Jay's Drabblets by Jay of Lasgalen
Bodkin · 4 March 2007 · Chapter 78: Parental Ambitions
I love the way Arathorn and Gilraen are planning out his life, when he's no more than an hour or two old. They're pretty much right about what he learned - although Arathorn didn't get to teach his son anything, and Gilraen never got to see the grandchildren. Dramatic irony.
Raksha The Demon · 3 March 2007 · Chapter 79: Labour Of Love
This is a delightful view of elegant, perfect Arwen as a screaming h*llcat in labour. I can't say I blame her for being peeved with husband and brothers just for being male during this trying time.
Author's reply
Yes - being male is the only crime they've committed, but Aragorn got her into this condition in the first place, so he's doubly guilty!
RS · 3 March 2007 · Chapter 79: Labour Of Love
Ah Yes! Childbirth can get the best of them...even the most serene. This was great!
Author's reply
Poor Arwen - I'm sure she's not usually like this! It seemed a good reason for her to be antagonistic though.
Elena Tiriel · 3 March 2007 · Chapter 38: Important Business
I so enjoy your drabbles, Jay, but I think this one is my absolute favorite. I love how you capture the essence of the events at the Council of Elrond from the cat's perspective... "her elf" leading it, the Dwarven voices, the inconsequential but endless discussion, Gandalf's use of the Black Speech, Elrond reproving him, no one volunteering to take the Ring, then Frodo stepping in. I especially liked Suddenly she awoke with a start and hissed, her fur standing on end in fear. ... The sunlight faded, and a sense of evil hung in the air. Cats are acutely attuned to such currents of danger, I think, and you show that so well. And a heavy, ringing silence. Wow! that is so profound, Jay! Not just because the description is so evocative, but the double-entendre about the ring.... That kind of writing is what separates good drabbles from great ones. This drabble is a sparkling gem of feline wisdom. I almost feel like I'm profaning it by speaking of individual parts, when the whole is so perfectly crafted.... Beautifully done! - Barbara
Daynawayna · 3 March 2007 · Chapter 79: Labour Of Love
awww! a baby! LOL. But seriously, very well done Jay! That's probably one of the few ways she could be antagonistic, for sure!
Author's reply
*Grin* As soon as I read the prompt, I could see this scene!
Larner · 1 March 2007 · Chapter 78: Parental Ambitions
And neither got to see the fullness of their dreams for him. I rejoice that he proved superb at both.
meckinock · 1 March 2007 · Chapter 78: Parental Ambitions
That's so bittersweet, seeing how much love hope they had for their son - and each other - and knowing they hoped to share many happy years with him.
demeter d · 1 March 2007 · Chapter 78: Parental Ambitions
Neither parent quite got to see what they would have liked, did they? A sweet picture, indeed.
shirebound · 1 March 2007 · Chapter 78: Parental Ambitions
That's a sweet birthday scene, Jay! :D
Elflingimp · 1 March 2007 · Chapter 78: Parental Ambitions
Aw! that makes me so sad for Arathorn to be so happy and not to be able to live any of his dreams with Aragorn.
grumpy · 4 December 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
Ah Estel trys to make music, one day he will get the notes in the right order.
Author's reply
I'm sure with practice (and help from Elladan) he'll get a lot better!
Selene · 2 December 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
O boy, that must really hurt the poor elf's ears. But I love the reply :) I think more people have that happen to them; right notes, wrong order.
Author's reply
When I thought of that exchange (in a long-ago classic comedy sketch) it seemed just perfect for the scene I saw with Estel and Elladan. Glad you enjoyed it!
Lianna · 2 December 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
That's so cute. All of us who have suffered through the early stages of our children learning to play musical instruments can identify with this one.
Author's reply
Poor Elladan. He must have had to listen to a lot of Elrond's fosterlings mangling music!
Kitty · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
*rofl* Even if it is not from you, the last line is priceless and fits *perfectly well* here! Elladan should make himself useful and bring Estel a smaller instrument, more fitting for his little hands. Maybe it wouldn't sound so bad then.
Author's reply
I think Estel just wanted to try Lindir's harp for once. Elladan will get the smaller one for him, and perhaps they will play together.
Larner · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
Oh, so sweet, Jay. Just not in the right order, eh? I see.
Author's reply
That's Estel's excuse, anyway! He'll get better with practice - and a smaller harp :>)
Bodkin · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
I love that sketch. It's even almost as funny in retrospect as it was at the time! The look on Andre Previn's face - the deliberation of Eric Morecambe's movements. Not to mention his wonderful rendition of the Grieg. And as soon as I saw the title, the immortal line pronounced itself in my mind! Poor Estel, though. Being young and human and incompetent and surrounded by elves who had had hundreds of years to master skills such as harp-playing and sword-wielding. It's surprising his sense of self-worth survived it! (Must be down to good parenting from all those around him.) The thought of scruffy Strider, who spent many long years scratching a living in the wild as part of his path to glory, as one educated to be an elven princeling is sad - yet, of course he was. I wonder if his hands were in a state that left him able to play the harp by the time he was king ... Not necessarily in the right order. A classic.
Author's reply
I hoped people would recognise the scene and title! The line was mentioned on the radio yesterday - and the whole drabble was born almost immediately. Poor Estel could have been discouraged - but I can see Elladan patiently sitting down and helping him. I can see King Elessar playing the harp too - even if it was just for Arwen. Thanks for the Preview - I mean review ;)
Raksha The Demon · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
Heeeee! Cute and funny. I guess Aragorn wasn't always perfect at everything he tried. Or at least not until he'd had a lot of practice. Great little drabble.
Author's reply
Estel is fairly young here, and the harp is just too big for him. And everyone has to start somewhere!
paranoidangel · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
Aw. I bet it did sound like The Lay, just if you were in Estel's head :)
Author's reply
Poor Estel. I'm sure, as he grew older, he grew much more accomplished. And leave it to Elladan to tell him where he's going wrong ...
Ellie · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 77: All The Wrong Notes
I love it! I'll have to rememebr that last line for some future musical faux pas. Love your drabbles. Actually, love all of your works! Lots of fun!
Author's reply
As I mostly write angst, it's great fun to write the occasional light-hearted piece. I'm glad you enjoyed this! The final line is one I've always liked - I just never saw a way to link it to a drabble before :)
Tigger · 28 November 2006 · Chapter 75: Helm's Deep
How did I miss this? That last half is used as The Act of Remembrance up here by The Royal Canadian Legion and as the niece of WWII Vets, I know it by memory. This was lovely and a beautiful tribute to those who did not make it home. Thank you Jay.
Author's reply
I know the last verse very well - I think it's used across the world. I didn't know, until a couple of years ago, that there was more - and the previous verse I quoted seemed so apt for Movie!Helm's Deep. The drabble turned out more hopeful and upbeat than I intended. It's dedicated to all those who served and died, but also those who served and returned. Thanks for the review.
demeter d · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 9: Love
Lovely moment. There are, indeed, many kinds of love. I get the impression from what of Tolkien I have read that the Wood Elves did not "get out' of their woods much. But even so, the two of them had lived LONG lives even before Aragorn was born. Thranduil was kin to Celeborn and hence Celebrian, was he not, there must have been some contact over the many years. There would have been opportunities for more possibilities than I can imagine, I am sure. The fun of good fan fiction is in that "what if?", and "why not?'.
Author's reply
In my own story arc, Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir are much the same age, and it is more or less assumed by both families that Legolas and Arwen will one day marry. This drabble is set just after Aragorn learns that they were once betrothed. Tolkien left us so many 'what if?' moments - which is why I love writing in his world!
demeter d · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 76: Grammar Lessons
DELIGHTFUL! And, yes, they had better not run into the mother on the way out.
Author's reply
*Grin* Yes, somehow I don't think Celebrían would be fooled so easily ...
Larner · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 76: Grammar Lessons
Yes, clever elflings that they are, they've figured out how to manage their father! Heh!
Author's reply
Sneaky twins. Get Elrond when he's reading or studying, and they're already halfway to winning. And they know it!
Viresse · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 76: Grammar Lessons
I LOVE it! How intellgence are the twins! Go El! Wonderful chappie.
Author's reply
Oh, I think the twins are very smart. And cunning. And know exactly how to get round their father! Thank you :>)
Kitty · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 76: Grammar Lessons
*lol* With these two, Elrond clearly should be more cautious what he says. But the twins knew very well how they would get what they wanted - they know their Ada too well.
Author's reply
I think Elrond will be much more careful in future! But *all* children know how to get round their parents - and the twins are far too sharp to miss a chance like this :>)