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Growing Under Shadow by daw the minstrel	10 Review(s)
Eirinn Leigh	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/19/2016
Considering the age gap between most elvish siblings Turgon and his brother are practically 'Irish Twins'! Author Reply: That's true. I find it very hard to work out what a "generation" means for elves. How do Ithilden and Legolas relate to one another, for instance? I suppose that until recently, it wasn't uncommon for human children who were the youngest in their family to have siblings that were grown up.

pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/20/2005
I really like Elian Character and you can see the friendship between him and Maltanaur that has grown through the years. And when Tinar shot him he was upset as he should be, he needs more practice with that bow... Legolas young and wanting to have killed his first dear has two Elves that dosen't seem to like him...Tynd and Riolth, I don't like them they seem full of trouble... Author Reply: I have to confess there's a soft spot in my heart for Eilian too. I'm glad you can see how he's grown over the years. The story I'm working on right now is set earlier, of course, and I have to keep reminding myself that he's really young in it.

Fadesintothewest	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/17/2003
Oh that was a great chapter! The interaction between Legolas and his horse was dead on. It was so easy to imagine the big horse grunting in pleasure as Legolas brushed him. And our dear Eilian, I love reading about him in the Southern Patrol. But that Tinár, what a bloke! Is that the older brother of Legolas' nemisis in your story where Legols is a novice? Ai, I cannot remember his name. The hunt goes on! I am afraid Legolas and buds are going to find the large deer and shoot it but b/c of their pint size and strength aren't going to muster the needed fire power to make it a clean death. If this happens it is going to be tragic as the deer will suffer and as they are wood Elves, well, this will be a lesson learned for them. I must admit I am more squeamish about hunting now as an adult, but as a kid I went out hunting. Only small prey, snakes and rabbits and such. But my father hates what he calls lazy hunters, the ones that use lights, the ones that go hunting in contained paddocks, and that don't eat the meat! There is something sacred in the hunt, and a respectful hunter always tries to make a swift and clean kill. If you shoot a deer in the wrong place say, it might ruin part of the animal that you wanted to consume. So I guess where I am going with this rambling, is that I imagine wood Elves to have a magical communion if you will with the animals that they kill. But I digress and still have more chapters to catch up on!

LKK	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/12/2003
I liked the hunting scene, daw. I literally gasped when Maltanaur was struck. (You've made me care so much about your OCs!) I have to admit I didn't pick up on the fact that the elves were in the trees while they searched until several paragraphs into the hunt itself. I guess my mind is still too mortal and bound to the earth. I loved Eilian's ending comment about having been reprimanded many times by Thranduil Oropherion and knowing how to be fearsome and cool at the same time. Legolas' idolation of Eilian just makes me go "Awwww". Even his brother Eilian said that the lessons were important, and Eilian never said things just because grown-ups were supposed to say them, even though he was grown up. If that's not the epitome of younger brother hero-worship, I don't know what is. And I just knew that things weren't going to go well between Legolas and the older elves when it came to that buck. Quick question: what is the meaning of Sadron’s name? Once again, a great chapter!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/9/2003
Daw, Another interesting chapter. Tinár is certainly a character! You've given us a glimpse into him in your previous stories, but I have enjoyed seeing the circumstances that Eilian described in those earlier stories. Poor Gelmir. Tinár is certainly condescending. I loved it when Gelmir told Eilian that the boorish one might not escape the other warriors' arrows. And his stray arrow hit Maltanaur! At least in Eilian's reckless behavior days, he never shot another warrior! I'd have to agree that it is time to send Tinár on his merry way. Where would you place someone like him? You can move him to another unit, but he will still be a pain. His next commander will not be pleased. The younger guys are prepped for adventure. Legolas and his buddies are off to the hunt. However, they did drift a bit further than Thranduil usually allows Legolas. It can get awfully easy to just keep going. I wonder how far they will get before they get into trouble. Turgon's family is interesting and it was sad when Legolas realized Turgon had never spoken of hunting with his father. I don't get the impression that his parents are bad folks, just not too clued in. They seem to take too much for granted. Kind of reminds me of parents today who are so busy with their own lives and responsibilities that they miss the warning signs of something amiss with their youngsters...or they simply don't know how to deal with it and chose to ignore it. I can't decide if they are blissfully ignorant or suffer from voluntary ignorance. Either way, poor Turgon suffers the neglect. Legolas and Annael fill a real void in his life. In the end scene, I loved the sweet little hug Thranduil gives Legolas and couldn't help but smile at the elfling pulling away because he was too old for such displays. Finding that separation from parents is sometimes hard, especially for the parent! I've been lucky, my boys never went through that...they have other separation behaviors. At 15 and 17, they still hug and kiss me in public and tell me they love me. Many of their friends do, too. But I guess Legolas's reaction is more the norm. I've seen this with many of my friends and I know they are good parents. It's just the kid's way of developing. It just kills the poor parents! (Thanking my lucky stars!) As for Legolas, later, we see that he is able to feel secure in Thranduil's love and doesn't push him away overly much. I'm glad. Thranduil needs hugs, too. Waiting eagerly for the next installment. Karen

Brenda G.	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/8/2003
Very satisfying chapter. Spiders...they give me the creeps! Giant spiders is something I am glad only elves know about. Tinar needs to be taken down a notch or two. He really didn't seem all that upset that he had shot a fellow warrior. Maybe if the roles were reversed, he'd wake up and smell the coffee (I mean, tea). I have a feeling his "day is coming." I'm so delighted that this chapter had so much of Eilian in it. Love that Eilian Thranduilion! He speaks to me more than any of your characters. Maybe its his sense of things that I find appealing. He's a bit reckless and all rascal. You've never described him in much physical detail, but I'll bet he's drop-dead gorgeous to boot. Eilian rules! Legolas is so endearing at this age. I can just see him at his books, one eye on the text, one eye on the door. Just like a kid. You make him so adorable in the way he thinks and feels and the things he does and doesn't do. I love his friends, and my heart goes out to Turgon because I now know that his father has never taken him hunting. Ah, well, his buddies will soon help make up for that lack. Daw, you never cease to amaze and delight me. Thanks for this chapter. What a nice way to end the day. BG

JustMe	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/8/2003
So we get a chance to get to know Galelas' older brother a little better. I think my favorite line belongs to Gelmir this time - "Not if one of us shoots him first". Positively priceless!! I laughed out loud at that one. Tinar really is an overbearing braggart. Eilian enjoyed seeing Gelmir lose his cool, but he had a different reaction to Tinar's reckless behaviour when it resulted in the injury of one of the warriors. Ah the temper of Oropher rears its head again! So the elflings have once again encountered the "older" ones. Those older elves should not underestimate the determination of these youngsters! This can only lead to conflict - and with Turgon around, who knows what trouble that can result in. And by the way, I do not have a way into your PC - but after reading all of your LOTR stories, I guess I just have a sixth sense as to how these characters will react to certain situations! It's like being able to figure out how a member of your own family will react to something! I guess that's how I've come to think of these delightful characters you have created.

Lamiel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/8/2003
Someone needs to smack Tynd. Sigh, I guess even Elves have to put up with bullies in their youth. But Legolas handles it well, and he's as honest and polite as ever, even when it's to his disadvantage or a blow to his pride. I do love that little Elf. And Tinar is going to be a problem too. He isn't related to Tynd by any chance, is he? One small critique: the first part of this chapter felt a little rushed to me. All dialogue, rather quick, and not a lot of time for character reflection or feelings. It works fine here, but that's something you might watch for in future chapters. Eilian is in the Southern patrol, and he's got to be feeling some extra tension and fear from the darkness of the Shadow there. I'm having some trouble keeping up with everyone posting on all the different sites. I did review your first chapter on ff.net, but I'm not sure it sent. I got an error message. I guess I'll have to try again later. Many thanks for another great story, and for your frequent updates! Lamiel

naneth	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/8/2003
I most loved the end of this chapter. I can just picture Legolas leaning against his father until he remembered he was "too big" for such things! Why do boys do that, anyway? They grow up much too quickly for our liking. Makes me thankful for my girls-they still like to get hugs, as long as it's not TOO public!

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/8/2003
I love seeing Eilian like this! He has grown up in so many ways - now a lieutenant, he is more self-controlled and now leading. Tinar needs to be chopped off at the knees, I am afraid. And I still like Maltanaur - what a great character he has turned out to be - even injured he is helping Eilian. Legolas and his friends are great - just like young boys would be expected to be. They understand responsibility, but you can see them wishing to push those boundaries into being older. The older elflings are are a bit arrogant - clearly forgetting they were that young once. But, we know they turn out well and will work with Legolas one day. Fun to see Amdir too :D, even if he is a screeching toddler!

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