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In the West by Bodkin	34 Review(s)
elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/11/2005
Oh this is wonderful, Bodkin--thanks to you and daw. I really wanted to see these characters in Valinor whole and happy. Poor Emmelin. I imagine being in Valinor initially away from everything and everyone she loved and still without Sinnarn was a really difficult adjustment--"not her trees." I think she would be very aware of that and I loved that observation. But when I started this out and read that part I said to myself, "oh I hope she doesn't make this too sad because I can't handle the grief right now." ;-) So I was so happy when I got to the part where Siondel returned. Annael is one of my favorite characters and I remember how shocked I was when his dad died. I was so happy to see him return first. Elowen remembering Annael as she last saw him while reminding Siondel that he's no longer an elfling was so sad. (And before I forget to mention this--I love that you said Annael would stay with Thranduil and the forest until the end--that is so perfect in my mind). And poor Emmelin wondering if she longed for Sinnarn more, if he might come back faster. That brough tears to my eyes. And I love Legolas's arrival with Gimli and the letters--I definitely think that elves going to Valinor would carry letters to loved ones for those remaining behind still. I have that in my story and I loved it here. Hearing about everything that happened during the War was fascinating. Ithilden being injured so badly and Eilian's luck holding for him--I was so relieved they both made it. How horrible for Legolas to return and find Eilian or Ithilden gone. And Thranduil's comments about the sea-longing and the Valar's possible reaction to sailing with a dwarf just cracked me up! I bet Thranduil did react that way! I loved this line with Ithilden's arrival: ‘He sleeps in the trees unless the weather is very bad,’ Emmelin interrupted, ‘and eats, more often than not, at my naneth’s table. What a wonderful image of Legolas. But I was so shocked by how worn Ithilden and Alfirin were--I can see that since Ithilden was such a responsible leader and he'd lost so much. It was just so frightening. Poor things. But I loved Legolas's completely easy joking with him. Seeing them as equals here is so different then Ithilden the troop commander. But this was the end of me: I just hoped that – with Emmelin – I could speak of him.’ Alfirin’s voice was so low as to be barely audible. I started bawling right there. That is so true that when something like Sinnarn's death happens, some people really want to speak about the person lost and they don't for fear of hurting others. Too true. But one of my favorite parts of this was Lorellin's return and Ithilden/Legolas's reaction to it--Legolas smelling of fish at such an important moment! Cruel author! Her reaction to seeing Legolas was so perfect. I loved it. And my favorite part was the return of the last elves from Lasgalen. I don't even know what to say about it except that I loved it. Thranduil jumping from the ship. Perfect. Eilian's reaction to that--also perfect. I loved it and it had me bawling. Without a word, Thranduil moved. With one foot on the rail, his robe streaming behind him, he leapt willingly onto shores he had never wished to reach and gathered his wife into his arms. Sooo perfect. Emmelin smiled. ‘I think Legolas might not be travelling alone when he journeys with you to his adar’s house,’ she said. Wonderful! That made me so happy. And of course the end was perfect. Just perfect. This was a wonderful story. I am so happy to see all these characters together and whole--they so deserve it after their long battle in the Wood. Thanks for writing this! Author Reply: Thank you - I am glad you liked it. It felt very cheeky to write in daw's world, but, like you, I was really keen to see these characters back together. I started this to stop me brooding - and I think it might have worked! I see Emmelin as having been in so much despair at Sinnarn's death that her family had no choice but to send her west if they wanted her to survive. She was fairly newly wed - her bond with Sinnarn would have been pretty intense - and she had no children or duties (like being king) to tie her to the world. But then, of course, once in the west - what was she going to do? And how long would she have to wait? Even wanting the reunion, I couldn't see it coming too quickly. (In fact, both Siondel and Sinnarn took from 450-500 years. And Lorellin nearly 800.) But Siondel's return would give her hope - and Emmelin would then learn to know her grandfather (who is a star of an elf. I always remember the words Legolas said at his funeral.) I wavered over bringing Annael sooner - but I really think that he wouldn't want to leave the forest until he had to. After all, he can join his family when he wants, but he will never be able to go back to Lasgalen. And Annael is loyal and reliable to a fault. (I love him. More stories featuring lots of Annael, please daw.) You would send letters with anyone sailing, wouldn't you. I imagine that many elves packed as many as they could among their treasures. After all, clothes and things could be obtained in the west - but some things cannot be replaced. The war - I imagine Emmelin felt guilty in a way for not being there, although Annael was probably deeply relieved, for the first time, that she and Elowen were far away and safe. It was a desperate battle for Lasgalen, though - and Ithilden is the sort of person who would fight to the last gasp. And he would know that, if he died, Alfirin would not survive long. He would fight to stay even more fiercely than to hold the forest against the forces of the dark. And Eilian just would get away with it! And, by the way, Beliond and Maltanaur survived, too! (I picture Beliond as attaching himself to Thranduil - despite the king's objections - and 'keeping' him as determinedly as he ever did Legolas. Who would guard Ithilden's back? Annael, maybe? Or Calith - displaying a level of skill no young warriors suspected.) Legolas has had time to grow a bond with the land by the time Ithilden and Alfirin arrive. And he is now a grown and independent elf. With a penchant for sleeping in trees. I imagine Elowen would have found his presence a comfort - and he was always happy in her company. (I'll bet she still has that picture.) Speaking of Sinnarn - poor Alfirin. She daren't get too upset in front of Ithilden. He would never have forgiven himself for letting Sinnarn coax him into sending his son on that expedition - and Alfirin would have known that reminiscences would have stung like whips. I can imagine that she and Thranduil spent a lot of time talking about Sinnarn - and there in the west, she hoped she and Emmelin could talk about him with love and hope. But Emmelin, I think, has guarded the pain by walling it up and refusing to look at it. Which probably made it harder to sense Sinnarn's imminent return. It felt very daring, showing Lorellin's return - she is such an important, if generally unseen, daw character - I'm glad you liked the way it went. Thranduil's arrival - more than just a private event - but a cause for public rejoicing among 'his' elves. And nothing could have made him happier to take that final step into his new life than the sight of his beloved Lorellin. A shame Eilian doesn't actually get to speak to her - but there were enough meetings! 'Billowing' would have been a better word than 'streaming' though I think, looking at it. Never mind. Tuilinn, Tuilinn, Tuilinn. I don't think her name got mentioned at all. Legolas was so cagey about her. But, for those who remember her, she, too, returned to make him happy. And Sinnarn came. Finally. And Emmelin can put waiting aside and be happy in a world where no orc arrows can steal him away. And they can all move to their own unshadowed forest and live happily ever after. . . . Oh, all right. They can have lots more adventures. And elflings. I loved writing this - and I am delighted by the response it has had. I am so grateful to daw - not only for letting me do this, but for putting this world together in the first place and peopling it with such delightful characters.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/11/2005
A fascinatingly beautiful reunion. Very, very lovely. Author Reply: Thank you. I found that I was haunted by some of these divisions - and really just wrote this to get my own resolution. I am pleased daw liked it and let me post it!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
I usually don't read stories without hobbits, as you know. But I found myself doing so frequently during the MEFAs, and was delighted to discover Daw the Minstrel's lovely realm of Mirkwood, and to dip my toe into some of your Elven stories. I truly enjoyed this tribute to Daw's characters, and I've already made plans to read some of those that were not on the MEFA list. I also have a few more of yours I want to finish now. Between the two of you, you might convince me to like Elves almost as much as I like hobbits. And that's not easily accomplished. Author Reply: You know I love reading hobbits as well as elves. I'm not averse to reading men and dwarves either. And I've concluded that once I find an author I like reading, it doesn't matter what the species! Daw's Mirkwood is just superb - and her characters are so multi-layered that if she wrote a many chaptered story without a single canon character I would still be eagerly waiting for each update. Do read them all! And elves are rather appealing! They are taller than hobbits and you don't have to worry about them getting old! But then hobbits are rather special - and their joie de vivre is just great. I was drawn to write this for my own pleasure - I so wanted to see these reunions and I was so flattered when daw liked it and said I could post it - and I am delighted that other people seem to have liked it too. Thank you for reading.

emjo	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
All I can say is THANK YOU!!! This story was beautiful. I loved Lorellin's reunion with her sons and husband. Wonderful just wonderful. Author Reply: Thank you. I so wanted to see these characters reunited that I just couldn't bear it. I wrote this for my own secret satisfaction - and then daw was kind enough to say I could post it. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
Oh, Bodkin. I don’t know what to say. It’s after midnight and I’m sitting here weeping at this beautiful gift that you’ve given not just to daw, but to all those of us who love these characters. I humbly apologise, but I can’t think of anything sensible to say right now. Please let me come back and leave a proper review tomorrow. Thanks to you and to daw for allowing me to see this time that I’ve hardly dared to imagine. Author Reply: Thank you Dot. I felt guilty dipping my toes in daw's world, but I just craved reunion between Sinnarn and Emmelin in the west. I am just thrilled she and you liked it.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
Oh, my. What a lovely, lovely tale - I'm ashamed to say that I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes at Emmelin's reunion with Sinnarn. These characters are so real to me - I was horrified to hear that Ithilden had been so badly injured, but glad that Eilian was unharmed. You caught his character perfectly with his first comment when Thranduil leapt off the ship. Thanks, Bodkin - and Daw - for this gem. Jay Author Reply: Thank you, Jay. Daw's characters are so wonderful - I love them all. (Even Tinar, in a way!) I barely touched on many of her central characters - who, other than daw, could possibly do Eilian justice? - but the Ithilden part just flowed. It seemed so very Ithildenish to fight to his last blood before his father's halls and then to force himself to live for Alfirin's sake. And I just couldn't get Sinnarn from my mind - I started this just to reunite him with Emmelin and then got carried away. I'm glad you - and daw - liked it!

orlandochick05	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
Wow. That was so nice. I never wanted that to end!! I always wanted to hear about what would happen to Daw's characters once they got to Valinor. Just one thing though, what about Gimli!!?? Author Reply: Gimli arrived with Legolas - he was outside while Legolas was talking to Emmelin, but he had died by the time Ithilden and Alfirin arrived. Emmelin and Elowen arrived about 2951 (Third Age) and the episodes extend over about 450 years. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Daw's characters are so great, that it's impossible to get enough of them! Because, after all, there's Turgon - and Galelas - and Tynd - and Legolas's love affair - and more elflings for Ithilden and Alfirin - and Thranduil and Lorellin . . . it could go on as long as the elves themselves! Maltanaur. Beliond. Annael. Earilas. . . .

finafyr	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
I have this Unquenchable desire to read more about the people that Daw has written about. I find myself rereading Daw's stories over and over again. I do not know why. Bodkin I love your storied also. It was wonderful to have the best of both worlds. I wanted to know more. I wanted and still want Daw to write more. I would like to know many things. This waiting was one of those things, and I thank you for this wonderful gift. It was perfect. Author Reply: Thank you. I did this for my own reasons - I was just desperate to have Siondel and Sinnarn back with their families! And then daw was kind enough to say she liked it. Daw's world is just so satisfying - I love all her characters, even Tinar! And you're right - I want to know more, too. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
(sigh) Oh, Bodkin that was just WONDERFUL! So many touching moments, and it was just, oh, words fail me. I'm so glad you wrote this. Thank you Daw for letting her borrow your characters! You did such a wonderful job with them. The scene with Lorellin, the last scene with Emmeling, it was just so good. Emmelin tied it all together and I think this is going to be something that I reread often because it's just so beautifully sad and at the same time so heartwarming. Author Reply: Aw, thank you. Of course, were they not such terrific characters to start with, they wouldn't be such fun to play with. I so wanted to get Siondel and Sinnarn back home - doing this was just to satisfy my own need, but then daw was kind enough to say she didn't mind if I posted it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
Awww Bod, well done. What a wonderful bittersweet evocation of the undying lands - and yes I have often wondered what on earth the elves did with themselves - hence my enjoyment of your many other stories. But to write so seamlessly in daw's world - well done indeed. ( Mind you I guess writing in other worlds is what we do - aye?) But you do it with pathos but no cynism so well. Take a bow - a very nice start to a tuesday for me. Rose Author Reply: Thank you. (And daw.) I was astonished how easily some of the characters presented themselves. Although I did avoid some of the really tricky ones - like Thranduil and Lorellin and focused on Elowen, Emmelin and Alfirin. I am so pleased you liked it - it is very dangerous to play with someone else's toys!

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