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| Memory Of Darkness by Jay of Lasgalen | 138 Review(s) |
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| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/1/2005 |
| Oh bad Legolas and Arwen! The parents can't help themselves! But this could be amusing, I have to admit. For some reason, I really liked the description of the variety of dances -- chains, wild, for betrothed and married, etc. It seemed to characterize this culture nicely. Author Reply: I started writing this chapter just after I'd seen 'Pride & Prejudice' - there's a dance scene in that that seems remarkably boisterous for the period. With the mix of Sindarin and Silvan elves, I thought there'd be a mixture of dancing. I've always thought that Legolas and Arwen make a perfect couple - in theory, at least. In practice, it doesn't seem to work. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/30/2005 |
| Absolutely excellent job with the atmosphere in this chapter, Jay. I’m not particularly claustrophobic but I could definitely feel my chest tightening a little as I read this! More importantly, it really came across how difficult this was for Legolas, to step into the oppressive darkness and find out what haunted his dreams. There’s such a sense of unease throughout most of this and even though I didn’t think there was a monster or evil creature down there, I was beginning to get very worried about what he would find! The way he kept trying to reassure himself was about as successful with me as it was with him ;-) Although it was only a hundred feet above his head, he could feel no connection to the forest here – the trees seemed as remote as the distant peaks of the Misty Mountains, and their song was silenced. I thought that part was particularly effective. He’s completely shut off from everything he knows and the life of the forest that’s so much a part of him. He must have felt very alone down there. And it certainly mustn’t help that that he starts to realise what could have happened now that he sees this place again. Suddenly, the wavering light showed him two gleaming pinpoints shining in the darkness. Two eyes, just as he had seen before. That’s the point where I yelled out “Balrog’s balls”!! Quartz crystals, huh? Very clever. And I can definitely see how he could have thought it was a creature if he just briefly caught sight of it. I can also understand that he feels that in some ways it would be better if he really did find something. Yay for Thranduil! He knew exactly what his elfling would do. I thought it was very brave of Legolas to admit his fear to his father and I’m glad that Thranduil tried to reassure him. Everything he said was right – there is nothing to be ashamed of in fear, and Legolas proved that he’s no coward by going to find out what was in that cave. Even when he saw the “eyes” again he still kept going. He has a lot more courage than I would, I can tell you. “Ah,” Thranduil murmured softly. “Good.” LOL. I think poor Thranduil could be in for a bit of a disappointment there! At least they have the feast to look forward to. Even if it will be sad to see them part (and this story end!) it will be something to take Legolas’ mind off all this. This was a great chapter. Thoroughly engrossing! Author Reply: Dot, I'm so sorry that I never replied to this review - don't know how I missed it. I'm glad my attempt to create a close, claustrophobic atmosphere worked - I found it difficult to show Legolas's tension and edginess, without making him seem like a complete wimp, especially as there was nothing there. Thranduil is usually very wise in his dealings with Legolas - but in this final matter, he couldn't be more wrong. There's more machinations and matchmaking in the next chapter - it's nearly done, but I'm having trouble finding the best way to round it off. Thanks for the review, and sorry that this is so late! | |
| Kalima | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/20/2005 |
| I reread it, just so I could have all the facts at my command as I read your update. So good -- you fooled me. Of course I assumed that there WAS something there, so I was tense that Legoalas would go in with nothing more than a knife and a torch. I liked that Thranduil figured out where he was and went after him. Nice scene: I love good Thranduil/Legolas relationships, and you make theirs seem real. Author Reply: I'm sorry it's been so long between updates - even I'd forgotten some of the details! For once, Legolas should have listened to advice - everyone told him there was nothing there, and there wasn't. It was simply a build up to the claustrophobia he suffers in later stories. Thanks for the review, especially the last comment - I like Thranduil/Legolas to have a loving father/son relationship; in my stories they've no-one else. I'm glad it seemed real. | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/18/2005 |
| You did a really good job of making this tense. Legolas's search had me as edgy as he was. I love what the eyes turned out to be and I loved that Thranduil went down there after him. Their conversation at the end was great. I'll be sorry to see this one end. Author Reply: Thanks - I'm really glad that you felt the tension here. It took a very long time to get this chapter right! I started this story eighteen months ago, and should have been able to end it long ago, but kept getting writers block, especially over the caves. | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/17/2005 |
He found those eyes looking at him after all... Nice job... Author Reply: Well, there had to be something for him to find! No monsters, though. | |
| Rose Sared | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/16/2005 |
| Oh, wonderful, worth the long wait to get nearly to the end of this tale. And now matchmaking to deal with. Poor leggy and arwen, as if things that go bump in the night are not enough to deal with - LOL Thanks again for the story. Rose Author Reply: Yes, I'm sorry about the long delay - it was tricky conveying the fear and oppression in the caves without making Legolas sound totally wimpy. At the moment, Legolas isn't aware of the matchmaking - but he will soon find out ... | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/16/2005 |
| Ah, finally the update! *beams* Somehow it was good Legolas did it and found the reason for what he saw. He may probably never be comfortable with caves ever again (I wonder how he survived Moria!), but at least he knows now *what* he had seen and is probably not haunted by fear and doubts any longer. And Thranduil was right. Legolas was quite brave in going in there again and alone in spite of his fear. He could have avoided this cave forever, but instead he decided to face his fear. That's certainly no cowardice! As for Arwen, Thranduil should better not hope too much. I fear Legolas had voiced his now better opinion of Arwen a bit too enthusiastic ;-) Author Reply: Legolas will never like caves, but at least he knows he can face his fear of them when he has to. That knowledge, and his determination, got him through Moria. Poor Thranduil would love to have Arwen as a daughter-in-law. He's a romantic at heart. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/16/2005 |
| Quiet courage. Typifies him really. His adar's right - curious, won't give in to fear, determined, persevering. All the elements that make a good Fellowship elf. Just don't encourage him to fall hopelessly in love with Arwen. Affection is good - but it would be a fated romance. And we do want him to be happy one day - after he's finished all the questing business. I'm sure Thranduil and Elrond will understand. One day. I'm glad that the monster in the dark turned out to be something. At least now he knows. If he had been unable to find any reason for what he saw, he might always have doubts about the bogeymen that haunt the shadows. Looking forward to more! Author Reply: That's a good assessment of Legolas. He just has learn that it's OK to be afraid sometimes. Don't worry, he and Arwen won't fall in love - he regards her as the sister he never had, and she sees him as yet another brother, but more considerate than the twins are sometimes. I had to give him something to find in the caves - I knew all along there wasn't any monster down there. As you say, now he knows, and won't keep wondering. | |
| Lianna | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/16/2005 |
| Well, THAT certainly was creepy. Especially since I thought that there really was something down there. But it was good to see Legolas face his fear -- even though we know, from other stories set in later times, that it never leaves him completely. But boy, did Legolas say the wrong thing at the end -- about Arwen, I mean. If only he knew how much inadvertent encouragement he just gave to the matchmakers! I know that your main interest at the moment is the twins, but it's good to see that you haven't completely abandoned Thranduil and Legolas. You've given both of them -- and the relationship between them -- a great deal of depth, and I enjoy seeing you explore it further, as you did here, with Thranduil's understanding of Legolas's motivations. Author Reply: I think it's reasonable, given what I did to him in this story, for Legolas to retain that fear - but he's proved to himself that he can face it when he has to. At the moment neither Legolas nor Arwen have a clue about what their parents are planning. But they're not stupid, and will have something to say when they work it out! I'll never abandon Thranduil - I like him too much. I first started writing about him in reaction to all those dreadful evil!Thranduil stories, and now he's taken on a life of his own. | |
| Manderly | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/15/2005 |
| Oh goody, another chapter in this story! Great description of the caverns! I felt as if I was there beside Legolas all the way, feeling totally claustrophobic and oppressed. The fear was very real too. I am glad Legolas did go and check out the caverns and face his fears. Perhaps he can now at last put the whole ugly incident behind him. And Thranduil was just perfect in assuring that Legolas that there is no shame in his fear. Do I detect more than a little enthusiasm from Thranduil when Legolas admits to liking Arwen? Somehow I don't think Legolas' idea of liking is the same as Thranduil's. Author Reply: I'm so relieved that you liked the cavern part. It's what took me so long with this chapter - making the fear and oppression vivid, without making Legolas seem like a total wimp. Thranduil is great, and knows his son well. It's a shame he's so totally wrong about Arwen! | |