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Good Neighbors by daw the minstrel	19 Review(s)
Susanlu	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/9/2004
Hello everyone, hereby we present the fighting between Thranduil and Elrond's sons! (Cheers and applauds) Come on, which side you will chip in? What? You ask me? I will of course wager all my money that Eilian can beat the half-elves black and white all over, as long as he fights just one of them, not both at one time -_-b I'm always interested in the relationship between Thranduil and Elrond, as well as their sons. It's mysterious that Elrond sent Legolas as the representative of Elves to attend the fellewship of the ring, not his own sons. Has he ever considered that someone (like Thranduil) would accused him as a selfish father? Or is Legolas really stronger so much than the twins? When Legolas talked about the twins in ROTK, it sound like he respects them but not very familiar with them. As for "who is the strongest", I've noticed the lines in canon: "(in Haunted Mountain)The company halted, and there was not a heart among them that did not quail, unless it were the heart of Legolas of the Elves, for whom the ghosts of Men have no terror. "Elladan and Elrohir were also in that company then, did they scare? Can we say Legolas is a better warrior than the twins by that? If Legolas can win the twins, there is no reason that Eilian will fail.^+++^ Gandalf seems likes a trader in human beings^o^, or a kidnaper, has especially interests in cute elflings in noble birth. And poor Legolas finally fall into his trap ^o^. I bet after the war of the ring, Gandalf sail west without meeting Thranduil again. Author Reply: It turned out Eilian lost. He's 90 and the twins are 2500 years old, so I didn't think he stood a chance! Why Legolas was chosen to be in the Fellowship is really a good question, I think, and it's one that there's not a good answer to. The real reason is probably that Tolkien was trying to link the trilogy to "The Hobbit," so he wanted the son of the Elvenking and the son of one of the Dwarves. I loved your ovservation about how Legolas was unafraid. But I think that what Tolkien is saying is that elves in general are not afraid of Men's ghosts. I think that's why he uses the present tense verb "have," which implies an ongoing state for all Elves. If he had meant just Legolas, he would have said "had," which would limit the claim to just the situation he was describing. If Gandalf were interested in my kid, I'd hide him away!

White Wolf	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/8/2004
I'm really looking forward to the 'battle' between Eilian and the twins. I bet there are some things they can teach each other. I'm also looking forward to Legolas's outing. Will he be getting into trouble or behaving himself? Does it depend on what Turgon comes up with for them to get into? I wish Ithilden could loosen up a bit. I love the character, but he is often too buttoned up, even knowing the aw-some responsibility he has as troop commander. Author Reply: I couldn't face writing more sparring scenes, so I'm afraid I'm not going to show the actual sword practice. But I wouldn't be surprised if they all need their swords at some point in this story. I had been hoping to get the whole camping trip story in the next chapter, but I think it's going to spill over into the following one. I have Chapter 4 mostly drafted, but I have to work today, so it won't be up until tonight probably. Ithilden is awfully buttoned up, but that's him. Alfirin does him some good eventually, but he hasn't been able to stop stuttering around her yet in this story. :-)

Duchess	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/8/2004
A very good, if disturbing part. The twins really DO need to go home and be with their family. They haven't grieved properly yet. shaking my head Putting them together with Eilian is a scarey prospect! Will he be influenced by them or will he be good FOR them instead? curious Oh I do NOT want anything bad to happen to the Elflings! You do realize that most of the outings Legolas is involved in end up in disaster somehow, don't you? I really hope the rest of them don't start looking at him as some sort of jinx! Loved Gandalf's last line to Thranduil! still giggling An EXCELLENT part! Thank you for sharing it with us. :) Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Duchess. The twins "failed" to find their mother in time to prevent harm to her and then watched her suffer for a year. I can't imagine what that would have been like, poor things. I'm not quite sure yet how they and Eilian will react to one another. I'm still asking myself what Eilian would do. You made me laugh about Legolas being a jinx. It does seem as if all of his trips go awry!

thechevin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/8/2004
This chapter was so good you really made me feel for the sons of Elrond and also gave me an insight into how Thranduil and Ithilden had coped or not with their own loss. Loss of a parent is hard on children of any age but loss through such violence must make it doubly hard. Thranduil's strength held his family firm and they were fortunate I am on edge now that the woodcraft group have gone into the forest especially given the fact that the man who shot at the raft has not been apprehended while the majority of the elflings opps shouldn't call them that should I? might do as they are told they are taking Turgon with them! And as for Legolas' comment on his Adar and the strange effect he has on other people this was priceless as was his reaction to the kiss. Loved every word Author Reply: As I was writing this chapter, I was moaning to my beta that nothing happened and everyone would be bored. I cared about all this emotional stuff for my characters but I wasn't sure anyone else would. So I'm very glad you did! Thranduil did indeed hold his family together. Other things were different for them than for Elrond too, of course. There was a very young child in Thranduil's family and they all could clearly see his needs, which made them think of someone other then themselves. There were orcs almost on their doorstep, so no-one was going to go wandering ME to find them. And they hadn't just watched Lorellin suffer for a whole year before she gave in and sailed. That must have been hard. I spent all of yesterday writing about the camping trip and then decided most of what I had written goes in chapter 5 rather than 4. But the trip will appear in 4. I just have to start over writing it! Legolas just wants to be one of the guys right now, poor little thing. His father's the king even if he doesn't come to the training fields.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/7/2004
Oh, great chapter. Of course, anything with lots of Ithilden would make me happy… I’ve just realised too that what I like most about the appearance of Elladan and Elrohir is the fact that it allows a deeper glimpse at Thranduil’s family and their own actions after Lorellin’s death, especially as they begin to notice things about their own behaviour that they might not have thought about at the time as they observe the sons of Elrond. And while I’m rambling on I might as well say that I think those two should be split up quick smart – Ithilden should take one off somewhere and Eilian should take the other and then maybe they might be able to open up a bit without fear of what the other will think. And if someone doesn’t give them a big hug soon I’m jolly well going to go and do it myself :-( So there! I loved the bit with the Men in Ithilden’s office. His glare makes most Elves uneasy so I can only imagine how it affects Men! ‘Invitation’, eh? LOL, I could have told him that was a mistake! It’s nice to see Beam crop up again. I’m so used to reading about Elves now that I get confused about the ages of Men. I had to laugh at him talking to the “less desirable element.” I imagine the Elves would tend to see most Men as ‘less desirable’. I thought you wrote Caridd very well – Ithilden is right, he does come across as an advisor. Caridd’s actually doing quite well too considering who’s sitting in front of him. After all, they probably don’t have any spare soldiers. But I really enjoyed Ithilden tormenting him a little. Poor Beam would probably be less than thrilled if he did make an appearance in Esgaroth. Tiran is quiet so far. It must be rather overwhelming to be in the midst of Elves for the first time. And if all the Elves did decide to suddenly attack Caridd, there wouldn’t be much he could do to stop them. Not that that would happen, but he doesn’t know that. I was surprised that Thranduil asked them to attend the feast but it was a friendly enough gesture and a good opportunity to see how much more at ease Elladan and Elrohir are among Men than Thranduil & co. would be. What a very impressive sight they all must have made at the high table. Lovely image! That part about one of the servants brushing down Mithrandir’s robes was hilarious. Thranduil has such funny thoughts sometimes. I don’t know how many times I end up in hysterics at some of the things that go through his head. I loved the idea that Thranduil was able to talk to Mithrandir a little about his own loss during his last visit. And the fact that Mithrandir obviously does know about Lorellin leads me to believe that there must be some reason that he brought Elrond’s sons to visit Mirkwood, and that maybe those aren’t the only two Elves who might learn something. So Mithrandir wants to see Legolas? I don’t blame Thranduil for being a bit apprehensive when a wily old wizard decides to take an interest in his youngest child. I like the sense almost of Mithrandir knowing he should get to know something of Legolas but maybe not entirely certain why himself yet. “But Ithilden had been determined to carry out his role as Thranduil’s heir and the commander of his troops and had therefore gone with grim determination to every ceremony where he might be expected.” Oh, lord. I had to take a moment there and go for a walk around. What a heartbreaking picture that is. And the poor thing never realised that maybe it would be better if he just stayed away. I thought you captured the idea of raw grief very well with the part about Elladan and Elrohir distancing themselves, almost unable to take in the fact that others could feel joy, and with Thranduil thinking about how he and Ithilden would have registered very little in the early days of their own grief. It’s spot on, really and also drives home just how recent Celebrían’s departure is. I like too how much Thranduil has seems to see now that he’s had these years to recover a little. I mean, at the time of “When Shadow Touches Home” he was still oblivious to a lot of his sons’ reactions or the reasons behind some of their actions but here it’s almost as though he’s been able to step back and has a much clearer idea now of what was happening at that time. I haven’t expressed that very well… But anyway, the twins are clearly in the very early days of grief when we all become quite introverted and self-absorbed in a way. “Thranduil noted with interest that he was easier even than Ithilden, who tended to be impatient with Men’s short-term thinking.” Oh right, Ithilden is impatient with Men, eh Thranduil??! I do like, though, how clear the difference is and shows just how much contact Elladan and Elrohir have with Men, as well as how high their regard for them must be. “Thranduil, have I told ever told you that you are sometimes a comfort to me?” I should think he is! The guy has no Ring of Power and has very likely been kept in the dark about a lot of goings-on but all he wants to do is get rid of Sauron and any other dark creatures that might be about, preferably without any need to sit around discussing it first. So Mithrandir’s job of inciting people to rise against Sauron is very easy when it comes to Thranduil. I was so happy when Ithilden took the twins off for a chat! It must have been quite difficult for him to sit and watch them have to put on a brave face. I thought it was interesting that Elrohir assures him that they’re doing their best to wipe out the Orcs. It’s almost as though he seems to think that Ithilden feels the same need for vengeance, whereas Thranduil’s sons have no choice in fighting Orcs. They have to try to protect their home and have no need to go and seek them out. I think he’s absolutely right about the two of them not being entirely good for one another at this stage in their grief. It’s fascinating that they both seem to feel the exact same. I wonder if it’s one more than the other and if it’s really then more a matter of loyalty on the part of the other. It is a frightening thought what would have happened if Eilian did have someone like himself to rely on. Well, he did have a little brother who was just as angry but at least Legolas was young enough for Eilian just to empathise with and try to protect. Ithilden speaks from experience, of course, about needing the support of family but I guess they’ve heard this from many people now and mere words aren’t going to make any difference at this stage. “And Adar, I do not want to hurt your feelings, but everyone gets all peculiar when you come.” LOL! Poor Legolas. Even funnier was the fact that Ithilden was also trying to accompany him and got all annoyed when he couldn’t. Surely there are other places Alfirin hangs out?! It was quite sweet to see that Eilian is so popular with the youngsters. Yep, he’d definitely make a great father…;-) “We are staying close to the stronghold, and surely I can manage a half-dozen of them.” groan Well, that trip is well and truly jinxed now. Silly Sondil. It must be quite something to watch the twins spar. Of course, with a bunch of warriors watching them, the differences in styles were bound to be noted. I would have presumed they’d have been taught differently but I hadn’t thought about the reason for that. I don’t know whether it’s scarier that the Elves of Imladris are being taught to fight a more “intelligent opponent” – which must be Men, Dwarves or even other Elves – or that the Mirkwood Elves have to learn to attack Orcs and finish each of them off as quickly as possible. As usual, though, Eilian is quick to praise where it’s due. He doesn’t know about their mother yet, does he? Well, he won’t be long realising something’s up if they are determined to learn how to dispose of Orcs quickly and efficiently. “Then perhaps we have things to teach one another.” Hmmn. I can’t wait to see where this is going. There are lessons to be learned but I wonder who’ll do the most learning? Those twins definitely need a little help to come out of themselves and see past the anger. I know they continue to hunt Orcs but that doesn’t mean that it has to be in such a mindless and desperate manner. Oh, and I can’t forget that elflings and Men might both be in for an exciting time too! Right, this seems to be taking me all day so I’ll buzz off now and leave you alone. Top-notch as always and I’ll be quietly chewing on my nails here ‘til the next chapter! :-) Author Reply: You're so funny about Ithilden, Dot! Maybe I'll have to let him get shirtless and sweaty again, just for you! :-) As I was writing this chapter, I too realized that my focus has to be on Thranduil's family. I want to try to make the twins as alive as I can, but they're not my central characters. So I think I'm going stay out of their heads and show mostly the reactions of the brothers Thranduilion. But I think that both sets of brothers have things to learn. Your sense of the twins matches mine in that I see nothing necessarily ominous in their continued hunting of Orcs. After all, Thranduil's sons do that too. But they need to climb out of the black despair that their recent loss has caused. I too get confused about the age of Men and have to keep checking my previous stories to see when people appear. But Beam was in "One Year," which takes place 10 years down the road, so I thought he'd be around now too. And I'm very interested in how the twins react to Men. I think that Mithrandir probably wants some cooperation among the races here. Their squabbling among themselves must drive him wild. And bless your for remembering Mithrandir's job with the Ring of Fire! And you also caught the allusion to Ithilden wanted to "accidentally" meet Alfirin. What a satisfying reader you are! Thranduil is so irreverant that he does think funny thoughts. He has no patience with pretense or pomposity. Actually, you can see where Eilian gets some of his lack of reverence too. It's just that Thranduil is more circumspect about where he voices it. I thought you expressed yourself well about how perceptive Thranduil is in retrospect about his sons. He's learned a lot, and he now sees things in the twins that he had trouble seeing in his own sons. No wonder they scare him. And you're right about poor Ithilden. He clung to duty and routine and just marched through the motions with grief rolling off him. I've been thinking about the similarity between Legolas and Eilian after their mother died because French Pony mentioned that too. I think that Eilian saw himself in Legolas, but Legolas was little, so Eilian could also get some distance on his anger. Elladan and Elrohir look sensible to one another in a way that Legolas never looked to Eilian. One of the things I like about Eilian is that he's very generous about the strengths of others. He always has been that way. And I've decided that you're right: he doesn't know about the twins' mother yet. Geez. How am I going to deal with that little revelation? Oh well. For now I just have to picture the camping trip and I have a page of notes about it and a bunch of internet research on tracking and foraging for food so I'm good to go! The internet also gave me the stuff about different fighting styles. How did Tolkien ever function without it?

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/7/2004
As I mentioned yesterday, I liked this chapter in that we gained some new insight into the characters. The chapter may not have had as much action, but because action didn't get in the way, you let us see into how people thought and perceived others. I am looking forward also to how Elladan, Elrohir and Eilian get along. Author Reply: I was actually surprised by how the characters came alive in these interactions. I just didn't know if anyone would care about that as much as I did. I'm still feeling my way about E3 (as Jay calls them). I think there has to be some two-way effect.

Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/7/2004
Nice chapter, as always! But two little things called my attention: first one was Thranduil's worries about Gandalf's interest in his younger child. The wizard is trouble for him, is he not? Then, was Legolas saying how weird he feels when the king walks with him close to his friends. That was funny. I don't know why but I am starting to be more fond of Ithilden because of this fic. He is so open to me right now... Too bad the chapter ended soon - I was too concentrated reading to see the end of it. Thanks for the update!!!! Author Reply: Gandalf is indeed potential trouble, at least from one point of view. He is the holder of the ring of fire, and his job is to travel around stirring up the hearts of people so they will resist Sauron. Thranduil doesn't know that, of course, but he's pretty sharp. On some level, I'll bet he realizes that no good can come from letting his baby hang around the wizard. Poor Thranduil, though. Being king does make it harder for him to be just Legolas's father. And even if he were just Legolas's father, the kid is at an age where he might not want his parent around his friends. I'm getting fonder of Ithilden too. I don't show him much sometimes, but as I do show him more, I can see his interesting qualities. He's like his father, but more insecure, despite his arrogance.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/7/2004
Yes, now that I've had a little sleep and I am able to read the last scene without having a fangirl moment--please tell us that Eilian is going to have a rare moment of conservativism and be a good influence on E & E. Of course we know the twins do go about the rest of their lives hunting orcs but not Eilian. Not when he's already injured. ... Thranduil would kill him for that and Ithilden would bust him back so far in the ranks he'd be polishing floors or peeling potatoes. You really did writing an opening that gives you all kinds of potential here, didn't you. Clever author. Author Reply: Thranduil would absolutely have a fit if Eilian took off on his own, and even harebrained Eilian knows it. But for the twins, there is a question. We know they hunted orcs after this, but then, so do Thranduil's sons. The real issue is what happens in their hearts and minds while they do it. Because if they don't get that straight, they'll destroy themselves.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/7/2004
PS: Did the twins bring their formal robes and circlets with them? Or does Thranduil have a supply for incorrectly attired guests? Although I quite see why he would not attempt to persuade Mithrandir to avail himself of it. Author Reply: I think Thranduil could manage the robes, if not the circlets, but I thought that the twins might have some stuff with them. They've just come back from accompanying their mother to the Havens and then their grandparents to Lothlorien. So they didn't set out from Imladris intending to go on an extensive hunt. When I wrote about Mithrandir, I did picture how cool he looked at Gandalf the White, but I think as Gandalf the Grey he would not have been easy to spruce up.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/7/2004
What a very satisfactory chapter. I just love the thought of Thranduil being a comfort to Mithrandir. I suppose his resilience and obstinacy as well as his kindness and intelligence would be factors - Mithrandir would just know that, no matter what, Thranduil will still be there, battling the Dark. Not to mention having produced three rather delightful sons who have his own high principles and self-discipline. (Well, sort of. Eilian has his off moments, but nothing would stop him doing whatever he can for the forest.) Words just aren't going to get through to the Elrondionnath though. They've heard them all - Elrond, Celeborn, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Arwen - they must all have been telling them that what they are doing is not going to help. Perhaps what they need is a big dose of kinaesthetic learning - and Eilian is probably the best person to provide that. I could empathise with Ithilden's chill at the thought of two Eilians each feeding from the other's fury. Bad idea, very bad idea. Ithilden enjoyed playing with the Men, though. He seemed to have more sympathy with the keeper than the diplomat - he prefers straightforward really, doesn't he? And he wasn't pleased to miss the chance of seeing a certain healer's daughter - he'll feel better about that if he discovers that she wasn't there bidding her little brother farewell. Eilian was surprisingly gratified at the idea that Legolas's friends liked him - (I'm left thinking of the snowballing episode!) - but I don't know that it would surprise Thranduil - Eilian still is a big kid at heart and he relishes doing and getting away with things (feathers) that L, A and T would love to do. It must be seriously difficult being the offspring of someone famous and watching all your friends change in his/her presence. And watching your parent become someone else, too. Being a sibling of someone famous could be pretty awful, too. Worse in some ways, perhaps. Love Eilian's excitement at the idea of Glorfindel - don't know if he has quite thought through the intelligent opponent thing - because that involves elves fighting elves back in the depths of time. Although Men and Dwarves probably count as intelligent. To some. Looking forward to the next instalment. Author Reply: I thought that Mithrandir would value Thranduil partly because Mithrandir is the holder of the ring of fire, and his task is to go around inspiring people to resist evil. Thranduil is easy to inspire! When I thought about the sons of Erond and Thranduil together, it seemed to me that Eilian is the one who is the most akin to the twins. I'm working on their interaction, trying to see how each is affected by it. I do think the twins need to look outside themselves a bit. They can keep on fighting orcs if they want; Thranduil's sons do that, after all. But their own hearts and spirits need to shift a little or they'll destroy themselves. I'm glad someone caught the reason Ithilden was "vexed"! I thought that Tonduil was probably resisting having his sister show up at every turn just as Legolas was resisting his father. Eilian is only 90, however, and is, as you say, just a big kid himself sometimes. And oh yeah on who Glorfindel's opponents have been. Scary thought, no?

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