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Prodigal Sons by daw the minstrel	11 Review(s)
endorearwen	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/24/2013
This was a sombre and sobering story, Daw. I held my breath with each new chapter knowing that one of these times sorrow and loss were going to be Legolas' hard teachers. The pathetic imagery of the litter arriving in the stronghold... very moving. You did a great job of presenting the various perspectives around the circumstances. I stand amazed at the clever and wise punishment you had Thranduil mete out to his youngest - "Their father was sometimes far deeper than a casual observer might expect" indeed! Legolas' world has been forever changed. I expect we will see him profit remarkably from the experiences of this adventure and become (throughout the coming pages) the judicious warrior we meet in the Fellowship of the Ring. I think this was a marvelous 'transition' story, stirring in unexpected ways even for the reader! PS - I had wanted to share some further remarks to your comment about Alfirin's attraction to Ithilden from the last story, but it feels almost irreverent to do so now!! :-} Sigh.... Author Reply: You hit the nail right on the head. This is Legolas's crisis moment when he finally realizes how dangerous his world is. He had to see it for himself rather than just taking the word of the adults around him, but what a price he pays. I wrote this story before I'd written about Turgon as a cute, if maddening, elfling. Otherwise, I couldn't have stood to do it. I nearly warned you about it when I responded to your last review. Sigh, indeed.

Mariasha	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/27/2006
I had already read some two or three of this serie on another page but I was glad to have found this site and read them all in the right timeframe. I have to admit that, even though I felt it from the very first mentioning of Turgon in these stories, that he would find an untimely death, I was still shocked when it happened so early and I found myself crying. But hard as his death was, it had one good point...the character development of Legolas. Some things are best learned the hard way, I am afraid. :( Author Reply: Mariasha-- Thank you for this very kind review. I think this was the third story I wrote, which is the only reason I could kill of Turgon. If I'd been writing about him any longer, I never could have done it. Fortunately, I can always resurrect him by writing a story set earlier. :-) Legolas certainly learned something the hard way on this one. Stories of Arda is a great site. daw

pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/3/2005
Legolas has to help train the younger class.And he has a student just like Turgon, not surprisinly its his younger brother, if only they will teach him in ways they never taught Turgon there could be hope. They needed to take care with Turgon and they didn't and he is now gone... Author Reply: I still feel bad about killing Turgon. I wrote this story very early. If I'd written about him more first, I never could have killed him.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/31/2004
Ah, well, he thought. We wanted him to learn responsibility. Trust Legolas to do it with a vengeance. But at such a cost. Poor Legolas. So this is where he finally gets his wake-up call. And Thranduil gets another son on his knees. Two out of three. I wonder, was Ithilden ever on his knees before Thranduil, or was he always the Responsible One? Is doing something to get put on his knees the one thing that Ithilden would never do....? Author Reply: You are exceedingly nice to read this older story, Meckinock! It was after I finished this story that a HASA reviewer told me I was telling, not showing, and Nilmandra helped me see what that meant. When I look at it now, I like moments of it, but I'd write it differently. And I do feel just awful about Turgon's death now that I've written more about him. :-( That's a good question about Ithilden. I have a hard time picturing him as a child and adolescent. Hmm. I suppose that's a good reason to write about him like that?

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/29/2004
How in the world I missed this story, I'll never know! I thought I had read all, but tonight I came across a mention you made in a reply to a review (for My Brother's Keeper) about Turgon's death in the Prodigal Sons, and I made rather rapid tracks to read it! Turgon was a troublemaker, but in many ways he was a good friend to Legolas, and it was terrible when he died...such a hyperactive, inventive kid with no direction...he was bound for some serious trouble eventually. The part where Legolas could not see anything but the replaying in his mind of all the little scenes with Turgon...sniffs loudly...was so very sad!! The whole story was very exciting, and I liked the meeting of the Wood Elves with the Dunadain - that's quite something to think that in some hundreds of years, Legolas will meet a descendent of Aragost and play a large part in his life, as well. Thranduil was very much King, as well as Adar in that last chapter. His punishment for Legolas was just right - take away the training he enjoys so much, but give him added responsibility so he can really understand what it means to "be responsible" for others. This was a great story, daw - I may have to start over with all the others and reread them (in some sort of order) to make sure I haven't missed any others!!! :-) linda Author Reply: Thank you, Linda. I've been out of town and got back very late last night to find this wonderful review of the third story I ever wrote. If it hadn't been written so early, I never could have killed off Turgon. I've grown very fond of him in the last year or so. There are quite a few stories out there where Legolas meets Aragorn, but I thought about whether he might not also have met some of Aragorn's ancestors. Why not? This story, for me, represents the moment when Legolas finally decides to stop fluffing off the commands of his father and brothers and become a warrior who can accept discipline. He's never been a Turgon, but he's been sheltered and babied a little, and he needed a wake up call. The death of his friend and the serious way Ithilden and Thranduil responded to his behavior were what did it finally. I'm glad you liked it.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/21/2004
Wow. I just reread this and it's just so good. I was tearing up at the end. Its horrible to picture losing someone you've loved deeply and for all your life. This story is one of your more touching and one of your best, though I admit it's hard to pick which ones I like best. It makes all the stories with Turgon in them bittersweet. Poor lost elfling, and poor Legolas. (sighs) I like how there are some amusing bits in this one too. Like Ithilden requesting permission to make Turgon's trip home unpleasant also. Oh Ithilden, is that a glimpse of vindictive pleasure I detect in your eyes at this thought? Tsk, tsk, such an unworthy sensation. I can certainly understand him wanting to make Turgon's life a little unpleasant. Its interesting reading one of your earlier stories. This one's very Legolas centric while your others focus a great deal on the original characters, which are slightly less developed in this one. Your OCs have certainly grown in number and in depth of character. You do some of the best OCs I've ever encountered. They're one of my favorite part of your stories. Which is why it's ever so frustrating when you kill them off. But fortunately, I know you'll bring them back to life to play by switching to a pre death setting. Thank goodness because as touching as this story is and as troublesome as Turgon is, he tends to grow on you. Author Reply: I wrote this story before I had written much about Turgon or I don't think I could have done it. I've filled in a lot of his backstory since then, and he makes me so sad. He was goodhearted but had not guidance at all. I think that Eilian could have been like him if he hadn't had firm, attentive parents. Sigh. Poor Turgon.

nessie6	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/19/2004
I knew from the beginning, from When Shadow Touches Home, that Turgon was going to die. I started reading Spring Awakenings first, and when I read no mention of Turgon, I came to that conclusion. I'll have to say I cried. He was a troublemaker, but he was cute, and I see that Amdir is following in his footsteps. Hopefully though, his parents will be more disciplined with him than they were with Turgon, because if they had been, he might not have gone. I was a little upset that we didn't get to see Annael's reaction, but I suspect his was very much the same as Legolas'. I am shocked and appalled that you do not have more reviews for this story, or some of your other stories for that matter. This was very good, and I'm sad to see Turgon go, but I expected he would. Author Reply: I felt bad about killing Turgon. He was affectionate and not a bad kid, just completely undisciplined. He would have been an ongoing problem for Thranduil as he tried to raise Legolas. I think the reason there are few reviews for some of my stories is that I posted them in the first half of last year on ff.net. SoA only opened in August and I moved them all here then. But a lot of people had already read them on ff.net, and the reviews are there instead. I do get excited when new readers find them though!

hisielome	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/21/2004
As always, your perception of the royal family's relationships was perfect. Each character has a strong individual streak. Your writing style is exceptional. The range of emotions in this tale was full. Legolas being less than perfect, making poor choices, and having a brash best friend was a trip. Being an archer, I found that Turgon’s sloppy release and lack of planting being noted by several was very humorous. Very well done. This made me laugh out loud. Moreover, the foolishness of the elflings’ logic was on target. Neither thought of the consequences They only wanted their adventure, (until it was too late, dangerous, and out of their control) . Legolas’ naivety was evident in his “courtly“ introductions of the Men to the Elves. Finally, Thranduil’s and Ithilden’s anger and concern were evident and felt real. The King telling his captain to help the youths have an uncomfortable trip home was a gem. Further, the cold fury the elves exhibit when Legolas and Turgon were found was tangible. I loved when Ithilden threatens that Turgon will not sit a horse Legolas’ remorse was stilling , such a bitter lesson to learn . Yet the story ends with hope. One day these events would lead to responsibility and redemption for the young Thrandulion. Author Reply: Hisielome--- Thank you so much for your kind words. I was pleased to hear from an archer that what I said made sense because I learned all this via the internet. I've never actually shot a bow. I really enjoyed writing about Legolas at this age, teetering between childhood and young adulthood. I think he was lucky to have the adults in his family who cared enough about him to make sure he was safe and then make sure he would never pull a stunt like that again. daw

FaerieQueen	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/4/2004
Yet again Daw the Minstrel has created a beautiful young Legolas story. The way she interweaves emotion into her fics creates a feeling that the reader is in the actual story. This is my favorite fic so far. Poor Turgon, poor Legolas. I see now why he turned out so well. Thranduil really knows how to raise/punish these kids of his. Keep writing! Author Reply: Thranduil is a very good father in my opinion. I hate the abusive Thranduil stories! He's not a push over, but he's not abusive. And poor Turgon. He needs a parent like Thranduil.

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/31/2003
good, good good. It is sad that Turgon had to die, though. Off i go, now, to read your other stories. Author Reply: I felt bad about Turgon too, but the story was really inspired by him. I woke up one day and thought "Legolas's friend Turgon is a tragedy waiting to happen." His parents have a lot to answer for.

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