Reviews (246)

LOTR lover · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 32

The wedding is canceled, hurrah, hurrah! The wedding is canceled, hurrah! So the little creep is ostracized, eh? Good. *Everyone* can see what she's like now. But Gimli's almost throwaway remark about the anger of the Elves "and his own folk (though to my mind their wrath though the greater is also the colder; it is on their account Laustairë shows not her face)" is rather chilling. I'll bet Laustairë will be made to rue this even after (if) she matures enough to realize the full enormity of what she's done. A wonderful letter, Le Rouret. I'm impressed with how you were able to tell the same incident in Nardanë's voice and in Gimli's, each letter with details the other writer wouldn't have known, and keep it fascinating to an audience who had read both letters. Well done.

Bodkin · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 32

I love Gimli's reaction. It would be most entertaining to see him in action! Unfortunately Bandobras had better not arrive, or the supply of most honest, least tactful letters will dry up.

Anonymous · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 32

Oooo she's stuck there through winter, smoldering and looking for revenge again because of the ill-treatment she perceives has fallen upon her innocent brow. No good can come of that. Poor Legolas.

LOTR lover · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 31

Legolas, dump that little b--. Ahem. Send her packing now, Legolas! A much better wife for you is right under your nose! How stupid is this girl, that she would not realize how this insult to Legolas would rebound on her?

Aislynn Crowdaughter · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

"O be not so distraught, my lord; but remember she is very young." "She is," he agreed dryly, "so perhaps I ought rather to adopt her as a daughter than take her as my wife. Would that please you then, Nardanë?" Truer words were never spoken! The child has disgraced herself, as well as her brthrothed, and but good; now it is trime to call this farce off. But I fear she will apologize, only to bring about more desaster... Nardane should stop apologizing her to others, and simply write to Cirdan about Lasustaires behaviour. IMaybe he will call the whole thing off himself before his scion manages to ruin his diplomatic relationship with all remaining elven realms save his own and Valinor (and with Gomdor as well) even worse than she is already doing. Well, I still hope. Aislynn

Joana · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

This was a truly wonderful chapter! I really loved it. The description of the tournament... etc. Very very good. Laustarie is a true idiot (I don't like swearing but if I did I would have called her something a lot worse!). How was she capable of doing that? He must have been so incredibly hurt. But I don't like Nardane either despite understanding her difficult position in the middle of all this. He should either remain alone or marry Seimel or someone new. I think Seimel just gave up on him and perhaps she still likes him. He doesn't seem to love her though... maybe he hasn't realised it yet. I'm also very excited to know about the full repercursions of all this as well as people's reactions!

Duchess · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

Oh my gosh... There's not a word bad enough to describe Laustaire at this moment! *gritting my teeth as I type and shaking my head* I cannot believe how utterly STUPID and PETTY this pathetic excuse for an Elf is and Cirdan should be censured by every notable person who attended the tournament. I wish he would be DELUGED with letters on how poorly this child has been brought up and what a complete and total DISGRACE she is to all who were associated with her upbringing. The fact that he has foisted off this harridan on someone he is trying to make a treaty with is an insult of the worst kind and Legolas would be within his rights to break off everything, not just the wedding, over it. The fact that he won't speaks to his own very good upbringing. Yes, I include Nardane in this. So many of your readers want Legolas to fall for her instead, but since she helped to create the monster that is currently demoralizing the entire demesne she is the LAST female (other than Kalamiril) that the put upon Prince needs to wed! I mean honestly, think about it for a minute. How much more would these females be likely to spoil a child of their own than they did Laustaire who was merely a charge they helped raise? Please?!? Oh and please, send the little twit packing, (preferably without any luxuries whatsoever, but I know that is too much to ask) back to Mithlond for another 50 years with the suggestion that MAYBE if she's grown up enough by then Legolas will help find her a suitable husband, as long as it is not himself. I would marry her off to the lowest class (in Laustaire's eyes) of servant I could find and make her work for the rest of her life, but there are no servants who deserve such a vile punishment as that. So how about just forcing her to DO every single rough physical labor job there is in the demesne, one per day, until she apologizes? I do NOT think this is too harsh and neither should anyone else. Laustaire's opinion doesn't matter one whit! I hope the little ingrate never apologizes and has to be fetched back by Cirdan personally and that he publicly spanks her in front of the whole kingdom... Preferably at a gathering with an even bigger crowd than the tournament brought out! THAT would be justice! Ohhhh, how I hate her!!!

Ms. Whatsit · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

So that's what she was plotting. I knew it was something. Surely there's nothing that could make Legolas agree to marry her now. He must know enough to know that even an apology, coming from her, would be insincere and meaningless.

Lamiel · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

Oh ho, so the Tramp's true colours are shown at last. Legolas did indeed go over and above the call of duty to actually offer to dance with her, but surely even he can't overlook this deliberate act of contempt. The description of him riding up to the box, expecting her, and her not being there... oh, it's heartbreaking. She doesn't deserve to have the power to do that to him. For the sake of his people whom she slighted, if not for himself, he must ditch her. "O that I were in Mithlond!" Ah, we wish it too. Get yourself back where you belong, poor lady, and take the Tramp with you.

Nymh · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

*growls softly* I'm glad Gimli was there to witness this. If only Thranduil had been, as well! Laustaire is fortunate to have escaped the dwarf with her snotty head still on her shoulders. Poor Nardane ... do I detect more than admiration for the brat's betrothed? Fantastic chapter, Le Rouret.

Anonymous · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

I knew it would be bad but she really outdid herself. You are right on the mark with medieval tradition that there could be no deeper insult than the way she behaved. In many early cultures, she could have been executed for such behavior against a person of Legolas' stature. The description was absolutely excellent. I hope we get a letter from Legolas...possibly to Thranduil. I'd love to see both of their reactions to this. Great chapter.

sheraiah · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 31

You know, he SHOULD adopt her and then promptly turn her over his knee and apply the hand of discipline to the seat of the problem. Cirdan should have done that on a regular basis anyway. On the other hand, though, I'm rather glad she did this. He doesn't need to tie himself to such a spiteful, immature, bigoted little b-word. Great story, hon! sheraiah

Aislynn Crowdaughter · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 28

Ah! So, *this* was the heartless and cruel reprimand Laustaire the unhappy servant-slave to be was getting from her unfeeling and cold bethrothed! A gentle reprimand that perhaps she should learn some of her future duties and get accustomed to them and a delay of the wedding for a year so that she might have time to do it. "Difficult as this was to do I went in mortification of spirit unto my betrothed, enlightening her as to my resolution and defending my judgment in this, that we should say not this spring but the following, so that she and I shall be the better acquainted, and she the better able to take up her duties as my lady. That she in her pretext disappointed me I could not help but reveal, though I refrained from harshness knowing her to be very young and perhaps ignorant of the distress she has caused; she railed against Dúrfinwen and Seimiel but I defended them saying they did naught but that which I as their lord did properly require of them." - yep, sounds a bit different of Laustaires version of that conversation in her letter! I think he was still too gentle with the girl if she can rally so against him, and he ought to have much doubts about her "pricklings of concience". I am in apprehension of that Tounament, if she is organizing it! As for Legolas dreams about taking Bandy to Valinor, it shows that e needs to dump the wedding for good, and soon. If he is to wed anybody, it needs to be a Lady who is as much a compagnion to him as his mortal friends, to help him over the inevitable loss of them when they die. Laustaire will never be such a compagnion; she is a burden, and if the wedding takes place, he soon will be as much to her. Oh well, I hope she blows it. Aislynn

Aislynn Crowdaughter · 2 September 2004 · Chapter 30

As little as I like Laustaire, now I am growing a bit concerned for her, too, should this wedding ever take place. Legolas sees some feree time ahead, and the way he is dreaming of spending it is in ridig away and staying in the forest for a month, alone, not with his bethrothed? Ai! Very understandable, but it shows he loves her not and does not really wish to learn to know her. And Laustaire is from Mithlod and not a woodelf; she will never understand the close connection of her husband-to-be to the land. This is not a matter of growing up in her, but a matter of who she is; it will not change even if and when the girl will mfinally mature. They have absolutely nothing in common, and their differences do not add to a greater whole, but stay just different. This wedding ought to be not delayed but dumped or good; both Laustaire and Legolas will grow extremely unhappy in it, should it ever take place. Also, he does not get his news about Laustaires doings from herself but from Hirilcúllas? As wise as it is to get reports of Laustaires activities also from some other source as herself, so they are more objecive, it does not bode well for his thougt of getting closer with her, if he does not make time to ask herself and let her chater with pride of her preparations. Laustaire will be furious about this, too. No, they should dump this wedding better sooner than later, indeed. And Legolas mother *now* thinks that she might have been wrong to hasten the matter of Legolas wedding and put so much pressure on him, because of the danger of him getting bound to one who is no mach for him? A bit late now to have second thougts, is it not? The lady should have come to this thought much sooner!!! Ah, well, it is a delight to read, as ever. I was a bit disapoointed, that Bandy was not joining up for the Tournament, but in the way this story is written - in leters -, this is the better solution. This way Bandy can be told of the happenings at the Tournament by letters to him, and so can we. I am very much afraid of what Laustaire the newly-decided ice-maiden with the iron heart has planned for that Tournament! I still hope she will blow her cover big time, say something unforgivable, and thereby the wedding will be off. One can always hope... Aislynn

Ms. Whatsit · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 30

Ack--he seems to be softening to Laustaire. I wonder what's up with her.

Ms. Whatsit · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 29

Heh. As usual, I enjoyed the "voice" you've created for Bandy.

Lamiel · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 30

There, Legolas, you see? You can have a good and peaceful kingdom, and even time to do things other than have meetings and trade negotiations and whatnot, all without any interference or need of such from any female hanger-on at all. And oh yes, I see that the tramp is wily in her masquerade, but it can't last. There's something so plaintive in Legolas' hope that they might have a little time to talk together. Alas, there's nothing there worth getting to know better, dear prince. So sorry. Best to just cut your losses and move on.

Duchess · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 30

That bit where Legolas says Laustaire haunts the stables and library these days strikes me as ominous. Whatever is she in the stables for? What is she up to now? I do not like her at ALL and want her found out to be the conniving little witch she is without Legolas being made into an even bigger fool by marrying her! And I must say I chuckled over the part at the beginning of the letter where Legolas refers to Bandy as a son. For those that don't read author's notes, that ought to clear things up even more. Good job! *vbg* Ah, Frodo... I miss him too and am glad to see him being spoken of so fondly. Let Laustaire dare to say anything bad about HIM either and she'll regret it so fast it'll make her head spin. LOL Oh let her, come on, I wanna see her reprimanded. *snicker* I'm glad to know the Queen is now also worried about her son's betrothed not being good enough for him! *wicked laugh* Please let her hurry up and come set the ninny straight? I'd like to see her sneak anything past THAT one! I get the impression that would be a very unlikely circumstance. *g* AND that she also wonders about the betrothal between Kaimelas and Seimiel! *nodding emphatically* See, I'm not the only one! LOL Time for me to shut up and give someone else a go now, thank you for such a great part! :)

Duchess · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 29

Sorry to do the correction thing Bodkin, but Agape love is actually unconditional love. Sorry again, just had to point that out. I agree with the rest of your post wholeheartedly though. :) *ducks back into the crowd now*

Bodkin · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 29

I hope Bandobras and his mother show the bimbo up in her true colours. I'm not saying she won't be a perfectly acceptable person in a few hundred years - but really - at the moment she's like a particularly irritating fourteen year old. Bandobras is not even of age yet and he is a much more mature person. On the subject of love - ever since the sixties people do not seem to be able to differentiate between love and sex. All but a handful of relationships people have in their lives involve love of a completely different kind - you mentioned philia - brotherly love, and agape - spiritual love, but there is also storge - affection or family love. Yet every relationship is reduced to one that involves lust - it's a) silly b) pointless and c) untrue.

Duchess · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 29

I didn't realize this silly thing would post without me signing it and completely forgot I didn't do just that. Sorry for leaving the unsigned review of this chapter. I was half asleep when I wrote it, it's a wonder it even got sent. *yawn* Don't know why I'm so tired, I got sleep last night... *yawn and sigh*

Lamiel · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 29

Ah, there is hope. I want Bandobras to be there too, and make sure Legolas keeps the senses he seems to have recently regained. Except that then I wouldn't be able to read his letters, so perhaps not. They are so entertaining. And oh yes, I shall enjoy seeing the Tramp's reaction to the joust. Her beautiful prince, riding in the mud and getting trampled and rough housing with the common folk. Oh yeah, I shall enjoy that very much.

LOTR lover · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 99999: Apologia Slashaphobia

All those who have commented on this "Apologia" before me have expressed what I feel so well that I don't really have much to add, except a hearty "hear, hear." I never interpreted anything in this story at all as slashy; on the contrary, I too have read a good deal of medieval and Renaissance literature and I'm simply stunned at the way you capture the feel of it in these letters. Please write on, in your most distinctive style, and know that your readers are behind you all the way. Judy

Anonymous · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 29

*having a giggle fit* How darling of Bandobras calling it a receipt instead of a recipe! Just goes to show he's not quite so grown up yet and to be honest I hope he never fully does! *vbg* I KNEW he'd have a jumping up and down fit of happiness at the wedding being delayed and I'm VERY glad he and his mother will be coming along in the Spring no matter what. How will they get there? It would be sweet if Legolas was able to surprise him by going to get them. *wistful sigh* Don't worry, I know that probably won't happen, but wishful thinking hasn't been outlawed yet. *g* Sweet little Bandy, talking nice about Laustaire enjoying preparations for the tournament like that, I really hope she doesn't do or say anything to hurt him when he finally gets there. I'll REALLY want to squash her like a bug if that happens! *emphatic nod* Another wonderful part, Le Rouret and I thank you kindly for it. Do please keep up the good work as soon as you have the free moments. *vbg*

Carol · 30 August 2004 · Chapter 99999: Apologia Slashaphobia

Le Rouret, I have been enjoying your story very much. Letting you know that was the whole point of writing. I'm not sure if I made that clear before, so I wanted to say it here. I also appreciate the tactfulness of your author's note. As for some of the other responses to this... ouch! I honestly don't think I have an especially filthy mind. First, I've long since lost track of Bandy's age and maturity level, though it's probably been made quite clear at some point. However, I've simply formed the impression that he's young but not really a child anymore; the human equivalent of sixteen or so. Second, while most fanfiction stories adressing homosexuality are romances, there are a handful that are more concerned with other aspects, such as social context. To me, it seemed possible that this story, described specifically as "NOT a happy story," might address the painful situation of having inappropriate desires, or painful repercussions of false rumors. I didn't think that this was going to be a Legolas/Bandy romance, nor did I think that Legolas would behave dishonorably. I wrote about the above possibilities because it happened to be what I was thinking of on the night I had the time and energy to respond, not because I was especially in need of reassurance. I didn't intend what I said to be a distraction from the story. Best wishes, Carol