News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Interrupted Journeys 9: Bitter Paths by elliska | 59 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/14/2013 | |
| Just a lurker de-lurking briefly. I loved the last part. It reminded me of movie Legolas when he says, 'you would die before your stroke fell.' Legolas can be provoked to anger and you showed that well here. While I'm here, I also liked when Dannenion said the villainess is like a spider and her servants a web. That seemed very Mirkwood. Author Reply: 'you would die before your stroke fell.' Legolas can be provoked to anger and you showed that well here. For a friend, yes he can! That is exactly what I was thinking of when I wrote that. And I'm glad you liked that line. I added it at the last minute and liked it too! Thanks! And thanks for the review! | |
| Fantasia | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/11/2013 |
| Many things happened in this chapter, but my general feeling when I finished was sadness, so sad. I want to emphasize, how impressed I'm with Legolas, he is so mature and wise, he has learned well all his lessons. I always wanted to hate Tulus' son, but life is not black and white, and if you see the situation from his POV, he has a valid reason or reasons to despise Thranduil. I mean, not really, but there are aspects of his life that in the hands of a master of manipulation as Manadhien, they can be twisted and used very effectively against Thranduil. I suppose that most of the "villains" believe themselves right. So, let me congratulate for your main villain, Manadhien, she is a very resourceful, Machiavellian and perfect opponent. I think that Thranduil is too emotional for her, he will need a little more help against that kind of adversary, she is not the one that you can cut with a sword. Celonhael, where is he? and the prisoners? Author Reply: I'm probably cruel, but I'm glad it made you sad. It was hard for me to judge if this chapter had any real emotional impact, so I'm really glad it did! Legolas is doing a great job! But he's at his limit. We'll get to see a bit of that in the next story. Glilavan is not a likeable character. But you are right. He has his reasons and when they are twisted by someone like Manadhien, they are powerful. No black and whites, like you said. It's more fun that way. Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much and I hope you continue to enjoy! | |
| c_belle_a | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/10/2013 |
| This chapter is so amazing- I love how everybody (especially Legolas) is at their breaking points and there is so much tension here. I absolutely love the loyalty between Legolas and Tulus. Legolas defends Tulus almost like a second father, and is like the good son Tulus never had! The fact that Legolas grown up is so evident in this chapter- especially when he threatens Glilavan with that knife. And what a shock that was to his cousin and uncles! I wonder, does Galithal et al know that Legolas killed Demil? A couple of things, however, are making me feel uneasy. Why did Tulus/ Dannenion not tell Thranduil that Manadhien is ruling that village in the south? I'm sure she and her most loyal and powerful supporters have already fled, but the support of all those villagers surely poses as a threat to Thranduil? He should know so he can visit the villagers and make them realize how awful Manadhien really is, and that they are not protecting the south as much as helping Manadhien revenge some age long grudge. Also, what does "take the final step" mean? Once again, great great chapter! Thank you for writing! Author Reply: Legolas and Tulus are completely loyal to one another, and that is what makes some of these revelations so difficult. No, no one but the people present know what Legolas did. There will be more about that in the next installment. Some of your concerns are eased in the last chapter, but hopefully, I can soon give you new ones. :-) Thanks so much for the reviews and I hope you continue to enjoy! | |
| picara | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/10/2013 |
| This was a great chapter. Very tense. Everyone and not just Legolas seems to be approaching their breaking points here. I want to feel sorry for Tulus. I really like him and I believe he is loyal to Legolas. He certainly seems to prove that at the end of the chapter. But the problem is, he knows exactly where Manadien is. So does Danenion. She seemed to have a pretty good set up in that village. I doubt she left it. And no one is telling Thranduil that. That scares me. There has to be a reason and I hope it's not too terrible a reason. (PS: Did you know the chapter at FF is a dead link? Something is messed up there). Author Reply: Glad it came across as intense. It was hard to write. You will see your worries come to their end in the next chapter. Or perhaps (hopefully) you will develop new worries. ;-) (Yes, I had a heck of a time at FF getting the last chapter to post. They eventually had to do it for me. Something in it was buggy and they fixed it.) Thanks so much for the reviews! | |
| Morn | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/9/2013 |
| Just as everything is coming together and everyone back Celonhael is missing... I do not like the sound of this! I thought you were being very mild with everyone whole (ish) returning home. I was expecting a wrapping up to the whole thing now not another escapade with those noldor. Why do i have a feeling he won't be as lucky? :( And tulus! I do not think i could've felt anymore sorry for him. Comparing that ellith to his wife and what a stupid decision. Lets not confess, lets attempt to kill legolas again. He's as crazy as marti! At least dannenion seems to have come round to the king at long last. Hopefully dolwon will too. Looking forward to more. :) Author Reply: Yeah, you will see the ending is not so mild. Or lucky. Tulus is in a bad spot and it will get way worse. He will pay for the choices he made. Glilavan is definitely lost. Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope you continue to enjoy! | |
| Katrina | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/9/2013 |
| Oh my God. I don't even know what to say- this was probably the most intense piece of writing I have read in a long time. The term "kinslayer" just took on whole new level of meaning for me. I quite literally felt my blood boiling at Glilavan. What a despicable idiot. But wow, what a dramatic way to exit!!! Nope, I'm not going to confess to my crime. Instead, I'm going to show everybody just how much I hate you by trying to kill the prince in front of the king and his council and in the Great Hall. And if my father happens to be caught in the middle of it all, oh well, too bad. Jeez. How is Marti so powerful? How did she persuade Glilavan to commit such atrocities? And what to do with Glilavan? I say send him straight to Valinor. Marti's house is banned by the Vala, but as Glilavan is not related by blood, could he still go? Furthermore I am really afraid that Tulus will fade. His own son not only betrayed his trust, but quite literally was fine about killing him. Tulus doesn't deserve that, and I hope he will be able to recover. I also have a very very bad feeling Celonhael. Missing, last seen with Fuilin and Mauril...nope, that doesn't sound good at all. Can't wait for the next chapter, keep it up! Author Reply: I am so glad it came across as intense. It was a really hard chapter for me to write and judge how it was coming across. I'm glad it is making you think about kinslaying. I really enjoy how Tolkien sets up for us how horrific such acts are for elves and how completely unacceptable they are. It makes for some great tension, all the way around in this world and I am having fun playing with it. How is Marti so powerful? How did she persuade Glilavan to commit such atrocities? Good question. Not without help. That will come out by the end. Tulus is in for a lot more angst in this story yet, as you will see. Thanks so much for the reviews! I hope you continue to enjoy! | |
| CandissD | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/9/2013 |
| What a chapter - I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! When Hallion and Dolgailon said they let Glilavan go back to his cottage I almost jumped out of my chair too. Can't wait to see how it all pans out. It's amazing how much Legolas and his cousins have grown since the beginning ;) Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed it! And glad it seemed tense. This was a hard chapter for me to feel I got right. There will be more 'how it pans out' in the next story. Hope you continue to enjoy! Thanks so much for the reviews! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/9/2013 |
| I liked the bit near the opening where Thranduil notes Legolas's shortening temper as a sign of how close he is to his limits, and also the contrast between the young guys leaping the wall even if they are "tired" and the adults going sedately through the gate. But it was only on rereading that I noticed how carefully you set up Tulus's and Dannenion's whispering on the way home. The discussion of whether threats of death help or hinder the cause of justice was interesting. Ordinarily, I like wrathful Thranduil but he apparently caused some problems he didn't intend. Poor Tulus. I can't imagine how a parent makes that kind of decision, though I suppose Glilavan eventually gives him lots of help. It's also interesting to see Thranduil judging Legolas's behavior and general maturity and wisdom in matters ranging from what he says to the door guards to potential treasonous actions. I was pretty shocked that Dolgailon let Glilavan just toddle off to his cottage. I guess no one filled him in on what he should suspect and, as I recall, they're friends. I assume Glilavan was so close because he was meeting with someone? Or maybe helping Fuilin and Mauril? Have you done something to Celonhael??? Glilavan has nerve if not courage! Wow. He just keeps digging himself deeper. And what does Tulus mean when he says he'll take the "final step" just not in a way Glilavan anticipates? Author Reply: You have to imagine that Legolas, though he did handle himself really well, has seen and done about all he can manage. So, I had fun working that sort of thing, and Thranduil's reaction to it, in there. And I love wrathful Thranduil! Thranduil kicks butt. ;-) But in this case, he over did it maybe. Poor Dolgailon, he had to be really disappointed, in Glilavan, but mostly in himelf. That is only about to get worse for him. We'll see a bit of his reaction in the next part of the story. And Glilavan! Yes, he has a lot more trouble in him before this is all over. But he gets his eventually. :-) Thanks so much for the reviews daw, I appreciate them so much! | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/31/2013 |
| What an impossible position for Thranduil. There is no right answer or easy solution. But Manadhien will never rest until Thranduil and his entire family are dead or gone - I don't see her ever being reconciled to his rule, and I wouldn't believe it. Killing in the heat of battle is one thing. A cold, judicial execution is quite another, but lifelong imprisonment is a slow and lingering variation of the same judgement. And if Manadhien ever escaped ... Author Reply: I admit that I am mean and I made this problem absolutely as bad for Thranduil as I believably (I hope) could. It is a great struggle and one that is very Tolkien for me, since he set up the horror of the kinslayings for us. Thranduil is struggling with this one, given his past. But he is a king and he has to protect his people, ultimately. Hard choices! Good to hear from you Jay! Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them! | |
| Fantasia | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/31/2013 |
| Yes, Legolas is right. The fear of the death of your love ones may make you to take action in your hands that your not capable to handle. That is exactly what happened to Tulus and Thranduil and his brother are part responsible for that, hopefully the King will learn. My, I wish I can help Tulus, but he is responsible as well, no way he will be Legolas' bodyguard again. A shame, because he is incredible loyal to him and has repeatedly put himself in danger to defend legolas. But I love Legolas in here, so wise, so much compassion in his heart, he will be an amazing ruler. At the end, when he quoted Gandalf, I remember Cervantes, so I went to find one of my favorites quotes from him "Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliancy than justice." If someone have told that to Thranduil and his brother time ago...I have a teacher that once told me that all the answer to my questions were on the Quixote, I thought that he was crazy, but boy, how right he was.... So sad for Tulus, to know that your son doesn't love you enough to back up from the conspiracy in order to save his father's life. What a mess! Well, I was thinking on their little problem, what to do with the elves, if they were men, no doubt I will have them executed. In this case, why not to send them to the Heavens, ship them to Valinor, to be judge by the Valar themselves, Namo will be there anyway, no need to kill them for that. I don't know, it is the only solution that I can think of. Even if I have my complaints about Thranduil, I'm impressed with his logic about the information extracted from Fuilin, he knows that he was incriminating the "traitors" and saving the only one useful. I have to go back and re read the conversation between Tulus and "don't remember her name", I know that she blackmailed him with the letters, but they were from his son, maybe he was incriminating his Father as well? You can see that I really, really like your story. Thank you. Author Reply: I absolutely love Don Quixote. There is so much wisdom in that book, it is so true. Now you've made me want to read it again! Tulus's day is about to get a lot sadder. And I will be mean and make you wait for the last chapter to see what Thranduil decided to do with everyone. Legolas is struggling in this story. So is Thranduil too. These are choices he did not anticipate ever having to make. Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much! | |