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My Dear Bandobras by Le Rouret	8 Review(s)
LS	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/5/2004
Ooh. I was afraid of something like this when I read that Laustarie had taken part in planning the tourney. But oh...not showing up, refusing to give her favor to Legolas, refusing to dance...Gimli is correct. This girl needs a good, long solid spanking. In my opinion, she should've gotten it years ago. I'd love to see what the Elves of Mithlond, Mirkwood, Rivendell and Lorien think of all this. More specifically, I wouldn't be surprised if Legolas' lady mother showed up, all in a rage at Lausterie hurting her son. She wouldn't care that much about the political insult as Thranduil would, just that Lausterie had hurt and humiliated her son in public. Even worse, something like this tend to spread far and wide--this is a very, very good thing to gossip about, unfortunately. So if Cirdan wanted to try to repair the relationship, I don't think he could pull it off. I agree with one of the reviewers who said that she thought that the remark about the Elves' having such cold anger that Lausterie couldn't even show her face at dinner was telling. Lausterie, in my view, broke so many laws of etiquette it's not even funny. The thing is, I think Lausterie destroyed all her chances at marriage when she insulted Legolas. Why? Again, remember what Gimli said--"no one would ask her to dance, especially after such a disgusting act of pique." That kind of behavior is something that sticks to you forever, especially if you're a elf of high standing. Which means no high ranking elf would want Lausterie to wife, for fear she'd do it to them. Or worse. Too smart for her own good, is Lausterie. Re: the slash thing? I like slash myself, but I didn't see any in this story. Bandoras just reminded me of a high spirited teenager who really, really wants to be back with the guy he worships and idolizies. So don't worry about it. Could you have one part with a letter from Mirkwood? I want to know what happened with Legolas' parents when they found out what Lausterie had done. And it'd be nice to get one letter back from Nardane's friend, telling her what Mitlond elves think... Keep it up! LS

Aislynn Crowdaughter	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/4/2004
Ah! Finally he did the right thing, the wedding is off. I feared, when I read in Nardanes letter of Duinfens hint, ttat an apology would save the union, that Legolas in his duty-boundedness would be blind enough to really accept one; but as that girl has proven, she has no understandings of dutyx and he could never trust her again not to dishonor him on a whim, not to mention they have absolutely nothing in common. I am very relieved here! Gimlis furious tone is marvellously caught; this letter again is brilliantly written. Thank you! I'd never thought I'd enjoy a story about "Legolas being bethrothed to a girl" so much!!! Aislynn

Elenora	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/3/2004
Well, you've definitely got me rivetted to my seat! While I had my reservations about how far things would progress before Legolas would "finally see the light," I did know he would in time (and that his fiancee's character, or lack thereof, would eventually "do her in"). But now while I'm intensely relieved he has finally seen the truth of what he's mistakenly gotten "attached" to, yet I'm also appalled at the heartache he must now endure...Legolas is such a forthright, honest, courageous, gentle, sweet, admirable creature and yet melancholy and sadness seem to trail him...forever hovering on the outer edges of his life. Even though I had no clue you'd be writing this story when I read the last chapters of "The Green Knight," yet even then I felt this touch of sadness when you wrote about his mother's persistance in wanting him wed...perhaps that's because we all know he never does and ends up sailing to Valinor with Gimli...and no wife. There it is again - so sad!! And I'm rather shocked that anyone has come up with the notion that you were "slashing" Legolas in this story!! (My jaw hit the floor on THAT thought!) Since your intent was to follow in the delightful footsteps of your previous story and write in an "Ivanhoe-type" vein, your use of language and the way in which the characters have interacted with each other have been most accurately portrayed. If someone isn't familiar with that style of writing, perhaps one might "raise an eyebrow" at the expression of relationships between male characters, but the way you've handled Legolas's and Bandobras's wonderful relationship has been entirely consistant with the "medieval" style you're trying to bring across. There is little, if any, writing in this style going on in the LotR fanfic scene, so your explanatory note at the end of "My Dear Bandobras" was probably a good idea! Regardless, I'm enjoying this story immensely and you've had me on pins-and-needles as to how and WHEN Legolas was going to "see the light"! Having such power over your fans should bring you a great deal of satisfaction, LOL!! I must admit to heaving quite a few sad sighs...poor Legolas! Such a beautiful, wonderful, gentle creature and yet so sad... See, there I go again! Elenora

Duchess	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/3/2004
Well I expected no less of a letter from Gimli and thank you very much for showing it to us from his point of view. g I especially loved that part where he admitted also that Legolas needed Bandy terribly and wished he could fetch the young Hobbit early. vbg How many other points of view will we get? curiously hoping for more I'd LOVE to see the waspish words traded about Laustaire between Arwen and Eowyn! Perhaps a quote in a letter from Aragorn or Faramir between the husbands? ;) LOL Wonderful descriptions of what everything looks like and I'm so GLAD Legolas has so much NICE company that he needn't put up with just HER for company this winter! Humph!

Ms. Whatsit	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/3/2004
Heh. Hearing the whole thing from Gimli's POV makes it that much funnier. I think I've guessed this before, but I suspect the sad part of this story is going to come from Bandy being unable to make it to Ithilien at any time, possibly through death or illness.

LOTR lover	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/3/2004
The wedding is canceled, hurrah, hurrah! The wedding is canceled, hurrah! So the little creep is ostracized, eh? Good. Everyone can see what she's like now. But Gimli's almost throwaway remark about the anger of the Elves "and his own folk (though to my mind their wrath though the greater is also the colder; it is on their account Laustairë shows not her face)" is rather chilling. I'll bet Laustairë will be made to rue this even after (if) she matures enough to realize the full enormity of what she's done. A wonderful letter, Le Rouret. I'm impressed with how you were able to tell the same incident in Nardanë's voice and in Gimli's, each letter with details the other writer wouldn't have known, and keep it fascinating to an audience who had read both letters. Well done.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/3/2004
I love Gimli's reaction. It would be most entertaining to see him in action! Unfortunately Bandobras had better not arrive, or the supply of most honest, least tactful letters will dry up.

	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 9/3/2004
Oooo she's stuck there through winter, smoldering and looking for revenge again because of the ill-treatment she perceives has fallen upon her innocent brow. No good can come of that. Poor Legolas.

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