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Mardil Goes A-Courting by Le Rouret	13 Review(s)
fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/4/2007
Le Rouret Well, I really enjoyed this character very much., we have now the wrong girl, though she was his first choice. Then, Meivel broke Araval’s two legs instead of one, Legolas reaction was so funny, he has asked only for one, no two…, I can’t wait for you to explain what happened. Now, about “romantic” Legolas. I have asked you already to write something about that and I said that Dúrfinwen seems right for him, but I’m sure that you know better than us who is perfect for him, I will read whatever you write about the Green Knight,. Let me explaiin you what I mean for “romantic”. I’m sure that you are familiar with “Don Quijote” (Don Quixote-my fist language is Spanish and most of my references are form Spanish literature). You know, he wanted very much to be a knight like the old tales, to fight the wrong and save the innocent people. So, according to all the books that he has read, he needs several things in order to become a proper knight. He needs a faithful squire (Sancho), a war horse (Rocinante), a shining armor, etc… but first at all he needs to a Lady, a Fair Maiden, a sweetheart, someone that he can gives his heart and to inspire him (Dulcinea del Toboso). So you see, if the most famous want-to-be-knight of the world thinks that a proper knight needs a lady, who are us to argue that, to make this short, most of the knights have their Lady and most of their adventures are around their relationship, and that is what I call romantic. Hey, even Ivanhoe has Lady Rowena and almost Rebecca. And all those knights of Camelot… the Green Knight needs a Lady, Q.E.D.

Wimsey	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/3/2007
I think Dúrfinwen is interesting, but they strike me as being more like brother and sister than lovers. They understand each other very well, but I think if sparks were going to fly in that relationship they already would have. Also her position as being someone who serves in his household may make things a little sticky I think someone who is independent in her own right, perhaps, someone who is a friend of Arwen. She could be visiting her, I suppose. The medieval society allowed so little independence for women. They almost had to be widowed to achieve any autonomy or have inherited lands in their own right, which was very rare. The elven society seems more liberal when it comes to females, so it shouldn’t be too hard to be able to come up with someone who lives on her own means. They tricky thing is there were only four elven realms left, so she would have to have her own household within one of those. The books say Celeborn only stayed in East Lorien until after Galadriel sailed, then he moved to Imladris to live with his grandsons. So she could be from there. Perhaps she has decided she would be interested in moving to Ithilien and has come to visit her good friend Arwen to investigate it further. I wouldn’t put it past Arwen to encourage it if she thought there was a possibility the two would be good for each other. Your Arwen strikes me as a very wise and insightful female. She would do her matchmaking completely unknown and unheralded. It would be funny to have her be the only one who knew she had created the situation for them to meet. I wonder if the lady could enter negations with Legolas for a place in his fiefdom that would also allow her to maintain some measure of independence. Her insistence on maintaining her independence could be a thorn in his side, while earning his reluctant admiration at the same time. I would love to see a romance written that was very like the one between Harriet and Peter. His final capitulation at the end of Busman’s Honeymoon was one of the most moving scenes I have ever read. The last barrier into allowing her to see him at his most vulnerable, and knowing she would never use it against him. I also loved her decision to allow him to continue to investigate the murder. She knew she had the power to force him to change, to leave the messy details of finding a murderer among people they had come to know, people who were their neighbors and yet she turned from that path. Her assessment of women who took delight in trumpeting their power over their husbands was rather scathing. The knowledge that she possessed such power frightened her and she determined never to use it, once again the mark of mature and true love. I can hardly wait to see what you do with this.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/3/2007
Meivel is very brave to step off that boat - he's really about reached the end of his tether! Did he have anything to do with Aravel's limb problem - or was this sheer mischance? And Durfinwen seems to have reinterpreted her lord's instructions concerning Deniel - who is now to marry another! But at least Legolas appears to have his way ... Elwen has arrived to wed Mardil. But how will Mardil deal with it? I don't see a lot of difference between 14 and 16 - not when the groom is 40. And doubtless well-born maidens were marrying at 12 or younger - but Mardil doesn't seem to be quite of that mind! Perchance Legolas is finding elements of his matchmaking escape his control. As for Legolas-in-love - why not! Tolkien didn't tell us much about the marital state of most of his characters, but that doesn't mean they didn't marry / sail west / have kids and so on. Only do match him with an elf! Elf/man relationships only end in sorrow - and there's no need for Legolas to be fated to the rest of Arda as a widower! Or have mortal children. Author Reply: No, I won't let Legolas fall in love with a mortal - I already did the angstily-ever-after story and hate to be repetetive. And don't worry; everything will be explained in time! No one seems to be very worried about poor Araval though. What heartless reviewers I have!

tnt2b2	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
I would read any story written by you, even if it was about Legolas falling head over heels in love, or the victim of a set up, romantic or not. What goes around comes around. I enjoy all of your works. However, if I may, I have had an idea since reading the "Green Knight and the Heir of Meduseld", a plotbunny I think it is called. It is sad that when Legolas sails there will be no one to run Dol Galenehtar. Legolas needs an heir. A mortal heir, not biological, that can be left to carry on where the elves have left off. To keep it a sanctuary and refuge for all who wander. After all he loves children. A boy to be trained as a knight. Anyway, that is my little thought. I just hope you keep writing and I will keep reading. Author Reply: An interesting thought! I had always assumed either Galás or Tamin Rúmilion would fulfill that role. "What goes around comes around." Poor Legolas! Do you suppose there's such a thing as a Dating Service in Valinor?

NiRi	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
Ok, I thought about it a little more, and I realized that Legolas has already had the butterflies and infatuation type of love. What if he realized one day that love has snuck up on him unaware. Sometimes it's not all butterflies and excitement, but sometimes love sneaks up on us, and when we realize it, it is powerful, for it is the type of love Legolas spoke of, the enduring kind...and with it comes the feelings and amazement. Then I could see him flustered and confused, for what is he to do about it...and will she feel the same? I still think you should match him with Durfinwen. She could keep him on his toes. He needs someone who admires him as a warrior and a lord but has no fear of getting in his face when he gets out of line or full of himself. I still think you could pull this off like no other and I would so love to see it done right! NiRi Author Reply: ... I'm starting to get the impression you want me to write a romance ... You're right about the "butterflies and infatuation" part. I postulate that is why Green Knight!Legolas is so cynical about being "in love." However nothing prepares you for the sudden stumble into that wonderful and horrible pit, and I imagine he'd fight it for all he's worth. Dúrfinwen, eh? Poor girl.

Wimsey	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
Ok I am officially bugging you again. I have thought long and hard, about you writing a fiction in the Green Knight series where Legolas falls in love. May I suggest you meld together both of Legolas’ views on love. For what he espouses in Chapter 5 is what real love is, and I would hate for him to be snared again by the false rush of infatuation that caught him with the Infant. It is just that real or deep love does begin with a basic chemical attraction, and then expands into a deep and abiding joy. I, unfortunately, have seen very little of that type of love. It seems that most want the constant flush of excitement and once it wears off and the foibles that all imperfect beings have are revealed, it is time to move on to someone else, that provides another rush of adrenaline. It would be wonderful to have him caught not by looks or grace, although I would assume those would be present, but by intelligence and wit. And then to have the lady self-sufficient enough to not of necessity be in the market for a husband. She would need to have it proved to her that he was not seeking her only to provide children or someone to grace his halls, but wanted a true companion and equal. Perhaps she could have also been wounded in the pursuit of marriage just as Legolas has been. It would be nice to have her very reluctant to lose her independence. Then to have them discover that any relationship requires the loss of some independence, the catch is do you gain enough from the joy in each other to offset it. That would be a tricky story to write, however, I have great faith that you could accomplish it. Author Reply: Bug me all you like! Your reviews are very thought-provoking. I agree with you that most people have a very chemical view on "love." Having been burned, and admittedly having burned others myself, in the past has made me a tad cynical about the entire process. It is psychologially sound however to mark the timeline of a romantic relationship through that chemical attraction, across the hump of realization, and into the stubborn (and sometimes desperate) decision to love not because of, but in spite of the other person. This of course is the road taken by DL Sayers in "Busman's Honeymoon," as I'm sure you know. I think what makes Peter and Harriet's story so moving, and so evocative, is that it is a very real, very human relationship. They are both terribly flawed, and know it; theirs is a fragile balance between independence and dependence, grabbing and releasing, the Heart and the Brain. That Sayers succeeded in making these two difficult characters' relationship realistic humbles me, because I know I cannot possibly attain to that level of authorship. I'm not sure what sort of lady would not only attract Legolas, but would be attracted to him in turn. Dúrfinwen has of course been suggested to me, and it would be an interesting study; but don't you think they would only succeed in driving each other up the walls? Then again I want no milquetoast for our Elvish Lord; he needs someone with rebar in her spine to put up with him. Had I not thrown Andunië into Himbaláth’s enthusiastic arms I think she would have made him a better match. That's the trouble with these OCs ... I get so attached to them, but unlike Tolkien's characters, which are static, they get a bit out of hand! Thanks for your thoughts ... it's worth an attempt, then.

eliza61	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
Oh God I think I've split a seam laughing so hard Le Rouret. Excellent writing. First I think Meivel will be the first elf to commit kin slaying and possible get away with it. He is truly disgusted with his leige lord. You are going to have to explain how the heck Elwen ended up on that boat. I agree with your other reviewers but I think if you're going to find my favorite elf, he should have a taste of his own medicine. Aragorn and Gimili would make wonderful matchmakers, don't you think? Author Reply: Aragorn and Gimli as matchmakers ... oh, what a delightfully wicked prospect! The frightening aspect would be whom they chose for the Green Knight! Glad you liked it - I'll explain Elwen's presence, no fear! And I confess I like Meivel too ... his dialog is simply too fun to write.

Alison H	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
Ah, yes, have Legolas fall in love with Durfinwen, against all his principles and resistance.I would love to see Legolas questioning his own feelings and saucy Durfinwen seems the perfect companion for him.You're just the author to do the idea justice. You're married to an Italian? Lucky gal! Update soon. Ali. Author Reply: Yes, I'm married to an Italian ... it cuts both ways, you know. But we're working on Anniversary #17 and I haven't killed him yet, so I suppose we've achieved the right balance. Dúrfinwen again! Everyone seems to like that one.

Chris	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
Hello Le Rouret, okay after having read all of your stories as well as the rewies and your answer to those I have to agree with many (all?) of the other readers: your writing style is absolutely fantastic and most I definitely adore your stories. You manage to let us "live" through the happenings by your detailed descriptions and convey the image of an elven court and all its excentrics. To this particular story: It is funny to see, how Legolas' carefully made plans somehow fall through and yet not, because elwen was Legolas' choice from the beginning. I can't wait to see, how Mardil will react. Concerning a story about Legolas falling in love:I agree with Niriel, that it might be very amusing to see Legolas falling head over heels while trying to remember his usual opinion about such "frothy things" - as well as his friends reactions to it (like excessive teasing, perhaps). I could also see that happening with Dúrfinwen, but it is only a possibility. Looking forward to more of your work!!! Author Reply: Thanks for the accolades! I'm blushing in twelve different colors and six separate positions. I think the juxtaposition of Legolas' feelings and thoughts would make an interesting study. And another vote for Dúrfinwen! She'd certainly make things exciting, wouldn't she? On to the next chapter!

Amaniel	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/2/2007
I enjoy your stories immensely! You do such a wonderful job of portraying Legolas! As to a love story regarding him, I'm not sure what I feel about that. I think it would be quite a challenge. You do quite well keeping Legolas' character close to Tolkien's Legolas, but I'm not sure how a love-struck Legolas would play off. I suppose if it were to be done properly, you'd be the one to do it. So, if you do try, then I will definitely have to read it! Author Reply: You have just described my objections to writing Legomance! I cannot see Legolas as "love-struck," at least not the way Tolkien wrote him. Then again Tolkien didn't write him as a jousting, hard-drinking, party-spurning, Hobbit-loving Elf lord with meddling tendencies, so there you have it. I'll mark your vote as "abstained." Thanks!

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