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Tell This Mortal  by Chathol-linn 6 Review(s)
LinsulReviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/15/2004
*gasp*
WHY?!
Very emotional writing, really draws me in, so much so thaty when the Queen did her awful deeds, I screamed. *chuckles* Me Mum came running, thinking that I was hurt, and now she is muttering about too much LOTR. LOL.
I think that this is my new favorite Tolkien Fan fic!!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2004
You know that I didn't mean the comment about the diamond-tipped arrow as a criticism, C-l. I envy your ability to write about Elves that are not of my mundane world. My own Elves always seem to come out like Men who are fond of trees.

Author Reply: Thanks, I took your comment as positive feedback and it did alert me to a rough edge in the story. And your Elves do not seem like Men who are fond of trees! Regards - Chathol-linn

LamielReviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2004
This vision of the death of Legolas' mother and sister is just heart-breaking - all the more so because I remember them from your other stories. Thranduil's grief is terrible to see - what a concept of why he might have stayed. It's just so sad.

Author Reply: Hi, Lamiel. I've read a lot of stories about why Thranduil might have stayed. Mostly, the motives did not seem convincing. I mean, Galadriel and Elrond stayed because they had rings of power and they stayed till it was clear the rings' time had come. I just couldn't see Thranduil staying to manage the forest with Celeborn, or because he liked the Great Greenwood better than Elvenhome. Especially since Legolas sailed. So I picked the most compelling reason I could think of, and strong motives often have horrendous roots. But - the canon is silent on this matter and one can imagine more cheerful reasons for Thranduil's delay. Many thanks for your provacative feedback! Regards - Chathol-linn.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2004
Horrible story of the deaths and fascinating use of the idea of a fea that does not answer the call of Mandos.

There are some nice unrealistic touches here that make this story seem part of epic or magic rather than our mundane world. I'm thinking of the arrow with the diamond tip.

Author Reply: daw, the moment I read your critique of the diamond arrow, I thought, she is right. It was a standard motif that I plucked from my mental collection of motifs, so I wouldn't have to think. I have now replaced the arrow with a treasure that has actual parallels in other parts of the story.

Not that I object to the story seeming part of an epic or magic. I suscribe to JRRT's theory in "On Fairy Tales" where he says that fairy tales are not about fairies but rather about the Land of Faerie, and its borders. I usually make a conscious effort to write as if I had visited a magical country, by accident as it were, and then returned to make a report. Even if my stories begin in the mundane world, they often end up back in Faerie.

Thank you for the tip regarding the arrow. As always, I appreciate your insights. You are a good reader and writer. Regards - Chathol-linn

fan81981Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2004
Words fail me - I do not know where to begin or end. This was/is a fantastic tale. Dark, a little bitter but there is still an unreal quality to it. By making Gimli tell it, by making it history instead of the present, you have added a sense of nostalgia which adds to the sorrow instead of diminishes it.

Knowing that this happened a long time ago, knowing that there wasn't a more pleasant future - that THranduil still suffers his wife's loss, hurts. Hurts a lot. The hints you drop about Legolas' own tragic love with the mortal girl, his madness/sea-longing almost made me cry.

The only thing stopping me is the fact that I am at work. I think I just blew off my co-worker though I cannot be sure because I was so engrossed with the story.

I noticed that the sotry is listed as complete - I hope not. I have so many questions and a faint, if unrealistic hope that one day that Thranduil will sail one day. PLEASE tell me it is so. PLEASE.

Or at least update soon.

Author Reply: Hey, fan81981! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I share your hopes for Thranduil and believe that the final parts (which I have posted) will respond to your questions. I am blown away by your terrific review. Regards - Chathol-linn

Rose SaredReviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/28/2004
Sorry to be several chapters behind but it read so well! I am enjoying this dark tale and it indeed answers some thorny canon q's.
Looking forwad to the rest.
Rose

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