rate_review Reviews

I certainly hope Galadriel used her mirror to contact King Thranduil before sending him a flawed Courtesan! I mean, he's already short Courtesans, and he gets the conniving Verdean? Seems Thranduil is getting the short end of the Exchange!

You wrote that someone said the guilty parties had been punished, but all I can see is that Verdean was stripped of being Head Courtesan. Considering his betrayal of Haldir, his punishment should be far worse! And why would Verdean do this in the first place? As Galadriel's Head Courtesan, surely he knew she would eventually unravel his and Sevilan's evil doings (Hmmm - is it just a coincidence that "evil" is in "Sevilan"?)! Why would Verdean take such a risk?

Please give us just a little more information! I was so frustrated, I unraveled the tam-o'shanter I was knitting for Rumil!

And I know you mentioned the possibility of a hot Haldir/Iliene/Legolas threesome - it sounds like it would only be two-thirds hot! Can Legolas truly warm Haldir's cold heart?

Eagerly awaiting more!

Hi! As promised, I went back to review the Heat of Battle Chapter, so I would not leave you solely with my anti-Celeborn rant here (talk abiout giving a bad impression... bad Aislynn!). Since aff.net insist to post all my logged in reviews anonymously, anyway, I did not bother to log in this time, either. So let me say: this is a wonderful cvhapter! I love Legolas in full warrior mode, and the fight scene when he is guarding Santgalas and Rumil with his knifes is intense and very well written. 'He felt the weight of his knifes as if they were extensions of his own body' - Yay! I also love how he bgets into battle rage and does not even register he is wounded. Then the confrontation with Haldir - greatly done, and Haldir is puzzling me a little with his attitude. The battle is no place for a courtesan? Santalas did not seem to think so, nor did Celeborn, because they sent Legolas to hepl retrieve Rumil after all. But well, we learn later that Haldir's cousin Seldayan is not much use at close range, so maybe this is where Haldir's ideas stem from here. I loved the battle armour thingy, and that Haldir accepted Legoas wish to fight. This is the second time Haldir has seen the courtesan of Greenwood act in full responsibbility and as a warrior who knows what he is doing. The first time was during the fire-fighting in the forest. Will these experiences serve to change his attitude, I wonder? And how much of Haldir's attitude towards Legolas - beside the things that drive him to distrust all courtesans - are caused by Haldir's own courtesan and his atitude towaers the Greenwood elf? Did F-- what was his name - talk ato his current master about who sarnlass truly is (or wwas before he took the collar) and that the Greenwood elf tried tio force himself on him (at least, that was what that elf in his twisted way made of it, wasn't it?).

Many great questions!

And in the end: kudos to Celeborn for sending Legolas to the healers when he discovered his wound. "Sarnlass, do not make me carry you to them." Nice touch! Although I am still a little miffed with the ancient Doriath Elf. I'd like to see him humbled a bit before this story is over, because his attitude about the use of courtesans (and Marchwardens...) could use much refining, in my book... Oh, well. I hope Legolas will recover from the submissive headspace he is forced in, at the moment, even after he 'learned'. Right now, he is on the best way to submit to it completely, since his biggest concern is all too often if his master is pleasedwith him already. As Celeborn's biggest concern seems to be if his courtesans are wearing the correct clothing and remembering their status. Oh well!

I also sincerely hopeLegolas will not pay for his time as Courtesan with being unable to let anyone touch him for a time until he is truly reovered from that headspace. Haldir's own courtesan seems to have some problem of that kind already, when he thinks of the offer of intimacy by a fellow courtesan as an unwelcome attempt of the other to force himself on him (instead of a simple offer he can simply fend off with a 'no, thanks'). I fear, fifteen years may prove very long in the end, and they may leave some invisible scars...

On another note: poor Rumil. And poor Oropher. I hope they recover fast! And I hope those barbarians who did this to them get what is coming to them! Mercy is sometimes very overrated...

Anyway. Greetings to you, and Cheers!

Aislynn

Regarding Rumil

Lovely!

I really liked Legolas' slip-up when talking to Sel. It's proof that despite all he's been through, he hasn't forgotten who he is without the collar.

Poor Haldir's story was heartbreaking! I can certainly see why he'd be distrustful after that! To lose the respect of all those around you must be horrible! I suspect the purging of his memories and ther later restoration left a mark too. And now he has to cope with two injured brothers. I hope he'll let Sel and Legolas help him, as I'm quite sure they want to!

I have to wonder if Thranduil knows just who he's been sent... hmmm...

Do I feel better? *gets dreaming look in her eye* My legs are weak. Does that count as better? I just cant get enough of your Celeborn.

Hi, Ertia!
Thank you for gracing us with another wondrous chapter of this intriguing tale! I wish I could say that I utterly loved it, but frankly, I have to say I'm shocked by the background tale around Haldir and his misfortune. And even more, about Celeborn's and Galadriels role in it. Please believe me that I love youir story and I am eager to read more and trust you in taking us 'there and back again'. So, I apologize in advance for the following unfriendly comments on Celeborn's behaviour, but I am really shocked here!

So, now we know why Haldir is so aloof and snotty... But while I am a little more sympathetic to Haldir, now, I am completely baffled and taken aback by Celeborn, and the ruling circle of Lothlorien. First Celeborn believes all these accusations against Haldir without doubt and more importantly, without deeper investigation, and then he has even wiped Haldir's memories by Galadriel (and for stealing *money*, mind. Haldir was not accused of killing someone or of selling out the realm to the enemy; he simply was accused of incompetency and theft. And that would warrant such a horrifying act as wiping his mind and destroying his personality?!) I can think of no more horrible punishment to an elf than that, because it harms the very fea. But probably, the rulers of Lothlorien see this utter violation a 'mercy'? And Celeborn aloowed this to happen simply on the reasoning that 'it would be too dangerous' to simply wait and investigate further! But after all, Haldir got his memories restored when the treachery came out. So, everything is well again, now. Or is it? Frankly, I am astonished that that Elf can even *trust* his ruler and his lady after that, much less continue to setrve them faithfully as he did before. *I* wouldn't.

Then, when the treachery of Celeborn's head courtesan and theCaptain Sevilin is revealed, Celeborn does - what? Does he rids Verdean of his collar and sends him to live somewhere in his realm, dishonored as an oath-breaker (he broke his oath to serve faithfully, after all) and as a simple elf in a humble position where that intrigant can't do any harm? No. Instead, Celeborn chooses to send him in the exchange to Greenwood - without a proper warning to the Greenwood elves, of course, or they would hardly accept him there - so Verdean can do further mischief there. And what did Celeborn do to that other elf, Sevilin, what happened to him? Was *he* degraded and put into a position where he could not to any harm again? We did not learn that.

But not enough; then Celeborn decides to compensate Haldir - by giving him one of the completely innocent newly arrived courtesans of the other realms, either of Greenwood or of Rivendell (Haldir's own choice) to do as he likes with the guy. Translate: to take his wrath out of he unlucky elf who had the misfortune of being chosen by the Maerchwarden. That innocent can then pay for Celeborn's oversight in trusting Verdean and Verdean's betraying of haldir. What kind of justice is that? 'Sorry I judged you unjustly, now please take it out on the new guy?' I'm sorry, but I can't see any noblesse in that behaviour.
There is something *very* foul in the state of Lothlorien....

Otherwise, the sex was lovely. But I am very concerned about Sarnlass, now. I have ceased to trust Celeborn within an arrow's lenghth after this revelation. nd if I was Legolas I would be very concerned now about that untrustworthy Verdean being allowed to play his viles at the court of my father while I sit here in Lothlorien and can do nothing about it. I wonder what sarnlass will think about all this, once he returns from the state pleasurable unthinkingness he was in at the end of this chapter.

Anyway. I do love your story and I am very eager to read more! Thank you for the exposition, because they made us understand things beter (and some things become *really* interesting to me, now..)

Greetings to you, and Cheers, and again sorry for the anti-Celeborn-rant,

Aislynn

Ah ha! The truth finally comes out! And it was very good! See? All one needs is to have a little faith; I knew I wouldn't be disappointed! Poor Haldir though...such betrayal; and when he finally starts to care for someone too. No wonder he feels as he does. Well, maybe Legolas can make him better? hehehehe
And that scene at the end with the three was very lovely. Very....relaxing. :D
I can't wait to see how Rumil and Orophin are recovering!!!!
*hugs*

Lovely chapter! Now that the battle action is over it will be nice to focus again on the courtesans' real duties. Though i fear there will be quite a bit more fallout from the attack, and perhaps other elves have been injured or *GASP* killed.

Celeborn seems to have a soft spot for Seldayan. Darling Sarnlass might find himself with nothing to do for a few chapters? Will idle hands lead to Haldir's talen? And a suggestion for poor tramatized Orophin: Why not try a different profession for a while? You say that Big Book of Courtesans' Rules and Regulations is about to be revealed? I can almost see Celeborn getting it down from the shelf, opening it, turning to Orophin and saying, "Are you sure this is what you really want to do?" Ah yes, my mind runs in so many silly directions.

"Unfortunately, the hill men were no match for the Elves they engaged. " I would say fortunately, unless you happen to be a hill man, then you are up shit's creek without a paddle so to speak, or running willy-nilly out of the forest.

Wonderful chapter. More! And HURRY.

Oh since everyone else seems to think it important, here is my take on the hairdo thing; it wasn't just any run-of-the-mill warrior's braid, it was a braid pattern used exclusively by the royal family of Mirkwood, or some such nonesense as that. So not only did Sarnlass coif his hair in violation of the Rules and Regs, (nods to big tome) he outed himself as Prince Legolas.

Exciting fight scenes; Sarnlass had a lot of fighting to do to protect Rumil and whoever was carrying him. I hope Haldir is somewhat mollified. Good that Sarnlass will get a little rest now. More story please.

Meep! You're determined to keep me on the edge of my seat here, aren't you?! Poor Orophin! What do I have to bribe you with to fix him? lol. Hope to see more of him and Rúmil soon.

Loved the battle scenes - I've just been writing one myself so I know they're not always easy.

So, it seems Celeborn is going to let the matter of the braided hair drop... good! Either that or you're being extra evil! ;) I loved the scenes in the bath... I really like seeing the softer side of Celeborn. Not to say that the battle-stained Celeborn that confronted the men wasn't very appealing too!

I look forward to seeing what happens next!

Tux

PS: I hope you're not taking all the sporkage to heart - it's really beyond a joke IMO!