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Changes and Acceptances  by Mirkwoodmaiden 4 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/7/2020
The quote is strictly from the movie, as in the book the only Elf to fight at Helms Deep was Legolas. Wonderful bow work, worthy of Robin Hood!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/7/2020
The quote is strictly from the movie, as in the book the only Elf to fight at Helms Deep was Legolas. Wonderful bow work, worthy of Robin Hood!

Author Reply: Larner!

True, the Elves in the book were fighting their own battles up in the north as both Lorien and Mirkwood were attacked by Sauron's northern army. But in the Two Towers it really does make for pretty cool film watching.

I did enjoy writing the competition. It is structured loosely on the archery competitions I took part in at University.

thanks for reading!

Stay safe.

MM

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/24/2020
An Elanor alarm clock! Used to marvellous effect by certain wives... evil wives, at that, considering that it is the morning after the night before...

I chuckled aloud at this, and the dog got excited: "My liege, I love you and will protect you all the days of my life, but do that again and I will kill you where you stand."

Celeborn sounds very Tookish here: To pull the bow in the service of others is an privilege hard fought for, to pull the bow well is to honour one's realm and people. The lighter side of this honour does tend to lend itself to not a small degree of arrogance on our part in all matters of shooting. Perhaps I will borrow a bit of your portrayal of him when Farry and Ferdi are on their way to Gondor.

(Did Haldir die in the book version too, or was that only the film version? I remember finding it jarring when I watched the film, but then, that might have been because Elves did not fight at Helm's Deep in the book, from my recollection.)

I love your recounting of the archery tournament! I especially loved the following quoted bit, that reminds me of that altered state I've felt when in the zone, when the world falls away, where every move is both unthinking (because it's so beautifully choreographed and drilled into muscle memory) and deliberate at the same time, and even breathing becomes part of the dance... I can still remember that feeling, though it has been many years now.

He saw the Wood Elf as he had seen him many times in battle, a calm grace had settled over him which honed an inner focus so acute that nothing could stand in his way as he sought to bring down his quarry. He saw Legolas take aim, hold and then release in a movement fluid yet powerful. He did not even have to wait for the report. Legolas had found his target.

I love Legolas and Gimli, have I mentioned that?

What fun! Nicely done.

Hope this finds you and yours well. ((hugs))



Author Reply: Lindelea!

At the time I was writing this originally I was more influenced by the films rather than the books, because they were so recently released. In the book the Elves do not fight at Helm's Deep. They were still in the north fighting in Mirkwood and Lothlorien. The ROTK appendices talk about the battles in the North, Dale, Erebor, Mirkwood and Lorien but Peter Jackson filmwise could not split his focus and show this so he brought the Elves to Helm's Deep. I don't think Haldir dies but he does not take ship for the West either. He is too attached to Middle Earth. I read that somewhere in the Legendarium but I do not remember where.

The Elanor alarm clock!!! yup! Evil wife pay back for not being able to join in the fun!!

"My liege, I love you and will protect you all the days of my life, but do that again and I will kill you where you stand." LOL! Faramir is a man with a really bad hangover! LOL! having been there many times in my youth I could write this scene from real life experience!

All my archery scenes are written from my love of archery and archery competitions. There is truly nothing, as you say, quite like pulling a bow. It is a wonderful, beautiful experience and when you have let fly the perfect shoot and are "in the zone when the world falls away" yeah.... I haven't shot in years and I miss it. Both my husband and I shoot longbow and recurve. I miss it. I see you have shot as well. That feeling never really leaves the soul.

"Celeborn sounds very Tookish here: To pull the bow in the service of others is an privilege hard fought for, to pull the bow well is to honour one's realm and people. The lighter side of this honour does tend to lend itself to not a small degree of arrogance on our part in all matters of shooting. Perhaps I will borrow a bit of your portrayal of him when Farry and Ferdi are on their way to Gondor." Please do! The Shire is having quite the effect on Celeborn.

Hope you and yours are well. Stay Safe.

((virtual hugs))

MM

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/18/2003
Cool contest. I love elves in that graceful arrogant state of competition.

SSP I am the daw who has posted at HASA. I have two and a half stories here that I've never submitted there. :-)

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