Reviews (41)

Tinnuial · 1 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

Wow....that was such a moving story, so beautifully realised. I could feel every emotion, every twinge of regret and pity for the king and his son. I'm so glad it had a happy ending =) Thank you for sharing this with us. =)

Eruanneth_Luin · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

It was good to see the wall broken down and Thranduil in need of his son at last. That there were so many friends to stand in his stead until he recovered enough to make the move showed again the closeness of the Elves. The explanation of the masque certainly helped with understanding the significance of most of the events. Thank you for drawing the curtain back once more to explore the world of the Silven Elves.

Eruanneth_Luin · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 3: The Shortest Day

What a lovely surprise! The aftermath of freezing rain is an incredible sight and the melting creates a silvery-sounding music quite unequaled by other means. Poor Little Legolas at Yule, more than ever he needs the love and comfort of his Ada; the task of preparing the glittering paint for his Ada's use was perfect. I could almost 'see' the dance and was completely enchanted. But like Legolas, was stunned at the climax. Cerrtainly the last chapter will reveal the significance.

Eruanneth_Luin · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound

Life for the woodland elves was not just singing, dancing and feasting. you show the hard reality and dangers of day-to-day existence and their effect on those young ones in their midst. Legolas is to be pitied for his intense need for his Ada who cannot yet face him without overpowering pain. Again the beautiful images of this magnificent Elven King creating with his graceful elegant body a story, magical brought to life with the raw energy and fluid moves of Elfkind.

Eruanneth_Luin · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow

How I would love to see that dance! Physical activity can help revive a broken spirit and the learning process helps distract the mind from devouring itself. Such sorrow and heartbreak for Thranduil over the loss of his Queen, his wife. It does indeed numb one to even the smallest of joys so taken for granted before the sundering. The road back can be fraught with reminders that snatch away the peace of mind so greatly desired, dragging those who love down with them, including his young son. Fortunately he has those about him who will not allow him to succumb to the emptiness.

Antigone Q · 28 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

"There are some feelings that are so strong that we cannot speak them aloud. Instead, we speak with our bodies. We make music, and we dance." How true, and how lovely that you chose to write a story about it. Thank you!

JastaElf · 27 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

Oh, what a glorious ending to a superb story! This is just so beautiful.... so sad and sweet, so lovingly crafted.... Just fantastic. I have been telling everyone I know about this story--and I hope every blessed one of them leaves a review. What a gorgeous, rich, incredibly marvelous piece of work! You have brought it to an excellent conclusion. And yes, you are right--sometimes grownups just don't remember to view things as children do! I have this lovely vision of the circle being completed some day: of Legolas being a dancer himself, working his way through the various roles available to a young male, and someday dancing as the King Stag before the loving eyes of his Ada--and finally completely comprehending that life goes on, the sun returns, sacrifice finds its reward, and the darkness is overcome. Maybe his Ada would even help to grind the beetle-paste to make the glittery paint.... Oh, FP, thank you for this marvel of a story! Thank you so much, and may your Yules always be bright!

rikki · 20 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

What a lovely story, the wood elves dancing away the dark, portraying the death of the old year and the birth of the new. The shortest day of the year calls to mind many myths and stories of pagan and Christian origin where there is loss and rebirth. Thranduil's kingdom seems to be populated with very elemental elves, more attuned to the trees and earth than the Lothlorian and Imraldis elves. Hollies and berries, evergreens for decorations to show everlasting life, glass ornaments to catch the light and sparkle, representations of winter and ice. It brings to mind some Elizabethian reproduction pagents I have attended. I did the early childhood terror bit with Santa Claus when I was very young. Screamed bloody murder when I saw this stranger with a beard. I could see where the shiny face paint and an unfamilar costume would scare poor Legolas when his Adar comes into the pantry. Shadows and flickering lights can make the most normal of appearances turn into something truly scary. But in the end all is revealed and accepted, both for the masque and the lives of a father and his son.

LOTR lover · 20 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

Oh, French Pony, what a wonderful story this is! Everything about this rings true, from Thranduil's response to the loss of his beloved queen to Legolas's response to the loss of his nana. The Yule preparations are wonderfully researched (but not so it shows--simply that everything fits so seamlessly) and the masque itself is so well written that I can see it happening in my mind's eye. All of the original characters are drawn beautifully. Not one is merely a cardboard figure, and your interpretations of Thranduil and Legolas are so very elvish and yet so recognizable. This story has got to go into my favorites list. Thank you.

Lamiel · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

The power seems to have stabilised, so I was able to read the last chapter. Again, Legolas' fear at seeing his father in costume was very real. I remember seeing children react similarly in such circumstances. And it was lovely to see Thranduil and Legolas coming together to heal their heart-break. The decorations and the shoes were a particularly welcome touch - some warmth after all the strange and frightening rituals was a relief. I also liked the story of how the Elves first reacted when the Sun came into being - after the constancy of the stars and the Light of the Trees, that must have been frightening indeed. The whole concept behind this story is wonderful, and it was a real treat to read. Thank you.

lmw · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

You made me cry. I like to read young Legolas stories, and this definitely was worth the time and tears. You have all the characters so real, adult and elfling. Some things made me laugh too, my own kids have complained about food cut incorrectly, or broken. My daughter is 17 and will not watch Sleeping Beauty.Well done!

Lamiel · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 3: The Shortest Day

This is breath-taking! Little Legolas' reactions - excitement about the Yule, and boredom at being ignored, and being so obviously tired but refusing to nap - are just perfect. So exactly like a child. And the Masque itself is simply amazing. I know very little about pagan rituals, but I recognize the deep primal symbolism of the dance, the drums and flute and rhythms. Action is not easy to write, let alone music and dance, but you craft it so flawlessly and smoothly that I can see it before me. It reminds me of the Gathering scenes in "The Clan of the Cave Bear." Wow. I could go on and on, but the lights are flickering in my office (there's a storm here in sunny Cal), and I'm not sure how much longer my connection will last. Brilliant work. I shall enjoy reading the next chapter too, when I get the chance.

elliska · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

And this was a very pleasant breakfast treat for me! This whole story was so sad (what else would you expect given the subject matter but...). Poor Thranduil--it would be really hard to finish the dance at that point. And poor little Legolas. Mom probably used to be the one that explained that scary things were coming and she wasn't here to do it. And no one else got around to it. It does happen. For me it wasn't Snow White, it was Bambi. Stayed for the first five minutes of that movie and that was it. And when I took my (at the time) 8 year old niece to Disney World, it never ocurred to me that the Pirates of the Carribean ride was scary but I had to keep her from diving out of the boat. The second time we went on it she was fine and loved it because she was ready for the scary parts. I loved Legolas and Thranduil's "reunion." Everything about that whole scene was very touching. Great ending. Glad to see them back on the right path together, not healed but on their way.

Marnie · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

Wonderful - I was sitting here with tears in my eyes, and believe me that doesn't often happen to me. I know what you mean about Snow White. Seeing that was one of the scariest experiences of my life. It took me years to get over the trauma! This is a lovely story - a perfect story. Thank you so much for writing it.

Bodkin · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

I am pleased to see the reconciliation as the darkest day passes and they move towards the light. But someone should have thought to tell Legolas what would happen. He could be scarred for life!

Karri · 18 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

*sniff* I suspected that Legolas's reaction to the masque was meant to be a catalyst to get Thranduil past the last of his hurdles. Wonderfully story! :-D

daw the minstrel · 18 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Sons Of Courage

What a lovely ending! I was struck by the way you drew together the theme of the action inside and outside of the masque. They were in darkness but the light came back, and the Hunter King and Ada both came back too. I found this very moving.

Marnie · 13 October 2004 · Chapter 3: The Shortest Day

This is awesome! I love your writing - it's so bold, and honest, but delicate at the same time, like the best in real faery tales. Straight talking and powerful. I love the fact that you've really thought about the kind of things they'd be eating, and how the economy works. It makes the culture so genuine. I love the fact that dancing is so important to them, a powerful thing, a healing thing - that's so elvish. Thranduil is a wonderful character; you've avoided so much of the cliche there is about him in the fandom. he's real. And Legolas too. I'm not a Legolas fan in general, but I love this child. 'The bear is looking at me,' was a fantastic moment, and the argument about the way the bannock was cut, and playing at being Thingol, and stalking the servants in the corridors. He too is real, and so much more likeable than the over saccharine creature of too many other stories. So Thranduil is going through death in order to live again. Did no one think about the effect this would have on Legolas, or do they just think it's necessary for him too? I will bookmark the story and find out as soon as I can!

Karri · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 3: The Shortest Day

This is a heartrending chapter! I could see it coming from the start of the dance, yet was still astonished that no one foresaw what effect that the performance would have on this little one who is still mourning the loss of his nana and barely clinging to the hope that his father, who is fragile like glass with hurt, will not shatter and die, as well. I suspect Luindil might be perceptive enough to have comprehended the impending trauma, but was likely too caught up in his own part to consider it. At least it can be hoped that this will provide the final shove that will get Thranduil to reunite with his son.

Karri · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound

Ai! So close and yet still so far. It is progres though, which counts for something, I suppose. Luindil is quite the wise and perceptive elf. I like him very much.

Karri · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow

Your writing is always slendid! The detail of the incorrectly cut bannock was beautiful! It is so true to form for a greiving child to be upset by something seemingly so simply..anything and everything out of place is just one more added to a world abruptly turned unstable in a little one's eyes. Normalcy is so reassuring, and Legolas has not been granted any. And when he asked Luindil to take the bannock to ada because ada didn't see him anymore, my eyes were well on their way to growing suspiciously liquid.

Lady Masterblott · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 3: The Shortest Day

Dear French Pony... (hmmh - Pony?) I absolutely enjoyed this story,and the vivid picture of the life of the Mirkwood Elves you painted in it. I absolutely loved the scenes from the masquerade - seems to me as if Dancing and the respective rehearsals are something you know more than just a little about. IMHO, you captured the atmosphere very well, and I could perfectly feel with Legolas, who was grasped by the power of the staging, seeing the dance for the first time. (Poor kid... but in any case: Your description made his reaction completely believable.) I am looking forward to the next chapter in eager anticipation, so to speak, to see how and if everything resolves. Good writing, Margit

Lamiel · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 2: In Icy Fetters Bound

Oh wow! Thranduil's dance... oh, the imagery of that! And then his reaction when he saw Legolas watching him . . . he should have hugged him then. He needed to hug him then! But he couldn't. And the way he spoke to him, "little mouse," and then Legolas got up and went, without his hug... oh, I just want to cuddle the dear little elfling. I won't say what I want to do to his fell, fierce, beautiful father.

Lamiel · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Sons Of Sorrow

This is truly beautiful. Thranduil's pain is heartbreaking, all the more so for his uncertainty regarding Legolas. His son needs him so badly, but how can he put aside his own grief? The episode with the bannock was just perfect - it shows just what Legolas is going through now, and is all the more painful for its poignancy. Oh, and when Thranduil kissed the tip of Legolas ear... So beautiful.

Antigone Q · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 3: The Shortest Day

Oh, this was just glorious! The dance and the ceremony were especially intriguing, and I loved your poor little sad Legolas!