Cairistiona
· 13 August 2009
· Chapter 5: Hands of Evil, Fingers of Life
This is such an evocative ficlet... you really did a fine job of creating a setting that set a dark mood at the beginning but yet changed by the end to be one of safety and comfort. Very well done. And the moments between Isildur and Tindalome and little Elendur are sweet without being cloying. I liked the humor, especially. Really well done!
Author's reply
I love it when my isildur muse speaks up and comes up with a story like this. I like keeping a sense of humor with Tindalome and isildur. I like that they aren't afraid to give eachother a hard time, but it's all in fun. I'm leased you enjoyed the contrasts of darkness and fear to safety and comfort. Thank you so much for taking time to read and review with your busy schedule. "hugs"
Celeritas
· 17 June 2009
· Chapter 11: Uneasy Vigil
Eep. This is around the time of the Gladden Fields, isn't it? Poor Tindalome and Valandil, waiting for someone who won't come.
Author's reply
It is indeed around that time. i too feel for Tindalome and Valandil. It mut have been imensely hard for the women and the young children. Tindalome basically lost everything except for her youngest son. I imagine it must have been so hard waiting and waiting. Thanks so very much for the review, gain, apologies for the delay in replying.
Celeritas
· 17 June 2009
· Chapter 10: Coronation of the Past and Future
Nice drabble. It's easy to forget that Elendil wasn't always a King, so I liked getting to see him don the role (so to speak) here.
Author's reply
I tend to see Elendil more as the man who was basicaly a refugee of Numenor. I think we're so used to that Kingly image of him, it's nice to look back and see him taking on that role. I'm happy you enjoyed this. "hugs" Thanks so much for reviewing.
Celeritas
· 17 June 2009
· Chapter 9: Waiting for Hope
Yay!! (Aragorn must have lingered at the docks a few months for his lady to show up, I take it?)
Waiting three thousand years or so for one mistake to be rectified was more than penance for Isildur. It's good to see the moment of his hope being fulfilled.
Author's reply
Ys, Aragorn did linger at the docks for Arwen. In my mind, I can see it no other way. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I just can't imagine him leaving without her. And yes, I think Isildur for sure had his penance to pay, but it was almost like his own inner demons for what he did. I kept seeing this image of him laying eyes on Aragorn for the first time, and I had to write it. I wrote this for my friend, Inzilbeth, for her birthday to combine two of our favrite men from Tolkien's world. One of my goals as an author is to undo the damage done to isildur by the movies. I'm happy you enjy this. And as always, I apprecate you reviewing and letting me know! "hugs" It's alway so encouraging to see your reviews, thank you!
Celeritas
· 17 June 2009
· Chapter 8: Past the Wall of Night
I'm only now getting around to reviewing these. I'm a sucker for afterlife fics if they're done well and this one certainly was. It was so good to see Isildur's regrets--unfortunately certain films have made sure that unless we try hard we focus only on his chief flaw and never the very compelling reasons for his fall. Tindalome has it right--it's all part of a bigger story.
Author's reply
I am very happy you liked this one. Afterlife fics are not easy to write. I too was very disappointed by Isildur's portrayel in the films. they took an amazing, pivitol, character, and reduced him to this scummy, selfish, man. In my stories, I try to illustrate the reasons for that fall, and it started long before Numenor even fell. I'm so very happy you liked this. I really do appreciate the reviews! "hugs"
Larner
· 12 June 2009
· Chapter 11: Uneasy Vigil
If only he had come back as he'd intended!
Alas that the dreams of Valandil did come true!
Author's reply
I know! I half considered writing an AU piece where isildur does come back after losing the ring. I might have to do it, just because this part of his story makes me so sad! To me, it's one of the saddest events in Tolkien's writing.
I appreciate the review very much! Sorry for the delay in replying "hugs".
Larner
· 12 June 2009
· Chapter 10: Coronation of the Past and Future
Excellent!
Author's reply
Yay! Glad you liked it! Drabbles are fun to play with sometimes. Thanks you for reviewing.
Larner
· 12 June 2009
· Chapter 9: Waiting for Hope
What a wonderful delight--to welcome Estel to the land beyond the Circles of Arda!
Author's reply
It was on my heart and had to be written. Aragorn really was "Estel" for more than just those living! He was isildur's heir, but in my mind, he was Isildur's hope too. Thank you so very much for the review! "hugs"
Larner
· 12 June 2009
· Chapter 8: Past the Wall of Night
I rejoice they know this reunion; and Valandil will be there with his own family all too soon.
Author's reply
They just "had" to be reunited again. And I felt comforted knowing Vandil would be with his family again. I imagine he had a very deep love for his mother, and tried to illustrate that through his understanding and acceptance of letting her go home. This story was comfortng to write. Thank you so very much for the review! "hugs"
Cairistiona
· 11 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Adar's New Ship
I'm woefully behind in reading your stories and leaving reviews! But time to start catching up. I really enjoyed Isildur in this vignette. He seems to have such a light heart and a warm spirit. His interaction with his niece makes me wish he had been *my* uncle. Can I have him because I said so? *grin*
Author's reply
Aaaaww, yeah! This totally made my day getting a review from you! YAY! I'm so pleased you enjoyed isildur in this. I really enjoy writing him. And we never really get to see him with children, which is a shame. Of course you can have him. :-) I like to paint him as an attentive, caring, uncle, especially to his nieces since he just had sons according to Tolkien. And of course he would have a light heart in this tale. his lady love just acceptedhis proposal, a very good time in his life. But really, I'm so happy you got a chance to read this, and liked it enough to leave a review! Thank you! "hugs"
Erulisse
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 9: Waiting for Hope
I have been enjoying these tales, even though the particular characters are not my favorite. But you have treated them well, and with respect, and they have grabbed my heart. One small typo in this latest story in the last line. You state "“At last, or hope has arrived. Let us go forth and greet your heir.” "
It is my feeling, from the reading, that you actually meant "our hope" rather than "or hope".
Thank you for writing these chapters.
Author's reply
Thank you for the review and the heads up on the typo. Sometimes they slip by no matter how much I check, whups. I'm glad you enjoyed my portrayel of the characters, even if they are not neccisarily your favorites. I'm gad to know my stories spoke to you. Thank you again for the review.
Celeritas
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 7: Ashes Upon the Water
Oh, wow!!! That's just... that's just mean! (And good writing.) It'll be interesting to see how this changes Anarion's approach to life long-term--and how Anariel and his other children are affected by it. Very powerful.
Author's reply
Hi Celeritas! Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. I very much appreciate your review. I am glad you liked this and that it sparked new questions for you. The after effets on Anarion and his children are something I work with in some of my stories that tak place after this. A lot of it is dealt with in my story, "Esquire of the King". But I hav yet to publish that here on SoA. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Celeritas
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 6: Elendur's Hero
It's good that Elendur is learning how much of a hero--and proper role model--his father is. I'm looking forward to your fuller treatment of the idea.
Author's reply
Elendur is a character I like very much and he plays a greater role in some later stories I have coming up. I see Isildur as a noble man with his own strengths and flaws, just like any human. I hope you will enjoy future portrayels. I am so glad you liked this one, it was fun to write. :-) Tank you for taking the time to read and review!
Celeritas
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 5: Hands of Evil, Fingers of Life
I think I like the backstory in this the most because it sets the wheels in my brain turning even after I'm finished reading. I love (in that creepy way in which readers of fiction can love horrible things) your ideas for how specifically Pharazon persecuted the Faithful and how it would have had a direct impact on everyone from the House of Elendil to the everyday people. Marvelous!
Author's reply
I love the villians as well as the heros. I think Pharzon would have been a very clever man, but his downfall was his lust for immortality. In my stories he's not entirely aware even of how far Sauron takes things in the temple. I am so glad you enjoyed this. Indeed it must have been frightening to be one of the Elendili at that time in history. I am so very pleased for your kind review! Thank you!
Celeritas
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 4: Honeymoon is Over
Well, that's one way to solve the blanket-hogging issue! This was clever and it really highlighted Tindalome's personality.
Author's reply
lol, I had so much fun writing this. I am happy to see other had fun reading it too! I like Tindalome. I couldn't imagine isildur being married to an everyday, boring, perfect, flawlessly beautiful, woman. Yawn! I am pleased you found it clever. I appreciate the review! Gosh, lots of wonderful reviews! yay!
Celeritas
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 3: The First Sword that was Broken
Yes, there are some things that shouldn't be given to children! I think Anarion's beginning to regret the way he's let his daughter wrap him around his little finger.
Author's reply
This is was another fun one to write, even though I was laughing the whole time! I totally agree, the sword was a bad idea! So very pleased you liked this and left such a kind review! Thanks a bunch! :-D
Celeritas
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 1: Adar's New Ship
This is adorable! Anariel is certainly a winner and I'm glad to see that she approves of Isildur's choice of bride.
Author's reply
I thought it would be interesting to see isildur interacting with a child character. We never got to see that in the books. I am happy you hink Anariel adorable. She had her good moments. :-) Yay! Thank you so very very much for taking the time to leave so many wonderful reviews. You certainly made my day, no, my entire week. Thank you so much! (((hugs)))
Larner
· 27 April 2009
· Chapter 3: The First Sword that was Broken
Heh! What a way to end up while teaching a child swordcraft!
Author's reply
Yes, poor Anarion for sure! Thanks for the review!
Larner
· 27 April 2009
· Chapter 7: Ashes Upon the Water
Sauron has so much to answer for! Love that the Winged Crown started here.
Author's reply
I'm glad you like my interpretation of the concepion of the winged crown. I really thought it was fitting. Yes, Sauron has a lot to answer for. Thanks so much for the review.
Larner
· 27 April 2009
· Chapter 1: Adar's New Ship
Ah--such a sweet tale! Thank you! I rather like Osse now, and he appears in my tales fairly often.
Author's reply
Osee is an interesting character. I'm sure the Numenoreans took an interest in him too. I may have to read those tales of yours with him! Thanks for the review!
Larner
· 25 April 2009
· Chapter 6: Elendur's Hero
Yes, our children love to imagine themselves as heroes, and certainly Elendur proved most worthy indeed! Lovely!
Author's reply
Tolkien spoke highly of Elendur in his writing, so I of course couldn't help but imagine Elendur as being a bright eyed, imaginative, child. I'm sure Elendur heard the tale of Nimloth while he was a child. I am very happy you enjoyed this tale. Thanks for reviewing. ((hugs))
Larner
· 25 April 2009
· Chapter 5: Hands of Evil, Fingers of Life
It is ever joyful when a so-desired child is born safely. Lovely.
Author's reply
This was fun to write. Yes, Tindalome and Isildur were very blessed with the safe arrival of Elendur despite all the frightening things happening in Numenor at the time. So happy you liked this one too. Thanks for taking the time to read and review!
Larner
· 25 April 2009
· Chapter 4: Honeymoon is Over
Now, THIS is cute! Love it! Yes, the honeymoon is decidedly over! HEHEHEHEHE!
Author's reply
This tale was inspired by a blanket war with my own hubby. I think even our great heros and their wives had little moments like that too. They're still human after all. I could just see Tindalome doing what she did to solve the issue with the blankets. A strong wife for a strong hero. Thanks for reviewing! ((hugs))
Larner
· 25 April 2009
· Chapter 2: His Match
Ah--if only all our wedding nights might be thus! Lovely!
Author's reply
I think every bride has thir own anxieties on the day of their wedding, and so many women worry about their looks and how their significant thers view them. I didn't want to write a traditional classic beauty for Isildur's wife. I knew she would be a character I would be working with a lot, and it was important to me to write a woman that even women today can relate to. She's smart, hard working, and strong in spirit. And being part of the Faithful, I think Isildur would have valued a wife who was strong and no flimsy, high maintenance, beauty would have worked. I am happy you enjoyed this tale. It was one that was very special to me too. Thank you very much for taking the time to read and review. ((hugs))
Raksha The Demon
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 6: Elendur's Hero
A natural and amusing way for the legend of Isildur and Nimloth to begin. Little Elendur is a cute kid! It's hard to think that he will die in his prime, vainly sacrificing his life for his father.
Author's reply
I'm thrilled you enjoyed this! I couldn't help but write this. I imagine Elendur was a very loveable, cute, child too. I cry everytime I read about his death in UT. The love between father and son always strikes a chord with me. Elenduris a fascinating character, like his father. Thanks so much for taking the time to review. ((hugs))