News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Growing Under Shadow by daw the minstrel | 12 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Eirinn Leigh | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/19/2016 |
| My guess is mister C is diverting the real swords and Legolas and co. caught him in the act during their night hunting... too bad they are unlikely to tell anyone about what they saw. Author Reply: It's hard to report what you saw when you weren't supposed to be out! LOL | |
| LKK | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/28/2003 |
| By the Valar! Legolas needs to learn to trust his internal winds of caution and to not give in to Turgon's pressure. sigh I suppose all children must learn these things through trial and error, be they Man or Elf. I'm very impressed that Ithilden stood his ground about the weapons with Thranduil. In the past, he seemed much to willingly to back down against his better judgement, although this could simply be my misunderstanding past events. As a result plus his actions in dealing with the dwarves, my opinion of Ithilden has grown immeasurably. Finally, I can't help but notice the irony: by trying to shield Legolas from potentially upsetting discussions about orcs, Thranduil and Ithilden missed the chance to hear his tale about seeing the strange man finding the weapon. I'm certain that if his elders were discussing weapons, Legolas would have chimed in with his story. Assuming that the weapon discussion took place before Legolas asked his ada to go hunting at night, of course. (And kudos to young Legolas for having the courage to ask even ada!) Another great chapter, daw. Sorry I was late in reviewing it. LKK | |
| bryn | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/27/2003 |
| It's wonderful to see Legolas progressing with his bow... I can't wait to see how he fares against the older students. TURGON!!!! Good grief child! Why, oh why, are his parents so oblivious? At least Legolas has enough sense not to give into him completely. I begin to side with Thranduil more and more as far as his opinion of Turgon's influence. *shakes head in exasperation* Awww, Ithilden meets Alfirin. *lol* I love how you only just hint at an attraction. Poor Ithilden is so distracted by his duties he doesn't even realize it. Given his stoic nature, just to see the look on his face when he finds himself in love would be absolutely priceless. *snicker* I think it literally would hit him over the head. He seems rather dense about such matters. Thranduil is a genius. :) There's something wickedly powerful about making Ithilden serve as messenger. He's almost punishing his son for bringing the shoddy weapons to his attention, yet not. Valar, I love that Elven-king. Hmmm, the plot thickens. So the dwarves' weapons are being stolen or replaced, eh? You would think Glesur might be eager to find the culprit--his kin's reputation is at stake. What if it happens to shipments elsewhere? It could completely ruin his trade. Is it the Men? Or is it those two other Dwarves... though I don't think they would do such a thing, because then they might be responsible for Elven deaths. They know the forest is dangerous. Or perhaps they don't realize the dangers faced by Thranduil's kin... Quite a mystery, indeed! | |
| Dragon-of-the-North | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/25/2003 |
| Sorry I missed a chapter yet again. :-/ But things are probably going to be a bit better now! I liked this chapter extremely well, especially because of your portrayal of Ithilden. It was awesome to see how he struggles to get along between responsibility, a longing for a quiet private life (it is nice that Alfirin comes into it here - realistic meeting! :-)), his difficult "father and king" (how very true!), etc... And it was awesome that he dared intervene when Thranduil's foreign policy was concerned! Well done, Ithilden! But I also liked that Thranduil did not insist merely for the sake of insisting, but allowed his son to negotiate with the dwarves. Speaking of Thranduil... I really wonder what his own youth has been like. ;-) True enough, he tries to be good to his children, and he certainly is not a bad father, but he somehow lacks... hmm... diplomacy or something like that. He is always a king, "and that is the end of it" indeed. So, while he is probably very right not to engage in dangerous nightly hunts, and with Turgon of all young elves as a charge (it would be most awkward if something happened, yes, especially because of that double role as father and king - would not look good if he lost one of his subjects in the forest at night, no... ;-)), he seems totally incapable of selling this decision to Legolas in a manner that would really make him understand why it has to be so. What I mean is that "no" is the right decision, but that "no, because" would probably be a more useful answer in this case than simply "no". Is it possible that Thranduil's #1 worry to secure his authority and receive the respect he is due (the remark that he did not want anybody to "trifle with" him, though made in regard to the dwarves, could be his life motto in general ;-)) sometimes lets him refrain from being diplomatic? He might have an easier family life if he tried it out at least on the family sector... I can't believe that he especially enjoys all those clashes with his sons, or does he? I liked your dwarves - they were very convincing, and I had to grin about Ithilden's observation that the dwarf leader and the elvenking have entirely too much in common... ;-D Brilliant job once again - I am looking forward to the next chapter! :-) | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2003 |
| Ah, Legolas is showing signs of the archer he is to become. Y’know, I was thinking about Penntalion - he has such a difficult job, especially when dealing with young elves but it must be so rewarding for him to see them become better and to witness their excitement at being allowed to move into more advanced classes. I had to smile when Annael stood up to Turgon – I’m glad someone did. Legolas is such a softy. Of course, it doesn’t help that he feels sorry for Turgon and genuinely wants to help him. Darn it, why did Turgon have to go and be all cute and helpless just when Legolas was trying to be strict?! Oh look, it’s Alfirin! And I see she’s managed to unsettle poor Ithilden already! That was worrying about the swords. Any chance Tinar’s is one of the swords that shattered? I have this vision of Gelmir laughing as Tinar’s sword falls to pieces…! I really felt for Ithilden having to face the king. I hope he does manage to convince him that they could trust the dwarves. Thranduil’s a wily one, isn’t he for sending Ithilden as messenger – he seems intent on teaching his sons a sense of responsibility. I’m glad, though, he was able to switch from king back into father mode. That can’t be easy. I had to laugh that even Thranduil doesn’t want to try to control Turgon. But he’s going to have to find some way to show Legolas that the forest really is dangerous. Warnings just don’t seem to be working…. The scenes with the dwarves were brilliant! I love the open suspicion between them. And I thought the bit with the elves all suddenly disappearing into the trees was just hilarious! I’m so glad Ithilden had the sense to believe the dwarves and I would NOT like to be Rudd and Cadoc when they are caught. Which they will be, won’t they…?!:) | |
| tigerlily713 | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2003 |
| It seems like Ithilden should have asked Glesur or Noisil how many shipments they had sent out. I'm sure it will all be cleared up, and likely only a few people will die, right? Great chapter, Lily | |
| JustMe | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2003 |
| What I wouldn't give to see Thranduil's face if he knew that Ithilden thought the dwarf king and the elven king had similar personalities! I can only imagine the shade of red his face would turn before he blew his stack!! I love it - it made me giggle. Ithilden really was the best choice for this mission. All his years of dealing with his Adar have made him very diplomatic. And he seems to know how to intimidate others just a little to make his point. We got our first glimpse of Alfirin - I always liked her. Such a level-headed girl with a sweet personality and a will of iron. Ah Legolas! I know you want to help your friend, but defying your Adar is not the way to go. If you think he was mad before, just imagine how much angrier he will be if you defy him again. Turgon is like a runaway train - don't let yourself get caught up in his mischief. OK the lecture is over now - I know you won't listen to me anyway. What fun would the story be if you did? | |
| Marnie | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2003 |
| Really enjoyed this chapter :) I loved the interaction between Ithilden and the dwarves - it was so absolutely authentic. I could just see it being like that, and there's no wonder they don't get on with each other! Wonderful! | |
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2003 |
| Oh, brother! Forgeries! So that's what the Man in the moonlight was doing, pulling out inferior weaponery to substitute for the quality merchandise of the Dwarves. I wonder how widespread this scam is? Poor Ithilden! Sandwiched between Thranduil and Glesur! Not the most comfortable place to be, I'll warrant. At least now Elves and Dwarves alike are on the right trail. This situation with defective weaponery will only drive Thranduil's distrust of Men even deeper, and I dare say he won't feel any warmer toward his stunted neighbors when all is said and done regardless if they help or not to bring about a resolution of the current mess. I had to laugh when Ithilden, upon meeting Glesur and observing his blunt manner, was reminded of his own adar! Good thing Thranduil can't read minds or Ithilden would be in the dog house about now. (He may already be there, at any rate.) So, we see Alfirin make her appearance in this story. Wonderful! It will be very nice to see this romance unfold up and until the time of her and Ithilden's marriage to one another. I'm really looking forward to the bonding of Eilian with his lady love in future tales. Eilian strikes me as being the most passionate of the three brothers - at least his passion is more on the surface than that of Ithilden (who has learned to emulate his father's lead) or Legolas who is just now beginning to develop the emotions that will carry him into adulthood. I think Legolas is at last beginning to catch on that he can say "no" to Turgon and make it stick. I don't want the big buck to die, but if anyone kills it, it would be nice if it could be Turgon since his father has never taken him hunting before. Despite his off-the-chart capers, the child deserves at least one major milestone in his life, don't you think? Of course, Turgon killing the big buck would cut Legolas out of the glory, but the young prince's concern and compassion for his mischief-making friend would most likely eclipse any other feelings he might have about the matter. But, hey, you're the boss on this, Daw. You know best. So write it like you feel it. I'm glad Thranduil is sticking to his guns (swords?) - no night hunting in the dangerous woods. Turgon (the Terrible) is the candle that burns at both ends -twice as bright, but half as long. No wonder Legolas can't help being dazzled by his friend. I love our mad-capped Turgon. What a dull place Middle-earth (and modern day earth) would be if not for those of his scope and caliber. I'm ready to see some more of Thranduil's handsome middle son. Isn't it about time for leave for Eilian? I believe I remember that from an earlier chapter in this story. Chapter Six was very satisfying, Daw. Of course, I am wishing that Chapter Seven were already up to relish, but "all good things come to those who wait." So, here I wait, and while I wait, I've got just two words for you, Miss Daw: POST SOON! BG P.S. The shower you took--it was cold, right? | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/23/2003 |
| So the man will be caught and I do feel sorry for him. Messing with Thranduil is not where he should tread. Turgon drives me a little batty, and I want to take Legolas and give him a scolding for letting his friend so easily influence him. Me thinks Legolas is going to get into huge trouble! It makes sense, this story connected to your other where Turgon dies, he was always a troubled child who needed direction. Poor elfling. | |