Catching up on reading...
Wow, that was a great battle scene. Very fast and tense! And the whole intrigue with the men. You know I loved that. The elves handled that well I thought and cleverly. I particularly loved Legolas's thoughts about the men after speaking with the old man. Middle-earth belonged to those hurried, short-lived, short-sighted creatures that struggled fiercely for a handful of sun-rounds only to see everything slip through their clenched fingers when their time arrived. Sad but true. Great chapter!
Author's reply
Thank-you, elliska!
It was the first time I tried t write a battle scene and it is really painful, I confess! I admire all of you even more now!
I enjoyed myself playing with the mens' loyalties and points of view, and the elves apparent cluelessness. They are wise creatures, and I believe it must have been so outrageous for them to feel that they had to leave their beloved M-e in the hands of the Secondborn, and quite difficult to come to accept!!
I am glad you enjoyed it and I wish you all luck with the recovery of lost things!
Redheredh
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Hidden Truths
*Geez*, I just realized I never left a review for this chapter... I am having the hardest time getting back into the groove of things since the family trip...
I really like the drama in this chapter. Certainly not epic, perhaps a little domestic, its impact on Laeriniel et al is quite heart-rending. I sympathize with Laeriniel most. A wife is more or less expected to support her husband and family. She is expected to go where he leads her; that's the deal the wife usually has to make in their society. Their decision is only postponed. She is a princess and could still hold to her other obligations, I think; settling for visits rather than relocation. After all she has lost him to sea-longing and will have to admit that he will be taken from her by it, no matter what she does.
They are going to really need the Queen's wisdom and the King's understanding.
A terrible family crisis looms when the current one is abated...
Author's reply
Hey, take it easy! Coming back to RL after a short vacation is a stressful thing on itself!:-)
I also feel for LAeriniel, she is the one who'll be more deeply affected by all this. It is mainly a domestic drama, as you point out, and even if it apparently domestic also impacts on family business, we also know that Lasgalen will not fall down to parts because of the lack of one (or two) princes. SO it is more on how you manage change when you think you've reached the end of your rope, and how things which are apparently unfair and so painful may have some deeper meaing that is only unveiled...later on. :-)
It is always good to hear from you, Redheredh, and I'm so delighted hat you are still enjoying this!
Redheredh
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 8: Winter battles
I loved this chapter for its action and intrigue! So well written, in movement, setting, and dialog. Excellent episode covering the time between last chapter and the next. The characterization of the Men was especially well conveyed, I thought. You did not always know what kind of people they actually were even though they fell into the usual roles. I don't know about other readers, but I enjoyed the circumspect way you conveyed what was in the minds of Legolas' and the rest concerning the machinations of Esrren and Birger.
And I do so love poor, relatively young, Mallereg!
Author's reply
I wanted to try my hand at writing a battle scene, and was terrified! Glad that it came out nicely, mainly in movement and setting, which bothered me most!
I really enjoy picturing different takes on same issues, and misleading even myself. Men were just...following their own agenda, and when you are so busy doing that, at times you simply forget that the other party is playing, too, and may have their own views and strategies. SO the elves had known all along, and had simply acted accordingly, without fussing about it. I suppose that Esrren might have had a fit, had he known that his cunning plans had been revealed so easily since the very beginning...
Mallereg's coming out as kind of Legolas' alter ego, I'd say. He's fulfilling LEgolas' role naturally and it is clear that Lasgalen does not lack warriors, commanders and responsible leaders, although that does not mean that LEgolas will nt be missed terribly...
THank-you again, Redheredh! :-)
Nilmandra
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 8: Winter battles
Poor Mallerg. He is beleagured on every front, isn't he? His father is already unhappy with them and now this. And Legolas clearly needs to make it clear that the tree fell, not him!
Nice look at the treachery of the lesser men, who tried to play both sides of the fence on too many occasions. Hmm... like sometimes we still do today. Good chapter.
Author's reply
Poor Mallerg. He is beleagured on every front, isn't he? LOL. Life would be easier if troubles were kind enough to come one at the time, wouldn't it? ;-)
Men were dumb enough to feel that they would be able to fool the elves. I suppose these forest men did not know much about their secretive neighbours, and these two human hsots were looking at their own interests, rather than seeing the larger picture, which is whence most problems come...
I'm glad that you liked it, Nilmandra. This was my first fighting scene, I wasn't sure how it would come out... Thank-you
Bodkin
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 8: Winter battles
Those men weren't too bright! Waiting for the elves to work out Birger's treachery for themselves - well, Esrren would have been a lot more sensible to talk earlier on. But I suppose I can understand his doubt of elves. Men might be treacherous - but at least he knew where he stood with them. I'm glad he and his son took on the responsibility in the end - even if it was with their arms twisted up behind their backs.
And for the first time is it men who will continue (in their short-lived way) while the elves disappear.
I like Geldoron - and Thalaur. It must be a bit of a thankless task trying to keep the warrior heirs of Thranduil out of trouble! And both Legolas and his nephew are having unexpected arborial difficulties! Neither will live it down. I think it might turn out to be a Good Thing, though, that Mallereg knocked himself silly - he has been able to remember his admiring little brother and release some of the grief he feels for not being omnipotent in reality and being able to come to his rescue.
And the call of Ithilien gets stronger. Fingers crossed everyone comes to a decision that it's better than the call of the sea - seeing as how it's only a (relatively) short ride away and visitors are allowed to go home again.
Author's reply
I'm glad he and his son took on the responsibility in the end - even if it was with their arms twisted up behind their backs. LOLOL! You made me laugh here! Each group here was following their own agenda, and the men thought they wre fooling the elves, whle the elves were just being eves and following their own agenda without entering the men's game. IT was a last victory for the leves, though.Soon they will be displaced and the land will beling to the Men.
THank-you for your kind words BOdkin! I'm really having a tough time with this tale, and sincerely hoping to be able to lead it to its conclusion asap! (so I can go a dive into sweet woodwine, among other things! :-)
daw the minstrel
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 8: Winter battles
Loved Mallereg and Legolas playing good cop/bad cop with the leader of the men. And I also loved the cleverness of the elves. The man is sadly right though. The elves will be gone and the men will still be there, more's the pity.
But I think my favorite part was the exchange at the end after Mallereg was hurt. He's so broken down that he finally admits his pain over his failure to protect his little brother, who thought he could do anything.
Thalaur is a hoot, by the way.
Author's reply
Since Legolas wasn't in charge in this mission I wanted to see things from his perspective...as a second, so having a supporting, advisory role.. and making good use of his talents at "public relations" I found it amusing that after all the pains the men had put into deceiving the elves, the elves had known all along and had followed their own agenda, reaching their goals and putting the men into good use. But they are all too different to share the same world, and that must hve been so difficult for the elves to admit that they were the ones who had to depart, despite them being the ones who took better care of Arda...
MAllereg is thankfully reaching the end of his tunnel, it seems... and THalaur will find his job a bit easier, i suspect! :-) Thank-you, Daw!
French Pony
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 8: Winter battles
Once again, another tribe of Elves learns the immortal lesson: no plan is ever fully idiot-proof. The trouble with dealing with a species known to have divided loyalties is that the divided loyalties tend to show up at the worst possible moments. There's no real way to know ahead of time which Men are the good guys and which are the bad guys. I have a feeling that this sort of lingering distrust between Men and Elves is probably a major factor in the Elves' eventual abandonment of Middle-earth.
I loved hearing about Mallereg and his mysterious ways of convincing Galion to keep him well supplied with wine. I like him more and more as this story goes on. He seems like a real stand-up sort of a guy, doing his best for his people and being a mensch to his family. He must miss his little brother terribly.
Author's reply
I have a feeling that this sort of lingering distrust between Men and Elves is probably a major factor in the Elves' eventual abandonment of Middle-earth. I think so, too. The gap was wider each passing year, one race doomed to dwindle, the other to bloom and both to meet even more rarely as time passed by.
I'm glad that you like Mallereg. HE grew on me too, as the tale progressed. I see him as filling in what LEgolas' role must have been in his forest and in his father's court, and showing that no one is indispensable. They will all miss Legolas but his departure will not threaten the stability of the realm...
French Pony
· 10 June 2006
· Chapter 7: Hidden Truths
Well, that little announcement went over like a lead balloon. Legolas is certainly under a great deal of stress to just blurt something like that out into an already tense situation. This is definitely a family in need of some release. All the time and blood they spent surviving till the end of the war, and now they have to march away to yet another battle. They may lose more soldiers to broken hearts than to battle wounds.
At least the ladies still have their heads on straight. Mom and Wife remain steadfast and loving. The ladies will have a tough time ahead of them soothing the men and healing their wounds. One can only hope that the men realize this and return the favor.
Author's reply
OY! Apologies for the delay in answering!!
Thankfully the ladies did keep the pespective, and they may be much released that the boys are out there doing what they do best and releasing whatever it is they need to get out of their system against the orcs, since they seem unable to do it in a more civilised way...
Thabk-you, FP!
Nilmandra
· 10 June 2006
· Chapter 7: Hidden Truths
Oh my, that was painful. Yet I think the king has given his answer, though Legolas might not yet see it. His demotion is not punishment, but reprieve. As second, the sea longing can do less harm than if he were captain. And Mallerg is indeed being groomed to take over, for Thranduil knows he will lose his son regardless if he settles first in Ithilien or not.
His motehr is wise, and his wife loves him. Thank goodness for their love.
Author's reply
Yet I think the king has given his answer, though Legolas might not yet see it. Yes, that's it. I think that Thranduil's position could not be easy by any means, either in the personal or in the political side of it. And he surely loves his children, and my! one of his wanting to go to Aman!
But he is a wise king and a loving father, and he knows that, no matter how much he dreads it, he has already lost his son, so he's trying to do things in the best way for *all* involved (once that he was confronted with it, :-)them, keeping the needs of the realm in sight. This must has been a great challenge for the king of Lasgalen!
Many thanks, Nilmandra!
elliska
· 10 June 2006
· Chapter 7: Hidden Truths
Wow! This is really sad! I knew when they started talking about the lands to the south that Legolas was going to come out with his promise to bring some elves there if allowed and I knew, of course, that pronouncement would go over very badly under the circumstances. And it certainly did. Poor Legolas. The Sea Longing is so difficult for him and he does have experiences the others in his family just can't understand. This really shows why it was best for him to go to Ithilien. I only hope he can completely mend fences before he does.
Author's reply
Yes, he was definitely changed..."in absentia." I suppose he could have chosen another time and circumstance to explain himself, but as I see it, it must have been too confusing for him, the sea-longing interferring with his ability to feel at home, the losses and the grieving, and duty, and it finally exploded when they less expected. Thankfully Naneth knew, and she kind of saved the day.
Thank-you, elliska!
Bodkin
· 10 June 2006
· Chapter 7: Hidden Truths
I have to go out shortly, so I can't do this justice at the moment, but - oh, perelleth, that was painful. Poor Legolas - but equally poor Laerîniel. And Thranduil. And Borgalas and Mallereg and everyone else.
Thank goodness for Naneth - who is clear-sighted enough to see the problem and understand what it means.
Author's reply
Thank-you, Bodkin. It was painful indeed, such a mess! But thankfully someone kept *her* head clear during the conflict.
This is one of those situations economists call "the tragedy of change", which more or less means that it is impossible to maximize *all* variables at the same time. There *has* to be some loss of value somewhere, always, for some other variables to *gain*. (first law of thermodynamics, actually, :-)
It was this ridiculous formulation which inspired the story, now that I come to think of it. I was very bored in a conference about a year ago, and the speaker mentioned this "tragedy of change" thing very pompously, so I began to toy with the idea...
daw the minstrel
· 9 June 2006
· Chapter 7: Hidden Truths
What a pity they still have to fight, despite the victory and the cost of that victory that they're all still paying. At least Legolas's sea longing is no longer a secret, if it ever was.
Author's reply
Cleaning up takes some time, doesn't it? Much like when you have workers at home, and they do the big tasks and then let you to deal with the mess! ;-)
elliska
· 7 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
Catching up. So glad to see you continue this! Poor Legolas. I think you did a great job in this showing just how difficult it is for Legolas and for those around him to find some sense of normalcy after such huge things have happened to them. The conflicts between Bôrgalas and Legolas, both in his office and later when discussing the real issue were so well done. How horrible for both of them. And very realistic because there had to be feelings like this. I suppose… that I can get to grant you that…eventually I was relieved to see this concession in the end. Very tense and emotional chapter, perelleth!
Author's reply
Thank-you, elliska! You know how RL is... this has been stuck for quite long, but it is all there, so it will be going out drop by drop!
Tolkien tells us so little about what happened in Lasgalen! Coming home is always a changing expereince. There are many things that you've missed, things they have learnt to go through without you, and I wondered how must have felt to LEgoas and his family, when so *much* had happened. Allowing the grudges to go out is a gift, the only way to forgiveness and undesrtanding. I find Borglas pov too easy to undesrtand. And now that he's let go off his grief, he knows he's been relieved of its hold. That first year cannot have been happy by any means, but there will be better times! :-)
Bodkin
· 6 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
I can understand Bôrgalas's resentment. He can see the absence and the fulfilling of prophecy and the legend surrounding his brother - but at the same time he is deep into the grief of the forest and the trials of the elves who sacrificed themselves to defend it. Legolas's wounds aren't visible. Yet.
He's a grieving father, too - and one who knows how horribly his son died. He can't see the events through a veil of patriotic sentiment - he knows the reality of it.
The image of the burnt forest is horrible and very evocative. It will be centuries before it is healed - but elves can take the long view here (or at least they will be eventually) - this forest will regrow and possibly more easily than the twisted trees around Dol Guldur will heal.
I think Bôrgalas might find it easier to accept Legolas's actions once he sees what his brother has lost. Maybe.
The suffering beyond the activities of the trilogy receive so little mention - and yet were clearly catastrophic. You show that so well.
Author's reply
Thank-you, Bodkin.
"...and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire." That's all that we get to know about how things went in Lasgalen, and that in an Appendix. Poor Wood elves, indeed, always so secluded that they are almost forgotten!
Coming home and finding out that life also kept its pace there, and that there are many things that you have missed, and occasions when you were missed and needed can be quite shocking at times... But they will heal, as well as the forest, of course. But it was a widespread war, and the aftermaths and recoveries are long.
Somewhere in one of the letters Tolkien says that Legolas is the one who achieved less of the Company. He also sates that the role of the ELves in this war was passive, their strenght in resistance.
Author Reply: Uh! it ate the ending of the reply...
I was saying that those words from Tolkien make me think that *even* to him, the Wood elves' preference for low-profile made them disappear from the chronicles more than what they deserved, perhaps. He also says that the elves of Lorien disappeared soon, while in Lasglaen they continued to live on happily. I find that very telling and worth exploring...
Redheredh
· 5 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
I was so glad to see you posted this chapter! It came out very well, indeed. But, he will have to be telling everyone his future plans soon enough...
Author's reply
Well, thanks for your insistent nudging! Glad it seemed to work a bit better. Yes, he will have to tell them, won't he?
The Karenator
· 4 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
I've fallen very far behind in reading and reviewing. RL has kept me moving for months now and I feel terrible about how absent I've been. But when I read this chapter, I had to tell you how wonderful it is. It's just beautifully done...in its pain and realism. Legolas was able to peel away a layer from his brother and begin to understand the distance Bôrgalas has placed between them. It's a start toward healing and reconciliation for both of them.
A very powerful and beautifully written chapter, Perelleth. I'm sort of at a loss for words. So I'll just keep repeating how wonderful it was.
Karen
Author's reply
I was so sure that I had answered you yesterday! Many thanks Karen, it's a pleasure to hear from you, knowing how busy this inconsiderate RL is keeping you. I hope that you get some time for yourself this summer!
I'm glad you liked it. It is not pretty, but it seemed honest to me...As I told Nilmandra, it is a tale of hope, so they will all come to heal eventually.
Take care, and many thanks again! ;-)
French Pony
· 4 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
Yay! This story is back! Happy Pony.
But definitely unhappy Elves. They've been paying so much attention to clearing out the last rumbles of the War and healing their physical wounds that they don't seem to have had time to deal with other hurts. And the men are doing what men do best. They're burying all the hurt so deeply that they can't see it. And it's going to fester there unless they get talking. Legolas is doing his best here, but he's only one guy, and he's wounded as well.
It looks like Bôrgalas is going to have issues with Legolas's choices for years to come. Perhaps he's keeping that wall of anger up because he doesn't want to face the question of whether he'd rather have seen his little brother cut off and burned to death than his son. Tough questions, with no easy answers. These folk are definitely in need of a little peace and lots of private time to grieve thoroughly.
Author's reply
Thank you FP! ;-) Let's hope that this time I am able to get to the end!
The aftermath of something like this is a harsh, painful road. I think that Borgalas grieves not only for his son but for all the warriors that fell in that battle under his command. He really needed an equal by his side to share the burden and the responsiblity. Not his Adar, to whom he had to answer, not his children, also under his command, but his equal, someone he trusted and who could undesrtand exactly how he felt: father, son, prince and commander. But they are resilient people, and they´ll heal eventually. Letting go of what is festering inside is a good beginning to lay things to rest...
Nilmandra
· 4 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
Oh my gosh, that was painful to read. I actually offer Legolas my deepest respect for being able to hear such things from someone he loves as much as he does his brother, and yet remain assured that he had done right. His family is too far removed to understand what he saw at Helm's Deep and the Pelennor and the Black Gates. His brother's perspective is limited to their forest, to home, and they do not understand that if the Quest had failed, it would not matter if a battle was won beneath the trees, for another would have come and they would eventually have lost.
And he has yet to tell them about the call of the sea. Aii...
Author's reply
Yes, the end of the war (or an earthquake, or a flood) does not mean the end of the suffering, I believe.
I think that Borgalas just questions the inevitability of his little brother's being in the Quest, as he cannot see that he achieved anything important, anything that could not have been done by another Elf, while he needed him by his side, to share the burden of responsibility in the worst attack their home had suffered in an age...
Since this is a tale of the consequences of Legolas' moving to Ithilien, we can hope that good shall come out of bad in the end, though... :-)
Thank you, Nilmandra
daw the minstrel
· 4 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Autumn skirmishes
I found this a powerful chapter, Perelleth. You don't flinch from ugliness war left in its wake--the ruined forest, the twisted lives. The scene between the two brothers at the end had me spellbound. When Borgalas said he needed Legolas and he can't forgive him for not being there, that felt real to me. It's easy to gloss over these things, to say people are endlessly forgiving and supporting, but they're not. Pain and loss diminish them for a while, although I think someone Borgalas will heal in time. Like the forest.
Author's reply
Thank you Daw! I almost cut off the whole chapter, but I must confess that I like that scene too... ;-) I think that you are right. Aftermaths are long and it takes time to reach healing, something ususally not showed. The hero comes home, but things have not been easy there, so I think that Borgalas personal grudge against his brother, based on their personal relationship is, in my eye, quite understandable. The forest will heal, too, :-) although LEgolas won't be there to help...
Bodkin
· 9 March 2006
· Chapter 5: Home is...
So much to understand, absorb, come to terms with, learn to endure. And it is probably even harder, as elves, to cope with disaster that comes so quickly, piled on other disasters and followed by more. And yet, at the same time, they have the enduring bones of the earth and the time for slow regrowth and repair.
Mallereg is in such distress - he really needs balm to his soul in some way to patch over his raw areas. And Laerîniel - well, at least she has one thing on her mind that helps her look past what else is going on. A very satisfactory reunion in many ways. But Legolas is not whole, either - anything that can stop a Wood elf hearing the forest is not good. It won't take Laerîniel long to recognise the different song that is echoing through him now. And it will be more distressing, probably, than a physical injury that will heal.
Love the parting from Gimli - although if he went off on his own, he is rather too confident in his ability to defeat who-knows-what he might find on the way home - and the selection of trophies and gifts that Legolas brought back with him.
Sorry to be so long reviewing - but I just don't seem to be getting enough time for important things at the moment!
Author's reply
Sorry to be so long in answering ! :-)
They would be really used to disasters, in such long lives, and so they surely know how to cope with them. Yet it would take long for any family -and the wood elves in general- to fully recover, though, even if Legolas' return was supposedly a good news and a way to definitely close up the episode and begin to look forward!
Gimli is sure that Lasgalen is far more dangerous than his own way home... what, with the news Legolas is bringing back!
Thank you for wading through!
Redheredh
· 7 March 2006
· Chapter 5: Home is...
This is such a lovely chapter! I just wanted you to know I really enjoyed reading it again in its final form.
Author's reply
You are terribly kind, Redheredh. Glad that you managed to go through it yet again...despite all. Many thanks yet again.
elliska
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 5: Home is...
Oh goody, an update! There were so many things in this that caught my attention:
Laerîniel's return home and allthey see on the way is very sad. I great portrayal of all Legolas missed while he was away.
And for the first time she wondered with trepidation what kind of Elf would be returned to her, what kind of changes, what inner wounds would her husband have sustained during that eventful year, what scars would have been left by the dreadful experiences he had surely gone through. I love this and it is too realistic. Everyone must have wondered how Legolas would be when he returned.
The old beech was a descendant of the one Legolas had planted after he asked for her hand –so long ago. Love this detail.
And Legolas and Gimli's goodbyes were very well done.
The horse seemed to calm down, although Legolas wasn’t sure whether his snort had been one of contempt or despair. Hehehe--this made me laugh. I think the horse of Rohan would definitely find Mirkwood strange.
“I am Legolas Thranduilion, and I belong here!“ he again called, opening his arms and looking upwards to the tall, imposing trees he had known since saplings, and the sight made him laugh in joyous rapture. I loved this and it seemed so perfectly Legolas. And his reunion with his wife and then with everyone else was wonderful. I very much like the idea of Legolas having this waiting for him after all his trials.
“My kinsman carefully considers each decision, and rarely allows his temper get the best of him,” Thranduil grunted in response. “Although I doubt that he accepted the Dwarf freely, but rather at his wife’s insistence…” he added with an undisguised scowl.
“And that’s why he is called the Wise, isn’t it, my lord?” The Queen’s serene voice could not hide her amusement, as she let her hand run lightly along Thranduil’s face. Absolutely loved this!
And I loved the trophies/gifts Legolas brought home with him. That was a great idea. But all is not perfect as we see in Legolas's uneasiness in several places here. Sad. I am very anxious to see how his family will react to learning of his plans and of the sea longing.
Author's reply
Yes, how the poor horse managed to get used to such a different type of master always got me wondering! Glad you picked that up! :-)
Well, I for one do not dare coming "home" without presents, so it was fun to figure out what he would be bringing.
The sea-longing thing always made me curious, as well as Legolas' fate. I always found it difficult to see that his had been a perfect, "happy ending", what! for a wood elf to be "sentenced" to never again find peace under his trees... so I concluded that his tale was longer, and his reward just a bit way ahead.
Thanks for following, and for your kind comments...
French Pony
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 5: Home is...
What a reunion! That was long-awaited and well-earned. And presents for all, as well. Yet, I like seeing that not everything is as it was, that there are tears even in the midst of the laughter.
Author's reply
I am honoured that you found time to make your way through this inconsiderately long chapter, despite your tight schedule. Go you!
I like seeing that not everything is as it was And how could it? They shall surely have tales to trade until they reach Valinor...and all in one single year. Enough to give an Elf a fit!
Nilmandra
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 5: Home is...
It is so sad to see Legolas not able to hear the trees as he used to be able to, and to not find the peace he had hoped for in going home. Not only is his own heart not at peace, he finds his family in similar circumstance - a family broken by death and shadow and disobedience. It will be very hard, I think, for Legolas to find the right time to bring up his hopes for Ithilien, esp once his family learns of his sea longing. The Quest really did take him from them.
Author's reply
The Quest really did take him from them.
I figured as much. Galadriel's words never seemed a good omen to me..(and Legolas doesn't take them as very encouraging either in LOTR...)
Some tales just take longer to reach their happy ending...
daw the minstrel
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 5: Home is...
What a great chapter. I loved seeing Legolas arrive and start to discover what's been going on at home. I predict it won't take his family long to realize that something is up with him too, poor elf.
Author's reply
Yep, updating there must have taken quite long... Thanks for following, despute the dely!