Reviews (197)

fliewatuet · 24 November 2003 · Chapter 13: Brytta's Challenge

Wow, the atmosphere in this chapter was so tangible. The impending thunderstorm enhancing the tension of the joust was a nice twist and so well described that I could almost hear the thunder ... And the sound of the raindrops on the armour was a nice remainder of the battle of Helm's Deep scene in the movie. Poor Bandy must have had quite some shock at seeing his beloved master injured (as did I), but I am glad that it was truly just a scratch. But my favourite part in this chapter was the description of Brytta's defeat, which he did deserve, IMO, just for the way he treated his horse! Telling this scene from Brytta's POV worked really well, especially for conveying his confusion at what had actually happened when he found himself upon the ground (missing his poor horse *grin*). Now I wonder what Legolas and Hellas of Lossarnach have to discuss.

Lamiel · 18 November 2003 · Chapter 12: The Brown Knight Turns

I love your play with language. Not just the dialogue, but the descriptions are very finely wrought and detailed--very poetic. The opening description of the heat: "The afternoon lay heavy upon the dusty ground, golden and hazy and yellow-blue..." Lovely. So all the maidens are chasing after Legolas now, eh? Hardly surprising, but they haven't even seen his face! The prize is greater than they know. Wonderful description of the hand combat. Gripping and detailed, very clearly written. I wondered if the brown knight weren't trying to cut off Lasgalen's helmet--with the attack on the jousting field, it seems that someone knows more about him than could be wished. Loved the way he parried the blow and attacked in return, "then giving a tremendous twist he spun about, knocking Hallas to one side, and faster than the crowd could follow with their eyes, he slid the tip of his sword into the back of Hallas’ knee..." Hooray! Even weighed down with all that armour he's still faster and stronger and more accurate. Wonderful job.

fliewatuet · 17 November 2003 · Chapter 12: The Brown Knight Turns

Yet another wonderful chapter! It seems that whoever left the caltrops upon the list does not intend to sabotage the tournament itself, but Lasgalen of Dale in particular. Though I am not quite sure what drove Hallas of Lossarnach to such a display of rage. But I am sure that Kind Elessar and co. will find out soon enough. I only hope that Lasgalen of Dale is not hurt too badly. I wouldn't want the ladies to be dissapointed should he be too injured to continue (which I highly doubt);-) Again, the entire discription of the tournament, the intrigues in the background is so vivid that I feel thoroughly tempted to dig for an old copy of Ivanhoe or something like that, only to read more about tournaments and knights and shining armour:-) fliewatuet

Tinnuial · 16 November 2003 · Chapter 12: The Brown Knight Turns

Oh dear....Our poor Green Knight is courted by more than just eager young ladies it seems, but Trouble appears to have found him as well!! Hope you didn't wound him too badly...... ;) but he can be showered with lots of TLC from all corners now.... Marvellous chapter as usual....makes you wish you were right there in the stands... Thank you! :)

Coriel · 16 November 2003 · Chapter 12: The Brown Knight Turns

FOR SHAME!!! Well, even if Legolas is now somewhat the worse for wear, it seems his reputation is not, *thankfully*. Let's hope his elvish revivescence manifests itself soon. And, ah, I wouldn't mention this little incident to Thranduil later if this Hallas knave is yet anywhere within reach. Hehe, fangirls in Gondor! And they haven't even seen him outside that awful armor yet. ^_^ I guess it would be a little difficult to explain that Lasgalen has somewhat higher aspirations for a future wife. I absolutely love this story; I need to get my sister to read it!

Eledhwen · 16 November 2003 · Chapter 12: The Brown Knight Turns

Another excellent chapter - very lyrical writing.

Eledhwen · 10 November 2003 · Chapter 11: Brytta of Rohan

This is excellent - such depth of research and verisimilitude! Though a part of me does find it odd to see such a large amount of (obviously perfectly correct technical) French terms in a LOTR fanfic, knowing how Tolkien disliked that language. I'm sort of hoping Aragorn will get a turn. Kings did joust, after all, and I bet he'd be very good. Great stuff, keep it up!

Lamiel · 10 November 2003 · Chapter 11: Brytta of Rohan

Stack the odds in Legolas' favour? Never! Would I suggest such a thing? Ah, he can hold his own. And I guess it was more realistic to have him lose the fencing match. Fighting with a huge heavy sword, weighted down with all that armour, in a hot dusty ring against that huge freaking troll-man . . . it isn't his type of thing, anyway. But caltrops on the field! Oh, something's rotten in Ithilien . . . maybe someone's trying to frame Legolas? It was his opponent's horse that went down, after all. And if these suspicious Men haven't suggested that yet, they will soon. People don't take kindly to mysterious strangers who show up and trounce them to pieces at their own games. I liked Bandobras' line, about Legolas speaking about decades the way other people talk about days. That would unnerve me, too! Wonderful chapter, as always. And I'm looking forward to Legolas getting his own back, too! He can win this tournament fairly, or even with others playing dirty tricks on him. He just might want to skip the prize ceremony, that's all. Doesn't seem like that'd appeal to him, anyway.

Tinnuial · 10 November 2003 · Chapter 11: Brytta of Rohan

Ahhhhh!!!! Fiendish sabotage!!! This story gets better and better!!! You are a marvel!!! Thank you so much for posting this.... :) And to answer your previous question....I was not hurt in the accident, thank God! But my little tin can was rather trashed....poor baby...Insurance is probably gonna total the whole thing...*sigh* Daddy's gonna roast me alive. But at least I can be happy with the small joys in life...like your new chapter...Thank you again!! I'm off to read that through again...and again...and perhaps a few times more for good measure... ;)

fliewatuet · 10 November 2003 · Chapter 11: Brytta of Rohan

Wow, now that the mistery of Lasgalen of Dale is revealed (at least to the readers), more riddles beg to be solved. Placing caltrops on the lists was a vicious act indeed (and nothing that I expected - which is a good thing, of course). So may I now hope for a little investigation on Faramir's and Aragorn's behalf? IMO, they'd make for great detectives! fliewatuet (thoroughy enjoying leaving reviews fantastic story such as this ...) P.S.: I fully agree with your theory about the nature of Legolas' parents. He would not be the same with an abusive father or having lived through as much trauma in his childhood/life as some authors would have him do.

Coriel · 10 November 2003 · Chapter 11: Brytta of Rohan

Well of all the underhanded monkey business! Now you have me dying to know who's behind all this. I remember caltrops from reading when my patron, St. Joan of Arc, stepped on one. Youch. ~ Anyway, even if Legolas doesn't win (and if he did I think he might be viewed as a spoilsport), I'll be glad if he merely comes through alive and with no permanant damage. ^_^

Lamiel · 3 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Digestif

Ah, explanations at last! This is most welcome. I can just see Legolas cutting those Dwarves down to size with a full out princely tirade--in Dwarvish invective, no less! Wonderful! I am, as always, impressed by your knowledge of medieval weaponry and custom. And I probably would have pushed Legolas to compete also, once I saw him in that shining armour. A friend of mine saw a bumper sticker--"forget knights in shining armour, I'd rather have Elves in tight leather!" Now we can have both! Hooray! Lovely touch, having Legolas know all those "ancestors" personally. I'm looking forward to seeing the next match. I am a bit worried about the reaction, though, if he wins the tournament. Doesn't seem like the mortals would exactly be thrilled. But he can't lose! I'm not suggesting that for a moment! Great job, as always. Lamiel

I don't remember what I called myself last time. · 3 November 2003 · Chapter 99999: Glossary of terms

Thanks for the glossary! And thanks for using the terms to begin with - it shows that you actually put a lot of thought into your story. Also, I forgot to complement you on your excellent writing. I can see how the style that you've chosen could be very difficult, and you are doing a splendid job. Keep up the good work, and I'll be interested to see how you develop this story and especially Bandy's character.

Ne qui · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 5: The White Lady Chooses Her Champion

I am posting a complaint on the terms. It would be nice to know what all these things are. I do like this story though, despite the fact that I haven't got a clue what all these armor parts are.

tinnuial · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Digestif

Oh thank you for posting this....totally cheered me up after a horrible day....car accident and all. Poor little Bandy...So glad that Legolas found him....I can so imagine Legolas completely capitulating to his every wish!! Looking forward to the joust on the morrow... :) Do post it soon!!!! Thanks again....

Coriel · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Digestif

Legolas is such a sweetheart! I imagine he has a soft spot for hobbits and children and such, and I can vividly see him chewing out those awful Dwarves, though his proficiency with their language surprised me. They're probably fortunate he did not go so far as to deal them a sound birching with the flat of his poniard. ;) And he does have quite a winning personality. ~ Hmm, Thranduil feeling young again? ^_^ He probably could use a bit of a vacation now that the war is *finally* over. Legolas will just have to rely on his elven reflexes where his fencing is concerned and make dad proud. I hope Thranduil doesn't make a scene like *my* dad does when I'm awarded something. (cheering, whistling, etc.) ~ This whole story just gets better all the time!

fliewatuet · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Digestif

So at least the reasons for Legolas' presence at the tournament is revealed as well as Bandy's backstory and a good deal of Legolas' own history. I was a bit surprised that Thranduil was not opposed to the idea of Legolas partaking in the tournament. But that's probably because I've read too much fanfiction were Thranduil is presented not really as a nice person. So I really enjoy the different character you present here. Another nice twist was Legolas' closeness to the folk of Dale and the way he honoured the fallen knights by adding them to his fake list of ancestors. But now that most of the mystery surrounding the Lasgalen of Dale is revealed, I am curious about how he will fare in the competition to come. He sure has to face some formidable opponents.

Orophins Dottir · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Digestif

I very much like your interaction among Legolas, Gimli and Bandy. There is a true cameraderie reflected there. Some nice language as well. I liked, among others, "if ever you feel the need to lift your spirits by some jest, remind yourself of how ridiculous I must have looked, prince of Elves though I am, missing each mark as we charged, or falling from Hatchet’s back, clattering to the ground like discarded scrap metal! "

Orophins Dottir · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

I have been shamefully remiss in not reviewing a story I have been enjoying so. This is so well done and the characters have depth to them. Bandy is a true joy. I loved the "Bandobras became so flustered he took Faramir’s soup from him and gave it to Arwen". I am not the world's greatest hobbit fan, with the shining exceptions of Pippin, Sam and Rosie Cotton, but this one is a charmer. And, the tournament minutiae with which I am renewing acquaintanceship! I can see how much research you've done. Grew up in the pre-computer days and my best friend and I used to have an elaborate medieval world we created for ourselves. He actually DID wear my scarf tied to his arm for an entire day as he went off on a quest I had set him! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

fliewatuet · 28 October 2003 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

Hmm, Bandy hasn't chosen the easiest job as servant/squire/cook of Legolas and Gimli. Especially Gimli seems hard to please. Though I do think that Bandy does an excellent job, even if his proper manners are somewhat lacking. But his good hobbit-sense is quite refreshing among all the stiffness of the courtiers. Now I can't wait to see how the Green Knight will fare throughout the remainder of the tournament.

Lamiel · 27 October 2003 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

I like Bandobras more and more. Seems very true to Tolkien's style of writing. I am a little concerned about the line "he took Legolas' long white hand in his own little brown paws"--maybe just because I'm from the States and am sensitive, but that seems very similar to some phrases from books like "Gone With the Wind"--a little condescending and could be read as border-line racist. I'm sure you didn't intend anything of the sort, and it is very true to Tolkien's idealization of the master/servant relationship, but given that you have modern readers you might want to be careful about that. Otherwise this was a lot of fun--nice insight into the lords and ladies dining together, and Bandy definitely added a lot. I like that it was the Hobbit that demanded that they travel in style, and that Legolas' mother picked out his headwear. I don't think he'd care, himself--be perfectly happy travelling in his usual hunting clothes, wouldn't he; he isn't much of the usual prince type. Although he can certainly play the part when he needs to. Wonderful description of his dining clothes--what I wouldn't give to see Legolas in an outfit like that! Lamiel

Coriel · 25 October 2003 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

It seems Brandobras and Legolas are quite taken with each other! The only thing that could be more endearing is if Thranduil entertained a soft spot for him too. ~ Interesting that Legolas' mother is still present; most have already set her aside somehow. But there is a lot of room to play where that family is concerned. ~ Yet another wonderful chapter; a great start to my 18th B-day!

Tinnuial · 24 October 2003 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

Awww....what a sweet ending to a lovely tale...please say you'll be adding more soon? I must thank you for distracting me for the better part of the last hour with this delightful story.....brings images of Ivanhoe to mind...what with knights in disguise and all. One of my favourite books, that one. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed your fantastic descriptions of the tournament and the surroundings, right down to the last detail. The effort is much appreciated. I have a question though....was Aragorn mad at Legolas because he feared for his safety or did he truly think it disgraceful? Sadly it's back to work for me now, but with a lighter heart and a smile on my face. Thank you again! :)

Elemmire · 24 October 2003 · Chapter 9: In the Tent of the Green Knight

Oh, that was lovely! I especially loved this line - “Well, that’s what we get, my friends, for surrounding ourselves with Elves and beautiful women – poetry and a delayed meal.” :), Elemmire

Coriel · 17 October 2003 · Chapter 8: An Invitation to Dine

Oh, boy; that hobbit'll talk your ear off! But then, I guess all hobbits are that way. And founder! Ugh; I remember when *my* horse foundered -- no wonder he didn't think he'd be able to get many errands done! What a great descriptive chapter ~ I can tell you've made a study of this kind of thing. I mostly have to rely on my imagination, and sometimes that just doesn't do the subject justice. Can't wait for the dinner party!