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Bridges  by Bodkin 15 Review(s)
GwynhyffarReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/17/2006
awwww. Yay! As much as I really really disliked Taryatur for so long, I can't help but like him now. He's still pig-headed and testy, but then so are some other elves who I really like!

Author Reply: On the surface Taryatur has been very dislikable! Especially for anyone taking Legolas's side. But he has his reasons for being the elf he is - even if they aren't always very logical. He is pig-headed and testy still, but I think he - and Legolas - have both lost some of the scales before their eyes and have discovered that they have more in common than they wanted to admit. And that they can support each other - which will, hopefully, improve their relationship considerably.

LiannaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/17/2006
It's good to see them home again, more or less in one piece.

I really like the complexity you have given Legolas in Reflections, Sweet Woodbine, and now this story. He is one of the characters whom Tolkien left frustratingly mysterious. Your take on him, and glimpses you give us of his post-LOTR future, are very satisfying.

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm sure they're glad to be home, too! And I was glad to see that they remained carefully friendly, too. I'm hoping that what they've learned of each other will stick.

I'm pleased you think that Legolas's character has become more rounded and complex - complex characters are much more interesting. In some ways having a fairly blank canvas is good - you can add the brush strokes you want as long as it fits with what is already known. I think he is a fairly straightforward elf on the whole - but no-one could get to be x thousand years old (about 1500 in my mind) without layers.

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/17/2006
I enjoyed this very much! It was nice to see Legolas and his father-in-law come to the knowledge that they may not always agree on everything, but they at least understand one another. The dialogue and the manner in which the understanding grows slowly I found to be very true to life.

Author Reply: Thank you - I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Legolas and his f-in-l have always had a difficult relationship and it didn't seem likely that one adventure would overcome it all - but they have made a start. I think they have both seen the other now, without all the prejudice that has made it so hard for them to break out of their pattern of behaviour. And they are male. They might let slip a few more serious remarks, but they would shelter behind less intimate words most of the time.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/17/2006
*sighs contentedly*
Wonderful end to this tale, Bodkin! It is a relief to know they are out of their prison, and even more so to watch Legolas and Taryatur together. I was truly glad Taryatur didn't get angry about Legolas' offer to talk about his experiences but thought about it. It will not only improve their relationship further, but help Taryatur to cope with his trauma. As he himself said, for Legolas it was always easier, because he had - and has - others with the same experiences to talk to; something Taryatur had not.
Anyway, the first tentative steps towards a friendship are there, and even if it may need some more years, I think they have reached a level of understanding that serves as basis for more. Really, it was sweet that Taryatur refused to stay in bed because he wanted to see for himself how Legolas was, worried they wouldn't tell him the whole truth.
You know, after this story I am beginning to truly like Taryatur, and that is something I hadn't expected after the first glimpses of him. And I trust you will in time tell us more about the two and their relationship.

Thank you for a very interesting and intriguing story!

Author Reply: Getting them out ended up being quite a problem for those attempting rescue - it was clearly a job for engineers and ropes - but the made it in the end. Taryatur has had a layer of his protection rubbed away, I think, and come to understand rather more of what he shares with his son-by-marriage. And he felt as if a weight had lifted. Partly, I suspect, because he knew that they would be rescued, but partly because he was able to mention some things he had been keeping to himself for over two ages. I think they have stopped the war - it might take rather longer to become an alliance, but they are both willing to make the attempt now and that's a big thing.

Taryatur started as a bit of a joke - the ultimately awful father-in-law - but he has grown on me. The more you think about people, the more they tend to take on a personality - and this poor elf is prickly and difficult, but honest and loving and straight as a die. And with some experiences that he has never been able to come to terms with. I'm sure there will be more about them in future.

Thank you for reading - I'm pleased you liked it!

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/17/2006
Well done! *she sits back in satisfaction* Yes, indeed, well done.

The repartee between the two as the rescuers worked above them was absolutely delightful. I think some of the best lines I've read! And the mechanation that was made to save them sounded quite interesting. I'm glad his wife got 'into the picture' so to speak. She is no fool, is she.

And the ending was perfect.

*giggles* I found myself, however, holding my breath as the trunk was removed.

Very, very nice story. Thank you for sharing it!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. The poor rescuers found themselves with rather a job to do - I hope Thranduil treated them to a good celebration with plenty of wine in gratitude!

Taryatur and Legolas were, I think, more comfortable in talking to each other - if they were still truly hostile, they would have been more polite. But they have had their eyes opened a bit, even if they are sitting in the dark.

Elerrina is quite mechanically minded and has been raised with people who are creative around forges and kilns. I reckon she still makes her glass - what she works on is fairly small-scale and I can't see Legolas - or Thranduil - wanting to deprive her of it. Haven't worked out the logistics of it, though!

I'm glad you liked the ending.

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