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Betrothal Blues  by jenolas 9 Review(s)
AJonesReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/4/2019
Sweet story.

LKKReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2004
What a wonderful look into another side of Thranduil, jenolas. It is good to see that there are times when he is not quite so confident. (I mean that in a good way.) But I was saddened to see that his engagement and the march on Sauron were so close in time. :(

Good work, as always!

Author Reply: Thanks. At least there was time for some happiness in Thranduils' life before he sadly inherited Oropher's realm.

eokatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/1/2004
This is stunning. The love between Thranduil and his parents...Thranduil being nervous... and the thought of what is going to happen when they go to Mordor. Makes me want to shiver. I loved it. Eokat.

Author Reply: Your comments are much appreciated, thank you.

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2004
Lovely story, Jenolas! I enjoy how affectionate the family is with each other, and how understanding of Thranduil's anxiety. Great!

- Barbara

Author Reply: Glad you liked it, thanks for the review.

Painful_Blue_EyesReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2004
Aww, what a great story! I don't think I've ever read a story about Thranduil and Oropher. Excellent story!

Author Reply: Me either, so I decided to write one.

KarriReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2004
Very nice! It is so rare to see happy family in Oropher stories. I enjoyed it enormously.

Author Reply: Thanks!

DotReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2004
Oh, how marvellous. It’s great to see Thranduil with his parents, especially at a moment like this.

I admit I do like to see Thranduil a little ruffled. I imagine only those closest to him know that’s even possible! I like the fact that the betrothal is an event of such importance that finery is required and I particularly love the fact that his mother makes it herself, even though there were probably any number of seamstresses who would have done it. It’s a lovely personal touch.

“Believe me, my son, I do know how important it is to you that you look your best, but remember beauty is not in the garment, but in the spirit of the wearer.” Ah, and she’s wise too! Caille is very pretty name. Did you invent it?

I really loved Oropher in this. He seems a very jovial sort around his family. It made me smile to see how playful he and his wife are together. I always felt it was such a nice thought that Elves find their soul mate and can tell if they’re destined to be together. It means that even after centuries they can still be so passionate together as these two are.

He was holding the book upside down??! Poor Thranduil. I love the fact that apparently Oropher turned into a stuttering idiot when he had to ask Caille to marry him. It says a lot about him too that he doesn’t mind that his son knows this, especially as he knows that it might reassure Thranduil somewhat.

So there I was enjoying the closeness between father and son and then Oropher *had* to go and mention Mordor. Jenolas! That’s terrible. Do I take it so that not long after this betrothal, father and son go off to join Gil-galad? That’s awful. But I guess it does serve to remind us that even though these Elves are happy now, all is not well in Middle-earth. I love seeing these characters but sometimes I really wish I didn’t know their future…! Of course, I wouldn’t actually object to reading a bit more about it… ;-)

Thranduil sounds absolutely swoon-worthy (is that even a word?!) in that new tunic of his.

He forgot the rings! I felt so sorry for him sitting by the tree at a total loss as to what to do. Thank the Valar indeed that his Adar appeared. It even brought a tear to my eye when he hugs Oropher so ecstatically, and Oropher so clearly relishes his son’s warmth.

“Of course not, but I did somehow forget to stop at one!” LOL! Oh, I LOVE how affectionate you make your Elves! This was great. I really enjoyed the wonderful closeness between all of them and how much pleasure Thranduil’s parents seem to get from his happiness. You do an amazing job in bringing these people to life and you give them very real personalities that go so much deeper than we’d usually see in stories – particularly for Oropher and his wife. Plus, it’s just wonderful to see Thranduil having people to look after him and to know that they knew him better than anyone else ever could.



Author Reply: Caille is an 'invented' name, in answer to your question, Dot. And 'swoon-worthy' is a very apt description of Thranduil, I agree.

I guess like Oropher, he is more at ease on the battle field than on the field of lov, which only serves to bring adar and son closer.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2004
Nice story, Jenolas. I like seeing this younger Thranduil. The shadow of Dagorlad hangs over them, however, which gives this more poignancy, I think.

Author Reply: Yes, life for the elves was not always joyous, there were shadows lurking.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2004
Ahh. It's lovely to see a young Thranduil at such an important moment in his life - and with both parents. Such a lovely family scene, although it would be nice to see Thranduil with his beloved.

And the tunic sounds beautiful.

Author Reply: I imagine that Thranduil's parents were as loving as all elvish parents are said to be... as for Thranduil with Legolas's mother, well maybe.

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