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| The Masque Of The King Stag by French Pony | 12 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Eruanneth_Luin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/23/2004 |
| What a lovely surprise! The aftermath of freezing rain is an incredible sight and the melting creates a silvery-sounding music quite unequaled by other means. Poor Little Legolas at Yule, more than ever he needs the love and comfort of his Ada; the task of preparing the glittering paint for his Ada's use was perfect. I could almost 'see' the dance and was completely enchanted. But like Legolas, was stunned at the climax. Cerrtainly the last chapter will reveal the significance. | |
| Lamiel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/19/2004 |
| This is breath-taking! Little Legolas' reactions - excitement about the Yule, and boredom at being ignored, and being so obviously tired but refusing to nap - are just perfect. So exactly like a child. And the Masque itself is simply amazing. I know very little about pagan rituals, but I recognize the deep primal symbolism of the dance, the drums and flute and rhythms. Action is not easy to write, let alone music and dance, but you craft it so flawlessly and smoothly that I can see it before me. It reminds me of the Gathering scenes in "The Clan of the Cave Bear." Wow. I could go on and on, but the lights are flickering in my office (there's a storm here in sunny Cal), and I'm not sure how much longer my connection will last. Brilliant work. I shall enjoy reading the next chapter too, when I get the chance. | |
| Marnie | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/13/2004 |
| This is awesome! I love your writing - it's so bold, and honest, but delicate at the same time, like the best in real faery tales. Straight talking and powerful. I love the fact that you've really thought about the kind of things they'd be eating, and how the economy works. It makes the culture so genuine. I love the fact that dancing is so important to them, a powerful thing, a healing thing - that's so elvish. Thranduil is a wonderful character; you've avoided so much of the cliche there is about him in the fandom. he's real. And Legolas too. I'm not a Legolas fan in general, but I love this child. 'The bear is looking at me,' was a fantastic moment, and the argument about the way the bannock was cut, and playing at being Thingol, and stalking the servants in the corridors. He too is real, and so much more likeable than the over saccharine creature of too many other stories. So Thranduil is going through death in order to live again. Did no one think about the effect this would have on Legolas, or do they just think it's necessary for him too? I will bookmark the story and find out as soon as I can! | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| This is a heartrending chapter! I could see it coming from the start of the dance, yet was still astonished that no one foresaw what effect that the performance would have on this little one who is still mourning the loss of his nana and barely clinging to the hope that his father, who is fragile like glass with hurt, will not shatter and die, as well. I suspect Luindil might be perceptive enough to have comprehended the impending trauma, but was likely too caught up in his own part to consider it. At least it can be hoped that this will provide the final shove that will get Thranduil to reunite with his son. | |
| Lady Masterblott | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| Dear French Pony... (hmmh - Pony?) I absolutely enjoyed this story,and the vivid picture of the life of the Mirkwood Elves you painted in it. I absolutely loved the scenes from the masquerade - seems to me as if Dancing and the respective rehearsals are something you know more than just a little about. IMHO, you captured the atmosphere very well, and I could perfectly feel with Legolas, who was grasped by the power of the staging, seeing the dance for the first time. (Poor kid... but in any case: Your description made his reaction completely believable.) I am looking forward to the next chapter in eager anticipation, so to speak, to see how and if everything resolves. Good writing, Margit | |
| Antigone Q | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| Oh, this was just glorious! The dance and the ceremony were especially intriguing, and I loved your poor little sad Legolas! | |
| JastaElf | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| You know, from the very moment I started reading this I could hear the hornpipe tune in my head, like a heartbeat underpinning the whole thing... my GOD, FP, this is absolutely superb. This is one of THE best stories I have ever read, and it both rends my heart that it isn't finished and I cannot find out what happens next until you write it--and uplifts my soul to know the magic will keep going on as you work to update. This is just plain flat-out magnificent--such powerful images, such wonderful characterizations, so many wonderful people who make up Mirkwood and weave in and out of each other's lives.... About halfway through the masque it suddenly occurred to me exactly WHAT role Thranduil was dancing, and my heart almost stopped. I had a horrible feeling, like watching a train wreck, and I knew no one had thought to prepare Legolas for what he would see, and I KNEW the child would implode, thinking his Ada was dead.... oh GODS.... and there you left us!! Wicked, wonderful writer person!! :-) I cannot wait for the next chapter. Dear GOD this is just so wonderfully GOOD.... Thank you. Thank you for bringing to life all the old ways, the dancing and everything, thank you thank you thank you! Thank you for paying proper attention to children and grief and healing and everything.... Wow. And all God's chillun said, Amen!! Or is that, "Wolcum, Jul!"?? :-) | |
| MEG | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| Ohhh, WOW! It's my original, favorite Christmas Revels recording, Mirkwood style! I've considered that music inspiring ever since I discovered it, years ago, but it never occurred to me to picture it this way. Loved the way the text invoked the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance for the deer and the sword dance from the St. George portion of the album, and the use of the "first comes winter, then comes spring" verse. (Poor little Legolas -- if he knew the next two lines of the poem, he might not have been scared out of his wits at the conclusion of the sword dance.) Loved the references to gathering the holly and the capture of the Wren King. And the chapter title, from the "Shortest Day" verse. I think this is the first fanfic I've ever read that came with such a complete soundtrack built into my head -- not to mention the first time a fanfic is going to come into my head every time I listen to the music. What a wonderful picture this has painted! Now where did I put those Revels albums? It's not too early to start listening to Yule music -- is it? | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| Of course when I read and reviewed earlier I was doing it as a relief break between nasty tasks at work which has been utter H*** recently. So, I was not entirely focused on the more pleasant task of reading this story. Now that its 2:34am and I can't sleep so I'm reading this again, let me add--the description of the dance was beautifully done, which one would expect from you :) But really, it was great. Very detailed and easy to picture. I loved it. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/12/2004 |
| I know that Thranduil is grieving - but S-E-L-F-I-S-H or what! He is a king, surrounded by courtiers - can he not even spare the effort to see that his poor unhappy son, who is also grieving, is given a devoted carer to whom Legolas is the most important person in that stronghold? Was there nobody, apart from one rushed-off-her-feet chambermaid to see to his needs, other than those who turned up casually? And did nobody think it worth warning the child - who has just lost his mother - that part of the dance makes it appear that his father has just dropped dead? Beautifully written. | |