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Many fruitless victories by perelleth	35 Review(s)
Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/20/2005
Despite his age, there's something young and hopeful about Cyrus - almost as if he thinks that, even at this last moment, Greenwood and Silvertree are going to be able to turn round and save the day. I love the albatrosses. And the horses. And look forward to discovering the outcome! Author Reply: Ah! yes, that's what I like of Cyrus, and in a way, I also pity him, too, for his stuborness... He's torn between hoping and doing, I feel it is a question of perspective, he never got to have the needed distance, he lived many years, but he was always in the trench, fighting despair as much as his own battles! I'm so glad everybody is commenting on the animals! Together with the trees, they are the voiceless victims of this tragedy... Thanks again for your kind words, Bodkin. The outcoming is... about to come.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/19/2005
Now this was a good chapter. I love the feeling that Cyrus almost get it -- he almost sees Greenwood and Silvertree for what they really are, he almost understands the idea of a long life coming gracefully to its end, he almost understands what the whole program is about. . . but not quite. I also really like the way that the animals as well as the humans and elves, all have their own personalities. The petty-bureaucrat horse, the aging pair of albatrosses, the puma making its final choice, everything seems very much alive and full of personality. And I'm kind of tickled by the fact that the word "puma" derives from Quechua, but that's mainly because one of my colleagues is studying the music of Quechua-speaking people, so I heard a lot about that area of the world in class this past semester. Author Reply: "I heard a lot about that area of the world in class this past semester" You're studying musicology? Now I'm tickled! How wonderful! Beware! or I could shower you with questions! ;-) I like how you put it, Cyrus almost. He's almost there, but not yet. It's truly difficult for him, but then, even if he has more years than the average human, he's never got the distance. I truly feel for him. Glad you noticed the horses. I'm sadly acknowledged with many of those...in my job it is very common that you end up riding one of those horses who know every trick in the manual, and, of course, the shortest way back home, which is always the one they're most interested in picking up at the least distraction! Very bureaucratic, I feel!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/19/2005
Never see his friend again? What's that about???? The image of Thranduil in the forest was eerie and wonderful. You're so good with all the specifics of things like how the albatrosses make. There a real reverence for the natural world here, that seems to fit in with what Tolkien told us about elves. Author Reply: I suppose that elves and men look differently at natural world, so Greenwood and Cyrus would have different regards, even when they're enjoying the same sights...The puma thing has been dancing in my mind since the first time I saw one and was struck by their perfection. Thranduil always made me think of one of those beasts, and it happily fitted here :-)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/15/2005
Sorry this is late -- I was out of town when you posted this chapter, and I did read it, but I'm only now catching up to things as I should be. And I don't have a whole lot of time at the moment, but I did want to let you know that I had, in fact, read the chapter. I think I kind of like your footnotes -- you do them with a certain flair. And I was especially amused by the whole thing with the maté, because I have one of those gourds on my windowsill as we speak (gift from my sister). Author Reply: I hope you enjoyed your trip –if it was for leisure- or that everything went OK –if it was for business-. Thank you for taking the time to write down even if you’re busy! I know how it is! I’m glad you liked the mate thing, and happy to know you own one of those gourds. Do you use it, if I may ask? Even tea tastes differently when drank from the gourd and sipped with the bombilla! I use mine, but when alone! ;-) I noticed, too, that you stressed the word maté. I hesitated myself, but I finally settled on for the local, widespread, unstressed usage of mate. Down there, they give you “the look” if you dare say maté… :-0 I’m comforted that you like my footnotes! Although, on second thoughts… should one worry about the “actual” work when her footnotes get noticed? ;-) I’m not wholly sure about this chapter myself, so I’m doubly thankful to kind an patient readers and reviewers!

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/14/2005
I think this chapter, with the progressing state of destruction of the forest, reminded me more than anything of how wearying it must be for the elves to be tied to Arda, to live so long as it does. They must just patiently go on, knowing that one day the tides of destruction will overtake them, and only then will they find out what exists for them, if anything, beyond the circles of the world. You are doing a nice job of keeping Greenwood's and Silvertree's perspective long term. Author Reply: how wearying it must be for the elves to be tied to Arda... Indeed. I was thinking along the same lines with one of the last "Tolkien quotes of the day" here, in SoA, that from the Akallabeth and the restlessness of the numenoreans. I cannot pretend to understand it either, but placing this particular man against these worn out and yet fighting elves seemed to me a good way of exploring their ultimate fate, that of hope beyond knowledge, for both races. Glad you find the perspective accurate, and thanks again for your comments!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/13/2005
Unlike others, I just can't seem to get to read and review quickly. But eventually, I do. This was a very informative chapter about the purpose and goals of Greenwood Great. There were more than a couple of things that were particularly interesting besides the mate. Nice touch that. Cyrus knowing about the off-spring communities and saying that very few were viable. That was not encouraging. The planned obsolecence of seeds! A chilling thought because it is something quite possible even now. I think, the wide-spread use of genetically standardized seeds are endangering our food supply as it is. One mutant disease and entire states will be devasted. Dubbing Maglor and Daeron the Bard and Poet was as amusing as their subversive global activities. ;) But, once again they make the best use of their artistic talents to assemble rafts of information whether tales,lays, or statistics. The international, global exchange website complementing the analysis reminded me of current projects like the Genome and NASA projects. The exchange between Silvertree and Cyrus about how what it is they were doing would not save the world was turning point for our hero scientist. Poor Cyrus! How disheartening for him. But even after that, he holds out and keeps faith with his cause. That was wonderful. I hope he can continue to ally himself with Sivertree's later stated goals even if they are not so grand as his own. "...we are gloriously ignorant about the subtle mechanisims of causality." Oh, how true. Call it fate or destiny or synchronicity, but thank God, meaningful things happen, both good and bad. Enchanting picture of the elf-lords in the moonlight looking west with yearning. How is that the presence of elves, even though at times they are sorrowful, comforts the human spirit? It's nice seeing Cyrus becoming part of this 'long defeat'. He has already made a great difference in one battle. I can't wait to see him proceed onto the next. Author Reply: I’m doubly thankful that you took the time! Your thoughtful and kind reviews are always welcome as well as very much thought- provoking, no matter how long it takes you to r&r! I’m glad you liked the mate touch. I seriously feared that people might find it disgusting, but it is so typical that it would have been a shame to let it out… The seeds situation is, most unfortunately, going on nowadays. Most of the genetically reinforced, disease proof seeds are non-reproductive, too. This means that farmers have to spend money every year to plant a new crop. International prices for those crops (not seeds) have been going down steadily, so… I’m glad that you noticed the quote. It’s from J.L. Borges, an Argentinean writer. I find it accurate and sarcastic. Cyrus argued with Greenwood (Thranduil) who is a bit… blunt, about the usefulness of their project, and it is calm Silvertree who tries to ease his worries. But some paths one has to tread for himself, I suppose… I’m truly thankful for your comments, Redha, and I hope that this keeps holding your attention and being worth your time!

phoenix23531	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/12/2005
Wow! I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to read something with both a social conscience and a wonderful insight and imagination, set with Tolkein's characters and concepts to boot! I truly enjoyed reading this chapter, particularly the keen insights and intriguing depiction of a future not too far away. Without being melodramatic or bitter, your depiction of the environmental future of both the natural and cultural changes that will likely result from our current apathy shows both keen understanding, a wealth of research already undertaken, and a tremendous marriage of current events and Tolkien's own environmental leanings. Congratulations! and may there be much more to come! All the best, phoenix23531 Author Reply: Well, thank you for kind words! I'm glad this is working for you! ;-) As you say, our current situation can very likely lead us to a similar situation, and the story tries to show how some poeple (and lingering elves!) still keep fighting their best despite the uselessness of the effort. That, to me, is very Tolkienish, together with his abiding love for nature, although a bit updated here... ;-) I hope you keep enjoying, and thanks again for your suport!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/12/2005
I'm loving this story! The image at the end was very striking. The elves looking west like silver and gold trees. :-) Are Bard and Poet Elladan and Elrohir? I think Tolkien would have liked what you're doing with his elves in the our future. Surely that tie to Arda is what they were all about. Author Reply: Are Bard and Poet Elladan and Elrohir? (Slaps forehead) Wish I had thought of that! Unfortunately, they aren't. We only have four remainig elves in cast, the four that meet in the prologue as the organization's board,that's it, Daeron and Maglor, or Maglor and Daeron. Anyway, I wouldn't have been able to play the six of them all along! I'm suffering enough with these four plus the good doctor!!! ;-) I'm glad that you're enjying the story and what these elves are doing! I couldn't picture them doing anything else...

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/12/2005
So they are still fighting the long defeat. This is very powerful. And the final vision of them - silver and gold, like the Two Trees, looking west with yearning. 'it kept Bard and Poet from other activities' - the hotheads, are they? The two who feel they have nothing to lose, so will go to any lengths to achieve their aims? I like Cyrus and I am looking forward to seeing where this goes! Author Reply: Hi Bodkin! honoured to have you on board! Yes, they're still fighting their long defeat. That sentence, and the one I used for the title here seem to me terribly powerful in their simplicity. Bard and Poet have nothing to lose, yes, or rather they have less to hold on to, so their approach, more "artistic" in a way, must be a bit embarrassing at times for his two more scientific-oriented colleagues. And poor Cyrus is there in the middle, hoping he has finally found the place from where to start recovering loss ground, only to be confronted with.... the greatest losers in earth history? we'll see. Deep thanks for taking the time!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2005
Transfering the milieu to future Paris and still have a contemporary protaganist was neatly done. This approach had a nice SF flavor to it. It was great how this opening episode set up things so smoothly. The classic start, an invitation from a mysterious stranger to join a strange quest, was entertaining and well-written. Like the prologue, it explains the premise and hero without being slow or boring. Dr. Feldman is a wonderful archetypal heroic-gentleman-scientist and yet remains an individual character. I can see why Claire likes him. I certainly do. Feldman's subconscious answer to Silvertree's question about where he lived was excellent. And the way you got the paper mail and notes and Feldman's old-fashioned sensiblities to work together, in what probably is a even more networked world than today, was well done. Silvertree knowing what kind of persuasion to use on the doctor was appropriately subtle. However, what impressed me most was your background research. A good combination of real cultural myth to work in conjuction with Tolkien's and the scientific theories added more of the previously mentioned SF feel to the story. Call it speculative fiction or science fiction or science fantasy, it is a realistic and intelligent genre. Mix in a little supernatural or paranormal, in this case I guess supranatural, element and you have a fasinating adventure waiting to happen. And having to wait for the next chapter to happen is the only bad thing about this story so far. Author Reply: Wow! You like good Sci fi, too? I grew up with that. I love the classics, and Arthut C. Clarke is my all-time favourite. I'd say taht the elves are the "overnatural" or even extra-natural element, here, in the sense that, being part of Arda, they have lived to see how the "guests" bring it to the brink f destruction, while they have the knowledge for living in perfect harmony with their environment. Sad, for them, as it is for those who fight relentlessly to make things happen and have good things going on. I'm glad you liked Dr. Fedmman, I'm so fond of him, too. I can promise that it won't take too long to update, although it won't be before next weekend. Have a nice week, and thanks again for your support!

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