Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Interrupted Journeys 9: Bitter Paths by elliska	8 Review(s)
Morn	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/23/2013
Wow, what an intense chapter. And the reaction to Legolas killing Demil was wonderfully put, just showed quite how repulsive it would be to elves, even Thranduil and Celonhael who have presumably killed elves before. I especially liked: "After a moment, the fabric of Thranduil's tunic twisted in Legolas's grasp. Thranduil's heart twisted in much the same manner. He looked over Legolas's shoulder at Demil. Oropher had led his family east so that no one in it would ever have contemplate such evil, much less...." Looking forward to reading all the fall out, and hopefully learning a little more about their motivations for all this soon. :) Author Reply: I'm glad it was intense! I'm glad you liked the reaction to what happened with Demil. There wasn't really a choice. Demil was going to kill them, or worse. But even so, this would be horrific for any elves, but especially, I think, for elves that had been the victims of kin slaying or who, like Thranduil and Celonhael, truly understand how Legolas feels, having been forced into the same position themselves in the past. That line you liked was a last minute edit. I added it on the very last read through before I posted. Sometimes those changes really work. Glad you liked it! :-) We do get some more hints at why Marti/Manadhien hates Thranduil so much in the last chapter. Hope you enjoy! Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/22/2013
I have to leave for my writing class but I had to read this first! I knew it would be here when I got home. Poor Anastor. The knowledge of what his father did has to have shattered his world, right down to his sense of himself. He did well in the fight, which I hope he remembers. I understand his desire for revenge. Lord knows, I'd have wanted to do bad things to anyone who dragged me, sold me, etc. But it's good that Legolas stopped him. Poor Legolas. Elves take kin slaying so seriously, and he knows all that history and saw the shock on his father's face. My favorite line here is the one about Thranduil's heart twisting as Legolas's hands twist his tunic. That's a really nice externalization. I also like the way Legolas orders the guards around. He's taking responsibility. Of course, the guards don't always order easily, witness their refusal to leave Dannenion to care for Legolas. I love seeing these competent, self-assured people. Legolas and Anastor will get there eventually too, but this is a hard way to learn it. Author Reply: Yeah, Anastor is really in a bad place right now. That was the first time he killed and he finds out about his dad. He's taken on a lot. He did do well though, along with Legolas. Poor both of them. As you said, kin slaying, especially amongst these Sindar, is so serious. Even if he was forced to do it, it is really horrible. :-) I also enjoy having a bunch of truly...competent is a really good word...people interacting. It makes for fun conflict at times. Thranduil's heart twisting as Legolas's hands twist his tunic. That was one of those last minute, last read through edits that I liked. It's so cool when they work. :-) Thanks so much for the reviews daw! I appreciate the so much!

c_belle_a	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/22/2013
Whew! Such a loaded chapter. I feel so sorry for literally everyone- even Dannenion! He should have seen his son hating him for his actions coming, but maybe not while he just lost an arm. That must be awful. And poor Tulus- how will he protect his son this time? Keep up this amazing work! Author Reply: I'm glad you feel sorry for everyone! That is perfect! Everyone is in for some major angst, so hopefully you will feel more for them as everything collapses. Everything everyone knows/has been doing can't stay hidden for much longer. Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/22/2013
Great chapter! well, it is time to be sorry about everybody. Poor Anastor, loved that he thought the Thranduil was annoying because he was too strict as a Father, but everybody on the settlement loved him. He has a different view of the world now, a very painful POV. And he is right to be disgusted with his Father actions. And poor Dannenion. And poor Legolas although, he is really wise for his age, he does understand the concept of Justice and Vengeance, probably better than his Dad this time. And laughing with Thranduil's fears that his wife will be there. And in the same note, poor Tulus, the debriefing is going to be painful, there is no way that he can protect his son this time, Legolas and Anastor will tell about the irregularities of the exercise. I really love this story. Thank you. Author Reply: Sorry for everyone is exactly right! Everyone's lives are going to be turned upside down by this. I'm glad you were amused by Anastor's POV of Thranduil. I couldn't resist that. :-) And Legolas is definitely showing he understands justice vs revenge. And has a cool enough head to control himself. Like Thranduil says when he's going to the tent--he just needs something to burn off his anger and he doesn't get anything. You are right about TUlus too. He is in deep and can't hide much longer. Everything is coming to a head. Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them so much!

picara	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/22/2013
What I really liked in this chapter was how distant everything was. Like Legolas seeming so stunned (I think you would be after killing someone, surely) and Thranduil figuring things out slowly. And poor Anastor. That really was about the worst time he could have found out about his dad! Great angst! Author Reply: I'm glad you liked that. I think taking something like this in would be kind of a slow, stunning process. Poor Anastor indeed. His world is completely changed. Everyone's is going to be. Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!

CandissD	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/21/2013
Awesome chapter! Poor Anastor finally learning the truth. I have a feeling he's going to turn out alright, after all. :) And poor Legolas, but I don't blame him at all- Demil would have killed them. Can't wait for the next update! Author Reply: Anastor really got a heck of a shock. Definitely a life changer for him, poor kid! And Legolas did what he had to do, but it still has to be horrible. Again, it would have to have a major impact. Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!

katrina	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/21/2013
Oh my goodness this was such an intense chapter! Legolas finishing off Demil, Anastor finding out the truth...after the cliffhanger in the last chapter, this chapter is just too much! I don't know if this was your intent, but I love how you almost changed how we viewed Dannenion. I always disliked him and thought him to be an ungrateful elf who put himself over everything (including his kids). Now, i feel so so bad for him, because he just risked everything and lost an arm to save his son, who now is so disgusted with him. It shows Dannenion in a whole new light, one that deserves pity and mercy not from the king, but from his own son! Again, great chapter! Keep up the writing! Author Reply: I'm so glad it was intense! And yes, I was hoping to make people feel a little different about Dannenion. He has been very selfish, definitely. He's figuring it out, but a little to late to save himself. So he's paying in a big way. He largely deserves it. But, still, it's really hard to be judged like that. I'm glad you feel some pity for him too! Thanks so much for the review! I really appreciate them!

Charmel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/21/2013
Ahhh...over too fast. I'm sad Legolas had to do what he did. He's having to act much above his age. Excellent chapter again. Poor Anastor, his world has been turned upside down. Author Reply: Legolas and Anastor both did a very good job, didn't they? :-) Of course, there is still the aftermath. As you said, Anastor's world is completely destroyed for him. And Legolas has some hard things to deal with too and killing Demil is only one of them. Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!

Return to Chapter List