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| The Queen's Orc by jodancingtree | 8 Review(s) |
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| Calime | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 1/21/2005 |
| Indeed, who is the elf? I wanted to cheer at Canohando's curse. The truth is finally begining to seep into his head though he is not quite aware of the full implications of what he was saying. I have faith that he will get there though. :-) I really liked his pondering of strength and weakness as well. Those two are never quite what they appear at first glance; are they? Well done! | |
| Rose Sared | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/12/2004 |
| Oh, they are so feisty and honourable those two. Just my favorite characters in fanric at the moment. Will Celeborn live up to his reputation as the wise? Do hope so Rose Author Reply: Your favorite characters in fanfic at the moment? Wow! Thank you, Rose! jo | |
| powerwriter | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/12/2004 |
| Grr...that Itaril is irritating, but you always need some kind of conflicting character in a story and he's definitely one. But maybe he'll redeem himself! I sure hope so. It's good to see that Malawen finally gets to be by Canohando's side again. Canohando seems to get more noble as he journeys on. It's so good to see! Thanks for the descriptions. I have the image in my head, and will try to get it on paper! Author Reply: Oh, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with! I wrote a sort of pocket analysis of Itaril in my reply to Meldewen's review, if you want to read it - I don't want to repeat it here, since this also gets posted on the site. And Canohando - yes, he's noble. But he's real, too, and he's being treated very unjustly. What's going on under the surface? jo | |
| Meldewen Ilce | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/12/2004 |
| Oh Jo, This story truly continues to get better with each chapter, though I must say I do not like Itaril and I will be very relieved when they reach Celeborn - but that's assuming Celeborn will live up to his name "Celeborn the Wise"... You know you'd think Itaril would have more compassion on Malawen if only because of his sister! Oh and I am going to find it amusing and ironic if Itaril is ordered by Celeborn to escort Canohando and Malawen to the Shire seeing as it would be on his way to the Grey Havens! Anyway, I anxiously await your next update! Author Reply: Thank you, Meldewen Ilce! But as for Itaril - psychology is such a strange thing. In some twisted way, he may hate Malawen because she survived an Orc attack, and his sister died. And he is so full of racial pride (what kind of arrogance is it to look down his nose at ELROND, "At least he had the sense to choose to be counted among my kind")!! I suspect he felt some secret scorn even for his sister, in the midst of his grief, because she had been "defiled" by Orcs. This Elf has some serious rethinking to do when he gets to Valinor. jo | |
| cuthalion | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/11/2004 |
| I love this chapter, and I told you why. I lovelovelovelove it. Author Reply: Thank you, thank you, thank you! To my very dear and precious beta! jo | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/11/2004 |
| This chapter really made me squirm. I'm not used to seeing Thranduil's elves as cruel like this, although I know the Silmarillion makes it possible. I just hated it that the lead elf couldn't see what was right in front of him. The injustice of it bothered me a lot! So I guess you did a good job. :-) Author Reply: Right, normally we think of Elves as being wise and good -- a bit stand-offish and proud, maybe, but nothing worse than that. But Thranduil's people were rather rough with the Dwarves, and as you say, the Silmarillion shows some Elves in a very harsh light. I think in this story, only Itaril is really hard and hostile to the point of cruelty; the others follow his lead and reflect their prejudice against Orcs and their deep suspicion of anyone who would willingly associate with Orcs. Erenu, who has the most contact with Canohando, is beginning to alter his opinion. But as the stories of Boromir and Faramir demonstrate, people are forever being faced with choices for good or ill - and I think this holds true for Elves as well. Thanks for reviewing! jo | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/11/2004 |
| The elves of mirkwood are moriquendi, dark elves they are named, and there is more than one way to interpret that. I am amusing myself by imagining how Itaril will be received when he finally does arrive in Valinor. Grief and long war excuses much, but I have seen some who react to tragedy with a grace and forgiveness of sprit that it truly astounding, rather than hate and vengance. I suppose vengance is the more common reaction, more's the pity. I love the image of Canohando and his Elfling, alone in a crowd of disbelieving and angry elves, creating their own island of light and peace. It is a wonderful mental picture. Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasy Fan! I had forgotten that term "moriquendi" - and that the Elves of Mirkwood are called dark Elves. Something I'll have to try to work into the story when they get to Rivendell... Yeah, Frodo was one of those who was able to rise above the desire for vengeance, and it's one of the most beautiful things about him. Much as Canohando loves his runt, I wonder if he will be able to put aside his anger over the injustice he is experiencing from Itaril. So far he has not had much chance to think about it; he's been too busy trying to protect Malawen. Thanks for reviewing! jo | |
| esamen | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 8/11/2004 |
| "He ripped the safe-conduct in halves and quarters, over and over until nothing was left but fragments of white, and these he cast from him so they fluttered away, settling to the ground like snow." Oooohh! No! Now what will happen to him? This is terrible, kind of like the Nazis raiding the Jews. "Yet in truth it was doubtful they even noticed the guards. Malawen huddled close to the Orc, spreading her cloak over both them as far as it would reach, and as the torches were doused and the camp quieted, they fell asleep leaning one against the other, well content only to be together." Really great ending. A wonderful unique twist on the traditional hero story -- who can be more of a stranger in a strange land than an orc in Middle earth? And he's definitely being transformed by the journey. This is a very, very interesting story. I can't wait to see the next chapter. Happy typing! Author Reply: "This is terrible, kind of like the Nazis raiding the Jews." I hadn't thought of that comparison, Esamen, but you're right - and it's the same kind of hatred, based on race alone. And it's not limited to Orcs only, because Itaril has little use for Men, either, not even the "half-Elven" Queen of Gondor. And yet, Canohando had nothing but his own honesty when he went to Gondor, that and Arwen's jewel. He still has the jewel - or Malawen does - and he has grown a great deal since he first met Aragorn. It seems like Erenu, at least, is beginning to question his assumptions about Orcs... I'm so glad you're enjoying this, and thanks for reviewing! jo | |