Bodkin
· 14 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Sing We And Chant It
The poor kids. They have seen so much more than any adult would wish them to have experienced. The dance may well bring them to some accommodation with what has happened - but removal to Ithilien does seem a good idea for quite a few of them. At least until their scars - and the Greenwood's - have a chance to heal a bit.
I love the thought of Legolas taking the traditions of his past with him. And he seems to have come to terms with Ithilien as his future. Must be hard on Thranduil, though.
Karri
· 11 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Sing We And Chant It
Ah, I missed this. That's what I get for not reading much fanfic lately. Well, its terrific. I love seeing that mask again with a grown up Legolas! And the glimpses of culture that you give us are just fantastic.
Agape4Gondor
· 10 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Sing We And Chant It
Phew - I had to take a breath and step back for a moment. One of your most beautiful chapters. The dance rehearsals were incredible. I loved the timing! Perfect.
Thank you for a most delightful moment of peace and beauty and joy.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 10 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Sing We And Chant It
I love your descriptions of the dance and the music, and the emotions it stirs in the dancers. It's clearly exhausting, skilled and demanding, and has a primal energy that links to the elves' bond with the forest and its creatures.
I really like the idea that the tradition will be continued in Ithilien - Legolas and his people will have their own, unique celebrations, but maintain the best of the Greenwood's festivals. Lovely.
Jay
Manderly
· 10 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Sing We And Chant It
What a wonderful chapter! The Masque was the perfect closure to all that the Wood Elves have suffered all these years. Yes, sacrifices have been made that have affected the oldest to the very young, but there is now a sense of renewed hope. And it makes perfect sense now why so many have followed Legolas to Ithilien. I think Legolas has come up with the perfect solution for those teetering between staying and sailing over the seas.
Manderly
· 10 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Let The Worst Be Known
I am so glad that both Legolas and Thranduil came out relatively unscathed in the spider accident. In some way, I think the incident actually helped Legolas break through some of the barriers that had somehow erected themselves around him. Thranduil is such a wonderful father in that even though injured, his first and only concern was for Legolas.
The discussion between Luindil and Doronrin was rather thought-provoking. I am sure most of us at one point or another have questioned the issue of after life and whether it really exists. I guess elves are no different than us mortals.
So Legolas is off to Ithilien with Thranduil's full approval. I suppose Thranduil is so relieved that Legolas is not sailing over the seas that anywhere else in Arda that his son chooses to go is more than acceptable. After all, like he said, it is only a matter of distance.
daw the minstrel
· 10 July 2006
· Chapter 7: Sing We And Chant It
The ending of this chapter moved me. Death and rebirth and dancing in the dark (oh wait, that's Bruce Springsteen).
I love little Faron. I want him to get a new big boy cup.
Nilmandra
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Let The Worst Be Known
Poor Thranduil... battered by his own forest and it seems as if Legolas has reverted to his childhood, so fragile are his emotions. Fortunately, Thranduil was reasonable about Ithilien... perhaps he sess that he will lose his son eventualy to the sea anyway? But as a father, willing to give his son wings.
Nilmandra
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
I was thinking it must be great comfort for sons to know that others have faced the same horrors in war that they have. No father wants his son to fight, they all want their battle to be the last, but that experience, even if shared so long apart, ties them together in ways others perhaps cannot understand.
How depressing for Legolas to realize the sea longing will never go away. Was it this bad the remaining time with the Fellowship, or is it being home that has made it worse?
elliska
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Let The Worst Be Known
Poor Legolas--after everything he saw in the war, seeing his father nearly killed would likely be the straw that broke the camel's back. But it turned out ok, thankfully. My favorite part of this chapter was, of course, the conversation between Thranduil and Legolas. I loved everything about that. You do such a good job showing how important these two are to one another and how much they love each other. Great!
elliska
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 5: The Autumn Tempest Rising
Finally catching up--so sorry to be so far behind...
My favorite part of this was seeing Thranduil and Legolas out in the forest again, this time hunting. And their conversation about the sea was great. And I enjoyed the happy match-making conversation--good to see some more signs of healing amongst all the loss. But the ending made me glad I was reading this late after you had already posted the next chapter. I can't believe you left Thranduil under a tree branch! :-)
Bodkin
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Let The Worst Be Known
Phew - Thranduil's not too badly hurt and Legolas managed to deal with the dangers until he was sure his adar was safe. And the elves who need to move elsewhere are gathering. Ithilien is a bit like a convalescent home for heart-sore war victims.
On another note - I love the way Legolas leans on his adar and the way his adar calls him little mouse. So sweet. They both need their relationship with each other to keep them strong - and they don't want it to change. But change happens anyway.
Agape4Gondor
· 3 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Let The Worst Be Known
NEAT chapter!!! I love where everything seems to be headed - towards Ithilien. Touching moment with T and L before the fire - and your other characters are coming into their own.
Again - nice chapter!!!
daw the minstrel
· 3 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Let The Worst Be Known
I can see why some of Thranduil's people would choose to leave the site of such a disaster for them. It's something I hadn't thought about before.
These folks are eating some weird stuff. But nuts and onions actually sounds like a good combination.
Bodkin
· 29 June 2006
· Chapter 5: The Autumn Tempest Rising
Ha! Sounds as if Neldorin is definitely up for a move. That's three who will be willing to go with Legolas. The dancing sounds as if it's doing them both good. And, of course, Thranduil's fierce devotion is enough to provide some ground beneath Legolas's feet on its own.
Doronrin, too, poor elleth, is beginning to sound a bit better - and a wedding is always a good thing! Gives her a reason to look forward.
But the ride in the woods did not end well! Between spiders and falling branches, Someone's going to get hurt - and it sounds as if it's Thranduil.
Manderly
· 27 June 2006
· Chapter 5: The Autumn Tempest Rising
That was an evil place to leave off the chapter. Things were going so well that this last little bit caught me by surprise. I hope Thranduil comes out relatively unscathed. The last thing that Legolas needs now is more guilt heaped on him.
It was so nice seeing the elves resuming a life that had been interrrupted by the Shadow, fretting over everyday things like shelter and food. I love those little details. Makes the Elves seem almost like us mortals in that they are also dependent on the mundane things of everyday living.
Agape4Gondor
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 5: The Autumn Tempest Rising
Oh wow! That was a little too real. We had a tree branch fall from one of the mighty oaks in my community and two people were killed by it.
Wow - I loved the rest of the tale - but I'm still shivering over the ending!
Gwynhyffar
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 5: The Autumn Tempest Rising
Well, things don't seem ALL bad. There are signs of the forest healing and Legolas is doing a little better since he has something to focus his energies on instead of thinking about things. Still a very melancholy tone, though. I'm looking forward to the woodelves being able to chart their progress by greater measures.
Thranduil getting buried by a falling limb is NOT one of those ways!
daw the minstrel
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 5: The Autumn Tempest Rising
It looks like recovery is underway, but that doesn't undo everything that happened and can't prevent stuff like falling tree limbs. Legolas was able to act to save his father, and that's good.
Idhreniel
· 23 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
Nice story! I like the way you treated Legolas' return!!!
Bodkin
· 23 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
Visible wounds are so much easier to deal with. Even visible wounds in conjunction with psychological injury. But standing apparently unharmed and bleeding inside - much harder.
Dancing might help - cathartic. So might a certain dwarf - poor Luinil will just have to learn to see him as a short hairy elf. And then, the suggestion of another damaged forest. And time with his father - talking about his mother. But Thranduil is right - something is broken, and cannot be returned as it was before.
elliska
· 21 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
Poor Legolas--you are doing a great job of showing how the Sea Longing is affecting him. At least he retains enough control to apologize in the end. But my favorite part of this was then end with Legolas and Thranduil in the forest. I love the idea of the time with the Ents bringing Legolas even closer to the trees and I just love the picture you painted in my head of father and son in the forest. Great chapter!
Manderly
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
Legolas must really be feeling the aftermath of the war to hold such a low opinion of himself, but then lack of sleep can really wear a person (or an elf in this case) down. Thank goodness that he has Thranduil for a father. I hope the undertaking to dance at the Masque will do the trick for Legolas as it did for Thranduil those many years ago.
That ride through the woods with the father and son was beautifully written. After all that they have gone through, these elves deserve some serious down time just to frolick.
Gwynhyffar
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
Poor Legolas having such a difficult time after such trauma. I think he would benefit from a visit from Gimli - or a visit to Gimli. It's always much easier to talk about horrible things with other people who were there than it is to talk about them with someone who wasn't and might look at you with that look or shock, horror and pity on their face.
I'm looking forward to seeing Legolas learning the dance that helped Thranduil.
Agape4Gondor
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
I've missed a few chapters, but am now caught up.
I find it very difficult to write of the sufferings of those who survived the war - you did it very well. Not too detailed to draw away from the pain, but deep enough to hurt. If that makes any sense whatsoever!