For the Love of the Lord of the White Tree by Legolass
Angel · 6 May 2005 · Chapter 32: Endings and Beginnings
Ooooooooooh EAGLES! Gwahir! Precious precious eagle and right on time too. I thought of that but by the time the other chaps came along I'd completely forgotten so intent I was to see the twins hahaha so it was a wonderful surprise in the end :):):) Am definitely seeing this to the end :)
Author's reply
Umm... the twins?? :-0
Bev · 5 May 2005 · Chapter 32: Endings and Beginnings
Yeah!!! for the Eagles...boy...I didn't see that one coming. Loved the fact that Legolas was able to fire off that arrow and deflect the sword...great stuff. I thought at first that because no one actualy saw Sarambaqs' body, that maybe he somehow survived. But, I guess not. Good riddance to him. I will certainly be here for the next chapter. Bring it on. Bev
Author's reply
DOES it mean that Sarambaq is dead...? :-) In any case... he won't be in the rest of this story. Thanks for your review. See you soon.
Bev · 5 May 2005 · Chapter 31: Confrontation
Great chapter...so glad to see an up-date. Well...all I can say is Sarambaq is one cowardly SOB. Come on Aragorn...make yourself known. Bev
Author's reply
He will, Bev, in Chap 32. :-)
unplugged32 · 5 May 2005 · Chapter 32: Endings and Beginnings
Brilliant climax! The battle scene had me on the edge of my seat. I wasn't sure what you were planning but you did a wonderful job concluding this part of the story. Looking forward to reading more:)
Author's reply
Thank you - I was exhausted by the time I'd written both chapters, so I'm glad it pleased my readers - it was worth the effort. :-)
TithenFeredir · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 32: Endings and Beginnings
Oh, phooey. Did it again. *i knew it was the eagles, tee-hee!* Well, this was an exciting chapter, again with Legolas gamely fighting and holding his own if only barely. I really liked the awesome marksmanship of the elves. Sarambaq's and Darkil's ending was a picture of futility, a sad, pathetic end. I liked the way Aragorn stood back to give Legolas and Thranduil amoment after the crisis was over. That seemed very in character. Speaking of crisis passed, I'm wondering what surprises you have coming up. ~TF
Author's reply
Yes your guess was correct but of course I could not tell you at the time. :-) You wonder what surprises I have in store? I wonder about that too! lol
TithenFeredir · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 32: Endings and Beginnings
TithenFeredir · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 31: Confrontation
I have to say I was surprised by Sarambaq's plan, though it made a lot of sense. Maybe I'm too much of a softy, but in a sick sort of way it made the whole thing a little bit poignant. He very clearly revealed the depth of his own anguish by contriving to impose the same on Thranduil. I love your brave Legolas. ~TF
Author's reply
I hope more readers see the poignancy of it all -- Sarambaq is malicious, but also just as vulnerable to hurt as others. THat's what makes him less one-dimensional. I love my brave Legolas too. :-)
Angel · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
doo doo doo doo! Where are you? Dancing the update dance here...hope it works.... SOOON!
Author's reply
Yooo hooo .... here I am, and here they are. :-)
Bev · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
*a post script to my previous review* Holy Cow....I swear I did not read the previous reviews when I made mine. I just now read Indigo Buntings' review *insert weird music* and my mouth fell open when I read she had a similar idea about Legolas' hair. WOW
Author's reply
Bev, you are the third reviewer (two here, one at another site) - to make a guess at the hair. :-) Thanks for your support. Hope you like the two latest chapters.
Bev · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
Yaaa...their on their way. *cringe* What did Sarambaq do to Legolas? The coward. Undoubtedly something to weaken him more than he already was. Or, could it be......for some reason....I have this vision of them cutting off all of his beautiful hair...to humiliate him. *shaking head...LOL* ...no...he wouldn't do that...would he? Agggghhhh...enough trying to read things into it that aren't there. Great chapter..can't wait for the next one. I'll have my coffee and biscuits ready. Bev
Angel · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
Well there goes the exposition. But my it was beautifully written and the fabric of language becomes ever more potent in your hands. I am beginning to see why Estel left...sort of :P You've setting downpat!!!! "A distance away, in a curious blood-red sea of light from the setting sun,...." "When he closed his eyes, he could see the light on the fair face of Arwen and hear the pure voices of his elven kin in Ithilien and the Greenwood, and his heart lifted in song with theirs as they sang a tribute to Earendil, to Elbereth and to her lamps in the sky. " Such powerful images! Thank you so much for not keeping us waiting...less grey hairs ;)
ArcherGal2932 · 30 April 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
wow. wow. wow. wow. i love everything about this piece. please please please write more. please..... ;-) ~ArcherGal2932
Author's reply
Next two - climactic chapters - are up! Thanks for your support, ArcherGal.
Indigo Bunting · 30 April 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
All right! More chapters! And very exciting ones, too. You are building the suspense very nicely. The postings were coming so fast and furious last week that I had the feeling you had written the chapters long ago. That's what I often do - I write chapters of action or important events long in advance because they're focal points of the story, the sorts of chapters that you flesh out in your mind before you even start writing them down. I'm not sure what Sarambaq and his minions did to Legolas, but I have a guess: I'll bet they cut his hair. But whatever it was, I see a sort of 'Mouth of Sauron with Frodo's mithril coat' scenario in the future, to be played out between Sarambaq and Thranduil.
Author's reply
Weeell... not quite the 'Mouth of Sauron' thing, Indigo, but that would have worked too. :-) Perhaps in another story. Just FYI - you are the third reviewer (two here, one at another site) - to make a guess at the hair. :-) As for the last few chapters that I posted fast - I actually took two weeks to write them all before I posted them close together; I wanted to maintain the pacing for readers in real-time as well - am I making sense? Thanks for your support.
TithenFeredir · 30 April 2005 · Chapter 30: Kings and Alliances
I like it that you speak Thranduil's age and experience, and what an imposing figure he makes, but you also show him to be compassionate to Aragorn and a concerned father. I loved his statement about trusting Aragorn as his son did. It sort of gave the impression that we can see where Legolas got his capacity for friendship and loyalty. Another lovely little touch: while Aragorn, upon arriving home, thought of Legolas and grieved, Legolas now thinks of Aragorn's return home and takes comfort in it. Very nice. I'm looking forward to the next chapters. ~TF
Author's reply
Thank you, TF - hope you like the two latest chapters too.
Angel · 29 April 2005 · Chapter 29: Many Meetings
Wow so much has happened. Lovely parallels between Ara and Legolas' situations. I kind of don't understand AT ALL the logic behind Aragorn returning to the White City...despite the leaden steps and the guilt ridden comforts he greets everything with. Ahh but you're the storyteller here and what a magnificent job you're doing. Once again I think your specialty is writing action because that return ride was stupendous. I had thought the two visitors were the twins...but (great touch introducing Thranduil) who could the other be? Cannot wait for the next chapter...biting nails...
Author's reply
Hi, Angel - thanks for your compliments! Re the logic of Aragorn returning to the City - um...did you miss the part where Sarambaq told him to go, or die? <:-0 Interesting that you think I can write action scenes well - because I dread writing them! I'd much rather do dialogue, but thank you all the same. :-)
unplugged32 · 29 April 2005 · Chapter 29: Many Meetings
You're updating faster than I can read and review! That's a good thing of course, since I love your writing:) I can't wait to see how you will get them out of this very sticky situation. Hopefully I'll find an update when I return from my mini-break next week.
Author's reply
Thanks, unplugged. The climactic chapter will be up by next week - just in time for you. :-)
Leaward · 28 April 2005 · Chapter 23: The Touch of Numenor
I'm a bit behind but I promise to catch up! :) Nice to see Sarambaq didn't recognize Aragorn and accepted the premise of him being from Rohan. And also very nice to see Aragorn's emotions (especially in relation to the weather outside) as he tries to heal Legolas. A pair of eyes cracked open painfully, warily, to see a dark, hazy world with slight shadows dancing diffidently around torches on stone walls. What lovely imagery! And good to see Legolas healing, despite Sarambaq's treatment. Now on to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Hey Leaward, missed you. Glad you liked this chapter, thank you. A and L's friendship only grows from this point on. Hope you catch up soon.
TithenFeredir · 28 April 2005 · Chapter 29: Many Meetings
A chapter of necessary exposition, and yet you still kept the emotional tone from the chapter before. I loved the way you juxtaposed Aragorn's comfort against Legolas' ongoing deprivation. I think Aragorn would have grieved over it in exactly that way. NIce touch with Thranduil at the end as well. ~TF
Author's reply
Thanks, TF. I know that if I were Aragorn, I would be weeping that way. :-(
Bev · 27 April 2005 · Chapter 28: Defeat in Victory
WooHoo...a chapter so quick...love it. I love that the fight was told as it was....between a horrible beast and a golden cat. It made the fight..at least for me...a little easier to take. I knew that Elven agility and reserved strength would win the day...yaaaaa. For Aragorn to have to leave Legolas alone was so sad....but I know he will think of some way to get back to him. We still have to find out who the mystery man in the North is. Can't wait. *drumming fingers* Again...this is a GREAT STORY. Bev
Author's reply
Thank you, Bev, and yes I share Aragorn's sadness too. :-( SO hard for him.
TithenFeredir · 27 April 2005 · Chapter 28: Defeat in Victory
Wow. The fight was good. The end of the fight was better. For Legolas to be at the end of his strength but prevail anyway by virtue of superior agility and skill seemed realistic to me. I think it was also a neat idea that Sarambaq fought Legolas to prepare for a confrontation with Thranduil, so much better than his just doing it out of pointless malice. Legolas' and Aragorn's parting was so sad. Your take on their relationship is really affecting. Looking forward to the next chapter! ~TF
Author's reply
Next chapter up, TF. Updating almost daily as a result of a promise I made to the readers at another site :-) ... for these few chapters anyway. "I think it was also a neat idea that Sarambaq fought Legolas to prepare for a confrontation with Thranduil, so much better than his just doing it out of pointless malice." Oh, it's not pointless ... as you will see in oh, maybe 2 more chaps? Author Reply: And glad you liked the fight. Thank you.
Bev · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 27: The Challenge
Oh my word....must be senility creeping up on me. I don't know why I wrote Faramir when I ment Hamille. *blushing*...so sorry. Glad to hear we won't be in suspense too long. Bev
Author's reply
"I don't know why I wrote Faramir when I ment Hamille." Maybe cozzzz... you like him?? :-) I like them both.
Indigo Bunting · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 27: The Challenge
All RIGHT - an update! I've got to tell you, I'm really enjoying your story. I know this is going to sound snotty, but I'm very picky about the fanfiction I read. As pretty much all of us know (through bitter experience), there's a lot out there that isn't very good. Not that this means that all the less-well-written fanfiction is worthless; it's a wonderful window into the world of writing (and reading!) for a lot of younger people. And while that's great in its own way, it doesn't do anything to satisfy me as a mature reader. I'm always hungering for a good yarn - a meaty story with a great plot and good characterization. Your story has both. And on top of that, there are are no grammatical errors, no misspellings, no errors in punctuation - none of the things that make stories difficult to read even when they show promise in other areas. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time and effort you've surely put into this story to make it not only a fascinating read but technically correct as well. I'm always very excited when I see you've updated! I'm intrigued to find out just how our heroes will get out of this mess. I've got to say, I should have reviewed long ago, but at least I'm doing it now! Now you know that there's one more person out there who IS reading your story and thinks it's fabulous. Keep on with the great work, and don't leave us hanging too long! --Indigo
Author's reply
Hi, Indigo! I could swear I'd already sent a reply, but it doesn't appear here for some reason. Anyway, what I wrote in my reply was that I do pay a lot of attention to detail in this story - from the plot to the characterisation to word choice and all the way down to the mechanics of writing. I feel I owe that little respect to the readers, to the story itself, and to Tolkien who began it all. As for not reviewing before: there is always a first time, and I welcome your visit now as I would have if you had dropped in earlier. :-) Thank you for your support - chap 28 is now up.
Tinnuial · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 27: The Challenge
You should get a prize for writing the most heartstopping cliffhangers! And I'll be away for a month after tomorrow and may not get a chance to read new posts for some time....*sigh* But wonderful chapter as usual :) Sarambaq has a rather keen memory I say. Then again, Aragorn is somewhat.....unforgettable....hehehe!
Author's reply
Dear Tinnuial: I shall miss your reviews (and thank you for the award, lol). Sorry you have to leave now, because these are the climactic chapters. In one month, I fear the story will be done. But perhaps you prefer it that way - to have it finished by the time you return...? In any case, I hope you do read it till the end when you come back. You, in particular, must. ;-) All the best, wherever you are going.
ArcherGal2932 · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 27: The Challenge
AHA!!! I WAS RIGHT!!! HE did SEE ARAGORN W/ GANDALF!!!!! lol sry just had to celebrate a bit there. you had to use yet another cliffhanger. TWO actually. well, i think i'll survive, just post quickly. ;-) I love how you not only put Legolas' well-being at stake but also gave it a twist so that his pride and his friend's life was also at risk. *applauds* very nice, i like i like. ~ArcherGal2932
Author's reply
Thanks, Archer Gal. And here's a glass of "your drink of choice* in celebration of your correct guess. Cheers! :-)
Bev · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 27: The Challenge
"And they began"...I feel Legolas has reserves of strength that will suprise everyone. **small prayer to the Valar**. I am intrigued by the one in the North. Can't wait to find out who it is. Please Faramir...ride like the wind. :-) I loved finding an up-date so quickly....but please....don't leave us hanging...I need to keep a close watch on Legolas...lol. Bev
Author's reply
Will probably update again soon for these climactic chapters, lest readers die from death-due-to-waiting, lol! But why do you think Faramir is going anywhere....? Thanks for dropping in. :-)