Lenielestel
· 10 March 2014
· Chapter 2: Unexpected complications
Ah! Alas that I have come to the end, and yet not the end! :-)
I love your story! English does not do that sentiment justice. I find myself wishing for a television series...Mirkwood! I am anxiously awaiting the next chapter! Reading your amazing work recently got me through a horrid week of pneumonia-like coughing. I slept little, and not all because of the breathing difficulties! I could not put the story down, and attempts to pace myself as I realized I was nearing the end were unsuccessful. I had to know what happened next! And now I am re-reading from the beginning with a friend. Joy upon joy!
I love your perspective on Thranduil and his realm, and your writing is so descriptive I feel like I am actually there. I do believe you might be a kindred spirit! I write a little story for my own amusement, and admit that I take much of your work as canon when it comes to the Woodland Realm. I also read the Silmarillion with much more interest and understanding, thanks to your expansion of those stories!
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity!
Author's reply
Sorry to be a while in replying. I was concentrating on the next chapter to try to finish getting it ready before I go on Spring Break next week.
I am so thrilled that you're enjoying my story. And wishing for a TV series. (I'd love a nice Mirkwood TV series too). :-) And reading non-stop. I'm so glad it kept you that interested. But I'm sorry it took pneumonia to give you the time! I hope you are feeling much better.
Thank you so much for the review and I hope you continue to enjoy!
picara
· 25 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Unexpected complications
This is a full chapter. Galithil is very grown up. He handles himself well,especially doing something he doesn't want to do. I'm glad his brother complimented him, but he probably is very aware of what it takes to build confidence in a young warrior. It was interesting to se Manadhien's POV. She is really very damaged. I did feel little sorry for her after hearing more of her story, but she brought all this on herself ultimately. Still, very interesting to see her scheming first hand. But of course my favorite part was Legolas and Thranduil. The archery contest was great and so was Legolas using it to try to draw his father into better humor at the end. Great chapter. Update soon.
Author's reply
Sorry to be so slow in replying. It was a crazy long chapter, that is for sure, but I couldn't make myself cut it anymore. :-) I'm glad Galithil came across well. And Manadhien's POV. I'm glad I made you a little sorry for her. She is pathetic. Crazy, but pathetic. And glad you liked the archery contest. I had fun with that.
Thanks so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them!
Angel
· 21 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Unexpected complications
Such a great story. Wonderfully written. I even went back and read the whole thing again from the beginning just a few weeks ago
Author's reply
Wow! I am always humbled when someone says they read (or re-read) the whole story. I am so glad you enjoyed and I hope you continue to. Thanks so much for the review! They really mean a lot to me!
rikki
· 21 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Unexpected complications
This has so many morsels of information here that are really stretching my brain in trying to fit everything into the view I had made of the story so far.
First was the way you have shown that while Galithil and Legolas are chronilogically children, they have passed that invisible line between adulthood and childhood with both words and action. I am mentally cringing thinking about what Thranduil, and by association, Hallion and Legolas are going to say when they find out the number of orcs that Dolgailon and Galithil have fought through to get to their village. Poor Galithil who said after the fight where Thranduil was injured and Legolas' grandparents are killed that he didn't want to be a warrior and now he is fighting to stay alive.
And on the other hand, I am thinking, Man I don't want to have to be the one who tells Manadhien that her little plan to wipe out two villages has just gone south by being killed by the group from the stronghold. Also, I would imagine the "he" that she mentions is going to be less than happy of her losing all those orcs.
I loved the relationship between Legolas and Thranduil as they work on petitions and then when Thranduil decides that it is time to challenge Legolas for the archery contest. Thranduil is so proud of his son even though he is not going to let Legolas win. It must have been a wonder that everyone could fit under the oak. And I can see Legolas in the future using that last little trick with the arrows in fighting at Helms Deep and at the Black Gate.
Finally the first age healer. Though Legolas is adult enough to keep that poker face that Thranduil feels is important in court matters, I can see him doing a mental air pump and hollering "YES!" when he meets the healer. I also wonder what Elrond told her about Wood Elves and whether she understood what she was actually implying when she talked about Tharnduil killing Manadhien's adar and the damage to Legolas' fea. I hope though that she will get a chance to talk to Nestoreth and pass on some ideas about healing feas. Both father and son need this and soon.
Great chapter, I am going to have to read again.
Author's reply
Legolas and Galithil are definitely adults, even if they are still legally children. They are taking on adult responsibilities here, that's for sure. :-) And yeah, I wouldn't want to be in the room when Thranduil hears about those orcs. He does see Legolas and Galithil as almost adults in most ways, but he is not prepared yet to think about them as warriors. He'd better get over that fast. :-) And yes, poor Galithil too. He's getting a taste of what its like to be a warrior. He is proud that he can fight and proud his brother lets him. And he knows he has to be able to fight, given who he is. But he still doesn't like it. Notice, he checked out his brother as much as Dolgailon checked him out after that fight.
Hehe! Yeah, telling Manadhien that the plans are scuttled is going to be Ugly. I have that written, but given the time line, I'm not sure I can put the actual discovery on stage. But the aftermath will definitely be there and it is not good.
I cut those scenes with Legolas and Thranduil from part 10 of this and decided to use them here because I really liked them (better then the original scene between them in this story). I definitely see Legolas using that archery technique in Helm's Deep and the Black Gate.
The healers has some idea of what she was saying and to who. Not total understanding though. She will. She is going to become a central character in the story within a few stories. She does have some time with Nestoreth. You're right that it is needed.
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Fantasia
· 21 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Unexpected complications
Galithil is such a charming young elf, capable to seduce the worst of the assassins. Believe it or not, he was able to trick Manadhien. Dolgailon is not that good, he can't restrain his hate towards Manadhien.
Helindilme is a very gifted healer. Thranduil should learn to accept other people, it is something that I found him lacking a bit, for a King, his prejudices are too many. And she helped to save his life, something that it seems, did not change his opinion towards the healer. And I think that she is better than any of them to heal shadows in their souls.
Her recount of Manadhien past is sad, she could have been only a witness to the kin slaying that killed her father, and grief could become madness, if not well treated. It is not that I don't want her removed from ME, but I feel for the young girl that she was before. Violent events tend to change people, for worst or better
And I don't understand, what did the rulers gain with having ex-prisoners exiled? if they were suspected to become Dark elves, was not better to have them close? And the whole family? it seems cruel.
Author's reply
Galithil is worried enough about making this all work and getting Manadhien, that he is able to put on the act. Dolgailon is too straight forward. He just wants to arrest her and be done with it. But he won't blow it. He knows what's at stake.
Thranduil, at least the way I write him, does remember and hold some grudges against certain groups. He cools down and listens, but I think it was hard for him to do with someone that admitted they worked with Feanor, even as a healer. He'll come around though. Eventually. This healer is actually going to become a regular character in a few stories. She is a very good healer.
I am very glad I made you feel bad for the girl Manadhien could have been. That is exactly what I was hoping to do, so that comment made my day.
And I don't understand, what did the rulers gain with having ex-prisoners exiled? if they were suspected to become Dark elves, was not better to have them close?
There are some references in the Silmarillion to the rulers and both Nargothrond and Menegroth turning away people that were released from Angband. The reason was, some people who were released were still Morgoth's thralls, held under his control by fear. They spied for him or did other evil. The worst of them was Maeglin, who betrayed the location of the hidden city of Gondolin so that Morgoth destroyed it. So, those rulers did have some legitimate fears. That said, I agree that it sounds cruel, because how can you tell they didn't turn away good people too who got lucky and escaped?
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Lindelea
· 21 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
Aha. Thanks for the warning note at the top of the story. I will put this one on the shelf, on my "want to read" pile, and seek out the earlier material to read first.
daw the minstrel
· 20 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Unexpected complications
Dolgailon stepped between them and then walked past them without a word,
This was a wide ranging chapter, not only geographically but also tonally.
Some of the things I liked were little, like Dolgailion's impressively commanding gesture "pointing into the clearing they had just left." No order necessary! But they understood. More or less. I also liked that this was a pre-arranged meeting place for the patrols. That kind of detail about how the patrols work is hard to create but gives such an air of reality.
Manadhien is clever but not clever enough. This was funny:
Galithil, on the other hand, bowed to her properly and even had a pleasant smile on his naive little face.
Hee. You go, Galithil!
Still she's setting plans in motion and there's a real feeling of the deadline drawing near. They need to hurry. The clock is ticking.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch stronghold, we see Thranduil teaching his son to shoot with multiple arrows, though not until he'd beaten him in a contest.
"How is it that I have never seen before how easily you turn from debauchery to perfect innocence?" he asked.
An experience many parents have.
But then things turn serious in a hurry as ancient history turns out to still have effect on both actions and Thranduil's fea. Do you find all that Sill stuff hard to sort out? I don't think I'd ever get it straight.
Author's reply
I enjoyed having Dolgailon out amongst his warriors. I realized I haven't really managed to put a lot of that in so far. Well, we'll see it in this story. And I enjoyed writing a fairly lengthy scene in Manadhien's POV. Galithil did do a good job with her. He's worried about making this plan work and willing to do what it takes to make it. I picture Dolgailon as a little too much like Thranduil to pull off that sort of foolishness.
I couldn't resist giving Thranduil a little teasing with Legolas.
I really like the Silmarillion. I couldn't get through it until you told me about that audio of it. I bought that and listened to it and loved it. Now I've probably read it as often a LotR. The events I'm pretty good on. I do admit, keeping Fingolfin and Finarfin's children straight is pretty hard though.
Thanks so much for the reviews, daw! I appreciate them so much!
c_belle_a
· 15 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
Elliska! You have no idea how happy to see that you are back- I'm so sorry that you were sick- are you feeling better now? As always, I loved this chapter so much- I can not believe that Thranduil is actually letting Galithil go to Marti's village! I'm really nervous for him; hopefully, he will be okay though!
Also, I just wanted you to know that while I think Thranduil's halls in the second Hobbit movie were done well, I kept shaking my head at the screen because I have come to associate your description of Thranduil's stronghold as what it actually ought to look like. I kept waiting for the woodland paintings in the hallway and the tapestries in the Great Hall in the movies, but obviously, they didn't come. I'm probably very biased, but I personally liked your description of Thranduil's home better than Peter Jackson's, and I think the way you described it in your second installment (or was it the third? Wow that was so long ago!) will always be how I imagine it!
Author's reply
Sorry to be so long in replying. I'm very glad to be back! Things are fairly well settled out, so I hope to keep to a relatively regular pace. Relatively! :-)
You should be nervous for a lot of people. This is a rough story.
:-) I'm glad you visualize 'my' Hall. That made my day to read. :-) I loved what PJ did. It was really pretty. I just find it hard to believe woodelves would have that skill. But I definitely see why PJ did it that way. Great movie visuals.
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
picara
· 6 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
As others have said, nothing can go wrong here. You certainly showed us the dangers involved. Why do I fear they will turn out to be even worse.
But the thing I loved were the character interactions. Engwe was a surprise. The hints of Legolas and Thranduil's relationship were great. And I liked the part with Lindomiel in the beginning.
Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Sorry to be so long in replying. I'm glad you liked the family interactions. Thranduil has a lot to lose, with such a truly good family. And this will be a tough story. :-)
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Fantasia
· 5 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
I have missed this new story. So glad that you have posted.
I have to go back and re-read, because I remember something about the missing spy, it was Legolas use of the secret entrance to go to the games, wasn't it? I can't remember.
They had grown so much as warriors and become wise and loyal princes.
This was a very good and tense scene, all the plotting and the willing to sacrifice themselves for the Kingdom. Hopefully, the elves really know how lucky are they to have such commanders and royal family
And Engwe is unsupportable, but he is Thranduil's uncle and loyal to him without any doubt, he will go to Hell for his nephew.
It will be too good to be true if Glilavan has a lucid moment and understands how crazy and twisted are his actions...We can always hope....
Now, to wait....
Author's reply
Sorry to be so long in replying. They have grown and in this story, they'll get a chance to show how much. Thranduil will be proud of them. I'm glad it came across as tense and I hope to keep that building throughout--willingness to sacrifice is what we are going to see here. You're right about Engwe. And I'll let you wait and see about Glilavan.
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Nora
· 5 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
I've been waiting for this chapter. So glad it's finally here.
That plan will not go well. I'm looking forward to reading more.
"...Thranduil countered, leveling a cool glare on his son that he was surprised to see did not make him so much as look away."
I love that line!
Author's reply
Sorry to be so long in replying. Quite right this plan will not go well. :-) I'm glad you liked that line. I see Legolas as respecting his father, certainly, but not being particularly impressed by a glare. At least not unless he knows he really deserves it. And that would have to throw Thranduil off a bit. :-)
Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!
Kura
· 3 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
(I don't know if we can reply to a reply so I'll just let another review. )
Oh give me as many details as you're willing to give ! I am really interested by your opinion about the movie. I also find it a bit weird that Thranduil won't let Legolas marry a "lower elf" maybe he wasn't really serious or was doing some trick I don't know, you can see it by the look of Tauriel's face that something is wrong and it's so out of character that I think PJ wouldn't do something like this. It really goes against Thranduil and Oropher's perception of the world and their actions to live in a more modest life style than the Sindar elves. Anyway (I'm talking too much) I believe we will see way more of Mirkwood and the realm in the extended version. Like the party that was originally in the books.
Oh and I am French by the way :D, so it's ok if we stick to English.
Anyway ! You saved me from boredom when I was with my family in the Sahara this summer and had nothing to do. I struglled to find some wi-fi spots in the desert because I didn't have all the chapters. I'm really talking too much.
I just can't say how much I love your fanfiction. I just want it to become canon ! I've drawn some of the characters and everything. Well thank you for replying and "bonne merde" for the future :D. (In French we don't wish good luck or it will attract bad luck so we say "hope you get some crap" I don't know. I'm just really ridiculously exited about talking to you and basically being annoying)
Author's reply
I don't think it allows replies to replies. :-)
I really hope you are right about there being more of Mirkwood in the extended edition. That would be great. And maybe some of Thranduil's reactions to the Silvan will make more sense there too. Often, when they cut things, it makes some parts harder to understand.
I'm glad my stories entertained you, even in the Sahara. That's pretty cool to think someone was reading my stories in such an exotic place! I'd love to see your drawings. You can always email me at: elliska67 at yahoo dot com (just replace at with @ and dot with . obviously). I also love talking about Tolkien. :-)
Morn
· 3 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
Glad to see you posting another chapter.
I love the chapter title, really made me laugh.
Well, everything has been carefully considered, meticulously planned and thought out. Now the rest of this story will watch it all unravel, I presume.
Really liked seeing the conflict in the elves between loyalty to family and loyalty to the realm and where the two conflict. Galithil volunteering really shows this understanding. But I can't help but think it won't end well for him and his brother....
One thing I always enjoy about your story is the depth to the characters. Golwon's history in battle showed this.
I also really liked the lines on Engwe's loyalty and proves , after all thesw chapters, just why the King puts up with him. Although I feel for poor Conuion with so many of his charges in the most dangerous part of the forest!
Author's reply
I'm glad the title gave you a laugh. I couldn't resist it. It was such an obvious title to me, because you are absolutely right that if stuff gets this well laid out, it can't possibly mean that's how it will turn out. :-)
Golwon and Engwe. Sigh. If I was where I should be in posting my First Age story, we'd have seen a lot more of them. Maybe I should go work on that a bit too. I love all the history Tolkien built. I have so much fun with that stuff myself.
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Kura
· 3 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
Great chapter, thrilling as always ! (Sorry I can't give you a really structured review since English isn't my native language)
But may I ask you a question ? What do you think about Peter Jackson's Hobbit and obviously Lee Pace as Thranduil, his character design as well as for Mirkwood ?
Author's reply
I appreciate any and all reviews, so thank you very much. I'm glad you are enjoying and I hope you continue to.
Wow! PJ's Hobbit and Lee Pace's Thranduil! I could say a lot about that. I have, overall, enjoyed the two Hobbit movies so far for the Alternate Universe fanfics that they are. I especially liked the last one, because I thought the pacing was much better in it. Mirkwood went by too quickly in it for me. I would have liked to have seen more of the forest and of the feasting elves and Thranduil's magic. Thranduil's Halls were not at all what I imagined, but they were very pretty. I loved them. I just don't find them believable, b/c the stronghold was supposed to be built with very little, if any, help from dwarves. But I don't blame PJ for making them more elaborate for the movie. More multi-level and carved out than I think elves could have done alone. But they were very pretty. I'd have liked to see more.
As for Thranduil himself, I think they have made Lee Pace up into a very handsome Thranduil, though, again, not as I pictured him. I don't much like the crown. I picture something much more organic (literally--like actual leaves and berries made from real plants). I liked the scene were he executed the orc. I was less surprised by that action than movie-Legolas was. I doubt Thranduil would give an orc any quarter. And I thought they did the questioning of Thorin very well. I was really worried Thranduil would look very evil in that part and I thought he came off as very reasonable, so I was pleased. I did not like how PJ portrayed Thranduil as unwilling to allow Legolas to get together with a 'lowly Silvan elf' though. I think that is out of character. Thranduil and Oropher went back to the forest to join with the Silvan. And I am too loyal to Thranduil to enjoy hearing the guards with the barrels and Tauriel badmouthing him. I didn't like those parts. I am VERY much looking forward to seeing Thranduil in the Battle of the Five Armies.
That is probably more detail than you wanted. :-) I enjoy talking about it though.
Again, thanks so much for the review! I really appreciate it. (Can't tell your native language from your screen name, but if it's Spanish, Portuguese or Italian, feel free to use it anytime. I speak those well enough. And I can struggle through French if you don't make it too fancy.) :-)
rikki
· 2 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
Good new indeed! But a mystery to find that one last spy. If I was Thranduil, I would be chewing my fingernails to the quick sending in Dolgailon and Galithil into the viper's nest. Anything could set this off into another fight to the death. And Thranduil traveling near Dol Guldur with Engwe is also a scary thought. Legolas and Berior are both still considered children, but I have a feeling that the search in the stronghold is going to involve them in a very dangerous game. Great beginning to a 'sit on the edge of your seat' story. Glad to see you back.
Author's reply
Thranduil is not happy at all right now. He is soon to be much less happy. Along with everyone else. The phrase 'very dangerous game' sums up very well exactly what I am going for in this story. And I very much hope it is an 'edge of your seat' experience. We'll see. This story really pushed my writing skill. Hopefully I have pulled it off. :-)
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
daw the minstrel
· 2 February 2014
· Chapter 1: The best laid plans of elves and orcs
This opening chapter promises a lot of danger and tension. For one thing, the characters lay it all out in its horrifying detail! I'm quite concerned about this unknown spy. I look forward to seeing them ferret him out. I like a good mystery. :-)
Galithil continues to impress as he moves with determination into adulthood and serving the realm. I'm also impressed by Thranduil's kingly realization that he owed it to his people to kill the betrayers himself, even though many of his people would be horrified. With privilege comes responsibility for him as well as Galithil, I guess.
The moment when Thranduil values Engwe's loyalty is a nice touch, suggesting the long history between them. I also liked Legolas's "outstanding advice" comment. It makes him sound appropriately young.
Author's reply
Hopefully, this one will be tense. It is always impossible for me to tell. The plan is laid out in chapter 1, so that has to be a sign it will go nothing like that. ;-) Hopefully I made it suspenseful. We'll see.
Galithil and Legolas are not quite adults, but they get tested pretty thoroughly in this one.
Interesting you pointed out Thranduil's decision that certain tasks are for him alone. I have cut massively from this part of the story and that's one bit I left in, hoping to be able to leave something else connected to it in at the end. Your comment here motivates me even more to leave it.
Poor Engwe. He's a pill. But he's a good person at heart.
Glad you liked 'outstanding advice.' That was a last minute add that just sounded like something Legolas needed to say.
Thanks so much for continuing to read and for the reviews, daw! I appreciate it so much!