With Friends Like These by Jay of Lasgalen
Rose Sared · 25 April 2004 · Chapter 24: The Games
yay for Arwen! and all other little folk. What an exciting race I almost feel out of breath. Poor old Leggy - lets hope the judge can remain unbiased for his moment in the sun. Keep up the good work Rose
Author's reply
The twins thought that they would surely loose if Arwen took part (mainly because she was so much younger than the others) - but they underestimated their sister! I'm afraid Legolas is going to pay for his actions with Finglas.
lwarren · 23 April 2004 · Chapter 23: The Lord's Little Rascals
Such a clever little tithen emlin! And being the Prince of a forest realm, I'll bet I know what his idea is!:) Great chapter, Jay! A totally "kid" chapter...complete with the requisite parental inquisition and the dreaded pesky little sister! hehe The alphabet! Too funny, and too appropriate! And I've been giggling about Elrohir's haircut since I read it, and can just see Arwen's "innocent, sweet, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth expression. She was just trying to help Glorfindel! hehehehehehehe!! Let the games begin!
Author's reply
So what do you think Legolas's idea is? Arwen isn't really too much of a pest, but she does sometimes resent the bond between her brothers. When she can get one of them on her side, she makes the most of it! Jay
lwarren · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 22: Elrond's Healing
Jay, have been reading all your stories for some time now, and never thought I could review here until today when I quite by accident discovered how (I believe it's called "reading the fine print" at the end of the story :) Boy, do I feel dumb!!) But I wanted to at least review the last chapter of this one and tell you how very much I've enjoyed these adventures. (I almost died myself when Legolas didn't surface from his dive....evil cliffiesssss, to scare ussss sssso!) This whole story has been wonderful, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the relationships developing between the twins and Legolas. They are definitely enough to turn even an immortal elf parent grey! Keep writing - I can't wait for more!
Author's reply
I always love to hear from a new reviewer! Don't worry about not doing so before - it was quite some time before I realised that I could reply to reviews like this! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far - I've had lots of fun writing it! Many thanks for the review - I have to adnit to being a review junkie. I love them. Jay
sofia · 14 April 2004 · Chapter 22: Elrond's Healing
I love how Elrohir and Elladan accuse their father of giving legolas something to make him fall asleep. It was an eventful day for him.
Author's reply
I've read lots of stories (and done it myself) where Elrond slips a sedative into a drink. It was fun to accuse him when he hadn't done it!
Elf messenger · 7 April 2004 · Chapter 8: Messages From Home
i really like your story! I have only read up to this chapter and I can't wait to finish it! Keep up the good work! Namarie. Elf messenger
mistry89 · 7 April 2004 · Chapter 21: Flight To The Ford
This is delightful: “Well, I don’t think I’m going to fall in love with either of you out of gratitude over this!” And that Thranduil senses something is wrong and comes looking for Legolas is great - the value-added bit is that Legolas is surprised. That tells me ('cos I'm way too imaginative!) that: 1) it hasn't happened often/at all before (to L's knowledge) and 2) that L doesn't usually get into life-threatening situations/cause drama. Either way, there is so much left open. Can't wait to find out! Thank you
Author's reply
Legolas can retain his sense of humour in the worst of circumstances. The link with his father only shows up in very dire straits, and that hasn't happened very often yet.
Kyra Rivers · 5 April 2004 · Chapter 20: Troll Tales And River Racing
Yes, yes, what will happen?! You have me at the edge of my seat in worry, and I am despretely waiting for the next part! I loved your description of the near-drowning scene -- Legolas striving to keep a level head sounds just like him -- and I am very very worried about him! Please, continue soon! Great job with this chapter!
Author's reply
I think it would be very hard not to panic in a situation like that, but fortunately Legolas and the twins are all able to keep their cool.
nat · 5 April 2004 · Chapter 20: Troll Tales And River Racing
he he he i luv it...update soon, i absolutely must find out what happened to legolas!
Author's reply
Well, you can find out now what happened! Hope you like the resolution.
mistry89 · 4 April 2004 · Chapter 20: Troll Tales And River Racing
"Author’s Notes: Oh dear … poor Legolas! What will happen now?" It's clear enough - a group of readers rise up and strangle an author! What a place to leave us - I'm not calling it a cliff-hanger - clearly you have gone over the top! It didn't take them long to get into trouble did it? I thought it would be Legolas *causing* the trouble ... a little visit to the Trollshaws anyone? Thank you, delighted to see a new chapter ... especially when I only read the rest this morning - that's reader satisfaction! Now, about the place you left us ......
Author's reply
I should point out that if you strangle me, you won't get any more chapters! And as for the Trollshaws, just wait and see ...
Any · 3 April 2004 · Chapter 20: Troll Tales And River Racing
AH! You cannot stop there! Update! Update! Update! Oh my, oh my, oh my!!! Please update soon! This is a horrible cliffie but I guess you already know that! ;) *gg* I love the last line (spoil the council... indeed! *lol*) - made me laugh out loud in spite of Legolas' rather, uhm, unfortunate situation. ;) ~Any
Author's reply
Poor Legolas, he wasn't thinking too clearly at the time, was he? The next chapter resolves things, and at least there's not another cliffhanger.
Amlee · 3 April 2004 · Chapter 20: Troll Tales And River Racing
GRR! Now that is a cliffhanger! Great Chapter!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it - the next chapter's up, and look! No cliffhanger!
mistry89 · 3 April 2004 · Chapter 19: A Balrog is Coming!
I've read up to .... here in one go, so please excuse the garbled comments - I'm loving this story, you depict the young ones so well, the adults have taken a definite back-seat here, yet they are not ignored. It feels so life-like - as sort of "real" Famous Five (with lashings of Dowinnion instead of Ginger Beer!) Thank you. "Always, first, he would gaze on Eärendil. The evening star. Flame of the West. His father. Always there, looking down on him, his sons and daughter." Nice to see Elrond in a "younger" moment. "Ellahir. What mischief was he up to at this time of night? And where was Elrodan?" The decision by Legolas to mix E & Es names is charming! "As Legolas made his way back to his own room, he wondered if the twins had taken the bait. If they had, he would have to make plans." You cunning little blighter! "“It’s my spider!” he said joyfully." Heh heh! This is such a delightful story, seeing the *naughty* side of Legolas and the look at life for the elves pre-LOTR. Lanatus is such a "Marvin", great to see a non-cheery elf, especially as seneschal, it "fits". "Then, exchanging yet another look, both said “Are you Brethil?” and began to laugh again." Poor Legolas! They are little devils, and quick-witted with it! Hmm, I'm suspicious of this ... "Legolas was enthusiastic, but Elrohir was less so. He could recall absolutely nothing about a bathing pool, or swimming, or Brethil falling in anywhere. It was rather a blow. He had thought his memory had very nearly returned in full, but here was a whole afternoon that was still missing." Ha! Sneaky little imp - playing it right back to them! A little growing-up-guilt: "Sometimes, just sometimes, he wished he could be just ‘Elrohir’, not ‘Elladan and Elrohir’ or ‘one of the twins’. But he could never say that to Elladan, it would hurt him too much." 14" It seems Legolas really does have a problem lying, that and his compassion for living things no doubt has implications for the elf we come to meet in LOTR. 15: "“Good.” Thranduil nodded in satisfaction, then added: “Tell, me how is Hirilornë enjoying his role as tutor?”" Such a wise king! And thank you for going the unremittingly-bad-king, Thranduil has always been a favourite of mine, and sometimes (ok, nearly all the time!) I like to see him portrayed as hum...oops.. elven :) Oh, I see Lanatus got promoted sideways ... pity - I did enjoy his somewhat negative view of anything that interupted routine - a small burden for the king, balanced against those far bigger burdens. "“He won’t,” Elrohir reassured her. “Not if you remember what we tell you.” He sat up, and patted the grass next to him. “Now come here, and listen carefully.” Goodness knows what awfulness they will inspire from her ... fancy gestures? elaborate speeches? 16: "“They love each other.” Legolas sounded faintly disgusted." Perceptive, too! Nice to know that Thranduil is not aware of "everything" that goes on! “Is that why Lanatus doesn’t like me? Because I remind him?” He could be very perceptive at times. Thranduil sighed. “Legolas, I sometimes think Lanatus does not like anyone anymore. But yes, you do remind him of Lebethron. Do you understand now, why he is like that?” “Yes. No wonder he’s so sad. Oh, poor Lanatus!” “So no more complaints about Lanatus. You know why, now.” Oh, there's *always* an explanation, isn't there? So now a character I thought of as light relief, and as a levelling elf (as the others were all having such a good time, I thought you wanted to reduce the "feel good" to a more ....reasonable level), has depth. Thanks for that reminder (but I liked his pernickety old self anyway, so I'm not dismayed!). "“We chose such beautiful names for our children. Now they sound like an alphabet!”)" *snicker* A nice line! Elrohir-the-would-be-lover is a treat! Despite Arwen and Elladan's best (worst) efforts. 17: I *knew* it! Serves those two right! Nice one Thranduil - and Arwen. Oh, this is gorgeous! A real reminder that in the Hobbit, the elves (well, the wood elves) were merry and gay: "Behind him, Erestor turned to Glorfindel. “You really should stop lurking beneath this tapestry. You startled the child! I swear you do it deliberately!”" 18:"But of course most of the time he wears nothing at all.” Hmm, clever elf. Not a bad flirt. "“Twins! How delightful!” she cooed. “Celebrían, they look so adorable dressed the same like that!" You are a wicked woman - and so was she! "..please listen, as I sing to you the lay of Glorfindel, of the House of the Golden Flower, and his great and valiant deeds!” Well, after lurking about under "his" tapestry, how embarassed is he likely to be? 19: Not much! (referring to comment above) “You cannot pass.” That must have smacked Legolas in the face in Moria. Great foreshadowing! "..enveloping him in a deadly embrace, and together they plunged from the mountainside to their deaths." and this must have been awful for him - no wonder he couldn't bring himself to translate the lament for Gandalf in Lothlorien (oops, I may have slipped into movie-verse here ... ) Oh, I was right!!!!! "Legolas tried to imagine the noble, heroic Balrog slayer behaving in such an irresponsible manner. Then he remembered the way Glorfindel had seemed to lurk beneath the tapestry, and given him such a start. “You could be right,” he admitted." Thank you again - sorry to post so much at once ... but then I read it all at once :)
Author's reply
Don't apologise! This must be the best review I've ever had - it's so detailed! Thank you. It reminds me that this story is overdue for an update - I'll try to remedy that in the next few days. I think 'cunning little blighter' sums up the younger, light-hearted Legolas and the twins well. And 'Marvin' fits Lanatus equally well - another Hitchikers fan! He's been very quiet recently, but strangely enough I was writing a Lanatus scene this evening, in the next chapter of 'Memory of Darkness', which should be up this week. Jay
LKK · 25 February 2004 · Chapter 19: A Balrog is Coming!
Oh, how embarassing! Calling the Lady Celebrian a balrog. Poor Legolas. *snicker* Quite understandable, really, though. I suspect Glorfindel is a very good storyteller. I'm sure Celebrian didn't mind. She's such an understanding and loving lady. You can tell that by Arwen's comment of how Celebrian always comes to the children in the night when they're distressed. Nice foreshadowing of the older Legolas' cry of dismay over the Moria balrog's arrival when the dream balrog arrived. I'm looking forward to what four young, adverturous elves get up to during their upcoming picnic. :-) LKK
Author's reply
I'm glad you like Celebrian. Few stories feature her, and those that do tend to show her as a fading wimp after her rescue, or a vengeful harpy because Elrond is madly in love with Glorfindel, or Erestor (or both of them!) Nilmandra's Celebrian is a refreshing exception. As you may imagine, the picnic will not be without incident ... (just say 'poor Legolas'). Jay
sofia · 24 February 2004 · Chapter 19: A Balrog is Coming!
good, good, good. I feel bad for Legolas calling Celebrían a Balrog. how embarissing!
Author's reply
He did feel embarrassed, but it wasn't so bad when he found out that the twins had been equally terrified by the story! Jay
LKK · 8 February 2004 · Chapter 18: Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower
Awww, I knew Thranduil wouldn't *really* be yelling at Arwen. He's just not that kind of elf. :-) Too funny that Elladan thought Mandos would be more merciful than Elrond. I suspect he was right, though! But since the twins were ready to protect their little sister from the big, bad king, I guess Elrond decided to go easy on them. Not that having to apologize is a young one's idea of "easy-going" punixhsment. ;-) Very amusing that Elrohir switched the table name cards so that he could sit next Taniquel rather than Elladan. Even funnier was that Celebrian had purposely put Elladan in that spot in order to see how Elrohir would react. He had never known anyone who had been dead before. I loved that line! I guess meeting someone who had been dead before would leave me feeling fascinated as well. LOL Great chapter, Jay!
Author's reply
It was great fun reading the various responses to this chapter, and the one before - those who wanted to string Thranduil up for his behaviour, and those who realised he wouldn't *do* that - not in my stories, anyway. The twins played a rotten trick on their sister - but when it backfired, they weren't afraid to face the consequences. In the next chapter, Legolas has some more thoughts about Glorfindel. Jay
sofia · 8 February 2004 · Chapter 18: Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower
i enjoyed this chaper. it was really funny how Arwen and Thranduil were together on a little joke.
LKK · 23 January 2004 · Chapter 17: A Warm Welcome
Poor Arwen! The twins' joke certainly backfired. The poor thing. :-) I suspect there's a second joke going on there at the end of this chapter. Thranduil has a temper, no doubt, but he would never unleash it on an elfling who knocked over of water on his robes. And certainly not a *nervous* elfling he had just met! It's just not like him. I can certainly identify with Taniquel. She doesn't seem like the type to seek out glory and fame. She wants to be the best warrior she can be. And to find herself in the limelight must be a little intimidating. I like her, so I hope dinner at the head table goes well for her. I missed reviewing a few chapters. Sorry. I giggled over Celebrian's lament about her children's nicknames for each other -- an alphabet! LOL LKK
Yuna_Dax · 23 January 2004 · Chapter 17: A Warm Welcome
EEEEEEEEEEEK!!! Poor Arwen! Hrmm when this is over I see revenge on the dear Twins coming from a rather nifty elf princess. Great chapter, I love reading this fic :):) Jules AKA YunaDax
sofia · 23 January 2004 · Chapter 17: A Warm Welcome
good chapter... poor Arwen!
Bill-the-Pony · 6 January 2004 · Chapter 1: Greenwood The Great
Delightful to say the least! I'd seen this on ff.net, but haven't had the time since to actually sit down and start into it. Boy, am I glad I made time. "...Remember your manners, now. No tricks!” Famouse last words, eh? That pretty much speaks for the whole chapter. I adored the scene where poor Master Elrond is trying to explain that they might have been "muddled" up at birth due to "confusion". How I laughed!! Then I have to say it again, but poor Legolas, sitting between the two copies trying to work out which was which. I knew a pair of identical twins once, and sheesh! Did it give me a headache. I was too afraid to try and call either by name as I always got it wrong. But back to Legolas - at least he got them in the end. The end of this chapter at least. I hate to think of what the rest will be like. I'll be rationing this story so I don't spend all the amusement in one night.
Yuna_Dax · 4 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Homeward Bound
WOOHOO Another chappy, a sweet and loveable chappy it was too. The Twin-speak is so adorable, as the Legolas playing tricks on Elrohir's dubious memory. I'm sure the twins will get him back for that one :) Please continue :)
LKK · 4 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Homeward Bound
I read this chapter and "Mornenitis" one after the other. They make a wonderful pair; twin chapters, so to speak. *thinks for a moment* Good grief, Jay, now even your chapters are twins! LOL Ahem, anyways..... loved them both. I'm having a lot of fun revisiting this story. Post more when you get a chance! LKK
Sivan · 4 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Homeward Bound
More please, I still love what I read. Sivan
Sivan · 30 December 2003 · Chapter 13: Mornenitis
Nice continues. Poor Legolas, as he fell into their trap. I still love what I read, just keep them coming. Sivan
Sivan · 29 December 2003 · Chapter 12: The Sweet Forgetfulness Of Sleep
More please. I still love what I read so far, and I want to read about Legolas's reaction of Elrohir's words, please? Sivan