JastaElf
· 12 October 2004
· Chapter 3: The Shortest Day
You know, from the very moment I started reading this I could hear the hornpipe tune in my head, like a heartbeat underpinning the whole thing... my GOD, FP, this is absolutely superb. This is one of THE best stories I have ever read, and it both rends my heart that it isn't finished and I cannot find out what happens next until you write it--and uplifts my soul to know the magic will keep going on as you work to update. This is just plain flat-out magnificent--such powerful images, such wonderful characterizations, so many wonderful people who make up Mirkwood and weave in and out of each other's lives....
About halfway through the masque it suddenly occurred to me exactly WHAT role Thranduil was dancing, and my heart almost stopped. I had a horrible feeling, like watching a train wreck, and I knew no one had thought to prepare Legolas for what he would see, and I KNEW the child would implode, thinking his Ada was dead.... oh GODS.... and there you left us!! Wicked, wonderful writer person!! :-)
I cannot wait for the next chapter. Dear GOD this is just so wonderfully GOOD....
Thank you. Thank you for bringing to life all the old ways, the dancing and everything, thank you thank you thank you! Thank you for paying proper attention to children and grief and healing and everything.... Wow.
And all God's chillun said, Amen!!
Or is that, "Wolcum, Jul!"?? :-)
MEG
· 12 October 2004
· Chapter 3: The Shortest Day
Ohhh, WOW! It's my original, favorite Christmas Revels recording, Mirkwood style! I've considered that music inspiring ever since I discovered it, years ago, but it never occurred to me to picture it this way. Loved the way the text invoked the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance for the deer and the sword dance from the St. George portion of the album, and the use of the "first comes winter, then comes spring" verse. (Poor little Legolas -- if he knew the next two lines of the poem, he might not have been scared out of his wits at the conclusion of the sword dance.) Loved the references to gathering the holly and the capture of the Wren King. And the chapter title, from the "Shortest Day" verse. I think this is the first fanfic I've ever read that came with such a complete soundtrack built into my head -- not to mention the first time a fanfic is going to come into my head every time I listen to the music. What a wonderful picture this has painted!
Now where did I put those Revels albums? It's not too early to start listening to Yule music -- is it?
elliska
· 12 October 2004
· Chapter 3: The Shortest Day
Of course when I read and reviewed earlier I was doing it as a relief break between nasty tasks at work which has been utter H*** recently. So, I was not entirely focused on the more pleasant task of reading this story. Now that its 2:34am and I can't sleep so I'm reading this again, let me add--the description of the dance was beautifully done, which one would expect from you :) But really, it was great. Very detailed and easy to picture. I loved it.
Bodkin
· 12 October 2004
· Chapter 3: The Shortest Day
I know that Thranduil is grieving - but S-E-L-F-I-S-H or what! He is a king, surrounded by courtiers - can he not even spare the effort to see that his poor unhappy son, who is also grieving, is given a devoted carer to whom Legolas is the most important person in that stronghold? Was there nobody, apart from one rushed-off-her-feet chambermaid to see to his needs, other than those who turned up casually?
And did nobody think it worth warning the child - who has just lost his mother - that part of the dance makes it appear that his father has just dropped dead?
Beautifully written.
elliska
· 11 October 2004
· Chapter 3: The Shortest Day
I love the image of little Legolas worrying about whether the tree likes to be coated in ice and asking it for branches. Very elfy, I thought. And then poor Legolas worrying about who would decorate and where the decorations were...it just went down hill from there didn't it? So sad for him that none of the adults had time for him (which, of course, they would not). I'm glad he got to make the face paint. Cool idea for how to make it, by the way. But the dance and Legolas' reaction was just too sad. Hurry with the next update.
daw the minstrel
· 11 October 2004
· Chapter 3: The Shortest Day
Oh this is so elfy! I love the idea of Legolas patting the icy tree and then politely asking each evergreen for some of its branches.
On the other hand, I know I'm a sentimental sap, but by this point in the story
'Surely, his Ada was healed, and nothing could hurt him now'
there were tears in my eyes. It's not just what you say here. It's that Legolas is so lost and lonely and his father is just magical in his eyes. He needs him. And I don't blame him one bit for being terrified!
elliska
· 8 October 2004
· Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound
By the way, I forgot to mention that I got a kick out of the 'I can't imagine what Men would want with bear teeth and claws but I'll trade them' line that Thranduil says. Too funny. I love subtle humor.
Bodkin
· 5 October 2004
· Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound
Thranduil wants to watch it. Legolas is coming very close to the point where he will close up against his adar in his need not to be hurt any further. So far he seems to be doing most of the work in trying to bridge the gap between them - and he is mostly unaware of Thranduil's moves.
At least Legolas has more people around him who seem able to touch him - Doronrin, Menellir and Luindil to name but three - all offering him love and support.
elliska
· 4 October 2004
· Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound
Poor little Legolas. I think it is very true that he would have seen a lot of things in his everyday life, Shadow and Nana's death aside, to teach him respect for the forest. But it would be very scary to a child to see someone wounded hunting after seeing his Nana. Everyone does a good job reassuring him but I doubt he'd be fully reassured until he saw his Ada was healed.
Besides, if he listened closely enough, he might hear someone mention his Ada. Such a sad little thought. And hiding to watch Ada. Very sad. I wonder what he thought about what he saw. Great descriptions and emotions. Looking forward to the next one.
daw the minstrel
· 4 October 2004
· Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound
Aren't you supposed to be doing homework? Only kidding! I was glad to see this update. And anyway the masque stuff probably makes it a legitimate part of your studies, don't you think?
I liked the bit about Legolas wanting to hold Doronrin's hand. When my son was in nursery school, the teachers took the kids trick or treating on campus (I was in grad school at the time and the school was on campus). My kid reported to me afterwards that he wanted to hold the hand of Kay, the teacher he had a crush on, but another kid got there first. My normally well-behaved son then said, "So I punched him right in his Big Bird suit."
When Doronrin left, Legolas looked so small and abandoned, poor thing. I was relieved someone spotted him. He is such a sweetie, wanting the dancer to be "gentle" with his father and saying he would sit with Menellir so he wouldn't be "sad" about not dancing.
You're being nicely subtle about this. It was clear that it was Nana and maybe Ada that he was worrying about when he saw Menellir. Having lost Nana, being reminded of her was hard, and of course, he doesn't want to lose Ada.
For some reason, I actually teared up when you mentioned Thranduil's "small, hopeful smile" in the discussion of the shoes. It was the "hopeful" part that got me. It's like he's been in cold and darkness and he's just beginning to dare to hope that he won't have to stay there forever. But then the scene in the Hall, when he danced and then saw Legolas was almost unbearable.
lwarren
· 29 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow
Sons of Sorrow! I just knew when I read the title of the first chapter I would need a brand-new box of tissues. You have not disappointed! *sniffs sadly*
It seems to me that Legolas' loss is compounded by many factors...not only did he lose his Naneth at an age when he desperately needed her, but he's lost his father, too (Father doesn't see him anymore...). Add to it his lack of understanding where death and grief are concerned and you have one very sad, lost little elfling!
Luindil, bless his heart, seems to be the "rock of strength" for these two right now...and the bridge between them, as well. Not that I don't feel for the King...I certainly do, and he has that broken bond to deal with! Just a sad situation all around, and so well written! *grabs another tissue*
linda
elliska
· 28 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow
Wow, I got electricity back and logged on to such a treat. This one looks like its going to be a real tear jerker. Poor little Legolas. He and Thranduil need each other so much and sometimes that is just not how things happen. I like the dancing. That would not be at all inspired by your recent performance would it? Looking forward to the next part.
Bodkin
· 28 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow
'You are so skilled with them, naneth," Gilveril sighed. "You distracted him so smoothly, it was like water."
"That is because I have had years of practice," Glawariel said. "Not the least of which were with you." '
Love that!! Don't you go getting uppity with little Legolas, girl! Your mother will remind you of all your transgressions.
'Ada does not see me any more.' How heart-rending is that! Thank goodness for Luindil - he seems to be the only glue holding these two together.
Lovely images of Thranduil doing the very macho King Stag dancing - he is going to be the hunter and Inglor is the stag? - I shall take them out later and run them through my imagination again!
nat
· 27 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow
aww too precious...i don't know if you were planning to continue this but i would LOVE if you did, so i can see thranduil and legolas reconciled and helping eachother heal...::sniff::sniff::...one last question...what the heck's a bannock?!
daw the minstrel
· 27 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow
Oh my, this was a heartbreaker. Poor angry, sad little Legolas. One of the tragedies of a situation like this is that Thranduil is stuck in his own grief just when Legolas needs him the most.
I liked your description of the dance. That leaping, whirling kind of dance IS very athletic and masculine, I think. It's like showing off in a way.
Nikara
· 27 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow
Wow! This is very impressive so far. You capture Thranduil's grief beautifully. I can't wait to read more. Keep going!