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| The Green Knight and the Master of Esgaroth by Le Rouret | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Fantasia | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/20/2008 |
| Well, I went back and read the whole story, I had cool down a little bit and I wanted to go back to see if I can pick the clues that you keep giving us and hinting in the replies to the reviews. I didn’t get anything. English is not my first language and though I live in the States, English literature & folklore is not something that I know very much, only the universal well known stories, myths and folklore. Why, I didn’t even know what kind of bird is a nightingale is (I have to Google that and ended reading the beautiful Ode to a Nightingale by Keats)I'm so frustated, I want to know!!! Usually, I’m good in guessing the stories plots, in stories, novels, movies, fanfics, etc. I even remember that when you started this fic, I said that Durfinwen was one of the lost elves, when you mentioned the missing elves in the description. My mistake was to think that we will have the Green Knight coming to rescue a damsel in distress; I never, ever, could have thought this outcome. About the rape, I’m not that surprised, old cavalry romances have raped damsels that got saved and married with their knights; the difference is that an elf should not survive a rape. But then, you have Turgon’s sister (don’t remember her name now) that was partially unwilling to marry Eol and didn’t die, because she consented, due Eol dark magic (hope that I’m not wrong in this). It made me suspicious that Durfinwen was shouting all the time that she has done what the Master has asked her to do, so, was she technically raped or not? This is all speculation, but I wanted to tell someone. Also, we don’t know from where she is, you said once that some believed her to have mortal blood, because she is a little different that the other elves, you even say that she is beautiful, but not like the other ones, with her chestnut curls and dark eyes, also she is one of the most merry and witty of all of them (it is so sad, so sad to see her now) Even if this is dark, I love this story, it is full of surprises, (bad surprises too) and incredible well written, I can hardly wait for an update and I can’t take my mind away from it. I keep thinking and thinking what is next and what happened to those elves. As I said before, I haven’t a clue, don’t know anything and I will “enjoy” the ride and feel all the emotions of this adventure. I ask you; beg you, whoever is the master, give him a very cruel end. If is still possible, can we have a happy end? Before I forget, I recall that we voted for a love story between Durfinwen and Legolas. If this is a love story, I don’t want to see a horror story from you… I was thinking yesterday about all of what she said...eating babes, children and elves, drinking blood and all those missing parts of Belian and Melina’s bodies…and, how is possible that she is free, running wild in that forest, it is a trap? Did she escape? If you ever write an original story, I’ll buy it without hesitation. I read a lot, but few writers make me get obsessed with their work. Thanks again, and apologize for this long nonsense review, Usually I comment with my friends the books that I read, but none of them read fanfiction and my husband think that I have step back in age since I discovered the fanfictions in 2003. They are all fools…as your nightingale will say Author Reply: Good heavens, what a long, involved, and very interesting review! You have picked up very cleverly on a lot of my clues, and I'm pleased that they are intriguing you. I hope you like the conclusion of this next chapter, which I am sure will answer at least some of your questions. Thanks! | |
| Calenharn | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/20/2008 |
| I am glad that I am not your beta. I am grateful for the dedication of Nieriel Raina. The goings-on in this (and the last) chapter have to be among the most horrendous things ever written for LOTR fanfiction. Two chapters ago, I thought that maybe it was Kaimelas who would be the "character death" (though I still have a dim hope there). This is not discounting Belias or Melima or (most likely) Belegtilion, but we have not seen much (if any?) of them, whereas we are familiar with Kassah. Now, I am thinking that it has to be Dúrfinwen, for how could she possibly survive all that has been done to her? For that matter, I would not have expected her to have survived up until now - excepting that it seems very much that she is a victim of what I will call "demonic" possession. There are other possibilities, I suppose - the snake imagery could be phallic symbolism (which does not explain Legolas' encounter with Renna), OR it could have something to do with dragons and drakes. It may well be that there are still such creatures around; after all, Smaug still "graced" Middle-Earth with his presence until relatively recently. But Dúrfinwen's seemingly schizo speech and behavior smacks all too much of possession or oppression similar to Theoden's by Saruman - and what was Saruman, after all, but (at that point) a fallen Maia - which for all practical purposes is a demonic being (the same as Sauron). In that event, the phallic symbolism (which seems to have some "real" component, as evidenced by Legolas' encounter with Renna) may be some psychic or magical emotional/psychological attack. (And who knows (I don't!) - perhaps Morgoth's dragons and drakes were not so much "natural" creatures, as they were minor orders of demons.) I do not hold out much hope for Dúrfinwen's survival. Even if she can be released from the oppression/possession (and I note that Gimli seems to have some positive effect there, but not as much as Thorin does on Thranduil - perhaps because of the proximity of evil, and/or other factors), my understanding of canonical Elves is that she would not wish to survive the (obvious) violation. (And then the nightingale, which so far has been correct, speaks that she is "doomed"....) But there was that dream of Legolas', of Dúrfinwen as an infant... There are some elements in there that are intriguing (including that "pale ring" - NOT a ring with a "pale stone"), which have given me some ideas. But perhaps I should not say any more on that. Any chance of Legolas protecting Tamin's innocence after all that has happened by now (and is yet, I fear, still to come) seems to be zero - or close to it. Hopefully he can still protect Tamin's purity. (By now, I would see him fighting like a demon himself, to protect Tamin's purity.) As grim as this chapter has been for us, the readers (on the outside looking in) one can only imagine the horror/grief/turmoil that Legolas is experiencing (though you have given us some very nice little physical clues there). His command to Bandobras to no longer call him "lord"... *shakes head sadly* I can only hope Gimli can talk some sense into him. I don't know what to fear next - the finding of Belegtilion (dead or alive), an encounter with the Master and his army, or the discovery of some Evil which may exist beyond the Master? Please hasten the arrival of those hundred Dwarves - I fear that Legolas and his companions are going to need them. Author Reply: Wow! Your ruminations betray a keen interest in my offerings --- I am really flattered. You've put a lot of thought into this! I hope the next chapter (just posted) helps out with your ruminations. Enjoy! | |
| Ithilien | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/20/2008 |
| Holy Moly, Batgirl! What have you done? This story is getting more and more gruesome, intriguing, and perverse! Needless to say, I'm loving it! Wow, so many mysteries afoot! All I can think is that someone REALLY doesn't like elves very much. I have no idea where you go from here but am compelled to keep following, wherever you take your readers. Fascinating! (Have I thrown in enough superlatives to convey how awestruck I am? Keep up the great work!) Looking forward to more. Author Reply: Thank you! Praise from Ithilien is praise indeed. I hope you enjoy the next chapter! | |
| Cerencae | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| Oh. My. GAWD. You- I don't- I am speechless. What a chapter! Author Reply: YOU'RE speechless?! I'm shocked. Glad you enjoyed it (though I'm not sure your reaction really conveyed enjoyment!). Hope you find the next chapter ... satisfying! See you on LJ ... | |
| emily | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| i was so distraught over the last chapter, that i forgot to sign my name. basically from here on out, i'm just going to take your word for it that it's darkest before dawn, and hope that it will be well with durfinwen. it's too cruel to afflict such a delightful, jolly creature with so much suffering to not have her be well in the end (or as well as possible). and don't forget about his majesty the king! what's happening to thranduil and the elves and dwarves?! i'm trusting to hope, but eager and anxious to find out what's going on! Author Reply: Trust to hope! I don't usually write sad stories. This fic is about the worst one I've written, and I plan to wrap things up nicely. Don't worry, and enjoy the next chapter! | |
| annajane | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| I didn't know you would go this far, Le Rouret! It is very, very rough, but it is also tremendously moving. It's a mark of what a good writer you are that you can drag us this far into a world full of terror and sorrow and yet keep us riveted. And have it mean something. My strong sense, as I read this chapter and the previous ones, is that this isn't dark just for the sake of darkness, it's in service to something larger. I don't know what the larger thing is, but I trust you to get us to the "right" place by the end of the story (hope you trust yourself!). I have to admit, I've given up trying to read the clues and am just letting it all wash over me. Which means I am already - a few hours after my first reading of this chapter - longing and longing for the next one. Am now considering having a strong drink. (PS special to Nieriel Raina - I don't envy you right now, but am extra grateful to you for doing the vital beta work!) Author Reply: Thanks for your nod to NiRi; she's a superlative beta, and my chapters would look really silly without her help. Honestly, I had no idea the story would go "this far" either. That darn muse! She really needs a good, stern talking-to. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| eucalyptus | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| Ugh. This is emotionally draining. I am sad for all of them; Legolas for having to bear such crushing responsibility; Durfinwen for obvious reasons (how might she be able to come back from this, if at all); Tamin for presumably having his innocence so cruelly lost. This chapter, as with everything you write, has so many things going on at once, and I am enormously impressed with your ability to stay in control of each of them while weaving them together. And that can be extended to refer to the way the story reads as a whole, even though there is often a week or more between updates. It feels like it has been months since this story began, and it is the first of yours I've read as a work in progress, so it has been a very different reading experience, wondering week after week what will happen next instead of being able to click to the next chapter and find out. I really wasn't sure you could top the angst and drama of The Heir of Meduseld, but you have done so and more in this story. Oh! I reread a couple of chapters and one of your author notes said that you have a plot bunny for the next installment of The Green Knight. Um. AKLDFKDS. I will be there with bells on. And finally, have I figured out the nightingale? I have a few theories but nothing I'm ready to commit to. I'm also trying to figure out if Durfinwen's history with Legolas' family -- the last of her kind, came to them as a baby, etc -- is simply the establishment of a backstory or a larger puzzle. It has come up too many times now (which ultimately I love because Durfinwen is a favourite of mine). And there's also the issue of Tamin's moonstone pendant and the way the Master and the Master's Master (?) and its minions are terrified of dwarfs. Best of luck with the next chapter -- I'll be checking the story obsessively for an update! Author Reply: If you can figure out the nightingale, I will be REALLY impressed! I'm so glad you're finding this story so intriguing. It's definitely been a challenge to write, even moreso than "Heir of Meduseld," which primarily dealt with "normal" angst. (Even the "ghosts of Fangorn" were flesh and blood.) I'm not sure why my muse has seen fit to punish me with this particularly vicious plot bunny, but it's been a wild ride, and we're not done yet! Thanks for reviewing, and enjoy the next chapter! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| Oh, dreadful! What *IS* Malbeach? I've had some horrible suspicions, but now I realize it's all right out of my reckoning, and much worse than *ANYTHING* I could guess... Author Reply: Ah! But should you be asking, "What is Malbeach?" or, "WHY is Malbeach?" Enjoy the next chapter! | |
| Nieriel Raina | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| I usually reread the chapter when you post it. I did not do that this time. Hope you don't mind. ;) This chapter was shocking, horrific, bone chilling, heart stopping, angst. I wept for them all. So broken, damaged and I fear there is much to come. Someone or something needs to die and die badly. Whatever the force behind all this (I fear it goes well past a mere mortal man dabbling in magic), I can't wait for our heroes to whip it and whip it good. Shred, pulverize, PUREE!!! That said, this was some incredible writing. The reader can see it all, feel with the characters and ache with them. It takes a talented author to pull a reader into a story where they can't look away no matter how much they wish to do so. Now, about Durfinwen... Where did you live again? :) | |
| Calenlass Greenleaf | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2008 |
| Eek. That was intense--very intense. Bloody good writing, too. ~Cal Author Reply: Thank you - I hope you enjoy the next chapter; I've just posted it! | |