Reviews (16)

Silivren Tinu · 27 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

As you mentioned in your profile on Naice A Nilme that you post on SoA I decided to head over and take a look. I have to say I really loved this story! It is so fascinating to see your take on that scene. You really have lots of talent. I love your writing, your descriptions of Legolas, Gimli, and Eowyn, and ( most important *g*) the way you describe the friendship and the strong bond between Legolas and Aragorn, and the growing bond between them and Gimli. Reading your story was like watching a new SEE, I just like it when a story is written so well that i can "see" it in my mind. I think what I liked most of all was your sensitive description of Legolas' emotions, from the point where he started searching for Aragorn, to the moment when he realized that his friend had "died", to the last scene where the two of them meet again. I simply dislike it when Legolas breaks down sobbing after Aragorn's supposed "death" - he is a warrior after all, and emotions do not need to crush the reader. You describe Legolas' grief in a silent way that is much more touching and heartbreaking than anything else could have been, and you even made it believable for me that Legolas leaves Aragorn behind. A great idea to have Theoden saying that there is no way down (someone should really have integrated your story in the movies). I also love the touches of humour you have in the story (Gimli, tired of heights and horses and uncommunicative elves, slid awkwardly from Arod’s back/ a musical glowbug he is/ I’ve a good mind to tie him up so we don’t lose him again) - I love that grumpy dwarf with the big heart! *huggles resisting dwarf* I also liked the interaction between Eowyn and Legolas, and her and Gimli, and the way you described her. The scene with Legolas singing in front of that window was especially touching and beutiful. *happy sigh* Btw, the idea with Gandalf threatening to send Legolas and Gimli back was interesting - I felt so sorry for Legolas after reading that! He must have felt even more guilty after Gandalf's death, but I liked it that Aragorn tried to offer comfort. This is really a wonderful story, I enjoyed it from beginning to end! I think we have a similar sense of humour, and a similar view of friendship. Thank you for writing it and mentioning it in your review - I'm rarely on SoA anymore, so I probably would have missed it. Tinu :) P.S. Do you happen to post on ff.net, too? Because if you do I'd love to add this story to my friendship c2 archive there. :) Right now I'll place you and your story on my SoA fav list. ;-)

Author's reply

Hey, Tinu! I was so surprised to see this review this morning - and somewhat alarmed! :-/ *looks over shoulder and whispers* You see, when you said you might look this up, I was kind of hoping you wouldn't, because I like your take on the scene SO MUCH BETTER! Aragorn goes after Legolas and doesn't accept that he is dead. Mine just follows the movie *sigh* and when I read yours, I slapped myself and said, "He should have looked for him, no matter what!" Oh well, at least the friendship between them came through and I am so glad you liked it! I am also glad the grief wasn't TOO much - I agree with you, sometimes it can be overdone (and I am always afraid of crossing that line!) Isn't Gimli great? Even here, as he is just beginning to recognize the fact that 'Oh Mahal, I have gone and made friends with an ELF!", he shows his character and as you said, his big heart. (I've tried to hug the rascal before, and he shook his ax at me! LOL) I'm also glad you liked the scene of Legolas singing his lament in front of the window. As for Gandalf threatening to send the two to the office...ummm, oops, I mean home...I spent some time rethinking the first movie (as this was an extension of the movies) and the way those two were always digging and sniping and grumbling at each other...the dirty looks, etc. and especially the Council scene. I figure that Gimli took on his father's offense and anger from what happened in THE HOBBIT, and that Legolas would also mistrust and dislike dwarves just as his own father does. So what would these two do, traveling together day in and day out? Avoid each other. Sure. Throw little insults at each other? You bet! And I have a theory about the One Ring...if Sauron had placed much of his power and his own malice and personality in it...if the thing was "seeking" its Master...then it was pretty much 'aware' of what went on, and as they got closer to Mordor, it would become even more aware (awake). Something that evil would feed on the darker emotions (hate, pride, jealousy, greed, etc.) and would grow stronger. Add to that the darkness and evil of Moria and you have a recipe for disaster. Gandalf, I feel, wouldn't put up with that kind of discord for long - so...he let them both have it! Elrond had said that no one in the Fellowship was bound to go further than they would, so it seems that once they reached Lothlorien, that would be the perfect place for anyone who wanted to leave to do so. Hence, the threat! Shape up or ship out! LOL And Legolas did feel very guilty - he had let Mithrandir down! Of course, it only got worse until they were reunited later in Fangorn. So I am so glad you liked it - and I agree we seem to have similar views on friendship and a similar sense of humor. *gasp* Should we be afraid, or something? :-) I don't post anywhere but here as I haven't had my own computer (until a couple of weeks ago) and Nilmandra has been kind enough to post for me when I email her a story or a chapter since I can't from the computer at school. That might change as I would love to post in a few other places, but I am also rather technologically challenged...ummm, we'll have to see if I can figure it out! (I've been assured it's easy...HA!) Thank you so much for reading this and taking the time to send such an encouraging review! Linda

Melissa · 23 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Nicely done. Emotions were all described beautifully and I was affected by each of them. I could see them all as in the movie.

Author's reply

Thank you, Melissa. I have always felt the movie should have expanded upon Legolas' and Gimli's reactions - I mean if they were going to kill Aragorn, they should show how it affected his friends! Anyway, anything to add more of the elf! :-) I am glad the emotions came through. Legolas was a warrior, after all, and I don't subscribe to the idea that he wasn't familiar with death. Living in Mirkwood, I'm sure he was all too familiar with it. But Aragorn was a different thing altogether. I have always thought they were very good friends - you know it would have hit Legolas very hard. Thank you for taking the time to review! Linda

Eruanneth_Luin · 30 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Song is ever the refuge and delight of Elves. You so beautifully portrayed Legolas in his grief and the healing comfort to be found in the Song of Arda. Fool elf! Flighty creatures! Trust a dwarf to find such flattering words to fit his less than favorable perspective of elves in general. An irate wizard was the perfect method for breaking ground and sowing the seeds for an enduring friendship. Of such events are legends born. A planted elf! Oh the very idea of an immortal woodland elf rooted till the end of Arda in unyielding stone gives one cause for laughter. You have spun yet another excellent, insightful tale. PJ’s fanfiction should be appreciated for what it is and enjoyed. Without the movies my husband would never have explored the books, nor I the languages and extensive other-writings of JRR Tolkien.

Author's reply

Hey! I have a computer...I have a computer...*twirls around and almost hurts myself with glee* Thank you, my friend, for the wonderful review! You hit on just my favorite parts, of course! :-) I am particularly entranced by the concept of music in Tolkien's works...and having fun (usually) trying to incorporate it in my stories. I also have always loved Gimli's slightly more than grumpy personality, and it certainly came through in the movies, didn't it? And I do SO enjoy writing and imagining about the friendship developing between this elf and dwarf! Thank you again for taking the time to send such a kind review - I am sorry it took so long to reply, but now the I HAVE A COMPUTER of my VERY OWN, that should no longer be a problem! wheeeeeeeee!! Uh, sorry... linda (I'm still using the school's email address, but tomorrow will have one of my own for home and will let you know when that happens!:-) )

Dairwendan · 14 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

This is wonderful! Both the angst and the resolution! I love that Gandalf was going to send them home! Great idea! Thanks!

Author's reply

Thank you, Dairwendan! I appreciate you taking the time to review! I had lots of fun with this - and the bit with Gandalf kind of popped into being one afternoon after I'd had a particularly difficult day with my class of third graders! LOL Thank you again for the kind words - glad you enjoyed the story! Linda

harrowcat · 6 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Oh what a fantastic movie gap-filler. Great stuff from start to finish Linda. I, too was cheering Gandalf on when he took these two to task!

Author's reply

Thank you so much, harrowcat! Yes, Gandalf 'lost it' with those two (on the same day I had a wretched time with the kids in my class! LOL) and finally put his foot...and his staff...down! With the tension and strain all were under at the time, it just seemed natural that the bickering between those two would finally push someone to the breaking point! I had a lot of fun writing this - got to add more "elf" to the script, ya know!!! Thank you again for taking the time to review! Linda

Manderly · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

That was wonderful! You filled up all the gaps that PJ wasn't able to in the movie. Death is traumatic enough for us mortals, but for elves, it must be something that is near impossible to grasp and accept. The relationship between the elf and the dwarf is always a source for chuckles and having them both rapped on the knuckles by Gandalf just adds to the fun. Great job, Linda!

Author's reply

Hello! Thank you - you know I just couldn't resist adding more of my favorite elf to the script! :-) And with my view on his friendship with Aragorn, I felt he would have suffered a lot if he thought Aragorn had really died! You said it just right - he would have had an almost impossible task just grasping the fact. As for Gimli, he's so much fun to write when he is having to deal with that 'crazy elf'! Gandalf also insisted on having his say - after all HE'S the reason the two became friends, you know! ;-) I'm so glad you enjoyed the story, Manderly. Thank you for taking the time to review! Linda

RonaLena · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

That was lovely. Very touching, the way the movie should have been. Thanks for this lovely story.

Author's reply

Thank you! I enjoyed filling in the gaps there! Legolas and Gimli's characters were never 'fleshed out' enough on screen to suit me anyway, so I had fun doing it in this story. Thank you again for taking the time to review, RonaLena. Linda

Bodkin · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Legolas and Gimli in the Principal's office. Just loved that. A prince of the elves and a lord of the dwarves made to squirm by a grubby old wizard in grey. And threatened with suspension! He certainly got his message home - and gave the two of them a reason to start working together. I must agree that the cliff bit was rather silly - but I loved the way the horse came and nosed Aragorn as he lay on the ground. (Though the Arwen bit was rather sickly.) Legolas's reaction here is well done - I like the lament and its effect on Eowyn and Gimli. And he - knowing much more of the background - would find his own grief followed rapidly by feelings of guilt and 'how on Arda do I break this to Arwen/Elrond/the twins/the Dunedain/the rest of Middle-earth. Seeing him stagger through those doors must have been a tremendous relief on so very many levels. And Gimli would be threatening to kill him and tie him up at this point - he knows the moment that tragedy metamorphoses into comedy! Lovely piece, Linda. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Author's reply

Yep, Bodkin, you hit the nail on the head! :-) Principal's office, indeed! (Can you tell I'd had a bad day with the KB's when I added that scene to the story?) It really kind of slipped in somehow, but with the snarls and jabs actually shown on screen in "Fellowship", I figured those two had to have gone after each other! And Gandalf would have gotten very tired of it after awhile. I think the cliff thing would have been more believable to me if I hadn't read the books and known that you can't kill off the 'King'! I liked Brego and Aragorn's interaction, too (but I loved the horses anyway) and yes, the Arwen thing was kinda weak!;-) You know, I wrote this a long time before that other story of mine, and Legolas is singing in this one, too. I guess it's a good thing - I probably would have added it anyway. LOL Yes, Legolas the responsible! Especially knowing Aragorn's history and future. I love Gimli! He's such a grouch...with timing! :-) Thank you for the lovely review, Bodkin! I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Linda

Fire · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

I really like what you wrote here, the insite look of Legolas' feelings is very well done. The way Gimli and Eowyn come into it is nice, Gimli not being able to hide just how he feels for Aragorn and "that fool elf" is really clear. I love the way of Gandalf handeling them in Moria, now there's a sight you don't want to see.. a very mad wizzard. He was quite right though, I'm sure the others in the fellowship would have loved to knock their heads together to get some sence into them. Legolas singing is just what I imagened he would do. The pictures of "a planted elf" and Gimli wanting to tie Aragorn down to keep them from loosing him made me laugh out loud.

Author's reply

Thank you, Fire! I just think Legolas (and Gimli) were left very much undeveloped in the movies, and had a great time 'fleshing out' one of my favorite scenes. :-) Gimli's gruff, reluctant friendship with 'that fool elf' has a special place in my heart, as the elf is my favorite anyway! And I thought if anyone could take those two to task for bad behavior, Gandalf would be the one to get their attention! LOL I'm glad you liked the singing - it's what I imagine he would do, too. And poor 'planted' elf, he was absolutely undone when Aragorn shows up - so relieved he could barely think, let alone move! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story - thanks again for taking the time to review! Linda

Ellie · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

THat was heart-felt and well done. I enjoyed it very much! Great insight into the feelings of Legolas. Good job!

Author's reply

Thank you, Ellie! I had great fun 'expanding' :-) on a part of the movie I felt was seriously lacking in more elf (and dwarf) magic! I'm glad Legolas' emotions came through - sometimes it's hard to know exactly how to write them. Thank you again for taking the time to review! Linda

thechevin · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

This was beautiful and so very elvish, you managed to portray Legolas' feelings so well. The little glimpses we got of Gimli and Eowyn were nicely done as well, the dwarf being unable to hide his affection for the flighty elf and human As for Gandalf a ticked off wizard indeed, I could well believe him saying such words and in such a fashion, no wonder he had elf and dwarf squirming, those long silent looks get them every time! thank you

Author's reply

Thank you, thechevin! I loved filling in the gaps of those scenes with MORE of the elf, you know! LOL And I am of the belief (or group) that Legolas and Aragorn were old, close friends, so I felt like a little grief in the face of that horrendous discovery of him going over the cliff was called for. Then Gimli insisted on having his say - after all, they were in the process of becoming friends (and besides, grumpy Gimli is so much fun to write - especially when he's being grumpy with that crazy elf!) and of course, Eowyn had to get her say in, too. Things just kind of went on from there - I think that ticked off Mithrandir was just kind of the icing on the cake! :-) Thank you for taking the time to review - I appreciate it so much! Linda

Jay of Lasgalen · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Very nice - and there's nothing wrong with a little movie-verse occasionally! I liked Legolas singing his lament - it seems a very Elvish way of dealing with grief. His memories of Moria were great - I especially liked Gandalf's lecture, and his devastating decision. That must have made them both stop and think.

Author's reply

Thanks, Jay! This is the only part I've ever wanted to see 'extended', *sigh* and you know to get it right, you might as well do the work yourself *grin*. And anyway, you can't have too much of the elf in any scene, IMHO! LOL The Moria scenes just kind of crept in, but I was cheering Gandalf by the time he took those two rascals to task! And he knew just how to get their attention! Yes, indeed! Thank you for taking the time to review, Jay! Linda

daw the minstrel · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Nice movie moment, Linda. Pure PJ to be sure, but nice. :-)

Author's reply

Thanks, daw. I just couldn't help (stop) myself...had to add more of the elf!! :-) Linda

Anonymous · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

I like this story very much. I think you did a great job of illustrating how Legolas may feel in this situation. I especially enjoyed the thought of " a planted elf"

Author's reply

Thank you! The 'planted elf' part kind of tickled me, too! :-) Those scenes in the movie were far too abbreviated for me, so I indulged myself and added more of the elf to the story!! LOL Thank you for taking the time to review - I'm so glad you enjoyed the story! Linda

Maid of Ithilien · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

Very enjoyable. I liked reading about Legolas's feelings as these events unfolded. And I always enjoy your portrayal of the relationship between Legolas and Arod. A good read!!

Author's reply

Hello! I just had to 'extend' those scenes to include more of Legolas' reaction to Aragorn's fall. Things felt so abbreviated - what did the elf do the rest of that day? what did the dwarf do? how did they cope? Inquiring minds want to know... :-) I'm so glad you caught the little moment between Legolas and Arod - that relationship was just budding, but I had to include it! Thanks for taking the time to review, Maid of Ithilien! I really appreciate each one! Linda

Larner · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Le Abdollen

This is a beautiful expansion on the movie presentation, and I LOVE Gandalf's disgust with both Elf and Dwarf. How they all must have wanted at time to smack the two heads together! A fascinating expansion indeed, Linda! Glad the bunny attack resulted in such a wonderful tale!

Author's reply

Thanks Larner! Wasn't Gandalf great? He kind of snuck in there - but insisted on having his say on how HE helped the elf and the dwarf find their way to friendship! LOL Besides, the others were getting pretty tired of all the friction, so Gandalf just prevented any further bloodshed! :-) I'm so glad you enjoyed the story, Larner...I couldn't help adding more elf to the script! LOL Thanks for taking the time to review! Linda