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| Immortal Friends by jenolas | 75 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| mistry89 | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 2/3/2004 |
| Well .... I cried, and that's probably enough to let you know I am/have been enjoyed these stories. Legolas and his pov post-War of the Ring has always seemed to me the saddest part - the book dosen't end for me until he and Gimli sail, and his feelings must have been re-assaulted each time a member of the Fellowship died. He had the longest "view" of those characters we get to know well, bar Mithandir, and so would have grieved for the loss of his (mortal) friends as well as the ending of the time of the elves in ME. Helen | |
| LKK | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/28/2004 |
| This was a lovely series, jenolas. I was sad to see the hurt that came between Legolas and Tathar as a result of words spoken in the heat of angry pain. But I was relieved that they reconciled before Tathar faded in despair. I'm glad you chose to have the sons of Elrond sail after Arwen's death. That's what I believe they did, as well. And it was very fitting that Thranduil sailed with Celeborn. I enjoyed this look at an uncommon friendship from its earliest days onward. Thank you! LKK Author Reply: My own enjoyment that came from writing these stories is only enhanced by knowing others enjoyed reading it. Your comments are greatly appreciated, thank you. | |
| Camp6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/26/2004 |
| I have been following this story from the beginning and have enjoyed reading it very much. I liked your ending with Thranduil and Celeborn (and Elladan and Elrohir) sailing rather than have them simply fade from Middle Earth. As I think back over the story, the parts that stand out most in my mind center around Faelas' story, and the joys and the griefs that were a part of that tale. Another part that stands out was the surprise of the elves when they visit the men's village after 50 some odd years and find the people similar but different. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Author Reply: You are most welcome, and I thank you for enjoying the story and taking the time to offer your comments, it is always interesting to learn what attracts a reader to a story. I like the ending, too. To me Thranduil and Celeborn would have eventually decided to sail rather than forsake their loved ones. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/25/2004 |
| No, it’s over! How wonderful that Thranduil and Legolas were able to laugh with each other during their final time together – and the king’s astonishment at Gimli sailing with Legolas was so funny! Legolas seems in good spirits with Gimli as well. I really like that you finished this with him almost the same elf he once was. The strain and suffering he had felt for so long is finally eased and for now at least he can only look forward. It’s so sad to think that most of the elves have now left and that the once great realms have faded and grown silent. But I like Celeborn’s view – Ithilien flourishes and will be a symbol of everything the elves loved, it is a sign of the great friendship that existed between elves and men but is a part of the world of men and it is their turn now to thrive. “You are lonely, mellon nin, as am I.” Ah, Thranduil, it is definitely time to seek your loved ones again. What a wonderful ending. These two elves understand each other more than anyone else could. I can’t tell you how much I love Thranduil’s closing words. There’s such a sense of accomplishment and knowledge that as king he has done everything he could have wished for his people. Any elves left in Middle-Earth can now live in peace and make their own choice if they feel it necessary. Still, it seems the world will be an emptier place once the elves have all left its shores. This story was an amazing creation. I hope you feel very proud of it. Well done, jenolas!:) Author Reply: So often Legolas's leaving is depicted as a sad event, and in the context of the fading of the Elves it is, but I also believe that he was, as you say, relieved to see an end to his suffering, and excited at the new adventure that awaited him, not to mention being reunited with those loved ones who had already sailed. As for Thranduil and Celeborn, well they were two of a kind when it came to their love of Middle-earth, and I like to think they also eventually sought the Straight Road when their work was done. I am humbled by your kind words, Dot, your devotion to this story and your insightful reviews. 'Hannon le' does not seem sufficient to show my appreciation, so perhaps a *hug* is more appropriate? And yes, I am very pleased with this work, and I enjoyed writing it very much. jenolas | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/25/2004 |
| Ah, such a beautiful image of Legolas gently welcoming Eldarion into the world. “I am impressed with how unafraid you are of my son, that you know he is not as fragile as he appears.” LOL! I’m guessing Aragorn is finding himself at a bit of a loss as to how to treat a newborn child – I can just imagine him as an adoring but overly fussy father! I’m so glad Thranduil decided to travel with Tathar and Legolas, although I suspect that in part he was probably afraid his son wouldn’t return and wanted a chance to say his farewell. I love the way you wind your other stories into this – Legolas’ attachment to Eldarion and the eventful trip to Imladris, the building of the ship and, of course, the appearances of Gwael. It’s such a lovely idea that Legolas and Aragorn decided to spend their last day together away from others and say goodbye in private. “Your calm acceptance eases my own fears, Legolas”. Don’t you think it’s really interesting that Legolas would never even consider asking Aragorn to hold on a bit longer even though he himself had to stay because his friends didn’t want to let him go? Maybe he just realises the agony of going against what his spirit is telling him and would never ask it of anyone. It’s good to see some joy in Legolas again at the end – he knows he will find peace and must feel such relief at the thought that he won’t be leaving Gimli behind. Author Reply: Dot, you have no idea how encouraging it is for me that you understand exactly the nuances I am trying to achieve with my characters and that you see them as I do. I am even more delighted that you tell me what you see, thank you. Legolas is indeed selfless when saying goodbye to Aragron, but he is also well aware that the Dunedan would one day accept Iluvatar's gift. And yes, I am sure Legolas was overjoyed that he would have Gimli for company as he sailed. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/25/2004 |
| What a picture of utter misery poor Tathar is at the beginning of this chapter. It’s so touching, though, that Legolas offers comfort in the way that Tathar did for him so many times before. “Then perhaps it would be wise of you not to feel that way about Aragorn’s son, lest he die in your charge as well!” Ah, Tathar. I can see how he reacts as he does out of despair and pain but those words would be very hard to forgive. That image of Thranduil holding Tathar is so sad, it brought tears to my eyes. They’ve both suffered the loss of loved ones so can understand each other and as well as that, Tathar helped Thranduil when he was parted from Legolas while he was on the quest so I imagine Thranduil is attempting to repay that. You’re full of surprises, jenolas! I can’t believe it never dawned on me that Tathar might fade or might decide to sail. I really thought for a moment there that he was going to die *breathes deeply* I suppose Tathar just gave so much of himself and eventually it became too much. In a way, Legolas must understand. His urgency seems to suggest that he knows full well that Valinor will provide healing and how necessary it can be to sail there – and Tathar has less keeping him here than Legolas does. How sad, though, that the two friends will be parted. Author Reply: Thranduil and Tathar have a developed a special understanding, since both are fathers and neither Legolas or Thranduil want to lose him. as you say, he has givem so much of his strength to them both, that they will gladly do anything to see him happy once more. Of course, he is sailing to Valinor with the certainty that one day he will be reunited with Legolas as well. | |
| calenore | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/24/2004 |
| Hi! I've been following this story for awhile, I really loved it! *sniff* nearly brought me to tears a few times! Are you ever going to write about Legolas' reunion with Tathar? That would be lovely. Author Reply: Thank you for enjoying this rather long (for me at least) story. Yes, I think that Legolas's reunion with Tathar deserves to be told. Author Reply: Thank you for enjoying this rather long (for me at least) story. Yes, I think that Legolas's reunion with Tathar deserves to be told. | |
| Bast | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/23/2004 |
| Hi! I love your stories. The only thing that I dont like is that you make the relationship between Legolas and Tathar soooo GAY! Yikes! Blargh!!! I hate slash, and I know you only mean it to be brother love but even so... Author Reply: I am pleasd to hear you like my stories, but saddend that you see the deep love and affection that Legolas and Tathar feel for each other, and are not ashamed to display openly as being gay. That was not my intention, nor is it permitted within the guidelines of the Stories of Arda guidelines. I am sorry if you took offense where none was intended. jenolas | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/22/2004 |
| We’re this far already?? I really don’t like the thought of this coming to an end….! I love the way you wound “Lost and Found” in with this story. I’ll have to re-read that when I have some time, but I do really like the way you managed to give us an extra glimpse at the events of that story. I thought it was actually quite sweet the way the ranger tells Legolas of the tree because he genuinely thinks the elf would be interested in such a thing. Elladan and Elrohir show such wisdom – testament, I guess, to the teachers they’ve had and the guidance others have given them. They obviously don’t know exactly how difficult it is for Legolas but as they say, can empathise with the necessity and struggle to make a difficult choice. I like the way that when they have no words to offer themselves, they choose the words their grandfather used to guide them. Such a touching insight into some of Celeborn’s reasons for staying as well. “Humph! You have as much chance of doing that, Elf, as I do of sailing to Valinor with you”. Very funny, jenolas! Ah, the ending! So unspeakably sad. I feel as though I haven’t taken enough notice of Tathar. I mean, you’ve shown him angry and upset, loving and forgiving and I really admire the depth of his loyalty and how good he is to Legolas, but I don’t think I stopped to really think how much he has suffered. From the time he was very young until now, he has in many ways suffered much more than Legolas, yet he always set his feelings aside and was willing to comfort his friend. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think of him so griefstricken here, that so many years later his pain can resurface. I think the last part of this chapter really jolted me into realising what difficult times he has gone through. And maybe it might help Legolas to know that he is not the only one who suffers. You have me feeling really bad for Tathar now!;) Author Reply: Yes, the story is coming to a close, but not quite yet as you may have guessed from the end of this chapter. Also I think you will feel happier for Tathar in the next chapter. As for Gimli's comment, all I can say in my defense is that at this point neither he nor Legolas KNOW that he is going to Valinor! | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/18/2004 |
| I have absolutely no doubt that you’ll do your vision justice, jenolas – write it for yourself and never mind the rest of us! It probably doesn’t count for much, but I have complete faith in you anyway and look forward to any angst you have to offer;) The elves seem to have really transformed Minas Tirith – that was a really beautiful description of the city. I like the idea that despite its newfound beauty that the people of Minas Tirith probably revel in, it still doesn’t provide enough of a sense of freedom for elves. It makes me wonder how difficult it would have been for someone like Aragorn among the “stone walls and constant demands of courtly behaviour”, but I suppose it would be far easier for a man to settle into the routine and grow used to city life than an elf such as Legolas – it’s such a huge difference between this and your descriptions of life in Mirkwood. Even in its darkest days, there was never such a sense of restriction in Legolas’ home. I think it’s really clever the way you ensure that we understand that no matter where Legolas is or what he’s doing, he’s constantly troubled by the call of the sea. That pain he experiences when he is with his friends and the guilt he feels when he leaves them, the way he forbids himself to go to Dol Amroth for fear that he won’t be able to resist any more, the idea that he knows how beautiful his new colony is but realises that he is unable to enjoy it as he once would have… everything seems to be a struggle for this once joyful elf and shows just how conflicted he is, how tormented and troubled he feels all the time, even when others believe him to be happy. You weave his emotions so delicately into the events of this story – I just think it’s amazing the way that there’s always this awareness of Legolas’ suffering, no matter what else is going on. Ah, elven magic! Such an enchanting idea that Faramir can only see a strange mist and senses something unusual but the elves clearly see the boats of their own kind. It seems Elladan and Elrohir could brighten up anyone’s day with their antics! I love that Celeborn has shown such enthusiasm for the colony in Ithilien. I suppose he must be delighted at the idea that the elves are bringing beauty and light back to a land ravaged by war and ensuring that the spirit of the elves will live on for a long time to come. Plus, it probably comforts him that there will be a place of life and laughter as his own home grows a little dimmer. It looks like his son is continuing Thranduil’s propensity for throwing feasts for every occasion! How poignant that desperation of Legolas’ plea to Thranduil is. It’s so moving that he longs for the comfort only a father can offer. Of course, to be completely superficial – we might get to see Thranduil again; I was beginning to miss him!:) Author Reply: Thanks, Dot. Tgere is still some heartache in store for poor Legolas and rest assured Thranduil has a further part to play as the tale nears an end. | |