Mistress Gilraen, Beyond This World
Sep. 30th, 2006 04:37 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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rec50My rec table is here
Claim: Tolkien verse, General Series
Prompt: Seduction
Title: Mistress Gilraen
Author: AfterEver![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ae_emlyn
Rating: PG-13
Length: medium
Brief summary: I think it's probably safe to say that few fans give Gilraen, Aragorn's mother, much thought; but AfterEver has brilliantly captured a recently widowed and confused young woman who's willing to do what's necessary to guarantee her son's safety in Imladris. Her characterization of Elrond is also probably one of the closest to canon I've seen; wise, understanding and as gentle as summer. AfterEver makes me fall in love with him all over again.
Link: Mistress Gilraen
Claim: Tolkien verse, General Series
Prompt: Death
Title: Beyond This World
Author: Thundera Tiger
Rating: PG
Length: long
Brief summary: If you have no clue who Thundera is, you're in for a treat. She writes some of the best Tolkien gen on the net, so after you finish this fic, go read the rest as none of it disappoints. Well written death fic is so, so hard to find; but Thundera captures Gimli's passing in Valinor and his friendship with Legolas with grace that few authors could ever match. And this fic isn't only about death, but about true friendship and a choice that Legolas must make. As with all of her work, this fic could easily be a piece of canon. I can't recommend it highly enough.
"The mountains were beautiful this morning," Legolas eventually continued, dimly hoping to draw some kind of reaction from his aged companion. "Perhaps tomorrow you can rise early and see them. I think you would have greatly enjoyed the sight, Gimli. The peaks glistened as though made of many gems, and the sun was golden on the snowfields. Verily, I was reminded of Aglarond as I watched. Indeed, to you and your strange kind, the sight might have been akin to paradise."
"But still you found no hope," Gimli sighed.
Legolas blinked and studied the dwarf. "Nay. Nay, I did not. Do you find hope in this?"
"Think on it, Master Elf," Gimli murmured weakly. "A glorious sunrise meant to be enjoyed by a dwarf. A farewell gift from the morning. A promise of great joy to come beyond this world. How does this not give you hope for me?"
"I look for hope that you will remain with me," Legolas said sharply, almost harshly.
"But such hopes are vain," the dwarf said, opening his eyes and struggling to muster his strength so that he might help Legolas confront an unpleasant truth. "I can no more remain here than you can embrace the moon. You clutch at the impossible, my friend, and despair when you cannot reach it." A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he continued. "But perhaps that is true of all elves. Ever they reach too high and ever they fall. Better to be a dwarf. We are firmly rooted to the ground."
"Stunted, you mean," Legolas said, allowing himself a bitter laugh.
"All the better to duck stray elven arrows."
"Elven arrows do not stray."
"Oh?" Gimli raised one white eyebrow. "I seem to remember a camping trip in Hollin during which—"
"You were delusional that trip," Legolas interrupted quickly. "It was but a figment of your imagination."
Link: Beyond This World
Claim: Tolkien verse, General Series
Prompt: Seduction
Title: Mistress Gilraen
Author: AfterEver
ae_emlynRating: PG-13
Length: medium
Brief summary: I think it's probably safe to say that few fans give Gilraen, Aragorn's mother, much thought; but AfterEver has brilliantly captured a recently widowed and confused young woman who's willing to do what's necessary to guarantee her son's safety in Imladris. Her characterization of Elrond is also probably one of the closest to canon I've seen; wise, understanding and as gentle as summer. AfterEver makes me fall in love with him all over again.
Link: Mistress Gilraen
Claim: Tolkien verse, General Series
Prompt: Death
Title: Beyond This World
Author: Thundera Tiger
Rating: PG
Length: long
Brief summary: If you have no clue who Thundera is, you're in for a treat. She writes some of the best Tolkien gen on the net, so after you finish this fic, go read the rest as none of it disappoints. Well written death fic is so, so hard to find; but Thundera captures Gimli's passing in Valinor and his friendship with Legolas with grace that few authors could ever match. And this fic isn't only about death, but about true friendship and a choice that Legolas must make. As with all of her work, this fic could easily be a piece of canon. I can't recommend it highly enough.
"The mountains were beautiful this morning," Legolas eventually continued, dimly hoping to draw some kind of reaction from his aged companion. "Perhaps tomorrow you can rise early and see them. I think you would have greatly enjoyed the sight, Gimli. The peaks glistened as though made of many gems, and the sun was golden on the snowfields. Verily, I was reminded of Aglarond as I watched. Indeed, to you and your strange kind, the sight might have been akin to paradise."
"But still you found no hope," Gimli sighed.
Legolas blinked and studied the dwarf. "Nay. Nay, I did not. Do you find hope in this?"
"Think on it, Master Elf," Gimli murmured weakly. "A glorious sunrise meant to be enjoyed by a dwarf. A farewell gift from the morning. A promise of great joy to come beyond this world. How does this not give you hope for me?"
"I look for hope that you will remain with me," Legolas said sharply, almost harshly.
"But such hopes are vain," the dwarf said, opening his eyes and struggling to muster his strength so that he might help Legolas confront an unpleasant truth. "I can no more remain here than you can embrace the moon. You clutch at the impossible, my friend, and despair when you cannot reach it." A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he continued. "But perhaps that is true of all elves. Ever they reach too high and ever they fall. Better to be a dwarf. We are firmly rooted to the ground."
"Stunted, you mean," Legolas said, allowing himself a bitter laugh.
"All the better to duck stray elven arrows."
"Elven arrows do not stray."
"Oh?" Gimli raised one white eyebrow. "I seem to remember a camping trip in Hollin during which—"
"You were delusional that trip," Legolas interrupted quickly. "It was but a figment of your imagination."
Link: Beyond This World
