Reviews (70)

daw the minstrel · 8 January 2006

I'm back! I actually read this and tried to review it on the cruise. I had a few internet minutes but the connection quit. Legolas amuses me. He's so out of it and Glorfindel is the perfect foil for his meandering speech. But really, I'm with Estel. What's going on???

Elfinabottle · 27 December 2005

I just got done reading all 15 chapters. I'm totally hooked and can't wait for more! Estel is incredibly well behaved to voluntarily turn the telescope away from the exciting goings-on down by the river. It's not like looking is putting him in danger. Can you tell I loved the hanging off the balcony scene? Please hurry with the next chapter.

terryb · 26 December 2005

What a delightful surprise to see a new chapter. I've been enjoying this story and have been waiting patiently and expectantly for Legolas to awaken. I'm glad to see you are continuing to work on this story, and I look forward to the next chapter.

Nilmandra · 26 December 2005

Yeah, Antigone is back! I am glad to see Legolas waking up and Estel spying, as now we know a little of what he found. Estel, turn that telescope back, there, a little more...

Karri · 26 December 2005

*claps* hurrah! I'm very glad to see more of this story and delighted that there was so much Legolas in the update. :-) A terrific chapter!

Vi Janaway · 21 February 2005

Elrond has such conflicting feellings about Estel...he loves the child so much...but somehow he must help him grow up...and then Elrond will lose him. Very good chapter

Nilmandra · 20 February 2005

I love your little Estel. I've only written a little teeny bit of mine, but I hope you'll forgive me if he grows to look a bit like yours. He has hidden in the attic and no one understands him, poor thing. I like his relationship with Elrond, and paticularly how Elrond sort of makes Gilraen participate in things. Now, I beg you, do not keep us waiting too long to see what Elrond had to go see that Estel could not.

Nilmandra · 20 February 2005

I am glad you had the summary at the top of this chapter...I feel pretty back on track now. Gilraen is amazing in her ignorance - and she doesn't seem the least upset by Glorfindel's admonishments! It shows well how clueless and in hiding she has been. I love your little Estel. In trouble without meaning to be, and as typically happens with children, he doesn't realize he is getting the burnt of emotion that is meant to be directed at the situation.

Aislynn Crowdaughter · 20 February 2005

Hi, ntigone! It's alive, it's alive! So great to see you have updated, because I immensely love this story of yours. And again, it is a marvel how you use Estels oint of view. So Ilothuir has problems to meditate, and bad memories of the death of her long-lost brothers. Do we see a motive emerging, here? Anyway, Elrond refusing to think about Aragorns mortality is a great touch. And I do hope we will see more, soon; I am really eager now to learn who the hell is the culprit who tries to kill off most of Thranduils family. Please continue, soon! Greetings to you, Aislynn

daw the minstrel · 20 February 2005

I absolutely adore this Estel. He's so realistic and charming. And he's right: grownups say you can come out when you're done thinking, but they don't quite mean it like it sounds.

Dot · 31 December 2004

How on earth have I missed this wonderful story??! I just came across it when I was looking for something to read on my lunch-break at work and am thoroughly enjoying it. You're so good at this mystery stuff! I'm so impressed with your attention to detail in the creation of Imladris and those who live there. I love your elves - you do a great job in showing how different they are to Gilraen and Estel, and not only that but there are even subtle differences between those of Imladris and Mirkwood. Gilraen is very well-written and I'm so glad she's finally realising that life could be much easier if she'd allow herself to participate more and to learn some Sindarin. I cringed at the part about her wanting to help with the making of the Lembas! Estel is great too - bright, funny, generous and that teensy bit mischievous! I particularly loved your description of the flower festival, it felt very real and so beautiful. Oh, and your Thranduil sounds marvellous! Anyway, I'm thrilled to have discovered this and I look forward to more! :-)

daw the minstrel · 31 December 2004

I really am fascinated by your Gilraen. She's a convincing very young mother, whose life has been turned upside down. Estel also comes across as very real. And the mystery deepens.

nat · 22 July 2004

ooo very nice story...not at all ordinary, which is incredibly refreshing! I'm glad you actually acknowledge Estel's mother, i think it adds a completely different element which is, obviously, lacking when authors either kill her off right away or just ignore her existence altogether! hmm...lets see what else (i just spent a whole long time reading this so im gonna leave a pretty hefty review :) ooo i loved the dance...i forget what you called it but it sounded really awesome. Wow i can only imagine what it would be like to watch something like that! i absolutely adore the relationship between estel and elrond...so very squishy!! oh my goodness when estel broke down because he thought his mommy didnt love him....::SOB::...seriously, i just wanted to grab the lil guy out of my computer and love him to death... dude i so did not think that the healer guy was going to be legolas' missing brother! nice twist! he he he holding hands on the bridge...awwww! i personally hope that the 'bad guy' who poisoned legolas turns out to be medlin, but that would probably be pretty predictable....i just dont like him very much, he he he...but then again i doubt you expected many people to! oh man, i KNEW thranduil gave the key! well, i didnt KNOW it but i really HOPED he did... well i think thats all i have to say for now except this: please please come back and update!! you should have heard the sobs when i realized this was the last chapter...phew that was a long review...i need to go rest...

Hisie Lome · 2 June 2004 · Chapter 1: The Storm

Well Met! I just left fanfiction.net, on a lark, hoping that you have updated here. The Valar are kind! So far I love the tale and look forward to more. I have alread left reviews at the other site.... I have one more thing to add. I like how your elves are different than humans. Often, this is not the case. Yours seem to have a differnt "age" or sence of time about them. Quite nice. Again, Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome P.S. Do you prefer one site or update more often at one particular place? Thanks

Aredhel · 14 March 2004

oh it is great! please update soon! preety please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nilmandra · 6 March 2004

Oh, the mystery deepens. I really like seeing all of this from Estel's persepctive, hanging in and listening through a window! He is a very creative and tenacious child. I must say I have not figured out 'whodunit', but may have to go back and reread a few of the chapters to see what I am missing. I loved the descriptions of Glorfindel singing and looking like a falcon, and also that he seemed to gain some understanding of Gilraen. I feel very sorry for your Gilraen - she is very sad and distancing herself more and more. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Any · 6 March 2004

Oh my, I'm dying to know who's behind all this! Please update soon! ~Any

French Pony · 4 March 2004

Hi there! I just discovered this at work today, and heedless of the chores I had yet to do, I just plowed straight through it. It is really a charming variation of the country-house mystery, and I am very glad to have found it. I especially liked the geography lesson -- I think that's how Helen Keller learned geography, and it certainly would create more of a lasting impression than maps. I enjoyed that you created real cultural differences among the three Elf realms. And my very favorite part was the description of the festival with all the music and dancing. I will be going to grad school for ethnomusicology in September, and I intend to specialize in religious and ritual music, so I love really good descriptions of singing and dancing festivals, and that one really rang true. I'd say much more, but I am very tired (having just spent two hours doing aerobic folk singing) and I wish to go to bed, so I will just leave you with the general warm fuzziness of I Liked Your Story.

tmelange · 3 March 2004

Great continuation!

grumpy · 3 March 2004

great chapter. Glad that Gilrean and Glorfindel talked, Gilrean really should learn how to speak the elvish, at least so she can speak more with Estel. Loved it that Estel has some troublemaking in him, it is for a good cause, he wants to know what is going on. looking forward to more, and to find out who is behind the troubles in Mirkwood.

Aislynn Crowdaughter · 2 March 2004

Hi! Beautiful new chapter! I follow this story breathlessly and I am delighted by every new update! So, this is where the walnuts went! And I would really love to hear what Gilraen thought she saw. You are so cruel to leave this hanging at the place you do! So, who is the killer (or would-be-killer) here? Medlin does not earn himself any sympathies by the way he behaves in this fic, and he seems a little too eager to condemn Laegryn and Legolas and close the case, but he still may be just acting out of rightfull anger and fear for his king. Or not. And I would really like to know where Laegyrns little girl friend came from in the first place, and where she was when Thranduil was poisoned. *But* she would not have tried to lay the evidence at Laegryns feet. So, who is the offender and what did he or she try to gain with the whole thing? After all, if it was Laegyrn, he would have to be more than stupid to first leave such evidence against himself and then try to kill Legolas in Rivendell, to confirm his own guilt even clearer. On the other hand, if it was Medlin, then the actions undertaken would make perfect sense: first, try to kill the king and blame his oldest son, then try to blame the second heir to be in league with the first, the would-be-killer, so there is no one left who can be considered fit for the throne. BUT.... but in that case, what would *Medlin* have to gain by this? I love the twists and turns of this story, and I'm eager to learn the outcome! Please keep on, Greetings to you, Aislynn

LKK · 2 March 2004

Things have become even more mysterious! Which is an absolutely wonderful turn, as far as I'm concerned. One mystery, at least, is cleared up. I understand now why Gilraen was so antagonistic towards Elrond that night. At a loss, not understanding what was said around her, trying to calm an upset child with only her shaky maternal skills -- it's no wonder she felt Elrond was making things worse by calling Estel to him. But now I wonder what Gilraen has seen that might help the mystery. How clever, brave, and naughty of Estel to climb out on the balcony to hear the conversations within the Receiving Chamber. I hope he doesn't get into too much trouble for his actions. I have to admit something. When I first started this story, I was concerned a little at how Thranduil was being portrayed. It seemed a bit negative. Knowing it was all secondhand information and realizing that nothing definitive had been said, I was willing to wait out your story. I'm glad I did. I was wrong to doubt, and I apologize. Can't wait for the next chapter! LKK

Kitt of Lindon · 1 March 2004

This is *so* good. The way you write Elves is truely wonderful. I'm sure you've heard this before but I love your Elladan! I also admire your Legolas. People do him alot, but don't always do him really well in character. A thousand times greatful seeing you do. Yep, this is definitly going on my favorites list.

daw the minstrel · 1 March 2004

First, I liked seeing Estel being a bit willful and naughty. He is so good about things like not going in the infirmary, but it's understandable that with time on his hands and no one about, he wants to know what's going on. Also, I thought you let Gilraen redeem herself somewhat in this chapter from her behavior in the previous one. I enjoyed her interaction with intimidating Glorfindel. But I truly loved hearing what was happening in Mirkwood. Finally! How exciting. I wonder who the true culprit is.

Karri · 1 March 2004

Woo! I'm very glad that there really was a new chapter. Yay! Some answers at last, but more questions, too. Excellent! Gilraen's attempt at interacting with Glorfindel was nicely done. I agree that he indeed seems like an elf that would be quite intimidating at face value. Estel was very clever and adorable. An entertaining chapter on the whole. :-)