Wow! This was excellent - especially the Author's notes. I'd not heard that sone before - and I loved WHY you actually wrote the story.

Lindir and Legolas' suffering after the fact was sadly precious. How right it seemed that Lindir's wounds were harder to heal than Legolas'.

Excellent tale. Thanks for sharing it.

I really do hope that Legolas will someday realize the sacrifice that Lindir is paying. I have played my guitar, one time, in the freezing cold of a mountain pass in what was once Yugoslavia. The strings were frozen and my fingers ached - one of the worse pains I've ever felt (but it was for a good cause). I thoroughly emphathize with Lindir. I hope that he will be able to play again - one day!

Excellent beginning. It hurt to see the treatment of the lute - I play guitar and always oil it and love it... must have been incredibly difficult for Lindir to do this... but necessity...

I chose this story because of the title (I've always loved that song!) and I'm so glad I did. I love to see stories that use lesser-known characters, and since most of the elves are warriors, it's a nice change to read one about a minstrel who is very much -not- a warrior!

Keep it up.

~Butterfly Lion

That was awesome! I love the idea of a minstrel "going to war with his voice", as you explained it. It is interesting to see Lindir in this light. It was well written. Very intense. I look forward to reading more of your stories!

-Merry

This was another great story. Amazing. I think I've found another 'favorite author' :)

Alma's Muse

I feel a bit guilty because I should have reviewed this when I first read it- but I have come back to it because it is an interesting and oh so different tale. It's good to see Lindir in this heroic situation. You don't use cliches either so I enjoy the writing. 'The door slammed open, hit the wall, and twisted oof its hinges to lie on the floor as a god cut off the afternoon sunlight' Beautiful, power, stillness - deadly stillness though. Fabulous.

Wonderful, amazing story! I loved every moment of it...

I don't think I need to mention that I love this story, do I? ;-) My absolute favourite moment in the entire story was when Glorfindel appeared in that door! *faints* The way you describe him there you really should have added smelling salts for sensitive female readers who want to be able to continue reading. *g* I was so relieved to finally have them rescued and in good hands. All that Lindir did was incredibly courageous - the condition Glorfindel found him in was really sad.

Btw, blessed be Glorfindel! Without him, our two noble heros would probably have been haunted by their 'guilt' and continued to avoid each other for the rest of their lives or at least some centuries. ;-) "Glorfindel did not sigh sadly at the words, nor tenderly contemplate the troubled spirit that uttered them, nor did he run after Lindir, begging him to listen to reason. Glorfindel had had enough." - That description really made me smile. *g* I think only Glorfindel could ever describe being killed by a Balrog as 'taking an unlucky blow'! His conversation with the both of them was brilliant, touching, and also often amusing. ;-) I loved the moment when song almost erupted from Lindir! *sniff* You know, Glorfindel would also make a nice healer or therapist. ;-) His singing that song in the end was perfect. Well, you have once again manged to create another wonderful story, which I enjoyed from the beginning to the end. :)

Almut

The cruelty of those men and the way they treat Legolas and Lindir made me cringe inside - I guess it was probably not easier to write than it is to read. The contrast between all Lindir stands for as a bard and the way of thinking and living that those men have couldn't be stronger. That Lindir is even willing (though in a forced way) to sacrifice his ability to sing and play is heartbreaking. I loved how he managed to send Legolas a message - it seems a certain author would make quite a formidable bard herself. ;-) And of course I loved the arrival of the cavalry! "Thirty others straggled along behind the three, all grim-faced, all armed to the teeth. The ground shook as the riders galloped on, while above them a falcon shrieked." - Those sentences are wonderful, and the hope and determination they convey is really needed. The last paragraph was absolutely great, to. :)

Sorry for being late (again), but I didn't want to review this story on the run. The first chapter already captured my full attention, and not only because of the ending. ;-) Your descriptions of the gyrfalcon were marvellous, and I also loved the way Legolas handled her. You seem to understand as much about birds of prey as about horses!

Lindir's thoughts about himself and his crumbling self-respect were almost painful to behold - loathing what you are and wanting to be someone else can ruin days and lives very effectively, and I guess everyone falls into that trap at least once in his/her life. Of course Legolas had no idea what Lindir was brooding about, I really wonder what kind of conversation they would have had if Legolas' intentions had not been stopped by the attack. Following Lindir into the lion's den made me more than a little bit nervous, it's far too easy to identify with him - the first chapter already leaves you with that cozy feeling of fast approaching doom. ;-)

Well, you always manage to surprise me with new stories that are completely different that all the stories before, but just as ingenious. Next review will follow ASAP.

Ai, poor Lindir!! *shakes head* This was a fantastic story!! Lindir is quickly pushin ghis way onto my list of favorite elves. ;) The added extras in this story are really what make it amazing. You don't just say that Lindir sings, he actually /sings/. You found songs for him to sing, and it made the story so much easier to get captured by. I couldn't stop reading after the first sentence. Great story, just like all of your others, and I hope to see more from you soon!
~Kali

wow - excellent story. a definite keeper...

Hey,

Well, I loved the story. You said, "I have always wanted to write a story where a minstrel went to war with his voice."

And you have, you did a great job and it was an excellent read.

Especially liked the ballad 'The Minstrel Boy the War is Gone.'

:-D

InuNightWalker

Hey,

*biting nails* Holy crow, this is intense. . .

Great chapter, few mistakes, poor Lindir and Legolas, you enjoy torturing them too much. . .

:3

InuNightWalker