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The Masque Of The King Stag  by French Pony 41 Review(s)
TinnuialReviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/1/2005
Wow....that was such a moving story, so beautifully realised. I could feel every emotion, every twinge of regret and pity for the king and his son. I'm so glad it had a happy ending =)
Thank you for sharing this with us.
=)

Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/23/2004
It was good to see the wall broken down and Thranduil in need of his son at last. That there were so many friends to stand in his stead until he recovered enough to make the move showed again the closeness of the Elves.

The explanation of the masque certainly helped with understanding the significance of most of the events. Thank you for drawing the curtain back once more to explore the world of the Silven Elves.

Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/23/2004
What a lovely surprise! The aftermath of freezing rain is an incredible sight and the melting creates a silvery-sounding music quite unequaled by other means.

Poor Little Legolas at Yule, more than ever he needs the love and comfort of his Ada; the task of preparing the glittering paint for his Ada's use was perfect.

I could almost 'see' the dance and was completely enchanted. But like Legolas, was stunned at the climax. Cerrtainly the last chapter will reveal the significance.

Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/23/2004
Life for the woodland elves was not just singing, dancing and feasting. you show the hard reality and dangers of day-to-day existence and their effect on those young ones in their midst.

Legolas is to be pitied for his intense need for his Ada who cannot yet face him without overpowering pain.

Again the beautiful images of this magnificent Elven King creating with his graceful elegant body a story, magical brought to life with the raw energy and fluid moves of Elfkind.

Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2004
How I would love to see that dance! Physical activity can help revive a broken spirit and the learning process helps distract the mind from devouring itself.

Such sorrow and heartbreak for Thranduil over the loss of his Queen, his wife. It does indeed numb one to even the smallest of joys so taken for granted before the sundering. The road back can be fraught with reminders that snatch away the peace of mind so greatly desired, dragging those who love down with them, including his young son.

Fortunately he has those about him who will not allow him to succumb to the emptiness.

Antigone QReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/28/2004
"There are some feelings that are so strong that we cannot speak them aloud. Instead, we speak with our bodies. We make music, and we dance." How true, and how lovely that you chose to write a story about it. Thank you!

JastaElfReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/27/2004
Oh, what a glorious ending to a superb story! This is just so beautiful.... so sad and sweet, so lovingly crafted.... Just fantastic. I have been telling everyone I know about this story--and I hope every blessed one of them leaves a review. What a gorgeous, rich, incredibly marvelous piece of work! You have brought it to an excellent conclusion. And yes, you are right--sometimes grownups just don't remember to view things as children do!

I have this lovely vision of the circle being completed some day: of Legolas being a dancer himself, working his way through the various roles available to a young male, and someday dancing as the King Stag before the loving eyes of his Ada--and finally completely comprehending that life goes on, the sun returns, sacrifice finds its reward, and the darkness is overcome. Maybe his Ada would even help to grind the beetle-paste to make the glittery paint....

Oh, FP, thank you for this marvel of a story! Thank you so much, and may your Yules always be bright!

rikkiReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/20/2004
What a lovely story, the wood elves dancing away the dark, portraying the death of the old year and the birth of the new. The shortest day of the year calls to mind many myths and stories of pagan and Christian origin where there is loss and rebirth. Thranduil's kingdom seems to be populated with very elemental elves, more attuned to the trees and earth than the Lothlorian and Imraldis elves. Hollies and berries, evergreens for decorations to show everlasting life, glass ornaments to catch the light and sparkle, representations of winter and ice. It brings to mind some Elizabethian reproduction pagents I have attended.

I did the early childhood terror bit with Santa Claus when I was very young. Screamed bloody murder when I saw this stranger with a beard. I could see where the shiny face paint and an unfamilar costume would scare poor Legolas when his Adar comes into the pantry. Shadows and flickering lights can make the most normal of appearances turn into something truly scary. But in the end all is revealed and accepted, both for the masque and the lives of a father and his son.




LOTR loverReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/20/2004
Oh, French Pony, what a wonderful story this is! Everything about this rings true, from Thranduil's response to the loss of his beloved queen to Legolas's response to the loss of his nana. The Yule preparations are wonderfully researched (but not so it shows--simply that everything fits so seamlessly) and the masque itself is so well written that I can see it happening in my mind's eye.

All of the original characters are drawn beautifully. Not one is merely a cardboard figure, and your interpretations of Thranduil and Legolas are so very elvish and yet so recognizable. This story has got to go into my favorites list. Thank you.

LamielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/19/2004
The power seems to have stabilised, so I was able to read the last chapter. Again, Legolas' fear at seeing his father in costume was very real. I remember seeing children react similarly in such circumstances. And it was lovely to see Thranduil and Legolas coming together to heal their heart-break. The decorations and the shoes were a particularly welcome touch - some warmth after all the strange and frightening rituals was a relief. I also liked the story of how the Elves first reacted when the Sun came into being - after the constancy of the stars and the Light of the Trees, that must have been frightening indeed.

The whole concept behind this story is wonderful, and it was a real treat to read. Thank you.

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