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The Golden Bell of Greenleaf by lwarren	9 Review(s)
Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/11/2006
Another wonderful chapter Linda! WOO HOO! I am really liking this story. You write beautifully! I LOVE the connection between Legolas & Arod. But I do have another horsey complaint! “The muscle is not torn, my lord,” the stablemaster looked up at the tall elf standing at the gray horse’s head, holding him still. “It would almost be better if it were. Torn muscles seem to mend stronger, somehow.” Whoever told you that needs to be SHOT! torn muscles do NOT heal stronger, in fact they are usually the ones that cause recurring problems along with torn ligaments! Bones heal stronger, but a horse with a broken leg in this time would have been put down. I think it would have been more feasible if Arod HAD torn a muscle or ligament as that would be a more retiring injury. A pulled muscle would heal even in an older horse. Torn muscles even heal well...this injury sounds more like a torn ligament or a bowed tendon. I was a groom for a thoroughbred with a simlilar recurring injury and he ended up being unable to be ridden at 4 years old. But he was a beautiful lawn ornament! But that' just my two cents worth...I used to work in a boarding stable, I'm not a vet. But I will tell you that horses seem to INVENT ways to hurt themselves! grin I LOVE this story...can't wait to read more! I love how you write Eomer and his stable master. NiRi Author Reply: Hey, NiRi,don't shoot the author! ducks behind a wall...or bush...or barrel Here's another chapter headed for the chopping block..er..editing table tomorrow! You just keep on complainin' and I'll just keep on buggin' you for the right answers. :-) Again, glad you liked the chapter (most of it anyway g). Thank you for the review! Linda

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/27/2006
sniff Poor Legolas and poor Arod. I only hope that Arod will recover at all, I don't know how Legolas will be able to cope with any other result - as it is, he seems barely be able to bear having to part from Arod at all, even if it is not death that parts them. I like it how sympathetic and understanding the people around him are, or try to be. Eomer has a wonderful family, and of course Lothiriel must be able to understand Legolas best, given her ancestry. Ranulf is a very good man, too. I can understand Legolas so well. Spending time with Arod and riding him might very well be the only refuge he has from his duties and fears. To be able and allowed to just be oneself can be something very precious, and Arod's love is unconditional. sigh I'm glad that Eomer and Lothiriel are aware of the situation and have decided to call for Aragorn if Legolas gets any worse. I simply love your descriptions, especially of Legolas and Arod, but also of Rohan. The "small yellow flowers called daystars" are just the ones Legolas reminds Arod of, aren't they? I liked it that Eomer had to think of these flowers, too (if I got it right ;-). A wonderful chapter, and I think I'll better keep a heap of tissues close. :) Tinu Author Reply: Legolas is suffering from an overload of guilt (because of the way the injury to Arod happened) and a very heavy dose of sea-longing, which will become more clear next chapter. Remember when he told Eomer that Arod loved him, in spite of his strange, dark moods? You are so right when you say that Arod's love is unconditional and Legolas knows that he can be himself - no masks, no pretentions. Lothiriel knows something has changed with the elf - she's not sure at present what - just that it is causing Legolas a lot of pain...and Eomer is clueless - worried, but not sure what he can do to help. (Funny, I remember when I wrote this that I kept yelling at them to write to Aragorn! LOL) Yes, you are right - those small yellow flowers called daystars are the ones Arod thinks Legolas' yellow hair looks like (yummm!) and Eomer is reminded of them when he smells the scent of the herbs Legolas is using in the poultice on Arod's leg. So glad you enjoyed this chapter - once again thank you for taking the time to read and review! Linda (Had to laugh - as I reread these early chapters I have discovered that I ran wild with the commas! Will have to remedy that sometime! g)

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/30/2005
So true about the ageless understanding the aging process. To me one of the great griefs of the Eldar is that all around them grows old and dies, and they live on with naught but memories. Acceptance of the inevitable loss is a harsh reality and not easily admitted. The errant elf! You defined him so well. His loyalty to mortals, be they people, horses or trees is so much a part of Legolas. An open heart and generous spirit combined with the willingness to give himself for others; a noble elf is every sense of he word. Thank you. Author Reply: Yes, and Legolas is having a particularly difficult time here. When he and Ranalf are discussing Arod's age, he comments that it is "not so old" and Ranalf has to correct him "It is, for him..." So sad...the blink of an eye for Legolas is a lifetime for his mortal friends. A "harsh reality" indeed! I think Eomer is at a loss here as to how and help Legolas, so he tries a little humor. But Legolas is so miserable at the thought of losing Arod he cannot appreciate his friend's effort...and the sea's call is slowly eating away at him. Double trouble! I'm glad you see Legolas the same way I do. We're not told too much about him in the books, but I like to think that by the hints and clues we are given, he is an open-hearted, generous, self-less and noble elf! Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review. linda

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/17/2005
You’re so good at characterisations. I’m really liking Ranalf. You’ve really captured his passion for the horses, his love for his king and his gratitude for what life has given him. He’s also very perceptive and understanding. My heart went out to him when he had to explain the situation to Legolas and the way he hurt at seeing the elf’s pain. And Legolas… what a terrible time for him. That image of him with his arms around Arod and his face buried in his mane was just heartbreaking. He’s very lucky to have Eomer and his family, who seem to love and want to support him. I feel bad for them, especially Eomer, who must be feeling rather helpless. And I feel for Arod too. He’s in pain and must be confused and knows how upset Legolas. But, of course, at the moment I feel most for Legolas. It must have been a shock to realise that Arod would be considered old for his kind and to even contemplate having to let him go and release him back to the herd must be so difficult for him. Can he not just take him back to Ithilien? And clearly he can’t even consider what might happen if Arod’s leg doesn’t heal. Eomer is right, he is starting to become withdrawn. He seems to be relying on his deep connection with Arod but what gives him strength now may result in heartache later. He needs to find his way back. Oh well… onwards… :-) Author Reply: Alright, Dot! You're the first to comment on Ranalf...I really liked him, too. He was my strong, trustworthy, older, wiser, resident expert! I think he was very surprised and touched by the Prince's devotion to his horse and his heartbreaking reaction to the prognosis on the injury to Arod's leg. Legolas is having a very difficult time of it and it doesn't look to get better any time soon. Arod's injury is the last straw, ya know? Eomer is very concerned for his elven friend, but absolutely in the dark as to how to comfort him. He is relying on Lothiriel and her elven connection to provide some sort of insight for him. She can only suggest...be there, listen, and call Aragorn if things get too bad. (Personally, I'd call the Ranger first and ask questions later!) Mortality and the sea-longing...two of the most difficult concepts/situations for an immortal elf to understand, much less face. You and Bodkin both have said, "What about taking Arod back to Ithilien?" big smile Okey-dokey! Yes, our poor elf needs to regain his equilibrium in a major way! Thank you for reviewing, Dot. I appreciate them so much! linda

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/20/2004
Awww, have I missed something, why doesn't Eomer sent for Gimli - he would help. So sad, so good. Rose Author Reply: No, but I have missed something, obviously! :-( Can you tell I don't have access to a computer where I can reply regularly to these reviews? And I appreciate them so much, too! Thank you, RS...I won't say just you wait for the dwarf's appearance, cos by now he's there! (DRAT!) Anyway, thank you for reviewing!

songspinner	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2004
This is beautifully written so far...your characterization of Legolas and Eomer, especially is quite good, I think. And the horse, also. Poor Arod... One bit I thought very well done in particular was Legolas' explanation of why Arod is so important to him. That gave a lot of depth to your Legolas and reminded me of why I loved the cat I had for 12 years or so - she didn't judge and was always there when I needed her. Author Reply: Thank you for the kind review, songspinner! I think Eomer and Legolas are pretty good friends, but Eomer still is not quite sure how one deals with an elf, sometimes! As for Arod, he has trusted Legolas through some very tough situations, and now that Legolas is dealing with some serious issues, he'll be there for him! I'm really glad that part came across...one can never be sure!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2004
You do a really nice job of showing the communion between Elf and horse, lwarren. The scene in the stable at the end reminds me of a colleague who once told me that he had long studied his dog and concluded that in many ways the dog was more sensitive and responsive than people were. And of course, an elf, in touch with nature, would be even more connected. Author Reply: Thank you, daw! :-) That review means a lot! I think at this point in time, Legolas is leaning on that close connection with the only one he feels like will not judge him.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2004
I think immortality is a curse more than a blessing. It must be so painful to see all those dear to you leaving you one by one. I would not wish that on anyone. As Legolas has said, Arod is more than a friend, having gone through so much with him. And it must be even harder for elves to comprehend (dare I say the nasty word?) death as it is not something that they experience on a common basis. Excellent writing! Author Reply: Yes, and I think Legolas is having a hard time with the whole concept, for more than just the obvious reason. Also, having to watch that slow disintergration brought on by age is so hard, and he still has to go through it with his human friends...he blames himself for the injury...the sea is calling...the poor elf is just a basket case right now! Thank you for such a kind review, Manderly!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2004
Poor Legolas. He can't spend the next several months sitting in the stable - he needs air and sunshine and trees, or he will become even more depressed than he is at the moment. Eomer and Lothiriel are being very patient. It's a good thing the Rohirrim rate horses somewhat higher than people. I don't think Elfwine will sit back so patiently and wait for Legolas to come to him. Maybe he will help. Author Reply: He is depressed, isn't he? (and not thinking too clearly either!) Lots of issues eating at him right now. As for Elfwine, nine-year-olds are not known for their patience, and he is no exception! LOL Thank you for reading and reviewing, Bodkin!

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