The Last Age of Elves: A Precious Find by fael bain
Laureleaf · 21 June 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
I came back only to find that this was sadly at an end, but glad to see the story continued in another installment! What a beautiful way to draw this set to a close - I do enjoy your work!
Author's reply
Thank you. I am glad you liked it, and that you liked the ending. Hopefully you will like the next one as much!
mistry89 · 9 June 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
Thank you - I've enjoyed this enormously. Poignant and thoughtful and a little fluuff to lighten it - all rolled up together. I've said it elsewhere, but it is true that I feel that Legolas is a "different" elf - not only is he less highbrow than the ancient ones we get to know in LOTR, but one gets the impression (well, I do!) that he is unusual above and beyond that ... so any exploration of those things that may have made him into the adult we see in LOTR is fascinating. I look forward to the sequel :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it. You are perfectly right in Legolas seeming very different, and I've just used the easiest excuse: he's younger than all of them! The sequel will definitely be a lot lighter, which really isn't a bad thing. x
lothmentar · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
AHHHH!!!! it has ended! *sob*....*wipes tear away* I really liked this story, and I would dearly love a companion piece to this. Great job, I loved all the emotions of the characters.
Author's reply
Thank you very much! One companion piece coming right up reaaally soon!
Bodkin · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
I love the mayhem to create memories! And the philosophical musings on the passage of time. The pendant is a good way to create a feeling of unity between Elrohir and Legolas and I'm fairly sure that, if these two have anything to do with it, visits between Imladris and Mirkwood will become much warmer and more regular. Elrond and Elladan must be deeply relieved to see Elrohir restored to himself. It's taken a while, but he is healing. And Thranduil will be deeply relieved to have his little one back.
Author's reply
Yes, there are things which the younger generation can achieve because they start with a fresher slate. Less memories and pain to cloud the mind. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Larner · 31 May 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
It was time and time, I think.
Author's reply
Thanks for staying with the tale. I'm glad you liked it! =) x
Agape4Gondor · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
Many tearful hugs and wet kisses are bestowed upon fael bain for sharing this! Drat - and I'd say something worse if I could - but I really didn't want to read this chapter. Yet it was even better than I thought! You did a superb job with this whole tale - but the last was like eating the best chocolate after an incredible meal.... I loved the mischief - I loved that it was only a gloss on the tale - that the emotions were the meat - it speaks very well of your writing. Many thanks for a wonderful tale and PLEASE put me on the list for updates on a sequel. Bravo!
Author's reply
Hullo and thanks for your very warm reception of the story. There is something quite sastisfying to have your work compared to chocolate. Well, maybe that is just me. I think every story should have light bits as well as more 'serious' ones, and Legolas is a child after all. Still, I am always aware that too much sweetness and light can get a bit cloying. No, there is no such things as too much chocolate, but you get my point! Will let you know as soon as the next one comes out! x
vampfan30 · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
we are all sad to see this sweet little story go, but, if a sequal is in the works, then we will try to wait as patiently as possible for it......
Author's reply
I am glad you liked it. The sequel is due very soon, provided these blasted exams don't get the better of me! Just a few more tweaks and it should be ready to see daylight! x
Elflingimp · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
I cant imagine you not writing a sequel,your ending only makes me want to know what happens next! I wonder why his father himself did not come to get him thou, but anyway great story cant wait for more.
Author's reply
Thank you. Thranduil's story is definitely wanting to be told, but I fear you will have to wait for that! Part of it is explained in 'Shadow', though, if you can plough through that very very long story. ;) I think it's somewhere in Chapter 57, but don't quote me on that! Lol. x
Fire · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 9: All Things Must Pass
A lovely ending to a lovely story. I for one can't wait for more of this so please do let me now when you write more. And good luck on your exams!
Author's reply
Thank you, Fire. They're almost over! Do you have an email address I can send a heads-up to? I should have the new story ready fairly soon! x
Galimeril · 20 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
Great chapter, but small deer are called fawns, baby cows are called calves. I look forward to your next update!
Author's reply
Oops, how embarrassing. Thanks for pointing it out. I have corrected it now!
Bodkin · 18 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
Legolas took that better than he might have done. (Although he seems a bit too worried about Elrohir's possible romantic entanglements.) Considering how averse he was to any attempt to discover his family, he seems resigned to being sent home and separated from his new 'family'. I hope that says good things about his relationship with his father and brother, because they must be desperate to see him again after all this time. Fingers crossed for a happy ending to this.
Author's reply
Children can be very jealous of romantic entanglements that adults they are close to might get embroiled in, because they think it will mean abandoment and loss of attention. But I am sure both Legolas and Elrohir will take it in its context and into their stride! Yes, I think that Legolas really loves his family, and he knows that he loves him. He only left because in his child's mind he thought he had to after having been so 'weak', and so that is why he cannot go back. Now that Elrohir has told him otherwise, I think he has finally understood what has happened and accepts that he will be parted from his new family in Imladris (although like Elrohir says, it will only be temporary).
Agape4Gondor · 17 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
I hate to say this - but I have become totally hooked on this tale. I so love Roh and Lass' friendship. I hate to see it ending.
Author's reply
Thank you. I think the friendship is absolutely beautiful too. I do have ideas about out-takes and sequels, so keep your eye out for them!
Larner · 17 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
So the lad is identified at last. And why does one need CARVING tools to extricate Gwenopher from the forest, we wonders? Well done.
Author's reply
Lol. That's the bit I'm going to leave to your imagination. ;) I think Legolas has his own reasons, and his own little tricks he loves to pull on poor unsuspecting folk who are taken in by his sweet appearance.
Fire · 16 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
So the secret is finaly out. Poor Legolas thinking he's disgraced his father because he was crying when his mother died. But like Elrohir tels him he is indeed a force to be reconed with, and will grow even more powerful as he grows older. It's very sweet of him feeling so thankfull after Elrohir tells him he will see them all after he's left for Mirkwood. After all they really are like family to him now. Though I do not doubt that Thranduil will not like him calling Elrond ada ;)
Author's reply
Yes, Legolas really has gone through quite a lot, and it's really nice that he's found a second family, although undoubtedly Thranduil does care for him. It's just sometimes very difficult for as proud and strong a character as Thranduil to show affection for a little boy, and I don't think he really knows how to handle both his own grief and that of his son. It was all a horrible misunderstanding, and I'm glad it's all going to be better for little Legolas soon.
Laureleaf · 16 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
Thankfully, he didn't run this time - though the ending sounded a bit disconcerting. So did you mean the end of the confrontation or the story? I hope not the story - it seemed like you were going to show how Elrond and Thranduil began to let go of the past as well as their sons did!
Author's reply
Actually the reconciliation between Elrond and Thranduil happens in another story of mine (the first part of the Shadow series), and I only have another chapter left of this one. But I do have plans to add out-takes and also for a sequel to this!
vampfan30 · 16 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Secret Revealed
just picked up on this story a few days ago & am enjoying it immensely!! It's not too difficult to imagine Legolas as a child ;impish & a troublemaker sounds about right!
Author's reply
Thank you and I am glad you like it. Yes, Legolas does seem to fit into the roguish boy sort of mould although I can't for the life of me say why it just seems to work!
Bodkin · 11 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
Agile elves finding themselves able to give into their grief as they look down on Imladris. I think it will do them good. And if little Lass is able to understand the difference between death and sailing, it will probably help him come to terms with being left - after all, there is no choice involved in being sent to Namo's Halls, and no voluntary abandonment. Elrohir is old enough to know that his mother didn't have any choice either - the ability to comprehend shades of grey comes with maturity. I hope they both begin to forgive themselves now.
Author's reply
I believe one of the motivating factors in Legolas's confusion about what happened was the thought of his beloved mother leaving him without so much as a goodbye. Elrohir, though, needed the time to understand that while his mother did sail away, she would have died if she stayed behind. I don't think Elrond and Celebrían even contemplated the thought of any of their children going with her, as to do so would only be to make them lose the peredhel's choice. Elrond, on the other hand, has Imladris and his children to watch after. Elrohir had to come to terms with that, and it seems that he has finally done so.
Fire · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
Another lovely chapter. I love the place where Legolas takes Elrohir, and I love the way you descibe Legolas's easy way of climbing up the cliff. He's really like a squirell sometimes :) It good that finaly the dam breaks for both of them. And to see Elrohir finaly letting his grief go in tears, it will not stop the pain but it will make it easier. I just wonder where Elladan is, should'nt he be back at Imladris as well by now??
Author's reply
Thanks! I wish I had a home as beautiful as Imladris too! And I admit Legolas's agility has got to be film-inspired (the way he scaled the oliphaunt was simply beautiful to watch!).
Larner · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
Yes, each has offered easing and comfort to the other. Well done, Fael Bain.
Author's reply
Thank you. I liked drawing the parallels between their shared pain through the gap of years between them. Despite his age, Elrohir is still Elrond and Celebrían's little boy.
Laureleaf · 8 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
Yeah! Finally we see the combined dam break! So, hopefully Elladan is alright, or at least Elrohir will sense it when things start to go downhill, Right? Little Legolas is really not very efficient with the whole "flight" comcept, is he - or rather, he's really wanting to be found? I love how your leading this story - giving us both enough to keep us happy, but always anticipating the next chapter before we fining the one we read!
Author's reply
Hmm, there are quite a few of you worried about Elladan, which never really occured to me. And about the fleeing, I do believe one of the interpretations could be that without knowing it, Legolas knows the twins can help him, but needs a catalyst to make Elrohir really speak to him truthfully.
Mystwing · 8 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
This is a wonderful story. I think the feeling of grief really comes out. And it's a beautiful telling of how Legolas and the twins become friends.
Author's reply
Thank you. It's so trite but true that believable stories are those which come from the heart, and there were parts of it very personal to me. Everybody has suffered loss in some shape or form, but it is through accepting it finally that you learn so much.
Jay of Lasgalen · 8 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
Another lovely chapter. Healing tears from both of them - it's what they both need. For Elrohir, it's been a long time indeed. The view of Imladris from the top of the waterfall was truly beautiful - I could see it so clearly. I liked Elrohir seeing it anew as well - it's too easy to take our surroundings for granted. Does the fact that Elladan hasn't returned mean I should be worried about him? Jay
Author's reply
Not all tears are bad, and healing ones are sad but necessary. I'm glad you liked the picture I had in my mind; it is such a beautiful one I was afraid words would not have conveyed the feeling well enough. You're right about taking our surroundings for granted, as I often find myself rueing that England doesn't have the majesty of the Alps but forget about the beautiful Wolds just a step away from London. As for Elladan, you'll just have to read the next (almost-finished) chapter!
Elflingimp · 8 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Truth Be Told
Well all I did was cry, I am glad they have each other for support. I still dont know why Legolas wont go back to his father thou, I am curious about that.its was a very emotional chapter but I love this story cant wait for more.
Author's reply
Awww, sorry. But I'm sure it was a good thing somehow! The next chapter is almost done, which will hopefully answer most of your questions.
Agape4Gondor · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 6: They Deserve Our Grief
I would really not want to be Elrond or his two sons. It is a hard thing to lose someone this close. Guilt would assail them all in some way or the other. To have had silence about this last so long is a tragedy. Very glad Lass is helping the family talk. Nice job!
Author's reply
Thank you. They were also terribly close to losing Elrohir, who is only just being slowly returned to them. By rallying around another tragedy, they have learnt to deal with an earlier one which was previously unresolved. It's quite tragically beautiful, I think.
Bodkin · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 6: They Deserve Our Grief
Nothing like a good bit of naughty, filthy elfling to take an unhappy un-self-forgiving elf out of himself. Elrond can be very grateful to little Lass. And so can Elrohir! I love the gift from Celebrian to Elrohir. Elrond needed to wait for his son's guard to crack before giving it to him, but now seems just the right moment. And I can see that the healing of Elrohir as well as protecting Lass mean that this is not the moment to make a fuss about finding the elfling's family - but that cannot go on too long. The child's family would be frantic - I'm only surprised that desperation hasn't already sent them towards Elrond. Still. The story's requirements demand a longer period of recovery - can't argue with that!
Author's reply
Yes, and he to them for being so kind to him. I think Thranduil probably did not think to ask Elrond because he's underestimated the determination of his boy, thinking the Mountains would be enough to deter him. Also, I don't think Legolas has told them why he fled, so it will be anybody's guess what happened to him.