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Evensong  by Rose Sared 7 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 21 on 12/14/2006
I thank you for a delightful tale, and hope there is more to come.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/27/2005
Ah, Rose. I. HAVE. NO. TIME. And it grieves me mightily! I'm going to leave a few words here just because I do so love this story and your writing...and "Evensong" is OVER! Methinks you owe me a long tale (along with Treebeard) also, Lady of Many, Poetic Words...do let me know when Legolas begins the telling!

I love the compassionate, kind side of Gimli buried under that craggy, rough, grumpy exterior! His use of the Ring was inspired and I loved how he was able to control the level of power expended.

I also love the horse (tho' was he not a she in an earlier chapter?...or have I mixed my stories up...no matter, at least your Legolas' horse has a flippin' name! LOL) and the picture you painted of them riding along the edge of the forest.

I love the entire scene with Treebeard (and particularly love it when Legolas addresses him as "eldest"...). This was such a good story and I was sad to see it end. I have made a VOW to myself to go back and reread and review the previous chapters I missed (as well as this one - I haven't said nearly enough about the word pictures you paint so beautifully!) So, adieu...check ya later...adios...whatever...for a time (I hate that word!) and know I'll be looking for that story Legolas promised at the end!

linda

Author Reply: OMG of course she is a she - typo typo alert - Danger Will Robinson - Rose spins around flashing lights and buzzing like a sprayed fly. eRK.
Ahem I will fix it (blush)
Thanks for your kind words and support Linda, I am glad you are feeling more like yourself these days - even if you, like the rest of us are short of time. I hope the knots the weather has been tying itself in in your neck of the woods has not disrupted your life too severely - the rest of the world looks on in rather awed sympathy.
It will probably be next year before I get another tome on the way - I have to build up a bit of a head of steam!
Keep well and be safe
Thinking of you
Rose

lindahoylandReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/11/2005
This has been most enjoyable.I loved the scene between Aragorn and Gimli.It is sad to see them all ageing.You are a gifted writer.

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your kind words and support. It means a lot to me.
Rose

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/11/2005
I'm really sad to see this story end, but look forward to the next when it comes. I don't know anything, but I think Tolkien would be pleased with what you have done here.

As always, there are passages in this chapter that are just a pleasure to read:

"Outside the night settled gently on the forest like a feather, the wind died and the blazing stars lit the gentle dark."

Who hasn't experienced this? But I haven't seen it put to words so well before.

"The ent waved his hand over another large jar and a soft golden light complemented the green glow, so that the light was like the evening sun through leaves, playing and flickering on the ceiling. Legolas felt the ent drink curling around his insides like his father’s finest wine. Sleep in this enchanted place would be better than good."

I love it that although the magic in the world has faded it isn't entirely gone. That reference to Thranduil's wine seems to conjure up the comfort and security of home for Legolas--here is a place where he can truly rest. Treebeard's hospitality is so...Treebeard.

"Legolas lay himself down on the soft grass and fern that padded Treebeard’s bed and allowed himself to drift on the path of dreams, and the light of the bright stars seemed to combine with the drips of water flowing over the rock floor to forge for him a silver path of peace."

You end this story with such a peaceful, though faintly sad note. After all the conflict that has happened and the loss in the changes that have come, still the world carries on, and everyone in it. It feels sort of melancoly and hopeful at the same time. Wonderful tale, Rose. ~TF



Author Reply: Thank you TF, I cannot tell you what a pleasure it has been reading your encouraging and thoughtful reviews. I am glad you think I hit a Tolkeinish note - that has always been my aim.
Rose

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/11/2005
Lovely finish, Rose.

The line that stopped me was Gimli wondering for the first time in his long life, just who and what he had become. Sometimes I wonder that myself, and that Gimli only thinks it now is a sign of his solidity, I think.

I also liked Legolas addressing Treebeard as "eldest." You do these things so well.

I eagerly await the next one.

Author Reply: Thanks daw, I am going to let the muses stew a little, they are already going 'Oi, why aren't you feeling a)guilty about not writing, or b)guilty about thinking about the story when you should be working, doing housework, attending to the garden, or c)guilty when you are acrually writing instead of doing any of the above,' Hah!
They will get fed up shortly and feed me an irresistable plot device and have me in their clutches again, I am sure.
Looking forward to Christmas
Rose

ImrahoilReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/11/2005
The end? You must be kidding. Good, you are kidding! Will be waiting eagerly for the next volume - favourite quote "You owe me a long tale I think, Hm, Hoom", I do second this -, so enjoy your summer break, but don't take too long. If you take too long, I will hassle you, meeercilessly, that's a promise.

Thanks for the wonderful ride and especially for the ents.

*sniff*

Take care for now ...

Author Reply: Thanks Imrahoil, I will miss you too. I am so sad to get to the end of this tale, but then I am always sad when I get to the end of a tale. I hope another story will plot itself out for me tying up all the loose ends of Evensong - as soon as it does you will be among the first to know.
Your support has been wonderful. Thankyou
Rose

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/11/2005
as the wind blew piebald shadows across the plains of Rohan

What a stunning piece of imagery that is! And multi-levelled, too.

I love the picture of Aragorn very tactfully manoeuvring Gimli into riding with him - only to discover that he could just have asked and the poor bruised dwarf, struggling with the ring, would have happily agreed to avoid the demon horse. These friends are now of such long-standing that they fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. (Although not for much longer, I'm sorry to know.)

And Gimli is just the kind of person who can deal with the ring. Delusions of glory and omnipotence just do nothing for him. Solid as the rock that forms the bones of Arda - but with a wood-elf-inspired appreciation for things that grow and live around it. Would Narvi have been quite as sensitive to the death of a mouse? I don't know. Certainly not by the end.

Gimli will not let the ring escape his control - not if he can help it. But it exhausts him. Aragorn is wise to say that his knee will get better in its own time - but I still liked to see Gimli use a thread of power to heal.

The Ents - they have become more as their charges have become less. But what is the future for them? Legolas can sail when the loss of interaction with the forest becomes unbearable, but the Ents don't, I think, have such an opportunity. (Although the Blessed Realm could do with Ents in its forests, I would think.) And what has actually become of all the forest / river spirits? They just winked out of existence - or they were pushed somewhere else?

I just loved this. And my fingers are crossed that the words Chapter 1 are already written somewhere on your computer, so that my insatiable desire to know what happens next can soon be fed. I am reluctant for the end of the next decade - but there must be stories before that, that will leave Aragorn in as good health as a man of two centuries can expect. And beyond the sea, when the pain of loss has subsided somewhat. Or even in the past! Whatever they are, I look forward to reading them.



Author Reply: Bod, you have always written such lovely reviews - it is worth writing chapter one somewhere just in anticipation of getting some more of your encouragement.
I will let the muses get frustrated and see what happens. Thank you for your steadfast support.
Rose

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