My Dear Bandobras by Le Rouret
Bodkin · 4 August 2004 · Chapter 8
The vision of Gimli fiddling with lapels and working out how to do them better in whalebone is exceedingly amusing. When is he planning on setting up his tailor's shop? Poor Legolas the Preoccupied, Legolas the Midwife. And Legolas the Unavailable. Or Legolas the Persecuted.
Lamiel · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 7
"That is not a happenstance known for its frequency." Ha! Well, if nothing else, it sounds like Legolas got a heck of a robe in return for his generosity. I personally wouldn't mind seeing him in it, but sounds to me like the best thing would be to lose the thing or burn it with all speed, before his valet gets his hands on the thing and poor Legolas is paraded in front of every maiden that happens to be passing through Ithilien. Hang in there Legolas! Be strong!
Sarah · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 7
I love how you tell the story through the letter format. I laugh so hard at Brandy's letters to Legolas. Keep up the good work.
Ms. Whatsit · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 7
Resist, Legolas, RESIST! I don't care how persuasive your mother is! Edlothiel does have a very good point about the varied functions of a Queen or Lady, but still...stay strong, Legolas! Once again I have to say how much I love your writing--it's so archaic and poetic and still feels *natural*, which is the surprising thing. I anticipate a panicky letter from Legolas to Bandy soon, telling the hobbit of his plight. Am v. curious about the visit to Cirdan now.
Duchess · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 7
Two parts! *cheering* Love the letters from the 'rents and am laughing at their differences. Those lapels, *giggle* and the brooches, who made them was no secret to ME either. ;) Both of their commentary on Legolas' still unmarried state... when will his mother learn, saying things like that might very well send him running screaming in the opposite direction of the particular maid she wants him to meet. LOL Now I must admit, with that big build up I'm curious about her too. So, will she be "as advertised" or a stuck up little prig people are trying to foist off on the Prince of Mirkwook to get her out of their own hair? *too curious for my own good* Looking forward to more, more, more! *vbg*
Ms. Whatsit · 2 August 2004 · Chapter 6
Aww. This was a sweet letter. Loved the bit about "union" vs. "marriage". And Thranduil really is the master of the guilt trip, isn't he. Poor Legolas.
Lamiel · 2 August 2004 · Chapter 6
Lapels! Beaded lapels, no less! My goodness, I can't say I understand it either, but I was grinning all through the Elven king's belaboured description. And he does present his arguments with all the thought and clever reason of his millenia experience in diplomacy, but I say again to Legolas, resist! Be strong! You can do it! Now what is this reference to a friend in Rohan? Is this a reference to your Legolas/Eowyn fic, or something else? I don't believe it's movie verse (and in any case Haldir didn't bring any female elves to Helm's Deep), and I can't imagine that Thranduil would encourage his son to become involved with a mortal lady. Anyway, what maiden friends does Rumil have? Perhaps I'm just being dense, and soon after I post this review I'll slap my forehead in disgust at my own obtuseness. Oh well. Still enjoy this fic, especially the speedy updates. Much appreciated.
Ms. Whatsit · 1 August 2004 · Chapter 5
Amusing as always. I laughed when Legolas got interested in the girl in spite of himself. I like how meticulously he answered every one of Bandy's questions, and I like how they called the kids "Bandys."
Duchess · 1 August 2004 · Chapter 5
Yikes! Legolas really DOES need Bandy there, doesn't he? I can't wait to see what his mother thinks of the offer in that letter. *giggling* How much longer must Bandy wait to go back to his master? Oh I just LOVED the fact Bandy's last letter inspired sleds being made for the children to play on! *vbg* That was too darling and the images the descriptions brought up too cute! MORE please?!? *chuckling* This is rather addictive! :):):)
Lamiel · 1 August 2004 · Chapter 5
You married Legolas off in another fic? Oh dear, well, I shall trust that doing so got the urge out of your system, and he will be safe in this one. It is interesting to note the advantages that having a lady of the house brings to the organizing of all the feasts and what not that are required of a lord. Even I must concede that Legolas' parents have a point there, but... doesn't he have a sister or someone who could do the job? And now it sounds like he's beginning to waver... no! Stay strong, Legolas! I'm cheering for you! It's also interesting to think about what Gimli's thoughts are on the whole marriage issue. Very few writers do any sort of Dwarf romance, apart from the slash fics. And it's rather sad to think that he would like to marry, but the maidens aren't so agreeable. Somehow the idea of marrying Gimli off doesn't bother me nearly as much. I suppose it's because there's a shortage of Dwarven Mary Sues about. Thank the Valar for that.
Lamiel · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 4
I do like Bandobras' style - such enthusiasm cannot be constrained by such trifles as proper English grammar. It is nice seeing the contrast between his and Legolas' correspondence - no doubt that's why Legolas likes him so much as well. I suppose they did come to the right conclusion about it all, that if Legolas chooses to marry that's a good thing, but he should be pressured into it. Of course, myself I'd argue the virtues of bachelorhood at least until he sails over sea and beyond the reach of most fanfic writers. Bad enough that my best fantasies revolve around a fictional character - must he then be married as well?
Duchess · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 4
*laughing like mad* Loved that parting line, I hope Legolas waves that letter at whoever is trying to push him into marriage and says he has to wait until Bandy can be there before he even makes a choice of bride! *giggle fit* So we're still in the dark about exactly what Bandy did with the wine barrel, eh? *sigh* Imagination is best here I guess. lol I'm greedy, I want more now. *vbg* Please write more as soon as you possibly can? *hopeful look* This is just too adorable!
Ms. Whatsit · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 4
I laughed out loud at the idea of the whole damn Shire taking sides about Legolas's love troubles! And about the idea of Legolas adopting a daughter--and the "issue" being the issue! LOL. I suppose when Legolas goes to Valinor he can marry and provide Thranduil with grand-elflings. Ooh, bad winter in the Shire coming up? Hmm. Is that part of the reason this isn't a happy story? (I'm going to be asking that about every non-happy bit of info you put in, btw, so get used to it! :P) Yes, why ISN'T Gimli married? And why isn't anyone nagging him?
Ms. Whatsit · 30 July 2004 · Chapter 3
Uh-oh! The plot thickens...or, at least, the pressure on poor Legolas does. Elves don't *force* each other to marry, so he doesn't have to worry about being hauled bodily to the altar, but I bet Thranduil would do anything short of that! --to be known in the future as Thranduilion-married-despite-himself-- HAHAHA! And this line, too: --Indeed when they are both present there is so much grace in the room it is a wonder any of us can speak.-- LOL!!!! Now I'm wondering how he's going to keep avoiding this. You've said you're not into Legomances, so it probably won't be the standard "two people are forced together via arranged marriage and learn to love each other" deal, so our Elf must get a bit creative to dodge the marital noose.
Duchess · 30 July 2004 · Chapter 3
LOLOLOL Poor Legolas, trapped indeed at this point in time. He really DOES need Bandobras there to stand between him and grasping Elven ladies who are being foisted upon the Hobbit's beloved master. I'm sure Bandy could pick out the best one for him in no time too. *giggle fit*
Lamiel · 30 July 2004 · Chapter 3
"It was a trap!" Ha! H'm, I'm beginning to wonder if this really is going to be a truly unhappy story, or if that's just Legolas' perspective on the marriage dealings. I wonder, though, if this isn't stretching the bounds of canon a bit far. Tolkien seemed to have a very romantic idea of Elven wedding customs, at least in the early years, and I'm fairly certain that no Elven parent would force their child to marry. Given the nature of the bonding between husband and wife, it doesn't seem like it'd even be possible to force them if they did not love each other. And really, eternity is an awful long time to be bonded to even someone you do love. But then, Tolkien's Elves also generally married at majority, 50 years of age or "soon thereafter," although I've always thought that "soon" was a relative term and could mean several centuries to an Elf. Perhaps Legolas has just pushed his parents' patience beyond tolerance by remaining single so long. But on the other hand, it isn't like there's the pressure to produce heirs to the kingdom that there is for mortal royalty, particularly now that the War is over and by Legolas' own account it looks like peace is at hand. All in all, I'm enjoying poor Legolas' troubles immensely (and with a bit of ironic humor, too, as just last night my own grandmother was putting a similar pressure on me) but it needs to be dealt with carefully. I trust you to respect canon, and I know and like your Thranduil, and this is very funny. Just... please be careful.
Lamiel · 30 July 2004 · Chapter 2
Ha! Oh, that story about the bull made me laugh and laugh. Oh my goodness! I don't know if the water and mud and straw would really turn to brick . . . but it'd be a heck of a job getting it off the bull in any case. What a picture! And then, the line that just about made me fall off my chair, "he is so depressed he won't even look at the cows . . . the bull is simply skiving off his duty neglecting the heifers like this." Ha ha! Oh, laughed so hard. The touches about Merry and Pippin's courting efforts are lovely as well, especially the line about Pippin's father having an apoplexy which would leave Pippin Thain and free to marry whoever he liked. Very like Pip, too. I'm enjoying this greatly. I love Legolas, of course, but it's even more fun to read Bandy's style of writing and adventures.
Lamiel · 30 July 2004 · Chapter 1
Poor Legolas, hounded by the swarm of Mary Sues! And with his own mother's willingly encouragement, too. I did grin at that, though of course I'd be right in there with the throng, if only I could. I do like the return to this world, and I'm sorry that it's going to turn sad, according to your summary. Sigh. I suppose it's inevitable, any time an Elf befriends a mortal, that sadness is a part of that. But it is a pity - I like seeing his friendship with Bandobras continue, and I especially like his interactions with Gimli and Aragorn. Ah well. I've just returned from a business trip, and this is a nice treat to come home to. On to the next letter!
Ms. Whatsit · 29 July 2004 · Chapter 2
You're really good at thinking up ways for Bandobras to get in trouble! The sun baking the muck into brick around the bull? I never would have thought of that. This is sort of L.M. Montgomery-ish, now that you mention it--and Anne of Windy Poplars was one of my favorite books of hers, so I like this a lot as well. I'm amused at the idea of Gimli and Legolas and Bandobras sitting around and being old bachelors--that's how I see G & L, but the addition of Bandy makes it more funny.
Duchess · 29 July 2004 · Chapter 2
How darling a start you've got here! Poor Legolas, I was hoping his mother would have taken the hint when he ran away last time. *snickering* No such luck, eh? *tsk tsk* Bandy certainly manages to get into the most intricate trouble, doesn't he? LOL I love this to pieces already and can't wait for more.
Ms. Whatsit · 28 July 2004 · Chapter 1
Awww. Liked all the little canon details you put in--Eomer/Lothiriel, and the description of Gimli's work at Aglarond. What exactly did Bandy do with the wine?!? I think you were wise to leave that untold--let your readers imagine all different kinds of things :). This isn't a happy story, hmm? Because of an unhappy Legomance? Or because of the sea-longing? *waits with interest for more*