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For the Love of the Lord of the White Tree  by Legolass 5 Review(s)
NurayyReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/8/2021
This was all so very beautiful, from the image of the two elves on the balcony, to how Legolas painted the image and heart of his friend the King of men, the tender concern of a father for his son, and the deep words of love from Legolas about his dearest friend. So beautiful and so sad. The certainty that one day he would be parted from him, and from all his mortal friends he holds dear felt so heavy.
And how Aragorn did feel hearing it all; the last lines, seeing him with the crushed leaves of athelas falling to his feet like crushed hope, that was such a strong heartbreaking image.
But hope is not crushed yet... take heart Aragorn, he loves you too much...
The way you wove in the quotes from the book was just perfect.

Author Reply: This is a chapter I am very fond of myself. It not only shows the heart of the elf but encased within it is also the heart of the story. It explains Legolas' sentiment behind everything he does for and with Aragorn (and his other mortal friends), so beautifully expressed in the line from the book that I just had to use as the story title. Thank you, Nurayy, for your kind praise. I'm so pleased the imagery spoke to you.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 35 on 9/9/2005
H, will he leave... Aragorn's heart is broken on him considering going west...

Author Reply:
Aragorn will find out before the end, and so will you. :-)

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 35 on 6/5/2005
I know it sounds odd but I clicked on your fic and, of all the chapters, just happened to read this particular chapter first. I loved it. The characterisation of Thranduil (who I love) is wonderful, their conversation is very touching and the way you worked canon memories into it was very well done and added to the weight of the dialogue. I think I will read some more.

Author Reply:
Thank you, Elliska - it is a chapter that I am very fond of myself. Hope you enjoy the rest of it. I'm happy to have you on board, even though the end draws nigh for this story - just three chaps or so left.

Thanks for your review.

EnvinyatarReviewed Chapter: 35 on 5/25/2005
I have to echo the previous reviewer's comment, this was a beautifully written and moving chapter. You convey the love between Legolas and Aragorn without sentimentality, and a convincing portrayal of Thranduil is always a bonus.

I did recognise the title as a quote from the book, but I'd somehow never seen the implications of Legolas' decision to stay in the way you show them here. I knew that he stayed until Aragorn's death, but somehow never saw that he had to experience all of Aragorn's life because he knew they would never meet again beyond it. Ach, I can't really express what I mean, but you provided a new insight and I thank you for it. Off to read the next chapter.

Author Reply:
Thanks, Envinyatar - I am glad you noted the insights this chapter was designed to provide. That line of Legolas' has had a great impact on me since i first read it many years ago - building a story around it was the challenge. :-)

Thank you for the review.

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 35 on 5/25/2005
I think this is one of the most beautiful chapters of the story. There is a quiet and tender tone to it, in Thranduil's concern for Legolas, in Legolas' revealing what the sea-longing is like for him and his reasons for enduring it, and in Aragorn's reactions to what he is hearing. Reading it I get the impression that a great deal of thought and research went into writing this. I haven't read LOTR in a while; it was a pleasant surprise that the title of the story was a direct quote from the book and that it not only described the action overall but foreshadowed this chapter as well. (That's my take on it, anyway.) I really loved the imagery of the balcony overlooking a garden, of the sunlight illuminating the two elves' hair and the reminder that they are beautiful. This was just an enchanting, heartbreaking chapter. Well done. Thanks for a lovely read. ~TF

Author Reply:
Thank you, TF, I'm glad you like it.
Yes, a lot of thought goes into every chapter, really - but I really wanted to get this part of the books in. I had it planned since the beginning. :-)

That reminds me - i forgot to mention that these lines were from the book - horrors! better fix that quick.

BTW - did you notice there is also a chap 36? :-)

Thanks for your review.

Author Reply:
I wonder how many readers don't know that the title is a direct quote from the book.

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