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To Follow an Elf  by Etharei 4 Review(s)
LynReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/17/2006
You are one of my favorite authors because of your choice of
characters' speech and actions and the skill of your writing.

Just one suggestion:
that Legolas left his duty to his people in order to taking up....

I believe it should be "in order to take up ...."

And some comments:

I have not read all of Tolkien's works, but I do recall dwarves sneaked
into Thingol's and Melian's kingdom, killing elves, in order to
steal their Silmaril. I think that was the one which Beren and Luthien
stole back from Morgoth. Anyway, I believe there were several tales
of actual battles between elves and dwarves and treachery involved too,
so the ill feeling between the two races was not based on myth.

However, the prejudice would occur when an elf and a dwarf met.
It would take a great person to put aside beliefs and look clearly
at the other, to judge fairly the other's words and actions. That is why
the friendship of Gimli and Legolas is so wonderful. (Celebrimbor and Narvi
being the only other instance in recorded history).

In later chapters, you have women as warriors (the Captain of all the
forces). I do not accept women as warriors in the Tolkien world, but
IF such had been the case, you have created a very fine character that
is quite believable. Your writing is rich, believable, and very enjoyable.

Author Reply: Thank you for pointing that out, sweets! I know there are a few more spelling/ grammar mistakes floating about, which I shall fix soon.

No, no, I was not trying to imply that the emnity between Elves and Dwarves was based purely on myth. Though the Elves didn't like Dwarves anyway, from their first encounters of them. "Ever cool was the friendship between the Naugrim and the Eldar..." (pg. 100). On the other hand, the Dwarves also came to the aid of the Elves in the Fifth Battle of Beleriand, saving the Noldor from being obliterated by Glaurung and the other dragons. But yes, you're right, generally an Elf and Dwarf would not be immediate friends at first meeting, and there are a number of wonderful stories about how they became friends somewhere between Rivendell and Lorien.

Thank you, I understand your viewpoint and I was actually expecting the non-acceptance of female warriors to crop up sooner. Nasseryn is an OC that grew over the course of the chapter, and I'm delighted that you like her. I based a lot of her on Eowyn (particularly her sense of pride and honour) and Galadriel (the strongest female Elf canon character).

I'm very grateful for your kind words and detailed review, and I really hope you continue to read my story :-)

WantaneflReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/1/2006
Just when I think I've found all the great stories on Arda I stumble across another gem. This is wonderful. I can just picture Gimli and Legolas in my mind as you write them. I'll review again soon. Right now I have five more chapters to read!!!

Author Reply: *blushes* Thank you! I do love those two, though poor Gimli has not got nearly as much coverage as Legolas. I hope you enjoy the other chapters :-)

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/31/2005
I loved your description of a healing Eryn Lasgalen and Leglas' wonder in seeing for the first time not under the shadow. I hadn't thought of Gimli being excited to see the workmanship in the doors. It was rather sad that Legolas' return was not met with a welcome, especially considering the price he has paid to defend it. Even though this story covers familiar territory it is written in a way that makes it seem new. ~TF

Shaan LienReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/19/2005
I love it so far. Every word of it. The writings of Gimli and how it changes to third person. That GImli's not too proud to act on his friendship and say what words Legolas needs to hear. I eagerly await more.

Author Reply: Thank you! My main worry is that I make Gimli sound too much like an Elf, but after looking through the books I realised that I didn't want to make him sound like the movie Gimli, either. And I guess the central theme to this is their friendship, without the Felliwship to force them together.

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