silent planet
· 2 June 2005
· Chapter 17: Reign II
That is really, really lovely. I think Oropher is going to have quite a bit to deal with, his 'children' are acting a bit like hormonal teenagers --only with a lot more sense and judgement. And several centuries worth of years. In any case, I'm sure he can handle it.
Still--is giving a pendant a normal course of action or will she get a ring? Though, rings seem to be objects of great superstitions in middle earth...
Author's reply
Hehehe . . . It was bound to happen sometime. ^_^
Giving her the last of his Doriath emeralds is his version of a "not now, but later". They'll both get rings (according to elvish custom) when they're officially betrothed.
Redheredh
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 17: Reign II
What luck! I finally get up to the last chapter on this great story and there is an update! A very romantic update. *smiling like a two-year-old with a lollipop*
It's rather hard to express how impressed I am with your saga. It's simply great. Authentic, entertaining, dramatic, humorous, romantic... I'm thoroughly hooked.
But, what I like more than the canon foundation this is built upon is your writing style. It is just splendid. A level of skill to aspire to. Sophisticated and yet easy to read and understand and I love it.
This would not be the same wonderful story if another author wrote it.
(Love the Thranduil essay even more!)
Author's reply
Ah, your timing must be providential! ^_~
Well, thank you. I wish my professors thought as much of my writing as you do, but there we have to learn how to write for each one of them individually. Last semester was better than the first because we got to read The Aeneid, my favorite piece of "classical fanfiction". It was odd, but we were reading about Aeneas and Dido just as I was trying to put the last chapter together with Thranduil and Elemmire. The parallels are quite facinating. ^_~
Anyhow, thanks for dropping a review! I've already been inspired to start the next chapter, so if all goes well it should be up before too long. ^_^
TithenFeredir
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 17: Reign II
This chapter was thorough;y satisfying, and not just because Thranduil finally popped the big question. I thought was very good that, even after he had made his decision, Thranduil was still nervous and uncertain. I could easily empathize with his nearly being derailed when Lindoriel was not in her chamber. Then you built up the tension with Lindoriel's unhappiness such that, when they finally came together and sorted things out, the feeling of relief was quite strong. Their meeting was very well written. I haven't much patience for overwrought "mushy stuff", but this was done in a way that it came off as very sweet and tender, almost heartbreaking, and quite believeable as the overdue release of a long pent-up love. ~TF
Author's reply
Ah, believe you me, I was trying very hard to walk that thin line between "overwrought" and "superficial"! Romance can be so hard to write. We don't want to be too figurative and gushy, but nor do we want to be crassly anatomically correct about everything. And trying to make it authentic is something else entirely, since as of yet I have absolutely no experience to draw upon in that field. So what I have left is a simple "what feels right" instinct, but so far it seems to do the job! ^_^
elliska
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 17: Reign II
Coriel, this was wonderful! Thranduil was perfectly nervous, uncertain, proud and "forcibly humbled" (loved that line--it seems so Thranduil). I loved seeing him go from fuming in frustration in the barn (there is something very calming about brushing down a fine horse, so if that does not settle your system, you know the situation is dire indeed) to making up his mind and not waiting for "bothersome second thoughts" (another perfectly Thranduil line). And I loved how he fixes himself up only to not be able to find her. At that point I think I would have screamed if I had been him. You did a great job building and maintaining the suspense with the ladies' conversation (that was well done) and the dinner. Poor Thranduil--finally not being able to take it anymore and excusing himself with a line everyone there knew was insane. Of course we knew why he was squirming and that Lindoriel had not been to her room to see his note, but we did not discover until she did exactly what Thranduil had written and why her apparent shun was so powerful. Witholding that detail until the moment as you did made the whole thing very climatic.
And when they finally spoke! She made him work for that, didn't she! I felt for him. You really did that conversation perfectly both for simple dramatic tension and because it fit so well with the history that you built for these characters.
I love this entire story because I enjoy seeing the journey the characters are on through trying and very interesting times that Tolkien told us nothing about except one sentence--but I must admit, this is one portion of the journey that I was most anxiously waiting to see end (and begin--because this is more a beginning point than an end point for them). You definitely satisfied. Brava. Very well done.
Author's reply
Thank you! ^_^ I'm glad I was finally able to get this up for everyone, especially after taking my precious time with it. Now we can get on with life! (Well, Thranduil's life, anyway. ^_~) We're only a few chapters away from Book II at this point.
Amaniel
· 31 May 2005
· Chapter 17: Reign II
Ah... The chapter we've all bee waiting for. And you didn't disappoint us! I know you put a lot of time into this one, and it turned out really well. :) Congrats!
Author's reply
Well, I certainly tried to do it right. ^_~ It was a long time in coming, but I'm glad we finally got over this hill!
Jay Greenleaf Elf
· 20 May 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
What still no update (pouts). Ha ha ha. Sorry 'bout the blank page I sent, I pressed enter by accident. I will E-mail you as soon as I get down to it. Will this story have a sequel? I am just wondering, coz I love this story so much. Can I describe myself to you in the E-mail? Have you thought about the fic yet? Don't worry I'm not rushing you, I was just wondering. Anyway cheers for now ;D. J.G.E
Jay Greenleaf Elf
· 20 May 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
Jay Greenleaf Elf
· 17 May 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
Hi, I will E-mail you, but I just need your E-mail address. Hey I just realized that we could become E-mail buddies if you like. I would like to know more about you. I hope that you are not too busy with your projects, cause I sure hate being busy with stuff I don't like 'cough' homework 'cough'. If you do decide to use me, my elvish name is Eruaina. I think thats spelt correctly 'shrugs'
Author's reply
If you click on the "Coriel" link next to the story, it will take you to the author page where the big "Coriel" there is a link to my email. ;)
Jay Greenleaf Elf
· 16 May 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
Hi its me again! I just had to once again tell you how much I appreciate your story. I'd say that Lindoriel is a very lucky lady, can I pretend to be her even though I'm probably not as beauiful as you would like her to be? I'm kinda bittersweet about that mean elf that was killed so horribly, you know I would never wish that upon my worst enemy, I think that if things turned out alright, I think that both him and Thranduil could've been great friends.
Can I ask you a favour, could you fit me into one of your stories with a romance for Legolas? I know it sounds like a Mary Sue but I don't want it to be cause I really hate her, Ugh. I hope you're no mad about the request, I'm just being a hopeful. Could you let me know, cause I really like your stories very much.
Author's reply
Well, I don't know how much time I'd be able to spend on it, what with all the other projects I've got going at this point, but I could probably turn out something short for you. Email me about it, and we'll see. ;)
Jay Greenleaf Elf
· 15 May 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
Wheres the update? Wheres the update? Wheres the update? Plz don't make us wait any longer. I want to read what happens next. I luv decent Thranduil fics and this is definitely one of them. Great job ;)
Author's reply
Hehehe . . . well, the update can now actually become a possibility, as opposed to its status during the last few weeks. Now that finals' week is over and done with, and now that we're finally done cramming and cleaning and packing and moving back home, I can actually work on it again! ;D
I'll try not to keep everyone waiting too much longer; the suspense is killing me too. ;)
silent planet
· 16 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
ooh....go thranduil! Ha...you have no idea how many times I tried to formulate how Oropher would come back, but yours beat them all! Anyway, excellent chapter, most lovely.
Author's reply
Thanks! Now, on to the fun part! ;)
Eruanneth_Luin
· 15 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
It is so good to finally have Oropher back, and the now well-accustomed maturity in Thranduil enabling him to ‘hold his own’ in the presence of another very strong-minded male. He certainly has grown into leadership during the last two hundred years.
Lindoriel, her roses, and the sweet remembrance of their acquisition, is so touching. Now with Oropher’s approval and his own solid reasoning to encourage him, MAYBE the mighty Thranduil will come to terms with his heart.
This cousin, Coriel, must be a most remarkable elf-maid, to so distance herself and yet be a desired addition to the exodus to the Greenwood.
No, no, no! Unfair, I cry! How could you leave us on this precipice yet again? Please say that the next chapter will ease this overweening tension.
Author's reply
Hehehe . . . Actually this was indeed only half of the chapter as planned, but it threatened to run long, and so I decided to ease certain fears regarding Oropher's whereabouts and Thranduil's conviction while the next half is still coming together. Just hang tight. ;)
I had never really thought about giving myself my own character in Thranduil's world until I started talking to my friend Elwen about it. And it was needed for our RPG (which will be a learning experience), but my mind can't reconcile new characters without somehow working them into the overall story itself. The first obvious theory was for Coriel to be Thranduil's daughter, but that didn't feel right. So I thought about it for a long while before I decided what would be not only perfect but also plausible. So, if you like, this will be a Mary-Sue done right, of the helpful, unintrusive, background variety. Besides, we need some sort of explanation for this detailed biography, do we not? ;)
Reading the classics is a lot of fun now that we have terms for these things. Virgil was one of the great fanfiction authors of antiquity, and Dante was a blatant Marty-Stu in "The Divine Comedy". :D
Ginger Rich
· 15 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
hehe. I feel so giddy. Finally, Thranduil comes around to the truth! Took him long enough. Everything's coming together between him and Lindóriel, and I'm very happy. Simply wonderful, I must say, though I say it every time.
Also loved the mention of cousin Coriel! That's awesome. I laughed...actually I snorted because my family is home and would think I was off my rocker if they saw me laughing at a story on the Internet. hahaha. Brilliant.
Author's reply
You and me both! I've been waiting forever to get to the good part!
Aw, heck, my family sees me laughing at the computer all the time. ;)
Amaniel
· 15 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
About time... He's as bad as most guys! :P
Author's reply
I'm doing my best to fathom the male mind. ^_^
TithenFeredir
· 14 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
Another chapter, and again it is marvelously vivid! Oropher's arrival was properly impressive, and I loved it that he had to finally acknowledge that Thranduil did the right thing in his stewardship. I couldn't help some wicked chuckling over what a weenie Thranduil is when it comes to romance. Next chapter perhaps we'll see if he musters the courage to pop the question. Your Greenwood elves, in spite or maybe because of their silence, are intriguing. It will be interesting to see the adjustments everyone has to make when the family moves on to their new home. Great story! ~TF
Author's reply
He really has no idea. :D
I had actually planned an extensive speaking scene with Gwaelas, but somehow it just wasn't working at that point. But they'll be speaking before too long. ;)
Thanks!
elliska
· 14 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Reign
Oh this was such a wonderful surprise! Another update! And what an absolutely wonderful chapter. I was enjoying the image of Thranduil riding Laegolas's offspring (the Elvenking on a free spirited horse is such a wonderful picture) and then you brought Oropher in! I have been dying to see his reaction to everything Thranduil has built. His reaction to hearing who Thranduil had served was perfect! And then his acceptance of it all was equally perfect. That was exactly what I'd hoped to see portrayed and you did it as gracefully as I have come to expect from your writing.
But what I hadn't expected to see in this chapter was the conversation about Lindóriel. I mean, of course I expected it eventually but here it was even better. I especially liked Oropher's question and Thranduil's answer. You never fail to capture these characters in a way that seems perfect to me.
I love the pendent that Thranduil had made and its backstory. Now please tell us that you have a good portion of the next chapter in your head and you will be able to post it soon too. You have spoiled me very quickly.
Love this story. :)
Author's reply
I'm glad I could finally get it posted. Ideally I would have had the leisure to edit it a few more times, but as Thranduil would say, "circumstances did not allow." And now they tell us that freshman year is supposed to be the easy one when we have so much free time and go to parties and are hanging out with friends all the time, etc. If that's the case, we missed it. Sophmore year will be worse, six advanced core courses each semester. :P
But anyway, I'm glad you liked it! I don't have any part of the next chapter "written" yet, but almost every detail is already planned and noted, so writer's block really shouldn't be a problem. It's just a matter of finding an opportunity to sit down and do it. But with people running on as little as one hour of sleep just to eke by in their homework, I really can't make any promises there. :)
TithenFeredir
· 10 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Restore VIII
Oh good, another chapter! The first part, where Thranduil was in a quiet conversation while getting his hair cut, was hilarious with Amroth in the background alternately stalking the fish and then thrashing angrily about in the stream. The tussle that followed seemed like good fun but it also gave me a strong impression of those elves as very physically powerful creatures, as if to see them "play" might be the tiniest bit scary as well as fun.
Now that Amroth is gone I wonder if Thranduil will perhaps think of getting a child of his own...or two or three. ;-) I'm happy to read in your responses to other reviews that the next chapter is not too far off. ~TF
Author's reply
Hehehe . . . It reminds me of what goes on in the boys' dorms around here. The bouts of play-wrestling in St. Ben(edict)'s were becoming an indelible characteristic of the Christendom College social life, but I think the dean made them stop now that several bones have been accidentally broken in two separate entanglements with Anthony Smitha, a huge guy from Texas. ;)
Oh, Thranduil's thinking about it all right . . . ;)
Amaniel
· 9 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Restore VIII
Ah... Finally. ;) It was worth the wait though!
Author's reply
Ah, but you haven't seen anything yet! ;)
Silent Planet
· 9 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Restore VIII
Hum...shorter, but sweet. I'm glad you finally updated, goodness, does feel as if it's been forever. Somehow, Thranduil always ends up soaked through and slightly damaged pride-wise in your stories. You think he'd learn not to stand/sit near river banks. Ah well.....
Author's reply
Yes, short was the best I could do for this one, but it was never really a huge focus point anyway, and I'll make it up to you with a 14-page follow up. ;)
Hey, I think deep down Thranduil really enjoys that kind of thing. Thankfully a certain part of him never grows up. :D
Eruanneth_Luin
· 9 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Restore VIII
Such fun to watch adult elves at play. We know they enjoyed life, but so seldom glimpse their lighter side.
What a princely gift for the young Amroth, though the thought that they might not meet again this side of adulthood (of far even beyond) added a wistful air to the departure.
Thank you for another chapter during this very busy time of your life, though I am hoping that e're long Thranduil will make known his intentions toward a fair elf-maid.
Author's reply
He's working on that. Just hold tight a bit longer. ;)
elliska
· 9 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Restore VIII
To everything there is a season...one of my favorite verses.
And indeed that is true here. It struck me as very sad that Thranduil saw the memories of his father's presence in the house as distant and I enjoyed them speculating on what he could be doing and when he might come back. And young Amroth was very dear here. So determined to spear a fish. That was a sweet image. The teasing about haircuts and previous haircut disasters--somehow that was very funny to contemplate.
Spring is the season for renewal and one of the best ways to do that is to have a bit of nice play. I can so see a bunch of happy elves disintegrating into a playful water fight/mud fight. That had me laughing my head off.
This was the stuff of which memories were made. Nice line and exactly true. You rarely have the insight to realize it at the time but memories of this type of easy camaraderie is often so important down the road.
And the departure of Celeborn. It must be strange to be an elf knowing that you kin is not growing older and being lost to you but to live in a world like M-E where travel (and visiting people once they leave you) is so difficult. But Thranduil and Celeborn's paths will cross again and how different their situations will be. Also strange...to have millennia for your life to evolve. Meeting people again after so many years, you wonder if it would be like meeting someone completely different.
And that makes me wonder what it will be like when Oropher finally comes back.
I really look forward to your updates and they never disappoint. I love your writing. Waiting patiently for your next installment...
Author's reply
Don't worry; I don't think Oropher will change much. ;)
And actually, I hope the next installment won't take so long, since I already have most of it written. So, now if I could just get a good start on my Song of Roland paper . . .
By this point I'm more than ready to be done with Lindon and get on with things, so if we could just convince Oropher to come back sometime in the near future we'd have it made. ;)
Only five weeks of the year left! Whee! :D
lwarren
· 8 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Restore VIII
An update! I'm always so glad to see this story continued, knowing how busy you are at school! I have been keeping up, but haven't reviewed the last couple of chapters. (As my son would say, "My bad." What DOES that mean?) LOL But I have been reading and like Thranduil, expecting Oropher to return any time now, but he seems lost! :-)
This was a wonderful chapter...I loved the haircut by the stream with Thranduil reflecting about things and watching Amroth try his hand at fishing! The resulting scuffle (a rather mild word for that free-for-all!) was hilarious...all I could think was "elven mud wrestling"!!!! And Thranduil was right, of such times are the dearest memories made.
So Oropher's been gone over two hundred years? Wow, that's long...even for an elf! It has me wondering if he is getting everything ready before he returns for his family (house, yard, realm, Silvan subjects...the usual).
Celeborn, Galadriel (who was remarkably out of the picture), and Amroth leaving was rather sad, especially with Thranduil feeling like his years with Amroth were akin to raising a son. (Hey, you! Thranduil! What about Lin?) It seems our Thranduil needs a rather emphatic nudge towards that girl, Coriel, like maybe a swift kick in the pants! ;-) What I really liked though was the wolf! How totally cool was that gift?
A really great chapter...your descriptive style of writing is as effective and affecting as ever, Coriel! Now, send out the search parties for Oropher!!!
linda
Author's reply
Galadriel was indeed very out of the picture. At first that was just because I was tired and didn't feel like elaborating beyond the bare bones of the plotline ^_^, but later it became more of a subtle statement regarding Thranduil's overall perspective. He's much more interested in Celeborn and Amroth, and so doesn't mention Galadriel's presence much at that particular time. Celeborn often tends to be eclipsed by Galadriel, so I thought it would be interesting to see it the other way around. ;)
Hehehe . . . All I can say is that we must be patient with him a bit longer. He'll come around in his own good time. He's never done this before; he's not sure how it all works. ;D
Oh, man; I wish I could have had this up sooner, but this semester has been crazy! I can't believe I hadn't posted since January. But, fortunately, the next chapter is alrealy more than half-finished, so the wait shouldn't last so long this time. But they haven't let up on us yet: papers, tests, misc. homework, and now Spring Formal of all things. o_O
So, hopefully we will continue soon!
casey
· 1 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Restore VII
Well worth the wait!
As usual, beautifully written canon characters. I love that you never fall into the trap of making Thranduil perfect. You allow him his (perfectly canon) faults, yet still make him such a likeable elf! And the loyal Galadhmir suddenly has to take his brother to task for his behavior! I love his gentle character. He is truly the eternal "younger brother". In fact, I was suprised at first by the intensity of Galadhmir's disgust over the apparent betrayal in this chapter. It was almost as if he personally had been betrayed (romantically) by Thranduil. But after re-reading it, and reflecting on earlier chapters, (as well as your well placed reminder that Lindoriel IS his "blood"-sibling) I think it was justified.
Although just to play this out a bit: I wonder if, after centuries of living in close proximity to the Noldor, the family's general attitude towards them would not have mellowed a bit more? They all seem to have daily contact with thier neighbors, even developing friendships. I just wonder if crossing that line into romance would be that unthinkable to the family as a whole. (Especially without the iron-willed influence of Oropher to keep them stirred up?)
What is your take on that? As "immortal" beings with perfect memories, perhaps elves are more rigid in thier beliefs? Or is it just that this particularly stubborn bloodline can't let go of the past? (If indeed you see that as the case)
Interesting thoughts.
Looking forward to more from Orperionath!
Col
Author's reply
Hmm . . . I see what you're saying. ;)
On the whole, I think the family's attitude toward the Noldor has indeed mellowed a great deal, and I think even Oropher would be able to get along quite well with some of them. But the sticking point would be the fact that he doesn't want Thranduil *married* to one of them. Having them for neighbors is fine for now, and keeping them for friends and allies is great, but he has very particular ideas about who will make a suitable bride for Thranduil, especially if they're trying to carry on a strong Sindarin strain of descendants. Add to that the fact that Thranduil whould have been hypothetically keeping this whole relationship under the rug; Thranduil usually tells people things, especially if he thinks it would be perfectly justified. So, if Thranduil ever did decide that he wanted to marry Elemmire or some other lovely Noldo, it probably wouldn't be unthinkable, but it would certainly be an absolute disaster from Oropher's perspective. :/ His son is his huge investment in the future, and he doesn't want to see it "tainted".
Galadhmir was so upset mostly because he was completely broadsided. He may seem like it sometimes, but he's really not a very suspicious-minded individual. I've had all my confidence in someone destroyed in one incident like that; it's not a pleasant experience.
I hope I can have things up and running again before too long, but of course they made sure we had LOTS of homework to keep us busy during Spring Break. :P I'll give it a good shot, though!
Anonymous
· 16 March 2005
· Chapter 14: Restore VII
My, Thranduil the matchmaker, now that is a new role.
I thought I'd reviewed this chapter earlier, but I must've forgotten. Anyway, update again soon....
Author's reply
I'll try! ;)
Luineithel
· 13 March 2005
· Chapter 14: Restore VII
I read all 14 chapters this afternoon and found this a wonderful tale. I love your portrayal of Oropher who is too often not looked upon kindly; but you give him dignity, reason and pride. I also enjoy Thranduil as well as the many other members of their extended House and look forward to reading about the pathes they take.
Thank you very much!
Best wishes,
Luin
Author's reply
You're welcome! I'm glad you found it. ^_^ Hopefully I can have an update ready for you sometime in the near future. Thank heavens Spring Break is almost here; I'm starting to feel the effects of being away from home all semester. Eight more class days . . . ;)