News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Fire and Shadow by daw the minstrel | 20 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/15/2005 |
| Legolas gets away from the medicine but then he had wanted it it seems....Ithilden seems to tell story to tell Legolas something and to comfort him, he is a good brother... Author Reply: Ithilden is not as openly affectionate as Eilian is, but he's loyal and he loves his family. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/2/2004 |
| Aagh! So, I go away for a few days, resigning myself to the fact that I would probably miss the next chapter, and I return to find that I have actually missed two chapters – including the end of this amazing story – and also another story… That’s it. No more weekends away for me ever, ever again. Ever. I love the way Thranduil continues to offer his support to Legolas, holding his hand in an attempt to provide some sense of reassurance. Belówen is really not impressed, is he?? I had to laugh at the way he goes through the ritual of issuing instructions and offering help, all the while knowing exactly what the reactions of Thranduil, and indeed his son, will be. I love seeing ‘fatherly’ Thranduil – getting a basin of water, cutting the leggings so that they will fit, then lifting his son so that he wouldn’t aggravate his injuries and even tucking him in comfortably. There’s something really touching about the idea of him looking after Legolas as he did when he was a child. “The world is a better place because you are in it, iôn-nín.” Thranduil’s words brought tears to my eyes. How difficult it must be for him to witness his son’s pain. Even all his experience as a king who has no choice but to send his people into danger couldn’t prevent him from wanting to shield his sons, no matter how strong and capable they are, from the evil of the world. And Legolas has seen an unspeakable horror. I think Thranduil did absolutely the right thing in just speaking from his heart and letting Legolas know his own worth and the pride and love his family feel for him as well as their willingness to help him. I don’t know how Legolas manages to tell immediately how he should address Ithilden. Years of experience, I guess. I like Ithilden’s no-nonsense approach when he reassures Legolas that although he made some mistakes, no matter what he had done, the dwarves would have been no better off. He has enough experience to be able to distance himself when necessary and judge how Eilian would have reacted and indeed, how he himself would have reacted. Ah, an unhappy ending to Ithilden’s story. It clearly still bothers him. But, like the events Legolas has just experienced, Ithilden made a decision and while the two elves were distracted by their argument, who is to say that any other two elves would have been more successful against five Wargs? It was really interesting to see Ithilden as a young warrior, learning and debating whether or not to voice his opinion. Beliond seems quite reasonable when he feels people aren’t wasting his time. I can see how Ithilden would feel guilty, though – I wonder did he have anyone at the time to tell him as he did with Legolas that rationally, he could not have prevented what happened and certainly wasn’t the cause of Anilith’s death simply for not putting an end to their argument and instigating the pairing of the two of them. What an insight to Ithilden this conversation is! I had never thought before that he was keeping Legolas away from the South simply because he had no necessity to be there yet. Or that he was, in a way, forced to allow Eilian to serve there because he needed the number of warriors. It’s really interesting to think of everything that goes into his decisions. It’s a tough role that he has as the eldest son of the king and I suppose out of all of them, he can see what demands are made of his brothers and son. It’s a pity he has to see those he loves come home injured before he really stops and thinks but it’s nice to know that he has been offering what little protection he could all along by not needlessly sending them into danger and I’m glad that now he will openly admit to Legolas that he is happy that his son, at least, and Legolas to a certain extent, can experience some freedom from the burdens he and Eilian bear. I felt really sad for Ithilden here. It’s as though he has been doing his best all along but has suddenly realised that not only will danger come anyway to those he loves and that perhaps they should be encouraged to take more opportunity to experience the joyous side of life, but that his own chance to do so is gone, really, and perhaps he should have listened more to the words of his beloved mother so long ago. Author Reply: Good!Ada Thranduil makes a real appearance at the end of this story. He is in such a hard spot. Ithilden is too for that matter. But here, both of them decide that once Legolas has fessed up about his memory loss, they can leave it to Eilian to deal with any other offenses. They can just be the family who loves him. One of my goals in this story was to write a little more about Ithilden because I find him harder to write about than Eilian. Actually, it would be interesting to write about him even younger, as the equivalent of a 10 year old say. I wonder what he would be like? | |
| Antigone_Q | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/1/2004 |
| Ha! I finally have a moment to sit down and catch up on reviews and things. I didn't realize how much I used the internet until I suddenly was without it for most of the day. Poor Legolas! That really is a lot of bitter stuff to remember, and OF COURSE the moment he really wants medication, he can't have it. And we finally discover what Ithilden's mistake was - I thought it would be something quite different. Naturally Ithilden would take a lot of the responsibility on himself - I find it a funny that in the next breath he is exhorting Legolas to take time for joy. Ithilden should relax and take some time for joy, himself. Maybe his wife will remind him. Author Reply: There is a lot of irony in Ithilden telling Legolas not to take too much responsibility on himself. I guess he knows from experience what that's like. Alfirin has helped him already, and when Sinnarn was little, he was a help too. He's more of a worry now. I hate being without the internet. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/31/2004 |
| I always hate to see your stories drawing to a close - and I sense this is near the end. I do hope you have plans for another in the wings? I love to see how supportive Thranduil is in this chapter - he may be King, but still has time to be a father, and can say the right words to start the healing. I love the way you write him. Ithilden is also great - especially the way he switches from stern commanding officer to caring big brother! I like the way Legolas had not considered what would happen when he had to give an official report, if he had not regained his memory. Jay Author Reply: One more chapter on this one. And then, as you know, there are always more stories! Because you are a fellow advocate for good Ada Thranduil, I really appreciate your comments on him. I cannot imagine how he got the bizarre reputation he seems to have in many fanfic stories. And one of my goals in this story was to write a little more about Ithilden. I find him harder to write about than Eilian. I am glad I seem to have succeeded in making him appealing. | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/30/2004 |
| I was happy that both Ithilden and Thranduil have expressed their admiration for Legolas, and in turn Legolas was able to see thru Ithilden that to doubting one's actions is part of the formation as a warrior, though it is costly, through experience he will never repeat those mistakes. I am anxious to see what Eilian has in store for Legolas, and hopefully those two can exchange whatever needs to be said and heal from this tragic event. Author Reply: Legolas is good at learning from his mistakes, I think. He'll be fine, given time to heal, and now that he's got his memory back and things are in the open, his family will help him. Eilian is waiting for Legolas with open arms! | |
| Camp6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/30/2004 |
| Good chapter, I loved the interaction between Legolas and Ithilden. Ithilden can be so imposing at times, it was good to see him in a different light, making mistakes, offering comfort, even explaining his orders and the reasons behind them. I think Ithilden is my favorite of your OC's. Still have one unanswered question, what happened to the dragon? Did it fly off full of arrows, or did it crash spectacularly into the mountains??? Eilian has plans for Legolas, hmmm, perhaps lieutenants bars are in Legolas' future. Author Reply: Camp, you are such an optimist! No, lieutenant's bars are not in Legolas's near future. ;-) All will be revealed in the next chapter, including the fate of the dragon. I am so glad you like Ithilden. One of my goals in this story was to show him a little more. I find him harder to write about than Eilian but he was interesting to deal with in this story. He's so serious, but he also is able to sympathize with his son and his younger brothers. Thranduil is so lucky to have him! | |
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/30/2004 |
| That was great! If that was the end, then well written. Poor Ithilden, guilt like that can be terrible. Not as if I would know, but I have an imagination. :) I liked the resolution as well. I like resolutions. Sorry this isn't a very inspired review, but all has been said in the story itself. Cheers and keep writing! Oh, allow me to congratulate you on the characters of Ithilden and Eilian. They are so completely believable and realistic that they could be attributed to Tolkien himself! Author Reply: You are absolutely right about Ithilden. It's ironic that he tells Legolas not to be so serious and so on, but there's no one who takes things more seriously that Ithilden. So he has this failed mission and a dead warrior the first time he's an officer. I'll bet that took some time to get over! Thank you for your nice comments about my OCs. I am shamelessly fond of them myself. | |
| tigerlily713 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/30/2004 |
| Great chapter! The flashbacks you are using are a great tool. I am very much enjoying this story, and I am eager to start on the other one I just recieved in my inbox. ~Lily Author Reply: I've never used so many flashbacks in a story and it's been really interesting to do. It worked out better than I thought it might, but I did have trouble keeping track of everything. Glad you liked it, Lily. | |
| sofia | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/30/2004 |
| good, good, good! Legolas is finally out of bed and he told people of his memory loss... good good good. Author Reply: Legolas is making progress and now can start to heal emotionally as well as physically. His father and brothers will be able to help him. I think that's good too! | |
| Sindar90 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/30/2004 |
| hi, This is great story!!! by the way: i live in finland Author Reply: Sindar--Glad you liked the story. Isn't the web a wonderful thing? You and I can share our love of Tolkien even though we live so far apart. One more chapter and this story is done. | |