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| Sweet Woodbine by Bodkin | 172 Review(s) |
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| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/19/2006 |
| Prologue - 'In Which a Reader Gets Carried Away'.... Part the first - 'Giving the Wood-Elf a Piece of His Mind' - I must say that Taryatur has become the expert at dragging his heels, even when presented with a fait accompli! I had been wondering how Elerinna's adar would take the 'hot gossip' of the infamous dance between his daughter and that 'wood-elf'. LOL He did not disappoint me! I am glad, tho', he finally agreed to allow Legolas to 'court' Elerinna. I suppose even a crumb (and rather a large one, in Taryatur's sight) is better than nothing! :-) Part the second - 'Not Quite What They Seem' - in which Litheredh discovers that one cannot tell a pepper by its cover! LOL An object lesson - as a teacher I do so appreciate them and this one is very effective. I am very much coming to like this innkeeper. He is extremely careful about not appearing to take sides, but he always gives Litheredh some very sage advice. Isn't this the first time anyone investigating the troublemakers thought to look amongst the wood-elves for the instigator? (I detect Ministan's fine hand stirring the pot, I think.) Part the third - 'Welcome to the Family' - in which Legolas has an enlightening conversation with his sensible brother-in-law-to-be and Camentur avoids a ruthless kin-shunning! The very thought of Elerrina putting slugs in Camentur's boots and pepper in his tooth powder had me howling! She is a dangerous elleth, yes indeed! (I loved the 'mindless stage' comment too! Ahhhhhh, young love.....how.......stirring! :-) or maybe not so young!) Part the fourth - 'I Have No Talent For This' - or how Legolas discovered he has not one scrap of talent for blowing glass! I loved this interlude, with Legolas trying to understand something Elerinna loves by actually doing it himself. So endearing...that unrecognizable blob! The discussion that follows concerning Gimli and Legolas' time in Middle-earth was a very important moment between these two. Elerrina needs to understand how his life is so very different from hers, and perhaps through their talks, Legolas might gain some insight into why her father is so afraid of him. You also create such a sensual tension between these two, Bodkin. It's very understated, yet very, very, very THERE! Part the fifth - 'Give an Ellon a Ball...' - or in which Galadriel and Celebrian enjoy a pleasant, if longing-filled talk of those yet to come to Aman. I heartily agreed with Celebrian here - it was so good to see Elrond happy and at play! Part the sixth - 'Go West, Young Elf!' - or in which Haldir finds himself witness to an amazing occurence! I cannot help but feel that all the land and forest to the west has been there, but kept out of sight and inaccessible until the elves of Ennor were ready to enter. Has Legolas' mother been rehoused by this time and found her way there yet? I must confess time is not my strong point! LOL I loved the mystery and magic of this section of the chapter - I got chills just reading it! Part the seventh - 'The Heir of the House of Oropher' - or the funny thing about oaks and their acorns! I loved that Legolas finally let that side of him show forth - I'm sure there was nothing like rank fawning stupidity to bring if out, especially if they were speaking against his Elerrina. Again another wise, insightful conversation with Litheredh being his usual kind, calm self. What a great chapter, Bodkin - sorry this review is so long, but if you insist on writing such wonderful stories, it is really all your fault if your readers get make your eyes cross with overly long reviews! :-) linda Author Reply: Hi Linda! Taryatur's not keen - but I think they're beginning to wear him down! And once Legolas and Elerrina are side by side they will find it easier. And I rather like the inn-keeper. I'm not sure the Wood-elves would think to look in their own ranks - they're pretty sure that the Noldor are the big bad wolves that it might take a bit of a shove to make them turn that way. Camentur is fond of his little sister and knows what's best for him! He and Legolas could be good friends, I think, given the opportunity. Although I suspect Taryatur won't make it easy! I reckon even someone with talent would take a good few goes at glass-blowing to realise it - and Legolas doesn't really have much inclination. And now even Taryatur will grudgingly allow them to spend time together, they can talk and learn from each other about the earlier part of their lives - and Elerrina will have to learn more than Legolas I think! She has led a very sheltered life and even though she was born considerably earlier than he was, she is unaware of many of the things he takes for granted. Although he has to learn to accept her different experience and not belittle her for not being a war survivor. (I don't think he will - but there will be times in the future when the twins, Legolas and Miriwen will just look at Elerrina and Sirithiel in bemusement because they just don't know - and never can.) I think there is so much sensuality and sexual tension in a touch or a brush against each other - and, actually, that it is far more erotic than a lot of frenzied coupling! Playing will be good for Elrond. I always think he didn't play enough as a child and hope that Glorfindel and Celebrian made him spend a lot of time enjoying the youth of his own children. And the missing family will come. When they're ready. It was a good thing that Haldir was there. He's seen something - and, what is more, he's understood it ... sort of. It might have been a good idea to tell the elves what was going on rather than just leave them to hear the siren call - but it's probably quite good for them to work it all out for themselves. They'll value the outcome more! Legolas has always been a quite quiet and amiable elf - but he can do it if he wants to. He can don the Thranduil stare and the Oropher imperiousness - and his opponent will remember just how good he is with that bow and take a step back! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Linda. And it's a lovely review. A pleasure to read and respond! | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/18/2006 |
| I loved this last chapter and especialy the two finding themselves outside with no clue as to how they got there, and naked no less. Too funny! Loved your note at the end as well. I am so bummed that this story is complete. It was sooo wonderful! Please go write something else long and wonderful with all of my favorite elevs in it. I need another excellent story to look forward to receiving updates for. As always, I love your writing. Please keep up the good work! Author Reply: Thank you! I think, if they look around them, they might find Legolas's formal robes and a large sheet... They left the house wearing whatever was handiest. Not, I think, that they will be looking for a while - they are otherwise occupied! I'm sorry to see it end, too - but Legolas and Elerrina are extremely pleased. They feel they were made to wait long enough as it was! I shall be starting something else soon. I have had a suggestion that a Finrod/Amarie story might be interesting.... Thank you for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/16/2006 |
| A lovely ending! And practically back where we started - under a tree bird-watching! :D Not quite sure how they got there, either. *g* That was delightfully amusing. I also love how elvish your elves actually are even in love. The favour of the Powers could be as dangerous to those who received it as their disapproval. How very true! Camentur is shocked at Legolas' heritage? But, he knew he was of Silvan blood, didn't he? Still, an interesting reaction on his part - even though he did recognize Legolas' obvious point. About saving Surion's life, as well. I really like Oropher's defensive anger about people believing Celeborn was henpecked. Her 'ever-presence' is exactly how I would think he'd like things to be, especially after the last thing he said to Aragorn. Ha! How typical that the mother of the bride would want the kind of wedding for her daughter that she really wanted for herself. It was a pity that she had no family left to approve or attend if there was a formal event. But, there are pluses for both the private and public ceremonies as you nicely pointed out. Hmm, I guess Orodreth changed his mind after he fell in love with a Sindarin lady of his own. Very appropriate that Thranduil receive advise and understanding from an elder and that it be Celeborn. I have to comment on the writing. I loved that description comparing the trees to gossiping matrons. Just wonderful. And you do that all the time! You paint beautifully with words - yeah, that sounds trite, but it's still the truth. *Three* lines of asterisks at the end? Where the camera usually pans away because... Well, at least you did not say 'The End'. We know that they will live happily ever after. About the NOTE, I think you do a great job with sub-text to get your points across. Any truly civilized people with tell you that love is a madness that is usually cured with time. Usually... ;) Author Reply: I think the night and the moon and the song of the trees just called them. And they were so wrapped up in their emotions that logic just didn't come into it. The wedding was probably at Elerrina's home - which wasn't far from this particular glade. They might just have wanted to revisit the place they met ... Different chaffinch, though. I don't think chaffinches reach 300 or so, even in the Blessed Realm. Whom the gods love, die young, as they say. And Feanor agrees that it's not necessarily a good thing to have too much attention. Not shocked, I think. Disconcerted. He knows Legolas as a Sindarin prince of the Silvan realms - and since Legolas's mother isn't around, perhaps he just didn't think much about her. I think Oropher would probably be far more offended on Celeborn's behalf than Celeborn would be on his own - and hold it against Galadriel, too. But Celeborn is confident enough not to worry - he knows his value and how he and Galadriel work together and doesn't care what others think. And Galadriel wanted Celebrian's wedding to be an affirmation - and an expression of pride in both parties. Which is probably what she found lacking in a more informal bond - she would do what she chose, but I don't think she would want to feel hole-in-the-corner about it. And Orodreth just strikes me as stiffer and more rule-bound. Less open to experience. Celeborn's support will help Thranduil, I think. His understanding probably, even more. Thank you! I'm pleased you like the style. I'm flattered. Well - adding notes isn't too much like me, but I thought I'd better at this point. And they will be happy - and we already know various outcomes. And I like to think that passion may moderate, but love remains. At least in the Blessed Realm! | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006 |
| A lovely end to this tale. I am glad to see Legolas and Elerrina married at last, love that Galadriel and Thranduil found something to work well together on (vs begrudgingly) and I love the idea that Celeborn and Galadriel took matters into their own hands in Doriath, long ago. I enjoy exploring the concepts of elven bonding - really anything that reminds that the elves are not humans. As relationships change, so do those bonds. And when relationships are intact, those bonds undergo appropriate changes pretty smoothly. But when relationships are not intact... well, much as with our fallen world, there are unforseen and painful things to experience. It had to kill Legolas watching the twins come after him and marry before him, while he and Elerrina waited. :/ Author Reply: Thank you! The poor things had a long wait, but at least they both knew, after the first century or so, that they wanted each other. Miriwen, on the other hand, felt a pull towards Elladan some three centuries before she sailed - and then it was another five or so before he crossed the sea. Although he then fell pretty quickly. And at least they didn't have to fight family disapproval! I reckon Galadriel and Thranduil could like each other - if they ever got past the sniffy stage. (I suspect Thranduil was very resentful of the female who took his cousin away. And Oropher's attitude certainly won't have helped.) And yes - I think that in the end, C&G would have given up on trying to please others and settled on pleasing themselves. Elven bonding is a fascinating concept - parent / child bonds, in a way, even more than bonds in marriage. Picturing the ability to live, if not in each other's minds, aware of each other's emotional state ... well, it has advantages, but it could be difficult too. Changes would come harder on parents, I think. Kids expect change - and the emotion of bonding might well be the trigger that makes parents shut off that link ... but it could leave feelings of emptiness. Hard for Legolas to see the twins marry first - but if he comes to thing about it, he must have worked out that Miriwen had been waiting even longer than he had - and with far less prospect of a happy outcome. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006 |
| Well, that ended with quite a bang--ahem--really lovely idyll there in the woods! It was cute about Taryatur being horrified over the Valar attending the wedding, and really diplomatic of them to resolve the matter as they did! Those little subtle touches are a delight. Interesting point (in the previous chapter, which I forgot to mention) about elves who have never known war or strife and have never had to fight for their lives or their country, growing up soft and narrow and perhaps a bit mean-spirited. I've thought of the same things myself. I guess if you're looking at the same things it's likely you'll see the same things. The jewel sounds gorgeous, although I couldn't help but think, "Well, where is she going to wear it?" lol Lovely and non-fangirly depiction of Legolas altogether! ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Where better for a Wood elf than in a wood. Surrounded by trees. (I think Elerrina would feel a lot more uncomfortable about it all, were she not in a state of post-wedding euphoria!) I can see Taryatur's point - those who attract too much attention from the Powers tend to come to no good ends. And I think the Valar have probably withdrawn rather from too much contact with the elves. ... Doesn't mean they don't want their words taken seriously, though! I think a lot of the way we react to events reflects our experience - and I don't see that elves would be any different. If the worst thing you've ever endured was it raining on your party, then you're not going to find sacrifice and death easy to grasp - and similarly, if you've grown up somewhere where you've struggled to feed your people through winter and defend them against evil, you're going to curl your lip a bit against the softies who have never endured anything worse than a shortage of strawberries. But it is all relative - and, quite often, good people are good people wherever you find them. The jewel - I don't know if it's for wearing ... more a treasure, I think. And I was thinking that it might have some kind of draw to the west where it belonged ... maybe part of ensuring that the elves end up in the right place. Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it. More, I expect, soon! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006 |
| Had to giggle about the image of Thranduil and Galadriel forgetting their aversions against each other to see Legolas finally and happily married. It is nice to know there are so many powerful elves in league to help them and that Celebrían and Galadriel obviously acted in stead of Laerwen. Oh, and of course it was funny to learn about the wedding of Celeborn and Galadriel *grin* And I loved the way the twins took their friend away to distract him from all his worries there would be something interfering in the last minute. ‘Two ages have passed – and more – yet those of the Blessed Realm have much to learn before they can accept the return of Fëanor’s sons.’ That is only too true, you know. It seems the elves of the Blessed Realm are quite slow to learn and forgive and to accept they have to change and can't dwell in the past forever. Sometimes I wonder if they will *ever* reach this point. The meeting with Aule was fascinating. His gift for Elerrina I found touching, no matter what her father thought. And I had to laugh at Taryatur's horror about the idea of a Valar at the wedding of his daughter. He's truly not overly fond of any attention for her, particularly it is somehow connected to something or someone from Arda. The scene with Legolas and Elerrina in the woods was a wonderful end for the story. I enjoyed it so much and am sad to see it completed, but I look forward to the next. Author Reply: Thranduil and Galadriel niggle each other - I suspect that Thranduil admired his older cousin as an elfling and wasn't too keen on this elleth who always seemed to be in the way. But Galadriel is fond enough of Legolas to ignore it all here - and anyway, weddings are (mainly) female business! Thranduil copes much better with Celebrian, I think - despite her mother - as she's a) Celeborn's daughter and b) more feminine - keeping to a more female role than Galadriel. (Galadriel would never have married informally in the BR - she would have had the whole works. But without her parent and with three of her brothers dead - and with the endless inter-kindred suspicions, I reckon that, in the end, she would have defied them all to bond with Celeborn. The twins took him on the equivalent of a stag weekend. Except they didn't return with a stag! The elves of the BR have long memories - and they live in a place where change is very slow. That applies to forgiveness, too. Feanor did not return while Arda endured - but to keep all his sons from being rehoused seems excessive. They were not all equally bad or equally responsible and, short of them all deciding to stand by their father and refusing forgiveness, surely some of them were able to find redemption. But I don't think it would be soon. The elves of the BR do need to grow and mature a bit, I think. Aule needed to appear to round the earlier meeting with Yavanna - but I really understood what Taryatur felt about too much favour. It's rarely good to attract too much attention from the Powers. And it would be like having the Queen coming to tea - or the Pope offering to do your wedding. A bit too much. The glade took the story right back to the beginning - with a chaffinch singing. Only this time Legolas is not alone and is looking forward rather than back. Thank you for reading - I'm glad you enjoyed it. More soon! | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 7/15/2006 |
| Ohhhhhh what a RELIEF and a breakthrough this chappie is! Whew, is that Taryatur (sp?) a stubborn one or what! Even so I fully expected him to be on his knees before Leggy after he rescued the baby....and then he actually says he's "unworthy"??????? Eek!!! What's a poor Elf gotta do? Well, at last they are engaged...yesssss!!!! Gotta say I just love your characterizations...not many authors can make Elves come to life so vividly. At least, not that I've seen. Maybe I ought to give more of them a try. Well done! Now to the next part........ ~~~{~@ Author Reply: In a way - although he would never have wanted anything bad to happen to Surion - this is almost a relief to Taryatur. It breaks through the impasse. It must have become obvious to him that he would have to give way, but he's still sure he's right and the more everyone else is pushing at him, the more obstinate he becomes. It's why Linevende hasn't put her foot down, really. She knows how badly it would hurt him - and it hadn't quite got to the point where she had to insist for Elerrina's sake. Thank you! I'm flattered. There's so much good stuff to read out there that I'm just blushing at the compliment. | |
| thechevin | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/15/2006 |
| I am so sorry to see this story come to an end I have enjoyed the whole thing so much and I feel there is so much more to be explored, I do hope we get to see and hear more of this dance not only Legolas and Elerrina, but Thranduil and Galadriel, with Celeborn stirring the pot for both of them. Celebrian and Linevendë doing their best to set politics aside and Taryatur of course who seems determined to make this the wedding of the age. I look forward to hearing more about the wedding itself perhaps from someone elses POV, Thranduil being a favourite. He is going to find this change in his relationship with his son very hard, and will need the support of his cousin The ending was so sweet and lovely I just wish it hadn't had to end at all, but will be looking out for more of these lovely glimpses into life amongst the elves very soon thank you for sharing this world with others Author Reply: There tends to be a time - around three-quarters of the way through - when I wonder if I'm actually going to be able to wind a story up ... but then I get to the end and I hate it! I really don't want to say goodbye to the characters. But you're right - there is always more to be explored. Some of it might make longer stories and there are some definite one chapter fictions there. I feel for Taryatur, really. He's going to feel the separation - probably more than Thranduil will. And it's typical that he would want to ensure that Elerrina's wedding was the best he could make it. I'm sure there will be more soon - Legolas and Elerrina might want a bit of time to enjoy their honeymoon, but I'm sure the others are wanting to tell a story or two. Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoy reading what happens among this group of elves, because I certainly enjoy writing it! | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/14/2006 |
| I'm glad to see the culmination of Legolas and Elerrina's long courtship and betrothal. They deserve their happiness at last! Their awe and wonder at the changes between them was lovely. I think your final point about changing relationships and the different stages of elven life are very true. Legolas - besotted with Elerrina - will not notice the lessening of his bond with Thranduil, but his father will. You made a similar point in Reflections when Elrohir mourned the loss of his twin, after Elladan (the first of the three) married Miriwen. I'm sorry to see the end of this, but I hope you have more stories planned. Please?? Jay Author Reply: There will be more stories. It's an addiction - I can't stop. I don't really have anything longer in mind at the moment, though, but I'm sure I won't be able to bear the gap for long. Yes, Elrohir felt the change in their bond very strongly when Elladan married. Elrond, though, would have had far less problem with it than he did with Arwen. This division was not absolute - his son would still be there and remain there - but, more importantly, he had Celebrian beside him and sharing the experience. Thranduil is alone at the moment. But L&E will be living with him - and Thranduil will enjoy having a daughter in his house. Elerrina likes him, too. He accepted her so openly and with no reluctance at all - that is bound to have affected her feelings towards him - and he has no need to be anything but loving towards her. It's an outwardly very uncomplicated relationship that will be good for both of them. Poor L&E ended up with a terribly long courtship. I think they did spend at least a century denying to themselves that it was a courtship at all, and then another century of suspicious rapprochement before they acknowledged there was more to it than just friendship - but even so, it's been a long haul. And Taryatur's disapproval made it very hard on Elerrina. But finding themselves together in the woods on the first day of their lives together has put all that out of their minds now - they are outside the everyday world for a while until their emotions begin to settle down a little. I'm sorry to finish this - but L&E had waited long enough! Thank you, Jay. I'm glad you enjoyed it. More will be along soon. | |
| JRJ | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/14/2006 |
| What a lovely ending to a lovely story. The reference back to the chaffinch when they first met was an especially elegant literary touch. Author Reply: It's the same glade!! Not, I'm afraid the same chaffinch. I'm fairly sure chaffinches didn't share immortality, not even in the Undying Lands. Legolas has completed a circle and come back to the same place - but now he is not alone and despairing. It took a while, but he is now able to move forward properly, embracing the possibilities of the Blessed Realm. Thank you. | |