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Interrupted Journeys 9: Bitter Paths  by elliska 8 Review(s)
NoraReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/30/2013
I love your stories. I've been following them for some time now but I'm usually a silent reader.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing and how much I'm looking forward to the next story.
When will the next story be up?

c_belle_aReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/28/2013
This is, as usual, such an amazing chapter! I had a nasty feeling that Celonhael's remains were in that bag, and I'm impressed by the level of maturity Legolas handled it. Also impressed that he managed to figure out the whereabouts of Manadhien all by himself. I was initially upset at Tulus/ Dannenion for not telling Thranduil straight away about the village, but now I see that it was for the better. I agree with them that Thranduil going over and rashly arresting Manadhien would just put himself/ his family in even more danger.

Now that we know why Manadhien has a grudge against Thranduil, I wonder why her core followers do too? Did Oropher/ Thranduil kill members of Lagril/ Fuilin's families as well? Or have they always followed Manadhien?

I loved how you spinned it so that Thranduil had actually met Annatar, and that Manadhien was one of the jewel makers. So interesting!

Thanks again for writing, and I look forward to the next chapter!!

katrinaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/27/2013
A beautiful finish to this section- thank you for explaining the questions that you have so wonderfully set up throughout this story! I suspected that Marti's hatred towards Thranduil's family had something to do with the kinslayings, but I must say, the fact that it was sparked by Thranduil and Oropher killing Marti's family was surprising. Not that they had any choice- I am sure this was during the Noldorian attack on the cities.

All of this just highlights how awful the whole kinslaying ordeal was- it was awful to the sons of Feanor who were plagued by that oath, it was awful to the ones that followed them, and it was awful for those who got attacked. And hatred breeds hatred until nobody is quite innocent.

I also love it how we get to watch Legolas really grow up now- these trying times have really pushed him to act more like a prince than he ever has. I was impressed by the way he handled the beheading nightmare. I think it will be interesting when he finally gets to talk to Galithal and his childhood friends again. I feel like he has been putting up a brave and mature face for the public and his father, but he is still young, and obviously needs to spend some time with the elves in his generation again.

I'm looking forward to the next installment! Thanks again!

picaraReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/27/2013
Several things strike me in this chapter. First, how very near the end of his rope Legolas is. Not sleeping. Not wanting to eat. Not wanting to see or hear anything else. Not even bothering to stand when Thranduil comes into the Great Hall. Not good signs. Understandable, but somebody had better notice them soon. Second, I found it interesting that Thranduil did not question (this time) that Legolas should go with him to iterrogate Glilavan and did not question he should work on the petitions if he was not going to come. Also, the guard did not hesitate much to abandon his post when ordered by Legolas. That contrasted with other people trying to work out how far Legolas's authority extends--like the warrior not willing to give him the bag (of course, that was just compassion) and Engwe still refering to him as a child and irritating Legolas and Dolwon flat out telling him he had no right to speak to Dannenion as he did. It must be an odd position to be the king's almost adult son and be given enough adult responsibilities in court that people have trouble deciding how to treat you. We think teenage years are hard as average people! Lastly: interesting tidbit that Manadhien was one of the jewelsmiths. Wonder how important that will be.

I hope you post the next part quickly. I'm anxious to see how Legolas comes away from such huge events as he went through in this story.

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/25/2013
Well, if I was sad in the last chapter, I'm furious in this one. I didn't think that Glilavan was behind Celonhael's death. But if he went so far as to put his Father in danger, it is not a surprise that he was responsible for Fuilin’s escape. Glad that my guess of sending him to the Valar was a good guess.

At the end, Dannenion was right; Thranduil can’t really protect them if he goes to hunt Manadhien. Her people are very loyal to her.

I’m glad that Thranduil is taking decisions with his head, very cold head and not in the heat of the moment. Well, the list of pending tasks that they told him that needed to take care if he left were overwhelming, poor King, he can’t go and hunt an enemy…And most of Thranduil's household is too prejudiced against Noldors, they should learn to be a little more tolerant.

Tulus, he will be now a spy, for whatever time takes to destroy Manadhien. He and Legolas will miss each other a lot.

Well, now we know the reasons behind her actions and treasons. Revenge, justified or not, can start a spiral of violence with no end and convert you in a very inhuman (in this case, I suppose that it is un-elvish) individual. Glad that Legolas has learnt the different between Justice and Revenge.

I feel bad for Dolgailon, it won’t be easy. Maybe they will send Galithil as the leader of the village when he is old enough to do it.

Legolas is a good detective, he deduce where Manadhien was, good thinking. And I love this: “Manadhien ... Marti ... Manarinde ... whatever she called herself” I had always such a bad time trying to remember her name.

Thanks Elliska, it was a very good story and I’m waiting very impatiently for the next one.

MornReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/24/2013
What an intense chapter.

I felt I knew what was in that bag as soon as it was mentioned. How horrible. I knew you were too kind saying legolas and anastor and thought this was coming but was still sickening.

And wow what a mess we are in still. Having to leave her in charge and send someone guilty of treason after her. Gives scope for plenty more trouble than if she was easy to dispose of. At least they've finally got her figured out now that Engwe recognised her father.

Seen as I've commented on Engwe before I'll just mention how much i like his character in this story. Too many stories have the head"good guys" being far too perfect and your characters have enough flaws to be realistic. Engwe sums this up being obnoxious, argumentative and all the characters seeming to take issue with him (like legolas here) while still undoubtedly one of the good guys. Characters like him have as well as thranduil's flaws have made this into a great story.

And the little hints along the way have been good too. Means we are managing to piece the puzzle together along side your characters.

Hope you will post the next installment soon ;)

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/24/2013
Oh lord. My immediate fear on seeing the bag the warrior wanted to bring inside was that it held Celonhael's severed head, and by god, it did. I'm not sure what that says about both your imagination and mine, but it may not be good. Poor Legolas. He so didn't need that. And before that I was so impressed that he was up before dawn, hard at work. I'd guess he had trouble sleeping.

I like how you're unraveling the mysteries of the past associations that have created this situation. Even I find it odd to think of Thranduil as a young elf, "dallying" with a maiden, and I read your account of when he did it, so Legolas must really find it strange. I don't blame Thranduil for being surprised Engwe could be useful because I was too.

Loved the scene where Legolas puts the clues together! Good use of the tapestry on the wall there to guide his wandering thoughts. But ohmigod, Tulus! I am all sympathy for him but this was too much, at least until he had time to explain.

I have heard all that I can bear

I thought that wording was apt.

Cool idea about Thranduil being able to ask aid of an owl! I was a little worried that Galithil was going to be shipped off to that village to keep track of things, since Dolgailon can't be spared. Thank Eru, Thranduil believes in protecting children.

I thought you sorted out Tulus's fate as well as anyone could. He's a true mixed character, which makes him hard for a writer to deal with, but also more genuine.

Sorry to see this one end, Elliska. Looking forward to the next one. Stop working so hard at other things!

perellethReviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/24/2013
Bitter paths, and bitter pills to swallow for everyone, from the grisly contents of the reeking sack to the realization that the bad guy had been ruling...Aradunnon's village no less! whith Tulus knowing. A lot to swallow.

I loved that Thranduil apologized to Dannenion, but things look really bleak right now, until they manage to rid the forest of this blemish, and this is not even one of Sauron's making. Now I'm looking forward to the next art, but let me tell you again that this one was a great great one!

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