Epilachna · 13 October 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
What a wonderful story. So few fics have the power to capture me like this one did. I actually went to another website to finish reading it! Absolutely beautiful.
The Prisoner of Dol Guldur by Soledad
Reviews (90)
Daynawayna · 10 July 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
What a wonderful story, Soledad. I'm so glad you finally found time to finish it. I must admit that I was a bit surprised by Enadar's confession of Love for Arwen. I know she touched him, but it seemed a bit out of left field to me. Not that I'm complaining! :) You wove a beautiful tapestry with this story and I'm so glad I got to read it. Thank you for the beautiful, bittersweet, wonderful journey.
Bodkin · 7 July 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
Poor Arwen. I am glad Enadar was there for her - she felt protective towards him, I think, and cared for him as much as she could care for anyone at this point. I hope he and his father choose to sail. Not yet, perhaps, but in a century or two when it feels right to them. And they can find a forest in the Blessed Realm and complete their healing.
Bodkin · 7 July 2006 · Chapter 13: Part 13
I love the special, outdoor, Ent-supervised hospital ward. And the Great Ash, imbued with rather more than the spirit of Lalisin. Just what Enadar needed. And I love the thought that she will be able to follow Thranduil and her sons to Valinor when the ties of the forest no longer hold them.
Fire · 4 July 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
I just read your story and I really loved it. It has so many feelings that touched me deep inside, thank you for that. I like the way you write your woodelves, they seem much more alive to me now and I do intend to read your other stories.
Lynn H · 4 July 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
Hi Soledad, I just read your final chapters and like many details immensly. Enedar is a wonderful character. The sea-choice of the Elves would be difficult, and the healing of the land under their hands important. However, I regret that I wanted to see something more, um, hopeful. The Hope of Men that the Elves do not understand, that we call Death, is what I would have expected in Arwen. Aragorn had it. Surely he would have taught his wife. Your story gives her no hope, so little expectation of seeing him again. Yes, I also found JRRT's assumption of her immediately following Aragorn into that unknown jarring, unless she followed him in hope. She had children and grandchildren to cherish, and a challenging new Age to nurture. That was her plea to Aragorn, yet he seemed to echo Eowyn's despair. She had, by my count, 180 years left to her to enjoy. You have made her more human, but not enough. Lynn H
Author's reply
Well, it is a matter of perspective, I guess. I wasn't trying to write an essay about the Gift of Men, to be perfectly honest. I just wrote down how I felt about the whole thing, to mirror that final, bitter hopelessness that those few merciless lines of Tolkien about Arwen's fate awakened in me.
daw the minstrel · 4 July 2006 · Chapter 13: Part 13
I love the idea of the mother bound to the ash tree and able still to nurture her family.
French Pony · 4 July 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
What a lovely, bittersweet ending. I'm so glad that both Enadar and Arwen found a little peace and comfort at the end. That was a fabulous story.
Author's reply
Thanks. It was a great joy to read your comments to each new chapter. Rarely do I have such a truthful and supportive reader.
French Pony · 4 July 2006 · Chapter 13: Part 13
Oh wow -- the part with the Queen's ghost in the ash tree was just stunning. That speaks of a powerfully strong personality. What a wonderful gift she gave to her family, remaining a houseless spirit for so long in order to protect and sustain them. She and Enadar get to see each other again, which must be a reward beyond anything else.
Karri · 4 July 2006 · Chapter 14: Epilogue
That was a lovely way to end it. *claps*
Author's reply
Thank you. :)) It was also a great relief, finally getting to an end. It's a rare occasion for me, as you know.
BlueEyedElf · 28 February 2006 · Chapter 12: Part 12
This is a great story! I love the idea of the ent draught. Hope appropriate that an ent should help a wood elf to heal. Very clever idea. I look forward to more. I haven't reviewed for a few chapters, but I have been reading and enjoying.
Bodkin · 26 February 2006 · Chapter 12: Part 12
It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. It almost made up for not having seen any lights in all those bleak, endless yéni in his dungeon. It's beautiful - and the description of the ent draught - The drink was like water, only a thousand times better than water, although he could have never imagined that something – anything! – could ever taste and smell better than water. - Quickbeam is very very good for Enadar. Even he is beginning to hope that he will recover more of what he was. And I just love the way Quickbeam calls Enadar 'sapling'. But no outcomes are entirely happy - the war may be over, but Galadriel and Celeborn will be parted and Lothlorien will decay - and Legolas will have to sail.
Idhreniel · 25 February 2006 · Chapter 12: Part 12
Great idea with the Ent!!! Nice chapter.
demeter d · 24 February 2006 · Chapter 12: Part 12
The description of the Ent-Draught is so real i could almost smell and taste it! Beautiful, musical descriptions. So lovely that an Ent will help heal your lost son of the forest. And Daw is right. You do have a very Tolkien feel to your descriptions. I feel as if I have sat in Lorien with your characters for a moment.
daw the minstrel · 24 February 2006 · Chapter 12: Part 12
How fitting that an Ent should help heal a wood-elf. The descriptions of the light were beautiful, Soledad. There was a flavour in it, akin to its scent, which he could not describe, faint but unmistakable. It was like the warmth of summer, the sweetness of wild berries, the freshness of a mountain spring and the smell of a distant wood borne from afar by a cold breeze, all rolled into one savour. That passage has a very Tokien feel to it, like the one describing Elrond, for instance. The idea of Enadar as a wilted sapling is wonderful.
Daynawayna · 24 February 2006 · Chapter 11: Part 11
::stands and applauds::: Wow! It was so totally worth the wait!! that was Awesome Soledad! I'm so glad you didn't give up on this story! I do have a question though... you don't see Legolas as a blonde? I can deal with him not being OB... but not blonde? I'd like to hear why. :) Can't wait for more!!!
Author's reply
Well, the Professor never told us what hair colour he had. And I've always seen Wood-Elves as auburn-haired. Then I developed the idea of them having hair that changes colour with the changing of seasons, like the leaves, and stuck to it. I know Thranduil had golden hair himself, but the boy ought to have a mother, too. Whom I made one of the Avari, and decided that all her sons inherited that changing sort of hair from her. See my other story, "Little Bird", to learn more about the whole thing. :)
Idhreniel · 21 February 2006 · Chapter 11: Part 11
Great chapter! I love the Ent's idea!
Bodkin · 21 February 2006 · Chapter 11: Part 11
Enadar is becoming much more aware of the outside world - and his thoughts are gathering together. He is also more aware of himself and his condition - which is probably a good thing. He seems to be sorting out his perception of time a bit, too. It was good to see him with his little brother and he recognised Legolas's problem at once and was able to extend his recognition to see what its effect would be on his Ada. I've got my fingers crossed for the Ent-draught. Ents are remarkably powerful entities, and their draughts might be more helpful than anything anyone else can do.
JastaElf · 20 February 2006 · Chapter 11: Part 11
Oh.... oh.... ohhh, that is so sad.... Poor Enadar!! What sorrow, to meet with his green-eyed not-toddler again after so long, only to see that distant sorrow in his eyes.... Gods you write beautifully. So evocative, so powerful... this poor family, haunted by sadness and destiny! I just love them all! Thank you so much for the gift of your writing!
JastaElf · 20 February 2006 · Chapter 10: Part 10
What a sweet, sad, anxious chapter... (and sorry to be so late reviewing, life has been so odd lately!) I adore your Legolas, because he is so very like Book!Leggy, and this is such a wonderful chapter for him. The fears of what happened to his brother, and how it might affect both of them--just amazing things to contemplate, and it rocks my world just as it did Gimli's. I am happy to have another chapter to go, though! :-) Thank you for the update!
demeter d · 20 February 2006 · Chapter 11: Part 11
What a lovely, heartwrenching chapter. i enjoyed the appearance of Quickbeam. So, just as Legolas did for Ithilien, Quickbeam will bring a colony of younger Ents to help heal the Greenwood. Perhaps the Ent-draught that grew Merry and Pippin can indeed help Enadar. In the book, Quickbeam became my favorite Ent. he seemed to be sort of a kindred spirit to Merry and Pippin.Now, it seems, legolas has one more person to stay in Middle Earth for. but I remember your look at Elrond after 500 years of battling the Sea-Longing for the sake of others. Will his friends be enough to help him remain happy while he lingers? It will be interesting to see your next move.
daw the minstrel · 20 February 2006 · Chapter 11: Part 11
I appreciate the way you treat Thranduil's relationships with dwarves. You treat him as a rational being and think about the various forces in and history of middle earth. The presence of ent in Mirkwood is wonderful to think about. But poor Enadad. He can feel the sorrow and he doesn't need any more.
Redheredh · 18 February 2006 · Chapter 10: Part 10
This was an excellent chapter. Legolas' reaction and feelings were nicely conveyed by Gimli's supportive interaction. I crave clarifying information about what and *why* of a main character feelings and you certainly delivered that with Gimli's help. The two friends' aiding each other to resolve such earth-shaking news was very satisfying. It will be very tense when the brothers meet again, but hopefully Legolas will be better prepared now.
Bodkin · 18 February 2006 · Chapter 10: Part 10
What a shock for Legolas. But The enormity of the mere thought nearly put the Dwarf off-balance. This is so understandable. A whole age, surviving in the pits under Dol Guldur. The musings on age are fascinating. And I think Legolas is right to take his time on the way back - he needs to adjust to the idea of his brother's survival. And think about how he himself has changed.
Idhreniel · 17 February 2006 · Chapter 10: Part 10
I am very curious to read about Legolas' return!!! Great chapter.