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What's left behind  by perelleth 6 Review(s)
RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/2/2006
*Geez*, I just realized I never left a review for this chapter... I am having the hardest time getting back into the groove of things since the family trip...

I really like the drama in this chapter. Certainly not epic, perhaps a little domestic, its impact on Laeriniel et al is quite heart-rending. I sympathize with Laeriniel most. A wife is more or less expected to support her husband and family. She is expected to go where he leads her; that's the deal the wife usually has to make in their society. Their decision is only postponed. She is a princess and could still hold to her other obligations, I think; settling for visits rather than relocation. After all she has lost him to sea-longing and will have to admit that he will be taken from her by it, no matter what she does.

They are going to really need the Queen's wisdom and the King's understanding.

A terrible family crisis looms when the current one is abated...


Author Reply: Hey, take it easy! Coming back to RL after a short vacation is a stressful thing on itself!:-)

I also feel for LAeriniel, she is the one who'll be more deeply affected by all this. It is mainly a domestic drama, as you point out, and even if it apparently domestic also impacts on family business, we also know that Lasgalen will not fall down to parts because of the lack of one (or two) princes. SO it is more on how you manage change when you think you've reached the end of your rope, and how things which are apparently unfair and so painful may have some deeper meaing that is only unveiled...later on. :-)

It is always good to hear from you, Redheredh, and I'm so delighted hat you are still enjoying this!

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/10/2006
Well, that little announcement went over like a lead balloon. Legolas is certainly under a great deal of stress to just blurt something like that out into an already tense situation. This is definitely a family in need of some release. All the time and blood they spent surviving till the end of the war, and now they have to march away to yet another battle. They may lose more soldiers to broken hearts than to battle wounds.

At least the ladies still have their heads on straight. Mom and Wife remain steadfast and loving. The ladies will have a tough time ahead of them soothing the men and healing their wounds. One can only hope that the men realize this and return the favor.

Author Reply: OY! Apologies for the delay in answering!!

Thankfully the ladies did keep the pespective, and they may be much released that the boys are out there doing what they do best and releasing whatever it is they need to get out of their system against the orcs, since they seem unable to do it in a more civilised way...
Thabk-you, FP!

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/10/2006
Oh my, that was painful. Yet I think the king has given his answer, though Legolas might not yet see it. His demotion is not punishment, but reprieve. As second, the sea longing can do less harm than if he were captain. And Mallerg is indeed being groomed to take over, for Thranduil knows he will lose his son regardless if he settles first in Ithilien or not.

His motehr is wise, and his wife loves him. Thank goodness for their love.

Author Reply: Yet I think the king has given his answer, though Legolas might not yet see it. Yes, that's it. I think that Thranduil's position could not be easy by any means, either in the personal or in the political side of it. And he surely loves his children, and my! one of his wanting to go to Aman!

But he is a wise king and a loving father, and he knows that, no matter how much he dreads it, he has already lost his son, so he's trying to do things in the best way for *all* involved (once that he was confronted with it, :-)them, keeping the needs of the realm in sight. This must has been a great challenge for the king of Lasgalen!

Many thanks, Nilmandra!

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/10/2006
Wow! This is really sad! I knew when they started talking about the lands to the south that Legolas was going to come out with his promise to bring some elves there if allowed and I knew, of course, that pronouncement would go over very badly under the circumstances. And it certainly did. Poor Legolas. The Sea Longing is so difficult for him and he does have experiences the others in his family just can't understand. This really shows why it was best for him to go to Ithilien. I only hope he can completely mend fences before he does.

Author Reply: Yes, he was definitely changed..."in absentia." I suppose he could have chosen another time and circumstance to explain himself, but as I see it, it must have been too confusing for him, the sea-longing interferring with his ability to feel at home, the losses and the grieving, and duty, and it finally exploded when they less expected. Thankfully Naneth knew, and she kind of saved the day.

Thank-you, elliska!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/10/2006
I have to go out shortly, so I can't do this justice at the moment, but - oh, perelleth, that was painful. Poor Legolas - but equally poor Laerīniel. And Thranduil. And Borgalas and Mallereg and everyone else.

Thank goodness for Naneth - who is clear-sighted enough to see the problem and understand what it means.



Author Reply: Thank-you, Bodkin. It was painful indeed, such a mess! But thankfully someone kept *her* head clear during the conflict.

This is one of those situations economists call "the tragedy of change", which more or less means that it is impossible to maximize *all* variables at the same time. There *has* to be some loss of value somewhere, always, for some other variables to *gain*. (first law of thermodynamics, actually, :-)

It was this ridiculous formulation which inspired the story, now that I come to think of it. I was very bored in a conference about a year ago, and the speaker mentioned this "tragedy of change" thing very pompously, so I began to toy with the idea...

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/9/2006
What a pity they still have to fight, despite the victory and the cost of that victory that they're all still paying. At least Legolas's sea longing is no longer a secret, if it ever was.

Author Reply: Cleaning up takes some time, doesn't it? Much like when you have workers at home, and they do the big tasks and then let you to deal with the mess! ;-)

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