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The Golden Bell of Greenleaf  by lwarren 10 Review(s)
Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/11/2006
I am really enjoying this story! Very well written and as a horse lover who has dealt with their injuries, I feel for Legolas having Arod hurt. My only complaint is whoever gave you equine info did NOT know how to treat an injury such as this!! You would NOT use HOT wraps!! No, no he would have had Arod in that stream soaking that leg in COLD water! *shivers* Oh the number of nights I've had to be up every few hours to hose a leg! Horse leg injuries are awful! Perhaps if he had boiled the herbs and then cooled them in the stream before wrapping, that would be more feaible as a liniment might help but the best thing is COLD water soaks for 15 minutes... HOT soaks work great for getting a hoof abssess to drain. Ok...I'm done venting for this chapter! Still very well done story! I'm loving it!
NiRi

Author Reply: OK, NiRi. I'm going to edit this chapter tomorrow. And then I'm going to bug you to read it and see if I got it right!!!! :-) I'm glad you still liked the story though! Thanks for taking the time to review!

Linda (who has never been around horses in her life...just loved them from afar)

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/27/2006
Of course I had to stick my nose into this story as soon as possible - elf-angst and horses, how could I ever resist such a lure? ;-) I love horses, and I already enjoyed the way you described Arod and his relationship to Legolas in "Le Abdollen".

I liked how you described the communication between elf and horse in this first chapter, though I have a bad feeling about this injury - it might have something to do with the fact that you mentioned "first loss" in the author's notes. ;-) I think I'd better get me some tissues, just in case... I loved your description of their galopp together, Arod's playfulness, and how gentle and affectionate they are with each other. I was quite relieved when Eomer and his men showed up.

"Lothiriel is beside herself, Elfwine has threatened to run away to look for you, and my own men had been packed for days before we left, they were that ready to find you! You have the entire realm in an uproar!" - I really liked that, lol! Legolas is obviously well-liked in Rohan. ;-) I loved this beginning, though I'm very worried about Arod now, and I fear I have every reason to be. :(

P.S. Concerning the One Ring influencing members of the fellowship and especially Legolas and Gimli: have you read "Unrevelling the Tale" by Nimue I Am? In her story the Ring stirs up the enmity between L & G, and only turns to Boromir after they have become friends and are able to resist its influence. I just reread the story, and after reading your review reply I was wondering whether you know it, too. :)

P.P.S. I don't know much about computers, too, but I'm quite used to posting on ff.net and Nan, so feel free to ask if you ever need to know something or need help with anything. :)

Author Reply: Hey, you just stick your nose in any old time, hear? I don't know if you've ever read Teanna's story "The Elvish Way With All Good Beasts", but it is an amazing look at how she thinks Legolas came to be so skilled with horses. (You can find it at the Eternal site.) I read that very small part in THE TWO TOWERS when Eomer gives Arod to Legolas, and had a little part sneak into my first effort at writing (Through All These Years) where Legolas is riding a new horse. Then I happened across Teanna's story and the bunny bit me hard to tell how he got that new horse and 'Golden Bell' was born. She very graciously permitted me to reference her story from time to time and it's been growing ever since! :-)

I reread ch.1 when you posted this review and it's always interesting to go back, you know? I'm glad you liked Legolas and Arod. This injury is a recurring one and while not fatal, it will force Legolas to give his old friend up. I also wanted Legolas to be close to the royal family of Rohan, hence the uproar! LOL Thank you for taking the time to review, Tinu. I'm sure you understand how encouraging reviews can be! :-)

Linda
(Where would the story by Nimue I Am be found? I would love to read it. Also, you may be sorry you offered to help with little computer-illiterate ol' me! *g*)


Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/30/2005
How lovely to see the special relationship betweeen elf and horse. When we have inadvertantly allowed harm to come to one we love how bitter the pain.

Eomer claiming the entire realm in an uproar over the wayward elf was wonderful, too. Such a human response to concern over a missing friend.

Thank you for a nicely detailed story.

Author Reply: Thank YOU for such a kind review! I love the thought that not only could the elves talk to their trees, but also their horses. In TTT, Tolkien tells about Legolas being given a restive, fiery horse that accepted him immediately! I liked that! So through the years Arod and Legolas have become the best of friends and you are so right (and observant) about the bitterness and guilt Legolas feels concerning Arod's injury.

I figure the King of the Mark and the elf would probably have lots of chances to visit each other and become friends over the years (through the connection with Eowyn and Ithilien). Legolas was very late...he missed the party!:-) and everyone was ready to find out why - especially since Legolas was investigating the rumors of orcs in the mountains on the way to Edoras. Thank you again for taking the time to review. I hope you keep enjoying the story!

linda

DotReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/17/2005
Hi there, Linda. I know I promised I’d review your stories ages ago… I could offer a list of excuses but I won’t, I’ll just offer my apologies. I didn’t want you to think that I read them and didn’t like them! I’ve actually been following this story all along and am totally ashamed that I didn’t drop you a few lines as a review. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to working my way through this. It’ll probably take a few days but I’ll get started! Also, I read your latest chapter so I saw your note and I want to extend my condolences to you and your family. You’ve been in my thoughts since I read it and I hope that you can find some comfort and strength in your memories and in your writing.

What a wonderfully fluid style you have! I loved the description of Legolas and Arod in the wild, joyful race across in the countryside. You’ve captured perfectly the sense of freedom as well as the deep connection between these two. The communication between them is such a lovely idea and so beautifully expressed. You have a marvellous understanding of Legolas too. His speech is very musical and very… elvish, I guess!

“Get off!” Whoa! My heart jumped at that! And you brought tears to my eyes when Arod pleads with Legolas to just make it stop. It was awful to see such a magnificent creature so helpless. I love, though, that not only does Legolas try to reassure Arod, but Arod in turn knows the troubled thoughts of his elf, and tries to comfort him. Still, it’s hard to see Legolas’ despair over his friend.

That must have been a very difficult journey for both Legolas and Arod. I was so glad when Eomer finally appeared. I like the obvious friendship between the man and elf as well as the suggestion that Legolas is well-loved by all in Eodoras. Eomer clearly knows what Arod means to Legolas too. I imagine a love of horses would bring these two together is nothing else would!!


Author Reply: Hi,Dot! It was so good to see the notices of reviews for "...Bell" and especially when I saw it was you! I would be the last person to chide you for not reviewing sooner...I have so many reviews I am behind on for one reason or another. Sometimes RL has the utter gall to interfere! How Rude! But here you are and I am gladdddd...I appreciate your thoughts and condolences, too. I suppose things will get easier with time. Anyway, writing has been a welcome diversion late at night.

You really think my writing is fluid? Dot, that is so encouraging! I read the chapters one time and think "fluid" and then the next and think "wordy"...so thanks for thinking the lines flow rather than sink like the proverbial stone! :-) One of my favorite parts of TTT is one of the shortest, where Legolas is given a restive, fiery horse that accepts him immediately. I loved that idea that if elves could hear the trees talk (heck, they "taught" the trees to talk!) then surely they could communicate with their horses. Anywho, in my Arda, they can! As for understanding the elf, I only try and hope not to butcher his character too much.

Yes, Legolas and Arod have become very close over their years and experiences together. They look out for each other, as all good friends do. Seeing Arod hurt and knowing this might be a permanent injury is eating at Legolas right now. He really does not want to think about the fact his friend is approaching a time when he will unable to carry his rider anymore.

Eomer has come far since his first suspicious meeting with our elf. He, his wife and his son have come to know and love Legolas - he's that favorite uncle, don't ya know! :-) Once again, thanks for reviewing, Dot! You write such thoughtful ones...I have enjoyed revisiting this chapter through your comments!

ManderlyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
Yay! You are writing more! A great beginning and the bond between Legolas and Arod is so real that one forgets that Arod is a horse. The bantering between them can almost be mistaken for that between Legolas and Gimli. I am anxious to see where you will take this story. Please keep on writing!

Author Reply: I think these two know each other very well by now, and Arod probably knows how best to deal with an overanxious elf! Thank you for reviewing, Manderly! More soon!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
Well, if you have an injured horse, who better to appear than the Rohirrim? I can imagine that they know more about horses than anyone. Still, I can see lessons about mortality here for Legolas. Sigh. It must be hard to watch many of those you love die.

Author Reply: I think, in addition to knowing they will eventually die, actually seeing how time and age affect his mortal friends will be hard for Legolas. And yes, the Rohirrim calvery to the rescue! Thank you for reviewing, daw!

SivanReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
I'm glad you post you story here, and I hope to see more of it. (MC! Yahoo list)

I love what I read, thank you!

Keep up the perfect work that you are doing with your fic.

Sivan

Author Reply: Hi Sivan! I recognized your name from before...thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you're enjoying the story (and you remembered it, too! *g*) More to come soon, I hope!

Rose SaredReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
Oh no, Arod is not going to take kindly to having his paces curtailed and poor old Leggy is set fair to lose another mortal friend. Tough being an elf.
Lovely horsey stuff.
Lovely writing
well done
Rose

Author Reply: Arod is not going to take kindly to a lot of things in the future, but he loves his elf and will cooperate, I think! I told you it was a horsey story! Thank you for reviewing, RS!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
I love the relationship between Legolas and Arod. They are the best of friends - and talk like it! What a great horse-centric start. I hope Arod survives this injury. I'm sure Legolas will just want to have him around for rather longer.

Trust the Rohirrim to understand a delay that is horse-related. They must be really glad to have Arod in Legolas's hands - he couldn't have a better carer.

I like it when Legolas decides philosophically that the search will give Eomer an excuse to leave Edoras. And when he tells Arod not to let Gimli know that the elf had been acting as a servant to his horse.

Author Reply: I have always loved the thought of the elves relating so closely to their horses, and you have Arod accepting Legolas as his rider right away in the book. Then he accepted Gimli on his back, too, and that would have taken a special sort of communication for that to happen, I think! LOL

Yes, Legolas is a good one to have charge of Arod's care - though I think he might argue with you about that! He's feeling rather guilty about Arod's injury.

Yes, Gimli would find something to tease the elf about here - even if it's just to tell him he's acting like Mother Legolas to a HORSE! Thank you for the review, Bodkin! :-)

TinnuialReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
What a lovely start to this story....I loved how Legolas and Arod have this beautiful connection to each other and how all of Meduseld was in uproar over their disappearance!!! Looking forward to more chapters....
:)

Author Reply: You wouldn't know it from the beginning (when I posted, my stupid computer messed up a whole paragraph that I need to repair), but Legolas and Arod were expected in Edoras! When they were late, everyone freaked! LOL...and I like thinking that the Rohirrim have gotten over their suspicions of elf-kind, especially where this particular elf is concerned, and he has become a valued friend to Eomer and his people! Thank you for the review, Tinnuial! :-)

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