Well, in this chapter it looks like Legolas is a match for Minuiel, and she's not such a toughie after all once you get past the hard exterior. (Or if you are a beautiful elf-lord whom she can't resist) Still, she's no powder-puff. The hair-grabbing bit had implications attached. I think I like her. Speaking of implication, Minuiel's and Gimili's musings indicate quite a toll taken on Legolas by this adventure. He keeps his friendship at a price.
So sad that Gimli is haunted by his experience, though I imagine he will overcome it with determination.
Then there is the wedding! This story concludes nicely, with most things settled but a few realistically dangling threads. It was a very satisfying read throughout.
I imagine you've figured out I plan to read through all of your stories in order. *rubs hands together gleefully* I've only read a couple of them before. Expect more harrassment. ~TF
Author's reply
Harrass away, or should I be like the rabbit and beg you not to throw me in the briar patch?
Your insightful comments (that's because they are relentlessly positive!)have given me a permanent smile this week or so.
lovely to hear from you but don't forget your own writing now.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 10 November 2005
· Chapter 8: 8/9
Gleowyn's speech to the mob was brilliant, and it seemed very realistic that in spite of her wit she was terrified. She is quite a gal.I like it that you are fixing her up with Telfaren.
It gave me a chuckle that Elfwine considered the possibility that Legolas had bounced him on his knee when he was a babe. I loved this description of the elf entering the hall:
"...the Lord of Ithilien was announced and then strode down the dim length of the great hall towards him, shining slightly in the shafts of light like some legend embroidered on the venerable tapestries that decorated the walls."
I could see that. Elves should always seem magical. ~TF
Author's reply
Yes, I try to make elves magical, and most importantly not human, with all the complications of culture and relationships that such an alien to us species would create. I have always felt that inherited power must feel a little shaky in the prescence of those that have known them as powerless, that difference again as above.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 9 November 2005
· Chapter 7: 7/9
More good stuff with your trolls. I liked this bit of history from Granite-Glinting. Just her curiosity proved fatal for the dwarf, though he might also have died from the avalanche.
"She had found a dwarf, one day, pinned under a pile of slipped rock, and poked at him with her finger until he went still and cold."
I had this visualization of Gliver and Legolas looking tiny and fragile next to the mother troll thumping at her son. I loved Legolas' shooting the rock out of Stone-Water's hand
I think you must have spent some time around horses to write the nipping-and-prancing scene with Ascallon and Cloudfoot. It seemed very authentic.
Then I loved the healer putting a blanket over the exhausted elf. Poor Legolas has been through the wringer, but again you give it a light touch. Very nice. ~TF
Author's reply
Rose hands TF a bunch of spring flowers from her garden.
White daisies with blue middles sourrounding sixteen overblown red roses scented like grandma's talcum framed by sprays of leggy cream mock-orange smelling so sweet they make you sneeze. Tucked among them sticks of violet lavender, like a handful of candles, and one enormous sunflower curling into yellow life; because you brighten my day. Thanks.
TithenFeredir
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 6: 6/9
Another chapter over lunch.
Good for Gleowyn, giving Frecern a part of the thrashing he deserves. I suspect it's not over yet.
The distaste and tension between Legolas and Gliver was well done, as was this subtle angsty moment:
"Legolas leapt lightly from Ascallon's back. Then reached, out of pure habit, to swing down his companion. His jolt of hesitation as he remembered that this was not his friend of years was obvious even to Gliver."
The both of them are hoping against slim hope and you make their restrained anguish quite palpable. It's just as good on the second reading. ~TF
Author's reply
May flowers strew your footsteps and the sun shine ever on your head(could be inconvenient at midnight I suppose) ahem. Thanks again TF, brightened up my lunchtime no end.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 5: 5/9
Rose, this is without a doubt the best chapter yet! There is so much of this that is inventive and well done. I remeber from the last time how much I enjoyed the trolls, with their marvelously descriptive, rock-themed names. You have brought this species to life with believeable detail. It was so amusing to me that, as an author I admire for what I consider sophisticated use of words, you craft the simplistic, shorthand thoughts and language of these creatures so effectively. I loved it that Granite-Glinting is considered a great beauty and yet from your description she's obvously a huge hulk of a creature, maybe with a sparkly-rock skin? And then Stone-Water's misinterpretation of Oval-Pebble running over to "tickle" him with his tusks. These characters are just great.
I truly felt sorry for Aragorn, trapped in his gilded cage, feeling useless and missing the freedom of the old days. But his compassion becomes apparentin his dealings with the Wose chieftan. Ghunkor was pretty neat. I loved it that he felt remorse over how the kidnapping went down. He may be a savage, but a decent one. That he is a good leader is evident in the way he took responsibility for the mess, humbled himself and offered his own life for his tribe.
Gleowyn also seems very real. She has the spunk to defy Ghunkor to his face and yet was stunned into silence by his decisive form of justice. I do wonder, what is the yellow stain on the mountain, and how is it making the Woses sick? Some kind of toxic ore, perhaps?
Gimli was very Gimli, stubborn to the last. I liked his ability to "see" a heat trail. A little-known special dwarvwen ability, eh?
Now, you know I love the elf, even as an unlikely clam. He came off as quite enigmatic in this chapter, very elf-y. He obviously is less changed or fettered by his circumstances than Aragorn. Best of all was the scene in which he hears that Gimli has been killed. (and we know he hasn't) Legolas seemed so bewildered and hurt; it was an extremely vunerable moment and yet it was done so delicatly. I think it was excellent that he was not simply grieving his own loss, but the seemingly senseless end of a hero. Wonderful chapter! ~TF
Author's reply
If only my writing was as good as your reviews - LOL - I almost had to rush off to read this wonderful chapter from this wonderful fic - Haha - goose of the week me!
Thank you, TF. I was not having a good morning, my children, although adult, still somehow manage to sow dissention and riot in my otherwise peaceful life. I do not like having to say no, and now I feel about as unworthy as Grima WT. Then I read your review and felt all good again - skips away.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 6 November 2005
· Chapter 4: 4/9
First of all, Frecern is a jerk. If nothing else, I hope Legolas glares a hole through him.
I loved the exchange between Aragorn and Arwen. They are just like any old, happily married couple who are comfortable together. Who wouldn't like to sit back and watch Aragorn undress?
In every chapter it seems I find a favorite sentence or phrase, and this time it is this one:
"Gleowyn managed a watery twitch of her lips and accepted the cloth gratefully. If nothing else it gave her something to hide behind."
It's just such a true observation. Gleowyn is so overwrought and embarrased as well. She'd probably like to hide under a rock.
I really liked the stick growing from Gimli's chest as an alternative to the usual, "suddenly an arrow flew in out if the dark and hit X in the chest". I was with Gleowyn, not getting it until the second arrow came. And it was a nice little touch to include that although he didn't get enuogh of the paralytic poison to kill him outright, he could have stopped breathing before it began to wear off. It was fighting as he did that saved him. I love the way he just keeps on plugging on. ~TF
Author's reply
Ah Frecern, I almost miss the big lunk, he is my best baddy by far so far. Thanks for your appreciation of my efforts to avoid cliche - and that's my Gimli, keeps going and going and going ... Thanks for the kind words, as ever they are treasured and make my day.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 5 November 2005
· Chapter 3: 3/9
I liked the opening, with Gimli's thoughts punctuated by his physical activity. In the first section you created a strong feeling of the world according to dwarves: their perfect ease being underground, their absorption in their work and craft. But then Gimli does not quite fit the mold any more. I loved the bit where he spotted Earendil, and your lovely description:
"...Earendil, visible even through the misted window, sailing his ship forever in the frost bright heavens."
I don't think dwarves normally bother looking up to the stars much. He must have learned that from Legolas.
I so enjoyed the build-up to Gleowyn's suicide attempt, then the dramatic way she cut her bodice and her hair and the way her hair was blown to blind her and smear her blood. Every detail was an picture of her desolation and anguish.
But I'm glad Gimli stopped her. Obviously this sets up how Gimli was accused of assault. It was beautifully done. ~TF
Author's reply
Well he jokes about it, but there is no doubt that Legolas has ruined Gimli for polite (dwarven) company, and vice-versa. Something new in Middle-earth was formed by their friendship - and new is sometimes uncomfortable.
Thank you again for your review - poor Gleowyn, melodramitic to the core but hurting as only the young allow themselves to hurt.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 2: 2/9
What strikes me most about this chapter is the compliment of realism and immediacy that propells it along. The description of the bustling markets and the ever increasing affluence of each new level made a vivid, progressive backdrop for the conversation between the characters. It was so full of life, I could easily imagine the sounds and smells and see that the city was all mostly stone. I loved Tolman's observation about coming home to a stange place. The gulls blowing in and away like a bunch of tumbling leaves was a neat image. I really liked your version of an attack of sea-longing as a sort of dream state. I'm not sure if you meant it to be funny, but the elf-bane knocking Legolas on his heinie and his subsequent ignoring everyone around him reminded me a lot of a cat trying to cover an embarassing moment. Then the meeting of the royal everybody was also amusing in a low key way. Clearly they had A Situation on their hands. You managed to do that and still get across the impression that the Situation was potentially serious. With all those points and parts, the chapter just flows. I had forgotten all this, so it's fun rediscovering it.
By the way, good luck on your scfifi piece. ~TF
Author's reply
Thanks TF, I am glad I brought the city to life for you, and the affronted cat was exactly what I was trying to convey with the elf and the herb. Elves have always struck me as most feline.
The kind words are treasured, thanks.
Rose
TithenFeredir
· 3 November 2005
· Chapter 1: 1/9
I read this story long ago, before I figured out that authors enjoy the reviews they get, even mine. It's been long enough that the tale reads like new again. First, as always, I love the wonderfully original phrases that populate your writing. They are scattered throughout this chapter. For me the pick of the litter is below.
"He watched as his Captain stumped asymmetrically back to his reviewing post..."
I got a visual and didn't stop laughing for a while. The dialogue about "feast-day friends" was surprising but believeable, and poor Legolas' discomfort with the subject was quite amusing. I wonder how he ever got hooked up with someone like Minuial.
The introduction of Tolman was interesting but again, very plausible. You make Middle-earth familiar and real. Reading your stuff is an education, Rose. ~TF
Author's reply
Even yours, indeed! I'll have you know you write vintage reviews that make the whole process of writing seem possible. I am trying to think of a decent short scifi story for a writers workshop with Joan Vinge at the moment ( with a notable lack of sucess I might add - sigh) so fanfic land is off limits. But I have to tell you getting a lovely surprise like your appreciation of my wobbly style makes the thing much more likely.
Thank you.Rose goes off and hugs herself.
BTW - Our fav. elf is such a boy, he just loves all the hunt'n, 'venturing and shoot'n stuff,aye? So I figured he would be attracted by a female that embodied quite a few of those traits, and then, having got her, not know at all what he was supposed to do with her. Simple at heart most males, heh, most females are notably not!
Sorry, can you tell I am procrastinating about writing? LOL
Rose
Aloysius
· 24 August 2004
· Chapter 9: 9/9
I absolutely loved this - so many wonderful things to comment on:
- the friendship drawn between Legolas and Aragorn at the start
- the picture you draw of their characters in the future
- Legolas' influence over the women in the crowd, the donkey and the gate chain
- Tom is a wonderfully drawn character, as are Cirion and Eldarion
- the accusations against Gimli, and the others' reactions to them, are hilarious
- the fact that Aragorn is forced to take a huge entourage when he leaves the city is amusingly and refreshingly realistic
- Gleowyn is a great character and the way you work through the plot is really interesting and well thought out
- the cave trolls are hilarious and I love the way you portray their culture in just a few short paragraphs
- I love Legolas acknowledging that it's Gimli who is keeping him in Middle Earth
- I love Elfwine's reaction to his meeting with Legolas; the stage fright comment is brilliant
- Gleowyn dealing with the crowd is pure genius and I love the way you work in her romance with Telfaren so naturally
- seeing Minuial in a good light at the end is a nice touch
- and I love how you end on a bittersweet note, with a wonderful understanding of how the events of the story have affected Gimli
Apologies for the disjointed nature of the feedback - the whole thing is brilliant. Action, suspence, wonderful sentiment, lovely descriptions, perfect characterisation, interesting plot - this story has it all.
Author's reply
Well how lovely to get a new review of my first child Adagio! Thanks so much for your kind words. To be a writer, for me, is to forever thinking my writing is not so good, the plots are hackneyed, why do I bother etc.( That is except for when I think I am the best writer since the old man himself). A tad conflicted, huh?
So to realise that i have met my goal and entertained a new reader is just as good as any medal winner must feel at those games.
Thanks
Rosemary
Hisie Lome
· 2 August 2004
· Chapter 7: 7/9
Thank you for your reply. I was at Eternal, which is now down. (See, you actually helped me out :-)Now I may continue with this tale....
The bonds of friendship shown here are strong. The troll trying so hard to help his pet was fun. I had to laugh that his last "piggy" was squished!
The image of a different drawf on horse back was super. He might take a step in a week or two...I can only imagine.
It was so touching that Legolas fell asleep next to Gimli, his rock .
Thank you again for all of your hard work. You are giving me many hours of enjoyment.
Mina Sedh,
Hisie Lome
Author's reply
Thanks, I am glad you were able to find this on SOA - which is my favorite non-slash archive! Great fiction and very friendly people and processes- including this clever review/reply bot.
I am glad you like my OC's as well as my take on L/G - hope you continue to enjoy.
Rose
insignia
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 9: 9/9
Hi Rose
I thoroughly enjoyed this fic. It had all my favourite (yes, I'm Brit educated) ingredients: good dialogue; believable characterisation; a nice touch of humour; and quite a lot of room for the reader to attempt to puzzle out what is actually going on without being told in so many words by the ("clever") author!
For instance, I liked the bit where you talk about Aragorn not being fazed by being glared at as he had "been glared at by experts". A nice picture of how Aragorn has had to learn to be a judge and to put up with the related "benefits" of that role.
You have got a nice handle on how the characters we know so well would have moved on in their relationships and in their own growth over the 70 plus years since RotK. I really enjoyed the way you portrayed married life and how Gimli and Legolas feel about each other, without evident saccharine, usually using the characters' own words, too.
I shall now start on your next work, and am looking forward to it very much.
Regards
insignia
Author's reply
Thank you for your lovely review, I am glad you like my take on the characters,
(that may be a Brit thing too I am beginning to think ) the story has taken on the aspects of a monster with Cadenza but I think I am nearing the end.
Saccharine makes me gag, although I am guilty of some L/G slash which you could find on ffnet on my Rose Sared page.
Thanks again for your kind words
Rose
lwarren
· 5 May 2004
· Chapter 1: 1/9
I love the beginning of this story - so much to take in and digest!:) Feast day friends, hmmmm? I've often wondered what mature, unmarried elves did...personally I don't subscribe to the impassive, passionless figures of some stories. Controlled, yes...to a point. But not completely. Otherwise, how could the Kinslayings be explained? Your character interaction is very good...I hope Gimli and Legolas resolve their argument. And way to go, Tom! He's great!! Can't wait to read more.
linda
Author's reply
How nice to get a review a while after a story has been posted, I am most flattered by your enjoyment of my writing. Thanks.
Rose
Calliope
· 1 May 2004
· Chapter 9: 9/9
But you've wrapped this up *too* quickly! :-) I so wanted to hear
the conversation between Legolas and Gimli about the debacle
at Ithilien. Maybe in a flashback at some future date?
The wedding invitation was a lovely touch, as was asking Gimli
to be best man. It's nice to see some humans still see his
value.
I look forward to checking out the rest of your universe.
Author's reply
Yeah sorry about the quicky end- the muses deserted me for a while - but I think I'm back on track. I will post Mayflies today and then start with Cadenza, which is a wip up to ch11 now.
Still don't know what happens in the end but the haze is clearing a little now!
Glad you are enjoying the tale.
Rose
nat
· 30 April 2004
· Chapter 9: 9/9
he he he...i like minuial too....shes scary...lucky so-and-so, having legolas and all...he he he...definitely gnna go check out the continuation...b4 i read that little info i was gnna rant about u ending so quickly!! yay!
Author's reply
Yeah well I had a bit of a "thats all she wrote" crisis with this tale, but I do carry on in the same universe with Mayflies and Cadenza. Still got no idea how the whole thing ends, guess I'll just have to keep writing
Rose
Arienwen
· 29 April 2004
· Chapter 8: 8/9
What a wonderful story! Very original. I love the relationship between Aragorn and Legalos and Gimli and Legalos. You can feel their pain! I couldn't stop reading it. Good job! Arienwen
Author's reply
I am glad you like my characters and my take on OC's. Its quite a lot of fun having them walking around in my head.
Rose
nat
· 29 April 2004
· Chapter 8: 8/9
he he he...i really lyk gleowyn....too bad that ::mutter::mutter:: 'fiance' had to be so mean!! eww and what's with that stable guy? jerk...i would very much lyk to read about his painful death at the hand of legolas, if you dont overly mind ::wink::wink:: he he he
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, I'm working on grisly deaths, the baddies just don't want to lie down though.
Rose
Ms. Whatsit
· 29 April 2004
· Chapter 8: 8/9
Oh, dear, that was hilarious! Gleowyn is hysterical, Telfaren is so sweet and Frecern sounds like the disgruntled boyfriend of an Orlando Bloom fangirl--"effete catamite," indeed! The bit with Legolas and Elfwine was quite funny. I can imagine that it would be unnerving to have to deal politically with someone who knew you when you were in diapers. This is such a good story.
Author's reply
I appreciate the support and am glad you found it fun.
Rose
Jay of Lasgalen
· 29 April 2004
· Chapter 8: 8/9
Things are looking up - Gimli is found and recovering, Gleowyn is back home, and she has defused the unpleasant situation looming about dwarves. I only hope her ex-fiance gets his just desserts soon!
Jay
Author's reply
Errm well not yet, infact I am still trying to do away with the annoying little man ten chapters into the sequel.Its hard to put a good baddy down.
Thanks for the support
Rose
Calliope
· 29 April 2004
· Chapter 7: 7/9
Beautiful job! You pull on our heartstrings without becoming maudlin.
I loved the cave trolls, especially in their interaction with Legolas.
I was so afraid he'd come in and slaughter them both. You made me
care what happened to them.
Poor Gimli. I can't wait to see how you wrap this up.
Author's reply
Those trolls just wormed their way into my heart. Its hard to dismiss a race once you have thought a bit about their culture and history, and even young Wargs are probably cute! And the elf is famous for being both broad minded and noble, I am glad he didn't have to kill them either!
Thanks for your kind words Ch8 soon.
Rose
Ms. Whatsit
· 28 April 2004
· Chapter 7: 7/9
Gimli getting captured by Cave Trolls is really original. It's not like the standard captured-by-orcs fare of fanfic--the poor baby cave troll doesn't know that "Mossy" is hurt and needs care, or that he's not a pet. I love the Cave Troll names, too. The Legolas-Gliver interaction is also great, the way their respect for each other grows and Gliver understands exactly how much Legolas loves Gimli.
And the end of the chapter is so touching in a very understated way.
More please!
Author's reply
More coming, and a sequel, although I must admit I think I used up all my original ideas in this story
Thanks for the support.
Rose
Aislynn Crowdaughter
· 28 April 2004
· Chapter 6: 6/9
Hi, Rose!
Glad to see you made it to this site!
I'm reading Adagio again and enjoying it as much as the first time. Smooth Stone worn water is clearly mostly a nice guy. With an odd taste of pets, well, but afater all, he just want to care for something... look, now you have made me even sympathize with a Troll!
The interaction of Aragorn with Legolas in te last chapter, when he told the elf of Gimlis supposed death, was grweat. It shows how well he knows the elf. And in this one, I liked the picure of Legolas first reaction to Glivers proposal. Both sides looked as if someone had placed a cooked egg under ther nose... did you mean "bad egg" here? Anyway, the picture is priceless! Just because Legolas is used to having Gimli ride behind him, it clearly does not meeans he favors *any* dwarf... yet.
I love your story! Keep writing!
Greetings to you,
Aislynn
Lindorien
· 28 April 2004
· Chapter 1: 1/9
Dawn broke red over the kingdom of Gondor, but after ninety-eight years of enforced peace and muscular justice, the day arrived now with no more portent than a certain promise of spring showers.
Rose, in all our back and forth of this, have I ever made mention that this is one kick-butt opening line?
I soooo wish I'd thought of it first. Really glad to see you here. This is truly a nice story and I am happy you found our own little corner of heaven.
Lindorien
Author's reply
Nice to hear from you too, thanks for all your support and thanks for the review,goodness knows why it took me so long to post here, wish I'd done it ages ago and I am feeling very welcome and at home now I have.
Rose
daw the minstrel
· 27 April 2004
· Chapter 6: 6/9
What wonderful OCs you create. I think, oddly enough, that these cave trolls are my favorite. I feel so bad for Gleowyn but she's strong and is going to do much better than she would have if she had not been disillusioned.
Author's reply
Well Gleowyn is one of those wonderful OC's who climbed out of the computer and walked around on top of the monitor until I had written her story the way SHE wanted it.
Love her to bits even though she bullies me. I'm rather fond of my cave trolls as well, they were inspired by a comment from PJ on one of the DVD's where he wanted the troll to have a mother somewhere who would be sad when he didn't come home.
I am glad you are enjoying the story but I expect you to stop reading now and hie yourself off to your own keyboard to write the follow up to Spring Awakenings. Off you go, shoo.
Rose
Jay of Lasgalen
· 27 April 2004
· Chapter 6: 6/9
You update so quickly I don't have time to review some chapters! I feel a certain sympathy for the troll and his 'pets' - the poor thing only wants something to look after, and he's trying to give Gimli what he thinks he needs. Poor Legolas in the last chapter - I felt so sad for him!
I like Gleowyn, and I'm glad her fiance has been found out.
Jay
Author's reply
Sorry about the wonky updates, RL is making my computer time a bit erratic. I am glad you are enjoying this story though.
Rose