Larner · 6 January 2006 · Chapter 23: The Gift Horse
A gift horse indeed, Jay. Lovely.
Author's reply
What other title could I use?? Thank you.
Jay's Drabblets by Jay of Lasgalen
Reviews (663)
Larner · 6 January 2006 · Chapter 10: The Longing
Yes, the sea longing expressed--and is it by Finduilas, Arwen, Aragorn, Legolas, or Frodo? Or by all?
Author's reply
It was Legolas - but using a first person POV makes it a little vague, so people can read more into it.
Larner · 6 January 2006 · Chapter 9: Love
Yes, a proper admission for Legolas to the one he loves as a friend about the one both care so deeply for.
Author's reply
In one of my early stories, the twins teased Aragorn that Legolas and Arwen had once been betrothed. He gets a little jealous at times, so Legolas has to reassure him!
Dot · 6 January 2006 · Chapter 57: The White Tree
Oh, this is interesting! It makes perfect sense to me. I love the idea of his utter faith that the time will come for it to be found. I’m always full of admiration for your skill with drabbles and there’s a wonderful atmosphere of secrecy and silence and reverence and expectation in this one. I must catch up with the rest of your stuff this weekend. And a very happy birthday to you for tomorrow! :-)
Author's reply
There's an element of long-term planning in many events in Tolkien, I think. Gandalf needed to be sure that whatever happened in Minas Tirith, there would be a White Tree to symbolise Aragorn's reign. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Dreamflower · 6 January 2006 · Chapter 57: The White Tree
Well, of course, *that* makes sense!
Author's reply
Gandalf obviously knew the tree was there. To me, that meant he'd planted it. The trouble is, I still don't know why!!
shirebound · 6 January 2006 · Chapter 57: The White Tree
Mmmmm, nice. One thing you can say about folks in Middle-earth (Gandalf, Aragorn, etc.)... they really show great patience when it comes to long looked-for events finally arriving.
Author's reply
Yes - there was a lot of long-term planning in many parts of Middle Earth history. It's as well that some of the characters lived long enough to see them to fruition!
Dot · 7 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
LOL! Very clever, Jay. You got me anyway. And I can definitely see a formidable leader already in this elfling :-)
Author's reply
I've always thought Oropher must have had some special qualities to be accepted as King by the Silvan elves. Whatever those qualities were, Thranduil had them as well - and is showing his skills here. Glad you liked the end, too :)
elliska · 4 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
Oh you got me with this one, Jay. Very well done! I love the picture of little Thranduil in a grave snowball fight. :-) Even in his youth a determined warrior. Great. :-)
Author's reply
I love little Thranduil here - he was great to write! I liked writing him as a leader the other elflings would follow. The twist was fun to write as well - all that angst over a snowball fight :/
Kitty · 3 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
That was fun. At the beginning it looks like a grave battle, and then it is only a snowball fight. And the elflings take it so serious. And nice to see Thranduil as an elfling for a change. Sweet drabble!
Author's reply
I like Thranduil (and Legolas, for that matter) as an elfling. It gives them both a chance to have fun and play. I don't think young elves in Mirkwood got much opportunity for that.
Lianna · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
I fell for it, too. Nicely done. I wonder whether today's young "elves" might be less determined than Thranduil, who didn't have the opportunity to say "Oh, well. Let's forget about this and go inside and play video games."
Author's reply
You mean video games where they can slay orcs from the safety of their living rooms? Probably :) Snowball batles when I was young weren't quite like that - there was about three snowballs each (not much snow where I live) and my brother always won anyway - he's five years older tham me. Thanks for reviewing!
TithenFeredir · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
Oh, how cute! I was sure Thranduil was rallying his troops for a final stand against the forces of darkness! OK, forces of darkness wielding evil snowballs. ;-) ~TF
Author's reply
Rallying troops? Yes. A final stand? Yes. Forces of darkness? Well, fellow elflings, certainly. ;)
docmon · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
LOL! You totally got me! I was in complete battle mode till the very end. A snowball fight! What a wonderful surprise. Makes me look forward to the coming snowiness...
Author's reply
*Grin* That's what you were supposed to think! ;) Thranduil's still in complete battle mode - though he's not going to win this fight ...
Bodkin · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
Oh, lovely. Men (and elves) are so hilarious when they get involved in snowballing or pillow fights - or laser questing or paintballing or whatever. They take it all so seriously. If I could only be - not a fly on the wall, it's too cold - but maybe a squirrel on a tree and watch this battle! Have fun on your holiday and, if you see any ponies, take some pictures!
Author's reply
Elfling!Thranduil certainly takes this seriously - and he's proving a good leader. The 'never surrender' mentality will stand him in good stead when he's up against orcs ... The squirrels will be hibernating, but I bet Oropher is there watching!
Mum's the Word · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
I love it! *snuggles wee-Thranduil* Hugs and mega-brownies to you! Mum
Author's reply
I think the next scene would have shown a very wet and bedraggled Thranduil being pelted with snowballs from the 'enemy' - I think he's going to lose this battle!
daw the minstrel · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 56: Battle Beneath The Trees II
You got me, Jay! I laughed at the surprise ending.
Author's reply
Thranduil is showing his leadership qualities at an early age - he is certainly an elf who leads from the front. I love words - you can imply so much, yet mean something quite different!
elliska · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
Oh believe it or not I absolutely burst into tears reading this. I was always very much at a loss over the Old Man Willow creature because I love trees and I just didn't like how that one was in the story--I love what you did with that character here. What a wonderful interaction. I loved this! Now I have a completely different view of the poor willow.
Author's reply
:) I love to generate that sort of emotional response in readers! It really makes me feel the writing's worked. Something made me think about Old Man Willow, and I knew that if Legolas ever knew about him, he'd want to do something to help. Thanks for the review!
mistry89 · 13 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
Thank you - lovely to think that even wicked old trees can remember something "before", and that someone cared enough to try.
Author's reply
I'm not sure if OMW had ever met an elf before, or if he just knew Legolas instinctively - I think the latter. Of course, if anyone cared enough to heal a bad-tempered, miserable tree, it would have to be a wood-elf!
Kitty · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
A pity Legolas wasn't with the hobbits when they went through the Old Forest! I have to admit I hadn't seen Old Man Willow as lonely and abandoned until now and maybe only because of this so dangerous and evil. Interesting new POV! The tree caressing Legolas' face is so different from the same tree trying to kill the hobbits. But of course, Legolas ist not only a wood-elf, but their prince as well, so it is not so surprising Old Man Willow reacts so different to him.
Author's reply
I wish Legolas had been with them - at least then they wouldn't have had to meet Tom Bombadil! I must admt that I hadn't thought much about Old Man Willow before this either - but when I considered his 'motivation' I realised he was just lonely.
Larner · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
Oh, so cool! If only this had happened BEFORE four Hobbits we know went through the Old Forest. But to meet a tree-friend of this caliber must be wonderful for the lonely old soul....
Author's reply
I think it had been a very, very long time, if ever, since Old Man Willow had seen an elf - but he knew one straight away. And Legolas, of course, is one of the best!
Mum's the Word · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
I absolutely LOVE this! Hurrah for the healing of Old Man Willow! He has given me nightmares for some 30 years, and now he's all better, thanks to you and Legolas. "With a sigh, the willow shivered in contentment, and slept again." Three cheers! Hugs and brownies, Mum
Author's reply
Glad I cured your nightmares! I always found the Old Forest creepy, and began to wonder what Legolas would think of it. Thanks for the brownies.
harrowcat · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
Aw this is wonderful Jay! I always did feel a little sorry for Old Man Willow.
Author's reply
I never really liked him, but when I reread that chapter, suddenly had the idea of Legolas healing him. Glad you liked it!
Bodkin · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
Very elfy! I love Legolas's cool handling of the power of enchantments - and his kindness. You have me feeling sorry for Old Man Willow. To be alone and elfless (or, I suppose, Entless) for so long must have twisted him. Legolas's touch seems like lancing a boil to let out the evil.
Author's reply
I really like it when someone says my elves seem 'elfy'. There was a lot of magic about Old Man Willow in FOTR, but it seemed that Legolas would be equal to that, being familiar with the Enchanted River and the 'magic' doors of his father's palace. Kindness and understanding seemed the way Legolas would deal with this - though he can do tough when he needs to!
TIthenFeredir · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
Oh, I liked this. I liked it that Legolas was not afraid of that hostile tree, that he overcame the darkness in it and did so with compassion. Very nice. ~TF
Author's reply
Thanks! Old Man Willow was very nasty to the Hobbits in FOTR, so it seemed logical that it would attack even Legolas at first.
Lianna · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 55: Old Man Willow
What an interesting idea for a drabble! It's good to see Legolas be so elfy. I think people sometimes tend to forget that he's not just an ordinary guy with a funny hairstyle. Now you've made me wonder how the willow felt when the elves sailed away. Poor tree.
Author's reply
I find drabbles can be inspired by the most random things. Someone mentioned bonfires in LOTR (it was November 5th), I thought of the bonfire glade in the Old Forest, read that chapter again, then wondered about Legolas's reaction if he ever went there. Then I saw a request for a birthday drabble on HASA about elves and trees - and this is the result. I like to show Legolas like this - he is a wood elf, after all!
danae · 29 October 2005 · Chapter 54: Celebration
That was beautiful! I could almost hear the rhythm of the drums in the background as I was reading it.
Author's reply
Great! I really wanted readers to feel the pounding beat of the drums in this - I'm so glad it worked!