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| A Cup of Wine by jenolas | 5 Review(s) |
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| Kalima | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/2/2005 |
| I just read this, and I'm feeling guilty I haven't caught up with your longer series. I will ! I will! I really enjoy your writing, and I'm curious now about Thranduil's friendship with Elendil, having been reading the older stories. It was sweet with good touches of detail -- the squeak he doesn't want to fix, walking out to the balcony and setting the two places, and seeing Thranduil being sentimental (at least, I picture him as rather hardened by hard times) helps round him out a bit, I think. Thank you. I promise I'll be cathcing up with reading. I wish I could afford a laptop, because almost any reading time I have is just before sleep. I'm glad I snuck in this short today in front of very serious tasks. K Author Reply: Yes, I am afraid the only drawback with the computer world is that there are no pages to turn and no way to snuggle comfortably in bed and read (my preference is the printed word). As you say, this is a bit of character building, as far as Thranduil is concerned. That he, has a 'softer' side is often never considered, but I am certain he loves his son, his peolle, his forest... and with love often comes giref and heartache so it is not unlikely he experineces those emotions too, at least in my opinion. I hope you find time to read "Sons of Kings" one day, thanks for the review jenolas | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/26/2005 |
| Very touching. I liked the idea of Thranduil being friends with Elendil and I enjoyed seeing that revisited here. Great memory. How many years has Thranduil relived it? How sad. Author Reply: I picture him asking and being granted the trunk as small legacy from Elendil's sons and assume he marked his friend's birthday each year after once he had returned from Dagorlad. In the context of the time frame of "Sons" that makes it about 3 millenia I believe... really not so long a time for elvish grief to remain near the surface. It is an unusual friendship pairing, but it struck me as being quite possible. glad you enjoyed the story, thanks for the review, jenolas | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/26/2005 |
| I feel utterly privileged to get a birthday fic from you, jenolas – thank you so much! And yay, it’s Thranduil! How did you know???! Jasta is right, this would be a lovely interlude in ‘Sons of Kings’. You’ve captured the moment of introspection perfectly. It’s just so touching the way he lets the feel and sound take him back in time instead of easing the effort of the old hinges and how he refuses to look upon the items even though he knows what’s there. That he wouldn’t allow himself to examine the contents even in this moment of privacy shows just how deep his grief runs. I loved the strange ritual and the reminiscences. On one hand it’s sad to see this but at the same time it’s wonderful that Thranduil can cherish the memory of his friend and he seems to be able to appreciate the good times they had together. You paint a very vivid picture of two friends able to find joy in the midst of such hard times and getting into trouble because they just had to go too far! I can just imagine the reaction of Gil-galad, Elrond & co.! It’s interesting to think that the friendship between Thranduil and Elendil was considered so unusual when that’s exactly what will happen with Thranduil’s son and a descendent of Elendil further down the line. Presumably Oropher weighed up the consequences of his son’s friendship with a Man; it’s a pity he didn’t realise, as you have Thranduil do, that the years of friendship and the memories ever afterwards are to be treasured, not avoided, that it can hurt more to not only sacrifice friendship in the hope of saving himself some pain but to know that his own father disapproves. As a result the grief that came from losing Elendil and losing his father is deepened because of the anger and distrust. Makes me wonder if Oropher ever experienced such closeness with a friend ;-) I feel so bad that Thranduil blames himself for whatever way he and his father spent their last moments and I think Elendil, as his friend, really would offer some comfort, even if not with words, so I loved the moment where Thranduil can feel his reassuring touch. The ending was simply beautiful. I love that Thranduil honours the birthday tradition of Men because it would have been of importance to his friend. The deep friendship between these two was unexpected when you introduced it in your last story but it adds another dimension to Thranduil’s character and I feel I know him a little better. It also makes his reactions to Legolas’ friendship with Aragorn so understandable. You write friendships between your characters so well and you never cease to amaze me with all the layers you give to them. And you know I love your Thranduil!! You’ve made me really happy today, jenolas. I appreciate you taking time out from RL too. When I’m out tonight I’ll raise a cup of wine to you too! Thank you! :-) Author Reply: "Tis a small gesture of thanks as I said before, and I am delighted to have made your day more enjoyable. My, you certainly were touched by this short piece, and I can only be overwhelmed by your insightful review... honestly I had no idea there was so much to read between the lines, and I cannot help but agree with your comments. I suppose Oropher may have been so often at odds with his own kind that he never even considered trying to befriend Men (Dwarves being totally out of the question after the strife they caused!). He certainly had no need for further anguish! Vignettes have always come easily to me, and I think I am far more comfortable writing short 'character' fics than the longer stories. I guess that having worked for many years with only men (I was the only woman on my shift for over 13 years) that I have come to some sort of understanding of the dynamics of male friendships (and at times emnity) and perhaps that is from where I draw my inspiration. Who knows? thanks again, and have a happy day, *hugs* jenolas p.s. (Only one cup of wine, Dot? I am certain Thranduil will be bringing his 'portable' cellar to the gathering in your back yard. LOL!). | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/26/2005 |
| Very touching story, Jenolas. And amusing too. Karma is going to reward Thranduil for defying his father and forming a friendship with someone of another race. Author Reply: Indeed, and isn't it nice to think that of all the traits passed from one generation to the next, prejudice was the one that diminished into non existence as both Thranduil and son showed a willingness to befriend 'scruffy' Men and in Legolas's case, a Dwarf as well. *grin* jenolas | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/26/2005 |
| I liked this. There was just enough reverence and humor to leaven the heaviness of the missing-a-friend. And the choice of Elendil as the mystery man was interesting. It would certainly explain Thranduil's positive attitude towards Men that he displays in The Hobbit. Author Reply: Yes, I suppose it does but I chose Elendil because I like to explore the less well known characters, the ones not often included in fics and after all he was the King of Men and no doubt had a large role to play in the formation of the Last Alliance. Thanks for your comments, feedback is always nice to receive. jenolas | |