TithenFeredir
· 26 April 2005
· Chapter 27: The Challenge
I think it was really effective the way you started with Legolas remembering the events of the night before. I thought you were going to have Sarambaq seriously assault Legolas physically, but it was so much more angst-inducing to just let him know that Aragorn was caught and not reveal his fate. I loved it the way Legolas' first reaction when he was slapped was to be fearful for Aragorn, and the way he sort of broke down and begged the guards for information. Later, it seemed very in character for him to crave the feel of his knives in his hands and to automatically fall into a fighting stance when he got them. If I was Sarambaq, I'd be scared too. The scene where Arwen encouraged Hamille was very nice. As for the mysterioua someone in the north that Thranduil has gone to...I have my own pet theory about who that is. Good story! ~TF
Author's reply
Yes, TF - sometimes it is the waiting and not knowing, instead of the physical torture, that is most tormenting.
As for your theory (and yes I received your email as well) - you'll have to wait and see. :-) Thanks for your review.
Envinyatar
· 26 April 2005
· Chapter 27: The Challenge
I'm ashamed that I haven't reviewed this before. So many post-Quest Aragorn/Legolas stories start from unbelievable premises, with Aragorn glibly abandoning all royal duties at the drop of a hat, but this one is convincing.
Well-written, with great pacing, I await your updates eagerly. I'm intrigued as to who this mysterious figure in the North of Mirkwood might be. The only possibility that occurs is the one remaining Istar??
Author's reply
Always a first time, Envinyatar, and I welcome your visit now as I would have if you had dropped in earlier. :-) Thank you for your support.
As for the mysterious figure: please remain intrigued for a while longer. :-)
Bev
· 25 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
Hummm...The tension is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Where the heck is Aragorn? Me thinks mayhaps ol' Sarambaq has remembered something about Aragorn and has him as a prisoner....NOOOOOOO. Is poor Legolas going to have to rescue him as well as himself? Ahhhh...such musings...such fun. Please, up-date soon......Legolas' Ada is bowing to Aragorns wishes.....can't wait.
Great story!!!
Bev
Author's reply
Where is Aragorn? You will find out soon. :-) Thanks for dropping in.
Thorongirl
· 25 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
Hi! Just left you a review over at the "other" site (oh yes, "viggomaniac" -- cheesy sounding, but only meant to be a pun; oops, looks like I have a habit of choosing cheesy sounding names, but they ARE easy to remember) but since I finally got around to joining this site, I just HAD to make a few more comments. This is probably the most beautifully written LOTR story I've ever read. The attention you pay to detail, to atmosphere, to the characters, the descriptions -- everything is close to perfection. Every paragraph, every sentence, demonstrates how much you care about this story and about the people you are writing about. Of course, I have the whole story downloaded and printed off. It's not a story that can be read once and forgotten, but one to pull out of the drawer on a snowy winter day, to be read at leisure, savored, as a much-loved book. I hope you understand how much we appreciate the time, effort, and love you have put into this story.
Author's reply
Hey Thorongirl! Nice to have you over here too - there's never too much of you around. :-) Don't fret over cheesiness - Viggo and Aragorn both appreciate it lol.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your appreciation of this story. It IS really gratifying to know that some at least will return to re-read it. I hope you have printed off the latest version of the chaps I made revisions to.
See you soon with the next chapter!
ArcherGal2932
· 23 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
beautiful chapter. so many cliffhangers. FYI i don't like cliffhangers (EVIL!) although they do add a lot of suspense to a chapter. lol. well i hope you update quickly, because there's one person who is not wanting to wait a week to see the confrontation between Sarambaq and Legolas, what Thranduil's plans are, and where the heck Aragorn is!!!!! i hope you address what memory or thought that provoked Sarambaq to get into such a fit of rage that he gets out of bed and storms into the cave searching for Legolas. is it because he had seen Aragorn searching for Gollum with Gandalf also and realized that the healer he picked up along the way was conspiring with the 'enemy'????!!! i'm going to have a hard time waiting for this next chapter....lol
thanks for updating!!! ~ArcherGal2932
Author's reply
I just got back from a 3-day conference - of which I was part of the organising committee! So I'm - well - pooped!
But I'll try to get the next chap up by tomorrow.
Hang in there... oops, wrong term. :-)
Angel
· 22 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
I am convinced you are evil and in secret cohort with Sarambarg - the premise of a bathing Aragorn with nothing, nuffink! to back it up... but that's another story. :P
Now! No Aragorn, Sarambarg remembering and Thranduil doing something for Ara, that you won't say? And you are sure gonna put them through more hell. ARRGGHHH!
The rat doesn't remember a grey eyed ranger searching high and lo in his woods does he? ...doo dooo doo do
No matter what, I hope Leggy makes it out as am SURE Estel is gonna gallop outta there kicking boat (Nemo et al)
Author's reply
You and your images of Aragorn, lol!
Wait and see what happens -- but no more bathing for the time being, ahem.
RDR
· 22 April 2005
· Chapter 18: Bonds Unseen
The rush of emotions washed over him and overwhelmed him – this Ranger of the North, this King of Gondor and Arnor, this man, this friend – so that his heart was laid bare and his breath came in unashamed sobs with only the land and the sky as witnesses. His tears mingled with his laughter, warm wet pain upon cold cheeks, drying in the speed of the wind even as they fell unbidden and unchecked.
With the image of a fair face gracing their vision and the feel of elven fingers plucking gently at their heartstrings, Man and beast rode on the notes of their soaring song of pursuit, lost in a crescendo of devotion that grew with each heartbeat. On they went, borne on a melody of love and loyalty, till at last, in the distance, a green line of trees came into view, beckoning patiently like a long closing curtain to their performance.
Never would he forget this ride, Aragorn thought shakily, nor the raw emotions it had called forth from the depths of his soul, both invigorating and drowning him. He wished with all his heart that Legolas could have experienced what he did as he rode across the plain himself, but he knew the elf could not have, being burdened with a captive. Wistfully, he swore to himself that he would take time to taste such pure joy again and to share it with those he held dear.
As the line of trees grew clearer, Aragorn reluctantly let the passion of the ride subside, slowly, slowly, till all that was left was a warm, tingling reminder of it flowing through his veins, and he released a shuddering sigh as he felt their feet touch the earth once more.
Now this is what I was talking about earlier--emotion without schmaltz! This is utterly beautiful........
Author's reply
Thank you, RDR - I'm glad this story gives you pleasure. Chap 18 is one of my favorites as well, and probably the one I tweaked and re-tweaked the most. The scene you just cited (plus one or two preceding paragraphs) was the reason for all that attention; I wanted to get it JUST right. And your response has been very gratifying! Thank you again.
RDR
· 22 April 2005
· Chapter 18: Bonds Unseen
Have just discovered your story and cannot stop reading. Your writing is beautiful and the plot very captivating. I love the way you portray each of the original characters (Legolas in particular!!!!), giving them depth without going over the edge into pure--what's the word?--smarm. This is NOT smarm (so many are). Your original characters ring so true. I'm going to get to where you are today (whatever the current last chapter is) then wait in great anticipation for the rest. THANK YOU!!!!!
RDR
TithenFeredir
· 21 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
Whoops.
But anyway...Yes! another chapter! Despite its warm beginning, with Aragorn nd Legolas preparing for their escape, this chapter has an almost unbearable tension, in my opinion. You set up the fact that they will escape that night and that Legolas will be both unarmed and not yet up to his full strength, possibly to their detriment. I can see him potentially pushing himself far past what he should to carry his weight in the escape. Then you have Gondor and Ithilien moving into the picture, and Thranduil mysteriously NOT going. Now Aragorn is missing and Sarambaq is jumping the gun on their plan. You are evil, Legolass! ;-) It will be very hard waiting for the next chapter! This is really a very engaging tale. ~TF
Author's reply
Well your previous review right before this was sure fun to respond to, lol!
Oh I'm SO glad you're feeling the tension, yes yes yes!
I hope I shall be able to alleviate your suffering soon.
TithenFeredir
· 21 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
Author's reply
<:-0 :-/ :-) :-) :-)
unplugged32
· 21 April 2005
· Chapter 26: Plans
This is such a brilliant story. I love the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn. Wonderful work!
Author's reply
Thank you. Hope you enjoy the rest of it -- coming soon.
Angel
· 15 April 2005
· Chapter 22: The King and the Healer
Some of your writing is poetic and I am slightly disappointed I've resorted to using the endearment lol but there's been pure periods of magic and nothing else bode to mind. ! I decided to skim through the entire story to get rereacquainted, needless to say dawdling long and often at places. You had a clear objective that you hopefully will not abandon at our harping. You paced everything, the dragging memories, and the thoughtless actions fleeting in its execution, permanent in their pain. The build up is methodical without lethargy which I at first did not appreciate, so hungry was I to unravel the thorns, I forgot to smell the roses.
Fingers crossed the rest is of the same calibre. BTW their swim at Mirkwood is so vivid, the reminisces more than just foreshadowing their heavy hearts and troubled friendship there is a deep longing as Legolas - beautiful to behold by many, misunderstood by more, battles the call of the seas in the increasingly vain hope to share his "spot" with Hope is gutting. (if only in its simplicity. Though they have spoken, a lot more is needed to be said and done, so that they don't gain their freedom at the cost of their friendship.
Bloody Kleenex! ...
chp22. I am utterly impressed with your seemingly innocent portrayal of Aragorn here. Like Tolkien's it's the little things he did, which he probably rebelled at doing that earnt him everyone's trust and love - so that they and their steeds followed him into the Paths of the Dead. Could these "pawns" too learn to trust him and follow? I KNOW I'd follow him anywhere ... he hath but ask oh darn, I'll just stalk ;):P
Bev
· 14 April 2005
· Chapter 25: Onset of a Storm
Another great chapter. *whew* Even when Legolas is half dead he manages to get his dander up....lol. Sarambaq is such a coward. He wouldn't think of facing Legolas if he were well and un-wounded. It does seem that Sarambaq is quite over the edge of madness. Such people are hard to predict and cannot be reasoned with. Hope our guys tread carefully. Please..up-date soon.
Bev
P.S. I must say *blushes*...it was Aragorn I was jealous of...*cough*...all the hand holding and as Angel said....going looloo in the woods. lol *can't believe I admitted that*
Author's reply
LOL! Oh I must write more looloo scenes then (what a precious term Angel introduced, love it!)- you are the third person to have reacted to this one, in a positive way. I actually had very practical reasons for including it - I had to show how weak Legolas, he needed support even for such a personal task, and I wanted to show how Aragorn cared for him, and well he needed to expel the poison somehow right?
But next time I'll be sure to write that BEV held his hand and took him to looloo. :-)
"Sarambaq is such a coward. He wouldn't think of facing Legolas if he were well and un-wounded." You could have been spying on one of the chapters I am writing now... :-)
Angel
· 14 April 2005
· Chapter 25: Onset of a Storm
Arrgghhh! I felt the wrinkles grow and my hair grey there! What with Legolas' insubordination and that heavily landed blade - ARRGGHHH!
And Aragorn sheltering... There's a saying which I can't for the life of me translate into coherent English at the moment, which roughly states the person watching everything is worst off than the person that is actively involved, because of all the brooding emotions, and the time as well as temperament for the emotions to brood. So poor Aragorn I can just imagine feeling helpless, powerless and suffering because he cannot physically do anything to snap Leggy out of his phases.
But I verbose. It is rather late, and my hair is rather grey...ing :P
Oh and the waiting! The ones back home must be entertaining the worst possible scenarios. I don't envy anyone...except maybe Leggy...who else gets to hold his hand in the dark, squeeze his elbow and go looloo with? lol
Author's reply
Oh Angel lol! Surely we can't expect Legolas to be submissive when his father is being accused of being a murderer. Think about the Legolas in hte books... he would behave exactly as he did in this scene. :-)
So... you want to be in his place so Aragron can hold you and touch you eh? Naughty girl! :-)
TithenFeredir
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 25: Onset of a Storm
Wow, that was a very tense situation with Legolas and Sarambaq. I really like the way you showed Sarambaq's lingering grief over his son. It opens the possibility that he is not simply evil, but driven mad by his sorrow to the point that he cares about nothing else. You have Legolas defiant despite his physical weakness, scaring poor Aragorn to death. I'm glad he gave the elf a talking to. Then there are those riders headed for Eryn Lasgalen. It looks like the very thing Legolas does not want is going to happen. Good story! Please update soon! ~TF
Author's reply
TF - yes I'd like to think that Sarambaq wasn't essentially evil to begin with, but being in the service of the Dark Lord, like Saruman or Wormtongue was, drives you to do things from which there is no turning back, unfortunately.
Glad you liked the talking-to Aragorn gave our elf. :-) No one in my story is perfect.
Hope to update next week. Thank you much for dropping in as usual.
Angel
· 7 April 2005
· Chapter 24: Flight of Shadows
akdjfkasdjfkasjdfkajsdflk;jas;ldjflaksladj! Sniff!
Okay you wouldn't believe how many times I rolled my eyes at Legolas lol, after sobbing yet holding my breath all through chapter 23~ behold the lifeline, wow! not the least how utterly difficult to yell at one self quietly not to cry ;) that twittering adorable loyal elf is going to be the end of me soon! I almost wanted to whack his head on the stone he was leant against :)
Oh and my Ranger! my King! My Estel sniffles! So honest and sincere in his sorrow and regret. He had me at hello ... :P
Ha! I love this chapter, what a beautiful denoument to the galloping emotions you've put us through...big soppy moment hopefully to quell the nightmare you evil writer are going to put them through, because they're not out of the woods yet. Thank you so much for taking the time for them to communicate now, they really needed to offload
Please update asap...Hmm what's still flickering shadows across Legolas' face? Speak Elf, or I will...will pierce your other side lol. I wish I understood all of that Elvish too,
Author's reply
Well, hi, Angel, you decided to come here after all - gave up fighting the other problems over there, did you? :-) No matter, Chap 25 will be up soon.
I knew this chap would get to you - yes, they did need that time to talk. But you're right, they are by no means out of the woods yet.
As for the elvish - um... the meaning is there - it's what they pledged to each other, a wonderful, wonderful pledge. I owe it to Deana. If you missed it, go read it again. Glad you can access everything here. THAnks much for reviewing.
ArcherGal2932
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 24: Flight of Shadows
whoa.
dude that was awesome.
you need to make a sequel or another story. seriously. this is goooooooood. so what's gonna happen next? huh huh huh huh huh huh???!!!! i hope you update quickly, because i can't wait to see a confrontation with Sarambaq. hehehehe.
~ArcherGal2932
P.S. i don't know how much i'll be able to review after this, i'll definitely review at the end, but know that i'm still reading and really admiring your work.
Author's reply
ArcherGal: so glad you liked it - for me, everything in the past 23 chaps have led to this. But this story is by no means over, as I said. What happens next? THe onset of a 'storm', that's what. :-) Thank you for staying with me, even if you can't review -- I know you will be following, that's enough, although a visit from you is always welcome. :-)
Ophium
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 24: Flight of Shadows
Friendship is worth every chapter you can think of... and this one is a very good tribute to it. However, I was just thinking about what were they doing, bearing their hearts like that in the middle of danger, when you wrote the right thing... some things can't wait for the proper time or place to be said, specially when danger is around and the proper time and place may never come to happen.
Author's reply
Oh yes, Ophium, some things should not wait to be said. There may not BE a proper time and place, and in the case of these two -- what better time and place than now, when Legolas needs Aragorn and Aragorn won't leave his friend, and the two may (dare I say it?) lose their lives, but they have these unresolved issues between them? So glad you concur after all. :-)
I hope that in some small way, elements in my story speak to readers about their own real-life experiences; there may be people out there who may just need to say whatever they have to say, to whomever, for whatever reason, NOW. :-)
Thanks a bunch for your review.
unplugged32
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 24: Flight of Shadows
What a beautifully written chapter. I love the interaction between Legolas and Aragorn. Well done:)
Author's reply
Thank you, Unplugged32! Those two deserved this time to reconcile, didn't they?
Dorothea
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 23: The Touch of Numenor
Hi,
please do continue to write this story, I enjoy it very much and really look forward to know it´s outcome.
Greetings,
Dorothea.
Author's reply
Hi, Dorothea - thank you for letting me know you are following this story. :-) I will continue, and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
TithenFeredir
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 24: Flight of Shadows
I know that the rain was there to prevent their conversation being heard, but it also enhanced the atmosphere of the chapter. It is easy to imagine that important conversation happening with the rain in the background. I like the way they acknowledged the danger they faced, and yet Aragorn still spoke of the bottle of wine waiting for them if they survived. It's too bad Legolas wasn't strong enough for them to slip past those sleepy guards and hightail it for home! ~TF
Author's reply
Yes, I think so too, TF - the rain did add to the whole atmosphere; it's lovely to have a warm conversation with the rain outside -- let alone a conversation that was so essential for them to have; 23 chapters before this have all but lead to this. I wish I could have brought them the wine myself. :-)
mer
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 24: Flight of Shadows
I am following this wonderful story as well as lurking silently about for a couple of months. You write amazingly well. I went to read the reviews after reading this latest chapter this morning and just wanted to add my voice...
Author's reply
Thank you, mer! Your voice is very welcome. :-)
Hobbitopoly
· 5 April 2005
· Chapter 23: The Touch of Numenor
I am enjoying this story. You are an exceptional writer. Please, if you have time, could you finish it? The theme of friendship that is echoed throughout Tolkien's works is echoed here, too, and it is enchanting. Thanks for your efforts!
Author's reply
I will do my very best to finish it, Hobbitopoly, for I am passionate about this tale and the theme of friendship as you are. Thank you for wiritng and telling me you are following the story. :-)
Aglarendis
· 5 April 2005
· Chapter 23: The Touch of Numenor
Dear Legolass,
I'm still reading, so *Please don't stop posting your story! Though I am not yet an author myself, I have seen wonderful stories which get very few reviews, as well as some... stories which I really didn't enjoy but which had many reviews. It is this sad phenomenon which convinced me that, even if it's just to say I am reading, I really should keep writing these things.
You had me afraid there for a bit. I really wondered if Estel would find Legolas in time. I'm glad you brought them back together, even if Legolas is injured. It's so good to see Aragorn acting like a ranger and a healer again since these are the things he does so well. Ah yes, the Athelas and his prayers bringing Legolas back, that was a very poignant sceen. You're doing great! Keep it up, mellon nin!
Author's reply
Hi, Aglarendis: Glad you wanted them back together too. :-) And thanks for this review. As long as I know readers are actually following the story, I'll keep posting. Hope you like the next chap.
Bev
· 4 April 2005
· Chapter 23: The Touch of Numenor
Please do not stop writting your story....it is very good. I try to follow several stories and I'm afraid I am guilty of reading one and moving on to the others without reviewing. Please forgive. I can't stand to be left dangling in middle of a story I have grown to love. Be asured....we are out here....if maybe a little remiss in our praise.
Bev
Author's reply
Thank you, Bev. As long as I know there are readers actually following the story, I won't stop. I appreciate your dropping me this line - that's all I needed. :-)