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Time's Turnings by daw the minstrel	23 Review(s)
pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/12/2005
Its nice to have a Ithilden story of his youth, you'd think he was always responsible... Author Reply: I wish I could write more about the youth of Ithilden and Eilian, and also more about their mother, but I have to do it in flashbacks.

Karri	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/23/2005
Seeing Ithildin in his difficult age is too entertaining for words! :-D And Eilian on his way to Dale with eyes all alight...can't be good, but is sure to be a good read. ;-) Author Reply: Poor Ithilden! He was such a painfully earnest adolescent. Alfirin was right. He did need someone to appreciate him. On the other hand, Eilian has an assignement he likes. We'll see how it goes.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/22/2005
Educ is either very brave or very stupid. Not everyone would have the intestinal fortitude to ask Thranduil for a bigger cut. What is he thinking?! You always do a great job of making Thranduil very imperious and definitely King of the Realm. I feel like I should be kneeling in some of these scenes. Sounds like some nasty rumors are in the air. I have complete faith in the King's ability to put an end to them. Eilian? I think he would do a good job too. Extend his leave? Maybe Tinar will get to stay on patrol a little longer - much to his family's joy. "I will be diplomacy incarnate." - LOL! If there were a Queen running Dale I would feel a lot better about it. I agree with Ithilden. Eilian will do a good job and enjoy it at the same time. Maltanaur is going to have his hands full. Sinnarn is currently quite a handful. I don't think I will ever be ready for teenagers. Alfirin and Ithilden's romantic interlude was very sweet. They are good for each other. Ithilden's statement that he wanted responsibility more than fun sounds very much in character for him. My brother-in-law was that way - never a kid - he was 5 going on 30. I was glad to see the ever well behaved Crown Prince acting like a fool for a pretty maiden. It is amazing what a male will do for a smile. The trip to the top of the tree was very well described. I felt like I was hanging up there. I am glad he made it down in one piece and I'm even happier that Thranduil never found out about it. Ithilden would still be in the dungeon, ... I mean cellar. Very sad ending for Anin. It is lonely at the top - you can't be friends with your warriors. It is hard enought being brothers. Great chapter! Author Reply: This was Educ's first visit to Thranduil's stronghold, so he has a lot to learn! Thranduil was quite restrained, really. And he and Ithilden were both startled by the news of the rumors, so they learned something. You made me laugh with the comment about how Eilian would do better with a queen than a king. That's so true. But he gets along with most folks, so we'll see how this goes. I hope Maltanaur wasn't enjoying his leave too much. You'd better get ready for teenagers, because it's coming. My favorite age was 10. My son was wonderful at that age. And I did feel bad for Ithilden when I was writing that flashback. Alfirin was right. He did need someone to appreciate him. I'm so glad I gave him Alfirin because I think he was lonely. Thranduil was away when this happened, fortunately. If he'd been there, he might have learned about it, but by the time he got back, other things had probably happened. In fact, I'm sure they did. :-)

ponypetter	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/22/2005
Woohoo! Another story! I love the part where Sinnarn is late to the feast. Poor thing, I bet his friends were late too and they still got to dance. It stinks having to be responsible. I think if I were in Thranduil's position, I'd be rather worried about how excited Eilian was about the prospect of a trip to Dale. I could almost see this frightening grin on his face that I swear my own brother gets sometimes. You just have to tell yourself there's a 50% chance of things going well. Author Reply: I feel kind of sorry for Sinnarn too. He can't control who he is. He just has to live up to his role. I suppose he has prvileges that flow from that role too, but they must seem poor compensation just now. You made me laugh with that comment about your brother. I'm not sure a 50% chance is very comforting!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/22/2005
I'm sorry to be so late in reviewing this. Real life is invading my fan fic time in a major way the last two months. :( This was a great chapter. Rumors! I love that. It has always fascinated me the damage even completely unfounded rumors can do. We see it even in modern politics. But I think it's funny how Thranduil heard that he was getting ready to break ties with Dale. Can you imagine hearing something like that in such a way. He handled it well. :) And Eilian reminds me of when I used to go to conferences. I'd be so happy to go, thinking about all the touristy things I planned to see in the town--zoos, museums, historical sites...oh yeah, an hour out of my plans to attend my session and read my paper. I was the conference organizer's worst nightmare. I would never fail to present but I rarely attended any other session. “Eilian will do this task well, Adar. He will simply enjoy himself while he is doing it.” Indeed! Oh and the potential for Legolas and Eilian to be in Dale together! I am just dying to see that. I hope Legolas and Beliond get to be Eilian's two guards. But the thing I loved most about this chapter was the flashback. I loved the glimpse of Ithilden and his friends. That was a bit of his buried Eilian personality surfacing for just a second, wasn't it. I wonder if Thranduil knows about that little incident. And it is so sad all the way around. Ithilden was never able to make his own choices as an adult. They were made for him. He undoubtedly was not able to be as close to as many people because of who he is, his responsibilities and other people's reactions to those two things. And then you dropped that Anin was killed with the queen. Oh, you are cruel. What a life this family has had. Great chapter. Author Reply: RL can be a very thoughtless that way. I was just thinking of your story the other say and hoping to see the next installment start soon. Thranduil and Ithilden were both startled by the rumor. I suppose it's not something anyone would have repeated easily to them. Thranduil was taken aback and knew at once that it was potentially serious. I think he surprised even himself when he concluded that Eilian was the natural person to send. And Eilian is like a lot of conference goers I know! I am such a boring person that I usually hang around the conference. I don't always go to sessions, but I do like to meet people from other places. I think that one difference between Ithilden and Eilian in the kite incident is that Eilian would have enjoyed the danger, whereas Ithilden hates being out of control. But he still did it. I felt bad for him the entire time I was writing that flashback. He must have been such a lonely kid. He had a loving family, but I was really glad I'd provided him with Alfirin. She was right. He did need someone to appreciate him.

Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/21/2005
Beliond, Beliond... I love when he curses. Tell me: is he the same age as Thranduil? You said that Maltanaur is, so I was wondering about Beliond. Now you left me curious about those rumors. I wanna know about them too! I was trully surprised Thranduil sent his trouble son to an important mission as that one. His judgement about Eilian's qualities were good, I admit. I love when Eilian showed his brother how amused he was to be the one to go on the mission. He is just too much. I was just reading some chapters of that fic of yours 'When shadow touches home'. Eilian loved Celuwen since then! Oh... that was so sweet. So cute! I wanted to hug him so tight when he confessed his father he was worried about her safety! Poor one!!! Ithilden enjoying his wife... that was nice! I like him. Very much. I like his little tale a lot, though I believe the end of it was kind of sad. He should not be so strict to himself, especially concerning friends. But he might know by now. He is lucky to have Alfirin and she is lucky to have Ithilden, who loves her so openly. Author Reply: LOL. I wonder if Thranduil knew about Beliond's vocabulary when he assigned him to be Legolas's bodyguard. I think he is of Thranduil's generation too. He might even be a little older. He had a son who died at Dagorlad. Thranduil needed someone to represent him and who better than a son? Ithilden is busy and Legolas is too young. So that leaves Eilian, who is good with people and is only too eager to go. Thranduil is worried he's made a mistake! Ithilden is very hard on himself. I felt so bad for him. I was glad I gave him Alfirin. She was right that he needed someone to appreciate him.

Ms. Whatsit	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/21/2005
Aww. I like Ithilden's view of his mother--it seems that he'd be the opposite of Eilian, identifying more with his father. Author Reply: I think you're right that Ithilden identifies with his father, while Eilian identifies with his mother. I think it bothered Eilian to be excluded from the close relationship that his much older brother shared with Thranduil. I wonder how Ithilden reacted to his little brother Eilian's close tie to Lorellin.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/21/2005
Sorry now for dropping back in but just to let you know that I checked it up for myself. Maltanaur had a new grandchild at the start of “See the Stars” and Sinnarn was born in “One Year in Mirkwood”. So that’s about three or four years between them, isn’t it? I was just wondering what happened Maltanaur's grandchild because I did think it would be kind of cool for them to be friends. I know they’re elves so generally speaking that amount of time is nothing but it’s probably still a difference at their age if one is already a novice. But then, who’s to say the grandson wanted to be a warrior ;-) Author Reply: Hm. That might be more like a two year difference. We'll see. It is a fun thought!

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/21/2005
I love the idea of Eilian going to Dale. I'm sure that is going to be interesting to read about. I liked the little flashback story. I thought it was nice and I think it would be cool to mention his friends again. -sofia Author Reply: I'm hoping the trip to Dale is amusing. I've had him go to Esgaroth, but Dale seems to me to be a different kind of town. The flashback to Ithilden's youth was fun to write. I love exploring the earlier lives of Legolas's brothers.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/21/2005
Excellent chapter, daw. My heart is broken for young Ithilden, though. Most people grow closer to their friends as they grow apart from their parents during adolescence so it’s so sad that Ithilden felt he couldn’t even do that. At least Eilian and Legolas always had their friends. Oh well, I better go back to the start and forget about poor Ithilden until I get to him… I quite enjoyed that scene with Educ. He’s braver than I’d be, asking Thranduil for more commission when apparently the Elvenking has decided to cut ties with Men. I wonder if he came up with that request all by himself. I’m dying to know the story behind the rumours. If King Bram is going to listen to them I imagine they’d have to come from a fairly reliable source. I mean, whoever started the rumours would surely have to be someone who would have reason to know such things for them to be taken any bit seriously in the first place. I don’t see why it would be the Dwarves when it could mean that they’d end up having to deal with the Elves themselves. I’m more inclined to suspect Men. But then anything can happen in your stories and it’ll all make perfect sense in the end ;-) It was certainly a treat to see Thranduil and Ithilden rendered speechless for a minute. The whole scene with Eilian was great. Marvellous choice to send him to Dale! I figured Legolas might end up there but didn’t think of Eilian. Ithilden needn’t bother trying to extend his leave – Eilian would probably much rather this than trying to find things to occupy him at home. I had to laugh at the way Thranduil keeps trying to curb Eilian’s enthusiasm with absolutely no success as Eilian edges towards the door. I notice it was simply taken for granted that Maltanaur would be going with him, even though he’s on leave too. His poor wife never gets to see him. Whatever happened his grandson? Isn’t he very close in age to Sinnarn? Or maybe it was a girl, I can’t quite remember. Anyway… Doesn’t Thranduil realise who’s in the Eastern patrol and probably dying for a chance to meet some Men?? Luckily Todith is easy going enough that Legolas might get his way. I doubt Beliond will be too pleased, though. But it might be a nice opportunity for him to see Eilian and Maltanaur’s relationship at work. I love the “stockinged feet”! A relaxed Ithilden is good to see. And Sinnarn is lucky his adar was feeling so comfortable. Of course, having seen two brothers grow up, by the time his son starts acting rebellious he’s presumably learned to pick his battles. I hadn’t realised that they stopped having lessons once they became a novice. Sinnarn is never going to win this fight. “I do not understand why you are so stubborn about it!” LOL. And Sinnarn doesn’t have a stubborn bone in his body… I just love too how in love Ithilden and Alfirin are. His disappointment that he can’t help her undress is very cute. The way he counts himself so blessed to have her in his life always makes me just want to hug him and tell him that anyone would be lucky to have him in their life. But that’s just me. I was delighted she managed to get a story out of him. It’s rather interesting that he chose that particular one. “Sometimes he thought she had no sense at all, although he had kept that opinion to himself since the one time he had voiced it in his father’s presence.” cringe I can imagine. Doesn’t he know that’s the ultimate sin in a father’s eyes?? It mightn’t have been too bad but I can just hear the blunt way Ithilden probably phrased it. It was good to see Celedë again and to know that she and Ithilden remained friends. Kite-flying, eh? That’s a new one. The kite sounds beautiful. Ah, and jealousy is something we’ve seen before in Ithilden. I remember him snapping at poor Penntalion. It seems to be the one area in his life where he’s completely insecure. My heart was in my mouth for the whole part with him climbing the tree. I had no idea how that was going to end. I was afraid he was going to hurt himself, but I guess the way it did end was nearly worse in a way. I had tears in my eyes when Anin tries to reassure him that he will still have time for him and then to see Ithilden so upset nearly undid me. And whereas Eilian might have found comfort in his mother, Ithilden just wants to be alone. In some ways I think that people like Lorellin, who can feel joy so easily can also feel every other emotion just as easily and by encouraging her son to just live life she was maybe hoping that he’d become more open. But as it is he kept his distance from the freedom of simple happiness by looking towards duty and as a result didn’t really know how to handle pain and sorrow either :-( “Anin was one of the warriors who were with my naneth when she was attacked.” Oh, lord. I wonder if Thranduil realised that in the depth of his own grief because I doubt Ithilden would bring it up. How horrible for Ithilden to lose his mother and friend, in fact two of his friends. I hope it was the captain of the Home Guard and not Ithilden who gave Anin that assignment. It’s sad that he felt he couldn’t have close friendships once he was troop commander. I imagine, though, that he’d distanced himself long before that. sigh At least he has Alfirin to confide in and to love him. They’re just so wonderful together. Thank you so much for the glimpse of Ithilden’s youth, especially quite a private memory. And roll on the next chapter! :-) Author Reply: I have to say I felt badly for Ithilden as I wrote this chapter. He's so earnest and well intentioned and Alfirin is right: he needs someone to appreciate him. He just seems so alone to me, so driven to do the right thing even if it makes him miserable. His mother is also right. He'd be so much happier if he'd loosen up a little, but I don't think he could do that at all until he had Alfirin in his life. She's good for him. I'm not sure how well-founded a rumor has to be in times of trouble before people start listening to it. Especially in these rather isolated pockets of people, spread far and wide with very unreliable means of communication. You'd like to think that a king would make sure of his facts, but even contemporary life tells us that rulers don't always do that. You stopped me cold trying to think of how old Maltanaur's grandchild (a boy, I think) would be. Wasn't he talking about him at the start of "The Warrior"? That would make him about Sinnarn's age. Hm. I'll have to look. If it turns out right, maybe I can make him be one of Sinnarn's friends! That would be cool. LOL. I wonder how Maltanaur would react to that. I thought that elves would have basic lessons while they were young (and we're talking thirty years or so of lessons here) and then would have the rest of their lives to learn if they wanted to. They could consult books or listen to the songs and stories of their people. There wouldn't be the same pressure to learn all at once if you have forever. It's hard to imagine. Doesn’t he know that’s the ultimate sin in a father’s eyes?? He does now! You know, I was thinking about Ithilden being jealous and wondering if that doesn't signify a chink in the self-regard of the troop commander. He's pretty self assured, but he seems to doubt that a woman will love him. That's so sad! I think we'll be seeing at least one more glimpse of Ithilden's youth. He's turning out to be very interesting. Thanks for the review, Dot.

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