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| A Creature of Fire by daw the minstrel | 21 Review(s) |
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| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/28/2005 |
| Daw! I feel as if I'm invisibly visiting Mirkwood when I read one of your stories! I like the leisurely pace of this story. I feel as if I am sitting down with old friends in front of a cozy fire to find out is happening in their lives. I can hardly wait to find out if Eilian has trouble with the "featherhead!" LOL! Thanks for the stories so well! MM Author Reply: I fervently hope the pace really is "leisurely" rather than too slow! I've been working on slowing down a little so that I don't rush the exploration of emotions, but it would be easy to go overboard. From looking at other writers I admire, I can see that pacing is tricky. Anyway, I'm glad you like the story. I'm using Legolas's POV only, mostly to see if I can do it, so communicating about Eilian is a little more dificult than usual. I've had to resort to things like Legolas overhearing him and Celuwen in the garden. | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/25/2005 |
| I have several "3 cheers for..." places in this little chapter! :-) Let's hear it for the state of things in Arda! You have a real knack for conveying the love between Eilian and Celuwen and the scene at breakfast was a prime example. The two lovebirds come in holding hands and looking insufferably pleased with themselves and everything (and everyone) else! LOL Also, here's to featherheads...may Eilian not pluck Anyr's after the first hour in his presence! :-) The whole breakfast exchange was very good! I like how this is one of those pivotal events in this family - more little interesting tidbits come across that table! And I like how they all sit down together for the morning meal. Alfirin is the typical naneth - I'm surprised extra tunics was the only thing she sent - chocolate chip cookies come to mind...ah, home cooking...can't beat it! Let's hear it for good ole' Beliond - I dearly love this grumpy old elf! So he likes the new horse, does he? And he's a sneaky elf, too - dropping in on Sinnarn and Legolas that way! LOL I really like the comfortable feeling between him and Legolas now...all due in part to the fact that Legolas has finally come to grips with his "nana"! It does make for lots of giggles, tho'. Let's hear it for good old Galelas - HE'S not too thrilled with our Lieutenant, is he? And Eilian wants Legolas to carry messages to him? That ought to go over well.... Let's hear it for daw...another wonderful addition! Now, bring on the featherheads! linda (has Calith hit Tinar yet?) Author Reply: You're so good at predicting things, Linda! I'm looking at the 'maiden' thing in your review of the last chapter and the cookies here. I'm sure Alfirin sends goodies to Sinnarn. Actually, I'm a little concerned about my tendency to make all conversations happen around the table. I'd like to put them in other situations where they have an excuse to meet and talk, but in my own family, meal time is when we do that, so I suppose I'm just copying from that. Legolas and Beliond are getting along well, and Legolas and Galelas are not. I think I have to work on that! | |
| esamen | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/16/2005 |
| Legolas laughed but had no time to answer before a scowling Beliond moved toward where Sinnarn’s hand still rested on the flet, and seeing his danger, Sinnarn hastily let go and slipped away. A fun moment. So, Beliond has his own way with getting along with Sinnarn. I love Beliond. He is a really, really unusual character. Like no one else. I picture him as a guy who has a lot of non-verbal communcication going on. Lots of interior stuff, though. Even though I'm a huge fan and have read all your stories more than once, I still appreciate you giving me the update on all the OC's and how they are doing at this point in time. I need the help :-) You have a lot to sort out for us, huh? Every time I start a new story and Galelas comes on the scene, I have to give him an appraising glance to check out his attitude at the moment. Still an unhappy camper, I see. I kind of like that because it gives the story a lot more spice. I really, really like Legolas stories with lots of genuine canon setting. I went back over the Appendixes to check out the bit with Dale, and it was so fun to go read them again. I am always amazed at what Tolkien created, with just pen and ink and imagination. What a wonderful universe for us all to roam. Have fun typing, Esamen Author Reply: I there is lots of interior stuff with Beliond and I haven't exlored it enough yet. I have an idea of doing a story from the POV of the keepers and wives and maybe Ithilden's aide, Calith. I haven't done anything with it, but it might be interesting. I'd learn more about all those people. I've written so much now that I get confused with it all. I have to keep consulting that list on my author's page to see how long the gap is between stories and so on. Glad you enjoyed this, Esamen. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/16/2005 |
| I enjoyed the image of Beliod about to stomp on Sinnarn's hand as he smarted off. I think for as put upon as a couple of young lords may be from their keepers, the keepers put up with much too! They must actually like it when there is more than one keeper together - gives them someone to talk to, as well. Author Reply: I know you're a big keeper fan. Must be something toubled in your history! I suspect you're right. A keeper's job wouldn't necessarily be a lot of fun. | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/16/2005 |
| It was my pleasure to save this chapter until I could sit down and read it with little to no interruptions... I like the family interactions, and how most of these take place around meals, I've said the same thing over and over again. But,yes,I'm always expecting that family meal in which some thing is due to happen. And Legolas as an adult is so convincing! He's now used to his duty, he regrets leaving but is also eager to return to routine, he observes and catches up with all that is going on in his family. Eilian is fun, although he always makes me feel a bit sad, maybe it is my own middle-child syndrome coming out... Now, I bet Celuwen is another restless one and she's going to get quite involved in the settlemnt, so where are those "holidays for two?" I begin to think she's as good as Eilian at staying put indoors, so Eilian is being dragged, willingly, into her "field research! ;-) We never see Thranduil on leave, though, and Ithilden's hour-long picnics are short relief from his duties, but above all from pressure and responsibility. I wonder if he also feels the shadow, after oh so many years being responsible for the lifes of all warriors... thanks he has Alfirin, in truth, or he would have been "burnt out" by now! (and with Tinar around, you're so cruel! ;-)) Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it. I worry a little about most of the family interaction taking place at meals. I'd like to provide a little more variety, but it's a lot of work to introduce another activity they'd all be around for, and then you can't just let it drop. The arrow making in "Good Neighbors" started out that way. I wanted Thranduil and his sons all together for some activity, but then it grew into a plot element. To my surprise, I've discovered that I enjoy writing about capable adult Legolas. He's attractive, I find. But I'm a little worried about Eilian and Celuwen. I've been thinking about what they would do when Sauron is defeated, and one thought that occurred to me is that they might go to live in a settlement, but I'm not sure Eilian will be able to manage that. This is a little trial run. Of course, this settlement might not be a good match, and they wouldn't want to live near her father, but another place might be ok. The only story in which I've shown Thranduil leaving home is "Tide of Times." He goes to a White Council meeting in Imladris there. I think I neglect him a little, actually. :-) | |
| sofia | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/15/2005 |
| Another good chapter. Nithron is one of those characters that you created that have me curious. I'd love to know more about him. -sofia Author Reply: I haven't really thought much about Nithron, mostly because I have my plate full of OCs now. I might not have time in this story to do much with him. Maybe someday. I'm glad you liked the chapter. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/15/2005 |
| I love the interactions between Legolas and his family, Thranduil is always great, and I do love Eilain. He's always so surprised when his father praises him! I hope we get to see more of Anyr. He's so hopelessly airheaded he's funny - but not to have to deal with! I like Galelas, too, even if Legolas doesn't - after all, how can he be any better considering his awful family? :( It's sad, though, to see both Galelas and Nithron in this story. :( Jay Author Reply: Eilian is indeed surprised when his father praises him. He expects to be criticized and sometimes reads criticism into Thranduil's comments even when that's not Thranduil means. I'm planning to follow Legolas through this story rather than cut away to others, so I have some challenges on how to show some of this other stuff. I tried to think about how novelists do this and I'm wondering if maybe a good letter from Eilian might be just the ticket. I feel bad about Galelas and Nithron too. | |
| Alice | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/15/2005 |
| I really like how Sinnarn turned out. He's so relaxed compared to his father and uncles. It's nice. And shame on Legolas for babying his replacement as the family baby. He should know better. I enjoyed the breakfast scene. Celuwen's awesome by the way. That was nice how she defused the impending Eilian/Thranduil arguement. She's a natural diplomat. Also, " She fears he will go naked if she does not clothe him." Sure laugh now Ithilden, but there are probably reasons for her fearing that. That was a nice tie in with last chapter's comment about Ithilden neglecting to eat. Which I can see him doing actually. There was just some all around nice characterization going around on the breakfast table. There were some nice little bits of characterization here. Like Beliond our favorite elvish loner sitting some distance away from the rest of the group with Nithron. I feel bad for Nithron. Sinnarn must have been such a shock after Ithilden. Yay, Galelas! I think Legolas and Galelas need to hash out their issues. They honestly bring out the worst in each other. It'll be good for them. So, excellent chapter, if a little slow. But it was good setting up the scene and the characters. I look forward to the next chapter. And yes, I had an excellent time in London, I'd never been before. My family wanted to take one last big family vacation before I head off to college so we decided to do something big this year. It was a lot of fun for my history and literature dork self. Author Reply: Sinnarn is indeed much more relaxed than his father and uncles. I think that's partly because there's that generation there to buffer him from immediate responsibility. And also I think Ithilden learned from watching his father as a parent. There were things he wanted to imitate and things that he didn't. And then, Alfirin must have had some influence too. You know you're absolutely right about Ithilden. He might very well not take time to eat if Alfirin didn't see to it. Now Sinnarn going naked is another story. His fellow warriors might object! They honestly bring out the worst in each other. Oh yeah. That's it exactly! They don't even see the good qualities in one another that others see in them because when they're around one another, those good qualities tend to fade. I'm glad you had a good time in London. As a fellow geek, I'm jealous. | |
| Brazgirl | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/15/2005 |
| A little glimpse of Eilian and Thranduil here! That was enough to satisfy me. Evne more because Beliond is here... I like where this is going. Legolas' POV is very interesting, especially his relation with Sinnarn. And Thranduil... I love when he defends Sinnarn! I bet Eilian doesn't like that protection too much. Seems to be that Legolas-Galelas quarrels are up. Hum. That will be good to read! Author Reply: My beta loves Beliond and makes me put him in everything. :-) I'm in San Francisco on business this week and I wrote on the plane today on the way out here, mostly about Galelas, but I'm interested in Sinnarn too. He lives up to his duty and his family still seems to think of him as screw off. That has to be hard. | |
| White Wolf | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/15/2005 |
| I like Thranuil's faith in Celuwen. Her's and Eilians' life in the settlement should prove very interesting. Beliond is so cheeky. When he asked Legolas, "Do you need me to put you to bed?", I thought of his own typical response: "Watch your moith." I love the way their relationship has developed over the years. Author Reply: I trying to decide if Eilian can ever live in a settlement. I suspect that this particular settlement is going to be a poor fit, but I'll bet that Celuwen would like to live in one some day and you'd think that Eilian's wood-elf side would like it too. But what would he do for excitement? He seems to crave that adrenalin rush. Maybe he can take up white water rafting or something. In Beliond's mind, he gets to be cheeky but Legolas does not! | |