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Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil  by Larner 6 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 78 on 5/2/2010
Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at it. What a risk we all take when we choose to love, but what sweet joy it is to have done so, even if loss is suffered. Gimli speaks of the same when he tells Legolas he had conquered his fear of the darkness he would face on the Road but had not foreseen that he would be pierced by the peril of light and joy. Such indeed is the peril we choose to embrace when we give our hearts to another.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Gimli's love for Galadriel is one I've always been delighted with. I feel for him in some ways, but rejoice that he found peace in his heart and was relieved of the prejudices so long held by his people for the Elves. Thanks so, Antane.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/23/2010
I enjoyed this very much.Yes, grief is the price we have to pay for love.

Author Reply: Oh, but you are so very right, Linda. Thanks so very much!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/21/2010
The relationship between Legolas and Gimli really did change quite a bit. And while it meant so much sorrow for Legolas when all his mortal friends died, I think his life was so much richer for these friendship while they lasted and long afterwards.

Author Reply: I must agree with you here. Legolas has had the chance to truly know mortals of several kinds now, and to realize they are in ways the richer because they are transient and ephemeral in nature.

Thanks so, Kitty!

ireneReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/19/2010
A clever little story though I don't like it. That's not your fault. I ever disliked Legolas' love for men - only hinted at it by Tolkien but established firmly in fandom now. His friendship with Gimli is extraordinary and surely doesn't extend to all dwarves.
Finally, I've always thought he should have been more interested in his Father's desparate fight against the forces of Mordor.

So, I'm not able to give full credit to your story.

Author Reply: I'm sorry you don't like Legolas being depicted as being equally a friend with Aragorn as he was to Gimli. However, in "The Last Debate" in ROTK Legolas admits he does much as a result of the love and respect he holds for the Lord of the White Tree, and in the Appendices Tolkien states afterwards he led a number of his people south into Ithilien to found a new Elven land there, aiding in the healing of Ithilien, leaving Middle Earth with Gimli only after Aragorn was dead.

As I must interpret these, it appears he was a friend to both Dwarf and Man.

I do not question Legolas's interest in his father's struggle against Sauron's forces, which were directed more at the evil aimed at them from Sauron's former fortress in Dol Guldur that he built during his years as the Necromancer than from Mordor itself from what we can tell. It was after those who'd taken part in the Battle of Five Armies were approached by Nazgul asking after the thief who'd taken a ring, a "mere token" Sauron wished returned to him as earnest of their willingness to please him, that the Elves of Mirkwood and the Dwarves of Erebor sent their deputations to ask advice of Elrond as the greatest living loremaster within Middle Earth, seeking to understand why Sauron would be hunting such a thing. This lead directly to the Council of Elrond and the formation of the Fellowship.

Only through defeating Sauron completely could Erebor be free of the threat of Rhun or Mirkwood of Dol Guldur, much less Gondor freed from combined threats from Harad, Rhun, Mordor, Khand, and Umbar, and Imladris and Lorien from the forces from the Misty Mountains, Dunland, and Angmar. Sauron was working to defeat all the free lands, using his slaves and allies throughout the lands of Middle Earth.

From what I can tell, it appears that Tolkien himself has established Legolas's friendship with Aragorn as becoming a leading reason for his future actions and decisions, including the choice of when he and Gimli left Middle Earth together.

I do thank you for your kind words regarding this triple drabble. I doubt that the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn much predated the Council of Elrond, actually, and was not likely as deep at that time as was portrayed in the PJ movies. But I suspect that the Fellowship of the Ring forged deep bonds among all of the Nine Walkers.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/18/2010
Indeed, an Elf's greatest peril can be something that only grows over time. The heart chooses its own brothers and kin. Lovely.

Author Reply: How well you have stated it, Shirebound. Thanks so!

FiondilReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/18/2010
Love for the 'other' is perilous, indeed! That Legolas is willing to accept that peril and its consequences speaks well of his character. May we all learn from Legolas' example in our own lives. The peril is indeed great, but the rewards are incalculable and will follow us into eternity.

Author Reply: Indeed so, Fiondil my friend! And I doubt he found he regretted embracing that peril much.

Thanks for the comments!

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