News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| End Notes by Ithilien | 7 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/14/2012 |
| And 6 years after the fact, I finally discover this story. I've read it twice already and both times, it has brought tears to my eyes. This is truly a superior piece of writing. First of all, what a beautiful story of friendship between one of Tolkien's greatest pairs. I've often wondered how an elf would understand time, and how Legolas had to face time in his friendship with Aragorn. You've done a marvelous job of portraying this understanding through Aragorn's perspective. Us other mortals really appreciate an insight into the elven form of immorality. Secondly, I really appreciate the deeper philosophy of this story. Mainly the way that you used The Song throughout the story to unite both elf and man. I've often pondered what Tolkien meant by the Song, not only in canon, but also as other fanfic authors have used it. It's a thrilling idea to think of creation and life as a song. But to think of The Song as love is simply beautiful. I think this is exactly what Tolkien meant by it, and hey, maybe he was more explicit that I think. It's been a while and I need to brush up on my reading... As for how The Song helps both characters come to terms with death and immortality...that is truly beautiful. I don't know what philosophy or religion you espouse, but I am Catholic, and let me tell you, this story really struck a chord with me. I've always nominally believed in eternal life after death, but it's much harder to actually think through that concept than simply state agreement with it. And yet you've made immortality about love, and how we will not lose our love in death. Wow, very, very insightful. A sincere thank you for this story! | |
| Michelle | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/15/2006 |
| Wow. Simply beautiful. The last sentence just slew me. This really was a masterpiece! The shift in Aragorn's character as he grows older and wiser is actually palpable and that needs a lot of skill. He sounds and feels different in the flashback; younger, much more curious, eager. And then later he sounds old and wise, like someone without regrets. Stunning! Also, I love how you portrayed the shift in their friendship. This is rarely explored in fanfiction, I think, but it makes for a worthy topic. And I follow you wholeheartedly in this. A human is bound to change and age rapidly, whereas elves tend to stay the same. And the idea to illustrate those two different standpoints through the song was a wonderful idea. Thank you for such a beautiful story! | |
| Nightwing | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/4/2006 |
| Here I am at last to leave a review, but I confess that I am somewhat desiring to back away from the task, for how do I leave a review worthy of such a beautiful gift? I'm not at all confident that I can, but I will give it a go. What a lovely, lovely tale. It was full of so many of the elements I love: friendship, sacrifice, love, deep conversations with real meaning, and a genuine scary action-packed adventure thrown in as well! I found many points to ponder as I read this, and they continue to beguile me after I set this story down. It is always of interest to think on how the relationship between Aragorn and Legolas might have changed through the years as the mortal man aged. Aragorn beginning as a young Ranger and a student of the Elves really, learning from Legolas, then they transition to warriors and brothers of equal status, and finally Aragorn as elder and king, to whom Legolas is now seeming the younger of the two in many ways. I have always been curious if elves change much after reaching adulthood. Do they accumulate wisdom as mortals do (or as we hope we do), or is it a much slower process for them? I know they grow weary as change rushes past them and leaves them behind, but how do they change themselves? Perhaps they do not, or cannot, and so it becomes increasingly difficult for them as time marches on. I sometimes find it distressing to see the changes in the mirror, but the same changes are occurring in the faces of my friends and loved ones, and that helps. It is clear that we are all on the journey toward death together. Each of us will reach the same place in the end, though our arrivals may be at different times. But in this friendship, Elf and Man are on the same path for only a short time, and then they must part. What pain this must cause to them both. I appreciated your exploration of the Song, and the vastly different way in which the two companions interpret and enjoy it. That the Elves prefer to hear it in all its slow, stable, constant majesty is comforting to them, but to feel it is something almost painful because it is then that they notice the speed of the Song... this is fascinating. And Aragorn knows he would not care for the preferred Elven way of appreciating the Song, because it would be ponderous and boring; it is the changes and the quicker pace that he can appreciate. Umm, WOW, for lack of a more eloquent way of putting my awe of what you have done here. You've got such a deep, intelligent understanding of Elves and Men and their profound differences. Song as a metaphor for life and for the passage of time is just as profound and beautiful, if not more, than that of the River. And now you have also used it for love. I think I've told you before that no one else holds a candle to you when you put thought, really deep thought, into explorations of friendship, love, life and death. You pierce right to the heart of things with such eloquence and breathtaking words that all I can do is fall on my knees right now. The last several paragraphs were just exquisite, and when I am in need of comfort when the world and its mysteries get me down, I will turn to the final words of this story. They are every bit as powerful and comforting as anything I have read in the great books. No. In truth, they are more so. Thank you. It is an honor knowing you, Lady Ithilien. --Nightwing Author Reply: The honor is mine. What an amazing review! It meant so much to me! Thank you! To be honest, the conversation between Aragorn and Legolas reminded me of many an email you and I have sent back and forth to each other. This story is merely me trying to explain my faith in what comes after to you. The real message, that love comes with you, is what I wanted you to hear. I know you have doubts and fears, but I feel certain that the love will continue even if our memories do not. Of course, it's rather distressing that it was the occassion of your birthday that I chose to explore these ideas on. You will forgive me, I know. It was my birthday too, thus getting older was at the fore of my mind. But hopefully, it was not too disturbing a picture. I hate that I must age, but I have to accept it, just like you. Aragorn seems to have embraced the changes that have occurred to him, and I liked that aspect of the story. He is not battling them anymore. I guess that is what he is trying to tell Legolas. He doesn't see a point in playing a part he no longer can play. To be honest, I had to think about my MIL when I put that part of the story together. Not that I'm equating her to Aragorn. NO WAY! But her argument might have been one of "Enough already!" with reason lying there for her to walk away. However, the similarity begins and ends there. Aragorn hasn't given in to death, whereas my MIL...well, you know. Aragorn is the one to be admired here. He is at a point where he is preparing himself for death. I don't think he will surrender to it easily, but I think he has found peace with it. He has watched it breathe its putrid breath on those he holds dear, and he found it lacking. It could not claim the one thing he fears losing. Death cannot take away how much he loves them. No, the truth is, Iluvatar made death just as much as He made life. And the singsong part of this is that if He made both, shouldn't both be equally experienced? Not that I relish the idea of dying, but if I can accept the beauty in one, why not the other? Yin and Yang. Balance and counterbalance. And between them, there is still the circle in which they move. That, as I see it, is Love. Hugs, Ithilien | |
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/2/2006 |
| LOVED THIS STORY! MORE, PLEASE. Author Reply: Thank you. I'll try. But you should also know I've taken on a new penname, Anarithilien (or sometimes Anarien) and I am writing mostly under that name now. You can find my latest story, Dark Forest, over at www.fanfiction.net under the Anarithilien name. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/31/2006 |
| I did enjoy this! It is great to see Legolas's desire to resist the passage of time - and Aragorn going from so much younger to so much older than his friend in some ways. The flashback scene was beautifully done - both the discussions and the action. I think they have come to some understanding of each other - but oh this is going to be a hard separation for them. Not like death in battle at all, but a division that requires understanding of something that is incomprehensible. Beautifully written story. Author Reply: Thank you! I had to laugh that my Aragorn muse, even in his young days, aspired to die as an old man. It seemed so un-warriorlike of him. Yet I had to think, were you to live day in and day out in battle scenarios, nothing would seem nicer than retiring in peace and living a full, ripe life. Were it Boromir speaking, I'm certain he would have preferred a warrior's death. Still, it is strange how these characters sometimes speak on their own. I think in the end of this story, Legolas understood that Aragorn was nearing death. It would have been difficult for him, but the message the elf was sending was the one Aragorn gave him in the beginning... life does not cease just because our physical forms fade. So long as we are One with the Song, we will live in everything we love. Or something like that. | |
| Lamiel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/30/2006 |
| What a rich and varied tale this is, part philosophical musing, part action/adventure and with a touch of hurt/comfort thrown in. Oh, you give us the best treats. Aragorn's voice sets the tone for this story. He speaks as an elder statesman, calm, thoughtful. Even in times of crisis -- the spider attack, Legolas' succumbing to the poison -- we see the panic he experienced, but still there is the filter of his eyes, his memory and the knowledge he has gained since that time. I think this helps to smooth the transitions between the action scenes and the philosophical discussion. You give a lovely exploration of the meaning of Iluvatar's Song in this fic, and how it might be differently perceived by mortals and Elves. I think it fascinating that Legolas can feel the Song as mortals do, but prefers to hear the slower, eternal 'melody' instead. I wonder, as his friendships with Aragorn and Gimli and the rest of the Fellowship developed, did he feel the Song more and more? That would be in keeping with Thundera's thoughts on the subject. And you tie into this idea beautifully after Legolas is attacked. "This is what death feels like," -- that sent chills down my spine. Aragorn's attempt to sing Legolas' song, using every possible means he could think of, even if it were beyond his skill, is just heartwrenching. And the final circling round back to Aragorn's preparation for death gives the perfect capstone to this entire piece. The depth of love that he feels for Legolas is just beautiful. Masterfully done. Thank you! Author Reply: Oh, you have no idea how much it delights me that you enjoyed this story. Yes, I thought for sure there would be elements you liked, especially the pain/comfort moments! I am so glad Aragorn's voice came through. It was the first time I've written in a first person perspective so I was a little leery going into it, but honestly, it was a lot of fun. I could be a bit omniscient because of the hindsight aspect of telling. More expressly, I'm glad you liked how the story circled around on itself. I love it when beginning comes together with end in stories and in life. I almost look for closures like these in RL. In this case, it fits with the Zen-ish relationship this story paints (everything repeats, yet we have the opportunity to improve on what we have learned so that we might perfect ourselves). I've pondered too the aging of elves and how they perceive Iluvatar's song. To me their greatest flaw is their inability to meld to change, thus their growing isolationism with each Age -- at least that is how I read it. I often wonder what their lives might be like if only they could adapt. Legolas is my one hold out among their race that DOES adapt and change, at least as I try to write him. To me, had the sea-longing not have claimed him, he might still be living in the woods of Ithilien. We can dream! Thank you for your praise. It means so much to me. Ithilien | |
| Envinyatar | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/30/2006 |
| Beautiful and thought-provoking. I think the old man would have enjoyed it! Author Reply: Thank you so much! I do think it's a story Tolkien might have appreciated. I really just wanted to expound a bit on what he had already captured in his creation stories. My best to you, Ithilien | |