I teared up a bit. ;_;

Immortality can be a curse in disguise.

absolutely amazing, i am literally sitting here sobbing!

I cried. Just saying.

I am not crying! (sniff sniff) No really!

That was just so beautifully melancholy, and bitterly sweet. The gift metaphor was so powerful, and so tragic.

"'And when Ilúvatar decided to give Men this… this Gift, I wonder if in his infinite wisdom he ever considered that he would one day take my own gift away.'" that was the most true line in my opinion. It really reveals Legolas's sorrow, and his... almost bitterness, at the world.

Just wonderful.

this was so heartwrenching...and you wrote the emotions with such clarity and a beautiful understanding of Tolkien's world. Exceptional

*sniff, sniff* Ah, poor Legolas...Great one-shot. Thanks for keeping it nonslash! :D

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh ... the heartbeat of sorrow driving this story is exquistely done! I LOVE the symbolism of the carving! A beautiful gift from a mortal who does not yet - in his youth - realize what it will come to mean someday to the receiver. (Sorry, can't help myself with the exclamation points)

I got goose bumps as you described the ship being guided to its known destination by the waves and Legolas having lost the sea longing now when he's finally on his way. So poignant, as is the dialogue you've given Gimli as he tries to mend the torn heart of his friend with his wisdom. He too gives Legolas a great gift in this story.

A bright little jewel in a gorgeous setting; this will go into my favorites folder.

It's really touching. I loved it. Keep up the good work. ;)

I know that i've already said that but you write so well! your stories are perfect( i've said before amazing so now i change ;-))

I love gimli, legolas and aragorn .. They are true friends ! but gimli is a little more "serious" in your story that he is in the books or moves .. I suppose it the effect of the times ! )

just one thing, legolas and aragorn are really friends since many years or it's you who decide this ? ( juste because i've never red something like this. But that give more sense to their relationship:) )

Love this story and it is so true!

*nods and smiles through misty eyes* Excellent job. I'm liking your writing style, I shall make sure to stop by and check some of your other stories.

That was so sad! It made me cry.

This is one of the most tuching stories Ive ever read. The language paints a motion picture in my mind, and I think you have managed to capture Legolas spirit in an amazing way.

Id love to read more stories written by you, and I most certanly will do so!

/Monie (Gothenburg, Sweden)

So - this is what you have been up to: writing sweet stories about our beloved boys. :-) It sounds like what a young Aragorn could have done when caught without a gift. And it sounds like what Legolas would have done: kept it till the end and beyond. Having Gimli there was a great comfort to our elf. A lovely bittersweet episode - time well spent, Twinkly. :-)

Oh, Star, this was so beautiful. I honestly shed a few tears. Pathetic, I know ;-) but the idea was just so beautiful! The figurine Aragorn carved was perfect - the Sword and the Bow: truly unbreakable.

The conversation Gimli and Legolas had on the Gift of Men was also 5 star. I was even a little bitter towards it for a few seconds. Why should such great friends be separated like that? But, as you said, the Sword would never be taken from the bow.

It was magnificent, mellon nin. :-))