Reviews (110)

Author's reply

Yes, it is an update--miracle, that. Isn't it? :-) Poor Tulus indeed. He is a very sad character in this as you will continue to see. You will feel sorrier for him. And Engwe! Sometimes when I write him I think to myself, why does Thranduil put up with this guy? But Engwe is his father's brother and I think Thranduil would recognize the value of surrounding himself with people that would offer differing opinions. 'Course Engwe could do that in a more restrained manner and it wouldn't hurt anything...:-) I'm glad you liked the end with Legolas. Poor little guy. His world is still a little upset and he is struggling to figure it out. Thanks so uch for the review. :-) PS--Yes, I have seen KOH. I was hesitant because I heard it was graphic and I am not fond of graphic violence, but I studied the Crusades and taught courses on them so I couldn't resist. The violence was not too bad. I actually have another online friend who I am long over due to email about this same topic. Drop me a line on it in email whenever you get a chance and we can talk about it. I did enjoy the movie--historically it takes a good deal of license with the Third Crusade (I assume that is what is was supposed to be based on) but not so much that I couldn't enjoy the movie. But it also did a realistic job of battle tactics (mostly--some anachronisms) and I really liked that.

Author's reply

:-) Time? Not familiar with the word myself... :-) Thank you for the quick review. :) Tulus will play a major part in the next chapter and you will see it all. But I see you did leave another review, so I will leave my elaboration until then.

Author's reply

Hi Daw :-) Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked that detail. It's funny because it was a last minute add as I rewrote part of this to split the chapter. I liked it because I can see the guards doing that sort of thing. It would be their job. But also, I can see Tulus noticing Colloth doing it because he recognizes the duty, since it was once his own. It would be a strange feeling for Tulus to be on the other end of it. And it shows the position Tulus has put himself in. When I wrote this whole thing, I had to spend a lot of time thinking about how Elves and Men are going to react to crime--and High Treason is a pretty serious crime. I figured Men would probably not react much differently in Middle Earth than they did in Medieval Europe. I toned Fengel's reaction back some, but he did hang his conspirators (better than drawing and quartering). But Elves were a trick. Despite the king of Gondolin's reaction to Eol, there is no way I'm going to buy into Elves calmly sentencing Elves to death as a general law. I think they would tend towards more long term solutions rather than punitive measures. And besides, exiled angry people are just free to cause more trouble and I don't know how you'd impison an elf until the end of Arda. I'm sure Thranduil is madder than hell and I wouldn't have wanted to be Hallion when Aradunnon sent his report--I bet Hallion spent a good while calming Thranduil's temper. Aradunnon, not being a fool, probably decided to send a report, rather than make one in person with the conspirators in tow in order to give his brother time to cool down. :-) But when all is said and done, I believe Thranduil would do what is best for Mirkwood. And probably go vent his frustration on some archery targets afterward. :-) And I love the language thing, being a former Foreign Langauge teacher. My husband thinks that part of the Silm is stupid and I can understand that. Forbidding someone to speak their language doesn't seem like much in response to the kinslaying in Alqualonde (sp?) but it really would be. Language is very personal and a major part of one's culture. And these are Elves--the quendi, the speakers. Language is important to them. I think it would have been a loss the Noldor would have felt. I always found that judgment interesting. And although I didn't take much time to work with it here, Marti is Noldorin (imagine most people have got that by now so I doubt that was a spoiler) and that is going to be an issue. Thranduil is going to piece together a lot of little clues about her and this was one of them. It was necessary to clear up the names I've been playing with until now. Thanks again for the review, Daw. I really appreciate them. :-)

Author's reply

Hi. No there will be very little Legomance in this story. There has to be some at the end to get him that daughter that we see in the prologue chapter but it really doesn't have a central role, honestly. I'm afraid to write a Legomance. They anger a lot of people. I know what you mean about the elvish names. They are tough. :) I still have trouble with all of Feanor's sons. I'm glad you are curious about the elleth that tried to seduce Thranduil--French Pony dubbed her the Black Swan and that name has become popular in reviews so feel free to use it. And I'm also glad you are curious about Tulus (the ellon). I will let you remain curious. *grin* The next chapters (I decided this morning to split the last chapter into two parts) will be available soon. One tonight, if I can get one hour to myself to give it one last read through but work is once again conspiring against me. The one after that, I'll post the next day. And I hope to post the epilogue before the weekend is over. Those chapters are fully edited too. They just need one more read through. You know, if you want, you can find my email in my profile (just click on elliska next to the title of my story). On the profile page, my email addy is at the bottom of the description. Feel free to email me. Might be easier than depending on the review function.

Author's reply

:) I mentioned below--it was just a horrible day at work. Sorry for the delay, but I will always reply. As for Legolas's eventual wife, she already has a name. Sorry. Actually this entire story is completely written. There are some parts where I never made final choices about how I wanted to handle certain things (the angsty parts, mostly). So before I start posting a part, I go through and clean things up and try to improve parts based on what I've learned from review suggestions about writing, reading other people's stories and conversations about writing, and then I post. I have really been amazed at how much I have enjoyed learning about writing as I have been posting this story. If you look them up, most of the names in the story mean something. Choosing names is something I agonize over, honestly. For the most minor characters, their name is associated with some aspect of their life. Like the warriors all have names that are associated with war. More central characters have more symbolic names. The only exceptions to that are the character names that I made first and got too attached to/accustomed to to change later when I learned a bit more about Sindarin (Engwe is an example--I chose that name for its sound but the meaning is horrible if you look it up. Despite that, I had so identified that character with that name by the time I realized how stupid the meaning was that I couldn't bring myself to change it.) Anyway, the mother of Legolas's child might not be a character who's fate you want. Remember--Legolas does not appear to be married at the end of the Quest when he goes off with Gimli and then to Ithilien. There is going to be a reason for that. More of that angst that you like. :) Legolas does not spend a lot of time with the mother of his daughter until the very end of this story. :)

Author's reply

Hi, sorry I didn't reply faster. I have had a brutal day at work. But never fear, I do always reply to reviews, even if it takes me until the next day. :) As for Thranduil angst, I think Mirkwood is a difficult place so the poor elf must have experienced some angst naturally. I have surrounded Thranduil with a great deal of family and I will say to you what I have said to others--not many take a boat to Valinor. There will indeed be angst. And this story continues to focus mainly on Thranduil. There are only two parts that I can think of where the focus tips more towards Legolas. So I imagine you will get your wish to some degree, at any rate. :) Thanks again for the review and the interest in what will happen. I hope you continue to enjoy. :)

Author's reply

It is always such a pleasant suprise to see a review from someone new! :-) Thank you very much for taking the time to review. I'm glad you've enjoyed up to here. I think Lindomiel agrees with you that she waited forever for Thranduil to give in. :-) And we all did wait a very long time. I suppose it's mean of me, but I'm glad I made you tense with the scenes with the men. There will be a fair share of such things in future stories. I appreciate the comment about details. I do have a lot of fun playing with details, both canon and from the OCs, so that was especially nice to hear. Again, thank you so much for the review and I hope you continue to enjoy. I should be updating this story again either tonight or tomorrow (busy weekend, this week). And there is only one more chapter and the epilogue before we move on to the next story in the series.

Author's reply

Hi FP! I remember the nasty grad projects all too well and I am VERY glad to not have them ever again, so I completely understand. I appreciate you taking time out of your recovery time to leave a review. :) I'm glad it came across as tense to you. I can never tell how things will seem to others since I've read this about a thousand times. :) I felt for Thranduil in this chapter--I would not want to deal with a frightened little elfling or wife. Especially when, as you say, he needs some recovery himself. But I guess he can take out his frustration while finding who is responsible. Good luck on your papers and your finals. I hope you took the summer off (or if you didn't, I hope you love your new classes). Thanks again for the review!

Author's reply

Hi Karen! I felt sorry for Conuiön in this chapter. I would not want to try to restrain Thranduil. :) I'm glad you liked that line. I kind of giggled over him saying it when I wrote it. You'd have to have nerve to say something like that and I think Thranduil's guards would have to be strong to work with him. But fortunately they stepped it up because, as you said, the men weren't too bright. They were nervous and heartless. I sickened myself writing about killing someone that had already surrendered. I'm glad this kept you on edge and it didn't sound too wimpy. I also felt sorry for Thranduil trying to explain the inexplicable to the children. You're right though--what they really needed was their nana's and a little time for their fright to wear off. I think this went a long way towards Amglaur finally accepting Thranduil. As you said--about time! :) I wrote the interrogation but I really hated it. I agree that Thranduil would never actually torture a prisoner. I think he let the man believe he would do it and let his imagination loosen his tongue. They need to do a little more investigation and then put the pieces together. We'll see where that leaves them. Thanks so much for the review!

Author's reply

Hi Brazgirl! I agree. I could not have killed Lindomiel while Legolas was so young. And Amoneth's death would have been too hard on Galithil especially--in the end, it just didn't seem to fit with the next parts. I'm glad the chapter still made you read fast (and don't you hate it when people try to interrupt important things like reading facfiction :-) ) I'm glad you liked the scene with Thranduil and the children. That was hard to write because these aren't really questions with answers. Even adults don't really understand things like what the children were trying to understand. Poor things. In the end (not of this part but of the series in general) the creepy elves get what they deserve. And I admit I enjoyed writing that because I love Thranduil too. But you will have to wait and see them make Thranduil's life difficult for a while longer. Sorry. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and that your headache went away. Work has been giving me headaches recently too so I sympathize. Thanks so much for the review!

Author's reply

Not a state secret, no. :) I'm almost afraid to say because people will freak! It depends a lot on how many little Legolas stories I post. Some are just fluff, so I could skip them or post they separately from this main story. But there are about ten more central parts that I will definitely post. Not all of them are as long as these first ones but the gap filler ones are fairly long. Especially the one closest to the War of the Ring. We'll see if people want to read them. :)

Author's reply

I get up early so I can have time to relax and read a bit before work and sometimes it's just maddening because I find something updated that I really want to read and there just isn't time. Drives me nuts! (It also drives me to read at work sometimes and I have to be careful of that. Bad employee!) I am very bad about scanning to the end too. :) Conuion's job stinks sometimes, I think. I would not have wanted to be him in this chapter. And I definitely would not have wanted to be Thranduil and have that conversation with the children. Those are things you just can't explain because they are indeed inexplicable. I'm glad the tea amused you. It did me too. I can see them sticking together on things like that. :) Interrogator Thranduil I think would be very scary. I do not really believe that elves would abuse prisoners, but the man might think it possible. So if Thranduil implied the right things, I think the man would talk and talk fast. I wrote the actual interrogation but I ended up not liking it much. I never considered including it. I am glad you noticed that line that you quoted, actually. I liked it too. It is very hard to come up with ways to make the character's physical actions show how they are feeling. I think you are really good at that. It is something I am trying to edit into the story as I go to do a better job of it. It is tough. I am really relieved that people are ok with this wimpier version. :) And I am even more relieved that you didn't kill Eilian. :) It is definitely hard to kill OC's. Though some will definitely die in various parts of this story, at this point, killing Amoneth seemed almost gratuitous and really didn't fit the way Galithil is written in the next part. So I really felt this ending was better. I'm just glad it came off ok to others. Thank you so much for the review!

Author's reply

Yes, I know a lot of people expected that. I admit I intentionally teased that way by not putting her in that opening prologue. I'm mean, I know. :) But I never intended to kill her in this story. She will live for a bit in this story yet. The other version of this was much angstier--you probably would have loved it and I was tempted to post it but it just doesn't fit with the next part (which I am editing now) very well. So I went this way. There is plenty of angst to come. I'm glad it made you read fast. :) Thanks so much for the review!

Author's reply

Hi! I'm glad Thranduil and Aradunnon's urgency came across. I think you would be nuts to just act as fast as possible and that might lead you to trouble. That's why they have guards who would presumably be very prepared to handle exacly this type of situation. But I think I'd still be going nuts if it I were Thranduil. :) The idea of killing a person that had surrendered bothered me to even write. I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to see. And I can't imagine how horrible it would be to hear a loved one watched such thing and was still in the hands of the person that did it. Lindomiel and even Amoneth are still in shock, I think. I also imagine that the men were speaking in their own language while arguing about the ladies' heads, but still I'm sure they got the gist of it. If elves could have heart attacks, they were close to one there. I did write the interrogation and I did not like it. I cannot imagine elves actually abusing a prisoner. Not even under these conditions. But men would believe something like that could happen--it certainly did in their world if they killed prisoners that had surrendered--so I think the man would talk really fast if Thranduil implied he might do something. And bet he was seriously scary after everything Lindomiel went through. They will get more details in the end. :) I'm glad you thought Thranduil's discussion with the children came off alright. That was the hardest part for me to write, truthfully. And I agree that Thranduil needs to accept Lindomiel wants to learn a bit more about weapons. First, it would be a natural reaction after an event like that and second, it just makes sense. This is Mirkwood! :) I fancy that she can hunt well enough with a bow. But she probably does need to learn more to fight with one. I think she's got swords on the brain after seeing Amoneth with one. Tulus--you will see his role in this continue. I'll leave that there for now. Thank you so much for the review. I really appreciate them. :)

Author's reply

Hi Elena Tiriel! Yes, this was the wimpy version. :) The other really was much angstier. But in the end, I decided this fit the rest of the story better so I went with this. I suppose it's mean to say but I'm glad this came across as tense. I am never sure. It is nice when you fall behind reading fics with cliffhangers because then you can read everything at once, I agree. :) Thank you so much for the review!

Author's reply

:) I'm glad it made you read fast. These end chapters are always so hard for me. And my beta has read this as many times as me so it's hard for her to judge too. And I agree about both Lindomiel and Amoneth surviving--I went back and read the next few parts with very young Galithil and he just doesn't seem like a child who lost his mother. In the end, I liked this version better. :) Yes, you will see before this part is over that Thranduil puts a few more things together. They knew the Easterlings were a threat but they are just starting to work with the idea that an elf is involved. That had to be a complete shocker. Thanks for the quick review after your quick read. :) Now I'll go read the other one I saw you left.

Author's reply

Hi Jay! Yes, this is bad. I don't think Thranduil is going to like the sight that greets him when they finally catch up to the men either. And Legolas has had a very frightening day--a very difficult one for so young a child to process. Which isn't going to make life easier for Thranduil. Glad to hear from you! :) The next chapter should be up tonight or tomorrow night. Looks like I won't have to work late Monday. Famous last words... :)

Author's reply

I really did not mean for this to be a cliffie--I didn't notice the chapter was 35 pages long. But maybe a cliffie is good. *Evil grin* Sorry. Yes, we will blame the creepy elves. :) I'm glad this made you read fast. Yes, I think this event will have an impact on the children. That is really why Fengel was important. I think Legolas would have a lot of trouble becoming Fellowship Legolas if this was his first impression of Men with nothing to balance it. But even so, watching someone attack your mother and kill your friend (surely the little elflings think of the guards as friends) would have a big impact. Poor things. Lindomiel and Amoneth are brave. Amoneth lived in the south for almost 2000 years so I think that she has seen a few battles and even fought to defend her village. She has some skill. And even Lindomiel, who I see as much more sheltered, isn't going to roll over and give up--especially when Legolas's safety is at stake. I'm glad you liked Legolas and Galithil's reactions. I can't imagine how horrified they must have been and I had trouble writing everyone's emotions here without going over the top. Glad you liked it and you will not have to wait long for the next one. I won't make it a week. Definitely by Wednesday.

Author's reply

I swear it really was too long. I have the whole story in one big word doc and I cut out the parts and paste them in here as I go. Usually I am good about noticing when something is too long/short but this was and I missed it--it was 35 pages long! Sorry. Legolas was just a pleased with himself as he could be over that plant and his happiness was just crushed. Funny you said that about blue. In the original version, it was a green dye plant that he found and I actually changed it because I figured he isn't going to look back on this plant/color with fondness. :) Yes, anyone who tries to hurt the children are going to pay a high price if they have to go through Lindomiel and Amoneth to do it. Keep your comment about ellyth being trained in mind when you read the next chapter. I think poor Legolas needed to see a decent Man after a situation like this or he would have had a lot more difficulty dealing with men in the future. And Fengel is a good sort. I could feel his frustration at not being able to help the elflings and that guard forgetting the most important part was the last straw. I wouldn't be surprised if Fengel made an effort to learn Elvish after that. :) As frustrating as it was, Thranduil did need to wait for his guards and make a plan but I bet he was going nutz! And Amglaur was a good daeradar here--it must have about killed him to trust Thranduil to this but he knew the children needed family, not guards. I know it's mean, but I'm glad this came off as tense. I can never tell. :)

Author's reply

Yes, it did, didn't it. I felt sorry for Legolas (duh!). He was just so pleased with himself over that plant and that just didn't last long. I think this would be just horrifying. When I was a kid, my parents didn't let me watch those slasher movies that were popular (ex Halloween etc). So when I was 14 or so, I went with a date to see one without telling my parents. Never did that again. I about died--I literally was so horrified by it that I sat there the whole time with my fingers over my eyes and in my ears. And that was a movie. This was real from Legolas's POV. I think he needed Fengel as a balance to that or he would have been as bad with Men as Engwe is with Dwarves for the rest of his life. And I do like showing how difficult Men must have been for the Woodland Realm. They live so close and they are just so variable. I am so pleased with details people are mentioning in the reviews. I can see poor worried, frustrated Fengel, trying not to scare these poor children any further while trying to make it clear to his guard that he'd better obey. Fengel was in a tough spot. I'm glad you liked it and as mean as it sounds, I'm glad it was scary. I wasn't sure it was. That's always so hard to tell. :)

Author's reply

I'm glad you liked it! :) As we've discussed before, I find these battle/fight scenes very hard to write. Focusing on their impact on people is easier and that was kind of an obvious thing to do in this chapter--who wouldn't be going nuts when their children were in danger. And poor Fengel was very worried and Very Frustrated when he found the children. I can see something like that happening though. Poor guard--it's hard to remember all that slippery foreign language. You know, now that you mention it, I think I have heard that Hiroshima no pika story somewhere. I remember that and thinking how horrible that would be. (Well duh). It is a sad little detail though. Yeah, woad has yellow flowers. Here is a really good link on it, if you want to see them blooming: http://my.net-link.net/~rowan/crafts/woad/woadpage.html. It's right on the front page. One of the things I like most about this fandom is that I actually learn a lot of cool stuff being involved with it and then I get to talk about it with really interesting people. :) As for you first paragraph--I will say nothing yet, but I will next time. :)

Author's reply

I'm glad it came off as exciting. I was not sure it would. :) Unless I make a change to it, you will hear a little in the next chapter about the men looking for the children. In my mind, they did look for them. They just couldn't get them. Nasty men. But you're right--at some point you've got to take what you've got and run before you get caught. Yes, Fengel has a son and daughter--both very infants. And of course he got to know Legolas and the others a bit, so he cares for them too. I am sure he is imagining how he would feel in this situation and his heart is just breaking. He is truly a good example of Men. And Legolas needs to see that now. I'm glad you liked their little language barrier. I can see something like that happening and it would be just infuriating. Poor Fengel. :) I just cannot imagine how relieved Thranduil and Aradunnon must have been to at least see the children safe and I found that hard to adequately express without making it over-the-top. But that was a boost for them. I agree it must have about killed Amglaur to take the children home but he knew they needed family and not guards right then. He's a pretty good guy underneath. I like the dye stuff. I have tried making some natural dyes for dresses I use in reenactment societies. I've never tried woad though (I'm lazy--I just buy indigo). Woad is supposed to be hard to process into a dye. And I'm glad you liked Legolas with his little plant. Nana said it was important, so he hung on to it. :) I do intend to put that next chapter up much sooner than next weekend. Possibly tomorrow but definitely by Wednesday. I swear I didn't intend to make this a cliffhanger but the chapter was 35 pages long. How I never noticed that, I don't know. And this was the best place to cut it. Sorry. :)

Author's reply

Hi Brazgirl! :) The creepy elves (love that term) are going to be especially creepy in the next chapter and you will get to see what they are willing to try. And it is definitely not good. I'm glad you like little Legolas. He is just cute. Children are a lot of fun--especially bright little elflings. And the lord of Dale is a good guy. He likes children and I imagine meeting an elfling for the first time would be pretty amazing since they would be so much more advanced than human children of the same age. Tulus will be around a while. He is interesting. Everything he said in this chapter was completely genuine I think--but notice that there was a lot he knew that he didn't say and he should have. He will be a bit of a mixed bag and you will have to wait to see if he finally turns out good or not. :) I'm happy to get your review. They always make me very happy and I appreciate them a lot. Thanls! :)

Author's reply

Hi French Pony! I'm glad you liked the scene with Fengel. Depending on who you have to negotiate with, small children might be a real help. That scene started out considerably differently in the beginning--still happy and all that, just differently so. I liked this one better in the end but I wish I'd continued it just a little and included the song. Clue-By-Four needed a keyboard warning. :) You kill me. Good old Dolgailon really doesn't want to see his little brother without his adar. He doesn't get that adar might not want to see his son in such a big potential battle. Youth can be blissfully blind. :) Tulus isn't out of the picture yet. But he does see what he's done wrong. We'll be seeing more of him. Thanks for telling me about the sweetmeats vs sweetbreads. I have to say your explanation made me laugh. I will go back in there and change it after I finish this reply. You've got to love English--it's so straightforward and clear. Now: It did not occur to the villagers that the warriors were also watching them—trying to determine if anyone sympathized with Dolwon. Only those guilty of such collusion would think of that. I beg to differ. "Only the guilty have anything to fear" is a common justification used by police states everywhere. The only problem is that it's not true. People who are being watched will notice, and they'll react whether or not they're actively guilty. I love talking about this kind of stuff. I did pause a bit over that line because you are definitely right--this is the type of thought used to justify really despicable behavior by those in power all too often in our world. And you are also right that people naturally react when they are being watched (how many times do you look at your speedometer when there's a police car behind you vs when there's not). But, I think in this case, there are two things that make it different. First, there really is something legitimate for these guards to be there watching out for--orcs, spiders, corrupt men--and so the elves really would want them there. And second, they are spying on elvish citizens to see if they are working with Easterlings because there really is evidence that happened--not just because someone likes to oppress the innocent. And the citizens know that too. I'm not sure if that really makes it better. It probably does not. But I let it stay in the end. But I did think about this and I think it's really interesting that you commented on it. I find this sort of topic very interesting to discuss. Thank you for the review!

Author's reply

You absolutely cracked me up with this. I love SoA because everyone is so clever here. Even reviews are well written! It makes me ashamed of my rambling ones. :) Tulus definitely has some very difficult decisions ahead of him in future parts of this. I can't stop laughing about the description of Marti/Manadhien long enough to formulate a response--suffice to say there is more to her motivations then simply bitterness over having lost out to Lindomiel. Her problems with the House of Oropher go back to the Dawn of the First Age so there is more learn there. But I don't think 'innately sweet and lovable cygnet' ever described her. You are right there. :) I kind of see her as a Minastan. My beta and I are still arguing the next chapter. I'll let you know the basics of the one I don't post if you like. :) littered with corpses and general agony ROTFL. I love this site and the people who are so kind as to read my story. It makes my day. :) Thanks!