Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

The Heir Apparent  by Mirkwoodmaiden 7 Review(s)
NurayyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/18/2021
*I meant Thranduil BOWING to Estel. not bending, of course.

NurayyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/17/2021
Dear Mirkwoodmaiden, I hope you are well. This was a wonderful chapter. A new friendship building, tightening so strongly in this short time. Short and intense it was. The image of the young elf and young man together was such a delight. They will have a long way together and I love this friendship so. And seeing their bonding from beginning is very special.
I loved Thranduil, impressive as he is, he is also vulnerable when it concerns the ones he most loves, and you showed it so well; his tender heart under the crust. Even it went to my heart to see how insecure he is under what people usually see of him, how he thinks himself unworthy of his loving and wonderful wife. You are showing such nice contrasts here.
And I loved to see Lasgalen in his memories, and what great personality she has. Here we really get to know her. It makes me feel so sorry for the loss he/they suffered.
Also the memories of the twins of their mother was painful. So touching. And they have this heartbreak in common.
I was relieved with them all when they found Estel and Legolas.
Loved Thranduil bending to Estel, delighted about his name. So beautiful. The great Elvenking bowing before a human boy in deep gratitude.
And how proud the twins are of their little foster-brother. I was feeling such joy for Estel.


Author Reply: Nurayy!

Hello! I am well. I have just finished my next chapter for "Reunion in Mirkwood!" After my beta edits it should be up this week.

So happy that you liked the chapter. These are the chapters I am referring to those chapters in "Reunion" I wrote the first 18 chapters of this story in fifteen years ago *slaps forehead...has it really been that long* long before "Hobbit: Unexpected Journey" was even cast and it is one of the reason I love Lee Pace's Thranduil. His portrayal is as I imagined Thranduil would be and hopefully have written him as. So much torment below the cool, controlled surface. So much pain and memory.

Thranduil bowing to Estel. This is the reason for the affection he has for Aragorn in the first chapters of "Reunion". Most of my stories tend to be written with the same timeline. All so they can refer back to other stories within the world of Tolkien that I have written.

So happy you are enjoying this, it means a lot to me!

Hope you are well!

((hugs))

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/6/2020
The Winged Crown, for all it was fashioned with the wings of sea birds, would indeed seem to be emblazoned with stars, I think. And now they are free, Legolas and Aragorn, known now as Estel. A wonderful image, young Estel receiving a bow of thanks from Thranduil.

Author Reply: Larner!

I think the image that sticks with me always where Elladan and Elrohir were fighting with stars upon their brows. That image has always stayed with me though I forget when it is from.

And I thought it was an fascinating idea to form a early relationship between Thranduil and a young Aragorn.

Stay Safe!

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/10/2005
One correction--the Winged Crown is not a circlet, but a helm, and the wings are not those of eagles but of sea birds, in token that Elendil and his folk came over the sea. Other than that this is a wonderful chapter, showing the ties being forged between Wood and the world of Men of the Northern Dunedain.

Author Reply: Larner!

Now that I think about it, you are right! Thanks for pointing it out! I shall re-read and fix!! Oops!
:-)

MM

DotReviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/27/2005
Hey there. So sorry this is late – I was away for a few days and am gradually catching up! As always, I was thrilled to see an update, and this was certainly an exciting one!

I loved seeing Thranduil and his wife together; there was something extraordinarily touching about the mighty Thranduil wondering if he deserved the love Lasgalen obviously has for him. Even in this short glimpse you’ve made her come alive and given her a very infectious personality. I like the connection with Celebrían and it’s so sad to think that Lasgalen tried to spare Thranduil any reference to the sea-longing when that’s what will one day take his son from him. It was a very moving look at some of the last moments between Thranduil, Legolas and Lasgalen and it definitely adds strength to Thranduil’s despair and anger in this story. The suggestion that Thranduil is overtaken by memories from time to time, to the point that Celebren is familiar with such moods made me gasp aloud! I know you’re fond of Men, but someday you’re going to have to do a Mirkwood story!!

Thranduil is scary when he’s worried!! For a moment there I nearly felt sorry for that Orc…;-)

My heart was in my mouth for the whole part where Estel and Legolas try to escape – you create tension far too well!! I was a little surprised that Legolas was taken and Estel rescued him but I guess it’s important in terms of Estel gaining confidence and he does need to get to a point where Elrond feels he is fully adult at only twenty because of what he’s experienced.

My God, for a moment there I didn’t think Elladan and Elrohir would find them! But yay, they did! I can only imagine their astonishment to find Legolas sitting there too!

I don’t blame Celebren for being frightened by his Adar, and I’m glad Thranduil realised for a moment how he must appear. But at the same time I felt so badly for Thranduil and could completely understand his rage and anguish.

I loved the reunion between Legolas and Celebren and I had to laugh at Estel’s vehement defence of Elrond in the face of Celebren’s understandable confusion at the story he’s just heard! I like Celebren, by the way – he seems as open as his younger brother. I had tears in my eyes at when Thranduil was finally reunited with his son. It was a great moment too when he thanked Estel – that’ll teach those Imladris elves to think ill of Thranduil!!

Estel did really well here too. You’ve brought him a long way and he really seems to be maturing and growing into himself. I love the bond you’ve given Legolas and Estel too as a back story to the events of LotR. I’m curious as to what comes next. I’m such a fan of Thranduil and Legolas but I’m so fascinated by the way you’re telling Estel’s story and the way you’ve brought Gilraen and the Dùnedain to life as well as focusing on what Estel’s heritage means not only for him but for all those who know the truth that I’m looking forward to more of that side of this tale!! Ah well, I’m sure I’ll enjoy wherever you take him (and us) next! :-)

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/22/2005
I've been wondering when you would update this. I was up until five in the morning a few months ago reading this and got hooked badly. You just knew somehow Estel would end up getting in trouble. Loved how you've made Aragorn and Legolas' first adventure also being how they first met. Wonderful!! Also love Elrohir's visions of a crown on his beloved younger brother's head.

Can't wait for the next installments!!

Author Reply: Tigger!

So glad that you've liked the story!! I've done a few late-nighter with stories I couldn't stop reading! Happy to see that mine has evoked the same feelings! :-))

I love writing Estel as a bright, inquisitive, "active" child! I have also really enjoyed writing of Estel's relationship with his two foster-brothers who are so fun to write!

The foreshadowing almost wrote itself.

So happy you liked it!

MM

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/22/2005
I’m a big fan of both Legolas and Thranduil, and the relationship between Thranduil and his sons is interesting here. As a matter of fact, I’m such a fan that I’m a little offended that the young man had to come to the rescue of the elf. So I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I so miss the focus on Aragorn as the future chieftain! It’s something I’ve always wanted to read about and there are so few stories out there about it. You are just so great at picturing what that Dunedain culture is like and how the secrecy about Aragorn is hard on them. And Gilraen! I want more Gilraen! You do her so well and most writers just erase her. Send Legolas home now with his adar now! Make Aragorn start learning about his obligations and duties and stuff!



Author Reply: Daw!

Don't worry, Legolas is going home with Thranduil to stay. I just wanted Estel to meet with those from the Fellowship that he could meet with. Also get him away from his family a bit and see how he would react. I didn't mean for Estel to save Legolas, I meant for it to be the other way around, but as I was writing that didn't seem to want to happen. so much just happens as I write! Outlines, what are those?

The focus will return to Estel in the next chapter. The chapters about his being fifteen just needed a little more space was all. You're right about Gilraen. Too many fanfics leave her out. She is very important in Aragorn's life. I'm playing with an idea of a chapter when Estel is about 17 or going straight to when he is told who he is, at about 20. That promises to be a challenging chapter! Fun!

MM

Return to Chapter List