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| The Warrior by daw the minstrel | 17 Review(s) |
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| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/12/2005 |
| Legolas did well in the spider hunt, but missed one and almost got himself hurt. But Beliond was ther when Tinar badmouthed Legolas, he needed his mouth washed out, Tinar has no respect. Galelas is prospering under Eilian and did well if overconfident. Kinda nice how Legolas and Eilian are worried and thinking of each other... Author Reply: Tinar is someone I wouldn't want to have around all the time. Poor Legolas. But he did do well, despite the fact that this was kind of scary. And Galelas needs someone like Eilian to bring out the best in him. | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/18/2003 |
| I am sorry to be so slow. Spiders ... shudder - Have you seen Shelob yet - she is great! 75? That seems like a lot for one patrol. Legolas' excitement/apprehension is well played out. His heart must have been pumping a league a minute. His exchage with Todith "No rushing ahead, Legolas," you can tell Todith is indeed accustomed to Eilian. It is unfair of him to assume Legolas will act the same way but I can certainly understand it. I bet the young prince feels safe with Beliond and Tinar, he knows they will keep an eye on his back. Legolas' little oversight was only normal - it was his first combat. I think Beliond reacted so strongly because if his charge was injured in his first conflict, his Liege may have his head. I hope there was also some concern for Legolas personally but I don't think their relationship is quite there yet. You have done a good job slowly building a bond between the two. I am glad it wasn't instant - they have too little in common for that. Ok, now Eilian has 3 runes of protection and Legolas is wearing none. That is not a good thing. I hope he fixes it quickly. Tinar finally learned his little lesson, it was long overdue. I am glad Beliond is finally able to recognize that the princling has some skill with a bow. Sounds like Beliond speaks from experience "sometimes skill and courage are not always enough." I suspect he has lost someone close to him. I'll be waiting for that little tale. I am glad the rune is back around his neck. Is he going to send Eilian a 4th rune? Maybe I'll buy him a charm bracelet for winter solstice. I think Eilian reacted so strongly to Galelas' mistake because he reminds him so much of his younger brother. He fears Legolas will be making the same mistakes and it scares him. You handled that very well. Tapetum Author Reply: Tapetum, you are such a wonderful reviewer that you never have to apologize for being slow. I've seen the movie too, so I know where everyone's head is. And as I watched Shelob, I wished I had seen her before writing my spider scene. I could have made it so much creepier. I have been building the relationship between Legolas and Beliond slowly, as you say. It's tempting to rush things, I'm afraid, but in a way, it's also more fun to have them working it out. And I'm sure that at first, Beliond was acting mainly out of self preservation. No wonder he didn't want Legolas to be too rash or arrogant. It would make his job so much harder. But I'd like them to get to respect one another feel some affection eventually. Eilian is doing well in the rune deparment! | |
| Antigone_Q | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/15/2003 |
| I didn't get a chance to review before, but I liked this chapter very much. Legolas got a taste of battle, and was shaken by it. It seems Beliond was a little shaken by Legolas' close shave with the spider, too. Was Beliond really talking about spiders when he told Legolas about not being able to wipe away the signs of battle? Don't tell me - I'll wait and see. Beliond and Legolas are at least learning to trust each other a little better, which is a nice step towards forming a friendship. I laughed when Legolas found that he was being compared to Eilian, although I wasn't surprised. I wonder what Eilian would say if he knew. And it has finally occured to Legolas that he has Eilian's rune. I bet it means a lot to him that Eilian gave it up. I liked that the brothers wished each other safety. Author Reply: Yeah, they're kind of inching along toward one another, which is good. And I thought Legolas did well for his first battle. He made a mistake but he learned from it and won't make the same one again. And anyone who has an older sibling should sympathize with Legolas's situation re Eilian. Every novice master or captain Eilian ever had must shudder when they see his little brother coming. | |
| Arbelethiel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/15/2003 |
I love your descriptions of battle :) I can almost feel I’m here. Though I’m glad I wasn’t, because the spiders sounds icky. And frightening. I loved Todith’s warnings. Was he Eilian’s first captain? :D Ah! Now Legolas understands that Eilian gave him his own rune of protection. Will he send him another one? :P ~Arbelethiel | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/14/2003 |
| Just a quick review between Christmas activities..how in the world do you find time to write this time of year?? I'm sure thankful that you do! Your portrayal of Legolas before battle with the spiders seemed very realistic to me. Your description of the spider's nests brought a picture to my mind of thick, dark forest with Spanish Moss hanging from the branches. Think I'll avoid spiders for a few days! I chuckled at Todith's treatment of Legolas. Eilian surely haunts his memory! Beliond certainly had a parent-like reaction to the "near miss" Legolas experienced with the spider. Once you know your child is fine, you suddenly have this rush of anger that your child did such a stupid thing, putting them into danger in the first place. HMMMM, paternal reaction-is that a hint of Beliond's backstory????? Author Reply: Very clever, Naneth! I have a few more Christmas things to do, but not too many. My son is grown up and my husband and I live far from our families, so it's just us, which lessens the intensity considerably. Plus my job eases a little right now too. So what better way to spend my time than writing?! Legolas was nervous but came through the battle with flying colors and just one little slip that Beliond made sure he learned from. That's my boy! | |
| Nelsonia | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/14/2003 |
| Hello Daw! great update, i am loving the development of Beliond-Legolas relationship, and i am looking forward to it! Tinar is a pain but I reckon Legolas will learn a lot from him (or thanks to him)especially about self restraint! I read in fanfic that you are thinking of making something happen to Eilian, please do not be too nasty... please? Have you thought about writing a little story from when Lorellin was alive with her family? As always looking forward to your stories! nelsonia Author Reply: I think Legolas can learn a lot from dealing with Tinar. As a warrior, he's going to be living in close contact with a lot of different people and he'll have to learn what to let go and what to make a big deal about. Don't worry about Eilian. He's going to be hale and hearty at the end of this story. My beta, Nilmandra, wrote a little story about Thranduil and his wife celebrating Eilian's 20th begetting day, making more or less like a human 8 year old. It's on Stories of Arda. It's called "Eilian's Begetting Day." I have been considering ways to write about the youths of Ithilden and Eilian and that would involve writing about their mother, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Some day! | |
| Jebb | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/14/2003 |
| Another wonderful read so atmospheric I don't think I have ever read such a great description of what spider nests would be like or how the wood elves would destroy them. Once again your word pictures are more powerful than the real thing. Loved that Todith thought Legolas might be like his brother while Eilian was thinking of his old captain as well. Also that Beliond championed his charge against Tinar Thank you for sharing your talent J Author Reply: Glad you liked the spider stuff! I revised several times to make it as creepy as possible. I don't like touching spiders when they're a quarter inch across, so I just blew that feeling up big time. Todith must have had an exciting time when Eilian first came under his command. The poor guy. He probably had nightmares thinking about having to tell Thranduil that his baby boy Eilian had jumped into trouble and Todith had been unable to grab him by the scruff of the neck and drag him out again. | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/14/2003 |
| Tinár is certainly going to be a pain in Legolas' behind. At least he has Beliond as someone he can count on. It seems that Legolas' is understanding this. It's funny, I was almost expecting Legolas to be a little bit more like Eilian, but Legolas will be of course, Legolas! I like the relationship that is developing between Eilian and Galelas, I only hope Legolas does not become jealous. But it's a great realthionship for Eilian, it seems it's going to help him better understand himself! Author Reply: There is only one Eilian, and a good thing by Thranduil's reckoning. Tinar is probably a pain wherever he goes, but he is certainly disturbed by Legolas's presence. Legolas is going to have to exercise whatever maturity he's managed to develop to keep from reacting to the jerk. And I thought it would be good for Eilian to take care of some other folks. It will help him feel better. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/13/2003 |
| Fantastic battle sequence! I think I'm going to have nightmares. Beliond is turning out to be such a splendidly complex and mature character. He corrects Legolas when he thinks it's necessary but stands up for him when it's the right thing to do. Way to put Tinar in his place! It was nice of Beliond to share a quiet moment with Legolas later and fix his rune, but overall, Legolas ought to be grateful he's got someone around who's not afraid to kick him in the posterior when the occasion warrants! Poetic justice for Eilian- what goes around truly does come around. Now that he's the one responsible for other's lives, it would serve him right to get a frightening young warrior under his command who behaves just the way he did! Author Reply: I'm so glad the battle sequence came off OK. I find them hard to do, mostly because there are only so many ways you can say "and then he put an arrow in the spider's eye" before it gets boring. So I try to concentrate on my characters' reactions instead. And thank you for your comments on Beliond. He's getting a good sense of what Legolas can and can't do already, which might help the kid stay alive long enough to learn. Eilian is sort of getting what he deserves, isn't he? ;-) | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/13/2003 |
| Ooh, excitement all round. As much as I enjoyed watching Legolas’ first real battle and the way he deals with his actions and experience, I think what was really interesting about this chapter was the reactions of those around him. I felt I was getting to know them but it’s only in pressurised situations that we get a deeper glimpse of their personalities. Todith is clearly scarred by his experiences with Eilian! I felt quite badly for Legolas, particularly as he didn’t realise at first why Todith seemed to presume he might act irrationally. It looks like he’ll always have to try to prove that he’s his own person. I really like Todith and at least he admitted his mistake, but I suppose as such an experienced captain he should have known better. Just how badly did Eilian scare him?! Now, what is Tinar’s problem?! Seems like he’s the one who should be paying attention to what’s going on around him and less to what Legolas is doing. O.k., you have me totally intrigued by Beliond! He’s really growing on me. And you were worried you wouldn’t be able to redeem him! There was obviously more to his over-reaction to the spider incident than he’s saying. Who was killed, then? Or am I presuming too much?! I don’t know why I’m even asking – you’re hardly going to tell me….!! I loved the scene between him and Legolas when he apologises and praises his courage and behaviour during the fight. I almost wish that Legolas didn’t realise that he had Eilian’s rune of protection because it means that he will worry about his brother, but at the same time I’m glad he knows how valuable his gift is. It’s almost funny that both Todith and Beliond seem utterly relieved that Legolas handled himself well against the spiders – so I suppose ultimately it was probably good for him that the battle was so soon for him as they might worry less about his abilities now. Oh, and the whole description of the spiders was just horribly vivid! Great writing, but a bit too great – I hate spiders with a passion and am afraid I’ll never get those images out of my head!! Eilian thinks about his father a lot, doesn’t he? This particular assignment seems to be quite good for him. Obviously in the southern patrol they wouldn’t have had new warriors so he seems to be learning a lot from watching Galelas, especially in realising why his captains reacted as they did to his own behaviour. It probably helps that his young recruit isn’t Legolas or even Annael, but someone to whom he has no attachment so that he has an objective view. It’s fascinating to watch him in this position. Before I forget – thank you so much for directing me to “Eilian’s Begetting Day”. I found it and was completely thrilled. She really did your characters justice and it was such a treat!:) Author Reply: Thank you so much for saying that those other characters were interesting! I never get inside their heads, so I have to hint at what's on their minds and I'm not always sure I'm clear. But, of course, a little mystery is good too. Like with Beliond. I think those responsible for commanding and guarding Legolas will gradually relax as he gets some experience. He's good at learning from his mistakes as well as his successes. I went over the battle scene a couple of times trying to make the spiders more disgusting. :-) I'm glad you liked Nilmandra's story. I asked her to put it up on Stories of Arda too because, to me, it feels like part of my cycle of stories. | |