks so much for reading, and for your comments!

lisagReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/23/2017
loving this story!!!

Walker-skyeReviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/2/2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this. You have a Strong grasp of the characters, the story flow is brisk and held my interest so well I stayed up later than I should to finish it. I look forward to exploring more of your stories. Thanks!

Author Reply: Ha! I do that a lot ... :-P

I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks so much for reading and for your lovely comments!

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 4/8/2017
I stumbled across this story a few days before and enjoyed it very much. Have to check out what else you have written. I liked the way you wrote the relationship between Elrond and Estel and the burgeoning friendship with Dorhaur. Dorhaur's captain surely was a piece of work. Glad that Elrond and co found out about the dissenter before they could do real damage.

I hope you can write more in this universe.

Author Reply: Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it ... it was a really fun story for me to write, and it just kept growing in the process... :-)

I appreciate your comments, thanks!

LevadeReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/5/2017
Oh my gosh! I love this chapter. Arti is just...perfect. So hobbity and good-hearted and perceptive. Love that someone caught on and Estel could stop holding back and being brave and just be honest.

I loved so much about it but I'm really impatient to read on! :D

Author Reply: Thank you! It was fun to write a Hobbit...they're such good folk. And yay for perceptive adults... :-)

LevadeReviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/5/2017
You have the gift of such vivid description that I felt I was right there with Estel. Poor kid, he's doing amazingly well for someone that age thrust into a situation like this. I love how it shows not just how he reacts but how the life of others is that you show.

I laughed over his skittishness with the big horse. Draft horses are usually the calmest horses but he's never been around one. ;) I liked that touch.

Loved him seeing the halfling and your descriptions of planting. Pipeweed! XD

And the children. How odd to think there were no other kids. Sad...but I love how she cuddles up and listens to the story older than even the sun and moon. What a lovely scene!



Author Reply: Thanks! :-) I figured a huge horse would be a bit scary, no matter that's-- truly-- that horse had no interest in acting up. And, I was excited to get the Hobbits and pipeweed in...was fun to pull in a bit from canon...

LevadeReviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/5/2017
Estel sat down to his first meal since babyhood in a structure built by Men.

That really hit me. All the smells and seeing a young woman for the first time, all of it was new to him. I love his compassion and how he's torn between escaping and helping Ferrier, and how the people are kind as they can be. It's a pretty good introduction for Estel to the world of Men. I love his inner thoughts. Loving this tale!

Author Reply: Poor kid is trying his best. It's hard trying to balance being good with being scared. :-( I suspect he's doing far better than I would have...

LevadeReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/5/2017
Oh man, poor kid. I mean, he is just a kid at twelve, even if he is advanced. Such an awkward age, teetering on being independent but still clinging a bit to the security of those who watch over you and protect you.

And the poor man. What he's doing isn't right but I don't think he's all there at the moment. SCARY for Estel though! Adults are supposed to be the rational ones and this man? Nope. He's quite demented at the moment. Estel handled it far more gracefully than I would have! Elrond's training, no doubt. ;)

I love how he hears his mentors voices. And good for him at staying calm enough to do so!

I'm hooking and moving on (one of the beauties of waiting until a story is fully posted!).

Author Reply: Indeed...binge reading is one of the true pleasures of completed stories. :-)

Yes, I was aiming right for that awkward in-between age -- twelve is hard, and Estel is no normal kid, on top of that... No one knows what to do right now, I think... Yay for intensive training, pretty much...

Thanks so much for reading and for your comments!:-)

LevadeReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/5/2017
I had to come over here to find this story and read it from the beginning. It's a little more cozy on SOA than the other place.

Poor man, losing everything. I love how it sets the whole idea of Estel's coming of age and what it means to him and to those around him. He was so secure and protected in Imladris, in contrast to Men's lives outside. That had to be an eye-opener. Love the idea of hide and seek as a learning experience. On to read more!

Author Reply: You know...I hadn't thought of it that way, but it is a bit cozier, right? :-P I hope you enjoy! :-)

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