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| Soap Bubbles by Le Rouret | 21 Review(s) |
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| Camp6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/26/2006 |
| This was a beautiful story. It was heartbreaking to see each of Legolas' attempts at friendship rebuffed, and at times it seemed they were so close to a conneciton too, and then to have their final words angry ones. What a memory to have until the end of Arda. I confess I love your angry Legolas. It reminds me of a passage from Ivanhoe when King Richard is compared to a lion's whelp who can suddenly unsheathe his claws and begin to roar. Your writing is so vivid I can just see the cloud of rage billowing around him. Then in the end heartbreak to joy when Faramir offers his friendship so unlooked for and spontaneous. Author Reply: Thanks for your review! Yes, I like Legolas when he's angry too - but I like him better when he's amusing and good-natured. I suppose that's why I classified this story as "angst" - I so rarely write him as Angry!Legolas that it was nice for a change. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/25/2006 |
| I read this story all at one go--it's amazingly lovely. First of all, I must confess, that like Legolas in your story, I am a soap bubble junkie. So I certainly found it very endearing that he had this habit. The voice you give him here is so dignified and full of depth of feeling. It reminds me in many ways of the archaic tone you use in your "Green Knight" universe, but at the same time, being in first person it is not so distant and high. I really feel for him, as he longs to make friends with all the Fellowship, yet finds only Boromir resists--due of course, to the pull of the Ring, we know. But Legolas is confused by his comrade's reluctance. I like the development of his other friendships, especially that with Gimli. And I feel so sorry for Boromir here: not only the Ring, but the sternness of his life at home and his father's unyielding sense of propriety and duty keeps him from understanding why Legolas should simply want to make others happy. That is so sad. And the end, where he begins to build his friendship with Faramir is just lovely. Author Reply: Thank you, DreamFlower! This little ficlet simply wouldn't leave me alone 'til I'd written it. I too pitied the sons of Denethor - what a harsh, unfair father he must've been! You can't really blame Boromir for how he turned out. I enjoyed writing from Legolas' point of view too. It was freeing not only to "hear" him speak, but to not have the constraint put on his letters in "My Dear Bandobras." The closest one ever got to really "hearing" Legolas was in his letters to Bandy. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/19/2006 |
| Well, I finished this at work - printed it out and hid and read it - and almost sobbed over the beauty of the entire piece. I am writing the manager of this site to see if there is a way to put a 'final' comment or a 'story' comment. For my comments are on the entire piece. It is beautiful. I love the language - I wish I could emulate it! I love the characterizations - so very different for man, Dwarf, and Elf. Believable and readable. I love the concept and I love an author who can write like this. Thank you!!! PS - I've sent a link to two friends for their enjoyment and will continue to do so... now, I'm off to bookmark you as a favorite author... Then I have to go write some more Denethor before he disowns me!!! Author Reply: Wow, thanks for the review! You made me feel all warm and gushy inside. Emulating the language isn't that hard - it just takes practice. The difficulty is getting it out of one's system after the story is finished - my emails start sounding a little pompous! Enjoy Denethor! | |
| Alison H | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/19/2006 |
| What a wonderful end to this story! Don't you just love Faramir?! How different, and yet alike he was to Boromir, and Legolas was almost bursting with joy at the end when Faramir offered his friendship. Gimli was never far from Legolas' thoughts while he was alone and their relationship obviously delights them both. Faramir's story about his hunting dog chasing bubbles was no surprise, and it made me laugh because I blow bubbles at my two cats--but they both run away, the softies! Faramir was a more gentle soul and he and Legolas have discovered that they have more than a 'silly' game in common.Legolas' thoughts on Eowyn were very touching and he will be a good friend to them both. A lovely, lovely story, Le Rouret.Looking forward to the next chapter of 'the Heir Of Meduseld'.Update soon. Ali. Author Reply: Thank you, Ali! And have no fear, "Heir of Meduseld" is cranking away (though I have another sneaky little plot-bunny nibbling at my ankles ... )! | |
| Alison H | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/19/2006 |
| Poor Boromir,the ring has taken hold and there is nothing to be done.Legolas tried his best and his outburst was very understandable, but Boromir had only one thing on his mind; the ring must go to Gondor. I love the olde world style of writing you incorporate into your stories, Le Rouret.It's very Shakespearian,very enjoyable to read and very unusual to see so keep writing that way.I love it. Ali. Author Reply: Thank you, Ali! It's hard to write, but good brain exercise. | |
| Emily | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/19/2006 |
| That was a lovely story. The language was absolutely beautiful. I love how elven Legolas was--his manners and experience are so different from his companions. It was very refreshing to see an actual distinction in character between men and elves and hobbits. I really admire the characters of Thranduil and his wife. I miss his brash laugh and quick temper, his brilliant smile and embrace that threatens to crush my ribs. And I miss my Lady Mother, her sly twinkling eyes and laughing mouth, her hand upon my hair stroking the sorrow from my heart. This might have been my favorite lines in the entire story. I love how you went away from typical characterizations. Though they never technically make an appearance in this story, their presence and wisdom is truly felt as we see the world through their son's eyes. Well done! Author Reply: Thank you, Emily! I'm a shameless anti-Evil!Thranduil-Fic commando (you ought to read Coriel's fics; she's worse than I am) and try to give the son of Oropher a positive plug whenever I can. How could Legolas have turned out any other way, had he been raised by a cruel and arrogant father? And it was that very thought that drove me to theorize why Boromir and Legolas never seemed to "click" in the books. | |
| lotrlover | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2006 |
| I must disagree with Leonin; I love the language you've written this in! In fact, I just sat far longer into the day than I should have just to read this lovely piece all the way through (I work nights, and 10am is the equivalent of midnight for me.). The mannered tone, the old-fashioned phrasing and word choice are just right, and the soap bubbles conceit just ties everything together beautifully. This story is as light as mousse, but just as flavorful. I think it does justice to the Legolas of the books, who could dash off to find the sun during the cold danger of Caradhras and later be the strong, deadly archer who could shoot down one of the fell beasts of the Ringwraiths. And how I wish there had been more of both in the movies! But I digress, and it's time for bed. Anyway, I loved this story. Well done, Le Rouret! Author Reply: Thank you, lotrlover! I too love mousse (a shame there was no chocolate in Tolkien's world)and enjoy incorporating it into my repertoire. I was disappointed in Jackson's Movie!Legolas, and do all I can to make Book!Legolas come alive! | |
| Leonin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2006 |
| Hello, Le Rouret! I like the idea of this story, but... It's difficult to read. I understand this is one of those stories that you had to write down in order to get it out of your head. The language is just too tedious. I made it through chapter one, but stopped mid-way through chapter two. Otherwise, it's okay. Just cut down the long-winded dialogue Author Reply: Hello, Leonin! Thank you for reviewing. As an avowed lover of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Austen, and Sir Walter Scott, I cast my canon LotR fics in "high style" to reflect the pomp and solemnity of the times. I'm sorry you found it so tedious. If you would prefer to read something in a more light-hearted vein (and are not easily offended by bad language) you can read my AU fic "Pottymouth" at Open Scrolls Archive (www.scribeoz.com). Le Rouret | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/18/2006 |
| Just found this and would love to comment on each chapter - but I work tomorrow and must be off to bed in a moment. Shouldn't have even read it - late as it is (the night that is - not your tale!) Absolutely delightful concept with the soap bubbles. I still play with them to this day and rejoice when they are passed out at weddings. I can never wait for the end... I use them before their time - don't tell anyone! I am bookmarking this and asking for updates. It is well worth a few moment's lost sleep. Many thanks! Agape Author Reply: Thank you for your review! I love bubbles too, and keep a secret stash of them in my kitchen. I'll make a deal with you - I won't give you away, and you keep quiet about mine, OK? | |
| Alison H | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/18/2006 |
| Well,this little story caught me by surprise and I have to tell you,Le Rouret, that the idea of Legolas and Boromir trying to figure each other out is very unique.They are so different, and you highlight that very well here, but there is scope for friendship if only Boromir would let his guard down. Soap bubbles? I laughed at that because *everyone* has amused themselves with this game at one time or another---and it doesn't seem at all strange that Legolas finds enjoyment with it, too.It's quite endearing really. Good for Gimli, surprising Legolas with his kind comments on the son of Thranduil.Now there's a friendship! What would make Boromir happy I wonder? I'm sure Legolas will not give up until he at least gets a smile out of the Gondorian.I can't wait to read more of this! Update soon. Ali. Author Reply: Thanks for your review, Ali! I hope you like where I've ultimately gone with this; Tolkien was no stranger to sorrow and regret, and I tried to reflect this here. | |