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!

I'm glad you like this so far.  I am walking a very fine line with this subject matter.

"Just saw a note somewhere else about Gimli being in big trouble--think I didn't take Gimili's role in all this seriously enough the first time I read it. What was he thinking?"

Ah, yes -- what does that dwarf hope to accomplish with this suggestion?  Other than peace for Gondor, of course. 

"Gondor has no harlots; Gondor needs no harlots," said Legolas gaily.

LMAO!!! That is hysterical. You need that on an avie now Jael!

"That is exactly what Arwen said when I first broached the subject. And when I persisted in it to the point of inviting you here to discuss the matter, she . . . Well, I regret to inform you that I am, at present, sleeping in my dressing room."

Good going Arwen ;) Aragorn should be sleeping on the floor!

"He 'is' very ornamental," Legolas said dryly. "And needing a person of this sort, you of course thought of me. Ai, Aragorn, I do not know whether to feel flattered, or to throttle you!"

"You will have to throttle someone else," Aragorn replied, "for the idea was not mine originally. It was Gimli's."

I'd like to be the fly on the wall when he and Gimli have a talk about why Legolas was chosen lol

Great start Jael. I think I'm hooked.

When are you going to finish 'Land of Light and Shadows'?

It will be quite some time before I do that, since I didn't write that story. 

And the stage is set! I have to say, this is such a surreal idea - but as usual, you make it work so convincingly, and with such a clever balance of humor and seriousness.

If the lords and ladies could order us to our backs or our knees with a snap of the fingers, where would be the sport? Where would be the thrill of the seduction and the satisfaction when we yield?

This bit (and everything else about the two chapters thusfar, really!) quite excites me as to the future content of the story - and I have to say, you did a marvellous job in bringing Barlomi to life (that bit about earning enough money to give his family a comfortable life did it for me!).

I'm most definitely looking forward to reading more!

I love to see people walk on a razor's edge so skillfully.  You have the balance of the Elves you love so much. 

However, I must warn you that bushy dwarven brows are lowered in rank suspicion.  How did this fine-looking fellow develop a taste for dwarven ale, hhmm?

I await future developments with great anticipation.

Cheers--

Adaneth

Thank you all for reading and commenting!

However, I must warn you that bushy dwarven brows are lowered in rank suspicion.  How did this fine-looking fellow develop a taste for dwarven ale, hhmm?

Hehe -- you noticed that!  How, indeed?

I'm sure the fact that Dwarven society suffers from a scarcity of women and a certain vertically challenged Lord of the Glittering Caves has quite an appreciation for beauty is purely coincidental. 

I'm sure the fact that Dwarven society suffers from a scarcity of women and a certain vertically challenged Lord of the Glittering Caves has quite an appreciation for beauty is purely coincidental. 

Purely.  <arch eyebrow>

<snork>

Adaneth

Well, talk about a fish out of water.  What was legolas thinking when he agreed to this one.  Great story!  I thought the kings sister would get him first.

Eliza

'Oh, Aragorn, the things I do for you . . .' Indeed!

Poor Legolas...or maybe not?

Interesting to see what happens next.

Great story. 

Hey, congratulations for this magnificent story!

 I must confess I just began to read this because I wanted to know what all the ruckus was about. Then, I was blown away by your characterisations, the skilled introspection and the comings and goings of the plot, and I devoured all 12 chapters at once (and I´m supposed NOT to have time for those things! )

But above all, what I enjoyed (and applauded) the most was how you effectively disarmed, twisted and killed ALL the clichés that annoy me the most in a single story. I don´t even know how to begin, if with those evil Southrons, or the helpless, virginal Legolas (with evil rapist included! ^_^), or the Irredeemable Villain Who Directs The Audience´s Most Base Impulses (TM)...

Brilliant. Non-clichéd fiction CAN be done, after all!

Congratulations, Jael, this was a great story that worked on so many levels. The character development was subtly done - at first I thought it was a very amusing AU romp, but in the end you made it so much more than that. I was pleased to see the TBC at the end of chapter 11 as the story had seemed to be wrapping up, yet I was eager to see what Legolas would have to say to Aragorn. What did happen was totally unexpected to me, yet surprisingly sweet.

Great use of wit and humour throughout and the story leaves us with interesting speculation as to what Legolas might do with his new-found maturity. Can't help wondering what might happen with Gimli, now that Legolas has learnt to enjoy 'passing time underground'!

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this story, whilst not being at all what I'd usually read, I found it a really good read.

I thought it was great that the people he meets have had a totally different experience in the war.

two thumbs up, but I'd better get back to my flute........

  Peregrin Ionad

Surprising end, yet fitting. And I´m glad that the mystery of the tattoo (why was he so reticent to have it set on that part of his body?) was finally explained.

Arwen´s "Elrond look" LOL. I suppose you kept getting interferring images of Movie Elrond here. ;)

Maeve

I had not the slightest bit of patience to wait for this tale to be told in its entirety on Faerie. How fortunate that I found it here! A fascinating, beautiful, wondrous piece, true to character and life. Thanks for an absorbing read! 

Marchwriter