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| Sweet Woodbine by Bodkin | 172 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/9/2006 |
| I see advice is being offered on several sides, and all of it sage enough. Joy to all of them as each comes closer to his or her heart's desire. Author Reply: Plenty of advice - and learning to accept advice graciously is probably a sign of maturity! Fingers crossed that the heart's desires pan out. (I suspect they probably will. In time. Even Taryatur might end up reconciled ... one day, in the far distant future!) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/30/2006 |
| Ah--Gimli's house sounds so beautiful. He was elvellon, after all.... And the advice given Legolas is true; and now Elerrina's father is finding himself forced to be polite to that wood elf! Hee! Author Reply: Legolas had as much influence on Gimli as the reverse - and I think Gimli had a good eye for beauty (and a romantic heart) before he ever met the elf. Poor Taryatur. Like most fathers, all he wants is the best for his daughter - and like many fathers in similar situations, he remains to be convinced that this Wood elf merits her affections. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/30/2006 |
| I am so glad that Gimli is mentioned here, and the love Elf and Dwarf held for one another. Elerrina begins to learn more of the depths of love to which this one has been exposed; and she will in time come to appreciate his love also of Aragorn and his honor for Frodo and Sam, and his friendship with the rest of the Fellowship. And at last the two of them are beginning to be honest, at least in part. Author Reply: For all Gimli's presence in Legolas's life took up quite a short part of an immortal life, I think he - and all those of the Fellowship - were very important in changing him from the rather provincial elf he may well have been at the beginning of their acquaintance. The situation in Mirkwood must have limited Legolas's experience of the rest of Middle-earth - and he had probably not had much to do with mortals and even less with dwarves. I think Elerrina has been very sheltered by a father who would, if he could, stop even a sharp wind hurting his precious daughter - but she has clear sight and an honest heart. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/30/2006 |
| Ah, am catching up with this one at last. Lost track of it during one of the computer downtimes, apparently. The politics of a people who cannot help but remember the sins of those who left Aman over two ages past would indeed be complicated. Never forgotten, and mostly not forgiven indeed. Author Reply: It must be very complex living in a world where everyone lives for ever - and can doubtless bear grudges over whole ages. You hope they would develop the ability to understand and forgive - but the history of the Noldor doesn't hold out much prospect of eternal serenity! | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/11/2006 |
| WOW!!! What an excellent story. I loved every line of every chapter. Legolas is my favorite character in the LOTR. I am speechless. I look forward to reading the rest of your stories. Tari Author Reply: Thank you - I'm so glad you liked it! When I started writing, I put off writing the story of Legolas's courtship - Legomances have such a bad name - but dived straight into making him a husband and father. But this story wanted to be told! I hope you enjoy the other stories. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/9/2006 |
| I adore this story. The thought of Elves, especially Elrond, playing ball had me smiling for the rest of the day. It's sometimes hard to imagine Elves like him having fun at all. They always seem so stern. I love seeing Legolas in a romantic situation. I just might write a story along those lines for my own entertainment. I also find it interesting that the different groups of Elves have trouble getting along. They're acting just like men. Author Reply: Thank you! I do think Elrond had a lighter side - but it took Celebrian a lot to coax it out of him. The poor elf needs some play time - his role in Middle earth was very sobering! But, to a lot of these elves of Aman, Elrond is just a youngster ... which must seem rather strange when you're about 6500 years old. I didn't want to write romantic Legolas for a long long time - and side-stepped the issue by starting off with a married Legolas who rapidly acquired children. But he just wanted to tell his story of how he suffered for love! I find it very difficult to imagine Aman as a place of spiritless bliss - there are far too many far too determined and single-track minded elves there for life to be that peaceful! Even if they are all working with the best of intentions. I'm glad you're enjoying the story - thanks for reading. | |
| Dinledhwen | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/3/2006 |
| Bravo!!!! *claps and whistles enthusiastically* I love how Legolas and Elerrina ended up where they first met! I couldn't think of a better place where they could finally give in to their desires for each other. *sighs happily* Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It took them a long time to overcome all the problems along the way, but at least they knew they loved each other enough for the struggle to be worthwhile. And I did enjoy returning them to the same glade! It seemed a good place for them to begin their new lives! | |
| Dinledhwen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/2/2006 |
| I have just finished reading the first chapter and found it delightful! I also skipped ahead and did a quick scan of the other chapters and have found that you too have put our beloved elf through much angst which I have done also. Poor elf! I hope he doesn't think we are ganging up on him! ; ) Author Reply: Poor Legolas! I sort of set out the prolonged torture in Reflections - and then the poor elf just had to endure the longest and most painful courtship. But he is elf enough to cope! And king's son / Lord of Ithilien enough to deal with the political pressures, too. But I admit it was very pleasant writing the end - he deserved some gratification! Thank you - I hope you enjoy the story! | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/22/2006 |
| Catching up, blah, blah...you've heard it all before... You wrapped this up and finished tying it in to your other stories very nicely. The conversation about the new lands was great. I like the way the suggestion about all the discussions in Finrod's court is just dropped in there and I love the idea of Legolas having even more powerful allies in the Valar. I'd never considered it, but he would both for being Gimli's friend and for what he'd helped do. So I really loved the later part where Elerinna's family visits Aule--his gift to her is really fascinating. Poor Taryatur--I almost felt sorry for him during that conversation. Elerinna and Legolas's impatience is amusing. Poor things. The last few weeks, especially surrounded by foolish preparations. It would be maddening. Legolas is worried about something going wrong! Going into the woods with those two, he's lucky he didn't have something disastrous happen with them! ;-) I loved this part of their conversation: The perils of Middle-earth brought about nothing but polite co-operation between them – but this quest to get you joined in matrimony is almost exciting enthusiasm.’ Hehehe. Love those two. And I loved the gift Celebrian had for Elerinna to wear. Beautiful and all its history was wonderful. I love things like that. And I know you will be shocked to hear how much I loved Thranduil's part in this chapter. I think a little short story detailing Celeborn and Galadriel's wedding would be great. I definitely see things as you described them here. And I felt so for Thranduil, missing his wife and about to lose part of his son. It would be hard on him. But of course my favorite part was after Legolas and Elerinna's marriage. The description there is incredible! I love the finch and how she can hear the trees and how they 'approve' of her presence. And all the little details that show their bond and their love. So perfect. I know I say this every time, but I think this is my favorite story of yours. It is absolutely wonderful! Author Reply: Thank you, elliska! I'm only too aware of the places where the join is rather obvious in these tales - and where the plaster is being smoothed over the cracks. And bits that don't quite manage to display continuity even there. I'm just hoping that nobody decides to read them all through in one go! If even I have a bit of a job remembering exactly who did what when, fingers crossed that other people won't notice either! It's so easy to get absolutely swamped in discussions that a reference in passing can save a whole lot of unnecessary conversation! And indicate the passage of time, too. On the whole 'it's not getting someone into the room that's hard, it's getting them out again' principle. Legolas would be of interest to the Valar, I think. He's done unusual things and been in unusual places. (And I have a suspicion the BR could get quite boring at times.) And as Mahtan's descendant, Elerrina is likely to stir Aule's interest - especially when it comes to a bond between a Noldo and a Dwarf-friend. Poor Taryatur, of course, is out-matched here - at so many levels. I rather enjoyed Thranduil being forced to appreciate Galadriel's aid in getting the wedding arranged. (She did, too.) And the head-dress just pushed itself in - and the story tying it all together. Galadriel enjoyed that, too. But thought it would come better from Celebrian. Elerrina and Legolas were at the edge by the time the wedding arrived. It was probably just as well that the twins carted Legolas off for an elven stag week ... (with real stags). And even better for them that they brought him back undamaged. This will be a hard time for Thranduil - but I think he really will find he's gaining a daughter. And he'll like that. Elerrina is open enough to new experience to embrace life as a Wood elf - although there will be complications at times. Not so much with the sort of things you thing about as with the instinctive behaviour that's so ingrained that you don't even realise you do it. But it's not all that long now - not even in human terms - before he will be reunited with his wife. I'm glad you liked the story, elliska. I don't know if a C&G wedding will make it to screen. I'd never say never ... and I'll keep it in mind! | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/20/2006 |
| I am fascinated with the way Legolas, Celebrian, Elrond and Galadriel become aware that their loved ones are finally on a ship coming to the BR, and how the Valar make certain that those who need to be dockside are there, no matter how long they must delay the ship's arrival! You have some very cool ideas about the BR, Bodkin...*bows and salutes the author*. I am always amazed at how very logical and well,...elvish you make it all sound. Haldir is so funny(Get a horse, Thranduilion, and get yourself to the sea!) And the first section with Thranduil's uncertainties and Celeborn's observations - you hit those characters right on, right down to Thranduil's petulance mixed with a hearty dose of fear ("It is too late to change our minds now") to Celeborn's calm confidence ("We will just have to make the best of it"). But undoubtedly my favorite part (and believe me, I have lots of little favorite parts!) is the actual docking. You have very deftly covered the emotions of the people waiting on the dock, Elerrina especially, as well as the tension of those on board the ship...Thranduil leaping from the bow of the ship and 'stalking' with that single-minded determination towards his son comes vividly to life! And those two words, "My daughter"...and that kiss of acceptance and welcome on Elerinna's forehead...I melted into a puddle right then and there. And of course, laughed myself sick in the next moment with Taryatur's "Just like THAT?" What a wonderful contrast of reactions there, Bodkin! Once again there is that tension between Legolas and Elerrina, communicated so nicely with their little fingers just touching....*sigh* *melts* *sighs again*... And what a heartfelt discussion follows as Legolas tries to explain further to Elerrina about battle and why he had to fight. "Everything comes with a cost...but there are times when you have no choice but to pay." The more Elerrina sees how open and honest he is, the stronger the steel in her backbone becomes! :-) She is gradually becoming the strong helpmeet he will need when they finally become betrothed! Lovely, lovely reunion! linda Author Reply: It's tied in with elven family bonds, I think. Their fear are linked: parent/child, husband/wife. The Sundering Seas must have put a distance between them, if it didn't deaden the link altogether. Once the ship was on the Straight Path, they would have felt it like pins and needles in the soul. And time, I think, bends and stretches rather even in our own lives. Compare a day with a friend to sitting through half an hour on departmental budgets and which is longer? Thranduil - I don't think he really wanted to go. Would have stayed perhaps if he had felt the forest needed him. But once the forest became numb to the elves - he preferred sailing to impotence. Celeborn knows why he is going - and perhaps that makes it enough. I think Thranduil might sense Legolas's uncertainty about how he would receive Elerrina. It would be so typical of him to disconcert them all by accepting her without question - to reassure his son, to express his love and maybe to stamp his own seal on what was going on. Might well not have realised until later that she was Noldor - and then wouldn't have gone back on what he had said and done. Taryatur would thing 'typical! You can't rely on a Wood-elf for anything!' And again - little touches - and refraining from touch - is enough to set them both on fire. I think Elerrina's understanding is growing - sacrifice, self-discipline, standing between the innocent and any danger. And I think it's a good thing that they have enough time to learn about each other and share their understanding. I'm glad you enjoyed the reunion. This was a fun chapter to write because I knew what shape it had to take and it just flowed! Thank you, Linda. | |