Bodkin · 27 August 2004 · Chapter 12: Taking Leave
This was a fantastic way to come back from my trip. I love your characters - and their stories. The twins are just gorgeous, too. So enjoyable.
Interrupted Journeys: Part 1 New Journeys by elliska
Reviews (94)
French Pony · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 12: Taking Leave
Who knew that the great Elf Lords and Ladies were such yentas? It's a good thing Thranduil's grandmother, whoever she may be, isn't around -- he'd be dressed up and married before he left Lorien. I like the characterization of Elrond as inoffensive. When I first read The Hobbit, back in the Reagan years, that was kind of how he struck me. Wise and remote and Zen, like he really couldn't be bothered unless he found something especially interesting. I thought Thranduil was much more interesting. And he's in fine fettle here, so protective of his independence, but consciously trying not to give in to what is probably his natural inclination towards isolationism. He's clearly smart as a whip, and teaching himself how to do diplomacy as he does it. Elladan and Elrohir are a cute enough device, though I think they talk in unison just a little too much. I've never met a real set of twins who ever did that. It's a nice touch that Thranduil can't tell them apart if they move and just sees them as "the child on his lap" or "the child not on his lap." They do seem accustomed to being petted and loved, but they are also quite spoiled. Crawling into the laps of strangers without even a by-your-leave! My sister and I would have gotten a sharp scolding if we ever did that with someone who wasn't family. It does seem a little odd that Elrond didn't at least try to teach them at least that much in the way of manners. Ah well. The twins live in a very safe place, and Legolas will likely have a much more disciplined upbringing. He'll not crawl into anyone's lap uninvited, that one.
Author's reply
I am sitting with my laptop in a public place getting wireless internet from who knows where and I read this review--and burst out laughing. People around me are moving away from me because they think I am insane but really I only have a picture in my mind of Elrond and Thranduil singing "Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match..." I REALLY needed that today. Thanks! Yes, I would have heard quite a few words if I climbed into a perfect stranger's lap without so much as a 'by your leave' as well! :) But I think Elrond was just relieved to find them and angry they weren't where they were supposed to be--he had bigger fish to fry. And yes, I think Elladan and Elrohir probably had a much more spoiled and innocent childhood than poor Legolas did. They were undeniably born in times of peace. I agree with your analysis of Thranduil--I think given his father's move east and the Silvan elves disinterest in meddling with other's affairs, he would be isolationist. But I think he'd see some value to at least limited cooperation after the war, especially if he thought Sauron wasn't completely destroyed. And I do think he would be smart as a whip picking up things like that. Thanks for the review!
daw the minstrel · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 12: Taking Leave
I'm sorry RL has interfered with your writing because I'm enjoying this story. I liked seeing Thranduil becoming more comfortable with Elrond. And the romance is coming along nicely.
Author's reply
Yes, I really do believe that Thranduil and Elrond would at least get along given some time. There is actually another interaction between them towards the end of New Journeys that is cute (if I can say so in modesty) too. RL is a problem :( The story is written. I could at least post the rest of New Journeys but I only have Internet for a few more hours and I need to get some things ready to leave and I just cannot make myself post anything without taking the time to read it one more time. There just isn't enough time. But I will get back to it asap. Daw--I want to thank you though. I REALLY admire your stories and it has meant a lot to me that you have reviewed all these chapters. Part of the fun of posting is to see other's reactions--to see what they saw as opposed to what you think you wrote/got across etc. And to have a little interchange via the review function. So thanks. Indeed, I'll say here that the reason I was anxious to post this on SoA is because I love so many of the stories here and everyone who has reviewed what I've posted so far are some of my favorite authors on this site so that has been quite rewarding and very appreciated. (FYI--I do review your stories as well. I just am not usually logged in when I do it so I guess it shows up with no name.:) )
daw the minstrel · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 11: Memories
"Oropher was the elfling everyone's parents feared their child would be friends with" -- I thought this was hilarious! I'm sure that's not a view of his father that Thranduil would have had, not if Oropher could help it! And you know, I was guessing that Thranduil's mother might have been part of the issue.
Author's reply
Yes, you had already caught that in the dialogue at dinner! It can't be too big of an issue since Amglaur did bond and very happily so but still... As for Oropher--this was inspired by personal experience. I worship my father. He was the best parent anyone could possibly hope for. I went to the same small college he went to. My first week on campus a very old faculty member came up to me and said, "You Manny's kid?" in a very disapproving tone. I said I was, completely lost as to what that question could possibly be leading to. He replied that he would be keeping his eye on me. When I called home, I asked my dad if he knew Dr. X. After a very long pause my father admitted that he did and then proceeded to tell me how he'd met him: Dr. X was the dorm master (when my dad went to this school, faculty actually lived on campus with students--what a nightmare). My dad's first night in the dorm, he took a metal trash can and threw it down five flights of cement stairs at 2:00am as a prank. Problem was, my dad's room was right next to Dr. X's so he was naturally caught. I thought I would have a heart attack when I found that out. It was made worse when I asked some other older faculty if they knew my Dad. They all said he was the class clown (all I knew was that he was Valedictorian and class president all four years he was there). I liked to have died! So, I thought it would be fun to mess with Thranduil's mind a little. It's good therapy! :)
daw the minstrel · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 10: Twin blessings
Loved the chapter! It was so true to life that kids will repeat what they hear, but Lindomiel is so suspicious to think they did it to distract them. She's probably right, but she's so suspicious! And I loved the way she laughed at Thranduil for trusting the 'little monsters.' Elrond sure has his hands full. Are we getting a hint here about what Legolas will be like?
Author's reply
I absolutely adore writing dialogue between adults and children or simply between children. There is so much room for fun of all kinds. And yes, I think we have seen an indication of Thranduil and Lindomiel's early relationship with Legolas. :)
daw the minstrel · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 9: Consultations
I'll bet Hallion is absolutely right that Thranduil was a badly behaved elfling! Well, maybe not bad, but lively. :-)
Author's reply
He had to have a boisterous personality, didn't he!
Bodkin · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 9: Consultations
Why do I find the thought of Thranduil as a terribly behaved elfling so entertaining - and so in need of expansion? I am enjoying watching the Thranduil / Lindomiel relationship - and I also thoroughly enjoyed the political / military debates between the top elves (too many to name). And Thranduil winking at Galadriel! So many chapters too. Thank you.
Author's reply
I agree. The more I re-read these chapters to post them, the more curious I am about Thranduil and Oropher's relationship. I hate plot bunnies. This is like some sort of drug. You just can't put it away and my husband is ready to call a psychologist! I'm glad you like Thranduil and Lindomiel. And I agree the relationship between Thranduil and the other elven lords is most interesting. To me the single most interesting would be Galadriel and Thranduil. So many people portray them as not getting along. I can certainly see where that comes from. You have Unfinished Tales giving one of the reasons Oropher moved his capital as Galadriel's presence in Lorien. And of course Galadriel is related to Feanor. And the fact is they were so sundered by the time of the War of the Ring that Legolas didn't even know if Lorien was occupied so they could not have been close friends. But Galadriel was very concerned about what was going on in Amon Lanc--so much so that she and Celeborn traveled around looking into it.(Unfinished Tales says, "But during the Third Age Galadriel became filled with foreboding, and with Celeborn she journeyed to Lórien and stayed there long with Amroth, being especially concerned to learn all news and rumours of the growing shadow in Mirkwood and the dark stronghold in Dol Guldur.") So Thranduil is going to have to react to that somehow. I doubt he'd like interference but how would he react to getting information and (possibly worse still) support from her? It would be interesting especially if his first inclination was to not particularly trust her. (PS. I love Galadriel and Thranduil's relationship in your two current stories by the way--especially the conversations about kaleidoscopes (sp?) in today's post.)
daw the minstrel · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 8: Confrontations
The glimpses of what happened at Dagorlad were interesting. You have to wonder what did cause Oropher and his troops to charge before the time. And then how did Thranduil and the other captain negotiate in the aftermath? What were the relationships of Gil-galad and the captains of the other forces? These folks were more like the Greeks than like a modern day army. Each leader could have taken his forces and gone home. But Thranduil didn't do that.
Author's reply
True and I think it really says something about them and him that they did not go home. They had to have seen they were not properly armed. And they didn't want to be there to begin with. If you take stock in the Unfinished Tales, it says, "Despite the desire of the Silvan Elves to meddle as little as might be in the affairs of the Noldor and Sindar, or of any other peoples, Dwarves, Men, or Orcs, Oropher had the wisdom to foresee that peace would not return unless Sauron was overcome. He therefore assembled a great army of his now numerous people, and joining with the lesser army of Malgalad of Lórien he led the host of the Silvan Elves to battle." But even after a terrible beginning, they stayed. That has to say something about the strength of Oropher and Thranduil's leadership to convince them to stay.
daw the minstrel · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Curiosities
It's hard to think about the effects of age in Elves because we are so different from them. Obviously Thranduil (and Halllion) have millennia's more experience than the maidens do. I wonder when the difference in perspectives and understanding become too great to bridge.
Author's reply
That is a fascinating concept I think and you are right on to hit on it. When you think about it, we (real humans) have trouble identifying with people from other generations in our own lives and we are separated by twenty years. How do people separated by thousands of years and experiences like kinslayings and the War of the Wrath relate to one another. On the one hand, you would think that someone who is three thousand years old would have surely developed some interpersonal skills to handle differences like that. On the other hand cannon shows us these elves have very long memories and hold some grudges. I guess, like mortals, how they would handle it would depend on the individual. But it would have to cause some misunderstandings and frustrations along the way.
daw the minstrel · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 6: First Yén Council
I have to say I kind of sympathized with Elrond during that exchange. Thranduil would be really tough to be in a meeting with. I hate meetings anyway and am told I'm too blunt during them, so maybe I should sympathize more with Thranduil, but he is being a pain.
Author's reply
I am completely with you on that. Meetings are horrible and they are worse when I am there. When I was full-time faculty they used to put the memo about meetings in my box the same day as the meeting in hopes I would miss it. I may have been a little overbearing. And so was Thranduil. Just a little too prickly in the first meeting. It will take him a little time to see that all the preconceived notions he has may not be entirely true.
French Pony · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 9: Consultations
I am enjoying this a lot. I like Thranduil here. Prickly, proud, and completely undone by a lady who's just as spitfiery as he is. I like Hallioth, too; I have a similar character, and there's just so much you can do with a close advisor like that. You are really extracting all the best juice out of these varied relationships. I will certainly be keeping an eye on this story in the future.
Author's reply
I am glad to hear you are enjoying it. There is a lot of potential for any relationship Thranduil is in. I like to play with how he would interact with the people he would be close to and how they would react to him. Between his natural personality (and one must assume it was fairly strong if he defended Mirkwood for three millennia and then refused to sail after Sauron was defeated) and his position as king, it must have made relationships very interesting. But everyone has them and I would think especially elves. I love to play with these ideas.
The Karenator · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Conversations or confrontations
Elliska, What a wonderful story. I have truly enjoyed reading what you've put up so far. Your dialogue is smooth and realistic. Your setting and descriptions are vivid. And the plot itself is interesting. I like the way you have portrayed Thranduil as a young king. He is still learning the ropes and feeling out his counterparts. Lindomiel is a terrific character. I like her spunk! I agree that Thranduil is such a strong personality that only a female with the same strong will would be able to abide with him without completely losing herself. And I think Thranduil would respect her for this. He's too secure in himself to be threatened by a woman of substance. I really like that. And her father, the Lord Amglaur, is such an interesting character. It's especially intriguing that Thranduil sees Oropher in him. I can't wait to see where this goes. This is shaping up to be quite a wonderful tale. Karen
Author's reply
Karen, Thank you for the review. I agree that Thranduil would both need and expect a lady with a little 'spunk.' I don't think he could even respect anything less. And I just think the idea of Thranduil having to deal with someone like Amglaur--especially since Thranduil is in a position where he must bite his tongue a bit--is amusing to contemplate. I hope you continue to find interesting facets of this story. It will cover a lot of territory.
daw the minstrel · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Conversations or confrontations
Well, Amglaur is a good father who wants his daughter's happiness. I like that.
Author's reply
Yes, he is a good father and he truly does only want Lindomiel's happiness. Somehow parents often have excellent intentions for their adult children but trouble recognizing they are adults. Thank you very much for the reviews.
daw the minstrel · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 4: Dinner with Amglaur
I liked the comparison of Amglaur and Oropher, exemplified in Amglaur's questioning of Thranduil and his deciding that the king needs to eat more. Also he's very casual in speaking of Thranduil's parents, which obviously galls the kind a little. I kind of giggled at his horror over having to entertain Amglaur.
Author's reply
Yes, Amglaur knew Oropher and Dieneryn fairly well but Thranduil doesn't really know that yet. He will and it will surprise him a bit. I think Thranduil learns a few things interacting with Amglaur. It forces him to look at some aspects of his father's personality and his own that he didn't recognize until he saw them in someone he did not respect. The question is, how well does he apply the lessons. And he will not enjoy all the aspects of the impending visit to Eryn Galen.
daw the minstrel · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 3: Invitations
Loved Thranduil's arrogance! "I can handle your father in negotiations. But how about as a protective ada?"
Author's reply
He really is too much isn't he--fairly confident for a new king.
daw the minstrel · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 2: First meetings
I like Lindomiel's sense of humor: "I think you killed it." And what fun for Thranduil to be attracted to a maiden whose father is driving him crazy. I suppose, though, that if she's used to her father, Thranduil is less intimidating than he might be otherwise. I also look forward to an exploration of politics and personalities among these rulers. As you point out in chapter 1, many of them are new to governing.
Author's reply
Lindomiel's sense of humor will drive Thranduil to distraction more than once and yes, she is ready for him because of her own father's personality. I really do think that the first meetings of all these new rulers would have to be very interesting. They knew each other for millennia and had formed ideas about each other, but as rulers they would face each other in new, unfamiliar roles. And that would probably force them to look at each other a little differently. I think it would be interesting.
daw the minstrel · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 0: From the Shores of Valinor
Love the thought of Legolas with a daughter. And I look forward to the tale of these two, my favorite elves. Thranduil does seem to have mellowed.
Author's reply
He has had a very long time to mellow. I also love the idea of either Legolas or Thranduil (also my absolute favorites because I admire that they held Mirkwood with no ring) with a daughter. I truly do think that would be the one situation neither could manage. :) Thanks for the review!
Bodkin · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Conversations or confrontations
Yes it is. Lindomiel.
Bodkin · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Conversations or confrontations
A very interesting take on Thranduil and his courtship. I like Lindomerel? (I can't quite remember and her name isn't in this chapter!) And I love the idea of Thranduil with a fierce father-in-law!
Author's reply
Thanks for the review. I always wondered what would happen if Thranduil met his equivalent in fierceness. Don't get me wrong. I think Thranduil is a very fair, just king--I just think he would also have to be fierce as bear to defend Mirkwood with Sauron in Dol Guldur for three millennia. So I thought it would be fun to explore his reactions to someone just a little too much like himself. But Amglaur is a little less restrained. It will be interesting.