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| Growing Under Shadow by daw the minstrel | 13 Review(s) |
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| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/21/2005 |
| I think Turgon is a bad influence on Annael and Legolas.... Author Reply: You and Thranduil think alike about that one! Yet Turgon is an affectionate friend too. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/21/2003 |
| Daw, I've been lax about reviewing lately, please forgive me! The elflings in this chapter have no concept of danger, do they? Wandering about a dangeous forest at night, with no one knowing where they are! I'm not surprised that Annael's father looked frightened - he was probably thinking about how he would have to explain to Thranduil that he'd 'lost' Legolas! I still like your Thranduil, even when he's teling Legolas off - he even gives a cuddle in the end. But who was the mysterious man in the clearing? What is he up to? It sounds like he is collecting swords, but who from? I'm intrigued! Jay | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/19/2003 |
| There were two things about this chapter that gave me pause. The first was the reaction of Legolas to those simple, ordinary things you do in a home. How different his life is from his friends'homelife. Some part of my brain knows that life is different for royalty, sports superstars, television and movie stars, but I guess I've never really thought about how very different life would really be for those folks. Myself-I'd miss the trips to Target and Wal-Mart! The other thing that caused me to pause and reflect was the fact that Legolas had no fear of the forest at night. That really made me feel sorry for Thranduil! I know how frustrated I get when I talk to my children about a particular danger they might face and they tell me that I'm making a "big deal out of nothing". It frustrates me so much to know the danger but be unable to make them clearly see the danger I do! Parenting isn't for cowards, as a very wise doctor says. Can't wait to see what happens next! | |
| Sekhet | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/19/2003 |
| Hello Daw I'm so sorry I've been tardy in commenting on this story - RL has got in the way of me doing much in the way of reading on the net. But I'm SSOOOO glad I tuned in tonight. Three bad boys - but such degrees of badness! Turgon is such a charmer. I just loved it that when he showed that uncharacteristic uncertainty, Legolas was instantly aware of it and that the only cure was to ensure Turgon had his way. A manipulative little charmer, in fact! Legolas is really quite clear eyed about him, yet helpless to resist - you can't help but understand Thranduil's concern about how Turgon is able to lead Legolas astray; and poor Annael just gets pulled along in their wake. Such presaging of the future. Nice look into Annael's homelife, and Legolas's unfeigned envy of its simplicity. The bit about the under-tunic was priceless, and a nice compliment both to Legolas and to the way his father is raising him, that he's not arrogant and haughty. Am wondering mightily about the man they saw and if (when?) Legolas will think to mention it and put Thandruil on his guard. I'm impressed by the way you're conveying strength under pressure - Thranduil is strong, but there's a storm coming, and his careful stewardship of his kingdom is a noble thing. I did enjoy his disciplining of Legolas and the gut-wrnching horror he felt at the way the child put himself into needless peril. Alas, we know that it'll be a few years yet before Legolas grows out of that! Great, great stuff. Thank you! Sekhet | |
| Rorrah | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/19/2003 |
| I'm amused by the trio planning their outing. Step 1. Present bad idea. Step 2. Acknowledge that it won't work Step 3. As an academic challenge, work out the problems Step 4. Realize it could work with the modifications, and implement Step 5. Remember much later that inherent in step one was the word BAD. Know whats funny, some people never grow out of that. Enjoyed this chapter a lot! Rorrah | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/19/2003 |
| Well, Turgon certainly does have a talent for planning mischief, doesn’t he?! I love the way the other two offer vain arguments while knowing all along they’d end up agreeing to his plan. After all, his logic always does seem sound at the time! It’s quite sad, really, because he has such a quick mind that it could be put to much better use…. I have to say, I felt quite sorry for Ithilden. He is going to so much trouble and is so grateful that his people can be better protected and in the meantime his little brother & co are wandering around the forest by night with nothing other than bows that they can’t even use properly yet. Hmm, and should I be suspicious about Rudd?! I loved the dinner scene in Annael’s house. Even though my mouth is watering at the thought of fried fish and mushrooms…! I’m glad Annael’s mother treats Legolas as she does her own son and sends him to cut asparagus and dry dishes. The bit about the undertunic was really interesting – Legolas seems so oblivious to the clearest differences between him and his friends. All his observances seem to favour Annael’s lifestyle. I guess he just has to learn to appreciate what he has himself. I had to laugh at the line “He put his dirty clothes in a basket at home, and clean ones reappeared periodically.” Typical children! It reminds me of my younger brother – it was his birthday the other day and he told me he wanted clothes as a present but when I asked him where he usually buys his clothes he said he didn’t know, that they usually just appear in his wardrobe......and he’s 21! You did a great job with the hunting scene – the landscape did almost seem magical and I completely got caught up in their excitement! And that bit with the man and the swords (was it swords?)… What’s going on?!! Was that Rudd? Are they deceiving the elves? *taps foot impatiently* Well?! I nearly fell off my chair when Siondel caught them! I wonder how he knew they had sneaked out… Possibly their suspicious behaviour at dinner, I suppose. Hopefully his anger will make them see how dangerous the situation was – it’s usually more effective when an even-tempered person loses the head rather than someone like......Thranduil?! I always love when you write an angry Thranduil – you get into his head so that we know what he’s thinking and even hear the little things that he observes! It makes it so involving and I always feel I have one up on the person being chastised because I know what Thranduil really thinks! Poor Legolas, he seems to have learned (yet another) lesson, at least for now. Although, if elves could go grey I think Thranduil would be snow white by now…:) | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/18/2003 |
| Daw, Well, it turns out that I didn't need the sword anyway. When I got up this morning my computer had gone to the Halls of Mandos. I'm using my laptop with a dial up modem. | |
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/18/2003 |
| Oh, Daw, another great chapter! I wormed and squirmed the entire time the elflings were in the dark, dangerous woods stalking the Prince of the Forest. Who is the Man, and what did he recover in the moonlight? What is he doing running around the Woodland Realm unrestrained (and uninvited, no doubt)? Hmmmm... Mystery looms large here. Legolas, oh, Legolas! When will you ever learn? How many misadventures must you endure before you at long last discover that while Turgon's suggestions may be heard, they should not be heeded? But your devotion to your erratic friend is just too deep and loyal to keep you from his side as he ventures into "deep waters." Perhaps if you knew now what you will learn later, you would try to curb his recklessness, even if it meant destroying the friendship you find so precious. Great love begets great joy and sorrow. In Turgon, my prince, you will come to know both. I try, try, try to put myself in Thranduil's stead and simply cannot rise to the occasion. To have that much responsibility, that much wisdom, that much love and fear and the years and experience behind them that relentlessly drive him onward... Whew! I LOVE Thranduil! Shall I dare admit that were I a single elf maiden of sufficient age and maturity, I would do my best to woo the handsome Woodland King to my side of the forest! He is like a fiery, well-bred stallion, restrained for the moment by bridle and rein, crown and throne, but beneath that smoldering surface, trembling for release. Should he ever slip the rein... By the Valar! There I go again--steaming up my computer screen! Daw, if you story gets any better, it may kill me. Can fans die from too much happiness? Post soon and we'll find out. Daw rules! BG | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/18/2003 |
| The elflings are wonderfully shown - Turgon and his 'we don't need your ada'; to Annael's giving in - kind of the mellow follower, and Legolas who struggles with right and wrong. He knows what is right - but when he seeks to understand it and cannot, then he lets his own logic prevail. And his motivations are not entirely bad - it is good to want to help Turgon have this experience - he just doesn't understand there are better ways! I love the end - I love that Legolas seeks Ada for comfort - even if he is perhaps more sorry about being caught and in trouble than he is sorry for what he did :) | |
| Strange Blaze | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/18/2003 |
| that darn Turgon!!! aah! I was literally sitting here going "Oh no, they're not going to do it...they're not that dumb" but they were. And I'll bet Turgon didn't even get in trouble...I think Thranduil needs to have a talk with his parents! I like that the king was angry but realized that though Legolas was bad he still needed him. I still have a hard time imagining our brave warrior as a weeping child, but I thought that whole scene was quite realistic and well-done. Thranduil is a scary elf, but a loving elf too, and that was captured wonderfully. But who was the Man in the forest? Will we find out? I have to say I'm glad the buck escaped this time, too. Like I said, I'm kind of scared to see the elflings' reaction if they actually DID kill it. | |