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Sweet Woodbine by Bodkin	11 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/1/2007
It is indeed time to get on with things. And Taryatur needs desperately to accept that. Sad to see the twins having to recover, and to learn that the last few generations of the Kings of Men have once again slipped away from their relationship with their ancestors and relatives. I can see why the final sailing took place when it did. Author Reply: I suppose one of the problems elves have is that time doesn't mean very much. Taryatur is still suffering from a war he fought in over 6000 years before - taking 300 years or so to come round to his daughter's marriage is a flea-bite. The Age of Men - and men aren't good at remembering the lessons of the past. Even the long-lived Men of Gondor have passed several generations and shorter-lived people even more. It'd be like ... the French Revolution. Still remembered, but not in all its horror and pain. And Galadriel could feel it in the water, etc - the world was changing - and I think that part of that diminished the connection between elves and the lands of Hither. The last few elves remaining had to sail - or fade. The twins only just got out in time.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 7/4/2006
Oh wait, I forgot to comment that I loved the conversation about the children of men vs the children of elves too--you really do a great job showing the differences between the elves from valinor and those that lived in Middle Earth and I think that is fascinating. This conversation was a great example of that. Author Reply: I find it absolutely fascinating to think that - for all the elves of Valinor look on themselves as somewhat better than elves from over the sea - the elves of Ennor have always been looked up to by the second-born. Elves were immortal and beautiful and wise... Elves in Valinor, however, are less immortal, less beautiful and less wise than the Maiar - and the Maiar are ditto compared to the Valar - who aren't around much, but can, if they feel like it, turn round to the elves and be authoritative in their role as the Powers. I wonder how the elves of the marred lands reacted to that twist of fate...

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 7/4/2006
Catching up on reading--I am so sorry to be so far behind... Hehehe! Of course my favorite part of this chapter was Thranduil and Taryatur's converation. I loved seeing Thranduil through Taryatur's eyes. If even from his perspective, Thranduil still comes across as great, you know that really means something. I bet Taryatur really hated that conversation! And I loved the conversation about the glass glob Legolas made. I loved that part of the earlier chapter, I love that Elerrina kept what he made and I love her analysis of the whole thing--I think she is very right that trying something you know you have no talent for in order to understand something a loved one loves is a very great sign of love. And the tension at the end! You could cut it with a knife! Taryatur had better end his objections soon. (And the advantage of being so far behind is that I have another chapter to read immediately!) g Author Reply: Sorry to be so long in replying! I wonder if Taryatur is beginning to doubt the attitudes he has held for so long... Thranduil is clearly - for all his exhaustion - a very noble elf. Taryatur doesn't want to change, and will fight it for all he is worth, but you can't help feeling that his own honesty will, in the end, help him to see that he is wrong. Legolas is not a show-off type - he will listen and learn - and he doesn't feel he needs to turn Elerrina into a typical Wood elleth. He admires her skills - and that is, I think, one of the reasons that she feels comfortable to love and marry outside her comfort zone. Her father might not trust him, but she does. And he's hot, of course. That probably helps! Taryatur will have to accept soon that he isn't going to change anyone's mind!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 7/2/2006
Ah, finally Súrion is on his way. Though I doubt the birth itself will help Taryatur to get his worries off Legolas. ‘Over two centuries have passed – nearer three, perhaps – since Eldarion passed beyond the world’s circles,’ Elladan said. ‘I imagine it is his grandson’s grandson who now sits on Estel’s throne.’ Hmm ... that seems a bit unlikely to me. Aragorn lived to be 210 years, and one should expect his children and grandchildren to be rather long-lived, too. Even more so as Arwen was of the elves, no matter her choice. I'd expect them to live longer than ordinary men, even if this will diminish in the end - but I can't imagine it would only take two generations. So Eldarion's grandson or great-grandson at the most seems more likely to me. Or do you think they gave over their crown long before they died? Legolas is a good companion for the twins at the moment, as he knows only to well how they feel, having been through this himself only recently (at least in elven terms of time). He was able to rouse them quite easily out of their listlessness, wasn't he? Obviously ellyth are still a threat. The conversation between Thranduil and Taryatur was very amusing. Thranduil is obviously not prepared to have Taryatur to wait for some more centuries before agreeing to a betrothal. And this: Thranduil lifted a cool eyebrow. ‘Surely not,’ he said. ‘You would not wish them to know each other that well before the ceremonies.’ was absolutely great! lol Oh, how sweet that Elerrina kept Legolas' first attempt at blowing glass! I think she was right in what she said about it being easy to show off one's talents to impress or trying something one doesn't know anything about out of love. And I loved the end of the chapter and her threat to ask the High King to overrule her adar. She would dare it if necessary, of that I am quite sure. As for Nisi, I think she underestimated Legolas a bit. She was much too sure he would know absolutely nothing of babys, wasn't she? I hope Legolas was aware of the honour to be allowed to hold Súrion grin Author Reply: Legolas sailed when Aragorn died, then he didn't do much while Gimli was alive (50 years or so) and then took some time to recover from that - and (in my world) the twins and their grandfather, Glorfindel and Thranduil didn't sail for another 300-400 years. Elladan was guessing - but I worked it roughly that they lived to about 200 and the heir was born when they were 50-80 - and they were around 100 when they became king. So around 500 years into the Fourth Age, Eldarion's great-grandson would have died and his grandson's grandson would have become king. But it's all pretty random! I suppose some of them might have handed the crown over - if they were ill or something. Legolas is probably the best person to encourage the twins - his experience is closer to theirs in a way. And he understands without wanting to mother them, too. He can mention the kind of things likely to spark their interest - and worry them out of their lethargy. Thranduil doesn't see the point in waiting. It's not as if anything is going to change. Taryatur, on the other hand, was rather hoping that this king of the green elves was going to throw a hissy fit at the thought of his son marrying a Noldo. You do treasure the oddest things - but Legolas's attempt at glass-blowing was special. One of the first things he did, really, once their courtship was reluctantly condoned. I'm not surprised she treasured it. She doesn't want to over-ride her father - that would put a tremendous dent in their relationship and she does love the old grouch - but I think now she would - if she has to. Nisi is a typical first time mother - quite scared herself of damaging her precious little bundle and quite, quite sure that no clumsy male can possible know what to do with him! But she did - if reluctantly - release her grip on Surion to let Legolas have a cuddle. I'm sure she noticed he was clearly practised in holding babies.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2006
I feel so tardy with this review... working on too many projects at one time again... What wonderful descriptions you come up with! I especially like ...as weary as a stirring of air on a hot day. So simple as yet one knows exactly what you mean! Legolas foxy arguments against all E2 procrastinating was great. And Taryatur! Outmaneuvered by Thranduil! ...not that well before the ceremonies. Might he already know the dire straits they were sailing through? The sisters are lovely together. And Linvenede too. LOL! Court is such a hoot the way you depict it. I have no pity for Haldir though! lol 'cause, I like Calisse. ;) Your vision of the failing of the Golden Wood closely matches my own so I had to like that very much as well. I have always thought the Galadhrim had to leave; not only for loss of the magic but also the deadly destruction that exceeded their ability to eek out sustenance from what was left. Finrod is good and wise to say a new home would not replace Thranduil's past homes. No more than new people to love would supplant love lost. Hmm, Legolas and Elrrina have borne so much. Perhaps it is more meaningful not to give in after such determined persistance. But, whose victory will it be then? Absolutely loved the discussion about the babies of men and elves. ;) ...the ultimate effort to be conciliatory... :D Nisimalote and Camentur are endearing new parents, especially for their lack of experience. Finally - Go Elrrina! Everyone was actually waiting for you to decide when the time had come anyway. And that slick reply from Legolas about having her along side him in battle was splendidly done! Ah me, just another great chapter... Author Reply: I posted at the wrong time of the week for most people - so any response at any time is great! L knows from his own experience that it's better to offer teasers of interesting things than keep telling E2 that they will be fine. (Do agree. It's very irritating to be cosseted!) Impressing Taryatur with his kingliness - and adding in a bit of wicked suggestiveness - is being good for Thranduil. It is giving him something to fight and outmanoeuvre - while also drawing him closer to his son and prospective daughter-in-law. Poor Haldir - cornered by Calisse. I think she finds him quite annoying, actually. In a younger brother way. And there's nothing like the announcement of an imminent baby to get the ladies all excited. The Golden Wood failed quickly, I reckon. The inrush of too much time and ordinariness was just too much for it. The Greenwood's decline was more insidious - the creeping numbness of the Age of Men silenced it and elven magic just couldn't hold back the weight of it. Finrod has experienced the loss of home (even though through choice) and knows you always hold places in your heart. I imagine he mourns Nargothrond, even though he is back in his birthplace with Amarie by his side. And Beor and Barahir and Beren - he will hope for an eventual reunion. Legolas and Elerrina might choose to bond irregularly, I suppose - but they are strong characters and would want it to be an active choice rather than from irresistible passion. And they choose not to. At the moment anyway. Men and babies - well. It's a different role. And Nisimalote did her best - and as a new first time mother, she is almost undoubtedly seriously over-protective. Two more chapters. The next one doesn't finish it, but I hope the following one will. Thank you, Redheredh. I hope you like what's coming!

thechevin	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2006
The emotions of Nisimalotë and Camentur stand in such sweet contrast to those of Legolas and Elerrina who are still unable to allow their own love free rein and are showing growing signs of frustration and anger at thier situation, I felt so sorry for them both, their love is clear, their desire to do the right thing obvious yet their need for one another is growing all the time. Thranduil was magnificent here, even while still recovering, he is all king and his will, will be done! Also enjoyed seeing the twins beginning to show some signs of recovery and to hear about how their last years in Middle Earth had been. Haldir is so funny, he obviously hates what he is doing, but hoping Galadriel might not know what he is upto is a forlorn hope I think. The ignorance of the people's of Middle earth must be very infuriating for those who lived amongst them, the comments by Nisimalotë show how wide the gulf is between the elves who have never crossed the sea and those who made their lives there. So we now have the grandchild for Legolas to save good news for him and Elerrina even if they don't realise it yet! Wonderful Author Reply: Taryatur is not helping Legolas and Elerrina's situation - but I suppose you could say that his resistance has made them very, very sure of what they want. Nisimalote and Camentur are so happy now - L&E cannot but help wish they could have the same thing. But their time will come! Thranduil is still worn, but there is nothing wrong with his perception of events - and, in some ways, the more he has to fight something, the quicker he will recover! The twins are very far down - but they are younger and have regained more. Once they start to look outwards, they will find it easier - even if they retain doubts about what is ahead of them. Now Haldir, on the other hand! He might well attempt to sneak away while Galadriel is distracted, but I don't know how much rope she will allow him. The Blessed Realm is just so sheltered. The majority of those there know nothing about life outside - beyond hearsay. They know Maiar and Valar - but to them Men, Dwarves, Hobbits, Orcs - they are creatures of legend and they may well have some funny ideas about them. You've spotted what's coming next! The next chapter was so easy to write - the plot for that one was already set up. Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/26/2006
Many good things in this chapter. I love the birth of a child, something that always seemed like it was probably rarer and rarer in Valinor, though perhaps only as a percentage of the population. Thranduil absolutely shines, not in spite of his debilitated state, but perhaps becasue of it. The descriptions of the twins are well done. Elerrina and Legolas's passions too. Their long courtship may have the added advantage of making them well aware of all the prejuidices among the elven races so that nothing can come as a surprise to them. Thranduil's acceptance of Elerrina also speaks to why she has a better time with Legolas's family than Legolas will ever have with her parents. Too bad these elves didn't ever visit Numenor though - the elves had a long relatiohnship wtih Numenor at the height of its glory - perhaps that would help them to see the value of other races. And forgetting the humans in in the line of all the elven kings - for Arwen was descended of them all - shows they need more education than they ever received. I say let Celebrian at them. :D Author Reply: There can't have been many elflings in Valinor really - or they would have all been standing nose to nose. Perhaps opening the lands to the west will give the number of them a boost. Thranduil is wise enough to pace his recovery, I think. He will learn local customs and find his footing - and then dazzle everyone with his grasp of life in the BR. The twins were very low on arrival - but their native ebullience will help them recover quite quickly. (And lurve, of course.) L&E needed a long courtship, I think, (regardless of Taryatur). They come from very different backgrounds and needed to learn about each other. You're right - Legolas and Thranduil come from a changing world and adaptation is part of living with that. Taryatur's world has remained almost unchanged since the First Age and it will take him much longer to accept the value of change. I think he will, in the end. He is a very honest elf. (Pig-headed, but honest.) I had a feeling that it was mainly the Teleri who visited Numenor - as they were the sailors. The Noldor who had returned with Finarfin - I can imagine that their experiences might have made them a little more insular and reluctant to deal with the outside world. (Taryatur certainly was.) And learning about them - well, it's a whole different thing. Theory. Not backed up with educational visits and TV and the internet.

Fire	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/26/2006
Things are speeding up here and I like it. I find it a beautiful picture to see Camentur and Nisimalotë find themselves with a son. I'm sure that will indeed get Taryatur's heart a little softer. The twins are on their way to health, hey they have to get themselves away from all the ellith Celebrian will want them to meet. Now that is a sight I would love to see, just how will the twins cope with that ;) It's not orcs they can just kill. Thranduil still is very much the King isn't he, and I can understand how Taryatur feels at that. It is after all his daughter they are talking about. I think it's so sweet that Ellerina kept Legolas' glas blob, comes to show you that for everything you could create doing what you do best, it still can be outdone by something you create while you do something you don't know how to do. The talk between Litheredh and Haldir shows a very good way to get away from the overcrowded areas to a place where the Woodelves can find their true new homes. I think it will not be very long indeed after both Thranduil and Celeborn recover that they will start looking for just such a place. With or without the consent of the High King, but I do think it's with his consent as because he did tell Thranduil: "And, in time, you will find a home here – one that will not replace the Greenwood, any more than that replaced Doriath in your heart, but that will provide you and your people with what you need." Legolas and Ellerina visiting with the new parents was a nice scene. I can imagine that Nisimalotë thinks Legolas has no experiance with elflings, but hey, she never really knew just how many he has already helt in his arms. I mean come on, he must have helt al lot of them seeing al his human friends having babies. It must be very hard indeed for Legolas and Ellerina not to jump in to things ;) But I could not help but laugh out loud at Ellerina's last words. ‘Soon,’ she promised. ‘If I have to go to the High King to ask him to override my atar’s demands, I will. We have waited long enough.’ Now that is a good way to give Taryatur a heartattack. I'm not sure if elves ever been able to have them, but I think he could be the first if she did. Author Reply: Oh yes. Resolution is whizzing towards us. All necessary characters are present now and they are nearly in place now. Of course, I know that - but poor L&E don't ... yet. The twins take a while to recover, but not that long, really - they are very whole-hearted people and once they start to get better they will do it fairly quickly. The twins and predatory maidens - that would be a sight to see! Thranduil is using his recovery to help him understand this new world, I think, and not being anywhere near as authoritative as he would usually be - but he can see that Taryatur is acting through love of his daughter. It doesn't mean he isn't going to ensure the marriage takes place - and fairly soon - but he can understand the motives. Those things we keep, tucked away somewhere, because they remind us of a person or a time. Elerrina will always treasure the glass blob - although Legolas would (when he knows about it) much prefer her to throw it away. The idea of new lands for the elves of Ennor links in with Far Horizons and the rest of my Blessed Realm stories. I have tried to keep everything more or less true to that arc - although I admit that some of the very early stuff has undergone a bit of tweaking to make it fit the more developed characters as they are now. Legolas is pretty well acquainted with babies - I wonder if he ever met any baby dwarves? - even if he can count the baby elflings on his fingers and toes. But every mother thinks her own little creature is so special that outsiders can't possibly understand. I reckon that now they've decided they won't wait much longer, it might be easier on L&E. They've taken charge. On the other hand, Elerrina still won't really want to break with her family - so she is probably unlikely to ask Finarfin to intervene. But they won't wait much longer!

Gwynhyffar	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/26/2006
I started reading this before work this morning and then had to come home at lunch to finish it. I think Legolas and Elerrina seem to be headed toward an unstoppable bonding without .. erm.. the proper ceremony. On the other hand, Legolas has declared himself master of his domain, so they might be able to resist, but for how long?? I was happy to see HTC (High Thranduil Content) and he was marvelous as ever, despite still recovering and being so worn. Poor guy. I laughed out loud though at his innuendo to Taryatur about how much 'the kids' should get to know each other before bonding. I'm looking forward to more! Author Reply: You had to come home to read the end? I'm flattered! If Legolas and Elerrina were younger - or different - they might well do an Eilian and Celuwen, but they can both do self-discipline and I think they'll hang on long enough for the ceremonies. Having decided that they are going to do something might well give them strength. And it's not much longer (in elven terms) before the dam cracks. Thranduil is wise enough, I think, to take advantage of recovery to learn this new situation - rather than rushing in bull-headed, he is sussing out the situation. And, although it's irritating that Taryatur refuses to fall over with joy that Legolas wishes to wed his daughter, he can see that Taryatur wants the best for her. They do need to know each other .... just not that well!

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/26/2006
Legolas and Elerrina have been more than polite. But they're grown-up Elves now, and everyone except Taryatur seems to have at least accepted them as inevitable. Taryatur's been resisting for so long now that he probably couldn't bring himself to agree to the marriage even if he really did want it. They'd do best just to get married anyway. Preferably while Taryatur is still in the new-grandbaby haze. Boy, do I know what Elladan and Elrohir feel like. When I finally get a break from school, I just flop right down and sleep. Actually, it's probably good for Taryatur that Thranduil is still having the arrival muzzies. Otherwise, he would find himself with one pissed-off Wood-elf King haranguing him for being stupid. Anyone whose kid has started to use unfathomable metaphors (her beech leaf hair -- Elerrina has green hair?) to describe his beloved should be commended for being as patient as Thranduil is being. Author Reply: Wrong season, FP! Beech leaves in the fall! He compared her hair somewhere earlier on to the crown of a winter beech. (He could say copper - but hey, he's a Wood elf.) I suppose elves have an awfully long time to live with family situations - so they would try to avoid them where they could. Poor L&E have had a pretty long courtship - they are trapped in a timeline that's been around since somewhere about Reflection 10 or so. It will take something to make Taryatur give in though - but something's got to give. (In the next chapter, I suspect.) E&E are very worn down - right at the bottom of a dark deep pit - but they will get better. They're too obstinate not to - and they have their naneth back, which is important to both of them.

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