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Interrupted Journeys: Part 3 Journeys Begin by elliska	7 Review(s)
perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 8/15/2005
Where to begin! Complex, but oh so interesting and well weaved tale within the many threads of the third age! I very much love that you took the time to mix life in Thranduil’s realm with the events of that part of the age. The wain riders and Gondor’s loss, as well as the dangers in the forest are perfectly done! Legolas birth was such a wonderful event. Despite the increasing difficulties of the political situation, Thrnaduil’s family life is reaching a much needed balance, and that shows in the way he reacts, too. It is amazing to think that so much time has passed and that he was able to refuse his wife for such a long time! But adar Thranduil is such a lovable character! I very much like how you manage the relationship between both brothers. It is not very common to read about Thrnaduil’s family, and I think that both are well balanced in their strengths and their different characters yet recognizable as children raised by the same father. Dolgailon is such a wonderful addition to the family. Serious and responsible to a fault, as he is, his adar can still surprise him and show him some tricks and lessons in life!. IT was great fun, amidst sympathy, to see him sent north to report to the king. Aradunonn must have had a fit when he heard of his son’s “invasion!” and the young captain resolved the situation well. But it was great fun when Aradunnon told him to meet him and his naneth in the green! When I was at college, my mum decided it was time to retake her doctorate, so for a time we met in the library or in the sports fields, or even at the cafes, hanging around, and it was very embarrassing to me! I can only imagine Dolgailon’s shock were he to meet with his parents in the green while spending the night away!!!! The attack on the queen and her escort got me on the brink of the chair! But I’m glad that you decided not to let Legolas orphaned, for a change! And the malcontent and conspiracies taking place In the southern part of the realm are very believable.I like very much how you explain the succesive moves these people had to endure along millenia, and how ubdoubtedly that must have met opposition and embittered relationships. It pained me to see Tulus inner struggle, and the fact that his son is not following his example is not a good omen! Glad that Dolgailon managed to discover that!! I love the many layers of your stories, elliska, the political and historical facts are so well balanced with the glimpses of family life and how the characters are growing. That it is a pleasure to read. I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to cope with a chaptered story now that I’ve caught up with you! I loved reading the first three as a whole! Thanks for the tip on the last chapter, I had missed it, and it was worth reading! The children are a delight, yet I could not help wondering how Aradunnon and Amoneth must have felt rearing up such a serious child. They must have thought someone came in and changed their baby! He’s so different from them! Thankfully he managed to find a lovely wife and hopefully he’ll relax a bit! I enjoyed this immensely, each of your stories discovers a new element, and even if things are going to get even darker, it shall be a pleasure to follow after! So please, go on!!!! Author Reply: :-) I am so pleased to hear from people reading this straight through (as opposed to chapter-by-chapter as I post) that it isn't too complex. I love mixing all this stuff in--canon, family matters, polictical matters--but it is impossible for me to tell when it gets to be too much at this point. I'm glad you like it. :-) I like adar Thranduil--he does have a very nice balance in his life right now, although I imagine it seems very busy to him too. I love playing with him and his family. Family is great fun, especially looking in on someone else's and seeing things we can identify with and laugh at. (I think I would have died going to college with either of my parents. I feel for you there.) I suppose I am evil to say that I am glad the chapter with the attack made you tense. Originally in that, Amoneth was going to die, but I didn't go with that in the end. I thought the attack and guards dying was scary enough for such young children without mothers dying too. And I am glad the little conspiracy comes off ok. I do think there would be malcontents, even amongst elves, in such a difficult situation as Mirkwood was in. Put someone amongst them with a grudge and that could create a very bad situation indeed. Tulus will continue to struggle, poor fellow. I'm glad you went back and read that change. I like the story better for adding it. Today I am locking my office door, being a bad employee and putting the final touches on some chapters of part four so I can get to a steady pacing of posting it. It starts out fluffy with young Legolas and then does get darker. I hope you continue to enjoy and I really appreciate your reviews. They have been so thoughtful and interesting to me since you read those first parts straight through. Thanks!

Finda	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 8/11/2005
Hi:) I hope you forgive me, but I've already read the story. I just couldn't wait and I was so curious. I loved this one especially. It had everything: love, treachery, drama, adventure, action. It was great. I think I like this one the most. It was very complex but easy to follow. Just great! I'm looking forward to read Part four:) Author Reply: I was very interested to hear what someone that had read this particular part of the story straight through (i.e. all at once as opposed to reading it along as I posted it chapter by chapter) would think of it since it is so complex. I'm glad (and relieved) that you liked it too. I was worried that it might be too complex, so I'm glad you commented that you found it easy enough to follow--it is very hard for me (and my beta too) to judge since we know this thing so well at this point. I have a lot of fun with the treachery and drama, I have to admit. :-) But I love the canon backstory of the Sindarin Elves so it is all weaved into that. I wonder if you read this since Sunday (Aug 7)--that night I split a chapter (Legolas) into two parts (Imminent Arrivals and Legolas) and added a scene. I also made a few transitions in the rest of the chapters a little stronger (I hope). Just FYI. I do so much appreciate your reviews on this story. Thanks and I hope you continue to enjoy.

Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/8/2005
Ah Elliska! I finally managed to read the epilogue. So sweet to have the whole family back! I trully enjoy to read the family you created. That little aftection display between Thranduil and Lindomiel was lovely. And as far as we could see he is managing well to have Amgalur living so close. I like the brown wizard a lot!!! Looking foward to read more from you! Hugs. Author Reply: Hi Brazgirl! I'm glad you liked the epilogue. I can't deny that I love Thranduil's little family too. I have a lot of fun writing about them. I probably have more fun imagining him and Amglaur enduring each other than Thranduil does, though. :-) And I love Radagast. Being a big nature freak, he was my favorite wizard always. I had hoped to get the first chapter of the next two stories up this weekend but work conspired against me with two big emergency projects, so it's not looking good. But they will be up soon. Thanks so much for all your reviews. I really appreciate them. :-)

J.G.E	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/7/2005
Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeee! This update has certainly made my day. I loved how you mixe fluffiness with more serious discussions. I enjoyed the elflings and their parents in getting into playful antics, boy, Legolas is a sneaky little elfling, lol. I don't know why but the memory flashback gave me a feeling of bittersweetness, probably because Oropher is no longer around as well as Engwe's wife along with a few others. I'm so looking forward to your new story and plot. And I think we are going to see the true colours of Glilavan very soon, as well as everyone else, and more of dum dum dum Marti. Well, I hope you keep on writing so professionally, and I hope to see many more of your works once the Interrupted Journeys are over (which I hope will not be soon). Peace out, J.G.E Author Reply: Hi JGE! I'm glad you liked the fluffiness and seriousness mix. I actually did that in each section intentionally to show an underlying current of danger because that, unfortunately, is what the people in Mirkwood live with. And the flashback was indeed bittersweet because neither Oropher or Ninglor (who was important in Thranduil's childhood as Galithil will be important in Legolas's) are still with Thranduil. But I also love seeing Legolas and his cousins play with their parents. The idea of Thranduil simply playing makes me happy. :-) You will definitely see a good many people's true colors, including Glilavan's. Thank you so much for all the reviews. I will definitely keep posting these (just need to sort out a few more things before I start with the next ones). I hope you keep reading and enjoying them. :)

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/5/2005
Oh lovely. An update. Galithil's story of what his older friend told him was interesting. He's looking like a lively handful for Aradunnon to manage. Like all the Elves, I'm glad to see Dolgailon learning to relax a little too. Or at least trying to. I was impressed by his instant knowledge that Glilavan had lied to him. He's a perceptive guy, which I guess makes sense given his years as a captain, among other things. Loved the kids stalking their fathers! They're a great little group of tacticians. It's also interesting to see them watching the adults to try to gauge their reaction to Radagast. I also like the idea that they think of the fireworks as magic. Beautiful ending with the evening under the stars and the families all together. Author Reply: Hi daw! Galasserch is a bit of a show-off, I think. He's young enough that he'll grow out of it before he appears in this again (not the next story but the one I will post probably after that). He indirectly and unintentionally causes some trouble that turns out pretty seriously. So I thought it would be fun to throw him in here. He does get Galithil stirred up and Aradunnon doesn't want him around his son. I think Dolgailon has simply known Glilavan for a very long time. Glilavan was an older warrior in Dolgailon's first posting and I picture them as having stayed close until Dolgailon became an officer and I picture them as even closer after that. He could tell his friend was not being truthful. Unfortunately that was not something he wanted to learn and it puts him in a position that he doesn't want to be in. But it will be useful. I got a kick out of the kid's activities with their parents too. I used to do that sort of thing with my dad and my friends. He was really a good sport about it, poor man. As for Radagast, they're a little more cautious of 'Men' now, so they wanted to see what their parents would think of him. I think every elfling on the lawn would have likely been won over by the fireworks though. Fireworks would seem like magic too little children, wouldn't they? :-)Even when Gandalf wasn't there to make them turn into butterflies and dragons they are just amazing (from a distance, they scare me a little too). But, the truth is, I just love Radagast and I'll throw him in whenever I can. I just can't help it. :-) Daw, thank you so much for these faithful reviews. It really means a lot to me. Thanks!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/5/2005
Big sigh of satisfaction. Despite the odd ominous overtone. I am so pleased that Dolgailon knows Gilbert well enough to see right through him. It could be useful to use him as a feed through to the evil Black Swan. (I hope Tulus manages to remain redeemed, though - although I have a dreadful feeling that his fate might involve self-sacrifice of some sort.) But didn't the elflings give their parents a great day! They let them join in all the games - and tell stories - and watch the fireworks - and Radagast even got to introduce Legolas to the wildlife. They even got to share the berry tarts. Aradunnon and Amoneth are wise to bring Galithil back to the Stronghold, though. He needs the company of elflings his own age. Young Galasserch sounds a bit too big for his boots and enjoys showing-off for the troop commander's son just a bit too much. (Although it wouldn't do him any harm to grow up somewhere rather safer either.) And anyway, A2G are too much in the open down there - I don't want them getting hurt! Or Dolgailon, either. Nasty point Tulus brought up - 'and truthfully, I feared involving you. As yet you are beneath the notice of these people,” Tulus looked up and fixed Dolgailon with a pleading look. “Please stay that way, Dolgailon,” he said urgently. “Let the king manage this.” ' He's right, too. The BS would have no hesitation about crawling out from under a stone to dispose of him - just to make everyone squirm. I could get pretty fond of Tulus, you know. Gilbert, on the other hand . . . (I have a feeling that the spy-master should involve Tulus more in the anti-BS campaign. He knows more about her than most - and seems to be the only one around who is actually taking an elleth as a serious opponent. You don't need to trust a spy to use one.) I love Legolas being more enthralled by Radagast's ability to talk to birds than by Mithrandir's fireworks - it seems very suitable for his personality. And the ending - the elflings, the stars, Thranduil's memories of his early years with his adar and cousin - lovely. And Eirienil's words - “Lord Thranduil and lord Aradunnon make the Evil One stay away. I think they do a better job than those stars would do,” she said firmly. - are a delightful indication of the confidence the elflings have in their carers. Misplaced, possibly (except that I can't see the stars being a lot of help), but the attitude of happy elflings in a secure environment. Don't be too long with the next part, please. I'm already missing this story! Author Reply: Hi Bodkin! I'm glad you enjoyed the elflings' day with their parents. I did too. I always thought things like this were a lot of fun when I could do them. And I like Legolas, Radagast and the birds too. First of all, I love birds. And also, it reminds me of him drifting off to see the huorns as they were passing Fangorn on the Quest. He would naturally be very connected to the animals in his father's realm, I think. And the Hobbit implies Thranduil gets messages from bird, so...Bottom line, I've got almost 1000 birds on my life list, so we're gonna see birds in this story. :-) Galasserch acutally plays a small part in the next part of this story that references canon but that's not for another 30 years. He should have grown up in the north but he doesn't and he is (indirectly / unintentionally) going to lead to some serious grief. He's a sad sort of kid. Galithil definitely needs to be with his cousins in the stronghold--not that he can't cause trouble there, mind. He will. It will just be much less deadly. (I have to say, I got a very big kick out of A2G!). Dolgailon is pretty bright. Bright enough not to say, "You're lying, Glilavan," right then. He will keep an eye on his lieutenent and it will prove valuable. I'm afraid you are very correct regarding your suspicions about Tulus. And Tulus was right to be worried about Dolgailon. So we have a nasty little circle there. I'm glad you liked the ending and Eirienil's little comment. I actually had a lot of variantions on this ending (lots of different memories of Thranduil's along the same theme) but I went with this one. I think the elflings are generally speaking very secure. I hope not to be too long with the next part. I have a bunch of little stories that I decided I would work together pretty loosely for Legolas's early childhood, so that is what it will be. I just need to decide what order to post in. Bodkin, I want to really thank you for reviewing every chapter of this fic for so long. I really appreciate it so much! It makes a big difference. :-)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/5/2005
Begetting Day party! Family picnic! Those are fun times. Grownups have a chance to mingle and do grownup things, because all the kids are in a pack and just need an eye kept on them to make sure they don't go completely amok. I do think that multigenerational family get-togethers are among the most interesting things in the world to observe. The ball game was cute. It reminded me of one time when we were all at my aunt and uncle's house and my little cousins took a soccer ball outside. My sister and I followed them, and eventually my aunt and uncle and my mom and dad, and even my grandmother joined in. That was one of the very few activities that that side of my family has ever participated in with so many people together (my grandfather stayed on the sidelines to kibbitz), and I think it was that much more special because of it. I always like to see scenes of extended families playing together. Fireworks in the woods. . . Thranduil is right to be a little nervous, given that the woods tend to be somewhat flammable. I don't know that I'd be entirely reassured by the prospect of Radagast handling fireworks, either. But what a treat! Home fireworks are illegal where I grew up, so I can only imagine how radically neat it must be to have someone bring over a box on your birthday. But fireworks and birds in your hand is just the perfect topper for the day. Good to see Tulus and Dolgailon making up, but it seems that ol' Glilavan has done what many kids do and taken precisely the wrong lesson from Ada's downfall. The problem with examples is that they can be interpreted in so many different ways. The parents hope that the kids will learn "don't do the stupid thing I did." But the kids are more likely to learn "I will succeed where Ada failed." At least Glilavan hasn't yet learned how to lie convincingly, which might make Dolgailon's life marginally easier. And I don't believe for one instant that Dolgailon is beneath the notice of Manadhien and Fuilin. The Black Swan is way too clever for that. You never know which string will make the knot unravel completely, and oftentimes, it's one that appears to be beneath notice. I bet that if she sets her mind to it, she might figure out that offing Dolgailon would unravel things quite a bit. Do you think that most parents try to keep kids from finding out about the existence of war and politics and death? Or were my parents just being weird when they neglected to omit that from conversation around me and my sister when we were little? I read so much about parents who want to protect their kids from ever knowing that Bad Things happen in the world, but then I can't ever remember a time when I didn't know about, say, the Holocaust, and knowing about that didn't shatter my psyche or anything. Author Reply: Hi French Pony! I enjoyed your thoughts on family fun. I've said it before--I think I'd like you family. :-) I agree though. My family didn't do much of this kind of stuff because some of us lived in Michigan/Pennsylvania, some in Kentucky and some in Florida (a little too spread out). But I have gone every year for 20 years to my husband's family get-togethers. They are a blast. I'm with you and Thranduil on the fireworks though--honestly, those things scare the hell out of me. We used to make the fireworks run every year to buy illegal ones (lived near a state where you could get anything and in a state where you were allowed nothing). Then I'd sit there and just cringe as my husband and his friends set them off. They were pretty and it was fun but I always had a garden hose in hand. Personally, I love birds and I would have rather had Radagast get a Northern Parula or a Painted Bunting to sit in my hand than give me fireworks. I think you are right about Glilavan, unfortnately. We will have plenty of time to see that. That scene was in and out of the final version of this (for space reasons more than anything else) but I finally left it because I thought we should see Tulus and Dolgailon resolve somethings. I think you are right about Dolgailon and the way Marti and Fuilin see him too. Also unfortunately. I don't know what parents would do to shelter kids these days. I'm not a parent but I think it would be pretty impossible. My 12 year old niece says they watch news stories about the Iraq War in school. And even if they didn't, how could kids really avoid that sort of thing with the Internet and TV etc. But my parents (mind you--I'm 40, so this was 30 years ago when we had one TV and no Internet) did try to keep me away from coverage on the Vietnam war when I was Legolas's age (5 years old). And they certainly didn't tell me much about the actual battles my cousins were in. But in today's world, I don't know if you could keep that from kids. I do agree with you though--hiding things from kids doesn't help in the long run. Explaining things to them on a level they can understand is always better. I think Dolgailon was just surprised his brother and cousins were awake and probably would have talked about different things if he had known they were. After all, for a birthday party for a five year old, what is more appropriate: Iraq War or Mickey Mouse? It's all a matter of context and presentation, I guess. That is also why I am supremely glad not to be the parent of a young child these days. I want to thank you so much for leaving such wonderful and thoughtful review for each chapter of this long series. I really appreciate it and I hope you continue to enjoy! :-)

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