mystarlight · 27 August 2018 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
Great chapter! Why does Legolas not reveal Aragorn's identity to his father? They are friends but first and foremost he should be loyal to the king.
The Result of Failure by Estel_Mi_Olor
Reviews (18)
drumboy100 · 8 September 2015 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I think it is publishable. Loved the "failure" backstory of how Legolas was chosen for the Fellowship, and it fits with Tolkien's theme of how the underdog can turn into a hero. This is the first story I've read where Legolas has siblings and it worked well, also appreciated the twist at the end where thranduil feels like a failure--I had assumed that Thranduil would be sad but honored that his son was chosen, but you put a new spin on it that makes sense. Thank you for posting, it is scary to think that if you didn't have the guts to put your work out there then I never could have read this. Thanks so much, JB
Hisie Lome · 14 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
Yeah! I finaly have internet again....what a great treat to find this tale fininshed.... I look forward to more . Well done, mellon nin. Mina Sedh, Lome
Author's reply
Hannon Le, Hisie. I couldn't have done it without you! I hope to have something for you soon. Thanks!
Galimeril · 2 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
Great story! That last letter was beautiful. You should write speeches or poetry! Write soon! Galimeri ;D
Author's reply
Ooh I am flattered! Thankee kindly. I've tried writing poetry and either it rhymes and sounds rather foolish or it just doesn't make sense...I think I'll stick to fanfiction. That way if things don't turn out right we can blame it on someone...like Sauron. Thanks for reviewing and I hope to come out with another fic soon!
Jay of Lasgalen · 1 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
Hmm - I know I started reading this story, but seem to have missed most of it! I've managed to catch up now. I enjoyed this, Legolas is very good as the younger prince, feeling he's not as good as his brother. I liked his dilemma over whether he should accept Elrond's offer, too. Thranduil's reaction to the news was great - you can't expect him to be overjoyed, and I like the way he queried Legolas blindly following Elrond's orders. I have just one quibble - in chapter six, you describe the twins as blond. They were dark haired! Jay (Twin geek)
Author's reply
Thanks for reading and reviewing Jay! Good grief-did I really describe the twins as blond? I am very sorry that I let such a careless error be made. I will change it immediately. (I must have been asleep when I wrote that). Thanks for catching it! I am happy you are enjoying this fic. I never thought that the Fellowship should have been so easily made-as it appeared to have been in the movies and in the actualy Tolkien. It was a little too convenient. So here's Legolas's story. I hope to write about the others too-but we'll see how that works. Thanks again!
daw the minstrel · 1 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
This was a great conclusion, Estel. I can see the pain of each member of Legolas's family. I also thought you did a good job with the letter. That must have been hard for you to write as well as Legolas!
Author's reply
Thanks for the review Daw! I really enjoyed writing this chapter-so many feelings to explore. I thought including the letter in the chapter would make it all the more poignant-I wans't going to in the beginning because I thought I wouldn't be able to write it! Good thing it worked out! Thanks again!
daw the minstrel · 13 September 2004 · Chapter 7: The Result of Failure
This was really a well done chapter, Estel. You showed how Elrond gradually decided that Legolas should be the Elf in the Fellowship and how Legolas gradually decided the same thing. It's a very Tolkien-ish theme to think that the failure to hold Gollum leads to the right people going on the quest, and then, of course, Gollum's presence was necessary for the ring to be destroyed.
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing, Daw! It was pretty difficult to incorporate both Legolas's and Elrond's gradual decisions, without getting too boring. I actually never considered how Gollum's escape led to the right people going on the quest. I always imagined that that was how Legolas went, because it wouldn't really make sense any other way. The others kind of appeared... Thanks again for you encouragement!
Galimeril · 11 September 2004 · Chapter 6: Arrival in Imladris
You have been naughty, precious! You stopped, my precious!!! NOOOO! This is an excellent story and I look foreward to all of its updates (soon i hope) and I encourage you to write more (lots more, precious)! Galimeril ;D
Author's reply
Thanks for the encouragement, Galimeril. Chapter Seven should be up today, if not tomorrow at the latest. Sorry for the delay! Thanks for reviewing.
MoonWitch · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
I really like Thrandiul's comments on Man. They are really funny. Oh and I liked the Aragorn and Legolas banter at the end, it was interesting. Your story is well written and I look forward to reading more and badgering you with my questions.
Hisie Lome · 3 June 2004 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
Yes, yes, yes...I sent you an email if you don't get it...Please let me know. Minna Sedh, by now you should know what that means ;-) Hisie Lome
Hisie Lome · 30 May 2004 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
Estel, Greetings :-) I know that this will be fun....we like alot of the same authors. This of course must be a reflection on my good taste and bizzare demands of quality in tales. HaHaHa, as I wonder:"Does Estel even care that I have a strange sense of humor....keep thinking- Just smile and be polite!" What a splendid beginning?! "incident with an orc" What wonderful insight. The king keeps bringing up the 'you think' part of the formula. Adar: "You could have been killed. What would you have done?" Ion: " Why, hide out in Mando's Halls, Aran nin! It would be much better than facing you if that had happened...." Na, protocal and humility would work better at regaining trust and keeping one's honor. I love how this elfling is over 500 years old and his adar is still not pleased with a stunt from said elfing's early warrior days. Thranduil is just polite enough to the ranger. Definately a very trusting king, I would say. Ouch! Poor Legolas, stationed where he can not do any harm. I am sure that statement would be much more painful than the year and a day punishment. How nice for the ranger to have been raised in the with elves? Yep, Thranduil meens to keep this mortal on his toes.... Great Gollum , my precious. Nasty elfses... Here is a question. Girithron was not pleased by Strider's omission of the young prince's title. How was Strider supposed to know? Was there an assumed introduction or markings of rank on Legolas' clothing? Just curious. So far, great pacing. The characters have depth and are on track. Feels very cannon. I have read the next few chapters, I just need to review. I look forward to more. Thank you for all of your hard work thus far, Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome
Author's reply
Mae Govannen, Hisie Lome. Thank you so much for that review, it made me very happy. Don't worry, I also have a strange sense of humor and I am a very strange person.*Note to self-you're scaring away the readers...* I plan to write another fic about Legolas's first "incident with an orc." Don't know when that will happen, I have no time... That was funny, "hide out in Mandos Halls." I think that's a typo though because originally it was supposed to say "what would we have done?", referring to Thranduil himself...I should check that. :) I modeled Thranduil over my own parents, who still can't seem to accept the fact that I am not five years old... *sigh* I think that after Dagorland, Thranduil would not like humans. Especially the Isildur-Ring thing. Good thing for Aragorn that he knows how to deal with Elves. I love writing Gollum, it's just so fun! I wanted to write a fic all in Gollum's perspective, but I don't think I'm crazy enough for that yet. We'll see though... That is a great question. In my mind, I had envisioned Legolas dressed in such a way that it would be obvious that he was a Prince. But I forgot to mention that little detail... Thanks for bringing it up! I'll see what I can do to fix it...maybe have Legolas referred to as lord?...Requires thought.\ Thanks so much for this review, and for reading my work. You have no idea how happy this makes me. I really enjoyed responding to your review, which was very honest. I love being candid with people, so thanks for your honesty. I was wondering...and please don't feel obligated to say yes if you really can't, but I was wondering if you had time enough to be my beta? If you don't, it's ok. I know I would feel obligated to say yes when asked directly. I just really need someone to tell me if I'm making sense, and to catch those little details that exist in my head, but are not mentioned on the page. Thanks so much Hisie! Please let me know in a review or email. Namaarie. (I have no idea what Minna Sedh means...)
daw the minstrel · 27 May 2004 · Chapter 6: Arrival in Imladris
I like the way you provide reasons for why the younger son goes to the council. The older one is hurt. You did a nice job showing Legolas's anguish over his brother's wound.
Author's reply
Thank you, Daw, for reviewing. I always wondered why Legolas, a younger son, should be sent to the Council. I believe Tolkien even tells us that Legolas is the youngest son. The Council was clearly very important, and it just didn't sit well with me that Thranduil would be so rude as to send a younger son, when he knew the Council was going to be very important. Thranduil had to know of the Council's importance, because Elrond would be acting extremely out of character if he didn't tell the Woodland King. The only plausible explanation is the one I have provided: that the younger son attended out of necessity. Thanks for reading!
daw the minstrel · 9 April 2004 · Chapter 4: The Consequences of Failure
I can only imagine how tedious the court sessions are. I find myself groaning out loud at meetings sometimes, they are so boring and people just go on and on. But Legolas should be pleased with a trip to Imladris.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Daw. I always envisioned any sort of government transaction as tedious, perhaps because I dislike any sort of bureaucracy. I have not had the experience of a business meeting, as I assume that is the kind of meeting you are referring too, but I can imagine... Legolas looks forward to this trip with joy, however that will change before the end.
daw the minstrel · 6 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Your Responsibility
I've always wondered how the Orcs got close enough to Thranduil's stronghold to set Gollum free. Your account is as good as any I can think of at the moment. It's easy to see how Gollum might have escaped in the confusion of battle. The Elves were certainly taken by surprise.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Daw. I had always wondered the exact same thing, because you would think that loud and disorganized Orcs could hardly stand a chance against the Elves, in the Elven stronghold. I thought that this way, with the confusion of the unexpected Orc attack, Gollum's escape might seem more plausible.
daw the minstrel · 30 March 2004 · Chapter 2: A Burden You Must Bear
I like Legolas's perspective on Gollum -- he's elvish. That's an interesting take on him. I also like the merciful way these elves treat Gollum, but then that's sort of what does them in, I guess.
Author's reply
Thanks Daw for your review. I always envisioned Gollum as a sort of Elvish type creature. I might have something to back that in the back of my head, but I can't think of it right now. :) Tolkien has Legolas say in the Council of Elrond that the Elves treated Gollum nicely, taking him outside etc. I mean, I don't blame them, for you do feel pity for him. It is really impossible to completely hate Gollum, and that is what makes him such an interesting character. Since we're on the topic of Gollum, I will share with you a future plan I have. I plan to write a fic compeltely in Gollum's POV. I don't know if that will actually work, but it's worth a try, right?
The Empress · 22 March 2004 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
Dude. I liked it even though I understood about .16% of it. (Uh, Legolas...he's the blonde, long-haired hippie, right?) Nice use of the Elvish language in the dialogue. But as always, my favorite part of any chapter is the end, and I think you covered it very well with the subtle bit of foreshadowing. ^_^ --The Empress
Author's reply
Thank you Binnie! You have no idea how much a review from you, and the fact that you read my story, means to me. I am not obsessed...:) I think endings should be the most memorable part of whatever it is. I mean, the only part you really remember is the end, right? Thanks again!
Allie · 21 March 2004 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
I really enjoyed your first chapter--poor Legolas! Guess maybe a year really isn't a long time to an elf, but I still feel sorry for him. Though, mean parent that I am, I have to agree with Thranduil that sometimes you need a public come-uppance to make your point, especially with stubborn children--or elves! And forgive my ignorance,but how old is Legolas supposed to be in this story in human terms? I've never been able to figure out elf ages,and every story I've read seems to use a different scale. Some of them have him full grown at 20 and others it's more like 2000! Makes it hard to calculate. I'll be looking forward to hearing how Legolas met Strider, too. Sounds like another story there. Happy writing!
Author's reply
Thanks Allie for reviewing. Thranduil is a very good parent-he's raised four children before Legolas, so you'd assume he's gotten the hang of it. I don't think Tolkien actually laid out a scale for Elf/Human years. I could be wrong though. I would like Legolas to be 18-20 ish. I realize he's not being very responsible for that age group, but males do tend to be a little immature. You can interpret it another way, if you want to. If you know that such a scale exists, please let me know. I also had the hardest time figuring that out. However this thought ocurred to me: you can't really compare Elves and Human in terms of years. Elves are immortal, and therefore always young. They can't really show the characteristics that a human would at a certain age, because after reaching adulthood they don't age. (Of course the number of years they've lived increases) I just think of them in varying levels of experience. As they get older, in the number of years they've lived, their maturity will only be affected by the experiences that they have. Does that make sense? I hope so, don't want to confuse you. I think I will write another fic, especially about the meeting between Legolas and Strider. I hope to do so sometime in the near future...
daw the minstrel · 20 March 2004 · Chapter 1: A Small Request
Nice start to this slice of ME history! Your Thranduil is scary, Estel. He loves his realm and his family, but I wouldn't want to cross him. Aragorn is nicely done too. He has indeed met elves before.
Author's reply
Thank you, Daw, for this encouraging review. (My very first, thank you, very much.) I wanted Thranduil to appear scary, although he is quite lovable. I had big issues writing Aragorn, and making him seem plausible. He's so important. More scary Thranduil coming up...