News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| We Were Young Once ~ III by Conquistadora | 175 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| ninqwestilmen | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/28/2007 |
| While the chapter is immaculate, no doubt, it seems almost an anti-climax after the ominous note on which the previous ended. I had expected to see more of Estelmo, glimpses of Thranduil at the gladden fields, not to mention some more insight into the Queen Mother's emotions. To me at least, it seems as though there should have been another chapter before this one. But I did love the story :) Luinar is quite endearing, still the cocksure character of 'I Return' :) I hope to see more of Thranduil's extended family in the chapters to come, they are always good reading. I must say Legolas' imminent arrival surprised me, I had not expected the transition from Aran to Adar so early in the tale. But now the potential paths you can take us on open up quite considerably... All in all, another great chapter. | |
| tnt2b2 | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/28/2007 |
| What an artist you are, Coriel. In my mind's eye I can see and feel the story unfold. I am always totally immersed in your stories and do not realize the passing of time. I tell my students that books are a passport to worlds unknown and undiscovered. Your stories embrace that thought. As always, I look forward to your next chapter | |
| Adrianne | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/27/2007 |
| Ahhh, Coriel. May I say that you had me in tears by the end. A new life beginning in the autumn of the year. Legolas, no doubt. And so we will get to see the prince born and bred to his duties. I have been waiting for this, and will look forward to his birth and to the extraordinary feeling of love that will assail the King and Queen when they become parents. "Now it was Hatholas who smiled, an expression in which Thranduil could always recognize the condescension of Coriel. “You are a very disciplined king, my lord,” he said; “but I expect you will be a terribly indulgent father." I do not doubt that this is will prove very true. The passing of Lady Lóriel into the West was a bit sad, but she goes with 'hope' and to await the reincarnation of her husband. I love how you show so intimately the inner workings of Thranduil's life, the day to day, so to speak; his thoughts, his weight of responsibility, his joy. "Despite the natural loneliness that his position inspired, Thranduil was far from miserable. Indeed, he was not even unhappy." I liked these lines. I suppose knowing what he and his people will face in the future, (the not to distant future as time goes for the Elves}, it does my heart good to see that he is enjoying some peace and contentment. Yet all the while there is that feeling of unease in regard to the one ring that runs like a sinister undercurrent through all of their lives, Elves, Men, Dwarves... Another beautiful chapter. Thank you for ending it on a note of hope. I simply love this story. | |
| Adrianne | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/17/2007 |
| I realize I have already left a review of this chapter, but when I first read it I did so early in the morning before I left for work and I posted my reply in a bit of haste. I also was in a mild state of euphoria over the fact that the chapter had been posted so quickly after I had caught up on the previous Books I and II. The aboved mentioned resulted in a poor review that only partially expressed my delight in the chapter. I have since gone back and read it several more times and so wanted to give additional feedback. The following is one of my favorite passages in the entire chapter and perhaps even in the entire story: "That morning dawned dark with abundant threat of autumn rain. Thranduil had risen to see the last of the stars veiled by the encroaching clouds, and for a time he merely perched himself amid the highest branches of Galadhremmen Lasgalen, feeling the pulse of the forest beneath his hand. The wood released the memory of Oropher only slowly, and it was for him to strengthen his own hold on the raw arboreal lifeforce of his realm while peaceful days endured. It would be his to wield when once he had entrenched himself deeply enough, as it had been his father’s. The first rumble of thunder that morning was released from the churning clouds at his command, and he was satisfied." Without question Thranduil becomes sovereign of all he surveys and this passage illustrates it splendidly. "...feeling the pulse of the forest beneath his hand." Beautiful! And that last line! Wow! The sheer power of Thranduil's presence is formidable. What a great paragraph. I also love the ominous tone with which you ended the chapter: "He had little enough to report to Celeborn and Elrond. Isildur remained unaccounted for, whether dead or alive none could say. Yet, before he had been knocked senseless, Estelmo confessed that he had overheard a significant farewell between the prince and his father, and had then seen his king vanish in a blaze of red flame. If Isildur was lost, the Ring of Power was certainly lost with him." Absolutely, chilling. Even if one did not know what was coming. Lastly may I say that there is nothing about this chapter that suggests even a hint of decline. The writing, as always, is superb. The events, the characters and the places have lost none of their enormous appeal. I look forward to this book more than I did the last two, for certainly the Third Age is where Thranduil proves is worth a thousand times over. Of course this is the Age with which the majority of Tolkien fans are most familiar and there is much that occurs. I expect to be charmingly ensnared for many, many centuries...well for many, many chapters, anyway. Thank you once again for your efforts on our behalf. No need to answer this post. I know you are a busy bee. Get what has to be done, done so you can give this jewel some quality time. It is well worth the wait. Adrianne | |
| Jay Greenleaf Elf | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/14/2007 |
| I am so glad to see Thranduil and Lindoriel finally happily married. I loved the sweet, intimate moment between them. I love the way you described the reactions that everyone got from the news of Isildur's possible death and what impact that would of made on the other people of Middle-Earth | |
| irene | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/6/2007 |
| Long ago, I told you this was a very good and very interesting story. But the best of stories decline when erratically updated. Sorry, I'm leaving this one. Author Reply: Very well. But if updating regularly meant neglecting the more important aspects of my life, I would just as soon let this story die. I'm afraid fanfiction is among the least of my concerns right now. | |
| ninqwestilmen | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/30/2007 |
| What a beautiful opening paragraph... it evokes such a sense of peace and tranquility.. and the imagery was so vivid I could almost imagine being in Greenwood. Illuiniel and Linhir, finally. And the scene between Lindoriel and Thranduil was simple intimacy as you put it, but their deep love was there, such a sense of belonging. This chapter and the ones following it will be quite insightful to those who have not read the unfinished tales. Estelmo has been cleverly woven into the story and it will be interesting to see what further role he has to play in Greenwood. Now I eagerly await Thranduil riding in haste to Isildur's aid and his reaction being unable to prevent the disaster... Again a wonderful chapter. And my thanks to your sister as well, that her touch is missing is mildly noticeable in parts ("he knew it have to wait.") And thanks to you both for a wonderful read... Author Reply: Yes, Chigger usually weeds out those pesky typos. :P Thanks for reviewing! :) | |
| Ginger Rich | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/29/2007 |
| Another installment! And a mighty intriguing one at that. I like how you are seemlessly combining your story of Thranduil with Tolkien's. Tolkien provided all the vague plotlines and backstory of this wonderful Elvenking, while you plunge into the detail and character. Lovely. Great work. Keep it up! Author Reply: Thank you! I'd like to go far with this over the summer, but I have no idea how successful I shall be. | |
| Adrianne | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/29/2007 |
| Oh my! What a gift to begin my work week. I could barely get here fast enough when I saw the notification in my email. This is an ominous chapter that foreshadows all the woes that are to come not only to Thranduil and his people but to all of Middle-earth. Your portrayal of the doubts that assailed Thranduil as he considered Sauron and tried to convince himself that that evil had truly been destroyed was chilling. I found it a little sad and frustrating that the news of the attack on the Gladden Fields interrupted the sweet, intimate moment between Thranduil and his patient Queen. Ahhh, such is the life of a King. I like that you indicate the esteem and love that the woodmen have for the Silvan King. 'Into Shadow and Memory', indeed. So the long years of the third age begin. As always, a superb chapter with the touch of a master storyteller. Thank you for posting so quickly. Adrianne Author Reply: You're welcome! My beta (my sister) is a bit peeved at me for posting without her approval, but I hate to keep you lovely people waiting. Yes, the Third Age has by far the most subject matter to cover. I can already tell that this is probably going to be the longest of the three. | |
| Adrianne | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/19/2007 |
| Ahhh, sadly I have caught you up. I say sadly because now I must wait on your pleasure to learn what next will befall our gallant and magnificent hero. Oh, I do know, of course, in the broadest sense Tolkien allowed and I look forward to the retelling of certain events. But what I truly await is the intimate insights that have made your masterful yarn nearly hypnotic. The last few chapters were as painful to read as I imagined such would be that told the tragic details of Oropher's fatal charge. I wept for the fallen King and for his son who had to take up a crown he had never hoped to bear. I wept for Galadhmir having to endure a triple grief in the death of his son, his King and father figure and very nearly the death of his friend and brother now become his sovereign. It was almost too much. And then after such catastrophic loss, to endure the humiliation of scorn from their Elven kindred, was an awful blow. I cannot imagine the strength it took both physically and emotionally to move forward. But finally, you end this last chapter with the marriage (at last) of Thranduil and Lindoriel. They are one. How long did she await him? More than 3,000 years. The woman is a saint! Or merely, everlastingly in love. Who can fault her? Now on to recovery, to the building up of Thranduil's own realm before the bitter retreat. On to the birth of our beloved Legolas, the quiet strength of 'the fellowship', with perhaps a glimpse into his formative years and coming of age. And no doubt you will weave into your rich, eloquent tapestry those events (the leaving of Lindoriel and of Legolas' beloved) merely touched on in 'I Return'. Will you go farther? Will we see Thranduil give up the Greenwood at last and answer the call of the sea? Or will he, like his cousin Celeborn, hold on a little longer to his birth land? Either way, it will be a bittersweet epilogue to a bittersweet story. Magnificent and melancholy, as are all the stories of the Elves. "The one was deep and wide and beautiful, but slow and blended with an immeasurable sorrow, from which its beauty chiefly came." Such it is with Elves and Men, a blending of beauty and sorrow. I know you are busy with much else, but please do not keep us waiting long. With gratitude, Adrianne Author Reply: Thanks, Adrianne! :) I'm doing my best to keep the wheels turning, and the next chapter is probably about half written at present. I've felt rather uninspired lately, but your reviews always help! I've actually been considering a Book IV about Thranduil's departure from Middle-earth, but we'll see how it goes. I've already attempted it once, and that was a learning experience. Anyhow, I'm off to take care of business. Until later! | |