Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

To See A World  by Nightwing 9 Review(s)
IthilienReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/29/2004
Delighted to see a new chapter! You know I adore this story, and waiting for new installments is a hardship. But patience pays off and we are rewarded. Glad to see that as much as Real Life piles on you are still true to your fans. Don't forget us. I'm so excited to see where this story is going to go.

I'm thrilled to see Legolas on the mend, but am also glad to see his recovery is slow and something he must adapt to. Blindness aside, no one who suffers like that just gets out of bed and is fine. Your past tense vision of his collapse (with mud in hand) was well told, and I could imagine his mortification at awakening being covered in the stuff. Taught him a lesson. Bah, stubborn elf. Go take a nap, wouldya?

My other favorite thing in this chapter is Legolas and Aragorn's easy banter. Clucking sounds indeed. Only to be followed with a running stream of "great-great-great"s. You had me rolling.

I'm not sure how he can do it, but it feels good to know Legolas can swing an axe. That skill might come in handy later, don't you think? Kind of like his ability to appear sighted. At the same time, I feel like Aragorn, afraid of the danger and what the elf might do to himself with that axe. I'm scared to death to go near one of those tools -- so afraid I'll swing and lob off a toe. Klutz that I am, I probably would too. There is a reason the hubby won't let me play with the power tools. But I digress.

The picture of Legolas running headlong into a tree had me giggling. Silly vision. I can see it done in a Monty Python-ish way too. SPLAT! *giggle*

But all the humor aside, you've set us up with some dread. Two riders are coming? Who are they and what do they want? Oooh, looming sense of foreboding. Cue the music, in minor chords, please. Can't wait to see what comes next. More please, Nightwing, more. Forget what I said before about patience. Heck, screw the day job. This should be your key occupation. Just give us more soon. Please. *wink*

EllyBagginsReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/21/2004
this is fantastic so far, and i really can't wait to find out what happens next! i wonder if Aragorn really does snore...

SofiaReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/13/2004
really good story. I laughed when they where discusing the cats name, among other parts. I hope the next chapeter is up soon!

MuinthelReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/12/2004
What a great chapter again....!
I still giggle with the thought of Legolas slaming into the tree and mimicing Aragorn being a protective hen. Imagening the two preparing everything for the winter like everybody, lets someone almost forget how they ended up there. I like it that Legolas still has pains. It is like a glimpse of hope. The blindness has a cause and hopefully someone (whoever) will be able to help him in a -hopefully- not to far away future.
I just love the way how Legolas tries the first time to not appear blind, and how Aragorn reacted on it....and the discribtion of the beauty of elveneyes. That really touched me and I read that passage a couple times.
You really got "nicly around the curb" (typical german saying) at the end of the chapter to bring so much tension in the story....for it was hard on the edge that everything was too smooth, too easy going. (I hope you get what I'm trying to say!)
And what a BAD cliffie at the end.....so can't wait for your update!!!

tmelangeReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/11/2004
Uh-oh! I'm getting worried...

Great continuation. More soon, please.

Kitt of LindonReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/11/2004
Since I didn't see this at Undying Tales, I could not help but to read this chapter here, and it is yet another satisfying chapter. Your gift of writing stunning detail never ceases to amaze me.
Legolas keeps trying to be independent but doesn't always succede...it is good that you don't write him as too super human, uh, if you know what I mean. He sticks to the 'if you fall off a horse you have to get back on' saying. That stubborness certainly keeps him in character.
The bit you put in about Arwen being too old for Legolas was a very good touch. Most authors tend to make Legolas as old as her or overwise make it not matter on their age difference. But over 2,000 years is really alot and when you think about it (even for an Elf). So I find it nice that you point that out.
Ah, and Aragorn snoring...it is a wonder that Legolas can stand to live with him. But you change smoothly from humor to drama with those approaching horsemen. Oh, I can only sit in awe of your talents.
Can't wait to see what happens.

LKKReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/11/2004
It was great to see Legolas' growing independence, Nightwing. I loved the way you showed him pushing himself to take on new challenges. What made Legolas' growing independence convincing was that he rarely succeeded on the first try. No one, not even an elf, will succeed at every new task the first time they try it. His first failing attempts made his eventual success believable.

In the world of Middle Earth, I can understand why Legolas would not want strangers to know that he is blind. I'm glad he doesn't plan to hide his blindness from family and friends though. Aragorn was right; he wouldn't be able to do so anyway.

This may seem strange, but in a way, I was pleased to hear that Legolas' head still hurt him. I hope that is a sign that perhaps his blindness isn't permanent. Of course, it could be a sign that things could get worse. But I prefer to be an optimist.

Horsemen approaching .... tension mounts .... I guess the adventure is about to pick up again!

Another fine chapter :-)

FadesintothewestReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/11/2004
Oh dear, just as Legolas got his bearings, men come to cause trouble. That is a mighty cliff hanger you have left us with.

I love Legolas and Aragorn's relationship- the bit about the snoring was too funny. I could imagine Legolas covering his ears, trying to block out the sound of Aragorn's undoubtedly loud snoring.

Legolas' mastering of the surroundings around hims is an extraordianry feat, and that he is mastering how to appear "unblind" to those who do not know him is amazing. And will probably come in handy really soon I suspect

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/10/2004
Pony is happy that there is more story to read!

The level of detail in your story is just completely engrossing. I do so love details. I am happy to lose myself in all the little minutiae of preparing a house for winter (thatch, netting, stones, all so precisely described) and of Legolas testing himself and regaining his independence. I appreciated that he was not able to do everything perfectly the first time he tried. The bloody nose from running into the tree was certainly not pleasant for him, but it did serve to show that life is still difficult when adjusting to a handicap, even if you are a gifted Elf.

Legolas shows a charming lack of creativity in naming animals.

The observations are wonderful; all the little notes about the physical alterations in posture that mark blindness, even if the eyes are whole, those are great.

The one critique I have about this is that you overuse the passive voice. As a general rule, active sentences are much better to read than passive ones, and all my English teachers agreed that one should avoid the passive voice whenever possible. Since they didn't agree on much else, I'm inclined to take this advice pretty seriously.

Return to Chapter List