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| Interrupted Journeys: Part 4 Journeys of Discovery by elliska | 12 Review(s) |
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| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/28/2006 |
| Great to see an update! I was wondering about this tale for long, yet i know that life is unconsiderately busy.. as you well know..( and what could I say about the time it took me to review?) I loved the subject. Legolas' reaction about the ents in LOTR("Every Elf has heard the tale of old onodrim...") always made me wonder about waht songs and tales and fables elflings would learn in their childhood.. and this "lesson" was very real...pity the peaceful moment ended with the discussion about silvan and sindar and Denethor's deeds. NOruil and Anastor are quite conmptemtuous and a bit prejudiced, apart form top mischief doers... shall galithil escape their provocations ? I loved the exchange between Galithil and Dolgailon. Having such a grown up and exemplarly behaved elf as an elder brother is making life unduly difficult for poor Galithil.His father has not been trained in rearing a mischievous elfling, and surely Araduronn has long forgotten his own mischief and restlessness as a chid... I can only simpathize with this bundle of energy...will he be ok in the end, please, pretty please? :-) Author Reply: Life is just very rude these days--don't people realize how important time for fanfiction is! ;-) Yes, I liked Legolas's reaction to Fangorn Forest in general and I wanted to begin playing with that a bit. Woodelves had to have nice relations with Ents. Anastor and Noruil are contemptuous indeed--the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree in that respect. And surely you don't think Galithil will escape them. Of course he won't. They are exactly the type to attract his attention. And Dolgailon, Galithil and Aradunnon--I laugh at those three. Poor Aradunnon. He is learning more respect for his father. Ok in the end? Depends on how long term you define end--afterall, all Elves go to Valinor eventually. Sorry--I'm in a teasing mood this morning. Glad to hear from you, perelleth. Thanks so much for the review! | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/23/2006 |
| I'm so sorry I've fallen behind in reviewing. Lots of stuff going on around this part of the Southern Realm. But you can be assured I'm always thrilled to see your update and read it as quickly as I can. The Ents are a wonderful angle in this since we know Legolas was most interested in them a few...hundred years later. I got a chuckle out of Legolas wondering why his grandfather had passed up such an opportunity as going to see the ents when his brother went. To a kid I guess this was a version of: What were you thinking? Call me suspicious, but I think I'd watch the little whelps, Anastor and Noruil. They've got the look of trouble that goes beyond childhood misadventures. Makes you wonder what they're hearing at home. But as I've said a million times before, you're the master of political intrigue. I suspect you of setting us up all the time! Delighted by it though...even if I'm looking in the wrong corner. I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Terrific chapter. Cute elflings and intrigue. What more could a girl want? Karen Author Reply: Hi Karen. Things are indeed absurdly busy, aren't they. I'm sorry to be so long in replying to your review. I love the Ents and I really love the part where Legolas rides closer to the forest to see the eyes with Gimli all the while begging him not to go further. So I had to work some reference to that into this story. :-) And yes, Legolas thought his beloved daeradar must have lost his mind to pass up on a chance to speak to an Ent. And I think you would be very wise to keep an eye on Anastor and Noruil. They will play a role in this story, along with their fathers, cauing trouble as they go. They are hearing nothing good at home, I assure you. *Smiles innocently* Me...little old me, set you up? Surely not. ;-) Thanks so much for the review, Karen. :-) | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/22/2006 |
| I'm back... The opening made me smile. Dolgailon and Galithil need to just be brothers more often! The elflings are so sweet when they’re trying to wheedle someone into rescuing them from their punishment ;-) They must be cracking up by now. And a month is definitely long enough for them to have forgotten that it was their own fault… I was surprised Dolgailon admitted to them the reason he was kept in the capital, even if it was mostly to see their reaction – but that reaction was well worth it! Of course, Galithil shouldn’t have lost his temper like that – that child needs to learn some patience! – but I can understand his frustration and really, I’d be inclined to agree that Dolgailon should have at least not kept reminding him that it was his own fault. Although I wouldn’t be quite so brave as Arthiel in stirring things between Thranduil and Amglaur! And it seems Amglaur gets play daeradar! I love the image of him with elflings tucked under his arms :-) The lesson was fascinating. I particularly loved the story of the little Hobbit lass. It was poignant and sweet. It just struck me how old Tulus is! I don’t think I’d thought about that before… And I was intrigued by the story of young Denethor and the Ents. I can see why it would sound like a fable, but there’s a lot seems to have come out of it. I’d love to know more about what happened to Denethor. Of course, the Ents and Entwives fascinate me. I’m not sure I’d have the patience to have a conversation with one, though! It sounds like Legolas and his friends are very well educated. And taught to question and discuss too, which is very important. But I guess that the opinions and experiences and prejudices of the parents still come through at this age. At least Aewen seemed open to learning but it’s fairly clear that Anastor and Noruil’s parents are telling them things that they shouldn’t, or at least aren’t preventing them from hearing treasonous opinions. When are those elflings (and their parents!) going to get their comeuppance?! Still, though, every one of the elflings have impressed me with their debating skills at such a young age. And Rodonon will encourage that even more if he makes them look at sides other than their parents’ viewpoints. Poor things, more homework! Legolas seems to be displaying more of his curiosity about the world outside the one he knows. Wait until Thranduil hears what Amglaur has just promised – he may have to find something to distract his excited son for now! But I don’t think Legolas ever gets there. Hmm, it could just be a case of someone putting his foot down or relations between Mirkwood and Lothlorien not being friendly enough by the time Legolas would be old enough to go there. I hope you’re not going to do something to Amglaur! As always, I’m looking forward to more. And do we get to hear these songs?? :-) Author Reply: :-) Dolgailon and Galithil do need more time just being brothers. I was thinking that myself when I was editing and that is why that opening part stayed in the story. And Galithil will be a long time in learning patience, much to the chagrin of the rest of his family. But the lesson, when he finally gets it, is very memorable. And Arthiel is just plain mischievous. I'm glad you liked the story about the Hobbit lass. It actually reappears, much later in Legolas's life. I am intrigued by possible interactions between the Hobbits and the Silvan. I read a really good story by SilverMoonLady on OSA that makes reference to how fairy blood might have come into the Took line, and I loved it. And the way children learn fascinated me. I think you can predict a lot about a child by how willing they are to question and investigate and think. Anastor and Noruil are not sterling examples of everything I would want my child to be. They will get their comeupance soon. The question is how will they react to it long term. Wait until Thranduil hears what Amglaur has just promised Hehehe! I thought the same thing. I can't imagine Thranduil would particularly appreciate daeradar's promise nearly as much as Legolas did. But I don’t think Legolas ever gets there. Hmm, it could just be a case of someone putting his foot down or relations between Mirkwood and Lothlorien not being friendly enough by the time Legolas would be old enough to go there. Nope it's not that simple. Does Amglaur, Amdir's brother, become King of Lothlorien or does someone else rule that realm when Amroth is lost? Sorry Dot, but this story gets very dark very soon now. And do we get to hear these songs?? Oh those songs! Growl! I hate writing poetry sometimes. I am just so bad at it. I wrote a few little snippets of Legolas's song, but I don't know if I'll have the guts to post them. Thank you so much for the review! I really appreciate people staying with this after such long delays. I intended to get another chapter up today, but work intervened, so now I am planning on tomorrow. Thanks again and Happy Birthday! | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/21/2006 |
| Elliska, I haven't abandoned your wonderful story! I seem to be playing catch-up a bit this week so I wanted to stop by and let you know I'm enjoying it immensely and will be back in the next few days with a review. I hope work is easing up on you a bit and all is well - I miss seeing you around! :-) Author Reply: Thank you so much Dot. I am so behind in answering reviews, but this really made me smile. It also made me realize I should do this when I am behind in reviewing (as I seem to be chronically these days). I learn a lot from you. :-) | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/20/2006 |
| I came into school early this morning just to catch up on my reading and saw this update - you could hear my screech of joy down the hall! :-) I was SO glad to see this chapter - the last I had read had Legolas and Co. permanently grounded - underground! LOL And still there, I see! This was a great chapter, full of interesting little asides and interactions. I liked the lecture Dolgalion received from his wife about standing up for his little brother...I suppose being so much older, he is completely in the dark about little things like that! The lesson under the trees was another very interesting event - with all manner is fascinating people showing up, from the trouble-making elf-turkeys via the moonbow incident to Tulus. I really like Tulus - I hope he can eventually prove himself to those around him. I really liked how you tied the story of the Ents to Legolas' interest in later years...and Amglaur's promise to take him to Lothlorien takes on ominous tones when one recalls that Legolas had never been there before when the Fellowship finally makes it there...especially as I don't see Amglaur as an elf to make promises lightly. *covers eyes* I don't want to know...no, don't tell me...ok, tell me...but make it quick!!! (how's that for back-door begging for the next chapter?) LOL All in all, what a great read, elliska! linda Author Reply: I am so sorry to be so long in replying (again). I am just so constantly behind. I am glad to see you enjoyed the chapter. I am bad at school often too and try to sneak in a little reading. I like all the little 'aside' type things, even though I doubt all of them make sense to everyone. I think little things like that make the story more fun in the long run as you find out what they all refer to. 'Elf-turkeys.' That cracked me up. I've got Black Swans and now turkeys. Those children are turkeys, though, no doubt there. We will see quite a bit of them and their parents as this goes on. And we will see a lot of Tulus. But I will leave him a bit of a mystery for as long as I can. He plays a big part in this story though. Very big. Amglaur's promise is ominous, since we know it is one he does not keep (Legolas obviously never went to Lothlorien). That is also a very big part of this story. The climax probably, but it is a ways off yet. And I will make you wait to find out how he fails to keep his promise. Thank you so much for the review. I meant for the next chap to be out today, but I ended up going to work. So I am going to shoot for tomorrow. :-) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/20/2006 |
| I don't think their king would be too surprised to be disobeyed by people that disobeyed the gods. I've not long since written something quite similar to this sentiment! Only I can't remember where - might be a Reflection, but it might be the story due out on March 25th. It's frustrating me enough that I might have to go and look! Author Reply: So sorry to be so long in replying. Work again...blah blah, I know everyone is tired of hearing it. You write so much that I don't doubt you might lose track of where some particular line might be. But I almost fear to ask: by "the story due out on March 25th" do you mean to say that you are so neatly organized that you have written and planned what dates things will come out on? I will cry if that is true. I am not that organized in any part of my life. But I do think that poor Thranduil might be a very powerful and intimidating King, but if the Silvan got into their heads to ignore him, they would just do it--since they did the same on the Great Journey and some of them did the same when Denethor wanted to go to Beleriand. The fact that they didn't is testiment to how good a king Thranduil was. :-) | |
| Idhreniel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/19/2006 |
| Ah Elliska, it is so good to read from you again! I love this chapter and the tales. Really, Arthiel seems the sister those elflings don't have but need! Nice reaction from Amglaur towards Tulus. I like Tulus, but his son's betral does't come off my mind when I read his name. And those kind of evil elfings... I know they must have some relation to the creepy elves; I just wonder which creepy elevs they are related to. As always it was a delightful reading. I love Amglaur as a dearadar. He seems so cute somehow. Hugs and take care!!! Author Reply: Hi Idhreniel! I am glad to be back. Real life has been nutsy lately and I am trying to get back on schedule. Poor Tulus and his betrayals (and his son's betrayal)... I might play with that more in the next chapter. We will see how he turns out. And those creepy elves and elflings might make a return too. Time to get that side of the plot moving here. Arthiel and Amglaur are good for the kids. I like the whole extended family (cousins, grandparents aunt and uncles). It would make life richer. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks so much for the review! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/19/2006 |
| Oh, this was delightful! I have to say I was most intrigued by Dolgalion's admission of poor judgment leading him to be reassigned home until he could be trusted again. Have you told this story yet? The stories to the elflings was a wonderful way of showing the Silvan/Sindar differences and perspective. A hero to one group is a traitor to another; a real experience a memory treasured, to others only a fable. I have to say I love their tutor's plans to make it a debate. This is how kids really learn to think, when they are taught to approach an issue from all sides. They will learn that the black and white world actually has many areas of gray. So, Noruil and Anastor have not yet been caught, then? Like Legolas, Galithil, Brethil and company, I am looking forward to that! Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it. :-) I have been debating about a lot of the stuff I wrote for this part of the story. I ended up keeping this chapter because I just like the Ents and Legolas seemed so interested in them when he saw the eyes in Fangorn forest. Couldn't resist. And I do love showing differences between the groups of elves and playing with their perspectives. Whereas for real people, we learn history from our sociopolitical group and view the world based on what we learned, elves have the memories of their own experiences. I think that would make for much stronger view points and possibly explain why even centuries later, there would be grudges over serious things like the kinslayings. And the stuff the you pointed out (fable vs history / hero vs traitor) would really come to life. I think that is fascinating. I'm glad you commented on that. :-) As for the debate--I completely agree with you. I think all elves, but certainly noble parents would expect their children to be educated enough to argue well. I was president of the debate club for 4 years in high school and was the debate coach of my former high school team for several years. These little elflings will get plenty of debates. ;-) It seems to me Legolas needs that sort of an education--he has a very big decision coming to him in his life. If you are going to assume that Legolas was a warrior in Mirkwood and a fixture in his father's court (and I am assuming that in this story), then the decision to go with the Fellowship rather than go home must have weighed somewhat on him. Noruil and Anastor will be caught. Doing many things. :-) And Dolgailon. He is introduced for the first time in chapter one (not the prologue) of the last story. There you see what he did and as that story progresses, his actions serve to make the connection to the Men that form part of the plot. He is a good kid, poor thing. I like including little references like that to past stories. Gosh, I'm talkative this morning. Thanks so much for the review, Nilmandra! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/19/2006 |
| It looks like the punishment has become a waiting game. Who will tire of their punishment first? Will the Elflings wilt with the boredom of confinement and agree to demonstrate responsible behavior? Or will the grownups crack under the strain of having the confined Elflings always underfoot and whining to go out and finally throw them outside just to put some distance between them? Time will tell. . . One has to wonder just who Thranduil thought he was punishing. I like the idea of learning history by telling stories under the trees. I was especially intrigued by the story of the Hobbits, especially since, by the time Bilbo arrives, Thranduil doesn't appear to have much of a clue about him. He ought to have been out under the trees that day. And the Ents! Now we know exactly which stories Legolas heard about them in his childhood that impressed him enough so that he mentioned them so many years later. Although, given his reaction to Lothlorien upon seeing it for the first time in Fellowship, I have a feeling that Amglaur has just made a promise that he'll be unable to keep. Knowing Amglaur, it's not like he'll just forget or never get around to it. This does not bode well. Author Reply: Oh, I burst out laughing at this! See, that is why I would make a terrible parent. I have the patience of a gnat. I would always be the one to crack and my kids would figure that out by the time they were two and turn into spoiled brats. I doubt Thranduil is the most patient elf in Arda, but I think his patience will outlast the children's and they will find trouble first. (At least if I post all the parts of this that I wrote, which I doubt). I picture Thranduil and Oropher coming to Greenwood around SA 750 (in fact I think HoME puts them there at that time). I think they might have seen a few of the Fallohides (since HoME says they interacted with Elves, it might have been ones in Greenwood) and possibly even the Stoors before they moved to the Shire around TA 1150. But I certainly doubt they ever knew any hobbits well. I think in The Hobbit, the Elvenking seems to recognize Bilbo for a hobbit when he finally sees him with the Arkenstone. But he certainly seems surprised and impressed with him. Poor Thranduil. Not the easiest time for him. And yes, I was thinking of Legolas being drawn closer to Fangorn to look at the Huorns (and Gandalf having to call him back) when I wrote this. Legolas seemed very interested in Ents and Ent-like creatures and I wanted to play with that a bit. But you are very right--Legolas has clearly never been to Lothlorien before going there with the Fellowship nor has he ever seen an Ent. He says he knows less than Aragorn about Fangorn. Amglaur has indeed just made a promise he will not be able to keep. And it will not be from lack of trying, as we will see. Thanks so much for the reviews, FP! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/19/2006 |
| What a lovely story - I loved it from the moment two elflings invaded Dolgailon's bedroom until Legolas insisted firmly that his grandfather had made a promise to them. Fair warning, I think, from big brother that his punishment will never end unless Galathil accommodates himself rather better to its restrictions. (Nice to know that Dolgailon wasn't always perfect. He is so responsible.) And Arthiel's understanding of the female art of compromise - making the sentence more bearable by a little gentle tweaking. Not to mention putting ideas in Daeradar's head. Galathil is his own worst enemy, though. He's a ... rocket of a child. Very single-track-minded. Whereas Legolas is better at looking round him and responding to others. More empathy. (And, if Arhtiel's parents are still angry with them - or disappointed in them, perhaps he should think of a way of making amends.) I loved the story-telling. It is so interesting to see lots of points of view. I can see why Amglaur is suspicious of Tulus - boy must it take a long time to live down an error of judgement if you're an elf. But the really worrying characters are the Nasty Boys - Anastor and Noruil. Although, if Maidhien is more open-minded, there might be more hope for Anastor. They are just the kind of kids you wouldn't want your own little angels to get mixed up with. The debate on the relative trustworthiness of men and orcs was particularly interesting in that little Eirienil's intelligence and opinion are recognised as valid despite her youth. And I loved the discussion of Hobbits and Ents. And, it must it be so difficult to rule elves! Hats off to Thranduil - they're none of them happy to accept other people's decision if they don't mesh with their own! But Tulus is making a good impression (if not on Amglaur). Most enjoyable! I must go and read it again a few times - for all those subtle little nuances I've missed. I do love these characters (and hope for a happy outcome for Tulus. Although I'm not holding my breath.) Author Reply: Poor Dolgailon would have been better of it it had been his father or a messenger knocking on his door. I like the description of Galithil as a rocket. I think that fits well. Once he is on about something, there will be no deterring him. He has some learning to do, but so do all children. I think I'd just rather have children like Legolas or Berior and the type of learning they need. I'd tie a child like Galithil to a chair. Dolgailon and Arthiel will continue to be important for the children, since they are at least from their same generation. I think the story telling, with older elves remembering their own perspectives on the long ago past would be a fascinating thing. And I think elves would be very anxious to teach children to express themselves and argue well (I refuse to believe that anyone who has lived thousands of years would believe there is only One Truth to any story). So, I think this would be a fun lesson. Poor Thranduil (and Lenwe and Denethor and Oropher). Ruling a bunch of elves that decided to ignore the gods summons to Valinor! I don't think their king would be too surprised to be disobeyed by people that disobeyed the gods. Such a King would have to learn to be persuasive, I think. The Ent and Hobbit stories will surface again in obvious and less expected times. If I post it (and I'm still debating it because it is not exactly subtle), the next chapter I thought about including really revolves around Tulus and the Nasty Elves and their Nasty Boys, getting back into that part of the plot just a bit. Thank you so much for the review, Bodkin! | |