Reviews (443)

Tari · 1 July 2016 · Chapter 11: Farewell, Fare Free

I've often thought about Arwen giving up the immortal life in order to marry Aragon. Knowing Tolkien's faith, I can't help but believe that men, dwarves and elves all ended up in the undying lands and that Elrond would see his daughter once again.

Tari · 10 June 2016 · Chapter 5: All Is Fading

What a beautiful funeral for Théoden. I have never read a story like this before and am enjoying it thoroughly.

UTfrog · 27 January 2016 · Chapter 99999

This is an excellent story. I read it all over 2 days. Never apologize for giving others such pleasure. Thank you so very much.

PSW · 30 December 2015 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

I *very* liked this (as my little niece would say :-). Well written, and so much to think about and consider. You create a nicely rounded picture of Legolas, and give him the 'not human' feel that is often so difficult to manage. I really was fascinated by the view of post Ring War events from the POV of the Elves -- the triumph is so much more laced with sorrow for them, given that there is still very little left for them in this world for which they fought and an entirely different kind of uncertainty about what is to come. I also found the ending more realistic than if Legolas had just tripped in and made all the dwarves love him -- it took him and Gimli weeks of close contact, it surely could not happen overnight for others... Thanks so much for this, it was very enjoyable!

Queen of the Red Skittle · 3 February 2015 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Absolutely wonderful. Can't find a single fault - utterly, utterly flawless. Dear sweet god on a pogo stick. -Q

Zardi · 21 May 2014 · Chapter 3: Ride With Me

I absolutely love your Legolas for both his humility and his confidence. He knows what he is worth, and he doesn't need the worship of others in order to know it. He just...is, and he is content with that. I hope Gimli will work up the nerve to ask Legolas more about his past!

Agape4Gondor · 10 February 2012 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

I do find it amazing that good stories never die and that good writers forge ahead. I don't think I've read any of your works before, and am not sure how I got drawn into this, but I am glad. I was so taken by it, I read it in two short days. Excellent writing, characters, and plot. The voices were perfect. I am hooked. I will now go on to read the first part of you epic. Congrats for a job well done.

UTfrog · 28 January 2012 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Read all 40 chapters in two days! This is a great story. It really fills in an important gap. Thanks for all your hard work.

anamaria · 15 October 2009 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Marvelous! I have seldom read such an excellent fanfic. It's so much how I like to imagine the characters, they were so true to how Tolkien presented them. I loved so much how you did justice to Thranduil and presented him as one of the great kings of the noble race, as obviously Tolkien intended him to be read. You are a very talented writer. Congratulations!

Aiwen · 30 June 2009 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your story. I don't normally read stories about Legolas, but I found this one very interesting. The interplay of elvish and dwarvish reactions is fascinating.

Ereassa · 22 June 2008 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

This is what I get for browsing the fanfiction world pleading silently for a good portrayal of Tolkien's characters. Three hours of bliss after many hours of disappointment. Coriel, you astound me, and your story is pasted on my wall of fame (which I am still trying desperately to fill). Not only for a brilliant plot, blissful realism, flowing writing style and stunning character portrayals; but for the picture you painted of Thranduil. I've always fancied him, and now finally someone has written a story with a character I won't cringe at! I love you for it. :) Thank you for taking the time to write this masterpiece, I enjoyed every moment spent reading it. The dialogue was smoothe and very entertaining with great consistency. Well done! I look forward to reading the rest of your work. Ereassa

MBB · 12 March 2008 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

It is quite a story. While it was occationally hard to follow as I am only familiar with the movies, it still captured me to the end. It was intesting to discover there were more then one kind of elf (it cleared up to me why they could run into them halfway their quest), and I was glad to find out that after the extinction of Moria Gimli is no the only dwarf left. I found the way you had Gimly admire and interact with Lady Galadriel precious and fashinating, as it really feels like that scene from the movie that practically made me a shipper of them. It's funny how the exchange of gifts between the several lords of your story are fitting to the feodale setting of the LOTR-verse wereas today it would be considered corruption :-D I liked how you managed to find each of them a fitting gift. My only disappointment is that Gimli did not ask Legolas about that sea calling thing of his friend, that you had him often wonder about. Both because it could be a milestone in their friendship, and because I am quite curious about it myself, even though I understood most of it from when you had Legolas interact with others. (I guess it's a Book-thing).

Elena Zovatto · 11 February 2008 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

There are not words to tell you just how much I enjoyed this story. Great characterizations, well written, and raising a very high bar for quality - I LOVE your representation of Thraduil, and his relationship with Legolas. I find myself checking the site to see if you've added any other stories, perhaps something along the lines of Thranduil travelling to Ithilien to visit with Legolas, and stopping off in Rohan along the way to meet Eomer. Of course, he could also take the opportunity to visit with Gimli at the same time, or the two of them could head for Ithilien together. *Looks innocent as she tries to send plot bunny in author's way* Well done indeed!

Adrianne · 12 April 2007 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Oh my, where to begin. Since I found this story already completed I have read and read and read, stopping only long enough to leave a review on Chapter 12 and now again at the end. The End. How immensely sad. I wish that it would continue, continue on to tell of Gimli coming to Eryn Lasgalen to 'make a great din in Thranduil's cellar', of Legolas returning to Ithilian and on and on. But alas, it was only meant to go this far. So let me see if I can sum up the last 28 chapters, or at least what I loved about them. It was heart rending to read of Legolas and Gimli returning to the devastation of the Greenwood. I knew of course that there had been great destruction and fire, but this is the first time that I had considered how awful it would have been. My heart ached for Legolas and for all of his people. And when Legolas comes to the ruin of the tree where he was born and finds the obelisk set by Thranduil as a memorial to Oropher, and Legolas rights it with only his brute strength, I cried. So beautifully written, and a nice tribute to Oropher in its own right. I love the little meet up that Legolas and Gimli had with Radagast. It was a simple but effective touch. And I found this bit of scripturally inspired wisdom given by the Wizard to our Prince quite profound - "The Power who rules this vast realm of Eä shall never demand the impossible of you, Legolas," he said. "He does, however, require the difficult. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge, and do not think He does not know what has befallen the greenwood. How much more of value in His eyes then are you, one of His Firstborn? This is appointed your sacrifice, your burden to bear. After all you have endured already, do not prove yourself unequal His confidence." Perfect. Thranduil. What can I say? I have fallen in love with the Elvenking all over again. Tall, magnificent, powerful, honorable, equitable. A King to lead his people through centuries of hideous darkness and oppression. A loving father. And you gave him green eyes! Wonderful! I also found his love of pets that were a bit on the wild side quite fascinating, falcons and wolfhounds, none of which was quite a match for Thranduil's rather untamed spirit. The descriptions of Gimli's first impressions of the King were excellently done. I especially liked this: "This Elf would not fell you with mythical powers or magic rings; rather he would strap you outright with his own two hands." Well said! Sort of an Elf's Elf, I suppose. And I liked this initial reaction of Thranduil's to Gimli: "But what in the holy name of the Valar was he to make of a Dwarf who stood unabashedly before him, protected in his own son's shadow and harboring only that mistrust that expects a less-than-hospitable welcome, clad in elvish garb with the unmistakable light of the Faithful in his eyes?" 'Light of the Faithful', that made me smile on Gimli's behalf. I liked also the glimpses that you gave us of the King's long departed Queen. The ache that still fills Thranduil's (as well as Legolas')heart because of her absense is all the more eloquently expressed for being touched upon only in brief. When it came to the part where Legolas must confirm to his father that he has heard the call of the sea, I almost couldn't go on. I had to take a deep breath, before I proceeded. And again, I read it through tearful eyes. The whole encounter was so heartbreaking. So much of what Thranduil said to Legolas I could quote, but I chose this: “I owe everything in the world to you,” he protested. “No, you do not,” Thranduil returned. “I have only done as every father ought, and the part of life I gave you is not mine to possess. What of your mother? Twice she gave you to me; I cannot hold you from her forever.” This is the true love of a parent, recognizing that their role in their children's lives is to love, teach and prepare them for their own course. And the fact that Thranduil thinks of Legolas' mother as well, in a time when his own heart is aching, makes it all the better. Okay, this is getting far longer than I anticipated so I'll do a quick run through of other things I loved: Legolas taking Gimli to the Ladies' Vale and there twining a garland of yellow roses in tribute to his mother and his own 'begetting day'. I like that you have Legolas conceived and born in the fall. A nice reference to Elven biology, by the way. Frolicking at the river with the horses. Thranduil afraid of snakes! I laughed out loud. This next is one of my absolute favorite moments in the whole story, the sweet, gentle, interaction between Legolas and the young daughter of Bard. It made me ache for Legolas. As Bard said, what a father he would make. Bittersweet, indeed. As for all that happened at Erebor, my oh my. I was glad to see that Thorin was able to accept Legolas and that eventually Gimli's mother Kali grew to like the Elf. I especially liked it when she came of her own accord to Legolas' chamber and took him on a little tour under the mountain. And her defending Legolas to the point of physical violence, was great. Obviously Legolas was touched. I also enjoyed the moments in the forge when Legolas lent his artistry to help Floi and as always he does it with courtesy and understanding: "The same way any of us do anything, my friend,” Legolas smiled. “Instruction, observation, trial and error, years of experience. Hard lines have their own purposes, but you must tread softly if you would imitate what has life of its own. See.” With seeming effortlessness, he brought out another shapely sprig of leaves, letting only the very tip of the charcoal brush the paper. The result was a beautiful conception of a jeweled masterpiece. “Do you think you could make that into something worthy of the lady?” he asked with a venturesome glint in his eye." I liked the introduction of Scatha and Legolas' compassion towards the creature. I have to give credit to Legolas too for withstanding so much bad feeling from everyone as well as the horrible claustraphobia he was experiencing. His feeling of panic at dinner the second night was palpable. Then of course that horrible incident in the forge when all hell breaks loose, Legolas and Scatha are injured, and it appears that all that Legolas and Gimli had worked to build was about to tumble to ruin. I actually heaved a sigh of frustration. Oh my. I felt so bad for Gimli. It must have shamed him badly to have his own people behave so abominably. Thank goodness the bond between Legolas and Gimli is so strong. Legolas was gracious in realizing that perhaps the time was not yet right. Of course, as many have already pointed out the closing line of the whole story was priceless. A bit of humor to counter balance, (a little anyway) this first failed attempt of Legolas and Gimli to build the bridge between Erebor and the Greenwood. As with all good stories, Coriel, finishing 'I Return' is like saying goodbye to a dear friend. The nice thing is that you can revisit as many times as you like. I will be revisiting this wonderful friend often and in the mean time I will go on to hopefully find new friends in the form of other stories you have written. One last thing. I really, really loved this: "Thranduil sighed discontentedly, his great shoulders slackening a bit as though his resistance had been stricken its death blow. It had been many, many years since Legolas had last given him fawn eyes. He was still so very like his mother when he did that." 'Fawn eyes'. Wonderful! Adrianne PS: I read through some other reviews of this chapter and was quite aghast at the reply made by Darkness Lady. I wonder if she realizes that if she were ever to meet an Elf, she would undoubtedly be severely chastened for her deplorable lack of manners and properly shunned by any and all of decent upbringing. She seems a little addled to me, or more likely a victim of adolescence.

Adrianne · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 12: Light In the Darkness

I am humbled...to tears. I was directed to your brilliance by my friend TithenFeredir. I will ever be grateful. What eloquent and insightful homage you pay to Professor Tolkien and all his enthralling world of Arda. Forgive me for not leaving feedback until now but I have been unable to quit reading long enough to do so. But I feel now that I must let you know how this story has touched my heart, fired my imagination, and rekindled (had it ever wavered) my passion for the quiet member of the Fellowship. I have been enamored of Legolas from my first reading 'Of the Fellowship of the Ring' and craved to know more of this enigmatic yet unassuming character. I have had to fill in my own gaps over the long years as I have read over and over the stirring tale of the destruction of the One Ring. And now finally comes one who has taken my own vision of Legolas and put it down in powerful, evocative poetry that yet has the flow of a melody and the delicacy of a loving touch. What is more you have offered, in brief so far, a view of noble, though much maligned Thranduil that also closely parallels my own. I look forward to the chapters ahead that will expand on that view, for if Legolas is the object of my greatest affection where Canon characters are concerned, then his sire draws to a close second. I am enjoying also the profound, if at times brief, interaction between Legolas and others in the Canon yearbook. He touches each one of them with a fair and sometimes unexpected light of wisdom, kindess, generosity and love. The building friendship between Legolas and Gimli has been handled with masterfully understated dignity, as such an unprecedented friendship deserves. The visit to Aglarond in this chapter was as wondrous as I had hoped, and served to strengthen the bond of trust and friendship between Legolas and Gimli. And the extraordinary description of Legolas loosing his voice in a song that was both a delight to the ears and a practical solution to their dilemma, left me breathless. Again, I am humbled as well as delighted to partake of this lovely character study. My sincere thanks for your willingness to share your insights and your enormous talent. Adrianne

irene · 26 January 2007 · Chapter 22: Thorns Amid Roses

Really! Noble!Legolas displays his status in bullying a stable hand the name of 'Galion'. Looky,looky. Your Thranduil obviously degraded him but why Legolas should act like the proverbial haughtiy prince is beyond me. In summary, I have no clue what you want to convey with all this.

irene · 26 January 2007 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

I heavily dislike Legolas' attitude towards Gloin. Gloin is a ridiculous jerk (really, the only mode of discussion with this idiot would have been fists), and Legolas is the heir of magnificent King Thranduil. To be reasonably proud towards an stupid and STUBBORN dwarf would have suited him much better!

valjean · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Wonderful! Magnificent! Fantastic! Brilliant! In all honesty the best LOTR fic that I've read yet. You have a very fluid way of writing, its beautiful to read. I have only one plot question, and could stem from my lack of in-depth knowledge of the works of LOTR (I've only read The Hobbit and LOTR trilogy). Precisely when was Thranduil injured? If it as during the battle for Mirkwood, how did he heal in time to join up with Celeborn and Galadriel? And if was during the battle at Dul Goldar (I don't think I spelled that correctly), how was he lucid enough to stop Galadriel from blessing the ground and tainting it with curse of the Exiles?

Elflingimp · 27 October 2005 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Well I read the whole thing and this is what I have to say That was a really good story from beginning to end I salute you!

Nerdanel · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Beneath the Stars

Oh, I loved this! I love the way you make this so accurate, and so like the characters. Of course Eomer wouldn't know that Legolas was the son of a King! That is so neat. Also I really enjoy the language that you employ - it is very much like the style that Tolkien used in The Lord of the Rings, so it is very accurate to how the characters would actually speak. I'm really enjoying this.

Nerdanel · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 1: Not Forgotten

I am really enjoying this story. It is so well written, and so true to character! I never really read Legolas stories because most of them are based on the movie character, but my friend Nancy told me I should read this because it was so good, and she was correct. You have truly captured the spirit of the characters, and your dialogue is very well-done. It is not at all forced, and so natural, as the way that these two friends would really talk. My favourite line was: "To me it seems you walk again in the spirit of your kinsman of old, Beleg Cúthalion, rightly named the truest of friends." This was wonderful, since Beleg is my favourite character in the Silmarillion! I really liked this reference. I shall go read the next chapter now! Nerdanel

Dreamflower · 2 December 2004 · Chapter 7: Dream and Memory

When I recommended this story the other day on lotr_fic_recs, I just had to return to it for another go. I am primarily a hobbit fancier, but this story really gets me. I do adore Legolas as you depict him, and the scene of his soothing Frodo's troubled sleep has stayed with me for a good long time. I love your lyrical style, and find that I am enjoying it even more the second time around!

lwarren · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

Your pardon, Coriel, I know I have already reviewed, but I was catching up on newer reviews (you really can get some excellent insights from people when they review, and this is one of my favorite stories) for I Return when I read that garbage by Darkness "whatever-her-name-was". I just had to comment...what a load of....words completely fail me (at least the printable ones!) I hope you ignored that tripe and will erase, eradicate, obliterate...you get the idea...it soon! linda

Amanalda · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Dream and Memory

HA!! "Listen to my laughter, you abominable thorn in my side." HAHAHAHAAHA!! *cracks up* I love that line! Man this guys can just crack me up and have me devistated for them at the same time. Wow, just excellent writing Coriel. Wowsa you stun me with every chapter. Everything flows so smoothly it's just wonderful and a joy to read. :) Ah so Glofindel had the talk with him. That was excellent and most assuredly facinating. I am just amazed at how you keep track of his lineage and and therefore can explain why the sea longing hasn't picked him up in both hands and dragged him over the Sea. Man there is just always a little spot of detail that is splashed into the picture to make it wider and clearer with each chapter I read. Supremely well done. *applauds* ~Ammie~

Amanalda · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 6: Use these Days Wisely

Oh Legolas...*wails* that poor elf. I'm really looking forward to hearing what's on his mind. Just who's he gonna spill it to? I'm not even gonna guess because you have a way with being so unpredictable in the best way. *laughs* So now...I shall WAIT!! Oh I loved the part where they all had dinner and sang. That was so awesome. I really like how you portray Celeborn and Galadriel. You've got these guys NAILED! *laughs* And man when Celeborn gave his advice to "Use wisely the days" I felt my heart sink at the thought of them leaving. I just like these guys too much. *chuckles* Ah well... ~Ammie~