Lindelea
· 17 August 2004
· Chapter 13: Joining the Party
I re-read this chapter just now, to get a start on the more recently added chapters, and something struck me odd.
Elladan talks about learning how to do laundry from "an old Ranger".
When might this have been? I forget his birthdate--JRRT does give dates for the twins and Arwen, doesn't he? --but there were no Rangers before Third Age 1975 or so. Of course, I cannot remember when Elladan was born, so there might be nothing odd about this at all...
Not up on Elf dates, unfortunately. I only know the date of the fall of the North-kingdom, after which the son of the King became the first Chief of the Rangers, and I know that because of the research I've been doing for "Thain".
Author's reply
I don't suppose you would go for not picking up laundry skills until they were in the region of 2000 years old?
It just flowed off the fingers easily - I've changed it to a veteran of Dagorlad. I'm sure they must have done some washing occasionally. In their quiet moments.
Thank you for the accuracy check.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 17 August 2004
· Chapter 17: Loss
Wow. That has to be the most powerful chapter in the entire story, Bodkin. Poor Nessariel! Like Thranduil, I didn't want to pity her, but how can I not? It's sad, and chilling, to see an elf so evil and calculating. I don't think that anyone who knows about the plot or has worked it out will be safe.
On a lighter note, I liked the part about Elerrina hiding love notes in her hairbrush, and the developing relationship with Calion and the 'nursemaid'.
Jay
Author's reply
Poor Nessariel indeed. One of these 'loved not wisely, but too well' situations. And this elf is willing to manipulate people to get what he wants. He needs to be caught - once the boundary between wishing and doing harm is crossed, it is much easier to repeat the offence.
I like the idea of ellyth trying to keep their boyfriends secret from their naneths. And Calion and a Wood Elf. That'd do him good.
lwarren
· 16 August 2004
· Chapter 16: Revelations
Bodkin, you are wicked, wicked, wicked...yes, you are! Here I read the chapter title "Revelations" and thought, "Goody...the Lady's name....yay!" But NOOOOOO! Tricksy, yesssss indeed! But hey, the chapter was great, as usual!
:-) Neldin might ought to watch his mouth where Haldir is concerned...the elf will be mobile soon! Rindor is pretty cool...patient, persisitent until he gets what he wants (and what a memory!) I liked the fact that Loareg and Domenial are warming up a little to the newcomers (had to smile at Loareg's reason...and the wood elves reaction to the fair haired Lorien elf *slaps forehead - name??*), and I also hope that all the newcomers won't do too much to change the lives of the ones already living in the forest there.
But my absolute favorite part was the twins' threat to find someone who knew Glorfindel as an elfling! A new project indeed! :-);-) Think of all the ammunition they could gather if they find such a person! It boggles the mind! The final little "red flag" you left waving in the form of Camentur's name...well, he couldn't be the instigator of Neldin's folly, could he? :-/ I mean, it's that other elf, the one messing around with Nessa, isn't it?????? Or are there two baddies???? :-/
linda
Author's reply
More about the Lady - eventually.
I think that all elves are probably quite sensitive to the needs of the forest - and those of Lorien and Lasgalen probably even more so. Frontier societies are always short of girls - what better way to make yourself popular than to bring some!
It would be rather fun to have Glorfindel's old nurse and maybe his weapons' teachers turn up. Must be rather a problem to elves - none of those embarrassing moments in their long lives will ever be forgotten.
Baddies? We'll see!
Nilmandra
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 16: Revelations
I like Rindor more and more. The plot thickens, but it seems he is quite good at unravelling yards of information to find the important points.
The wood elves will welcome their kin warmly, I think - especially if they bring ellyth! I want to meet their lady, though. I still have strong suspicions as to who she is :D
Author's reply
Extra ellyth are always welcome in frontier situations! Suspicions? I wonder what they might be.
Rindor is very clever. But they do have a bit of a problem with being weeks away from those at the other end. It makes consultation difficult in a pre-e-mail society. Although I suppose some of them can do the mind to mind thing. H'm - that could be an idea. (Not a hint: just came to me.)
Kage
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 16: Revelations
You are an evil tease.
Author's reply
Why, thank you!!
daw the minstrel
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 16: Revelations
I liked Glorfindel's quizzing of the twins. They are still elflings to him! And it would be very entertaining indeed to meet someone in Valinor who remembers Glorfindel as an elfling.
I liked Rindor as an interrogator. He surprised me as well as Haldir and I was very relieved there was no brutality.
This does read like the opening of the American west. It would be very easy for the newcomers to destroy what they sought, depending on their numbers I suppose.
That kicker about Legolas's brother in law was interesting.
Author's reply
I'll bet Glorfindel was a rather adorable elfling, too.
I cannot believe elves would really be into brutality - either as an interrogation technique or for any other reason. There are better ways, both for questioning and for reforming the corrupt. (Not that there will be many of them.)
Elves would be much more sensitive to not damaging the environment - and aware of how to manage a careful influx of people, too.
Legolas's brother-in-law. Yes.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 16: Revelations
Camentur's identity is being used? Hmm. I haven't forgotten that he was the one who implicated Calion - who clearly didn't do it - when Legolas was shot. I liked Rindor's interrogation techniques - non brutal, but very effective.
Best comment of all was Glorfindel's simple 'Why?' when the twins saved Neldin, and their responses - because they needed his information, because they could, and because they should. I especially likd Elladan's remark that to have left him would have been murder. They've been well brought up, those two.
Author's reply
Perhaps Calion needs a campaign - 'Free the Valinor One' - or maybe all will be revealed later. Do you think Legolas's brother-in-law might be a baddie?
I hope Rindor found out all he can - Neldin might have learnt that silence is the only real defence.
Well-brought-up highly principled elves - they reflect well on their family and carers. Glorfindel should be proud.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 14 August 2004
· Chapter 15: Unravelling
The plot is hotting up, and conspiracies are everywhere (just like the X-files!) Neldin has been caught and saved - Elladan seems to be getting good at resucitating other elves - we have the mysterious Lady (who I think will be Legolas's mother), and other conspirators are still at large in both halves of the tale. I do hope that Legolas's brother-in-law (I can't recall his name) isn't involved!
Author's reply
It is all rather complicated. I have to keep going back, and I still know that I'm going to miss something major. It's easier inventing the complications than lining up the solutions, that's for sure.
More imminent.
Rose Sared
· 13 August 2004
· Chapter 15: Unravelling
Coo, edge of the seat stuff. Nice to see Legolas being commanding and the twins listening. Equally nice to see the twins taking on that healers role instead of warriors.
great tale, much, much enjoyed.
Rose
Author's reply
I imagine they would each listen to one of the others at the right time - they all know the others' strengths and weaknesses. I think the twins are fairly competent healers, though not up to Elrond - and they've got into enough trouble to know lots about emergency treatments!
Thank you for reading.
lwarren
· 13 August 2004
· Chapter 15: Unravelling
Bodkin, is it my imagination or are the elves (or some of them) of Valinor a really prejudiced bunch? On one hand you have the city dwellers who look at the elves from M-e as a lot of barbarians, and then there are the Green Elves, who I can't decide if they are prejudiced, uninformed, or suspicious (maybe some of all 3). I think I am feeling just a little protective of our group from M-e...they've endured ages of fighting EVIL personified and all his horrible creations, and it just seems they ought to get a little respect from their own people. It would be different if there was some reason other than they did not answer Orome's call at Cuivienen. *gives a great huff of indignation and gets off soapbox*
*embarrassed smile* Well! You know your story is realistic if it can elicit such a strong reaction from a reader...and perhaps I have read too much into all the intrigue going on...if so, apologies!
But it is such a great story, and this chapter was excellent, the way Neldin was caught up to no good, and then saved from his ill-thought escape. Yay, Legolas and twins!!!! You had me howling at the exchange between the twins and Haldir (ooooh, he'll never live that down!), and the remarks about Legolas and his communion with the trees! :-):-):-) Also, very thought-provoking to consider the difficulty of rejoining family after hundreds or thousands of years apart! So sad, that! Super chapter!
linda
(I must apologize for the length of some of my reviews...your stories get me going, tho'!)
Author's reply
I'm really likely to mind long detailed reviews, aren't I!! If you get involved that's really great.
Elves prejudiced? Surely not! Their history is all about them loving each other! I think they are all a bit prejudiced and wary - but hopefully they will learn about each other. Kinship will help.
E2L and Haldir - so much opportunity for teasing here! Poor Legolas - if all the trees are trying to get his attention - it must feel rather like an overindulgence in the grape.
Reunions must always be difficult, I think. Those with the living must be hard enough after hundreds of years. If you have been dead and then return to life, with all its complications and commitments - it must be almost unfathomable. And after hundreds/thousands of years of living different lives, it must be incredibly difficult to weave those lives back together again. Easier to start from the beginning, than to involve the past with all its expectations.
Glad you enjoyed it. Inspires me to continue!
Nilmandra
· 13 August 2004
· Chapter 15: Unravelling
Well, I am definitely getting the impression that Elrond, Celeborn and Thranduil will be welcomed by this group. I suspect they will find kin here too :D Good they save their enemy so know they can beat him senseless if he doesn't tell them what they want to know :/
Author's reply
I hope they will be welcomed. They seem to have a similar mindset. And maybe kin.
Saving the enemy to interrogate is good - but what do civilised elves do with enemies afterwards? I cannot picture them doing anything too violent - but then what?
Thank you for reading.
daw the minstrel
· 13 August 2004
· Chapter 15: Unravelling
Love the way the green elves are learning about what the invaders can do.
I thought some of these elves might have returned from the Halls of Mandos. It would be tricky to learn to live together again, I think. Should I be suspicious of Falas wanting more?
Author's reply
Learning to live again might be worse than immortality - which I admit I don't see as much of a gift. Then fitting back into life among those who have just kept on living in the first place. It's all very odd.
And how would you feel if you were Celeborn or Galadriel or indeed any of them and then all those long-dead siblings and kin tortured by orcs and Dark Lords are just there again - only several thousand years short of being part of your life.
I think the new arrivals are quite impressed by the green elves, too. Falas? Seems a pleasant chap.
(I have to keep re-reading this to keep track. I should really have started with something simpler in no more than 10 chapters. Mind you, it was supposed to end in 20 or so - but it won't, since I'm already on 23.)
Rose Sared
· 12 August 2004
· Chapter 14: Loyalties
And the plot thickens further! Poor Calion, embrioled in family politics and how wonderfully managing of Galadrial. Ha!
This is a great story
Rose
Author's reply
Poor Calion indeed. Still, I think this is probably very good for him in a long-term character development kind of way.
Galadriel and Celeborn make me laugh.
Glad you are enjoying it.
steachica
· 12 August 2004
· Chapter 14: Loyalties
Just a quick little note to say I have read your story really fast (middle of final exams here :D) but I just wanted to congratulate you on your wonderful Finarfin. You have portrayed him in a wonderful manner, and he comes off as extremely wise. He just *knows* how to deal with stuff, doesnt he? What an amanzing elf. I wish we could see more of Earwen too, and I loved the part when Celeborn recognizes some Galadrielness in her.
Best Finarfin I've ever read :)
Author's reply
Here - Southern hemisphere?
I'm glad you like Finarfin - he would have to be pretty wise after x thousand years as High King.
I'll try to fit in a bit of Earwen for you in a future chapter.
I feel for both of them - all their children swanning off to Middle Earth; their sons being killed and Galadriel exiled for several ages. Elves might live for ever, but that is still very harsh.
Nilmandra
· 11 August 2004
· Chapter 14: Loyalties
Elflingnapping? Minastan needs to go spend some time on the outerskirts of the Pelori, I think. Good place for him. That, or doesn't someone need to feed Melkor regularly?
Author's reply
Elflingnapping is such an evil thing to do - surely no sane elf would get involved in it. Perhaps Minastan should be fed to Melkor? (I have a major problem with what might happen to him when he is caught. What do you do with majorly-evil, mad elves?)
lwarren
· 11 August 2004
· Chapter 14: Loyalties
Well!!! That Nessa (the wet hen...*cackles wildly*) sure knows how to spoil a perfectly nice picnic! Hithien and Calion made a pretty good team, after Hithien gave him some quick instruction in street fighting. :-0 She's one TOUGH elf...thank goodness she was there! And Calion didn't do too bad himself...by the time Hithien gets through with him, he'll be a pretty decent warrior (and maybe her husband! ;-)or is she too old for him? ). The fight was good, as I kind of like battle with staffs, and I loved the way the trees agreed to hide the two little ones. Thranduil was totally ticked off...and not fooled for a minute as to who was responsible for the set-up. Galadriel totally has Celeborn's number ("you are evil"...*vbg*) and Minastan is making me very nervous. I would LOVE to see Thranduil get hold of him!!!! Great chapter...I'm so glad I caught it before leaving school! :-)
linda
Author's reply
Hithien is there to be a tough elf! I think Calion has actually grown very fond of the elflings and was not happy about anyone threatening them. The trees would probably be extra-willing to hide Eleniel as she is Legolas's daughter and therefore a Wood Elf princess, despite her Nana.
Thranduil is nobody's fool - and they were already looking at Nessariel with some suspicion. Minastan makes me nervous - he seems completely determined here - I hope they find him soon. (If they don't there could be far too many chapters to this!)
daw the minstrel
· 11 August 2004
· Chapter 14: Loyalties
This was a very exciting chapter. I liked the capable kick-ass nursemaid, and Calion seems to be redeeming himself. But I think I liked the scene between Galadriel and Celeborn best of all. They are so funny! He announces she's going to be guarded and then watches "with interest" to see what she'll do like he's watching TV or something. It's hilarious.
Author's reply
They must play a lot of games. (I secretly liked it when she said she would look after the guards.)
Hithien probably came as a bit of a shock to Valinorean elves - I think their ellyth are much more lady-like.
Glad you liked it - I was scared stiff about struggling to write ACTION. And I don't think the fight bears looking at too closely. Funnily enough, I've never got into a fight with sword wielding elflingnappers!
Nilmandra
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 13: Joining the Party
Ok, darn it, who is she? Relative to Legolas? Are we gong to find his naneth escaped Namo and set up her own wood elf realm, waiting for her husband?
hehe - hey - I like that idea!
Elrohir should not be away from Sirithiel for long. At least Celebrian knows, and I'm sure Elrond has figured it out, and perhaps they can strengthen and support her.
Author's reply
It should come out in the end. Probably.
Elrohir is definitely edgy - he wants to get back, but it'll take a few weeks. Celebrian knows - I'm sure she will see that there will be plenty of family support and reassurance. Between Celebrian, Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel she should be fine.
Thank you for reading. I wouldn't want to distract you from more serious matters going on in the Second Age!
Nilmandra
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 12: In the Open
And the plot thickens.
Calion gets to become a nursemaid and be guarded by one - hehe, he'll die if he finds out. And Nessessariel is as suspected, Ithink (I admit I am tired). And come on, I wanted to see the advisor go up in smoke!
Author's reply
The plot is getting as thick as treacle and spinning round as it goes. Poor Calion (again). It won't do much for his Noldor pride.
Girls in Love can be so dopey. Smoking advisors - advisors can be pretty dopey, too.
Nilmandra
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 11: Meetings
I like annoying Haldir. He's fun.
So, is this where the reborn Moriquendi go? And who is our little queen? I also like the waterfall - I think the Imladrians will feel quite at home :D
Author's reply
He is quite amusing. Poor Haldir.
Well, the reborn must go somewhere - Glorfindel can't be the only one around. And I can't see the Wood Elves being too happy in built-up areas. Did the waterfall come off? Good.
Nilmandra
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 10: Justice
Ok, may I just say I really enjoyed Galadriel and Thranduil sniping at each other, and nearly being sent to their rooms without desert?
Good punishment for Calion, I think - poor thing still seems to be a sacrificial lamb, now to the high king, who, it appears is very wise.
E2, on the other hand, are going to get their hands slapped by their naneth if they are not nice. I did rather enjoy Elladan's outburst. Oh, and forgot to mention, I loved Celebrian last chapter - she who is wonderfully suspicious and and resourceful.
Author's reply
I keep trying to set them up for a confrontation - but they are very practised at sliding out of it. I think Thranduil might have to let Galadriel win - he couldn't fight dirty, could he?
It will do Calion good - although it might not feel like it right now. E2 - well, they are defending their friend. But not in a way that naneth's approve of.
Nilmandra
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 9: Safety Lines
You write very fast, my dear. I am shocked how far behind I have become!
My interest is piqued in this conspiracy. I am glad to see that the elflings are being protected, and of course there are nursemaids competent with sword and bow! Calion appears to be being framed..or the sacrificial lamb. These Valinorian elves have underestimated the fortitude of elves who have lived so long with shadow.
Author's reply
This doesn't take the research of your magnum opus! And I am obsessed! Obsessed!
You couldn't have your high-born ladies going without protection - they must have had female bodyguards. Well, they have here anyway. Poor Calion - I have come to like him. I'll have to think of a good fate for him.
Yes, Middle Earth elves are tough - and disciplined.
Lindelea
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 13: Joining the Party
Fascinating. A tale of intrigue and mystery. The dialogue is well done and believable. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thank you. More soon. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
lwarren
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 13: Joining the Party
From the Lady's reaction to the sight of Legolas, I would say that surely sounds like a Naneth! :-) "...the trees would sing to him if we would allow it." I DO like that little line, indicating Legolas' above average affinity with the trees.
Did Thranduil manage to surprise a giggle out of GALADRIEL? *vbg* Those two... can I stand the strain? Doubtful. And Celeborn - just taking the spoiled, pampered sons out and leaving them...of course, we will train them first...HA! He is such a cool elf, is the silver-haired forester! The more I read about him, the better I like him!
The High King is a crafty fellow, isn't he? I really like him, and the way he seems to conceal that sharp intelligence under his oh so courtly, high-kingly demeanor.
The trip to join up with Glorfindel sounded like a lot of city slickers getting their comeuppance from the weather-beaten, hard-as-nails cowboys (I think Elrohir makes a heck of a good trail boss...or perhaps a drill sargeant comes to mind! ;-) ) Well, the plot thickens...cos if that is Legolas' naneth, and something happens back at Thranduil's home to one of her family...I can imagine her reaction...then again, perhaps I'd better not! :-0 (I get so happy reviewing this story...all manner of ideas and intrigue get stirred up in my brain! hehehehehehe)
linda
Author's reply
The Lady - do you think so?
The trees are holding back a little - these are strangers after all.
I'm sure Thranduil and Galadriel could get on, if only they put their mind to it. It would be rather fun to have the pampered brats in the forest discovering their incompetence. Celeborn the Cool - I like him, too.
Finarfin is a intelligent elf - you can't be a High King for three ages or so and be a complete idiot.
Elrohir as a trail boss sounds really good. He's rather cross about having to leave his wife just now, so he is not going to be suffering fools very gladly.
More soon.
Kaga
· 10 August 2004
· Chapter 13: Joining the Party
Is the lady Legolas nana ; Thranduil's wife? Please update soon!
Author's reply
All will be revealed . . . in time. Next update pretty soon. It's more or less ready.
Thank your for reading.