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Interrupted Journeys 11: In Foreign Lands by elliska	33 Review(s)
KGR	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/21/2013
I squealed so loud when I saw you had posted a new chapter that I scared my mother. As you can tell I was very happy to read another chapter and so disappointed that it was the last one. As ever your writing was excellent and supremely enjoyable. Loved Legolas getting teased by his cousins. I thought it was fascinating to see Maidhien's response to it compared to Aewen's. I think Aewen has a lot to learn before she could be a suitable bride for Legolas. I thought the varied ways Legolas reassured the citizens that he liked Greenwood was best was very well handled. It really shows the way he is growing up to be a fine prince. So hilarious that they thought one of the more exotic foods was carrots. It makes me want to go grab a bag from the fridge and eat them like candy. It was fun seeing Thranduil's point of view on things. Love the way everyone tries to keep the more outrageous things they saw from him and his being totally cool about it. The whole Manadhien situation is really heating up. I'm terrified to see what you have in store for the next story. Galithil doesn't want to be a warrior, wow. Really should have seen it coming but was as surprised as Thranduil when he mentioned it. I find the idea of Galithil being in the same village as Manadhien absolutely terrifying but admire his bravery for volunteering. Definitely want to see Maidhien's reaction to that idea. In all I found the story to be an absolute delight and am looking forward to the next one. God bless.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/3/2013
Elliska, I also meant to say that you did a really great job of working out what foods would be available to which peoples. That was interesting and world building. Also, you clearly showed that Legolas is old enough to be a sexual attraction/threat depending on your POV. Author Reply: I love the world building potential when two cultures come together. It really is the best for that sort of thing. Threat! Poor Legolas, I so don't think he'd see himself that way yet, but I bet there were a good many men at that dance that saw him and his cousins exactly that way. Again, thanks so much for the reviews!

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/3/2013
Well, I can understand the Barad and his brothers now, they are Duneden, aren't they? they are there only because their sister married the future King of Dale, they are not really subject of Forwed, something like advisers and family, I will think. And for their sister to be the future Queen, they are a high noble family among the Dunedain, I will think. The Dale's men are not Dunedan, if I recall or are they? Gosh, I need to re read Tolkien!!!! In any case, the Dunedan had a very high code of honor and having bastards children around was not really part of that code. I don't know what to think about Forwed, I think that he is a very commun case among leaders of those times, not better not worse, his Father was really an exception. I laughed with Legolas, his naivety was spectacular, the Mirkwood elves need a little more interaction with humans. That is something that the Imladris elves have done better. His interaction with the girl and the explanation after the debacle was just priceless. The feast description was great, their awed to the sauces and vegetables, the butter and cream appreciation and Ice Cream, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM! those elves will never being the same. They will want to go back to Dale all the time now. And Legolas thinking about how much wastefulness in a feast, considering other needs is just a credit to his parents' teachings And Tulus, poor Tulus, this is the most overused comment in this stories. Author Reply: Catching up... Yes, Barad and his brothers are Duneden. They are from Gondor and they are noblemen there. Their sister will be Forwed's Queen. They've got no tolerance for the type of behavior/attitude Forwed is demonstrating. I want Forwed to be a mixed character. He will be important in a future story, when the dwarves come to the Lonely Mountain (because he will be king). (As for canon and the Men of Dale--Tolkien doesn't say. We know the Northmen, who settled east of the forest and eventually became the men of Dale and Laketown, came from the same stock as the Rhohirrim, but some of their original princes were from Gondor. In my little world, the line of kings of Dale have a trace of Numenorean blood, but not much). Legolas is so innocent. I had fun with that. Poor young elf. :-) And chocolate! Yes, I can't imagine life without chocolate. Tulus has some rough stories in front of him. That's all I'll say about that. Thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate them so much.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/3/2013
speculation over whether rat would be a lighter meat, like quail and pheasant, or a redder meat, like deer or...whatever this meat was on his plate LOL. Ah, yes. Mystery meat. I knew it well in college. Forwed needs to learn some diplomacy, or at least how to listen to people, if he expects to be a good ruler, or even to negotiate with elves who have thousands of years of experience on him. It's also telling that he didn't know how much Dale paid for boar now. That is, he didn't know what he was bargaining over. That's not just impatience. That's neglect. I do give him great credit for caring for his realm's orphans though. Reluctantly give him credit, like Legolas. Forwed is such a mixed bag, he's hard for an elf to comprehend. And ah, cross-culture courting! A place ripe for misunderstandings. Berior is the one who really made me laugh. He is totally out of his realm of experience. I have to admit that I was as bad as Legolas in guessing what the girl thought he was suggesting re inviting his cousins along. "I think I will be much safer with the armed men than I was dancing," Legolas replied with a dry tone. "At least I will recognize an attack from one of them." LOL. QFT "Lord Legolas's arrows were all inside the line. Again," he declared. All the elves cast a startled glance at Barad. His expression did not change a bit. Hee! Good for Barad. But poor Tulus. I held my breath as he circled in on his prey, especially once he'd been spotted by the hawk. And then he finds his son. I understand his dilemma. I don't think I could do in my son either, no matter what he did. I was glad to see this chapter appear, Elliska. I think it's a really strong one. Author Reply: Catching up... Hehe! I had fun with the mystery meat. Couldn't resist. Food is such a fun cultural thing. Irresistible. Forwed is a mixed character and I want him that way. He's going to be king of Dale when the dwarves go to Erebor and wealth sweeps in. That should be fun with Forwed in place. Poor Berior and Legolas. I wanted it to be a bit of a mystery, since we are in Legolas's POV. He had no clue. Poor kid. Barad is a good character. :-) I like his attitude. And Tulus--the noose is tightening around his neck. The next few stories are not ones he will enjoy. Thanks so much for the reviews, daw! I really appreciate them!

rikki	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/3/2013
Oh, what a meaty chapter that you have given us (pun intended). Cultural differences can certainly lead to some rather embarassing incidences. Thank goodness Barad stepped in before Legolas was assaulted by his dance partner. Even though he would be considered grown in mannish culture, his ignorance of sexual mores was touching and rather funny. Chocolate! Things that seem so normal to our way of life being a rare treat highlights the lives of elves to their mannish counterparts. I had to laugh about the turkey, chicken, duck, etc. roast that Legolas was agast about. I wonder what he would have thought if Fengel had served a dish of bird tongues? OMG! What are you going to have Tulus do to solve this conrundum he faces? How is he going to kill/capture his own son and return him to his king? He can't ignore this anymore and hope that somehow it will become all right. Fulin will kill Tulus if he catches him and he isn't going to surrender to the other elf either. I am so glad that you are feeling better. RL, on the other hand, is a relentless master. Author Reply: Catching up.... Meaty! LOL! Cultural differences are always a great source of fun and conflict. Food in particular. I used to take students abroad and there was always one good reaction to some food in every trip. Bird tongues! Ew! I am having a good time with that in this story. :-) Thank goodness for Barad and his experience indeed! And Tulus. He is in for a Very Bad next few stories. That's all I can say about that. Thanks so much for the reviews and the well wishes. I appreciate both so much!

KGR	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/2/2013
I was so excited to see the new chapter. I've been worried about you since you had mentioned in your reviews you were sick. Hope you're feeling better and that things are settling down for you. Loved the feast. It was so fun to see the Elves' reactions to the different foods. It made me view chocolate in a whole new way. And those birds sounded delicious, even if it was a little over the top. I wanted to punch Forwed at times. For being 50 years old I'd think he'd have a little more tact then he's been showing. Founding an orphanage is his only redeeming quality so far as I can see. He certainly has a lot to learn about politics and Elves. I can certainly understand Barad and his brother's dislike of Forwed better now. Poor Tulus I can't even imagine how hard it was for him to contemplate killing his own son. I hope that having to room with orcs will make Glilavan realize how evil Manadhien really is. Any Elf who willingly allies with orcs is worse than an orc in my opinion. I missed seeing Dolgailon in this chapter. I'm anxious to hear what the villagers have to say. I love your stories and hope you get the next chapter up soon. God bless. Author Reply: I am catching up...again...I'm glad you enjoyed the feast. Food is always a source of entertainment during foreign travel, that is certain! Chocolate, I think, would be pretty exotic for the Woodelves. Personally, I can't imagine life without chocolate. ;-) Forwed is a mixed bag and I want him that way. He will be king when the dwarves come to the Lonely Mountain. I want him to be a bit of a complication in that. Tulus is in for a rough ride in the next few stories. The next one focuses on Manadhien and that village. Thank you so much for the reviews and the well wishes. I really appreciate them both!

Nora	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/18/2013
This is by far the best story I've found so far. I check every day to see if there is a new chapter. I'm impatiently waiting for the next chapter. I'm a bit worried since you said you were sick last time and it's been so long without a new chapter yet again. I hope you are alright. Get well soon! Author Reply: Thanks so much! I'm so glad you are enjoying. I do intend to post the next chapter tonight. I am taking a break, giving it one last read through, and then clicking 'publish.' Thanks so much for the reviews and the well wishes. Hopefully I am really on top of things this time, but your review made my day when I saw it.

CandissD	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/3/2013
Sorry to take so long to review - I got behind on reading but just finished the last 2 chapters - love the elves in Dale and all of the sights the elves are seeing as every day life which is very different from their own. Finally they made Forwed understand what he is asking for the 5 trees! Will be looking forward to more :) Author Reply: Sorry to take so long to reply. I wasn't as together as I thought I was. I'm glad you are enjoying the elves in Dale. I love playing with cultural differences. That stuff is so fascinating. Thanks so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them!

katrina	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/23/2013
I loved the comparison between how men see things compared to elves (whether it is time, or the place of women, or the value of trees)! I was impressed and happy to know that Berior is taking up his father's role well- this chapter really made me see how mature Legolas and his friends have become! I also really liked the mention of Forwed's daughter in this chapter, and how she overheard the conversation of elven women and their rights. I wonder if this will light a spark in her, if you will, and lead to some interesting occurrences later on! So glad that you are feeling better! Author Reply: Sorry to be so long in replying. I enjoyed playing with all the little (and bigger) differences Legolas would see in Dale. That sort of stuff is so much fun. Legolas and his cousins are quite mature. :-) I like seeing them grown up. And, unless she gets cut, Forwed's daughter will make an appearance again, now as a grown woman, in the story when the dwarves populate the Lonely Mountain. Thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate them so much!

Morn	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/22/2013
I hope you're feeling better now. I was really glad to see the new chapter. Legolas and his cousins really seem to have grown up, especially Berior stepping into his father's role. The difference of perspective between men and elves was great. Trees being just resources vs having value in themselves. And the different views on women is interesting too, especially as it seems he may try and undermine the queen. Being female in a human society like theirs doesn't sound appealing. The elves handle it really well when comparing with the apple trees to make the men understand. I loved the children telling them elves are magic and legolas realising that little things like the way they blend into the trees could seem this way. Moralfien really is a nasty piece of work. If i were Dolgallion sitting liatening to her talk of her grief at the kinslayings I wouldn't have had anywhere near that kind of restraint. Fpr her to lie so calmly and well must be so unnerving. Things must be bad in this village if they are having to sneak like that. I dread to think what state it's in. Author Reply: Sorry to be so long in replying. So much for feeling better... I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I had a lot of fun showing the cultural differences in Dale. That sort of thing has always fascinated me. I also had fun with the magical elves. Imagine the stories mannish children must hear about elves. :-) Things are definitely worse than Dolgailon expected in his village. That will cause some changes in plans in the upcoming stories. Thanks so much for the reviews. I really do appreciate them. They make my day. :-)

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