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Immortal Friends  by jenolas 5 Review(s)
tinnuialReviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/3/2003
That was heartbreakingly sad....
Thanks for posting this...


Author Reply: You are welcome...

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/2/2003
jenolas,
Just putting in login information felt like a chore....Oh, Faelas. There is no comfort to those left behind. I'm sure he fought bravely and did all within his power to help the villagers, but he was somewhere he should not have been and the consequences were irreversible. Legolas knew he might do something foolish and did all he could to discourage..yes even command...the young one from making the trip. I cried with Thranduil and Tathar.
I did like that Thranduil in his despair for the encroaching shadow renamed his own woods until a brighter time returned. His burdens are heavy now as more and more warriors are lost, the spiders grow in numbers and the orcs grow in boldness. And now the loss of one I'm sure he viewed nearly as a grandchild seems too much to ask of him or any of the inhabitants of his land.
Legolas carried himself well through his father's absence and in his grief for Faelas. It could not have been easy.
Well done, jenloas. I can't say I was pleased with what happened, but I can say that it was realistic and well written. Loved ones are lost in dark times and the young are foolish and the strong survive tragedy. I have to go now...my nose is running....that's okay, I have plenty of tissues....Karen


Author Reply: Thank you for your comments, and for understanding the point of this sad chapter, it is a very troubled stage that the Mirkwood Elves are facing at present. (*jenolas passes Karen a 'virtual' tissue*).

DotReviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/2/2003
Oh. My. God. I can’t believe that happened! I’m almost lost for words. Not quite, though, so here goes...!

The opening of the chapter was great for showing exactly the changes occurring in Greenwood and Thranduil’s frustration at his increasing powerlessness to prevent the shadow from defeating his people. Legolas trying to placate Thranduil when he was getting angry at Elrond and Celeborn was a nice touch!

Faelas is nearly all grown up! It was strange to see him behaving so formally with Legolas. I thought it was good of him to want to pay his respects to Gilbard and it shows a compassionate nature but Legolas definitely made the right choice to forbid him to go in the interest of his own safety. I have to say, it was a little strange when the spirit of Thranduil seemed to overtake Legolas and he ordered the guards to Faelas’ side! I was cheering him on anyway!

When Faelas stormed from the hall I really thought the worst that would happen is that there’d be a rift between the two of them, but no... He’s dead! How unspeakably awful for Legolas to find him, and it’s probably made more difficult by the fact that the two of them parted on such bad terms. That Steward is great, by the way, he really handled Legolas well and helped him see what he must do. I could hardly bear to read the part with Mirieth and Tariel – and then Legolas weeping in his room. That must have been difficult to write.

Alright, I admit it – I cried when Thranduil told Tathar! I love as well the way you show how the death affected everyone – that Thranduil and Legolas feel as much pain as Faelas’ family. Tathar is amazing – thinking of Legolas and understanding why Thranduil must stay, despite his own grief. The ending was beautiful and just so, so sad. A really powerful chapter, and dealt with so beautifully – seriously, well done!:)




Author Reply: Terrible and painful lessons are learned from experience, and Legolas is certainly living a few hard truths at present, as are all the Elves in MIrkwood.

You are very insightful, Dot, it was a gruelling chapter to write, and I have never 'killed' one of my own characters before, so in a strange way, I can understand the sadness Legolas and the others must feel. It was not, however an arbitrary decision, and the reasons will become clearer later on.

Thanks for appreciating it.

TolkienFanReviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/2/2003
Ack! I'm four chapters behind in my reviews! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you! I'll catch up in a few days, and leave you reviews for each chapter.

- Barbara

P.S. Since you mentioned that you're a Pervy Elder Elf Fancier, you might like the head portrait of Celeborn on Marnie's web site: www.apwl75.dsl.pipex.com/lotrfic/elfportraits.html
The drawing is ... breathtaking! I am so awe-struck by such artistry, whether the medium be drawings or words. Hope you enjoy it, too! Oh, and there's also a nice portrait of Glorfindel on her site.

(Psst, don't tell anyone, but I just started writing my first story. Don't know if I'll ever get the courage post it anywhere, but I'm really enjoying the process! Well, so far, at least ... But having an elf for a Muse is great fun, even though he's already drunk my entire stash of Dorwinian red. But he has a tendency to get *so* demanding! He insisted that I wake up and start writing in the middle of the night. And he insists that I can't stop now. And... How in the world did it get to be 6am here???)


Author Reply: Thanks for that, Barbara, I will check it out.

Good luck with your first story, how very exciting for you! I look forward to reading it...please post it when you have finished! I have to wonder, though, with an Elf for a muse, whether you will become far too distracted to write (hehehe).

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/2/2003
I was so pleased when I saw the update, but what a dreadfully sad chapter! Legolas did exactly the right thing in refusing Faelas permission, even in threatening to have him restrained, but it was no use. Faelas is obviously very like his father. Or was. I wasn't surprised when he went anyway, but didn't expect the whole village to have been wiped out. So sad. And Legolas' desperate sorrow for his friends, his own grief, and the fact that he still has to act as King is wonderfully written.

I also like Thranduil's reaction, especially when he renames the forest himself, and how he deals with Tathar. I look forward to the time he returns home!

Jay

Author Reply: Despite the impression he gives of being such a joyful soul, even Legolas must have experienced sadness during his long life, and also must have experienced the burden of responsibility as the King's son.

Thranduil is also having a difficult time accepting what has happened, both to his forest, and those close to him... fortunately he also has a few good friends.

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