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Sweet Woodbine by Bodkin	18 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/2/2007
Finally, the waiting over, the bonding begun. And love finds these two at last one, as they were intended to be. And I can certainly appreciate just how alarmed the interest of both Aule and Yavanna would make Taryatur. Author Reply: Mmm. Knowing your son-in-law - about whom you have your doubts - is favoured by not just one, but two of the Valar ... It must make you realise that there is no point fighting the inevitable! And Legolas and Elerrina begin their lives together. It'll do both of them a power of good! Thank you for reading.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/11/2006
WOW!!! What an excellent story. I loved every line of every chapter. Legolas is my favorite character in the LOTR. I am speechless. I look forward to reading the rest of your stories. Tari Author Reply: Thank you - I'm so glad you liked it! When I started writing, I put off writing the story of Legolas's courtship - Legomances have such a bad name - but dived straight into making him a husband and father. But this story wanted to be told! I hope you enjoy the other stories.

Dinledhwen	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/3/2006
Bravo!!!! claps and whistles enthusiastically I love how Legolas and Elerrina ended up where they first met! I couldn't think of a better place where they could finally give in to their desires for each other. sighs happily Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It took them a long time to overcome all the problems along the way, but at least they knew they loved each other enough for the struggle to be worthwhile. And I did enjoy returning them to the same glade! It seemed a good place for them to begin their new lives!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/22/2006
Catching up, blah, blah...you've heard it all before... You wrapped this up and finished tying it in to your other stories very nicely. The conversation about the new lands was great. I like the way the suggestion about all the discussions in Finrod's court is just dropped in there and I love the idea of Legolas having even more powerful allies in the Valar. I'd never considered it, but he would both for being Gimli's friend and for what he'd helped do. So I really loved the later part where Elerinna's family visits Aule--his gift to her is really fascinating. Poor Taryatur--I almost felt sorry for him during that conversation. Elerinna and Legolas's impatience is amusing. Poor things. The last few weeks, especially surrounded by foolish preparations. It would be maddening. Legolas is worried about something going wrong! Going into the woods with those two, he's lucky he didn't have something disastrous happen with them! ;-) I loved this part of their conversation: The perils of Middle-earth brought about nothing but polite co-operation between them – but this quest to get you joined in matrimony is almost exciting enthusiasm.’ Hehehe. Love those two. And I loved the gift Celebrian had for Elerinna to wear. Beautiful and all its history was wonderful. I love things like that. And I know you will be shocked to hear how much I loved Thranduil's part in this chapter. I think a little short story detailing Celeborn and Galadriel's wedding would be great. I definitely see things as you described them here. And I felt so for Thranduil, missing his wife and about to lose part of his son. It would be hard on him. But of course my favorite part was after Legolas and Elerinna's marriage. The description there is incredible! I love the finch and how she can hear the trees and how they 'approve' of her presence. And all the little details that show their bond and their love. So perfect. I know I say this every time, but I think this is my favorite story of yours. It is absolutely wonderful! Author Reply: Thank you, elliska! I'm only too aware of the places where the join is rather obvious in these tales - and where the plaster is being smoothed over the cracks. And bits that don't quite manage to display continuity even there. I'm just hoping that nobody decides to read them all through in one go! If even I have a bit of a job remembering exactly who did what when, fingers crossed that other people won't notice either! It's so easy to get absolutely swamped in discussions that a reference in passing can save a whole lot of unnecessary conversation! And indicate the passage of time, too. On the whole 'it's not getting someone into the room that's hard, it's getting them out again' principle. Legolas would be of interest to the Valar, I think. He's done unusual things and been in unusual places. (And I have a suspicion the BR could get quite boring at times.) And as Mahtan's descendant, Elerrina is likely to stir Aule's interest - especially when it comes to a bond between a Noldo and a Dwarf-friend. Poor Taryatur, of course, is out-matched here - at so many levels. I rather enjoyed Thranduil being forced to appreciate Galadriel's aid in getting the wedding arranged. (She did, too.) And the head-dress just pushed itself in - and the story tying it all together. Galadriel enjoyed that, too. But thought it would come better from Celebrian. Elerrina and Legolas were at the edge by the time the wedding arrived. It was probably just as well that the twins carted Legolas off for an elven stag week ... (with real stags). And even better for them that they brought him back undamaged. This will be a hard time for Thranduil - but I think he really will find he's gaining a daughter. And he'll like that. Elerrina is open enough to new experience to embrace life as a Wood elf - although there will be complications at times. Not so much with the sort of things you thing about as with the instinctive behaviour that's so ingrained that you don't even realise you do it. But it's not all that long now - not even in human terms - before he will be reunited with his wife. I'm glad you liked the story, elliska. I don't know if a C&G wedding will make it to screen. I'd never say never ... and I'll keep it in mind!

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/18/2006
I loved this last chapter and especialy the two finding themselves outside with no clue as to how they got there, and naked no less. Too funny! Loved your note at the end as well. I am so bummed that this story is complete. It was sooo wonderful! Please go write something else long and wonderful with all of my favorite elevs in it. I need another excellent story to look forward to receiving updates for. As always, I love your writing. Please keep up the good work! Author Reply: Thank you! I think, if they look around them, they might find Legolas's formal robes and a large sheet... They left the house wearing whatever was handiest. Not, I think, that they will be looking for a while - they are otherwise occupied! I'm sorry to see it end, too - but Legolas and Elerrina are extremely pleased. They feel they were made to wait long enough as it was! I shall be starting something else soon. I have had a suggestion that a Finrod/Amarie story might be interesting.... Thank you for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/16/2006
A lovely ending! And practically back where we started - under a tree bird-watching! :D Not quite sure how they got there, either. g That was delightfully amusing. I also love how elvish your elves actually are even in love. The favour of the Powers could be as dangerous to those who received it as their disapproval. How very true! Camentur is shocked at Legolas' heritage? But, he knew he was of Silvan blood, didn't he? Still, an interesting reaction on his part - even though he did recognize Legolas' obvious point. About saving Surion's life, as well. I really like Oropher's defensive anger about people believing Celeborn was henpecked. Her 'ever-presence' is exactly how I would think he'd like things to be, especially after the last thing he said to Aragorn. Ha! How typical that the mother of the bride would want the kind of wedding for her daughter that she really wanted for herself. It was a pity that she had no family left to approve or attend if there was a formal event. But, there are pluses for both the private and public ceremonies as you nicely pointed out. Hmm, I guess Orodreth changed his mind after he fell in love with a Sindarin lady of his own. Very appropriate that Thranduil receive advise and understanding from an elder and that it be Celeborn. I have to comment on the writing. I loved that description comparing the trees to gossiping matrons. Just wonderful. And you do that all the time! You paint beautifully with words - yeah, that sounds trite, but it's still the truth. Three lines of asterisks at the end? Where the camera usually pans away because... Well, at least you did not say 'The End'. We know that they will live happily ever after. About the NOTE, I think you do a great job with sub-text to get your points across. Any truly civilized people with tell you that love is a madness that is usually cured with time. Usually... ;) Author Reply: I think the night and the moon and the song of the trees just called them. And they were so wrapped up in their emotions that logic just didn't come into it. The wedding was probably at Elerrina's home - which wasn't far from this particular glade. They might just have wanted to revisit the place they met ... Different chaffinch, though. I don't think chaffinches reach 300 or so, even in the Blessed Realm. Whom the gods love, die young, as they say. And Feanor agrees that it's not necessarily a good thing to have too much attention. Not shocked, I think. Disconcerted. He knows Legolas as a Sindarin prince of the Silvan realms - and since Legolas's mother isn't around, perhaps he just didn't think much about her. I think Oropher would probably be far more offended on Celeborn's behalf than Celeborn would be on his own - and hold it against Galadriel, too. But Celeborn is confident enough not to worry - he knows his value and how he and Galadriel work together and doesn't care what others think. And Galadriel wanted Celebrian's wedding to be an affirmation - and an expression of pride in both parties. Which is probably what she found lacking in a more informal bond - she would do what she chose, but I don't think she would want to feel hole-in-the-corner about it. And Orodreth just strikes me as stiffer and more rule-bound. Less open to experience. Celeborn's support will help Thranduil, I think. His understanding probably, even more. Thank you! I'm pleased you like the style. I'm flattered. Well - adding notes isn't too much like me, but I thought I'd better at this point. And they will be happy - and we already know various outcomes. And I like to think that passion may moderate, but love remains. At least in the Blessed Realm!

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006
A lovely end to this tale. I am glad to see Legolas and Elerrina married at last, love that Galadriel and Thranduil found something to work well together on (vs begrudgingly) and I love the idea that Celeborn and Galadriel took matters into their own hands in Doriath, long ago. I enjoy exploring the concepts of elven bonding - really anything that reminds that the elves are not humans. As relationships change, so do those bonds. And when relationships are intact, those bonds undergo appropriate changes pretty smoothly. But when relationships are not intact... well, much as with our fallen world, there are unforseen and painful things to experience. It had to kill Legolas watching the twins come after him and marry before him, while he and Elerrina waited. :/ Author Reply: Thank you! The poor things had a long wait, but at least they both knew, after the first century or so, that they wanted each other. Miriwen, on the other hand, felt a pull towards Elladan some three centuries before she sailed - and then it was another five or so before he crossed the sea. Although he then fell pretty quickly. And at least they didn't have to fight family disapproval! I reckon Galadriel and Thranduil could like each other - if they ever got past the sniffy stage. (I suspect Thranduil was very resentful of the female who took his cousin away. And Oropher's attitude certainly won't have helped.) And yes - I think that in the end, C&G would have given up on trying to please others and settled on pleasing themselves. Elven bonding is a fascinating concept - parent / child bonds, in a way, even more than bonds in marriage. Picturing the ability to live, if not in each other's minds, aware of each other's emotional state ... well, it has advantages, but it could be difficult too. Changes would come harder on parents, I think. Kids expect change - and the emotion of bonding might well be the trigger that makes parents shut off that link ... but it could leave feelings of emptiness. Hard for Legolas to see the twins marry first - but if he comes to thing about it, he must have worked out that Miriwen had been waiting even longer than he had - and with far less prospect of a happy outcome.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006
Well, that ended with quite a bang--ahem--really lovely idyll there in the woods! It was cute about Taryatur being horrified over the Valar attending the wedding, and really diplomatic of them to resolve the matter as they did! Those little subtle touches are a delight. Interesting point (in the previous chapter, which I forgot to mention) about elves who have never known war or strife and have never had to fight for their lives or their country, growing up soft and narrow and perhaps a bit mean-spirited. I've thought of the same things myself. I guess if you're looking at the same things it's likely you'll see the same things. The jewel sounds gorgeous, although I couldn't help but think, "Well, where is she going to wear it?" lol Lovely and non-fangirly depiction of Legolas altogether! ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Where better for a Wood elf than in a wood. Surrounded by trees. (I think Elerrina would feel a lot more uncomfortable about it all, were she not in a state of post-wedding euphoria!) I can see Taryatur's point - those who attract too much attention from the Powers tend to come to no good ends. And I think the Valar have probably withdrawn rather from too much contact with the elves. ... Doesn't mean they don't want their words taken seriously, though! I think a lot of the way we react to events reflects our experience - and I don't see that elves would be any different. If the worst thing you've ever endured was it raining on your party, then you're not going to find sacrifice and death easy to grasp - and similarly, if you've grown up somewhere where you've struggled to feed your people through winter and defend them against evil, you're going to curl your lip a bit against the softies who have never endured anything worse than a shortage of strawberries. But it is all relative - and, quite often, good people are good people wherever you find them. The jewel - I don't know if it's for wearing ... more a treasure, I think. And I was thinking that it might have some kind of draw to the west where it belonged ... maybe part of ensuring that the elves end up in the right place. Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it. More, I expect, soon!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006
Had to giggle about the image of Thranduil and Galadriel forgetting their aversions against each other to see Legolas finally and happily married. It is nice to know there are so many powerful elves in league to help them and that Celebrían and Galadriel obviously acted in stead of Laerwen. Oh, and of course it was funny to learn about the wedding of Celeborn and Galadriel grin And I loved the way the twins took their friend away to distract him from all his worries there would be something interfering in the last minute. ‘Two ages have passed – and more – yet those of the Blessed Realm have much to learn before they can accept the return of Fëanor’s sons.’ That is only too true, you know. It seems the elves of the Blessed Realm are quite slow to learn and forgive and to accept they have to change and can't dwell in the past forever. Sometimes I wonder if they will ever reach this point. The meeting with Aule was fascinating. His gift for Elerrina I found touching, no matter what her father thought. And I had to laugh at Taryatur's horror about the idea of a Valar at the wedding of his daughter. He's truly not overly fond of any attention for her, particularly it is somehow connected to something or someone from Arda. The scene with Legolas and Elerrina in the woods was a wonderful end for the story. I enjoyed it so much and am sad to see it completed, but I look forward to the next. Author Reply: Thranduil and Galadriel niggle each other - I suspect that Thranduil admired his older cousin as an elfling and wasn't too keen on this elleth who always seemed to be in the way. But Galadriel is fond enough of Legolas to ignore it all here - and anyway, weddings are (mainly) female business! Thranduil copes much better with Celebrian, I think - despite her mother - as she's a) Celeborn's daughter and b) more feminine - keeping to a more female role than Galadriel. (Galadriel would never have married informally in the BR - she would have had the whole works. But without her parent and with three of her brothers dead - and with the endless inter-kindred suspicions, I reckon that, in the end, she would have defied them all to bond with Celeborn. The twins took him on the equivalent of a stag weekend. Except they didn't return with a stag! The elves of the BR have long memories - and they live in a place where change is very slow. That applies to forgiveness, too. Feanor did not return while Arda endured - but to keep all his sons from being rehoused seems excessive. They were not all equally bad or equally responsible and, short of them all deciding to stand by their father and refusing forgiveness, surely some of them were able to find redemption. But I don't think it would be soon. The elves of the BR do need to grow and mature a bit, I think. Aule needed to appear to round the earlier meeting with Yavanna - but I really understood what Taryatur felt about too much favour. It's rarely good to attract too much attention from the Powers. And it would be like having the Queen coming to tea - or the Pope offering to do your wedding. A bit too much. The glade took the story right back to the beginning - with a chaffinch singing. Only this time Legolas is not alone and is looking forward rather than back. Thank you for reading - I'm glad you enjoyed it. More soon!

thechevin	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006
I am so sorry to see this story come to an end I have enjoyed the whole thing so much and I feel there is so much more to be explored, I do hope we get to see and hear more of this dance not only Legolas and Elerrina, but Thranduil and Galadriel, with Celeborn stirring the pot for both of them. Celebrian and Linevendë doing their best to set politics aside and Taryatur of course who seems determined to make this the wedding of the age. I look forward to hearing more about the wedding itself perhaps from someone elses POV, Thranduil being a favourite. He is going to find this change in his relationship with his son very hard, and will need the support of his cousin The ending was so sweet and lovely I just wish it hadn't had to end at all, but will be looking out for more of these lovely glimpses into life amongst the elves very soon thank you for sharing this world with others Author Reply: There tends to be a time - around three-quarters of the way through - when I wonder if I'm actually going to be able to wind a story up ... but then I get to the end and I hate it! I really don't want to say goodbye to the characters. But you're right - there is always more to be explored. Some of it might make longer stories and there are some definite one chapter fictions there. I feel for Taryatur, really. He's going to feel the separation - probably more than Thranduil will. And it's typical that he would want to ensure that Elerrina's wedding was the best he could make it. I'm sure there will be more soon - Legolas and Elerrina might want a bit of time to enjoy their honeymoon, but I'm sure the others are wanting to tell a story or two. Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoy reading what happens among this group of elves, because I certainly enjoy writing it!

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