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Paths Taken by daw the minstrel	21 Review(s)
pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/23/2005
I feel for Legolas. He feels his father bosses him around and his brother to, and nobody lets him do anything he wants. They are overprotective, and should be a little more flexible.. Ithilden hasn't taken a leave in 4 yrs...Quite funny how his asssistant told him that... Author Reply: Legolas does feel like he has a lot of people bossing him around. They're so aware of how dangerous things can get and they remember the death of his mother. But it's not good for him to be over-protected. You're right about that.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/23/2004
Daw, you must have been cracking yourself up writing this chapter. Sweet Eru, Ithilden is blundering straight into disaster. Legolas's little snits and pouts and lightning trasnsformations to sweetness are delightful to behold. These were my favorite lines: "Thranduil blinked and then laughed. “I have always looked forward to Eilian becoming a parent,” he said, “preferably to sons who will jump off the bridge over the Forest River to see if they can fly. But I begin to think you may offer me some amusement too, iôn-nín.” "Their father really should spend more time with Legolas doing things like this. Ithilden would see if he could find a way to tell Thranduil that when they got home." I guess Ithilden never had time to take Eilian on a camping trip, huh? mrk Author Reply: Now that's a funny thought! He wouldn't have lasted five minutes! I'm glad you could see some sweetness in Legolas too. I think he is sweet underneath. It's just that sometimes it's mighty far underneath!

tigerlily713	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/10/2004
Legolas is being a bit of a nuisance, isn't he? I remember being that age and feeling like I was entitled to certain priviledges. Great chapter! Lily Author Reply: Yes, it's the age. Nuisance is a nice mild word for it.

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/9/2004
Ithilden is so understanding! I'm so glad he later became a parent himself. Sinnarn (I think) is lucky. How old is Legolas? I can't put my finger on it, but I guess ten or so? I foresee Legolas's stubborness leading him and Ithilden into trouble on this trip. Fortunately, the Home Guards are near by... But he may learn obedience, which is one of the hardest lessons to learn. He will need it though, to become a warrior. Sorry this review is short, but you've already updated and I can't wait to read the new chapter! Cheers! Author Reply: You're close. I think Legolas is somewhere between 11 and 12. When my son was 10, he was the sweetest kid in the world. And then all hell broke loose. Testosterone poisoning is not a pretty sight. Obedience is still a ways away, I'm afraid.

Dragon-of-the-North	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/9/2004
“I can command obedience from a troop of Wood-elf warriors, Adar. I think I can exact it from one elfling.” - famous last words, hm? I really enjoy this new story very much, daw - it is good that we get a bit closer to Ithilden in it (with the focus most often on Eilian and Legolas elsewhere, there is much that we do not know yet about him). I loved how he was tricked into taking some days off, but it is also most amusing to see him interact with his father - the subtle struggle between king and heir is very well described and a joy to read. I liked Thranduil immensely in this chapter - it was very sweet how he bade Legolas farewell, but I enjoyed his amusement at Ithilden's self-confidence very much. LOL - and I have to agree... Eilian needs a whole lot of troublesome sons. ;-) The interaction between the two brothers is also interesting - it is very telling that Ithilden sees dealing with a child as basically the same thing as dealing with a warrior, very much a matter of command and obedience... only that an elfling's mind might still work differently than a warrior's, as Thranduil apparently knows... but Ithilden may yet have to discover that. Legolas' childlike perspective on his father's role and his own position in the family is also exceptionally convincing and "real". Wonderful chapter once again! :-) Author Reply: Thank you, DotN. Famous last words, indeed. Ithilden tends to see much of life from his perspective as troop commander. He wants to be in control and truly believes that everyone would be much better off if they'd just do as he says. (And there are days when I think that way too!) I'm having fun exploring Ithilden a little bit. I hope you continue to enjoy reading about it.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/9/2004
I love it. I love seeing the older sibling through the eyes of the younger one. It makes me wonder what my little sister is thinking about me. But I also recognize the thrill of being able to get away from the family, just the two of us, so we can dish and gossip and talk about our parents. It's neat and a uniquely grownup feeling just to be alone and to be siblings together. So Ithilden managed to get Thranduil to back down on the question of the swords! I suppose he's got mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, Ada actually listened to him and took his advice. On the other hand . . . well . . . Ada listened to him and took his advice. It seems like Ithilden is just starting to see his father as fallible and occasionally wrong and in need of protection and correction, and it's scary when you start to realize that your parents are just people like everyone else. Author Reply: I think you're right about the special feeling of being siblings. You jointly know things that no one else does, and that's probably true even of siblings as far apart in age as Ithilden and Legolas are. Ithilden has known Legolas intimately his whole life, and from Legolas's point of view, Ithilden has always been there. I also think you're right about Ithilden feeling his way to being able to differ from Thranduil. That's probably difficult, given who Thranduil is and the fact that Ithilden has entered the family business, so to speak!

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/8/2004
Well, that flet certainly sounds like a lot of work. It’s kinda cute that they’re so enthusiastic. And it’s rather wise of Legolas not to tell Thranduil about the frame falling out of the tree! At least Siondel is helping them and checking the safety of the whole thing. I really like the way Legolas – and apparently Turgon – think of Elowen and Siondel as ‘nana’ and ‘ada’. I suppose to these two elflings they represent a sense of love, warmth and security that at their age they might not see in their own, somewhat unusual, families. I thought that it was interesting that the idea of one of Eilian’s warriors being killed affects Legolas, especially in the physical way that grief has affected him up to now. It made me wonder if he has realised at all that this could be his future. He seems to have a rather idealised view of what it means to be a warrior - as though he wants to protect others but hasn’t realised that even his brothers cannot always do that and that they themselves are often at risk too. “That will be fun,” Annael said, a little doubtfully.” That’s priceless! I really loved their reaction to the idea of going on a trip with Ithilden. Poor Ithilden… Counting the days ‘til he can join the Realm’s forces?? Uh…even if he were doing that, I imagine it’d be with dread rather than anticipation. I like the idea that Legolas wants Ithilden’s approval. I think it shows a lot of respect for Ithilden, even at Legolas’ young age and probably contributes to the high standards of weapon training that Legolas sets himself. I’m so happy for Ithilden that the swords turned out to be strong enough! I too took a little satisfaction in him proving Thranduil’s doubts unfounded. Like he says, now he knows that he can stand up to his father again if need be. Not that Ithilden really needs any more confidence but still, it was a nice little victory for him. Aagh, Legolas brings up the flet again! I suppose at the end of the day I really do agree with Thranduil. I mean, if Legolas behaves himself on this trip, then maybe he could reconsider. Of course, that’s a very big ‘if’…! “When you return, we will discuss the matter of my guards again.” I really enjoyed this conversation between Thranduil and Ithilden! It just amuses me no end that in this area of his life Thranduil seems to have no say whatsoever. I get the impression that he gets completely exasperated having the two guards trail him but good ol’ Ithilden sticks to his guns! “Your brother is at an age when obedience does not come easily,” he finally said.” What? No way! Where did he get a mad notion like that from?? “I can command obedience from a troop of Wood-elf warriors, Adar. I think I can exact it from one elfling.” Oh dear. Poor misguided Ithilden. He seems to have forgotten that he’s only big brother now, not the troop commander. I think as long as nothing too bad happens, Thranduil could get quite a kick out of Ithilden being driven to distraction by baby brother. He obviously hadn’t realised quite how naïve his eldest son is! Spider venom, eh? That’s cropped up a few times. Should I be worried?! I was really touched by the way Thranduil didn’t seem to want to let Legolas go. I do love when he’s being all clingy-parenty. “He noticed first the piercing sweetness of birdsong, but then, beneath that, he heard the welcoming rustle of trees in full summer leaf and inhaled the earthy smell of soil, and rotting wood, and living things.” That’s so beautiful. What a wonderful sense of how he is in tune with every single aspect of the world around him. I thought you really captured so well the essence of a forest in summer sunshine. The part about Ithilden sharing his father’s magic startled me for a moment. There’s such a sense of power about that, I think. Especially when he is the only one of Thranduil’s sons to be able to seal and open the Great Doors. You’ll have to let us see Thranduil showing the magic of elves at work some day! I really hope Legolas gets to kill a deer soon! It seems almost an obsession with him now – though I suppose like any child of his age, he doesn’t want to feel left out. I’m starting to think that Ithilden is going to need another holiday after this trip! “And anyway, he is not like Annael’s ada. He mostly just tells me what to do.” Ah, see, I feel bad for Thranduil now. I can see how Legolas would feel this way but he surely has to understand that his situation is different. I suppose any of us would resent it at some stage, though. I wonder if Thranduil realises that his son feels this way. Maybe he does and regrets it but there’s just not much he can do about it. Of course, if Legolas were a teeny bit more obedient, then he wouldn’t have that problem! Ithilden already seems surprised that Legolas wouldn’t obey him. I was just thinking, though… Ithilden may be the adult and responsible for Legolas’ safety but he’s also on this trip as Legolas’ brother so really he doesn’t have to give orders all the time – he could easily have just asked Legolas if he’d collect firewood instead of “go and do it”. He’s obviously just used to giving orders and being obeyed so maybe this will be a positive learning experience for him as well as just one where he learns that his baby brother can be a tad bold at times;) I loved the closing image of the two brothers so happy under the stars. I’d like to think that this trip away will do them both a world of good but I’m too afraid of what you might have in store for them!:) Author Reply: I hadn't thought about the fact that both Legolas and Turgon have unusual families and so would value Annael's all the more, but I think you're right. There's a normalcy about them that is comforting. Legolas doesn't like to think about dead warriors, and especially dead warriors who were with Eilian, because he's only too aware that Eilian is vulnerable. How terrifying that must be for him and he's helpless to do anything, even make Eilian stay home. One of the things I've tried to show Thranduil as doing consistently (well, except for Eilian) is leaving the arrangement of warriors in Ithilden's hands. The weapons were sort of between his area (politics) and Ithilden's, which is why they were a problem, but when things are strictly about warriors, he tries not to undercut Ithilden. And thus, to his own dismay, he has warrior guards because Ithilden says he will! I imagine Ithilden enjoys that idea sometimes too. About the magic--Karri has another challenge that involves writing about Wood-elf magic and I'm thinking about that one too. Maybe for a short piece after I finish this story. But I liked the idea of Ithilden accepting his ability to seal the doors as a "fact." I thought that word reflected his view of the world. As for Ithilden learning he doesn't have to give orders, yes indeed! I expect that Alfirin would appreciate that too!

LOTRFaith	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/8/2004
I love Ithilden protectivenes and his 'obey me or go to Adar" attitude:-) My two younger brothers are at the point when the question authority just as Legolas is... How I wish so many times my own Adar would take them over his knee just as he often did with me;-)But alas, my Naneth says that she is getting tired of punishing children.... :-p But I am glad to see that Legolas does listen to Ithilden, it is quite the opposite effect with my little brothers and I:-) Author Reply: Legolas really, really wants to go on this trip and hunt with Ithilden, so he's certainly not going to mouth off too much while it would still be possible to turn around and go home, and I strongly suspect that Ithilden is capable of doing just that. Maybe you need to take your little brothers camping, Faith. LOL

Justafan	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/8/2004
Legolas and Ithilden are perfectly lovely here! I love Thranduil's obvious worry for their safety. I can't -wait- to see what kind of trouble Legolas can stir up while on this trip! Author Reply: Are you wishing troubles on poor Ithilden, Justafan? LOL He would not like that! Legolas is going to be a good little elfling, yesirree.

nessie	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/8/2004
Yay! I loved this chapter! Ithilden's trying to be fun and nice, but Legolas is already slightly annoyed with him! Aww! But Ithilden is right about that hunting at night, it's way too dangerous. There could be orcs and spiders about... But anyhoo, great job on the chapter and update asap! ~nessie~ Author Reply: As you say, Ithilden is right, but I'm not sure that will do him much good with Legolas. Poor older brother!

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