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With Hope and Without Hope by docmon	8 Review(s)
Ithilien	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/3/2008
I WOLFED this chapter down, much like Legolas did with his food. And then when I finished, I went back and re-read it, this time with more care. Needless to say, I LOVED this chapter! Loved it! First, Legolas's healing under Eowyn's care... that was exactly what I was hoping for. I especially loved how you wrote the attention given to tending his broken hand. There was no break in the narrative though there was definitely a break in the elf's consciousness. I found this extremely clever as this is how I have experienced faints myself. There's no pause in thinking, just a pause in an understanding of where one is or how one got there. VERY nicely written! Aragorn's healing was also well done, and I was so glad Gandalf was able to clear the cobwebs. More so, I was happy to see this reunion as our Fellowship comes together again for real. And then when Legolas gets together with all at the end of this chapter I was thrilled. I had to laugh when it was said not once but twice that Legolas' appetite was rivaling a hobbits. How funny! And the return of their weapons truly moved me. But I was, I think, as crushed as Gimli was when Legolas did not respond to the dwarf's apology. I think I understand his reaction and could completely sympathize, but still I ached for the dwarf. And the elf too. This is going to be a tricky bit of healing. The way I see it, the elf suffered pretty horribly... not just physically but also mentally. Very much mentally. The only thing he had to hold to while he was imprisoned was his knowledge that Gimli suffered as he did. There was some solace in that knowledge. But to learn that his companion left him and that he DID suffer alone, justified or not... well, it hurts. It hurts to think he was left alone to torments unspeakable. And also, in some way the elf must be feeling guilt that goes to a deeper level than can be seen on the surface. The narrative said that his eyes showed his wounds. Oh, such pain! As much as I was rooting to see the elf's wounds tended, his mental healing is going to be harder to attain. I think this is going to come down to Legolas and Gimli hashing this out. There may be some tears involved and even more pain, but somehow they have to deal with this. I have a lump in my throat even thinking about how or what must be said. But I am also VERY MUCH looking forward to seeing it happen. More soon, please. A most EXCELLENT chapter, Docmon! Author Reply: What a terrific review, Ithilien! And you read it twice! Wow. Can't thank you enough. I'm glad you got everything you wanted out of the healing scene. And I'm thrilled to see I did that break in consciousness appropriately, seeing as I have not fainted. So, taking it from someone who has experience, I'll say I did it right! I wanted to create some closure for most ;-) of the characters, and Aragorn needed that last bit of healing. They had to receive their weapons - as warriors, I felt this would be important to them. And how could I leave Anduril and Galadriel's bow on the fields of Rohan! You have a great understanding of what Legolas and Gimli are going thru right now. Legolas is just now learning he was left behind - he hasn't had the time Aragorn has had to accept and move on. No matter who you are or what you've been thru, it's going to hurt. He needs time. And as you so astutely note, his guilt over his own betrayal, as he sees it, fuels his inability to forgive, as he feels he shouldn't be forgiven. Geez, it sounds so dramatic when I describe it here! But elves do have a tendency towards the dramatic, don't they? I blame it on elves! Thank you for all your reviews, Ithilien. They are always appreciated!

Thundera Tiger	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/3/2008
One of the things I appreciate most about this chapter is that it pays attention to both physical injuries as well as emotional injuries. The Fellowship's experience is not one that can be shrugged away or easily dismissed. There is still healing left to be done, and you pay attention to that, which is great! And some healing kinds of healing is going will be more easily accomplished than others. Pippin, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, in particular, showcase this really well. Aragorn's had time to process Pippin's slip in Orthanc, and it's something he's more or less dealt with. An apology from the responsible party is enough. Pippin, on the other hand, is still feeling all the weight and all the burdens that resulted from his decision, and voicing that apology is absolutely critical. Aragorn's forgiveness can now start the healing process. But by contrast, Gimli is still feeling the betrayal of leaving Legolas in Orthanc, and learning about this now, Legolas isn't able to grant forgiveness because for him, wounds are just too fresh. Love this attention to detail! And of course it was great fun to have the Fellowship back together again (well, minus Frodo, Sam, and Boromir). Wonderful reunion with both relief and tension. I love your characterizations of not only the Fellowship but also Theoden, who is definitely a king. Superb interactions all around. Author Reply: Thank you, Thundera! I do like to pay attention to the emotional ramifications as well as the physical in the aftermath of a crisis. There are always both. You have the Aragorn and Pippin situation worked out perfectly. Aragorn's basically moved on, but Pippin's still hanging on to his guilt. And you've got Legolas and Gimli figured too, because Legolas hasn't had that time to process events. He's also still feeling the weight of his own guilt, which he hasn't shared with them. Unconsciously he feels Gimli shouldn't forgive him, and so he's unable to forgive Gimli. This story would never have been half as good as it is without your help, TT, so kudos to you! Thanks for the review!

Naledi	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/3/2008
I love your portrayal of Eowyn here. I think the bit where she is persuaded to put Legolas through the pain of resetting his fingers by Legolas saying he will not give the orcs that vistory brings out her character perfectly. I'm so glad they're all together again. While I can completely see that Legolas would have felt abandoned when he learned how he had been left behind, I hope this will not ruin their friendship. Author Reply: Thank you, Naledi! I'm glad you enjoyed my portrayal of Eowyn. And that scene where she is convinced to go through with the resetting is one of my favorite parts too. We'll come back to the issues of forgiveness and friendship - just stayed tuned!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/3/2008
Alas, I fear full healing for all of them will take more time than any had expected; but certainly Legolas suffered perhaps the worst. I'm only glad Saruman's where he can't hurt anyone else at the moment. Author Reply: You are so right, Larner. Full healing is much longer than getting back together and saying 'let's eat!' I did beat up Legolas quite a bit, huh? Perhaps I should keep an eye out for an avenging elf. He may have a bone to pick with me.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/2/2008
With every chapter read, I enjoy this more and more. While I do wish that Legolas could find it in his heart to forgive Gimli immediately, I do understand that the mental and emotional trauma of what happened to him is not something that will resolve simply and quickly. I think that Eowyn's needing to break his fingers again and his slipping back into thinking he was in Orthanc didn't help in this regard either. I admit that while I like your characterizations of every one of the Fellowship and the Rohirrim, I find myself yearning to know more of what Legolas is feeling and experiencing, and find those aspects of each chapter more vivid and compelling than the rest. And I'm normally not such a Legolas-centered reader! :) I like this Eowyn who is not mired in the despair that the canon and film Eowyn experienced. But the foreshadowings of something between her and Legolas do not bode well for a mortal woman and an elf destined to cross to Valinor. The tiny bits of humor that were sprinkled throughout the chapter (such as Eowyn's telling Legolas sarcastically that of course she won't realize that he'd been out of bed if he got back in right away) were great leavening to the great washes of more serious emotions that filled this chapter. It's an excellent AU and I very much look forward to seeing where you take it next. Well done! Author Reply: Thank you for your wonderful review, Rhyselle! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the story. My sarcasm, em, humor, refuses to be kept down for long, and so it shows its face on occasion. I just have to keep it from getting too snarky. ;-) I'm glad it helps the story rather than hurts it. I wished Legolas could have forgiven Gimli too. But often our own feelings color our reactions to others' behavior. It's really his own guilt over his "leaving" his friends behind that fueled his inability to forgive Gimli. But you're right, perhaps being temporarily thrown back into the experience worsened those feelings. I'm glad you like my Eowyn, as I haven't written her before. Perhaps your interest in Legolas's well being is because I've put him through the ringer! Thank you again for writing!

Estel Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/2/2008
It's been a long time since I last enjoyed such a delightful AU. -E.G. Author Reply: Well, I'm so glad I could provide such enjoyment! I myself hadn't been a fan of AUs before coming up with the idea for this story, so, I certainly understand (and as a writer, they're so much more fun). Thanks for writing!

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/2/2008
Great character! They are reunited at last, but not everything is OK between them. I can understand Legolas, he is not well and he is very emotional instead of reasonable. He too escape from Saruman without his friends, they need to talk, to forgive each other, Legoals was the most injured during the captivity, and now to know that he was left behind...I wonder if they ever will know that the orcs almost ate him alive, that is so disgusting and unexpected, that can emotionally change him. I’m sad for him, because he is linking Mirkwood with Orthanc, he doesn't believe that have a home anymore.. Love your Eowyn, strong, independent, and confident despite Grima and his plots. I don't see despair in her, so I don't know why she will be riding to Gondor, al least, no because her love to Aragorn...It is Legolas falling for her and viceversa? As long as she fall for Faramir in Gondor, they are my favorite couple, and the kiss in the wall my favorite scene. Thanks for this chapter and keep posting, you really surprise me every time with your story; it never happens what I'm expecting, so here I’m waiting and trying not to imagine what is next…. Thanks, Fantasia. Author Reply: Thanks! The aftermath of such ordeals is never pretty nor is it neat, so it wasn't all going to come together nicely! I imagine that Legolas's friends may in fact never learn the reality of his time in Orthanc, or if they do, it will be some time from now. The link between Mirkwood and Orthanc was a sort of nod to the awakening of his sea-longing, since I did not address that here as it had been in the books. A prelude to it, so to speak, to allow that to happen beyond the closing of this story. You are right, Eowyn has not fallen into so much despair in this story... yet. There's a little time left for some of that. But your observations are on target. Her frustration with the duty that always calls upon her is greater than her despair. Very thrilled to hear I'm still surprising you!

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 9/2/2008
So not all is well between Legolas and Gimli! It will be interesting to see how Legolas comes to terms with all this. It comes as the converse to the forgiveness Aragorn gave Pippin ... that was a lovely scene, my favorite of this chapter, followed closely by Gandalf finally providing release for Aragorn. Nicely done, both of those. But now to get Gimli and Legolas straightened out! Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Cairistiona! Yes, some things work out and some things don't. As in real life. I'll work on Gimli and Legolas. ;-) Thanks for writing!

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