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| The Hunting Trip by Ithilien | 12 Review(s) |
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| docmon | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/15/2004 |
| wow. what a story! I finished it last night (late!) and found myself thinking about it when when I woke! So involved, so well thought out. Your details were so consistent, I could see how significant each detail was as it was later used. And Yay! for the halberd!! I was waiting for it to reappear! And was the buck actually Kattica's grandmother, or symbolizing her? Perhaps as she watched over things? At least at the end it seemed so.And that ending! The culmination and final battle were full of nail biting suspense and terrific action. You did a splendid job of changing perspectives on a simultaneous event and yet keeping the action moving forward (actually throughout the story this was well done). I really appreciated the changing perspectives, as I'm always wondering what the others are thinking/feeling/reacting to events. You gave everyone fairly equal time, though I must admit I loved the extra Legolas time at the end. And he earned it! But damn, did you make us suffer with his near-death. There were so many near-deaths, near-misses, twists and turns in this story, plans going awry, betrayals GALORE, there was no way of knowing what was going to happen next. And that makes for a fantastic story. Your characterizations were terrific, and your original characters were so *alive*. Enough that I kinda missed a little closure with Kattica and family in the end, but you focused on the main characters then, and that was fine (you probably wanted it done by then!). Wonderful way to wrap up the story, btw, with the epilogue. Coming full circle, not only in the structure of the story, but in Legolas's path also. With subtle changes that showed that, thoguh they were coming back to where they started, it was also a new beginning. A beautiful scene that last one. Can't wait to read more of your work. You are a gifted writer! monica | |
| RiverSheElf | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 2/19/2004 |
| i have read quiet alot of the stories of Arda. Normally, i would not leave a review,just being satisfied with the reading of them. In the case of this story however, i felt this story should not be passed by without review. i am not really good at words of how i feel about a story,and,such is the case now.but,please allow me to say that i found this story-The Hunting Trip,the best i have read so far,and to you i will say: JOB VERY WELL DONE! i found it very hard to do anything but read on untill the end.also,thanks so much for saving my darling Elf,Legolas.(you had me worried there for a bit) | |
| Littlefish | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 1/1/2004 |
| Ahh Ithilien. I'll have you know that I am sitting here on the verge of tears. I absolutely LOVED the ending to this story. It was not rushed or simple, but wove in perfectly with the rest of this masterpiece, bringing the story to a perfect ending. Congratulations on a job superbly done! I must admit, it was a wonderful little twist you put on the plot when Gimli and the reinforcements could not get into the cave. I could understand why Gimli was nearly frantic with worry, seeing as I was nearly in the same state. Arwen's calmness was somewhat surprising, yet at the same time perfectly in-character. I do wonder, however, how much of that was covering up her own doubt and fear. I think the ending to both Bregus and Curtik-Bala was perfect. I was thrilled that Gimli got to be the one to defeat Bala in the end. And with the halberd!! I knew there was going to be some importance in that weapon. I also really enjoyed how you had Bala taunting them about Legolas before he met his end. That added some angst to the moment, and I am always a lover of angst. Awesome job! Oh, and the last two chapters were simply perfect. I am so glad you dedicated time to Legolas' recovery. After all he went through, it was obvious that it was going to take quite a bit of time and effort to bring him back from the brink. I greatly enjoyed his struggle against the spell put on him, and his friends' determination to help him. HIs somewhat childish behavior and temper tantrum when trying to walk grated on my nerves, but that wasn't because it was out of character. More likely, it was because it was very much IN character. I was like Gimli and Aragorn, wanting so much to see him better, yet frustrated with his sulleness and defeatist attitude. I was cheering Gimli on when he finally ran out of patience and yelled at the elf. His anger, combined with ARagorn's pleading understanding seemed to be just what was needed to break Legolas out of his funk! This chapter was wonderfully done!! Ahh, and then we come full circle. This was an act of genius on your part, Ithilien. Bringing them back to the tavern where the whole story started was simply perfect. I was already starting to get teary eyed when Legolas started to sing to them. When they asked him for another song, I was finished! This ending was beautiful. You tied up all the loose knots wonderfully while still ending on a note of victory and hope. Brilliant!! I am really sad that it is over now, and I hope you intend to write some more. You have a wonderful and in-depth understanding of each of the characters, and you handled them within this story in a way no less than perfect. Your interesting--if somewhat nerveracking--plot, combined with your clean and crisp writing style and your attention to details made this story spectacular. I enjoyed it so much! THANK YOU!!!! | |
| *~SuGaR~* | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/9/2003 |
| awww...what a sweet ending... sorry it took so long to get back to the story, got kinda caught up in playing the lod of the rings video game for PC...very addictive... ahhh...some good ol' Legolas and Gimli humour!!!! heh, i was nearly laughing thorugh the whole thing...and he's finally back!!! after everything that's happened, everything is better again! It's great to revisit the events and places that started it all, especially when it was about 48 chapters ago!!! the end was so sweet, it totally touched my heart... thanx for the great story =) hope to see more soon and i'll be willing to wait just as long as this one took!!! It won't be the same until then!!! Just like the Lord of the Rings movies...they have to make the Hobbit(hope Legolas is in it =) ) xoxox *~SuGaR~* | |
| Nightwing | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/5/2003 |
| And so we all sail safely into the harbour at last. Phew! What a ride, and there was certainly a lot of rough water to navigate along the way, for characters, readers and the writer herself. So I first and foremost would like to say "well done, Ithilien!" You handled it all magnificently. In the chapter, I admired your descriptions of Legolas' utter lack of interest in waking. He knew it would not be pleasant, and I fully understood his desire to continue to drift in his water dreams. Also beautifully described was his inability to feel joy upon learning that his legs were recovering. Horrifying thought the paralysis was, the psychological damage inflicted by the witches was the greater hurt. Poor Aragorn and Gimli. I really felt badly for them as their smiles faded into bewildered concern. They had not realized the depth of Legolas' trauma, indeed, how could they have known all of what had happened to him? Faramir may have tried to explain some of it, but until the elf woke, the full impact of the experience could not have been known. No doubt Aragorn and Gimli thought the return of Legolas' legs would be a wonderful thing for him. That section was very well done. I love the way you look so deeply at people's emotions. You are the best explorer out there, and you bring out so beautifully the many (and often confusing) things that make up our emotional lives: the impact obligations and expectations can have on a person, feelings of failure, fear of opening oneself to love, because in doing so, you become more vulnerable to being hurt. (Hmmm, it happens to us authors too, doesn't it?) And you took a wonderful look at how the placing of blame chains one's attention ever backward until the ability to look forward is forever lost, resulting in the death of happiness. (For some reason, a certain M-I-L comes to mind...) The emotion moving from Gimli to Legolas theough the dwarf's eyes as he bathed the elf's forehead was lovely, and now I know why he kept the red boot! I was ready for some complicated reason, but no, he kept it on just to see Legolas laugh once more. Epilogue: perfect. It was very fitting to see them in the tavern once more, and seeing Legolas acting with renewed confidence was a relief. And I just love it when an author gets into the power and beauty of Legolas' voice when he sings. It's one of my favorite topics... I've always had a thing for ancient bards and voices raised to the skies. The closest I can come to feeling religious, perhaps. Enough said, but I wanted to leave you a long review after such hard work and dedication on your part. Thank you, thank you for this wonderful story, and for opening your heart along the way. Brave girl. Rest you now, but don't stay away too long. Nightwing (sending carrots for your new plot bunnies to nibble on, but feel free to store them in the fridge for the time being. No pressure. They'll keep just fine until you need them.) | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/4/2003 |
| It's over?! I am so sad. I loved all of the angst in the last chapter. It was great to see my 3 favorite characters suffer. The all had a hard time coming to terms with what happened to them. The confrontation between Gimli and Legolas was great. It doesn't surprise me that the dwarf did what needed to be done - stun some sense into the elf. It was good that they could be with him during his recovery. Arwen finally conceived! Hooray for her and Aragorn. It was nice that something good came out of the trip. It almost made it worth while to be touched by those grimy hands. When Gimli and Legolas returned to the pub, I thought the same thing as you - they had come full circle. The night was what Legolas needed to put everything that had happened behind him. His song was well described and I wish I had been there to hear it. Some reviewers said this piece was too dark for them. I disagree - I found it very entertaining. Of course my favorite authors are Anne Rice, Stephen King, Dean Koontz and John Saul (and some guy J.R.R. something or other). I think it was excellent and it was obvious you had a plan from the beginning. There is no other way you could have kept this beast under control for the entire ride. Too long? No way. I will miss it. Great Job! Tapetum | |
| Capn Jak Sparrow | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/3/2003 |
| This was a great ending to a great story! Thank you so much! It was awesome! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/2/2003 |
| I do like how this ended - how I would love to hear Legolas sing! Congratulations - this was a long and epic story but you finished! There is a lot to be proud of in here. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/2/2003 |
| What a great ending. The visit to the tavern rounds the story out nicely and Legolas is himself again. This has been a wonderful journey, Ithilien. | |
| fliewatuet | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/2/2003 |
| *fliewatuet rises off her seat to give standing ovations for at least five minutes ... no ... better ten minutes ... or more ... until she notices she has lost any measure of time* That was a fitting chapter to end that story, nice tie in with the beginning. And the very beginning of the chapter was a most fitting way to describe Legolas' process of healing. The entire scene in the tavern was really moving, from Legolas' slight apprehension of entering the tavern in the first place, to his insistence that he would not be called Legless, up to the crowd's reaction to his song. And finally, I am relieved that Aragorn and Arwen are looking forward to the birth of their own child in the end. Though I must admit that I would have been much surprised had Arwen not conceived a child during their more intimate moments (... eh ... maybe a bit longer than mere moments ...) while being trapped in that cave. That said, thanks again for writing and sharing this lovely piece of work. Dare I hope for another, novel-length story about my favourite heroes? Pretty, pretty please? fliewatuet | |