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Lost and Found  by jenolas 33 Review(s)
sofiaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/24/2003
sorry about the other review from me! i kind of pressed enter and stuff. what i wanted to say was that i loved the story, Lost and Found.

NikaraReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/11/2003
This was a great story. Sorry it took me so long to review. It has been a busy week. I can't wait to read more of your work!

Author Reply: Thaks for taking the time to read and enjoy.

LKKReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/2/2003
Gwael, the King of the Gulls. Very appropriate!
Very kind of the king to look after a lost (in more ways than one) elf prince. :-)

I felt sorry for Aragorn several times in this chapter. You would think by now, he would have learned to stop underestimating elves. But even in his elder years, he continues to do so. Not realizing that Elrond & Thranduil traded more than just political letters. Not expecting Thranduil to overhear his conversation with Tathar. Will Aragorn ever learn? ;-)

A very nice story from beginning to end, jenolas. I enjoyed reading this. Thank you!

LKK

Author Reply: I guess children do not always know everything about their parents, no matter how old they are! :)

Thank you for reviewing my story, and more importantly, for enjoying it. It was my pleasure.

LKKReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/2/2003
Ai! What a beautiful description of dawn rising over the sea! I have never witnessed such an event myself (not being a morning person), but I hope that if I ever have the opportunity it will be as lovely as your telling. Achingly beautiful, it was.

It seems Legolas knows his friends well. Legolas hoped that Tathar would forgive him for leaving him to deal with both the King of Mirkwood and the no doubt distraught, Gimli. How very right he is, on both counts! LOL

The growing understanding between Gimli and Thranduil was nicely displayed. I knew their love for Legolas would give them a common ground to build on.

I'm still hoping to learn more about Legolas' mysterious stranger!

LKK

Author Reply: Sunrise at the seaside is one of my favourite things, (I come from a beach suburb). I am pleased you found my description so moving. Thanks for saying so.

DotReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/1/2003
Oh, wow! What a genius you are. That was such a beautiful idea, and so wonderfully told.

*sigh* I like Thranduil more and more with each story you write. And I love the way he’s so shrewd, and always knows more than he lets on – like inviting the older brother just so the younger one can prove himself, overhearing Tathar’s comments and the letters between himself and Elrond... He also obviously knows quite a bit about Aragorn, then, probably more than Legolas realises. I’m glad Thranduil explained his feelings to Aragorn – it was a lovely scene and shows the deep commitment of both of them to Legolas as well as more understanding and acceptance between the two kings.

Gwael certainly did make an impression on Legolas, didn’t he, if his dream is anything to go by. I love the way he then greets them all as if he were totally expecting them to arrive! Gimli is brilliant – you write him so well, and he always makes me laugh! The part with Aragorn examining Legolas was also beautiful – such gentleness and care.

I can’t even describe how beautiful I find the idea of there being someone there at Mithlond to offer words of comfort those left behind while the gulls would watch over those who sail. It brought tears to my eyes, especially to see the extent of Thranduil’s gratefulness.

I really enjoyed that story. It had me totally intrigued and while I knew the ending would be special, it was so much more than I expected. Now, any more where that came from...?!:)


Author Reply: So Dot, I take your questions have been answered? *grin*

Thanks for reading and enjoying the story, and taking the time to comment so thouroughly. As you no doubt have guessed, I am a staunch defender of Thranduil as a good and kindly (not to mention handsome) King and father, and it does not surprise me that he seems more astute than expected... he is a Sindar elf of high standing and has lead his people for a long time.

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/28/2003
Jenolas,
I have been reading this since you first posted and have not left a review until now. I apologize for my tardiness. I have enjoyed this from the beginning and found the whole story line to be interesting and very original. I was surprised by the true indentity of Gwael. It only seemed fitting, though, when the truth came out. Who else would understand the sea longing of the elves more than one who sang the song? I was moved by Gwael's desire to give aid to the ones left behind by being present as each ship sailed. And, of course, he was the most likely to be able to give advice to Legolas in learning to put priorities in place and offer comfort for fighting the desire to sail. I came away feeling Gwael's kindness was part of the natural order of things. He was simply who he was, but knew what despair his cry brought to the Firstborn when they were called home. However, he used his power over the Elves wisely and offered easement when he could. He did what he was created to do. It was a lovely story. I was pleased to see Thranduil and Gimli find common ground in their shared love for Legolas and be able to build respect on it. I know there was a long held mistrust and animosity between the Elves and the Dwarves, but I have never thought Thranduil so petty as to let it stand between him and his son. I've always thought he would have trusted Legolas's judgement and found it within the wisdom of his years to recognize that everyone should be judged on individual merits rather than by group intentification. True, Gimli was a dwarf, but he had proven himself in the Fellowship and as a loyal friend to his son. I think you showed this process well. Thranduil was willing in the end to judge Gimli as an individual. I loved the way you worked everything out and offered some good ideas to ponder about the nature of free folk and wailing gulls. Karen

Author Reply: Many thanks for such a well considered review of the story as a whole. I can't tell you how delighted I am that you really understand what I was trying to say and do. I am glad that you (and others) think Gwael is a such a fascinating character.

Of course not much was written about the sea longing, but I wanted to present it, as I see it, in both sadness and and joy. We know Legolas was able to remain in Middle-earth long after he first heard the gulls,and the 'reason' he stayed is both noble and heartwarming, but it can not have been easy, or maybe once the decision to stay was made, it was... who knows?

LKKReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/28/2003
I was just laughing at my unfounded doubts over whether or not my friends would be searching for me. You've done it again, jenolas. Once again, you demonstrated your command of what it means to be a mature, thoughtful adult. All too often, characters who are supposed to be adults are written as little more than children in grown bodies. But your adult characters have mature thoughts and reasoning not just grown bodies. They are such a refreshing change to read. :-)

I liked the waves calling to Legolas. I haven't settled in my own mind what the sea-longing experience is like. But the idea of the waves calling to him “Legolas, come with us!” seems very appropriate to me.

Finally, I'm still not sure about Legolas' mysterious saviour. I'm inclined to think like Legolas does, that Gwael may be an Istar, but I'm not sure. I hope Gwael's final line doesn't mean we've seen the last of him. I certainly want to know more about him before he disappears!

Great job with the chapter!

LKK

Author Reply: Thank you for your compliments on my characterisations, it is good to hear that aspect of the story is appreciated. I hope you enjoy the rest just as much.

fliewatuetReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/28/2003
*sigh*! This story is already over, but I loved every bit of it, especially your portrayal of King Thranduil. He is stern, does not approve of the friends of his son, but he has a reason for that and he is a compassionate father who manages to hold his own resentments in check for the sake of his son. And he does not lack a certain sense of humour.

And I really loved your invention of the King of the Gulls. He watches over those who sail to Valinor and over those who stay behind ...

Author Reply: Thanks, I am pleased you enjoyed the tale ( and the introduction of Gwael) and have taken the time to review.

LKKReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/28/2003
A very nice chapter, jenolas. Do you know what I liked best about it? I liked the way you switched back and forth from Thranduil, the king, to Thranduil, the father. The ease of the transitions was marvelous. I noticed that Gimli finds Thranduil, the father, easier to deal with than Thranduil, the king. Perhaps Thranduil, the father, reminds the dwarf of Legolas much more than Thranduil, the king, does.

I loved Tathar's passing vow that Legolas would pay dearly for leaving him to act as intermediary between the elf king and the mortals. :-)

I was a little surprised that Thranduil couldn't understand the ancient tree. I tend to think of the elves' communications with trees to be more empathic and emotional rather than language oriented. So I would not have expected language to pose a problem for him. You've given me a new interpretation to think about.

LKK

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/28/2003
I liked this final chapter, especially the seagulls at the end. So now we know who Gwael is! I thought he was an Istari - maybe he still is. And I'm glad that Thranduil and Gimli are becoming reconciled. I can understand Thranduil's reasons for not being happy about Legolas' friendship with mortals, but at least he is accepting them now.


Jay

Author Reply: There is certainly till an element of mystry surrounding Gwael, but even the Wise do not know everything :)

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