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Betrothal Blues  by jenolas 7 Review(s)
just call me darknessReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/22/2004
SO COOL

lilReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/21/2004
I thought your story was brilliant but the thought of all that soppy stuff like kissing made me laugh.

Author Reply: Thanks, but what would a proposal be without a little romance and a kiss or two?

eokatReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/15/2004
Another beautiful chapter looking into the earlier years of Thranduil. I will admit that Eomer is my all time favourite but a close second belongs to the Mirkwood King. Hope to see more of this. Eokat.

Author Reply: There is certainly the chance of more at a later date.

KarriReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/15/2004
Terrific! A nice mixture of passion, sweetness and humour.

Author Reply: Many thanks.

DotReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/15/2004
I don’t think I realised there would be more to this. But yay!

“Many a night he could be found, clad in only a loose shirt and leggings, his feet bare and his golden tresses unbraided and unruly as he danced gaily around the fire with his beloved.” Oh, I adore that image. How wonderful to see that not only does Thranduil possess a carefree spirit but that he sees no barriers between him and his people.

He does seem very humble in his love for Elisiel, almost as though he feels blessed by the fact that she loves him so much. It’s very touching the way he watches her tend to the child. I think they both seem very giving and selfless and the way that they are so comfortable around everyone suggests that they would make excellent rulers, beloved by their people.

I like her parents! They’re obviously really fond of Thranduil as well and I love the way Thranduil shows such respect to them and still manages to have a very easy relationship with them. He’s been brought up well, that young prince.

Elisiel and Thranduil are lovely together. They already read each other so well that there’s no doubt they’re destined to be partners. The moment where he asks her to marry him was beautiful - I almost felt as though I was intruding on something very private!

The ending made me smile. It’s as if this moment has also brought him an extra layer in his relationship with his father because they now share the utter happiness of a loved one agreeing to bind herself to them. I do love seeing Thranduil in less troubled times. It warms my heart to see him happy! Actually, at this age he kind of reminds me of the way you write Legolas, which I think is great. It’s as though Thranduil raises Legolas in a similar way to the way he was raised so that he learns humility, respect, generosity etc. Yet at the same time there are some differences because of the type of world in which they grow up. It makes me sad to think of what is to come soon for Thranduil. Maybe I won’t think about that, I’ll just go back and read about him dancing around the fire…;-)


Author Reply: Well, truth be told I did not intend to write a second part, but my Thranduil muse made me do it... he rather fancies Legolas's mother after all.

As usual, you have understood exactly the character traits I was attempting to show. Thranduil does find it hard to believe that Elisiel loves him as much as he loves her, and since the child is often a reflection of his parents, I think you can see why Thranduil, (and indeed Legolas) is as he is.

Considering the dark times Thranduil endured, I also imagine he did his best to keep Legolas from experiencing the same and yet it must have been especially heartbreaking when Sauron re-established himself at Dol Guldur.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/15/2004
Very romantic, Jenolas. All the parents certainly seem to be pleased by this match, a good sign in elves and in humans too I guess. I liked the way that Thranduil's nervousness faded away when he was finally with her.

Author Reply: Indeed all the parents were pleased, and as one would expect, Thranduil's confidence did not falter when it really mattered.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/15/2004
Ahh - what a lovely romantic interlude. Thranduil in his beautifully embroidered outfit, that by itself makes clear his parents' approval binding himself to his one true love, to her parents' obvious delight.

If it hadn't been for the Ominous Mention in the first part, all would be sweetness and light.

Author Reply: Ah, but unfortunately for them all, darkness was lurking in the shadows.

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