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| The Tide of Times by daw the minstrel | 19 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/11/2005 |
| Legolas is going to the eastern patrol not as he was hoping but not the Home Guard... Author Reply: Yes, it's a good compromise for everyone, I think. | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/24/2003 |
| Ah, it's nice to sit down after a long trip and find I have 2 chapters to read! So Legolas will serve in the Border Patrol, it seems like the best place for him. Oh I can so understand Thranduil's desire to keep Legolas safe, to keep him from growing up. And again, what a lovely beginning to Legolas' coming of age. Author Reply: The Border Patrol is a nice compromise and gives me interesting stories to write, I think. All of them find it so hard to let Legolas go. It's a good thing they have Sinnarn. | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003 |
| What a beautiful chapter! I especially liked the novice masters' well-reasoned recommendations, and Legolas' vigil. Definitely a huge transition point in his life! Author Reply: The novice masters did well. They come across as very concerned about their charges. But they did not want to be the ones to tell Thranduil! | |
| Molly | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003 |
| The thing that struck me most about this chapter was how bittersweet the ending was. Legolas doesn't realize it right now, but he should enjoy the connection he has with Arda while he can because presumably he won't be able to find it again after the war. Or, if he does, it will be much weaker after he hears the call of the sea. Poor thing! I'm looking forward to the rest of the ceremony. Author Reply: Oh wow, Molly. What an excellent reminder. That was what Galadriel told him: that if he heard the cry of the gulls, he would no longer live in joy under the trees. How sad. I think that Tolkien's story is really melancholy. It's about loss as well as victory and no one comes through unscathed. I wonder if PJ will do the sea longing. | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003 |
| I seem to remember that jeweled dagger being a problem once before... He should put it away before Sinnarn finds it. I enjoyed the King and Wizard's discussion about the council. It is always good to hear another perspective. I wonder if Gandalf suspects which way Saruman is headed. Sinnarn's comment about Mithrandir's beard was very cute. Kids can always take us down a notch when our heads get a little too big. Only two novices graduating? I thought it would be more. I liked how you gave Annael exceptional skill with woodcraft. It seems like he should excel at something. Posting him in the home guard is a good place for him for now. It will take him time to get over his father's death. Penntalion's gushing over the prince was very cute. It is nice to see an old stoic warrior get excited about something. It was clear that the instructors took a lot of time preparing their arguement. Apparently they were ready for some resistance from Ithilden. Perhaps he is not as objective as he wants to be. Ahh, Grandparents interfering in child raising. That is NEVER a problem. (hahaha). It would be worse for immortals because all of your parents, grandparents, greatgrandparents, etc are all still alive and well. How many generations of criticism can one set of parents put up with? shudder... I completely understand Ithilden's mixed emotions when confronting his father. You handled it very well. Legolas' vigil was very well written. From his fear to being weaponless, releasing his problems and finally bonding with Arda it was a nice emotional ride. Well done! Tapetum Author Reply: When Legolas started novice training (in "The Novice"), I had him start with Annael and Tonduil but then Tonduil dropped out. I thought that there would be few children among the elves at any given time because if that were not so, the population would soon outgrow its environment, given that, theoretically at least, they did not die. I am trying to write a little scene between Alfirin and Thranduil about how grandparents should behave. We'll see how it goes! | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003 |
| “The shadow does not wait. I will soon send my last son into the fight against it, Mithrandir, and still we retreat before it.” Thranduil grimaced. This seems to cut to the heart of the matter. It's not just Thranduil, personally, but all of the Woodland Realm continues to make sacrifices and yet, they continue to be beseiged by shadow. The king's frustration was readily apparent in his words and even his body language. Well done, Daw. I felt like a fly on the wall during Ithilden's meeting with the novice masters and I have to say...I liked eavesdropping on a gathering of elves. The novice masters always amaze me at how well they not only know their charges, but how much care they put into their decisions and in this case, recomendations. Ithilden does a good job of trying to separate his personal feelings from his professional ones, but I think his heart still did clutch a bit at the thought of sending his youngest brother into danger. Of course, all those big strong male elves turned tail when the subject of telling the king came up. I couldn't help but laugh. The ceremony was lovely. What a nice touch for a part of the purpose of the vigil to be for the young elf to take stock and find balance in his life. For some reason I thought that Thranduil and Ithilden would stay with him, but I liked your way much better. I guess that's why their presence is called 'keeping watch'. I also thought about how vulnerable Legolas must feel being in the forest...unarmed. I hope Thranduil isn't too rusty if trouble shows up! Well, the grandfather Thranduil....He painted himself into a corner with Ithilden about Legolas...much to Ithilden's advantage...and, I'm sure, Thranduil's chagrin. Funny how grandparents are more lenient with grandchildren than they were their own offspring. I look forward to seeing how this plays out. Another wonderful chapter. I look forward to rest of the Legolas's coming of age and pledging his service to the king. :>)Karen Author Reply: Mirkwood is in deep trouble. How maddening it must be to have these other powerful elves seemingly ignoring them. Ithilden was appalled by the masters' recommendation but he rose to the occasion and tried to do what was best for his brother and the realm. I love the guy. And I don't blame the masters for not wanting to tell Thranduil about where his baby was going. Ithilden was lucky that his father gave him an opening. I'm not sure I'll get to the pledging ceremony. I had thought I would but the chapter is already getting long so maybe I'll let it go. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/22/2003 |
| As always, I loved Thranduil's frustration and impatience with the worsening situation and with Elrond - loved the line, "Time rushes past us." Great solution to the problem of where to post Legolas, and it shows Ithilden's leadership abilities and sense of fairness that he would not only accept that recommendation but defend it to his father. I think Legolas could have some rough times ahead with Beliond, though. The vigil was very moving - "the sleepy murmur of the trees" -in the way it calmed Legolas and eased his fears. Author Reply: I'm intrigued by the idea that the Elven rings stopped time and that the Elves in Lorien particularly, but also in Rivendell, tried to preserve the past. But I think the Elves in Mirkwood, where there was no ring of power, were immersed in time as we know it and that time was running out for them. I am looking forward to writing about Legolas and Beliond! | |
| Arbelethiel | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/22/2003 |
Thranduil doesn’t know about the rings, does he? Or he wouldn’t be wondering why the Shadow doesn’t touch Lórien. I like Sinnarn (I like all elflings really!) and I especially liked his interaction with Mithrandir. A beard must look really extraordinary to a beardless people. “We are more than happy to leave that in your capable hands.” ROTFLOL! Some warriors they are! They would affront a troup of orcs without flinching, but ask them to announce to the King that they are NOT posting his son to a relatively safe place, and suddenly they’re all too happy to deck the responsibilities! :D Ithilden definitely had it easy. His father trapped himself with this comment about Sinnarn. I loved the vigil part. I really felt that Legolas was growing up, maturing, just before my eyes. Now, we’ll have to see if he keeps this maturity :) ~Arbelethiel | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/22/2003 |
| That was brave of Mithrandir to tell Thranduil of the council’s lack of action. I don’t think I’d want to be delivering bad news to that particular elf if he was sitting in front of me twisting a dagger in his hand... I just love Thranduil in his role as grandfather! He’s obviously besotted with Sinnarn and so completely indulgent of him, more so than he was with his own sons. Although, I suspect he may have been the same with Ithilden as his firstborn. Eilian was clearly much more of a handful if even Mithrandir remembers him as an elfling. The old wizard seems thoroughly amused, though, by the doting grandfather who only a few seconds earlier was kicking the fire grate in frustration. You really do write elflings so well. “I am not bothering you, grandfather” LOL! I really liked the meeting between Ithilden and the novice masters. I thought it was so fascinating to watch Ithilden struggle to distance himself emotionally and listen to what they were saying. I’m glad Annael is going to the Home Guard. Thelion is right that he will be looked after there during this difficult time for him but it also seems to be the best place for him if he wants to live the type of life his father loved. It’s such a lovely idea that they all consider the elf rather than just his skills when deciding where to place the new warriors. Penntalion was so funny! I’m still grinning at his enthusiasm. It’ so interesting that the novice masters seemed to pick up on the fact that Legolas feels familial pressure when his family don’t really see it. Legolas can’t escape his duty, and wouldn’t want to, but he does seem to need to feel useful. It is absolutely to Ithilden’s credit that he listened to them and accepted their choice, despite his fear of sending his younger brother into danger. Hmmn, methinks Alfirin deserves an apology from her father-in-law. Thranduil may have been right in his judgement of Sinnarn but surely he knows better than to come between a mother and her son! I felt so sorry for Thranduil, though. He’s always wanted to protect his sons, particularly Legolas, but his obvious dread at the thought of letting him go is quite heart-breaking. The description of Legolas’ thoughts during the vigil was beautiful. It’s a lovely idea to take each worry, understand it and then let it go. I’m so glad he can understand his father at last – even if it’s only for a while. And I’m sure Thranduil knows that Legolas often needs his father as much as he needs his son. At least, I hope he does. *sigh* I feel all serene now...;) Author Reply: Mithrandir is not intimidated by Thranduil. He's one of the few who aren't, and another one may be Sinnarn! I have a little conversation planned for the next chapter between Alfirin and her father-in-law. ;-) Ithilden has a hard job and the more I write about him, the more I admire him. He tries so hard to be fair and responsible, but he is also capable of really laying down the law, as Legolas should have known and Sinnarn may find out. The novice masters have seen lots of young warriors and have a better perspective on Legolas than his family does, I think. I have a list of what has to happen in the next chapter and am all excited about writing it. | |
| JustMe | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/22/2003 |
| So Thranduil had his own words thrown back at him and used against him. That had to hurt! But at least both he and Ithilden seem to be (sort of) willing to listen to the advice given to them by the novice masters. It also seems as though Legolas is willing to accept whatever assignment comes his way. The assignment to the border patrol would be a sort of compromise for all parties involved. It is not exactly what Legolas originally, although unrealistically, hoped for but by the same token it is not as tame an assignment as his Adar expected. Should make for some interesting situations. It is time for the little bird to fly! With Legolas gone, will Thranduil turn his attentions to Sinnarn? That could cause the sparks to fly between him and Ithilden! The possibilties are endless! The coming of age ceremony and vigil seem like such a beautiful experience. A time to reflect and contemplate before moving on to the next phase of life. As always your characters are realistic and their reactions to the situations they find themselves in are believable. The fact that your readers are so often moved to tears of anguish or mirth is proof of this fact. Thank you again for taking the time to share your stories with us! Author Reply: Oh yeah, Thranduil gave Ithilden some words to use and he took them. You have to hand it to both of them that they saw the wisdom of sending Legolas away. They aren't happy about it but they are going to do it anyway. Grandpa Thranduil needs to back off a little, I think. Ithilden is respectful and Alfirin is gentle, but they are not going to put up with much interference. Your last paragraph moved me enough that I reread it several times. Thank you for your kind words. | |