Fire
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 6: They Deserve Our Grief
So Legolas is trying to destroy Imladris is he, just like the twins when they where younger. It great to see their antics being returned to them :)
It's also very good to see Elrohir finaly tell wath has been such a burden for him.
One little note: You slipped up with Elrond mentioning that he's been trying to gather clues of Legolas's identity... this should be Lass's identity. If they knew already his name was Legolas they would have known who he is, and have send word to Mirkwood.
Author's reply
Argh, you're right, thank you! That's the problem with trying to work separate states of knowledge into work. I get muddled so easily.
Yes, I think the twins are horrified at being on the receiving end of it for a change. It must be quite a shock to realise how much havoc they had managed to wreck as children.
Larner
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 6: They Deserve Our Grief
Legolas is indeed helping Elrohir at last speak openly of why he has reacted as he has all these years. And he does sound quite the scamp! Love to see practical jokes being played.
Author's reply
Yes, his love for Elrohir has helped the older one understand that he should feel proud that another admires him so much, and that he should not blame himself for feeling love for Legolas too.
I can't imagine a Legolas who isn't spirited as a child, because he does come across as being so lively in the books. Sometimes I overdo the fluff-factor, but it's still fun to write at any rate.
Larner
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
You should use "disentangle" here rather than "entangle". Lovely description of Legolas trying to understand the concept of death and looking to see his mother again if he only makes it to the West. Too young to fully understand; not old enough to appreciate just what is happening; and finding someone else who understands for similar reasons. And to reawaken Legolas is needed now.
Author's reply
Thanks for the correction! I think his understanding of it is still flawed, and the poor boy has nowhere to turn but to Elrohir, which can only be a good thing for them both.
Larner
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
Oh, the refusal to admit his full identity and origins is believable enough. Clever young ellon to seek to follow his mother as he can. Certainly will allow Elrohir to empathize with him no matter what his own intent. Poor child! Am looking forward to the story of how he lost his mother.
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so. I think realising that there are other people going through the same thing is always helpful. To put it crudely: misery loves company. But it's an even better thing if the company allows you to pull yourself out of it.
Larner
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 3: His Name
So, is Legolas in search of his mother? Sounds interesting. And good to see Elrohir is beginning to waken emotionally. Legolas's first important work in Middle Earth.
Author's reply
Yes he's quite a 'destiny boy' it seems. But Elrohir is starting to realise that he cannot hide from everything, and who better to teach him that than a wee 'un?
Elflingimp
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 6: They Deserve Our Grief
That would be a horrible thing to live with,Im glad Elrohir is better after all he needs to be to help Legolas who is only an elfling to understand his feelings which is not to easy when hes(Elrohir) still messed on the inside Thanks great chapter I love this story!
Author's reply
Thank you. Fixing one thing at a time helps, and yes, Legolas is still hurting very badly inside, despite the brief respite with his antics.
Elflingimp
· 28 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
In regards to your last comment about your characters,I believe thats why we all read thede stories,which are heart rending but comforting.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who feels such warm affection for my characters! ;)
Laureleaf
· 27 April 2006
· Chapter 6: They Deserve Our Grief
Soooo, now we know why their mother went alone, why Elrohir tried to isolate himself, and better yet, the twins are getting some of their own medacine with Legolas's antics! I like how you left Legolas's future uncertain to Elrond...and how you hinted that his future was tied into Elrohir's somehow.
Better and Better! Can't wait for the rest - I just hope that if you eventually touch on the father/son relationship in Murkwood, it's a posative one.
Author's reply
Don't worry about that, because I am vocally anti Evil!Thranduil, and he'll never abuse Legolas in any of my stories.
Yes, I like to think that while Elrond might be able to see into the future, it's always in flux depending on what choices we make. I'm still a naïve believer in free-choice!
Agape4Gondor
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
Fall in love with your characters! They are too good not too! I'm enjoying this very much. Your Legolas is not too sickly sweet, your Elrohir is coming along great, and I love Elladan! And his love and concern for his brother.
Enjoying this thoroughly!
Agape
Author's reply
Thank you! I am glad Legolas isn't too cloying. Only too often I come across stories where children are Mary-Sues. They are surprisingly more adult-like than we give them credit for, and I had hoped to do justice to that.
Laureleaf
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
Lass is like water under Elrohir's defenses - slowly washing them away without him realizing it. I like how Roh is caught trying to figure out how to explain death to a small one (as it may actually help him as well) and I like to see how Lass's attachment to Roh continues to grow. It will be interesting to see how Elrohir worms legolas's info from him!
Author's reply
What a lovely metaphor you have given! Elrohir undoubtedly has his work cut out for him, although I doubt he will see it as a chore!
Lianna
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
The question, of course, is whether your characters feed off each other in a good way or a bad one. Only you can decide, I suppose.
I think that Elrohir's situation is actually worse than Legolas's. Eventually, someone will be able to explain to Legolas that even though his mom will eventually show up in Aman, it's going to be a very long time before she gets there, and he may as well stay with people he knows in the meantime. But the same explanation doesn't work for Elrohir, does it?
I've often wondered why everyone in Celebrian's family chose to stay with Elrond, rather than having at least one person go West with her. It seems a bit brutal to send her alone, especially since she doesn't seem to have any immediate family in Aman (her parents are in Lorien, and I've never heard of any siblings). Perhaps you will be the one to tell us why it happened the way it did.
This chapter is a good lesson in why death should be explained to children accurately and carefully. What a mess Legolas has gotten into because he didn't understand what had happened!
Author's reply
I think at the moment it's in a good way. I enjoy playing with the contrasts between the fully grown elf and the little one, because they don't realise how similar they are.
You've brought up a very good point about Celebrían's leaving. I hadn't thought about it, but am sure it's a good springboard for many a storyline.
Yes, Legolas has gotten himself into a right fix, but I suppose those close to him would have been grieving over their own losses, and found it difficult to control their own emotions while explaining it to him. Thranduil was very affected by his father's death, and losing his Queen must have made it seem to him as if every one of his family was being torn from him. I don't think he would have been in a fit state to sit Legolas down and explain it carefully to him, which is very unfortunate indeed.
Fire
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
This is going to be a tough one indeed. Just how do you explain dead to someone so small??
Elrohir is really starting to break up isn't he.. turning away so Lass can't see the tear. Still trying to be a tough guy but hardly being able to do so, this is just what he needs. A little elfling that's going straight to his heart ;)
And Lass trying to bribe him in to not finding out who he is. Cleeaver little squirt isn't he?
Smart thinking though by Elrohir not promising anything to Lass without his ada's advise.
Keep up the writing I can't wait for the next update.
Author's reply
I don't even think explaining death (especially if unexpected or unscheduled) to an adult is possible.
Elrohir has spent so long trying to be impermeable to those around him that he's finding it difficult to accept Legolas affecting him so much. A change about him has occured without him knowing enough to fight against it, and I'm glad for that!
Bodkin
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 5: Alone
Falling in love with your character? Isn't that compulsory? (Well, more or less. Sauron is a bit hard to love.)
as if somebody had taken a knife and scraped out every last piece of his insides Lovely evocative bit of description there!
The poor elfling finds it so hard to understand loss - it will probably be very helpful to him to know that others also suffer and learn to live with it for the sake of others. And Elrohir needs that innocence and trust to reach a part of him that isn't open to his father and brother. Being together will be very good for them.
Author's reply
Yeah, the evil ones are a bit difficult to not want to stab. =)
Thanks very much for your really encouraging comments. I think explaining loss to any child is difficult. I still remember being confused about the concept of it; people were crying, and us children were herded into a corner without really knowing what was happening. And I agree that it might take someone with a completely fresh perspective to make you accept your loss, which is what Elrohir really needs. Certainly, even hearing a simple 'death sucks' might be enough to jolt you into the next stage of grief.
Elflingimp
· 19 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
Well that was a heartwarming chapter,I love this story it is playing out well, it is believable when I read it about Legolas identity of course I recognized who he was but I dont see why Elrohir or Elleden would,they really wouldnt have a clue
Author's reply
Thank you. I am glad that people seem to think that Elladan and Elrohir will be clueless as to who he is, and only know what he has told them.
Agape4Gondor
· 19 April 2006
· Chapter 2: Healing
Nah! Not silly - I fully understand how things 'get into' stories - things we
authors had no intention of putting in at that particular moment - or at all,
for that matter.
I liked it enough to send the title off to a friend who is an 'elf lover' - my
particular love happens to be the men of Gondor - but I still like an elf tale
now and again!
It is good - continue to have fun writing it!
Agape4Gondor
Author's reply
Thanks for understanding. I hope your friend likes it, and I'm glad that you enjoyed this even though you prefer Gondorians! ;)
Agape4Gondor
· 19 April 2006
· Chapter 2: Healing
Hi, just found this little tale and am enjoying it immensely - read through chapter 4 - but wanted to comment here...
Others might have noted that this was Legolas - I had not and felt disappointed by the A/N at the bottom of this chapter. I would have preferred discovering it thru one of the characters... or not at all...
Just a thought.
But I love it anyhow - put it on my 'notify me' list for the next chapter. I very much enjoy the twins relationship and Elrond's sadness. Very nice indeed.
Author's reply
Aii! I am such a muppet! I really didn't realise that I had done it, having already known who he is myself! I fully intended to work it into the text (which I think I did in Chapter 4), and am really sorry about the little slip-up, which has been corrected. Ugh.
Thanks for letting me know, and I hope you still continue to enjoy it in spite of my silliness!
eliza
· 19 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
Dear Fael,
You have a wonderful, wonderful story going here. I admit it is one of my favorites & I regularly check for updates. (Yes, that was a shamelessly bad attempt to get you to update quickly. LOL).
No I don't think Legolas's refusal to tell the twins where he is from, too unbelievable at all. I'm taking that in this story Legolas is the equivalent to a small human boy, so in his mind his reasoning makes perfect sense. Actually if you have any experience with toddlers, they often leave you thinking that the adult is the crazy one and let's not even start in on how stubborn they can be...
Very happy to see Elrohir returning to the land of the living & feeling again.
Hope to meet again soon, your fan
Eliza
Author's reply
Updates will be regular for this one, because I am trapped at home trying to finish a dissertation, and what better procrastination than to write about little Legolas?
I don't have any experience with toddlers and am actually quite glad for that! Actually I lie; I do know how ridiculous they can be, and how their refusal to give me answers that I need for a research project on the development of syntax in toddlers made me tear my hair out in grief. That aside, I am glad most people seem to agree with my characterisation of Legolas, and also how positive the response has been regarding Elrohir's healing.
Laureleaf
· 19 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
Elrohir forgot for an entire day to remain aloof! The wall is starting to rapidly crumble...And I also agree. Legolas is a little leery of so accomplished elf-lords and knows they will want to send word to his father. My question is, how come the King has not sent word of his missing elfling - even if only out of desperate hope?
Author's reply
Yes Elrohir forgets that he is supposed to be angry and distant to everybody. Thranduil hasn't sent word probably because he didn't think Legolas has made it this far, and also because the relations between the kingdoms have yet to thaw after Dargolad. I probably should have made that more obvious in the story, though.
Bodkin
· 19 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
Legolas did well to get out of his room and find the stables to make another attempt at running. He's clearly quite a devious little elfling - and very single-minded. I wonder if Elrohir will spot the resemblance?
I'm glad they caught up with him. He certainly isn't well enough for antics like this. Does he know just how far it is to the Havens? Come to that, how did he get all this distance from Mirkwood without his father's warriors catching up with him? Or, worse, a bunch of orcs?
I loved little Lass waking up in Elrohir's arms. Very sweet and reassuring.
Author's reply
I think it was pure luck and determination that he managed to cross the pass to get this far. Clearly he wasn't in good shape by the time the elements were done with him. He also probably hasn't given the thought about needing a ship much thought either!
I enjoy making the story as fluffy as possible, which I think is needed to balance the somewhat heavy subject-matter of it!
Nikara
· 18 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
The refusal isn't surprising, but I do think that the story would be better served by not naming Legolas as such, instead just calling him Lass. We all knew who he was, but to remind the reader what the elves know, using his nickname would make a bit more sense. Other than that minor quibble, this is an excellent story. I can't wait to read more!
Author's reply
Thank you. I will try to add more hints to how the others don't know who he is yet, although I might just give up and start calling him by his nickname!
Fire
· 18 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
So the twins kindness will be repayed one day... He's clearly his father sons isn't he, speaking way to much like an adult for his age... He has been brought up like a real prince hasn't he??
I don't think his refusal of his name is unbelieveble, after all he is the king's son. Giving his name would've meant that they would sent word to his father immediatly, and he's just trying to get to his mother.
Author's reply
Legolas is indeed trying his best to be a lot older than his age, and that in itself is lovely to explore further. It's also quite fragile, I think, and also has interesting parallels with what Elrohir has done after Celebrían's attack.
galimeril
· 18 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
I love it! Keep up the great work. I find it believable that he would refuse to reveal his identity, after all, elven pride is legendary! Update soon! ;D
Author's reply
Thank you. You are right in Legolas being incredibly stubborn, just like his father!
Angelelf
· 18 April 2006
· Chapter 4: Wild Flight West
Good story. I thought it was obvious who the elfling was but I could see why he would not want anyone to know who he was and so kept the information to himself. It has always seemed that Mirkwood was much more stringent on status than Elrond's realm and therefore Legolas would be more straightlaced. Just my opinion though. Good job.
Author's reply
Yep I always thought Mirkwood seems very much more interested in status because they need it. After all, Oropher is not one of the Silvan Elves, and it might be because of that he needs to re-affirm his authority by making sure there is a strict-hierarchy enforced upon them.
Laureleaf
· 18 April 2006
· Chapter 3: His Name
It is great to watch how the story is progressing. I love how you show that the strong connection of the twins is still there (Ellidan's ability to still feel some of his brothers feelings) - even though Elrohir is trying to shut everyone out. It's just a guess, but I bet "Roh" and "Lass" are going to help each other get over the loss of their nana's...
Author's reply
Thank you for noticing. I do really enjoy writing about the bond shared by the twins, and it's a pleasure when readers notice and love it too.
Bodkin
· 15 April 2006
· Chapter 3: His Name
Elrond and Elladan will always be grateful to little Lass. Perhaps seeing the effects of grief in someone else will be the best thing for Elrohir - he seems most affected by the little one.
I just loved the way the elfling referred to the twins as people he had learned about in his history lessons. That must be so disconcerting for them - I daresay they still think of themselves as little more than lads themselves.
I'm looking forward to hearing more of little Lass's story. His family must be frantic at the moment - but at least he seems to be recovering physically.
Author's reply
I can imagine the twins will be rather surprised to be confronted by people who know about them without having met them, especially one so young. But they are sons of Elrond and have performed great deeds, whether or not they think it is so. Elrohir in particular is very affected by how simple and complex little Elflings can be at the same time, so hopefully he will come out into the open again soon.