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| Interrupted Journeys 8: Through Shadow and Flame by elliska | 39 Review(s) |
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| CandissD | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/15/2012 |
| Another great chapter! I enjoyed it and am sad this story is coming to an end! I still look forward to the last bit :) Author Reply: I'm so glad you enjoyed and I hope you continue to! Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/15/2012 |
| Loved the opening scene between Thranduil and Lindomiel! It's so good to see a married couple in love. And also in lust. :-) And Legolas continues to surprise both me and Thranduil with how much he's matured. The image of him and Hallion lying in the grass with their feet up made me laugh, as did this line, because they were so unexpected. "That must be frightening," Legolas said. I had to pause to sort out who all the bad people were. You've created such a long, thickly-peopled story arc that I can't always keep up, but it quickly because clear what was afoot. At first, I wasn't sure whether Dannenion and Dolwon were they involved, but now I'm sure they weren't. Demil/Bronil is "contemptuous" of them, and then they give the guy up and are shocked by the blue arrow. The presence of an elf from Menegroth and Sirion is really powerful. That was such a high-stakes, evil effort, shocking from elves. And the threat to kill everyone at the table is beyond appalling, especially since it's made so casually. It does worry me that he keeps glancing at Tulus. Mithrandir certainly appeared when most needed. As he is wont to do! Though Legolas played a role in making sure he wasn't too late to save Thranduil from himself, the kind of loss that's hardest to recover from. I did like the "let The moment with Legolas afterwards was great! Thranduil has to exert his ruler's authority, but he does it privately and then puts his arm around his son. I had to laugh when Mithrandir tells Thranduil that he and Galadriel are alike. I'm sorry this story is nearly done. I've enjoyed it so much. Author Reply: I'm behind on line--sorry for being so long in answering! I'm glad you liked the opening scene. I cut that and put it back a lot of times because this chapter was so long. But I thought Thranduil and Lindomiel deserved a nice moment together. :-) I had fun putting Legolas and Hallion in the garden. I think Hallion would involve Legolas as much as he could in Thranduil absence, but I think Legolas would have his own way of being involved. ;-) I do enjoy having Thranduil see that though. He must have been amused. I had to pause to sort out who all the bad people were. *Grin* If it makes you feel better, I had to look back to make sure I had spelled Fuinil's name consistently throughout. Crazy huge cast! Yep, everyone gets a shock at how serious these elves are. As more comes out about their involvement in past deeds (and I cut a lot of that in this story because I decided to keep it for later), Thranduil we will he is up against truly scary people. Gotta love Mithrandir! And Legolas. I wish I could have shown Galithil's reaction to Legolas standing up to Thranduil (which even he would have had the good sense to reserve for the privacy of one of their rooms). He would have had a field day with that! ;-) I'm so glad you enjoyed! And I appreciate the reviews so much! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/8/2012 |
| Wow! terrifying battle part 2 and then the aftermath. Amglaur and Limmiell's fates are awful, and also for the fact that LEgolas and Galithil were powerless witnesses to it! And also the sense of dread, after such a tragedy. I mean, a few days ago Thranduil felt safe enough in his realm to undertake such a family picnic with the wives on board, and now his in-laws are dead, he was almost klled, his children injured and traumatized... I wonder how he's gonna process all of this, despite the fact that no one could have known. And to add insult to injury, the bad woman was ruling over Aradunnon's village! That's a delicate piece of bitter irony on your part!!! Dogailon was great here, and I think Legolas is showing his true colors as a natural leader. Poor Galithil, though! enough cutting down o beloved ones before his eyes to last him an elven time! And now, to chase an elf, and to make an example out of her. Not an easy prospect, no wonder LEgolas is shocked it all has to sound unnatural to him, and elf betraying elves and then elves executing an elf... Touch times, Legolas! And excellent job elliska, this story is touching on so many dark places as well as filling in canon gaps! Author Reply: Sorry, I was offline largely last week. I'm glad the battle scene came across for you. I really find those things so hard to write and I needed Legolas and Galithil to see something really powerful to motivate some changes in them. And to add insult to injury, the bad woman was ruling over Aradunnon's village! That's a delicate piece of bitter irony on your part!!! Oh, that only gets worse in the next few stories. Trust me. ;-) And now, to chase an elf, and to make an example out of her. Not an easy prospect, You'll see in the epilogue exactly how hard that will be. Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much! | |
| Morn | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/8/2012 |
| Another great chapter. As I said on the last chapter, the battle scene left me feeling very nervous. I am glad help arrived when it did- although poor Limmiel and Amglaur. Although, it was obvious he would not make it to lothlorien to become king, I suppose. Galithil's change of heart over becoming a warrior is interesting, the reality of war is intense afterhe and his cousins interest in learning to fight and playing war games. At least Tulus is onto Manadhien! Hopefully we will finally see her get what she deserves. Will Thranduil really execute her? I can't decide if he would or not. Didn't he say he would not after another attack? Hmmm. I like how you have tied this in with other characters from the books (like haldir and his brothers) and the story of Nimrodel and celeborn and galadriel's move to Lothlorien. It means that it feels less like an imagining and more like the gaps filled where Tolkien doesn't fill them, if that makes sense. Again, thank you for writing and leaving it on a smaller cliffhanger this time- although I hope the guard's news isn't too disturbing. I look forward to the next chapter. Author Reply: Sorry, I was offline this last week, so I am behind. I'm glad the battle leaves you nervous! They are hard to write, so if that is the effect, I did something right. ;-) Yes, Amglaur could not make it out of this battle unfortunately. But Galithil, and Tulus (and by, necessity, Legolas) are in for some challenges in the next few stories. Will Thranduil really execute her? I can't decide if he would or not. Didn't he say he would not after another attack? Hmmm. Yes, he did. You get some more idea of that in the next chapter. I do not believe Thranduil (or any elf) would listen calmly through a trial and then decide on execution as the outcome. Do I think elves can be pushed too far though? Yes, I do. I love tying in with canon characters and events. I think that makes it so much more fun! Thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate them so much and I hope you continue to enjoy! | |
| CandissD | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/7/2012 |
| The battle description had me on pins and needles - Poor Amglauer and Limmiel - I thought Lindomiel was a goner too but I am glad help arrived when it did. I loved the fact that Thranduil was awake enough to hear Legolas and Galithil's conversation about the battle and to take the effort to try to explain some of it to them even though he was so wounded. Even though their actions in the battle are not very elfling-like, they are still not of age and that has to be a lot to absorb seeing how evil the orcs are (and with the arrow, seeing how evil some elves can be as well). Any parent would hate to have their children subjected to that. I am also interested in how Galithil will react in the future to see if this was enough to make him shy away from being a warrior for good. It sounds like it so far. Also, I loved Legolas taking the initiative to stop Dolgailon from speaking to Tulus that way. I am excited to see how this all plays out . Very good chapter, although sad from the losses. :( Author Reply: I'm so glad the battle left you nervous! ;-) That's exactly what I am going for, of course. Legolas and Galithil have seen a very harsh reality here. Thranduil was so hard to write in this, because it is so difficult for me to picture him like this. I'm glad you liked him. Legolas and Galithil have been training with swords for five years now. I imagine after that they had the basics and that would be enough to keep you alive in a battle, albeit with some mistakes. So that is what I was going for with them. And in the battle, they just fought (adrenaline and all that). It's when they are processing it afterwards that they have too much time to think. And the thinking is important set up for Galithil's later decisions, as you guessed. :-) Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!! | |
| Fantasia | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/7/2012 |
| It is terrible. I mean, good that help arrived, but it is a sad victory. Legolas is becoming a Prince, no doubt, the end was just perfect and his support to Tulus and correcting his cousin was impeccable. And I feel bad for Galithil, I think that seeing battle at such a young age has affected him very bad. Do elves experience PTSD? But I think that he will be an incredible adviser. There is a phrase from Solomon (I think), which I can loose it translate to English (I learned in Spanish, my language) that is very descriptive of the importance of counselors: Battles are won by the generals, but the War is won by the counselors, well, something like that. What I'm trying to say is that he will be very useful as an adviser, if he doesn't want to be a warrior. He'll be very useful as a "civil commander" of the elves in the forest. Besides, all the royal house members should not being fighting around and even traveling together, this ambush should show them that someone has to stay behind, as a back up. And Tulus, poor Tulus. What about his son? I remember that Dolgailon was a very good friend of him and was deeply affected by his treason, even if he did not acknowledged it. Sadly, we know now why Legolas' grandparents were not the rules of Lothlorien. I thought that the Queen was gone as well, it was terrifying read about her and the orcs and see Dolgailon trying to reach her and his impotence to do something. Thranduil and his Queen, what a terrible ordeal. Ok, I'm finished, I should be working and not worrying about elves...Please, update soon and Thank you Author Reply: It was a terrible battle, wasn't it? It was hard to write, but I need Legolas and Galithil to see some realities here. It will be important later. I enjoyed Legolas's role in the conversation with Dolgailon. He is definitely growing into his role and he is loyal to Tulus. That will be important in several parts of the next few stories, especially the very next one. And it is a problem for Tulus, because his loyalties are divided. Yes, what about Tulus's son? We'll be hearing a bit about him in the next chapter. I love your quote from Solomon. You've hit pretty close to the mark there. In a lot of ways with that quote and the following comments. (By the way, feel free to leave stuff in Spanish if you want. My mother is from Spain. I speak Spanish quite well). :-) Thanks so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/7/2012 |
| Holy crow, that was a bad battle. It sounded like nearly everyone was down before the elven signal came. Thank Eru. I liked the way Dolgailon responded to the lack of a patrol, the dog that didn't bark, so to speak. But cripes, what a horrible series of actions with Lindomiel. I thought she was a goner. When I started writing original fic, I realized how convenient (if awful) it was that Tolkien made orcs so wholly evil because that meant you could kill them with no twinge of conscience whatever. But Thranduil surely expresses a true parent's regret that his children live in such a world. Galithil's little speech about the life of a warrior, especially one in command, was very moving. And then he grimaces when Thranduil calls him a warrior, something he'd once have been thrilled by. I really have to wonder what you have in store for his future. That silver and blue arrow was an exciting find. It sure stirred up Dolgailon and Tulus. The scene between them and Legolas was an interesting example of how you can follow canon (Thranduil survives) but still give Legolas a chance to act like a ruler, albeit a very young one. I really liked the way you showed us Dolgailon's surprised reaction to that, even though Legolas doesn't quite realize what he sees. I also liked how Dolgailon silently tries to keep news of Limmiel's fate from being spoken in Legolas's presence. In both those cases, you imply what's happening so well. Author Reply: Yep, it was nasty. I wanted Galithil and Legolas to see a really ugly one here to move a few things in a certain direction. I think I succeeded. ;-) It definitely is really convenient to have wholly evil things like orcs, storm troopers and their ilk. Flat characters are boring, generally speaking, obviously, but they also have their uses. Poor Thranduil. It's hard writing him so badly injured because it's so hard to imagine. Galithil has a very different future in store for him and a very central role in the climax of the little conspiracy part of this plot. This was the set up for it. Legolas's part in that last conversation was cut and added back more times than I can count as I've written and re-written this. :-) It's not really necessary (and this chapter is super long), but in the end, I decided to leave it for exactly the reason you say. Legolas is 40 here, still very young for an elf, but I have him as Thranduil's heir, so he's had to have learned some things watching him in court and council meetings for the last years. And Legolas has also been Tulus's friend since childhood and now feels fiercely loyal to Tulus for all the sacrifices he's seen Tulus make as his guard. Showing that here serves as set up for the next story. Thanks so much for the reviews daw! I appreciate them so much! | |
| Morn | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/1/2012 |
| Hello, I stumbled across this looking for fanfiction about the Greenwood/Mirkwood elves and I absolutely love it. Tolkien really teases us with these elves, doesn't he? They are written about so briefly that is great to let your mind run with them! Legolas and Thranduil are obviously in the books but there's so much to fill in. I've read it all in the past few weeks and have absolutely loved the way you write these characters. The effort you have put into writing this really shows. Like I've said, your characters are great, those from the books are written in keeping with what is there, although you've managed to put your own twist on their personalities really well. Your OCs are detailed too, I like the way you have put so much detail into not just the central characters but the history of all the characters, e.g. Amglaur, Engwe and the King's council is really clear in the piece. You write the serious dark sections of battle and death with great emotional impact. The lighter moments are brilliant too, such as the female dwarf (that made me laugh out loud) as well as the romantic sections and the sweet family moments. I'm not going to give you a review of every chapter here, but the latest installments are the only ones I've read in order and I've been really excited to read the next piece, especially when you leave us on such a cliffhanger! I like the development of the characters too, Thranduil has obviously throughout been coloured by his past in losing his cousin, the kinslaying annd the death of his father. You can see now in Galithil how his parents deaths have affected him as well his and Legolas' growing maturity. There is also Marti/Moralfien/whatever her name is next being affected by her past experiences of the house of Oropher. Is it Moralfien's doing? (I know you won't say ;)) In a strange way there's something much creepier about an elf using Orcs to achieve the same things using men. It feels less of a political move and hints at a much darker depth of the attempts. How can they dismiss the idea of a Balrog so easily?! They'll regret that later, won't they? When Amglaur mentioned it, you felt like hitting your head on something! Although, perhaps it's better that they don't know for sure! I know I'll be sat all week worrying about what happens next- this is a sticky situation! My minds been going through you can kill off, and besides Legolas and Thranduil's survival,it's not looking good! Don't leave me on this cliffhanger for to long! Thank you for writing and keep on going! Author Reply: I'm so sorry I didn't reply to this sooner. I would have sworn I did, but obviously not. Getting forgetful! :-( It really made my day to see this review. I'm so glad you stumbled across the stories and enjoy them. I especially love the comments about the characters, because I really do love working on characterization. To me it is the most fun part of writing. The most difficult part for me is action/battle scenes, and I really work to make them important to the characters, so I'm so happy they come across with emotional impact. That is exactly what I am going for. In the next few stories, there will be quite a bit of focus on Marti/Manadhien/Moraflien and her co-conspirators, so hopefully that will be fun. :-) Thanks so much for the review. There is nothing more fun than getting a review from someone new. I hope you keep enjoying! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/1/2012 |
| OMG, that's a massacre worth of PJ's gore beginnings, there at the end! And yes, poor Tulus was my thought as well... Looks like Legolas and Galithil and maturing at sword thrusts..:-( Wiser reviewers have pointed out the highlights of this intense chapter, so I'm just gonna pick up an expression that I loved: "I am not going to die treed... So deeply elfy!!! Don't make us wait too long for the enxt chapter. I am deeply worried about Conuion and Limmiel and all the rest, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of those missing the party. Great job again, elliska. Author Reply: I just realized I never answered these. I swear it is good my head is attached, else I might forget it too. Hehehe! It was quite a nasty business, wasn't it? You have to feel sorry for the guards and especially the children's guards. At least the adults can fight. The children's guards can't assume they can. I'm glad you liked Legolas's line! It was one of my favs in the chapter too. Worry was in order, as you can see. :-( Thanks so much for the reviews! I really do appreciate them! | |
| CandissD | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/31/2012 |
| ahhhh what a cliffhanger! please update soon :D I really love this storyline! Author Reply: That was a mean cliffhanger, but not too mean since at least we know Legolas's fate. :-) Now the others... ;-) I'm so glad you are enjoying and I hope you continue to. Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them! | |