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Reflections from the Paradise of Elves by Bodkin	9 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 10/18/2005
What a use to put such a beloved relic to! And we can't decide how to deal with the in-laws? Adar-in-law needs a bit of a comeuppance, methinks! I was fortunate--only in-law I got guff from was from big sister, although she was bad enough. My mothers-in-law were great, as were the folks of my husband's ex-wife. They got along better with me than with her, which was odd, I must say. Lovely, believable scene; and that he'd find relief using Gimli's axe is touching. I'm certain he feels Gimli would have been sympathetic and likely to use it to his relief! Author Reply: Better chopping wood than adars-in-law. And elves have a very very long time to grow to an understanding of their spouse's family. I think Gimli might have removed that particular axe and replaced it with one more suitable to the task!

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 5/11/2005
Ah yes, Bodkin! strokes chin knowledgeab - knowledgab - heck, like a know-it-all!) One of those golden-crested, bare-chested woodpeckers! :-) sigh* (if we can't have them swimming, let's have them chopping wood in a snit, all gleaming, bare-chested indignation! Tis the plight of all spouses to have to endure the dreaded "in-law" invasion...but poor Legolas seems to have it worse than usual. I love his complaining about his adar-in-law's complaining...'the water's too wet, the sun shines brighter in Tirion' - typical father-in-law fodder, I suppose, when a beloved daughter is concerned. Loved the battle ax and the twins coming to the rescue in their typically humorous fashion. Great! linda Author Reply: I shall have to apply my mind to other desirable situations in which to place scantily-clad elves. Legolas has always known his in-laws weren't exactly keen on him - they didn't jump for joy at the wedding. They sort of became reconciled to the idea of them living in a civilised situation - but a forest! What an idea! The twins know how to deal with stressed out Wood Elf princes - Legolas will be much better able to deal with the in-laws when he gets back. Thank you.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/24/2005
Heh! Sorry, just cannot help being amused at Legolas's expense. Those who could care less about what their in-laws think can only wonder at his desperation to be worthy of his spouse in the eyes of her father. Yeah yeah, it is all a matter of circumstances and personalities. But, imho if Legolas really respected Elerrinna's judgement, he would not take Taryatur's so hard. A little self-esteem instead of reflexive-resentment may be all that is necessary to shift his father-in-law's attitude. Though Elerrinna probably should nudge her ada. After all, Taryatur just wants to be sure that his daughter will be well-cared for whatever she is. And he should not have to be there, somewhere he certainly does not want to be,\\ just to ensure that. I guess I side with Thranduil. But, this chapter was another simply wonderful scene! Watching these three friends continue to look after eachother like brothers is entertaining, heart-warming, and admirable. I hope you allow us to continue spending time with them for a long time to come. Author Reply: Well - it's being elven, I suppose, and tied up in families that are bound for eternity in the Blessed Realm. He can't even hope for the Sundering Sea to put an uncrossable gap between them. And the trouble is, that no matter how irritating your in-laws are, they are the beloved parents of your spouse. Taryatur might be annoying Elerrina, but her hackles would involuntarily rise if Legolas started on him. So probably, if he were weighing things up, better to have his wife annoyed with her father rather than with him. Legolas is doubtless behaving with royal training and self-discipline in front of Taryatur (could be part of the problem), and if he wants to go and slaughter a few dead logs to relieve his irritation, who am I to stop him! Perhaps they should just go off somewhere and be males together and get it all out their systems. Although I'm with Elrohir in feeling that excessive alcohol and too much freedom of speech could be dangerous in a situation like that. He's better off having a good time with the twins - and laughing off his mood. He'll deal with it all better when he gets back.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/23/2005
Ah...nice woodpecker you have there, Bodkin! I admit I stumbled slightly on my way to the rest of the story, but I'm made of stern stuff. I am too! So the young Thranduilion is working off some of his stress. Can't say I blame him. Taryatur is lucky that Legolas wasn't using his head to steady the logs to be chopped. 'His poor daughter' indeed! I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed that Legolas wouldn't let E2 put Galadriel on his trail! That would have been interesting. Legolas is just too honorable! :>) But the alternate plan...the wineskin...sounds like a winner. I'll just get my glass and be right over. Very nice chapter. Absolutely delightful. Karen Author Reply: That woodpecker does seem to catch the eye . . . and the imagination. Physical exertion as a way to relieve stress - and I'm sure that he was picturing Taryatur's face on every log. I suppose, if they don't overdo the wine, the twins could cart Legolas off for a bit of unarmed combat practice. That might be calming, too. Elerrina wouldn't have liked to find that Legolas was picking on her adar, however much he deserved it - now if the twins broached the idea to her - she might find it a very good elven nuclear deterrent. Knowledge is power. Yes - let's join the party. (It's rather . . . interesting to get these elves to remove some of their unnecessary garments now and then! Adds a different viewpoint.)

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/23/2005
LOL at poor Legolas! I don't have in-laws that cannot be pleased - I have a naneth that cannot! Well, I am grateful that the twins took away the axe before breaking out the wine! Gimli would be pleased. Author Reply: And what is one of the most terrifying thoughts about growing older? Not age or infirmity. It's the dread of turning into those creatures that have driven you insane throughout your adult life. Do I want my children to grit their teeth at the thought of coming to see me? Or have sons/daughters-in-law who would rather have their toenails removed with red-hot pincers than spend a week in my company? And how do you avoid it? And Elerrina lives with her in-laws. Just because we're rather sweet on Thranduil and his wife doesn't make that a stress-free situation! At least Legolas has good friends who will take away the axe and make him laugh - and he knows that Elerrina's parents will go home before too long.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/23/2005
Stripped to the waist and gleaming with sweat Pause...... OK. I'm ready to read the rest now. This chapter reminded me of a friend of mine who married a Frenchman and then they moved into a little house next door to her retired parents while they both finished graduate school. Her father used to go out and cut the grass at their house after her husband had done it -- not well enough apparently. Ah, family. Author Reply: You like the image? Now wouldn't that want you make to want to hurt the man? It's one of the most devious ways I have ever heard of to make someone feel inadequate. He could just as easily have said, 'You're really busy at the moment, son, and I'm retired. I'll do your grass for you.' But no. You would have to work at finding it funny, I think. As when you keep score of the number of times people repeat turns of phrase like 'basically' or 'you know' rather than coming straight out and telling them to develop a more interesting vocabulary. In a millennium or two, Legolas and Taryatur might have rubbed off the edges of their reaction to each other and learned that the other is not so bad. Maybe.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/23/2005
Ok, I know this is going to sound really dorky, but the thought of Legolas chopping wood--especially the way you described it--is really hot. Fanfgirl moments are fairly rare for me but I definitely had one here. :) And I loved Elladan and Elrohir. Those two are just evil little plotters. Legolas has a problem so they immediately fall to scheming ways to find dirt on the one causing the problem. Friends like that are just great, aren't they. Too funny! And I love that it was Gimli's axe. I imagine Gimli intended for it to be brought out and used to provide the comfort of a bit of his presence. These are so much fun to read. :) Author Reply: Good. I'm glad it caused a fangirl moment. (It's good fun throwing in the occasional partially-clothed elf. Good for the imagination.) Elladan and Elrohir have such fun with their scheming - it takes them back to their elflinghood. And they are great at improving Legolas's mood - he doesn't have to pretend anything with them, and he can trust them absolutely. Gimli wouldn't have been too thrilled to have the axe used for chopping wood - it's probably some big cultural no-no - but he would have understood and encouraged some recreational intoxication before going out and making him a special axe to use when he needed to relieve his feelings. They are huge fun to write, too. (Much more straightforward than Earendil. I'm not good at battle. It takes so long to write things that are supposed to seem quick and terrifying.)

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/23/2005
gulp What an image for first thing in the morning, Bodkin - Legolas 'Stripped to the waist and gleaming with sweat' How will I be able to concentrate on work now?? Poor Legolas does sound fed up - I'm not surprised he's contemplating a little kin-laying! I think Gimli would approve of Legolas using the axe, though - far better than keeping it as a wall ornament, and surely he didn't expect him to use it for killing orcs? Jay (off for a cold shower ;) Author Reply: Is there a better way to start the day? It will provide an image to lighten all that labour! Being elves - in the Blessed Realm, too - there is nothing that will ever remove your parents-in-law from your hair, too. Although he only gets to have them visit. Elerrina lives with her in-laws. But, since they're Thranduil and Laerwen, that doesn't seem too unbearable. Gimli would make a fuss - just on principle - but he would understand, and then go out and forge him an axe better suited for the task. Glad you liked it!

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 59 on 4/23/2005
Happy anniversary! Know how it goes, with a story that keeps growing with no end in sight. Might as well relax and go with the flow. Water too wet! Snork! I know someone like that, who'd complain that up is up and down is down... Author Reply: Thank you. It's been a great year - I've found something I really love doing - (even if it is 'weird', 'pointless' and 'you don't get paid for doing it'. (You don't get paid for watching football, either - or for playing golf!) There is just no plot to this - so, in the Undying Lands, it could just run and run. And it will. They just keep talking! Legolas's father-in-law is just not prepared to give in - it's driving him wild.

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