Reviews (20)

Agape4Gondor · 15 July 2008 · Chapter 1: Time

Oh my! I found this so stirring and poignant and so endearing of Legolas. My own heart went out to the race of Men for our 'rush' in this little time that we have... no time to mourn, never mind remember... I wrote 'I wish' after reading of how 'everything' was mourned. I felt sorrow as he felt it at that farmstead... I loved the description of the maps, tith books and such that were kept... at least there is that... however cold. I wanted to shout 'Yes' when Legolas told Faramir that 'we will' 'deal with it' I shuddered at the self-justification... is that all it is??? Oh my! And a double oh my for Legolas' helpless incomprehension - Drat (I'd use something harsher myself!) I was not surprised that the listing didn't give the women nor the childrens names... I'm sorry to say... And Legolas' incredulity at the importance of these 'game pieces' - excellent I smiled (finally) at Faramir's response - being gutteed wouldn't be much fun! Oh - I know so many librarians, sad to say, who are so caught up that they don't notice the living... I know there are good ones out there, but they look at their work as the important thing - not the 'sharing' of their knowledge... I try not to be that way at work... I try to listen and offer what help I can... but it still feels like an indictment. I loved them calling Faramir captain.. Yes! wondrous - gave my heart such a warm feeling... I wrote NICE after the next three paragraphs - they all were exceptional - from 'Faramir moved through' to 'the value of listening.' I loved the 'army-mad' description... Another NICE got put next to the old woman's caress... the whole paragraph was beautiful... And I wanted to sob when she said, 'we have no choice.' A very wice woman indeed. I 'aw'd' when I read of Drambor's anger over the little help Ithilien received, but then - every piece/part of Gondor needed so much... Better to lose one small corner than the whole thing.... OH - and when she said they had died for Gondor as much as any soldier - wise woman! I'd certainly like to meet her! I smiled and cried when she said you won't find love in the account books... And heaved a heavy sigh at the ending... I hope Legolas was able to put aside the ghosts... at least for this place. Again - another well-written, beautiful tale.

Dreamflower · 3 October 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

How on earth have I missed this one? It's just beautiful. I love your Legolas, I truly do. I've often seen stories where he indicates that he will carry on the memories of his friends--Gimli, Aragorn, Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam--but this is the first one I've come across that shows how his empathetic nature extends to perfect strangers, and to a family long dead and gone. The differences between how mortals and Firstborn view time is so perfectly explored here.

perelleth · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

‘My wife was always better at keeping track of who married whom and how many children they had.’ This made me laugh! You should know! :-) BUt I really love Legolas's interest and his surpirse at how so many people are dismissed from history as uninmportant, and nt remembered... t is good for once to see this from the pov of an elf. BEing fewer and living much longer, the weight of memories was not just burden but also solace...

Fiondil · 17 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

A haunting tale (in more than one sense of the word), Bodkin. Legolas obviously seems greatly affected by the ruins and what they signify. "The past should not be forgotten." And yet it is. How many of us even contemplate the dust of ages that lie beneath our feet as we go about our daily lives, unaware perhaps taht the Dead outnumber the Living. In viewing this one ruin Legolas is able to experience tragedy in the particular rather than in the general, to see in a single human family's death and the loss of even a memory of their existence the fate of all humans over Time: none remember the names of the Dead of civilzations past. Most people are unaware that they even existed. Legolas of course is befuddled not only by the lack of memory among humans but their seeming uncaring that such memmories are lacking, yet he little appreciates that this may be a factor in our make-up that Eru has planted within us: we are the Guest, as Finrod tells Andreth, and as such, our thoughts are ever to the future, not to the past. It's not that mortals don't matter, especially to other mortals, but we have not been given the gift (or curse) of Memory. As a race we are always sipping from the waters of Lethe, that we do not bind ourselves unwittingly to a Past that cannot have any hold on us for we are destined to leave the Circles of Arda and cannot linger. Our only consolation is that, while individuals are forgotten, the Secondborn retain a memory of themselves as a whole which lives through each succeeding generation. The discussion between Legolas and Faramir about the lack of names of people in the records, especially of women and children, struck a chord with me as I have done family research and remember the frustration of not having actual names listed, only notations like "wife" or "child". And I'm sure that Legolas is finding it difficult to understand why Faramir takes such lack of knowledge with equanimity, but again he doesn't quite appreciate the necessity of "genealogical amnesia" with which we mortals suffer. The conversation with Thimbriel is so poignant and full of subtle grief on both sides of the divide. For Legolas... that any Child of Ilúvatar need go unremembered and unmarked as having even lived; for Thimbriel... that the burden of memory must be endured at all. The doll symbolizes all of this for them both. Thimbriel has the right of it when she says, "They lived, and died and moved on.... The past is past - but Dínen's blood still flows among some of those who would follow the Prince back to Ithilien and we will start again...." "I shall never undertand men," Legolas admitted, almost shyly. "Not fully." "Why would you?.... Indeed why would you want to?" Indeed.... yet in groping for understanding, if only a little, Legolas (and by extention all the Firstborn who have ever had dealings with the Secondborn) acts as the Keeper of our memories that we mortals by our very nature cannot be for ourselves... and perhaps that is as Eru wills it. An excellent story Bodkin.

lwarren · 17 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Well, you know me - give me a story with Legolas as the main character and I am in hog-heaven (where IS that, do you suppose?). LOL But this little story would have captured my imagination anyway from the sheer melancholy, brooding intensity of Ithilien, as experienced by Faramir and Legolas. That the elf became so heart-involved with learning the background of the family that had lived and died at that abandoned homestead just so eloquently shows the vast difference between First and Second-born. Elves have time to remember every tree, every person lost and mourn for them in song while men...well, they are so immersed in the NOW and in such a rush to live that it makes them seem callous and cruel sometimes. But there are always those, like Thimbriel, who will carry the story of those lost in their memories. (The difference between the old woman's warmth and heart were made so very clear when compared to the dry, dusty archivist, only concerned with the letters on parchment.) I loved following Legolas' search for this family and was so glad he finally found one who could pass on the information to him, and hold his hand and share his sorrow. What a wise woman! Now the work of turning Ithilien back into that 'garden of Gondor' becomes very personal for the elf. He will keep that doll and as he and those of his people who join him set the forest to rights once more, it will help him to make a frest start, too. That's important, I think. My favorite line (or one amongst many - I could have repeated the whole conversation between Thimbriel and Legolas as my favorite...and when Legolas continued to hold her hand...and she comforted him...well, dig out the hankies for sure!) "The elf turned, his face fair and young, but his eyes surprisingly deep and understanding. 'I have seen Dol Guldur,' he said. 'Show me the worst - and we will decide how to deal with it.'" This was such a beautiful piece, Bodkin...*sniff*...just lovely! Linda

White Wolf · 16 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

I love the fact that Legolas believes that no matter who a person is or what their life is like, they deserve to be remembered. I like the lengths he went to to find out about the people that lived in the ruined house. The wooden doll was a nice touch. The old lady you created is wonderful. I would like to have known her. This is a lovely, well-written story that can teach us all a lesson about the value of each person’s life.

ziggy · 15 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Thoughtful, beautiful work.

Redheredh · 13 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

This was a touching story and good in the telling. Just the thing an anthropologist or archaeologist would appreciate. :) However, the thing that lea pt into my mind was that Legolas was looking to name - to know - these particular people. It brought up the old idea that the unknown brings dread and less confidence that one is safe. Putting a name and face on something is to conquer the haunting feeling or that strange forces surround you. He said at the Paths of the Dead that he did not fear the dead. Because he fears *for* them instead? Does he see restless spirits as houseless? How can one judge that a memoriam will be enough to send them on? And, you reminded me that elves wield love and not magic. Legolas might just be weaving a subtle spell to put these ghosts to rest - doing it the only way he knows how. A way we humans are not that unfamiliar with. I did like pointing out the difference between paper and oral historical traditions. But, nursery rhymes and old songs can be just as obscure sometimes as ledgers and writs. However, seeing the Elf in the aftermath of adventure was very interesting. I really liked his interactions with the humans in the story. The archivist was a fun archetype to tap onto. :) You always set me to pondering... thanks! Happy Birthday, Gwynhyffar!

JastaElf · 13 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Absolutely, heart-rendingly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely tale--happy birthday Gwenhyffar!

harrowcat · 13 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

A lovely but sad look at a land we hear too little about. I love the way that Legolas wants to remember those who made the land what it is. Love to see more of this and of the characters you introduced.

Linda Hoyland · 13 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

This was very moving and made some excellent points.Tolkien all too often neglects to name the wives and daughters!If only we all had an immortal Elf to remember us !I liked Faramir here too.

TheDancingCavalier · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

That was such a sweet story. It showed an aspect of Legolas that is often assumed, but nobody really takes the time to write about it. this story was beauitful-it captured death and life, past and future. You're writing was beautiful, and something to be adored for a long time.

Gwynhyffar · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

I forgot to say that the old woman talking of the people who had lived there was wonderful. I personally find research much more rewarding when I can actually talk to someone who either directly or through oral tradition knows the story of an area.

Gwynhyffar · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Oh my gosh, what a pleasant surprise, Bodkin! I absolutely love Legolas trying to piece together a small, personal piece of history that otherwise would have gone unknown to everyone-especially to have it linked to something like a doll. Things like that say so much when you find them, and yet create more questions than answers-as you showed so well. Legolas caressed a sapling that was growing between the grassy cobbles before the doorway. ‘The past should not be forgotten.’ He sounded sombre. Something about this ruin grieved him. He had seen the wreckage of battle and the destruction that had touched the White City, but this small tragedy touched something in him. It was personal, he decided. Not the great sweep of history, not even a footnote: a single bloom rather than a field – and so it made more impression. That made me cry! It's so true! So is the part about how men are good at record keeping-of those they deem significant. Thank you for this, I very much enjoyed it and I loved getting a tiny glimpse of Those Who Came Before. Gwyn

Ellie · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

That was beautifully told! The chasm between elves and men can be looked across but not always very well bridged. Poor Legolas is trying though! His offer to remember is a noble and heart-felt one and he has the right of it - holding the memories in his heart for all time. Hope that made sense, I'm tired. Nicely done!

Larner · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Bodkin, one of the most profound looks at the differences between first- and second-born I've seen yet. Moving and enduring and--needful.

elliska · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

I love Legolas's determination to learn about the people lost in Ithilien, despite their own people's lack of information. It is a wonderful contrast of the values of elves and men / men of different regions, since you worked in Rohan too. And I love Faramir here--he is such a good person, and you really show that here in a number of ways. The end had me in tears. Memories are such an important thing, indeed. Great story!

Imhiriel · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

I feel with Legolas: it is sad that people should be forgotten or be deemed unimportant so easily. But I think he does not fully appreciate the (sometimes dubious) advantage Elves have over Mortals - their infallible memory and their longlevity. It is easier to remember if you don't have to rely on written records who might be incomplete or faulty, or on tales passed on which might change with every teller. I really, really like Thimbriel. May I hope she will appear in some future stories of yours? And I'm glad she did not turn out to be a descendent of that family - I think it makes the way she tells the story more poignant if the feeling she can express is and evoke is based on sympathy for a fellow human being, not on personal interest (that's expressed rather badly, but I'm having trouble finding the words to explain...). Your portrayal of Faramir was wonderful, striking for all its subtlety. I had the feeling that he is guiding Legolas for a better understanding of Mortals in that he didn't just tell him of "official records" and "personal memories" and what might be contained and not contained in each form, but in that he let him discover and experience it for himself. And I loved the little reminder of how respected and beloved he is among his men. The story left me with a feeling of melancholy, but also of peace.

daw the minstrel · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Oh my goodness, what a perfect story for Gwyn! You're so clever, Bodkin. And it makes sense too, given Legolas's reaction to the stones of Hollin. I love the way he treasures each individual no matter their age or sex or value to the realm. Sadly, Tolkien too seems to record mostly men except for noble houses.

Lindelea · 12 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Time

Ah. I've often thought about Ithilien. Beregond's family came from there, you know, until they were driven out and went to Lossarnach. (I found it very interesting that Beregond was tall, as Bergil promised to be, and yet the Men of Lossarnach were shorter than the Men of Gondor--until I re-read Beregond's conversation with Pippin some time ago.) I like the old woman, not afraid to speak her thoughts in front of one of the Fair Folk! The story evokes many different, and yet related, emotions in the telling. Yet hope lingers in the essence after the last word has been read. And I love this glimpse of Faramir.