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Battle of the Golden Wood  by Marnie 3 Review(s)
whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/1/2009
I just love the bits of subtle humor you inject in the character's dialogues, especially this one:

"So," he said at last, "Are you going to tell your wife that your deed was not folly at all, but dire need?"

Celeborn forced a laugh, inspired by Calandil's resilience of mood. "Truly are you named, bright friend," he said in jest, "But if you would say 'I told you so' to Galadriel in her present mood, then you are a braver man than I."

"Nay, do you but smile at her and she will melt to a puddle of bliss at your feet."

This time the laughter had no element of defiance in it, but was genuine and heartfelt. Turning towards the city, he released the reins of Calandil's horse into his friend's hand, shaking his head, "Would that I lived in whatever happy world you inhabit, Calandil. Though it bears little resemblance to reality, it pleases me well."


Delightful!

Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/22/2004
< Celeborn forced a laugh, inspired by Calandil's resilience of mood. "Truly are you named, bright friend," he said in jest, "But if you would say 'I told you so' to Galadriel in her present mood, then you are a braver man than I."

"Nay, do you but smile at her and she will melt to a puddle of bliss at your feet."

This time the laughter had no element of defiance in it, but was genuine and heartfelt. Turning towards the city, he released the reins of Calandil's horse into his friend's hand, shaking his head, "Would that I lived in whatever happy world you inhabit, Calandil. Though it bears little resemblance to reality, it pleases me well." >

Caladil, the bright, merry elf, optimistic, brave, steadfast friend, serving his Lord with zeal and love. A true example of elven joy, much needed during the long years of growing darkness.

Perhaps you will share more of him sometime. A tale of laughter through the long ages of Arda.

Author Reply: Thanks for the review, Eruanneth! I was rather fond of Calandil too, and I felt very mean killing him off. I don't know whether he'll appear in anything else, though you might like to check out Bejai's 'Deific Flame' for some of his history in the Second Age. Celeborn is definatly lucky to have a friend like that, and maybe, one day, I'll write a short story about their first meeting :)

CorielReviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/8/2004
I like Calandil too! Optimistic Elves are always nice to have around in a crisis.

Again, another great scene of these two alone together. You bring out their complementary differences very well, where others would be tempted to lump them together into one Celeborn&Galadriel entity. And what a very clear and thoughtful description of Celeborn's reticence to "surrender" to the West; now I'll understand his position much better when I have to illustrate it later. Paradice for one is not necessarily Paradice for all.

And here we also see the mixed blessing of foresight, or whatever you want to call it. Sometimes it is better not to see and risk misinterpreting what is seen, as the others learned by Denethor's sordid example. Thankfully, the Elves kept their heads longer than he did regardless of what they thought had happened.

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