Hello, all! This is just a note to let you know that the sequel to "Ardent" is now available, and is entitled "Holding His Own". I hope you'll all check it out (and review it) directly!

The other purpose of this post is to respond to all of the wonderful reviews that I've recently received. My little break from writing fan-fiction was restful, but I could not still the longing for more reviews (which is why I am back already)! You all just make it too hard to go on hiatus.

Enjoy!

-Aranel

aranels

~*~~*~~*~RESPONSES TO REVIEWS~*~~*~~*~

*Nikki: I'm glad you thought the final chapter was beautiful. As you know, I've started another…hope you can find it!

*Lady Berenice: You thought it was wonderful, hmm? I'm glad that you liked the fireflies and decanter, along with seeing Legolas as a child, and his older brother enjoying time with him. As for the sequel, it has arrived!

*daw the minstrel: I'm glad you liked the fireflies, and that you think Aldandil is a "sweetie". He'll be back. Thank you for your comment also!

*Zoya: *chuckles quietly, considering recent e-mails* Well, well…Hey, look! I got over 200 reviews! And you didn't have to leave 4! I'm glad that you liked the fireflies…they're fun!

*PokethePenguin: Romantic and beautiful, huh? *grins* I'm glad you thought Legolas was so cute…to see what he's up to now, go check out the sequel!

*LOTRFaith: Hello! You love my stories, hmm? That is good to hear!

*feanen: Glad you liked it.

*Saera: *raises eyebrows at very demanding reviewer* All right…the sequel is here.

*orion: I'm glad that you enjoyed the atmosphere, and am happy that you've been looking forward to the sequel. Yes, "mini-Legolas" will get older, and stronger too.

*waseom: Hey, I got my long, babbling review! You are going to have to leave lots of 'short 'n' sweet' ones on the sequel so that I know you're reading!

I'm glad you liked the beet incident…I'm sure you're not the only one feeling a little sorry for Nim. In response to him having to watch out for the twins when the party gets back to Imladris: Nim isn't leaving Mirkwood yet! He has plenty of time to learn to guard his plate against Legolas's wandering spoon. : )

Glad you were able to understand Thilómë's 'crabbiness' a little…and that you think Elrond gives good advice. I couldn't really turn him into an annoying Elf, since we all respect him so much.

Aw…you think little Legolas is cute! Good thing he doesn't mind hugs.

The sequel is here, so you do not need to say 'Please! PLEASE, please!" anymore!

Glad you liked Thranduil too…he'll be back. Aldandil will return too…sorry that I didn't have time to mention any activities of his and the twins. They did spend a few days riding through the woods…I'm sure a few things happened. *Aldandil is mumbling something about spooking a horse…and tracking it down…and convincing Elrohir to get back onto it…*

Again, thanks for an enjoyable review!

*SperryDee: Sequel is here…where was Charlie this time?

*Dragon-of-the-north: Well, if you love the whole story, I love your reviews! They are always so thorough, and I love getting to see you reactions to certain bits. And this was not only a review of the chapter, but the whole story! What more could I ask? : )

Ah, yes, Elrond is very smart, and tactful too.

Legolas and his interest in light…a good sign! Just giving all you readers something small to ponder about. : )

Yes, Thilómë is beginning to let Legolas branch out a little more. I think not only the pollywiggle incident, but her talks (and arguments!) with Celebrían have helped to lead to this: maybe letting him enjoy childhood is more important than making sure he gets to bed on time.

Aldandil and Legolas are both rather inventive, aren't they? Why use a canning jar when you can use a wine decanter? : ) And yes, Legolas chooses! I think he's getting old enough to make a few decisions.

I'm glad that you liked the tie-ins from the other chapters. Yes, Thranduil was very proud, for just as he was doubting, there was a little glimpse of light. True, Legolas does and will continue to need his family's help, but it is still him who is doing that growing and strengthening! Besides, a family is there to love and support! : )

"Yes, Thranduil, watch out"-LOL! I suppose he should watch out…for Legolas's "true self" could be rather surprising! I loved that way you described that!

I'm glad that you liked Thilómë singing to the stars!

Ah…the stars in the water. It may have a little to do with Legolas, but even more with Thilómë…think back to the bits about stars in "Light". I think that if I ever re-write this fic, I will up Thilómë's role a little more, so that we don't lose track of her 'healing'.

As for the overall story review: You love Nimaron, hmm? I'm so glad that you could embrace him too! Yes, his care is important in a way, but you are right: there are other forms of healing!

Ah, you are right again! I do like interacting with my readers! What is the use of writing fan-fiction if you cannot find people who like reading it? I suppose I write for myself in a way, but I also write for my readers…why else would I update so frequently? I'm glad that you like my author's notes…I enjoy throwing in an extra tidbit every now and again!

As you have probably figured out, the sequel has been started. I cannot wait to get your review on it, mellon nin!

*jambaby1963: Yes, I've started a sequel. As for Legolas getting older, I'm planning on that. *grin*

*Ana: I'm glad you thought the ending was beautiful and hopeful-thank you for reading!

*Lindsay: A great "aw" chapter, huh? I like "aw" chapters.

Withdrawal? *frightened look, rushes over to laptop with piles of story notes* Must hurry!

I'm glad you liked seeing bits of the story woven into the final chapter…I thought it might have a concluding touch!

*Esgalromen: Wow! Three reviews! Thanks for taking the time to leave all of them! I hope your games in Sydney went well!

Ch. 14: Sweet chapter, huh?

Ch. 15: Be glad that you have never encountered beets! Some people like them, but I do not (which made writing about them easier).

Ch. 16: Great, hmm? I like your thinking. Don't feel bad about leaving short reviews…they are much better than no review at all!

*Galadriel Lorien: "Mostly faithful reviewer"-LOL! We try, don't we? I've appreciated all of the reviews that you have left. : )

Close to crying? I hope that those were "gosh, that it so beautiful" and not "gosh, that is so sad" almost tears!

I don't feel bad about ending, because this is not exactly the end. Everything is continuing in the sequel, which is here. : )

"Not going to leave a long review because the chapters were perfect". Thank you! I'm going to have to write some messy, rotten chapters though, so that I can get long reviews!

*Iluvien: It's okay that you didn't review Ch. 15-you still commented on it, didn't you? I'm glad you liked it…you are lucky to have never needed to avoid beets, but I agree, limas are nearly just as bad!

I'm glad that you loved Ch. 16 as well…and that you enjoyed the tie-ins from the other chapters. Thank you for your comments also!

*LegolasGLGrl9: It had to end…so that a new story could start. Glad you liked the snippit with the wine decanter.

*Sharon: Thank you for letting me know that you like my stories. I'm glad that you thought "Ardent" wasn't too cutesy, and that you felt it was a good sequel to "Light".

I'm happy, also, that you like my OCs! I think many of us are wary of them…you never know what to expect. It's good to know that you appreciated Aldandil and Thranduil & Thilómë. I'm happy to hear that I've managed to avoid the Mary Sue trap, also!

*Krystle: I hope that you were able to find this! Thank you for your note: I'm glad that you enjoyed the story!

Special Note on stars reflected in the water: I know that this seemed a little mysterious, and it is supposed to be, to a certain extent. However, if you read Ch. 16 of "Ardent" while keeping events in "Light" in mind (particularly the bits in Ch. 6 and Ch. 11), it will have a little more meaning.

BTW, if you have never seen stars reflected in a lake or river, they are especially appealing and beautiful. Pick a clear, dark night and a fairly still body of water…and then enjoy the moment.