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The Queen's Orc  by jodancingtree 6 Review(s)
CalimeReviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/21/2005
Wow! Wow! I'm just speechless about all that was in this chapter.

A adored this line which brought tears right from the start:

Radagast smiled. "Leaps-for-the-light, I called him. It is not enough for him that he turned away from Darkness; always he must keep striving higher, reaching for the sky. There are few like him in any world, little one."

But that was only the beginning. Canohando's encounter with Celeborn, the return of the jewel, Malawen's confession, their union. All very powerfully written. A simply awesome chapter.

As to your comments to Meldewen Ilce, I agree that Malawen did not consciously consider the orc baby a child of hers, but I think that she was immediateld scarred by her actions. Though she only became conscious of the infant's personhood when she started to think of Canohando as more than an orc, deep down she had to have known it was wrong. I think that intensified her hatred toward the orcs more so than just what the abuse would wrought--her knowing what their actions had brought her to.

I agree with the others--you need to write your own stories. Your light and elegant prose is always a joy to read. It's never preachy though it is filled with insight and truth. And, most importantly, your characters come to life in a such a delightful way. All you really need is a great storyline.

Author Reply: oh absolutely, Calime - that Malawen was immediately scarred by her drowning of the baby Orc. Somewhere I read that when we treat someone badly, it makes us hate him all the more: that seems to me to be true. Perhaps because we then try to justify our own wrongful actions.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the story - thanks for reviewing!

jo

powerwriterReviewed Chapter: 31 on 8/23/2004
*gasp* What happened in this chapter was extremely unexpected! It's wonderful that Celeborn was still as wise has he should be, though you can feel his saddness as well.

"With your back up and all your fur on end, spitting and clawing. But there is nothing for you to fear, child, so go sit by Celeborn and purr nicely for him."

I love that description :D

It seems Canohando and Malawen sort of meet in the middle when it comes to their likenesses in character. It's like they balance each other out. It's good to see they finally made it known to each other that they need to be one together! Canohando called her by her name too.

Where will this take them now that they're bound together? Will anything come about with the dark elves? Who will sail to Valinor and who won't? Please write more soon, Jo! You have a very enjoyable story here :)

-Nina

p.s.- I started on the drawing, but my first attempt came out horrible! So, I'm trying a new image I thought of and hopefully that'll work.

Author Reply: Good for you, Nina, to catch that! Yes, he called her by name - which is something Canohando never does - other than Lash and Yarga, he never calls anyone by name. He has little nicknames for everyone - when he names a person, he's moved very deeply.

Waiting eagerly to see your drawing!

jo

esamenReviewed Chapter: 31 on 8/23/2004
His arms tightened around her, and she nestled against him. Now I understand you, my Queen; now I know why you gave away your birthright. For this happiness… I am exiled from Valinor, but the Blessed Land has come to me where I am.

Oh!!!!!


Oh!!!!!

I nearly DIED when I read the end of this chapter! Oh, my gosh! What a fantastic story.

Well, I am glad that Celeborn stood up for what's right -- yes, the wood elves were more dangerous and less wise -- very true. I'd like to find out what happened to the nasty guard elves, and hear more about Frodo and the other hobbits of the quest -- now that Canohandro is around people who remember them.

Where in ME are you going NEXT with this story? This is quite the unexpected ride, and so unlike anything else I've read in LOTR fan fic. I am really, really enjoying it. Thank you for all your hard work in writing down your vision for us.

Esamen

Author Reply: I'm so glad you like it, Esamen! Well, you know he told Lash in the very beginning that he wanted to see the Shire, so--

jo

Rose SaredReviewed Chapter: 31 on 8/23/2004
Jo, do you have anything published so that I can go out and pay money for your work? You are inspired and inspiring. I am so moved by your work, thank you from my heart.
Rose

Author Reply: Oh my, Rose! (blushing like mad) No, just a magazine article about 16 years ago so far. But I have two young adult novels in the works, if I can ever pry myself out of Middle Earth & get back to them. One of them, at least some of it, is probably ready for a beta by now - if you're interested, let me know. It's not nearly as cheerful as my Middle Earth stuff, though -

jo

Meldewen IlceReviewed Chapter: 31 on 8/23/2004
Oh Jo - you don’t know how relieved I was when Radagast made his appearance in the last chapter because I knew surely the Brown Wizard could make Celeborn see reason if he did not indeed live up to his reputation as the Wise.

Oh Jo I am speechless with tears of pure joy for Canohando and Malawen in this lastest chapter as I had hoped they’d finally become mates!

Poor Malawen – I understand at last why she’s held back from Canohando and I can even imagine what she went through when the orcs had her – and then to have a child come out of all that! I am a little shocked she drowned her own child but in some ways I am not as that child was born out of a hateful experience.

Unlike the previous child she had, any children her and Canohando are blessed with will be born out of the great love their parents have for one another – so I do not fear for them!

That night in deep darkness he came to her, hungry and importunate, and at first she trembled even though she knew him. But his lovemaking was gentle, and he carried her with him until they rocked together like the waves of the sea, and she opened her eyes and stared up at stars that seemed to spin crazily across the heavens, crying out in bliss.

Oh Jo, I have tears of happiness streaming down my face – Is this what Arwen saw waiting for Canohando in Rivendell?

*sighs*

Oh and will Radagast be returning to the West?

I mean he said soon all the Elves must leave or they’ll miss their chance forever to go to the Blessed Realm – will he too leave Middle-earth forever when that last ship sails?

And what of Canohando and Malawen – will a way be made for them to sail to Valinor as well?

*sighs*

Oh please DO update again soon!

P.S. - Will this story be longer than “Following the Other Wizard”? -- I certainly HOPE SO!!!!

Author Reply: Longer than "Following the Other Wizard"? At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised! And "Wizard", you know, started out to be 5 or 6 little vignettes, just as a sort of dessert after "Another Way of Leaving"... I think what it comes down to is, I don't when to stop. I'm glad you're along for the ride.

As to Malawen - I don't think she really saw that baby as her own child. He was an Orc, a monster - just like the Orcs who had raped her. Not until she began to love Canohando, would she think about that baby as an individual worthy of life for his own sake. And I wonder how many times she found herself wondering what Canohando was like as a child, and if her own son would have been like him.
It must have haunted her.

jo

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 31 on 8/22/2004
What extremes of feeling in this chapter: glee at Celeborn's anger at the elves (which I felt even in Canohando didn't), horror at the drowned baby, delight and love in what Canohando and Malawen find in one another.

Author Reply: Oh, I think Canohando felt something in response to Celeborn's anger - maybe catharsis, more than glee. Good thing Canohando could see that Celeborn was angry, as the Orc fights to put aside his own rage...

jo

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