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Interrupted Journeys: Part 3 Journeys Begin by elliska	6 Review(s)
Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/26/2005
I am scared now... the creepy elves have turned themselves against Thranduil dangerously!OMG What is going to happen with Lindomiel and the children???? Besides this, it was an interesting chapter, especially because of the children - delightful little Legolas - and the king's nephew. Don't make anything bad happen to him! I like him very much! Poor lord of Dale...he was so nice! Interesting you brought Tulus back. I hope he is indeed a nice guy. Phew! I am happy I could read and review this chapter today. Good job as always Elliska! Author Reply: Hi Brazgirl! :) The creepy elves (love that term) are going to be especially creepy in the next chapter and you will get to see what they are willing to try. And it is definitely not good. I'm glad you like little Legolas. He is just cute. Children are a lot of fun--especially bright little elflings. And the lord of Dale is a good guy. He likes children and I imagine meeting an elfling for the first time would be pretty amazing since they would be so much more advanced than human children of the same age. Tulus will be around a while. He is interesting. Everything he said in this chapter was completely genuine I think--but notice that there was a lot he knew that he didn't say and he should have. He will be a bit of a mixed bag and you will have to wait to see if he finally turns out good or not. :) I'm happy to get your review. They always make me very happy and I appreciate them a lot. Thanls! :)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/25/2005
People may spend a lot of time grumbling about Thranduil's wariness and suspicion, but time and again, events prove him right. You'd think they'd learn. I loved the scene of Legolas meeting Fengel. He seems to be just at the age where he's outgrown stranger panic, but he's not yet old enough to register Fengel's difference as something scary. And, being an Elf, he's articulate enough to be interesting to a strange adult at that valuable age. It seems that every Elf King ought to have a small child handy as a negotiation aid. I do hope Legolas enjoyed his little self at that party, because it looks as though something Very Bad has happened. I also liked the conversation between Aradunnon and Dolgailon. Of course Aradunnon would rather put himself in danger than send his big boy. And of course Dolgailon would be too dense to see that, in Aradunnon's eyes, Dolgailon is not any different than Galithil. Maybe when Dolgailon reproduces, he'll figure it out. Or not. He seems to need a few taps with the Clue-By-Four before he figures things out. I admired the way Tulus sidestepped telling Dolgailon just what he'd done. And it's good to see that he regrets it now. There's always hope for people. One little thing, though: for some reason, petits four and bonbons and cupcakes and all that are called sweetmeats. Sweetbreads are the squishier internal organs of domestic animals, usually turned into stew, smothered in spice and eaten by people who either can't afford anything else or who are trying the poor people food of a different ethnic group. It did not occur to the villagers that the warriors were also watching them—trying to determine if anyone sympathized with Dolwon. Only those guilty of such collusion would think of that. I beg to differ. "Only the guilty have anything to fear" is a common justification used by police states everywhere. The only problem is that it's not true. People who are being watched will notice, and they'll react whether or not they're actively guilty. Author Reply: Hi French Pony! I'm glad you liked the scene with Fengel. Depending on who you have to negotiate with, small children might be a real help. That scene started out considerably differently in the beginning--still happy and all that, just differently so. I liked this one better in the end but I wish I'd continued it just a little and included the song. Clue-By-Four needed a keyboard warning. :) You kill me. Good old Dolgailon really doesn't want to see his little brother without his adar. He doesn't get that adar might not want to see his son in such a big potential battle. Youth can be blissfully blind. :) Tulus isn't out of the picture yet. But he does see what he's done wrong. We'll be seeing more of him. Thanks for telling me about the sweetmeats vs sweetbreads. I have to say your explanation made me laugh. I will go back in there and change it after I finish this reply. You've got to love English--it's so straightforward and clear. Now: It did not occur to the villagers that the warriors were also watching them—trying to determine if anyone sympathized with Dolwon. Only those guilty of such collusion would think of that. I beg to differ. "Only the guilty have anything to fear" is a common justification used by police states everywhere. The only problem is that it's not true. People who are being watched will notice, and they'll react whether or not they're actively guilty. I love talking about this kind of stuff. I did pause a bit over that line because you are definitely right--this is the type of thought used to justify really despicable behavior by those in power all too often in our world. And you are also right that people naturally react when they are being watched (how many times do you look at your speedometer when there's a police car behind you vs when there's not). But, I think in this case, there are two things that make it different. First, there really is something legitimate for these guards to be there watching out for--orcs, spiders, corrupt men--and so the elves really would want them there. And second, they are spying on elvish citizens to see if they are working with Easterlings because there really is evidence that happened--not just because someone likes to oppress the innocent. And the citizens know that too. I'm not sure if that really makes it better. It probably does not. But I let it stay in the end. But I did think about this and I think it's really interesting that you commented on it. I find this sort of topic very interesting to discuss. Thank you for the review!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/25/2005
I hope Tulus redeems himself by sacrificing himself for his son and Dolgailon. (I started writing that in initial capitals for emphasis, but there were too many words and it looked silly.) I cannot imagine a better way out for him. And I hope that when you post the Mr Meany version, littered with corpses and general agony, that you let us know what the softer version would have contained. I find it hard to imagine being sorry for the Black Swan, but I suppose she had a tormented childhood and was abandoned to make her own way in the harsh world, which twisted the innately sweet and lovable cygnet. (A swan, a swan, me, a swan? Go on!) So that it then seemed all fair and above board to tryst with enemies, plot the downfall of the government, arrange the murder of those who displeased her and create general mayhem. And maybe the penalty she will ultimately face with be rather comprehensive. (Although it couldn't happen to a nicer Witch Queen.) Author Reply: You absolutely cracked me up with this. I love SoA because everyone is so clever here. Even reviews are well written! It makes me ashamed of my rambling ones. :) Tulus definitely has some very difficult decisions ahead of him in future parts of this. I can't stop laughing about the description of Marti/Manadhien long enough to formulate a response--suffice to say there is more to her motivations then simply bitterness over having lost out to Lindomiel. Her problems with the House of Oropher go back to the Dawn of the First Age so there is more learn there. But I don't think 'innately sweet and lovable cygnet' ever described her. You are right there. :) I kind of see her as a Minastan. My beta and I are still arguing the next chapter. I'll let you know the basics of the one I don't post if you like. :) littered with corpses and general agony ROTFL. I love this site and the people who are so kind as to read my story. It makes my day. :) Thanks!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
OH MY! I have cold chills! That last paragraph did me in. You are ready to post the next chapter, aren't you? I fear there will be a revolt in your fair village of readers if you do not. Holy cow! I just get all twitter whenever Thranduil calls for his bow and sword. I love warrior! Thranduil. Okay...I'm calm! I'm calm! Let's start back at the beginning. Evil Elleth is still at it. I'm beginning to feel sorry for Tulus. He's messed up real bad by getting involved with Evil Elleth. And she's the sort that would slit your throat before she'd let you out of her organization. The Elven Mafia. Tulus seems a bit in over his head. He seemed to truly care for Dolgailon and Dolgailon has spilled the beans about what's going on. That could come back to bite him in the rear. Especially if Evil Elleth finds out. Dolgailon would be a good bargaining chip for her to control Tulus. Fengel might not have been happy about Thranduil having spies among his people, but he certainly was glad to get the information the king provided him with. He seemed to get over the spy business pretty quick when he heard the news. The feast was nice. The little ones were so excited. I'm sorry we didn't get to learn the song with Legolas and his little cousins. Seeing the leader of Dale flying like a bird would be a sight, but I think the Elves would have thought more of him for seeing how kind and uninhibited he was with the elflings. Now...back to the surprise attack. You just eased us right in there with such false security. And then wham! Very well done, Elliska! I was caught completely off guard. Oh, I love it when that happens! I could just feel Thranduil's rising fear. And you accomplished so much in such a short, few paragraphs. Great chapter! Gosh...I won't sleep a wink tonight worrying about Lindomiel, Amoneth, and the children. Really, really good chapter...have I said that already? Karen Author Reply: I am really glad that this caught you off guard and is it bad of me to be glad it made you tense? :) Evil Elleth is going to step over a lot of bodies before she finally gets hers. And poor Tulus, indeed. He does truly care about his son. That is 100% true. He is a pawn. That is also true. But he is a pawn that is going to cause a lot of trouble because, as you said, Evil Elleth is just not going to leave anyone standing. Fengel got over the spies really fast when he figured out that he had bigger problems to worry about. :) The way I've pictured him, he is still fairly close to the early Northmen descended from the same lines as the Dunedain, so I give him some credit for being a fairly good leader. I've grown fond of him. That whole scene with him and Legolas was actually a second version. I originally wrote a scene with them together because I need Legolas to have a decent view of Men before the next chapter. But then later I started thinking--what language are they speaking? Do I really believe Fengel speaks Sindarin? I know Legolas can't possibly speak Westron yet. So I changed it and I ended up liking this and going with it. After re-read a few hours after posting, it occurred to me that I was sorry I didn't extend that scene just a little further to actually see the song. That would have been funny. And the surprise attack. Glad it surprised you. :) I agree. Warrior!Thranduil is just awesome. We see him in the next chapter. Yes, both versions of the next chapter are edited and ready to post. Usually when I have a choice of what is going to happen, I pick a version and go with it and edit only it. I am having so much trouble choosing here. My beta, who has my password to all the sites I post on, has told me that if I post the wimpy version, she's going to come in and delete it and post the harsher version. Knowing her, she'll do it. :) I really am ready to post it soon (meant to post it this weekend, but I worked instead 'cause one of the new servers kicked the bucket--that's quality for you). Point is, you won't have to wait for long. Thank you so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
I may be slow getting this review to you because I’m doing it in Word and saving it to my desktop. I downloaded your latest chapter in the middle of an internet crisis. Anyway, I enjoyed this. I’ve said before and I’ll say it again now that no one does politics like you do, Elliska. You’ve got all that intrigue down so realistically. You make very good use of the large sweep of ME that Tolkien gave us, with its mix of cultures and peoples. Resentments like those you describe have to have occurred occasionally. To the schemers, their own actions seem so justified and right. It took me a while to remember who Tulus was but once I did, I was impressed by the way you’re tying these tales together. I’m wondering about Dolgailon’s trust, though. If it’s misplace, he’s going to feel terrible. I’m now to the point that I’m very concerned about Lindomiel. Author Reply: Oh no, Daw, I'm sorry. You are one of the few people that is simply not permited to lose internet access. Too many people will go mad if you do. :) I appreciate you reading and leaving a review when you had to fight the stupid internet to do it. I am glad to hear this politics stuff is interesting and plausible to someone else. :) I love the world Tolkien created (boy there's a shocker and I'm sure no one else on this site likes him even a little bit, right?). I find all the backstory that isn't explicit in the books (but is, fortunately in HoME and UT) makes everything so much richer and I love playing with it. This whole thing with the Wainriders that the spies talk about is all canon, of course, except the Wainriders wanting to expand their holdings in the Northmen's territory. I thought it would be plausible though and I love the Men as enemies. They seem scarier to me. And I'm glad the resentments seem realistic. I think that people do, unfortunately, act this way (as Dolwon and Dannenion do) and their POV does seem completely right to them. And people like the Black Swan can really play that. Yes, I figured that most people would have a little trouble remembering Tulus (he's been gone for a while and didn't seem like much more than an annoyance when he was around). Little things like that continue to come back throughout this. It's little problems like him that can grow into big problems when exposed to the wrong influences. Poor Dolgailon and poor Tulus. They will both remember this conversation later. Not in this story, but later. Neither will remember it fondly. Especially when discussing it with Thranduil. Thranduil and the guards are on the way. Hope they ride fast. Thanks again for the reviews!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
I feel sorry for Tulus. He was only foolish, really, not vindictive - but he got sucked in by the Witch Queen of Mirkwood in her attempt to twist and torment and get revenge for imagined slights. And poor young Glilavon(Gilbert) is going to get done for something that is somebody else's idea of clever. I hope he relieves Dolwon and Dannenion of the burden of their spite personally. How does everybody get sucked in by that elleth? They all end up taking the fall out and she swans off (blackly), looking as if butter wouldn't melt in her beak! Vengeance! vengeance, I say! But I have a horrible feeling that she's going to manage lots more horrible things before somebody cottons on to the fact that whenever nasty things happens, there is the Witch Queen, rubbing her claws and cackling gleefully. I hope Dolgailon gets out of this with his life and integrity intact - and not looking too much of a gullible elfling. And get Thranduil and his guards out to rescue the wives and elflings now! Please. I can't bear the anguish of widowed and orphaned elves! I loved the Fengel bits - and the interaction between the Lord of Dale and the elflings. I'd love to hear what he thinks of them - terminally cute, I should think. And much brighter than human children of the same age. I like to see even baby Legolas developing his share of his naneth's interest in alien races. And I simply loved Dieneryn's revelations about Thranduil's reluctance to learn a common tongue as she commends her daerelfling's enthusiasm. The picture of man and elflings singing a nursery rhyme together is gorgeous. And, I should think, a great way of improving elf/man relations, given that elves are very fond of little ones. I'm glad he survived the attack - but thoughts of treachery can't be far away now. This is so tense! I can't bear worrying about what's coming next. I shall have to go and eat chocolate to calm me down. Author Reply: Chocolate. I always recommend chocolate. :) Poor Dolgailon and poor Tulus and poor Gilbert :) and sooner or later you are going to be saying 'poor Black Swan.' I like playing with characters. Almost no one but elflings get to be completely innocent in this little game (and not for long for them) and no one is wholly evil. That's all I'll say on that. How does everyone get sucked in by that elleth? That is the question. You will see. You could probably already guess the two major reasons that will eventually be clearly revealed. But you are correct that a lot of other people are going to fall before she does. I'm glad you liked the Fengel bits. The Wainriders' plans are almost all canon, of course. Their plans to extend their control in Rhovanion is me playing a bit with the Wars against the Wainriders, but I think it's plausible that the ones already in the Northmen's former territory and making raids across the Narrows into Forthwini's territory would want to expand. And I think the Easterlings are a scary enemy. Worse than Orcs and spiders. I like them. I remember writing the part with Fengel and Legolas. I had this whole big thing written out and then later I thought, "wait, how are they even talking to each other?" So I started playing with that and left it this way. I also especially liked the comparisons between Legolas and Thranduil and the idea of Legolas being curious about other races this early in life. So I went with this version. I kind of wish I'd gone ahead and written the song they sing. :) I'm glad you liked this part. As far as the reports go, Fengel survived. The next chapter is edited. Both versions of it. I am so pitiful, I still haven't decided which to post. But either way, Thranduil and his guards are on their way. Thank you so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them! :)

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