Bodkin
· 5 September 2004
· Chapter 21: Arwen's Birth Day
Very nice. I like the idea of fireworks to celebrate Arwen's birth. I wonder if Mithrandir was there? Then there would have been pipeweed too.
Imagine being 111 years older than your sibling. And minutes apart from the other. Nearly all elflings must have grown up as only children. Except the twins.
Author's reply
The Istari did not appear until about 1050, and Tobold Hornblower first grew pipe-weed in 2670. So no Mithrandir, and no pipe-weed, I'm afraid. These are silent elvish fireworks.
That's an interesting point about elflings being only children. I hadn't thought of it like that before.
Lianna
· 25 August 2004
· Chapter 20: Choices
Oh, my.
I had never considered the possibility that the twins might be locking themselves into mortality if they chose to stay after Elrond left. I know that because they're half-Elven, they face both restrictions and choices that Legolas, for example, does not face. But somehow, I never thought of this problem.
I feel so bad for Elrond, having to face the possibility of being forever separated from all three of his children -- not to mention having to explain it all to Celebrian.
Deep in my heart, though, I have to believe that the Valar would not turn Elladan and Elrohir away. I prefer to think that the twins sailed with Legolas and Gimli and were welcomed in Valinor. But I'm a sentimental sap.
Author's reply
It's clear that they could delay their choice for a while - but for how long? It's possible to have left it too late - but I'm also sentimental, and think they sailed as well!
kirienne
· 24 August 2004
· Chapter 20: Choices
Ai, Jay, you had me reaching for the Kleenex box. I could see the grief in Elrond's eyes, but also the pride in his sons ---that they would risk so much to stay for Aragorn and Arwen.
I really think they did get to sail later, and did so with Legolas and Gimli.
I haven't posted reviews, but I have really been enjoying all of these wonderfully written drabbles. I hopw you have many more up your sleeves to post for our enjoyment.
Author's reply
Tolkien originally said that the children of Elrond either had to leave Middle Earth when he did, or become mortal. He later changed his mind, and said that Elladan and Elrohir 'delayed their choice and remained for a while'. But I think that in the end they joined their parents. Thanks for the review!
JastaElf
· 24 August 2004
· Chapter 20: Choices
Ai, so sad... I know in my heart that it will turn out all right, I think they sail with Legolas and Gimli myself.... :-)
A beautiful, sad drabble, Jay. Thank you!
Author's reply
I think they could have gone with Legolas too. The timelines would be right, after all. But of course when they did sail, it was because Aragorn and Arwen were dead.
Karri
· 24 August 2004
· Chapter 20: Choices
Beautiful done, but bittersweet.
Author's reply
Thank you. Bittersweet, yes, but I firmly believe they sailed in the end.
daw the minstrel
· 24 August 2004
· Chapter 20: Choices
Geez, Jay. You really know how to tug at my heartstrings. Poor Elrond. What losses he has suffered. I remain firmly convinced that his sons joined him in the end. If Legolas could go after the death of Aragorn, so could they.
Author's reply
I agree that they sailed in the end. But we know they did not go at once, and this seemed the most obvious reason why they delayed. I just wondered if they knew they could still go?
Karri
· 22 August 2004
· Chapter 19: Aftermath
An excellent drabble. Very thoughtful.
Author's reply
Thank you, Karri. I hope the news eased Thranduil's sorrow.
Bodkin
· 22 August 2004
· Chapter 19: Aftermath
Poor Thranduil. So much pain here. At least the letter relieves that worry - I doubt whether Legolas will have spent quite so much time worrying over his father's safety - a generational thing. Until, perhaps, he got to Minas Tirith.
Initially victories have a tendency to seem good - but then you see all the despair and destruction they leave in their wake. I suppose the only thing is that they are better than defeats.
Author's reply
I think Legolas would have worried - in 'The Passing of the Grey Company' he looks north-east and sees war approaching those lands.
Although the burning of the trees is terrible, Thranduil will replant new.
daw the minstrel
· 21 August 2004
· Chapter 19: Aftermath
Oh I *really* like this one. I can just see it! Of course Thranduil would be afraid of what the urgent message might say. And the destruction of the forest must have torn his heart out.
Author's reply
Thranduil must have been desperately worried. He knew, better than most, what was at stake and the dangers invoved. And he would have known that Legolas would be in the thick of it. (There's no way he'd only go as far as 'the passes of the mountains'!)
LKK
· 11 August 2004
· Chapter 18: Thranduil's Begetting Day
I never thought of daisies as an elegant flower before. But from the way you describe them, there is no other way to think of them. A most fitting gift for an elegant woodland king from a devoted and loving son. Lovely, Jay.
Author's reply
Every child has made a daisy chain, but when I thought about the colours they were perfect for Thranduil! I think it was his best present.
Rose Sared
· 23 July 2004
· Chapter 18: Thranduil's Begetting Day
Oh poo, do you have to be so good. I don't even like drabbles and here I am loving it. Daisies indeed for the king who loved all that was precious. Lovely.
Stop it.
Rose
Author's reply
Does this mean I've converted you to drabbles? I'm sure that Thranduil thinks the daisy crown was his best gift of all - no others were made or given with such love. Thanks for the reveiw - I think ;)
Karri
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 18: Thranduil's Begetting Day
Adorable! Excellent job. :-)
Author's reply
Thanks, Karri - I like the thought of little Legolas with his ada.
daw the minstrel
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 18: Thranduil's Begetting Day
What can I say (again)? This was wonderful. Little Legolas is part of a loving family and he had a wood-elf's sensitivity to beauty and the woods. I love the image of Thranduil wearing a crown of daisies. Thank you, Jay. I'll treasure this.
Author's reply
I mentioned once in 'Friends Like These' that Legolas had made a daisy crown for his father, and something reminded me of that. I hadn't realised at the time how suitable daisies are for Thranduil!
I'm glad you like it.
LKK
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 17: Arrival
Celebrian knew they were coming! Yay! :)
The image of the ship arriving in the morning's light was very evocative. the ship is sighted; sails shimmering in the early sunlight. Lovely word use. The alliterative S sound give the passage a silvery feeling. Well done!
Author's reply
I don't know how, but Elrond and Celebrian knew they were coming. Perhaps it was Galadriel's foresight? One day, I would like to write this sequence of events as a story - there's so much more room for description.
LKK
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 16: Leaving
our last link to Middle Earth is broken
I think you hit the reason why I feel the twins would eventually choose to sail. Their reasons for staying in M.E. are gone. Even if Celeborn hadn't sailed by the time that the twins did, he would sail eventually. So he wasn't holding them to M.E. Their alliances with the rangers always seemed more like a business arrangement (forgive the modern analogy) than an emotional relationship. So the rangers wouldn't hold them in M.E. Most importantly, their love for Celebrian, shown by years of errantry done in her name, would pull them West ultimately. I thought a discussion of Celebrian was an excellent end to this drabble.
Author's reply
Yes. They stayed for Aragorn and Arwen, but the children no longer needed their elven uncles. There were no more orcs, so they left ME a safe place, and could finally follow their parents.
LKK
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 15: Destiny
I liked your language in this drabble, Jay. The repetitive use of the word "delaying" and the description of a mortal's life were highlights for me. I agree that whatever the twins' decisions, they would have made the same decision. The two were meant to be together.
Author's reply
Thank you, LKK. Repeating words in a drabble takes up space, but it's worth it for the effect. I don't know where the inspiration for the description of mortality came from, but it worked.
Karri
· 19 July 2004
· Chapter 17: Arrival
A beautiful scene, Jay. :-)
Author's reply
Thank you, Karri. I like the thought of their reunion.
Bodkin
· 19 July 2004
· Chapter 17: Arrival
Celebrian and her babies. Ahhh. How could they not have gone?
Author's reply
Quite. I think the reunion with their mother, finding her whole and healed, would have been wonderful.
Karri
· 17 July 2004
· Chapter 16: Leaving
A terrific drabble, Jay. I like to think they left together, too. :-)
Author's reply
Thanks, Karri. I can't imagine them being parted like their father and uncle were.
Bodkin
· 17 July 2004
· Chapter 16: Leaving
Good. The twins are going to be reunited with their parents. I hate it especially when one goes and the other stays behind. And I'm not keen on them both choosing to stay, because I don't think they would.
Although it must be awful to take that last look back at Imladris and know that you are leaving it to decay to dust.
Author's reply
I'm quite sure there will be a very joyful reunion soon, but I think they'd be sad to leave as well. They must have rather mixed feelings.
daw the minstrel
· 17 July 2004
· Chapter 16: Leaving
This is exactly the decision I have to believe the twins made. I want them together and I want them reunited with Elrond and Celebrian.
Author's reply
I agree. I've read some excellent stories where they become mortal, or even chose different fates, but this is my preferred version of what happened to them.
Vi Janaway
· 7 July 2004
· Chapter 15: Destiny
I too beleive that they chose immortality.
But, they took a very long time to leave Middle-Earth
Author's reply
Tolkien seems to have changed his mind on this, as he did on so much. In LOTR he said that Arwen and E2 could remain elves for as long as Elrond stayed. Once he left, they either went with him or became mortal (but I can't find the reference!) In later works he says that E2 stayed, but their fate was 'unknown'.
Bodkin
· 6 July 2004
· Chapter 15: Destiny
I too think they chose immortality and being together. My reasoning - Elros and Elrond were little more than kids when they made their choice. Elladan and Elrohir had been together more than 3000 years - they were detached from Men long before they chose. I think only overwhelming passion would have made them opt for mortality.
Author's reply
I hope they chose immortality, mostly because I don't want Elrond to lose all three of his children, and because I don't want to think of E2 dying. I did once read a wonderful story where they chose mortality, and Elladan died next to Elrohir's tomb. Very tearjerking.
Karri
· 6 July 2004
· Chapter 15: Destiny
Oh, an excellent drabble, Jay. I, too, do not like consider them sundered as their father and uncle were.
Author's reply
I agree. Whatever their choice, it was the same. Thanks for the review.
LKK
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 14: Oropher
Oropher's regret is palpable, Jay. You really made him come alive, if you will pardon my bad taste in word choice. I liked how he feel guilt not only over his warriors' deaths and Thranduil being left alone but over his decision as well. Good job!
Author's reply
Oropher is usually portrayed as hotheaded and rash in the way he led the charge before the signal had been given. I wanted to show why he did it, and his regret.