Reviews (16)

AJones · 4 May 2019 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Sweet story.

just call me darkness · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

SO COOL

lil · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

I thought your story was brilliant but the thought of all that soppy stuff like kissing made me laugh.

eokat · 15 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

Another beautiful chapter looking into the earlier years of Thranduil. I will admit that Eomer is my all time favourite but a close second belongs to the Mirkwood King. Hope to see more of this. Eokat.

Karri · 15 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

Terrific! A nice mixture of passion, sweetness and humour.

Dot · 15 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

I don’t think I realised there would be more to this. But yay! “Many a night he could be found, clad in only a loose shirt and leggings, his feet bare and his golden tresses unbraided and unruly as he danced gaily around the fire with his beloved.” Oh, I adore that image. How wonderful to see that not only does Thranduil possess a carefree spirit but that he sees no barriers between him and his people. He does seem very humble in his love for Elisiel, almost as though he feels blessed by the fact that she loves him so much. It’s very touching the way he watches her tend to the child. I think they both seem very giving and selfless and the way that they are so comfortable around everyone suggests that they would make excellent rulers, beloved by their people. I like her parents! They’re obviously really fond of Thranduil as well and I love the way Thranduil shows such respect to them and still manages to have a very easy relationship with them. He’s been brought up well, that young prince. Elisiel and Thranduil are lovely together. They already read each other so well that there’s no doubt they’re destined to be partners. The moment where he asks her to marry him was beautiful - I almost felt as though I was intruding on something very private! The ending made me smile. It’s as if this moment has also brought him an extra layer in his relationship with his father because they now share the utter happiness of a loved one agreeing to bind herself to them. I do love seeing Thranduil in less troubled times. It warms my heart to see him happy! Actually, at this age he kind of reminds me of the way you write Legolas, which I think is great. It’s as though Thranduil raises Legolas in a similar way to the way he was raised so that he learns humility, respect, generosity etc. Yet at the same time there are some differences because of the type of world in which they grow up. It makes me sad to think of what is to come soon for Thranduil. Maybe I won’t think about that, I’ll just go back and read about him dancing around the fire…;-)

daw the minstrel · 15 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

Very romantic, Jenolas. All the parents certainly seem to be pleased by this match, a good sign in elves and in humans too I guess. I liked the way that Thranduil's nervousness faded away when he was finally with her.

Bodkin · 15 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Part Two: The Proposal

Ahh - what a lovely romantic interlude. Thranduil in his beautifully embroidered outfit, that by itself makes clear his parents' approval binding himself to his one true love, to her parents' obvious delight. If it hadn't been for the Ominous Mention in the first part, all would be sweetness and light.

LKK · 11 August 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

What a wonderful look into another side of Thranduil, jenolas. It is good to see that there are times when he is not quite so confident. (I mean that in a good way.) But I was saddened to see that his engagement and the march on Sauron were so close in time. :( Good work, as always!

eokat · 1 August 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

This is stunning. The love between Thranduil and his parents...Thranduil being nervous... and the thought of what is going to happen when they go to Mordor. Makes me want to shiver. I loved it. Eokat.

Elena Tiriel · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Lovely story, Jenolas! I enjoy how affectionate the family is with each other, and how understanding of Thranduil's anxiety. Great! - Barbara

Painful_Blue_Eyes · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Aww, what a great story! I don't think I've ever read a story about Thranduil and Oropher. Excellent story!

Karri · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Very nice! It is so rare to see happy family in Oropher stories. I enjoyed it enormously.

Dot · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Oh, how marvellous. It’s great to see Thranduil with his parents, especially at a moment like this. I admit I do like to see Thranduil a little ruffled. I imagine only those closest to him know that’s even possible! I like the fact that the betrothal is an event of such importance that finery is required and I particularly love the fact that his mother makes it herself, even though there were probably any number of seamstresses who would have done it. It’s a lovely personal touch. “Believe me, my son, I do know how important it is to you that you look your best, but remember beauty is not in the garment, but in the spirit of the wearer.” Ah, and she’s wise too! Caille is very pretty name. Did you invent it? I really loved Oropher in this. He seems a very jovial sort around his family. It made me smile to see how playful he and his wife are together. I always felt it was such a nice thought that Elves find their soul mate and can tell if they’re destined to be together. It means that even after centuries they can still be so passionate together as these two are. He was holding the book upside down??! Poor Thranduil. I love the fact that apparently Oropher turned into a stuttering idiot when he had to ask Caille to marry him. It says a lot about him too that he doesn’t mind that his son knows this, especially as he knows that it might reassure Thranduil somewhat. So there I was enjoying the closeness between father and son and then Oropher *had* to go and mention Mordor. Jenolas! That’s terrible. Do I take it so that not long after this betrothal, father and son go off to join Gil-galad? That’s awful. But I guess it does serve to remind us that even though these Elves are happy now, all is not well in Middle-earth. I love seeing these characters but sometimes I really wish I didn’t know their future…! Of course, I wouldn’t actually object to reading a bit more about it… ;-) Thranduil sounds absolutely swoon-worthy (is that even a word?!) in that new tunic of his. He forgot the rings! I felt so sorry for him sitting by the tree at a total loss as to what to do. Thank the Valar indeed that his Adar appeared. It even brought a tear to my eye when he hugs Oropher so ecstatically, and Oropher so clearly relishes his son’s warmth. “Of course not, but I did somehow forget to stop at one!” LOL! Oh, I LOVE how affectionate you make your Elves! This was great. I really enjoyed the wonderful closeness between all of them and how much pleasure Thranduil’s parents seem to get from his happiness. You do an amazing job in bringing these people to life and you give them very real personalities that go so much deeper than we’d usually see in stories – particularly for Oropher and his wife. Plus, it’s just wonderful to see Thranduil having people to look after him and to know that they knew him better than anyone else ever could.

daw the minstrel · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Nice story, Jenolas. I like seeing this younger Thranduil. The shadow of Dagorlad hangs over them, however, which gives this more poignancy, I think.

Bodkin · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 1: Betrothal Blues

Ahh. It's lovely to see a young Thranduil at such an important moment in his life - and with both parents. Such a lovely family scene, although it would be nice to see Thranduil with his beloved. And the tunic sounds beautiful.