Wow, what a treat, a new chapter from you!! I can only stress again how much I enjoy the slow (in a very positive way!!!) pace of your story. The way Legolas is losing touch with the world is heartbreaking. Even though I agree with your own statement that an elf´s memories would probaly last longer, you could also argue that he might be affected even worse than a human. We all know that Elves can die of sorrow, so why should an elf´s mind not "decide" to erase a sort of memory that no longer seems to be added to?
By the way, do you know the story of Helen Keller, the girl who was deaf, blind and mute and still learned to communicate with the outside world? There is a scene in the story about her life which I was greatly reminded of when I read this chapter. Helen´s teacher tries to make her understand that signs she makes onto her hand stand for a certain object, but Helen does not understand until one day she holds her hand in water and the teacher makes the sign for water. Suddenly, the girl is ecstatic and demands more and more words - a true breakthrough. Somehow, Legolas tries to re-learn looking at the world in a similar way - but I hope one day he will see again!!!
Alina
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
Timmy2222
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Forms of Fear
What a great start! So well written and down to the point. Will come back for more in short time.
Timmy ;)
Sofia
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
Poor Elf. I think he needs a check up with Elrond once the snow clears. I wonder if people are worrying about them. I liked the little box with the leaves. that was intresting.
-sofia
fliewatuet
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
You won't let poor Legolas off the hook. As if the blindness were not enough, now his visual memory has to fade. *sigh* But I absolutely loved Legolas exploring Aragorn's face with his hands, very perceptive hands at that!
Now I wonder about the cause of the twig-snapping that set Aragorn so on edge. And I hope that there might be a shard of the dart left in Legolas' neck so that, once the shard is removed, he will make a full recovery.
Other than that, still an extraordinary story! Even if that chapter was decidedly darker than the last;)
fliewatuet
daw the minstrel
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
I was so intrigued by the carved box with the pressed leaves, and finding out what it was for was so moving. I also liked the way that Aragorn appreciates the chance to be alone, to be silent, to be forced to stop and think.
Envinyatar
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
I am ashamed to say I've been lurking, enjoying this without reviewing. However, this chapter moved me so much I had to respond. You create a very vivid picture (if that isn't a misnomer in the circumstances) of Legolas' response to the latest aspect of his blindness, and you portray the relationship between the two of them movingly but without sentimentally. I'm not a big fan of angst for its own sake, but this seemed realistic and therefore all the more powerful.
Sadie
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
Hi. I am reading your story for a long time. Sometimes I read it here, sometimes at fanfiction. I love your idea and the way you write. But I have to say that this last chapter was one of the most beautiful piece of writing I've ever read. Congratulations. I do want to read more soon. Really.
Thanks for posting
Sadie (from Brazil)
French Pony
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 25: Moonflower
Huh. Now you've got me thinking about all the fun -- er, pain -- no, fun -- well, fun-pain -- that could happen if Legolas completely loses his visual memory and then gets his sight back. That could be interesting. There's the other stories of blindness, of people who lose their sight at about one year of age, usually to cataracts. If the cataracts are surgically removed later, they have to teach their brains to see. Kids can sometimes do it, but adults just can't seem to figure out how to process visual images. One guy I read about was very interested in machinery, and he knew all sorts of machines by touch. After his physical sight was restored, he was shown a lathe. He was all excited at the prospect, but when he looked at the lathe, his brain didn't register anything. So he closed his eyes and felt the lathe and knew what it was, and then when he opened his eyes again, he could see it. I wonder if something similar might end up happening to Legolas.
Your comments about how comfortable Aragorn is with solitude are intriguing, because they show just how hard he's working. Here's this guy who's basically a loner who has to support himself and an elf, and be physician and psychologist, too. Good work, Aragorn!
Elenora
· 29 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
I'm sorry I've not had a review for a while - summer has been crazy. Needless-to-say, crazy or not, I still make time to keep up-to-date on your story...it is simply too good to miss!
You're latest chapter had me in stitches!! A nice, light-hearted break from the heavier (but still wonderful) chapters we've had previously. This story has simply been wonderful and I continue to be riveted by it and the direction you are going with it. I think this growing friendship between Legolas and the boy is quite interesting...and as always, I love the way you handle the close friendship between Aragorn and Legolas. It is never boring seeing that developed and expanded upon.
I continue to await each chapter with eagerness and I appreciate the great read you've given me these past months. I hope that when this story is completed, you will continue writing other Legolas/Aragorn/? fiction. You are simply too good an author to lay down your pen yet!!
Elenora
Muinthel
· 29 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
....ROFLMAO.....!!!! I just love it!!!....lol
LadyArwen
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
Apologies, that previous one was a slip of my finger.
However, after the second reading, *still laughing* I have decided upon my favourite exchange:
"Tithlam is watching us with extreme interest. She recognizes hidden talent when she sees it."
"Nay, Aragorn. She recognizes idiocy when she sees it. She wants to be certain we do not burn down the house."
"Is that why she has set all my socks in a pile by the door? So she can rescue them if need be?"
"Undoubtedly."
...
Oh, no, I can't decide where to end the next favourite bit... ARGH.
*giggles madly*
LadyArwen
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
LadyArwen
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
Oh, marvellous, marvellous.
*wipes tears of laughter away*
An exceptionally excellent one.
Although it does beg a question: how can a ranger not know how to make bread? ;)
However, that aside, *applause*
*goes to reread it*
Melissa
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
This story so far and The Healer are two of the best LOTR fics I've read, and I hope I have the chance to continue reading stories from you.
Your characterizations are what I enjoy the most, beyond the plots themselves. They feel true and ... just *good*, perhaps, is the word. It's just so refreshing to read your characters without that sense of radical departure. Your Legolas and Aragorn feel especially true, Legolas most of all, because canon seems to give the least to go on in his case, but you flesh him out so naturally.
Valto
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
yay! cooking! it's my forte (<--add an accent!) too! Sounds like such fun in the woods with Aragorn and Legolas...I have a wonderful vision in my head of them hosting a cooking show out of the back of the hut...*laughs*
Can't wait for more!
e_vrouw
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
This chapter was simply Hilarious! I loved it.
The whole exchange about the dough trying to escape at the end had me laughing for hours!
Favorite line:
"She moves her children to the safety of the barn. I am tempted to join her."
As I have said before, I'm a great fan of that cat. I like the way you build on her character traits. First she seems to be simply stealing socks, now she's taking care of them. Like a mother. :-)
I really enjoy the idea that the 'expert breadmaker' of the group, is the person who has only seen bread being made once. And even that was almost five hundred years ago! Legolas must have a VERY good memory to be able to remember how to bake bread, especially if he only watched them bake once.
But then, he didn't specify how long he had been looking. If he was really interested (as a youngster) he could've watched the whole day. (but wouldn't that be more than once?)
I noticed that Legolas is starting to make jokes about being blind. That indicates to me a new level of acceptance concering his blindness. I think the thing that worries him the most at the moment, is no longer his blindness but the army that's preparing for war.
I fear that the noise was heard in the city. I have a bad feeling it's going to lead to trouble. Aragorn might call the day succesfull but I think he's going to regret it afterwards.
The writing style of this chapter was clearly different from the previous chapters. This entire chapter was for the most part spoken words.
I prefer your former writing style. I like to get some sort of description of what's going on. Not just what people are saying.
The chapter title is fantastic!! Very appropriate.
Hope you update soon.
e_vrouw
GO TITHLAM! GO TITHLAM! GO TITHLAM! GO TITHLAM!
rhiannon
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
I LOVE this chapter!! Good thing I was not reading this at work as I would have been laughing out loud and embarrasing myself. The different writing style was perfect for this chapter. Looking forward to the next update.
Timon
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
Omigosh! My sides are aching, my face is wet with tears of mirth, and I am just now beginning to get my breath back! This was a totally awesome, totally funny, funny, funny chapter. It would have had none of its effectual charm had you not in the preceding chapters so well entrenched your readers in the love and loyalty and deep friendship shared between Aragorn and Legolas. I can't think of anything I've enjoyed more in a long time.
Although I've been keeping up with this story, this is (I believe) my first time to leave a review, but this type of fare demands accolades and applause! Wonderful, wonderful piece, and one that I will return to over and over again when I need a good laugh and the inner warmth it invariably gifts the reader with.
Keep up the good work!
French Pony
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
Now that was funny! I like baking bread, and it seems like it should be so easy, but there is an art to it. They really ought to have asked Alun for more instructions as to what to do with old Herman there. I think that ultimately their problem was in having too much heat too close. I believe that one can bake bread in a Dutch oven just by setting it in coals and piling coals on top towards the end. At least, that's what my 1820s recipe for Pain d'Epices assures me.
And I guess Aragorn won't be going off to join the Polar Bear Club any time soon. But it was good to get Legolas to laugh. Winter will not be kind to either one of them, and they need all the fun they can get. I just hope the noise of the clattering pots didn't attract anyone unfriendly.
EllyBaggins
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
wow, this is the best chapter yet! how did i know the bread would be a disaster? lol.
"Here, start wiping the table. I will take the bowl to the river."
"Do not leave me alone with that thing."
"Not long enough!" the elf shouted, standing poised on the lip of the overhang, his lean body silhouetted against the bright winter sky.
"Leave me alone."
"'A nice big chunk?' Sweet Elbereth…"
hehehe
as always, i can't wait for the next chapter! keep em coming!
Kitt of Lindon
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
The style you used maybe different, but it was written well.
I had feared for a while that the house was going to explode and only a pile of Elven and Ranger ashes would be left. It just makes me all the more grateful for our breadmachine.
Alina
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
That was hilarious!!!
Such a great funny chapter - I am amazed how well you fit comedy into such a sad and dramatic story. And it does not seem out of place, either. It was perfect! I will never get the image of that dough running off out of my head. (But I don´t mind at all) Do you read Terry Pratchett? This reminded me of "the Luggage" LOL You could make the dough a returning villain...
Thanks for making me laugh so hard!!
Alina
fadagaski
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
*cackles* I LOVE IT! Just the sort of lighthearted banter I can imagine Aragorn engineering to raise Legolas' spirits. Hooray!
OakWolf
· 11 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Burnt Offerings
ROFL!ROFL!ROFL! BEST CHAPTER EVER!Awesome; the make-shift oven,the cat saving her sock pile,Legolas's paranoia about the house burning down,the whole chapter was an absolute delight to read. Loved the bit at the end where Aragorn claims the dough has fled for its life,hilarious!More,Quick!