Beruthiels Cat
· 21 February 2007
· Chapter 1: Great Oaks
Absolutely amazing and wonderful, as always! I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed your stories... They're like old friends, so much fun to re-visit, even though this is my first review post in response. I hope you realize you've left the gate open for your eager following (those of us who just can't get enough, lol)You have given us the beginning of Thranduil and Laerwen's relationship, and their eventual reunion in Aman. Now we need some middle!!! Please?
BC
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy revisiting the stories as well - the world is getting increasingly complex, too, as new characters and situations build up and find their places. More of Thranduil and Laerwen? I suppose it is possible ... even likely ... although there isn't anything in my head at the moment. And, come to think of it, the only other sight of Laerwen so far is Legolas's recollection of her death - there must be a lot of better stories to tell!
daw the minstrel
· 21 February 2007
· Chapter 1: Great Oaks
Oh! Lovely, lovely. This was wonderful, Bodkin. I adore your Silvan elves, sensitive to the needs of the land, willing to change with the seasons, needing little beyond what they can carry. And Faroth is hilarious with his tacked on repetitions of "my lord."
As always, you do a wonderful job with metaphors. They're so apt. Faroth suggests Thranduil will "take root." He turns toward Laerwen "like like a plant turning to face the sun."
I like the way Thranduil shows himself a fit leader for the Silvans in the way he senses things in the woods, and also in the way he's determined not to act like the Exiles and move in without regard for the life already there.
Laerwen is terrific. "You have brought a carrot?" LOL. And then that wonderful, "You have been in my mind since we reached the Greenwood." Sigh. How romantic.
Great story, Bodkin.
Author's reply
Do you know, I was thinking about perelleth's forest-dwellers (only transported to ancient deciduous forest) and their lack of impact on their home - and it just seemed so naturally Silvan. Although, in time, I expect some became rather more settled, they would still have needed to be in harmony with the land. Faroth amused me - he was just so determinedly irreverent.
The metaphors - well, it's my style, I suppose. I don't find them hard - in fact, it's more about not letting them run away with me.
Thranduil has his own dash of Silvan blood (in my mind), and he is less headstrong than his father. He can learn from other people's mistakes - which is a great quality and does make him fit to be a leader!
I couldn't resist - I just saw Thranduil's tentative approach ... just like a rather nervous kid holding a hand out to a horse! Elven recognition of their true partner is wonderful - all sorts of other problems might intervene, but they are they to be sorted out.
I'm glad you liked it - and found it romantic. It was driving me mad and came close to being dumped!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 21 February 2007
· Chapter 1: Great Oaks
I love it when other people have birthdays! There is such a rush of wonderful stories for us all to enjoy.
I simply loved Thranduil here. He seems so very elfy - yet quite different to the Silvan elves. I like the way they simply up sticks and move, without leaving a trace behind.
Love at first sight - that seems very elfy too. The moment Thranduil saw the face among the leaves, I knew who she was, and that he was lost.
The ending was great. I loved Faroth's astonishment when this totally unknown elleth appears, and Thranduil immediately asks her to marry him!
Author's reply
There should be more birthdays ... they focus the mind!
I think the Silvan would be more mobile - and take pride in not leaving anything to show that they had been there. At least until some became a bit more Sindarised. I'm glad you find Thranduil elfy! It must take something for a Sindar prince to become a king of the Silvan elves ... and, see, this idea sprang fully-formed from my brain some time ago that it was Oropher's mother who was kin to Elu - and that his father was a green elf, who died by Denethor's side.
In Far Horizons, Laerwen (I do hate typing that name) was 'the Lady' and seemed to have a very strong bond to the forest, so she had to emerge from the ancient Greenwood to match with Thranduil. Faroth is bemused, but his surprise is probably more from having Thranduil act so impetuously! It's not as if his friend has taken him into his confidence here!
Dot
· 21 February 2007
· Chapter 1: Great Oaks
Bodkin! LOL, I'm getting embarrassed now. But what a wonderful surprise - I was not expecting to find that in my inbox this morning! Thank you so much. I'm going mad now because I'm on relief today and have my class tonight so might have to wait until tomorrow to savour it properly. I'll get back to you! :-)
Author's reply
I hope you like it - it nearly ended up getting scrapped in pure frustration! Which is why I posted it now, before doing anything so foolhardy.
Have fun at your class.