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The Golden Bell of Greenleaf by lwarren	6 Review(s)
Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 10/25/2006
AGH! I was writing a review and my computer crashed! EEK! Now I have to start over! Ok... I LOVE this story! Beautifully written, wonderful characters and themes, great plot. Now I have a couple things to share... First, I cannot wait to see Thranduil helping out in Ithilien or to see if Alfirin ever warms up to Thalion! HOWEVER, you need to end THIS story HERE! Your plot has been summed up and the conclusion is PERFECT! To continue from this point would require intro of new plot...unless I missed something along the way. It would seem to me it would be best to end here with a wonderful conclusion to this story, then begin a new story with your same characters...a sequel! But that is simply my opinion. Second, I have a bone to pick with you and all the MC'ers! I know it is common practice to do it. I know it's a beautiful language. However! It really takes away from the story to have to scroll down for translations. It is also a little silly for elves speaking to each other (they would be speaking completely in sindarin anyway) to go from english to elvish IN THE SAME SENTENCE!! GGRRR. This is a big pet peeve of mine and the only downside to this story! We the readers know that elves speaking to each other speak in Sindarin. When they speak in common to non elves, they speak in common with perhaps a few exceptions or phrases...that I could accept...hannon le, mellon nin, Aran Elessar (I can accept that but still don't like it)... but when speaking amongst themselves? Ok...the one that really hit me was when Thranduil was talking to Aravir and he tells him "Now tell me about ion nin". This just doesn't work. Things like this really take away from this wonderful tale rather than enhancing it. I LOVE elvish...don't get me wrong. And I look for ways to include it appropriately (eg. in Never Again from Gimli's POV he can't understand Legolas speaking Sindarin so the reader doesn't need to either) It is a painful process...to give up this usage of elvish! I insisted on Legolas calling Thranduil 'Ada' but other than that I am very careful of such usage and I know my stories are better for it. It just ups the quality of the story to NOT have the elvish in it... honestly, it comes across to me like writers are showing off that they know this other language, rather than complementing the story. but again, this is all my humble (or rather outspoken) opinion... grin There is a really interesting web site I'll have to find about the elvish stuff. Made me think twice about it and I went back and changed my stories taking most of the elvish out (there is quite a bit in Never Again but like I said, it is from Gimli's POV) and now I think they are 100 times better. I now use italics to show elvish and the readers like this much better. I am getting to the point that if a story has a lot of elvish in the dialogue unnecessarily, I don't read that story. It's too annoying. Anyway, I hope I have not offended you in any way with this review. Overall I LOVE this story! I can't say enough that I LOVE your writing! I would not wish in any way to discourage you but rather get you thinking about ways to improve. Hope to see some more of your work soon! Keep writing! NiRi Author Reply: Hey there! Well, you know we talked about this subject off line and that, while I agree and see your point, I will probably still use a few words here and there! LOL I think you are right though about using it too much and having it take away from the overall understanding of the story. But this did not offend...it made me consider why I was using the language and that is not a bad thing! So I will be more careful in the future, and as I go through this story editing the 'horsey' parts (g), I will consider my usage and perhaps change some of it. Thank you again for all the reviews you took the time to post, NiRi! I really appreciate it! Linda

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/24/2006
What a lovely Thranduil. Power and sensitivity! His concern for Aravir was delightful - Aravir is clearly far more to him than simply his son's captain of the guard. More a member of his family. In a rather regal way. '“They will wait for you to soften me up.” ' Very clever of the sister and cousin! Aravir cannot walk away from his king - or tell him to mind his own business. He can even be parental enough to tell him '“Eat, or there will be no sweet for you later…"' The dream conversations with Nienna and Legolas learning his new part in the song - very elven - and I'm glad that he was able to let his adar see the change. (I just hope he can pass the understanding on to Aravir.) It makes sense that the Valar would have reasons to support Legolas in his need to stay - and that there would be a reason (which will, I hope make it into another story if not this one). “Lord Legolas sends you both his regards and requests that you stop discussing him and join him for the remaining festivities!” What a gorgeous line that is!! Don't know that I would have wanted to be the one to pass it on to Thranduil, though. I love the imagery in your writing. I can see the forest you describe just as clearly as I could picture the sea - and Henneth Annun. And that, of course, was a cleverly sneaky move from Thranduil. The song - Legolas's words are lovely. Hearing that his son had been numb to the treesong must have hurt - but I suppose that only makes it better that he can hear it now. I thoroughly enjoyed this - and what is more, it's even better on the second reading! Author Reply: Hello Bodkin! I'm glad you liked Thranduil! Coming from you (you write such a great Thranduil) that means alot! Yes, Aravir is more than just a captain - he and his sister and cousin were practically raised in the palace after their families were killed when an orc attack wiped out their village. Aravir looks to him as more than just his King. And Thranduil still sees himself in the father role for both of his boys! Then again, once a father or mother, always a father or mother! You are quite right - 'one' of the reasons for Legolas being needed to stay will appear in another story! Those bunnies...they keep multiplying, don't they? Eloriel has just discovered that passing on that gorgeous line to Thranduil put her in his 'sights', so to speak. She had to endure all that teasing from the King - embarrassed the poor girl to pieces. Legolas was in so much trouble for doing that! LOL I had lot of fun describing the forest and Henneth Annun...so much in fact that I want to live there now! ;-) Ah, you caught the King's sneaky way of putting his son in a position to sing for him, did you? Thranduil wanted information about the Song and everything else Legolas had gone through. I believe his ploy was successful. I don't think Legolas can hear the trees as fully as he could before, but anything is an improvement...and if he is to hear all the parts of the great Song, it seems he would have to hear the forest, too! :-) I am so glad you enjoyed the chapter, Bodkin - even to the point of reading it twice! Thank you! Linda

Fire	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/23/2006
Such lovely pictures you paint with your words. The beauty of the forest makes me want to be able to go there. I had to laugh out loud at Eloriels toughts about Thranduil and Legolas, she just would love to give both of them a big piece of her mind doesn't she ;) The part about Legolas' palace (he hates the word I know) was so nice. A plague on stiff-necked elves :D now that sounds familiar, but Aragorn, Arwen and Faramir know very well how to handle him. And Gimli sure knows his friends wishes. As I can see it all elves are suckers for a pretty vieuw and a good picknick, Henneth Annun must be just perfect for them. Not being able to leave "the window of the sunset" without seeing the sunset was great. " I told you so" :D I love it Author Reply: Thank you for those kind words, Fire. I had a wonderful time with a map of Ithilien, Middle-earth and deciding where Legolas' colony would be located so I could pick out a place for him to take Thranduil sight-seeing! Henneth Annun seemed a nice place (and I remembered it from the movie...in the moonlight yet!) so there you have it! In fact, I've decided I want to live there! LOL Legolas got himself into a world of trouble with Eloriel - she has known him since he was born and while I think she spoils him rotten, she has decided he can run his own messages from now on to his father! :-) I pictured the 'palace' more as one of those imposing manor homes - you know, the ones with 123 bedrooms LOL! Gimli knows how to appease 'the fool elf', too and build something even he would appreciate! "...all elves are suckers for a pretty view and good picnick..." Amen! I most definitely agree! LOL I am glad you enjoyed the chapter, Fire. You picked out almost every one of my favorite parts, too. Thank you for taking the time to review! Linda

thechevin	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/23/2006
Hi, I know this is late but after I read your other one shot story Le abdollen, I went back and looked for more of your work and found this, I had a whole evening to myself, just me and the laptop and I so much enjoyed what I read, I love Legolas's communication with Arod and his despair at the thought of losing him I noticed that you commented to another reviewer about Legolas interacting with 'normal' mortals and I loved the character Eolyn, she was a real treasure Also Arador's family who were so perceptive and knowing Aravir is another character I have taken to my heart while reading this story, the way the two elves mind speak with their horses and the horses with them makes me smile and cry in equal measure and then the icing on the cake, they go home and Thranduil is waiting such a lovely chapter and 'Ada punishment' this made me long to know more of Legolas and Aravir's life in the Greenwood So in short to stop me rambling, I really enjoyed the whole thing, and if I came late to the party it hasn't stopped me throughly enjoying the whole thing, thank you so much for sharing this Author Reply: Wow! You read the whole of 'Golden Bell' in one sitting? And enjoyed it? I am humbly impressed, thechevin! :-) Thank you SO much for those very kind words! I have very much enjoyed exploring the relationship between Arod and Legolas and later, Alfirin; as well as all the human characters he meets along his journey through Rohan and later to the sea. Aravir is another character that has developed over the story...he and Legolas actually were not slated to become friends until Gimli suggested it! LOL Far be it from me to second-guess the dwarf! I am glad you enjoyed the last chapter with Thranduil! Was that a plot bunny you let loose and shooed my way? I'll think about catching it - though all my stories so far have been fourth age, I might attempt a 'little Legolas/Aravir' story if I get really brave! :-) Never apologize for coming late to the party - I'm just glad you came (and glad Le Abdollen led you here)! Thank you so much for taking the time to review, thechevin! Linda

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/23/2006
So wonderful to see another chapter from you, Linda, and a wonderful chapter it was too! It was heartwarming to read the interaction between Legolas and Thranduil (and also between Thranduil and Aravir). A little fatherly cuddling, so to speak, is exactly what they both needed after what they went through. I love your Thranduil - charmingly opinionated and stubborn, but so full of affection and understanding for those dear to him. I can see a lot of him in Legolas (no surprise!). The sceneries that you painted in this chapter were beautiful. I felt I was there watching the sunset with those elves. Thank you for another chapter in this wonderful tale! Author Reply: Hello Manderly! Thank you for those kind words! I am very happy that Thranduil came across as the loving, yet 'don't mess with me' Adar that he is! :-) I had a lot of fun looking at a map of Ithilien, Middle-earth, figuring out just where I wanted Legolas' colony to be located and then trying to visualize it myself. I decided then I wanted to live there! LOL Thank you for taking the time to review, Manderly! I always enjoy hearing from you! linda (any chance of hearing from Tavaro, Aldeon, Feren, or their little brother any time soon? I reread all your stories about a month ago...really miss the brothers!)

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/22/2006
Ah, Thranduil! I love the guy. And this is a great look at him reacting to what's happened to his son. He's simultaeously supportive and cranky, no one you'd fool with, but someone you'd want on your side. Author Reply: I have grown to love the King, too! It's really hard to balance him in a story so he's not too stern, yet not too mushy (you know?) You write an excellent Thranduil, daw - he's the loving, yet stern father and the powerful King. I am glad to see he came across the way I hoped he would. Thank you for taking the time to review, daw! linda (I just read your reply to my review of your 'A Moment for Joy' and wanted to reassure you that the boats my students make are models only, not full-sized! LOL I can just see the school's insurance, too...I can see it disappearing as they cancel all coverage! :-)

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