Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Wrong Path · Author: Erviniae · Genres: Drama: Incomplete ·
ID: 538
Reviewer: Tena · 2008-06-10 23:50:05
Tragic story of Erestor and a forbidden love that changes his life
forever.

Title: Tulip Takes a Tumble · Author: Cathleen · Genres: Humor · ID: 616
Reviewer: Golden · 2008-06-11 19:33:35
Spoilers!
In this story we meet our dearest lad Peregrin Took, who is still
quite young and his beloved friend Tulip the knitted piglet. Tulip and
Pippin had sort of an accident and are a bit hurt. It is very cute
written, because also Tulip has her "wounds".. therefore she needs a
smallish little splint on her tail and such. Its very well written,
and too sweet to imagine how Eglantine not just put the bandages on
her son but also on the knitted piglet. I had to laugh when reading
that. Well Pippin would probbaly have resisted but I find it so cute
that the whole family plays along. That shows their love for their
son/brother.
Then in the story there also is a very nice moment between Pippin and
his father Paladin, who as a young lad also had a special friends,
Sammy lambie. Paladin tells Pippin about this special friend and what
has happend to him, however it seems he changes the story for Pippin a
bit, which is quite cute too. Paladin asks Eglantine to knitt a second
sammy lambie and its too sweet, cause even he wants it for Pippin
actually, he also seems very pleased with the thought that there will
be again a sammy lambie. The small lad is still alive also in the big
lads I guess, thats really cute. A very nice story to read.

Title: Eucatastrophe: The Return · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Alternate Universe · ID: 617
Reviewer: Golden · 2008-06-11 19:50:17
Eucatastrophe: The Return is a story about how Frodo comes back from
Elvenhome. That is for me personally the greastest thing ever, because
I always found it sooo very hard to bear, to imagine that Frodo is
gone. I mean Ok, he is gone because he needs healing and he is very
probbaly happy in elvenhome and in the shire life also goes on, but
the relationship between Frodo and Merry and Pippin and Sam is so
deep, hat is always hurt me in a way to think, that the good bye at
the grey havens is one forever, so it really is fantastic to have a
fan fiction story that shows that maybe it was not forever, but only
for a time and that then, when he had been healed, frodo returned to
the shire and they, thats means especially frodo, sam and his cousins,
but also gandalf, that they meet again and that they have a future
that they can enjoy together. For example can Frodo be part of Merrys
wedding in this universe, something that I find very important,
because Frodo just is very near to merry, they are a bit like the
older and the younger brother. A very nice story, a good read and a
story that brings a lot joy to the heart, because it shows another
possibility of an ending after the ring war and the healing is done
for our Hobbits.

Title: Took Broth · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Humor: Shire · ID: 543
Reviewer: Golden · 2008-06-11 20:00:00
Spoilers!
This story is a very sweet tale of an interessting tradtion in the
Tooklands, that is a bit confusing for our dear Samwise Gamgee and his
Rose. It is written wonderfully and humoreous. Sam, as he is a good
cook and all, like we know, gets quite a "shock" when the tookish
tradition is revealed to him by Peregrin Took. The story also contains
some good Sam and Merry moments I find and to imagine all these Tooks
in one place and Sams face... too funny. But ok, the Tooks are a big
family, so it might be truly a shock, if one is not used to them..and
when hey all are a bit like Pip, so chatty and loud and such. I like
how Sams discomfort first is written, especially because as the major
he has to eat the Took Broth, no matter how strange or disgusting he
find the whole business, but then in the end its all good and Sam has
learned something new. The story was written for a Challenge and the
author their got a phrase and I find that the phrase is worked in
wonderfully. A very good read,one should not miss it. One can truly
picture the whole scene and sams feelings and merrys amusement and
Pippins feelings to this grand, so he finds, tradition. A very tookish
story. I have to say I probbaly would feel a bit like Sam in the
beginning, but he seemedin the end really happy about the soup.

Title: If You Could See What I Hear · Author: Cathleen · Times: Mid
Third Age: Eriador · ID: 614
Reviewer: Golden · 2008-06-11 20:02:15
Spoilers!
This story is a very magical and fantastic tale about our small lad
Pippin Took, who has together with his knitted piglet friend Tulip an
beautiful, but also mystical so to say, adventure.
Pippin and Tulip meet a young lass, who is a fairy and said fairy
takes Pippin with her into the world of her kin. That is not without
dangers, but thanksfully Pippin meets another fairy creature, names
Alfie. That one tells him true tales, that have to do with his family.
He hears about the fairy blood that is said to run in the veins of the
Tooks, in some stronger than in other, because of an Took ancestor,
who married a fairy wife. Pippin learns that in his veins the fairy
blood is very strong. In the story we also see not only Pippins side,
but also the one of his family, cause Pippin is not just gone for an
hour or so into the fairy world, no he is gone a lot longer and all
his family ( parents, sisters, but also Frodo and Bilbo, Merry and his
parents) as well as other Hobbits worry about him and think the worst.
They searching everywhere, but cannot find him. In the end it is
Paladin, who, also gifted with the fairy blood is the one who is
successful. A very beatuful tale, well written and very magical, with
beautiful word pictures inside.

Title: Tulip's Tale · Author: Cathleen · Genres: Humor: Shire · ID: 615
Reviewer: Golden · 2008-06-11 20:04:10
Spoilers!
In this nice little story we again meet Pippin and Tulip, his knitted
piglet, who is very reayl for him. We also see Frodo and Merry, who
just had a very tiring day to get ippin to sleep. But does he really
sleep? Well, of course not, cause Tulip woke him up, as she reminded
Pippin, that Frodo promised to tell a story, that he had not done yet.
So Frodo and Merry have no little cousin free evening yet, however
because their cousin is so sweet and amuses them a great deal, thats
alright. In this story there is to see a lot of the very sweet and
deep and caring relationship between the three cousins and of course a
bit teasing is allowed as well. I especially love the little exchange
about Pips future, that he will live happily with all his animals and
family on the farm and that now that he his more grown then the year
before he does not think anymore about marrying marigold. Too funny.
This is a piece of writing where the bortherly athomophere so to say
comes through very well. It is just like one would imagine brothers.
The eldest and the second eldest brother the ones that love the small
one to no end, but also enjoy teasing him, while the eldest brother is
a bit more careful, than the second eldest and then the xoungest who
is quite spoiled but very sweet and dear and who is too young yet, to
notice the amusing looks the elder ones exchange, because of his
"serious" chatter.

Title: By Ship or Grave · Author: Larner · Genres: Poetry: Hobbits ·
ID: 618
Reviewer: Queen Galadriel · 2008-06-11 20:16:44
This is truly a beautiful piece of poetry, Larner. You definitely
captured Frodo's voice very well in the language and the cadence. It
almost sounds as if it should be sung, perhaps in the key of c or be
minor, but not quite. It's very Tolkienesque, especially the verse to
Sam, and the last line of that verse; it definitely produces the same
thrill of some nameless emotion--a sort of sad, glorious solemnity--in
me that many of his poems do.
God bless,
Galadriel

Title: Before the Black Gate · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age · ID: 45
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-12 02:07:34
Spoilers!
I loved this story about Pippin at the Black Gate and feel that
Tolkien would have enjoyed it too with the clever and moving uses of
religious symbolism. Pippin's wish that he had even the scraps that
his mother fed their pets calls to mind the story of the prodigal son,
where another young person also far from home is reduced to wishing he
could eat the food meant for the pigs. I suppose one could almost see
Pippin as a sort of prodigal son as he leaves his home to go to a far
country without the blessing of his parents, though unlike the young
man in the Bible, he does not squander his inheritence or live wildly!
I wonder if he even told his family he planned to leave with Frodo?
I'm not an expert on Hobbits,though I have a soft spot for Pippin.
I loved the bond between Beregond and the young Hobbit.The simple meal
they share together recalls another moment from the Biblee,that of the
Last Supper,where bread and wine are consumed.
I love Aragorn's care towards his young friend in sending Miruver to
hearted him before the young Hobbit goes into battle.

Poor Pippin, he tries so hard to be brave and faces up to his expected
death with a courage we could all aspire to and be unlikely to match.

The memory of Pippin's meals back in the Shire is extremely
poignant.It made me feel quite hungry to read too.

Title: Wind of Change · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 47
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-12 02:26:39
Spoilers!
This is an unusual and unique idea for a story which is very plausible
that it could have happened. I can just imagine Eowyn being born in a
thunderstorm surrounded by lashing wind and howling tempest!
It seems Eowyn's mother is like her daughter as she tries to stifle
her screams of pain as her baby arrives.Theodwyn obviously passed on
her pride,courage and stocism to her daughter.

I can just imagine Eomund beaming with pride at his daughter, but no
doubt thinking she will be in her brother's shadow however great her
deeds, though he is pleased to have a daughter.I like the idea that
Eomund might be far sighted as he has visions of his baby daughter
doing heroic deeds.Of course, we know she will also be a great lady
and Princess of Ilthilien.I wish Tolkien had told us more about Eomund.
Here he is portrayed as an extremely nice man,who values a daughter as
as much a source of joy as a son.Maybe , though Eowyn was young when
her father died, he inspired an early confidence in his daughter that
served her well in later life.
.It is very fitting that Theoden should be amongst the first to greet
the child as it is to Eowyn he will breathe his last words many years
later and inspire her to her most glorious deed.

It was Glorfindel who prophesied that no man could kill the Witch King
and the great Elf here senses that the evil Lord of Agmar's hour of
doom is approaching.

Title: Pride and Despair: A Defense of Ecthelion's Son · Author: Marta
· Genres: Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 624
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-12 03:41:54
This is fascinating and thought provoking. I cannot say I like
Denethor, but I think of him rather like a Shakespearean hero.Someone
with the potential to be truly great, but with a tragic flaw.
I think Denethor realises he does care about Faramir when it is too
late. What does strike me the most is that he plans to burn Faramir, a
horrible painful death,rather than a quick mercy killing.

I think Denethor is a man who cannot bear to share anyone.

I agree Faramir and Denethor are very alike, though I wonder if
Denethor sees in Faramir what he wishes he were, or even some
similiarity to Thorongil.

I'm pleased Tolkien gave us such a complex character. I love
discussing Denethor as he is endless fascinating.

I do not agree with everything you say but enjoyed being challenged to
think more about Denethor.

A very well written and interesting essay.



Title: Primum Non Nocere (First, Do No Harm) · Author: febobe ·
Genres: Drama: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 628
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel · 2008-06-12 11:10:09
Spoilers!
What an absolutely delightful read this was! The premise is simple:
Post-Quest, in Minas Tirith, Frodo falls ill. The newly crowned King
Elessar is for whatever reason too busy to attend to Frodo, and so
someone else must be found to tend to the Ringbearer in his time of need.

I've read other Febobe stories which feature Eowyn as a skilled
'dry-nurse,' and so her appearance in that role was not terribly
surprising to me. The first section features Sam's reactions to her.
He hears that she's come into the Houses of Healing but doesn't know
why yet. His initial reaction of sympathy, that people are pointing
and staring at her as they point and stare at him and at Frodo, rings
very true to me. Febobe's Sam-voice is also fantastic.

In the second part, she goes into how Eowyn is exactly the right
caretaker for Frodo at this point, simply by 'doing no harm,' by
making certain he's got good food and warm blankets. The two are able
to comfort one another, because they've shared similar experiences
with the Witch-King. I'd call this lovely hurt/comfort, but there's so
very little hurt and so much delightful comfort that Shirebound's new
jokingly applied label of h/cccccccc for her own stories really seems
to apply here as well.

A wonderful read!

Title: Feeling Safe · Author: shirebound · Races: Hobbits · ID: 633
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-06-12 17:51:10
A sweet, loving tale on the way to Rivendell with sleepwalking Frodo
using Aragorn as a pillow. :) May such love and trust live forever!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Title: O Merry Mine · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort ·
ID: 636
Reviewer: Golden · 2008-06-13 10:23:03
Spoilers!
This is a wonderful story. It shows little scenes between our dear
Hobbit- cousins/brothers from early on till the death. It has lots and
lots of brotherly love inside, that leavesin myself a very warm and
cosy feeling when reading it. I just love it so much, when this bond
between Merry and Frodo and Pippin is written about and in this story
that is very very veeeeery well done.
I love especiall that scene, when Merry and Frodo talk about their
mums, when merrys "offers" his mum can also be Frodos mum, as Frodos
mum is gone.And that the scene, when merry says Eglantine is getting
fatter... and in truth it is that she is pregnant, *L* too sweet.
And the scene when Merry and wee Pippin are together in Frodos bed and
Merry asking if all babys stink like Pippin and Frodo assuring him
that he, merry, did, when he was as small as Pippin. Too cute!
And then when merry finally has to experience himself how it feels
when someone put the arm to sleep, how he had done always to Frodo.
Hehehe. And the end when they all are together again...beautiful. Love
it. I can just picture every scene in my head, with colours and voices
and smells and other sounds and the feelings..well the whole
athmosphere, that has so much love inside it.

Title: In This These Days of Glory · Author: Dana · Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete · ID: 640
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-06-14 02:54:48
This is a very moving story. As a parent, I've always wondered how
Merry and Pippin's family reacted to their disappearing off the face
of the earth. It was difficult enough in the movie - it must have
seemed as though the ground swallowed them up in the very act of
innocent mischief-making - but in the book, we had a much more
terrifying tale in the attack on the house at Crickhollow, the
horrific Black Riders, and Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin's
disappearance. I really love the plausibility of the sequence of
events that you've presented, starting with, "Oh, Pippin's with Merry,
so it can't be so bad" and progressing with growing unease to "That's
odd, that's all of them are gone", and finally, when Pip's letter is
discovered, and news of the attack reaches his loved ones, the
mobilization of friends and family in search of answers.

I particularly like Pervinca's strength, her sense of being her
brother's soulmate and companion. I confess I've not been much of a
hobbit reader, my heart having been firmly ensnared by the men of
Rohan and Gondor, but I love this characterization of the hobbit
lasses as just as strong and high-hearted as the hobbits, and all of
them being just as fierce in their defense of their home as any Men or
Elves. There seems to be just a thin veneer of ladylike manners to
Vinca, something she can toss on and off like an overdress, that's
very appealing. So much more to her than meets the eye!

What I found particularly meaningful in the Prologue (the part that
almost made me cry) was the sense of letting Pippin go; letting him go
out into the world, as full of peril as it is, because that is what
parents and children must both do. That's a hallmark of great writing,
I think, to demonstrate the universality of hope and fear, love and
joy and pain. Sharing Vinca and Paladin's fear has eased mine, just a
bit, knowing that we've all been there together.


Title: Stabat Mater · Author: iorhael · Genres: Drama: General
Drabbles · ID: 666
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-06-14 19:43:32
A short, powerful tale of a mother's sorrow watching her son suffer.
Another mother will watch her Son suffer as well and these two mothers
and these two children have much in common.

Namarie, God bless, Antane

Title: Apostate's Ruse · Author: Calenlass Greenleaf · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 676
Reviewer: Thorongirl · 2008-06-15 00:43:47
As always, my penchant for Aragorn angst makes me appreciate those
special authors who write it so exceedingly well. In this story, a
16-year-old Estel finds himself hurt and confused by Elrond's sudden
change in behavior towards him. If you're like me and you like to read
emotional angst, this story hits all the buttons. What's behind
Elrond's puzzling behavior eventually becomes clear, but not until
much damage has been done. The author writes in a clear, engaging
style that leaves the reader eager for each succeeding chapter. Still
a Work In Progress, but with every indication that it will be completed.

Title: Creation Myths · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: General
Drabbles · ID: 300
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2008-06-15 04:27:05
Spoilers!
Tanaqui, this is breathtakingly beautiful!

The first line is so vivid, it makes me think of the stunning Whole
Earth photo from Apollo 17 [tinyurl.com/35en5], or of the Earthrise
photo from Apollo 8 [tinyurl.com/zqub8], or any of the Blue Marble
images of earth at [tinyurl.com/633pmp] or [tinyurl.com/6zb692]... it
was never truly possible to marvel at the stunning beauty of our whole
globe until we left its surface far behind... within my lifetime!
*getting goose bumps*

Okay... back to earth, so to speak... and the beautiful imagery that
you wrought with your words.

I just boggle at the poetry of the language in [mar its splendid
symmetry – but give birth to more beauty than sterile flawlessness
ever could.]! But it is much more than your evocative words that
affects me here; it is the wisdom and depth of Iluvatar's thought....
and his actions, as he gives the world up freely and generously so
that the Ainur can embellish it with their own love and creativity.

Similar to the very best of fan fiction, come to think of it. LOLOL!

And then we come to constipated Feanor: a savant - brilliant in his
skill, but utterly devoid of wisdom. He strives for [sterile
flawlessness], and locks his creations away - hoarding them in a vault
within a fortress, afraid of losing control over them.

Tanaqui, this drabble is so exquisite on so many levels, I'm rendered
(almost) speechless... but not quite (fortunately for you! *wink*)

Thank you for sharing your own jewel-bright creations with us!

Title: Dreams or Reality · Author: Eleon Gamgee · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Frodo or Sam · ID: 716
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-06-15 19:48:44
Spoilers!
Wow! Man, you just keep getting better and better! Love it,
horrifying and chilling - poor Frodo! but Sam is there, Sam is
there...loving, supporting, pointing out the star, Hope Unquenchable.
Where would Frodo be without his Sam? It's wonderful that Sam received
that grace and consolation in the book for he would know he wasn't
alone either. Too bad Frodo couldn't see it himself, but now he has!
And he knows he isn't alone either Love his thank you to Iluvatar
after expending his anger on Him. A very cool, riveting story. One can
only imagine what horrors Frodo endured silently within as his soul
was torn apart. But what a grace indeed to have Sam there.



Title: Vodka · Author: Ford of Bruinen · Times: First Age and Prior:
House of Finwe · ID: 714
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-06-15 20:08:12
I wonder if I can find anything original to say about this piece that
I haven't already mentioned? That your characterisations are
wonderful, is so obvious I'm not sure I'd mention it if the review
wasn't point-based. The setting is very `real' – I don't have a sense
of you forcing descriptions on me, but they are there, woven into the
fabric of the tale you're telling.

The centre point of this all of course is Maglor. Sardonic, a touch
bitter, locked into a destiny nothing now can change, mocking himself,
his brother, life itself. I remember our discussions about him: they
gave me the beginnings of the personality who is starting to grow
larger than life in my head, and they gave you this look into a moment
between brothers.

What do you say to the brother who could justifiably accuse you of
having left him to die? Where to begin? No awkward apologies if you're
Maglor. Loved the sarcastic dismissal of Fingon's efforts as being
based on a romantic impulse, loved even more Maglor's reference to the
honour the rest of them had left behind at Losgar. Most of all, I love
the casual reference at the end to what he was doing, what was on the
parchment. Thus was born a masterpiece; voices of memory speaking
within the alcohol, notes chiming softly in the depths of a glass.

And yes Uli, you're right. He would definitely have drunk vodka.


Title: Maglor's Harp · Author: Ford of Bruinen · Genres: Horror · ID: 660
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-06-15 21:24:47
Obviously I love this piece. The `why' is another matter, something
hard to define. Partly I love the simple fact that you dared to write
it, of course. Horror is a notoriously difficult genre to get right.
Anyone can write buckets of blood and blood-curdling shrieks, but this
dark, crawling fascination is something completely apart from that.

Maglor as he is now is – very different to the Maglor who once was,
the mighty singer and fighter, proud and tall, blood of kings. An
ancient, confused creature, lost in a dark world all his own. And then
the music calls him once again, and he tries to answer it. And how he
tries. I ached for him. The hoarse voice, the lack of an audience, the
wrong audience, the lack of a harp… oh yes, the lack of the harp. He
grows stronger, more – rational – almost, as he tries to solve the
puzzle of the perfect harp. Driven. And all through it, I feel for
him, this monster. I felt so sad for him when his nice harp didn't
sound right, when things broke, when he had to go back and start all
over again.

And then he finds her. And – there is such a rightness to it that
somehow the means justify the end. One of those things. Suffering for
art. And the final line, which I won't comment on here because I'm
trying to avoid spoilers, is a thing perfect in itself.

Very nice work, dear.


Title: A Great Evil Unmade · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 267
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-06-15 22:27:33
Really liked this. One of the things I love about the MEFAs is the way
we all get the chance to read outside our usual corners of the fandom.
This was the random story displayed when I logged on this evening, and
I'm so glad I clicked on it. I write – and therefore normally read –
elves, so the idea of an alternate ring bearer isn't one I've come
across much, and I found the logic you brought to how this could have
happened and why Frodo made the choice he did pretty much flawless. I
could imagine it all happening exactly like this. Timing is everything
– a couple of tiny changes in a very small time span could well have
brought about this result.

I liked the reasoning for why he was able to overcome the Ring's lure
– made sense when I thought about it. Right from the beginning, he had
such a strong desire to protect his people, I could quite see it being
the driving force once he had it in his hand (or round his neck
rather, lol) Final comment – it was a small touch, but the fact that
his gloves had been shredded, that his hands were cut, made him very
real and said more abut his courage and determination than paragraphs
about his journey to that point would have.

~Kei.

Title: Early Winter at Himring Hill · Author: Oshun · Genres: Romance:
Elven Lands · ID: 79
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-06-15 23:08:06
Heh. No. No angst or drama in here at all. I wondered at the business
of snow, no snow, at the beginning, but let it go and read on. I liked
the little touches, like the struggle to get the banners unfurled in
time, the picture of them sweeping down the hill and up to the gate,
knowing they'll be recognised and let in. I can feel your familiarity
with the surroundings, you write the descriptions with such a a sure,
casual touch. Liked the greeting, the pure, happy warmth of it. Loved
their smiles, the fact that Maedhros came out without a cloak.

And my, what a bad miscalculation, Fingon, getting yourself all snowed
in like that, lol. Yes, I'm sure they'll make the best of those dark,
snow-filled months. Lovely, feel-good ficcie.


Title: Where the Sky Kisses the Horizon, There My Dreams Lie · Author:
Lindelea · Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 689
Reviewer: Queen Galadriel · 2008-06-16 04:28:32
Spoilers!
Oh, Lindelea, I just love everything about this. Your drabbles are
always amazing, but this one is just heart-warming!

First, the title. It is so awesome, it sounds just like something out
of a song or a line of poetry, and though at a glance it doesn't seem
directly related to the story, it makes sense.

Your characterizations are spot-on, even in so few words. Poor Aragorn
so exhausted, and Legolas, with that characteristic Elvishness making
a gentle gift of that sea-kissed cloak for Frodo's comfort...and of
course what made me the most glad was that it worked. *smiles*
Absolutely lovely.
God bless,
Galadriel

Title: Undivided · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 46
Reviewer: Jay of Lasgalen · 2008-06-16 21:48:14
The twins' anger and sorrow and grief is so vividly portrayed, but I
love their closeness, and the chaste embrace at the end. Beautiful!

Title: Comfort · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves: House of Elrond · ID: 161
Reviewer: Jay of Lasgalen · 2008-06-16 21:49:52
*Happy sigh*

Bodkin, this is wonderful. The opening paragraph with Elrohir twirling
the knife is full of wonderful imagery, and sets the scene - and his
mood - so well. I can really feel Elrohir's distress and guilt over
the death of the Ranger (is it Arathorn? It doesn't feel like him.)

Elladan is just marvellous in the way he gently cajoles Elrohir out of
his dark mood by teasing, reminding him of the finer things in life,
and head-on confrontation. I don't think the 'sanitised' versions of
death fool anyone, but it's a comforting deceit. Elladan's reminder of
Elrohir's possible fate is chilling, and reinforces the message of
what *could* have happened. Finally, I love the humour of the image of
an orc-maiden running screaming from Elrohir in his current state!

The depth of understanding between them is wonderfully portrayed.
Elladan is probably the only one who could bring Elrohir out of his
dark mood (or at least, do it so quickly) because he knows what it's
like, and knows what Elrohir is suffering. He's probably been there
himself - and I'm sure Elrohir would have offered him the same
comfort. Elladan's also the only one who could get away with some of
the things he says - he can tell the harsh truth, knowing Elrohir
won't take offence. I'm glad Elrohir allowed himself to listen!