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The Golden Bell of Greenleaf by lwarren	10 Review(s)
Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/29/2006
Here I am again! happy sigh This story always gives me something to look forward to, though it is really difficult to leave the poor elf behind in the state he is in, just to go working and do various Real Life things. ;-) I'm so glad you won't kill Arod off - when I read that his leg was injured I feared the worst (you never know what an author is up to ;-). Btw, I tend to reread my stories too, when I get new reviews - it can be sometimes fun and sometimes embarrassing. g Well, back to the chapter. It is really a relief that Aragorn knows about Legolas' situation now, if anyone can find a way to help Legolas, it is him. I loved how you integrated the history of the elves in this chapter, and I really liked what Arwen said about how Legolas acts around water - it instantly reminded me of him at the Nimrodel when the Fellowship was on its way to Lothlorien. I liked Aragorn's concern for his friend, and his anger on his behalf. :) "Urging him to go will only add to his pain.” - That was a very wise thing to say. I always thought Arwen would be able to understand Legolas very well, after all she had made a similar choice for the same reasons. Aragorn of course can't easily see it that way, as he feels guilty because of his friend's choice. Stubborn human. ;-) Ai, it is sad to learn that Legolas has been so alone all the time, except for Arod, of course. Well, it's largely the fault of his own stubborness and his over-protectiveness towards his friends, but I still feel so sorry for him, suffering alone and in silence, and all out of love for his friends. sigh I'm really glad about Aragorn's urgency, and I like it that he goes as Strider. Somehow it would not be fitting to try and comfort Legolas as the King of Gondor. :P Men! shakes head I liked their bantering. ;-) "I am here now and there will be no more of this “suffering in silence all alone” business." - grins It's obvious he knows his friend very well! “Well, in dealing with stubborn elves, I have found that binding them to a tree and singing to them can usually bring them around to my way of thinking!” - I'd like to see that happen! eg I have a feeling Aragorn would end up hanging from that tree upside down, in no mood for singing. g I knew something was missing! huggles Gimli before the dwarf has a chance to escape Another wonderful chapter, I'm looking forward to the reunion of the friends! :) Tinu P.S. Nimue I Am's story can be found on ff.net, I have no idea whether it is allowed to include links here, otherwise I would. I have to look up Teanna's story, I do not know it. Well, I'm certainly far from a computer-expert, but I can do my best to bury you under heaps of well-meant, confusing advice. LOL! Author Reply: Hello! I know how you feel about the story giving you something to look forward to! It's really funny during school...I live for my lunch break and the time when my class is gone to music, etc. and I can check for updates, new stories, etc. Is that bad, or what? :-) Anyway, I'm glad this story is still pleasing to you! Yeah, had to get Aragorn in on this situation...Legolas is the responsible type who always tries to spare his friends any worry - and at first, his sea-longing was not too bad. However, as time has gone by and he has continued to deny the need to sail, they have gotten worse...and worse...sigh - stubborn elf indeed! I'm glad you liked the tie-in to Elf History 101...I hope I got the names right and that the Sindarin did come from the Teleri that lagged behind! LOL Arwen, I think, has been waiting for this, knowing what she does of the sea-longing. And she wants Aragorn to remember that he is dealing with an ELF, and not just his buddy Legolas. That had to be hard sometimes, I thought. They were such good friends, and yet Legolas is from a completely different culture and race. Aragorn senses the concern in Aravir's letter and really starts feeling the urgency to get to the elf and see with his own eyes just what the problem is. (And I - and Aragorn - thought Legolas, in his fragile state of mind, might respond better to the Ranger.) There is story there somewhere about tying elves to trees and singing to them until they cooperate g...I'll have to think about that! :-) Yes, yea Gimli...and welcome! They definitely need his no-nonsense approach at this point! Thank you for taking the time to read and review, Tinu - I am having so much fun reading your comments! Linda :-) (Hey, I'll take all the advice I can get about computers, confusing or not!)

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2005
Arwen explaining to Aragorn about the reasons for Legolas to feel so strong a sea-calling was excellent. It would help those who have not read The Silmarillion to grasp the significance of the longing in the hearts of the elves. Such a 'Legolas' thing to do; just what we mortals would think about the peculiarities of elves. Arwen telling Aragorn he thinks like a mortal, his imaptience at the lenght of the jouney, being denied entrance to Edoras yet again, then the entrance of the pugnacious Gimli; much needed light-hearted moments in the midst of concern for a friend. Author Reply: When I started the story about Arod and Legolas, I realized this would be taking place in the time when the sea-longing would be a factor in Legolas' life. So....I reread the SILMARILLION (especially the beginning, about the Ainulindalie) and made some interesting connections between the Teleri (from which the Sindar came) and water and music and water and the Valar and Eru...it was absolutely fascinating. I tried hard to have Arwen explain clearly...I hoped my assumptions were at least intelligent, I wasn't sure I worded everything right. Still, if you can call it "excellent" I am so pleased!!!! Aragorn, I think, forgets sometimes that his good friend is an elf, with all the thought processes and pecularities that that encompasses. Arwen is just the one to set him straight, too! :-) And impatient is an excellent word to describe the King...he wants to get there (Edoras) right away and to have everything ok again with his friend. Yay, Gimli! I love him...he's so straightforward and blunt. You ALWAYS know where you stand with him! And the others need "light-hearted" at this time. Thank you for such a nice review...I'm having fun watching your comments pop up on my email...I'm at school and my kids are testing, so I walk by from time to time to see what's new that I can look at more closely when we break for PE. linda

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/17/2005
Ah, the sea-longing. A constant source of fascination to me, and one that you explain very well. Aragorn was wise to ask Arwen to enlighten him as best she could. I liked the glimpse of that night in Edoras when Aragorn and Legolas spoke of Galadriel’s message. It speaks volumes of their friendship that Legolas would risk never knowing peace in the forests again in order to follow Aragorn. You’ve added a wonderful level to Arwen’s character too. She, of course, would have a much better understanding of the elvish affliction than her husband would and it’s really moving to know how much she feared for Legolas. Plus, she knows something of life never being the same again… I just adore the idea of Legolas not being able to hide anything from Arod so the horse can be a comfort to him when no-one else can. Another layer to their relationship and a reminder of what Arod means to Legolas. Aragorn is indeed a good friend to realise that Strider and not King Elessar is needed now. Poor Aravir having to listen to the men discuss how difficult moody elves can be! I’m sure he’d have a few complaints of his own about men!! I love how easy everyone is in each other’s company, though. And I’m glad that Eomer feels he can confide his worries in Aragorn. I’m very relieved too that everyone – especially Eomer’s son, it seems – has tried to keep Legolas occupied. At least Legolas hasn’t been stuck in a stable the whole time. “Take me to them, boy…no, I will not leave my axes at your door…you are welcome to take them if you would care to try, you young sprout!” Yay, Gimli!! Author Reply: Hello, Dot! I'm with you...the sea-longing is a fascinating subject. There are so many different ideas as to what it is and how it affects the elves out there, I just couldn't resist taking a stab at it myself, so I read up on the importance of water/the sea to the elves and found some really interesting connections to the Great Song of the Ainur and later, the Teleri. I'm glad my idea of it made sense and I couldn't believe that a call so strong it would take away a wood-elf's joy in the woods wouldn't affect that elf very strongly in many different ways. I think perhaps Arwen was hoping Legolas might be spared somewhat, but knew eventually it might get serious for him. And you know she would try to spare Aragorn any worry until it was no longer possible to ignore things. He's bound to feel guilty for not tying Legolas up at Edoras and MAKING him stay behind (he's just that kind of guy, lol). Legolas is more open now with Arod than with anyone else...he feels incredibly weak after these attacks and that Crown Prince mentality kicks in full force. Arod does not judge him, he is just .... with him, no matter what. And at this point, Legolas doesn't want anyone else's pity (I'm not sure how long he thought he was going to keep this a secret, tho'). Yep, I just thought Aragorn appearing as the friend formerly known as Strider would be easier for Legolas to stomach. (And of course, you notice that he calls him "Estel" from the beginning...the first name he ever used as the two became friends.) Eomer was vastly relieved to see Aragorn show up...the ways of elves are still disconcerting to him, especially now that he's come to care for one! Go, Gimli! (Couldn't you just hear him challenging Hallas to take those axes? LOL I couldn't resist having him make a grand entrance...and a timely one!) Thank you for taking the time to send such an encouraging review! linda

Sivan	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/23/2004
Well... that should be intresting... grinned Please update soon... please? I still love what I read, thank you! Keep up the perfect work that you are doing with your fic. Sivan Author Reply: Hi, Sivan! Yes, Gimli always livens up the place, doesn't he? Thank you for the review, and more to come soon! :-)

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/21/2004
At last the calvary to the rescue! Gimli and Aragorn will sort the stubborn, sad elf out. so sad. Love this tale rose Author Reply: Let's hope so! lol Thank you for reviewing, RS! Actually, I need Gimli and Aragorn to sort me out right now...I'm getting all tangled up in this! Have you noticed how these little tales take on a life of their own, and no matter how hard you try to go in one direction, they go in the complete opposite one? What a pain! (Fun, too!...sort of) :-) Thanks again!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/21/2004
Poor Legolas - and Arod. They dominate a chapter in which they do not even appear. I think one of the things that makes Tolkien's world so interesting and such an opportunity for those who wish to delve into it, is that it is not a neatly packaged one. The possible 'happy ever after' was ignored and the story taken on into the scouring of the Shire and the sailing of the Ringbearers and that left so many stories, most of them sad tales of endurance, division and loss. Legolas's life is one of them - not returning to his home, the loss of mortal friends, the pain of the sea-longing. But then, Arwen's story is, I think, one that is usually ignored in the rose-coloured fluff of romantic love. And, actually, I don't think anyone is left with an easy ride. Even Arod, which brings us back to your story. Wouldn't Arod probably prefer to return to Ithilien with Legolas? Live in a pleasant meadow and see his friend each day? It's an appealing image to think of him running free with the herds, but you can't go back - not even as a horse. He'll be miserable - one of those old soldiers who is always telling those around him about the old days, and 'when I was with Legolas. . .' Author Reply: Ah, Bodkin! You are too perceptive! :-) Perhaps Arod will grab one of those elfbraids he likes to tug on and hang on to it until Legolas starts to think a little more clearly! (I've kind of worried that Legolas would come across as rather dumb about that, but he is so preoccupied with some other things, it hasn't crossed his mind!) And you are so right about the 'sad tales of endurance, division, and loss'...Elrond is another who faces all manner of loss, and Arwen, although I like to think she was happy with her choice. Still, as the time approached for Aragorn's death, can you imagine what she went through? (The doubt...and fear of one who was immortal now having to face that which was once unthinkable!) Too, too sad! In the meantime, have patience with Legolas...and thank you for the review! They mean a great deal!

Tinnuial	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/20/2004
The cavalry has come to the rescue!!! Somehow I don't think Legolas would like being compared to a flower at all LOL...Eomer is most astute. sigh Poor lad...I think Legolas is rather overlooked in the story of the Ring War, disregarding the screaming fangirls... yet he sacrificed so very much for the sake of comradeship, and a world his people could no longer linger in. There are so few good stories like this one that actually deal with what his suffering might have been like in those 120 years of Aragorn's reign, delaying his departure that he might be with his mortal friends to the end. Thank you for bringing light to this oft glossed over part of LOTR... I look forward to the next update! :) Author Reply: Legolas a flower...and he's been compared to one twice now! I see a pattern here... Thank you so much for those kind words...all the reviews have been most encouraging! I think to stay he must have suffered a great deal. As I was reading about the connection of Ulmo (who created water) and the fact that he had been trained by Iluvatar Himself in music, and later he taught the Teleri of the sea...well, the fact that the sea-longing sings to the elves just made it seem logical that such a call would be powerful indeed. (And potentially destructive if not heeded). Now if I can just convey that in the story....Thank you again for the review, Tinnuial!

songspinner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/20/2004
Smart Aragorn, going as Strider. A nice insight into the friendship and into a character who has "far too many names". The bit with Hallas was cute, by the way. I also like the friendship between the two Kings - that's mentioned in the Appendix to ROTK, but there isn't any detail. Waiting for the next bit... Author Reply: No, the King would not be received with the same openness as the ranger that Legolas knows so well, and Aragorn is not about to do anything right now that might create a distance between his friend and him. (I liked that kid in the movie...it might not be book-verse, but it stands to reason that all able to fight would be pressed into service for that battle...and knowing Aragorn, he probably would keep up with Hallas' life.) Yep, Aragorn and Eomer are pretty good friends now! Next bit coming up soon, as I am actually several chapters ahead of myself! :-)

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/20/2004
Ah, Legolas is surrounded by friends, but will it be enough? Or will it remind him even more of their mortality and their eventual passing? I really find it interesting the bond that you have developed between Legolas and Arod. The prospect of losing Arod must be so painful for Legolas. Things are looking pretty bleak for our elf. Author Reply: Legolas will find his friends comforting...to a point. And I just love the horse! (Can you tell?) g Things could not get much worse in Legolas' eyes. He is set to lose the one friend who accepts him unconditionally, and "bleak" is a good word to describe his outlook right now. Thanks for reviewing, Manderly!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/20/2004
I'm glad Gimli is there. If anyone knows about 'stubborn,' it's Gimli. I'm very interested in sea longing. I don't think Tolkien tells us nearly enough about it and fanfic authors all seem to have different interpretations. But Galadriel's rhyme has always broken my heart. He has lived in joy under the trees and that will not happen again. What could be worse? It's parallel to Frodo really, who did very brave things for the sake of the Shire and then was too damaged to live there anymore. Author Reply: Yes, I love Gimli! He's not one to put up with elven hard heads! You're interested in the sea longing, too? I know what you mean. Galadriel's rhyme is heartbreaking - for a wood elf to lose that joy he's always had in the forest...I cannot think of a worse thing to happen. And you're right...so many interpretations of the form the call takes. I have always pictured it as a very powerful compulsion indeed, to literally take away an elf's joy in Ennor.

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