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| Taking Leave by TithenFeredir | 5 Review(s) |
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| Adrianne | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2007 |
| This is perhaps my favorite of all the pieces you have done, this little glimpse into Arwen's heart. I cry everytime I read it, my friend. Everytime. And as I have told you before, you channel Tolkien so brilliantly in this brief few paragraphs it is as if this were some little tidbit that the Professor had penned in haste to include at some future time in his appendices, but then it was lost and forgotten. I have so many favorite parts it would be impossible to quote them all without quoting the entire story. But these are a few: "Duty, it seems, is a merciful burden, full of meaningless gestures that wear down the sharp edges of new grief." What an amazing observation and an even more amazing way to express it. And the sorrow of Arwen and Legolas' shared grief: "“I have a ship,” he offers, his eyes glimmering with grief and with a bleak, fragile hope. It matters not how gently I speak, my answer will surely break it. “I cannot alter my choice, nin muindor, I will not. You know this.” With a small nod he seems to crumble; he is suddenly closer, holding on tightly, his face hidden in my hair. “I would not see you perish…” His voice is a soft, broken wisp of melody in my ear. Here speaks a lord and a warrior of renown but now I am reminded of my little ones, when indeed they were yet small, beset by evil dreams or some childish fear no words of comfort could dispel. This sound is the same." I don't see this as being in with Tolkien at all, certainly not AU. I can see Legolas making this desperate offer even knowing it will not be accepted, and it isn't. She knows she can't change her mind, even if she wants to. I think Legolas knows this too, but in his grief he is grasping at straws, so to speak. It makes for an amazingly heart rending moment. Sigh. I so envy your talent. But you already know that too. Love, Adrianne Author Reply: Thanks for the review, Adrianne. I didn't know that this one was your favorite. Arwen's plight is so sad, and then to add Legolas for a bit of extra angst was impossible to resist. I just can't imagine that they wouldn't have shared their grief. I think you hit it on the head that his invitation to her is grasping at straws. At least in the end he still had Gimli. Love, ~TF | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/20/2006 |
| The peace will follow. And she will follow him and find that peace. Lovely image of Legolas and Arwen seeking at the end to comfort one another, and the offer she cannot accept. I always felt that the reason Gimli was granted his grace was for the comfort of Legolas once this time had come. Author Reply: Thank you for reviewing, Larner. I don't see how Arwen and Legolas could not have been good friends, so it must have been double grief for him to see her fading. Surely it would also seem terrible for him as an elf to watch this fate come upon her at last. ~TF | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/20/2006 |
| What a lovely, poetic voice Arwen has. I like the sense that Aragorn is still a presence in her life, that she is still speaking to him rather than to a general audience. She seems like a woman who is coming to terms with the joys and sorrows of her choices and has matured enough to accept both with open arms. Author Reply: Thanks for your kind comments, French Pony. I'm very flattered that you like my Arwen. I was trying to take her from that state in which she pleaded with Aragorn to stay longer, on to the one in which she could leave everything behind and go to meet her fate on Cerin Amroth. ~TF | |
| Lady Saruman | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/20/2006 |
| Again, another tear-jerking chapter. Arwen's grief is of the most above all others, and yet she can feel things no other can. I liked the fact that Legolas offered to take her to Valinor with him even he knows she will refuse. She finally understands why her father had refused her marriage to Aragorn at first, because of the bitterness of mortality she will face, just as Elrond had when Elros had died. Now she will wait for her time to come...when she can see her beloved again. Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing, Lady Saruman! I tried here to show Arwen going through a process of grieving that ultimately led her to acceptance of a sort. Her story is a sad one indeed. I'm glad you liked it! ~TF | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/20/2006 |
| This is so sad and beautiful.I liked the idea that Legolas offered to take Arwen. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! I'm glad you liked it. I can't imagine any elf not trying to save the Evenstar. It goes against Tolkien's version in which Arwen says that there is no ship to bear her hence and that she is compelled to abide the doom of men whether whe will nor not. I guess that makes this tale a bit AU. ~TF | |