Mirkwoodmaiden · 11 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Homecoming
Forgot to mention in the below review. I love the way the site had been designed and set up. Thanks for creating such a lovely setting for us to play in! :-))
Price of Peace, Dawn of Hope by Rorrah
Reviews (34)
Mirkwoodmaiden · 11 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Homecoming
Rorrah! The story shows such depth and passion for the subject. The attention to detail is wonderful and it shows a lot of research and imaginative work! I love it! The way you describe the vastly different emotions of the Elven warriors as they trooped past Thranduil has the ring of truth to it according. Very well done! Thranduil sorrow is palpable and so is his wisdom in dealing with his young commander. Lovely! I especailly liked how you wrote the conversation between the soldiers talking to and teasing Nadennor. The qualities of characterisation shone particularly well there, hitting upon survivor's guilt and the teasing and humour used to keep the real pain at bay was effectively used. This is such a painful subject but I really glad that you've chosen to write it. I'm so engrossed the story. I can't wait for the next installment.
Author's reply
I had such a hard time putting the losses into perspective, but once I did, its difficult to not feel some pretty intense emotions. thank you
daw the minstrel · 11 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Homecoming
The greeting from the Elves at home - the tunnel of light - was very moving. It was ceremonious but not stiff. I like it a lot. I was interested in your guesses of the numbers of warriors who went to Dagolad from Greenwood. I would not have guessed that many but when I thought about it, probably most of the males who were of age went. And there are usually not many children, so that means that the entire population is still small (and about to get smaller no doubt).
Author's reply
The numbers are a guess. The books say (repeatedly) that the Last Alliance was the largest gathering since the War of Wrath. The War of Wrath was huge. Of the enemies it says something along the lines of numbers uncountable. So that tells me there were a lot. So the last Alliance probably falls into the countable realm. Now Lorien is pretty small, and Imladris is smaller. Neither is going to be able to field the legions of troops needed. Gil-Galad's people are probably more than the others put together, but probably not in the range of huge. So if the elves are going to make a good showing in comparison to the humans, I figured they had to get the warm bodies from somewhere. The Atlas also indicates a large portion of the elvish population was in Greenwood. Glad you liked the tunnel, I have no idea where the words came from
Marnie · 11 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Homecoming
I enjoyed this chapter very much. Again, what I liked most was the realism - it might be fantasy but it's still a real world. I had so thoroughly identified with Thranduil that I felt the welcoming lights as a burden - it made me feel sadder than anything else. Really accomplished writing, I felt I was there! Thank you.
Author's reply
You're welcome! Wow, I'm so glad you were able to identify with him. I hope I manage to continue to provide a window into him in later chapters.
daw the minstrel · 10 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Return
I was so excited to see this. I loved your first story and this one promises to be moving and to fill a gap that I have not seen filled before. It's well written too (except for the single use of "okay" ;-)). It reads smoothly and has great concrete details to make it seem real.
Author's reply
Argh....don't know how I missed that. (its gone now). At least it was not used as part of someone's conversations. Bad author, no biscuit! I have always wondered how the Greenwood elves reacted when Thranduil came home. Now I've cornered the king and I'm going to make him tell
JastaElf · 10 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Return
A lovely start, Rorrah! I look forward to seeing where you go with this. Because we're in the middle of the action (something I love in a story!) we don't know an awful lot about Anólindë yet--but I like her, and want to know more about who she is, who her husband is, and all that. And of course, knowing there will soon be a Thranduil-sighting is ALWAYS a plus... (grin) Thanks for posting!
Author's reply
I have decided if I were ever to bring an elf home, it would not in fact be the king. He is most stubborn. I want to hear about his trip home, and he distracts me with solidiers tales. He was more than happy to tell me about everyone and everything else going on at the time, but not himself. I will prevail tho. I find asking him questions when he least expects it will yield new insights. Meanwhile poor Thranduil informed me just the other day that I should perhaps consider finding a job as a general inquisitor somewhere.
Marnie · 10 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Return
Great start! I like Anolinde - which is always a plus with OFCs ;) It's nice to see the women holding things together at home so that life can go on. (Something often forgotten by people who would have us all out there wielding swords). There was a definate feel of a culture which could actually have existed, and I loved the fact that she was off to negotiate with the Men of Dale. Beautifully and fluently written! I enjoyed it.
Author's reply
Anolinde is a touch nut to crack. She accomplishes quite a few things in other chapters. She's rather managing herself, probably why she finds Lamathen such a trial. I informed her that if she did not start telling of her less wonderful accomplishments that you all were going to accuse her of being a Mary-sue. She was less than pleased by this title and gave me a look of such disdain I'd like to capture it and sell it on ebay. Thank you for the compliment!
Mirkwoodmaiden · 9 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Return
The choice of the story really excites me. I haven't read any fanfic concerning what Thranduil thought and was forced to face up after the Last Alliance. Did he lose something horrific like 2/3 of his army? The writing is well crafted. The characters ring true and their emotions are written so well, so crisp and clear. Immediately you get a sense of waiting and worry from Anólindë and how that crystalises into what would be the real reaction from any wife awaiting the return of his husband from an uncertain fate was a wonderful read! Lovely. Can't wait to read to rest of the story.
Author's reply
He did indeed lose 2/3rds. I think it was that number that finally convinced me to write this. I was trying to bring that into some sense of reality and the realization of the sheer numbers of dead was staggering. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Banba McCuill · 9 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Return
Your description of the thoughts expressed and not expressed is done well. I think you describe just enough to present a fairly clear picture without giving everything away - you leave things open to imagination. A reader who gets to use their imagination is a happy reader, indeed. :-) I enjoyed the clever stroke on the mother-in-law too! Very subtle and done with all the class and restraint of a true queen! My favorite part of this first chapter is Anólindë's reaction to the news of the "returning warriors." It was both well written and powerfully moving, in my humble opinion. I hope you update soon - this is a wonderful story! P.S. You are doing a great job with this site! After I get a chance to poke around it more, I can provide more detailed feedback in the appropriate communication vehicle you and Nilmandra have provided on the main part of this site. Thanks to you both for such a class-act site! It is nice not to have to spend endless amounts of time scanning the fanfiction.net site for quality stories.
Author's reply
Well happy readers are a good thing. Thank you. I'm going to try to update this regularly, Thranduil willing. Nilmandra and I are both pleasantly surprised by the success of the site. Once again, thank you for the compliment and we look forward to hearing suggestions and feedback