News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Good Neighbors by daw the minstrel | 20 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/25/2004 |
| Tired of these stories? Not likely. I have always loved series of books - I am lazy and don't like to remember new names. Fanfiction is the best thing since sliced bread. I especially like the familial relationships in your stories. You have a fresh perspective on their relationships and the royalty factor as well. Dinner sounded a bit awkward. No one wants to be in a crowded room of people on display when they are grieving. The twins handled it well. Ithilden did a good job rescuing them. I would be very nervous if Mithrandir was interested in my kids too. Legolas' departure was cute. It would be hard to have the King see you off on a camping trip. I was glad he understood. Eilian is a very social creature- I have no doubt that his popularity pleased him. Sondil is very brave. Eilian's encounter with the twins must have been exciting for the warrior. Any chance he has to improve his sword skills is a big, fun time. Their little conversation in the glade was uncomfortable. His brother should have warned him. Swapping the conversation to strategy was a good move. Caridd would be wise to accept Thranduil's offer. Sounds like things are going downhill very quickly. It must have been hard to let the evil creatures escape but the wounded were more important. I am glad it so hard for everyone to let it go. Sounds like you did your woodcraft homework too. The activities in which the young ones are engaged sound realistic. I always liked how all of your characters have their own strenghts, ie Annael's woodcraft. A lot of authors have one or two perfect characters and no one else is good at anything. Galelas is still in brat mode - at least we know he improves later on. At least his older brother did not escort him to the camp. The twins are still pretty distraught, the conversation about the band of orcs was not one of their finer moments. I can't really blame them for wanting to demolish the creatures. The wood elves may even be grateful for the help this week. I am looking forward to seeing all of this activity converge. Author Reply: I did do my woodcraft homework. I'm a complete city girl myself so I was a blank slate. And I found all kinds of cool stuff. I could barely keep myself from telling readers all the things you could learn from coyote poop. Eilian is feel ambivalent about the twins. He recognizes their feelings and is both fascinated and cautious. He does not want to go down that road again! And yet, he responds to their fury. I love Annael. He is such a sweet kid. Thranduil must thank his lucky stars every night that at least one of Legolas's friends is sensible. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/13/2004 |
| 'I know it's nuts but I'm sitting here feeling completely tense over "that" and "which." There's this little twitch starting underneath my right eye! Sigh. Did these "editors" know the difference between a restrictive and nonrestrictive clause?' This is wonderful - it has brightened my morning! Author Reply: This is sick, actually, but Meckinock let me explain the difference to her and I felt better. :-) | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2004 |
| Did these "editors" know the difference between a restrictive and nonrestrictive clause? Uh, doubtful. But they make more than I do, so that makes them right. Also the sooner I got my paper signed off the sooner I could go home, so I would have written the danged thing in Gullah if that's what they wanted. ranger ambles off to do an "Ask Professor Language Person" post... | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2004 |
| Gandalf sure has his hands full. He's gonna have to stay scarce from Mirkwood for a while if this deal breaks bad. E3 is an apt acronym - something makes me think that the amount of trouble the those three boys can get into together will be cubed. The painstaking diplomacy between the men and Thranduil is excruciatingly well done. I had some demanding betas on my trip. You would be dismayed to know how many times I was ordered to change "that" to "which." I was tempted to call you and put you on the phone. Author Reply: OK. I know it's nuts but I'm sitting here feeling completely tense over "that" and "which." There's this little twitch starting underneath my right eye! Sigh. Did these "editors" know the difference between a restrictive and nonrestrictive clause? It's interesting to me that by the time of The Hobbit, the men say that Thranduil is their friend. So how did we get to that? I'd like to show that happening over time. | |
| White Wolf | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/11/2004 |
| I love the lessons with the bear marks. Will Legolas get home in time to meet the twins? For some reason (don't know why) I really want them to see Legolas as an elfling. I really feel for Elladan and Elrohir. You capture their sadness very well. I remember in "When Shadow Touches Home" how Legolas hated and wanted to kill orcs because they killed his mother. I think I have the right story. Of course, the twins, as deadly warriors, are able to get that done. Author Reply: I had an excellent time looking up information about tracking and woodcraft. Bless the internet! I have a problem letting Legolas meet the twins too directly because I wrote a story called "Question of Duty" in which he meets them for the first time. But I think I'm going to let them catch a glimpse of him. The twins are interesting to write about. I'm trying to treat them respectfully as adults who have had a very difficult year and are now free to react to the grief they've been suppressing. We'll see how it goes. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/10/2004 |
| NEIGHBOURS From the Australian TV show "Neighbours" (Tony Hatch / Jackie Trent) Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours, Just a friendly wave each morning, helps to make a better day. Neighbours, need to get to know each other, next day is only a footstep away. Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours, With a little understanding, you can find a perfect plan. Neighbours, should be there for one another. That's when good neighbours become good friends. Neighbours, need to get to know each other, next door is only a footstep away. Neighbours, every body needs good neighbours, With a little understanding, you can find the perfect plan. Neighbours, should be there for one another, That's when good neighbours become good friends. That's when good neighbours become good friends. This has been haunting me for days, so I just thought I would inflict it on you. I don't know whether you have this Australian soap to torment your minds, but I spent - well, whole minutes finding the words to this theme tune, courtesy of the internet. Although, of course, you won't have the tune in your head to add to the irritation. Author Reply: Why thank you, Bodkin! I've never heard this song, luckily for me. Otherwise, it would a real earworm. :-) daw | |
| thechevin | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/10/2004 |
| This chapter certainly ratcheded up the tension I found it very disturbing but very natuarl that Eilian given his temperament would be fascinated by the twins and also understand their reaction to their mother. Is there a little case of hero worship here? While he may respect and love his own older brother I suspect Eilian might sometimes wish he was a little more like himself. At least it would take the heat off from Thranduil! Ithilden makes my heart bleed, so strong on the outside and stoical and yet just as devastated by the loss of his mother and his inability to keep 'everyone' safe on the inside he must long to go out and slay a few more orc himself but duty holds him just as it does Thranduil and it is clear that his own grief has been reignited by the arrival of the twins. Thank goodness for the woodcraft team they at least are enjoying themselves but I have to ask for how long? A wondefully complex and insightful chapter that brought out the various characters traits very well Judy Author Reply: I think Eilian admires the twins. He's always been pretty generous about recognizing the strengths of others, and he's about 2400 years younger than they are. (What a thought!) He's found kindred spirits in them too, I think. Thranduil was right when he thought of the twins' grief as "contagious." They're all feeling it -- except Legolas of course. He's off learning about bear claw marks on trees and having a wonderful time. So far. :-) Thank you, Judy. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/9/2004 |
| A rather tense chapter, I would say. Everyone seems to be feeling their way in the dark...except for the elflings who are tracking their way through bear country. Eilian certainly became interested at the thought of going on an orc hunt with the twins. Perhaps his encouragement wasn't the best idea, but he was not aware at the time of Celebrian sailing until he was deep into orc territory in his head. I think it would be hard for Eilian to turn back once he had an orc in his sight...or in his imaginary sight. I think too, that considering he had just lost to the twins in a sparring match--something I think is rare for him--he is rather impressed with the twins at the moment. Plus, he truly understands why they are so driven to strike back at the enemy. He meant well. It's something he would do...and did do. These two speak his language! I really liked how Ithilden was so cool with the men when they wanted to know what he had done about the orcs that attacked the men. He never shows anyone what is going on in his head. But he can't fool his adar. Thranduil knew that Ithilden agonizes over every little thing. One could never call Ithilden rash...even if he is from Oropher's line. The tracking lesson was superb. I think I could learn a thing or two from Sondil. We'll practice this next time we go to Cedar Mountain. Maybe we can hunt some bears. But..bring Annael with you. We'll need him. Well...I think Thranduil sort of ticked off the sons of Elrond when he refused to answer their questions. I'm not sure they intended to end their stay quite so abruptly until that time. I suppose they had orcs on their mind and were only a harebreath's away from going off after them as it was. Elladan seemed to go over the falls in a barrel at that point. Okay, so these guys are 2500 years old. They're accomplished warriors. They're the sons of Elrond. And they're grieving for their mother. I understand Mithrandir's desire to respect these things about them, HOWEVER, it might be time for the good family friend and He-Who-Wears-the-Ring-of-Fire to tell these whelps that it's time to grow up. Grief is no excuse for recklessness, nor is it an excuse to cause their father and sister more pain. The time has come for all good wizards to knock heads. Poor babies...really, how awful. But still... Terrific chapter. The tension is tight, the people--Elves and men--are wound tighter than Dick's hatband, and it's time to hunt some orcs. Oh! I forgot I just said that was not a good idea. Don't listen to me. You know how emotional I get when I can't get characters to behave the way I think they should. Emotional investment, I think it's called. You do a great job of Karen Author Reply: I thought that Eilian and the temporarily bloodthirsty twins might be soul mates. And I also thought Eilian might find them pretty interesting. As he told Legolas, everyone should come to the Woodland Realm. He likes meeting them and showing them around. And I suspect that's what he would like to do! You read Ithilden just as well as Thranduil does. He looks like he doesn't care, but he feels so responsible for protecting everyone that he feels every loss. I had the best time looking up woodcraft stuff! I found two really, really good sites and have a ton of stuff I didn't use. I thought readers might not be up for learning about what you can learn from coyote poop. Ah the twins. No wonder everyone keeps telling them to go home. Elrond, come and get your sons! They are driving everyone else up the wall! Oh wait. I have other plans for them. And some of those plans involve swords, Karen! Surely the ranger is due back soon? | |
| Manderly | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/9/2004 |
| So we only got to see the sweaty aftermath of the sparring between Eilian and the twins. Eilian isn't the only one hoping that there will be more opportunities for the same. That was quite a lesson in tracking in the woods. Being born and raised in the city, I know nothing about the ways of animals and the woods. Reading your stories will probably be the closest thing I'll ever get to them. The trick of making five marks in the dirt and seeing how they change over time was very interesting. Someday I may even teach my kids that and really impress them. Here we go again - orcs attacking Men in the woods and Man (Men?) attacking elves on the river. Where are you leading us to? The thought of those elflings out there in the woods while all these are going on is rather disquieting. Author Reply: LOL. Sweaty, swordfighting (and preferably shirtless) elves seem to have a big fan club! I'll have to see what I can do. I loved finding all that stuff about tracking. The internet is a marvelous thing and I don't know how Tolkien ever wrote his stories without it. I have a lot of plot threads going and hope I don't lose track of any of them. Man attacking raft, orcs attacking men, twins in a state of emotional shipwreck threatening to take Eilian with them, elflings in the woods. Hm. I think that's all. I can do that! | |
| Alice | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/9/2004 |
| You're really good at this POV thing. When Eilian was listening to Elladan and Elrohir talk about their whole revenge gig, it sounded reasonable, and I was all for him telling them more about Orcs. Last chapter, one dominated by responsible Ithilden and Thranduil, I was horrified that Eilian might give them information. Your characters are very easy to get into. So, enjoyable chapter, if a bit slower than the last one. I loved the elflings (sorry Turgon) and Sondil. I love how there so nonchalant about being in bear country. Oh a bear was here, let's look at its tracks. So not my family where if it's bear country where we camp (a rare occurence) we get a half hour lecture about how to deal with bears and bear tales are a favorite subject around the camp fire. Someone needs to put something squishy in Galelas's bed though. I like him better when he's older and past the whole must prove I'm the best thing. So, nice job on showing exactly what Elladan and Elrohir were thinking. You just know that Thranduil was thinking," You're not fooling me peredhel, I can see exactly how the wheels in your mind are turning." I wonder how it would affect diplomatic relations with Rivendell if Elladan and Elrohir's doors were to "mysteriously" get locked sometime in the night. I figure they'd come out ahead because while Elladan and Elrohir would not possess an enduring love for Thranduil and his minions anymore, Elrond might be a bit pleased. And I am surprised Mithrandir didn't talk Elladan and Elrohir out of it completely. I guess I'm too used to his general miracle workings. Come on Mithrandir use that ring,inspire, inspire! So, I look forward to the next chapter. I can't help but snicker at poor Sondil taking six twelve year olds on a camping trip. Someone's not getting any sleep tonight. (giggle)Like Eilian says, " Sondil is a brave, brave elf." Update soon! Author Reply: Thank you, Alice! I love getting into these characters' heads. Little Legolas was actually the most fun, because the most bizarre things seemed sensible. I am a complete city girl. Camping strikes me as a bad idea. Why would you go on vacation and sleep in the dirt? But the elflings (yes, sorry!) love it. And Sondil, bless him, came out sounding like some sort of Zen elf on the topic of the woods. I was so excited when that happened! I'm finding Elladan and Elrohir hard to write, I think because they're new to me. And also because there's so much fanfiction about them. I have to keep reminding myself that these are not children by anyone's standards. They're 2500 years old. So neither Thranduil nor Mithrandir will be ordering them around, I think. But they need help, as we all do from our friends and family when we are in distress. Fortunately for Sondil, elves can function well on not much sleep. I think that's a strength he's going to need. | |