The Warrior and the Boy by Nilmandra
Sandalf13 · 29 January 2022 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
What a wonderful story. I enjoy reading everything that you write, Nilmandra, and I am particularly drawn to several of the authors on your list. I do have a question: I have sent you and Rorrah (?) SEVERAL E-Mails regarding how to submit a story and never hear back. I thought that I might try to reach you this way. Please respond somehow if you see this review! Thank you very much.
nancylea57 · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
i wonder how many years and how many special initiations they can come up with as he moves closer and closer to adult human.
Author's reply
oh, I imagine the elves are very creative in ways of making short lived mortals feel very special. :>)
LOTR lover · 22 April 2005 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Browsing through stories on the eve of my birthday this year, I came across this lovely tale written for my birthday last year! I'm off to bed now, with visions of heroic and loving Elves and Men dancing in my head. Thanks all over again, Nilmandra, for it made my night. Judy
Author's reply
Oh, Judy, I am glad to hear that. And I'm really glad your back, too. Have a great birthday. And this made me laugh, because this was the only 'Estel' story I have written, and last night I was working on one for a challenge! Good timing. :D
Avalon Estel · 27 February 2005 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Aw, such a cute story! I love Glorfindel, and this is a wonderful version of him. Little Estel was adorable, and the fact that he wanted Glorfindel to be the first to wish him happy birthday was even more endearing. In short, a beautifully done fic about two wonderful characters. And thank you for letting me post my work here!
Author's reply
Thank you, Avalon Estel. I am glad you enjoyed it. As I work on HLIII, its good to explore some of these relationships between characters, so they come across well in that story.
galadriel · 24 September 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
i really liked this story but you cut it too short, you needed to continue. Thanks Mary
Author's reply
It will be a while yet, but we'll see more young Estel in HLIII. I am glad you liked this, though. A bit of fluff to brighten the day. :-)
Duchess · 12 May 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Oh this was wonderfully fun and cute and touching, all at once! :) Well done and I must say your writing is highly recommended by daw. I'm so glad I agree with her! *vbg*
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, Duchess! This was fun to write.
paranoidangel · 28 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
That was lovely and fluffy and nicely balanced by Gilraen at the end. I do love Glorfindel's line: “I do not need to tell Elrond I am wiser, for he is wise enough to know that I am wisest,” he answered wisely
Author's reply
Glad you liked Gilraen - I am looking forward to HLIII already, and figuring out how she might interact with all these elves - especially with logic like Glorfindel's!
Gershwhen · 24 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Ohhhhh. Glorfindel AND Elrond!! I'm in heaven. I do like seeing those two mighty elves interact with children and elflings -- and you do it so well. I loved Glorfindel's reaction to Estel -- especially when he heard that the boy had been waiting up for him. This was lovely and has put a very happy smile on my face. Thank you.
Author's reply
I am glad this made you smile! Fluff is great for that - just a tender moment, a special day, and a child who feels loved. :-)
Ren · 24 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Absolutely sweet!! Family bonding...oh!
Author's reply
Thanks, Ren! I like the idea of every elfling (child) loved and wanted, and part of a family. :-)
lwarren · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Oooooh, I wish I could celebrate my birthday with some elves!:) Way cool, I do love these fluffy little stories! This one brightened my day...and it's been a long one!
Author's reply
Glad to have helped end your long day on a brighter note! As for the elves, close your eyes and make a wish. . . :-)
eokat · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Simply lovely, Nilmandra. I especially liked the end when Gilraen called her son by his true name. Eokat.
Author's reply
Thanks, Eokat. I was glad when that ending came to me - it seemed to fit.
LKK · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
I'm beginning to suspect that strawberries are not only Elrond's and Glorfindel's and Estel's favorites. Mayhaps they are favored fruits for a certain author as well? :) Lovely piece of fluff, Nilmandra, with just a touch of sadness for flavoring. A most delightful breakfast for my soul this morning. Thank you!
Author's reply
Hmm........yes, straweberries are my favorites too. However did you guess? :D I think Arwen and Estel like them, though, because Ada does. Being like Ada is a good thing. Glad to have brightened your day :-)
grumpy · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
love this story, put a smile in my day. A great Estel and the elves story, with Elrond ada, the twins, grouchy Erestor and the warroir Glorfindel. Loved the part where Estel thinks of himself as a fox with a big fluffy tail and Glorfindel as the predator. The ending with Gilraen was perfect.
Author's reply
Oh, I love that a smile as put on Grumpy's face! I am glad you liked the ending. I did feel very sad as I tried to imagine myself in Gilraen's shoes.
Lasse-Lanta · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Lovely, just lovely. Thanks Nilmandra :-))
Author's reply
Thanks, Lasse-Lanta!
Firnsarnien · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
As usual Nilmandra, you do not disappoint. *sigh* That was beeeeeutiful! *sigh* His interaction with Glorfindel was unexpected, but so right. It would seem even he has come to love Estel as he loves Elladan and Elrohir. I guess Estel was irresistable as a child, no? ;) I always melt when I see Elladan and Elrohir interacting with Estel when he was little. They are so protective of him, so loving and thoughtful, considerate and so many other wonderful things. Even their teasing is beautiful for they always do it lovingly and with the utmost care not to hurt his feelings. Too bad all siblings cannot be this way. Gilraen's tears at the end put a lump in my throat and I had a hard time swallowing aroung it. That was very touching! Great story as usual! Can I have another please? ;)
Author's reply
I am glad you liked my fluff. I think the twins are careful in teasing Estel because of the several thousand year age gap :D I figure when he is older, though, he'll have to learn to hold his own. Another? Well, yes, tell me when your birthday is and what kind of little story you want. :D
LOTR lover · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Thank you again for this terrific story, Nilmandra! I love your portrayals of my dear Glorfindel and little Estel. And Gilraen's thought at the end adds just the right pinch of angst, for what widowed mother wouldn't think of her husband on their son's birthday?
Author's reply
I am glad you liked it, Judy, and hope you had a wonderful birthday, too!
Karri · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Oh, Nilm! That was just beautiful...and adorable....and splendidly beautiful...and sweet, too. :-D
Author's reply
Thanks, Karri!
Antigone Q · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Whee! Oh, this was wonderful! I like to think of Estel as being an imaginative child, too - and of course you know I love Glorfindel. I get a kick out of the great warrior being so gentle and sweet. The idea of Estel looking out the window for his elf-friend to come home was just adorable. Definitly counts as good fluff!
Author's reply
I am glad you liked the fluff, and hopefully it made for a better end to your week :D
songspinner · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
I had a VERY long and rough week and this made me smile, a lot. :) You have a marvelous sense of dialogue and imagery and I loved the closeness of the House of Elrond family...
Author's reply
Isn't a little bit of fluff just wonderful after a long, rough week? We all need to smile and feel loved. I am glad this did that for you.
The Karenator · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Ah...I want Glorfindel to carry me to bed and warm my feet and ...OH! There are people here. That was such a wonderful treat, Nilmandra. The slow leisurely pace of a sleepy boy and a patient Elf was so nice. Really, I almost feel drowsy from just being lulled by your words. It was just lovely. The ending was very well done. Really tugged at my heart strings for both Gilraen and Estel. And it made me feel sorry for Arathorn for what he has missed. Very, very nice, Karen
Author's reply
Glorfindel says he will gladly carry you to bed and warm your feet, and doesn't understand why it matters if there are people around *smiles innocently*. He really is a wonder, Karen. I enjoy having him around and I love it when he relates these little memoreis to me :D. I feel bad for what Arathorn missed, and also for what Gilraen gave up. She really did give all her hope to the Dunedain.
daw the minstrel · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
After I beta-d this, I got to thinking about elves meditating and how nice it would be to have that sort of self-possession. And if I could sit still for more than three minutes, I'd do it! I actually closed my eyes and tried, but I think I need practice or Elven blood. And 'grouchy Erestor' reminded me of my son when he was little calling my sister's dog 'grouchy Midnight.' I thought the ending of this was very touching.
Author's reply
*Tries to imagine Daw sitting still for 3 minutes and can't picture it* You would feel an overwhleming desire to go jot down notes for your next story! Glad you liked the ending - as I tried to put myself in Gilraen's shoes, I was awed as the sadness I thought she would have felt. She rejoices in being his mother, perhaps, but to have to cast aside her old life and his heritage for this time surely grieved her.
meckinock · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 0: The Warrior and the Boy
Awww. Nilmandra, I'm not normally a fluff-aholic but this story really got to me! Especially the little twinge at the end. Lovely, sweet story. And Glorfindel is just as big a teddy bear as ever!
Author's reply
Glorfindel is just preening at your reply. He thinks he resembles that comment :D. I am glad you liked it. Sometimes we just need a little fluff in our lives.