mystarlight · 27 August 2018 · Chapter 1: Presence of the Shadow
Love your portrayal of Thranduil. Thank you
Interrupted Journeys: Part 1 New Journeys by elliska
Reviews (94)
mystarlight · 16 August 2018 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
I read your story on Fanfiction.net and couldn't my eyes believe when I came across this prologue. Why does Legolas possess the ring of the KING of Eryn Galen? Does it mean Thranduil died or sailed West before him? I really hope you haven't abandoned this breathtaking story and you will update one day. It is one of the best stories I have ever read. I reviewed each chapter on fanfiction.net. Thank you for sharing!!!
mystarlight · 7 August 2018 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
I absolutely love it. I read your stories from fanfiction.net and this chapter wasn't included. Thank you. I hope you will update soon. I really miss your stories. Thank you for them.
Zardi · 1 July 2014 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
Reading this story after having read parts 3-12, I feel a definite sense of foreboding. As sweet as Thranduil and Lindomiel's relationship is, I have been thinking more about Marti and how truly twisted she seemed even then. I don't want to leave too many spoilers in a review in case some new reader comes across this, but it's really clear in this part how innocent elves are as a people, even their warriors who have seen the kinslayings, that they can't imagine certain things happening.
Zardi · 30 June 2014 · Chapter 10: Twin blessings
Elladan and Elrohir are adorable and funny. I don't generally like little kids in fanfiction, but I really enjoyed this chapter with those two :)
Zardi · 30 June 2014 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
Weeell, I hadn't read part 1 or 2 before (I started with the appearance of Legolas), but this does answer a question I left in my last review to part 12. No siblings for Legolas :( And now I'm even more worried about Lindomiel! I am intrigued though. Who is this little girl's mother, and more importantly, where is she? (Thranduil's mention of her seemed to sadden Legolas, plus he looked east again.) If Legolas has been in Valinor 5 years, and the girl is 4, then was she conceived and born in Valinor? Or conceived in Middle Earth? Is her mother still in Middle Earth? This is going to bug me, and I won't get any answers for a long while since Legolas isn't even of age yet in part 12! XD
Agape4Gondor · 3 January 2013 · Chapter 3: Invitations
Oh my! The more I read, the more I like Lindomiel. (Of course, it's not hard to like Thranduil. :) )
Author's reply
I'm glad you like her. She, Marti (the dark elleth in the second chapter) and a guard named Tulus that will show up later in this story, are the characters I'm introducing in this part. They all end up having major roles as things move along. No, it is definitely not hard to like Thranduil. :-) Thanks so much for the reviews!
Agape4Gondor · 3 January 2013 · Chapter 2: First meetings
I haven't read any of the other 'parts' of this tale, so I'm really liking this 'bright' star to the dark one in the last chapter.
Author's reply
I promise, I at least get better at POV and eliminating exposition as the series goes along. :-) I am glad you like the comparison. That is precisely what I intended to set up. Thanks so much for the reviews! I hope you continue to enjoy.
Agape4Gondor · 3 January 2013 · Chapter 1: Presence of the Shadow
Oh! I loved the last.line. So very tellong.
Author's reply
You get a glimpse here of one side of Marti--but, if you looked at Part 9, you've gathered there's a lot more to her than lust. This chapter actually make a lot more sense the more you lear about her. I really do appreciate the reviews!
Agape4Gondor · 3 January 2013 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
Haven't seen these before your posting of 9. Interesting. And I love Legolas with a daughter.
Author's reply
:-) Oh wow! It has been a long time since I looked at Part 1 of this story. *Blushes* I hope my writing has improved a bit over the last few years. It is such a long series. Too long in parts, I fear. But also eventually worth it. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
k_lara7 · 27 January 2006 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
This is the first time I have looked at your stories posted here at SOA, and this chapter is a nice surprise. I wonder that I missed it at ff.net? So many details still to be filled in. Something to look forward to.
Author's reply
Again, sorry to be so long in replying. I did not post this chapter at FF. I started posting at FF before I did here and I changed the story quite a bit before I started posting here. This chapter was one change. I couldn't resist the teaser. And I can't figure out how to add a chapter before existing one at FF--when I do, it messes up the exisiting ones. So... I'm glad you liked it and thanks so much for the review! :-)
lwarren · 10 January 2006 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
elliska, I read this wonderful story quite some time ago, but never reviewed. I reread it night before last and was thinking, something this good should not go unremarked. So, here, belatedly, I want you to know how much I enjoyed this! The character of Thranduil is so very clear and you portray him with just the right amount of temper, humor, and that soft marshmallow center he keeps hidden, reserved only for those he loves (and his forest, of course). The whole business of the council held in Lothlorien was hilarious - I loved the interactions with Amglaur, in particular...and of course, Thranduil's reaction to Galadriel had its moments, too. (But the twins - LOL - I almost choked...those little monsters, indeed!!!!) And Halion - he is wonderful. And Aradunnon... and Diernyn....uh, you get the point, I'm sure! The courtship of Lindomiel was wonderful, and the last few chapters leading up to that steamy (whew!!) wedding night had just the right amount of intrigue and danger to keep me on the edge of my seat (and I knew what happened...are you good, or what?). This is a great story, elliska. I reread Part II last night, and I am going to review that one, as well!!!!! *salutes the author for a job most excellently done and marches off to the next installment* linda
Author's reply
Wow, I am just seeing this review! I am so sorry to be so long in replying to it. RL has been too busy recently. It is always so much fun to get reviews from people who are re-reading. I really appreciate hearing that you enjoyed the story. This one is one of my favorites from the series. I love Thranduil, I am glad you like him in this. And I love getting Thranduil and Galadriel together (*evil grin*) Thank you so much for the review. It really means a lot to me. :-)
Eruanneth_Luin · 3 November 2005 · Chapter 5: Conversations or confrontations
This chapter ended much too soon! I absolutely loved the interaction between Thranduil and Amglaur; several times I laughed aloud. It seems that sometimes our least flattering acquaintances become our truest friends. But could it also work with two such stubborn, opinionated, volatile elf-lords? Time, as they say, will tell.
Author's reply
I love Thranduil and Amglaur together. They are too much alike to be able to stand each other. It seems that sometimes our least flattering acquaintances become our truest friends. Very prophetic of you, but you will have to wait to find out why I say that. ;-) I'm glad they made you laugh though. :-) Thanks for the reviews!
Eruanneth_Luin · 3 November 2005 · Chapter 4: Dinner with Amglaur
Thankfully this did not turn into a verbal kinslaying, though when I saw the chapter heading I had doubts about the likelihood of a peace evening meal. At the very least you need not trouble over the thought that a false front will be displayed by any party at the table. Amglaur truly showed his style when he remarked that it was casual dinner conversation. Poor Galadriel! The only topic of agreement being that Celeborn erred (from the Sindarin perspective) in his choice of a wife. This story just keeps getting better.
Author's reply
It could have been ugly! :-) There is no doubt that the people at this table will not put up false fronts of civility--they will speak their minds. But it does turn out relatively well, just the same. And poor Galadriel indeed. Her ears must be burning. It could not be a good feeling to know that two people find in common only their dislike for you. :-) Thanks so much for the reviews!
Eruanneth_Luin · 3 November 2005 · Chapter 3: Invitations
Lindomiel has a wonderful sense of humor; just what is needed to balance the Oropherion. There interchanges are delightfully refreshing and the barbed comments amusing. You really capture the age differences well, using the lighter informality of the ‘younger’ generation to contrast with the more down-to-earth, practical ‘older’ generation. The fact that her father is not well-disposed toward Thranduil is an added bit of interest and makes for a challenging situation all around.
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so. I had fun writing this picturing Thranduil with someone young and innocent that he would see as both very refreshing and a little difficult to keep up with. And Amglaur's history with Oropher goes way back, so there is a great deal of potential fun there, as you will see. Again, thanks for the reviews!
Eruanneth_Luin · 3 November 2005 · Chapter 2: First meetings
This was such a delightful first encounter between these two strong-willed individuals. The enjoyment they shared before each became aware of the other’s identity was very amusing. It is good to see humor and playfulness already in their relationship, as we know that things will not always be so pleasant. When you ally yourself with royalty many simple pleasures and privacies are denied you, as you tend to be the focus of a great deal attention. It was nice to see the elvish appreciation of a lovely restful locale; a buffer when the stress of the day becomes excessive, a time of quiet before a storm of activity.
Author's reply
Sorry to be so long in answering these--I was sick all weekend. You are right that they are both strong willed. A good match for each other. :-) I like the idea of Thranduil being with someone younger that has not seen all that he has seen. I think it would be good for him. a buffer when the stress of the day becomes excessive We all need those, don't we. Thanks so much for the reviews!
Eruanneth_Luin · 1 November 2005 · Chapter 1: Presence of the Shadow
We seem to forget that even attaining the rank of King does not guarantee any form of happiness; more often the reverse, as power of any type tends to isolate the wielder thereof. There are always those who wish to subvert or control outright those in authority. Darkness dwells among even the best of peoples and there have definitely been examples in the Elves. Though I must say I was almost dissuaded from continuing the tale when I read of the attempted seduction and Thranduil’s willingness to cooperate, as Tolkien’s Elves would never knowingly behave in so inappropriate a manner. My heart sang when he spurned her temptation and was appalled by his own behavior. Thranduil may have been many things, but immoral is not one. Happily I discovered you must be very LaCE-conscious and therefore I shall continue, eagerly, into the next chapter.
Author's reply
Yes, I think that becoming king is something no one would really want, especially an elf, because it carries with it some inherent grief and it is more a burden than an joy. And you are quite right that there are those who wish to subvert and control those in authority--this strange elleth is one of them. I know her behavior in this chapter is very odd for an elf, but it is well motivated. But you will only come to understand those motives slowly in this story. Suffice to say for now that I am very much a follower of LaCE and everything will eventually make sense in a very canon way. :-) Thank you again for the reviews. I love to hear what people think and what they reacted to and how. I hope you continue to enjoy. :-)
Eruanneth_Luin · 1 November 2005 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
Such a lovely beginning (or ending?) to this tale, to know that at long last this family of elves can find the beauty, peace and joy that is the basic desire of their race. It would not surprise me if a group of Silvan elves returned from Mandos claimed them once again to take up the much less strenuous reins of government in the Blessed Realm. A reign of peace and not constant upheaval would do them all good. We forget that their long life and memories would, in Middle-earth, be filled with gladness and sorrow. Legolas certainly did not wait long to begin his family, I am delighted to note. Hopefully we will yet be privileged to see family life in Aman.
Author's reply
I'm glad you like it--it is indeed both the beginning and end. I do like the idea that Thranduil and Legolas, for all their labors in Middle-earth, found a beautiful realm to rule and peaceful lives in Valinor. The very last story in this series connects back to this chapter and we do indeed see Thranduil and Legolas in Valinor with their family. Thank you so much for giving this story a try too and for the review. I hope you continue to enjoy. :-)
Finda · 31 July 2005 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
Hi:) I just finished rading this story in one run. It took me about six hours, but I just couldn't stop. I loved it. For so long I looked for a story that deals with Thranduil in his 'early' years and I never found one- until now. I'm already looking forward to read the other stories you have written so far. I really liked the homour of this story and the bantering in it. It was just a lot of fun to read it. Thank you so much for writing this!
Author's reply
Well this was such a fun surprise to find in my email! Thank you so much for the review! I can't believe you read the whole thing in one run! Your eyes must be crossing. :-) I love Thranduil too, so I love to write him. The next portion of the story is set about 900 years later, so he is much more secure in his role of king and husband, but this story follows him as the primary character right through to the Fourth Age, so I hope you continue to like it. Some parts get fairly complex. The third part, which is the last I've posted, is the most complex and serious part of all (except the part during the War of the Ring, which is serious as well, of course). I plan on starting to post the fourth part, which is pure fluff and fun, this week. I am also going to start posting a First Age fic which will begin with Oropher and follow a very young Thranduil through to the beginning of the Third Age. It is the pre-quel to this series, with all the same OCs, and it is called Dawn of a New Age. You might like that too. Finally, you might want to check out Coriel's writing. I very much like her First/Second Age Thranduil. But thank you so much for the review. It made my day and inspired me to get going on posting the next story. :-)
perelleth · 7 July 2005 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
Well, I've finally had time to go through this on one shot! Planes and airports are too good for upadating ff reading, and this was a true pleasure to have around while waiting! I'm amazed at the detailed world you all have managed to build.. I mean, I ran into daw's arc in "good neighbours", and before that I had never read stories with many OCs... and no Greenwood stories, as they tended to show an evil Thrnaduil or something.. (I discovered fanfiction very late, by sept /octobre last year...and it took me some time to find out the stories and the authors that truly interested me..) Then I read Karenator's stories and discovered that there was a kind of web of people writing about Mirkwood, and it truly amazed me, seriously, how each of you seem to have picked up different threads and wove them into credible, much missed views of the elusive wood elves, their culture and their realms. I enjoyed this tale because of the lot of thought you seem to have dedicated to the intricacies of the family relationships, the haughty and "resentful" (in a way)Lorien and greenwood elves dissent between them and against the Noldorin kin.. Amglaur's grudges against Orpoher, the young princesss and the burdened new king... and the wonderful courtship in Lórien and then in Mirkwood. It is, too, kind of a fairy tale, with the evil witch included in the pack! Everything's been created with such detail and credibility that seems almost canon ( despite the canon facts, of course :-) I still have trouble following the names of the characters (Oropher's queen's is beautiful, if somewhat imposible for me to remember, I know it sounds something very "hindi" to me.. ;-) but the story is so well woven that I don't mind. I loved the tension at the council dinner, as well as Thrnaduil tiredness of official meetings and delegations. The picnic part with Elladan and ELrohir making their guest appearance was a hoot, and Elrond looked so in character to me as if it was a cameo right from one of NIlmandra's stories..:-) Vey well done, elliska, I'm sorry that it took me so long before finally daring to make my way through your cycle, although, on the other hand, I'm truly happy that I stil have two more long and wonderful stories to go through! :-)
Author's reply
I am so sorry that it took me so long to reply to this--I really do appreciate the review greatly. I have just been buried, recently. I didn't read a lot of Mirkwood stuff either initially fearing the same evil Thranduil obstacle. Evil Thranduil was what actually encouraged me to write this series because I couldn't stand that. I hadn't read any of the other wonderful Mirkwood writers here until I was almost finished with this and I was browsing around trying to find someplace better to post it than the fic sites I knew at the time. You cannot imagine how hungrily I read all the wonderful stories here when I happened upon this site! But I always loved the Woodelves best of all the elves. I had far too much fun making up a very complex little story for Thranduil here. I'm glad you think it seems detailed because it became so for me as I wrote and revised and thought of little things to add here and there. I laughed at what you said about the names. Sometimes when I am editting parts, I still curse some of the names I chose. I know them all now, obviously, (though I initially had to have a 'cast list' for some of them) but that doesn't make it any easier to type Dieneryn and such names! But most of them have a meaning that is significant in Sindarin, so there we are. :-) I'm glad you enjoyed the council scenes, because the next part has a fair number of those. :-) I seem to like writing them. And I'm glad you mentioned E&E's little appearance. I couldn't resist soing something like that when I realized they would be children around this time. I am truly honored by your comment about Elrond. I love him as a character too, though I do not write him much. In my mind, Nilmandra has his character completely covered, so your comment was a true compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed and I hope you read some more when you have more airports to wait in. :-)(I know what you mean about that--when I taught, I traveled a lot for conferences and taking students overseas). PS. I appreciate you telling me about your job, btw. It sounds very cool to me. No matter how frustrating parts of it might be, when you go to slepp at night, you have the undeniable satisfaction of knowing that you dedicated your day to doing your best to make a positive impact. Not many people can honestly say that. Brava to you! And I love how you wove your experiences into Many Fruitless Victories and A Chance Meeting--especially the Live 8 thing with the water bottles. My husband and I both got a kick out of that. Too true!
Jay of Lasgalen · 18 September 2004 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
Mmm ... that was very nice. Very restrained, very chaste, very discreet. Nothing too graphic (though there's nothing wrong with graphic!) or detailed. Thank you, Elliska. Jay
Author's reply
Thanks Jay. Glad you liked it. It is discreet because I know I am just not a good enough writer to write a good, tense, graphic scene and because, as silly as it sounds, even if I could write it, I would feel bad describing their wedding night any more graphically than that. It's their wedding night! A little respect, please! :) I do like a good, well written scene of this type and there are some out there. :) Thank you for the reviews!
French Pony · 18 September 2004 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
Nicely written, although I must confess that I find sex scenes as a species kind of dull. I think the story would have worked just as well without it as with it. But if there is going to be a sex scene, better that it be tasteful, and this was definitely tasteful. The other problem is that, once you mentioned Thranduil hearing Lindomiel's song inside him, I started to get this paranoid feeling that I would be required to write something about it for my Gender and Music class. But that's entirely due to a lively discussion of a particularly spicy scene in Caccini's Liberation of Ruggiero that we had in class on Friday. At the moment I'm at work and listening to a CD of Custer LaRue singing Anglo ballads, which she does superbly well. It makes a nice soundtrack when one is reading romance.
Author's reply
Thank you. Generally speaking, I agree with you. Most of these types of scenes don't interest me because they are graphic and that is all. I certainly intended for the story to stand without this chapter because I know many people would not even consider reading this content and I respect that. I'm glad you thought this was tasteful. I intended for it to be to comply with the guidelines on this site. Enjoy the musical interlude you are having. Sounds like you take some interesting classes. Thanks for the reviews!
daw the minstrel · 18 September 2004 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
This was lovely. I am so happy to see the newlyweds be rewarded at last. Let them enjoy themselves while they can.
Author's reply
Thank you. I find that stuff amazingly hard to write. Exactly--let them enjoy themselves. Life in Mirkwood is a challenge, I think. Thanks so much for the reviews!
Bodkin · 18 September 2004 · Chapter 9999: Harmony
End of part one. To be continued. What an excellent point to conclude. Thranduil and Lindomiel appear to be having a pleasant evening. Let's leave them to go on with getting acquainted! Good story. Looking forward to part two.
Author's reply
:) Yes, they seem happy and it is time to give them some privacy :) . Thank you so much for the reviews! Part two will start soon. I hope you like it.
daw the minstrel · 18 September 2004 · Chapter 24: The Wedding
I have to say my favorite moment came when you told us there was more to come.:-) I've really enjoyed this story. Imho, it's the best of the stories I've seen about Thranduil meeting his wife. You've really developed Lindomiel as a character.
Author's reply
Thank you daw. Sincerely. That means a lot to me coming from you. I really admire your OCs. They are phenomenal. I like playing with characterization and I guess since I intended this as part of a longer story from the very beginning, this was the most natural place to do a thorough development of a character that is going to be central to the over all story. Doing a strong introduction of her was extremely important. And I think Thranduil's wife would have to have quite a personality for numerous reasons. In the next story, Aradunnun gets a bit more of a role so we will see him develop. I hope you continue to enjoy. :)