Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Warrior by daw the minstrel	15 Review(s)
pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/12/2005
It was nice to see Nitha again as a young lady... Legolas and Beliond are starting to get along, you have to wonder why he is so cold and defensive at times...But he has a sence of humor after all.... Author Reply: I've gotten very fond of Beliond over the time I've been writing these stories. But I wouldn't want to have to live with him.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/18/2003
When your job is new - any task is exciting. I am glad to see Legolas express his enthusiasm rather than trying to act as jaded as a seasoned warrior. It is in good keeping with his character. His moments of defiant thoughts are very endearing. I can definitely relate! He handled Tinar well, I think he learned a lot dealing with Galelas. Poor Pilin! Everyone is always bad mouthing him. I would still trade places with him any day - carrying Legolas around all day can't be too bad. Beliond's lack of experience in Esgaroth is in keeping with the history you have given him. He seems like a solitary elf and NOT one to socialize with mortals. I liked how you had Legolas handle Calem - his years of standing around bored in court have finally paid off. I am quite sure he was being "fobbed" off because Calem knew Todith wouldn't like his response. Diplomacy is not easily learned but it seems Thranduil's youngest has picked up a little. Favorite line "You worry too much, Nana," I can imagine his wicked little grin. Beliond was constantly scanning the "crown"? (oops, typo but kind of funny) I am glad Legolas realized the mistake in his selection and picked up something more appropriate. Was the other item a Rune of Proctection? We are going to need a good abbreviation for them if they keep showing up - how about RoP? Nitha's greeting was enthusiastic? I can only imagine. When you see the scene in ROTK where Legolas walks into Frodo's healing chamber, you will have an enthusiastic reaction as well. He looks very very very good. (sorry, kind of distracted). I would be furious at Beliond's reaction too. He has no right to make those assumptions. It is good for him to stew a little. Todith's comment about Ithilden's job probably caught Legolas a little off guard. He probably doesn't think much about his oldest sibling's level of responsibility. It must be overwhelming sometimes. I think Beliond's level of respect for his young charge increased a notch when he offered his explanations. He realized he had misjudged the youngling. Legolas' cleaning up for him was very sweet. Tapetum Author Reply: Wow, TL, you have it bad if you fantasize about being Legolas's horse. Being Thranduil's son has some disadvantages, but in terms of dealing with the master of Esgaroth, it had advantages as well. Legolas had experience that most younglings would not have, and he's not really intimidated by officialdom. I have to admit that if I were Nitha, I'd greet Legolas with some enthusiasm too. Thanks for pointing out the typo. I fixed it. :-)

Lera	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/17/2003
Sorry I didn't review the last chapter. I was too excited about seeing Return of the King, which was awesome. It's always odd when you compare how the different races age. Personally I wonder what Nitha's reaction to Legolas was. Question: Why is being held hostage something he "rarely alludes to?" Great chapter. Ciao. Author Reply: I just got back from ROTK so I know exactly what you're talking about. I have to admit that for some reason I didn't get as emotionally engaged in this movie as in the other two, but it's still better than most anything else. I think that to Nitha, Legolas looked exactly as she remembered him. I suppose she may have reacted differently because of the way she had changed. Legolas rarely alludes to being taken hostage because he was humiliated by being taken and then beaten. It makes him feel vulnerable.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2003
Ah, things seem to be improving between Legolas and Beliond. They seem to be learning more respect for one another at least. As always, there’s great interplay between the warriors – I really love the way they interact with each other. And then there’s Tinár, of course. His parents really have a lot to answer for. But isn’t Legolas showing amazing self-control around him?! So Beliond has never been to Esgaroth? I had never thought about Thranduil not having gone there, but I suppose there would never have been a reason for him to. These older elves do seem to distance themselves from other races as much as possible. I wonder were they ever as curious as Legolas and his friends. Maybe they were and Dagorlad put an end to any faith they had in anyone. It’s quite funny that Beliond seems to constantly have to remind Legolas who he is and why he should maybe try to maintain some anonymity! He certainly doesn’t seem particularly impressed by Esgaroth and its people. Great descriptions, by the way!! The “smell of inadequately washed Men” indeed… It’s wonderful to see Nitha again. I really like the way Legolas was startled at the realisation that time has passed so quickly for men and that she’s grown up in what must be a really short space of time for him. I felt almost sorry for Beliond, though – how shocked he must have been! “The king made my responsibilities abundantly clear to me” – yeah, I’ll bet he did, and they probably didn’t involve waiting outside some house while his charge fraternised with a beautiful woman. He could have been a bit more tactful with Legolas but I can certainly see how he would have jumped to conclusions – and I notice that Legolas felt a bit unsettled when she greeted him so warmly! Sometimes Beliond gives the impression that he is strictly trying to carry out the king’s orders but he seems to be gradually looking out for Legolas out of concern as well, and genuinely trying to help him. I’m glad he spoke to Legolas afterwards, especially as he seemed to gain a new level of understanding and respect for him once he heard the story about how Legolas and Nitha met. They appear to be becoming slightly more at ease with each other – the ‘Nana’ thing is really quite endearing! I liked the piece about washing-up – it does seem to be bothering Legolas that Beliond has to do it, which shows that he respects him as an elder and as an experienced warrior if nothing else. Only time will tell if he ever really accepts his presence, though!:) Author Reply: I am not actually sure whether Thranduil has been to Esgaroth or not, but Legolas doesn't know if he has. ButThranduil was an adult and already king by the time he moved to the caverns where he now lives, so I would think he would have to have a pretty good reason to go to the town of Men. I think that Beliond and Legolas are gradually growing on one another. Beliond showed real concern for Legolas's well being and Legolas showed respect for the older warrior. In muy opinion, Thranduil did a good job with this youngest son whom he raised almost by himself.

tigerlily713	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2003
What a wonderful chapter! It was great to see Nitha again, especially when we were able to see the problem that many elves must have had when relating to Men. They grow so much faster! I look forward to your next chapter! Lily Author Reply: It occurred to me that the Elves might mistrust things that the Men of Esgaroth promise to do because from the Elves' point of view, their leadership changes so frequently (because the men die). Who knows if the leader 50 years down the road is going to honor a promise that was made when he was an infant?

Jebb	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2003
This was a lovely chapter it was good to see Legolas and Nana Beliond together even with all the frustrations and misunderstandings that abounded. Also the cameo of Nitha. It must be hard for Legolas to take in the the changes in her but good that he can be prepared for such rapid change before Aragorn enters his life. Like the ending too so he didn't escape entirely from pot washing but Beliond due to his kindness did. Got my tickets for tomorrow night as well but will still be looking forward to another update as this is what really fuels my interst in LOTR Author Reply: It must be astounding and disturbing for Elves when they first realize exactly how fast humans age. Legolas sees it in Nitha. He has scarcely changed at all, so she easily recognizes him, but she has really changed. Legolas likes what he sees in her, but he's startled, nonetheless. Legolas and Beliond are gradually coming to appreciate one another. And I love being able to build in those moments that show that Legolas was raised well.

Nelsonia	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2003
Hello Daw How are you? I hope all is well, great to have Nitha back into the story, if only briefly. Loved the interaction between legolas and Beliond, they are beginning to genuinly take care of each other without really realising it, who will be nana by the end of this, I wonder? What will happen to tinar? will he ever learn to leave his ego behind? I look forward to know why he is behaving like that (as well as the whole Galelas-Tinar story) Thanks for promissing that Eilian will be live and well at the end of the stories, I hope that means future stories as well :p take care Nelsonia Author Reply: I hadn't thought about it but you're right. Legolas and Beliond are beginning to take care of one another. When Legolas listens to his better self, he knows that he owes Beliond respect, and Beliond is beginning to see that Legolas is not a spoiled brat. Tinar will always be Tinar, I'm afraid. His parents thought he could do no wrong and he has been thorougly ruined. It's almost lucky for Galelas that he was not the favorite child. There may be hope for him.

Strange Blaze	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2003
I like your descriptions of Esgaroth. It's always interesting to see humans who don't know elves that well and their reactions to them. Nitha was quite a surprise to Beliond! I thought maybe he would think that. Apparently she was quite a surprise to Legolas also, though a MUCH more pleasant one. I do sense some shady dealings going on in Esgaroth though. Why didn't they want to give the elves an answer? I'm very glad to see Legolas and Beliond get along. I think he likes his keeper much more than he lets on. Author Reply: Legolas doesn't exactly "like" Beliond yet, but he's beginning to understand him a little. And he was raised to respect his elders in general and veteran warriors in particular, so that comes to the fore too. And Nitha was a pleasant surprise for him indeed! I enjoyed making Beliond react and, like you, I thought it was understandable that he thought what he did.

Brenda G.	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2003
Hi, Daw. Just finished this Chapter, and there is a large grin pasted upon my face. How satisfying, a sweet indulgence before bed! I too am attending the Tuesday Trilogy event and should have been in bed hours ago (although I am a night owl by nature, and it is a hard thing to bring under discipline). Well, back to the story... I'm loving the developing relationship between Legolas and Beliond. A visit to Esgaroth - and the beautiful Nitha! I had to laugh at the way Beliond's mind works, thinking Legolas was courting a human female. Sometimes our young prince needs his ears tweaked for playing out a scene just to fluster his keeper. It's neat to see how these two circle each other all the time. Like Legolas, I too was surprised that Beliond had never visited Esgaroth, but then he spends his leave time in the forests, away from everyone, even other Elves, so I guess there is little in Esgaroth to appeal to him. It is nice to see that Legolas' little flare-ups are being tempered with either humor or contemplation beyond his bristling. He's growing up, and it shows. I love the back and forth exchanges between he and Beliond. There are the beginnings of a friendship here - just the beginnings, but the signs are unmistakable. The kidding and the grudging respect they are both receiving and dispensing is gratifying. Legolas was raised very well to have it disturb him to see a veteran stoop to wash dishes as any rookie would. I thought our young prince was very fine indeed to take over the task himself while he informed Beliond that although it didn't bother Beliond to wash dishes, it must certainly did bother Legolas to see him do something so un-warrior-like. Yes, this is a relationship worth watching. I'm sure Thranduil would be pleased to know how well things are progressing with these two. Speaking of Thranduil, how are things progressing with him? Hey, when are we going to find out about what the Dwarves were warning the Elves about in an earlier chapter? Was it the cut trees they were referring to or something else? As to Beliond's description, I know he is dark-haired, and shorter than Legolas by a couple of inches, but I'm still trying to get a good mental image of what he may look like. By the way, how tall are your Elves - Thranduil, for instance? Just wondering... This was a knockout chapter - great stuff. Well, I've gotta go to bed or I'll never make it through all three films tomorrow. ROTK is here at last! Yes-s-s-s-s! Tell me what you think of it, Daw. Can't wait to fill my eyes with one goodlooking, blond Elven warrior on the morrow... Post again soon, please? BG Author Reply: I'm a morning person, myself. I wake up around 5:30 and start fading around 9:00. And I do not have the stamina to watch the whole trilogy at once. Have a nice time! Legolas does deliberately bait Beliond. It's his revenge for being annoyed. But it's pretty childish, really, and he needs to get over it. Still, I can see this Legolas in the Fellowship announcing that he was off to find the sun. Smart aleck. But he was raised well, as you say, and he eventually listens to his better impulses. I was going to have some stuff about Thranduil and the Dwarves in this chapter, but I got to 4000 words and decided that was long enough. So they'll be in the next chapter. So far as I understand it, Elves are tall. But they can't be freakishly so because Tolkien says that Aragorn was the tallest member of the Fellowship. So I'd say Legolas is around 6 foot and Thranduil is taller.

Antigone_Q	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/15/2003
I was impressed by Legolas. Although his temper still tends to flare, he's learned some self-control when speaking to people who are being quite annoying. Good for him for not letting Tinar get to him, and for taking the trouble to explain to Beliond exactly what was going on with Nitha. He really had no obligation to, except in regards to his own concience. I do sympathize with Beliond, though. While he didn't have any reason to doubt what Legolas said, I'm sure Beliond is a little apprehensive about letting ANY kind of harm befall Thranduil's youngest. Anyway, well done chapter. I always like to see Legolas interacting with his fellow warriors. Author Reply: Legolas IS doing well, isn't he? I'm proud of him! You can see his good upbringing coming to the fore when he cools down, takes a look at his own actions, and explains himself to Beliond, more or less admitting the Beliond might have had reason to react as he did. Beliond's job is tough one and no mistake. If Legolas ever comes to real harm, Thranduil is likely to ask him to account for it.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List