Four Hands Around by French Pony
singing-sorrowless · 18 April 2026 · Chapter 1: Waiting
I keep coming back to read this story again! The dynamic of the house of Finwe in this is basically canon to me. So sweet and so sad! I feel so bad for the Ambarussa, since they get forgotten compared to the rest of their brothers, but this is a lovely story focused on them!
Dawn Felagund · 2 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
Finally, I get to read the fourth chapter! Blessed be Internet access at work! I will admit that when I read the first line, I thought, "Did I click on the wrong story?" I went back to the prior chapter...nope, I was in the right place. :) But the jump between Chapters Three and Four worked well for me: After the rather light first three chapters (though I'm not sure that Nerdanel will agree that -all- was light and pleasant *grin*), the fourth comes something of a shock, but it serves as a nice reminder of exactly what was lost because of the exile and the Oath and the dark deeds of the Feanorians. Maglor's comment about "one whole brother"...ouch. That was cruel. Though justifiably so, and I thought that Maglor's emotions were handled well: honest but not too sappy-gushy. And I will confess that I got a little tear in my eye when the "Whoop Whoop Whoop" song appeared in this particular context, and this line was one of my favorites in the story: > It was a rough, raw sound, as if each word was a blade piercing Maglor’s body. The Elrond and Elros's behavior was portrayed quite well, I thought, as one would expect from small children just emerging from a traumatic experience. And some of their gestures--like when one reaches for the candy and then stops and looks to Maglor for permission--really added a nice touch. A lot of writers have drawn comparison between Ambarussa's death and Maglor's adoption of Elrond and Elros, but this is the first time I've seen it turned on its head to consider what -Maglor- replaced for the little ones: > Maglor nodded. "I know. And I am not Eärendil. We have all lost someone we loved. Perhaps our wounds will heal together in time." In all, this chapter was surprising at first, but I can't imagine a better conclusion to this story. Very nicely done! Best regards, Dawn
MithLuin · 13 April 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
It is a measure of how affected I was by this last chapter that I could barely type. To go from the peace of Aman to the bitter dregs of the Third Kinslaying was... gut wrenching. And as soon as Maglor began to comfort the twins, I -knew- what song he would sing them. Maitimo is quite scary here.
elliska · 2 April 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
Wow! I just got a chance to read this today while catching up. I am bawling my eyes out. The change from lovely family scenes to the harshness of the battle was very powerful and the death of the twins was very well written. But I lost it entirely when I got to the whoop song. Great story, FP.
daw the minstrel · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
I liked this concluding chapter, FP. Maglor's need to love, the return of the whoop-whoop song, the saving of one set of twins and the death of the other--all were beautifully done.
Bodkin · 24 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
Ahh. Last sons of Feanor. And the first shall be last. Poor Maglor. He's really not designed for this Kinslaying malarkey. He's more of a carer. I'm so glad that the tragedy of Elured and Elurin combined with the death of the Ambarussa(s) to make him demand the lives of Elros and Elrond - and impel Maedhros to grant them. It's hard to see how the Maedhros of the first chapters developed into the elf he did - love of his father and a desire to please, perhaps. Despair. I don't know. Feanor must take a good deal of the blame - but Maedhros didn't make the decision that what he was doing was wrong and stop, which he could have done. Better be cursed for rejecting an oath like that than for upholding it. Such a tragic family.
Larner · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
What an ending from such a promising beginning. To lose two sets of twins and save one--one which will be particularly special. And then to give them Turkish Delight! Shades of Narnia!
Larner · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
Yes, when the family comes to see the new little ones it is both a time of pride and stress, and I see, a level of jealousy as well. Lovely details here.
Molly · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
I knew the twins' fate, but to read it from Maedhros's point of view was so sad. At least they died as they had lived: together. He might deserve it the least, but I felt the worst for Maedhros, losing his two youngest brothers and having Maglor turn on him in anger. I think the last chapter was fitting because when I first saw the story summary, I thought it was about the two oldest brothers, because they were the last alive, not the two youngest. And to make myself feel better after reading this I'll just hold on to what Maedhros said: "Perhaps their fëar are already reuniting with Father and Celegorm and Caranthir and Curufin." No one ever writes about it, but I like to imagine the House of Finwe made whole and living in peace someday in the far-off future.
perelleth · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Youth In All Its Pride
Wonderful, FP. The beginning shocked me for a moment, I even went back to see if I had missed a chapter! It was such an abrupt change, from the delight they caused with their birth to the shame and hatred they brough about in their own death... Your battle scenes are powerful as usual, and the gory little details are very vivid. One can almost feel the weariness and confusion in the remaining, last sons,(nice touch, that) and how they might have turned against each other at that moment. And that silly song! I suppose even Maedhros must have felt like crying at hearing that! Hopeless, yet very moving. Well done
elliska · 18 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
I find seeing Feanor interact in such intimate ways with his family, while still seeing the conflicts and attitudes that we expect, quite fascinating. This was a really well done set of interactions. The children were all adorable. I loved the gifts, especially the booties. And I loved the ending part where Nerdanel stays firm about their mother names and we see Feanor's final assessment of the day. Great chapter.
Bodkin · 18 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
I love seeing the family together - Fingolfin and Feanor both have their hackles up, while Finarfin acts as peacemaker. (Feanor could manage Fingolfin so easily if only he learned the meaning of subtlety.) The mixed bootees were so cute- it's hard to see Feanor's sweet sons turning into Kinslayers. I like Maglor's caring side - he enjoys looking after the little ones (and singing Whoop, whoop, whoop!) The two twins with but one name seems a bit ominous though. Although Earwen was quite tactful about it. I hope Nerdanel is storing this time of happiness. She will need these memories of happier times.
Dawn Felagund · 16 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
Well, that was a most pleasing lunch. ;) I thought it neat how you justified "Telufinwe" by making his the only birth that Feanor had to witness, hence removing his romantic ideas of what childbirth is like. I wonder what would have happened if he was present when Maitimo was born? The Pony!verse Anaire is quite different from the Felak!verse Anaire, but I really like her; I like her breezy confidence (and the fact that she tells Feanaro off a bit.) She comes through as a genuine, likeable female character. And the mention of the "Whoop Whoop Whoop" song made me laugh...again. I look forward to next Wednesday. Best wishes for happy muses! Dawn
perelleth · 16 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
I loved the sense of impending disaster flying around, and how the females are able to have fun at all of it, and lower down the tension. They were all great, from Indis to Anaire to Nerdanel. The moment Arafinwë stands between his two brothers looked as if it was a pic moment, a photograph someone would pick up from a box, after much time has passed. The tension between Nolofinwë and Feanaro was tangible through their efforts at civility. The children behaved, and that's good, because the parents were doing their best, too... ;-)
Molly · 16 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
For some reason I'm fond of the sons of Feanor, and I love this look at Finwe's family when they were young. The uncles are so cute, wanting to hold their newborn nephews. The grandsons' ages interest me, I suppose because that makes Aredhel and Galadriel younger than I usually picture them, at least in relation to their cousins. I like how even now Maedhros and Fingon seem to have a bond that will only grow stronger. They're all so happy and loving I wish they could stay that way because we know what comes later. I always enjoy reading different authors' takes on how these families grew up, so I'm eagerly looking forward to more.
daw the minstrel · 15 March 2006 · Chapter 3: Among The Sons
I'm trying to picture the bedlam in this room which has, what? nine children in it? Ten? Even well behaved, they're going to be causing an uproar. I want to take some drugs and lie down just thinking about it. But then seven sons would do that every day. Sounds like there's a fair amount of family tension to go around.
elliska · 13 March 2006 · Chapter 2: One Heart In Two Bodies
Sorry to be so late in reviewing (I sound like a broken record, I know). Again I am really struck by what a lovely family scene you have created here. The poor children worrying about their parents. And then them meeting their new brothers. I really though the part with Nerdanel trying to figure out how she didn't know and the explanation Feanor tried to use with her. I love this view of Feanor's family.
perelleth · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 2: One Heart In Two Bodies
First, apologies, I've been out of town... These bunch of very young feanorians kept me laughing! It is refreshing to see them all so young and deeply engaged in those types of endless conversations that easily degenerate into terrible things, as children's tend to. And then, I had a view of Feanor as Leonard of Quirm, here, don't ask me why! :-) Poor Nerdanel! She really needs her rest!
Larner · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 2: One Heart In Two Bodies
One soul in two bodies would be confusing to the best of folk, I suppose. And it appears Feanaro needs to realized his wife knows of what she speaks.
Agape4Gondor · 9 March 2006 · Chapter 2: One Heart In Two Bodies
Hmmmm - very good chapter... but I am already looking towards the creation of the Silmarils.... hmmmm - could the birth of the twins have inspired Feanor? Thanks for a great chapter! Agape4Gondor
Agape4Gondor · 9 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Waiting
Excellent first chapter. You have me hooked - even though I am not too fond of Feanor! I love the children - I love their play, their relationships, and their fears! Thank you! Agape4Gondor
daw the minstrel · 9 March 2006 · Chapter 2: One Heart In Two Bodies
I particularly liked the scene where the five older brothers are greeting the twins. It just seemed so cozy and loving. And I agree with Nerdanel: Seven is definitley enough!!!
elliska · 5 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Waiting
I really like seeing Feanor and his sons in fanfiction being portrayed as real, full characters, rather than only at the moments when they did something evil and I think your stories are the only places I have seen that. How refreshing to see the sons of Feanor discussing whether they would like a little sister or another brother (or whether it was simply enough to get their mother/sibling through the birth heathily). And I never thought about the fact that Amrod and Amras might have been the first twins for elves and how confusing that would have been for everyone. Loved that. The brothers comforting each other was very sweet and very in character given how strong their bond proved to be later in life. And I like the idea of Feanor making something for his wife for every birth. But I particularly liked Feanor telling his sons about his mother. I always thought that his creative spirit must have really warred with his fear of his wife suffering as his mother did and I like how you showed that here with his decision to stop with six--hehehe, little did he know. This was a great family picture--I loved it and I'm looking forward to more.
perelleth · 5 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Waiting
Good to see a new story by FP! Apologies for being a bit late in reviewing, but I've been out of touch for some time and I am only very slowly catching up... "I decided to let him "invent" just one more feature of life in Arda" This sentence kept me wondering. Then, also did this one: ""Never again," he murmured. "I will sire no more children. I have not the heart to make any of you endure this waiting again. Six children is enough for anyone." Then, I assumed that you referred to him "inventing" twins, that's it, isn't it? ;-) Seriously, it is a nice beginning and a cute family portrait. They must have been children some time, and they must have been a family, too, and it was very nice to see them rolling eyes at one of those insidious songs we have all suffered at any point in our lives! Very nice detail!
Vicki_Turner · 4 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Waiting
An amazing start! Absolutely wonderful! Please write more and update soon!!!!