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We Were Young Once ~ I by Conquistadora	10 Review(s)
Starlight and Moonlight	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 9/1/2021
Dear sister, I first read your works when I was around 12 or 13 years old. We Were Young Once resonated very deeply with me then, everything felt so raw and so real, it was almost as if I could reach out and touch the characters and the world that you painted. Your writing also encouraged me to pen down stories of my own as well and to this day, this work of yours remains one of my absolute favorite Middle-earth fanfictions ever. Regrettably, I stopped writing once schoolwork and other ambitions started taking over and I lost my joy for reading then as well. However, in the past year, I “converted” to Christianity (it feels so strange to call it a conversion since I always considered myself a Christian but I’d never actually known God before then) and the Lord brought me through a lot of pain and loneliness. Now I am rebuilding (I’ve rediscovered my love for a lot of things as well!) and it is such a strange feeling to revisit this amazing story of yours, which has remained the same over the last years, but with me so changed. Now I know what resonated with me. Your story has the same type of timeless beauty and glory and depth as Tolkien’s does. I do not know if you simply drew all of your inspiration from him or if you did indeed seek out the same God that Tolkien believed in for any of it, but I just wanted to say a huge thank you for bringing Thranduil’s story to life and for touching all the lives of the readers who discovered your works. I don’t even know if you will ever read this note, but if you do, please, please, please keep writing! You are a great encouragement and I seriously think that if you haven’t done so yet, you should post We Were Young Once on all the fanfiction sites you can (fanfiction net, Ao3, Wattpad, etc) so that as many people as possible can discover it! I know you haven’t posted in awhile and life never stops to wait for any of us, but if ever you feel a bit more inspired than usual, maybe consider returning to writing some more concerning Tolkien’s characters? Another fic by the likes of this one is perhaps too much to hope for but I keep thinking about how satisfying it would be to see you write a saga from the point of view of some of the Noldor (Maedhros, perhaps?) Or, if you don’t like the Noldor very much (which is probably true ahaha), then maybe of Beleg? He has always been one of my favorite characters! Write what is in your heart, though! And I think I may get back to writing myself, too! Let me know if you ever need a beta reader, I would be soooo very honored to proofread anything you need for you. I wish you the best. Merin sa haryalyë alassë. <333 Author Reply: Thank you so much for all your reviews! I absolutely read every single one of them, but as you know real life doesn't always give us all the time we'd like to do more enjoyable things. Your story made me smile, because it sounds so familiar. I started writing this story in freshman year of college, and it's grown with me over the last 18 years (yikes!) through school, jobs, marriage and children. I think it has officially become my "emotional support story." :D I've really been missing it lately, but moving house, managing a home business, homeschooling and having a baby has really cut into my free time! Don't worry; I do plan on getting back to it soon, and readers like you inspire me a lot. Congrats on your conversion! Reversion? Rediscovery? Whatever you want to call it. :) Funny you should mention it, but I am also a traditionally-minded Roman Catholic as Tolkien was, and it does color a lot of what I write. I do plan on cross-posting it to other fanfic sites, especially as it's gone through several cosmetic revisions over the years. As you say, Maedhros isn't really my cup of tea, but I do have plans for a fourth installment in which Thranduil finally goes to Valinor. Thanks for volunteering! You are officially my new beta reader. (Yay!) I'll shoot you an email. As always, thanks for reading and reviewing! It means so much. <3

mystarlight	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/12/2019
This chapter made me cry. Last Alkarinwe's moments are absolutely touching and Thranduil is able to move on with the past at last.

Zardi	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 5/10/2014
You do a really great job of making the long lives of elves seem normal. To think that several years (instead of weeks or months) pass between each of the little "incidents" between Thranduil and Lindoriel is so elvish. Of course they have the time. Your descriptions of the accident in this chapter were chilling, vivid, and very well done. I even felt sorry for the kinslayer (though I felt more sorry for the horse) ;) Wonderful story so far. I am really enjoying the entire family, especially Thranduil!

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/22/2005
I anticipated an eventual showdown between Thranduil and Alkarinwe and I believe you delivered it--in the most unexpected and ingenious way. For that feud to end in repentance and forgiveness was quite moving. The passing of the two horses was also very sad. I thought it was very sweet the way the family hovered over Thranduil. I kept waiting for him to unburden himself on somebody, but again you witheld the expected device for a greater effect. Always leave them wanting more, eh? :-D TF Author Reply: That's what I try to do. ;D

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/8/2005
How tragic. You do an exceptional job of writing the introspections of these characters and I love that sort of thing. Thranduil's thoughts as he realized that he did want to forgive Alkarin were perfect. And the poor horses on top of everything else. Being from Kentucky and thoroughly loving horses, that was almost harder to read than the rest. The end between Thranduil and Lindóriel was appropriately frsutrating for all. I love the romance between them. You are doing a great job with it. Author Reply: Thanks! It seems I can really run with a tragic line of thought if once it gets started. And of course, if one thing goes wrong, I have to make EVERYTHING go wrong!

Amaniel	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/23/2004
You know you had better post the next one quickly, or I'm going to be after you about what's happening next.... This was a great chapter, as usual! You did a nice job with the ledge scene which I'm certain was difficult to write. I'm not sure I fully understand about the circumstances with the investigation surrounding the death of Alkarin though. Overall you did an amazing job, once again, and I am eagerly looking forward to your next chapter.

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/22/2004
Oh Coriel, such a bittersweet chapter! Thranduil going his own way once again encountering unexpected and this time tragic circumstances. It is good that elves are hardier than Men or Thruanduil would have come down with pneumonia or worse after enduring that ordeal. How I share his thoughts of those going to meet the judgement they have earned, but wishing to spare them that grievous end. And the care shown by his 'family' again expressing so well the love of this noble people for each other, even to the extent of forgiving Alkarinwë at the last. The deaths of two blameless horses in part to the decisions of their masters, showed that bad temper or even good intentions can go have far-reaching consequences. But at least Banner had at the last the company of his master in loving concern. I could not agree more with Lindóriel. Thranduil is FRUSTRATING! Granted, long courtships were probably not uncommon, but at least he could let her know his heart is hers and not be so stubbornly persistent in keeping his distance. Valar protect her if she ever showed an interest in another elf! Or perhaps it would be the male elf foolish enough to wish to court Lindóriel that would require protection. The chapter came to an end much too soon. I shall wait impatiently for the next one. Thank you in advance. Author Reply: Well, I'm glad to see you thought it worth the wait! I'm just glad to see it finished, though there's always the next hurdle to climb over. This was essentially the timely tragic chapter, but I promise the next one will lighten up a bit. I knew everyone wanted Thranduil to get Alkarin's horse, so I couldn't be as predictable as that, mostly because life usually does not allow it. I've found that whether Middle-earth exists in the realm of fairytale or not, the rules of real life still generally apply. And regarding Lindoriel, I am seriously going to have to do something with him in the near future; this is getting ridiculous. ;)

ponypetter	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/21/2004
This is one of my favorite stories. I love the character you give Thranduil. I get confused with all the characters, but you do a great job portraying their relationships in each chapter. Author Reply: Confusion is easily forgiven in a story like this. ;) Thanks a bunch; I'm glad to see whatever it is I'm doing seems to be effective. And, of course, those kind souls who take the time to review are always half of what makes the story go. ;D

Ginger Rich	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/21/2004
I almost did a jig when I saw that there was a new chapter. Almost. But instead I plopped down infront of the computer and stuck my eyes to the screen. The chapter was very sad, in a good way. I actually felt sorry for Alkarinwë, and ironically, I didn't want him to die. It was a sad business but very great to read. I've got nothing but praise to say in this review. It was very nice to come home from school and read. This story rocks! I lurve it. Author Reply: Welcome back! Hopefully it won't take so long to get the next installment finished and posted; my gosh. Glad you're still enjoying it, and I'll try to get back and entertain you again soon! :)

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/21/2004
I saw the notice for this new chapter and almost hurt myself getting to it! :-) Now to review this most difficult of chapters - That was a very sad and bitter end to Alkarin. I didn't like him at all, but I never wished such an end for him. And not one, but two horses gone! wipes tears away PLUS all that sadness and the tension of Thranduil caught on the side of the mountain during the storm...but the most effective (and affecting) part was the introspection that Alkarin's death forced on Thranduil. Very tough questions he had to come to terms with...especially watching the death of a kinslayer and realizing what that one faced upon his death. I'm glad he found it in his heart to try and ease Alkarin's death, that some pity and even forgiveness was forthcoming. Hard trip up the mountain...harder trip home (your writing had me shiverrrrrring - - )...naneth in full form...very descriptive! I'm glad the King determined Thranduil was innocent pending an investigation...you had me worried there for several paragraphs! :-) I felt so sorry for Lin (could their brother have picked a worse time to interrupt?) and I can't decide if she's encouraged or ready to throttle Thranduil. Not ready yet, hmmm? I just threw up my hands at the end...males...can't live with them...can't live without them (tho' they tempt us to the very limits at times). Anyway, this chapter was well worth the wait (not that I enjoyed the wait...but we take what we can get...which is more, soon...lol)! Have a blessed, hopefully restful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! linda Author Reply: Well, glad you didn't hurt yourself! I was certainly ready to have this thing posted and out of my hair after being haunted by it for half a semester. Thankfully the next chapter alreay has a good start on it, so at least it won't be miles away from completion when I have to go back. The end was entirely Thranduil's fault, let me tell you. That part wasn't in the orgininal script, but he did it anyway. I will have to knock some real sense into him before too long. ;) A blessed Christmas to you, too, and thanks for reading!

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