Awwww!!!!!! *melts*
I'm so happy! Thranduil isn't mad!! Hurray!!!!
*ahem* I very much like the conversation between Legolas and Estel, though the words, "I apologize for driving you crazy" almost made me laugh. ;-) Estel sounds very cute as a ten-year-old.
I was practically holding my breath throughout the entire Legolas/Thranduil conversation; I was really afraid that Legolas would have to suffer again. But it appears that you still have *some* mercy, at least. Any more plot twists ahead???
I'm so happy that the father in Thranduil won out. It's so nice to see father and son getting along. ;-)
And the last sentence nearly brought me to tears; that was an excellent thought on your part.
More soon!
Author's reply
Thranduil is mad at the situation but not at Legolas.
That line made me laugh, too. A ten year old Estel was adorable, in my mind
at least.
I tried hard to balance an angry Thranduil with a loving Thranduil, who could never do anything but support his son. I cannot abide a Thranduil, who is abusive or neglects his children.
I do have mercy for our poor elf. He has suffered enough. Or has he? I cannot say until the next chapter shows up. "o)
I was most pleased with that last line. I had gone into such detail about Legolas getting Aragorn to unbraid his hair, so I thought this request of Legolas to his father was the perfect way to end the chapter. Glad you agree.
daw the minstrel
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 60
Yay! Thranduil comes through. He's as imperious and irritating as he always is but he loves his son and stands by him.
Lovely ending to the chapter: braid my hair.
Author's reply
Legolas wouldn't be the elf his is, the one we love, if he had been raised by a father anything less than loving and nurturing.
Glad you like the way the chapter ended. I thought it was fitting, since I had written in detail how Legolas had coaxed Estel into unbraiding his hair. To my mind, it was a symbol of his return to himself.
sofia
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 60
oh, the was a sweet chapter. I expected Thranduil to be angry or disapointed of what Legolas did. But then again, you are always full of surprises. Dont keep us waiting for too long.
-sofia
Author's reply
Legolas was apprehensive about his father's reaction, too. He knows his Ada loves him, but he also knows how his fatter feels about cowards, and Legolas believed himself to be one, or at least, to have acted cowardly. Thranduil was shocked, but he wasn't angry or disappointed in his son. Legolas realizes that now, thank goodness.
I will update again soon.
rhiannon
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 60
I knew Thranduil was a loving father. How could he not be after almost losing Legolas at the beginning of the story??? Yea! He is braiding his hair again. Very significant to his state of mind. Can't wait for the confrontation between Thranduil and Elrond....
Author's reply
Thranduil is forbidding to his enemies and those who cross him, but I really like the character and could not even think of having him be anything but a loving father. I don't think Legolas would be the elf we love, if he was raised by anyone who wasn't loving and nurturing.
Since I made such a big deal out of Legolas having Estel unbraid his hair, I though having him ask his father to rebraid it was significant for both Legolas and the story.
As for the confrontation, well...
Eruanna
· 29 June 2004
· Chapter 59
Awww........!
While I was reading this, I was thinking that poor Legolas is never going to get better.....then you wrote about the finger movement....and I was so proud of myself, because I caught the fact that his hands were moving!! *is happy* One of the simplest joys in life: the occasional understanding without lenghty explantion. ;-)
*dances around* I'm so happy Legolas is getting better! The previous chapter and the beginning of this one were starting to make me depressed, and now I feel so much better!!!
Still wondering how the visit/confrontation thing will go with Thranduil, but I supposed I'm at you're mercy, so I guess I'm screwed. ;-) ;-)
Well, I'm outta time, so post soon!
Author's reply
Now, would I keep our dear elf from getting better? Of course, you could ask if I could put him through so much grief to begin with. :o)
I'm glad you noticed the moving right hand. I'm so relieved that only the movement of his left hand was in his mind.
I'm happy that you hung on and didn't get depressed. It was for that reason, I didn't want to drag out Legolas's confinement. I think it would have dragged the whole story down. I had to give the poor boy something to be happy about.
Thranduil will not be a happy camper, you can bet on that. Oh yes, you are definitely at my mercy, and I'm sure you are hoping that I still have some.
More tomorrow (Wednesday).
*~SuGaR~*
· 26 June 2004
· Chapter 59
YIPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Some movement at last!!!!!!!!! *sigh* Again, i must wait for Legolas to be able to move!!! Reminds me of "The Hunting Trip"...hopefully this will not take quite as long...wait...we're already on chapter 59!!! Wow...oh well, keepi it coming!! Can't wait until Legolas starts moving about again, but that won't come easily...especially with you! And we still have Thranduil coming!!! POST SOON!!!
*~SuGaR~*
Author's reply
Glad you're so happy. And, no this will definitely not take as long as in "The Hunting Trip"
You may be surprised. I may just give our dear elf a break (not l9literally) and move his progress right along. Then again, I may not. You never can tell with me, and that's the way I like it. :o)
I don't guess I need to give another Thranduil-is-coming warning, but I think I just did.
More soon.
sofia
· 26 June 2004
· Chapter 59
oh boy... Thranduil's comming to Imladris... again. Its so cool that Legolas can move 4 of his fingers. When i was reading that part, i was imaginning him almost as an elfling getting a huge slice of cake. Dont keep us waiting for to long.
-Sofia
Author's reply
Thranduil is indeed coming again. In fact, he'll be here in the next chapter.
First four fingers and then the WORLD! Sorry, didn't mean to get so carried away. Love your imagine of elfling Legolas.
More soon.
OakWolf
· 26 June 2004
· Chapter 59
(Does happy dance)YEAAAAAAAH!!!!!!Thranduil is probably going to pop when he sees Legolas but he's getting feeling back none the less,woo!!!Wolf-Awesome,awesome, awesome job!
Author's reply
Yes, I think after all this angst, a happy dance is in order. Thranduil won't be happy, when he sees Legolas in that neck brace, that's for sure.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
daw the minstrel
· 26 June 2004
· Chapter 59
Yay! I am so glad he is moving again. Of course, Thranduil can be pretty scary, but I think he loves Legolas too. Whatever he has to say will be meant to help.
Author's reply
I'm glad Legolas is moving again, too. As for Thranduil, he does love Legolas very much. But, as you say, he can be scary. You'll know soon what happens when he shows up.
OakWolf
· 23 June 2004
· Chapter 58
Wolf,you know how to pack a punch(Metaphorically,hopefully)I've been in a straight similar to Legolas's,being helpless is unbearable.Cant wait to see how Thranduil reacts,it'll be hellfire.Next Chapter-Quick!
Author's reply
Thank you. I do try. I think being in Legolas's circumstances would be very hard for anyone. For our elf, who thinks being incapacitated as a weakness, it is horribly unbearable.
Thranduil will not be a happy camper, when he gets to Rivendell. That's for sure. More soon.
daw the minstrel
· 23 June 2004
· Chapter 58
I really appreciate the way that Elrond allows Legolas to make his own choices. I think that given his current helpless state that must be enormously important to Legolas.
I also like the wily Woodelf king's use of Curan. The courier is obviously a very useful person.
Author's reply
It was hard for Elrond to give in to Legolas's decision, because he felt the young elf was making a mistake, but he did the right thing. It took a big weight off of Legolas's shoulders that he didn't have to continue arguing with Elrond about it.
Regarding Cúran, Thranduil knows a good thing when he sees it.
nathadagendaen
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 57
i have read the whole story but didn't want to interupt the reading of chapters, by writing a review so i'm doing it now. This is the first fanfic to actually make me cry - others have made me teary, but not cry cry. Basically it's hgreat, really well written and the image of Leggie's body contorting horrible will haunt me forever. Well done this one of the best - if not the best - fan fic i've ever read.
thanks for sharing your obvious talents.
A grateful fan
Author's reply
Thank you so very, very much. I really appreciate your very kind words. In a way I'm sorry I made you cry, although to be absolutely truthful, that was my aim. I like to write about Strong emotions in my characters, and I like to try to bring them out in my readers, as well. I have to admit, the two letters Legolas wrote made *me* cry, not when I wrote them but when I read them, looking for errors.
Again thank you for your wonderful review. I will be updating soon.
sofia
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 57
real good chapter. So it seems that Elrond and everybody have to be careful what they say in order to keep Leoglas from retreating to the Greenwood in his mind. I would find that really frustrating and difficult. Update soon.
-sofia
Author's reply
Yes, everyone is having a hard time dealing with Legolas right now. But, of course, frustration and difficulty or not, they will never give up on him. MOre soon.
*~SuGaR~*
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 57
Awwwww...poor Legolas!!! I hope he gets better soon, but i must admit that i hadn't thought about what they were going to tell Thranduil. Must be horrible for Legolas to have to wonder what he was kept alive for. Argh, that helpless feeling again. If only i could reassure him...=( Would never have been the same without Legolas...What are Elrond and the twins up to? I really don't need to ask, actually because i know that you'll just say that i'll find out in the next chapter ;) Oh well, hope we see it soon!
*~SuGaR~*
Author's reply
What to tell Thranduil is one thing. What t o tell him that he will believe is quite another. That is one perceptive elf.
I can only imagine how useless Legolas feels right now. He feels very low, thanks to Mordraug and his insanity. Sometimes I think I didn't punish that dark elf enough.
Without Legolas? Think what we would have missed. Ugh. I'd rather not.
Actually, Elrond and the twins aren't up to much right now. They are just taking care of Legolas and trying to keep his spirits up, or rather keep them from getting any lower. Now, aren't you surprised I answered that question?
daw the minstrel
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 57
Since I believe I know what purpose Eru saved Legolas for, I believe he will walk again, but I look forward to seeing how you get him there! I think that keeping things from Thranduil is a bad idea, myself. He's not going to take that well.
Author's reply
I believe you do know Eru's plan. Of course, my story *could* be AU (but just between you and me, it isn't). I wouldn't keep anything from Thranduil, either. It remains to be seen whether Legolas ends up doing that or not.
OakWolf
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 56
Gak!(Sound of Oakwolf flinching)No...more...wimpy...elf!What happened to the bravado-y Legolas?Give him a backbone!(hehe,irony....)
Author's reply
I welcome your opinion and your irony. Legolas has let everything that has happened to him pile up on him, and he is not doing too well right now. I personally like to see characters, who are vulnerable in certain circumstances. I think that makes them far more interesting than having one handling adversity with too much perfection. The end result is what counts, as well as what they can learn on the journey through that adversity. Boy, did I get philosophical. :o) Anyway, I hope you will like the rest of the story.
Alina
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 56
It is good to see that Legolas chose to return. I know that this sort of thing (a story character thinking of suicide due to a handicap) is always a tender issue and needs to be handled with great care. I dare say that I would expect Legolas to discover his values even in the case of permanent disabilities. There once was a lengthy discussion on the children´s book "The Brothers Lionheart" by Astrid Lindgren that has a scene in it where one boy is paralyzed by a Dragon´s fire and his younger brother takes him onto his back and jumps into a canyon with him. The story takes place in a land after death, and both boys know that the jump will take them to the next "world". The book ends with one of the boys saying "I see the light" and I remember how much I loved this scene as a kid, yet today I understand the discussion...
Anyway, great chapter. I hope Legolas will see some joy in life soon.
Alina
Author's reply
I am handicapped myself, so I know how delicate a matter it can be to write about. That's why I added the Author's Note about it.
I never read that book, "The Brothers Lionheart" so I can't really make an intelligent comment on it, but it sounds like it is very good.
Legolas is in a bad place right now. I think he has let what happened to him get the better of him for the moment. I'm afraid things will get worse before they get better.
sofia
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 56
i dont feel offended by what legolas said. Heck, if i was in that position, i would say that too.Update soon.
-sofia
Author's reply
I'm glad you were not offended. I think only a saint would be able to keep up a cheerful attitude in the beginning of something like that. More soon.
daw the minstrel
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 56
I was interested in your thoughts on whether Elrond would use Vilya or not. It must have been risky to do, and yet plainly both he and Galadirel were using their rings to protect their realms. Those rings are kind of puzzling. I wonder what kind of power they had?
Author's reply
I have always been curious about the power of those rings, too. It would have been so easy to have Elrond use Vilya to heal Legolas. Elrond wouldn't have had to be much of a healer, if he resorted to using Vilya every time someone needed healing. Injuries and illness in Imladris would have been non-existent, and those of us who write angst would have been stymied in rivendell.
Sivan
· 10 June 2004
· Chapter 55
WHAT?
What in the name of the Valar is going on?
More is needed here.
I still love what I read.
Keep up th PERFECT work that you are doind with your fic.
Sivan
Author's reply
Your obvious concerns will be explained in the next chapter. I had to leave the story off there, because...well because it made the perfect cliffie. :o)
As always, thank you for your wonderful compliment.
Alina
· 7 June 2004
· Chapter 55
It was amazing to see Legolas and Elrond fight side by side like that! I almost yelled cheering them on, LOL.
But why ever would Legolas not want to return? Is he afraid of being paralyzed? Or does he believe the others won´t acceot his actions? Poor elf, I hope he´ll see reason soon! Or maybe he literally CANNOT return - that would be terrible...
Alina
Author's reply
Elrond and Legolas do make a good team, don't they?
Legolas is very afraid of being paralyzed. He mistakenly thinks his life would be useless. I can't say just yet, if he is able to return or not. :o)
Lossenchristal
· 7 June 2004
· Chapter 55
Oooh! What a frustrating end to a very exciting chapter!!!!;) I know why Legolas doesn't want to go back! It is because he thinks he is paralyzed, and he doesn't want to live the rest of his life helpless. But he isn't really paralyzed, is he???:) Please say that he isn't!!!!! Please please please!;) I will be waiting eagerly for the next chapter!:)
Namarië,
~Lossenchristal
Author's reply
I'm glad you think the chapter was exiting. I hate to break it to you, but yes, Legolas *is* paralyzed. The question is: Can anyone do anything about it? More is coming soon.
OakWolf
· 7 June 2004
· Chapter 55
Two Responses for this Chapter:
1)WOO-HOO!Mordraug's gone!!!!!!!!(Does happy dance)
2)AAAAA!What the Fudge!Why can't Legolas go back with Elrond,does it have to do with being paralyzed,what's the deal?(Pounds head on desk)
Dont know wether to be exuberant or p-oed;New Chapter Quick!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed, that nasty Avari is gone. A happy dance seems in order.
Don't give yourself a headache. Legolas does fear paralysis. He erroneously thinks his life will be useless, if he doesn't gain back the movement of his body.
More soon.
*~SuGaR~*
· 6 June 2004
· Chapter 55
OMG!!!! Another really really really really really really mean cliffie!!!!!!!
"I cannot go back with you." WHAT?!?!?!??!?!?!? Legolas can't go back??? Why in the world can he not go back? Ergh...so mean, so mean...And for a second there, I thought we could be happy and stay that way...*sigh* Ugh...problem after problem, poor, poor Legolas!!!!!!! Can't wait to find out what you're up to with this! POST SOON!!!!!
*~SuGaR~*
Author's reply
Was it really *that* mean? I guess I would think so, too, if I was a reader and not the author.
The next chapter will reveal the answer to your questions. I do seem to torture that poor elf a lot, don't I? I guess I'm taking the fact that this is an angst story quite seriously. :o) More soon.
rhiannon
· 6 June 2004
· Chapter 55
Yea Elrond!! Big mistake to mess with him. Awesome punishment for Mordraug - very creative. Also loved the description of Vilya's power and how it is used. Looking forward to the next update and finding if Legolas goes back or not....
Author's reply
I agree that Elrond is no one to mess with, especially when he has a certain ring in his possession. I'm glad you liked what I did with Vilya.
:You will indeed find out Legolas's decision in the next chapter, coming soon.