A Light in May by Antigone Q
Kitt of Lindon · 1 March 2004 · Chapter 1: The Storm
Since I normally don't read fics with young Estel, I don't know if I'm one to judge, but this is *very*, very good. I love the mood set from the begining and your Elves are kept very in check. I'm cutting the review short to read more. Cheers!
Author's reply
Thank you! Let me know what you think when you get to the end.
Karri · 1 March 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
*sigh* I saw this at the top of the page and thought there was a new chapter. Oh well, I enjoyed reading this chapter again. Its very good.
Author's reply
Oh! Sorry hon, it must have sent a chapter alert for the millisecond I had it on Publish instead of hide. But the new chapter is up now! Let me know what you think.
Lairewen · 28 February 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
Just read the story over and was wondering when you were going to update! I really want to know what happens next! Lairewen PS - May have said this before, but I LOVE your Elladan! :)
Author's reply
Very soon, I think. It came back from being beta-ed yesterday and I want to do a little re-writing and have it checked over again before I post. Within the week, at least, I would say. Elladan is fun to write - and he will show up again in the story very soon.
The Blind Guardian · 21 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
wow! this absolutly fantastic! although i am quite afraid that Glorfindel is not the mighty Elf Lord he is.... but nonetheless, it is a great story!!!
Author's reply
Thank you!
Lairewen · 20 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
Read this after reading your other fic, this is very good! I never saw the twist with Legolas' brother coming and I'm looking forward to finding out exactly what is going on!
Author's reply
Thanks! I do like plot twists a lot...
Aislynn Crowdaughter · 17 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
Hi! This is a wonderful story, and gratly written. I discovered prowling the archive and have followed it breathlessly. I love the way you describe the enfolding events out of little Estels perspective. I love the slow development of things and the way the story manage to focus on Estels perspective and the things that are important to *him* nevertheless while the mystery of the escaped Mirkwood-prince Laegryn enfolds. Why is he hunted? What is he supposed to be guilty of? and is he, or is the real poisoner somebody else? But that is not important for Estel: for him, it is about meeting the strange patient of Elrond, and learning to track, and befriending Legiolas, and going to the feast... and still you manage to develop the main plot and tell it without ever loosing focus of either threads of your story. Greatly done! I loved the chapter about Estel crying becuase he wanted Gilraen to care a bit for him, and Glorfindels reaction, and I like the surprise about the identity of Calen-glad. Now, I am eager to learn who is the real would-be-killer. Is it Medlin-the-grumpy and unlovely? Or Neshtwen? or Ilothuir, Calen-Glads girlfriend? or is it really Calen-Glad? or somebody else? And how does Erestors mystery of the missing half cascet of walnuts fit into it, or does it have nothing to do with anything? And will Legolas live? (I certainly hope so!) I can't wait to see, and I hope you update soon. Thank you for this great fic! Aislynn
Author's reply
I'm glad you like it. It's always nice to see new readers. You know, I think you are the first person to wonder about Erestor's walnuts. Yes, I did put it in on purpose with the intention of explaining it later, although I don't really think you could call it a "clue" per se. I don't expect people to be reading this story THAT closely. And bless you for realizing that the blame may very well not fall on Medlin...then again, it may - if Elrond doesn't know yet, nobody does. ;)
paranoidangel · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
I've just found this story and I couldn't stop reading it. I liked Estel's POV - it's an unusual POV to be writing from and you've done it well without making him young and cute - merely young and human. I also liked your interpretation of Gilraen - although I see her a different way there's no reason why yours isn't valid too. I'm really not good at whodunnits though - I have no idea what's going on, but I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Author's reply
Thanks! It would have been nice to see the whole thing only from Estel's POV, but I couln't quite pull it off. Writing even pieces of it from Estel's viewpoint has been a nice challenge for me.
daw the minstrel · 13 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
I loved everything about this chapter. Glorfindel is so capable as he gives orders and makes sure that the area is secured. And then Laegyrn reveals himself because of his distress for Legolas and the Mirkwood elves all start shouting. I liked the way you didn't feel you had to tell us why they were shouting. You trusted us to see it. Gilraen is so mysterious. What is with her? And it made a shiver run up my spine when Estel says "You are keeping him here." The fact that this is spide poison suggests a link to Mirkwood. All is not well here.
Author's reply
I liked Glorfindel in this chapter, too. I think reading fanfiction has given me a little fixation on that particular elf ;) I hope I generally trust the reader to deduce from what is implied. I'm always disappointed with lengthy explanations of things I think are obvious.
LKK · 13 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
A pretty mystery you have set here, Antigone. I had already decided that Calen-glad was Legolas' brother. That much was obvious. But I can't quite guess what is wrong in Mirkwood that would send him to the Lady for guidance. Or why the Lady would think that that guidance could be found in Imladris. Nor can I fathom why someone would want to poison Legolas. My thought is that he was mistakenly poisoned, that the true target was the brother. And what's up with Gilraen? She seemed to be getting better, more responsive. Suddenly she's not only sullen again but actively hostile. Well, like I said, it's a pretty mystery you've created. I'm looking forward to more clues and revelations. Hopefully soon! LKK
Author's reply
Glad you are enjoying! I hoped that most people would see who Calen-glad really was by chapter 10 or so - although it still seemed to come as a surprise to some people. As for your questions, I think most of them will be answered in the next chapter. I'm getting ready to finish up everything in another two chapters or so.
Carol · 13 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
I'm really enjoying this story. Gilraen is interesting. I remember that when I read the appendix, her statement that she gave hope to the Dunedain but kept none for herself really struck me as odd, because although she didn't have everything easy, I didn't see that her life was so terrible that she had reason to abandon hope for herself. Your portrait of her as so caught up in her own internal world that she barely responds to others is convincing, though sad. The subtle prejudices against humans that Estel is demonstrating also make an interesting thread. I never found stories where young Aragorn is overtly put down and teased about being human to be very convincing, but the sort of unspoken negative assumptions he is reflecting ring very true, especially with his mother so uninvolved in his life. The understated humor of Estel wondering in all seriousness if he's "too good" was delightful. I am eager to find out what's going on with Legolas' family. The suspense is quite compelling!
Author's reply
Thank you! I wrote Gilraen the way I read her, which was that she was grief-stricken and depressed right up till she died. She and Aragorn obviously cared for one another, but I couldn't help but wonder what kind of a parent she might make. Elves always seemed a little aloof to me, and although Elrond is of mixed heritage he has been raised among Elves himself. So I thought that Estel would have some issues with the little unintentional messages he gets from the adults in his life. I'm glad the suspense compelling - it's my first "mystery" and I wasn't sure I could pull it off!
Orophins Dottir · 13 January 2004 · Chapter 8: An Evil Deed
"He knelt down, trying not to disturb Gondor as he did so" What a wonderful line. I am enjoying this and am intrigued as to what Legolas' brother could have done to be sought by their father. Oh, I do hope this is not going to be a wicked Thranduil story! So far, he seems only stern. I am hopeful.
Author's reply
Goodness - I missed a review! Well, thank you (belatedly) for reading. No, there's no wicked Thranduil. Daw would have my head!
tmelange · 12 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
Great continuation. Kudos.
Author's reply
Thanks!
Nilmandra · 12 January 2004 · Chapter 11: Eyes Opened
The mystery of WHY all of this has happened still remains, but Legolas at least is going to pull through. You are doing a nice job of maintaining the tension and mystery of the story. Gilraen confuses me, but little Estel is wonderful. I wish I could be there to hear Glorfindel sing in the day.
Author's reply
Thanks! Yes, I think Gilraen confuses even herself sometimes. I find her kind of annoying, myself, but she was Estel's mother so I try and cut her some slack occasionally. I'd like to hear Glorfindel sing, too. I'll bet he has a lovely voice!
xsilicax · 9 January 2004 · Chapter 10: Thinking Time
Ooh, I remember starting and losing this on ff.net, so I'm very pleased to have rediscovered it. It is equally as good a read the second (third actually) time around. Estel is a very darling child, not too cute and with enough adventure tempered with courtesy to see how he can develop into the person he is. Gilraen is somewhat of a nasty mother, but I can understand that grief and loss have overwhelmed her life, and she does seem to be making steps towards rediscovering herself. Legolas is surrounded in mystery, which really intrigues me. And... YOU CAN'T LEAVE HIM POISONED AND JUST STOP! *pants for breath* Please post the next chapter soon? I am thoroughly enjoying this story. Cathy, xx
Author's reply
You read my story three times? Wow! Thanks! I'm glad you like my Estel - growing up with so many good people around him, I think it's likely that he was a nice kid. I am equally glad you don't much like Gilraen: in the books I found her annoying, so that is the way I write her - although as you said, she's beginning to change. Don't worry: as long as my beta doesn't say I need a complete re-write, the next chapter ought to be posted very soon.
tmelange · 4 January 2004 · Chapter 10: Thinking Time
This is a marvelous story. Kudos. Hope to see more soon.
Author's reply
Thanks. I'm working on it!
caz-baz · 9 December 2003 · Chapter 10: Thinking Time
arrghh, nooo! i didn't want to know that. oh god you better update soon. i wonder if it was that Madlin? oh no this is terrible i can't get to the internet for a while after tommorrow.
Author's reply
Hee - it's kind of sweet that you're worried. You do know that if nothing bad had happened to anyone in Tolkien's stories, they would have been MUCH shorter? I'm just following a precedent. :)
Eruanna · 8 December 2003 · Chapter 10: Thinking Time
*gasp* EVIL EVIL EVIL!!!! :-D My poor baby! People sure like to beat Legolas up, don't they? (Not that I don't, of course.) ;-) Very well written! I don't know what is happening with Legolas and Ilothuir and Calen-glad, (as I am sure was your intent), but I can't wait to find out! Post soon!
Author's reply
I suppose it's easy to "beat up on" Legolas because he's so ready to have adventures in which he might get hurt. ;)
caz-baz · 5 December 2003 · Chapter 6: Evening Stars
wow,that bit between Gilraen and Elrohir was really well written. going to carry on reading. bye.
Author's reply
Thanks. I hope you like the rest, too.
Shaan Lien · 4 December 2003 · Chapter 10: Thinking Time
I hope that you post again soon. This was very interesting.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review. Another chapter is in the works.
LKK · 4 December 2003 · Chapter 10: Thinking Time
I started reading this on fanfiction.net but lost it after a few chapters in the mass of stories at ff.net. I had only refound it last week. This is a great story with very interesting character depictions. I'm delighted to see it here at SOA. I won't lose it again. :-) LKK
Author's reply
I'm glad you found it again, and that you like the characters. I've certainly enjoyed writing them!