Vi Janaway · 10 April 2004 · Chapter 5: The Dead Marshes
Spooky and well done Vi
Author's reply
Thanks! I think it must have been a very spooky place for Legolas to see.
Jay's Drabblets by Jay of Lasgalen
Reviews (663)
Lasse-Lanta · 9 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Thranduil's Heir (Version Two)
This is good as well, but I liked the first version for it's brevity and mystery.
Author's reply
The original version was deliberately phrased so that the mighty Elven-King sounded like any besotted father - but most people missed that. Thank you!
Lasse-Lanta · 9 April 2004 · Chapter 5: The Dead Marshes
Wow, very powerful, could you just imagine the dawning realization? I guess you can since you've done such a great job of portraying it in so few words.
Author's reply
I was listening to my CD of the BBC's production of LOTR when Frodo and Gollum talk about the faces of dead elves in the waters of the Dead Marshes. And the thought came to me: Legolas's Grandad would be there. (I know, I'm sad!)
Elendiari22 · 8 April 2004 · Chapter 5: The Dead Marshes
Yikes. That is VERY interesting. I'd like to hear more about Thranduil's nightmares.
Author's reply
The idea of Thranduil's nightmares came from 'Unfinished Tales', History of Galadriel and Celeborn Appendix B. It says how Thranduil has seen the horror of Mordor and cannot forget it.
daw the minstrel · 8 April 2004 · Chapter 5: The Dead Marshes
I have to admit I don't always understand the point of the whole drabble concept, but you do this very well, Jay. This image, caught for a moment through Legolas's eyes, as he sees where his grandfather fell is sort of like poetry. It's compact and evocative.
Author's reply
I like the discipline of drabbles - writing in exactly 100 words is not easy. Every word that needs to be added or removed is very carefully considered!
Elendiari22 · 6 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Thranduil's Heir (Version Two)
It is definitely more "elfy". I love both versions, but this is the better one, I think. :)
Author's reply
Thanks - I think I prefer this, too!
eiluj · 4 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Thranduil's Heir (Version Two)
No one could doubt the "elfiness" -- but really, both are excellent.
Author's reply
I'm glad you like them - but hopefully this version is more appropriate to a wood elf!
mistry89 · 4 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Thranduil's Heir (Version Two)
Hmm, I'd only read the first version about 20 minutes ago, and yes, I think it is more elfy. Actually, it is more than just more elfy, I think it is a far more powerful piece (but that's just me and I've read about 15 stories over the last day or so and I'm probably primed to react emotionally to keywords lke "leaf" and "star". I thought the original demonstrated wonderfully, and in so few words, that combination of powerfulness/powerlessness that comes of *actually* becoming a parent, those first few hours when it becomes a reality and not just a future-baby, but this (the second version) brings in the underlying joy that the living forest has in the birth and the sensation that he isn't just a gift to his parents, but also to Lasgalen. Gah, I've gone all soppy! Oh, yeah, and even Elbereth gets a look in, so they were all *there* :) Definitely more elfy, more ME, more Tolkienesque (no doubt inspiring a not-very-good poem from JRRT, had he included this vignette). Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you for the detailed comparison. I tried to include things a Silvan or Sindarin elf would care about - the trees and the stars. From all your reviews, you must have had a marathon reading session!
Tiger · 2 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Thranduil's Heir
Jay, I just want to say...I love your drabbles. Took me awhile to get through all of the fics on the group, so I'm sorry that I didn't review earlier. Wonderful job on all three of them! ~Tiger
Author's reply
I'm glad you like them - there will be more to come. Drabbles are tempting to write, because I can finish one in an evening! Jay
LKK · 1 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Thranduil's Heir
Very nice, Jay. The sense of awe that Thranduil feels comes through strongly. He's completely entranced by the kingdom's newest addition.
Author's reply
I love Thranduil as 'good Ada'. I'm glad you feel his sense of awe - that was the main emotion I wanted to convey. Jay
Elendiari22 · 30 March 2004 · Chapter 3: Thranduil's Heir
Awww, this is so sweet!
Author's reply
I hate stories where Thranduil is a bad father - elves revered their children, and he would be no exception.
LKK · 26 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Long Live the King
I like the idea that Elrond was with Elros at the time. (I know that sounds morbid, but I hope you understand.) I think it helped both brothers accept their fates. And you're right; the moment would have been between brothers not between king of men and elf lord. Very touching, Jay.
Author's reply
This is one of the areas Tolkien never told us about - what happened between Elrond and Elros? I imagine Elladan and Elrohir as very close, so it seems strange that their father chose a different fate to his twin. Glad you lked this. Jay
LKK · 26 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Homecoming
Nice! I especially liked how the tiny green shoot of green foretold the arrival of Greenleaf. I never envisioned Thranduil down on his hands and knees tending a plant, but now that I see it, the image fits quite well. :-)
Author's reply
I don't see Thranduil as a gardener either, but after the devastation of Lasgalen, I think he would need to use his power to aid in the healing of the forest. Jay