Reviews (15)

perelleth · 24 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

The joys of digging and unearthing treasures! Surely the elves would do perfect archaelogists, I had never thought of this! Unearthing the past for her grandchildren, now that must have been a task for Galadriel. I like to imagine the time she devoted to telling tales of distant lands and ages to those two -and to Arwen- It must have been difficult at times for Elrond's children, to grasp the amount of time and events lived by some of those that surrounded them... I really liked it!

Author's reply

It is remarkable to think of them as living archaeology, in a way. Like coming across a group of people whose way of life dates back to the beginning of time and yet who also live in the modern world. The twins know that the people surrounding them have experienced all the stories they have learned in their History Lessons - but to see how it affects those who are not at the centre of the tales... I think it might be disconcerting to realise that just about everyone has been part of history, even if their stories are not glamorous tales of derring-do, but more about survival and endurance. Thanks, perelleth - I'm glad you liked it.

Redheredh · 15 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

Oh my! I loved this! Are you starting a new series or is this only a one-shot?! I can easily see the twins wanting that these treasures to belong to someone more impotant. Galadriel's words of how history is hidden and forgotten are quiet poetic. However, I really like your purpose of recognizing the more ordinary, everyday people who makeup the greater portion, if not the greater part, of history.

Author's reply

It's just a one-off at the moment - brought on by thinking of elves and archaeology and the fact that they could always find someone who knew from experience the history of a time. I don't know that the twins thought the items had belonged to someone more important - but it can be surprising to realise that even people you look on as very ordinary can have a part in a vivid and distressing history. They know their family did ... but the elleth who complains about grass stains on the sheets? It's about perception. Yet could the great achieve anything without support - or at least co-operation (or lack of outright opposition) from the general populace? I think Galadriel knows that, but I'm not sure if the twins do yet. They think changing the world is more about individual acts of heroism. Whereas, perhaps, it's more about adequate food supplies and good drainage.... Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

Ellie · 12 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

I enjoyed this very much! The stories behind the artifacts are always the best. The creepieness of the whole location was interesting, too. I wish you would write more with the story that Galadriel was about to tell them. That would be neat. Wonderful story. Well done as always!

Author's reply

Hollin - where Legolas says, 'I hear the stones lament them: deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us; but they are gone... Gandalf says it is 'wholesome', but I think the war must have left its traces, and walking among them would have made elves melancholy. H'mm. A Second Age story. Maybe one day. I'd need to be more confident with the material first! Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

elliska · 12 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

Wow! What did you and Dot get into last night? I think I need to have a drink! This was really well done and very sad to see the relics of Ost-in-Edhil. I was always fascinated in musuems by the pieces there and what the people who once owned them would think to know they were in a museum today and what they meant to those people--were they treasured memoried, just casual pieces of every day life, made for a special occassion etc? It's fascinating and sad to think of elves being able to remember. Great job (I'm still crying, but great job).

Author's reply

It was just the thoughts of elves and archaeology. No guesswork ... sorry, deduction ... required. Just go and ask someone who was there. In some ways, caches of family treasures are an indication of hope - they thought they would be able to come back for them. But also, they are sad - because they clearly didn't. And then, it's interesting to think about the lives of ordinary people as opposed to kings and queens. The twins know perfectly well that their own family was bound up in the tragedies of these events - they listened to their History Lessons - but then relating the same events to ordinary elves can require a bit of adjustment. Like imagining your grandparents being young. Thank you. It sprang fully formed into my head - and it was fun to write!

The Karenator · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

Terrific dig, Bodkin. I've always loved old things because there's a story behind everything from an antique piece of furniture to a frayed old book gathering dust on the back shelf of a used book store. I completely understand the twins's curiosity about who the items belonged to and their origins. Of course, the most poignant moment was when Galadriel revealed the owner, a woman the twins thought 'ordinary'. History is made up of far more ordinary people than famous names and faces. The famous just got more press. But without the average person, the pages of history would only be footnotes, and the deeds remembered that shaped where we are today, would not have come to pass. George Washington could not have won the Revolutionary War alone. (But we still love England!) Just lovely, Bodkin! I truly enjoyed this. And by the way, Elrohir does indeed believe in ghosts. I think Elladan might change his mind soon too. :>) Okay, yeah, I had a fangirl moment when I read that. But Halbarad doesn't want to talk about it.

Author's reply

Archaeology and elves! Interesting juxtaposition - because it would be like digging among your mother's possessions in a way. There's always someone there who can tell you what is important about that pressed flower or charm bracelet. Social history is fascinating - so much more, in some ways, than political history. (I've said before, I think, how irritated I get by statements like 'George Washington won the Revolutionary War' and 'Edward the Confessor built Westminster Abbey'. Because they didn't. Provided leadership - inspiration - money, perhaps. But they didn't do it. That required a load of unsung, unnamed, unrecorded people.) The twins must have been very aware of the importance of their own family in the history of Arda - and how much they had done to change the face of the world ... (all those History Lessons, you know) ... but I'll bet they still didn't think to look below the surface with all those ordinary elves who surrounded them. (Especially the females - I expect they were better able to see heroism among the warriors.) Of course Elrohir knows of the existence of ghosts! But he - and Elladan - would rather not think about that in Hollin. The traces of the past there would not be happy ones, promising 'tomorrow', but pained ones regretting yesterday!

Agape4Gondor · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

'I doubt this was a time many would want to remember.' My favorite line - how often did Elves forget? It would seem to be one of the curses of their long lives... to never forget sorrow. But then again, a blessing to never forget a face, or the feel of a piece of jewelry being placed around ones neck by a loved one. Very nice tale indeed.

Author's reply

Elves are supposed to have perfect recall of their long lives, too. Which is fine when it comes to recalling your baby's face, or the joy of first love, but not so good when it's your first slain elf or destroyed city. They must have learned to cage memory, I should think. Because they lived so long, too. You couldn't keep everything fresh all the time. And I wonder if some broke under the pain of harsh memories - and had to sail to try to regain any peace of mind. Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

meckinock · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

It struck me as I was reading this how different it would be for elves, to find a long-buried artifact and to know with near-certainty that not only could they probably find out who the owner was, but quite likely also find the owner herself. While we mortals can only ponder and wonder at the mysteries we find buried in the ground. What a nice lesson for Elladan and Elrohir that ordinary people are part of history, too. Really nice, Bodkin.

Author's reply

I think that's what struck me when the thoughts of archaeology and elves combined. So much of archaeology is guesswork ... ... sorry, deduction - but, for elves, the people who lived the past are all around them. And, most of those we choose to write about (and read about) are those who would have made the history books - the people who get the credit for changing the world - but, even among elves, most people are those who provide the muscles and the support, who just live their lives quietly - and sometimes get caught up in events beyond their control. Thank you.

Fiondil · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

Lovely story, Bodkin. Having been a Family Historian I know just how much of history is made up of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. Perhaps people reading this story will go back to their own families and realize that Uncle Fred or Gramma Mary may actually have a tale or two to tell them that have nothing to do with mending, or perhaps everything to do with it. I loved that Galadriel recognized to whom the objects belonged and more than that remembered her story. It says alot about Galadriel right there I think. And the twins as always are a delight.

Author's reply

Family history is such fun - I love it and every now and then you turn up a gem - but mostly what you realise is that the past is full of ordinary people living their lives. And often getting stuck in extraordinary situations. The thought that, among elves, there would actually be those who remembered - who had lived through the incidents that left their mark on the soil - was both exciting and sad. They must have so much memory. Much of it innocuous, much of it happy - but also vivid recollection of all the bad things that happened. And who could not love the twins! Thank you.

French Pony · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

This is very nice. I like the seriousness and consideration that the twins bring to their dig, how they never forget that the pretty things they're finding once belonged to people. But still, even to Elves, it comes as a shock to hear the real stories behind the treasures. And then to realize that the people around you were once part of history. . . there are only a very few comparable incidents that I could think of in the real world. I wonder what it must be like to be presented with your ancient jewels, now with all the patina of dug-up artifacts. That must be a strange sensation indeed.

Author's reply

It must be really strange to find a cache that dates back a thousand years or so - and have your grandmother recognise who was the original owner of the items. To find she is also the elleth who has complained to your mother about your lack of care for your clothes must be almost surreal. I would think the twins are - and have been for a long while - aware that their parents, grandparents and Glorfindel and assorted others are movers and shakers and that they are part of history. Whether they have actually registered that ordinary elves might have extraordinary stories I'm not so sure. Possibly not. I think Galadriel would see that the jewels were cleaned off pretty well before sending them back to Mothwen. And it's why I picked gold and mithril - which come out of the ground in pretty good condition. (Well. Gold does. And mithril would. If there really were such a thing.)

Jay of Lasgalen · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

I like the air of sadness and melancholy hanging over Hollin - the twins sense it, and so did Legolas. There must be a feeling of excitement in unearthing buried treasure - but while to us, Roman treasure hordes belong to the long distant past, for the twins they are recent history, and involved people they know. It's things like this that demonstrate the agelessness of the elves. Jay

Author's reply

This area has been empty for a long time - since it was fought over - and the very rocks remember how it was (according to Legolas). Finding treasure unexpectedly must have been rather exciting - but does leave them with a problem. They can't just abandon it and don't feel right about taking it. Galadriel makes a good solution. And the whole archaeology thing - it's just so different with elves! There is practically nothing that could be found without someone having been there when it was built / destroyed / made / abandoned. There's no guesswork - primary sources are available all around you! It's an odd thought.

Gwynhyffar · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

Wow, Bodkin - I'm glad I helped inspire this. I really really enjoyed this and I hope you have plans to add to it. :-) I like how you showed that every artifact they found has its own story and that there are real people behind each one. It was wonderful to read.

Author's reply

Happy birthday, Gwynhyffar! Thinking archaeology and elves - and this just emerged. (The twins would like to point out that they haven't been taught proper dig technique and are no way comparable to Indiana Jones... They did take their finds to the closest thing to an expert, too.) I imagine a lot of elves would have tried to conceal their treasures as they ran for safety here. Carrying food and clothing - and weapons - would be so much more important, but these sorts of things are part of your life and just leaving them would be hard. I'm glad you liked it.

Dot · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

What an interesting find these two have stumbled across. They work well together, I think. And they both see beyond the items as mere objects. I like the way that you have Elrohir think about the people and the poignancy of not coming to get reclaim their jewels and heirlooms, while Elladan sees the bigger picture of the history of his people. You have lovely pacing here – I really enjoyed discussion and the way they question things and try to figure it all out between them. It’s an interesting thought that it’s easier to find bones than these mementos that belonged to people. It’s odd how objects can hold so much meaning. I love that they respect that and I thought their sensitivity to the whole place and to the memories that these items might have for others was a lovely – and elfy – touch. Taking them to Galadriel was a clever idea. Seeing as how the Antiques Roadshow didn’t seem to be in town ;-) She immediately gives so much more meaning to these pieces by providing some of the story of the people. And I think it really gave more of an impact by having these belong to an “ordinary” person. After all, these were ordinary people, caught up in tragedy. I had to laugh at Elladan protesting that she was interested in things like mending! But how fascinating it would be to hear her story. If anything, it proves that you never know everything about a person’s life. Mothwen might be glad to have these treasures back but I think maybe Elladan and Elrohir will have got more out of this find. Galadriel is right that no matter what story an object might tell, it’s only the person who can tell the whole thing. I’m glad she’ll share her stories with her grandsons and that they’re ready now to understand. I particularly love the image at the end. This is lovely, Bodkin. Lots to think about, for a short piece. I do love when you get these bursts of inspiration :-)

Author's reply

Thank you, Dot. This one just emerged almost fully conceived. Elrohir and Elladan do work very well together - and they understand each other so well, too. There must have been so many bones to be found on the battlefields of Middle-earth. I imagine they must have had their fair share of scattered belongings - but there is something about caches of buried possessions that suggest - I don't know - desperate times. Better for the twins to take them - respectfully - too, than leave them at the risk of being discovered by goodness knows who. And Galadriel - well, it she didn't know whose they were, she could at least decide what to do with them on a more personal level. The twins are old enough to know that you don't have to be a Hero to have a story or two to tell - but maybe they haven't quite got to the level of maturity to realise that you can mend ellyn's ripped trousers and complain about the state of their sheets and still have a story to tell. (In which they would be like most males.) So much modern archaeology is finding objects and then speculating. But elves have no need to speculate. They can actually go to someone who was there! And then I was thinking about History Lessons - and how much more horrific the stories could be when told to fully adult warrior twins who understand the implications of the actions their parents and grandparents took. Perhaps Galadriel will let them see a little more deeply. Since they've asked!

daw the minstrel · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

Lovely, Bodkin. And I see why you mentioned Nilmandra and Gwyn. It's odd how things that were even ordinary in their time speak to us so poignantly sometimes when that past is gone.

Author's reply

I was just thinking Gwyn and archaeology - and there Elrohir was, poking in the dirt! Often, actually, it's not the gold that is most moving - but gold has the merit of coming out of the ground looking just as pretty as it did when it went in. Some while ago, they did one of these vote-for-the-best programmes about archaeological artefacts - and the one that came top was a collection of very thin wooden postcards that dated from the Roman period and were found in a ditch at (I think) Housestead on Hadrian's Wall. They had ordinary messages on them, like inviting someone to a party. And of the Mary Rose stuff, I think some of the most evocative are items like shoes.

Nilmandra · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

I love the archaeologist twins! And what we wouldn't give today to talk to people who lived thousands of years ago and could tell us what things were and who they belong to and what they meant. I bet Gwyn would like their help in the field.

Author's reply

It gives a whole new aspect to the thought of archaeology. Just look around you and find someone who was there. Primary sources available to everyone. My old archaeology lecturer used to say that if ever archaeologists had no idea about something, they would say 'religious purposes'. But you couldn't get away with that in elven company!

Armariel · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past

‘And cannot being part of history and being ordinary go together, my foolish ones?’ Yes, the most prosaic among us have buried treasures in their souls. A nice concept, indeed. And eye-opening too. ~~~{~@

Author's reply

The most interesting history is generally the human (or, in this case, elven) part of it. And elves can actually go to those who were there and ask them about it! And, even if the twins know that (and they could hardly be surrounded by the likes of Elrond, Celebrian, Galadriel, Celeborn and Glorfindel and not know it) registering that even the elleth who folds their shirts probably has a story to tell must be ... yes, eye-opening is a good turn of phrase!