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| Map of Tree by The Karenator | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| moonshine | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/28/2007 |
| I enjoyed reading this. It was very well written, and I hope to read more soon! | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/3/2007 |
| What a great conversation and what great characters! I love what Oropher says here both about living and about service--too right! And of course, all the more powerful given what we know the outcome of that battle will be. I would love to see Tree's follow up conversation with Thranduil. Great story! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/25/2007 |
| Woah! I´m blown away by this, KAren! IT is full of honest, wild, soul consuming pain and also with deep dignity...and a masterful use of language as usual. I confess that I downloaded it last night and read before going to sleep... and I got all teary. I do not know where to begin. "Hurtlands" is such a discovery! I love the whole use of geographical language (territorial planning is one of the things I do) and the countryfication of pain. I think I have lived there as well, for I recognized the roads, the sights and also the sighs... and it realy struck a chord. I loved the use of first person, and Tree´s careful and honest trip back to his own misery and shame. I loved Oropher´s trick, he is so sneaky this king, to thusly ensnare his friend and commit him to continue living when he knws he would be crying for death in the event that Oropher died and Tree did not.... And I really loved the fact that even if both are wallowing in self-pity, though in different ways, it turns out a helpful feeling, for their long acquaintance with hopelessness and despair make them oth capable of udnerstanding eachother and reaching a compromise. And of course I had to love Oropher's passionate identification with the Greenwood. I bow to him -and to your talent. So, so beautiful. Deep from the soul, I think, because it touched mine and rang true. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/24/2007 |
| Excellent story. I absolutely loved how you used the map metaphor! Oropher's explanation of what it was to be a king was one of the best expressed I have read. His practial advise about both serving and being served by one's choices was truly insightful. "...a purpose beyond grief." It harkened to both body and spirit, about being part of the greater whole, immortality and brevity, sacrifice and satisfaction. Moved by it, because of how you wrote it. A lovely gift to everyone on the occassion of the birthday of this site's generous queen. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/23/2007 |
| What a great gift Oropher has given Tree. I shudder to think how deep an abyss Tree would have fallen into had his friend died without having this talk with him. What resonated with me most strongly in this story was how Tree seems to rely on Oropher for his sense of purpose and direction. It made me think how strong military and political leaders throughout history have used their own charisma and strength of will to motivate their followers. But that's only half the battle - Oropher shows himself as an outstanding leader when he redirects that loyalty beyond himself - and gives his friend a lifeline that will survive him. This was a lovely character study of both Tree and Oropher. And Happy Birthday, Nilmandra! | |
| Gwynhyffar | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/23/2007 |
| Oropher picked up his cup, then pointed to where I had left mine on his desk. “There is nearly a whole skin left. Let us tend to it and start tomorrow with a good headache.” I love Oropher! This was wonderful, Karen. Insisting that Tree serve the realm and its people, putting them first, was brilliance. It probably also sustained Tree when Oropher fell. He couldn't go back on his oath. Happy Birthday, Nilmandra! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/23/2007 |
| What a wise Oropher - and taking the time to deal with the demons that haunt Tree at such a time as this is a perfect example of what makes a king a leader and not a tyrant. Good thing he seized the opportunity, too, or Tree would never have survived Oropher's death. Beautifully written. Very rhythmic and unfolding with elegance - and a feeling of inevitability. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2007 |
| I like seeing a wise and eloquent Oropher here. He really seems like the ultimate, ideal king, a leader that anyone would look up to and want to follow. It makes Thranduil's becoming the Wood-elves' greatest king that much more impressive, that he could follow such an act as Oropher. Tree is fortunate to have such a friend and inspiration in his life. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2007 |
| Thanks, Karen! This was a wonderful look into Tree's heart, as well as into who Oropher was. We don't see his hotheadedness, perhaps, but we see his tie to the land that we know existed in the heart of every elf. They are part of it and their lifeblood is tied to it. Thank you for this! Author Reply: Happy Birthday! Of course, I'm rather fond of Tree, and I enjoyed looking into his past and finding what made him the person he was when he returned to serve Thranduil. Oropher was in a rather mellow, reflective mood the night he spoke with Tree. I also think he was probably better at giving advice than he was taking it. Still, Oropher had to be a wise leader or he would not have been chosen king. The wood-elves might have been dangerous and less wise, but they weren't dummies. Perhaps Oropher's 'passion' was one of his traits they responded to the most. I wouldn't want to take away his 'hotheadness'. That was part of the character Tolkien created and this insight makes him a terrific character to contemplate. For this story, he had another sort of passionate belief he needed to share with Tree. I'm very pleased you enjoyed the story. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2007 |
| This is wonderfully written, Karen. The metaphor of the map is both telling and beautiful. I also like the way you have Oropher identify himself with the Woodland Realm. That was traditionally how kings were thought of, as you know. They were the head of the body of the realm. Oropher matters for his own sake to friends and family, but for the larger good, he matters as the embodiment of the Woodland Realm. A gorgeous story. Author Reply: Thank you, Daw. I'm thrilled you thought the metaphor worked. Oropher told me how he viewed his relationship with the Woodland Realm. He could not be separated from it. I'm glad that worked too. Oropher mattered very much to Tree for his own sake, perhaps too much so. After losing his family, Tree turned all his emotional energy to serving his king. Even though Tree did not mean to burden Oropher with his devotion, and I imagine Oropher appreciated his friend's concern, Oropher could see it was unhealthy for Tree to have so much invested in him. Tree needed a bigger picture, one he had forgotten in his struggle to survive his grief. I appreciate you reading this again and leaving a review. Also thanks for the beta work. I'll never get commas in the right place. Your suggestions were right on target. Think wine skins. | |