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| Growing Under Shadow by daw the minstrel | 12 Review(s) |
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| TolkienFan | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/2/2003 |
| A wonderful story, and another great chapter! I started to read your stories because they had Legolas in them, but (to my surprise) I also came to love the family you've given him! These are *all* realistic people that I truly care about. Even your "minor" characters are so well-written - Legolas' best friends, Turgon and Annael - so unlike each other, and the loyal-to-a-fault Maltanaur. *Please* let the true story of the sword thefts get to Thranduil before there's an unjust war with the dwarves! *Please* knock some sense into Turgon's head (or even his parents') before it's too late! (Ahem, sorry, I got carried away ...) Anyway, I thought you'd like to know that I compare the quality of any other author's Mirkwood stories to yours, and few measure up. Thank you so much for sharing your considerable talents with us. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/1/2003 |
| What a lovely long chapter! The orc scenes were wonderfully vivid – battles aren’t really my thing but I love that you ensure that we can follow exactly what’s happening while still retaining the emotions of it. Tinar seems to be learning to bite his tongue! Although, it must be hard when Eilian and Gelmir are obviously having so much fun with him… Oh, and I love the way Maltenaur flat out refuses to do what Eilian instructs – how annoying for Thranduil’s sons that his influence stretches so far! Wow, an Orc has one of the swords... Hmm, I wasn’t expecting that. The plot just keeps on thickening, doesn’t it?! Homecoming never does seem to be entirely happy for poor Eilian. How awful for him to have to tell Corion’s parents of his death. There’s something quite touching about him wishing Ithilden was there – I know it’s to placate his father but still, I just like that he recognises Ithilden’s strengths and respects him. Legolas is so cute in his excitement! And I had to laugh at Thranduil humouring him by asking the right question. So, he’s calling him “adar”? Yeah, until he tries to get out of trouble again.... Speaking of trouble, the ending was a bit ominous. Something tells me Turgon is going to get his way again. Roll on the next chapter! Oh, and I hope Ithilden hurries home before the dwarves find themselves at the wrong end of several hundred elvish arrows... | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/29/2003 |
| I recently reread some of your older work. I really laughed when reading "See The Stars" and Eilian mentioned that Thranduil had always had trouble keeping Legolas in at night. What a "hoot" that line is in relation to this current story! It's so sad when kids reach that age to stop using mommy and daddy. Parents everywhere must share that universal sorrow-happy for them that they're growing up-sad for us that they're growing up so fast. | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/29/2003 |
| Well, the plot thickens. I definitely did not see that twist coming, and I thoroughly enjoy being surprised. I certainly hope that the Elves do not go off and hurt too many Dwarves. Ithilden, where is his level head when Eilian needs him. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2003 |
| Daw, What a good battle scene! You did a marvelous job of setting it up and then leading the warriors through it in a well written and believable way. (I think you have some hidden warrior talents that probably come from years of doing battle in the classroom!) As usual, I loved Maltanaur. He has his pat answer, (I take my orders from my king), and the sons of Thranduil get away with nothing. I think the princes need someone like him. It's too easy to get used to having your orders carried out with no one to question you. Maltanaur is a great check and balance sort of guy. Keeps them humble. As I have said before, Thranduil chose wisely when he tapped Maltanaur. He is so unflappable. You have developed him well. The dwarven sword in the hands of the orc chief was a bit of a surprise. But it does give us a another clue as to what has been happening. And poor Gelmir. Give the boy a sword, will ya! I liked how you handled Eilian telling his adar about the sword. He rose to the occasion and reported with calm and dignity. I also liked that he realizes his limits. The fact that he recognizes he is out of his depth is such a sure sign of maturity. I can't help but join him in wishing Ithilden would get home. Thranduil is angry and mistrustful of the dwarves, but I can't see him doing anything rash or even acting until he knows his son is safe. It would not be a good idea to attack the dwarves with Ithilden still with them. So hopefully, Ithilden will be able to shed some light on the subject before the king carves new orifices for the dwarves. It was nice to see Legolas so excited about being promoted to the next weapons class. Loved the little bouncing jig. And Adar asked. What a good adar...not Ada...Adar. I also liked seeing that even though Legolas is naturally talented, he still has to work hard to develop those skills. And good old Turgon is manipulating him again. Unfortunately, Legolas doesn't catch on until it is too late. Since Mount Thranduil is already rumbling and spewing steam, I can see a full blown eruption in the works if these two go adventuring again. The thought makes me cringe. Just as a side note...I noted that you did not let Eilian bathe in public again. I was so disappointed...... Otherwise, great chapter. It's coming together and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. :>) Karen | |
| JastaElf | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2003 |
| Oh Lordy, Legolas has graduated from calling Thranduil "Ada"... *SOB!* Err, sorry about that. I have less than 15 days until my one surviving child turns 21... I'm a little hyper-parental and weepy just now. :-) Oh, poor Thranduil... the last little chick in the nest is feeling his majority... Anyway, I thought the battle with the Orcs was most excellently done. Battle scenes are NOT easy to write, and you did a fine job with this one. Sheesh, Tinár is going to run out of arrows someday and there will NOT be someone to cover his butt... :-( He needs to learn some hard lessons very soon! And this business with the weapons! Oh dear, now I am SURE that bad Man is playing both ends against the middle... I hope they catch him before the King does something rash! Ithilden, come home QUICK!!! Yurgon, Turgon, think before you act... and Legolas, for heaven's sake, pay attention to your inner Good Elfling!! I love stories that engage me like this. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2003 |
| Everyone is perfect in this chapter. Eilian is great - I like to see the wisdom in him now, knowing that he cannot help or advise his father - this is beyond him. The respect for his brother grows, and we can only hope that Ithilden coming back from Erebor has a big enough chunk of the puzzle to begin to piece this together. Legolas is being slowly tempted by Turgon. He won't want his friend to go alone, for that could be dangerous, and in his own young mind he doesn't understand the dangers of the forest at night. He is sweet and sensitive - and we see him falling to his own elfling wisdom. Oh, and enraged Thranduil is something to behold :) | |
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2003 |
| Ahhh! Eilian! So glad he was back and so much of him in this chapter. Love it! Thank you! I can't believe Dwarves are stupid enough to trade goods with the Dark Forces. That would be for them like taking a knife and slitting their own collective throats! Anyone of any intelligence at all should know you can't fool with Shadow and come away unscathed. Men can be pretty dumb (look at Isildur and the Ring and the Nine Ring Wraiths who were Men before the Darkness took them). I think Men are the culprits in the switcharoo, playing the middle against both Elves and Dwarves. Whomever it finally turns out to be, Eru help them once Thranduil gets his hands on them. Boy, I love the big guy, but he's as scary as they come when seeing red. Hurry home Ithilden before Thranduil goes on a rampage and takes no prisoners! Hurray for Legolas! Joining the older class and doing so well the first time out is a great way to boost the youngster's morale. I was hoping Turgon would "let it be" for a time about the big buck and night hunting, but I guess I should have known better than to hope, right? Keep them safe, Daw. Kids can get into so much trouble. I can't say that I'm going to have too much sympathy for Legolas if he goes along with Turgon this time knowing how angry Thranduil became over their last excursion into the nighttime forest. Personally, I would have thought Legolas a bit smarter than that. Oh, well...kids! I mean, really! This was a GREAT chapter - the battle, the strategies, seeing and experiencing it all from Eilian's perch in the tree or on the ground sword to sword with the enemy. You have always maintained that battles are not a strong point in your writing, but I have to respectfully disagree. I think you do a fantastic job of laying it all out for your reader, building the suspense to the breaking point, then pulling us into the thick of things right along with your characters. In fact, I'm running a load of wash now to rid my knockabouts of Orc blood that I got splattered with as I read your battle scenes. Sometime, when you have time, you must explain to me what an Orc smells like. I think I know, but it would be interesting to get your own scope on it. I think this may be my favorite chapter thus far in this story. You have me chewing my nails over what is going to happen next. Will there be all out war between the Elves and Dwarves? Will the big buck survive to live another day? Will Legolas actually, really tag along after Turgon against his father's wishes? I have a feeling if Legolas doesn't go, that Turgon will be in mortal danger (which is kind of tough since he's an immortal...). Still, I feel like these two have a lot to tell Thranduil about what they saw in the woods the one night that did go after the big buck. The possibilties...! Please don't keep us in suspense for long. If there is an ounce of mercy in you soul, you will post again - and soon. This was terrific. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2003 |
| So, we are finding out what the man Legolas and his friends saw was up to! But the dwarves seem just as indignant about the shoddy weapons as the elves - I do hope Thranduil isn't going to be 'hasty' as Treebeard would say! Somehow I know that Legolas is going to be good at shooting while on the move (even if it takes him a few goes) - we've seen the end result, after all. Jay | |
| LKK | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2003 |
| Eilian handled himself very well during his meeting with Thranduil despite his fears. Of course, he didn't know that Thranduil was aware of problems with the weapons. So the king wasn't caught totally off guard. By the way, I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I sincerely hope that the dwarves have nothing to do with the faulty weaponry or the weapons in the orcs hands. I also hope that the men who met with Ithilden don't either. I want Ithilden's judgment to be spot on in this case. Poor Gelmir! I think he deserves a nice new weapon, but not one of the worthless fakes. I like him. :-) Legolas, Legolas. shakes head You're going to be night hunting with Turgon, yet, aren't you? Ah, child. I worry about you. (And start calling Thranduil Ada, again. It will make him happy!) Now, that I'm caught up with the story, I'm ready for more, daw! hint, hint LKK | |