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 | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/7/2003 |
| Oh my, I thought that Legolas and Turgon were going to get into bigger trouble! I am glad they didn't but I am curious to see where this story with that man goes and how Legolas is going to have to speak up to his Father about his sneaking out at night. Not a pleasant thing to do. You describe so vividly the details of Legolas doing something he knows he shouldn't but does anyway, the feeling in his stomach, the way he was slinking around. I remember those feelings. I was a relatively good kid but every once and a while you get in trouble! | |
| TolkienFan | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/5/2003 |
| Another excellent chapter! There is so much to like about this one, but since I'm reviewing after so many other smart folks, let me just mention two things that I thought were especially well-done (and haven't been covered already): First, the bits of information that Annael had about the Home Guard, that it "might be going somewhere", and that “My adar says that I am very grown up and that if the Home Guard does go away, I should help my naneth.” What terribly ominous words coming from the mouth of an elfling who doesn't understand that his family might be torn apart because of his warrior father doing his duty by going to war! And the chilling inside knowledge that we - as readers - have, that a war would be so unnecessary, wrong-headed, and disastrous! Ayyy! Daw, you're breaking my heart, here! And the second thing I want to congratulate you on is your portrayal of a realistic view of wolves, that they are NOT dangerous to people unless protecting their cubs or themselves. That's one of my biggest pet peeves of fiction (fan- and otherwise), that wolves are portrayed as inherently bloodthirsty -- that is just SO WRONG! (Wargs, now, are another story ... you have my permission to impugn their integrity all you want!) Anyway, thank you, Daw, and now I get to read your next chapter! Yippee! | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/4/2003 |
| Daw, An exciting chapter! I'm glad Ithilden got home in the nick of time. From his discussions with his adar, I do believe he is as hard headed as his sire. All three of the king's sons seem to have inherited their father's temper to some degree. It seemed that Legolas's last straw in making his decision was feeling left out of the discussion and feeling he was still treated like a baby. Unknowingly, Thranduil gave Legolas the final justification to slip out. The trip into the forest was well done. While they didn't find the big buck, they did find some very interesting and frightening things. Turgon is not afraid of the devil himself! When he jumped down in front of the mam, I thought, "Uh oh!" Then the wolf. I can see why Legolas just felt relieved to be home. The scene where Turgon stayed with Legolas in the forest all night and put his arm around Legolas to comfort him makes it hard to stay mad at the little imp. I could not help but feel that parent panic that they stayed out all night, unprotected and unsheltered. Woe be unto them when Thranduil finds out.....once he recovers from the shock and fright. I half expected Thranduil to be sitting in Legolas's room with his fingers steepled when the little wanderer got in. I guess Adar learns later to carefully check on his youngest since he does find him gone more than once in your stories set in the future. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes...and how Legolas comes clean about what he's seen in the forest. I'm really enjoying this and find myself impatiently waiting for the next chapter. Thanks for sharing it with us all. Karen | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/4/2003 |
| Poor Legolas – doesn’t he realise that if he just finds the courage to stand up to Turgon he won’t have to force food into a nervous stomach while his father watches... Actually, I think if Thranduil wasn’t so distracted by the events with the dwarves he’d immediately know his youngest was up to something. How frustrating for Legolas that he knows something is going on that is being kept from him. I loved watching him piece it all together! And yay, Ithilden is home! The conversation between him, his father and Eilian was fascinating. Especially to see Ithilden so close to losing his temper. And, wait a moment, was that Eilian being diplomatic...?! Hmm. Turgon knows exactly what to say to get Legolas to go, doesn’t he? I knew he’d go but I can’t believe the little brat outright lied to the guards! Tsk, tsk, Legolas, I’m very disappointed in you. If nothing else, Thranduil will have a thing or two to say about dishonesty. I have to say, I got a little offended on the man’s behalf – I bet he thought he was being quiet!!! My heart was in my mouth there for a moment – I was so afraid something would happen to Turgon. Then no sooner do I breathe a sigh of relief than a wolf appears! Crikey, does Legolas believe the forest is dangerous yet? Or is he waiting until giant spiders make an appearance?! Ai, the other side of the bad Turgon! Y’know, you make it totally impossible to dislike him when he can be so sweet and considerate at times! He can really be a true friend when it matters. You can’t leave it there! But the poor elfling is all tired and damp and frightened... And surely he won’t get away with it!;) | |
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/4/2003 |
| Whew! The elflings made it to and back from the dark woods in one piece - and without being discovered by any parent. I predict that won't last long! Once Legolas learns enough about the subject that neither his father nor his brothers will discuss before him, he will realize he has information that must be shared, despite his adar's displeasure or the penalties that will most certainly descend once his further disobedience is revealed. Not an ineviable position for the youngest of Mirkwood's royal house, but Legolas cannot even hold Turgon accountable for the pickle he finds himself in this time. Turgon... The little glimpses you give us of this wild child (him slipping his arm around Legolas to help warm him in this story and the hugs and other heart-catching gestures he bestows upon his princely friend in your other stories) are bittersweet and poignant. Everytime Turgon surfaces, I grieve for him - for what is to come, wondering, as I always will, how different Legolas' life would have been had Turgon grown to adulthood beside him. We will never know, of course, but I am glad Legolas has him now. How dull would be our young prince's life were not lively Turgon about to add his own unique brand of spice. Turgon's loyalty and devotion to Legolas completely overshadow his destructive behavior at times. Perhaps if he had not been born to such wishy-washy parents, he might have had half a chance, but I am being unfair. Even the wisest and strictest of parents still have their hands full. Kids will be kids - elven or human, it doesn't matter. Mischief is always the middle name of anyone between two and twenty. I miss Turgon already. I'm sure I am not the only one of your readers who does. I was beside Eilian and Thranduil in their relief to see Ithilden return home safe and sound. Had he not, Thranduil would have soaked the ground with Dwarven blood! The Mirkwood monarch seems ready to do that at any rate. Sometimes, king or not, Thranduil's prejudices get the better of him. Thank goodness for the settling effect Ithilden seems to have on all concerned. You've done a nice job of balancing out the differing personalties in this family of elves, pitting strengths against weaknesses, passion against the more calming, peaceful attributes needed to prevail when composures are strained and heads are hot. Love tempers all, thankfully. I am very anxious to see how Ithilden flushes out the hidden foe in this story. Of even more interest is how our fiery Woodland King will deal with such enemies to his kingdom. And what will he do about his disobedient son? I can see it now... Enter, stage right: Legolas, dragging his feet, twisting his hands, guilty eyes downcast, as he approaches his adar with a confession and a tale to tell trembling upon his lips. Great chapter, Daw. Of course (and as always), I'm ready for more. Dish me up another serving, please? Brenda G. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/4/2003 |
| It was fascinating to read how Legolas slowly came to the decision to disobey his father, using his elfling logic and being persuaded by his friend. It is interesting to us on the outside, for we see that Thranduil needs to start treating Legolas as someone capable of understanding the 'why' of things, because Legolas learns better when he understand why. On the flip side, Legolas needs to learn to obey, as a good warrior should, even when the why isn't known - and he also needs to learn to be steadfast under pressure. You really get inside a 10 year old's well, daw :) I feel bad for Eilian's horse and understand completely why it does not wish to go south again. Poor horse. I loved Ithilden's control freak nature coming out - him thinking he cannot leave again because things will fall apart! That was so Ithilden! See how much you get your readers thinking about all this? | |
| LOTRFaith | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/3/2003 |
| Ouch. Legolas honey, that was a really bad choice you made there. But in the long run it might be helpful, now if Legolas will only tell his adar about the swords he found, he might ease a little of his adar's wrath. But not to much, tsk, tsk, tsk. He still needs a good punishment. :-) Namaarie! LOTRFaith | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/3/2003 |
| Reading this chapter makes me feel as though I'm sitting here watching a "train wreck" about to happen. I can't do anything to stop it and it's going to be really, really ugly soon! | |
| JustMe | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/3/2003 |
| Thank goodness Ithilden showed up when he did and seemed to be able to convince his Adar not to jump to conclusions. What a masterful job of diplomacy on Ithinden's part. It must have been difficult not to lose his temper. Thranduil has a hard time letting go of old prejudices. His first instinct is to mistrust the dwarves. And his second is to shield Legolas from matters he considers too scary for the elfling. But now we see how that overprotective attitude can back fire. The "elfling" no longer considers himself such, and he resents being left out of important discussions. Maybe if he had been included in some of the discussion, he would have used better judgment and not gone out at night against his Adar's orders. Although nothing happened, it was a close call with the wolf. And while the information about the mysterious man and the swords may be useful - there will be hell to pay when Thranduil finds out how Legolas knows about those swords. A "double edged sword" indeed! Can't wait to see how this plays out! | |
| LKK | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/3/2003 |
| So, daw, are you running some kind of scientific test to see how long your readers can last while holding their breath in fear? I certainly hope so. I'd hate to think that I nearly asphixated for no good reason. ;-) I was really worried that the Man would hurt Turgon. I'm so glad he didn't. Surprised, but very glad. And just when I thought it was safe to breathe again, that she-wolf showed up! Thranduil is going to explode when he finally finds out about Legolas' adventures. (I have no doubt that he will. Although it would be a nice change of tradition for Legolas to realize his errors without his father finding out.) Thranduil probably won't realize that his (natural) desire to shield his youngest from danger is also contributing to his son's rebellion. It's a hard lesson for a parent to learn, and so few do. I'm not looking forward to reading the scene between father and son once father finds out, I have to admit. Both Ithilden and Eilian impressed me with their diplomacy in handling Thranduil. Good for them! And good for you for allowing them to succeed. :-) LKK | |