Reviews (56)

rgbj · 3 January 2004 · Chapter 29: The Council of Elrond

Now we come to the end of the beginning. I thought the teasing of Galithil and waking up all the orcs on the plains was funny. Those elves they love to have a good time. The meeting of Legolas and Gimli. Those elves are all the same, stuck up snobs. Gimli will eventually sing a different tune. Gloin has the big black pearl set in mithril. Oh Tathar. Wouldn't you have been proud of Legolas now. You did such a good job of putting movieverse and bookverse together for the Council of Elrond. Getting Legolas' point of view and adding flesh to the bones of the book. If Tolkien had written as deeply as you do we would have had six books. I drool at that thought. Ah so Arwen is in deep trouble with Glorfindel for taking Asfaloth. I am glad you came up with a good reasonable explanation for that little detour in the movie. So now Gimli has the pearl ring and his father is pleased as punch that his son is heading off to Mordor. OK. And his father was right, Gimli's loyalty was indeed superlative. I enjoyed how Elrond set Legolas up once he finally saw the light of the elves in him. And then, how funny, Legolas falls off the roof. He was so overcome. At that point Elrond knows he has made the right choice. Legolas really has very little self worth doesn't he? He puts everyone else ahead of himself. Like Gandalf says 'he likes to be overlooked'. This very trait may be why the ring seems to have no power over him. Unlike many elves in the past who have fallen victim to the desire for power. Cough *Galadriel* cough. I thought your phrase by Elrond 'this may be the purpose for which he was born' was very interesting. Earlier in the story you had someone say he was born to save the life of the Queen. After losing three children she was in danger of fading. Then his father was so wrapped up in him he almost lost him for himself and for middle earth. Maybe the Valar did have a purpose for him. Again. This may have been my most enjoyable chapter. I enjoy it so much when a writer weaves their story into the works of the good professor. I enjoy AU also but to take and expand on canon in a very believable way is pure joy to read.

rgbj · 2 January 2004 · Chapter 28: Failure

I like Sili and the conversation the young elven novice warriors had was so cute. I liked the phrase mass 'bruising of the ego'. Galilith has an he elf friend. That doesn't sound too much like boyfriend. Cand had it right. Court-ed. I am so glad that she and Faron have found happiness. OOH That cracked head must have hurt. Oh No Orcs. Oh wait I already knew that. Silly me. So we have one lost Gollum, one concussed heiress apparent, one dead novice, and one kidnapped novice. Unfortunately the buck does stop with Legolas. Gollum was his responsibility. I did wonder at using only novices but today we were watching CNN Presents and watched Jack Ruby shoot Oswald all over again and these things happen. People don't always think of the unexpected happening. Legolas was just trying to be nice to Gollum because of his experiences in the dungeons. Gollum really wouldn't have been bothered by dark places. He had been in one for centuries. AS far as how important this was. The life of everyone in middle earth will be impacted. He is right about that. I thought it was sad that Sili is still affected by what she saw take place between the king and the prince when she was young. The king put her in her place as a novice. Do all of the king's children take after him in their stubborn attitude or is she just a tad spoiled? OK He failed in his duty and wants to grieve in private. But Sili wants to grieve with him. These were her friends and compatriots and she feels some responsibility also. She probably has some survivor's guilt. So here the prince goes to Imladris to ask Elrond for help and escort Galilith to Faron. Thranduil's premonition is a good one. He may never see his son again. Of course we know he will and his son will be a hero but will never see himself that way, ever. I sure wish he would lighten up on himself. But now his father has thoroughly confused him. Galadriel and that d*mn mirror poking her nose in everyone's business. She is right about the powerful love of a father for his son. Thranduil is nothing if not powerful. And thank you for the remark about Arwen. I am not a purist but I had to draw the line at some of the things in the movie. And you are correct. The good don't always win. In LOTR they won but at such a huge cost to themselves. You truly can't predict the way things will be. We don't have that d*mn mirror.

rgbj · 29 December 2003 · Chapter 27: Old Friends, Older Enemies

Now we have the tale of Aragorn caching Gollum and taking him to Mirkwood. The way you tell it makes perfect sense to me. Nice to catch up with Orthelian again and let Aragorn get some sleep. Oh the Ranger was caught off his guard. He shouldn't make such a habit of that. Long time no see for a human, not for an elf. The Ring. Time for scary music. All the she-elves squeeing over Aragorn. Those Rangers. They are just to sexy for their bodies. Thranduil hasn't changed a great deal has he. I am sure Legolas has had to be the one to bend because the king is rather inflexible. He still doesn't want to have much to do with men. He also hates to see his son's poor choice of friends. Oh yes lovely Silivren. I like the mention of Nimrodel. Perhaps Legolas agrees and that is why he memorized the Lay of Nimrodel. Thranduil is still in those lousy caves. Why? Oh bad news. The novices are to guard Gollum, including Silivren. I hope she survives. We are on the last few laps here with your very enjoyable tale.

rgbj · 29 December 2003 · Chapter 26: Those Words We Said

He wanted to sleep like an elf. If you were an elf and woke up with your eyes closed I bet it would be claustrophobic. Legolas was the most trying patient the Crown Princess had ever cared for. Well yes I think the whole House of Oropher would be that way. They seem to have a will of iron. You would have to be strong to survive Mirkwood. I can really understand his need to be left in peace. When I'm sick I hate people around me. I don't even want them asking me how I feel. The idea that someone would be at my bedside 24/7 would drive me nuts. I like the fact the they can spell the door. That was a nice touch. So Berensul was always willful but Legolas has never been this way before so it is a shock. Thranduil finally cut the umbilical cord. Caused him a lot of emotional pain to admit this finally. His youngest has now been allowed to be an adult and given his right to make his own mistakes, choices and decisions. Now the rest of his family have to make that change also. The baby probably always has a tough time. Old habits die hard. Another touching father/son redemption scene. Thranduil is so very restrained in his dealings. He cannot bear to be seen or thought of as weak and that is a weakness in itself. It causes him to be in situations that are dangerous for himself and others. Very foolish although I am sure he doesn't see it that. Different minds similar temperments leads to Sili getting her pony anyway. The kings second thoughts were very revealing. Maybe his youngest will have a profound effect on him as time slowly wears away his shell. Poor dwarves. At least the nasty ones went to Moria to get wiped out. Some nice ones went too though. Getting close to the end of this story. Sigh.

rgbj · 29 December 2003 · Chapter 25: Forgiveness

This was a exciting chapter and very angst filled. First I liked the Denethor quote. I really missed some of the interaction between Denethor, Faramir, Gandalf and Pippin in the movie. I hope we get some more in the EE. I hated it when he stopped breathing. But of course he then could come back for his father. His loving presence was a shield for the nightmares. Thranduil proved his heart was not frozen. He will not leave his son. Legolas' ravings were I am sure very enlightening for his family. I don't think his family ever really got to the core of what is fundamentally Legolas. He will not be able to hide his thoughts and feeling when he is so far gone. Elrond to the rescue. And he could enlighten Thranduil that Legolas came home of his own volition and would have been better off if he had not. Elrond learned a lot about Legolas' will power. When Legolas set his heart on a thing nothing would turn him aside. Like father like son. You wrote a lovely forgiveness scene. Very touching and loving. Silivren was so sweet to her Uncle Leg'las. It was good for him to be home. Now maybe his family will unconditionally love him and let him be who he was meant to be.

rgbj · 28 December 2003 · Chapter 24: An Elf Alone

The next chapter will have some angst. Uh huh. And what did this chapter have? Chopped liver? The orcs got him. They used the old avalanche ploy that worked on his brother and two sisters. What Thranduil feared has come to pass. And why? Because they had a fight and Legolas wanted to return to his father. So his father is partly to blame. This is known as irony. At least he has a bad dream about it. He really blames himself for his children's deaths. This must be why he is so controlling. If he can control Legolas he will not suffer the same fate. Too late. OOH Legolas torture. He prayed for death. I don't blame him. Orcs do not play nice with others. At least it didn't last too long. Lanthir to the rescue. I love that part. Horses are wonderful. But the orcs got in the last word and shot him with a poison arrow. He left his bow/arrows and knives behind. He has no food, no way to carry water. He is in deep trouble. He can't even ride his horse because Lanthir is hurt badly too. Has to go home despite it being so far away. I don't blame him for not wanting to go back and take the chance of meeting up with those orcs again. At least Elrond is hot on his trail and can hopefully take care of him when he catches up. The poison is giving him bad dreams again about his father rejecting him, Tathar berating him. Oh No. His horse died. What a heartbreak. And the trees noted his passing. More angst for Legolas. He blames himself for everything else. One more thing to blame himself for. OK He is rock bottom now. Stripped down to nothing, lost, defeated, no dignity or strength. Can't get much lower than that. Good thing Tathar and Galadriel offered him truth instead of the lies that the bad dreams give him. I liked the line 'you punish yourself for your faults but this time you have gone too far. Your father would show you more mercy than you ever have shown yourself.' Mithrandir gets him home on Tathar's horse Sadron. Tathar would approve. Good Thranduil will save him. He has truly come home. Now we just have to let everyone suffer so they can really appreciate Legolas' homecoming.

rgbj · 28 December 2003 · Chapter 23: The Counsel of Elrond

I don't know why I have to log on every time I want to review. You would think I would only have to log on once for each time I come here but I have to log on for each chapter. Oh well. I will have a little cheese with my whine. Evil cliffhanger. Elrond in your story is shown as the wise elf lord he really is. Being able to draw out of Legolas what he feels. Legolas does doubt himself and always has but at least now he knows he is afraid. I thought it was telling that he felt he could never bring himself to admit his fear to his father. Could this be the basis of the fear that everyone notices Legolas has for his father? He may feel unworthy of his fathers love because he isn't the perfect elf. He may feel he has to earn his father's affection and deep down think there is no way he can be good enough to live up to his father's expectations. Getting more clear about what is going on in his life. Gaining more faith in himself is very important. Lim is right no one ever forces Thranduill to do anything. Head on confrontation is never going to work with him. He will have to decide this on his own because of his love and desire to see Legolas in his life again. I liked the dinner conversation "No one touches my horse". Go Legolas. He makes his statement about going home to Mirkwood and meets everyone's gaze. No longer lowering his eyes when he is the center of attention. Has he finally grown up? Some people take longer than others to mature maybe it is the same for elves. I liked the mention of Tathar and the apple tree. We can't ever forget Tathar and neither can Legolas. OK we have Mithrandir on the road to help out. Elrond is going to try to catch Legolas to set his mind at ease. Legolas is going to need all the help he can get. Being too preoccupied to take full notice of what is going on around him is going to get him killed if he isn't more careful. Isn't it dangerous for a lone warrior to go this route anyway? Well obviously it was too dangerous. We can only hope that Thranduil's dream will not come true.

rgbj · 27 December 2003 · Chapter 22: Feasting, Frolicking, and Farewells

Two months have gone by since the battle. Time sure flies when you are cleaning up a messy battle scene. Araagorn wondering if Legolas had been at Mt Doom. Lim was there. Somehow I don't see her as being as hard headed and hearted as Thranduil. And Legolas says "I have found it better to judge the world by seeing it myself rather than letting others judge it for me.” If he is so much like Thranduil his pride and stubborness have led him down a different path than his father. So to Aragorn Legolas is a most interesting elf. Great drinking contest. Yes elves do get drunk. Ask daw the minstrel. She pointed this out to me. Yes the elf would win. Of course it takes a lot of booze to get them wasted and they have very little hangover. He slept a little later and felt off all day. Elves are just too cool. I think the council was right not to start their government with bloodshed. If the loyalists ever return they can face the music. How will Fompram ever survive on his own. Better not to think about that. Going to Imladris and see the family. Elrond will be able to help Legolas get things straight.

rgbj · 27 December 2003 · Chapter 21: Each Night I Dream of Home

That was an action packed chapter. First some of the humans now know exactly who Legolas and Aragorn are. At least they don't have to worry about their saviors wanting to take over after the battle is over. The both have places to go and things to do. That idiot Fompram. Could he be any dumber. He and his general make me think of Dumb and Dumber. Thranduil's dream - See this is a troubled elf. He has so much pain and heartache to overcome. I would like this to be enough to forgive him for his treatment of Legolas but it isn't quite enough. He should cherish him and the children he has left but he seems to just focus on himself. Maybe he is so caught in an emotional trap he can't get out. So Legolas isn't the only elf that has nightmares. Another thing about his father he doesn't know. Running away from his dreams puts him on the ramparts feeling homesick. Legolas is channeling Langcyll again. Has he ever done this with his father? Maybe Langcyll was a real father figure to him after all. I wish his relationship with his father could be better. Maybe in the future. The Battle - I hate the general and Fompram. They hurt the horses. No one can hurt horses or babies in stories. If they do I want them dead. There are never any dogs and cats in stories or I would want any dog and/or cat killers dead too. The rebels acquitted themselves quite well. Their training paid off. Of course in a battle people get killed and/or maimed on both sides. That is a hard truth the rebels have learned. Lim and Thranduil. She is a pusher isn't she? Definitely Thranduil's daughter. Legolas has grown up too much like his father. They will never have an easy relationship then. Too much alike. Dinner - Bad family dinner. To much togetherness leads to arguments even among elves. The king is so proud. Even in his grief he cannot reach out to his children for help. Lack of communication leads to lots of angst. Then we have Legolas yearning to be home. Longing for Mirkwood. Something tells me this will take awhile though. We have too many chapters to go.

rgbj · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 20: Trust

This was such a funny chapter. You must have enjoyed writing it. Legolas teaching archery to the men who have no clue as to what to do. And then he and Aragorn get into a bragging contest and have to fight to prove who is the best. When do guys grow up? Savorin tells Aragorn you will regret your over confidence and he does. The elf is hundreds of years older than Aragorn and has been practicing most of that time. Now he is trying to teach archery and Legolas hears Langcyll's voice when he teaches swordmanship. They each ask the ? who are you? No answers so far. More and more they realize that the other is hiding their identity. Savorin feels that Aragorn is disconcerted because he is hiding his identity as well and that is a touch hypocritical. Legolas is skilled but he feels that mastery is not yet his because of past events. This has proved that he is lacking in control. At least he is beginning to think clearly about the past. Well the big ambush was as messy as I thought it would be with a group of drunks. But they did get the elf even though they didn't get anyone killed. How will Forpram deal with a scary elf. Celeborn - what a hoot. He sounded like Thranduil when he tried to be scary. Wouldn't father be proud helping a band of human rebels, captured by a human, had his life saved by humans and beholden to that human for that very reason. Oh ada would be thrilled. That Galadriel she knows more that she is telling isn't she.? So the humans are so scared that they will not only let him go but prove a distraction so that he can get back without problems. Elves must be scary the way humans act. OK it must be close to time for that battle.

rgbj · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 19: The Ranger

I liked the line about Legolas' eyes being closed and he hated it when that happened. Wood elves do have a reputation don't they? And it must be well earned. At least the Ranger was willing to take a chance on a wood elf and rescue him. Legolas then repays him by kicking him and then passing out. So now Legolas will get to know men better. Couldn't have a better opportunity than to pal around with the heir to Isildur. And Aragorn will have at least one ally in Mirkwood when this is all over. That will be a helpful thing to have. Legolas has now begun to think a little more rationally again. But his fear of his father kicks in and he feels he will never be able to go back. All the while blaming himself alone, not admitting his father's part in this decades old misunderstanding. OPEN REBELLION A lot like the Boston Tea Party. Both sides are gobsmacked at seeing an elf. What a bunch of drunks. Of course water was not always the most hygienic thing to drink in the middle ages so maybe it was the same in middle earth. So Haloel and Fompran's story is told. Another greedy tyrant. Maybe Legolas will learn what a real greedy tyrant is like. He can then compare what he knows of his father. Was it kill the elf and capture the Rangers or kill the Rangers and capture the elf? Or was it... never mind. Well now Legolas is up to his neck in human problems. On to the battle.

rgbj · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 18: Fight or Flight

THE BIG FIGHT and it didn't solve a thing. They still are at odds and completely unable to understand each other. Just a simple I love you and things would be much better. The king just doesn't have good anger management skills. Well Silivren is just a sweetie and has such a good effect on both Legolas and Thranduil. Children can be such a great comfort. At first Legolas thinks his father is generous, fair and wise in dealing with his people but as time goes on he sees he is also narrow minded, pig headed and obstinate and wants to hear Legolas speak only if his son agrees with him. I would imagine he is still thinking of Legolas as an elfling who has no life skills yet beyond fighting orcs. He doesn't even want his son asking for more information about certain subjects. This makes Legolas feel he will do anything to subdue him and bend him to his father's will. ANOTHER BIG FIGHT and it made things oh so much worse. Well the almost unforgivable happened and Thranduil has no excuses. He wasn't drunk so what he said was out of sheer rage. He may be sorry but he cannot ever unsay those words. He will try to push the blame onto Legolas if he can. He really is kind of a weinie person. So for Silivren's sake he will leave after just six short weeks and go to 'Lorien to cool off. Poor Silivren "Nobody tells me anything." Poor adar he cannot make the worlds go away. Poor Legolas having to leave in such turmoil despite Galadriel's word to reconcile or everything will be lost. Poor Beren his brother is running away again. Everybody's unhappy. Now spiders got him. Well at least the spider will be happy. And I know it will work out because we still have about ten chapters to go.

rgbj · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 17: All Things Must Change

I reviewed this last night and the site ate it so I will try again. THERE BACK!! I can't imagine going back home after three decades. The trees are rejoicing. That is so sweet. And Legolas missed his forest. I always like it when writers acknowledge the connection between wood elves and the trees. Well this will be a bitter sweet reunion for the most part. Back to being a prince having to ride at the head of the war party. The king didn't even acknowledge him. The result of the disastrous meeting on the plains. Oh my this doesn't look too good. Oh a lovely niece who looks like Legolas. I always wonder at the dynamics of the elves having so few children. There would be few elflings around at any one time so few playmates, schoolmates, small peer group and the young would interact much more with older elves. Life just has beaten the king around hasn't it? He has lost another son, this one to the sea longing. Of all his children he has the crown prince at home, Lim in 'Lorien and Legolas traveling. Along with no wife he must be desperately lonely. No wonder he is such a mess. He must be terrified of who he will lose next. Well Legolas is learning that you can't go home again even if you are an elf. It is a painful lesson no matter what race you are. All thing must change. A theme Tolkien utilized for the elves was how much they fought change. They wanted things to stay the same. They wanted stability. What they got was the long defeat. But here his brother is gone, Lim is gone, Merilin and Candochon have wed, some of the people he traveled with fell and didn't return. His room is the same but nothing else. Must be disorienting. Even though Langcyll tells his friends he has changed they still find him good and noble. But he has changed he just hasn't matured enough to be his own elf yet. Back to caves. This is a theme in your story. Caves are bad, bad things happen in them and Legolas is uncomfortable with them. Now he has to pay for his mistakes of thirty years ago. At least he is mature enough to know that he has a debt to pay. I am sure the king saw his relief at not having to deal with the issue. This will just add to the strain. He cannot endlessly run away. This isn't dealing with anything. Even outsiders see the strain between the king and his son so this is getting harmful to more than just the immediate family now. So Langcyll has had enough and will go to the Grey Havens. This is change with a vengeance for Legolas. Langcyll has been a father figure for Legolas for most of his life. He also feels that he made Legolas into the warrior elf that he is today and despises the king for his many excesses. He instilled the good principles that Legolas exhibits today. I wonder how much his love of Legolas affects his dislike of the king. I wonder if Thranduil has ever understood Legolas or did he just see what he wanted to see. Legolas on the other hand because of the weird fear of his father cannot confide in him or use him as a resource to help him cope with all these changes. He is truly alone in this turmoil and he doesn't need to be. He has to deal with so many losses and his father could share his life experiences with his son on how to cope with loss. But nothing is ever easy in middle earth. So now Langcyll and the king between them have made things so much worse. Too much to drink and Langcyll feeling that the king does not deserve a son as good as Legolas. The final scene between Langcyll and Legolas was just lovely. A good parting for both of them. Leaving them at peace with each other knowing that the king still has to be dealt with but putting that aside for this last meeting. Good storytelling. There's going to be h*ll to pay now. Thank you for the very pivotal chapter.

rgbj · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 16: Farewell to Lorien

In answer to your AN. I would like little vignettes of some of the warrior adventures you didn't have time for someday. I know you might get tired of dealing with the same characters all the time. Maybe some little Legolas and Tathar (sob) stories. Oh and some stories of Legolas' dead brothers and sisters if that isn't too OC. But then if wishes were horses beggars would ride. It is easy to ask but may not be so easy for you to do. They are overwhelmed by the wounded. That is what real all-out war is like. I will never forget the dolly shot of the wounded in "Gone With The Wind". What a classic. And totally overwhelming. Like Glorfindel all warriors would like battles that are less than they expected. So now they face decades of travel and fighting. What a hard life you have plotted for them. A little digression to the dwarves again and the elves intense dislike of them. Although some of the elves seem more open. Very few of the dwarves seemed to be so open though. Why can't we just get along? A reprieve for Legolas. Does he contemplate never going home or is he so young that he can't quite grasp you have to face your problems, not sweep them under the rug. He can now avoid home and the king and do it for the most noble of reasons. Glorfindel not happy with this though. He knows the longer the prince waits the harder it will be. His father will not be so understanding as to see the nobility of the prince's actions. It was sad the Lim couldn't go with her husband and brother. How hurt was she anyway? They could have waited for her so she could go along. Well maybe you had a reason for keeping her back. Ah so Estel has arrived in Imladris and Elrond needs the twins to help train him. Glad to see you weave in canon with fanon. Oh those poor dwarves and what they have in store for them. I like dwarves but I doubt I would spend too much time with them. They are a little to sturdy, doughty and earthy for my tastes. One dwarf was enough. They lost three Mirkwood warriors. It amazes that any of them survive when you consider how long they have been gone and how much they have to fight. Ithilien. The garden of Gondor. It must have been a truly amazing place even with the shadow darkening it. That Galadriel. She has her nose in everyone's business it seems. And yes Legolas does see the beauty that could be there. His time is just beginning. He has a longer time in Arda than other elves. So home to Mirkwood, the first stop and a reunion with the king. I liked the thoughts and desires of the warriors far from home. Even if you live forever being away from the elves and places that you love would be difficult. A feast in the wilderness for Legolas' official second coming of age. And a shocking beginning for the day. It was so nice of his companions to do this for him. A book and wrist guards from his dead brother. He is still the emotional elf isn't he? And of course no day would be complete without it's fair share of orcs and battles. They are only three days away from Mirkwood. Yipes you did fast forward didn't you? So now we see the end of one phase of Legolas' life and the beginning of another that I seem to feel won't be one of joy and happiness. The reason is that there is about 15 chapters left to go. Can't have much of a story without tension of some sort. Thank you for all the hard work. You have the longest chapters I have ever read I think.

rgbj · 25 December 2003 · Chapter 15: Shadows in the Golden Wood

Nice Haldir scene. Three hundred years of bad news. The long defeat indeed. Legolas has learned to depend too much on Langcyll. He does need to learn to trust himself and his own judgements. Still growing up. Ah the Nimrodel. I always liked that scene from the book. How did that pearl get there? Oh yes the author put it there. So peaceful and healing. We need a Nimrodel. A smart orc would be dangerous and they got very dangerous. A pretty elf maiden for Legolas to woo. He won't soon hear the end of this. She doesn't sound like the kind of she-elf that would be partial to relocating to Mirkwood. Of course Legolas being a younger son could move to 'Lorien. The twins are so cute looking out for each other. So Galadriel used Nenya against the orcs. Serves them right. They will think twice before they pull anything like this again. Of course in the book the elves go kill them by hand when they follow the fellowship into 'Lorien. This was sure a action packed chapter. I am in awe of people who can write battle scenes

rgbj · 25 December 2003 · Chapter 14: The Mirror of Galadriel

Well those poor dwarves and Moria. Been on the long trek for only three years and they are worn out. The orcs have just gotten to be too many for them. They are no longer the hunted but the prey. You have a nice way with words. The tables are turned alright. The barely make this one. Adrenaline is great. Nice to have his sister around she will take care of him. They are sleeping with their eyes closed! They are tired. OOH Glorfindel and Langcyll's little talk. Well it had to be said. Langcyll has indeed become possessive and over protective just like Thranduil. What is it about warrior Legolas that makes people react to him in this manner? I mean he is a warrior after all. Glorfindel makes a good point when he points out that Thranduil's anger has been fueled by this encounter and while the king will not blame Langcyll because he had the right to direct Legolas this anger will fall full force on Legolas. Thranduil will perceive all the avoidance as being on his son's part. The hammer will descend when he sees Legolas again. Great. Galadriel and Celeborn are sure cheerful. Well Legolas had a very nice talk with his sister. It probably helped him get things in perspective. If only he had had someone like that he would have done the right thing and his father would have been appeased. And he is going to be an uncle!! That d*mn mirror. All of middle earth gets to look into that mirror and get more confused than they already are. At least Galadriel is a true elf. True elves say both yes and no and speak in riddles. Only after the event do you see what they were talking about. Oh and Haldir and his brothers are around. I liked them a lot. Glad to see them in your story.

rgbj · 25 December 2003 · Chapter 13: Sins of the Father

A very interesting chapter. It moved your plot along quite nicely. I liked the conversations about Bilbo, the dwarves and Gandalf. So nice to lace your story with canon. Having Legolas quiet and blushing like an elfling and agreeing that Gandalf does make one courageous. Dwarf Ale - Only Legolas could swallow it. Bet the dwarves got a kick out of the elves reaction. So many orcs to fight and so little time. The king and son would meet in the heat of battle and be stunned to see each other. A lot of soul searching going on here. Thranduil - Wouldn't have recognized Legolas he had changed so much. He was bewildered, awed, grieved, lost and confused. He lost the child who had gone without saying good-bye. That is such a sad statement but he has no one to blame but himself. Not that he admitted as much. He sure has a low threshold of anger and very little empathy. He couldn't understand Legolas less if he tried. He is an amazingly self-centered elf. I guess being king and having everyone kow-tow to you would make you that way. He seems to have more of a problem with Legolas than any of his other children. Well if he was angry before and acting badly this little meeting isn't going to make things better. By the time Legolas gets back he will have built up a good head of steam. He has now lost Legolas the warrior without a good-bye. Lot of water going under this bridge. The elves have a lot of time but time can run out for them too. Legolas - My for a grown up warrior he sure reverted fast when he met his father. I really don't understand his fear of his father. He has proven himself a good warrior and should be able to meet his father on a more even basis. He is still very foolish about interpersonal relations. You would think that he would be more able to cope because of his very supportive group that has helped him mature. Maybe two years isn't enough for an elf. He also has learned more about his father and he needs to deal with that knowledge rather than just run from an understanding of it. Is he the kind of elf that just runs rather than face his problems? I was also surprised that his mother's death didn't come up with the dwarves. Also that his fear of caves and his mother's death in one didn't come up when he was trapped underground. Maybe a lot of his fear and inability to cope with such a strong father is linked to the loss of his mother and the way she was lost. Just a thought. I don't get that from the story but I am trying to make up a background that would give us this type of personality. Elladan - His thoughts on warriors and their weaknesses was very well presented. For most warriors it was tHE love of their families that was the weakness, for Legolas it was fear of his father and shame. I don't get the fear part unless it was fear of disappointing him which he hasn't done. The sahme I understand. He has just spent a very long time with dwarves and has been made to feel ashamed of his father's actions and dealings. He is so unable to see his father's actions are directly related to his mother's death in Moria. When he feels it is better to say nothing he couldn't be more naive. Glorfindel - Speaks from the wisdom of a long life and wants what is best for both the king and prince but also the realm and elves in general. He can see no good in a rift between a king and his son. Only pain for Langcyll, Thranduil and Legolas in the future. Langcyll - Well he has basically fallen in love with the idea of being a father figure for Legolas. He must also feel Thranduil doesn't deserve such a good warrior son. This isn't going to work out for him either. Wow what a dense chapter. Got a lot going for it on so many levels.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 12: Of Price and Worth

This reminds me of when Legolas was an elfling and he and his friends got lost in the lower caves of Mirkwood. He is lucky to be alive and not to be crunched. You put in the elflings lost in the cave. No wonder this reminded me of it. Always with the oneupmanship between the two races. Big Bird says the co-operation is a key part of friendship. Galithil is going to get an admirer but Legolas won't. I can tell. Legolas has every right not to like caves. Your experiences when young can really color your life. I like Glorfindel's comment about dwarves being witty and flirty. Gimli certainly was. Oh dear they know Legolas is Thranduilion. Not good at all. I like that 'moon maiden'. She gave some good advice. Well that isn't a very nice dwarf. Not all dwarves are nasty but not all of them are nice either. Just like every other race. I thought Langcyll was getting a little too protective of Legolas. He has taken over the protecting and teaching that a father would ordinarily do. Legolas will return to his father but he will always need other role models to follow and Langcyll is a good one. Well they are safe and most of them learned to work together. They may not feel quite the same about each other now. For good or bad. I liked Legolas' comment 'May greed never have power over me.' He can give up the pearl and move on because Tathar was more to him that a mere bauble. To the bad dwarf it was just a chance at revenge and treasure to Legolas it was a memory. Good chapter.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 11: Ears and Beards

Ok more dwarves. A good chance to harden Legolas' feelings about dwarves. Well it started out OK. The elves helped the dwarves out and the dwarves were less than gracious. Divide and conquer is Sauron's game and it works. All free peoples should be united in their hatred of the growing evil instead the distrust and dislike one another. Actually in canon even the elves distrusted and disliked other groups of elves. Oh good the elves and dwarves are going to play tag all the way to Moria. Never trust an elf. I thought it was sad when Legolas had to listen to all the gossip about Thranduil and the Lonely Mountain saga. It would naturally upset him but also harden his harsh feelings about his father. This is from the dwarves point of view. The dwarves were much in the wrong in the Battle of the Five Armies. I'm not exactly sure what Faron means when he says the pearl would be coveted more if the dwarves knew why Legolas treasured it. He said they were malicious. They would want it just to hurt Legolas? Well big trouble. Poor Legolas why does he always end up in the dark and smothered. Let's get him out of there quick.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 10: Of Places Left Behind

That was an angst chapter. Really sad. They let Sadron go to be free. And Legolas gave his circlet to Tathar because he was more noble than the prince thought he could ever be. Big emotions there. Legolas may looked reserved for an elf but he is certainly emotional. that must have been what surprised his father when he finally blew. They drugged him to get him to sleep. Oh my. Well he brought up the obvious Sauron and the Ring. Bad news from home and lots of it. His father retreating to the dark dismal caves, imprisoning the dwarves and the battle at the Lonely Mountain. Also the Emeralds of G something that was his part of the swag. He has just replaced one strong emotion, sorrow with another, anger. Actually anger is one of the steps in the grieving process. Not responsible for the flaws of his father and lucky to have a good mentor in Langcyll. All the things his siblings were afraid of are coming true. That was a good talk that he had with Langcyll. You did a really good job in this chapter balancing the fact that elves can die of grief with the need to have Legolas grieve with his closest friend. And Langcyll is still projecting. Now he is ready to move on. Time to get on with his life. The life Tathar will never get to share with his lord.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 9: The Apple Tree

What is it with guys. Counting coup. Good grief. You would think Legolas would have outgrown it by the quest but no. They had fought more battles in their eighteen months than a seasoned warrior had in her first century. This hows how bad things are getting in middle earth. Legolas is glad he doesn't have to deal with the fallout of his departure and absence. Bad things: Blizzard, Wargs, Avalance, Wargs and then more Wargs. His last thoughts were very interesting. Not sorry for his actions, leaving home to be a warrior, all the suffering. But his last thought was father. Even if you hate your parents you love your parents. Langcyll - he's projecting. The son he always wanted. I thought in your little Legolas story Langcyll had a son that was a warrior. I thought he got killed. I was so proud of myself for remembering some of this story but the cold meds must have been stronger than I thought. I just knew that when someone said they hadn't lost anyone someone was going to die. Why did it have to be Tathar? You could have killed his girlfriend then Legolas could have been all angsty about his friends sorrow. Oh well it's done now.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 8: Out of the Door

Wow you have dense chapters. It was too late for the king and regret is a bitter pill to swallow. He must feel so isolated now. His children don't agree with him so he has no solace. I would have liked Legolas to at least write I love you to his father but I think this is one of your plot devices. That was a nice pep talk from the more seasoned warriors before they all split up. That is part of what these missions are about. They didn't want Legolas to go on such a hard, long and treacherous mission but couldn't gainsay him because they had wanted him to join one of them but he needs as much advice and role models as he can get. They can get. I need to remember Tathar. When they return they will have earned their status as seasoned warriors. This circlet thing he has to wear (I just saw the movie so I imagined it looking like that)might as well be a big sign that says KINGS SON, KILL ME FIRST. But as Langcyll says he can no more deny being a prince as king cannot deny Legolas is a warrior. Or did Tathar say that? I forget. OK now we start with Real life and dwarves. Of course they have a slightly biased view but it is based on some dealings that the king has had with them. Brings to mind bits and pieces to Legolas' that are not pleasant. Legolas has really good senses doesn't he? Even for an elf. ORCS!! First fight. They did good. Has a lot to think about. The king keeping him incredibly ignorant because that was the way his father wanted him. Now he is going to get a one-sided look at his father and he will have to reconcile the two sides. Very few are purely one or the other. We are all multi-faceted. Liked the novice pranks. They all did it let's face it. The moth was a great illustration. Even though it felt that time sped up it was only twenty minutes. The time it took the moth to leave it's chrysalis, dry it's wings and fly away. And now they are full fledged members of the patrol, no longer in the middle. You have really action packed long chapters.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 7: The Nudge

Well this was an action packed chapter as far as family dynamics go. Limloeth sounds like a very level headed and loving sister for Legolas. His siblings see what is happening but cannot countermand the king. They are right he is very naive and real life will be a big shock for him to learn about the outside world. Even Gandalf's hands are tied by Legolas himself who cannot bring himself to see. I like the phrase passive resistance and perfecting the art of stubborness. No one can match him in this. Poor guy whose name starts with a G from Imladris. These elves seem to be very emotional. Now this is very true you are safe nowhere. In middle earth it would be even worse because orcs seemed to just run around looking for people to kill. In the Woodland Realm so close to Dol Goldur it would be even worse. Well the Dam broke. Grief and pain caused all this to come to a head and just pop. Gandalf set the proper tone. Legolas is a sensible prince, he has great skills to use in behalf of middle earth. If the king is so fearful of his children's safety why are they all warriors? Why didn't he ask some of them to take up other occupations? He is the king afterall. Well Legolas has declared his freedom with a vengeance by an act of defiance to his king and father. He will be gone for years and will grow up a lot in that time. His poor father is going to reap what he has sown. By keeping too tight a grip he lost control completely.

rgbj · 24 December 2003 · Chapter 6: Rights and Privileges

So now that Legolas can attend the Great Councils he begins to learn more about his father and his dealings with the outside world. It is hard to start looking at your parents as flawed humans and not all-wise elders. Legolas leads a very sheltered life doesn't he? His siblings and Gandalf feel that he will surprise the king one day. He already has begun. After this proposal he has a few more dozen to discourage. He is going to set a record in that also. He has good siblings. They want him to try his wings and fly on his own. They don't spoil him or belittle him. OUCH He ran through the woods with his eyes closed? It's a good thing he is an elf or he would have gotten a concussion. I see the king setting himself up for a fall here in trying to rein in Legolas' enthusiasm. I read once about letting children go. Imagine them to be like spring. You hold the spring down tightly and let go very gradually. If you let go too suddenly the spring will bounce all over the place but if you never let go the spring will lose it's resiliency and be ruined. I don't think Legolas will spring all over the place but I can see him being ruined. Adulthood agrees with him. Time to see what is beyond the borders of the Woodland Realm. But now the youthful enthusiasm has been clouded a little. Maybe a lot. Be a teacher when he has been the highest scoring contestant in the Gathering Games? But his teachers taught him they can teach others. He has innate abilities that need to be used. He has really changed from being an elfling. I hardly recognize little Legolas in this very diffident young elf. He used to charge into any mischief full speed ahead. Now it takes him an hour just to build up the nerve to speak to his father. OK. Now we see what happened to his other siblings. This is a tragedy but probably not an uncommon one in middle earth with all the baddies running around. It isn't the foolish and unecessary risks that the king is worried about. It is his own fear that drives him. The fear of loss of another child. One that was still a child and controlled by him after the Queen died. That is very sad.

rgbj · 22 December 2003 · Chapter 5: Girls, Girls, Girls!

That was a great chapter. The most dangerous foe of all and it was just beginning. Mirkwood got all four of their competitors in the top placings. Mirkwood should be very proud of them all. And to Langcyll who trained them all. Legolas was very gracious in deflecting all the praise he received to share with all his companions. I thought it was sweet that he could be at ease around Mithrandir although Elrond awed him. Mithrandir really sees where the king is coming from. Desperate all encompasing love, deepest weakness. What will happen when Legolas has to leave his father's care and seek his rights and freedoms as an adult. Mithrandir feels it may impact all of middle earth. Cut that umbilical cord Dad. He got a middle earth elven Olympic Gold Medal. That is so cool. His friends and family are getting quite a kick out of this aren't they? Even Tathar got an offer. Really they are all way to young to think about pairing up. They need to have adventures first. Life after the Gathering next up on the agenda. Legolas will be so relieved. Thanks for the laughs in this chapter.