I love the melancholy feel of the first section, even in the midst of a time that seems comfortable, warm, and happy for Elrond. Lohte's remark--"We had plenty of time she said."--seems to kind of embody the feel of that time for me. They are Elves and immortal, and there is a certain peace that seems to defy the upheavals that have marked all of their lives so far. It is hard to imagine tragedy visiting the isolated cabin in the snowy woods, kept warm by an overlarge fireplace. And yet this is the ultimate sadness (for the Elves in general, I'd say) that there never really is "plenty of time" and changes come fast and leave what is peaceful and loved marred. It reminds me very much of certain childhood memories of places that, at the time, seemed permanent and even now evoke a sense of longing when viewed in the larger context. (Ocean City is one such place for me, and I often remark that "I feel like an Elf" when the places and things that I remembered from my childhood change or go away and the sense of loss, that after a while, no one will even remember how it was.)
Of course, Elrond's life is one string of such losses, a fact that your story handles delicately without belaboring the point but without letting it go forgotten either.
The battle flag made into decorations is one of my favorite images from this story. I still regret that I did not get to those illuminated capitals, one using the tattered flag and the other using proper ribbon! :)
In the second part, Celebrian keeps coming to my mind. I haven't read a lot of stories about her, but most of them focus on her torment at the hands of Orcs. Yet this story makes her story so much more poignant (similar to Elrond's happy winter with Maedhros, Maglor, and Erestor) because it shows a happy time when we know full well what is to come. Even though you show us relatively little of her, her character sparkles on the page, as does Erestor's. And Lindir! You captured him just perfectly.
Your wit and humor shines through in this piece in the conversations between the characters. It gives it a festive feel that is appropriate for a Yule story. Yet, again, knowing what has already transpired and what Elrond still faces in his future gives a melancholy feel even to the joyful moments. Because they are ultimately so short-lived.
no subject
Of course, Elrond's life is one string of such losses, a fact that your story handles delicately without belaboring the point but without letting it go forgotten either.
The battle flag made into decorations is one of my favorite images from this story. I still regret that I did not get to those illuminated capitals, one using the tattered flag and the other using proper ribbon! :)
In the second part, Celebrian keeps coming to my mind. I haven't read a lot of stories about her, but most of them focus on her torment at the hands of Orcs. Yet this story makes her story so much more poignant (similar to Elrond's happy winter with Maedhros, Maglor, and Erestor) because it shows a happy time when we know full well what is to come. Even though you show us relatively little of her, her character sparkles on the page, as does Erestor's. And Lindir! You captured him just perfectly.
Your wit and humor shines through in this piece in the conversations between the characters. It gives it a festive feel that is appropriate for a Yule story. Yet, again, knowing what has already transpired and what Elrond still faces in his future gives a melancholy feel even to the joyful moments. Because they are ultimately so short-lived.