Reviews (41)

Mirkwoodmaiden · 4 February 2025 · Chapter 17

PSW! ""It is different for Thranduil's people, I believe," the Elf continued. "The Elves of Mirkwood live in far greater harmony with the rhythms of Middle Earth. Thranduil's line hails from Doriath, and among his people also are those who chose to stay within Mirkwood—though it was not called so then—from the beginning, rather than journey toward the light of Valinor and the Two Trees. They live in great communion with the trees, and defend against the Enemy daily with their very sweat and blood. More children are born there." He sighed, regretful. "More Elves die there." Elrond shook himself gently. "In any event, the rest of us live within Middle Earth, and yet in many ways, outside of it still. Imladris, Lothlórien, the Havens. We … we wait, we hold ourselves apart even as we spend ourselves against the Enemy. We live here, we love our home, and yet … we have chosen not to fully commit ourselves to this place. Always, we look to Valinor." I love this discussion. I think it is in line with how I see the elven enclaves. In my story "Reunion in Mirkwood" there children and elves going about their lives. They are not waiting; their lives are not on hold as it were which is the sense I have with both Imladris and Lothlorien. Estel...always mischief with this one! (((hugs))) MM

Mirkwoodmaiden · 4 February 2025 · Chapter 16

PSW! Immediately the scene where Viggo Mortensen battles the Nazgul on Weather top! and then as Elrohir speaks in the chapter I hear "put it out you fools. That's nice ash in my tomatoes!" LOL I love excited Estel. And Elrond the understanding father, ""Ai, Estel, I have indeed missed you." Elrond dropped one arm about his shoulders and hugged him close. "Yes, of course. I would not have you stay over the night at this place without such an opportunity. It is one of the reasons I chose for us to stop." :-) Baradhald is such a pill, no wonder Estel will be glad to see the back of him! Ah the exuberance of youth! "Estel scrambled up at breakneck pace, barely hearing his father's words of caution from behind as he flew over loose stones and collapsing stairs. He reached the summit well ahead of the others, and burst onto the flattened, paved surface that was the peak of Weathertop." I remember scrambled up rock formations near our local lake while camping with much the same excitement!! ""Estel?" Elrond's raised one brow, and he turned his own gaze toward the ruins. Estel shrugged, embarrassed, and moved away. "A lot of people died here, didn't they?" Intuitive child. I have a similar idea in one of my short stories, "Shards of Memory." ~*~*~*~ "But not all races join themselves with Angmar! Elves may fight each other, but they stood together against Morgoth and Sauron. Everyone knows that Men are weak." "Everyone knows this?" Dorhaur's voice was low and tight, and Estel knew that he had deeply offended his friend. Elrond held out one hand to the Man, his eyes never leaving Estel. Dorhaur pinned the Elf with an angry, accusing gaze, but stilled. "And who is everyone, my son?" Estel hesitated, then looked away from his father's piercing gaze. "Not everyone," Really interesting turn of conversation here. Reminds me of when Aragorn and Arwen in FOTR are speaking where the shards of Narsil are kept in Imladris. Nice! Love the discussion between Elrond, Estel and Dorhaur. Love how Dorhaur paints the kind of Man that Estel WILL become! Must dash! or I will be late for work! will finish chapter later today! (((hugs))) MM

Lindelea · 3 February 2025 · Chapter 4

The beginning of the chapter reminded me of a child's version of Ivanhoe we read aloud when our children were little. I later read the original version, and oddly enough, I actually preferred the child's version! (I didn't always; some children's versions of classics I remember thinking of as watered-down pap.) Fathers do tend to be unimpressed by children's drama, I find... But what's this? Isolation or quarantine? Are they worried that whatever ails "Nate's" un-father might be catching? (But maybe a blessing in disguise if it keeps "Nate" from meeting lots of people and possibly compromising his concealment from the Dark Lord. That said, Luanna sounds like she wasn't born yesterday. Arti, too.) Estel's introduction to a hobbit hole made me grin with delight for him, and then I had to laugh (sympathetically, of course) at his reaction. (A cellar?) Not a nasty hole with dirt walls and "the ends of worms", but "a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort". And a boy his age should fit comfortably in hobbit settings. (I remember how my kids at his age and younger *loved* spaces designed and built to their scale.) Oh my. His education neglected Halflings? But they will become such an important part of his story! Not to mention the saving of Middle-earth! Perhaps his abduction is all part of the Song after all... "Ada". Would Arti recognise the word as an Elvish term? Arti seems trustworthy. Whew.

Mirkwoodmaiden · 2 February 2025 · Chapter 15

PSW! I love Estel. Such a boy, full of curiosity and impatience, excitement and boredom all rolled into one! Love his excited discussion of his adventurous day with Hobbit children and Children of Men! I love how you show his boredom and the immediate excitement of seeing Amon Sul and all the boredom forgotten! Lovely! (((hugs))) MM

Lindelea · 1 February 2025 · Chapter 3

*satisfied sigh* Your writing is cinematic; my mind smoothly formed a series of clear pictures as I read along. While my first impulse was to sigh and say, "Poor kid", Estel really is making the best of this situation. And he's getting something of an education along the way! Looking forward to reading more.

Lindelea · 30 January 2025 · Chapter 2

I found myself chuckling at the very first sentence. That pause before "smelled"! Puts the reader right into young Estel's shoes. (Is he wearing shoes? boots? Did the Man remove his footwear and leave him barefoot to make escape more difficult?) And now I'm reminded of Boz4PM's wonderful descriptions; I'm pretty sure it was in one of her stories that I first read about the difference between Elves and Men in terms of hygiene. Oh my, the lad's empathy... I can see the healer in him, even at this early stage. They're on their way to Bree...?! Is this his first introduction to a place he'll come to know so well? (My first thought at the small insects and wet, rotten smell was actually Midgewater Marshes! Sometimes, like my long-ago and far-away friend Han Solo, I amaze even myself.) Puppy love? (After all, he won't meet Arwen for another nine years or so, I think I remember?) Oh, but Kerra is a lovely character. I love her warmth and empathy. Estel is right. She deserves better treatment. And the hair tie! (Sudden dim vision of Pippin running aside and dropping an Elven brooch...)

Mirkwoodmaiden · 28 January 2025 · Chapter 14

PSW! I love this chapter! Elrond polite and pleasant, always trying to do right, make peace, leave a good impression even offering to heal Ferrier. And then his very real reaction to seeing Ferrier and his anger towards him. Well written. The healer in him versus the father in him. Wonderful. (((hugs))) MM

Mirkwoodmaiden · 28 January 2025 · Chapter 13

PSW! Drat! I have to go to work and can't finish the next chapter till Lunch!! Obviously I'm enjoying this! The worry and emotion felt by all the Elves is palpable. I love your characterization of Elrond, how he eventually opened his heart to Estel. His careful control over his worry and the measured approach to his dealing with Men. Nicely drawn. Must dash to work now! (((hugs))) MM

Lindelea · 28 January 2025 · Chapter 1

Indeed, a promising beginning! Glorfindel sounds like an excellent teacher. Estel does a good job of thinking through his options. The situation is not ideal, but it sounds as if he's making the best choices he can under the circumstances. (I wonder if Elrond can perceive that something is amiss?)

Mirkwoodmaiden · 27 January 2025 · Chapter 11

PSW! Sorry I have not left reviews on all chapters but I have become even more engrossed as I read. I love the affection between Elrond and Estel. Truly wonderfully described! :-) So happy that they and the twins and Glofindel have been reunited. I was beginning to worry! ;-) Interesting take on how much the Dunedain know about Estel's whereabouts. I have written about Aragorn's youth as well and it is always interesting to see another vision of Aragorn's childhood! More chapters please! (of course owing to your time to re-post! :-D ) (((hugs))) MM

Mirkwoodmaiden · 25 January 2025 · Chapter 8

PSW! Yup! A lot of my details come from Internet research before I write. Archery, Chainmail that all personal experience but a lot of my horse related knowledge comes from reading Trixie Belden mystery books as a child! LOL! Love this story! So many twists and turns. The Dream/nightmare read very realistically. Well done!! ((hugs)) MM

Lindelea · 25 January 2025 · Chapter 0

Oh my. You've set up quite a situation here, fraught with potential foreshadowing. Did the grieving father mark Estel as Elrond's son? Will he take his revenge on the Half-elven or try to use Estel as leverage in an attempt to recover his missing son? (How tragic. I can easily see how such a series of losses could break a man's mind. I suppose it's too much to hope that his son might be found alive somehow at some later point in the story?) I love the relationship you sketch here, along with Elrond's care: protective, but not smothering. Pushing the nestling to try his wings (as in fluttering to a lower branch), to learn and exercise the skills he will badly need as an adult, while cautioning him to prudence (rather than launching himself into open space). Hopefully, in picturing Estel as a fledgling hawk, I haven't mixed my metaphors too badly. Cairistiona? That could be! I will seek out those stories. Do you know if they might be archived elsewhere in addition to SoA? It would be nice to be able to restore every missing story that we can.

Mirkwoodmaiden · 24 January 2025 · Chapter 6

PSW! I've been enthralled with the story and haven't been leaving a review on each chapter. But I love Estel playing marbles and meeting Nob! Lovely. And now Scowler...eek! (((hugs))) MM

Lindelea · 23 January 2025 · Chapter 0: Author's Note

I don't think I read this earlier. Before I was drawn away from fanfic due to the demands of RL (academic editing used up my eyes, and almost all my leisure reading comprised audiobooks for the duration), I tended to read hobbit-centred fanfic (though I would read any fic that included Beregond when I could find one). However, in more recent years, I've become intrigued with the Rohirrim (especially as Mirkwoodmaiden writes them), the Dwarves (as in Soledad's recent story), and more lately Faramir and Elessar. From about a decade ago, I also remember loving several stories about the life and communities of the Northern Rangers, but I haven't been able to find them again. All that to say, I'm looking forward to reading this tale. I cannot seem to get enough of Middle-earth. I don't know if that fascination will eventually extend to the characters in the Sil... I guess only time will tell.

Leithian · 22 January 2025 · Chapter 0

Just started reading and... oh dear, this story is wonderful. I really missed these type of stories here (young Aragorn). Reminds me of old times they were more popular.

Mirkwoodmaiden · 21 January 2025 · Chapter 3

PSW! Poor Estel! Out among those he does not know! I've read all three chapters so far. Good storyline. I love how Glorfindel's words keep popping up into Estel's head. Glorfindel will be very proud when he finds out. I love that Estel feels compassion for Ferrier even though he has indeed kidnapped him. A very considerate child. ((hugs)) MM