Reviews (49)

eucalyptus · 25 January 2008 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

Brilliant twist there near the end -- one I did NOT see coming (I had to reread this just to observe how you executed the plot). I find Legolas' views of love very interesting, especially after My Dear Bandobras. He has clearly spent many hours contemplating himself and his previous involvement with Laustaire to have come to these very precise views on the difference between "to love" and "to be in love". There seems to be some bitterness underlaying his motivations here, as though he disdains himself for having been so foolish and yet now thinks he understands how it all works. I don't believe he was being foolish -- there is plenty of evidence that those events were far from his own making -- but I do believe he comes across as a little too smug and knowing. And I'm not sure he understands love as completely as he boasts, especially for someone who has never rightly had a true love. Poor Mardil for having been subjected to the Green Knight's manipulations, even if things worked out in the end. This was a charming, sad and funny little story. Bravo.

Crossshelly3 · 12 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Prince of Emyn Arnen

Hi, Can you email me your email address? I am one of the list moderators of the Mellon Chronicles and this fic has been nominated for an award, but I can't find you email to tell you the details. Thanks, Michele

Karen · 24 July 2007 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

So, having read all of the fics posted here in the space of a week... *rubs eyes* I love this universe. Legolas is just as I imagine him to be -- clever, wicked, kind -- and his friendship with Faramir and Eowyn, Aragorn and Arwen, and nearly every child in Gondor are so much fun to read about. I also really admire your writing style; there are certain excerpts that sound just like Tolkien. The original characters are also really fun, especially the elves. Galas is my favorite. I love how he seems so carefree and irresponsible, but he was actually quite old even at the Last Alliance. Bandobras is adorable, and Tamin is just so cute. I hope you write more with him. Do you think you'll be writing more Lord of the Rings fanfiction? If you do, I think a lot of people will read and enjoy it.

Bodkin · 1 May 2007 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

Poor Mardil. The only - but by now very happy - sucker. And Legolas plays the game of dowries as one born to it! Good thing he is wealthy enough to indulge his hobby of making his friends happy. Dúrfinwen strikes me as being a very dangerous elleth, though! Breaking legs, throwing shoes, fostering plots, biting off Legolas's head! Knocking out keystones ... Ruthless young lady, that one! Hirilcúllas and Meivel are sorted out, though. Although Bandobras would be better left seeking his own bride. Perhaps Legolas should get to work on finding a wife for Gimli.

Beruthiels Cat · 20 April 2007 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

Loved this! Serves himself right for meddling, lol...I'll vote Yea for the sequel, I'd like to see Legolas "think" he's falling for Durfinwen, but she has her eye on someone else...or at least pretending she does! (teaching him a lesson, maybe?) BC

Alison H · 20 April 2007 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

Can you see me bowing, Rouret? I have a huge smile on my face and I'm still laughing at the machinations of both Elwen and Legolas.Everything went to plan after all and Legolas did not end up out of pocket.He's very wicked, as Faramir says! Bravo, Le Rouret.I loved every word of this story. Durfinwen is very spirited, to say the least.Her revelation that she broke two of Araval's legs, not one, by mistake,had me laughing out loud.Her temper was like a whirlwind and she actually managed to hit her lord with her slipper! Now that all of Legolas' closest firnds seem to be paired off it seems a shame that Durfinwen will still be single....and she won't wed Galas. I'm sad that this exceptional tale has finished.You are planning another story I hope? Take care and get those plot bunnies busy ;D Ali.

Wimsey · 19 April 2007 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

Applause as the curtain falls. Well, you fooled us all, and perhaps we heaped too much scorn on poor Legolas’ head. Although I am quite certain the Green Knight does nothing unless he truly wants to. I think it is very clever to have made little Elwen the instigator of the whole scheme. You very cleverly led us astray as to her real feelings. Almost as well done as Agatha’s little plot device in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Are you planning something between Dúrfinwen and Legolas? She is definitely no milquetoast. I snorted so loudly when I read she was the one that broke Araval’s legs that I believe all my coworkers were worried I may be having a fit of apoplexy. Considering I am a librarian the snort did disturb the quiet ambience of the library setting. All I can say again is well done, very well done indeed. I did notice, however, that Legolas made out very well from the whole endeavor after all.

tnt2b2 · 19 April 2007 · Chapter 9: The Lord of Dol Galenehtar

Excellent! I am only sad that this tale has ended. Can't wait for the next to begin!

lwarren · 7 April 2007 · Chapter 8: The Conundrum

First, Le Rouret, I love your Green Knight universe! I love the imagery and the language and Lassah! LOL This story has been a revelation, though, from the beginning. Legolas' character has changed as he has lived and grown older in Ithilien and you show it so well! I went back and reread "My Dear Bandobras", Le Rouret, because I wanted to refresh my memory about Legolas' reaction to the Infant and her eventual and untimely death. He was so crushed by so many things there - I don't know that he really loved her - it seemed more infatuation to me, but the promise of it was there, if she had just been a more mature, wiser person. He was hurt by her actions and then by his perceived failure to keep her safe. It seems like he has hardened his heart to the gentler emotions and come hell, or high water, he's going to order the lives of those he loves, whether they like it or not. Tsk, tsk, Lassah! I wonder what he would do if he lost Mardil's friendship because of his plots? And he seemed most callous in his treatment of Elwen - which of course drove Mardil into her arms. LOL I'm not saying it is a bad match, and it looks like Elwen is more than willing (and like she said, her mother is 19 years younger than her father). But Lassah seems very brittle and hard in this story at times - and he may be immortal and wiser, but one wonders what his human friends (and Gimli and Bandobras) really think of his manipulations. He just kind of ran rough-shod over everyone's opinions and ideas. Yes, Lassah needs a lesson, Le Rouret! I vote Yay! with the others - he needs that heart of stone returned to its original state and those opinions of his on love revised! And make him work for it, by Eru! :-) Wonderful chapter! I'm not sure if any of these ramblings made any sense at all - I may be entirely off base here - these were more my impressions as I read, I suppose. (One does love to consider the poor, wounded elf hiding his hurt behind that cool, I-know-what's-best facade and hope for someone to heal his owies! LOL) Forgive if I am wrong! Linda

Bodkin · 7 April 2007 · Chapter 8: The Conundrum

That devious, sneaky, plotting, manipulative Lord Lassah! I hope Elwen wasn't in on it - I'd hate to think that the only poor sucker there was Mardil! (Although he seems to have been won over. He may become suspicious later, but, just at the moment, he is left without anything to say.) When you do decide how Legolas falls, don't, whatever you do, make it easy for him! He is far too inclined to think he can wangle everyone to do his bidding and he really, really needs a wife who flatly refuses to be manoeuvred. An equal - who might just look him over and turn him down! I hope Deniel really did wish to marry the man who serves tripe for breakfast. (I can't imagine why she would!) Because I'd hate to think of her as no more than a tool in Legolas's ruthless ordering of everyone of his acquaintance according to his idea of what is best for them. And how many were in on this plot? Everyone except Araval and Mardil? Or is the bridegroom the only innocent? The whole chapter leaves me breathless - and very wary of the elven matchmaker.

Tinnuial · 6 April 2007 · Chapter 8: The Conundrum

That deliciously wicked DEVIANT!!!! ;) I had innocently thought he was incapable of such manoeveuring, but here I am proved entirely mistaken. He planned every little step of this didn't he? I suppose I shoulda known better :P Just for that, I would very much like to put forth my vote to see Legolas utterly confounded by one of feminine wiles, just to see him all flustered and deliriously bewitched and have Mardil and Cirien and Faramir and the rest of them revenge themselves upon him! :P (in a nicest possible way of course) So yes...add another "yea" to the tally!

Wimsey · 6 April 2007 · Chapter 8: The Conundrum

So Legolas has his way after all. Why am I quite sure that he arranged this to the very minute detail himself? I must say I am a tad disgusted with him. I am sure that in his infinite and immortal wisdom he was sure that he was doing his best for two people that he loved. And to be fair he is no doubt correct in his estimation. However, as a mere mortal my self I would be rather upset to be manipulated so, even if it was for my own good. I have no doubt should the tables be turned and the same mechanics applied to the Green Knight, upset would be a mild term to use for his reaction. Perhaps there you have your love story; I would love to see someone manipulate him so masterfully. All beings have faults and I perceive that one of Legolas’ may be that he is always sure he knows best, and usually he does. What would happen to him the one time he discovered he had made a cock up of it?

Alison H · 6 April 2007 · Chapter 8: The Conundrum

Oh dear! I'm laughing so much that I can't really formulate a proper review.This was one of your best ever chapters and I loved every word, every raised eyebrow and cutting aside from Gimli.Wonderful ending, too. I'm glad you're responding to your fans' demands(pleas) for a 'Legolas in love' story.I know that I'll be waiting patiently for whatever scenerio you come up with :D Ali. Happy Easter!

fantasia · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Le Rouret Well, I really enjoyed this character very much., we have now the wrong girl, though she was his first choice. Then, Meivel broke Araval’s two legs instead of one, Legolas reaction was so funny, he has asked only for one, no two…, I can’t wait for you to explain what happened. Now, about “romantic” Legolas. I have asked you already to write something about that and I said that Dúrfinwen seems right for him, but I’m sure that you know better than us who is perfect for him, I will read whatever you write about the Green Knight,. Let me explaiin you what I mean for “romantic”. I’m sure that you are familiar with “Don Quijote” (Don Quixote-my fist language is Spanish and most of my references are form Spanish literature). You know, he wanted very much to be a knight like the old tales, to fight the wrong and save the innocent people. So, according to all the books that he has read, he needs several things in order to become a proper knight. He needs a faithful squire (Sancho), a war horse (Rocinante), a shining armor, etc… but first at all he needs to a Lady, a Fair Maiden, a sweetheart, someone that he can gives his heart and to inspire him (Dulcinea del Toboso). So you see, if the most famous want-to-be-knight of the world thinks that a proper knight needs a lady, who are us to argue that, to make this short, most of the knights have their Lady and most of their adventures are around their relationship, and that is what I call romantic. Hey, even Ivanhoe has Lady Rowena and almost Rebecca. And all those knights of Camelot… the Green Knight needs a Lady, Q.E.D.

Wimsey · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

I think Dúrfinwen is interesting, but they strike me as being more like brother and sister than lovers. They understand each other very well, but I think if sparks were going to fly in that relationship they already would have. Also her position as being someone who serves in his household may make things a little sticky I think someone who is independent in her own right, perhaps, someone who is a friend of Arwen. She could be visiting her, I suppose. The medieval society allowed so little independence for women. They almost had to be widowed to achieve any autonomy or have inherited lands in their own right, which was very rare. The elven society seems more liberal when it comes to females, so it shouldn’t be too hard to be able to come up with someone who lives on her own means. They tricky thing is there were only four elven realms left, so she would have to have her own household within one of those. The books say Celeborn only stayed in East Lorien until after Galadriel sailed, then he moved to Imladris to live with his grandsons. So she could be from there. Perhaps she has decided she would be interested in moving to Ithilien and has come to visit her good friend Arwen to investigate it further. I wouldn’t put it past Arwen to encourage it if she thought there was a possibility the two would be good for each other. Your Arwen strikes me as a very wise and insightful female. She would do her matchmaking completely unknown and unheralded. It would be funny to have her be the only one who knew she had created the situation for them to meet. I wonder if the lady could enter negations with Legolas for a place in his fiefdom that would also allow her to maintain some measure of independence. Her insistence on maintaining her independence could be a thorn in his side, while earning his reluctant admiration at the same time. I would love to see a romance written that was very like the one between Harriet and Peter. His final capitulation at the end of Busman’s Honeymoon was one of the most moving scenes I have ever read. The last barrier into allowing her to see him at his most vulnerable, and knowing she would never use it against him. I also loved her decision to allow him to continue to investigate the murder. She knew she had the power to force him to change, to leave the messy details of finding a murderer among people they had come to know, people who were their neighbors and yet she turned from that path. Her assessment of women who took delight in trumpeting their power over their husbands was rather scathing. The knowledge that she possessed such power frightened her and she determined never to use it, once again the mark of mature and true love. I can hardly wait to see what you do with this.

Bodkin · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Meivel is very brave to step off that boat - he's really about reached the end of his tether! Did he have anything to do with Aravel's limb problem - or was this sheer mischance? And Durfinwen seems to have reinterpreted her lord's instructions concerning Deniel - who is now to marry another! But at least Legolas appears to have his way ... Elwen has arrived to wed Mardil. But how will Mardil deal with it? I don't see a lot of difference between 14 and 16 - not when the groom is 40. And doubtless well-born maidens were marrying at 12 or younger - but Mardil doesn't seem to be quite of that mind! Perchance Legolas is finding elements of his matchmaking escape his control. As for Legolas-in-love - why not! Tolkien didn't tell us much about the marital state of most of his characters, but that doesn't mean they didn't marry / sail west / have kids and so on. Only do match him with an elf! Elf/man relationships only end in sorrow - and there's no need for Legolas to be fated to the rest of Arda as a widower! Or have mortal children.

tnt2b2 · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

I would read any story written by you, even if it was about Legolas falling head over heels in love, or the victim of a set up, romantic or not. What goes around comes around. I enjoy all of your works. However, if I may, I have had an idea since reading the "Green Knight and the Heir of Meduseld", a plotbunny I think it is called. It is sad that when Legolas sails there will be no one to run Dol Galenehtar. Legolas needs an heir. A mortal heir, not biological, that can be left to carry on where the elves have left off. To keep it a sanctuary and refuge for all who wander. After all he loves children. A boy to be trained as a knight. Anyway, that is my little thought. I just hope you keep writing and I will keep reading.

NiRi · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Ok, I thought about it a little more, and I realized that Legolas has already had the butterflies and infatuation type of love. What if he realized one day that love has snuck up on him unaware. Sometimes it's not all butterflies and excitement, but sometimes love sneaks up on us, and when we realize it, it is powerful, for it is the type of love Legolas spoke of, the enduring kind...and with it comes the feelings and amazement. Then I could see him flustered and confused, for what is he to do about it...and will she feel the same? I still think you should match him with Durfinwen. She could keep him on his toes. He needs someone who admires him as a warrior and a lord but has no fear of getting in his face when he gets out of line or full of himself. I still think you could pull this off like no other and I would so love to see it done right! NiRi

Wimsey · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Ok I am officially bugging you again. I have thought long and hard, about you writing a fiction in the Green Knight series where Legolas falls in love. May I suggest you meld together both of Legolas’ views on love. For what he espouses in Chapter 5 is what real love is, and I would hate for him to be snared again by the false rush of infatuation that caught him with the Infant. It is just that real or deep love does begin with a basic chemical attraction, and then expands into a deep and abiding joy. I, unfortunately, have seen very little of that type of love. It seems that most want the constant flush of excitement and once it wears off and the foibles that all imperfect beings have are revealed, it is time to move on to someone else, that provides another rush of adrenaline. It would be wonderful to have him caught not by looks or grace, although I would assume those would be present, but by intelligence and wit. And then to have the lady self-sufficient enough to not of necessity be in the market for a husband. She would need to have it proved to her that he was not seeking her only to provide children or someone to grace his halls, but wanted a true companion and equal. Perhaps she could have also been wounded in the pursuit of marriage just as Legolas has been. It would be nice to have her very reluctant to lose her independence. Then to have them discover that any relationship requires the loss of some independence, the catch is do you gain enough from the joy in each other to offset it. That would be a tricky story to write, however, I have great faith that you could accomplish it.

eliza61 · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Oh God I think I've split a seam laughing so hard Le Rouret. Excellent writing. First I think Meivel will be the first elf to commit kin slaying and possible get away with it. He is truly disgusted with his leige lord. You are going to have to explain how the heck Elwen ended up on that boat. I agree with your other reviewers but I think if you're going to find my favorite elf, he should have a taste of his own medicine. Aragorn and Gimili would make wonderful matchmakers, don't you think?

Alison H · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Ah, yes, have Legolas fall in love with Durfinwen, against all his principles and resistance.I would love to see Legolas questioning his own feelings and saucy Durfinwen seems the perfect companion for him.You're just the author to do the idea justice. You're married to an Italian? Lucky gal! Update soon. Ali.

Chris · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Hello Le Rouret, okay after having read all of your stories as well as the rewies and your answer to those I have to agree with many (all?) of the other readers: your writing style is absolutely fantastic and most I definitely adore your stories. You manage to let us "live" through the happenings by your detailed descriptions and convey the image of an elven court and all its excentrics. To this particular story: It is funny to see, how Legolas' carefully made plans somehow fall through and yet not, because elwen was Legolas' choice from the beginning. I can't wait to see, how Mardil will react. Concerning a story about Legolas falling in love:I agree with Niriel, that it might be very amusing to see Legolas falling head over heels while trying to remember his usual opinion about such "frothy things" - as well as his friends reactions to it (like excessive teasing, perhaps). I could also see that happening with Dúrfinwen, but it is only a possibility. Looking forward to more of your work!!!

Amaniel · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

I enjoy your stories immensely! You do such a wonderful job of portraying Legolas! As to a love story regarding him, I'm not sure what I feel about that. I think it would be quite a challenge. You do quite well keeping Legolas' character close to Tolkien's Legolas, but I'm not sure how a love-struck Legolas would play off. I suppose if it were to be done properly, you'd be the one to do it. So, if you do try, then I will definitely have to read it!

Wimsey · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Okay, I had promised myself I would stop bugging you, but then I read your author’s reply where you quoted Lord Peter Wimsey and it is official. I love what you read and write. Busman’s Honeymoon and Gaudy Night were two of the best love stories I have ever read, non-withstanding the fact that they are mysteries. I had a crush on Lord Peter for years. His Harlequin in Murder Must Advertise took my breath away, Anyone who reads Dorothy L. Sayers and writes such wonderful fan fiction must be a kindred spirit. Oh by the way I loved the plot twist in this chapter. Poor Mardil, this will surely kill him.

Prego · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 7: The Daughter of Araval

Well, somebody's carefully planned matchmaking backfired a little...though Legolas did want Mardil to wed Elwen at first. I'm looking forward to seeing how he reacts to the unexpected bride! And poor Mardil who's now marrying a maid even younger than he thought. But why is Deniel marrying someone else? I'm sure Legolas wants that question answered too. Oh, and as for Legolas falling in love: he deserves a girl that'll snub him a little, I think. He is so confident in his abilities that it should be fun seeing him trying to court a maid who's not that impressed... Very good chapter, Le Rouret! Prego