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Therefore, I Have Hope  by Emily 12 Review(s)
Frodo3791Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/24/2004
I'm not a big fan of early Aragorn/Legolas stories, but this one seems to be an exception. I think you've portrayed both of these characters well. I really like how you haven't portrayed either of the characters as careless and only looking for excitement. Too many people do that. Legolas is an elf... therefore meaning that he does use some thinking and isn't all kill kill. I've always seen Aragorn as a pretty serious guy. I mean, you can definitly see it in Lord of the Rings when he takes over the Fellowship after Gandalf falls in Moria. I'm sure both enjoy having some fun, but they're not going to risk their friends, comrades, and insult their lords to do it. Ok, enough with that speel.

Anyway, yes, this is different from other Aragorn/Legolas stories in a good way. I like how Legolas and Arwen are supposed to be bethrothed. This could be a very bad story idea with these two characters, but it looks like you're going to make this work and make it an enjoyable tale.

Some favorite lines:
“Normally it is the maiden that is interested in me and I can find ways to ignore her. Here the maiden wishes it just as little as I, but we are constantly pushed together by our adars and even our naneths, who no longer dwell within Middle Earth, mind you.”
Way to use that Legolas love obsession that almost everybody seems to have!

“Erestor could tell to my adar of my death and make it sound like good news.”
I'm not sure exactly why I liked that line so much, but I do. Advisors can be really cool at times. I'd love to see Erestor telling Thranduil that his beloved son was killed and make it sound like good news.

Anyway, great story as far as I can see. I've enjoyed the first chapter.
-Frodo/Micah

Author Reply: I can't take most early Aragorn/Legolas stories literally because they stray so much from canon. Tolkien tells us pretty much what Aragorn does his entire life. And I can't imagine Thranduil letting Legolas traipse about Middle-Earth when there's a fight going on at home. I'm glad you find this one to be different.

I enjoyed poking a little fun at the obsession with poor Legolas. He sure is Arda's most eligible bachelor.

I think advisors, Erestor in particular, gets underrated in stories. I've read him so often as a grumpy kill-joy and that bothers me. I don't have much use for him within the plot, but I wanted to give him a bit of positive credit. Glorfindel isn't the only cool Elf in Rivendell!

LeraReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2004
Oh, wow I really like this. At first I found the table dialogue, especially Legolas's, a bit stiff, but in the room, it was splendid. Can't wait to read more.

Author Reply: I'm happy that it picked up for you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

GalimerilReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2004
Please write more soon!!! I like this story's beginning a lot! One thing though, Youspelled Orc as orch, lose the h please. Other than that this piece is phenomenal!! keep up the good work!!!
Galimeril

Author Reply: Thanks for the tip! I'm so glad you like it!

LamielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2004
Now this looks very promising. You mentioned that this is your first fanfic in the LOTR universe, in which case I say welcome, and thank you for joining us! A good writer is always welcome, and a good writer who is also a Legolas-Aragorn fan is all the more so, in my opinion.

Your writing is clear and easy to read, with a nice eye for detail and perfect ear for dialogue. I was grinning all through Legolas' discussion with his companions - especially the way he was sprawled over the bed like that. Hee! And I am so looking forward to his spar with Glorfindel on the morrow. That should be something to see - though I think that I would be a little more hesitant than Legolas seems to be, were I to go up against the Balrog-slayer.

The wrinkle with this match between Legolas and Arwen is an interesting side-line. I expect that this takes place just after Aragorn saw Arwen in the forest, when she had returned from Lothlorien, but he hasn't yet approached her. H'm. Poor lad - tough enough to be in love with an Elf maiden, much less the daughter of Elrond, but then to be competing against Legolas Thranduilion as well! Oh my. It's a darn good thing Legolas isn't interested in Arwen, or vice versa - though I wonder why that is. I'm glad, though. Romance stories do not interest me, and there are few ways more sure to incur the fandom's wrath than writing a Legomance, whoever the pairing is.

I am eager to see how Legolas and Aragorn start interacting - they didn't talk much during the dinner. Now I wonder, why wasn't Legolas introduced properly as Thranduil's son? A minor point, but "Greenleaf Greenleaf" doesn't seem much of an introduction. Oh, but I did love them calling him "leaflet." Ha! Oh, that is wonderful!

There were some minor quibbles here and there that could be polished a little - words like "input" and "nth time" seem a bit anachronistic, being as they are associated with the computer age. But on the whole this seems a well written, interesting, and extremely promising tale. I wonder if Legolas and Aragorn will spar together, after Glorfindel finishes with him? You've already proven yourself very gifted in writing quick and witty dialogue, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they interact.

Thank you for this, and I am eagerly awaiting more!

Author Reply: Thanks so much for the lovely, long review! Reviews are all treasured and saved, but a long review...I'm sure you know what I mean. :)

You're right about when it takes place. I practically have "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" memorized after reading it so much. It doesn't say how much time passed between Aragorn's meeting Arwen and his going out into the Wild, only that Elrond spoke to him before the fall of the year. I figured that gave me plenty of time.

I'm not a romance person. In fact, I can safely say that I will never write romance. I like it enough when it's well done, but I don't have it in me to write it.

About Legolas's introduction: I don't know really. Maybe Aragorn should have payed better attention to his lessions as a child. Who knows? It's not a main point and doesn't change the story. I might go back and change it. As for 'leaflet,' I was looking up a word in the dictionary one day and it caught my eye. I knew it was a keeper!

Thanks for pointing out those words. I'll keep my eyes open for things like that.

Shaan LienReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2004
I hope this review doesn't go through twice, but if it does, it only stresses that I enjoyed this chapter and hope that you write more. Slightly different perspective on Legolas and Aragorn's meeting, on that I appreciate, one of them isn't in dire danger. Please continue.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I'm not sure that Aragorn likes the story so far, but he'll come around eventually. :)

TinnuialReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2004
What a wonderful start...I'm eagerly awaiting more...you've portrayed Legolas so well. I love how Legolas is so comfortable with his warriors and the inhabitants of Imladris alike...hope to see more of that. I'm also looking forward to Legolas and Estel getting to know each other.
Thank you for sharing this with us!! :)

Author Reply: Thanks so much for reviewing! I'm afraid Legolas and Aragorn won't have much interaction at all in the next chapter, but they'll come around soon after that. =)

LOTRFaithReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
Hello! I am most intrigued by this story and it certainly has my attention:-) I hope you please continue as I am eagerly looking forward to reading more:-D

Author Reply: I'm glad you like it! Part two should go up tomorrow.

LiannaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
Very interesting beginning. The idea that Legolas and Arwen would be a good couple is so blindingly obvious that there must be a good reason why it never happened. You seem to be coming up with a very convincing explanation. And I can't wait to see Legolas spar with Glorfindel.

Since you asked for constructive criticism, please allow me to make one exceedingly nitpicking point: millennia (note that it has two l's and two n's) is plural. The singular is millennium.

Author Reply: Nitpicking is wonderful! I'll mark that down. Thanks so much for reviewing!

Layton ColtReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
This is wonderful! I always enjoy reading different takes on how Aragorn and Legolas meet, and this seems like a very entertaining and interesting one. I hope you continue it soon. :-)

Author Reply: I hope it lives up to your expectations! Thanks for reviewing!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/17/2004
I love the interaction between Legolas, Glorfindel, and the other Mirkwood warriors. Estel's interest in them is natural, I think. How embarrassing to have Elrond catch him sort of spying on them.

Author Reply: I wonder how hard it must have been for a human to grow up around Elves... he could just never win!

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