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A Perilous Journey to Lorien  by LadyJaina 3 Review(s)
AlReviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/11/2023
I love this story! Please, please, keep going!

periannoreReviewed Chapter: 15 on 5/29/2022
You described washing off in the cold river so well I had to go get a sweater.
I'm so impressed with your description of Gimli's fair mindedness regarding the elves. Among dwarves it would be easy to take the general dislike of elves for granted, but having to spend time with elves Gimli is having difficulty maintaining the traditional low opinion of them: Gimli found himself begrudgingly admiring elven efficiency, so tired that he couldn't come up with a single critique.
The group is preparing to travel again and I feel particularly sorry for Merry who is realizing that overcoming the enemy in the last battle in which his part was so urgent and dangerous might have only gained them a day's respite before they could be threatened with an even larger attack. Poor, battle weary Merry. I'm not sure he can still think of himself in "an adventure". The injuries, wet, cold, worry and danger are so much to bear! He was so determined to have kept up for that long day's march.
If I were to name this chapter I'd call it, the slog. The subtitle would be, Elves Behaving Badly! The elves who want to be rid of Gimli haven't had as much exposure to dwarves as Gimli has had with elves so I guess they can't be expected to change a prejudice of centuries so quickly. This vacillation between acceptance and rejection has to be emotionally draining for Gimli. I'm so glad he has Aragorn and Merry for moral support and that he sees that some elves champion his nobility.
I can't wait to read where they'll go from here and Legolas is rattling. Do something!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 15 on 5/19/2022
Someone speculated as to why there are not more reviewers here. Waning interest may be a factor. For myself, tho. When I first found SOA in 2005, I did not read very many long, many chapter stories, in an attempt to not spend too much time on the internet. I have as busy a life now as then, but I do allow myself more time here, now. Well, then. The chapter starts with a general observation, then narrows to how far the water comes up on Gimli. Then comments about how it is for Merry and Aragorn remind us of their relative sizes. Orophin's willing treatment of Gimli's hand, and stout defense of Gimli's worthiness to enter their land reminded me of yet another older story thread. In author Sheraiah's 2006 story "Babe in the Woods", Gimli and Legolas find a newborn human child in the woods near Lothlorien during one of their after Ring War journeys. They join with a family attempting to escape from the clutches of the tyrannical village headman who caused the baby to be abandoned. On the way they are followed and attacked by the evil man's henchmen. After a fight, they are rescued by forces from both Lorien and the Greenwood led by Haldir. At one point during the patching up, one of the elven healers tells Haldir he deserves a reward for stitching Gimli's head. Haldir tells him neh, it is your job, and THAT DWARF CARRIES THE LADY'S FAVOR!" It is nice that some begin to see Gimli's value. Now. In the book, the borders of Lorien were attacked even after the Fellowship entered the wood. We have only been watching this group for a time. Besides Pippin's unplanned dunk in the river, we have no idea what other perils you may have written for the other parties in the tale. There may be good reason why they have been too busy to help just yet!

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