Return Us The Children by French Pony
daw the minstrel · 19 June 2006 · Chapter 4: Sweet Soldier Boy
Oh I loved your story about Thranduil dancing the Masque! How cool to see it recalled here. I also liked the detail of Legolas's breakfast being reheated and served to him again rather than thrown away. These are a people who treasure the gifts of Arda and can't afford to waste them.
Bodkin · 13 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Not Months But Moments
Poor Doronrin. This elven bonding lark is not necessarily all it's cracked up to be - at least when war and its effects are tearing apart those left behind. Must have increased the casualty rates no end. And there is Legolas, left knowing how his presence helps his father deal with his loss - aware that his time in Arda is short and he doesn't know how he can bear the changes in him. No happy endings to round off Tolkien's battles - only a moment of breathing space before everyone has to gird up for new struggles. Like the kid and his difficulty in dealing with the loss of his home. He might well be a good candidate for the move to Ithilien. And I'm glad that even at this time Beleghir has found Tinwen. Even at the darkest time there is continuity and hope for the future.
Manderly · 13 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Not Months But Moments
The more I read of this story, the more I think that the victory against Sauron has been a costly one, one that few can afford. The fall out from the war is pretty devastating on those who managed to survive. Or perhaps survived is just a relative term here. Sometimes death seems more merciful. It must be so difficult for those who lived through such destruction to find the will and energy to rebuild their broken lives. The courage to do that is no less than being engaged in physical combat with the enemy.
elliska · 12 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Not Months But Moments
Oh poor little Faron and his big boy cup--that's too real after you've been to New Orleans. That just made me tear up. I hope someplace like Ithilien does provide comfort in a fresh start and fresh purpose for folks like that, imaginary and real. And poor Thranduil--he doesn't know that he cannot keep Legolas close. This chapter was too sad, FP.
daw the minstrel · 12 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Not Months But Moments
It probably won't surprise you to learn I feel really terrible for the little boy who just wants his house and his big boy cup. It doesn't seem like that's too much to ask of the world. Poor little thing. And then there's Thranduil, who's grateful for Legolas's presence, not knowing about the sea longing. I can see you laying the groundwork for the settlement in Ithilien. I like that.
elliska · 7 June 2006 · Chapter 2: A Light In Dark Places
I want to see if I can make something grow again. So many beautiful trees have been destroyed. I want to take care of this one, and perhaps plant more. Perfect! Absolutely perfect! This is exactly the way I see Legolas after the War of the Ring. I read an article once about how each of the members of the Fellowship contributed to the remaking of the world. Some roles are more obvious (Aragorn's, of course). The article pointed out Gimli helped rebuild Minas Tirith by replacing the gates and the hobbits cleaned out the Shire amongst other things. The only member of the Fellowship that the author saw little use for was Legolas and he justified that by quoting Tolkien's comment that Legolas contributed the least. That just irked me! Legolas goes to Ithilien and makes it green again. That, to me, is a major contribution. I love seeing the little seed of that idea planted here, literally and figuratively.
Nilmandra · 6 June 2006 · Chapter 2: A Light In Dark Places
Poor Legolas... I wonder how much of this is the sea longing, making him unable to focus his thoughts? Somehow he coped through the battles in Rohan, Gondor and Mordor, but sometimes it takes a time of relative relief for such nightmares to start. His family and friends must feel he is drifting from them now, though they do not know why.
Manderly · 6 June 2006 · Chapter 2: A Light In Dark Places
I really haven't given much thought to how the members of the fellowship dealt with the horrors that they encountered during the quest until this story. No doubt each of them has his own nightmares to deal with, like Legolas. It must be near impossible to try to resume their former lives after what they have gone through. Legolas seems very vulnerable here, but it seems that he is getting plenty of support from everyone around him. Hopefully it will help him resume some form of normalcy.
Lianna · 6 June 2006 · Chapter 2: A Light In Dark Places
Oh, I'm so glad to see you continuing the Mirkwood story of "A Charge to Keep." I really like your take on Mirkwood, as a no-frills realm where even the most basic of comforts cannot be taken for granted. And I like your young, uncertain, but very dedicated Legolas. Even though he's having a very tough time right now. The poor baby doesn't realize that what happened to him on that patrol is not necessarily a one-time thing. He may have what my kids call "issues" for a long time -- perhaps forever. I'm looking forward to seeing where you go with this.
Bodkin · 6 June 2006 · Chapter 2: A Light In Dark Places
Poor Legolas. Sometimes the wounds that can be seen are easier to heal. He has been away from his forest, keyed up and away from his kind for a long time. It's hardly surprising that all those experiences with which he has been dealing with for so long have suddenly surged up to overwhelm him. Especially seen in combination with the sea-longing. He probably hoped to come home to the comfort of familiarity - only to find that home suffered just as much as anywhere else he has been and that he cannot just settle back into routine. I can see why Thranduil might well accept that Ithilien is an acceptable solution (in the end). One that offers challenges without memory - and a possibility of healing. Until, at least, the call of the waves gets too strong.
daw the minstrel · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 2: A Light In Dark Places
So this would be like Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome? I don't know much about that but it sounds like it. I've always liked stories where Legolas is one member of a patrol under someone else's command. There's something charmingly elfish and egalitarian about that.
Nilmandra · 2 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
I read this once and wasn't ready for grief, so I had to wait and come back.. but I'm still sorrowed by the grief, which is portrayed very realistically. Yet they need to grieve, all of them, for what they had lost. Already my heart aches for Thranduil knowing that he will lose Legolas first to a settlement far away and later to the sea. Tolkien does not tell us Thranduil's fate, but I would like to believe he followed eventually.
Bodkin · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
Good to be home - but nothing is as it had been. There is promise, but a lot of grief to wade through before they can really begin to see any benefit.
Manderly · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
This promises to be a wonderful story already. There are so few stories out there about the aftermath of the war and its consequences. Yes, the good guys won ultimately, but at what price? The scars, both physical and mental, must be many and these poor elves have their entire immortality to brood over them. I guess that's the negative side of living forever, so to speak. I really like the relationship here between Thranduil and Legolas. Legolas might be the hero who survived the war, but he still turns to his father for comfort after a nightmare.
elliska · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
It goes without saying that I am going to adore this story. I love you Mirkwood stories, there is so much to be said about this period in Eryn Lasgalen, and your characters have such interesting histories that I am going to love hearing how they turned out. This was a great start, FP!
Larner · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
Yes, the time is now come for remembering the fallen; and a good day on which to start posting this.
Agape4Gondor · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
Hi, a good start. I liked it very much. I have one question - I had not thought Thranduil was born until perhaps sometime around the time his people moved to Lorien? Just wondering where you got your time line? Again - great start. I'm bookmarking this.
daw the minstrel · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
A good chapter for Memorial Day, Pony. Tolkien tells us so little, but the losses Mirkwood must have been great. So when Legolas goes home, the victory must be bitterly mixed with loss. Of course, that's a situation Thranduil would know about. I like the tree houses and walkways. Very elfy.
Molly · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Those Who Weep And Mourn
I so enjoy your stories, and I was thrilled to see you're beginning a new one. Not many people have explored what this period of time was like in Mirkwood, and I'm eager to see what you come up with. The poor Wood Elves--it's hard enough to carry on when you've lost one person you love, let alone many, and yet they're rebuilding in the forest and foraging for huckleberries. It seems Legolas is suffering from what we might call post-traumatic stress and Thranduil is finding it difficult to help him. I hope they (and the rest of the settlement) have a chance to heal over the course of the story. I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter.