Reviews (19)

Sphinx · 26 May 2020 · Chapter 9: Release

I've been on a strange fandom loop of late. Read Deific Flame a few months ago and marvelled. Then the world went topsy turvy. I hope you are safe and sound. This is such an excellent story, Bejai. Everything about it - Elrond's characterisation, the deconstruction of what the rings do, how the ring bearers both long for and fight it and what their partners are bound to in the process. I was so happy to read it again, and it produced the same *squee, I wish there was more*. Like all the many elves in it, truly ageless.

jxqTNiHW · 23 October 2012 · Chapter 6: Unity

Your articles are for when it asbolultey, positively, needs to be understood overnight.

garrett · 21 June 2005 · Chapter 9: Release

This was beautiful. Just how I imagined the end would be, thankyou.

TithenFeredir · 26 December 2004 · Chapter 9: Release

I found this story on the Mithril Awards page and read it all at a sitting. Goodness, where do I begin? Your characterizations of the elves were amazing. I don't think I've ever read a story in which their age and long experience was so deftly woven into every sentence.The private travail of the ringbearers and those close to them was fascinating. Your descriptions of the intimate relationships of the married elves was both sensual and romantic, and yet was accomplished with great subtlety. I could go on and on. Glorfindel, Celebrian and Celeborn really came to life for me for the first time in this story; Elrond and Galadriel gained a great deal of depth. This was an excellent rendering of Celebrian's story in my opinion. As a reader of fanfic this was like striking gold. As a little gnat of a writer I am inspired and instructed...and how! What a wonderful read! Thanks for sharing. TF

Marta (aure_enteluva) · 16 December 2004 · Chapter 9: Release

Hi Bejai, I just finished your marvellous story. My name is Marta, and I write mostly Ring War-era Gondor and the Hobbits, so stories about Elves, and especially stories beginning in the mists of time before _The Hobbit_ and _The Lord of the Rings_, usually do not interest me. But recently I have been bitten by a story idea for a vignette: Celeborn's reaction to Galadriel accepting Nenya. I was also discussing with Marnie her story "Those Who Remain" (about an encounter between Sam and Celeborn). I mentioned the story idea to her, and she pointed me to your work. Boy am I glad she did! I have thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as well as "Of Entwives and the Sundering Seas" and "The End of Days", the other two pieces of yours that I've read. The writing is rich, the writing is engrossing, the tales are told or retold well, the imagery is above comparison... wow. That's the one word that I came away thinking. I'm not sure I can be much more explicit than that. Except that you have made the times before the Ring War come alive for me like no one else - including Professor Tolkien - has been able to do. Know this: I will be looking forward to more of your stuff. And for what it's worth, I think your Bilbo and Frodo were right on in the last chapter. I'm afraid I really do have a beta reader's mind, and in reading I noticed a few typos. In work of a lesser calibre (including my own!) I probably would not have noticed them. And they do not by any means ruin the tale. But if you would like me to, I would be happy to go back through the stories and point them out for you. Feel free to contact me privately at MartaL0712 at netscape dot net Thanks again for sharing your vision with me. It was a most enjoyable ride. Marta

Sphinx · 3 January 2004 · Chapter 9: Release

There is brilliance. And then there is brilliance. And then there is this. What an end. I can do nothing but repeat those words to myself. I only hope that one day I will be able to characterize and write as well yas you. A more gushing review in mail. Am I allowed?

daw the minstrel · 1 January 2004 · Chapter 9: Release

A beautiful ending to a beautiful tale. No easy endings but there is still joy.

Nilmandra · 1 January 2004 · Chapter 9: Release

Once again, I am nearly speechless. I am almost glad that is all we see of Elrond and Celebrian's reunion, for I would be weeping uncontrollably if we saw more. But Celeborn and Galadriel's pain is palpable. To not be able to sense the other after thousands of years....my heart breaks. And Celeborn stays....and you leave Glorfindel in Middle earth too. I guess I will go with my version of canon that says that they wait for the end of the reign of a certain King and the passing of his Queen, and then her brethren and grandfather and their 'keeper' will also be reunited with their loved ones. If I were to believe less, I do not think I could write anymore.

LadyBird · 29 December 2003 · Chapter 6: Unity

This is a story i am greatly, especially the Celeborn and Galadriel parts. it's nice to finally see a story where they actually seem to enjoy one another's company! Please carry on.

daw the minstrel · 20 November 2003 · Chapter 8: Temptation

This was wonderful, poetic, and terrible. Elrond's temptation was deeply realized. How awful to have fought this battle so many times, to think you've won, and to see if come again. Fabulous chapter, Bejai.

Nilmandra · 20 November 2003 · Chapter 8: Temptation

What the Ring showed Elrond was truly hideous. It offered him false hope to do good and Elrond saw the lies. So it told him his fate when he was under Sauron's control and it was hideous. To think he could become the Dark Star and be an unwilling slave, as perhaps some of the Nazgul are, is as awful a fate as one can imagine, when one longs for death but cannot have it. Again, truly wonderful. I have never read a tale that more perfectly captures the power of the rings. And I like how you have shown the sea longing awakened in his heart. He holds off against its call until the end, though. One thing one must say about Elrond and Galadriel, perhaps Cirdan and Gandalf too - they stayed until the end, not knowing if they would be enslaved, but the responsiblity they carried kept them bound to ME for so long I am amazed at the hope they maintained. And all of them declined the Ring. Thanks for showing us Elrond's temptation - it was a missing piece of Tolkien's work.

Sphinx · 6 November 2003 · Chapter 7: Grief

The story deserves reviews wherever it is archived. ;) The chapter that everyone hates to read, but cannot get enough of. Brilliant portrayal of a difficult time, and skillful interplay with the ring and the evil chap in the beginning. Very nice.

Nilmandra · 6 November 2003 · Chapter 7: Grief

This was absolutely brilliant, again! It seems so believable that Shadow would seek to have someone like Celebrian, not a Ringbearer but one protected by several. Elrond's fears are so true - and I have long thought that each must have such a plan - for someone to ensure they died rather than fell under the control of Sauron. Unable to leave, unable to see the end, I wonder from where they found hope. I love your portrayal of Celebrian here. Even so badly injured and abused, she is still strong enough to ensure that Vilya did not touch her. Her clarity of mind is still with her. She still loves her husband, but she must sail. I just feel so bad that she had to go alone. That too requires bravery. The interplay between Galadriel and Celeborn is almost terrifying. She somehow still sees the longterm and will sacrifice all for it. Yet she was there with Elrond and Celebrian too! And Celeborn - nothing would stop him from retrieving his daughter - his grandsons obviously are like him.

daw the minstrel · 6 November 2003 · Chapter 7: Grief

Wow. I intended to read for just 5 minutes before I had to get ready to go to work and I read the whole thing. I am just blown away. The agony of everyone involved is described so well through the detail and the dialogue. You make us feel it for ourselves. I am particularly struck by how Celebrian comes across as a strong person, despite what's been done to her. And her love for Elrond comes through so clearly too. Just an all around great job.

daw the minstrel · 15 September 2003 · Chapter 6: Unity

This story has the same feel as a Greek tragedy. The people of Athens knew the stories before they went to the theater. They knew what was going to happen to Oedipus but they watched it unfold in pity and fear. That's what I feel for poor Celebrian.

daw the minstrel · 15 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Shadow

This was terrifying. How awful for Elrond to think that it was his stewardship of Vilya that exposed Celebrian to the forces of evil.

daw the minstrel · 15 September 2003 · Chapter 1: Joining

This was a beautiful description of Elven bonding. I loved both the fleeting details of bodily union and the little glimpses of mental sharing. How wonderful.

Nilmandra · 11 September 2003 · Chapter 6: Unity

I am almost at a loss of words to say anything about this story. It is breathtakingly wonderful. So Celebrian heeded the words of her father and has accepted she hold's the heart of the Ringbearer. How clear that is here, that together they are powerful. How strong their bond; how much they see through the other. The twins and Glorfindel were wonderful, as was Mithrandir. I enjoyed the slight chastisement against Elrond for becoming overdependent on Vilya, but also the grace with which he accepted it. This is beautiful beyond words. I fear yet for what we learned one chapter ago - for what Galadriel say regarding Celebrian's presence and how she would be recognized more easily. What a foreboding of times to come.

Coriel · 10 September 2003 · Chapter 0: Prologue

Well, it was going along wonderfully until we got toward the end. Gracious, but I thought Galadriel had more maturity than that.