Reviews (21)

Leonin · 30 November 2008 · Chapter 1: Imladris

Le Rouret: It seems that I have misjudged this wonderful story. Just read it again. Did you revise it(I definitely remember a different beginning)? I just finished the first chapter and am looking forward to the second. Well done!

TithenFeredir · 5 June 2008 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

I just read the whole story at one sitting. The premise was intriguing as I have also wondered what moved Legolas to sing for the funeral they gave Boromir. I think you capture Legolas as Tolkien wrote him, and with his musings you illuminate the characteristics that Tolkien gave him in a wonderfully delicate balance. His relative age and relative youth, his capacity for joy and deep wells of grief, his curiosity and willingness to serve and his loneliness and longing for home and kin all came across beautifully. There was just so much depth hinted at in the way you wrote him, his presence on the Quest felt like an interval in the much larger context of is long life. And though you wrote him as mostly gentle and self-effacing, I really enjoyed this bit where his temper flares: “Abase me not, impudent child! Think you I have not coveted some magical token for mine own Lord Father to battle Dol Guldur’s stinking minions? Alone and ringless does my sire hold back evil from his kingdom, for his power and lineage is of Doriath and he has stood firm ere the Necromancer came to his kingdom. Had he one of the Three he could stand upon the ramparts of your city, to throw it down and build thereupon an Elven realm to rival Gondolin! Go to Minas Tirith alone then, and ask no more help of the Elves, for we have fought Morgoth’s slave since before the first stone was laid in your city!” That was nicely put, and Boromir had it coming. Talk about royal indignation! I also loved your Boromir. He oozed nobility and commitment to his warrior's discipline and yet he just couldn't "unbend" even when he tried. All of the characters were distinctly themselves. Although this story is mostly about the interaction with the characters you do some wonderful descriptive prose. For example I was amazed at how you were able to describe so many soap bubbles ~~ all of them different and drawn in vivid detail. "I place the mouthpiece of the pipe to my lips. I taste tar, smoke. I ease a glistening ball from the bowl; its iridescent swirls roll and undulate. It separates; I breathe out upon it and it rises slowly into the damp air. But I have put too much extra liquid on it; it sinks, and I am constrained to lay the pipe aside. I place my hands beneath it, stroking the air upward; it rises, floats, drifts toward the larch leaves rustling over my head." Wow. These descriptions engage all of the senses and make it very real. This story was a neat idea, the characters were beautifully done and the writing ~~~just really, really good writing. This was a pleasure to read. Thanks for sharing it. ~TF

eyesofsky · 14 June 2007 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

Ah, this is a truly beautiful story, dealing so gently and skilfully with all the emotions. My heart is also full.

Wimsey · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

This was absolutely lovely. It captured the very essence of Legolas from the book. I loved the juxtaposition between his innocence, joy and gaiety against his strength, determination and wisdom. This was a joy to read, thank you for it.

Raksha The Demon · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

But he is unlike Boromir enough that our exchange was easy and unstrained; he does not seem to be as fettered with esteem as was my old brother-in-arms. Truly a great way of noting the greatest difference between the two brothers. Faramir is a proud man too, but he doesn't let that pride inhibit him to the same extent as Boromir; it is more a function of who he is and his own confidence than in his fondness for his rank and station. And what a great foundation for the friendship between Legolas and Faramir in your other stories!

Raksha The Demon · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 5: Amon Hen

I loved Legolas' calling Boromir "Impudent child" - it makes sense that he would; after all, in FOTR, Legolas referred to the Fellowship as 'you children' or some such. He is much older than anyone except Gandalf. Also, in that moment, Boromir deserved a dressing-down.

Raikana · 19 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

Aw!! This was so cool! I love Legolas, and the way you wrote this was perfect, so easy to get into to the flow of the way he speaks and thinks. I just can't write like that and simply adore those who can. Soap bubbles! I love the little memories that you've added in about blowing soap bubbles with his Mom when he was little and that he still does it whenever he comes home. I almost started crying when I read that Legolas' last words to Boromir were angry, and then again when he finally made friends with Faramir. Simply wonderful, Le Rouret. I have a new favorite bedtime story, now. ^_^ -Raikana (I think I might try writing a LotR fanfic sometime soon... You've inspired me!)

trinki · 19 September 2006 · Chapter 4: Lothlórien

Wow! This was so much fun. I love it so far. I was unwinding with a late night bubble bath and read this off my pocket pc until the battery died. It's a great bed-time story. I recommended it to my daughter. She read the whole thing in one sitting and had to come find me to tell me how sweet it was. Thanks.

Dairwendan · 9 September 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

What beautiful writing! I love this story! I've been interested in the relationship between Legolas and Boromir as well and you've illustrated it wonderfully! Thank you!

Bodkin · 28 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

I love Legolas's tendency to go off and blow soap bubbles when he's stressed! And Faramir seems to have inherited all the family's imagination - he is much better suited to friendship with an elf than poor Boromir. Who was far too concerned with his city's survival to worry about frivolities, even before the Ring ate at his mind. Most enjoyable!

Camp6311 · 26 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

This was a beautiful story. It was heartbreaking to see each of Legolas' attempts at friendship rebuffed, and at times it seemed they were so close to a conneciton too, and then to have their final words angry ones. What a memory to have until the end of Arda. I confess I love your angry Legolas. It reminds me of a passage from Ivanhoe when King Richard is compared to a lion's whelp who can suddenly unsheathe his claws and begin to roar. Your writing is so vivid I can just see the cloud of rage billowing around him. Then in the end heartbreak to joy when Faramir offers his friendship so unlooked for and spontaneous.

Dreamflower · 25 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

I read this story all at one go--it's amazingly lovely. First of all, I must confess, that like Legolas in your story, I am a soap bubble junkie. So I certainly found it very endearing that he had this habit. The voice you give him here is so dignified and full of depth of feeling. It reminds me in many ways of the archaic tone you use in your "Green Knight" universe, but at the same time, being in first person it is not so distant and high. I really feel for him, as he longs to make friends with all the Fellowship, yet finds only Boromir resists--due of course, to the pull of the Ring, we know. But Legolas is confused by his comrade's reluctance. I like the development of his other friendships, especially that with Gimli. And I feel so sorry for Boromir here: not only the Ring, but the sternness of his life at home and his father's unyielding sense of propriety and duty keeps him from understanding why Legolas should simply want to make others happy. That is so sad. And the end, where he begins to build his friendship with Faramir is just lovely.

Agape4Gondor · 19 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

Well, I finished this at work - printed it out and hid and read it - and almost sobbed over the beauty of the entire piece. I am writing the manager of this site to see if there is a way to put a 'final' comment or a 'story' comment. For my comments are on the entire piece. It is beautiful. I love the language - I wish I could emulate it! I love the characterizations - so very different for man, Dwarf, and Elf. Believable and readable. I love the concept and I love an author who can write like this. Thank you!!! PS - I've sent a link to two friends for their enjoyment and will continue to do so... now, I'm off to bookmark you as a favorite author... Then I have to go write some more Denethor before he disowns me!!!

Alison H · 19 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

What a wonderful end to this story! Don't you just love Faramir?! How different, and yet alike he was to Boromir, and Legolas was almost bursting with joy at the end when Faramir offered his friendship. Gimli was never far from Legolas' thoughts while he was alone and their relationship obviously delights them both. Faramir's story about his hunting dog chasing bubbles was no surprise, and it made me laugh because I blow bubbles at my two cats--but they both run away, the softies! Faramir was a more gentle soul and he and Legolas have discovered that they have more than a 'silly' game in common.Legolas' thoughts on Eowyn were very touching and he will be a good friend to them both. A lovely, lovely story, Le Rouret.Looking forward to the next chapter of 'the Heir Of Meduseld'.Update soon. Ali.

Alison H · 19 August 2006 · Chapter 5: Amon Hen

Poor Boromir,the ring has taken hold and there is nothing to be done.Legolas tried his best and his outburst was very understandable, but Boromir had only one thing on his mind; the ring must go to Gondor. I love the olde world style of writing you incorporate into your stories, Le Rouret.It's very Shakespearian,very enjoyable to read and very unusual to see so keep writing that way.I love it. Ali.

Emily · 19 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Osgiliath

That was a lovely story. The language was absolutely beautiful. I love how elven Legolas was--his manners and experience are so different from his companions. It was very refreshing to see an actual distinction in character between men and elves and hobbits. I really admire the characters of Thranduil and his wife. I miss his brash laugh and quick temper, his brilliant smile and embrace that threatens to crush my ribs. And I miss my Lady Mother, her sly twinkling eyes and laughing mouth, her hand upon my hair stroking the sorrow from my heart. This might have been my favorite lines in the entire story. I love how you went away from typical characterizations. Though they never technically make an appearance in this story, their presence and wisdom is truly felt as we see the world through their son's eyes. Well done!

lotrlover · 19 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Imladris

I must disagree with Leonin; I love the language you've written this in! In fact, I just sat far longer into the day than I should have just to read this lovely piece all the way through (I work nights, and 10am is the equivalent of midnight for me.). The mannered tone, the old-fashioned phrasing and word choice are just right, and the soap bubbles conceit just ties everything together beautifully. This story is as light as mousse, but just as flavorful. I think it does justice to the Legolas of the books, who could dash off to find the sun during the cold danger of Caradhras and later be the strong, deadly archer who could shoot down one of the fell beasts of the Ringwraiths. And how I wish there had been more of both in the movies! But I digress, and it's time for bed. Anyway, I loved this story. Well done, Le Rouret!

Leonin · 18 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Imladris

Hello, Le Rouret! I like the idea of this story, but... It's difficult to read. I understand this is one of those stories that you had to write down in order to get it out of your head. The language is just too tedious. I made it through chapter one, but stopped mid-way through chapter two. Otherwise, it's okay. Just cut down the long-winded dialogue

Agape4Gondor · 18 August 2006 · Chapter 4: Lothlórien

Just found this and would love to comment on each chapter - but I work tomorrow and must be off to bed in a moment. Shouldn't have even read it - late as it is (the night that is - not your tale!) Absolutely delightful concept with the soap bubbles. I still play with them to this day and rejoice when they are passed out at weddings. I can never wait for the end... I use them before their time - don't tell anyone! I am bookmarking this and asking for updates. It is well worth a few moment's lost sleep. Many thanks! Agape

Alison H · 18 August 2006 · Chapter 3: Caradhras

Well,this little story caught me by surprise and I have to tell you,Le Rouret, that the idea of Legolas and Boromir trying to figure each other out is very unique.They are so different, and you highlight that very well here, but there is scope for friendship if only Boromir would let his guard down. Soap bubbles? I laughed at that because *everyone* has amused themselves with this game at one time or another---and it doesn't seem at all strange that Legolas finds enjoyment with it, too.It's quite endearing really. Good for Gimli, surprising Legolas with his kind comments on the son of Thranduil.Now there's a friendship! What would make Boromir happy I wonder? I'm sure Legolas will not give up until he at least gets a smile out of the Gondorian.I can't wait to read more of this! Update soon. Ali.

lyncarol333 · 18 August 2006 · Chapter 3: Caradhras

Thank you so much for this delightful story. I look forward to reading more soon. Lyn