Marianel
· 8 December 2015
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Have you ever thought of a sequel or the like on this story? Its heartwarming and painful at the same time and Legolas is very much a father to the sprite Turgon. I pity him and his parents, they need help.This story took to my heart as a parent and im sure im not alone there.
Author's reply
I admit I never thought of doing a sequel. I find it tough to write post-Ring War stories because you lose that sense of everyone being headed to a destiny. And once you get to the Undying Lands, it's harder to build tension into your plot.
I'm not sure I understand the Undying Lands. In some ways, they feel like heaven. But then, there's Feanor.
Annariel
· 5 September 2007
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Ohh Turgon!!! yes, the untiring Turgon is back!!!!! It's so good to know about him, and that Legolas is so glad to see him.
A question, is there in anywhere a story about Tuilinn's return? If not, you plan to go on writing about this universe you create?
ah I loved to read about Lalorn and Legolas, they were lovely together :D
many greetings!!!!
Author's reply
I was happy to be able to bring Turgon back. I missed him.
I haven't written about Tuilinn's return, though I supose I might. I keep doing bits and pieces when I have time. Mostly I'm working on original fic and I seem to have only a limited amount of creative energy.
obsidianj
· 13 December 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
This was great. Legolas in Valinor. He seemed to be a bit at a loss and not much healed, or maybe Gimli's death reminded him strongly of what he all lost during the war and all the mortal friends he will never see again. And this time there is no direct family to help him. But Elowen and Siondel make a good substitute family as they did when he was a young child.
Turgon's appearance was a pleasant surprise and I think Namo sent him back not just for his parents, but also for Legolas. Although they are now centuries apart, he is exactly what Legolas needs to heal. I love the way you describe Turgon's newfound innocence and wonder at the beautiful surroundings combined with the reckless behavior he always showed. He is changed and still the same Turgon. He will keep Legolas on his toes, and I hope Legolas can now give him the guidance, he was so sorely lacking in ME. Turgon's parents are hopeless, but still lovable. They love their son, but I don't think they are capable of guiding him better now than they were before.
Author's reply
I have always comforted myself over the various characters I've killed by thinking they'd be there in Valinor, and I was so happy to have this chance to bring Turgon back. You are so right. Legolas needed him. Healing his guilt over Turgon's death is important in his healing overall.
It was also fun to try to think what Turgon would be like. He's so excited to be experiencing life again. He just needs guidance to be the person he was always capable of being and Legolas will provide it.
Dot
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Sorry this is so disgracefully late :-/
I was actually laughing by the time we were two lines in. It struck me as hilarious that Elowen “thumped” the plate down and Siondel is sitting there “gluing together the pieces of a broken earthenware platter.” *snort* Either someone needs to tell her to be a bit more gentle or Legolas should start eating when she tells him to.
How great it was to see Elowen and Siondel again. They seem to have quite a comfortable, familiar set-up there. It’s clear that there’s something missing but there’s still a lot of love in that room.
I thought you did a great job with Legolas’ melancholy. The loss of Gimli, his weariness and his loneliness all come across but it’s mostly – to me – the feeling that he just hasn’t really found his place there yet (sort of like that piece of pottery, eh?!). Until Gimli died, I suppose he didn’t have to. I’m glad he has Elowen and Siondel – as much as he gives them something to focus on, they seem to anchor him.
I love how you write about the people who are returned from the Halls of Waiting – that light that shines from within them. It seems like all their sorrows have been taken from them and a purity and innocence restored to them.
Well. Elowen must have just about found herself standing before Namo too. What a shock to see this vision from the past! And I was pretty surprised too!! It’s so odd, isn’t it? To have returned at the age he was when he died. Odd for him, for his old friends, for his parents who probably wanted nothing more than their son returned yet perhaps weren’t ready to face back to the rearing of a child. And Amdir! Turgon’s little brother is well and truly grown up.
“Why does it not surprise me that Namo sent Turgon on his way as soon as his parents were here to receive him?” LOL!! I was thinking that too… But I love how Elowen immediately decides to feed him bread and jam.
Turgon’s shyness and wide-eyed appreciation of everything around him is very touching. He’s still the same person, but seems to have lost the resentment he carried, that need to prove himself. His daring seems to have become more curiosity now. And Legolas, who always tried to give his friend what he thought he needed, now actually can.
I think I felt most sorry for Vardalan and Mirdaniel. Just in terms of their weariness and bewilderment in being so newly-arrived. They have a lot weighing on them. I can’t decide whether it was a gift for Namo to return their son to them when they needed some light in their lives, or if it is in some ways unfair when they are so tired and dispirited that even the simplest tasks seem a burden. I’ll go with the first. Who am I to question the Valar?! They haven’t changed all that much, though! Mirdaniel is still doing things “vaguely” and I had to laugh at Vardalan saying “I am thatching the roof” and he sitting there playing the harp. It would have been an incredibly poignant moment if not for Legolas’ memory of their leaky roof making it all seem so normal. I admit I got a little teary, though, at the thought of Mirdaniel keeping Turgon’s drawing. She might not have provided her elfling with much guidance but she loved him.
“Not much. I remember meeting the Men, and Ithilden telling us off, and then not really anything after that.” Ah. I think Legolas really needed to hear that. Isn’t it sad, really, how we torment ourselves about things like that? And Turgon just shrugs it off. Of course, Legolas has been carrying guilt as well as sorrow and questions but perhaps now that can start to ease. And, after all, the fact that Turgon has missed so much of Mirkwood’s history might be a gulf between them but he was saved from seeing what happened to the forest and is one of the few people that Legolas can talk to who knew his home, yet is untouched by all that happened to it.
It’s good to see him already bringing Legolas out of himself. He can never go home again, can never reclaim his childhood but he can make a home here, make new memories.
Turgon, it seems, has as much a sense of danger as ever. Though I admit cute bears might have attracted me too :-) It’s possible that this sense of wonderment will fade and he’ll begin to be more aware of his surroundings rather than get lost in them but yes, he does need guidance. I swear, I could hear Thranduil in Legolas’ words to Turgon’s parents! It must have been hard to frighten his parents like that, but being told that they could lose Turgon again was probably just what they needed to see that they have to pay more attention to him. And if they can bring themselves to do that, they’ll have something to give them focus and will see the joy that’s there for the taking if they can pull themselves out of their weariness. Luckily, Legolas seems to know that these people might have the best intentions but difficulty in carrying them out! So he has received not only friendship, but a simple, innocent friendship that he needed. He can offer wisdom and guidance – and he can begin to find joy in things in a way that we do only when seeing the world through the eyes of a child.
Won’t Thranduil be pleased to see who’s back in Legolas’ life?!
Wonderful story, daw. It’s funny and touching and beautifully written.
Author's reply
Hey, Dot! Happy to hear from you any time. I'm still jealous of you and Karen for your weekend.
Over the last couple of years, I've thought repeatedly of what it would be like to have Turgon return in Valinor. The whole thing is just so strange to us. I thought his returning as a child was what Tolkien said would happen, but once I started working out the consequences of that, it was just odd. I think he's what Legolas needed though, just as Legolas is what he needed. Namo did a wise thing in sending him back (and is undoubtedly saying "Whew! Thank goodness that's done").
I also wanted it clear that his parents love Turgon although they are just so out of it. Legolas is going to have to step in here and show Turgon things like how to fix the roof. That's okay. It'll keep him busy until the rest of his family arrives. And in the meantime, Turgon loves having a body again and being in this wonderful place.
When I tried to think of what Turgon would remember, I decided Namo would make sure he remembered being told off because he'd earned that! He didn't earn what came after though.
By the time Thranduil gets there, maybe Turgon will be all grown up and straightened out. :-) Or maybe not.
Thanks for the review, Dot.
erunyauve
· 6 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
::waves to Siondel::
I think Amdir's parents will have a rather long wait - I'm still convinced that Thranduil never left Middle-earth. But then, I have always thought Legolas' departure was the saddest moment of LOTR. No elf was ever so meant to remain in the forests.
I love the way you treat Turgon's return. Obviously, he would have learnt some humility in the Halls of Mandos, yet he is still a child. It wouldn't be realistic for him to be too wise. The difference in ages is something I hadn't really thought about - normally, it wouldn't matter to elves that one of them had aged a thousand or so years while the other remained the same age, but a child would be a special situation. It's also perfectly in keeping with post-Fellowship Legolas that he finally feels that he can say something to Turgon's parents.
Author's reply
LOL. Siondel waves back!
Interesting idea about Thranduil. I never thought about it much. The passages about Legolas leaving ME are curiously melancholy, despite the fact that he's following "the desire of his heart."
Then Legolas built a grey ship in Ithilien, and sailed down Anduin and so over Sea; and with him, it is said, went Gimli the Dwarf. And when that ship passed an end was come in Middle-earth of the Fellowship of the Ring.
But maybe the melancholy is for ME, not Legolas. I don't know.
Glad you liked what I did with Turgon. I had some things to think about in terms of how everyone from Legolas, to Turgon, to Turgon's parents, to Siondel would act. Tolkien really thought of some bizarre stuff here.
perelleth
· 5 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Turgon's return, now that was a welcome surprise!
The whole tale has a crepuscular air, there is such melancholy everywhere, and the burdens of loss and solitude and memory seem to be weighing heavily upon Legolas, so Turgon's eagerness and carefree approach make Legolas' pain even more unbearable. At some point it seemed to me as if LEgolas was living in a dream, so disconnected and apart from his childhood friend he looked to me.
Yet Elowen´s song did the trick, both for lEgolas and for me, because the hummed song served as a link to reality, as the soundtrack of the tale, not a distant dream but a reality. Don´t know how to put it but this has a dreamy quality that is suddenly brought down to earth by a song. As if I had been watching a movie in "mute" and suddenly the sound was turned on. Great! Impressive.
Author's reply
I'm glad you were surprised, Perelleth. It seemed like a good present for Bodkin since she wrote about my characters in Valinor. Originally, I thought of Legolas helping Turgon now, but then I realized Turgon probably helped him just as much.
I hadn't at all thought in the terms you're describing, but it sounds like a really eerie effect! Cool.
lwarren
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Oh, I remember that story when Legolas was just a little guy recovering from his mother's death, visiting Annael's house and eating bread and jam at Elowen's table. She had given the boys colors and paper and he drew her a picture she ended up keeping. I see she is still taking care of him and helping him through the grieving he's experiencing because of Gimli (the thought of him waking to that empty, silent room next to his was so sad). That entire family has been so important to Legolas throughout his life.
Ah, Turgon the Irrepressible...funny, I used to think of him as the Irresponsible when he lived in Mirkwood! Turgon still seems to find trouble though - if anything, being re-embodied has made him more careless. He seems constantly distracted by the beauty around him, which I found endearing - it wasn't like before when it was high spirits and the attitude of 'let's see what we can do that's daring and dangerous'. He is rediscovering 'living in his skin' again and it is so wonderful and amazing and he is so captivated by everything, he just doesn't pay attention to the little things...like rocks under the water or bears near a berry bush.
Legolas has a lot of adjusting to do in his new role as friend to Turgon, and it couldn't have come at a better time! Not only will it take his mind off Gimli and the fact that his family isn't there, but he'll gain a measure of relief from the guilt he's felt all these years since Turgon's death. And speaking to Turgon's parents - he did a very hard thing respectfully (although I'm sure he'll still keep a close eye on Turgon regardless). Some things NEVER change, but maybe Legolas can bring them out of some of that self-absorption. This was just great, Daw! A wonderful birthday gift for Bodkin and for all those who love your characters and stories about the realm of Mirkwood! Thanks for sharing again and Happy Birthday, Bodkin!
Linda
Author's reply
I love the Elowen/Siondel/Annael family. The parents are loving and sensible and generous. No wonder Annael turned out so well. Even though Legolas has lived more years than Siondel now, he couldn't shake the habit of listening to Siondel's advice.
It was hard to imagine what kind of healing Turgon might have experienced in the Halls of Waiting. But he kind of regained his innocence. He lost any resentment or jealousy, and he's happier than he was. And he loves having a body again.
So now Legolas and Turgon can help one another.
Glad you liked it, Linda. Thanks for the review.
meckinock
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
This was bittersweet and beautiful, Daw. My heart ached for Legolas in the beginning. You brought across his heaviness of heart, his world-weariness beautifully - even sadder to see because he's supposed to be in this place that's free of sorrow and weariness. Turgon's appearance brought tears to my eyes. It's such a strange and magical thing to imagine, being reunited with the long-lost friends of one's childhood, and given the circumstances in which Turgon was lost, heart-wrenching. I can just feel Legolas being wrenched back to that time, to the anguish and grief but also to the innocence and joy of that time of his life. It was amusing to watch him see Turgon through adult eyes, and Turgon's parents as well. After the battles he's fought and the losses he's suffered, this at least is one lost friend he can have back.
Author's reply
Thank you, meckinock. I'm not sure I understand Valinor very well. It's tempting to think of it as like heaven, but people are embodied and this place spawned Feanor. People can die here. And yet, it's also a place of healing. I think Legolas is just in need of healing. Between his long defense against Shadow, his sea-longing, and the death of Gimli, he's been battered. So here's a chance to take care of someone else and heal some guilt he's felt for a long time.
I think Turgon always looked to his friends for what his family didn't give him, and now Legolas is in a position to provide it.
When I wrote this, I thought about the end of the movie "Seabiscuit." Have you seen it? It's a great movie. The trainer, the owner, and the jockey more or less rescue this horse which turns into a champion, but the three of them were lost before the horse came along. And at the end there's this voiceover, where one characters says something like "People say we saved him, but really, he saved us." I think Legolas's care for Turgon is like that.
Bodkin
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
PS. Who claims not to be good at description and multi-sensory stuff? This gleams with it! From the choice of 'thumped' in the first line, all the way through the jam and the rain and the ripple of Vardalan's harp. It's full of colour and sound and fragrance and feel. Wonderful.
(Turgon might just have to get used to a friend and contemporary who can switch to uncle/captain/lord when the need arises.)
Author's reply
I was working on this when you posted the story for my birthday. That's when I analyzed what you did. Then I rewrote this. I was pleased with the difference the small changes made. I just need to practice some more!
I think Turgon probably always wanted some adult guidance. Drifting on his own must have been lonely and scary.
Redheredh
· 1 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
I love stories about the adventure of being reborn. This one was excellent. I am not familiar with all your characters, but Turgon was just delightful in this. And I really enjoyed his effect on poor Legolas. ;)
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Redheredh. My OCs have spun out of control, so you're brave to take this on at all! It's tricky to think about what re-embodiment is like for someone who died as a child. So far as I could tell, Tolkien meant he would still be a child when he was reborn. But how would he be healed? And this particular child is good for Legolas.
JustMe
· 1 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
OMG! I love this story! It brought back not only Turgon, the delightful little imp - but one of my personal favorites, Elowen. I have always loved the interaction between Legolas and Elowen. I love the way she is always trying to feed him - and of course its the strawberry jam! (What - no seed cakes?) It is amusing to see how Legolas deals with Turgon. Things that he allowed himself to be led into as a child, suddenly seem very dangerous now that he is an adult. I was especially amused by the way Legolas lectured Turgon's parents on the need to give their son some attention. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson and heed his words of wisdom. Thanks DAW - your story was a bright spot in a day that was otherwise pretty crappy!
Author's reply
Thank you, JustMe. Were you surprised by Turgon's return? I amused myself by trying to figure out how all this would work.
I love Annael's whole family. His parents are wise and loving, so no wonder he was such a great kid. Legolas was lucky to have this family to go to.
Turgon was not so lucky, which is why his friends were so important to him, I think. And this time, his friend Legolas will be able to give him some adult guidance.
Sorry about the crappy day! Eat ice cream. Sleep. Tomorrow will probably be better.
Bodkin
· 1 August 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
I'm back! And thrilled. This is an absolutely delightful story! (And have you found that reviving Turgon in the Blessed Realm has made you feel better about his fate? Because I will admit that distress over Sinnarn made me write In the West for my own relief - and I haven't brooded about him since!)
I adore Elowen. She is the perfect mother and mother-substitute! She might just have to take on a bit of Turgon-rearing here - because his own parents seem just as ... dippy as ever. What a hopeless pair! Neither of them has a mind anywhere near focused on what is important! It's just as well that Legolas has decided to sheepdog them on the trip to Tirion. I can't imagine what kind of chaos Turgon could stir up in his enthusiastic, wide-eyed, puppy-dog attraction to anything and everything potentially disastrous.
He is beautifully drawn. And with an innocence about him that he had been losing back before he was killed. Legolas - I just love the family resemblance to Ithilden - is in so much better a position to add wisdom and experience to friendship now. Not to mention that taking on the subtle guidance of Turgon will help him recover from Gimli's death better than anything else. Better than Tuillin's return, really, because that might make him feel guilty about forgetting Gimli and moving on.
Siondel, too. Great character - and with an innate wisdom. Considering he's only Eilian's age (ish) - he has always seemed to understand people and be able to guide them so naturally. Probably a family trait, because Annael's much the same way! And I love your description of him and the light shining from him. - And the wonder that he and Turgon share of the simple pleasures of being embodied.
Mind you - Mirdaniel's heart is in the right place. I do like how she has treasured Amdir's letter and Turgon's wonderful colourful picture. She just needs a course with Super-Nanny to improve her parenting skills!
he recognized a note in its song that the trees of home had always saved just for him. The Blessed Realm is becoming home? Not the child he was - but better able to help his friend become the elf he should be. And save him from the bears.
And of course Legolas has to take on the Thranduil role! (I can just hear those words coming out of his mouth.) Who else is there to represent the house of Oropher and influence the behaviour of the Wood elves? And he needs to be blunt. After all, nothing else has managed to get through to Turgon's parents!
I wonder how Turgon will manage to deal with having a grown-up friend. He might find it rather difficult until he has trained Legolas to shrug off some of the more Ithilden-ish behaviour - but he is certainly providing him with exactly what Legolas needs right now.
Good for Namo. I suspect his timing in returning Turgon to his family is more than coincidence.
An absolutely wonderful story, Daw. Thank you so much for visiting the Blessed Realm. I hope to see you there again! It's worth admitting to birthdays to get presents like this. Wonderful. I'm off to delight in another visit to Elowen's cottage for a bit more bread and jam....
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked it, Bodkin. I think I'd already comforted myself with the knowledge that Turgon would be re-embodied. Once that gets firmly lodged in your head, it eases a lot of pain. I still tell myself that Namo honors Galelas as a hero. He'd like that a lot.
But then I had to work out how Turgon might change from being in the Halls. He's a child, after all, and was always well intentioned. This isn't Feanor. So how would he be purified? And I decided he'd be more or less like you said, regaining his innocence. He was discontented because he couldn't do things other kids could do because his parents didn't help him or watch him. I think that's why other kids were so important to him. And to his credit, he chose Annael and Legolas, good kids both. Only here, as you say, Legolas is better prepared to help him.
So all Namo was waiting for was Turgon's parents. He certainly wouldn't send a child to be without family.
I don't think anything will ever get through to Turgon's parents, but if they show their affection and Legolas gives Turgon some guidance, things may turn out okay.
I hope you had a nice holiday and I'm glad you liked this.
Kitori
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
I'm so glad you wrote this! I was a little sad when "In the West" didn't cover Turgon's return, and then I thought how awkward it would be for him to reappear being so much younger than his friends. It will be hard for Legolas to have to balance "friend" with "adult," I think. I hope someone does Tuilinn's return if it hasn't been written already :)
Author's reply
Hi, Kitori. When I was writing this, I kept coming across these moments when I'd be trying to follow Tolkien's logic about how re-embodiment would happen and about what happened in the Halls of Waiting, and I'd have to stop and laugh. It all seems to strange from our human point of view. So yeah, this is going to be tricky for Legolas but I think it's what he and Turgon both need.
Bodkin hinted at Tuilinn's return but didn't show it. I don't know if I'll get to that, so you may have to imagine it for yourself. :-)
Manderly
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
What a pleasant surprise to see a story from you, and a greater surprise to see Turgon again. He never ceases to amuse me, though there's also the urge to smack some sense into him at the same time. I am glad for Legolas though to regain a friend that he lost in his youth. Turgon won't be quite the same as Gimli but I am sure he will keep Legolas busy enough. It's just so strange to see the gap in their age. Somehow I think the friendship between the two friends will take on a whole new dimension.
Turgon's parents seem as clueless as ever. You would think they have learned their lesson the first time around, but apparently not. Good for Legolas for speaking up.
Thank you for this update on Legolas' life. I hope we get more.
Author's reply
Thank you, Manderly. It was hard to figure out how much Turgon would have changed in his time in the Halls of Waiting. I decided he's still a kid, without much sense, but he's happier than he was. In the long run, experience will teach him wisdom. Legolas's task is just to keep him alive in the meantime, which come to think of it, is sometimes the task we parents all face!
NaughtyNettie
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Hi Daw! I was so happy to see you had a new story. This one was beautiful too. I never conjured up the thought of Legolas getting to see Turgon again after he was killed but I'm glad that you did and I'm glad that he was able to. It probably relieved some of the guilt and hard feelings he had toward himself. I especially liked the dream in which Legolas says goodbye to his childhood, a difficult task for all of us, it was somewhat heartbreaking. It's sad to know that we take those days for granted and can never have them back, in a sense I guess Legolas did get his back with the "return" of Turgon. Thank you for posting this wonderful story. As always, I look forward to more from you. -Nettie
Author's reply
If I surprised you with Turgon, then I'm glad. How odd for both of them though. I'm not sure I can wrap my mortal mind around what must be like for them.
I'm glad you liked the dream. I hesitated about that because dream sequences annoy me sometimes, but you're right. He was saying goodbye to his childhood and his life in ME, to everything he's lost. And he's ready to move forward now and be happy again.
Dreamflower
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
What a sweet, yet strange story! How odd it must have been for Legolas to realize that a friend who was once his contemporary is now once more with him, yet is not much more than an elfling in maturity! While Legolas went on to become an adult, and to experience all which that meant. Yet this is just the distraction he needs, to help him over his grief at the loss of Gimli.
Author's reply
The more I thought about all this, the stranger it got! It's really tricky to work out how Valinor, re-embodiment, the Halls of Waiting, and so on might actually function. And you're right: Legolas is getting as much help as he's giving. Thanks for the review.
Noor
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Thank you Daw for that wonderful story!It was great to hear from Turgon again, some things never change but will he grow up physically in the West?? He should do shouldn't he?
Any more stories on the way?? ( She says hopefully?)
Happy Birthday to you all.....
Noor
Author's reply
Turgon would grow up. After all, lots of elves are born in the west and grow up there. It's just that I thought Turgon would be re-embodied at the same point where he died. Of course, who knows? This is very puzzling to us mortals.
I'm thinking about another story, though I haven't done anything on it yet. I'm still working on my original fic. I'll have to see if inspiration strikes.
mithwen
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
It must be hard for Legolas to face the grief of losing a friend without his family’s support.
I always imagined his mother would be released from the Halls of Waiting when Gimli died. (Sorry…I keep playing with your characters in my head.)
But this was lovely as well. Perhaps Legolas can indulge his inner child a bit when he’s with Turgon. He needs a bit of joy in his life again.
Author's reply
In deciding who had been released here, I followed Bodkin's time line in "In the West" because this is a birthday present for her. I feel free to vary it elsewhere if I want to! :-)
I think Legolas is getting as much help from Turgon as Turgon is from him, so you're right about that.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
I love other people's birthdays! There's such a wonderful rush of fantastic stories for the rest of us as well.
This is no exception - full of wonderful touches and atmosphere. Legolas is still grieving for Gimli, but his surprise and joy to see his friend again was lovely. I have to admit I'd forgotten poor Turgon - I can only recall the details of his death dimly. I'll have to go back and read the story again.
This tale made me think about poor Galelas as well - when will he be released?
Author's reply
The story in which Turgon dies is the third story I wrote so I had a lot to learn. Of course, if I'd written more about Turgon before he died, I probably couldn't have killed him.
Galelas! Now that would be interesting. How would he and Legolas get along? How would his time in the Halls have changed him? I hope Namo treated him like the hero he was. He'd like that.
pipinheart
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
It was nice to see Turgon again, Legolas long lost friend. Turgon hasn't changed much still as adventurous as ever, and still seems to find trouble.
If his parents heed Legolas advise, only time will tell. But Legolas will be there watching over him as well...
Great!!
Author's reply
It was hard to decide how Turgon would be changed by being in the Halls of Waiting. Supposedly adults were purified in some way, but Turgon was a child. So I decided he'd lost some of the resentment and uncertainty he'd been building up over things like not being able to make arrows when the other kids did. Still, I think it's a good thing Legolas is there to help him grow up.
Alice
· 30 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Oh Daw that was wonderful! Turgon is still delightfully Turgon. His parents are still themselves as well. I'm glad Legolas spoke to them. And also impressed he managed to do it in so tactful a way. I like how he's going to look after Turgon now. A way of preserving a friendship between them even though the friendship will necesarily change as one of them's an adult. I hadn't realized how much I liked Turgon until he came bounding into Elowen and Siondel's yard. I'm glad to know how he and Legolas were reunited.
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, Alice. I deliberately withheld Turgon's name from the summary because I thought people might like being as surprised to see him as Legolas was.
A way of preserving a friendship between them even though the friendship will necesarily change as one of them's an adult
Ooh, that's a good point. I struggled a little trying to figure out how that would work because it's so odd from our point of view.
Socket
· 30 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
Oh, I never expected to see the mischevious Turgon again! What a wonderful surprise. Thank you for yet another great story, my friend. I could never tire of your Legolas tales.
Author's reply
Did Turgon's arrival surprise you? I hope so! I've missed him as much as Legolas did, I think, and felt as guilty about his death. I'm glad you liked it.
French Pony
· 30 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
I am now officially amused that Elowen is still feeding bread and jam to wandering kids -- just not her own kid. Elowen has a heart of gold, yes she does. She's Super-Nana (well, except for Mom Pony. But still.)
I like the idea that Turgon and Legolas can still play together, even though there's an age difference now. It really shows how close they were, that they can just kind of pick things up again with so little awkwardness. In fact, it's probably better for them that they have this difference. Turgon can still relate to Legolas, and Legolas now has the wisdom and the judgement to calm Turgon down a little and keep him safe. It's sort of what they were looking for all along, only they were both immature kids then.
And Legolas gets sort of a second chance at being a kid again, only this time, it's in a safer place where he can have the adventures he wants without running the risks of Orcs or spiders or bad Men. You really see how Valinor is a place of healing.
Author's reply
I really like your observation about how Valinor is a healing place, and also that Turgon and Legolas are repeating a dynamic, only in a better way. I think that's exactly right, although I hadn't thought of it in those terms.
There's a theory that when you have children, you get to repeat some of the issues of childhood, only from an adult perspective, like separation anxiety or what to do with anger. You think about them for your child and it helps resolve them for yourself. I don't know that that's exactly what Legolas is doing but it feels similar.
Nilmandra
· 30 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
For Legolas, being with Siondel and Elowen has to be very comforting. Eating jam at their table must make him feel like a bit of home has come with him. And I love Siondel's comment about Mandos releasing Turgon as soon as his parents came! What would Namo do with a child anyway?
So many fun nuances in this story, from Turgon coming back at the same age as his death - a child - and yet everyone else has grown up around him. And he still has no sense! I am glad Legolas will go to Tirion with them. Having Turgon around might lift all of their spirits in the end.
Author's reply
Having Legolas with Siondel and Elowen was comforting for me, let alone him!
I had a lot of trouble with the whole concept of a child in the Halls of Waiting. Obviously it happened, and Turgon wasn't perfect, but how would purification work there? I think he's just happier, free of resentments, ready to go at life enthusiastically. And he loves having a body again.
Legolas thought of himself as being the friend who helped Turgon, but in the end, Turgon helped him.
Gwynhyffar
· 30 July 2006
· Chapter 1: The Help of a Friend
I love Siondel and Elowen. They are two of the most caring and wise around - and they don't really beat around the bush about it either. Siondel is always so straightforward, but without the blunt harshness that Thranduil sometimes has. It's easier to take, I think.
Turgon seems to have changed in some ways, but not in the ways that make him Turgon. I especially liked him telling Legolas that he was like Ithilden and rolling his eyes at him!
Legolas and Turgon both needed each other here. They both needed a friend, and Legolas needed healing not only from Gimli's recent death, but also from residual guilt over Turgon. I have to say, I was shocked at Legolas telling off Turgon's parents, but good for him! They needed to hear that and Turgon deserves better.
All in all a great fic, Daw! and happy birthday Bodkin!
Author's reply
I love Siondel and Elowen too. I hesitated over the fact that Legolas is now older than Siondel, but Siondel is still giving him advice, but I thought it would be hard for either of them to change the relationship they had, and Siondel has the wisdom he gained in the Halls of Waiting.
Turgon's parents are getting a second chance here and they need to make the most of it. The twits.