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


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Paths Taken by daw the minstrel	31 Review(s)
pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/23/2005
Spiders, I didn't know they talked... But Legolas is helping his brother I hope Ithildren will be allright Author Reply: The spiders in The Hobbit talked. I hesitated to make them do it here, but it turned out to be pretty creepy.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/15/2004
Having Legolas review the actions of the previous day was a good way to start the chapter. Hearing his feelings on the matter was an entertaining perspective. You can think like a 12 year old. He and Eilian probably would have had more fun but it seems he need the bonding time with Ithilden. His apology over his words, not his actions was very age appropriate. I noticed that Ithilden pointed out "disappearing up a tree" as his indiscretion - not disappearing from sight. Legolas seemed to focus on the tree climbing aspect this morning. Does that account for his actions later? Waybread makes a much better breakfast than fish. I wonder if Legolas had already shot a deer like his friends would he want to return home rather than stay in the forest? Uh oh, they want to hunt in the meadow... Poor Bambi! Following the tracks doesn't sound too disobedient - what could happen? Seeing those spiders for the first time must have been scary. You captured his jaded pre-teen perspective and fear very well. It would take him a minute to find his voice after being so terrified. I would not want to leave brave Ithilden's side either. There might be more of them. Ithilden acted as a true warrior of the realm - anxious to protect both his home and his baby brother. It was extremely brave of Legolas to run and get the antidote. Yes, it was stupid to take it out of the pack in the first place but it was not meant to cause any harm. I loved how Legolas spoke to himself in Thranduil's voice to calm down. He has done that before. Ithilden's internal debate was very in keeping with his calm, rational character. Every decision is well thought out and carefully planned. It must have been an extremely hard one to make. I liked how Legolas returned just in time to save his brother. You subtley emphasized his archery skill as well as his seriousness about Warrior Training. It was a very good scene. Even when Ithilden is miserable, his first concern is his youngest brother. It is very sweet. At least he finally came to his senses about treating the youngest child like a kid, not a warrior. Author Reply: I have a lot of fun writing the kid sections. I really try to get into the mind set and it's like there's this appalling child in me who remembers exactly how to annoy the adults. And Ithilden's strength was really welcome here. He's clearly someone with a lot of experience who doesn't lose his head easily. But Legolas too is brave. He's Fellowship Legolas in the making.

Any	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/13/2004
Well, congrats, Ithilden for your great deal of perceptiveness at the end of this chapter! Yes, Legolas is a child - and that's exactly what Thranduil told you before you left, you ignorant argh! MEN! ;) LOL Daw, this chapter was so great!!! You know how much I like Heroic!Legolas-stuff and this chapter was very much a Heroic!Legolas one :) But, both the brothers were brave, not only Legolas, and I loved Ithilden to death when he saved Legolas from the spiders' web! However, I think I loved Legolas even more for shooting the last spider before it could get his big bro! I don't want to know what would have happened to Ithilden if Legolas hadn't shown up the moment he did. This chapter was also very touching. Little Legolas loves Ithilden with all his heart and is so afraid to lose his brother he rather risks running back to their camp on his own and maybe getting killed on the way there than to succumb to his own fears and simply break down, crying. I think Ithilden gets his first real glimpse of the brave and strong-willed warrior Legolas will be one day. Nonetheless Legolas is still very much a little child, who cries in fear, who seeks the protection of his big brother and who even has to think of his Ada to calm himself down. That was so cute! :) I'm really looking forward to the next chapter and I hope that there'll be some trouble within the army back at home right now, so they have to find Ithilden very soon!!! :) ~Any Author Reply: I agree. The only thing that's better than Heroic!adult!Legolas is Heroic!little!Legolas. But even heroic little Legolas was glad to have his big brother within reach. Suddenly, bossy Ithilden is good to have around! I suspect that Ithilden will have new respect for Thranduil as a parent. And Legolas should be able to see that sometimes following orders is pretty useful. Thank you for your kind words, Any.

caz - baz	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/13/2004
poor, little legolas, and i feel sorry for Ithilden - personally i hate little children. Snotty noses, mood swings, impudence and man can they be antagonising. i don't blame Ithilden for loosing his temper with him. Man, if that was my little sister i would have been in such a mood; like last night she took the key with her so no one could open the door and i was locked out for 3 hours - i was lucky i could get into the garage to get my coat or i would have been frozen - then i ask her to let me watch my t.v programme i watch each week and she just had to antagonise me when i'm in the middle of my exams, i'm starting to wonder if my friends stess less pills work! Then i get told off cause she's the little one. yeah, i was just a bit pissed to put it mildly. Author Reply: Oh bad day, Caz-baz! Little children can indeed be a pain. They're so childish!

Dragon-of-the-North	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/13/2004
Those were two very good chapters once again! Ithilden really needs to learn a thing or two about dealing with children, as it appears... The spider scene was very gripping and well-written, and I felt very sorry for both Legolas and Ithilden - but in the very end, this adventure might be good for them and their relationship. I had to smile a bit - it seems Legolas always ends up rescuing his elder brothers from the dangers of Mirkwood, be it orc-wounded Eilian or spider-bitten Ithilden... ;-) But his reactions here were very convincing - "brave child" indeed. But going back to the camp and waiting for the home guard seems like the right strategy now... I hope they manage to get there. And of course, Thranduil might be in for yet another heart attack... I really admire him - King of Mirkwood AND father of those three troublemakers... He might need a day off some time! ;-D No, honestly - this is still very good and a most enjoyable read! :-) Author Reply: Legolas DOES the older ones, but then they take care of him too when dragons or falling trees injure him. I guess Mirkwood is such a dangerous place that everyone has a chance to be brave at some time or another. Isn't Thranduil great? The more I write about this family, the more respect I have for him.

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/12/2004
"Clickety-click, clickety-click" shudder "Young and tender." "Food for the babies. Juicy food." YUCKYUCKYUCK! runs for the bug spray - oops, the arachnid spray!;) Really, daw, must you? sigh...I suppose you must :) This was one tense, terrifying, terrific chapter. I had been wondering how the antidote was going to fit into things...I must admit I thought Ithilden and Legolas were too close to the palace to be in danger from shiver* spiders...which, of course, is what I get for thinking! I imagined more of a patrol being attacked and in great need of the antidote, and Legolas having tampered with it somehow. Should have known better! Soooooo....now Legolas will be faced with the reality of his rash decisions...and Ithilden has already made the discovery that -SHOCK!- Legolas is a child!!!! :0 Learning all around - and it's hard lessons for all. By now, if things run true to form, I guess Thranduil is having a heart attack as he realizes something is dreadfully wrong with Ithilden and Legolas is in the middle of it! (Terrific touch - Legolas using Thranduil's voice to calm himself!) sigh Update please? Soon? I swear, everything I've read lately has ended with an evil cliffie....it must be a conspiracy... ;) linda Author Reply: It is kind of disgusting, isn't it? :-) You think much like Ithilden -- too close to the palace for spiders, no need for guards. He did bring lots of antidote though. Of course, little brother took it out of his pack! Poor Thranduil. We'll get to him eventually. Next chapter, I think.

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/12/2004
AH! I had just written a beautiful review, but my insane computer deleted it. Clenches fists so as not to strangle anyone in the vicinity That was an excellent chapter. I never expected spiders to come though. Poor Ithilden, two bites! At least he had the foresight to bring the antidote along. Legolas is so reckless! But then again Ithilden can't expect him to behave like an adult, as he belatedly realized at the end of this chapter. The Home Guard may not even show up that day at all! I am sorry, but I am furious at my computer and I can't write anything remotely encouraging at this time. Your chapter was great, and I'll try to leave another review at some other time. I need some time away from this infernal machine, or I will break it. Keep writing! I can't wait to see how Legolas deals with this rather difficult situation! Author Reply: How frustrating! Computers know when they can really drive you crazy. Ithilden and Legolas have to get themselves out of a bad situation here. I kind of feel for Ithilden. Legolas is scared but Ithilden always feels responsible.

Justafan	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/12/2004
Ohmigosh, you left us hanging! Good thing I already know that Ithilden goes on to lead lots more warriors and has a son and stuff. Otherwise I'd be really worried, him being bitten twice by poisonous spiders. The ending was a nice touch with Ithilden's realization about Legolas's age. Thanks! Author Reply: Ithilden has been hurt but he's a big guy and these spiders are at least smaller than Shelob, the nasty thing that bit Frodo. And he has some antidote. So we'll see how he does.

Antigone Q	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/12/2004
I liked the title of this chapter "A Brother's Help." Legolas and Ithilden are going to have to rely on each other for a while now, it seems. The beginning of the story was nicely done. It was good to see Legolas' perspective after seeing so much of what his brother thought. I notice at the beginning of the chapter Ithilden and Legolas apologize for losing their respective tempers but don't truly realize that their own behaviors might have been part of the problem; Legolas knows that "shut up!" was not appropriate; Ithilden knows spanking his younger brother was not appropriate, but both of them are so fixated on the other's behavior that they can't see their own parts in causing the blow up. I see Legolas learned something from Eilian earlier, though: Legolas remembers Eilian almost word for word, stops, and takes the time to think back to see if he "feels guilty for at least some of his behavior." But lo! Just when we thought Legolas and Ithilden might turn around and go home, the spiders come to test the mettle of the brothers and help them to work together! I think each will see the other a little more clearly in an emergency. Ithilden - hallelujah!- finally sees that his brother is just a little boy. Hopefully, Legolas also sees how important it is to listen to his brother to stay safe. And since both brothers tend to do pretty well in hard situations, maybe they will encounter each other's better qualities now. I did like Legolas hearing Thranduil's voice in his mind while trying to stay calm. That was a great touch. Okay, I've reviewed. I'm ready for an update now! Please? Soon? You've left us with a sort of medium-sized evil cliffie. And can Ithilden please give Legolas a hug? He looks like he needs one. Author Reply: That's true about Eilian! That is what he advised Legolas to do and Legolas does it. He's not stupid or badly intentioned. It's just that from his point of view, his behavior looks perfectly justified. It is funny that Ithilden and Legolas look as if they're going to do better together under stress than when they were supposed to be having a good time. Poor things. I think that Thranduil is always the one who has the most influence on all of his sons. They listen to him and respect him, even when they spend time trying to get around him. He's powerful, I think, and they see that. I wrote 2 pages today. Is that enough? ;-)

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/12/2004
How exciting. I really HATE spiders.... and I cant imagine being next to one who's big and fat and talks. Elves are brave! Author Reply: The thought of giant spiders IS pretty disturbing. Tolkien had a wicked imagination.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List