Reviews (443)

Lamiel · 12 July 2004 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

And I wonder if Kali didn't turn and wipe her mouth afterward too, having kissed an Elf. I'm sorry to see this story end - it's been great fun, and a wonderful take on these scenes that Tolkien neglected. I love your Legolas too: he's prideful, stubborn, fey, and kind; generous and with a good heart, but also a temper. And, most of all, he's very Elvish. Perfect. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

wantanelf · 12 July 2004 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

What a great story. I'm so sad it's over. I loved that Thorin gave Legolas the little monkey. I see him as a real animal lover. And the kiss from Kali and Legolas' return kiss. What a hoot! And then the wiping of his mouth. How funny!! You truly have a gift Coriel. You really capture Legolas and Gimli in a believable way. I'm anxiously awaiting your next story. Thanks for the great read!!

Anonymous · 12 July 2004 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

I could not imagine what last line you could end this with that would match all the wit and the theme in the story. "Valar forbid his friends should ever hear he had kissed a Dwarf." That was too perfect. What an absolutely wonderful, rich story. I have loved it and I will sorely miss your writing. Good luck in your freshman year. I have no doubt you will do well.

Ms. Whatsit · 12 July 2004 · Chapter 39: Small Victories

HAHAHAHAHA! Wonderful last line, Coriel, and a really great last chapter. I've enjoyed every bit of this story. Thank you for writing it--there are so few good fics featuring Legolas--and good luck in college.

Rose Sared · 12 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

Back from holiday and I find three chapters. Joyful. You are so clever to write all that dispute and still keep everyone in character, most enjoyable.Perhaps Legolas is storing up troubles of his own by giving that blasted gaudy necklace away, but good on him. Great story writing, well done. More more. Rose

Artemis · 11 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

Aaack! Not the Sereguren! Argh. >.< Excellent chapter (why the Sereguren??)! ^^

Ms. Whatsit · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

Heh. I like Kali. Legolas is right to leave, I fear--you can't make friends with everyone. But he did meet several Dwarves of goodwill, so his trip wasn't wasted.

ziggy · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

This has just got better and better. Since they got to Mirkwood, your writing is just full of life and richness. The characters are utterly faithful and this is such a joy to read. I love Kali (the Destroyer in Hindu religion as I am sure you know) She is so strong and resoltely honourable. My favourite character (Apart for L & G of course). I hadnt cuaght up for a couple of weeks so the last few chapters have been a real gift. Thank you.

sofia · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

wow... dwarves need to start caring about other races beside their race. -sofia

Lamiel · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

Legolas BRIBED Gloin? My goodness! I confess that I was extremely skeptical when Gimli first suggested it, but you actually pulled it off in a realistic and convincing way, that did not insult either party. The ransom was well portrayed as a traditional custom of Dwarven culture, and I'm very very glad that Gloin did not truly forgive the insult done to him at the offer of a bit of mithril. He was forced into politeness by an honored custom, and neither he nor Legolas are going to be friends any time soon, but they can at least put the past behind. Very very well done. Did you plan that when you had Legolas bring the Sereguren to the Mountain? It feels like something that came in handy at the moment, but perhaps you are better at plotting your stories than I am. Oh, and I loved the bit about Thranduil just outlasting his mortal opponents. Hee! Now that is an advantage an Elf might be tempted to use. I'm not so sure about the idea of flogging as an Elven custom - it just doesn't seem like something they would do. Exile seems more likely, for a set amount of time. But I am so glad that you made it clear that they don't use capital punishment - ever, would be my view, given the experience with the kin-slaying. Marvelous chapter. You've given Legolas a graceful out, without weakening any of the characters or making their interactions anything less than absolutely authentic and realistic. Nicely done.

Firnsarnien · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 38: A King's Ransom

Would it be too much to hope that Leggy could knock Gloin in the back of the head as well? LOL Ah, this chappy had me seething and sad at the same time. I was so sad that despite all Leggy has tried to do, he has met with stubborn refusal at all ends. And I was so mad that he did! Curse these stubborn dwarves! I bet his hand hurts worse than he is letting on huh? And I'll say again, poor Scatha, I hope his tail starts to heal soon. I had hoped that Thorin would do more to talk Legolas out of leaving, but he didn't. And I had hoped that Leggy announcing his upcoming departure would soften the dwarves heart out of shame, but alas, that didn't happen either. Tis a sad thing really, that the only thing that could put an end to this feud is mithryl. I think I've lost a lot of respect for Gimli's father! I really don't think I like him much anymore, not even for Gimli's sake! He's a greedy, selfish, stubborn, pig-headed old coot and pooh on him! There, now that I've said it, I feel much better! I only wish Kali had let him have it even worse than she did! If I were her, I'd even be ashamed to be married to him. Though, come to think of it, as mad as she was at him, I'll bet she does carry a little bit of shame at how Gloin has treated their son's friend. Sad that Gloin can't even put aside his dislike and anger for the sake of his son. Some father he is! Pooh on him again! LOL Well, another wonderful chappy! Thanks so much for getting it up so fast! :) Now, I think I shall leave Saturday a much happier person! :D Well, actually, this was still a bit of a cliffy so maybe I'll leave content, instead of happy! LOL ;) Can't wait till I come back so I can read the next one! :)

Anonymous · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

You must let us see Legolas' return home and his report to Thranduil. There is no way Thranduil would not figure out that Legolas left his guards behind or that more happened in the mountain. Not the details certainly, but he could read his son well enough to know all was not perfect--heck, logic would tell him that. And one final "return" would be too funny in your well written prose. Please include it.

Marnie · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

I loved this chapter! It's nice to see Legolas lose it and act spontaneously - I almost think that it will earn him more respect than his constant unflappability. The Dwarves seem like the sort to appreciate a violent reaction to being insulted, and it wouldn't have been at all realistic for Legolas to be calm in the face of being called a hobgoblin :) I like it a lot!

Elena Tiriel · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

I was glad to see such a quick update on this! What a nasty situation... just your description of the forge makes me all tense; I'm pretty sure I would not have matched Legolas' level of forbearance of the insults. I'm glad that Scatha had Legolas to tend to him; it's so like the Elf to tend to Scatha before his own wounds. It's good that Thorin Stonehelm is laying down the law. Too bad he didn't do it sooner. It's clear that he takes the responsibility very seriously. Looking forward to the next update! - Barbara P.S. A couple typos: unworthy miscreant who imperiled the life Thranduil’s son -> life of it did not phase many of the worn ponies -> faze many

Firnsarnien · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

Well, I'm glad that at least Thorin is angry over the treatment of Legolas. And I'm happy to see him actually doing something about it! Perhaps, if he would have told his people from the beginning what he did now, all of this could have been avoided. And he's certainly right to compare how Gimli was treated by Thranduil and the Elves to how Legolas has been treated by the dwarves. I'm so mad at those thick-headed, stubborn, proud and irrating dwarves! Well, at least the ones that treated Legolas badly. But, I really don't think giving Nain twenty-eight lashes nor locking him up till Leggy leaves is going to build any lasting relationships between Nain's house and the Elves. In fact, it just may make things worse. I hope no one retaliates! :O Poor Scatha, I bet his tail is throbbing. Leave it to Legolas though, to take care of his hurts before his own. *sigh* He's so kindhearted. He'd have to be to put up with the way he's been treated! I sure hope his hand doesn't get infected...although...I certainly wouldn't mind. Heh, heh! ;) And it's no wonder Legolas has had just about all he can take. Poor him, he really tried so hard too. I hope things take a turn for the better before he leaves. I'd be saddened to see him fail in befriending the dwarves. Hurry and make something good happen so he won't leave. Despite his horrid treatment, I want the dwarves to realize they shouldn't have treated Legolas as they did. He deserves much better for we all know what a kind soul he is. Uh oh, I just thought of something. Now that Leggy seems to have given up and resigned himself to leave, you think he's going to free Scatha? Oooh, Thorin would be really mad then! Can't wait for the next chappy! ;) If I don't catch your update by Saturday, I'll have to wait six whole days before I can read it! :( We're off on vacation Sunday. So ya see, you gotta hurry! LOL :)

sofia · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

im so sorry about the other review, i pressed enter before i typed anything. My bad. on to the review, i think that the punishment is a little to harsh, but then again, Nain is acting totally mean and everything. So i guess he deserves it. I think its so sad that the dwarves are being so rude enough to actually make Legolas want to leave a few days after he came. More soon, please. -sofia

Ms. Whatsit · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

Oh, no, he's going to leave! I liked the Legolas-Gimli interaction, but they will be able to visit each other in Gondor and Rohan and of course there's always Valinor. I suppose this story is winding down to a close now that Legolas is getting ready to leave Erebor. Thorin is being quite stern--good for him, though many Dwarves aren't likely to thank him. At least Thranduil will know that the *official* response of the Mountain was friendly.

Lamiel · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

My, Thorin is in a snit, isn't he? Actually I like seeing him lay down the law, and certainly he would have to be forceful in commanding all those cantankerous Dwarves. 28 lashes sounds awful, to my modern sensibilities, but I guess it really isn't so bad considering the times they were living in. Still, I wonder how Legolas would react, if he finds out. My guess is that he'd want to leave all the sooner, so as to limit the time Nain spends in prison. Yet somehow I can't believe that Legolas is really going to leave like this. Certainly it seems the best thing to do, given the current mood, but I think he's tougher than that. This is a challenge, after all, and it isn't in him to admit defeat. But it will be difficult, because he's going to have to overcome his own wounded pride. Wasn't it Gandalf who said that Elves and Dwarves were really very much alike? At least in their pride. I don't think Legolas will ever win the wholehearted friendship of the Mountain, but it would be nice if he could leave on somewhat more amicable terms. I like these more action packed chapters. A bit less angst, a bit more plot development, as is common when writing Dwarves, I find. Of course I still love all the description that you manage to give, but it's none the worse for being mixed with the action.

Anonymous · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 37: The Thunder Rolls

Outstanding. Love the parallel/contrast between the two councils (elven and dwarven). Legolas is going to loose it when he hears about the lashes. I don't think elves would approve of such things but Thranduil might if he heard what happened. I am very interested to see how it ends.

Joana · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

Náin was that dwarvish beggar that Legolas and Gimli's mother met in the street wasn't it? What an idiot! When he was throwing the sparks at Legolas, I was afraid his hair might catch fire. And I had no idea the elf posessed a secret drawing tallent, though I should have guessed. So many qualities in just one creature! ;) But I think it was really good that he wasn't carrying any weapons at the time because something worse might have happened if he had given into his battle instincts and attacked the dwarf! And I really love this bit: "... and he hated him with a passion" because there is a figure of speech that sounds really nice. "hate someone with passion" ---> very cool *note to self - use in future compositions* And I take back everything I said about the little monkey! Now I just hope he gets all right.

White Wolf · 7 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

Blood? I held my breath pretty much the way the dwarves did. I could easily picture the frozen silence, when it was realized that Legolas was injured. Ouch. That splinter will hurt coming out. Thorin will not be pleased indeed. I hope Legolas heals before he gets back home and says nothing of it, because if Thranduil finds out, not being pleased would be a gigantic understatement.

N. S. Tulkas · 7 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

OMG! The tension! I like how the fight erupted, and strangely excluded Legolas. Before you said no dwarf meant physical harm to the elf or they would be disgraced, I thought it was Nain who hurled that "glint of sharp light" seeing as he was very intent on his sparks reaching as close to where Legolas sat before. But that POOR monkey! One question: why was Legolas *so* insulted by Nain's words that the world narrowed only to that dwarf and he hated him with a passion then? Calling him a weak-wristed faerie can sting, but why to such a degree? Was that dwarf really going to hammer Gimli?? Wonderul chapter; loved the action! If only someone would film it now!

lwarren · 7 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

uh-ohhhhh....I would imagine some very strict laws (about hospitality and the spilling of the blood...even just a wounded hand!...of a guest who had entered under the King's protection) had been broken in that little confrontation. It didn't take much for battle lines to be drawn, did it? And after the Elvenking had shown good faith by sending his son into the Mountain...what a smear on the very honor of the Dwarfs, a direct reflection on their King....no, I doubt that Thorin will be pleased at all with this development. Nain - what a trouble-maker!...and a coward (honestly, sitting there pounding on his metal, throwing sparks as close to the elf as he could?)...and a jerk...and...words fail me! Well, maybe not...I'll bet he was the one who threw the ax....sounds like something cowardly he'd do to an UNARMED elf! A faerie..huh? JERK! (I don't like that dwarf, could ya tell? :-) *g*) Poor Legolas, and Scatha...the elf minding his own business, drawing to his little creative heart's content, and the monkey perched on his shoulder and not really bothering any of the dwarfs....poor hand...pooooor tail! ouch!!! I kinda figured if Three Steps Back was coming, some kind of violence would be perpetrated against the elf....you did a really fine job of creating more tension (once more in the heat and confines of the forge, I notice), while also building on Legolas' edgy state of mind, and then delivering just enough insults from "the jerk" to cause that emotional reaction from Legolas....after that, *vbg*, you just left the rest up to those lovable, argumentative, grouchy, I'm-gonna-crush-your-face dwarfs!!! I do so love the way you layer the actions and emotions of the characters, chapter after chapter...it adds to the impact later when things blow up :-)... you can feel it building and building and building....I was ready to crawl under the table with Legolas by the time things started flying!!! ( hmmmmmmm, *g*)...Good stuff, Coriel! linda (All freshmen MUST be duly initiated into the chaos of that first year...but, I have a feeling you'll be fine! My selfish heart was relieved you would try not to forget WWYO! *g* I'm beginning to feel like G, musssst have the preciousssss....we wantssss it.....we needssssss it.....ah well, you get the picture, unfortunately....)

nat · 6 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

noooo not the monkey!!! ::sniff::sniff:: poor lil fella...but it was only his tail, right? he's gnna be ok, right? awww....it had to be the monkey...ooooh who was on the other end of that hatchet, hmm? someones gnna be in trouuuble...

Lamiel · 6 July 2004 · Chapter 36: Three Steps Back

Oh, poor Scatha! Oh no, oh no, I knew it was a bad idea for him to be hanging around the forges. Nasty bad things can happen there, even when you don't have a near-civil war on your hands. Really, it would have been better for Legolas to draw his sketches at a safe remove - I suspect that the noise and heat may have contributed to his surprisingly short temper just before everything blew to kingdom come. This was a great chapter - fast paced, with riveting action and description. The change of perspective between Gimli and Legolas was well done too. Oh, and I liked the sideways acknowledgement of the argument between Gimli's parents. Be grateful that a chair back was the only casualty. Now I wonder if the hurt done to Thorin's pet will make him lay down the law and flatly forbid anyone from insulting Legolas - or at least from attacking him physically. I suspect that it's too much to ask for friendship with all the Dwarves - and Legolas himself, as open minded as he is, has demonstrated that it's difficult for Elves as well. Perhaps we must be content with a simple easing of hostilities, which might be easier if the parties meet on neutral ground. Legolas needs a good night's sleep in a forest. Even the Elves of Hollin and the Dwarves of Khazad-dum did not live with each other, after all. I am so enjoying this portrayal of the real difficulties encountered when Legolas and Gimli bring their worlds together. It is very true to Tolkien's characters, and just what I might wish the Master had done himself.