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| For the Love of the Lord of the White Tree by Legolass | 229 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Angelelf | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 3/1/2005 |
| I most certainly did not see that coming! What a gripping story. I can't wait for the next installment. Author Reply: Oooh good that you were 'gripped'. Look out - next chapter up right after this. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/1/2005 |
| "“Eldarion is not the only one who chafes within the confines of the palace, Legolas,” she said in a huff, and her next words came in a rush as her voice rose." How hard it must have been to go from the beautiful lush valley of Rivendell to a stone city. You can understand her desire to get away like that. LOL about Legolas thinking Eldarion would still need a nap -- of course time would be perceived differently for him than for a mortal child. Author Reply: "LOL about Legolas thinking Eldarion would still need a nap -- of course time would be perceived differently for him than for a mortal child." Yes - hahaha! - again, this was just a brainwave I had! I never planned for him to say something like that - it just came. Oh I just LOVE trying to get under Legolas' skin, so to speak, and to see how he thinks and feels. I just love that elf. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/1/2005 |
| "Ai, Valar, I could do without troubles for a spell, he thought hopefully. " They went through all the troubles with the Ring and you keep hoping that things would be settle down and allow them some peace, but even Tolkien says that they still had to keep fighting. And yet I can just see them thinking this. And Legolas and Eigen - how else could an elf be expected to react to what surrounded him? Such a contradiction to the values he holds dear, the respect for nature compared to the brutality of the man's perspective. Another good chapter ... and in coming back and re-reading I'm seeing your foreshadowing and chuckling at my own misconceptions. Author Reply: "how else could an elf be expected to react to what surrounded him? Such a contradiction to the values he holds dear, the respect for nature compared to the brutality of the man's perspective." Exactly. Actually, this conflcit within Legolas was something that came to me as I was writing it - and the words just flowed. Writing really frees our mind and helps us see things we might otherwise miss, does it not? | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/1/2005 |
| I'm coming back to review -- since I forgot as I was reading originally. Sorry about that. I really like the flashback of Legolas and Aragorn. And how Aragorn needs another such break now he is king. And a real feeling of loneliness seems to come from Legolas ... which explains why he feels the way he does later. Author Reply: Yes, that was meant to set the scene and prep the reader for what was to come. Glad you felt the loneliness and the suppressed emotions from the elf. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 3/1/2005 |
| Good switch ending! Love it! I hadn't seen that one coming. I love how you didn't give it away in the previous chapter. Well done! Author Reply: Thank you - and I'm glad you did not see it coming. It makes the story more thrilling that way. More in the next chapter. Thank you, Leaward, for taking time to review. Always so good to hear from you. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/1/2005 |
| "Faramir swallowed, as he recalled how he himself had pondered on that realization one day as he watched a Southron die from an arrow launched from his bow." I love this thought -- so often in a war people forget that there are two sides to each story. And not all is evil and good, but often a mix between -- especially for those who fought on Sauron's side. I always thought that the average/common soldier probably had little choice, and was given wrong information -- Tolkien even mentions that some of the people freed were amazed because they had been told prisoners were tortured and killed. "relentless slap of rain" You have such beautiful imagery throughout this chapter with the thunderstorm accentuating the tension of the story. Another excellent chapter. Author Reply: Thank you for the compliment re the imagery. I spend time choosing my words and hope they work. Re what Faramir thought - this was of course inspired by what Tolkien himself wrote. It was Sam, I think, who wondered that, in the book, and it was Faramir in the movie (TTT extended edition) - that's why I referred to that in my story. I think it's wonderful and also very sad when people realise that there are two sides to every conflict, and that there are pawns in every power game. I remember how online fans (and two of my own friends), in discussing the FOTR movie, even wondered whether the cave troll had a mother and whether it was just another pawn, not unlike a human soldier. | |
| Aglarendis | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 3/1/2005 |
| THIS is your First fan fic? If only everyone's first pieces of fiction could be so well-written, the world would be full of nothing but excellent writers. I have read several published books, Tolkien's Not included of course, that have less plot, less understanding of characters, and far less ability to hold my interest than your story has for the past few hours. Let's start with the characters. Legolas and Aragorn act just as they should. I never thought of Aragorn taking out his frustrations on poor Legolas, but I've heard it said that you always strike out at the ones who are closest to you. In his own way, Aragorn trusts Legolas enough to show the feelings he could never show to others. He knows, even subconsciously that his friend will always be there. This same elf, who can easily defend himself against an army of orcs, does not know how to set boundaries to protect his own heart. Hopefully, if Aragorn ever uses him as a verbal punching bag again after this story, Legolas will learn how to gently, but firmly show him what he is doing. This would not be denying Aragorn his friendship, it would simply be Legolas saying, "Your words cause me pain, and I have done nothing to deserve this. I know you are hurting too, and I wish to help, but I do not choose to allow both of us to be hurt even more than we are." But this is just what I wish would happen. I really like what you did with Faramir. I am not used to thinking of him being as bold and direct as you write him, but it's good all the same. He has obviously learned to trust Aragorn and to value him as a friend and as a king. I really like that you have Faramir using the king's first name. Aragorn needs friends in his position. I must admit, I don't know where the plot is going. I wondered for a second about the "king's son" thing for a second, but quickly lost that idea when Eldarien was hurt. Very good move there. I'm not quite sure why the villain would think Legolas was more valuable than Eldarien, but I'm sure all questions will be answered in the end. There's just one problem now. You've left poor Legolas in serious danger and hurting, and Aragorn is hurting and worried, and the bad guy is still on the loose, and how will I ever survive until the next update? Alright, so that's more than one problem, but please, please tell us what happens next *Soon! Author Reply: *blush* I must explain that I am not new to writing as a hobby, but only a hobby, and the last time I wrote creatively was eons ago, in high school, and that ws only for classmates. I'm now a mother of two grown-up kids. But words have always been in my head; I just never took the time. This is the first time I have ever attempted to write anything for a larger audience - and never have I written fanfic. I find it challenging because I want to be creative while observing canonical details. I was really nervous before posting this, honestly, not knowing how it woudl be received, but your words are so encouraging, Aglarendis - THANK YOU. "I really like what you did with Faramir. I am not used to thinking of him being as bold and direct as you write him," -- actually, he was not all that bold, or he would have spoken up more in the healing room lol. But I wanted him to act as a Steward would, at the stables, where he felt compelled to urge caution. That little speech then gave him courage to say more the day after. as for where the story is heading --- next chapter up right after this! Thank you for staying with me. | |
| Aglarendis | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/1/2005 |
| Hello Legolass! Oh good, I get to be the first review for chapter 1. First, I really like the title. It caught my attention right away. Your summary was also very well-written. For me, a summary often decides whether I will or will not click on the story. Hmm, I'm not quite sure what you're doing with Legolas hovering in the air above himself and the council. How does he know how the quest will end? I'm hoping this is something we will understand in later chapters. This is interesting. Unlike other stories, you leave us somewhat uncertain as to whether Legolas and Aragorn were friends before the whole ring quest started. At first, I got the impression that they were not. Now, with Legolas' obvious distress over his failure, I'm not so sure. This is a good thing because it is one of the things that makes me want to continue reading. What was Aragorn thinking when he was so harsh with Legolas? I love that ranger, but that was clearly a case of Foot-In-Mouth disease. Poor Legolas! You ask us to feel a good deal of sympathy for him right away, another thing that makes me want to keep going. What will happen next, I wonder? For a first fan fic, this is an excellent beginning. Author Reply: Aglarendis, thank you very much for your encouraging review. I loved your foot-in-mouth disease observation about Aragorn! I always thought he was too impulsive with that comment of his, but till the very end, Legolas stayed faithful to him. It was what he said to the hobbits (twice, if I recall) - "all who know him (Aragorn) come to love him in their own fashion" and what he did, he did "for the love of the lord of the White Tree" - that inspire this title and this story. Yes, I think you will get a better picture of what's going on once you get to Chap 2 (and onwards of course). I hope you will continue to walk with me through this story. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/27/2005 |
| Faramir and Aragorn! What a lovely section -- what an insight you have and let Aragorn see into what Faramir has borne all these years. And the weight of the crown and how it must take precedence over personal needs/desires -- that must be so hard for a man who has had the freedom to roam the north the way he has. Still a great read! Author Reply: Yes, I loved exploring the character of Faramir - so gentle, loyal and wise - but how little opportunity he had to show it. As I wrote this, I imagined the face of David Wenham as he was playing that role in the movie. I didn't like what the scriptwriters made him do in the cave (so contrary to what happened in the book), but I loved the tense conversations between him and his father - his strength and patience just shone in those scenes. You will have another glimpse of how Aragorn feels as he gets in touch - albeit briefly - with that freedom he has lost, in a later chater. Thank you for continuing to walk with me, Leaward. | |
| Leaward | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/27/2005 |
| I've been caught up in this story and suddenly realized I should be leaving reviews on each chapter. Sorry! This story just grabbed me and made me keep reading. This chapter -- you can just feel Legolas' anguish as well as Aragorn's. The despair of seeing your child hurt or ill does make you act differently, and I understand where Aragorn is coming from, but poor Legolas! Author Reply: Hi, Leward - it's really good to hear from readers, and I would love for you to review each chapter. My hits stats tell me there are more than 180 readers following this story now but only 4 or so have stopped to say hi, so it feels good when someone does - thank you! I'm glad that the anguish reaches out to you, as I want every reader (me included) to empathise with them and the pain they are going through. :-) | |