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Farewell by jenolas	7 Review(s)
Kalima	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/1/2004
Angst indeed. Yes. It made me weepy (again!) and I hesitate to print it for my daughter who loves the LOTR fanfics (I usually print her anything not too sexy). It was very well done, though, so I didn't hesitate to read it because it came from you. For a minute there, I wondered if you were going to say that Aragorn was dying of smoke-induced cancer! Sweet vignette. Good stuff. Author Reply: I imagine this was a very sad and bittersweet time for both Legolas and Aragorn, both witnessing the ending of an Age, in fact. Not all stories there are to be told are happy ones. I am really delighted that you find my fics to be suitable for your daughter, but I must be honest with you and say I do write stories suitable only for adults as well, but none are archived on this lovely family oriented site because the content is well outside the guidelines. Aragorn with lung cancer? No, but I think Legolas might have been the first in recorded history (tongue firmly in cheek) to be concerned about being a passive smoker at times during the quest!

Galimeril	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/31/2004
Tear, Sob, Sob, Sob Ohhh! So sad, but very well written. Simple, yet elegant. Almost elvish! Great job! Galimeril ;D Author Reply: I like that..almost Elvish! Thanks so much.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/30/2004
I do love the way you write the friendship between these two. They’re so attuned to one another and the strength of their bond comes across beautifully. I really like the opening paragraph. I think it really portrays the carefree spirit of the elves, which is a joy to see but I particularly like the idea that Aragorn has been here many times before and is welcomed so warmly. I get the impression that Legolas knew immediately why Aragorn had come but was waiting until he felt comfortable enough to speak his mind. There’s the sense too that Legolas dreads the painful moment and almost wishes that they didn’t have to have this discussion but out of love for his friend is willing to allow him to voice his thoughts. What a heart-warming thought. Btw, I love this sentence “The way the light of Ithil’s fullness illuminated the wisps of grey coloured smoke that rose lazily from Aragorn’s pipe into the cool night air had a beauty of its own and the elf watched in fascination as the tendrils at first spiralled upwards, losing form as the smoke slowly dissipated until finally nothing was left but the vague irritation to his sensitive sense of smell.” There’s something very hypnotic about it. As always you use language so skilfully and I can just picture the two friends sitting in silence, Legolas trying to steer away from the smoke of Aragorn’s pipe but still drawn towards it as though seeing it for the first time, in the way that Aragorn’s appearance is suddenly clear to him now. How sad that moment of clarity is. I don’t think Legolas only just realises that Aragorn has aged - it comes across as though he knew time was catching up with his friend and that the moment of parting would soon come but there seems to be the suggestion that this is the really the first time that he looked at Aragorn, that he was forced to see what he knew was there. I thought that was so touching. Their discussion was really interesting. Like Aragorn, I think that Legolas’ sentence “For claiming Ilúvatar’s gift as is your right?” really showed as much understanding of the fate of Men as any elf could have and acceptance of the fact that no matter how much he loves Aragorn, this is the next step that he must take and as his friend, Legolas will offer his support and love. I’m glad you had that part about Aragorn regretting wanting Legolas to stay in Middle-earth after he heard the call of the sea. I’ve always wondered about that. I mean, we know Legolas stayed until Aragorn died, but if Aragorn were really such a friend, then wouldn’t he have let Legolas go? I like that Legolas tells him that he would not have gone simply because Aragorn commanded it – for all his teasing it’s probably true. You know, it’s easy to look at this and to see Legolas as the truer friend because he’s willing to let Aragorn go when Aragorn didn’t let him go, and Aragorn is selfish, I think, but only in the way that any of us are in wanting our loved ones to remain just a little longer. I can’t criticise that. Besides, at the end of the day Aragorn did accept the choice that Legolas made, just as Legolas is doing for him now. O.k., I’m rambling again. I keep inflicting random thoughts on you…;-) It seems that Legolas has a much clearer understanding of Arwen’s fate than of Aragorn’s. Obviously. I love the fact that Legolas has no fear of speaking openly of her death because despite Aragorn trying to convince himself otherwise, Legolas knows that the fact that she will be with him will bring his friend some comfort. It must have been very difficult for Legolas to have to sing a lament for the friend in his arms. It’s such a beautiful thought that his song gives peace and strength to the aging king and I think he offered Legolas a chance for closure too in this moment where he asks him to give voice to his sorrow and they can both say their farewells. The closing image is so tender and so very moving. How fitting that they spent this last moment under the trees together as they so often did in the early days of their friendship. This was beautifully written and a wonderfully insightful look at the parting of these friends. After all that has taken place in their lives and what they have achieved, in the end they are just two friends, united forever in love. It’s just perfect. Author Reply: I imagine that when the burdens of being King become too much for Aragorn, he kisses Arwen goodbye (if he does't invite to accompany him,which of course he likely does more oftenthan not), sneaks down to the stables and rides off to Ithilien where, in Legolas's company, he can simply be Aragorn, ex ranger and elf friend. Even an elf ralises that the passage of time has inevitable outcomes, and although death( from old age)is something of a mystery, Legolas knows and accepts that it is part of Aragorn's fate. I suppose he might seem to be the truer friend, but perhaps that is because his elvish heart loves his friends so deeply and unconditionally. It was the reason he stayed in Middle-earth, after all. I think your are right in that asking Legolas to stay, or not insisting that he answer the call of the sea, Aragorn was a little selfish, but behaving according to human nature, wanting and needing his friends close. By the same token, his last act of friendship was very selfless, with only Legolas's best interests in mind. Aragorn knew that Legolas needed a chance to say a proper farewell and was more than willing to offer it, no matter how painful to either of them. Dot, your insightful comments (ramblings? I think not!) are very much appreciated and it never ceases to amaze me how much alike our thoughts in regards to the characters seem to be. Thanks jenolas

Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2004
Oh, this was so sad! But beautiful. It is really sad to picture this time of their lives, Aragorn a much elder king and Legolas still young and suffering from the sea longing. Very nice characterization. Author Reply: Thank you for your comments, and especially for remarking on the characterization which I spent a lot of time trying to make believable.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2004
That was so sad. We all know that Aragorn died eventually, but it's strange to see him old and grey like this. Poor Aragorn, poor Arwen, poor Legolas. Jay Author Reply: As it is in real life, not all is sweetness and light even after the darkness was defeated.

fael bain	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2004
Wow, that was very well written, bittersweet, and very sensitively handled! I loved how you managed to interject some element of humour in the first few paragraphs about Legolas' dislike for pipeweed, but not spoiling the mood of the whole piece at the same time. I loved how you captured the fleeting nature of man's existence too! Well done! x Author Reply: In the sceme of things, the friendship between the two was only a brief moment in an ageless elf's life, but a very important one nonetheless.

Sadie	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2004
Lovely... I am always reading the things you write. These one is one of those I never forget... really. Thanks for sharing. Author Reply: You are most welcome, and I am delighted to know that you like my work enough to read my other stories.

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