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A Charge To Keep  by French Pony 8 Review(s)
SheeijanReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/10/2005
I recently came across your on-going story, and I'm heartily intrigued. This version of Mirkwood and the realities that those Elves must go through is heartbreaking but extremely believable. I think you must have taken great care on the details - the food in particular, but not limited to that. I've enjoyed this story immensely. There's a very good combination of dialogue and third-person narrative, you've done an impressive job. The only niggling complaint I have is that I feel like Legolas is humbled almost too much. The riches of Imladris have overwhelmed him, with reason, but it is not as if Legolas does not come from a rich heritage himself. He has reason to be proud of his roots and abilities. I find myself hoping to see him being proud of his upbringing at some point in the future, in front of these Imladris elves...

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/10/2005
Legolas meeting the hobbits was fun. Inquisitive fellows, but congenial. The huge meal would have overwhelmed me too! Again the contrast between the wealth of Imadris and the struggle of Mirkwood is interesting. When Galadriel told Frodo that the ring would eventually take all the members of the Fellowship, one can certainly see why Legolas might have been tempted.

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/9/2005
I just loved this chapter. You've brought a young Legolas to Imladris for the first time, alone after a perilous journey. You've established that the place is luxurious beyond anything he has ever experienced and he is surrounded by unfamiliar faces and a few famous ones. I think his slightly shy reaction is endearing and makes perfect sense. The encounter with the hobbits was charming. My favorite part was the feast. You described all of the food so beautifully, and the way you kept it coming until Legolas was overwhelmed made for a rather poignant moment. Yet even a shy elf in a strange land won't hesitate to get up and sing. This chapter was a real pleasure to read. ~TF

Shaan LienReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/9/2005
I love it so far. You've created Legolas so wonderfully, I love his embarassment and how he becomes overwhelmed. I hope you continue, a delightful story so far. THe characters are so true to the book instead of to the movies, which is a rare treat.

KarriReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/9/2005
LOL! Legolas's encounter with the hobbits is charming and delightful. But the poor elfling -- all that food! I am glad that Erestor and Lindir were so understanding. Terrific chapter!

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/9/2005
Oh I loved this chapter. Legolas asking after the books was dear and the feast just made me hungry. I love the little detail of Legolas having a particular taste for 'imported' apples. And I liked how he didn't want to waste food. I thought that was very appropriate. And the familiar hymn with a Silvan melody was a great idea. But my favorite part was the meeting with Bilbo and the rest of the hobbits. I tried to find a part from that that I liked best to comment on but I couldn't choose. I loved every bit of that. Great job. I really enjoy seeing Legolas's reactions to Imladris.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/9/2005
So I'm wondering what's silver: new friends maybe?

This is a shyer, less self confident Legolas than I've seen in other stories, I think. It's an interesting extrapolation of what might happen if someone from a poorer realm comes to a richer one.

LamielReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/9/2005
You've captured Bilbo's character perfectly, I think -- I was smiling all through the encounter with the hobbits. I do like the way you've drawn the differences between Imladris and Mirkwood in this tale, and the emotional effect that all this plenty must have on Legolas. I wonder if in time he might grow just a wee bit resentful that Rivendell is so rich when his own land is so poor. But this is still his first day, and he's still in a bit of shock.

I particularly liked the details of how thin Legolas is due to rationing at home, and the explanation for why Bilbo never learned about the Elvenking's family. It seems reasonable and well thought out. That moment when he had to cover his eyes to keep from crying was so poignant - it reminds me of a film I saw once about an immigrant from Eastern Europe to the United States, who broke down in a grocery store because he'd never seen such wealth and variety of choices.

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