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Paths Taken by daw the minstrel	29 Review(s)
mistry89	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/18/2004
This chapter seems particularly emotive ... so by the time I arrived at "Thranduil hesitated for only a second and then smiled at his gallant baby." I was a wreck! Poor Legolas, his hunting experience with his big brother has hardly gone smoothly, and poor Ithilden - what an awful thing to happen. We "know" he survives, but it must truly have been a wake-up call to a courting elf. Legolas has always seemed like an easy-going elfling besides Eilian to him, so the difficulty in communicating things like danger without seeming over-protective or just plain frightening will no doubt linger as long as the memory of the whole trip! Thank you, this is a delightful story ... and the next chapter awaits me! Happiness is a "tbc" when you know the next installment is ready g Author Reply: It's sick of me, but if I reduced you to a wreck, I'm happy! You're right about the difficulty of balancing the explanation of danger. The adults don't want to go too far in either direction, to assure the kind everything is swell or scare the wits out of him. And they don't want to communicate a lack of faith in him. He has to live here, after all. How hard it must be to raise children in such a perilous time. Thank you for the nice review, Mistry.

LKK	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/16/2004
Ithilden sighed. He had not even asked what Legolas was doing so far away from him. It had just seemed natural to find that his little brother had wandered. He wondered now if he could have prevented it. I think that those sentences are very telling. Legolas may have the impulsiveness that any child his age would have, but he is also very level-headed for a child his age. If Ithilden had explained about the spiders, Legolas might have thought twice before going after the big deer. Or perhaps not. But by trying to keep Leolgas from harm, Ithilden mislead his brother into thinking that there was no real danger at all. When there actually was. I could tell Ithilden learned a lot from this little realization by how he handled Legolas' suggestion about traveling in the trees. I think Legolas did a fine job in helping Ithilden and returning with help. Although I doubt Thranduil will allow it -- he always likes to hear the full story -- I hope Ithilden will keep Legolas' original bad behavior quiet. I think the young elf has learned his lesson and doesn't need to have it pounded into him any more by an irate father. Good chapter, daw! LKK Author Reply: Absolutely!! You are so right. I meant for Ithilden to have learned that Legolas does better if he understands why he should or shouldn't do something. Thranduil is not always good about explaining either. He didn't have to with the older two sons. Naneth did a lot of that. I just finished chapter 7 and I'll go post now. You can see some of who tells what there!

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/16/2004
That was fantastic, Daw! What a gripping chapter! I was absolutely terrified for Ithilden. You can not imagine my relief when Legolas ran into Thranduil. I do believe I cheered aloud. Legolas deserves much applause! Why, he even remembered his training for running such a distance. No wonder he grew up to be such a good warrior. I never thought it would take a very injured Ithilden and one terrified Legolas for Thranduil to let Legolas grow up a little. Interesting the way things work out, isn't it? I daresay the King's return will cause quite an uproar at the palace. I can't wait to read all about it! Keep writing! Cheers. Author Reply: I'm not sure the Thranduil is entirely ready for Legolas to grow up (is a gallant baby growing up?), but he is giving credit where credit is due. I have the next chapter done and just need to post.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
What a relief! Ada certainly showed up at the right time. I can only imagine how difficult it was for Thranduil to stay calm enough to even get to Ithilden. It's funny how when in such a situation something from somewhere, seems to take over and let us function. No matter how well trained a warrior is (or a doctor, for that matter) the thought of your child being hurt or endangered sends all reason out the door and we operate on automatic pilot. I imagine Thranduil will not sleep well for a while. I felt for poor Ithilden as he sunk slowly into the abyss of uncontrollable physical reaction. It's tough enough for anyone to lose control, but for Ithilden it must have been his worst nightmare. Despite it all, he did well with the instructions he gave Legolas. And Legolas did what he had to do. He was scared half to death, but he kept his wits and went for help on his own. It was a hard lesson, but now that he has first hand knowledge of the dangers of the forest, I don't think Thranduil will have as much trouble with making him understand why he and his little buddies can't be roaming around after dark--at least for a while. I'll be glad to see everyone safely at home and Ithilden under the care of the healers (and her daughter?) I'm certain Alfrin will want to do whatever she can to help...just as a professional courtesy, of course. Well done, your minstrelship, Karen Author Reply: I thought it must be especially hard for Thranduil for it to be Ithilden who was hurt. Ithilden is someone he relies on. But I suppose he also remembers a younger Ithilden, so he's not as shocked by his vulnerability as Legolas is. And yeah, the one who was probably most shocked was Ithilden. He's very big on being in control. The temptation to be out at night is very big for Legolas, but he has surely learned some caution!

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
When Ithilden stated Legolas would have to help him get back to camp, Legolas response was "How?", not "No, I can't." That is the brave, young warrior we all know and love. Using a crutch was the logical move. Legolas was overjoyed at being able to help his beloved brother. His relief was palpable. Ithilden's strength and determination was great. He was not giving up on himself or Legolas. "Sometimes people in the infirmary threw up too." was a great comfort line from a kid. LOL! It was good to have an apology for wandering off and for them to clear the air between them. If Legolas had known about the spiders, hopefully he would have stayed a little closer. Most likely he would have wandered off looking for them but one can always hope. The decision to split up was hard on both of them but it was the only choice. They were each worried about the other which was very sweet. Ithilden's stammered conversation was quite worrisome but at least he kept the youngling out of the trees. The little flashback of Nana was sweet - poor Legolas really needs her sometimes. Legolas' determination on his run home was very clear. Nothing would stop him from saving his brother. Thank goodness his Adar listens to his feelings. Thranduil was a tower of strength and calm - just what an hysterical kid needs. Which son to comfort? That is quite a dilemma. You were very mean to poor Thranduil. I think his initial choice was the right one. Take care of the kid who will be aware that you are doing it. Ithilden wouldn't have known if a dragon took him back to the palace but Legolas is in dire need of some TLC. Legolas once again showed his inner strength by putting Ithilden in the best hands (or on the best horse) so he could get home a little faster. I am as proud of him as Thranduil. It is going to be a long trip home. I am looking forward to some conversation with heartfelt apologies from both sides. Neither brother was perfect on this little trip from Morgoth! Author Reply: I figured that because Legolas would not have had the normal childhood illnesses, not even flu, he would be very impressed by vomiting. And I have to say that bulemic people mystify me no end. I HATE throwing up. Doing it on purpose is beyond me. I love being able to write about nana. You can see how she and Thranduil made a good team and Legolas is at such a disadvantage without her. In truth, my outline calls for Thranduil to take Legolas home, but in the end, the kid spoke up and his father saw how gallant he was being and couldn't refuse him the opportunity to do it. Apologies are being written right now.

erunyauve	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
I can imagine Legolas' relief at the appearance of the horses, and his father was just what he needed. And I like the way Ithilden made the possibility of more spiders in the trees into a concrete threat for Legolas. He's too young to have the experience that would make him cautious, so Ithilden relied on what Legolas already knew to be true. Author Reply: Yes, Ithilden tried to do what his mother would have done. He's smart! He's learned a ton about kids in two days.

Hisie Lome	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
Daw, I have just read the last 2 chapters...Both were quite nice. I loved how concerned each brother was for their safety. Finally, Ithilden has discovered that Legolas is still young. As a middle school teacher, I can tell you that many of my children have the most unique logic...When Thranduil ask Eilian how his mind worked, he was posing this to an adult. The king was puzzled, yet he could possibly have an articulate conversation on the matter. However, children's thinking is oft times as if they are really from different planets. My 146 loves often just act and not think of the consequences. It was noteworthy that Legolas and Ithilden both apologized for loud words, but not for the behaviors themselves (the initial stimuli). Neither really thinks that they were wrong...Legolas only played a joke (his brother could have cursed or laughed) and Ithilden only ever tried to show his youngest brother how to be disciplined and respectful (Legolas has no real idea of the threats to the realm or himself.) Ithilden the hero! Karen was correct in that the realm is truly being serviced well! How terrifying to think that the child you are attempting to bond with and protect is suddenly in extreme danger. Then the hero falls....Guilt, angst, and high emotions! For shame ! I loved that the archery instructors have drilled the pupils not to shot close to another (for self preservation!) In my summer camp archery instructor days, I have given such edicts. That Ithilden would find humor in Legolas' apology was charming. Ada has arrived! Yeah! What a wonderfully warm scene. The King always seems so powerful and safe. The comfort he gives to "little" Legolas is fatherly and also takes into account his son's pride. That Legolas would want his Ada to take care of his big brother, instead of himself, further shows the maturity and his concern for his sibling. I wonder if Commander Prince Ithilden will find the humor in his adar having 2 body guards out riding? I seem to remember that the King really did not see the need to keep any (and that is mostly sitting around at the palace). As always, thank you for all of your hard work.... Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome Author Reply: I'm so glad that you think that Legolas is a convincing middle-schooler. And if you teach them, my hat's off to you! That's a tough job. I think that Ithilden and even more so Legolas are slow to understand what lies under the behavior that bothers them so much. Ithilden is doing better, I think. He realized that Legolas is a child and won't react like a warrior does! Imagine that. And he must have been terror stricken when he saw Legolas in that web with spiders bearing down on him. I can think of little that would be worse. I love Thranduil. ;-) That pretty much sums up what I have to say about him!

Molly	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
Poor Ithilden. This probably isn't what he had in mind when his aide demanded he take a leave. He'll need a vacation to recover from his vacation! I have a question... In chapter 7 of Fire and Shadow you say that Thranduil has grey eyes, but in chapter 11 of Spring Awakenings, you say they are blue. Which color do you picture him having? I've always thought Legolas got his eyes from his father, but of course they could have come from someone else, and Ithilden and Eilian have grey eyes, right? Just curious. Author Reply: Ack! I knew I was probably going to get in trouble over eye color one of these days. I think of Legolas as having blue eyes, probably because I picture him as PJ shows him to us. And I think of him as having his father's unusual coloring, so I think of Thranduil as having blue eyes too. But Tolkien almost always says that Elves have grey eyes. So I sometimes remember that and sometimes don't. Why don't we say his eyes are blue grey???? This doesn't seem like much of a vacation for Ithilden. You are absolutely right.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
What a tense chapter! Poor Ithilden, and poor Legolas too. Thank heavens that Thranduil sensed something wrong and acted on his forebodings, and thank heavens that he still had the guards Ithilden insisted on! I doubt Thranduil will argue their necessity again. Poor Thranduil must have been terrified when he realised that Legolas had been caught in a web, and that Ithilden had been bitten. For some reason I particularly like the final scenes when he carries his older son rather than Legolas. Jay Author Reply: I liked the notion that the guards that Ithilden insisted on helped out here. But I really liked Ada!Thranduil, who knew something was wrong even if he wasn't sure what it was. I liked him carrying Ithilden too. I somehow underlined the notion that Ithilden too is his child, tough grownup that he is most of the time.

Duchess	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2004
I loved this part and felt soooo sorry for Legolas having to leave Ithilden and run for help on his own. The Valar be thanked for Thranduil's sense of his sons and their well being. vbg Pleeeeease keep writing more of this one? I'm enjoying it immensely! :):):) Author Reply: I think both Legolas and Ithilden must have been terrified at him having to go off alone. Poor brothers! Thank goodness for Ada!

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