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To Follow an Elf by Etharei	8 Review(s)
Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/15/2005
I love Gimli's thought at the beginning of each chapter - they either make me laugh or think, or both. ;-) Those two have a really dignified way to get out of bed! :D Your description of breakfast makes me hungry! I loved the "riddle of the uneaten sausage" - I can just imagine Gimli's face when he eyed the sausage and tried to find out where it came from. g I think I like these elves much better than Dinimlad. Well, apart from Maluvor. scowls "How any being can walk gracefully whilst carrying a stack of weapons higher than himself must be one of the Valar’s mysteries" - I like your sense of humor. g The image of this elf with "a pile of axes" is hilarious! "it seemed a bit inappropriate that he would die here." LOL! Poor Gimli! He really has a hard stand between those elves, but Legolas obviously has a lot of problems, too. And all of that after the war had ended. sigh I just love the way you describe Legolas and Gimli! I loved this chapter! :) Thanks again for telling me where to find it! Tinu Author Reply: Teeheee, I'm glad that you like the humour in this chapter. On one hand, I think that an essentual part of Gimli's character is an ability to look at the world in a certain way; on the other, I don't want to make the whole thing so silly. I was unsure about the wrestling at the beginning, but neither of my betas seemed to have an issue about it, so I decided to leave it in. Do warn me if I make it too ridiculous, though :-) hugs No problem, how can I not when you leave such lovely, heartwarming reviews!

Lamiel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/31/2005
This is such a thrilling chapter! The sparring match was absolutely breathtaking -- and I very nearly cheered out loud at Legolas' cartwheel, followed by the fury of his return volley. Such an exciting sequence! I also liked the technique of contrasting Gimli the Rational with Gimli the Warrior. Very effective way of involving the reader in the emotions and confusion of battle, while also giving enough detail so that we understand what's happening. Gimli's reaction to his injury -- feeling a little nauseous and light headed -- also struck me as being true to life. That's certainly how I've felt when hurt, although I've never been hurt so badly as Gimli, thank goodness. I'm looking forward to more! Author Reply: Whew, thank you very much! The fight scene was a big problem for me, because I don't have much experience writing them, and I'm glad that you enjoyed it :-) And the two sides of Gimli is something I've developed from reading Thundera Tiger's fanfics and Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels ^_^ I wanted to remind the reader that they were looking at the fight completely through Gimli's eyes. Hehehee, to be honest I took the cue from real life as well (concerning Gimli's reaction to his injury). I once fell and sprained an elbow badly, but instead of pain I just felt nauseaus and dizzy. I'm told that's what happens when your pain nerves are overloaded. Thank you, I hope you continue to enjoy it!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/30/2005
Another great chapter--the opening part with Gimli and Legolas wrestling--and Legolas boldly threatening Gimli's beard--was very funny and did a great job of showing how strong their friendship is. I bet there are not a lot of people in the world that could get away with that unscathed. I enjoyed Edendor's interaction with both Legolas and Gimli--I like the family you are giving Legolas. They seem well developed. And the fight! Great job--those are hard to write but this was great. Tense and as enfuriating for the reader as it must have been for Legolas. I was very glad to see Maluvor get beaten and detained--he richly deserves what ever punishment he gets. Exciting chapter--I'm looking forward to the next one. Author Reply: blushes Thank you very much! Yes, the scuffle at the start seemed appropriate in balancing out the more serious sparring at the end of the chapter. The two incidents are both physical manifestations of two warriors' bond of friendship, in almost contrasting situations. Yes, one of the things I wanted to tackle in ths story is the family of Thranduil and Legolas. There are so many wonderful fics out there detailing their own versions of this, so I can only hope that mine can stand up to close scrutiny and not seem like just the shadow of another story. Thank you about the fight, it was the most difficult part to write (and that was a very unintended rhyme just then g). There are going to be certain repurcussion from this incident, of course, but it's not what you would think ;-)... I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/30/2005
That's a wonderful fic, Etharei! You've described the friendship between Legolas and Gimli so well, and the prejudices and distrust among the elves as well. Honestly, I wonder what some of them think the Quest was - a walking trip?? Have they any idea how hard and dangerous it was? Why have I the feeling they judge something they know absolutely nothing of? As for Dúathfel, his reason for injuring Gimli seems quite twisted. I can't remember the 'Hobbit' very well (have to re-read it!), but as far as I do remember, the elves and dwarves didn't fight each other, but together against orcs and wargs. So I can't see why he blames the dwarves - or is it only the consequence of his own long-standing prejudices against dwarves, that he is blaming them for something the orcs did? Anyway, the training session turning in a serious fight was wonderful described. Now I only hope Gimli isn't too badly injured and certain elves are in trouble now! I look forward to more and hope you can update soon! Author Reply: Wow, thanks Kitty! And yes, I did want to convey Legolas and Gimli's frustration of how little people on this side of the world knew of their struggles in the Quest. Remember that, as far as we know, no one from Erebor or Mirkwood came to Minas Tirith after the War. True, they all had their problems at home, but Galadriel came even though Lothlorien had been attacked several times. Concerning Duathfel, yes his prejudice does seem illogical (which prejudice often is) but you've hit the intended mark closest amongst the reviewers who have mentioned him ;-) Suffice to say, your memory is correct concerning the fighting, and Gimli will have a talk with Duathfel at some point later on. Thank you, the sparring match was one of my biggest concerns for this chapter. Certain elves are in trouble, though it also starts something between Legolas and Gimli...

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/29/2005
oh a truly gripping fight and some h/c to look forward too. What wonderful real elves and gorgeous Gimli. Sigh. Update soon Rose Author Reply: Thank you, Rose, though I apologise for it taking this long to even respond to your review. I'm glad that you like the characters, I'm always worried about pulling them off. I hope they continue to meet your approval!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/29/2005
Oh wow! This was incredible! Usually I tend to skim fight scenes, but this one held me right to the end! I loved Legolas' fierce defense of Gimli, as well as Gimli's staunch support of his Elf. I do have the strong feeling that there are going to be a couple of Elves in serious trouble. I hope Gimli's wound is not too bad. And I have to say, that I don't really understand why the Elf would blame Gimli for his father's death in the Battle of Five Armies. Surely he was killed by an orc or a warg. And the Battle was not the Dwarves fault, as the goblins had already made plans to attack even before the capture in the Misty Mountains. Oh well, that kind of prejudice is seldom logical. But I have to say, my favorite part of all was the horseplay at the beginning. I have to say, my favorite line in the whole chapter: “Leave me in peace, or I shall tell Frodo on you.” Not "I shall tell Gandalf" or "I shall tell Aragorn", chortles gleefully LOL! It's quite clear who's been spending months in the company of hobbits! How often, I wonder, did they hear Pippin say that to Merry? Author Reply: SQUEEE Dreamflower! Teeheee, I'm a little abashed to say that the "I shall tell Frodo on you" was probably influenced by your Hobbit fics blushes I love the ickle Hobbits so, and I wanted to give a sense of how closely the Fellowship had bonded to one another. I mean, can you imagine either Legolas or Gimli saying such a thing before the Quest? Concerning Duathfel (of whom more will be seen later), I wanted to point out that prejudice was seldom logical, but Gimli will have to have a talk with him later about it. Though I'm still trying to decide if Gimli and Legolas would have been present at the Battle. I'm very glad you enjoyed the battle scene. It was the most agonizing part to write, because I'm not very experienced with them, so it's a relief to hear that I carried it off. Thank you for taking the time to review!! PS- I'm still trying to catch up on all your stories, there's just so many of them and so little time to read ;-)

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/29/2005
Wow, that was an exciting chapter! I loved the way it started with a silly tussle. I liked Edendor. The best part was the "sparring match". The battle was well described. And you give us more of the powerful Legolas. Excellent! ~TF Author Reply: Thanks!! Strangely enough, I hadn't planned either the sparring or the tussle, they both just appeared in this chapter ^_^ I thought to make it a bit of a contrast, you know; since Legolas and Gimli are both warriors, I thought it would be normal for them to have a good wrestle with one another every now and then, as a sort of physical male bonding. And naturally the strength of this bond would manifest in a physical fight, such as in a sparring match. I'm emphasizing the 'powerful Legolas' here for a reason, however winks I hope you continue to like the story!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/29/2005
Oh nice one. It's great to the the patient dwarf in the hotbed of passion that is Thranduil's stronghold. I'll bet this was not a time and a company where Gimli expected to require the care of healers. Just goes to show rage, prejudice and jealousy exist everywhere. Great start - I'll bet Edendor found it a little disconcerting to discover his brother and the dwarf rolling on the floor clutching hair and beard. But he dealt with it well, for all his lack of confidence. And I suppose I should bear in mind that the elves don't actually know yet what was going on during the Quest. Although, if they have any sense, they should be aware it wasn't a picnic. Rather a vicious fight - and Dúathfel seems to have his reasons for disliking dwarves, relatively inane as they are - there was not, as I recall any fighting between dwarves and elves in the end - they combined to turn their power against the goblins - but what's Maluvor's problem? I was very pleased to see this - I'm looking forward to more! Author Reply: Coming from you, Bodkin, such words have me giddy with joy. Don't worry, we'll see more of Duathfel later, but in his case it is the illogical nature of his dislike of Dwarves that I was getting at. This is just a particularly heated chapter, though; hereafter we should see Dwarf and Elves in their conventional temperaments, most of the time. And, of course, the Quest will be addressed. Thank you!!!

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