Feud

A note of thanks!

In America it is the time of year to look back over the past days and acknowledge the things in our lives that are blessings. As a writer I am thus most appreciative of all the good folks who read my little story, and wanted to take a moment to say so publicly.

To all the reviewers, you will never know what those kind words mean to me! I can only hope the story continues to be worthwhile, and I feel the responsibility tremendously to make it so.

To all readers, you cannot imagine what a high it was to go to this site and see that the number of hits had topped 10,000! That is an incredible vote of confidence! I am so grateful you keep coming back to read, even when I sometimes have delays!

I know that lots of the writers here and at other sites acknowledge feedback in the opening or closing of their story chapters. I am sorry not to have been able to do so; I am notoriously wordy and can barely fit the chapters in the text windows as it is. It does not mean your kind and thoughtful words are unread. I have read each one and cherish the effort it took to make such comments! Everyone does deserve to be acknowledged though for letting me know my work is pleasing, hence this small token of thanks.

For anyone that reviews, I like to try and work a small thank-you into the story by way of using the person's reviewer id in some way. At times this is easier than others, and some folks ids are too modern to get in there. For those in that category, if you would like to be included that way, just leave me a note (or an email) to say so next time you read, and let me know what to use instead. Can be anything: your favorite color, your favorite quote, your favorite plant, animal, or just a name to use that you will know when you see it. I will do my best to follow through and do this for anyone who wants that.

Lady of Legolas: you were one of the first to review, and I so appreciate your continued interest!

Mainframe: what can I say to such overwhelming and continuous praise? And I am additionally honored to have been added to your favorites list elsewhere. The fact that you like the nature connection heartens me, for it is like an integral character in the story, and the fic would falter without it.

Elflover: I am glad you still stuck with it, even though the ideas were a bit off the main line! And I will never forget that funny translation error of mine! I laughed so hard! I have left it just like it is because I think it is a great joke!

Gwilith: I hope the updates have been frequent enough. Sometimes the story slows down in tempo, like now, and I hope you don't get too bored! Gwilith is, by the way, a great name and I plan to use it if I may? And I took your pleas to heart as you now know; no earring piercing of any kind. In fact, I did not allow Elrond to bestow any of his trinkets on out elf! Glad you can tolerate my out of character rendition of the elf lord!

Vermillion: what can I say to you? You were there from the start and have sent me so much encouragement and praise that I can never repay such kindness. You have reviewed in every forum where the story appeared, and with equally elaborate and considerate words! If I ever am able to publish something original, I will have to include a dedication to you for all the fine words and warm thoughts you have funneled in my direction.

K: I liked your reviews all the more because it is not what you usually do! I really like that you understood the lost warriors were important, and not to be swept aside. That was crucial to the development of one of the characters, Lindalcon, because the rest of the elves are now just trying to deny it ever happened, and this is unbearable for him. I do hope you are still reading!

Blacknoise: I thank-you! Hope you still find it so, and will try to get you in the lines soon if I can.

Js: those few words have stuck with me, and when I get down I call them to mind. It is the mood I often try to set in the story, and I am happy I achieve it sometimes.

Spiffy: well, the story is all over the place and I often worry it is over-exposed! I hope not! I am so indebted to your thoughtful words, and am glad the gritty nature of the sex scenes did not throw you off. Think I lost a couple of folks when this turned in that direction, but obviously I agree with your comments! I am sure there is no doubt now that this is an extremely lengthy tale, and while happy is a relative term, I can promise that Legolas will not be subdued in the end.

Steph: your feedback has been so encouraging and helpful! You boost my ego everytime and I am also so grateful for the private feedback too! The fact that you enjoy the OC's I made is very heartwarming to me! I also appreciate that you did not balk when it took me so long to get Legolas into a sexual encounter of his choosing! You continue to comment on the new events, and I appreciate your enjoyment of the additional well-known folks into the story line.

Chloeamethyst: again I know not how to appropriately express the gratitude and real friendship I feel to someone who has taken me and my little story so to heart! Thank-you for making me a favorite over at ff.net! And for anyone reading this who may not speak English as a first language, if you are worried you have missed something contained in the story, read the reviews that chloeamethyst leaves, whether here or at ff.net. She interprets the subtext expertly, as though she can see into my mind! I shall have to dedicate a real story to you someday, if I can ever get to that point. Know that if I do, your support and encouragement have made it possible. Without reviews like yours, I have no way of knowing if the words said what my thoughts envisioned. Many times reading your reviews has prevented slipping lower into the black gloom of this oubliette called depression! I look forward to seeing what you thought of every chapter.

Causalis: I am always pleased when a writer reviews, and you are a favorite of mine! Glad to know the switcheroo with the false names was not too unexpected! Just enough to make one say, 'I thought that was fishy from the start'. I wish I could promise good would develop between them, but I do not know if Elrond is willing to do the work. Easier, you know, just to blame it on others and resume his normal life.

Funkycharms: how I love that id, by the way! I love the excitement you fill your reviews with and the questions you ask are great, too. They help keep me centered on the outline! As any writer knows, the characters have a tendency to take over and reconstruct the plot to their own liking. This has already occurred once, and I had to exert great effort to return them to the outline's path!

Mawgy: first off, please update your story! I like it very much and wish there would be more. And of course I love the numerous comments you have given for the early chapters! That was so thoughtful of you to do. And you are the one who let me know when that one chapter was cut off, thank-you again! I should have checked to be sure, and probably would never have noticed had you not let me know.

Autore: I am so pleased when someone says they got caught and had to keep reading! Thank you so much, and I hope to keep you reading! I am glad you liked Aiwendil, he gets left out too much I think, and I plan to make him an important component.

Tufail: thank-you for the encouragement! I will keep on until the story reaches the end. There are still two warriors to release, and all the paternity mess to clear up, so I can promise more chapters but have no idea any longer how many.

Breach cannon all must die!: well, I fear I have done what your id condemns, so that makes me even more appreciative of your support! Glad you can tolerate my Au and OOC Elrond and still enjoy the story! And your very touching comment for the end of chapter 30 was so perfect! That sums it all up in one sentence and I thank you for making that point!

Louise_oblique: you are like an old friend and thus your reviews are precious for that reason as well as for the kind things you say. I hope I will never disappoint you, and you cannot imagine how flattering it is for someone to say they read the whole thing through again and loved it more! You're great!

Diana: I am so happy to have a new fan! I wish I had responded sooner, and hope you forgive me for not doing so. I do not want to mislead anyone about Aragorn and Legolas; this story will not pair them that way, but I have softened up on Aragorn somewhat. In the outline, he hates Legolas. Here, they are friends. He would not tolerate such a negative situation, apparently, and firmly let me know the elf needed a friend. Hope you will continue to find the story interesting, I will work hard to keep it so!

Giggle: and thank you for joining the feud family, too! I love your insightful reviews and am happy you find so much in the story to like. I am always glad when someone comments about the situation that brought the Sindar to the Greenwood, for it is central to my ideas as well. I think you are right about Oropher, and that is why he was reluctant to take orders from Gil-Galad in the last alliance. I like that you relate Legolas back to him, and maybe I will develop that idea in the future.

I hope I have not missed anyone who has reviewed here! Get back to me in one form or another if wantwant to be acknowledged in the lines; I will do my best to do so!

Love to you all,
erobey