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Interrupted Journeys: Part 2 Journeys Perforce  by elliska 4 Review(s)
French PonyReviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/18/2004
I'm glad this was here today. I was feeling crabby for much of the afternoon, and some food and a good story were just what I needed to make me feel better about life in general.

I have to say that the idea of Thranduil, who needed to be beaten hard about the head and shoulders with the Clue Stick before proposing to Lindomiel, is now giving romantic advice to Aradunnon with all the panache of a certified Romeo. Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot. Dieneryn's chat with her youngest was highly entertaining, from the moment he walked in and she turned around, instantly suspicious of whatever he'd done now. Her advice is good, and every potential royal fiancée should heed it. I like that Mirkwood's royals are taking the time to identify everything that Amoneth needs to know about what she's undertaking when marrying Aradunnon and that they then start thinking about ways to teach it to her.

I'll bet that Thranduil could learn to like Galadriel. In that special way that former enemies have, where they don't ever talk openly, but they always seem to agree with each other, and they cut their eyes at each other approvingly. It would certainly be better than to have to endure an "alliance" like the one that the U.S. had with Stalin to win WWII.

Thranduil certainly has a lot to think about, beginning with Galadriel breezily mentioning that she's waltzed right up to Amon Lanc. I'll bet that even that small reminder that he doesn't really control those borders any more hit Thranduil like a smack in the face. And he seems to know about her little treasure, and he doesn't seem too happy about that, either. And I'm sure it put him out of sorts to find himself siding with Galadriel and Amglaur.

So Lorien has decided to become Switzerland, eh?

Author Reply: Funny how a little fanfiction and (more importantly) a little food will fix up that low blood sugar problem! :) My husband gave me another strange look when I read the part in your review about the clue stick and the pot and kettle. I never actually thought about that, but it is too true. I imagine Aradunnon thinks Thranduil has got a lot of nerve. As for Amoneth, they need to get stern about making her see some things if she is really going to become part of their family.

I agree with you on Thranduil and Galadriel. They want the same thing and they strike me as being a lot alike--very strong (and strong-willed) and determined. I think they would eventually learn to respect one another even if they aren't sipping tea together.

My friend who helps me with this story actually saw your review before I did and she called me up to see if I'd read it. We never wrote the scene where Thranduil discusses with Aradunnon the fact that Galadriel walked in and out of the forest unnoticed but we had a lot of fun laughing about what that conversation might be like.

I think that meeting in Lothlorien must have been an eye opener for Thranduil in a lot of ways. As you said, he doesn't have much control over those borders. He isn't going to get the help he wanted from Amroth (which has to be mind boggling to him). His fear that it might be worse than orcs got a little more weight. And though I think he's definitely fishing with his comment that he can guess the source of Galadriel's magic, he is right and that woud be disconcerting. And on top of everything else, he's agreeing with two people that he just doesn't like. Yuck. Poor guy.

Thanks for the review!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/18/2004
I really like what you do with politics, Elliska. I can see the real debates going on and understand why people might have acted as they did.

Given the date, I assume Elrond is talking about Gandalf and company.

Author Reply: I just can't help but be interested in the politics of this. As I said below, from Tolkien's point of view for plotting purposes, I know it would kind of kill the Lord of the Rings if the elves took advantage of the opportunities / alliances that presented themselves, but since they didn't, there has to be some explanation for why. I'm just playing.

Also, I can't help but wonder when they figured out what they were dealing with. Tale of Years says the Wise don't even agree there is a fortification in Dol Guldur until 1100 and they think it's a Nazgul occupying it. That refusal to believe that they were dealing with Sauron might explain why they didn't kill themselves to deal with it. But I just can't make myself believe that Thranduil would not have figured out it was Sauron a lot faster. He's right there dealing with it directly and I see him as far too in touch with his forest to miss something like that.

Anyway, it's fun to play with the ideas. Thanks for the review!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/18/2004
I hope Lindomiel doesn't turn out to be the one who suffers from Amoneth's general idiocy. Amoneth and Aradunnon should keep the trouble between themselves. Not involving elflings, either. (Just thinking ahead. With anxiety.)

Author Reply: Ahh, as much as I love to tease, I think I will say nothing more. :)

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/18/2004
Oh goodness! What an idiot Amroth is. (I was thinking of saying great wet nellie, but that might be an expression that does not travel well.) It would have been better if Galadriel had refused to protect his borders - then he might have felt obliged to do something.

And Amglaur and Galadriel agreeing with Thranduil? I'm surprised there wasn't a thunderbolt. I hope they go to Imladris - to meet Mithrandir and the others?

The news about Aradunnon and Amoneth didn't go down a storm - I think Aradunnon is right to be wary of Lindomiel's intentions, though she could have started training her pet friend - sorry, best friend - several centuries ago.

'Nor do I intend to slay another, lest it be you in one of our arguments.” Thranduil’s jaw dropped . . .' I do like Thranduil / Galadriel fights. He ought to realise that anyone with four older brothers is going to take a lot of intimidating.

Good chapter.

Author Reply: This is one of the things I never understood when you think about it. If this shadow crept up slowly--why not go out and crush it while you still can? Once Thranduil couldn't contain it by himself, it seems natural to me that he would speak to Amroth. They are neighbors and supposedly there was travel between their realms until Dol Guldur put an end to the possibility. Why didn't they ever ally to try to deal with this threat? Of course that would have rather killed the rest of the story for Tolkien... But I thought I'd play with it a little. (Wet nellie is a great expression!)

I also like playing with strong personalities like Thranduil, Galadriel and Amglaur. I just think its funny. I can't help it.

I think Lindomiel gave advice that was largely ignored. But Amoneth will learn. The question is, how painful will the learning process be and who will suffer most in the long run.

Thanks for the review!

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