Reviews (197)

BearBear · 4 January 2023 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

You have such a way with words that manages to capture the quintessential quirkiness and style for each of the characters that just... blows me away. The story felt like a 'what if' continuation after the LotR trilogy, what the characters are up to once after the big battles are won, and this story is such a perfect fit to the continuing narrative that it left me speechless. Love the story, love the characters, (especially their interactions! Bandy is such a breath of fresh air with his naivete, yet sensible hobbit charms), and the banter between Legolas and Gimli, King Elessar and Arwen and Eowyn and Faramir and and wow. Just spot on. I always thought LotR was a bit a hard world to get into, especially with its vast worldbuilding and characteristics, but I'm so, so glad that I did, since it led me to this gem (the creme of the crop, really) of a story. Your writing captures perfectly the idiosyncrasies and personalities of each race (man, hobbit, elf, or dwarf), and your depictions of action is so well done that I could easily imagine the creeping tension starting to mount once the plot sped up. (I think my favorite part was a few chapters back, after the black powder is used, and you had Bandy declare innocently that Legolas was not feeling pain because he held his hand and stared at his eyes, and yet the others in the scene could clearly see the imprints of Legolas's hand over Arwen's because of how hard he was clutching and AAHHHHHH) Okay. Sorry for the long review, but I'm glad to have found this Legolas-centric fic that my heart adored, and I really needed to get this off my chest. Thank you for this beautiful story.

Jess · 16 May 2015 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

I am thankful to be given the opportunity to read your story. It is heartwarming, well-written, and believable. I so love Brandy, and I adore how Legolas and Gimli treat him. Again, thank you for coming up with this delightful story. I will absolutely read your other works.

KarenF · 2 July 2013 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

It's been probably 4 years since I read this before. It's just as delightful on the second read through! I see you haven't published anything in a while, and maybe you're working on something new or taking a break, but you're very talented, so if you write anything else I hope I find it.

eucalyptus · 15 January 2008 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

Wonderful, delightful, engaging story, and easily the best piece of LOTR fanfiction I've ever read. I found it to be very Tolkienesque, particularly with regards to use of canon and characterization -- of elves and hobbits and medieval tournaments. Thank you for dreaming it up and sharing it with us!

trinki · 7 October 2006 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

A great ending to a delightful story. Thanks so much for sharing your vision and ability with us. I truly enjoyed it. Both of my daughters loved it too! LilBit especially liked Legolas' letter at the end. I like Bandy's pride over his cooking ability. Keep writing.

trinki · 7 October 2006 · Chapter 99999: Glossary of terms

Thanks So much for this! Once I found you had made this available, I read through it first. It made the rest of the book go much easier! Thanks!

SoaringEagle · 29 August 2006 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

I have read this over the last three days, and I have to say it is an excellent story, I loved every minute of it. I know I will go and read your other stories in the very near future. Eagle.

Lyn · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 24: Sorcery on the Lists

Poor Bandobras would have had sixteen nicotine fits in two days'. Oh, well.

Lyn · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 16: The Goat is Tethered

Of course, the plot is quite presentable and laudable; the characterizations delightfully full and well rounded, but the finest words are those written to describe the humbler scenes...chickens in the rain, reflections of window light on objects outside in the rain. Well done. I had mentioned potatoes and tomatoes were New World plants (was it Drake or Raleigh who found them?), but I wonder if lemongrass and tamarisk would grow as far north as Osgiliath. Hmmm....

Lyn · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 14: The First Letter

I have always wondered what would happen if a MALE elf were to love a female human. I do not believe Tolkien ever envisioned or wrote about such a match. While Luthien and Arwen had to give up their immortality, I have often wondered whether a MALE elf might have somehow maintained his immortality. oh, well. Certainly, it seems fair that he should become mortal to wed his mortal love.

Lyn · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 13: Brytta's Challenge

Two things---the humorous banter among Gimli, Bandobras, and Legolas is the best! Earlier you added that Legolas had yelled--in dwarvish---at the unworthy dwarves who had mistreated Bandobras. I believe Tolkien stressed that the dwarves kept their language secret. While it is not known whether Gimli would have taught dwarvish to Legolas, I tend to think he did not for two reasons: 1) it was not absolutely necessary for survival of either and 2) in honor of his father and his race's tradition of secrecy. I have no doubt, though, that an infuriated Legolas would have made quite a dent in the renegade dwarves' heads simply by the strength of his voice no matter what language he used!

Lyn · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 12: The Brown Knight Turns

the Green Knight’s esquire has collected well over a dozen tokens of esteem from diverse young ladies, hoping to supplant you, my lady, in his favor.” I had to read the above sentence three times (yes, I am slow)to get the true meaning. The first time, it sounded like the esquire (Bandobras) was hoping to supplant (Eowyn) in his (the Green Knight's?) favor. Silly me. The comma after "ladies" threw me off...I read "has collected...then paused at the comma and then read "hoping to supplant you". Oh, well. One shouldn't read this late at night. Your stories are like a rich dessert...not for late night consumption. I think the sentence would read well without the comma after "ladies": the Green Knight’s esquire has collected well over a dozen tokens of esteem from diverse young ladies hoping to supplant you, my lady, in his favor.”

Lyn · 4 June 2006 · Chapter 11: Brytta of Rohan

The bevor came lose with a soft spang, I believe another "O" is needed, as "The bevor came loose with a soft spang...." I've yet to build up the courage to look up the names of all those bits and pieces that make up a knight's armor...you've certainly done a lot of homework!

Lyn · 4 June 2006 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

Shouldn't want to mess with perfection, but.... Turnips grew everywhere on England's soil (as far as I know), but I'm glad Legolas' squire didn't put them in the casserole because turnips make everything taste like turnips...such a strong flavor they have! Spices and many herbs; I suppose it could be argued that trade through Harad may have brought some in, but sugar came from cane grown in the Caribbean area, too far from Tolkien's known lands (I believe). I believe tomatoes, like blueberries, pumpkins, peanuts, corn, and potatoes, came from the New World, discovered centuries later. I think Tolkien envisioned LOTR to be a prehistory for England, taking place about 7,000 years or so in the past. Oh, well. Pastries would have been possible, using lard and flour (alternating ice box storage and rolling the dough) to create mille fleurs (misspelled), the delightful thousand-layer pastry. Honey can be whipped with butter and whipped cream is wonderful as are yeast breads, doughnuts on a stick, and meat on a stick. As for fruit, I would think apples and wild strawberries, plums and grapes would be available. Thank you for sharing your story telling talent with others. It's a rare treat to read such quality stories about one's favorite characters.

Nessa · 30 December 2004 · Chapter 99999: Glossary of terms

For Le Rouret: i usually dont leave a review even though i do read alot and,especially in the Stories of Arda. i just wanted you to know what a great story this was. like a book you just cant put down. great writing,and a very good job at explanations. please write more stories and, i will be looking for your writings. should you have others,or, you do write a sequel to this one,let me know.thank you for your time,and have a great New Year! sincerely, Nessa

Elf messenger · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

O that is such a good story! I stumbled upon it while searching Stories of Arda. It took me some time to read but it was worth it. I commend your efforts and hope your write many more stories(now on to the next story). Namarie! Elf messenger

Aislynn Crowdaughter · 10 August 2004 · Chapter 10: Digestif

Hi! Up until now this story is a delightful reading experience, and while it takes a bit of suspending with canon to imagine full fledged knightly rules and fiefdoms and a 15.th century tournament comlete with plate weaponry taking place in Forth Age Gondor, Middle Earth, once one accept this, you have all the caracters and personae deeply in character and the plot is developing well and excitingly. Well, actually, all the characters, save Gimli. I feel that you have him out of character here; I can not imagine Gimli of all people being the one petuantly intending to drive home and harken to human and elvish knightly customs and court protocoll (that, after all, has nothing to do with customs of the dwarves, anyway). And discussing Bandorbas shortcomings in manners for an esquire at lenght in front of the guests of honor - even as close friends as Aragorn and Faramir are - is, to my view, equally bad mannered and therefore unlikely. On another note, I regret that you have the evil dwarves that abused Bandy originally coming from the Iron Hills and Gimli complaing at length in front of outsiders (well, non-dwarves) about them here; the Iron Hills, after all, were allied to Erebor, and the slain former king of Erebor during the ringwar, Dain, came from there. I think having those dwarves being from Ered Luin would have worked better. I also can hardly imagine any group of dwarves cowing in fear from a single elf, even if it was Legolas, because of that elf merely gave them a good sclding. And on a final note, having Aragorn and Legolas discussing the new soon-to-build fleet in detail like this is all fine and well - but what would Legolas, wood Elf that he is, know of constructing a fleet and of constructing ships? save he has informed himself thouroughly by Cirdan because he prepares for building one himself already (and then, *that* in itself would be a frightening prospect to Aragorn, I think!). Otherwise, this story is great, and I enjoy it a lot! Thank you for this spirited attempt at bringing Arthurian chivalry to Gondor, and keep on writing! Greetings to you, Aislynn

TieAillin Alcarion · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 99999: Glossary of terms

I've greatly enjoyed this entire thing. I began reading the other "story", the series of letters, and realized I was going to need some background. I startled my kids many times laughing out loud! The concern of Bandobras when Legolas leaves: "To go off like that without a proper breakfast!" was hilarious and exactly what a young hobbit would have in mind! I do think your fiction is among the best on this site. Please keep writing! Smiles, Tracey

Anonymous · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

sigh, so wonderful

Dreamflower · 26 May 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

When I started your story after seeing the *Complete* there, I had no idea how completely absorbing I would find it. It is an amazing peice of work, and I am sorry to see it listed as your only fanfic on this archive. Do you have any more somewhere else? The style totally appealed to me, and I have not seen archaic language handled so skillfully in any other fanfic. Even professional writers have a hard time handling "speaking forsoothly", but it is something that I have loved since reading Howard Pyle's Robin Hood in fifth grade (my favorite book until I found The Hobbit and LOTR a few years later.) I *absolutely* adore Bandobras as an original character, although I was at first troubled by the fact that he was so young ( a 15 year old hobbit is more like a 9 or 10 year old human ) and that it did not seem as though Pippin had made any effort to find him. But I soon forgot these quibbles, as he is a wonderful personality, very like his uncle in inspiring affection, in fact. Legolas as a Knight is a terrific concept, and the way it was handled made me think of Ivanhoe ( another of my favorite books from the past) and The Talisman. I could tell in your last couple of chapters, (which by the way took care of my quibbles) that you were all set up for a possible sequel--but I would *love* to see a *prequel* with that first encounter with Bandy, and his introduction to Thranduil's court. Thank you for a delightful story, and I forgive you for making me sit at the computer for almost two solid days and not getting a lot of my housework done 8-)and it was really tough, because we're almost out of ink, so I couldn't print chapters out to take in the bathtub or to lunch. I hope to see more stories from you soon. Sorry this is so long, but you deserve it!

Coriel · 26 May 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

Again, not a bad thing to say! Just like everyone else, I loved that first paragraph. And Bandy's so cute, Legolas so sweet, and Gimli so, well, Gimli-ish. And if spoiling kids is Legolas' one vice, I think he's doing alright! I can just tell he will be very popular in Ithilien. :) Best of luck with your sequel idea. You may interpret that as either a blessing or a curse, depending on your point of view. ;D

Betty · 25 May 2004 · Chapter 99999: Glossary of terms

Hi. Just thought I'd drop you a note and let you know I enjoyed this story. Not much I can really say, but thanks for writing it.

Duchess · 25 May 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

Wonderful! I loved it and again could picture it all. I nearly cried with little Bandobras when Legolas left him and I'm soooooooooo glad of the hope that he may one day rejoin his beloved master. Legolas really is adorable with children, the picture of little Elanor asleep on his shoulder was too cute for words! *vbg* Please, one day DO write a sequel? No matter how long you have to take to get the gumption up, please do? *begging and pleading* :):):)

Ms. Whatsit · 25 May 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

I love the first paragraph--you really are amazing at setting up a scene and describing landscapes. As usual, the L/G banter was delicious, and Bandy's homecoming was all that it should be. I'm glad we got to see Merry and Pippin and Legolas and Gimli all together. It reminded me a bit of the chapter called "Flotsam and Jetsam" in The Two Towers. It was rather sad when Legolas couldn't find any more elves willing to come to Ithilien, but it highlights what makes him unique, I suppose. I hope you had as much fun writing this as I did reading it--and did I hear the word "sequel"? ;)

Tinnuial · 25 May 2004 · Chapter 38: A Sad Farewell

I would have you know that this is my favourite fanfic of all time...can't thank you enough for it... :) Thank you for brightening up every Monday evening with a new chapter that never failed to bring a smile to my face. You are a marvellous writer and I can't tell you how excited I am about the prospect of a sequel!!!