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Serious Trouble  by The Karenator 7 Review(s)
LeawardReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/6/2005
Yup, a tongue can be mightier than a sword too (OK, I know, I changed the analogy, but it still works. Words can cut worse than any knife.)

I had a feeling they would run into "them". But LOL, because of a spider!

Continuing on ... and still enjoying!

Author Reply: Well, yeah. How could they help but run into the men? They'd been scheming and planning for days. And of course, a spider would be there! Poor Daeron. If he could take care of spiders as easily as he can Fluffy, then he'd be in like Flint. But as it is....he's in big trouble now.

Orophins DottirReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/26/2004
*Lalaith breezes in on her most controlled wind. She gives Meckinock a big hug, neatly sidestepping the ever sharp and lethal sword "Emily".*

"Really! I could be a Ranger? How thrilling! Will you put me in your sequel, Meckinock? Please?"

*Lalaith notices her hubby observing the Mangy Ranger with suspicion and quickly distracts him with a big kiss. That usually leaves Thranduil too breathless to think! Lalaith likes to keep her options open. She is easily bored now that they have toasted Sauron and a Ranger's life might be interesting. She will, of course, bring along some lavender soap for all.*

"Sister, this was such a good chapter! I love the interaction within the family and the obvious love. You and I shall together soundly defeat the "dead naneth, evil adar" school of writing for my sweet Legolas."

*Whispers in Kaladriel's ear that Mîr has already begun inquiries as to when the Queen of the Southern Woodlands will pen her next Daeron story. He wants his chance on stage!*

"My favorite line was, ‘My naneth smiled as if she were also all in favor of sons being where one could reach out and swat them at will.' So very true! I almost upset my Nehi Grape and that bowl of pork rinds when I read that and laughed."

Your loving sister,
Lalaith


Author Reply: Oh, my Lady Sister,

The system hath failed us! I received no notice of your (or Maeglin's) review. I'm am deeply regretful for not hurrying to answer. But alas, I did not know until my sweet elfling pointed out this oversight.

Pray tell the adorable Mir that the Queen is thinking. Though I shall endeavor to make haste, I am slow witted and must take care where my mind wanders.

I shall tell the Ranger that you have left a message for her.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed this chapter. I think the little guys, especially Daeron, have a whole new view of their 'dull brothers'. The world is much larger and much more fierce than either of them ever realized. And this strange world is not easily understood. Personally, I love the older brothers. But, from my perspective, I can see what weighs on their shoulders. Legolas and Daeron have been so sheltered, they don't really understand what awaits them in the big wide world. They got a glimpse of the horrors and the confusion that surrounds it.

Again, I apologize that I've not responded. I had no idea! Thanks, fair sistah, for reading and reviewing.

Kaladriel, Queen of the Southern Realm and the Dr. Pepper Empire.

Maeglin the TraitorReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/26/2004

*Maeglin grips the parchment tightly as he reads of his noble adversary Lalaith and her children. Is it any wonder that her rapier words can so wound him? Look at all the practice at subtle influence she has had!*

My lady, you have brought my two favorite characters back! I adore Fluffy and Flouncy! That Miriel ever makes me wish to wring her little neck, but Isilya! Ah, fair Isilya! There is an elleth of fire and spirit. I expect much from her. *Maeglin shakes his dark hair back from his face and contemplates the little elleth. She has asked him for coaching in the arcane art of killing spiders with dancing slippers and Maeglin is helping her with the nuances of her attack.*

"That was probably not the time to bring up the fact that my adar had been a highly-trained, highly-skilled warrior who did not come back." My revered Queen, this one small line all but broke my heart. Poor Daeron! I love the subtle way you convey so much with a minimum of words. Tarondor is obviously so important to his son Daeron and you make us see it with these seemingly almost careless references to him in the course of the story. I learn from you, my lady! *Maeglin bows deeply and reverently.*

I now hasten to the next chapter!

Maeglin the Traitor


Author Reply: How shamed I am that I did not know of your review. My advisors shall answer for this insult!

I am so pleased you greeted Fluffy and Flouncy with such warmth. Well, Flouncy anyway. The lovely Isilya will be a force to be reckoned with...in her own way. Daeron will never be able to pull anything over on her! She's got his number...and I believe it's tucked safely to her heart. She tells me that you are the finest of death-by-dancing-slipper instructors. She had no idea you could cut a rug the way you do. Many years of practice, I told her.

Yes, little Daeron really misses his ada. Thranduil does a fine job of substituting, but it's just not the same as having your very own ada to turn to. Still, I think there is a great deal of love between Thranduil and Daeron. The king not only loves the little squirt like one of his own sons, he loves Daeron because he 'is' his own. The king is very protective of the little ones. As are the older brothers. The little guys are just beginning to figure this all out. I like the thought that a fatherless child would be so loved and mentored by the other males in his family. The females love him with the same intensity, and this is very important, but I think it's important for the little guys to have strong loving males figures, too.

Thanks again, my sweet elfling for the review AND for giving me a head's up that you had reviewed. Kaladriel

CelebReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/16/2004
Tsk, I managed to miss the fact that this chapter was out.

More spiders, poor, poor Daeron. That had me howlimg yet again, I loved it. The spider phobia is one of my favourite things about this, as I would imagine, with most people. But I also really like the tone of it, Daeron's humour abd turn of phrase are priceless!

I had several classic lines in this chapetr, but my fabvouite was...'"First, you take a nice calm family meal and turn it into the Last Alliance,...' Sputter!

Fantastic job. Looking forward to the next part. Please, paint in letters a foot high so I don't miss it?



Author Reply: Celeb,

Oh no! I'm so glad you found this chapter.

Poor Dearon. He really does have a problem abiding peacefully with spiders. This brown hairy one got him into a mess. And Legolas, too. I certainly hope he learns to control the heebie-jeebies by the time he gets into the forest as a warrior. Maybe Isilya will loan him her dancing slipper.

Thanks for the kind compliments. I'm never sure about my odd sense of humor. I find things extremely funny that other people, for some strange reason, do not. I find people the funniest subject of all. Not making fun of them in a cruel way, but the things people do just crack me up.

I will personally alert you to Chapter Four!

Thanks again, Celeb. Karen

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/16/2004
Daeron's wryly self-deprecating commentary and his scathingly accurate insights into Elvish nature are a delight. He has a keen sense of observation and as wickedly sharp a tongue - but his budding sense of responsibility permits him to sometimes -sometimes - keep his darkest insights to himself - especially when they might hurt those he cares about, as with the "good Elves who don't come back" introspective. I loved his sidebar that his language teachers would be impressed. He's a keeper, Karen! Thranduil continues to be a wonderfully growly softy, and Lalaith's interrogation techniques are top-notch - she wouldn't make a bad Ranger!

Author Reply: Hey,

I'm not sure Daeron would be considered 'elfy' by normal standards, but I think if we had been privy to Legolas' thoughts in the Mines of Moria, we may have seen a whole new dimension to what is 'elfy'. "Whadda ya mean I hafta spend four days in this Dwarven death trap? Dol Guldur is Cinderella's Castle compared to this worm hole. Is that mithril over there?" Who let the balrog out? Whomp! Whomp! Sorry..high school baseball game-itis.

Where were we? Oh, insights into Elven nature. Despite Daeron's sharp tongue and rather strange take on life, he is a very caring little guy. No matter what he says, I think he's rather protective of Legolas and loves him like a brother. He would never allow anyone to harm Legolas if he could prevent it...unless it's him. He's a bit like the people who talk awful about their family members, but woe be unto anyone else who says anything derogatory about them.

Thranduil has actually been fun to write. His role is limited, but I've never thought of him as the horrible creature so many make him out to be...not to mention that there is no basis in canon for this view of the king. All we have to do is look at the Legolas of canon and I think it's obvious the boy was raised right. He's secure in who he is, strong, focused and loving. Bad parents don't turn out kids like this very often. I think Thranduil was a kind, but strong ruler (if he wasn't, then the people of Mirkwood would have shown him the door) and a good ada.

Lalaith will be more than pleased to know that she has alternatives to being queen if push comes to shove. I think she'd make a good ranger, too.

Thanks, Ranger, for all your help and for continuing to be supportive of me personally and to this story. Karen

Kitt of LindonReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/16/2004
Serious trouble indeed! How shall they get out of this one?
I like the sound of Erelas. He seems to be the cool sort of brother. Does Erelas mean 'lone leaf' or something? (Heh, I'm just trying to brush up on my Elvish.)
I can't wait to see what happens!

Author Reply: Hi Kitt,

Trouble is indeed brewing, if not already boiling. Erelas 'is' a pretty cool guy...typical middle child. According to the ME guide I have, Erelas means 'single leaf"...one leaf, single leaf, same thing, I think. He probably gets along so well with the little guys because he does sort of dance to the beat of his own drum. And while he has a gracious plenty of responsibility, he does not have the burdens of his older brother and cousin. It's not hard for him to take off and spend the day fishing with the munchkins.

Thanks so much for staying with me through this and taking the time to review. Karen

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/16/2004
Well, things are heating up! You handle first person so well, Karen. Daeron comes through to us in his words and thoughts, and while he's a smart alec, he's also likeable and very perceptive.

Their families are going to be frantic by now, although I suppose at first they may think the boys have wandered off, which they did.

Author Reply: Hi daw,

Thanks for the kind words. To hear from you that you think the POV is going well, means a lot to me.

I have enjoyed the look into Daeron's head. Yes, he's a bit of a smart alec, but I think all races, no matter how old, dignified or educated, always have a few members in their ranks that have a rather skewed view of the world. In other words, there's always a smarty-pants somewhere. Daeron is a good guy, and his observations, I think, are sometimes just childish perspective, and sometimes he simply says or thinks the things we all think, but know better than to say out loud. I'm glad he comes across as perceptive. I think he is, but his choices are still those of a child most of the time. As you said in an earlier review, he's a handful. But I hope the adults come across as wise, loving and patient for the most part...although he pushes Seregon's limits regularly.

It won't take the adults long to figure out that 'this disappearance' is unusual, even for these two, and will set out looking for them. Life is not black and white, as these two will soon find out.

Thanks daw, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and review. I had such a time getting it up last night...uncooperative copy and paste...and I was crossed eyed by the time I got it up. Funny how so many more mistakes show up when your words appear in big print. I reread it this morning, found some and then went into change them and couldn't find them again! Will try again. I'm sure you just shake your head at some of the things I regularly do. Despite my many failures, you have truly helped me in the grammar and punctuation department. Thanks a milion. Karen

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