Of Elves, Men and Peredhil by Rhyselle
ellie · 23 November 2009 · Chapter 22: #22 - Trapped
I like both points on why she was willing to sacrifice herself for the silmaril. the second one is far more chilling though...
Author's reply
I admit that when the idea that the clasp was stuck crossed my mind, I literally shivered! The rest of the scene build backwards from that single idea. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Ellie!
Sitara · 22 November 2009 · Chapter 22: #22 - Trapped
Actually, my question for Elwing would concern her refusal to give up the Silmaril when Maedhros asked for it in the first place. She being a survivor of Doriath, one would have expected from her to know all too well who and what was facing. She had the opportunity to think about the decision she’d take, without finding herself amidst the battle’s heat and ruin. An impartial person (which I’m not, by the way “lol”) could only think that Elwing and her advisors had reached the conclusion that keeping the Silmaril was worth putting in danger their city and the lives of they all. It’s always a delight to read your stories, Rhyselle.
Author's reply
Remember that Elwing was a baby when she was carried from Doriath. She would only have the knowledge of what happened there as told to her by the other survivors, and what they taught her would color her actions and decisions. Mayhap if she actually had real memories of the carnage there, she would have made another choice. Or maybe not. It might make an interesting AU if she decided to answer Maedhros' initial demand for the jewel by agreeing to hand it over. But I don't think I can extrapolate the changes to the history of Middle-earth well enough to do that story justice. Maybe someone else will write it. :)
daw the minstrel · 22 November 2009 · Chapter 21: #21 - Possession
The stark closing sentence is wonderfully done.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Daw. :) I'm glad to know that you are reading my drabbles. I appreciate the compliment.
6336 · 22 November 2009 · Chapter 21: #21 - Possession
I think my self she was a little crazed at the time and was not really thinking about anybody other than herself and getting away from Meadros and company. Her children and her people were the last things on her mind,it had been so impressed on her that they must not get the Sillmarill! Lynda
Author's reply
Well, Lynda, if you go by my other drabble, that implies that the Silmaril itself was affecting her, she was crazed. But there are many people who found the idea of the Silmaril being able to carry a taint against their view of canon, so I wrote this version too. Personally, I bet that the people who carried her to safety from Doriath, when they realized that the Silmaril was hidden on her very young person, probably ingrained it into her from Day One that she wasn't to ever let it go to the Feanorians. We know that what a child learns during its youngest years does have a significant impact on decision they make later in life, and I can see the remnant of Doriath doing their best to make sure that she knew just where her responsibilities towards the Silmaril were. Also, it occurred to me, based on the age of Elrond and Elros at the time of the attack, with Earendil's year's-long absence at sea, she might still be suffering long term post-partum depression, which can really muck around with how a woman views her kids. That might have been a factor too. Hmmm. I'll add that to the plot bunny hutch... Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Raksha The Demon · 21 November 2009 · Chapter 20: #20 - Transformation
A lovely description, less a description than a vivid picture as if we were actually there, of the hallowing of Vingilot. What a powerful, magical moment!
Author's reply
I'm so very glad you liked this. It was a very vivid mental image in my head, particularly that of the Valar standing with their feet in the water. Perhaps there is some subconscious symbolism in that, for I had no conscious intention for that bit to mean anything in particular. :) I'm so very glad that my words allowed you to see what I saw in my mind. Thanks for reviewing, Raksha!
Larner · 21 November 2009 · Chapter 20: #20 - Transformation
Such a transformation, affecting him, his purpose, the spiritual health of those who would live freely throughout Arda and particularly in Middle Earth, and a future he cannot yet see wholly. Beautiful.
Author's reply
I chose the title to imply all of those things as well as the physical transformation of the ship. His coming to Valinor was a transformation of everything. Thanks for reviewing!
Larner · 21 November 2009 · Chapter 19: #19 - Dreaming
I can't blame her for wishing to have some level of communion with her children. Alas that she is limited to dreams at this point! But in time she will know for certain, and see one of the two of them again--and begin to know the wonder of the legacy she and her husband have left in Middle Earth.
Author's reply
I think that when she finally meets Elrond, it will be a very difficult meeting. I have wondered if he ever held any anger towards Elwing for her "abandonment" of him and Elros--or if, being that he was described as "kind as summer", he would have just embraced her and put that long ago past behind him. That would make for a good story one way or another. :) Thanks, Larner!
ellie · 20 November 2009 · Chapter 19: #19 - Dreaming
This is very sad. She had to have wondered what happened to her children. I also wonder why she didn't have any more in Valinor.
Author's reply
I too, wonder why she and Earendil didn't have more children in Aman. Taking on the Life of the Eldar wouldn't have changed their chronological ages, and they'd have been within a decade of when Elves reach physical maturity. Having additional children would not have replaced Elrond and Elros in their hearts, but would have brought them joy, I'm sure. Maybe I'll write an AU sometime about it. Thanks for the plot bunny!
Larner · 19 November 2009 · Chapter 18: #18 - Farewell
Now we see the first true sundering brought about by Luthien's choice. Beautiful.
Author's reply
I think that this hurt more than the loss of her parents, being more immediate than when she got word about Thingol's murder and Melian's departure. I often wonder what would have happened to the Elves and Men of Beleriand if Luthien and Beren had chosen to cross the Circles of the World from Mandos instead of being sent back to Menegroth as mortals. Obviously, Dior and all his descendants would never have been born, but who would have risen up in ME to be the hero to bring the help of the Valar to defeat Morgoth? Or would all have fallen into Darkness?
Larner · 19 November 2009 · Chapter 17: #17 - Lost
Perhaps one of the most shameful of all the ills to befall in the battles to reclaim the Silmaril after it was taken by Beren and Luthien.
Author's reply
Yes, I agree with you. The Feanorians had already slain Dior and Nimloth, as well as numerous others in the Thousand Caves--there was no reason for them to take out their wrath on babies and children. Thanks for your thoughts.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 18 November 2009 · Chapter 18: #18 - Farewell
Beautiful, meldenya. *huggles* I can just see Luthien and Dior, and the twins like this! I know Beren's not Peredhel, but I wonder if he's going to speak up more... Kaylee!
Author's reply
I wondered if Luthien knew that she would never see her son, daughter in law, grandsons and granddaughter again. Knowing what happens next in the story makes this even more bittersweet. Thanks for being so faithful in reviewing, meldenya! :)
Laikwalâssê · 18 November 2009 · Chapter 17: #17 - Lost
that´s one of the most sorrowful moments in the SIL indeed. Thanky you for sharing this with so few words placed so well. Lai
Author's reply
Thank your for your kind words. I was really surprised to find this in Elured's POV when I started writing it, and I'm glad it was effective, although so terribly sad. I had a hard time not crying as I wrote it.
ellie · 17 November 2009 · Chapter 17: #17 - Lost
The fate of Dior's sons always saddened me, too. it was such a horrible thing that was done to them.
Author's reply
I remember that I cried when I read about it in the SILM for the first time. I have an idea in the back of my head about an alternate outcome for them, following on the lesser canon idea that they had been succored by animals who led them to safety with some of the Green Elves of Ossiriand... I really need to write that down soon. :) Thanks, Ellie, for being a faithful reviewer.
Larner · 17 November 2009 · Chapter 15: #15 - Choice
Love that the lesser canon allows this! Stubborn Peredhel wins! Yay!
Author's reply
Hee! Sometimes being stubborn is a GOOD thing! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Larner · 17 November 2009 · Chapter 16: #16 - West Wind
Indeed, what a moment for hope here! A delight!
Author's reply
I had hoped to write of the actual meeting between Eonwe and the other sailors themselves but the muse was uncooperative until I put the drabble back into Earendil's perspective. :) I am very happy with how this turned out and I'm very pleased that you like it!
ellie · 15 November 2009 · Chapter 15: #15 - Choice
Yay! He got to be an elf! I hadn't seen that reference before stating Dior's fate. nicely done!
Author's reply
Thanks! I hadn't either and I'm very glad that Nath pointed me to it. :) I'm hoping that the muse will give me the scene where Dior and Nimloth are reunited with Elwing once they are properly Reborn. :)
utfrog · 15 November 2009 · Chapter 15: #15 - Choice
Just lovely! Now, why cannot we have this same fate for Aragorn and Arwen. I think most of the Aragorn in Aman stories ring false, but this gives a good premise for a true happy ending. Yes, I know we all get together forever at the end of time, but come on, regardless of the 2012 theory, the end of time is a long way from now. Thanks again.
Author's reply
I don't think that I've ever read any stories where Aragorn and Arwen had this kind of opportunity. If my muse is kind, maybe she'll give it a shot after I finish with this drabble series. :) Thanks for reviewing!
Silmarien · 15 November 2009 · Chapter 14: #14 - Advice
Snork! Of course!
Author's reply
:) I'm glad this drabble amused you. Thank you very much for reviewing.
6336 · 15 November 2009 · Chapter 14: #14 - Advice
Oh yes! Typical male! They never want to ask for directions! Good laugh for Sunday morning! Lynda
Author's reply
I'm glad this made you laugh! Thanks for reviewing!
ellie · 15 November 2009 · Chapter 14: #14 - Advice
lol! you are warped!
Author's reply
Sometimes I surprise myself by writing humor, which is something that doesn't happen to me often. I'm much better at pathos...
Celeritas · 14 November 2009 · Chapter 13: #13 - Argument
And this one is really well done on the intellectual level. The way you used contractions in Dior's speech (word count or not) highlights both his stubbornness and his mortality.
Author's reply
*blush* Thank you! You know, I really hadn't consciously thought about the contractions; it's just way that his voice sounded in my head. :) I had noted that he wasn't using the "thee" and "thou" instead of "you" when he addressed Namo, but I figured that he was upset enough that his manners went out the window. I really appreciate your reviews, Celeritas. You always give me something to think about!
Celeritas · 14 November 2009 · Chapter 12: #12 - Unexpected
The way you blocked this scene (to use theater terminology) is really exceptional here; I think this might be my favorite of yours so far on the emotional register. Keeping the focus on Elwing reminds us of how much she's been through, even as Earendil rejoices in his own reunion.
Author's reply
I hadn't thought of it from a theatrical staging perspective, but I'm very glad that you found it effective. It's very easy to write from the POV of the person the key action is happening to, but it is more interesting to see that action from an outside perspective, from someone else who is tied into the situation. :) Thanks for the lovely review!
Celeritas · 14 November 2009 · Chapter 11: #11 - Prayer
You really nailed High Tolkien Diction with Earendil's plea there. The manifestation of the Valar was particularly interesting. Well done!
Celeritas · 14 November 2009 · Chapter 10: #10 - Confidence
I like the simple faith (although it must surely be based on eyewitness experience) of these sailors. It'd be interesting to hear their backstories.
Author's reply
Backstories would be interesting, but so far the muse has been mute. I do hope that they do start telling me their stories. :) Thanks for reviewing.
Celeritas · 14 November 2009 · Chapter 9: #9 - Delayed
How sweet! I like the idea that Earendil's premonitions would have extended to the births of his sons.
Author's reply
He knew that something important was drawing him home... just not what, exactly. :)