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| Beneath a Gibbous Moon by Bodkin | 29 Review(s) |
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| Denise | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/7/2007 |
| This is beautiful, Bodkin! The parallels between the two chapters (ancestors/descendants, mists/wights, the massive impending changes) are very well done, and you wove in the bits of foreshadowing masterfully. Scanning some of the previous reviews, I must add that I also think a Legolas/Aragorn Ch.3 would be supremely fitting, and tie all three ages together marvelously... :) The only slightly confusing part for me (not having read the story when Ch. 2 was the only chapter) was that I started out Ch. 1 expecting it to be at night due to the title. However, the images of the blood-red ocean after Beleriand's destruction, and then of Elros washed by the light of Earendil's Silmaril, were both just perfect. I loved Oropher seeing aspects of all of Elros' different ancestors in the young mortal at various points in their conversation; and Elros' comparison of the Valar to eagles raising squirrel kits (snort!). Elros' request of Oropher to look after Elrond ties nicely to Oropher's participation in the Last Alliance, when Thranduil's opinion might very well have reflected that of most of the Wood-elves. I (happily) read the second chapter twice in order to catch all of the references, before we see who the two characters really are. Very moving and humorous exchanges! I particularly liked the bit about intemperate Wood-elves, and Isildur's reflections on how elves always expected men to stand watch while the elves undertook any action. No matter how bleak or challenging the future looks in either age, your quiet but firm underlying message is one of hope and friendship, and I love that most of all. Thank you for sharing this. Author Reply: Thank you, Denise! I should have pointed out in the summary that the first chapter was the new one - and then it might have shown that the title was actually attached to the second! The third chapter won't have the same problems! (Because, yes, there is going to be one. It's more or less done!) Oropher / Elros - in some ways it was the most difficult meeting, because they were probably least likely to spend time in each other's company. Although - random thought occurrence here - maybe that fits, too. Elros/Oropher - big age difference (in the barely adult to before-Anor-rose kind of way), not very well acquainted, probably not much in common; Isildur/Thranduil - both mature, been allies for seven years, even if they didn't know each other before, come to friendship; Aragorn/Legolas - friends to the point where Legolas remains in Ithilien and Middle-earth beside the king restored. The whole Hope thing makes a great tool - from Gil-Estel down to the child raised in Imladris. I'm glad you enjoyed this. | |
| Shann | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2007 |
| Hey there, I remember reading this the first time around. ; ) The added first chapter was quite good though, I'm glad you decided to write a 'prequel' of sorts... ~S Author Reply: It came to me when reviewing that Elros / Oropher could have had a similar experience at the end of the First Age - while, of course, Aragorn / Legolas doubtless had their moment at the end of the Third. (Which will come in due time!) Two families with a very long history! | |
| MithLuin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/4/2007 |
| I did not figure out who they were until we got the names, but I knew it didn't fit into LotR anywhere. Very well done, and great atmosphere! I see in your answers to the other reviews that you were considering doing an Aragorn/Legolas conversation and an Elros/Orophin one to bookend this - that would be very interesting! To see each Age end on the eve of battle, while similar (and yet different) elves and men debate. Elros was young, it is true, when the War of Wrath began, but he was nearly 60 by the end of it, so it's feasible. Author Reply: They could have been Aragorn and Legolas - at least at first glimpse - but they just have different characters! I do actually have most of an Elros/Oropher story written - although it turned out to be after the battles rather than before. If it only comes to a conclusion of some kind, it might get posted. Thank you, MithLuin. Nothing like a bit of encouragement to get the imagination sparking. | |
| Le Rouret | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/8/2007 |
| Wow, wow, wow. My heart actually turned over when I realized it was Thranduil speaking to Isildur! What a great twist! And this fic was full of so many good lines: ‘You had not before experienced the delight of friendship with a real elf – only those of Noldor blood who take themselves far too seriously.’ That made me laugh, and I was positive it was Legolas speaking to Aragorn. And this: ‘We do not stand alone – we are the product of all that has gone into making us. Blood, training, experience – we balance on the shoulders of those who have brought us to this place and our people stand behind us. For good or ill, we are their delegates at this knife’s edge. We do what we can.’ I just muttered, "Wow," after I read it. I had never considered exploring a possible friendship between these two much-maligned characters, but you've done a fabulous job with it. Bravo! Author Reply: Thank you, Le Rouret. Although I didn't intend to cause medical emergencies! I think Thranduil was lighter in heart at this point - even though confronted by war, he had not yet experienced the loss of his father and so many of his warriors - or the resurgence of Dol Guldur. And Isildur wasn't a bad man - he has such a bad press, but, really, who can be surprised that he failed to destroy the Ring? He and Thranduil - it is an interesting possibility. It made me wonder about Oropher and Elros. Or maybe, since Elros is a bit young, maybe Oropher and Dior ... I am delighted you enjoyed the story. | |
| Maid of Ithilien | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/26/2006 |
| Allow me to add to the chorus of praise for this story -- and very well-deserved it is too. The atmosphere was just right for the night before such a momentous battle. The wights were a wonderful addition. And of course, the main characters -- it seemed just a little off for Aragorn and Legolas, but I couldn't think who else it could be. The story is constructed so well as it leads us wondering down its path. Thanks for writing and sharing -- and thanks to Karenator for having a birthday to inspire it. :) Author Reply: Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wanted the characters to seem Aragorn / Legolas -like at first sight, but then ... not - so I'm glad it worked. The wights - well, the Dead Marshes are a very spooky environment, and I shouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out that there was something there before the battle ... The period before a battle - it must be a terrible time. Even without knowing the outcome, those waiting are aware that the world is about to change. Quite horrific. And birthdays are good! An excuse to produce stories - what could be better? | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2006 |
| Brilliant Bodkin - and well deserving of so many reviews. Author Reply: Thank you, harrowcat. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm surprised how much response this tale has had - but delighted by it. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/22/2006 |
| I was glad to see this in the second age.. and to see this battle of words between Thranduil and Isildur. That Isildur would think into the future to think that Thranduil would be there to see the end, however far off in the future it may be. The wights are well done too - tantalizing, teasing, trying to lead them astray. Thranduil is indeed far more than he seems.. and I like him lighthearted here - and we all know that some words do indeed became reality. Poor Isildur. Would any of us have done better? Author Reply: Thranduil is more light-hearted here - he has yet to experience the military disaster that it just round the corner. One that soured him on war and alliances, I suspect. But he is dangerous - and possessing a power that I think Isildur would find disconcerting. And possibly resent. Isildur is more accustomed to being powerful, I think, than Aragorn was (at least until the Fourth Age!) And less accustomed to the peculiarities of the Firstborn. And this will become the Dead Marshes - possibly there were these elements of an earlier power there before the shadows of slain warriors joined them in the water. I think Isildur took the decision he thought right. And it's easy to second guess him because we know what happened later - but it seemed a sensible decision at the time. And it's a shame that his whole reputation is shadowed by this mistake - because he did a lot of other things as well. But that's history for you! Written by those who survived it - and won. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/22/2006 |
| Wow, Bodkin! This is amazing! I loved trying to guess who the speakers were. Obviously, we were supposed to have to figure it out since you avoided naming them. And of course Aragorn and Legolas are the first guesses--and its fun to see th similarities between the true characters and Aragorn/Legolas. One can certainly see how A/L came to their personalities. That was great! But there was so much more to this story than that. So much meaning to their conversation. I especially love this: And will end in hope. Great story! Author Reply: I hoped the automatic assumption would be that it was Aragorn and Legolas - and then maybe just not seem quite like them! And there are definite resemblances between them - but the differences just begin to show as you think about them. Thranduil is - to my mind - considerably older and more experienced in the ways of the world than his son. And more dangerous, too, in many ways. Isildur is accustomed to ruling - and to taking command. Less familiar with elves, too, and probably less willing to take instruction from them. He would see keeping the Ring as his decision - while Aragorn would know from his education and his foster-son role with Elrond that the elves had a much better understanding of the long view of history. Mostly because they had been there throughout it all. The 'hope' line - it just wrote itself. And was so clearly right for their conversation! Thank you, elliska. I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Selene | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/21/2006 |
| Well you sure had me fooled. I love seeing Isildur in a different light for once. You don't read to many stories with him in it. It's incredible how you portraited to two of them, it's not hard to see the traits that we have come to know in Aragorn and Legolas. They are just enough to let you believe that this story was about them at first, but some thing were defenatly off so I knew it wasn't them. Great job well done Bodkin! Author Reply: I'm glad it fooled you! I hoped it would. Isildur doesn't make it into many stories - well - not much of the Second Age does, really. And it's sad for him - (except he's a fictional character, so I suppose he doesn't really care!) - that he is only remembered for not destroying the Ring when he had the chance, because he had achieved a lot before that. There are similarities between I/T and their situation and that of A/L - but there are differences, too. Isildur was more used to bearing authority, I think. Less familiar with elves and less willing to take advice. Aragorn had spent most of his life suppressing his wishes to serve Middle-earth - and had grown up in Imladris, learning the wisdom of the elves. Isildur grew up in Numenor in its last days, with Sauron whispering in Ar-Pharazon's ear. While Legolas can be dangerous - but not, I think, as dangerous as his father! I'm pleased you enjoyed the story. Thank you. | |
| JastaElf | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/21/2006 |
| Oh, to be thought worthy of such a birthday fic!! *happy sighs* This is positively brilliant!! *applause* The characterizations are SO very well done... and one can see where Isildur's famous descendant and Thranduil's adorable son received their parental imprinting. *g* Thank you for sharing this! It was really, really well done, and I love it!! Author Reply: Thank you, Jasta. I'm glad you enjoyed this! There is a resemblance between these end-of-Second-Age warriors and their end-of-Third-Age offspring/descendants. But differences, too. I think Thranduil is more dangerous - and Isildur more accustomed to ruling. Perhaps it needed the more self-effacing? controlled? - er - ruling-through-service? - I dunno - qualities of Aragorn and Legolas to pull off the Ring's destruction. Sudden thought - it would be very interesting to think about what might have happened had it been Thranduil who cut the Ring from Sauron's hand. | |