The People of the Stars by shirebound
PSW · 8 December 2015 · Chapter 1
The thought of all that time lived in only starlight -- huge, close stars -- always makes me a little shivery. And the thought of laying there in the place where it started, staring at the stars -- that makes me a little shivery too. Very nice... :-)
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm so pleased that this piece moved you.
marta · 22 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This was a really enjoyable story... I did not expect the result, even when you started talking about Durin, and Legolas's ennui was very well captivated. As much as I love your hobbits, I'm glad you gave these other races a try!
Author's reply
Oh Marta, I really appreciate that. It's taken me a long time as a LOTR writer to get more courageous in my subject matter. I really enjoyed researching and writing this.
ziggy · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1
this is wonderful. The final image of Legolas ,lying anchored to the earth and looking up at the stars, and just connecting it all, is somehow impossibly sad too - poignant, and as he tells Cuiviénen that he will tell the First Ones that he found it, I felt this terrible sense of loss- becasue he will leave, and although there is a joy and hope in reminding them of the place, it also reminds them / him of everything they have lost in leaving ME.... I always find Legolas' destiny the most heart rending in a way, becasue he will continue when all those in the Fellowship are lost- only Gandalf remains and he is not the same. You caught this for me without making it explicit or telling too much. Beautiful writing.
Author's reply
he will continue when all those in the Fellowship are lost Oh my, that is incredibly poignant, I agree! I'm very happy this moved you, and seemed to hit the right note with Legolas and his motivations. This type of fic is breaking new ground for me.
julchen11 · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This is so heartbreakingly beautiful, sweetie. *weeps* You did an amazing job, my dear. Thank you soooo very much! *hugs tight*
Author's reply
Oh Julchen, thank you. You can imagine how challenging a completely non-hobbit fic is for me to write. *hugs you back*
Freelancer of Arda · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This is absolutely beautiful, Shirebound!
Author's reply
Thank you very much! :)
Periantari · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Wow how beautiful, different and utterly unique perspectives! So enchanting and what a cool idea to write about! He bent to touch a flower, overcome by emotions he could not even name. Lovely line. And love the last bits about Legolas a lot..so descriptive and wonderfully written. Right on character! This gave me tingles, Janet, it really did. ♥ Amazing.
Author's reply
Thank you, Peri An. This was such a different type of story for me! I'm so happy it moved and enchanted you. Wow. :)
Inzilbeth · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This was just to wonderfully beautiful. Words fail me!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.
lwarren · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Shirebound, I am another who is so grateful you left your hobbity comfort for a short time to share this lovely story with us. I can only echo all the other reviews here, for really, words fail me. I will reiterate that Gimli accompanying Legolas to this extraordinarily special and sacred place is, to my mind, entirely appropriate and shows clearly the understanding and bond between these two friends. The last scene of the elf laying under those fiercely glittering stars is most evocative. Thank you again for sharing this wonderful piece with us! linda
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you! This truly felt like a departure for me, and I'm so happy the images and feelings were conveyed as I hoped. LOTR, for me, is a story of unconditional friendships, and this is certainly one of them.
Lamiel · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This is lovely. The purist in me might question whether Cuiviénen could have survived the War of Wrath and the breaking of the world and the removal of Valinor . . . but it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that this is a beautiful story, offering a new perspective on our favorite characters and their relationship to their history and legend. One doesn't quibble with beauty. I particularly liked the description of Legolas as he lay and looked up at the stars that "glittered fiercely overhead." That is a wonderful phrase, recalling the Elves' long history of battle and defiance in a few brief words. I also like the positive impetus it gives to Legolas' journey: he is not just departing Middle-earth in grief for the friends he has lost, he is also traveling with a purpose to share all that he has seen and experienced with the Eldar who await him in Valinor. This is a beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you very much. And you caught perfectly something I was trying to convey -- that Legolas may have journeyed West with a sense of completion, and eagerness, and with a special knowledge that might bring something new to the lives of those he will soon join.
Independence1776 · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Oh, wow. The imagery in this tale is flawless. I could so easily picture Legolas and Gimli there. Like you, I like thinking that a peice of that land lasted as long (hopefully longer) as the Elves lived in Middle-earth. "No Elf had been here in countless millennia, and perhaps none would ever walk here again." No, I don't think any would. If it had been lost even from Elrond, none would find it now that the vast majority of the Elves had left. Sad, but incredibly hopeful in a way I can't really explain. ~ Indy
Author's reply
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you. I'm glad that a feeling of hope balances out the bittersweet experience.
Agape4Gondor · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Phew! That was beautiful and soul-rending. I agree with Legolas - seems like he found THE spot. Very well written... took my breath away with the sacredness of the place.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. It would be so amazing to have such an experience!
Ainu Laire · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Charming, very charming. I like to think that Cuivenen was visited one last time; it is appropriate that it was visited by one of the last elves on Middle-earth. And it definitely fits that Gimli went with him.
Author's reply
Thank you, Suvi. And maybe those trees and bushes (and even the grass) would have enjoyed being visited by an Elf one more time.
Fiondil · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Hauntingly beautiful, Shirebound. The last line gave me shivers (of delight). I like to think that a remnant of the Place of Awakening still existed somewhere in Arda as well. Thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
Thank you, it's lovely to know that there are others who feel this place could still be there. I really enjoyed imagining this.
Mum's the Word · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This is unspeakably beautiful, Shirebound! Legolas' people have such deep roots already, but to find the roots beyond his roots -- what a treasure! What a pilgrimage, to go back to his people's very beginnings! Will others find this place, I wonder? No matter -- it has anchored Legolas and at the same time set him free to sail. Well done, Shirebound, very well done, and thank you for sharing it with us!
Author's reply
it has anchored Legolas and at the same time set him free to sail. I wish I'd thought to write that line! Thank you so much, Mum.
Antane · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
What a wonderful place for Legolas to come to. Love the end - laying down on the ground, palms downward, just feeling the place where the First had lain. It would have been an extremely powerful moment for him to be there. Thanks for this. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I think this experience would have been one of the most powerful of his life, and that Gimli would truly be honored to be the one to be chosen to share it.
Rhyselle · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This was exquisite. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'll carry the mental image of Legolas laying there looking up at the stars all afternoon, and smile.
Author's reply
Thank you, Rhyselle. I'm really thrilled that the description conveyed what I hoped it would.
Cairistiona · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This is lovely, absolutely lovely. It would be much like finding the Garden of Eden, Legolas finally finding Cuiviénen. "Eventually he stopped, lay down on his back, and closed his eyes. He breathed deeply, his hands palms-down on the ground, anchoring himself to the earth before opening his eyes to the stars that glittered fiercely overhead. It was thus that the Elves began, in wonder and silence; when there was as yet no language, no names, no history. No Sea longing. 'I am coming,' he whispered to those who awaited him. " Breathtaking. Thank you for writing this!
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you. The concept of rediscovering the Garden of Eden was exactly what I was trying to convey.
Virtuella · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
What a beautiful moment in the friendship of these two!
Author's reply
Thank you very much. How unique and wonderful is this friendship!
Dreamflower · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Oh my! This looks like the beginning of a wonderful adventure for our favorite Elf and Dwarf. I love the easy companionship you show here, reflecting their long years of close friendship--and the evocative descriptions of their surrounding, and Legolas' certainty that he has found the right place!
Author's reply
Thank you! I like to think that Gimli (or Legolas) would undertake a task or journey with the other, even if it was long or mysterious, simply out of friendship.
daw the minstrel · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
What a wonderful moment, a recuperation of past and a promise for the future. I love the way these two relate to the natural world around them in ways we can't imagine.
Author's reply
Thank you, Daw. This is a deeply-bonded friendship, but Elves and Dwarves are still two different races, relating to the world in inherently different ways. This was very interesting to write, and I'm happy you enjoyed it.
harrowcat · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
This is beautiful Shirebound. Bless your aching wrists for sharing it! For some reason it made me think of the poem called 'The Listeners'.
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you for that comparison. What a lovely compliment. Yes, my pieces of writing are getting shorter, and less frequent. But still they come!
lbilover · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Oh my gosh, Shirebound, this is simply gorgeous. I know it may not have hobbits, but it's truly a story of beauty, wonder and depth of feeling. That final image of Legolas staring up at the stars will stay with me and his words sent a thrill right through me. *hugs you for this wonderful gift to us all*
Author's reply
I appreciate that so much! I felt on very shaky ground with this subject, but tried to do my best to imagine what this might have been like. *hugs you right back*
Larner · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 1
Oh, how such a place would call to Legolas especially! It is too bad that Gimli did not himself manage to go to Durin's waking place. But that he could share this! Ah, how happy he must be for his beloved friend! So beautiful!
Author's reply
Thank you very much. How frightening to step out of my hobbitty comfort-zone! I'm so happy you enjoyed this.