Winter Wonders by Jay of Lasgalen
galathil · 2 September 2011 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
Sigh,I wish we had snow and this tradition.When you live in Australia our Christmass is in Summer and hot. I have just found this story and I love it.I know its a little early but Happy Hols.Love Galathil.
daw the minstrel · 8 January 2006 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
This was lovely, Jay. I miss having a kid around at Christmas. And the description of Thranduil and the trees was awe inspiring.
Author's reply
I love to have the chance to show Thranduil in all his Elvenking glory - he can be very majestic at times like this. One of the things I miss most about teaching is the Christmas preparations and rehersals for the Nativity play. It was fun to look at how young elves might celebrate.
Indigo Bunting · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
Aw, that's sweet! Very heartwarming and well done. Thanks for a good read!
Author's reply
Thank you! Christmas seems so very long ago now, but it was fun to write what an Elven Christmas might be like.
Dairwendan · 29 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
Oh that was so lovely! Both the traditions in Imladris and Mirkwood! THank you so much for this!
Author's reply
One day, I'd like to write more about the traditions of Imladris - especially the time when the twins won the star brooch. Thanks for the review.
Noor · 28 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
Thank you for a magical tale.......... Hope you had a good Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Noor
Author's reply
Thank you. I like to imagine that sense of magic in the elves - Tolkien hinted at it in The Hobbit. Happy New Year (and belated happy Christmas) to you.
Antigone Q · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
What a nice Christmas story! I loved it!
Author's reply
Thank you!
elliska · 25 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
I loved the description of Yule in Imladris and I adored the idea of Thranduil hanging presents for the elflings in his realm (especially the fact that even Legolas did not know who it was when he was a child--how dear). He knew Legolas in this mood. The elf was overjoyed to be nearing his home, to be seeing his father again. He would not tolerate ill humour, determined that his companion should share in his gladness. I particularly liked that line--I so see Legolas as that sort of personality. This was great, Jay. Thanks and Merry Christmas. :-)
Author's reply
One day, I'd like to write that story of Elladan and Elrohir spotting the first star - and the resulting argument! I decided it would only be fair for Legolas to share the same sense of mystery as all the other elflings - it would be hard for him to be the only one to know the truth. There are several scenes in LOTR (especially the books) where Legolas appears young and light-hearted - where he goes to find the sun after Caradhras, for example. It's a side of him we don't see too often (especially as I usually write angst!)
ziggy · 25 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
A lovely Yule gift, thank you.
Author's reply
Thanks - glad you liked this.
Lamiel · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
What a lovely gift! The image of Legolas and Thranduil in the forest, the trees themselves bending down to greet them, is beautiful. I particularly liked the way the trees were so eager to touch their king. Thank you!
Author's reply
I really wish I could draw that scene the way I see it - Thranduil has a deep link with the trees, and I think perhaps they draw strength from one another.
Lianna · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
How nice! I like it that the elves of Imladris and Mirkwood both had traditions that would make the holiday memorable for the little ones. Note to self: These are elves. Hair clasps are a perfectly acceptable gender-neutral holiday gift. I think the trees like the holiday, too. I have never really understood trees, though. They go naked in winter and wear their heaviest clothes in summer. It didn't make sense to me when I was a child, and I guess it still doesn't. ;) Happy holidays!
Author's reply
I think all the gifts would be more-or-less suitable for boys or girls. Hair clasps certainly - all elves have beautiful long hair! They could always swap for something more appropriate, anyway. That's a good point about trees - I'd never thought of it that way before!
Joana · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
This was a very lovely and well written story. I really enjoyed reading it and it had been quite some time since I had read something this good. The ideas for the traditions were very original and their description was extremely well done. Congratulations and merry Xmas or Yule. :)
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to take our own Christmas traditions and change them to something suitable for Middle Earth and the elves as they celebrate winter. Merry Christmas to you too.
perelleth · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
How lovely! I really liked the image of the trees bowing to greet and touch the King and allowing the parcels to be tied to their branches... it was amusing! And what a suprise for Legolas as a child to discover that he was the son of Mirkwood´s Santa! :-)
Author's reply
I've always imagined a bond between all wood elves and the trees - and a much stronger link between the trees and their King. It seemed only right for Legolas as a child to share the same sense of wonder and mystery of not knowing as all the other elflings.
sheraah · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
Simply lovely, Jay! What a wonderful story to wake up to on Christmas Eve.
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm glad you liked it!
Kitty · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
Jay, that was a wonderful fic! It is a lovely image – the trees bending their branches to help them, and even more, to touch Thranduil! I am sure after seeing this Aragorn wasn’t grumpy any longer for missing Yule in Imladris! He witnessed a little wonder, didn’t he? Thank you for this lovely Christmas gift and all the others over the year! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you!
Author's reply
I wish I could draw that scene with all the trees trying to touch Thranduil. I can show it with words, but I wish I could draw! Aragorn has seen something few outsiders have - this will be a memory to take back to Imladris with him. Merry Christmas to you too - hope it was a good one.
Bodkin · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
I love the magical connection between Thranduil and the forest - and the slightly lesser connection with Legolas, which seems very appropriate. Aragorn is an extremely fortunate human to be allowed not only to witness, but to participate in this tradition! This was a delightful way to start Christmas Eve. And now I'd better go and turn the oven on and start cooking!
Author's reply
I think Thranduil would have a bond with the forest, and that the trees would respond - especially to him, but also to Legolas. I hope you had a good Christmas, and that it wasn't too hectic.
Nilmandra · 23 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
That was lovely, Jay. I liked best that the magic of the wood elf king amist his trees, and the wonder of the children to come and see it. Its also wonderful that each had such fond memories from their childhood.
Author's reply
I love to have the chance to show Thranduil in all his Elvenking glory, and the trees responding to him like this. I know elves can't celebrate Christmas like we do, but I'm sure they'd have their own winter festivals, and the children would be just as excited by it all.
meckinock · 23 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Winter Wonders
What a fun, lovely story, Jay. P I loved the idea that the trees bow to receive the presents. What an image on a frosty morning for the elflings of Mirkwood - trees filled with glittering packages!
Author's reply
:) Thank you! I love to show the trees responding to their elves in this way, and to put an Elvish twist on our Christmas traditions.