Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Far Horizons by Bodkin	10 Review(s)
lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/14/2004
Such a good sob ending sniffsniff chapter! All these little interactions just waiting around the next sentence to tickle the reader's imagination and/or funny bone! :-) I like the way Finarfin asks Celeborn if he has turned his daughter into a savage, and Celeborn insists he is the reason she is somewhat civilized! HA! Minastan's sentence seemed the best, until that "higher power" the King spoke of could be consulted. Of course, I don't know...the Valar, after all, released Melkor when they thought he'd been rehabbed, and look how that turned out! Calion...I have come to appreciate this young elf...send him my way if Hithien can't rope him vbg...and I'm glad he's staying with Thranduil's household. Artamir at last showed some sign of sense by acknowledging his youngest, and Minyariel might actually find some peace in that household in the future. Loved the reunions between the twins and Legolas and their sweeties! So much ROMANCE in the air....g Even Elrond and Celebrian had to join in! Favorite lines at this point..."Feel...your daughters are welcoming you." Awwww, Elrohir! Miriwen - "You appear to be slipping, my husband...no injuries...!" Of course, his response to that was great! I liked that Thranduil and Elerrina have united to get Legolas to release his worries...they know him well! And Thranduil..."do you think tomorrow will be too soon?" I'm surprised he waited that long! The very end scene with Galadriel and Celeborn was so hopeful...a new chance to build something better and stronger, without the shadow of evil hovering over them...(we hope Minastan stays put! ???) GREAT story, Bodkin! I hope you feel led to extend on it somehow..... linda (withdrawal?...I found myself still looking for this one this morning!!! :-( That's my face all day!) Author Reply: Thank you so much for such a great review - and for making me feel good. I feel Minastan's fate was a bit of a get out, but I really couldn't see what else they could do with him. But I didn't think Galadriel or Thranduil would think much of it. And whilst no Melkor, Minastan is definitely devious enough to put on an act for the nice kind Valar. I suppose Artamir is, in a way, a victim of Minastan like the rest. I don't think I would want to be reconciled with him, but I suppose it would be better than living in an atmosphere of resentment. Calion will be better with Thranduil, who seems to have given him more purpose - and, of course, Hithien will keep him in line. Tarannon could do with a challenge, too. I didn't show Legolas and Elerrina reuniting, because I felt there was a danger of drowning in schmaltz, but I wouldn't have minded being a fly on the wall! Yes, waiting until tomorrow - do you think that shows a lack of enthusiasm? He had to have time to pack and make a few kingly arrangements. I wanted to end with Galadriel and Celeborn - and hope for the future. I want to dive right back into the happy? world of the elves, but everyday slavery calls for a while, I'm afraid.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/11/2004
I read this on lunchbreak at work, but didn't have time to review it - ah, it is sad when real life interferes with hobbies! A number of things I liked in this chapter. First, Minastan - it is hard to know what to do with him. I almost wonder if he shouldn't go spend some time serving Nienna or Lorien, where he might be healed while seeing the pity and mercy they show to those in need. He is tough to know what to do with, yet I do feel pity for him. Finarfin is wise and I am glad you showed him that way - I am also glad that Calion is going to stay with Thranduil's house and travel west. I am equally glad that it appears his family is open to reconciliation. Macar also received just punishment - I like that you separated understanding from justification. Elrohir needed to be with his wife and I am glad he is home. Legolas telling his father; well, Thranduil did not seem to surprised. I look forward to their meeting. Author Reply: Real life is so much less fun. I've abandoned it over the summer rather, but now I have to stop doing much of this so I can concentrate for a while and life looks very grey. It is hard to know what to do with Minastan - I cannot see elves keeping him locked up for ever - or executing him. A working confinement, where he learns pity and mercy and is healed of the damage done to him in his earliest, most helpless years seems the best solution. I'm glad you liked the outcomes for Calion and Macar - and that Finarfin showed his wisdom. Thranduil probably wasn't totally shocked - the marital bond must have made him aware at some level of his wife's healing - and he probably read more in Legolas's face when he returned than his son knew. Both Elrohir and Sirithiel needed him home - for the elflings' sake as well as their own.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/10/2004
Poor Minastan. You really can feel sorry for him and that is one of the things that makes him so interesting. I fear that, though he may receive help in his imprisonment, those are likely scars that go too deep to heal even in Valinor. And it is very sad. All of the wrap up with Calion was very well done. He actually became one of my favorite characters in this. But of course my favorite part was Legolas' conversation with his father. That would be one heck of a piece of news to deliver! I really loved the way Thranduil handled this. It was really perfect. Very in character and very believable. Great job! More chapters to go! Author Reply: I do feel sorry for Minastan - a lot of people missed a lot of chances to help him - and if they had, then he would probably have turned out all right. But it is too late to make any difference to him now. Yet I can't see elves executing him - and I can't see them being able to deal with the concept of life imprisonment, when life is eternal. I think the Valar might have to be brought into this one way or another. Calion grew on me a lot as the story went on - and he seemed to grow up a lot. Very sensible of him to want to stick with Thranduil. Such a major piece of news for Legolas to bring that it must have been quite difficult to try to give it - good for the Woodland King. The end is nigh - I'm missing it already.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
p.s. I forget what "naneth" means? Author Reply: Naneth - mother abbreviated to nana Adar - father " ada Don't do much with elvish, because I don't know any - but that just sounds more elfy.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
sigh Lovely. And what do you mean by suggesting that I am devious? I really did chuckle at that. What a lovely relationship you've written between G. and C. I seem to be stuck on the word "lovely". The chapter title had the ring of finality... is there more to come? Author Reply: Blushing. It is practically finished. There is one more snippet to come - an epilogue. (I like G and C.) I am going to miss playing with this - it has been huge fun.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
I've been thinking about Minastan. Perhaps he could escape and flee across the rooftops, either falling or flinging himself to his death? That way, the elves don't have blood on their hands, Minastan is safely dead, and he has eternity to repent of his sins in the Halls of Mandos. I don't ever see him being reformed enought to be reborn, so the previous memories wouldn't be a problem. Just a thought ;-) Jay Author Reply: I think he might have to do it in a spin off 'Whatever happened to . . ' though, because it would untidy the end. I will think about it - the elves are just to reasonable to lock someone away for ever, so there has to be a solution that will work in the very long term. I'm sure they would soften up on him in time and he could escape.

rikki	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
What a great ending to your story. I have truly enjoyed the tale and the characters really came to life, whether they were wood elves in the forest or Noldor in the city. You neatly ended things with lots of room for future sequels - (hint, hint) with twins on the way and a whole new land to migrate to and develop. I am happy that Calion has grown up and made his decision about following Thranduil into the forest. Maybe Hithien will want to continue their friendship. I do hope that you will consider writing about building in the forest and the reunion between Thranduil and Laerwen. Minastan. What does one do with a criminally insane elf? Too bad they don't have mind swipes where he could start over again. And going to Mandos Hall to be reborn at some point would not help as Minastan would have his previous memories and that would not be a help. I could see the Valar taking on this project, as leaving him in secure lock up would not be a solution as the elf is immortal. After all, you did have the High King say he would seek a higher authority for answers. Author Reply: Thank you. Lots of blushing. Yes - I'm already thinking that something terminal needs to happen to the bad elf, before he escapes and does something else nasty. I don't reckon the Valar could take him to Mandos without him being dead really, could they? It would set a bit of a bad precedent. I don't know that I will be able to resist the urge to write about the building of the new realms - just looking for a plot to provide a thread. This writing stuff is completely addictive!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
Ah, lovely! Everything is resolved. I had a good time watching the twins and Legolas approach home, knowing how suprised those waiting for them would be by their arrival and their news. Thranduil took it well, I thought. Never underestimate the Elvenking. I liked the fact that Elrohir's wife knew him immediately. You can see the twins separating a little, I think, as each of them finds someone else who is first in his heart. And Galadriel adjusting to having another Lady around is a wonderful thought indeed. But she's wearing green. She seems to have changed. A very nice tale, Bodkin. I enjoyed every line of it. Author Reply: I think most things are sorted out - though I agree with Jay that Minastan's fate is a bit wishy-washy. I just couldn't think of any better, elvish solution to the problem he presents. Legolas and the twins were excited to be home - and their families were very happy to see them. The elven bond must make it relatively easy to tell the twins apart - and they have different responsibilities now, in a way. The extended family thing, and the fact that I see them still living together in a big - not really stately home - it's too grand, but together anyway, probably keeps them closer than modern-day identical twins. Well that and having spent several thousand years in each other's company. Thranduil is quite happy, I think. Perhaps less shocked than Legolas. It might be interesting to see Galadriel dealing with an equal who is not her mother or her daughter - and has a strong power of her own that is quite different from Galadriel's. She is wearing green - well, white in the forest - so impractical. I think without the ring and with Celeborn's return, she is more relaxed and perhaps a bit easier. Thank you for reading and commenting. It's been fun. One more snippet to come.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
There are some very satisfying endings here. I like the reunions - thank you for including Sirithiel's meeting with Elrohir - and the resolutions. I was afraid that Calion would still be rejected by his father, but thankfully Artamir still has a little sense. Thranduil's joy when Legolas confirmed that Laerwen was in the forest was great - I look forward to seeing him with her. The only disappointment is Minastan. I know the elves can't do anything other than imprison him, but stuffing him down a warg's throat has a certain appeal, though a little hard on the warg - even if they could find one! Jay Author Reply: I did extend the Sirithiel / Elrohir reunion a bit (since you wanted to see them!) Artamir is not happy and I still don't like him, but perhaps his sense of self-preservation will encourage him to be a bit nicer. After all, Calion now has a bit of royal favour - so I suppose that means it is better to accept him. I think Thranduil was quite pleased! Minastan. I thought about handing him over to the Valar - I would quite to see him go to Mandos and expiate his sins, maybe undergoing a sort of eventual rebirth - but the main problem is that I can't see either the elves or the Valar cutting his throat. It just isn't an elvish response - if he were killed while being captured, maybe it would have been OK, but they just couldn't do it in cold blood. Then the problem with the warg solution - no wargs! or orcs! or, indeed, anything nasty to feed him to. Exile within Valinor wouldn't do - he's too unbalanced and dangerous. Getting an eagle to drop him in Arda - same answer. If you think the first solution is workable, in some way that avoids execution, I would be happy to adapt the text.

Kage	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/8/2004
does first review dance Ah, this chapter is so fluffy and sweet. The pace is perfect, love your talented writing. Author Reply: Swift response to swift review! Thank you very much. I really enjoyed writing this and I shall miss it a lot. I hope most holes have been filled, although I am not entirely sure yet. One final bit to come.

Return to Chapter List