Dabbles in Drabbles by LKK
Lamiel · 2 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Spoons
snerk! "Why is your umbrella oddly shaped?" Oh, that made me laugh out loud. A nice bit of humor, and a lovely character study too, in the rationals Lobelia gave herself. I like this. I like all your drabbles.
Author's reply
Thank you for the review, Lamiel. I'm glad you like Lobelia's rationalization. I'm sure she had her reasons for taking the items. Even if they only made sense to her. LOL And thanks too for the comment about my other drabbles!
Jay of Lasgalen · 2 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Spoons
Ah yes - the articles 'that had somehow fallen inside her umbrella'. Nice drabble, LKK. Poor Lobelia! Jay
Author's reply
Ten points to Jay for correctly identifying the inspiration quote! :) I feel sorry for Lobelia, somewhat. I'm sure she thought she was doing the right thing. It's all in the perspective, isn't it? Thanks for the review, Jay!
Jay of Lasgalen · 13 October 2004 · Chapter 7: At the Top of the Stairs to the Hornburg
Ah! I understand now! A very nice drabble, about one of my favourite Legolas scenes. I first read this on a yahoo group, and wondered about the line "All who can have now got safe within, Aragorn," he called. "Come back!" Who was 'he' when the piece was from Legolas's POV? Seeing the version with the different formatting here makes all the difference! Jay
Author's reply
The formatting is essential, isn't it? I was disappointed when the Yahoo group lost the italics. :( I suppose I could have left out the "he called" from the quote. I would have gained two more words if I had done so. But I liked the effect of being inside Legolas's mind, then stepping outside it for the quote, then popping back inside for the final thoughts. I'm glad you got the chance to read the drabble as I intended it to be read. Thanks for the review, Jay!
Nilmandra · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 7: At the Top of the Stairs to the Hornburg
How sad it must have been to say that, knowing that friends like Gimli were nowhere to be seen!
Author's reply
You're right. It must have been a very hard thing to say. The two were inseparable after Lothlorien -- except in battle. That night of Gimli's disappearance would have been hard to endure. :(
daw the minstrel · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 7: At the Top of the Stairs to the Hornburg
Nice sense of urgency here, LKK. "Orcs overwhelm us!" Yes indeed. And Gimli is lost, although actually he's just out of sight, not dead, thank Eru.
Author's reply
Thank you for the review, daw. I tried to balance the sense of urgent need and fleeting thoughts that I thought Legolas would have in the situation with the reader's need to be given enough information to know what was happening. With only 100 words to work with (and 13 of them provided by JRRT in this case), I found it a hard balance to maintain. I hope it worked. Thank goodness, Gimli wasn't dead. In the book, Legolas and Aragorn are remarkably calm about his absense. I like to think they were both trying to hide their true concern so as not to worry the other.
Nilmandra · 5 July 2004 · Chapter 6: A Place to be a One
This is lovely, LKK! You said a lot in 200 words. I like the idea of secret places, always had one myself as a child and sometimes still need one (and I am not a twin, but siblings were enough!). I also like the fact that they both likely had the same place! I wonder if one day they ran into each other there and if they did, could they laugh about it?
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it, Nilmandra. I try to make every word allowed work as hard as possible since I have so few to use. :) When the twins told me about the secret place, I asked them if they ever met. I got the feeling that they did, but that it wasn't a happy occasion. They still didn't want to talk about it even as adults. I'm going to have to ask Elrond and Celebrian if they know what happened. Thanks for leaving a review. Reviews are so encouraging. :)
Karri · 2 July 2004 · Chapter 6: A Place to be a One
I think it is a splendid response to the challenge. :-D I like Elrohir's spot. It sounds quite cozy and private -- a terrific place to spend a lazy summer day.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it, Karri. I think the spot would be a lovely place to spend a quiet summer afternoon. I'm glad I took on the challenge even though I said that I wasn't going to. This one was fun to work out. Thanks for the inspiration *and* the review!
Jay of Lasgalen · 2 July 2004 · Chapter 6: A Place to be a One
Don't worry, LKK - it's allowed to be double, it's a twin drabble. I like this, that they both sometimes want to be one. I'm quite sure they would sometimes feel like that. And even when they want to be different, they're the same - and even have the same Secret Place. What happens when they meet? Jay
Author's reply
A double drabble for the twins! You're right; it's very appropriate. :) When the twins told me about their spot, I asked them what happened when they met. They hemmed and hawed and evaded the question. I'm going to have to seek out Elrond or Celebrian and see if they know what happened. Thanks for leaving me a note! Now, it's your turn to drabble.
daw the minstrel · 2 July 2004 · Chapter 6: A Place to be a One
I liked this a LOT! I am normally a little puzzled by why one would write a drabble, but I thought this piece benefitted from fitting in the 200 word limit because it hints at so much more than it says. I could see Elrohis taking troll-steps. I could understand why he might want to be here with the stone nana who is his alone (he thinks).
Author's reply
I like writing drabbles because I like the challenge of writing in miniature. My ultimate desire is to write the literary equivalent of a Faberge egg -- a piece of beauty whose art is all the remarkable for its lack of size. So whenever I have an idea that won't grow up, I try to make it a drabble. This one is like a teenage drabble. It tried to grow up, but just never got big enough. It ended up being a double drabble. LOL I'm glad you like it, daw. The hinting at was what I was going for with phrases like Troll-Elrohir steps. Thank you so much for leaving a review. :)
JastaElf · 2 June 2004 · Chapter 5: You Ask Too Much
Oh, this is so beautiful... it made me shed tears, to think of Thranduil sitting there reading the letter, knowing his son well enough to lovingly think to him that it is a lie: he won't be coming home til the job is done, because that's the kind of person he is. Great stuff! There is incredible power in this part: "You ask that I trust you. I do. For I am your king. You vow that you love me. I know. For I am your father. You beg that I not worry. I cannot. For I am your king and your father." What a marvelous literary device you have employed--one of my favourites! :-) The repetitive nature of the line construction: statement, response, rationale... the power in the words, the change of viewpoint from Legolas to his father, at least in the literary sense--VERY well done, very beautiful, extremely effective. And all that in such a little space! Wow! Most excellent!
JastaElf · 2 June 2004 · Chapter 4: Which Way?
AI!!! A Plotbunny has come!! :-) And it's all your fault.... (grin) This is marvelous. Hadn't really thought of it that way before, but OH the plot bunny it released toward my ankles... (grin) If anything comes of it, I will dedicate the story to you. Elladan's thoughts are wonderfully angsty and very Elven, if he stopped to think on it. I will have to think some more on this myself.... Thank you!!
Author's reply
*feeds lettuce to the plotbunny* Go on! Nibble Jasta's ankles! Go on! You can do it! :) LKK *proud plotbunny momma*
JastaElf · 2 June 2004 · Chapter 3: Promise to a Newborn
Yes, definitely--I can see this happening, can see the twins reacting in this manner to little Eldarion--and being the primary teachers to the little prince. I love the gentle power of this drabble!
Author's reply
Thank you, Jasta. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
JastaElf · 2 June 2004 · Chapter 2: One Sound
I have often wondered what must have been going on in Legolas's mind on his way to the Council. Like others, I strongly feel that if Tolkien had written it up, Legolas would have been very involved--and that involvement would have led him to follow the Fellowship. There is a lot of power in this drabble, and a lot of angst--which means it is a very FINE drabble indeed! :-)
Author's reply
Thank you for your comments, Jasta. This was my first attempt at writing something less than warm and fuzzy. So I'm very glad Legolas's emotions came through to you. I appreciate that you took the time to let me know how you felt. :)
JastaElf · 2 June 2004 · Chapter 1: The Stone Tree
Oh, this is lovely stuff. I hadn't seen them before, I don't think... so I'm reading them all and reviewing. (grin) I love Gimli's decision that Legolas is a tree carved of stone... (heh heh heh, I think Legolas might like that description better AFTER he's known the Dwarf for a while...) Will we get to see the flip side--a drabble on Legolas's view of Gimli?
Author's reply
Ow! A drabble-bunny is nipping at my toes! (Drabble-bunnies aren't as big as plot-bunnies. They can't reach a writer's ankles.) I'm glad you liked my idea of how Gimli would think of Legolas. Perhaps the elf will share his feelings about the dwarf with me one day, and another drabble will be born. :)
Karri · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 5: You Ask Too Much
Wow! That was just amazing! It seems every drabble just gets more outstanding than the last.
Avon · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 5: You Ask Too Much
I like that! I've always pictured Thranduil being less than happy when he discovers that beloved son is going off on a dangerous quest. ;-) Avon
rikki · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 5: You Ask Too Much
"They returned with your letter instead of you" That is such a heart rending sentence. I feel for the king and the father, knowing he has raised a caring son who will not desert those in need, and yet not knowing if his son will return or not. I can see Thranduil lighting a candle in the window every night until Legolas is home again. Good drabble.
Jay of Lasgalen · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 5: You Ask Too Much
Poor Thranduil - he could not have known, when he sent Legolas to report Gollum's escape, how long it would be before he saw his son again. There must have been times when he feared he would never see him again. Nicely done. Jay
daw the minstrel · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 5: You Ask Too Much
This was very moving, LKK. Thranduil strikes just the right tone of respect for his son's abilities and principles and fear for his son's safety.
Nilmandra · 20 May 2004 · Chapter 4: Which Way?
I don't think I have shared with you Tolkien's last unpublsihed work - it was just a little note saying Elladan sailed west with Elrohir and Celeborn! Isn't that great to know!? Oh, it just breaks my heart to think he might have chosen otherwise!
Author's reply
That's fantastic to hear! I can't imagine Elladan not sailing eventually. It would break my heat too if he didn't. But he can be a stubborn and contrary elf at times. It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't consider chosing mortality at least once. Then Elrohir would have swatted him and told him how foolish he was being! Thanks for dropping me a review, Nilmandra. :)
Avon · 20 May 2004 · Chapter 4: Which Way?
That is just such a neat idea. I don't think I had ever picked up on that moment - and now it will haunt me forever ;-) Just a thought - I felt that "where I did. " needed - especially on the repeat - stronger punctuation. I just wanted that emphasis on the point - but it's just a thought so feel free to ignore me ;-) Avon
Author's reply
I didn't notice the moment until I fell in love with the twins and went back to read all the places they should have been mentioned. When Tolkien only mentioned Legolas and emphasized his elven nature, I wondered if the professor was saying something about the twins mortality in abstentia. I've been haunted by the thought ever since. So I know how you feel. :) I've thought a lot about your comments on the repeat. I've decided you're right. It needs something. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to come up with whatever that something is. Maybe it'll come to me someday. Thanks for your valuable advice even if I can't implement it yet. LOL
Karri · 19 May 2004 · Chapter 4: Which Way?
oh, very nice! I've never really thought about the difference in how Legolas and the twins dealt with the Paths.
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, Karri. Ever since I noticed how Legolas was singled out in that sentence, I've wondered if Tolkien was saying something about the twins or if it was merely an oversight on his part. That wondering eventually led to the drabble. Thanks for the review. :)
shirebound · 19 May 2004 · Chapter 4: Which Way?
That's *very* effective -- equating the Paths of the Dead to one of Elladan's possible fates.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. I'm glad you liked the comparison. :)
daw the minstrel · 19 May 2004 · Chapter 4: Which Way?
Oh wow. The last sentence just took me aback. "The path to the dead." Yeah. That's where he'd be walking if he makes that choice. And he sees the contrast between himself and Legolas. I really like this one.
Author's reply
Thanks, daw. I hoped that sentence would have impact. I'm glad you liked the drabble.
daw the minstrel · 19 May 2004 · Chapter 2: One Sound
The night before the arrival in Imladris. I'd never thought of this moment before. Poor Legolas.
Author's reply
I picture Legolas traveling from Mirkwood to Rivendell, constantly hoping that he might come across Gollum's tracks in order to recapture him. That must have been a hard journey for Legolas to make.