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| The Tide of Times by daw the minstrel | 20 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/11/2005 |
| Orcs of all the trouble they have to show up... Legolas and Celuwen get out, and her father wasn't pleased...Legolas injures his foot again...Nice work... Author Reply: I hesitated about adding the orcs to this story because I already had a lot going on, but it worked out okay. At least for me. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/11/2003 |
| My heart just broke for Celuwen. Even though her choice mas made, the look on her father' face must have driven a spike through her heart. But I am really taken by your portrayal of the boys. Legolas - fire breathing down and he's worried about appearances, and Eilian, consumed with blood-lust until the fire darned near catches his hair on fire (any Eilian bathing scenes coming up, by chance?). Both such typical MEN, if you don't mind my using the term. This is also the one time I'm grateful to be blessedly ignorant of your OCs - I'm probably your only reader who's not losing sleep waiting to find out who's dead! Author Reply: Poor Celuwen, indeed. She was in a bad situation with no good choices to be found, and I'm afraid that to some degree, Eilian pushed it on her. He wanted her out of there and her wishes and problems were not his concern. I did think that the Brothers Thranduilion were pretty typical males. I amused myself by writing about Legolas's horror that he had fallen off his horse in front of a maiden and a warrior. Things should be less hectic in the next chapter, but now the characters will have to deal with the aftermath of the fire and their own actions. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| What a great world we live in. This review comes to you from a hotel room in Denver :-) Legolas was great comic relief in this chapter - I just love him needing his clothes and to sit on the horse, and now the poor thing is injured again. I think I will need to care for him again.....er..I mean, Celuwen (my alter-ego) will need to care for him. More sponge baths. As I know I have said, this read so fast - it truly engaged me as the reader and I read through it as lightning speed, so caught up in the moment. Truly wonderful, and I can't wait for the next chapter either. :-) Author Reply: Glad to see you made it to Denver! I think Legolas *does* need more care. And Celuwen is going to have other matters on her mind so she needs someone to take over. It is very nice of you to volunteer. When I get the next chapter drafted, you'll be the first to know. ;-) | |
| Lera | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| That was mean. I'm torn between my happiness in this update and my worry over who it is that died. Aw man, I really feel for Celuwen. I'm sure this will really improve her father's feelings toward Eilien! She seems like she's pretty close to her parents and to have to leave them alone in that kind of situation...talk about being pulled in two! I don't blame Legolas for demanding his clothes. You know how much it would hurt to ride bareback naked?! And embarrissing?! I wouldn't have wanted to do it. It was good to have some comic relief in that tense situation. (My orc-begotten foot?!) It's hard for me to imagine killing anyone, so it's really hard to imagine enjoying it. If Eilien didn't have a loving family, I think he'd have some serious problems. (If he ever needs counseling let me know, lol!) Thank you for the rain! Author Reply: I feel bad for Celuwen too. The thing is, I think the divided loyalty was already there and this situation just forced her to make it clear where she stood. Not that that will make it easy for her to go on with her life, which she has to do. The Shadow is falling hard on all these people. Celuwen would not have made Legolas ride naked (although that is an image over which I pause). She planned to wrap him in a blanket and have someone carry him cradled in their arms. Actually, he probably would not have reinjured his foot if they'd done that. But I can understand his feelings too. Thranduil would have been shocked by his youngest son's language in front of a maiden! And Eilian has had to learn to take joy in what he does, seeing it as protecting those he loves. I think all these people probably need counseling! | |
| Lamiel | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| Cliff-hanger! Daw! Ah well, at least you update frequently. Goodness, I am amazed at your sheer volume of work, and everything is of such high quality too! Incredible. Lovely, poignant scene where Celuwen had to leave her parents to fight the blaze alone. And I'm not objecting in the least to Legolas demanding his clothes--seems very like him, and I'm glad he did it. I work in a hospital, where people are frequently robbed of their dignity in the effort to cure them. But you can't expect a teenager to willingly go naked, even if there is a fire. I agree with your point about the less formal atmosphere of Thranduil's court. I've been following "The Green Knight" as well, and I'm impressed by that author's knowledge of customs in medieval times, but it doesn't always seem true to Middle Earth. Your version seems right. But I do like that the Wood-elves are more formal around their king than the Elves of Rivendell or Lothlorien. Marvelous action sequence here, and I loved the detail about the fire pulling up the air so that the Elves and Orcs were short winded. Just wonderful work, as always. Must go now, more sick people to examine. Lamiel Author Reply: I liked your insight about the need of sick people for dignity. Even in his somewhat dazed state, Legolas knew what he wanted and Celuwen was good to give it to him. Elves (especially wood elves) are interesting because they seem simultaneously primitive (close to the earth, hunter/gatherer, etc.) and so deeply civilized that we can't even fathom it. daw | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| What in Arda are you trying to do to us, woman??!! Who’s dead? Who’s dead? O.k., deep breaths.... As always, you did a great job portraying the chaos and tension of battle, as well as Eilian’s determination and focus. Although, I did wonder why he was spending so much energy chasing already fleeing orcs when a fire was raging... Legolas is getting better, yay! Not too quickly, though – I’m afraid I’m far too fond of angst to wish him a speedy recovery! That was incredibly brave of Celuwen, to stand up to her father. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to turn and leave her parents in such a terrible situation (you wouldn’t be thinking of killing them off, now would you?!). I suppose if anything good can be said of the situation it’s probably that it finally forced her to make the choice she knew she needed to make. Legolas was utterly brilliant in this. I love the way he’s in a completely vulnerable situation, yet he just sits there and demands his clothes! And then ‘“I fell off my horse!” he exclaimed in horror’! Oh, the shame of it! At least he didn’t fall out of a tree. Or get killed by orcs or the fire, but then that doesn't have the same humorous quality about it... Ah, I was wondering when Eilian would remember the fire. Absolutely amazing descriptions. I particularly liked the phrase, ‘for fire defied the force that held the rest of them to Arda and ran ever upward’. It just seems so relentless and invincible somehow. Back to my question, who’s dead?! It’s not...it couldn’t be...you wouldn’t...it’s not Siondel, is it?! *racking brains for who deserves a cliffhanger* Aaargh, I give up! Next chapter please!:) Author Reply: To Eilian, the only Orc it's possible to contemplate is a dead one. Otherwise, they just come back. Mercy is a mistake that costs someone. So he got carried away a little. But the fire eventually got his attention! You're right that Celuwen's loyalties were made clear. But how hard for her. There was no good choice available. I know I should be ashamed of myself for getting comic relief from the injured Legolas, but I couldn't resist. He was just lucid enough to realize that he was in a humiliating situation without being able to reason as to why it was better than being burned or eaten by an orc. He's on the mend. I'll start drafting the next chapter tonight. It's coming! daw | |
| tigerlily713 | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| Oh, so you're going to leave us there are you? That's really rather wicked. I guess I'll *have* to tune in next time to find out who dies. Darn. Great chapter. Legolas's embarrassment regarding being unclothed is priceless. Males crack me up; but then again, not many females would want to go outside naked either, even in the face of death by fire. Odd how our brains work. Lovely chapter, Lily Author Reply: Yes, I suppose that many of us would have a hard time choosing between embarrassment and death might hesitate. But Legolas was also humiliated about falling off his horse. That also seemed higher in his mind than the fire. I'll start drafting the next chapter tonight once I finish my current work project. I'm all excited! | |
| Camp6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| How rude!!!! Leave the story hanging like that, and then, tell your faithful readers you have "real" work to do so don't expect a quick update!! I think I see why you can write Maldor so well. :) I suspect (but hope I'm wrong)that the dead warrior is Siondel. If so, that makes what, two dead Home Guard captains in less than 10 years. Now we know what is truly the most dangerous assignment in Mirkwood! If not Siondel, maybe one of the new young warriors, Galelas perhaps. Hope that's not right either. Exciting chapter though with the fire and the battle. Forest fires are so unpredictable, you're never quite certain what they will do. It was so easy to picture Eilian getting caught up in the battle and not even realizing he could be surrounded by the fire. Still uneasy with the relationship between Celuwen and Eilian. She scores points though with her resuce of Legolas. And, at least she and Eilian both share a common goal in fighting the Shadow, even if they do it in their own ways. The two strong wills in that relationship ought to make for some intersting times ahead. Author Reply: Maldor and I have a lot in common! :) This chapter was a challenge to write. I have trouble writing battle scenes and I was really tentatively feeling my way in writing about the fire so putting them together seemed kind of daunting. But I was kind of pleased by the way it turned out and I am deeply grateful for the nice response I've been getting. Celuwen and Eilian have some things to work out yet. He is rather too inclined to think he should have something simply because he wants it. | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! That simply cannot be the end of the chapter. What an evil thing to do to us! Just tell your "real" work that you are very sorry, but you need a day off to write. Now! Wow, what a great chapter. My heart was racing, my adrenaline flowing, I could actually feel the heat from the fire on my face. Wow! I think some really bad news is coming in the next chapter. However, since you didn't kill Eilian when you were planning to, I think that we have to give you a break on this one. Or maybe not. Legolas was hilarious. We needed that comic relief, and it was well done. I don't think that I would want to be dragged naked thru a forest fire either! Can't wait for the next chapter, even though I know it will be painful. Thanks for your hard work and quick writing (you are writing quickly, right??)! Author Reply: The next chapter is all worked out in my head but I haven't actually started drafting yet because RL work is bringing me down. But tonight I'll start. Of course, my beta is going out of town, so we'll have to see. Celuwen really didn't plan to make Legolas ride bareback bareback. She was going to wrap him in a blanket and have him cradled in someone's arms. But his young male dignity just would NOT allow that. I'm so glad the chapter made your heart race. I had a really good time writing it because it was a little bit of a stretch because so much was going on. I love that kind of stuff. | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/10/2003 |
| By the Valar!!! What are you doing to Eilian?! If you kill Celuwen he will never be able to live with it. Her Father will blame him and every time he looks at Legolas he will think that he sacrificed her to save his brother. That would send anyone to the West. I am so worried. Plus you killed one of the Home Guard (Please, please not Siondel - it is Legolas' only glimpse of a normal home life). He has to deal with that as well. He needs to have a long talk with his Adar about dealing with "Leader guilt" when Thranduil finally comes galloping back into the forest at full speed. OK, I had to get that off my chest first, now I am ok. I am relieved that Eilian was able to push his loved ones out of his mind and divert his full attention to the orcs at hand. It sounded like they required his full attention. Great set up and battle scene. It is very rewarding to have their throats slit and heads roll. Oh, don't forget the forest is on fire. I am glad Legolas is improving (not really, please make him suffer some more). Celuwen did a good job standing up to her father. It must have been extremely difficult. You are right, she made her choice a long time ago. Sometimes you have to follow your heart. I blame Celuwen for not dressing Legolas sooner. She was way too busy sponge bathing him, playing with his hair and ogling him to let him put clothes on. Now it is time to go and he is not ready. Of course, I can't really blame the poor girl. Legolas fell off his horse! How humiliating for him - talk about adding insult to injury - literally. At least the nameless warrior had enough sense to move them to his more calm horse so they would not be thrown again. I had noticed that you incapacitated Legolas very well. He cannot run or fight and now they are headed into the orcs. Why am I the only one who thinks you are going to kill Celuwen? It is like those extra crewmen who always beam down with Cpt Kirk. You just know they are going to die. Eilian had no choice but to stop the confrontation with the orcs and escape the fire. Now there will be even more guilt that he couldn't stop all of the orcs. shudder. Is Legolas' keeper going to be Meldir (sp?)- the unarmed combat instructor? If so, I feel sorry for him. If the position is not filled, can I volunteer? You are killing me. Tapetum Author Reply: Tapetum-- You crack me up! I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. Not to worry. The Home Guard camp and the Orc battle were on opposite sides of the settlement. Celuwen is going away from the Orcs, not toward them. "It is very rewarding to have their throats slit and heads roll. Oh, don't forget the forest is on fire" -- LOL. Eilian is pretty ruthless in hacking up Orcs. I think Legolas is going to need to toughen up some before he matches his brother's attitude. Celuwen says that SHE is Legolas's caretaker at the moment and she is not sharing. Thanks for the review. daw | |