Reviews for "Athrabeth"

Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:56 pm

Usually I get all nervous when I see pronouns with unclear referents. However, this one is poetry: "She lay open to the ravages of time, of weather and of men." Is "she" the land, or Arwen? Or both? The text doesn't come right out and say it, but some fancy grammar choices indicate some monster subtext.

And I'm such a sucker for this moment; I always wished Tolkien had written it, and then felt relief that he hadn't, because I always supposed that he wouldn't have written it with the delicious ache that should be there. He wasn't exactly a personal writer. But you've done the scene justice.

Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:38 am

Perfect. Elrond is perfect. Arwen is perfect. The words she says are perfect. The description is poetry, as Viv said. This moment has been written many times, but never like this. Well done.

Tue Jun 28, 2005 12:59 pm

I must say I have never been a fan of Arwen, but I am a fan of your stories and that is why I took a peek at this story.
I am amazed at how you captured one of the most touching moments, which Tolkien had only indicated in the books. This story was brilliant! Not only was it excellent as far as your choice of words, the characters' portrayal and poetic description, but you did a great job conveying the intensity of emotions (and mixing it with hope, despite the fact the characters would be parted forever). I love in particular what Arwen told her father about the shortness of the life of men: “(...) every second must be savoured.”.
In my opinion, I think this surpasses, your excellent story "What Better Companion". Thank you for sharing.

Binka

Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:00 pm

*wiped cheek*

Sw, I loved their final farewell. Elrond, usually so wise, could not find the words to retor... yeap, there are times when intellect cannot break through grief, and that was it. In his heart, Elrond was grieving her death while she was still alive.

I also love the determination and confidence in Arwen.

Amazing.

Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:25 am

"Hope that our brief time upon Arda is part of the Music, and designed by Eru, and so shall lead not to darkness and misery but to some greater purpose."

Yes, that's it, isn't it?

Brilliant.

Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:26 pm

Very poignant and very beautiful.

Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:11 pm

This story is impressive and moving. And should most definetely be accompanied with tissues. Fathers and daughters: aren't they always close? But this goes way deeper then this.

She lay open to the ravages of time, of weather and of men. Uncertainty seemed to waft on the wind with the first chills of night. Like the sands at the edge of the shore, nothing seemed to know when it would be upset or shifted, or what its future would hold.

My first chills. I could imagine Arwen standing there, the comparision with Middle Earth, her fate: just amazing.

Again Elrond nodded, and he headed down the hillside with her. Yet though their arms were linked, he was not wholly with her. The sense of him slipping from her grasp, as he was drawn to the Sea and she to Minas Tirith, made her hug him all the more.

This made my cry, I find it so amazing how you can translate this, well fact, into something Arwen can feel, and also make the reader feel it. There is hope, grief, smiles and tears. Arwen trying to remain strong, Elrond fighting against everything and yet longing to give into it. Majestic poetic prose. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:42 am

A perfect missing scene. It made me believe I was sitting there, watching Arwen and her father bid each other farewell - something I wondered about ever since I read the novel: 'what did they say? What could they say?'

You made me cry yet simultaneously have hope. Thank you!

You rock smiley face

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Reviews for "Athrabeth"