Please continue this story! Its very special as it takes us on a your inside the mind of Estel and his family. It is how things could have been if mr Tolkien had developed a little more on the characters.
Its intriguing to see Estel grow and hes ni e years old and nearing the time he will know his heritage.
No wonder Sauron tries to disturb him with dreams and visions or whatever causes them.You have made Elronds family very interesting indeed. I hope I may some day see your story updated!
MOST Excellent! I just found your story-I've been working my way forward through the archives... Please continue!
daw the minstrel
· 18 December 2005
· Chapter 30: Growing Spider 9
I'm in a hotel on my way to New Zealand, but I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the chapter. When I was small, I once found a picture I'd drawn for my mother in her wastebasket. I was devastated!
daw the minstrel
· 30 November 2005
· Chapter 29: Growing Spider 8
Well that's all very scary. I'd assume Elrond wouldn't get worked up over a cold. All kids have them and he's fostered a lot of Dunedain (although sometimes I wonder where the virus comes from). But the on again/off again nature of this illness and the pictures are really spooky.
Although I tend to use all my avaliable free computer time just to find and copy the LOTR stories I don't want to miss, I did want to let you know that I am following, and thouroughly enjoying, your story. I just love your young Estel! He is such a wonderful loving, sweet, determined, intelligent, thoughtful, open, loyal little boy. And I have to admit that I really admire Elrond. The depth of his love for his small, human son is obvious not only in his concern and warm care of him but also in his consistant search for the best way to raise him. He will not let a lesson go only to make things easier for the boy but understands that many of the important lessions one must learn are difficult and may be painful. I admire that he is willing to give Estel the time and space to learn the truth of these lessons for himself, even if that route is much more difficult for him also. If we could all discipline our children with such an even hand and well thought out goals perhaps there would be more happy, well adjusted adults!
Very nice! Thank you so much for sharing this story with us and be assured that even though I need to slink back to lurking I will be eagerly waiting for each update!
WindSinger
daw the minstrel
· 19 November 2005
· Chapter 28: Growing Spider 7
I loved the stuff about making the bow, particularly the detail that it had to be right side up so the tree's spirit would work with you.
Author's reply
Wasn't that wonderful? That was in the article I read and I couldn't believe how much it sounded like something Legolas would teach Estel! It just had to go in. There are some wonderful things to be found on the internet, but I never expected to find an old man who sounded like Legolas!
daw the minstrel
· 12 November 2005
· Chapter 27: Growing Spider 6
Hm. I wonder what's wrong with Estel? Is this vision stuff perhaps?
I do like your characterization of Halbarad. You can see how he would grow up to the Aragorn's loyal and loved relative and follower.
Author's reply
I wish there had been more about him in the book - I have come to like him very much :)
I love the three brothers together. They are all truly their father's sons (plural "fathers" to incl. Estel's father Arathorn).
daw the minstrel
· 15 October 2005
· Chapter 26: Growing Spider 5
Nice preparation for Estel's role in the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith. It's fascinating to think of despair as a killer. It also seems right, sadly enough, and not just for elves.
daw the minstrel
· 2 October 2005
· Chapter 25: Growing Spider 4
Well that was exciting! Very tense battle with the wolves. "You die, wolf." That was great. Estel is indeed a fine boy, one who will one day swing torches at foes far stonger than wolves.
daw the minstrel
· 27 September 2005
· Chapter 24: Growing Spider 3
I love the way they guide him but let him do it himself. For some 21st century reason, it reminded me of playing computer adventure games. I can always get a walk thru on the internet, but finding the answer myself is so much more satisfying. I'm afraid that things are about to go out of control here though.
daw the minstrel
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 23: Growing Spider 2
Elrond is such a great teacher. I love the example of the pitcher and the milk and porridge. He doesn't hesitate to waste small things to teach an important lesson. I also liked the vision of Aragorn replanting the tree of Gondor.
daw the minstrel
· 20 September 2005
· Chapter 22: Growing Spider 1
That's interesting. Healing in Tolkien is not entirely clear to me. I know the hands of the king are the hands of the healer and all that. And Elrond does seem to be able to heal Frodo partly by just touching him. But I'd never thought of Aragorn as a child being able to do that.
Author's reply
I'm still not sure where I'm going with this idea. But I am reasoning that his ability had to be something innate rather than entirely learned. Seemed to me then that he would have that from birth and it was then a logical step to believe he would not know how to control it as a child. He would learn that control from Elrond. He would have enough power and knowledge to be known as a healer but would not come into his full inheritance of power until he was ready to take on his kingship. In the Houses of Healing, though, he certainly knew his stuff, saving Faramir, Eowyn and Merry from certain death. And others unnamed, of course. No wonder the poor guy was worn out and had to go for a rest!
That's my humble take on it, anyway -- I don't know if anyone else wants to comment but I would enjoy debating the issue. I am following my instincts very much on this. I am not knowledgeable enough to do more than that.
daw the minstrel
· 20 September 2005
· Chapter 21: Growing Rivendell 11
I know there are people to care for Estel, but as a parent, I cringe at the idea of leaving two boys like that. Their imagination so far outstrips their judgment that it isn't funny.
I liked Legolas's gifts, and I don't know the connection, so I hope Estel hurries up and figures it out and tells me.
Poor estel, growing up is hard...He almost catches his sleeve on fire, not having a good moment...But he came back and faced his fears in spite of it..
Author's reply
Isn't it just! But everything is a lesson to him and he is learning quickly. I seem somewhat fixated on his clothes just now - I am most interested to see at which point he dresses like a Ranger rather than an elf! I wonder what Elrond thought of the transformation.
daw the minstrel
· 17 September 2005
· Chapter 20: Growing Rivendell 10
I remember reading this one at ff.net, but I do admire Estel's courage. It's harder to face humiliation that a foe we disdain, I think.
Author's reply
I agree. But the rewards if we do may be greater. I am still tidying up bits and pieces, so this is a cleaner copy than the chapters at ff.net. I hope to catch up all the chapters in due course but life is a little hectic at the moment.
daw the minstrel
· 9 September 2005
· Chapter 19: Growing Rivendell 9
I like the kind of moral education that Estel is getting. I'm wondering if there's a basis in canon for the visions. I know Faramir had them, so I suppose they might go with the blood of Numenor, which Eru knows Aragorn had. But I don't recall reference to them. I'm not an Aragorn writer thought, so I could easily have missed it. Are these your own creations? Or are you expanding on something Tolkien gave us?
Author's reply
There is no basis, as far as I know, though I don't consider myself any sort of expert. I was working on the basis of it being his Numenorean lineage. I wondered about his ability to heal - which for me is one of the greatest signs of his fitness to be the high king - and considered that it was possible he also had other abilities, one which he might control effectively as he grew up. So it's all pure speculation on my part. I just hope it's convincingly described.
This is sweet...Estel almost heard what he is not suppost to hear...ANd he drew a picture of his pony and the reason for its namae is revealed.
Does Gandalf have the answers to his visions?
Please continue
daw the minstrel
· 5 September 2005
· Chapter 18: Growing Rivendell 8
I haven't seen this one before. I either missed it at ff.net or it's new.
I particularly liked the part where all the important people are in the room and Estel is among them. And he really IS an important person. He just doesn't know it. But it shines through anyway.
I also like Elladan's knowledge that he's a youngster in the eyes of some of the important people.
This is a great story...Estel has it hard and it is hard to raise a child who will be a King one day.
Trying to teach him what he needs to know and it seems they are doing a good job...Please continue....
daw the minstrel
· 27 August 2005
· Chapter 17: Growing Rivendell 7
Elladan is interesting in his speculations about what will make Estel a stronger adult. My son is grown up now and I used to think about that. Things that count as a good in a child aren't necessarily good in an adult. Unquestioning obedience, for instance. If you insist on that in a kid, how does he learn to judge right and wrong for himself? The relationship between these three is complex and real.
daw the minstrel
· 24 August 2005
· Chapter 16: Growing Rivendell 6
I have to say, unless I was really sick, staying in bed for two whole days would about kill me. I can't imagine a 9-year-old boy in that condition, and without video games too!
Estel wears me out!
V. much enjoying rereading this.
Author's reply
Tell me about it! :)
So glad - I am adding little bits here and there and trying to catch the worst of the errors as I go.
So at least there are one or two new bits to read!
daw the minstrel
· 23 August 2005
· Chapter 15: Growing Rivendell 5
Ah selective deafness! I recognize the phenomenon. You have to hand it to Estel for fearlessness.
Author's reply
A very useful skill, in my opinion :) He will need it when he is King!
Fearlessness or foolishness? At some point he will have to work that out for himself. The moment I was thinking about here was the FOTR battle with the Uruk Hai, when he just goes into battle, no matter how many there are! Wonderful moment, when he kisses the sword and just starts tackling them all!