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Battle of the Golden Wood  by Marnie 7 Review(s)
NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/26/2004
Wow. Thranduil is gracious indeed. He sees Galadriel's love far more objectively than Celeborn can, and his words are worth their weight in gold. She does love him, but she is broken.

Celeborn's gift to Oswy is priceless - much like the proverb 'Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime' - he truly has given the boy a future.

Now I am on to read the end - and see how it is that Celeborn and Galadriel will part.

LyllynReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/21/2004
Very satisfying and well crafted. Do we get to see what happens with Galadriel and Celeborn? You have made Celeborn 'real' to me, so of course now I want to know if eventually they will reunite.

Thank you! This has been a wonderful read from start to (?almost) finish.

SphinxReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/19/2004
Thranduil's Little Moment in a fic dominated by Celeborn. Suprisingly straightforward - but of course, I have come to expect that of the Sindar. After all, he does so love to throw dwarves into dungeons.:)

But it feels like the story's about to end, and that you're not going to go all the way in ending it. It has been such a dominant feature of this story - the interconnecting POV's of elf and man - and the clearsightedness with which you allow us to see Celeborn through Oswy's eyes.

Sidetracking. The gift of the horses to Oswy was such a lovely part.

I felt for Celeborn, even more than I felt for Thranduil. What I would now love to see is how Galadriel speaks to him, one last time. At least, in this fic.

Sphinx, impatiently tapping her foot


SulrielReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/18/2004

Breath-taking and heart-wrenching. I especially loved Thranduil and Celeborn's private conversation, it is a wonderful glimpse of these two. -and of course, I'm tickled to see Owsy's new career!


BejaiReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/17/2004
Another exceptional chapter, Marnie.

Celeborn's anger was so genuine. I think that everyone has been there from time to time -- just absolutely burning with righteous, justified anger, and needing more than anything just to have it out, but then reigning it in because the object of the anger simply could not bear the confrontation. Doesn't make the anger go away; just turns it into despair. Another manifestation of the love he has for her.

Love which he doesn't think she returns. Thranduil's explanation was breathtaking. We'd talked of comparing Galadriel's malaise with human illness, of trying to explain her in a way we mortals can understand. And you did it, but also did much more. To show that it is as if Galadriel has been holding off mortal death for an age, with the strength of her will, the strength of duty -- and indeed, love. It works on so many levels. Her sacrifice to him. Puts their relationship in a new light. Perhaps the knowledge that she was willing to do such a thing for him will help him with his own sacrifice -- releasing her.

I really enjoyed the brief, genuine details, things not really important in advancing the story, but which nevertheless add layers of reality to the world. Thranduil and the jewels. The explanation of why Thranduil and Celeborn divided the spoils as they did ("the Galadhrim must have more land, else we starve." Where did you get that? So utterly perfect, so simple.) Thranduil taking off the flowers, "uncrowned" to speak to Celeborn of matters painful to both. The smell of the food. A new tooth in a baby's mouth. You remind us that the world is rarely full of epic moments, but rather is made of a thousand unremarkable details.

Enjoyed to the winding up of Oswy's story, especially this part: "How perilous is the Golden Wood! For look, did not the folk of Oshelm venture there, never to be seen again in the fair fields of their birth? Such victims of sorcery we are! The heart trembles to retell it." The sorcery was there, for all its benevolence. Loved your nod to that.

And one more chapter, I take it? I will miss this story. We are coming at last to the final price required of them. Considering the installments they've already made, I'm starting to think that the Valar are more than a little unfair. Well, perhaps not "starting" ;) This just reinforces my firmly held opinion.

Good luck finishing this off.

ImrahoilReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/17/2004
Thank you, you have just saved me from murder. I was quite ready to tear Thranduil to pieces because of the last chapter - well, Galadriel is one of my favourite characters -, but he is forgiven now.:)
Seriously, it is so easy to believe in your Celeborn and your Galadriel as greater, powerful beings, their relationship has such a depth of emotional conflict. And in addition a wonderful style of writing, a wonderful O.C. (Oswy's battle against the ring was awesome), a wonderful Haldir-Rumil-Orophin-relationship, ... To put it briefly, I'm going to miss this story.:)

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 23 on 2/17/2004
Oh, my, as always this was gorgeous and sad and glorious. The time of the Elves is over, although it does look as if Thranduil's people will endure for a while at least. And the time of Men is beginning. This story has moved me with every chapter.

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