Henneth Annûn Story Archive

"I found it best to compare the bêthnari  to the geishas in 'Memoirs of a geisha'"

Precisely!  That was the image I aimed for.  Geishas are respected artists who often do not 'pillow.'  We'll see if Legolas can maintain that. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

There's a beautiful sense of resolution to this chapter which makes me figure we will be coming to the end of this story soon - and it's been quite a ride! All such well-developed original characters, and seeing how Legolas has helped them - and how they, in turn, have taught him so much about intimacy and affection... and also given him (and me!) some perspective of the 'other side' of the Ring War.

Right, I'm rambling here a bit but I'm brain dead from exams and not thinking straight and possibly missing the main points of your story entirely (I tend to do that!), but this has really been a great read. There were a few bits that made me squirm (and I'm in awe of how well you wrote them!), some that made me giggle in nervousness and incredulity (will I ever look at a feather the same ever again?), and others that made me laugh (Grandma not having moved her bowels so well in twenty years, LOL! But I'm so glad it turned out well in the end!). I admit that the highlight of my evenings would be visiting the HASA Stories page and seeing that a new chapter of this story had been posted - thank you for writing this, and proving that a talented, thoughtful writer is capable of pulling off even the most unconventional (but certainly one of the most interesting :D) of storylines.

Looking forward to the remaining parts of this story! 

There's a beautiful sense of resolution to this chapter which makes me figure we will be coming to the end of this story soon

Yes, one more short chapter -- home again, home again -- and it comes to a close.  I want to thank everyone who has commented, even the not so happy ones.  I knew I was sticking my neck out when I decided to write it, but it is important to know that I did not do it for the cheap thrill of besmirching Legolas -- even though I did put him through his share of embarrassment.

The squirmy bits were indeed designed to make you squirm, the funny ones to make you laugh.  Life is untidy that way.

Thank you all again!

I'm going to join in with the others and tell you that I was up until 1:30 last night reading this through to the end!  I love the way it all weaves together, and I'm a sucker for happy endings.

>>"Perhaps, Maitimo, you are unaware that some of my forebears were among those whom you Gondorians call the Black Numenoreans,"

Great use of canon here - as was the sleep spell in the first place.

>>No, my lady, only those of my . . . heritage. The Eluwaith

I'm always fond of any instance, canonical or quite invented, in which it would seem that the Sindar have an advantage over the Noldor.

>>The ships of the Corsairs had arrived at Harlond. I thought we were saved. And then, with my one good eye, I saw a banner unfurl; a white tree and seven stars.

This is particularly moving  - it's such a dramatic and wonderful moment when Aragorn arrives, and yet here we see that what thrilled us as readers rooting for the 'good' side devastated the 'bad' guys, who are not all bad after all.  (Of course, one of Aragorn's great qualities is his ability to see this.)

>>Huithad

I'm curious about this word - was it derived?  I can't find it in any of my sources.  In general, though, I liked the use of Adunaic in the speech of the Southrons - it fits in well canon-wise.

>>Huithad

I'm curious about this word - was it derived?  I can't find it in any of my sources.  In general, though, I liked the use of Adunaic in the speech of the Southrons - it fits in well canon-wise.

It is the Sindarin mutation of an attested Quenya word for the marital act.  I give credit to the very generous Darth Fingon for it.

As for the Adunaic, I just took a good guess, based on Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth.  And again, Darth Fingon helped me with some of the terms.  The word for 'conversation man' in particular.

Well Done!!  I almost skipped this story because I dreaded seeing a "Mary Sue", but I decided to give it a try because I read your other tales first.

You rock!