Reviews (143)

Tari · 14 December 2006 · Chapter 21: 21 END

I thank you for a delightful tale, and hope there is more to come.

Tari · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 11: 11

Another fine chapter. I especially like your detailed description of the cave.

Tari · 12 December 2006 · Chapter 6: 6

I am enjoying this story very much. I'm especially enjoying the muse. I hope to see Melusina in future chapters. I also hope she's just mischievous and not evil.

lwarren · 27 October 2005 · Chapter 21: 21 END

Ah, Rose. I. HAVE. NO. TIME. And it grieves me mightily! I'm going to leave a few words here just because I do so love this story and your writing...and "Evensong" is OVER! Methinks you owe me a long tale (along with Treebeard) also, Lady of Many, Poetic Words...do let me know when Legolas begins the telling! I love the compassionate, kind side of Gimli buried under that craggy, rough, grumpy exterior! His use of the Ring was inspired and I loved how he was able to control the level of power expended. I also love the horse (tho' was he not a she in an earlier chapter?...or have I mixed my stories up...no matter, at least your Legolas' horse has a flippin' name! LOL) and the picture you painted of them riding along the edge of the forest. I love the entire scene with Treebeard (and particularly love it when Legolas addresses him as "eldest"...). This was such a good story and I was sad to see it end. I have made a VOW to myself to go back and reread and review the previous chapters I missed (as well as this one - I haven't said nearly enough about the word pictures you paint so beautifully!) So, adieu...check ya later...adios...whatever...for a time (I hate that word!) and know I'll be looking for that story Legolas promised at the end! linda

Imrahoil · 22 October 2005 · Chapter 17: 17

Tadaa. Thank you.

lindahoyland · 11 October 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

It is interesting to think of Gimli with a ring of power !As you asked for suggestions for your next story,can I suggest naming the chapters ?It makes favourite parts of a story easy to find again.

lindahoyland · 11 October 2005 · Chapter 21: 21 END

This has been most enjoyable.I loved the scene between Aragorn and Gimli.It is sad to see them all ageing.You are a gifted writer.

TithenFeredir · 11 October 2005 · Chapter 21: 21 END

I'm really sad to see this story end, but look forward to the next when it comes. I don't know anything, but I think Tolkien would be pleased with what you have done here. As always, there are passages in this chapter that are just a pleasure to read: "Outside the night settled gently on the forest like a feather, the wind died and the blazing stars lit the gentle dark." Who hasn't experienced this? But I haven't seen it put to words so well before. "The ent waved his hand over another large jar and a soft golden light complemented the green glow, so that the light was like the evening sun through leaves, playing and flickering on the ceiling. Legolas felt the ent drink curling around his insides like his father’s finest wine. Sleep in this enchanted place would be better than good." I love it that although the magic in the world has faded it isn't entirely gone. That reference to Thranduil's wine seems to conjure up the comfort and security of home for Legolas--here is a place where he can truly rest. Treebeard's hospitality is so...Treebeard. "Legolas lay himself down on the soft grass and fern that padded Treebeard’s bed and allowed himself to drift on the path of dreams, and the light of the bright stars seemed to combine with the drips of water flowing over the rock floor to forge for him a silver path of peace." You end this story with such a peaceful, though faintly sad note. After all the conflict that has happened and the loss in the changes that have come, still the world carries on, and everyone in it. It feels sort of melancoly and hopeful at the same time. Wonderful tale, Rose. ~TF

daw the minstrel · 11 October 2005 · Chapter 21: 21 END

Lovely finish, Rose. The line that stopped me was Gimli wondering for the first time in his long life, just who and what he had become. Sometimes I wonder that myself, and that Gimli only thinks it now is a sign of his solidity, I think. I also liked Legolas addressing Treebeard as "eldest." You do these things so well. I eagerly await the next one.

Imrahoil · 11 October 2005 · Chapter 21: 21 END

The end? You must be kidding. Good, you are kidding! Will be waiting eagerly for the next volume - favourite quote "You owe me a long tale I think, Hm, Hoom", I do second this -, so enjoy your summer break, but don't take too long. If you take too long, I will hassle you, meeercilessly, that's a promise. Thanks for the wonderful ride and especially for the ents. *sniff* Take care for now ...

Bodkin · 11 October 2005 · Chapter 21: 21 END

as the wind blew piebald shadows across the plains of Rohan What a stunning piece of imagery that is! And multi-levelled, too. I love the picture of Aragorn very tactfully manoeuvring Gimli into riding with him - only to discover that he could just have asked and the poor bruised dwarf, struggling with the ring, would have happily agreed to avoid the demon horse. These friends are now of such long-standing that they fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. (Although not for much longer, I'm sorry to know.) And Gimli is just the kind of person who can deal with the ring. Delusions of glory and omnipotence just do nothing for him. Solid as the rock that forms the bones of Arda - but with a wood-elf-inspired appreciation for things that grow and live around it. Would Narvi have been quite as sensitive to the death of a mouse? I don't know. Certainly not by the end. Gimli will not let the ring escape his control - not if he can help it. But it exhausts him. Aragorn is wise to say that his knee will get better in its own time - but I still liked to see Gimli use a thread of power to heal. The Ents - they have become more as their charges have become less. But what is the future for them? Legolas can sail when the loss of interaction with the forest becomes unbearable, but the Ents don't, I think, have such an opportunity. (Although the Blessed Realm could do with Ents in its forests, I would think.) And what has actually become of all the forest / river spirits? They just winked out of existence - or they were pushed somewhere else? I just loved this. And my fingers are crossed that the words Chapter 1 are already written somewhere on your computer, so that my insatiable desire to know what happens next can soon be fed. I am reluctant for the end of the next decade - but there must be stories before that, that will leave Aragorn in as good health as a man of two centuries can expect. And beyond the sea, when the pain of loss has subsided somewhat. Or even in the past! Whatever they are, I look forward to reading them.

Imrahoil · 4 October 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

Pooooooooke. Your update is overdue ...

Imrahoil · 23 September 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

Now I feel like a machine, a review machine, it lowers the standard, I'm afraid. Poor Legolas, it is really not a good thing to be an immortal with mortal friends. Tztztz, I would have thought a hero dwarf would have (English?) needed more of an emergency to give in to temptation than just a bit of pain - cough cough - and the broken arm of a wizard who prefers horses over dwarves. Does he has to learn the hard way - e.g. by getting hit over the head with a dead tree trunk by an angry ent, I want to know what has happened to the ents, that's a hint - that using the ring comes with a price to others?! Great chapters, Rose, thanks a lot, next chapter. "reminding him of alternates" Alternates?

Imrahoil · 23 September 2005 · Chapter 19: 19

Ha, nice to see Aragorn being 1.: for once the comic relief and 2.: on the wrong end of a healing and the usual obnoxious medicines, does him good, I'm sure. O.k. two ValaR, you're right. "Third time pays for all, Gimli." Huhu, why am I not surprised to see this sentence pop up? You're somewhat addicted to it - or do I perhaps mix you up with Larner?, hmmm, wurscht. But what does it MEAN? Is it always meant figuratively? If not what does "third time" refer to? Next review.

Imrahoil · 23 September 2005 · Chapter 18: 18

That's my Stony - why isn't he petrified by the way and do we get to know what happened to the Ents? -, not exactly a bright one and a hazard to everyone's health but he does mean well. Nice to see that even Shiny Beanpole gets it, yes, yes, I know, he means well too. Inventive swearing, "By the nine fingers of Frodo!", very fitting to the situation, being merciful and not even knowing how Gimli has fared. Mean cliffhanger, but who cares, teedee. You probably mean Daw's review about Celebrimbor's death?! I knew that, but I kind of thought he had been skinnend alive and his skin displayed, well, I read it years ago and in a German translation. When you started with those two I had a rather grim picture in my mind of Narvi collecting bits and pieces of her master and resurrecting him with it, small wonder that Celebrimbor's wounds still ooze, brrrrrr.

ziggy · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 19: 19

Sneaks guiltily in- having not reviewed since Ch16- grovelling apologies becasue i have read avidly each chapter as it came out, greedily, like some dreadful vampire! And then not reviewed. But this is just getting better and better- I just can't second guess what is going to happen and my poor fevered imagination is off on some wild goose chase only to find you have done something completely diferent and utterly convincing and 'right'. Poor little stoney- I am so sad for him. I loved it when Legolas got cross with himself, but little stoney melts even the hardest of hearts- its so sad the way you have written about his mother. Ah, and so beautifully written- the music, I could almost hear it. And you have done it again, that smoothing away of Gimli's hair- just puts that image striaght in my head-the tenderness of that gesture says everything, you just dont need gushing hyperbole. And isnt Gimli just wonderful- first thing he blurts out to any Vala that happens to just be hanging around is to compain about Legolas carrying him around! There was also, of course, that desparate tenderness between Celbrimbor and Narvi- so beautifully written it made me cry. That sense of the beautiful vision Celebrimbor had (even if I dont really think ME without wargs and dragons etc will be much fun and am desparetly hoping you are going to UNDO!!!! all the - OK- so it was GOOD magic, but a bit dull perhaps...what are they going to do without orcs and wargs anyway?..OK- rant over. I LIKE baddies.)Now i can go and on but HAVE to read the next chapter. ANd cant wait any longer. Thank you!! I like Sarthor's increasing bossinees of Aragorn. He needs someone like that around who just loves him enough to insist!

TithenFeredir · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

Oh good, my question about why Legolas took Gimli away is answered. And not what I expected. It's good to be surprised! It would have been extremely disappointing if you had created the possibility of a vigil scene and then not done it. But what you wrote was perfect, I think. "The elf had purloined a soft wool robe from an ornately carved clothes press. Wrapped his friend in its comfort and laid him on the bed. Sat with him, sang to him, exhorted him, cried." That catalogue of actions, "sat with him, sang to him, exhorted him, cried", is so simple and yet from those few words you create a picture of an agonized stretch of hours in which Legolas does everything he can think of to bring his friend back, and with it there is his fear and grief, perhaps his rising desperation and despair. So much in such a restrained sentence. And then this: "Gimli inched his right arm away from his body...and curled his hand around Legolas’ bicep. Legolas looked down at the contact...blinked at the sudden tears that caused the room to swim unsteadily before him. “Lad?” Legolas blinked at Gimli’s rusty voice. “ I will not leave you, now or ever. Rest.” Legolas felt his chest tighten on an involuntary sob, controlled it with the last remnants of his will, turned eyes of fire onto his friend, only to find Gimli’s eyes shut again. The dwarf had drifted back into sleep, still holding onto his arm." The depth of feeling between these two as well as Legolas'pang of relief are shown clearly, but still the expressions are very masculine. Gimli grasps his arm, not his hand, Legolas stifles the sob as quickly as it rises, and though very few words are exchanged,the meaning gets across. I think you did the vigil in a really creative way that was quite dramatic, and you did it with a lovely, light touch. I also loved the eternal, impersonal song of the stars, Legolas' slightly bitter musings on elven endurance and the little reference to the stench of men. The way you built up the feeling of Legolas' fatigue was masterful. It's interesting that he can't sense the presence of Gimli's ring. This review is running to long. I just really enjoyed this whole chapter! ~TF

daw the minstrel · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

I was interested in Legolas saying his connection to Arda was muted. Is that a result of magic leaving I wonder? Or is it something else? But even with it muted, he's still sitting in an open window. Lovely imagery as always, Rose, and I especially liked the image of Legolas as a mother cat with one kitten, "sleep sodden," not all in the waking world yet.

Imrahoil · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

3 chapters? I should take a long weekend - Athens, goody, eh? - more often - nudge, nudge, I can't write reviews when I'm not online -. You are panting really hard for a holiday, aren't you? Well, whatever drives you on I won't complain. Haven't read a word so far - my boss is breathing rather forthfully into my neck at the moment, phhh, nothing here that can't be done later as well -, but I have glimpsed thousands of ValaRs and MaiaRs etc., Rose, stooop it. So, thanks for delivering, be patient, reviews are coming, if slowly, and CONGRATULATIONS, I'm so glad.

Bodkin · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 20: 20

Great first sentence. Great conclusion. And everything in between - guess what? - terrific. Poor Legolas. Boy, do you get across how this immortal being is - stretched thin, tormented, haunted by the spectre of unendurable loss and the knowledge of its eternal endurance. Even the night gets a break and rests in the warmth of the day - but the elves go on. “ I will not leave you, now or ever. Rest.” I'm not surprised that Legolas found this worth pondering. Here we have a dwarf on his last legs - and who has been for some while - promising an endurance of which no mortal is capable. Yet from one whose faithfulness is legendary. Probably a good thing Legolas can't yet see into his meaning. You can certainly see Radagast's long experience against Earnulf's still rather puppy-like bounce as they find the two missing members of their party. And that was a rather impressive way for Gimli to demonstrate the power of his ring. So Legolas hasn't sensed its presence? Too tired? Too worried? Or too diminished by the incomplete working? To which, I suppose, Radagast, as one of Iluvatar's pre-Ardan spirits, could well be exempt. Excellent. More please.

grumpy · 18 September 2005 · Chapter 19: 19

Love your story, and your stone trolls are wonderful. What a great chapter, Gimli has a ring of power, and a chance to stay with his elf. I loved Aragorn, poor guy, can not get up to do what he wants to do. At his age his body does not take well to being slammed up against walls, and healers who know him too well.

Bodkin · 18 September 2005 · Chapter 19: 19

“You always did enjoy a challenge, son of Gloin.” It's going to be a toughie, too. No longer, 'Stay in Arda, elf', but 'Hey, I fancy being the only dwarf ever to sail to the Undying Lands - and yep, I'm sure they'll let me in rather than blasting me to bits for my presumption.' Your images again are - just great. And the pain in that poor elf. I hope Gimli doesn't feel the need to slip him a bit of Narvi-style support over the next decade - but I wouldn't be too surprised. I love Gimli's meeting with Mahal and Yavanna - they seem to treat him rather like a favourite godson - and that the choice is left to him. A choice that is no choice, really, given who he is and his sense of responsibility as well as his love for the elf and the ranger. And poor Aragorn. He might be doing quite well for his age - about 198, isn't he? - (we should all be doing so well at that age!) - but he's no spring chicken. It must be a torture to him to have to repose helplessly on his bed while sending Radagast to seek Legolas and Gimli. And he doesn't respond well to 'helpless'. I wouldn't want to be Dervoron. Best if they keep him under the influence of healing potions for a while. (Balrog's balls - good expression!) (If Valda can keep Narvi embodied for the whole of the Third Age - and piece together a rather badly damaged Celebrimbor - has Gimli just obtained a possible immortality? And is he now landed with the Numenorian king problem of deciding when it is right for him to die? Or does he just hand it over when he reached the BR? And pop his clogs shortly afterwards?) I love the way you have worked this all out. Such a great story - and getting even better by the chapter.

lindahoyland · 17 September 2005 · Chapter 10: 10

I love the way that Aragorn is so considerate to Earnulf .Things look bad if orcs and cave trolls have appeared.You are a very gifted storyteller,I cannot stop reading !

daw the minstrel · 17 September 2005 · Chapter 19: 19

I figure with a magic ring, anything is possible!

daw the minstrel · 17 September 2005 · Chapter 19: 19

Me again. From the Unfinished Tales: Sauron could learn nothing from Celebrimbor; and he had him put to death. But he guessed the truth, that the Three had been committed to Elvish guardians: and that must mean to Galadriel and Gil-galad. In black anger he turned back to battle; and bearing as a banner Celebrimbor's body hung upon a pole, shot through with Orc-arrows, he turned upon the forces of Elrond.