trulythisis · 13 October 2024 · Chapter 8: Restore
Beautifully written and a great tale. The details are amazing, the roses, Oropher's house, even the horses have their own personalities....great writing and I hope you continue writing...
We Were Young Once ~ I by Conquistadora
Reviews (146)
Starlight and Moonlight · 1 September 2021 · Chapter 12: Restore V
Dear sister, I first read your works when I was around 12 or 13 years old. We Were Young Once resonated very deeply with me then, everything felt so raw and so real, it was almost as if I could reach out and touch the characters and the world that you painted. Your writing also encouraged me to pen down stories of my own as well and to this day, this work of yours remains one of my absolute favorite Middle-earth fanfictions ever. Regrettably, I stopped writing once schoolwork and other ambitions started taking over and I lost my joy for reading then as well. However, in the past year, I “converted” to Christianity (it feels so strange to call it a conversion since I always considered myself a Christian but I’d never actually known God before then) and the Lord brought me through a lot of pain and loneliness. Now I am rebuilding (I’ve rediscovered my love for a lot of things as well!) and it is such a strange feeling to revisit this amazing story of yours, which has remained the same over the last years, but with me so changed. Now I know what resonated with me. Your story has the same type of timeless beauty and glory and depth as Tolkien’s does. I do not know if you simply drew all of your inspiration from him or if you did indeed seek out the same God that Tolkien believed in for any of it, but I just wanted to say a huge thank you for bringing Thranduil’s story to life and for touching all the lives of the readers who discovered your works. I don’t even know if you will ever read this note, but if you do, please, please, please keep writing! You are a great encouragement and I seriously think that if you haven’t done so yet, you should post We Were Young Once on all the fanfiction sites you can (fanfiction net, Ao3, Wattpad, etc) so that as many people as possible can discover it! I know you haven’t posted in awhile and life never stops to wait for any of us, but if ever you feel a bit more inspired than usual, maybe consider returning to writing some more concerning Tolkien’s characters? Another fic by the likes of this one is perhaps too much to hope for but I keep thinking about how satisfying it would be to see you write a saga from the point of view of some of the Noldor (Maedhros, perhaps?) Or, if you don’t like the Noldor very much (which is probably true ahaha), then maybe of Beleg? He has always been one of my favorite characters! Write what is in your heart, though! And I think I may get back to writing myself, too! Let me know if you ever need a beta reader, I would be soooo very honored to proofread anything you need for you. I wish you the best. Merin sa haryalyë alassë. <333
Author's reply
Thank you so much for all your reviews! I absolutely read every single one of them, but as you know real life doesn't always give us all the time we'd like to do more enjoyable things. Your story made me smile, because it sounds so familiar. I started writing this story in freshman year of college, and it's grown with me over the last 18 years (yikes!) through school, jobs, marriage and children. I think it has officially become my "emotional support story." :D I've really been missing it lately, but moving house, managing a home business, homeschooling and having a baby has really cut into my free time! Don't worry; I do plan on getting back to it soon, and readers like you inspire me a lot. Congrats on your conversion! Reversion? Rediscovery? Whatever you want to call it. :) Funny you should mention it, but I am also a traditionally-minded Roman Catholic as Tolkien was, and it does color a lot of what I write. I do plan on cross-posting it to other fanfic sites, especially as it's gone through several cosmetic revisions over the years. As you say, Maedhros isn't really my cup of tea, but I do have plans for a fourth installment in which Thranduil finally goes to Valinor. Thanks for volunteering! You are officially my new beta reader. (*Yay!*) I'll shoot you an email. As always, thanks for reading and reviewing! It means so much. <3
Starlight and Moonlight · 31 August 2021 · Chapter 6: Rebuild II
My, my!! Good lessons to learn from this chapter! Your OCs are literally AMAZING! They're so realistic and dynamic and I either absolutely love or absolutely hate every single one of them xD
Starlight and Moonlight · 30 August 2021 · Chapter 1: Rise
I'm officially rereading this! And I'd forgotten how beautiful and talented your writing is! I love it so, so much!!!
mystarlight · 14 November 2019 · Chapter 18: Reign III
Thank you so much for your gorgeously written tale.
Author's reply
Thanks for all your great comments! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. :D
mystarlight · 14 November 2019 · Chapter 17: Reign II
BREATHTAKING CHAPTER!!! You couldn't write it better!!!
mystarlight · 14 November 2019 · Chapter 16: Reign
At last he decided to talk to her!!!
mystarlight · 14 November 2019 · Chapter 15: Restore VIII
Love development of characters as they act intelligently or stupidly as their personality demands.
mystarlight · 14 November 2019 · Chapter 14: Restore VII
Galdhrim's loyalty is amazing. Your story is difficult to put it down. Yesterday I read till 2 a.m but it was worth it!!!
mystarlight · 14 November 2019 · Chapter 13: Restore VI
Thranduil and Amroth are so cute together!!!
mystarlight · 12 November 2019 · Chapter 12: Restore V
This chapter made me cry. Last Alkarinwe's moments are absolutely touching and Thranduil is able to move on with the past at last.
mystarlight · 12 November 2019 · Chapter 11: Restore IV
Poor Thranduil, another love affair which should be a reason for joy makes his life complicated but he is responsible enough to think about his sister's happiness and can say no in difficult circumstances. His way to kingship is really full of unexpected obstacles :)
mystarlight · 12 November 2019 · Chapter 10: Restore III
The suspense is enormous in this chapter. Still I am not sure if I should be angry with Thranduil for making Lindoriel wait or for her for sulking even she knew what she could expect. This waiting is really strange and is so different from Oropher's behaviour in the past. Feelings are so complex here and Thranduil doesn't follow straight and easy path.
mystarlight · 12 November 2019 · Chapter 9: Restore II
A dazzling well developed world, complex characters, the end of each chapter leaves me ravenous for more!!!
mystarlight · 11 November 2019 · Chapter 8: Restore
Love development of relationship between Thranduil and Lindoriel but his constant denial is confusing and I am not sure if he fell in love with her. On the one hand he almost kills himself to get the rose but his thoughts that he will love her in time are confusing for me. Perhaps he does not want bonds but if he loves her he should wish them. Definitely you didn't choose the easiest way for Thranduil. Hope that Lindoriel will find happiness even without him because I really love her strong will. I would love to find out more about Thalis as it is his craftiness Thranduil inherited.
mystarlight · 11 November 2019 · Chapter 7: Rebuild III
Wonder who is Seratharon.At last they are leaving!!!
mystarlight · 11 November 2019 · Chapter 6: Rebuild II
Brilliantly crafted plot and characters are terrific!!! Great Alkarinwe was beaten by Thranduil.
mystarlight · 11 November 2019 · Chapter 5: Rebuild
Wonderfully written Thranduil's emotions about his new house. The chores are equally shared and everyone supports others. Elrond as a young man is cute.
mystarlight · 11 November 2019 · Chapter 2: Rise II
Interesting that Oropher's wards address him as 'adar'. Is it a custom or they do it because they want it? Oropher is a great father.
Author's reply
I thought it would be nice since they've essentially been adopted by him. :)
mystarlight · 11 November 2019 · Chapter 1: Rise
I reread this chapter after Red Winter and found other amazing details. Was Thranduil given a choice to be a kinslayer or a traitor? Another is that kinslayers tried to blame Elves in Doriath to help their consciences? Wonderful transformation of Thranduil as a young man to a warrior hunted by Elves he had to kill to survive and who lost almost ability to enjoy his life. In Red Winter you portrayed brilliantly how his body reacted to first killing and fear to be killed. I am in the seventh heaven that you are going to continue your stories.
mystarlight · 31 October 2019 · Chapter 4: Rise IV
Lindoriel is a great character.
Author's reply
Thanks for all your great comments! Made my day. :)
mystarlight · 31 October 2019 · Chapter 3: Rise III
Fears and doubts are perfectly written in this chapter. Love the idea that they want to leave to help Thranduil. Your ideas about past in Doriath are awesome.
mystarlight · 31 October 2019 · Chapter 2: Rise II
Glad to meet Oropher's wife. Can't wait for Gil Galad.
mystarlight · 31 October 2019 · Chapter 1: Rise
Love young Thranduil and your ideas for his past. Thank you for writing and sharing your wonderful story.
Starlight and Moonlight · 10 May 2018 · Chapter 18: Reign III
This is absolutely beautiful!