Reviews (27)

galathil · 10 October 2012 · Chapter 14: Part Six - Chapter Three

Hi AfterEver. I have just come across your story and I am really hoping that you will finish it soon. Can't wait to what happens next.LOL Galathil

Anonymous · 7 May 2006 · Chapter 14: Part Six - Chapter Three

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Powerful, immediate and touching. Thank you.

daw the minstrel · 10 January 2006 · Chapter 14: Part Six - Chapter Three

I like that you have Arwen taking Aragorn's part.

daw the minstrel · 10 January 2006 · Chapter 13: Part Six - Chapter Two

I can see why Gilraen would go home. I'd have done it long ago. She doesn't really belong among elves. And Eru knows, she'd be uncomfortable enough now.

daw the minstrel · 10 January 2006 · Chapter 12: Part Six - Chapter One

I wondered what I'd read and what I hadn't. Gilraen is in a very difficult position. She's on site, where the trouble is, while Aragorn is far away. I can think of few things more aggravating.

daw the minstrel · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Part Five - Chapter Two

You're exceptionally good at letting setting, movements, gestures, object suggest how people live and feel.

daw the minstrel · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 10: Part Five - Chapter One

I liked your elves in their elfy moments--decorating with whatever comes to hand, dancing in the rain. They must exasperate Gilraen sometimes.

daw the minstrel · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 9: Part Four - Chapter Two

Interesting take on how Elladan might have looked at his father's history. What's your sense of why he'd want to be High King? Does he think he'd make a difference in the war against the shadow?

daw the minstrel · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 8: Part Four - Chapter One

It's interesting to think about how Estel was trained for his future. Presumably Elrond, Glorfindel, the twins, and Gilraen all held a part, but I'll bet hers lessened as he got older and took up the life of a warrior.

daw the minstrel · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 7: Part Three - Chapter Three

So I'm thinking about the timing here. Aragorn is 10. That means this is the year Bilbo and the dwarves passed through Rivendell. Did we see that already? I may be confusing this story with another. Did Glorfindel go to do something about that?

daw the minstrel · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 6: Part Three - Chapter Two

This display of 'go not to the elves' talk would drive me crazy. I don't know how Gilraen stood it for so many years.

Angel · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 5: Part Three - Chapter One

Wow I thought to beg for a follow-up to Last Hope and found this. Unfortunately for me, it is two-fold better than the last and have had to dab at the eyes a few times, sniff! Most especially involving Elladan. Ahh always my favourite twin my heart cannot help but break with his sorrow and losses and the act he puts up. Elrohir is so much fun :) though he surely ripples inside too. Asfaloth? How exciting! Am sooo happy for Glor, Elrond, everyone and especially Estel and Dan. Two years!!! I had thought it'd take longer but what a complete picture of the elves' grief! They were certain he would return and so soon! Yet mourned unrestrainedly like no tomorrow. How much more do they mourn their friends! sniff...oh Bugger...big KISS for Elladan lol I believe Gilraen and Elrond's relationship is hard to write, especially in these alone times when there's nothing to do and no one to occupy one's time with, but you've done it exceptionally well. Am liking Gilraen more and more, sniff! Dang it! :P Fingers crossed the boys bond on their excursion!!! and you update soon! :)

grumpy · 29 July 2004 · Chapter 5: Part Three - Chapter One

what a lovely chapter, with Elrond and Gilrean worrying over Estel's first overnight trip. Very nice of the twins to take him out. Loved the part about the measureing of Estel's whole body, so he does not figure out that is was a bow that he was getting. looking forward to more

Firnsarnien · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 5: Part Three - Chapter One

Woo hoo! An update! Although for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't review the last chappy. I've read it! Ah well, I loved this chappy too, just as I did the last. There were so many wonderful moments. It seems at last, that Elladan has fallen for the charms of Aragorn, his heart's been captured. I can understand his reluctance to do so, but it was inevitable. And I laughed at this little line, "...never forget them there, though, or no one will thank you for the smell!" That was great! It's true too you know. When my son was little, he often left things on top of our wood heater. The one thing that stands out most in my mind, was his little yellow plastic school bus. By the time I figured out what that horrid smell was, the wheels had melted down to a puddle of goo and I could never scrape all that plastic off the heater either once it cooled! LOL Good thing Elladan didn't forget the gloves since Aragorn obviously did! LOL What a delight to watch Estel with his bow. I can only imagine the light in his eyes when Elladan and Elrohir present him with his quiver. I only wish we could see it. *sigh* Gilraen seems so sad all the time. I guess she grieves still for her husband, no? I don't think her heart will ever truly heal despite all Elrond may try to do for her. I'm glad they can offer each other comfort though. She is sad to see Arathorn slipping from Aragorn's memories and Elrond is sad to see his son's pain and anger over their mother's torment. Perhaps they understand each other more than they realize for it seems caring for Aragorn is giving them both cause for going on and perhaps in the long run, he will bring the light back into their lives. It seems he is already starting to do that with Elladan and Elrohir. I loved watching the relationship between those three grow and flourish. Can't wait for anther chappy! :)

daw the minstrel · 25 July 2004 · Chapter 5: Part Three - Chapter One

Estel is very lucky to be going with Elladan and Elrohir. It's a wonderful birthday present. And what he thinks of as fun is good training for his future life. I was interested in the little discussion at the end about when a boy, especially a future chieftain, would begin weapons training. Elrond is undoubtedly right that Estel's childhood is easier among Elves. I like the emotional connections you show among your various characters too.

Bodkin · 27 June 2004 · Chapter 4: Part Two - Chapter Two

Reincarnation of the animals - well, why not! Lovely to read from Gilraen's point of view. Just went and read about baby Aragorn arriving at Rivendell - most enjoyable.

daw the minstrel · 26 June 2004 · Chapter 4: Part Two - Chapter Two

Well, that I never expected. Asfaloth really DOES get reborn? I want my dog back. I really miss her.

D6 · 26 June 2004 · Chapter 4: Part Two - Chapter Two

I'm an addict. I want more, give me more *stares in a junkie kind of way*

Firnsarnien · 25 June 2004 · Chapter 3: Part Two - Chapter One

Wow! This is such a great story. Hardly any surprise after the last one. My heart is breaking for Elladan though. I can see his point about loving mortals. It's heart breaking to do and he doesn't think he has it in him to do it anymore. In a way, I can compare it with people having dogs. All my life I've had dogs as pets and their lives are so short compared to ours. Over the years, I've lost so many pets. I don't think my heart can take any more heartache. I think after I lose my Sugar, that's it for me, no more dogs. I just can't do it anymore. I see this as a comparison as to what Elladan is going through. He's keeping himself distanced for he fears that he will come to love Aragorn. Thus setting himself up for more heartbreak. I'm not sure if Gilraen truly understands that. But, I also think Elladan is going to fail completley in his quest to keep Aragorn at bay. That child just worked his way into his arms and soon, his heart will be next. It's interesting to see the struggle he's going through though. Great chappy! I look forward to the next one. :)

Bejai · 24 June 2004 · Chapter 3: Part Two - Chapter One

Oh, I love your work! Have I mentioned that lately? Because I really do. What a heartwrenching parallel between the horse, the pain of mortal death, and what Elladan was talking about before. This line right here -- brilliant: "I am mortal." Shifting Estel to her other hip, she shook out her cramping arm, and walked on. "We live in the footprints of death." Gives me the shivers, it does. Wonderful chapter -- it really helped cheer me up today to see that you'd updated. I managed to break my foot this week, and have been hobbling around feeling sorry for myself. Good fic to read helps ;)

D6 · 24 June 2004 · Chapter 3: Part Two - Chapter One

This is such a great story. "We live in the footprints of death" Gilraen is great! ...Now I want to learn Sindarin.

Timon · 24 June 2004 · Chapter 3: Part Two - Chapter One

I see the saga of Gilraen in Rivendell continues, and, I am as dazed by this piece as I have ever been by others you have penned in the past. This is a gripping story. The way you write it...I feel like I have somehow slipped into Gilraen's skin and am looking out through her eyes, shouldering young Estel, while observing and contemplating anew the mystery of all things Elvish. I even feel the ache, deep down, inside that she lives with day and night, visions of her dead husband notwithstanding. The "ada" incident would have been quite a wake-up call for any widow living in another man's household. Very well orchestrated piece of writing, that. The death of the horse and then Elladan's explanation to Estel as to how Elves perceive death made me think. Actually, I know a few mortals that have this same perception and/or experience with each fresh loss. That Elladan "ripples" on the inside rather than outwardly was, I thought, a rather startling revelation and a very intimate one coming from an Elf who drinks to mask his words/feelings. Wow, what a maze of emotions to work through in this one! Maybe that's why it feels so real, so disturbingly sad. Of course, being mortal, what are we expected to feel? After reading all the chapters to this story, I feel like I should go grab someone I love in a fierce hug and tell them just as fiercly how much they mean to me. That's what your story does - puts us mortals face to face with the end of ourselves. The finality is out there waiting for each of us. No wonder Elladan wants to steer clear. It's dangerous to love a mortal, and he knows it only too well. I'm building courage for the next chapter. And I have this feeling that it's gonna take a boatload. Timon

daw the minstrel · 24 June 2004 · Chapter 3: Part Two - Chapter One

I was caught up in this. You show us mortality intruding in Rivendell, and of course that's right because there were plenty of mortal creatures around. But the really intriguing part was the clash caused by the different beliefs of Elves and Men about death. And geez, there's Glorfindel right there. Talk about returning! But I thought that was only immortals. What is Elladan talking about? I'd be like Gilraen, I think, and be furious.

D6 · 16 June 2004 · Chapter 2: Part One - Chapter Two

Is there going to be more of this? Soon?. Great story. I like how the twins are so different from each other. It'd be great if you did a bit more on Elrond, his reaction to Estel calling him 'ada' for instance. If you do write more please let me know. dianacris_84@yahoo.com.mx or martinez6i24@hotmail.com

daw the minstrel · 11 June 2004 · Chapter 2: Part One - Chapter Two

Well, Elladan surprised me too. And now that you have him say it, I can see the truth in what he said. Elrond was really amazing.