Eriol
· 3 August 2015
· Chapter 6: How Legolas Gained His Ship Craft
I have never written a story in my life but I'm enjoying seeing how you say the things you want your readers to know, how you build up your characters. Legolas built his ship bigger than necessary because of his love for Gimli to ensure he gets as much comfort as he can on a ship, and his remark to Aerlinn about Gimli being so sick with years he might die on the journey parallels Gimli's love and concern for Legolas when Gimli said a similar sentence in the previous chapter about Legolas being so sick with grief that he may die on the voyage. So tender, this mutual friendship that looks with the eyes of love yet does not shy away from seeing the pain as well.
And I love that you talk about the Olore Malle - the Path of Dreams - it's such a beautiful thing.
And is "calad" an Elvish word? I don't remember seeing it before, but I love the meaning - "the light that comes from us when we most closely approach the fulfillment of our beings"
Weil
· 3 August 2015
· Chapter 5: The Torment of Unmet Needs
You have managed to describe the utter loveliness of the Elves and Legolas without sounding trite or silly, bravo! Have you been close to being hit by lightning? You described it so well with just one sentence - "My hair stirred, as of it wanted to leave my head" - I can imagine the static charge hovering over her. You have a fine knack for describing a situation/event so succinctly that we feel we are there seeing it with our own eyes or experiencing it ourselves - very good story-telling skills. Wonderful!
Eriol
· 3 August 2015
· Chapter 14: 4 Notes
What a beautiful tale, so well-written. I love the way you used the first person to allow us to see Aerlinn's inner world so well, it's almost like reading her diary. She comes off as a very strong practical woman yet so inspired. The writing flows very well, there's almost a sing-song lyrical feel to it. Your story has humor, insights, pathos, angst, hope, pain, love. That last moment of (as you called it) epiphany is sublime. I hope you write more. Have you laid down Tolkien for other loves?
maydmarion
· 25 March 2005
· Chapter 14: 4 Notes
I asked a question on a website called Planet Tolkein. What happened to Legolas & Gimli, did they find Valinor.
Your story in wonderful. I can't express in words how I feel now after reading it. I will read it again and again. You have such talent.
Your story really gives me an ending for Gimli and Legolass - wonderful.
Don't know what else to say....
Thank you
Author's reply
Hello, maydmarion. It is so rewarding when a reader offers comments. I am delighted you like the story.
At the moment of epiphany, when the Elwing lifted from Middle-earth and entered the Vistas on the Straight Way, all three passengers got a glimpse of Elvenhome. Legolas and Gimli continued their voyage there. I am pretty sure that Legolas found the Undying Lands, but Gimli was so old and close to death, he might not have finished the journey. Don’t know, hope so! Many thanks for reading. Regards- Chathol-linn
PS – I must get back over to Planet Tolkien and finish Champion of Dol Guldur.
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 14: 4 Notes
Is that IT???!
*dies*
Oooh! (Hehe, this is Linsul)
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 13: Tell This Mortal
Hi! Another whopping great chapter, that gave me goose bumps. Well, I'm off to read the next!
~Linsul
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 12: Dear Stitch and Nath
Oo0o0oo0o0oh!!! Excitement! How will they react when they find her??? That is so noble of her, to give up her life!!
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 11: Pity Thranduil if He Ever Hears the Gulls
What's she doing, precious? Wat's she doing?
Too sort, but still good!
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 10: Morgoth has Made a Maedhros of Me
*gasp*
WHY?!
Very emotional writing, really draws me in, so much so thaty when the Queen did her awful deeds, I screamed. *chuckles* Me Mum came running, thinking that I was hurt, and now she is muttering about too much LOTR. LOL.
I think that this is my new favorite Tolkien Fan fic!!
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 9: To Weep, in a Mannish Tongue
*shivers with anticipation* You love cliff hangers, doncha?
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 8: Talk about Your Fool in Love
This just keeps getting better and better....
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 7: Full Fathom Five
A sense of reality- Legolas isn't perfect. Nice. (hey, did I mention that I am a fellow TORCer?)
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 6: How Legolas Gained His Ship Craft
Ooooh! Good stuff!!
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 5: The Torment of Unmet Needs
Oooh! I love the "needs" thing! Great writing, I especially love your descriptives!
Ooooh!!
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 4: Make No Jest about It
BRAVO! Wonderful ending!! Creepy about that invisible "hand" thingy.... Well, I'm off to read the next one!!
Author's reply
Glad you liked the creepy cold hand. I did my very best to make it chilling. Regards - Chathol-linn
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 3: Gwael Reviad - The Sail Maker’s Shop
Hmmmmm... It doesn't seem plausible that she would have a such extreme reaction, unless elves have really been forgotten. *sadness* Great writing, anyways!
Author's reply
Hello! The Age of the Elves was over 120 years before this story took place and that is worth several generations of Mortals. But your point is well-taken. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! Regards - Chathol-linn
Linsul
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 2: Aerlinn and Gimli
Wonderful descriptives, I am really enjoying this!! I could all most see Gimli!!
Author's reply
Thanks, Linsul. Gimli's delightful, irascible character will never grow old in the minds of Tolkien fans. Regards - Chathol-linn
Linsul
· 14 August 2004
· Chapter 1: Sea Fair
Mmmmmm... nice!! I HOPE it won't become a legomance, but we'll have to see... I am interested...
Author's reply
Thank you for your interest, Linsul. Always a pleasure when a reader takes the time to comment. I look forward to your opinion. Regards - Chathol-linn
Painful_Blue_Eyes
· 26 July 2004
· Chapter 13: Tell This Mortal
Oh my gosh. This has to be one of the best stories I hav ever read! The ending is absolutely wonderful!! I'm just speechless! Excellent work and beautiful, perfect ending!
Author's reply
Dear PBE, I am bowled over by your wonderful review. I am glad you liked the story. What happens to a Mortal on an Elven ship at the moment it passes into the Uttermost West? If Aerlinn / Willofain knows (and she does) she's in no position to say! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. Regards - Chathol-linn
maya_ar
· 17 July 2004
· Chapter 13: Tell This Mortal
Bravo! It's very unusual to find a story featuring an OFC and Legolas that not only avoids all the standard Mary Sue cliches, but turns them on their heads. Well done! A moving and original story.
cheers,
Maya
Author's reply
Hello, Maya, and a thousand thanks for reading and commenting on the story. I am especially interested in your remarks on the Mary Sue aspects. Was this story a Legomance? Was Aerlinn a Mary Sue? Thanks again for telling me you liked it. It feels great. Regards - Chathol-linn
TIMON
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 13: Tell This Mortal
Well, I am weeping as I write this - moved beyond any feeble words of mine to explain how this story has touched me and transformed me. The beauty of bravery has always been a thing to wring my heart and fill my eyes, and that beauty is captured here in a way I have not seen equaled by other authors.
The wildness of love and the selfless sacrifice of Willofain so vividly portrayed here I can only compare to that of the sinless Son of God "who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross" as He gave all of Himself for all of us. Of like richness and depth is Willofain's love for Legolas and his family. Ah, me, if only courage were contagious, how noble a race might we be.
Thank you for this.
Author's reply
Timon, it is rare to receive such words of high praise. I will always be grateful that you let me know. Willofain somehow understood the need to balance past wrongs and she acted with courage to achieve it. I'm reminded of such things whenever I contemplate the Great Goddess, She who gave birth to all that is, and is the sweet and loving mother of us all. Blessed be - Chathol-linn
TIMON
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 14: 4 Notes
Well, I am weeping as I write this - moved beyond any feeble words of mine to explain how this story has touched me and transformed me. The beauty of bravery has always been a thing to wring my heart and fill my eyes, and that beauty is captured here in a way I have not seen equaled by other authors.
The wildness of love and the selfless sacrifice of Willofain so vividly portrayed here I can only compare to that of the sinless Son of God "who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross" as He gave all of Himself for all of us. Of like richness and depth is Willofain's love for Legolas and his family. Ah, me, if only courage were contagious, how noble a race might we be.
Thank you for this.
Author's reply
Timon, it is rare to receive such words of high praise. I will always be grateful that you let me know. Willofain somehow understood the need to balance past wrongs and she acted with courage to achieve it. I'm reminded of such things whenever I contemplate the Great Goddess, She who gave birth to all that is, and is the sweet and loving mother of us all. Blessed be - Chathol-linn
Elena Tiriel
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 13: Tell This Mortal
Oh, Chathol-linn, what a powerful story! I was moved to tears by Legolas' pain and by Willothain's sacrifice. Beautiful work!
- Barbara
Author's reply
Hi, Elena Tiriel. Thanks so much for your comment. I often think that we don't ascribe powerful enough motives to the Elves. They are immortal. They are different from us. They survive where Mortals would fold. JRRT tells us they get to experience the greater bliss and sorrow of the Children of Eru. So I speculate about what moves them when they approach the edge. That was one objective of this story, for how much closer to the edge can you get than leaving your beloved home knowing that your entire race's time has come. Much obliged to you for reading this to the end! Regards - Chathol-linn
daw the minstrel
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 10: Morgoth has Made a Maedhros of Me
You know that I didn't mean the comment about the diamond-tipped arrow as a criticism, C-l. I envy your ability to write about Elves that are not of my mundane world. My own Elves always seem to come out like Men who are fond of trees.
Author's reply
Thanks, I took your comment as positive feedback and it did alert me to a rough edge in the story. And your Elves do not seem like Men who are fond of trees! Regards - Chathol-linn
Lamiel
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 10: Morgoth has Made a Maedhros of Me
This vision of the death of Legolas' mother and sister is just heart-breaking - all the more so because I remember them from your other stories. Thranduil's grief is terrible to see - what a concept of why he might have stayed. It's just so sad.
Author's reply
Hi, Lamiel. I've read a lot of stories about why Thranduil might have stayed. Mostly, the motives did not seem convincing. I mean, Galadriel and Elrond stayed because they had rings of power and they stayed till it was clear the rings' time had come. I just couldn't see Thranduil staying to manage the forest with Celeborn, or because he liked the Great Greenwood better than Elvenhome. Especially since Legolas sailed. So I picked the most compelling reason I could think of, and strong motives often have horrendous roots. But - the canon is silent on this matter and one can imagine more cheerful reasons for Thranduil's delay. Many thanks for your provacative feedback! Regards - Chathol-linn.