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Battle of the Golden Wood  by Marnie 5 Review(s)
whitewaveReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/29/2008
I've read this some time ago but have put off reviewing not because it is not good, but I was just "speechless". This was a very delightful read that I added it to my favorites. It's difficult to choose a favorite line as I've had many but I enjoyed all of Celeborn's scenes a lot. For this chapter, I LOL'd at the dialogue between him and his wife about the One Ring. I really prefer Celeborn's quiet strength to his wife's more showy "Noldo" magnitude. I liked the build-up, the battle itself, the original characters were well-fleshed out and the scenes all well-written. I'm glad Marta referred this otherwise I would not have read this at all. Thanks very much for sharing this.

Author Reply: Thanks so much, Whitewave! I must admit that when I started writing this I was quite intimidated by the scale of what I'd taken on, and it took me over a year to finish, so I'm glad it was worth it :)

Strangely enough, the process of building up a Sindarin tradition and outlook to balance out the Noldorin tradition we generally hear about in the Silm, ended up making me feel more lenient towards the Noldor as well. If theirs is just one elvish way to be, rather than *the* be all and end all of ways to be elvish, then I find it easier to appreciate. The interplay of the two different styles is more interesting than any one on its own, to me at least. I think that's what kept me writing Celeborn for so long - the long culture clash at the centre of his life.

svadilfariReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/1/2005
Ok, I will give a full review of the whole story because I could not stop at one chapter! Had to finish it all, and looks like it needs a second read for certain ideas needs rumination. Yes, I'm afraid Imay write again when I realise discussion is needed ;-p

But, first! Calandil! How COULD you! First horse-flesh to be eaten in your PotC and now Calandil dead! I care not one whit that it was a noble brave death nor that he has the Halls of bloody Mandos waiting for him, HOW could you? With all that pretty hair?!

About Thrainduil's wife. Your translation or required for the plot? I always thought more like death. To have married HIM would require the stubborness of Celeborn and so may have participated in risky adventures which held a possibilty of death along with it. The Wood Elves, after all were known to be fey. Coming to that, I believe, (in my small little mind) that the inherent dislike of both Galadriel and Thrainduil stems from them truly being more alike than they will ever care to admit, aloud or not. And for anyone to say that aloud would allow for a one way passage to Mandos ;-)

But, wow! Never thought of the falling of Dol Guldor by a song!
And I really love how nature responds to the Elves! How the trees used for the evil machinism of Sauron still obey Celeborn. Or barring that any poem that comes to mind! Hah, love your subtle sense of humour, though it swiftly fell when Calandil did...

But seriously, does the Tolkien Estate know you are writing this? You should be published and paid for this! His muse had MOST evidently and obviously visited you, though you now adorn your talent in the PotC site. *sniff*

Oh, and what is pignut?

Author Reply: LOL! More evil authorial laughter :) You're going to hate me when I say that I wrote Calandil extra nice entirely so that everyone would be upset when he was killed. It was a way of making the point that war is a bad thing, and that fighting against evil is not without cost. My evil plan backfired a bit though, because *I* got so fond of him that I then had to go and write 'Seeds of Old Trees' partly so that I could show he was alive and well again.

Thranduil's wife's sea longing was my invention. I've always felt that Thranduil got short shrift in fandom, when he seemed to me like a merry and competant monarch, and the only elf king who made it into the 4th Age unscathed. Also there is a bit of a tendancy to look down on the woodelves as ignorant rustics, so I wanted to have a scene where Thranduil comforts and advises Celeborn, just to make the point that Thranduil has his own wisdom, and Celeborn values it.

The idea for Galadriel's song came from Finrod's song-battle with Gorthaur in the Silm, so I can't claim any credit for that. And thankfully the Estate don't know about this, as I can't imagine they'd be pleased, but thank you so much, as that's the best compliment you could possibly give me. I am utterly delighted that you like it so much.

(And pignuts are a kind of wild plant that grows in temperate woods with leafy tops and a small round root a bit like a radish. The root is edible, though I've never tried it myself ;) )

Thanks again!

BettyReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 5/17/2004
Hi. I don't often write reviews. I'm one of those silent readers every author knows about but wishes would speak. Tonight I am speaking, and though I haven't gotten far into this story, I want to thank you for writing it. In the book, the other battles across middle earth are almost a footnote, but I'd like to know more about them all.

CorielReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/23/2003
Mmm, I like that. I need to read more of this to get to know these two better; I don't know either of them half as well as I do Thranduil, though I did like Galadriel's observation of Celeborn's occasional resemblance to him and his father.
It certainly seems that these two have their fair share of underlying problems, but so does everyone else. So nice they way they are mature enough to admit their own faults without making a huge argument out of it. I've read the latter too often.
I'll be back later for more when I have the time!

Orophins DottirReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/14/2003
Yes! A Celeborn story to begin my day. Doubt if I will have time to finish it at this session, but it does start well. I particularly liked "It was a hurt she would not think on, that he loved the lands of Middle Earth more than he loved her". Sad and close to the truth of our very favorite and very complex elf lord.

Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

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