Nilmandra
· 30 December 2003
· Chapter 4: The Road Ahead
I am enjoying your look into Legolas, a character we truly know little about. You make him very elfy - and truly we do see how different he is from men. I like the idea that he is much like his mother, and the relationship he has to his father.
The small details, like wearing his hair unbound in tribute to Theoden, is also something that seems elf-like. They do have long to ponder and think. I also like that Glorfindel and Celeborn kept providing him with clothing befitting his station. Eomer discovering that Legolas was a prince was rather priceless. I look forward to seeing Legolas return home to his own people, and most especially to his father.
Author's reply
Reunions are actively being planned. :) I honestly don't know what the reaction will be regarding Gimli; I'll just have to wait and see what happens. ;)
Enjoy!
calenore
· 30 December 2003
· Chapter 4: The Road Ahead
That's very wise of Legolas to not return to Gondor immediatly... or wise of you to write it that way, i don't know.
Maybe Thranduil and Gimli can be hideously nice or nicely hideous to each other. It seems that they would get along that way.
Elladan got drunk while on duty in Mirkwood?!? Ouch.
Author's reply
He'll probably disappear for at least a year before he comes back. No sense in rushing things.
Well, maybe just a little tipsy. ;) Anyhow, it was enough to tick Thranduil off, and he took the matter into his own hands. Discipline, you see, is a bit harsher in Mirkwood than Elladan is used to.
Sivan
· 30 December 2003
· Chapter 4: The Road Ahead
More please...
I still love what I read.
Sivan
Author's reply
Thanks. :)
gemstone
· 29 December 2003
· Chapter 3: Ride With Me
The more i read of this, the more i love it.
Gimlis introspection of how little he knew of Legolas was a brilliant touch that i hadn't even thought of myself. The picture you painted of Gimli watching Legolas tidying his room before he left was very telling - Yes Legolas is undobtedly an accomplished warrior, but he's so at one with himself that it also makes him beautiful and graceful, even to Gimli(who would probably cut out his own tongue with a rusty orc blade, before admitting it out loud).
Glorfindel has twice now been responsible for Legolas' dress, and it just makes me wonder how close they are, and how he's helping Legolas to deal with all he went through during the war of the ring.
I am in love with this, and am looking forward to reading more
gemstone
Author's reply
I could imagine Gimli making that kind of resolution. ;)
He can go on and on and on about Galadriel or the Glittering Caves or Moria, but it would seem strange to the Dwarvish mind to admit the same of Legolas, even though it might be true.
To me, Glorfindel has suggested himself as a kind of voluntary warder, a surrogate father type for Legolas in Thranduil's absence. Legolas hasn't asked him for anything (again, he doesn't want to be a bother), but if nothing else, Glorfindel vowed he would have something nice and elvish to wear away from home for the time being.
I'll try to keep it coming for you!
Sivan
· 29 December 2003
· Chapter 3: Ride With Me
The conversation between Gimli and Legolas, that was funny, at least Legolas was now dwarf-friend, if I understood quenia?
Keep up the good work, I still love what I read so far.
Sivan
Author's reply
Legolas has certainly learned a thing or two about Dwarves on this trip. It may take some fast-talking at home, but I think they'll manage. :)
calenore
· 28 December 2003
· Chapter 3: Ride With Me
Me again... just can't get rid of me! I like the elven funeral traditions you've worked in here. It adds a nice touch. I'm surprised that Legolas hasn't told Gimli of Lorivana yet, it seems like since they are such good friends it would have been at least mentioned before now, but then, Legolas "the Daffodil" is very introspective, so in retrospect I guess I'm not all that surprised... lol, don't listen to my ramblings, I'm crazy, you see.
Author's reply
Stick around, by all means!
Lori is another one of those things about which Legolas wonders, 'why would Gimli care?' He certainly isn't one to volunteer much information about himself. (BTW, he had his mother in mind too.) But Gimli's going to keep his eyes open from now on and find out just what's what.
You really can't help but get to know someone if you go home with them. :)
White Wolf
· 28 December 2003
· Chapter 2: Beneath the Stars
I know that Legolas likes the background rather than having people fussing over him, but I still can't help feeling bad that he isn't accorded the hero's praise he deserves. The line when he left and thought no one would notice him missing was sad. I'm glad, though, that he found peach under the stars on the roof.
Another wonderful conversation scene. I like the fact that Eomer felt he could confide in Legolas regarding his doubts about being king. It was funny to visualize Eomer's shock at learning that Legolas was a prince.
Author's reply
I can't help but feel I'm working against Legolas himself here. Like you say, he's a background person, but I'm constantly trying to drag him into the spotlight.
Aragorn probably realized him missing after a while, and perhaps a few choice others, but overall he probably did go largely unnoticed. And that is sad.
Of all the elven realms, Lasgalen is always the underdog; the least protection, the least acclaim, the least respect.
Most of my writing tends to turn to conversation scenes. I guess I just have an affinity for that kind of thing rather than action/adventure. :)
Sivan
· 28 December 2003
· Chapter 2: Beneath the Stars
It is wonderful story, more please.
I still love what I read,
Sivan
Author's reply
More is coming soon. :)
He still has a long way to go . . .
White Wolf
· 27 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
This is a wonderful chapter. It was so in-character for both Legolas and Aragorn. The scene had a calming tone to it, as two good friends speak honestly and quietly with each other.
I also love the part with the merlin. It added a nice touch to the scene.
Author's reply
Thanks. :)
I do try to grasp each individual character, so I'm glad it came across that way. The falcon bit was a last minute touch; it seemed very Mirkwoodesque. ;) And it also seemed appropriate since in the appendices Tolkien used falcons as a metaphor for his brand of Elves.
sofia
· 27 December 2003
· Chapter 2: Beneath the Stars
i like this chapter. it gave a lot of info and it was intresting.
Author's reply
Glad you liked it. :)
calenore
· 27 December 2003
· Chapter 2: Beneath the Stars
Ah, I love how you've shown how everyone is looking out for everyone else... Celeborn watching Legolas watching Eomer. And all of your characters complement each other nicely, a very good touch there.
Author's reply
I always like characters that complement each other in unexpected ways. :)
gemstone
· 27 December 2003
· Chapter 2: Beneath the Stars
I read both of your chapters today, and loved them. Legolas is one of the fellowship that Tolkien didn't write nearly enough about, and i love reading other writers ideas of his life.
It was nice to see Eomer in this as well, and i hope to read more about him also as the story progresses.
Author's reply
Poor Eomer seems to be ignored almost as much as Legolas in some ways. Everyone seems to dwell more upon his sister; and I do have an Eowyn chapter planned later -- she just seems more the kind to pry than her brother, and that seems the only way we can get Legolas to talk about himself!
Hope you enjoy the rest of it. :)
LKK
· 23 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
Very nice, Coriel. Is there going to be more? This chapter felt complete unto itself, but I would love to see more, if you're planning it.
LKK
Author's reply
If all goes according to plan, I should eventually have several more chapters for you, from Gondor through Rohan to Lasgalen, and maybe even to Erebor. Who knows? One step at a time . . .
:)
rgbj
· 22 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
I really liked that. Beautifully written and very bookverse.
Tolkien did really have Legolas as the token elf didn't he? We learn so little about him compared to the hobbits and Gimli son of Gloin. If a writer wants a story about Legolas they have to make up a lot of it.
I have read many essays on who Legolas really was but few agree about anything, even his hair color or his age. Some writers even don't know what group of elves he came from.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Author's reply
So glad you enjoyed it. :)
This story will be a canon-hugger, insomuch as that is possible, since Legolas and Gimli rather dropped off the map once they turned toward Fangorn. But that doesn't happen until several chapters later.
As far as Legolas' particulars go, you may rest assured that I probably have book-verse support for everything. Why do I get the feeling that Tolkien wasn't much interested in him and his corner of Middle-earth?
Hope I can have another chapter for you soon. ;)
Nikara
· 22 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
I like this a lot. I have been longing to read a post ROTK story after seeing the movie and finishing reading the book for the third time. Keep it up!
Author's reply
I came out of that movie on Saturday and had decided to write this before we even got home. :)
After all the Legolas-teaser scenes, where he appeared but didn't really have a part (especially at the end!) I thought he needed something to bring him out of the general crowd.
So, after I see the movie again and get the soundtrack, it will be easier to keep this going. It may end up being quite long, but I'm taking it one step at a time right now. :)
calenore
· 22 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
:) :) New story! Yay!
I'm glad Legolas doesn't resent being "forgotten" for the great Noldor lords in Gondor. He's such a good sport. And I'm certainly glad that Aragorn came forward to try to clear the road between them, saying that he doesn't want to be Legolas' lord.
Author's reply
Some people just have natural humility (he must have gotten it from his mother). If everyone else wants to stare and gape at the other Lords while he is pushed to the sidelines, so be it; it doesn't change the fact for him that he helped win the war. ;) Of what concern is the public opinion to him, anyway?
I tried to imagine Aragorn's position: Legolas' unquestioning obedience was convenient on the warpath, but commanding an elven prince (several centuries your elder) is a huge responsibility. For his own good, I think he would rather Legolas stand up and take care of himself for a change; something Legolas is quite able to do, but just didn't give much thought.
Either way, it makes them both uncomfortable, but I think they'll be able to work it out now without any further crimps. :)
sofia
· 22 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
i like how the story's comin along! i hope the next update is soon!
Author's reply
I'll certainly try to keep this one from stagnating, but the longer it takes the better it should be. ;)
daw the minstrel
· 22 December 2003
· Chapter 1: Not Forgotten
Lovely picture of this quiet character. You've captured him well. Really, what could Aragorn give him? He has no need for material wealth. Men's rewards must seem like toys. But the chance to make a forest whole again, that he could treasure!
Author's reply
He does seem a difficult character to figure out, at least for his contemporaries. It always bothered me that Legolas never seemed to get the recognition that was his due (even in the appendices!), so I felt I just HAD to address it somehow. :)
Just give him a patch of forest to work in and he'll be happy for a long time. How nice to have useful hobbies. ;)