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With Friends Like These  by Jay of Lasgalen 10 Review(s)
RhapsodyReviewed Chapter: 27 on 10/7/2004
Wow! Finally the hot-blooded Elrohir being so incredibly angry. Puberty. Poor guys.

This paragraph precisely sums up what bothers him:
Elrohir had been waiting for an apology from Elladan all day – anything; a word, a gesture, a look; something to take back the sting of his earlier words. But strangely, now that the apology had been made, it changed nothing. He had gone too far to back out now, too far to swallow his own pride. He put on his cloak, swung the satchel over his shoulder, picked up his bow and arrows and was finally ready. “I’m still going, El. I have to. Just – just to prove to you that I can. And to prove it to myself.”

Oh my, they have found a troll... they do have this thing of getting into trouble...

Author Reply: I think Elrohir is usually very easy-going, so to see him flare up like that was a surprise to everyone, especially Elladan. I don't see why elves shouldn't suffer from puberty and hormones like the rest of us, after all.

Poor Elrohir backed himself into a corner here. He would have felt a coward if he hadn't gone.

Did you really think this would happen without incident?

Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/8/2004
PLEASE PLASE PLEASE UPDATE SOON! THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME!!!

Author Reply: Give me a chance! That chapter took me five months to get out - but I promise the next won't be nearly so long! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

DotReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/8/2004
Oh great! I always liked this story, I’m so glad you went back to it. I’m looking forward to re-reading it actually when I get a chance to be sure I remember everything.

Apparently teenage elves can be just as unreasonable as teenage humans. And stubborn. Poor Elrohir :-( He was being so logical and even managed not to react to a lot of the teasing but Finglor seems to have hit a sore spot by claiming he and Elladan were incapable of behaving as individuals. I guess Elladan’s slightly patronising reassurances didn’t help. So now Elrohir thinks he needs to prove himself…

“So you had an argument, and you both said things you know you don’t mean. Does it matter? You know you’ll be friends again by nightfall.” I like the way Legolas comes across. He’s as understanding as he can be but while he’s probably had arguments with friends and been told the same thing by the adults in his life, he can’t know what it’s like to argue with a sibling, especially not with one so close as a twin and Elrohir was really hurting. At least it turned out that Legolas was more or less right, anyway.

I loved the little moments of humour in the midst of the tension – Legolas being so apprehensive about the Bruinen and Elrohir growling to frighten his friend. And boy was it tense! That Elrohir would want to wash his mouth out with soap too. “Balrog’s balls”… LOL!

Oh, and I really like the little details like the connecting room having been a playroom until recently and the arguments between the brothers being a new development – it really shows that they’ve only just begun to finally leave childhood behind and the search for individuality is a difficult step that they don’t quite know how to handle yet.

Don’t leave us hanging for too long! Although, I’d nearly rather face a troll than be in Elladan’s position if the parents hear about this… Great chapter :-)






Author Reply: Dot, thank you for that lovely long review! Poor Elrohir - he did try, but there are some things he's very sensitive about. Now he misses Elladan because they're not talking, but he's annoyed with himself for missing him at the same time ... teenagers! The search for individuality must be even harder for twins.

Legolas did his best to help, and his going on the troll hunt has cheered Elrohir up - hence the growling. And the swearing? I'm sure elves curse at times, I just had to think what they might say!

And poor Elladan is also in a sticky situation, fending off a worried Thranduil!


BodkinReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/8/2004
Poor, poor Elrohir. Second born, more . . considered, less . . headstrong - he was bound to be teased by those who wouldn't want to risk Elladan's fist on their nose. And backing himself into the typical teenage corner of feeling he would look like a jessie if he changed his mind.

What's more, they think they've taken sensible precautions by sending Legolas along. Apart from testosterone poisoning, what does go on in adolescent male brains. (Nothing is the obvious answer).

If the trolls fail to cause sufficient damage to keep them in bed for a month, their parents will probably do it - after hugging them in relief first.

Balrog's balls - a lovely exclamation. I shall consider adopting it into my vocabulary.

Author Reply: Feel free to say 'Balrog's balls!' at any time - though you might get some funny looks ... ;-)

Poor Elrohir indeed - he knows this is a bad idea, but just can't stop himself. I think perhaps if he'd been on his own he may have just camped out overnight without crossing the river, and returned to admit to Elladan that he didn't go in the end. We'll never know now!

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/7/2004
Bless you, Jay! You haven't forgotten this little story! :-) I was leaving school and got the notice...had to sit down immediately and read! The interaction between Elrohir and Elladan in this chapter is not often touched on, but it seems likely as they were growing up there would be friction about them being a pair. And Elrohir, being the less forceful (I guess) would catch it about never doing anything on his own. That had to irritate and infuriate him...it did here, to the point of making a rather rash decision. I'd say thank goodness Legolas is with him, but knowing those two, it probably means there will be double the trouble and double the owies!!!! *vbg* Great update...more soon...Balrog's balls, don't leave us hanging on the edge of this cliff! (hehehehehe...started to say something else...decided was rather inappropriate...restrained self *smirk*)

linda

Author Reply: I haven't abandoned the story, but for the longest time this chapter proved elusive to write. That particular muse has returned, and I know where the next three chapters are going now!

I think the usual teenage issues of 'finding yourself' would be even harder with an identical twin who is so close. But is this the best way to deal with it? BTW, don't restrain yourself - I like inappropriate!

Quilde QuenReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/7/2004
O.O "Balrog's balls! We found a troll!" lol! hilarious! i'm glad Elrohir decided to let Legolas go with him or he would've been killed for sure! now how will they get out of this mess i wonder? guess i'll have t wait till next time, right?

Author Reply: I'm glad you like that line! I'm not sure which of the three is most surprised here. Hopefully Legolas and Elrohir will be able to save each other.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/7/2004
I was just thinking how alike teenaged males are everywhere (they can all be baited....), but how fortunate that we know there is no way the departure of these two from Imladris went unnoticed. Silly elflings. Scary troll.

Author Reply: It's testosterone poisoning. He's got to prove he's not scared of trolls, when the sensible option would be to say 'Yes, of course I am!' Now, will anyone notice their absense?

ElvenesseReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/7/2004
Addendum: I don't know if I've ever told you that I think Balrog’s balls! is a really good curse.

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm sure that elves would swear at times.

ElvenesseReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/7/2004
There I was, congratulating Elrohir on dealing with Finglor in a mature fashion, and then he goes and argues with his brother and does something he knows is stupid.

I like Legolas coming after him, since Elladan couldn't and I'm sure elves can run faster than trolls...

Is it just me, or do you like endangering/injuring Elrohir best?

Author Reply: What can I say? He's a teenaged elf; one minute sensible and mature, the next all affronted pride. It's a good thing Legolas went with him - I think - but now there's two of them out there ...

You're quite right - there's something about Elrohir I like!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/7/2004
Oh my lord, if the troll doesn't kill these two, their parents will. I was struck by how nicely you advanced this chapter with dialogue and actions, Jay. It came alive. It was shown, not told. Really, really nicely done.

Author Reply: I think poor Elrohir is suffering from a little testosterone poisoning here - he wants to prove himself, even though he knows it's foolish. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, I've been trying to work on it for months, as it just didn't seem to come right.

Jay

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