Reviews (83)

Eeyore08 · 22 May 2023 · Chapter 18: Innovation and Ambush

I just read thru your story over the last couple of days. Imrahil is one of my favorite characters and I was so happy to discover such a well-thought-out personality and story. I've enjoyed it very much and hope you continue updating this story.

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 18: Innovation and Ambush

They got to blow a bunch of stuff up - of course they had a great time! And good to see the Dwarves. :-) It’s really not an exaggeration to say that I just love this story. It’s just so good. I know about other projects (I have a couple of unfinished stories myself) - so I will just say that I hope you get back to this someday. I will dearly love to read more if and when that happens. As always, thx so much for all your hard work, I truly enjoy every chapter. <3

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 17: Confrontation and Conspiracy

Wow. This chapter was amazing. So much going on - the battle, the talk between Imrahil and Thranduil before the battle, and of course the surprise arrival later in the chapter. Thranduil was indeed quite generous, considering all they have gone through, but it is understandable given the circumstances as he observed them. The battle was so well written I could picture it all. The discussion about the Lat Alliance was very interesting. And that a prince of the line of Oropher had been sent to participate in the Fellowship and battle before the Black Gates - yes, I hadn’t thought of it that way, but there may be something of redemption in it for his family. It is interesting to think that out of the all the major Elves available Elrond sent a prince of the wood Elves. A truly far-sighted choice, indeed.

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 16: Conquest

I’m wondering if this is some sort of trick …

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 15: Capture and Escape

Sadly, Thranduil is right. Either people try to take advantage, as in this case … or peace just eventually breeds complacency, which eventually breeds decline and unrest — and then the peace is gone again. It seems to the way of things, and both are on display in Tolkien’s world.

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 14: Revelations and Ramifications

This whole speculation around Draughâsh is so very compelling — and also original. I have not seen this wrestled with before in fanfiction. It is not a case, as so many baddies are painted these days, of having been not bad but misunderstood — it is truly a question of change. Repentance, perhaps, although I am not certain Draughâsh would go that far at this point. Really good.

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 13: Death and Doubt

Ah! This part of the tale was always very intriguing to me …

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 12: Judgement and Crisis

Ha. Thranduil was only going to cool his heels for so long in Minas Ti- Anor, anyway. Might as well have him where you know he is and with someone you absolutely trust. Fish skins, hmm? (I’m pretty sure I asked this last time I reviewed this chapter, too. :-D) I’m sure there are all sorts of remedies they should be learning from each other, instead of trying to kill off potential allies.

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 11: Conflagration

Yikes. This certainly isn’t a good look for Gondor. I hope Gwaelas will be alright (I am not completely sure I remember.) And of course the others as well. What an awful end to what was supposed to be a time I’d great rejoicing. I love the song of the Elves, and that they have gathered around Faramir’s tent as well. Gondor will need to work fast to head off this diplomatic disaster.

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 10: Entertainments and Hostilities

I am to a point where I feel like Aragorn needs to be cracking a few more skulls (as it were). It’s all well and good to give people time to sort things out in their own, and it is a good idea to start things out, but this has gone beyond restless discontent to gross disrespect of the King’s will. That in itself should merit a bit of jail time, one would think. I kind of feel like he’s expecting the urban people of Gondor to respond to him in the way that the rural northern Dunedain would - I mean, I know he spent all that time in Gondor years ago and has some experience w these people … but it just seems like he’s giving them too much rope. Ah well … I’m sure I wouldn’t do a better job … :-D

PSW · 2 October 2022 · Chapter 9: Knives and Fireworks

What good is the word of a traitor and murderer, indeed? When even your hired assassin disdains you, it should really tell you something. The end of this chapter makes me sad… :(

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 8: Ceremony and Suspicion

Really so very frustrating that such an occasional has to be marred by all of this nonsense. I really do kind of wish he would just chuck Bador Into a cell. May not be Aragon’s’ fist choice, but maybe the most effective at this point. Neither the real baddies nor the young drunks really have any idea what they’re getting into. They think they do, but they can’t. Legolas’s frustration and words were especially interesting, given the intimate knowledge he has of his father that the others don’t.

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 7: Blood and Shadows

Young and drunk - not a good combo for that particular undertaking! Falathar has just dug himself into a hole. There’s no good way out of this - he just hasn’t admitted it yet …

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 6: Memories and Meetings

What beautiful chaotic merriment your descriptions stir in my imagination! I’m sure I was grinning throughout the whole last part of the chapter — all the friends and the fun and the different races (and no doubt languages) brought together. How excited everyone (most everyone) must have been! Also, I enjoyed your description of the tombs in the early part of the chapter. So stately and solemn, made more so by the presence of beloved family there. Thx as always for writing!

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 5: Slander and Kinship

Of course, something of greater consequence *will* dampen the party. It’s a shame, it’s such a good one. And I’m so impressed with your geneology! That must have taken quite a while to all work out — though you may have already done so for We Were Young Once …

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 4: Markets and Outlaws

I totally get Thranduil in this chapter - I’m incapable of going through a market like that without buying things. :-D More seafood! I want to go to Gondor now …. Though the new company I could do without. It always amazes me how petty bad guys seem to be able to think that *they’re* going to be the one to pull one over on the ancient, highly trained, highly dangerous good guy. The baddies do overestimate themselves. It’s the James Bond villain syndrome, I guess - gloating over their own cleverness never goes well.

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 3: Horses and Treason

“If he were any more tame he would be a pelt on the floor.” Hee! :-D I would protest to the baddies that if they want what’s theirs they should be loyal to the king - those loyal to him will have all that is theirs and more. However, since the baddies really want what is the king’s, such protestations would be pointless. Anyway, this is not spur of the moment, obviously, but a long-running corruption. And, just a terrible man …

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 2: Wine and Rumor

Mmmm … seafood. Yes, my salad just doesn’t quite cut it. *wanders off in search of something else to eat.* The unrest against the Elves from some quarters strikes me a completely realistic. Not only has an unknown Man come to be their king, but he’s bringing a lot of changes all at once. Not everyone will look kindly on that. The loyal and thoughtful ones will come through it well, as they were saying, but there are always a few who are so focused on themselves that anything they don’t like (or that doesn’t fit into their plans) is dismissed and condemned out of hand…..

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 1: Princes and Kings

It’s lovely to get a glimpse of the people and culture of Dol Amroth. Though not sure I would want a dead shark staring at me from the table :-D, I absolutely believe that would be a thing here. Reading about clam soup and the coming feast makes my current salad seem a bit inadequate …

PSW · 1 October 2022 · Chapter 0

I have no idea how I missed that there are three chapters of this I haven’t read - I can only think they came out during the times I was taking a break from fanfic. But! This means I will have to settle in and read the whole story again, which I look forward to because I have always been a fan of this one. :-) Thx as always for writing!

Mirkwoodmaiden · 8 June 2020 · Chapter 18: Innovation and Ambush

Conquistadora! Just caught up with all 18 chapters. Am enjoying it immensely. Such fun reading about the characters that are in "We were young once." It is like visiting old friends! Thanks for this! MM

Tramgirl · 4 June 2020 · Chapter 18: Innovation and Ambush

Things I did not expect today: hobbit grenades. I love it. Hobbit commandos would actually be pretty terrifying, they're very stealthy and small so they're hard to hit even if you actually see/hear them...

Lenielestel · 28 May 2020 · Chapter 18: Innovation and Ambush

I am LOVING this story! My cousin is working on a large and boring project, so I am making the time fly faster by reading aloud to her. She is transfixed, and we hate to stop each time we must. (Sadly, we still must eat and sleep on occasion.) Thank you so much for extending our enjoyment of some of our favorite characters! We are on pins and needles, looking forward to what comes next!

Mirkwoodmaiden · 23 May 2020 · Chapter 1: Princes and Kings

Conquistadora! I love this! So nice to see Thranduil so happy and at peace with himself and those around him. I do have one question though. Have you set aside "We were young once, Book III." It has been quite the undertaking. I've now read all three books and I am quite hooked. But I won't push...Pleaaaase write more...Damn I said I wouldn't bug ya and there I go! Stay safe! MM

mystarlight · 21 May 2020 · Chapter 18: Innovation and Ambush

Your stories always take my breath away!!!!! I am so happy you wrote another chapter. I promised myself that I will wait with reading this story after I will be able to review all chapters but of course I couldn't resist once again when I saw notification. I am sorry but I have to work online long hours and later I am too tired to write something intelligible. Hopefully my work will end soon and I will reward myself with your story. Stay safe!!! Will you update your other stories?