Song Meme Gift Fic: Second Place
Dec. 10th, 2005 04:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tarotgalTitle: Competition
Author: tarotgal
Fandom: Lord of the Rings, post-RotK
Rating: PG-13 maybe?
Disclaimer: I am sorry to say I don’t own these boys or their world. And I don’t make a cent off this.
Summary: There’s nothing like a little friendly competition…
Author’s Notes: The idea for this fic actually came to me as I was reading part of the book Timeline by Michael Crichton. I wrote this for Lady Korana as a gift as she came in second place in my song guessing competition and was nice enough to let me take this where my muses wanted to go. A special thank you goes to my Aunt who sent me The Tolkien Companion without which I would have been rather clueless during one part in this story.
Story: Competition
Thanks again for letting my muses take this where they wanted it to go. I really hope you like it, even though you didn't ask for it specifically.
Author: tarotgal
Fandom: Lord of the Rings, post-RotK
Rating: PG-13 maybe?
Disclaimer: I am sorry to say I don’t own these boys or their world. And I don’t make a cent off this.
Summary: There’s nothing like a little friendly competition…
Author’s Notes: The idea for this fic actually came to me as I was reading part of the book Timeline by Michael Crichton. I wrote this for Lady Korana as a gift as she came in second place in my song guessing competition and was nice enough to let me take this where my muses wanted to go. A special thank you goes to my Aunt who sent me The Tolkien Companion without which I would have been rather clueless during one part in this story.
Story: Competition
Thanks again for letting my muses take this where they wanted it to go. I really hope you like it, even though you didn't ask for it specifically.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 01:23 am (UTC)Legolas and Gimli never feel so in character to me as when they're affectionately competing. I like how you contrasted the rest of this fic with how humble Legolas normally is, and how special and enjoyable his word games with Gimli are in comparison. And I'll bet the phrase 'Care to back that up?' has gotten them both in trouble on more than one occasion! *G*
Even more than that, I am continually touched by the immense concern and caring that these two demonstrate toward each other in your fics, and yet your real accomplishment is the way in which you portray this without losing sight of the fact that these are male warriors, and proud ones at that. It's a fine line to walk, and you pull it off with seeming ease and obvious skill. Now, on to my usual detailed commenting! ;-)
These elven competitions you mention sound interesting, and I can just picture Thranduil officiating and trying not to be biased despite how proud he has to be of his son. I can see the various elven realms getting together every century or so and having their own version of the Olympics. I imagine the rivalries would get quite spirited!
I love that Gimli has gotten Legolas relaxed enough that he can enjoy spending time drinking in a human tavern and actually allow himself to get tipsy.*G* I also appreciate the realistic details you put in here, like the draw weight on Legolas's bow, and Gimli's ignorance about the subject, not being an archer himself. I'm only sorry I didn't get to see the actual arm-wrestling...that must have been quite a sight for the humans in the tavern to witness!
I got a giggle out of your cute matching lines mentioning how Arod and Gimli have gotten used to each other.
A huge thrilling shiver went down my spine and a warmth spread through me when I read Gimli's simple statement of 'You are ill, Legolas'. Funny how such a little comment can provoke such a major reaction in us with the fetish, isn't it? I ADORED Legolas's repeated protests that he isn't ill, then later that yes, he's ill, but he's fine and still stronger than Gimli! That's my elf, exactly! Always worrying about others first, and Gimli the same way.
Speaking of which, poor Gimli! Yay for elf/dwarf H/C though, and yay for my favorite fighting duo, slaughting all those orcs! I liked Gimli's gentle teasing about the elf's building sneezes and stuffy talk, seeing the small humor in the situation, and denying his own pain for worry about the elf's comfort.
I especially melted at the part where Gimli tells Legolas he sounds awful and must feel terrible, and Legolas actually admits it and takes a moment of comfort from Gimli- soooo sweet! I love that little glimpse of vulnerablilty in the proud elf warrior. His stuffy talk at the end is to die for as well!
The ending back at home was perfect, neither giving up the competition, and both equally needing desperately to be in bed. And then trying to out-do each other even in care-taking until they both fell asleep...priceless!
I love the way your muses work, and I wouldn't have missed this fic for the world! Thank you SO much!
reply part 1
Date: 2005-12-12 07:05 am (UTC)SQUEEEEEEEE right back atacha! Yes, I squee at happy feedback. I'm a freak. I also clap out loud with happiness when I read happy comments. But, really, I'm soooooo glad you enjoyed this! I really was worried. I thought you might like it... but it was kind of lacking in huge build-ups and minimal snuggles... due to the fact that Legolas was trying to stay strong all the time. But I promise to make up for both with your holiday giftfic ;-)
Legolas and Gimli never feel so in character to me as when they're affectionately competing.
Me, too. Especially in cases where they're just doing it for the heck of it because the outcome doesn't matter or because they already know the truth.
I like how you contrasted the rest of this fic with how humble Legolas normally is, and how special and enjoyable his word games with Gimli are in comparison. And I'll bet the phrase 'Care to back that up?' has gotten them both in trouble on more than one occasion! *G*
Oh you can bet on it! Or, wait, they can. Or... well, you know what I mean :-) And I'm SO glad you liked these bits!
Even more than that, I am continually touched by the immense concern and caring that these two demonstrate toward each other in your fics, and yet your real accomplishment is the way in which you portray this without losing sight of the fact that these are male warriors, and proud ones at that. It's a fine line to walk, and you pull it off with seeming ease and obvious skill.
Thank you so much! That's such a wonderful compliment. I must admit it "come out" of me that way now much more than I work on it, if that makes sense. That dynamic/balance is what I love most about them as well, and it just wouldn't make sense to me to write them any other way. I am very glad that you like the result :-)
These elven competitions you mention sound interesting...
I cannot claim credit for those. I've read a number of stories involving annual elvish competitions (read one just last week, actually, with the twins, Legolas, and Haldir all competing quite spiritedly). I guess I've read so many fics with them that they're just stuck in fanon for me now and I thought they were a good excuse to make them travel. Because of course his Gimli would accompany him to root Legolas on!
I love that Gimli has gotten Legolas relaxed enough that he can enjoy spending time drinking in a human tavern and actually allow himself to get tipsy.*G*
Very important, that! heehee So glad you liked :-) Though in my mind, Legolas might be exaggerating the effects of the wine a little, for the sake of having fun ;-)
I also appreciate the realistic details you put in here, like the draw weight on Legolas's bow, and Gimli's ignorance about the subject, not being an archer himself.
Which was, actually, the entire inspiration for the fic in the first place :-)
I'm only sorry I didn't get to see the actual arm-wrestling...that must have been quite a sight for the humans in the tavern to witness!
I considered writing it. But I finally decided it would be too tedious to write and it wasn't needed. Then I realized I wanted the reader to guess about the outcome for a while, only to find out halfway through the fic or closer to the end, so then I definitely couldn't put the match in (and it would have been tedious for me to write a stalemate flashback). But I hope there's enough there to allow you/the reader the mental image of the match :-) It certainly would have been a sight to see!
I got a giggle out of your cute matching lines mentioning how Arod and Gimli have gotten used to each other.
I'm a fan of matching/parallel lines (if you couldn't tell by now). And I just adore Arod so very much. I was so happy with those lines- I think they may be one of my favorite moments in the story. And, speaking of Arod, I had to consult with my mother about a horse's ability and willingness to lower himself down for a rider like that and she told me it was very implausable. But that's how it happened in my head so that's what had to happen in the story. And it'll just be a testament to how much Arod cares for both his masters.
reply part 2
Date: 2005-12-12 07:06 am (UTC)Oh absolutely! I LOVE when fics make that happen for me. So... exciting and delicious. I'm glad I could oblige here!
I ADORED Legolas's repeated protests that he isn't ill, then later that yes, he's ill, but he's fine and still stronger than Gimli! That's my elf, exactly! Always worrying about others first, and Gimli the same way.
Awww! Yay! That's just how I like to picture them, too. *sigh* I know I say this to you frequently, but it's so nice to write the way I like things and the way I see things only to have those points of view shared by readers. It's a real treat.
Speaking of which, poor Gimli! Yay for elf/dwarf H/C though, and yay for my favorite fighting duo, slaughting all those orcs!
*cough*not orcs*cough* But yay, again. I am crap at battle scenes, usually. So I always get worried when I have to write them and they never match what's in my head. But in a fic about strength and during a journey, I couldn't NOT have them fight! I needed an excuse for Gimli to be a little physically weak, after all (I didn't think a simple hangover would do it). And I was a little worried you might not dig the hurt!Gimli as much. I know you're not as into it as the elf, of course. So I'm glad you liked it somewhat :-)
I liked Gimli's gentle teasing about the elf's building sneezes and stuffy talk, seeing the small humor in the situation, and denying his own pain for worry about the elf's comfort.
*G* I'm so glad you liked that! *hugs*
I especially melted at the part where Gimli tells Legolas he sounds awful and must feel terrible, and Legolas actually admits it and takes a moment of comfort from Gimli- soooo sweet! I love that little glimpse of vulnerablilty in the proud elf warrior. His stuffy talk at the end is to die for as well!
*More G* I have nothing to say except repeating the happy yay-ness and thank you. It's great to know you liked those bits!
The ending back at home was perfect, neither giving up the competition, and both equally needing desperately to be in bed. And then trying to out-do each other even in care-taking until they both fell asleep...priceless!
*G* I thought, perhaps, readers might be able to see the ending coming a mile away. But the ending was just too perfect for me not to write that way. It's just so them to me! *snuggles them* I'm so very glad you enjoyed it!!
I love the way your muses work, and I wouldn't have missed this fic for the world! Thank you SO much!
Thank YOU again, for letting me have my way with it. I'm currently slightly stuck with BVB's L/G giftfic, so I really appreciate it when bunnies cooperate the way this one did. And I'm especially pleased that you enjoyed it so much. And, like I said at the beginning, I promise more of certain areas for your next giftfic :-)
Re: reply part 2
Date: 2005-12-12 08:00 am (UTC)And don't ever worry about being predictable...it would have been implausible had the fic ended up anywhere else but having them collapsing into bed together and falling alseep. Plus, it's just a very cozy and natural way to end a fic. Also,if you're writing a fic for me, keep in mind that I can't predict most LOST episodes like you can, so you can get away with a lot more! *G*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 02:07 am (UTC)Absolutely nobody writes Legolas and Gimli the way you do- with the perfect mix of boastful swaggering and compelling tenderness.
*sighs*
And it had snow, sneezing and snuggling...a perfect fic-
BVB
no subject
Date: 2005-12-12 06:37 am (UTC)However, I'm struggling slightly with your giftfic at the moment (it's stalled around page 3 where it's scheduled to get dirty... or clean, depending on your POV), so your comments are very inspiring and encoraging to read!!! Thank you! :-)
no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 02:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 03:36 am (UTC)The competition was just So on. And that they Kept on competiting. That was a kill!
I adored their exchanges. The gentle teasing balanced with care and concer.
That was great!
Thanks
tma
no subject
Date: 2005-12-12 06:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-12 11:50 pm (UTC)Hugs,
Deb
PS - Now I am really getting excited for mine.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-13 12:19 am (UTC)SPEAKING of your fic(you read my mind)... I finished an HP fic last night and was dead tired and turned off my monitor to go to bed and BOOM! the idea for your giftfic struck me. So I quickly turned on the computer, opened a new document, and jotted down half a page of notes so I would't forget it. I'm very excited about writing it now. I wish I didn't have to leave for a work trip tomorrow morning or I'd probably call in sick and spend all day writing ;-) But I'm going to have fun with it tonight before I leave, for sure. Just thought you'd like to know.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-13 12:56 am (UTC)