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Sweet Woodbine by Bodkin	172 Review(s)
meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/15/2006
Legolas, the designated court gadabout. Poor boy. And falling for the wrong girl, too. Wow. You've really thought out the intricate power politics of the Blessed Realm. What a bunch of clever and devious people. If I didn't trust you to end it all happily I'd be cringing on Legolas's behalf. Author Reply: He's going to end up longing to put his feet up in his own kingdom for an age or two. His people are scattered over the populated face of the BR - and the only way he can help them is to forge friendships with all the kindreds. Which makes him Party Elf of the Fourth Age! He and Elerrina aren't going to find it easy to overcome the sheer inappropriateness of a Sindar/Silvan prince yearning after a Noldor cousin of the Feanorionnath, either. Or, come to that, the daughter of a War of Wrath vet hankering for one of those backward native elves. Not to mention his being the grandson of That Elf, too. Good thing that there's a whole raft of stories about What Came Later!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/15/2006
This chapter makes me think that the Blessed Realm is not such a bright idea after all. Too many high-achieving, dominant elves in way too small an area. At least in ME they could spread out and get a buffer zone between competing egos. I feel for Legolas! Author Reply: The Blessed Realm is one of those things that sounds a terrific place - until you really start thinking about the likes of Galadriel and Thranduil and Celeborn all stuck together with a bunch of Calaquendi-are-the-Valars'-own-people types in the same place for ever with nowhere else to go. And then add in the possibility of re-embodied figures such as Maeglin and Fingolfin and Turgon - and all the kings and lords left with no-one to rule and no-one to fight. The Blessed Realm has the potential for being anything but, I think! And Legolas is about the only natural leader of the Silvan - since the only way that most of them get there is via Namo's Halls. And he is, of course, several millennia younger than most of the rest - and sorely inexperienced in political manoeuvring. Still. It'll stop him from getting bored!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/13/2006
I do so adore Taryatur. He is such a good soul. A little tortured and worried, but actually someone you would want to meet. Too bad he finds it so difficult to forgive, especially to forgive himself. But, then... they all tend to be that way... Never forgotten - and not often forgiven. Sometimes overlooked. His reaction (flashbacks!) to the thunder was very telling. He knows that he was effected by that marred world. He already feels guilty of allowing that darkness into his family's life. How could he allow even more? Yay! Litheredh will be around for a while longer. (I would love to know your translation of his name.) ;) It was amusing when he downed the cordial at the dinner party, almost as preparation for a bad scene. But, Camentur's jokes was reason enough for him to fortify himself. His jolly advice to flirt was quite amusing. It was fascinating watching Legolas navigate around all this unspoken uneasiness. At first, I thought the 'elephant in the room' was that no one had told Taryatur that his old nemesis was Legolas' grandfather. But, you make it clear that even Taryatur has cause to rail against unfair prejudice. He should take a lesson from that. But of course, he has not yet and will not for some time... Interesting assessment of Orodreth's personality - and Finrod's. The archery session was interesting too. I liked the ladies' conversation for all that we learned about Elerrina. Especially, that she trusted her father's opinion. Not that he was right so much of the the time that she could argue herself into believing that was so. ;) Best of all was Finrod telling Legolas a bit about the grandfather he had never met. What was he like? You could just hear the elfing asking that question. And Finrod's reply was intriguing. Shall Legolas meet a few of those who knew a different Oropher? Can they get over the past? We will if you will. H'mm, sarcasm from Finrod? :D If only it were that easy! It would certainly be a short story - and courtship - if that were true! Looking forward to the next installment. Author Reply: The more I think about Taryatur, the more I like him. He and Linevende started off as cliches - but as you work with them you get to see more and more layers. Taryatur is a loving father who wants the best for his daughter - and he doesn't think Legolas is the best. For all sorts of reasons - partly because nobody would be good enough for Elerrina, partly because of his family connections, partly because he has seen and done things that Taryatur considers corrupting - I mean, would you want your daughter to marry someone you look on as a mass murderer? Who has grown up in a corrupt society? And yet he is up against the elven ability to 'know' the right one for you. In a way, his determination to fight it is quite noble... And then he just can't give in and accept it. The thought about how the inhabitants of the Blessed Realm coped with the kin of the Kinslayers is fascinating - and what life was like there after the defiant Noldor marched away. I think there would have been a lot of bitterness and resentment aimed at those who might have been seen as having the power to stop it. Not just from the Teleri, but also from the families that had been torn apart as husbands and fathers and son - and sometimes whole families of grandchildren - left behind in safety those who would now feel deserted. I think Nerdanel would withdraw from society - while Finarfin, of course, took up the burden of kingship. And people being what they are, it would be easier to turn their backs on her kin than on Feanor's regal line. Elven society seems to be divided into Houses - and they do seem to be patriarchal! Elerrina is a much-loved daughter. She obeys her father through love and duty - and she has been brought up to see the world through his eyes. She is going to resist the attraction she feels towards Legolas - and trust her father's perception. He knows more than she does. He's older and wiser and he has visited those lands east of the sea. And she has experience of people who have held themselves aloof from her as a cousin to the sons of Feanor. Possibly even been rejected by those of Ennor who would be horrified at the idea of kin to the Feanorionnath. Ultimately, of course, attraction will be stronger than compliance but it takes at least 300 years. Sarcasm from Finrod? No - a bit of helpless realism. Legolas must seem so young to many of these ancient elves - and yet he has experienced things that creates a bond between them. Old warriors together. While much older elves who have never known anything more dangerous than a sharp remark seem naive to them. I can't remember offhand what I think Litheredh means. Something innocuous, certainly. Something-seed, I think. A tree. Have I got it wrong? Perhaps I should retain you as name consultant! Finding good names is a torture, I find. Legolas is bound to encounter some people who knew his grandfather, I would think. It would be great if he found someone who knew him as a child. I haven't got that much detail worked out yet, though. Thank you - I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

Aislynn Crowdaughter	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/13/2006
Hi! Sorry to perk up again, but I had to add: forgive my ignorance, I wasn't aware that this was a prequel to another story of you and Legolas and the girl are married in the follow-up already. So, nice story and well written. Sorry I complained. Aislynn Author Reply: I avoided Legomance initially by moving straight to giving him a wife! Almost. Elerrina first appeared almost as a joke in an early Reflection - seeing how many tree references I could fit in to female description. Since then - she has probably appeared far less than her and Legolas's children. And possibly less than her father! (I married off the twins in much the same way. Well - this is supposed to be the Blessed Realm and I did want them to have the happy family lives they missed out on in Arda. And having them as fathers presupposes wives.) I am going to do my best not to have too much of Elerrina and Legolas - but they don't marry until after the twins arrive and Elladan re-encounters and marries his wife, so they will be encountering each other over 300 years or so before they give in to the inevitable. The whole business of allowing heroes a normal experience of life is very difficult!

Aislynn Crowdaughter	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/13/2006
Hi Very interesting story and start. However, it does seem to develop into a mere Legomance, and while the political background makes it worth the reading so far, I fear I'm not all too eager for just another Legomance, even if the elleth is of Valinor this time. I would think it sad if this turned out to be the purpose of the story. I would be interested to read about the further development of Legolas' representation of the Silvain and Sindar elves there, though. What of Thingol? Isn't he reembodied, yet? And if not, why? Curious, Aislynn Author Reply: Thingol has not yet returned - at least, as far as anyone knows. The main reason probably being that it would make a complicated political situation ... very complicated! I've sort of come to the conclusion that re-embodiment is a very personal thing and has a lot to do with personal trauma - and that, possibly, the more complex the personality, the longer it takes to adjust. Another element is, to my mind, to do with who is there to desire the return of the elf from Namo's Halls. And Luthien isn't. And Melian is absent in that she has reverted more to her Maia persona and isn't herself embodied. Legolas is (to my mind) one of the few leaders of the Silvan elves to choose to sail - and is likely to become a focus of their needs. And, probably, in the absence of Celeborn, even the Galadhrim might well look in his direction. Of the romance element ... more later.

Lyn	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/13/2006
Delightful! Author Reply: Thank you!

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/12/2006
Wow! So many intrigues and so much haunting from the past. I really can't wait to read more. I love this whole set up and I think that you are right that the memories of the awful past would have haunted the kin slayers and their kin. After all, elves do dwell much in memory. sad but true. Love this tale. more soon, please? Author Reply: The past must haunt Elves dreadfully. After all - it is all within living memory. All within personal experience. I have long felt desperately sorry for Nerdanel - and Anaire and all the women and children left behind when their husbands and fathers joined Feanor's highly-excited bunch of followers. (I know women and children did join them. I just think that probably at least half the Noldor preferred to leave families and sweethearts behind to see them return in triumph.) And the Silvan / Galadhrim elves from Middle-earth are a scattered bunch. Legolas is born to lead - but he is terribly young in Elven terms, and not that experienced. Certainly not at the level of the Noldor princes. Then, on a personal level, neither Elerrina nor Legolas can see their attraction leading to anything. They are united in hoping that it doesn't! Too many complications are inherent in it. Thank you. More pretty soon!

Haleth	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/12/2006
Another wonderful story. I've often wondered how the relatives of Nerdanel would be seen in the Blessed Realm. Given the level of antipathy towards the Feanorians in shown by the Sindarin elves in Middle-earth, there would have to be some unpleasantness. Linevendë and her family could have been on the other side of Valinor at the time of the Kin-slaying and there would still be guilty by association. You've portrayed this and the mutual mistrust between the elves wonderfully. One thing that always struck me about the elves is their ability to carry a grudge. There are humans who have forgiven far worse in far less time. Maybe one of the reasons the Third Kindred continue to be so cool towards the Noldor in general is that they've held the grudge for the Kinslaying so long they've internalized it into their beings. Now, like a bad habit, they can't give it up even though they know they probably should. All of this is combined with politics, leadership of people not at all easy to lead and a love story. The plot is complex yet all of the elements make sense and are woven together seamlessly. And yay! Finrod! (shameless Finrod fangirl squee) As always, I'm looking forward to more. Author Reply: The thought of the Blessed Realm in the immediate aftermath of the Flight of the Noldor and Feanor's nasty little excursion to Alqualonde is a fascinating topic. I think Finarfin showed tremendous courage in turning back. More courage, probably, than many showed in going on. And what did he have to face? The Teleri. His wife. All the wives and children who had been left behind. He would have ruled a people that was largely bereft of adult males - what would that have done to the social dynamics of being Noldor? Then there was the probably bitterness and grief of those who had been left. The shame. Would they have taken it out on those who were connected with the Kinslayers? And by the time some, like Nerdanel or Anaire, had begun to overcome their feeling of abandonment, would people have started to blame them - purely for being the wife / mother of those who had left them? Irrational - but people are. And, of course, after the War of Wrath, when the Host returned with all the stories of what had happened during the First Age, all the buried resentments would resurface. At least Fingolfin and his family were heroes - but how would Nerdanel respond to knowing what her sons had done? The trouble with immortality, too, especially in the Blessed Realm, where there are no Secondborn rushing through their lives, is that nothing fades into the past. She would still be dealing with event millennia old. Very complicated. And a love story that could be - I suppose (trying not to heave) - is a little Romeo and Juliet-ish. Two representatives of less-than-friendly houses. Finrod is a good sort. Open. Shiny. Kind. And experienced at Noldor politics. Thank you. More will follow!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/12/2006
It's fascinating to see Legolas settling into this sophisticated, politically complicated environment, which is so foreign to the way he was raised. Of course, he must have seen politics in Minas Tirith and, on a simpler level, in Ithilien, but he knew what was going on there. Here, he's feeling his way along, and in love to boot, poor elf. Author Reply: I read this and thought - yes, that's his problem! He's found himself somewhere he's supposed to be a statesman and yet he's only had a century of training for being in charge. He's used to commanding warriors - he's used to seeing his father, with limited resources, dealing with the task of managing a kingdom under threat, but he's emerged, blinking, into this big shiny complicated society where every player has had millennia of experience. It's probably a good thing that he has the goodwill of Lady Galadriel - and that Finrod has taken to him. I suspect they will steer him round the obvious shoals. And he and Elerrina are trying very hard not to be in love. His adar - and hers (maybe) - have probably been itching for them to find their match for years, but neither of them are going to appreciate what is actually happening. (They have to get through at least 300 years of indecision, too, before they can solve their differences!)

Idhreniel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/29/2006
I like your story very much! Nice plot!!! Author Reply: Thank you! Legolas had (in my version) about 350 years before the twins and his father arrived. And he must have been doing something - as well as developing an attraction for a certain elleth!

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