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| Sweet Woodbine by Bodkin | 15 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/30/2006 |
| Ah, am catching up with this one at last. Lost track of it during one of the computer downtimes, apparently. The politics of a people who cannot help but remember the sins of those who left Aman over two ages past would indeed be complicated. Never forgotten, and mostly not forgiven indeed. Author Reply: It must be very complex living in a world where everyone lives for ever - and can doubtless bear grudges over whole ages. You hope they would develop the ability to understand and forgive - but the history of the Noldor doesn't hold out much prospect of eternal serenity! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/1/2006 |
| I now have some time to spend catching up, so catch up I will! The Elves of Aman may have let their archery skills lapse, but boy howdy are they good with politics! Every interaction has so many subtle shades of meaning and sub-meaning that it must be like learning a whole nother language. You have to know all the history and relationships, and then there's the words, the veiled hints, and then the body language. It's like a whole choreographed performance. There's something very Japanese about it, I think. The emphasis on courtesy and politeness, the oh-so-careful ways of not stepping openly on people's toes, the insults so pointed and concealed that they hit before you're aware of them. These people aren't warriors, but they're still quite dangerous. Author Reply: Well - when you're not allowed to get violent, you just have to do the best you can! And the Elves of Aman have had a very long time to master politics. I think they would be dangerous - and starting at the top ... It's just as well that Legolas has Galadriel and Elrond happy to deflect some of the metaphorical knives that would be hurled his way. Although his youthful charm and innocence (in the field of BR politics) might have offered some protection - for a while. And he has a good nose for danger. (Just as well!) | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/25/2006 |
| GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? I had to laugh - this reminded me so much of Chekhov in Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country and the look on his face when he heard the Klingons were coming to have a meal on the Enterprise. Taryatur must have looked at Legolas much the same way - an alien, violent and savage, not fit for civilized company...not only must I feed him, but he has the nerve to be looking at my daughter! Still, he shows the good sense he has learned over the Ages of being bonded to Linevende and gives in. I liked your description of his memories of their courtship and bonding. It makes him somewhat more likable...somewhat! LOL (or should I say LLA - Leave Legolas Alone!) Can you tell it's been a long day with the KB's (killer bees)? Then there was that rather tense, uncomfortable dinner, with those hints about claiming relations...or not...coming not only from Taryatur, but Camentur also! Plot twist! Plot twist! Red alert! And yes, the Lady would be the one Legolas would go to for a good ole' honest answer. Besides, she has connections and is probably conversant about every bit of gossip and news around! LOL Legolas, of course, could care less about Elerrina's background. Still, Galadriel did well to point out the pitfalls on the Oropher side of the mix! I very much liked her warning to Legolas not to pursue his interest in Elerrina unless he was absolutely sure - that she would not have him hurt the girl. Naneth Galadriel at her best! The conversation with Litheredh was interesting and you certainly captured the unassuming, yet responsible side of Legolas' personality well. "The immensity of the task before him weighed down upon his shoulders." Poor elf! But Litheredh has some good advice - take it one step at a time and remember, you have friends in high places! I thoroughly enjoyed the archery practice with Camentur ("Horse dung!" indeed!) and noticed some of the undercurrents from Far Horizons rearing their ugly heads already! Then the final conversation with Finrod - I suppose Legolas had to ask if the friendship between them was based on an assignment from the High King. (Of course, if I were the High King, I would definitely keep an eye, or both, on that trouble-making Wood Elf! LOL) Wonderful chapter, Bodkin! I just hope everyone (in both families) realizes that what will be, will be! Linda Author Reply: Poor Taryatur! I am getting increasingly fond of the grumpy elf. He did have some good points (in his mind anyway - and I think I might feel the same way about some of them) about why Legolas was definitely not the right suitor for his daughter - but, as his wife told him, an invitation to dinner was not inviting him to bond with Elerrina! It was never going to be featured on 'most sparkling dinner parties ever', but at least they all survived it! I first read in an Agatha Christie about a 'secret de Polichinelle' - which is something not generally mentioned because it is uncomfortable and everyone knows about it - so that those who don't already know, never find out. Clearly all the Noldor know about Linevende's connections to the sons of Feanor - but nobody talks about it. Very sensible of Legolas to do the simple thing and go and ask! And, in all probability, it wouldn't make Elerrina much less acceptable to the Wood Elves than just being Noldor! Representing the Silvan elves and putting their best interests forward - well, it's a task big enough to make Legolas wish he had stayed hidden away on Tol Eressea. But he is too responsible to turn away from it now he knows it's there to be done - and he does have contacts who will open doors for him that would remain closed to most of his people. Which would, in itself, upset some of those place-seekers. Legolas has bypassed all their efforts and been drawn straight into the High King's circle. Bound to cause annoyance. And poor Legolas is walking a tightrope across a pit of alligators. Thank you, Linda. It's been a busy week and I'm way behind in replying - sorry to be so long! | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/22/2006 |
| I really am enjoying this story--Taryatur's obsession for keeping Legolas and his daughter apart is most amusing but the history that you gave to him in this chapter, along with the glimpses at Legolas's family's past, were absolutely fascinating. Taryatur really grows on you. Poor Legolas. :-) Author Reply: Taryatur and Linevende have developed layers. And then more layers. Taryatur is a very complex elf with reasons for his prejudices (but he still needs to get over them!) I don't imagine Thranduil would have been much happier about the prospect of a Noldor daughter-in-law, either - but he's not there to be vocal about it! This is proving a fun story to write - although it needs lots of other action to prevent it becoming too mushy! | |
| Cease | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/20/2006 |
| Bravo! Your stories keep getting better and better. I really like how more and more details from The Silmarillion & the Histories keep appearing. (Although Legolas might disagree -- do I get the impression that Age of the Trees history was not his very first priority as a child?) Cool about bringing in the House of Mahtan -- they seem to be the only Eldar with red hair, incidentally. Nerdanel herself got a certain amount of credit for leaving Feanor when his obsessions started getting the better of him, and not being swept up in his charisma again, but I guess a more distant relation could as easily be linked to the more embarrassing members of the family. I eagerly await future chapters! Author Reply: Thank you. I thought I knew a reasonable amount when I started in this game, but I definitely know a good deal more now - and weaving in details from the Silmarillion and the Histories is just too tempting! No - I don't think Legolas was particularly gripped by the Age of the Trees. Or that it was a priority in the education system of Mirkwood! He probably knows a great deal about Doriath, though. And Lenwe. 'Reflections' starts off so many ideas! Elerrina's hair colour started off as no more than part of a joke - and then developed into a whole family background that linked her with Nerdanel's parentage. Nerdanel, I feel, might have stepped away from Feanor, but will have still spent the time since agonising over her children and her inability to save them from themselves. And, come to that, whether she would have been better to stay and fight the demons. People being what they are, I'm sure that reflected opprobrium affected the Kinslayers' remaining kin in Aman, whether they had anything to do with Alqualonde or the Flight of the Noldor or not. Just as the family of murderers tend to not to be the first to get invited to social occasions. I'm glad you're enjoying it! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/17/2006 |
| It’s rather amusing to watch Taryatur’s struggle to avoid any meeting between Elerrina and Legolas. I could nearly feel sorry for him. But only nearly. Though now I wonder if part of Taryatur’s problem is that he had always to defend his family against those who held Linevende responsible for what Feanor and his sons did. On the other hand, Galadriel is probably right about Thranduil’s reaction to Legolas’ interest in Elerrina, though I suppose he may be a bit more open-minded than Taryatur. This will be fascinating to watch, I’m sure. Truly, I look forward to more of this slowly developing acquaintance and love! Author Reply: Taryatur really does feel that Legolas is a bad, bad choice of life partner for Elerrina. He is very protective of his family - and he wants to shield his daughter from what he sees as the evil influences of Middle-earth. He remembers the bad things that happened during the War of Wrath and how the elves were touched by them, but has forgotten the loyalty and strength and other positive effects of working together towards a common goal. Perhaps he has been isolated from fellow veterans of the campaign because of his wife's connection to the sons of Feanor - I cannot imagine many of those who saw Maedhros and Maglor steal the Silmarils would feel kindly towards them and they would have met survivors of Doriath and Sirion and known those of Alqualonde. Taryatur might end up feeling he is standing between his family and the whole world - whatever his reasoning he is not going to find it easy to let anyone in. Thranduil will explode, I think. Not happy. Although Taryatur's adamantine resistance might make him a bit more willing to be open-minded. We'll have to see - there's still quite a while to go before Legolas needs to worry about that! Thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy this! | |
| Idhreniel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/16/2006 |
| grrat to read from you again. Nice chapter!!! Author Reply: Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you continue to enjoy it! | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/15/2006 |
| Legolas, the designated court gadabout. Poor boy. And falling for the wrong girl, too. Wow. You've really thought out the intricate power politics of the Blessed Realm. What a bunch of clever and devious people. If I didn't trust you to end it all happily I'd be cringing on Legolas's behalf. Author Reply: He's going to end up longing to put his feet up in his own kingdom for an age or two. His people are scattered over the populated face of the BR - and the only way he can help them is to forge friendships with all the kindreds. Which makes him Party Elf of the Fourth Age! He and Elerrina aren't going to find it easy to overcome the sheer inappropriateness of a Sindar/Silvan prince yearning after a Noldor cousin of the Feanorionnath, either. Or, come to that, the daughter of a War of Wrath vet hankering for one of those backward native elves. Not to mention his being the grandson of That Elf, too. Good thing that there's a whole raft of stories about What Came Later! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/13/2006 |
| I do so adore Taryatur. He is such a good soul. A little tortured and worried, but actually someone you would want to meet. Too bad he finds it so difficult to forgive, especially to forgive himself. But, then... they all tend to be that way... Never forgotten - and not often forgiven. Sometimes overlooked. His reaction (flashbacks!) to the thunder was very telling. He knows that he was effected by that marred world. He already feels guilty of allowing that darkness into his family's life. How could he allow even more? Yay! Litheredh will be around for a while longer. (I would love to know your translation of his name.) ;) It was amusing when he downed the cordial at the dinner party, almost as preparation for a bad scene. But, Camentur's jokes was reason enough for him to fortify himself. His jolly advice to flirt was quite amusing. It was fascinating watching Legolas navigate around all this unspoken uneasiness. At first, I thought the 'elephant in the room' was that no one had told Taryatur that his old nemesis was Legolas' grandfather. But, you make it clear that even Taryatur has cause to rail against unfair prejudice. He should take a lesson from that. But of course, he has not yet and will not for some time... Interesting assessment of Orodreth's personality - and Finrod's. The archery session was interesting too. I liked the ladies' conversation for all that we learned about Elerrina. Especially, that she trusted her father's opinion. Not that he was right so much of the the time that she could argue herself into believing that was so. ;) Best of all was Finrod telling Legolas a bit about the grandfather he had never met. What was he like? You could just hear the elfing asking that question. And Finrod's reply was intriguing. Shall Legolas meet a few of those who knew a different Oropher? Can they get over the past? We will if you will. H'mm, sarcasm from Finrod? :D If only it were that easy! It would certainly be a short story - and courtship - if that were true! Looking forward to the next installment. Author Reply: The more I think about Taryatur, the more I like him. He and Linevende started off as cliches - but as you work with them you get to see more and more layers. Taryatur is a loving father who wants the best for his daughter - and he doesn't think Legolas is the best. For all sorts of reasons - partly because nobody would be good enough for Elerrina, partly because of his family connections, partly because he has seen and done things that Taryatur considers corrupting - I mean, would you want your daughter to marry someone you look on as a mass murderer? Who has grown up in a corrupt society? And yet he is up against the elven ability to 'know' the right one for you. In a way, his determination to fight it is quite noble... And then he just can't give in and accept it. The thought about how the inhabitants of the Blessed Realm coped with the kin of the Kinslayers is fascinating - and what life was like there after the defiant Noldor marched away. I think there would have been a lot of bitterness and resentment aimed at those who might have been seen as having the power to stop it. Not just from the Teleri, but also from the families that had been torn apart as husbands and fathers and son - and sometimes whole families of grandchildren - left behind in safety those who would now feel deserted. I think Nerdanel would withdraw from society - while Finarfin, of course, took up the burden of kingship. And people being what they are, it would be easier to turn their backs on her kin than on Feanor's regal line. Elven society seems to be divided into Houses - and they do seem to be patriarchal! Elerrina is a much-loved daughter. She obeys her father through love and duty - and she has been brought up to see the world through his eyes. She is going to resist the attraction she feels towards Legolas - and trust her father's perception. He knows more than she does. He's older and wiser and he has visited those lands east of the sea. And she has experience of people who have held themselves aloof from her as a cousin to the sons of Feanor. Possibly even been rejected by those of Ennor who would be horrified at the idea of kin to the Feanorionnath. Ultimately, of course, attraction will be stronger than compliance but it takes at least 300 years. Sarcasm from Finrod? No - a bit of helpless realism. Legolas must seem so young to many of these ancient elves - and yet he has experienced things that creates a bond between them. Old warriors together. While much older elves who have never known anything more dangerous than a sharp remark seem naive to them. I can't remember offhand what I think Litheredh means. Something innocuous, certainly. Something-seed, I think. A tree. Have I got it wrong? Perhaps I should retain you as name consultant! Finding good names is a torture, I find. Legolas is bound to encounter some people who knew his grandfather, I would think. It would be great if he found someone who knew him as a child. I haven't got that much detail worked out yet, though. Thank you - I'm glad you're enjoying the story! | |
| Aislynn Crowdaughter | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/13/2006 |
| Hi! Sorry to perk up again, but I had to add: forgive my ignorance, I wasn't aware that this was a prequel to another story of you and Legolas and the girl are married in the follow-up already. So, nice story and well written. Sorry I complained. Aislynn Author Reply: I avoided Legomance initially by moving straight to giving him a wife! Almost. Elerrina first appeared almost as a joke in an early Reflection - seeing how many tree references I could fit in to female description. Since then - she has probably appeared far less than her and Legolas's children. And possibly less than her father! (I married off the twins in much the same way. Well - this is supposed to be the Blessed Realm and I did want them to have the happy family lives they missed out on in Arda. And having them as fathers presupposes wives.) I am going to do my best not to have too much of Elerrina and Legolas - but they don't marry until after the twins arrive and Elladan re-encounters and marries his wife, so they will be encountering each other over 300 years or so before they give in to the inevitable. The whole business of allowing heroes a normal experience of life is very difficult! | |