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What's left behind by perelleth	77 Review(s)
Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/20/2006
Oh my, that was good. A wonderful chapter in all its parts! I liked the opening very much for recalling the family story-telling tradition from your other fic. Thranduil's shrewd management of matters showed how noble and he truly wise he is. Love and honor do go hand-in-hand. He would not decide for Legolas, but free him to follow his own path. And keep the realm on an even keel all the same. No matter what his own sorrows be. I am happy you eased Borgalas' spirit. And that you set poor Mallereg's up for future torment at the hands of Lendiell. ;) I am not surprised that Laeriniel stayed behind, though. Their scene, realizing the loss they had already suffered, was so poignant. "mono-chord drumming" was such an apt comparison. I really like that paragraph. Prostolon's visit was a great vehicle for that transitional moment in time. I loved what he had to say to Legolas and reveal to the reader by his presence. But, Aragorn's farewell was so lovely and sad as well. I could easily believe he would handle his farewells like this. Changing to a outside pov for the last segment was perfect. The melancholy we always feel at the disappearance of the elves could more easily be shared by the bewildered observations of other mortals. "...unmatchable grace." I do hope that was Laeriniel! I choose to believe it was. Lovely conclusion - with an epilogue to follow? Author Reply: Thank-you, :-) That the forest song would be enhanced through a couple's bond suddenly sounded a good idea to me, so the sea-longing would mean an actual loss for the one remaining, and would also hopefully act as a minor but constant encouragement to take ship some day... I find all that stuff about the sea-longing very interesting, and it came out even clearer when Prestolon explains how he felt after his wife left: deprived of his senses, like a secondborn, and oh so enraged. Those remaining must have felt deserted by their couples, who in turn were just guilty of answering a compulsion. Very, very hard for the Elves, I think, despite the promise of reunion! I'm glad that you liked Aragorn's farewells. The advantages of being able to choose his timing, so he was free to give away some of his precious time to his friends. A chapter and an epilogue, and we are there! ;-) Many many thanks again

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/20/2006
This was areally great chapter, Perelleth. Everyone's emotions came through so strongly. I loved Thranduil, of course. And I loved the scenes in Ithilien. Aragorn's farewell to Legolas was very well done. My favorite part was how you portrayed Legolas's departure through the eyes of the harbourmaster. And the last line of this was so sad. Author Reply: Thank-you, elliska! Thranduil is coping á la grande isn't he? Managing the situation, poor father. But I am glad that you noted the scene with the harbourmaster. It came out quite unexpectedly, and I really liked seeing the departure of the elves from the pov of the seamen. Despite Arwen, and Legolas' presence in Ithilien, one cannot help wondering what elves were to the people of Gondor 120 years after the war of the ring, and what would they become in a few more years, nothing more that a memory or a legend.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/19/2006
This was a beautiful chapter, Perelleth, proving you do weariness and grief and 'ending well' as well as you do conflict. Thranduil's releasing his son was poignant, but more telling of this road of the sea-longing was that Legolas took the step to Ithilien alone. His wife was not ready, and yet he could not stay. It was really a first step towards the west. And go Thranduil! He made Legolas's going into a victory for them all, which is the sign of a true leader. The way Aragorn came to say his farewells was well done, and fitting. He would not want his friends to see him dead, but to preserve a memory of him leaving of his own accord, aged yes, but still King. I am very curious to know what the letters say.. and to know who sailed. That the elves left with the end of Aragorn's reign is very fitting, I think. Author Reply: Thank-you! You know that Legolas' fate never seemed a happy ending to me, so the point of this ridiculously long tale in the end was just pondering how his sea-longing may have affected those around him. Tolkien says that Lorien was soon silent and deserted after Galadriel's departure, but that the elves of Lasgalen lived on happily for many years... I think that Aragorn must have been aware of how painful it would have been for his Legolas as all their friends died of old age, so a private moment between the two of them seemed appropriate to me, seen that he actually could choose his timing.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/18/2006
Thranduil has made the only decision he possibly can make. In the end, no matter what duties Legolas may have to his family and his people, he's still Thranduil's son, and Thranduil cannot make a decision that would hurt his child as much as refusing him permission to emigrate would do. But I like that Legolas's wife doesn't go with him. It shows the sacrifices that they both had to make. Though they seem to have more or less come to terms with their separation, it can't be easy for either of them. But they are Elves, and any separation like that is temporary. That must be a great comfort, and it must make it easier for both of them to go off and do what they must do. Author Reply: Thank-you, FP. It always seemed to me that Legolas' lot at the end of the war was not an entirely happy one. So, somehow it meant that history had not come to an end with the arival of the new age, and that there must have been pain and sacrifice behind his decision, for he was not an outcast, solitary elf. So yes, there is an inevitability here that Thrnaduil understands and does not shy from, much as LEgolas' wife, and which I believe means that, as Bilbo said, the road goes ever on, and the tale was not wholly ended with the fall of Sauron...

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/18/2006
What a mixture of hope and pain, loss and gain. People make their choices and then regret what they had to leave behind. This was lovely, Perelleth. As always, Thranduil shone: With the shrewdness that had seen him through countless trials in his long life, Thranduil had turned loss into gain, sorrow into promise, desertion into duty and despair into hope Author Reply: Poor Thranduil! He surely foresaw a comfortable new age, and events contradicted him, but he would not let show. This sea-longing thing seems like death in many ways: it hits unexpectedly, has to be faced on one's own, and there is nothing but hope for those remaining... Thank you, daw, this story is oozing so painfully slowly that reviews are doubly appreciated!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/4/2006
Catching up on reading... Wow, that was a great battle scene. Very fast and tense! And the whole intrigue with the men. You know I loved that. The elves handled that well I thought and cleverly. I particularly loved Legolas's thoughts about the men after speaking with the old man. Middle-earth belonged to those hurried, short-lived, short-sighted creatures that struggled fiercely for a handful of sun-rounds only to see everything slip through their clenched fingers when their time arrived. Sad but true. Great chapter! Author Reply: Thank-you, elliska! It was the first time I tried t write a battle scene and it is really painful, I confess! I admire all of you even more now! I enjoyed myself playing with the mens' loyalties and points of view, and the elves apparent cluelessness. They are wise creatures, and I believe it must have been so outrageous for them to feel that they had to leave their beloved M-e in the hands of the Secondborn, and quite difficult to come to accept!! I am glad you enjoyed it and I wish you all luck with the recovery of lost things!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/2/2006
Geez, I just realized I never left a review for this chapter... I am having the hardest time getting back into the groove of things since the family trip... I really like the drama in this chapter. Certainly not epic, perhaps a little domestic, its impact on Laeriniel et al is quite heart-rending. I sympathize with Laeriniel most. A wife is more or less expected to support her husband and family. She is expected to go where he leads her; that's the deal the wife usually has to make in their society. Their decision is only postponed. She is a princess and could still hold to her other obligations, I think; settling for visits rather than relocation. After all she has lost him to sea-longing and will have to admit that he will be taken from her by it, no matter what she does. They are going to really need the Queen's wisdom and the King's understanding. A terrible family crisis looms when the current one is abated... Author Reply: Hey, take it easy! Coming back to RL after a short vacation is a stressful thing on itself!:-) I also feel for LAeriniel, she is the one who'll be more deeply affected by all this. It is mainly a domestic drama, as you point out, and even if it apparently domestic also impacts on family business, we also know that Lasgalen will not fall down to parts because of the lack of one (or two) princes. SO it is more on how you manage change when you think you've reached the end of your rope, and how things which are apparently unfair and so painful may have some deeper meaing that is only unveiled...later on. :-) It is always good to hear from you, Redheredh, and I'm so delighted hat you are still enjoying this!

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/2/2006
I loved this chapter for its action and intrigue! So well written, in movement, setting, and dialog. Excellent episode covering the time between last chapter and the next. The characterization of the Men was especially well conveyed, I thought. You did not always know what kind of people they actually were even though they fell into the usual roles. I don't know about other readers, but I enjoyed the circumspect way you conveyed what was in the minds of Legolas' and the rest concerning the machinations of Esrren and Birger. And I do so love poor, relatively young, Mallereg! Author Reply: I wanted to try my hand at writing a battle scene, and was terrified! Glad that it came out nicely, mainly in movement and setting, which bothered me most! I really enjoy picturing different takes on same issues, and misleading even myself. Men were just...following their own agenda, and when you are so busy doing that, at times you simply forget that the other party is playing, too, and may have their own views and strategies. SO the elves had known all along, and had simply acted accordingly, without fussing about it. I suppose that Esrren might have had a fit, had he known that his cunning plans had been revealed so easily since the very beginning... Mallereg's coming out as kind of Legolas' alter ego, I'd say. He's fulfilling LEgolas' role naturally and it is clear that Lasgalen does not lack warriors, commanders and responsible leaders, although that does not mean that LEgolas will nt be missed terribly... THank-you again, Redheredh! :-)

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/2/2006
Poor Mallerg. He is beleagured on every front, isn't he? His father is already unhappy with them and now this. And Legolas clearly needs to make it clear that the tree fell, not him! Nice look at the treachery of the lesser men, who tried to play both sides of the fence on too many occasions. Hmm... like sometimes we still do today. Good chapter. Author Reply: Poor Mallerg. He is beleagured on every front, isn't he? LOL. Life would be easier if troubles were kind enough to come one at the time, wouldn't it? ;-) Men were dumb enough to feel that they would be able to fool the elves. I suppose these forest men did not know much about their secretive neighbours, and these two human hsots were looking at their own interests, rather than seeing the larger picture, which is whence most problems come... I'm glad that you liked it, Nilmandra. This was my first fighting scene, I wasn't sure how it would come out... Thank-you

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/2/2006
Those men weren't too bright! Waiting for the elves to work out Birger's treachery for themselves - well, Esrren would have been a lot more sensible to talk earlier on. But I suppose I can understand his doubt of elves. Men might be treacherous - but at least he knew where he stood with them. I'm glad he and his son took on the responsibility in the end - even if it was with their arms twisted up behind their backs. And for the first time is it men who will continue (in their short-lived way) while the elves disappear. I like Geldoron - and Thalaur. It must be a bit of a thankless task trying to keep the warrior heirs of Thranduil out of trouble! And both Legolas and his nephew are having unexpected arborial difficulties! Neither will live it down. I think it might turn out to be a Good Thing, though, that Mallereg knocked himself silly - he has been able to remember his admiring little brother and release some of the grief he feels for not being omnipotent in reality and being able to come to his rescue. And the call of Ithilien gets stronger. Fingers crossed everyone comes to a decision that it's better than the call of the sea - seeing as how it's only a (relatively) short ride away and visitors are allowed to go home again. Author Reply: I'm glad he and his son took on the responsibility in the end - even if it was with their arms twisted up behind their backs. LOLOL! You made me laugh here! Each group here was following their own agenda, and the men thought they wre fooling the elves, whle the elves were just being eves and following their own agenda without entering the men's game. IT was a last victory for the leves, though.Soon they will be displaced and the land will beling to the Men. THank-you for your kind words BOdkin! I'm really having a tough time with this tale, and sincerely hoping to be able to lead it to its conclusion asap! (so I can go a dive into sweet woodwine, among other things! :-)

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