Reviews of The Sound of Laughter

sandalf13 · 1 January 2026 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

I have read and re-read this story several times over the years, and each time I do so, the impact upon me deepens. You have written a masterful tale full of choice words and sentiments that ranks among the best of the LoTR Fanfiction that I have read. Your have great insight into the thoughts and feelings (no pun intended) of your characters, that reflects, no doubt, your sensitivity to the broad range of human emotions. Bravo and well done! I have encouraged others to read your work and will continue to do so. Please keep writing!

Suzelle · 29 August 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

p.s. I also really do love that you give Estel a first love who isn't Arwen and who is Dunedain...it feels *right* to me as long as the opportunity's feasible, and it's so perfect that it's the two of them, whose lives have both been shaped by the same tragedy (even if in a much more damaging way for Laleth). So that made me happy as wel!

Author's reply

And I'm glad (and relieved) that you liked this aspect. Writing Aragorn/OFC felt a bit like killing a sacred cow, but it seemed to make sense, given the characters' personalities and the situation they found themselves in. -Brennan

Suzelle · 29 August 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

Okay, first things first: I don't know if I ever left a proper review of "While Hope Lasts" back in the day (if I did it was on FF.net and under a different username), but let me say that even now it stands still as one of my top five favorite LOTR fics...adored it then and adored it now, even as it broke my heart. So the fact that this builds off of all of that and follows Laleth on her road to recovery...let's just say I was a bit of an incoherent mess throughout and at the end. -LOVED everything about Arandur and that subtle hint at the end that he and Gilraen might have finally patched things up. Her coming in at the end, just...gaah. -Everything with Laleth here breaks my heart. Aah. -I LAUGHED AN EXTREMELY LOUD AND UNCOMFORTABLE LAUGH AT THE AWKWARD 'THE TALK' SCENE OH MY GOODNESS PERFECT. -That end scene was perfect. I love how he comes to her, and I love that there is hope still left for her. Everything about this is beautiful and heartbreaking and I love it.

Author's reply

Thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you liked this and thrilled that you enjoyed "While Hope Lasts" so much! This was a difficult piece to write for a lot of reasons, so it's good to hear that Laleth's struggles moved you. As for Arandur, he keeps surprising me. I invented him basically as a plot device in WHL, but now every time I write him, new layers and issues emerge. "The Talk" may be the worst of a rather long list of Unpleasant Things I've subjected poor Aragorn to. ;) -Brennan

walkerskye · 27 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

This story made me smile, very believable. Thank you for a tale of healing, body and spirit. I work as a drug addiction counselor, so I deal in spiritual healing, Id have loved to hear more about what Elrond did for Laleth, but I understand that from Estel's viewpoint, there was little that could be shared. Maybe in a future story, then.

Author's reply

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I'm glad that this resonated with you. I wanted to give more details about Laleth's physical and emotional recovery process, but in the end, I decided to stick with Estel's limited POV since the story is as much about him growing and becoming more aware as anything else. Thanks for reading! -Brennan

curiouswombat · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

PS - I forgot to say how much the idea of 'that talk' amused me!

Author's reply

Hee hee, me too! There should be laws against having that much fun while writing a story. -Brennan

curiouswombat · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

That is a lovely ending to the tale. I am sad that she seems to have never seen her brother again - but then I don't suppose there would ever have been any way in which she could.

Author's reply

Thanks for the awesome review! (Sorry I'm crazy-late in replying . . . ;) I'm glad you enjoyed the ending of this story, though I still haven't wrapped up all the loose ends. I'm still working on a story featuring Laleth's brother, but he is proving fiendishly difficult to write, and Aragorn isn't cooperating either. Still, I hope to have that one written by maybe the end of the summer. Thanks for all your support! -Brennan

Larner · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

But it was only right that he should have known fellowship with women of his own people, too. How difficult it must have been for her to return, but I do hope that he did help her to find peace of spirit once more in his quiet acceptance of her as she was, and through the gift of the iris when they were both small. And he must rejoice now to see pleasure again expressed in her eyes. Well done indeed.

Author's reply

Thank you again for another wonderful review! I do think that Laleth found peace and that she was tempered by her struggles rather than diminished by them. I'm glad you enjoyed this story! -Brennan

eliza · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

Well ofc or not, that was a lovely story. tender, sad and funny (why is it that no matter the age, the "sex" talk never gets easier. LOL). Well done Mellon-nin

Author's reply

Thank you, my friend. I'm so glad this story moved you. I did have a lot of fun with "the Talk." ;D -Brennan

Linda Hoyland · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

This was a lovely poignant story.I think Aragorn's feelings were very natural.I hope Laleth finds peace.

Author's reply

Thank you for another great review! I'm glad you enjoyed the conclusion to this story. -Brennan

shirebound · 16 June 2013 · Chapter 2: Dance With Me

What a beautiful, inspiring conclusion. A moment of joy and trust, however brief, is always a blessing. This ending reminds me of a line from one of my favorite poems... Whether the notes of life are short or long, From end to end what matters is the song.

Author's reply

That's lovely. Thank you so much for reviewing and for sharing! -Brennan

Celeth · 15 June 2013 · Chapter 1: Maybe You're Ada

How beautiful! I always love childhood stories of the LOTR heroes, and the way you portray Estel is so heartwarming, especially when told from the child's perspective. I can imagine that taking him away from the Dunedain was not an easy decision for Gilraen's family, especially as they were against her marrying Arathorn in the first place. I am sure someone in the family would have insisted that they could manage to raise Isildur's Heir and still keep him a secret from the Enemy without getting him tainted by Elvish upbringing. Thanks so much for sharing the story.

Author's reply

Thank you for the wonderful review! I'm glad you enjoyed this story and that Estel's perspective worked for you here. -Brennan

Linda Hoyland · 14 June 2013 · Chapter 1: Maybe You're Ada

You caught the viewpoint of a young child brilliantly here. So much is going on that little Estel will not understand for many years yet.

Author's reply

Thank you! I'm always nervous about writing kids, so I'm glad it worked for you here. -Brennan

curiouswombat · 13 June 2013 · Chapter 1: Maybe You're Ada

Ah - I remember Laleth - and can quite understand why she wants her brother - and why that would hurt Arandor in more ways than one. I hope she finds healing here - and that perhaps, for just a little while, Estel might have someone more his own size and age for company.

Author's reply

You get hugs and internet cookies; I didn't think anyone would remember my OCs from WHL, given that four years have gone by. :) Thanks for reviewing! -Brennan

Elentarri · 13 June 2013 · Chapter 1: Maybe You're Ada

Ok. I have nothing exciting to write except the usual 'I love this chapter', and "you have to post the next chapter right now, please" (an anything else you have floating on the computer). :) PS. I love what you have done with Estel and Arandur. Can we have more Arandur and Estel please?

Author's reply

Thanks for the lovely review! The next chap is up. Arandur isn't in that one, but I may write more of him and Estel at a later date. He appears alongside a grown up Aragorn in my fics "The Quiet War" and "Heritage and Horsehair." -Brennan

Larner · 12 June 2013 · Chapter 1: Maybe You're Ada

Perhaps a fitting tribute to a girl who undoubtedly feels less than whole herself. I do hope and expect that she will learn to laugh once more with Estel's help. As for Arandur--at least he sees that his nephew thrives and is happy and knows himself loved. He needs to learn to lighten up and perhaps forgive himself for Arathorn's loss and Gilraen's decision. It does sound as if Gilraen and Arandur were able to know a proper, productive talk, however, and that the tears she's shed were healthy, healing ones. If he can accept that indeed this is the best place for their future Chieftain until he is ready to take up his adult responsibilities, then it will be better for all of the Dunedain, I think.

Author's reply

Thank you for the review! I'm glad you were able to invest in these characters and their struggles. This chapter was largely about Arandur coming to terms with the decisions they've all made, though much of this occurs off-screen. And I do think that he got a lot of reassurance from seeing Estel happy and loved. -Brennan

Reviews (15)