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Immortal Friends  by jenolas 1 Review(s)
DotReviewed 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.

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