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Paths Taken by daw the minstrel	25 Review(s)
pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/23/2005
Ithilden is sick and feels guilty about not watching Legolas more... Alfrin sat by him as he was sick,it seems she may like him too.. Author Reply: Ithilden is in a bad way, but at least he has a pretty girl to help him. Of course, he's not sure that having her watch him throw up is the way to win her heart.

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/18/2004
Oh, Daw, that was a heart touching chapter. Poor Legolas! I feel more sorry for him than I do for poor Ithilden! Legolas is but a child, and he is rather innocent. He cannot deal with the spider attack as Ithilden can. Obviously because Ithilden is a trained warrior and has been do the like for centuries. I wonder for how long Legolas will be disturbed by this event. It will probably mark him for the rest of his life. Poor baby! Ithilden's wounds are, of course, grievous and he must be in terrible pain. But having Alifrin there to smooth his fevered brow must be helping matters... I think it is absolutely adorable to see the stereotypically dominant male in a rather embarassing subservient postion to a female that said male...desires. I bet Gwaleniel planned this. Although we have much pain for Legolas and Ithilden, I cannot help but worry about Thranduil as well. He must be in anguish having two sons so close to death. I bet Lorellin's death is coming back to him vividly. I eagerly await your next chapter, about the recovery, no doubt? Author Reply: Ithilden is sick and in pain but he's less traumatized than Legolas is. At least I think he is. I suppose it must have stopped his heart to see his little brother caught in a spider web. But now he has Alfirin to nurse him along. :-) And Legolas has his family, and in particular his father, whose strength looks pretty good right about now. He's less happy when Ada is issuing orders, but when he needs someone to rely on, Ada is it. Recovery on the way!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/18/2004
Oh daw, I'm such a dunce. When I reread what I had written in my review to you, I saw what you were saying. I can't believe I read that paragraph as many times as I did and read it wrong every time. I read: "pulled 'him' from the bed." I knew I should have kept my mouth shut! I apologize. You said what you meant to say, and the chapter is still wonderful. Go ahead and shoot me before I embarrass myself further! :>) I'm so sorry! Karen Author Reply: Karen, my friend! I invite you to tell me when something doesn't read well any time you like. You know how easy it is to let this stuff slip by. After a while, you can't even tell if you've written in English any more. I love the SoA review system. It's like having a bunch of friends to chat with.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
My favorites lines: “I am sorry, my lord. We tried to take him home because we thought you would not want him here, but he--” he paused, groping for a word. “He protested,” the guard finished lamely. "He protested." I suppose that's the understatement of the year. I can't say I blame Legolas a bit that he wanted to stay. Not knowing what is going on is just too much to deal with sometimes. And he had such a strong need to be with his ada at that time, too. I thought this was a very realistic reaction for a distraught child. Thranduil really does have his hands full. I think most parents would say that even when there is concern for an ill child, siblings have to be considered, too. Younger children, especially, have to be tended as much as possible by a parent to help alleviate as much fear as possible. Even though Thranduil was spread rather thin, he handled the situation well by setting priorities. Ithilden was under the constant care of a healer, and he was unconscious. Legolas needed his ada, and that's where he went. He shifted between the two of them with the ever-changing needs of his sons. You did an excellent job of showing this. I actually felt a little tired for the poor king. He was running himself ragged between the two rooms. Gwalenial handled the distraught child well--and the distraught Adar. She offered viable options for Thranduil to be able to tend both sons. Worked out pretty good. Except for the dreams. I can imagine how terrifying it was to relive the spider attacks in all their gory details. And poor Ithilden, he had no idea what was going on. He'd been out like a light. I think it was perfect that his first thoughts were about his brother's safety. The last thing he knew, Legolas was running for all he was worth for help. And considering Legolas's track record, for all Ithilden knew, he had taken to the trees and was still out here somewhere. Dreaming about Legolas screaming didn't help matters. I really enjoyed--though 'enjoyed' might not be the right word considering poor Ithilden's maladies--Alfirin coming to sit with him. What elleth doesn't love to have such an always in control kind of guy at her mercy? A dream come true! There was a lot of good emotional context in this chapter, and I thought you did a terrific job of showing us what was going on physically and emotionally. Well done. One thing: (silly really) "There, there,” he crooned. “You are safe now.” He wrapped Legolas in a blanket he pulled from the bed,..." Did you mean, 'pulled him from the bath'? Wasn't he still in the tub? I had to reread it several times to see if I missed something, but I didn't see where he left the tub. I could be wrong...I'm sure that wouldn't surprise you! :>) And someone called Ithilden anal! Just call me Annie. :>) Great! chapter! Look forward to more, Karen Author Reply: I have an only child and I can't imagine what it might be like for a parent to have two children with pressing needs at once. Thranduil needed his wife there, poor guy. You are so right about Ithilden's concerns on waking! How is he supposed to know that Legolas is OK? Especially since Legolas is in the next room with a nightmare making his scream and Ithilden is not at his most coherent. I think this was a golden opportunity for Ithilden and Alfirin. She is seeing a side of him that not many people see, and she can take care of him, which he really needs even when he's not sick. I meant for Thranduil to be pulling Legolas from the bath in the previous paragraph about Thranduil ignoring the sloshing water as he gathered Legolas to him. Maybe that wasn't clear. Hm. I'll have to think on that.

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
I can always trust myself to be early to school on Monday morning to check and see if this story has been updated. vbg as early paid off today! You know, I'll bet you've heard this a thousand times, but you really have a way with emotional interaction between your characters that is so real - not staged or forced at all! This chapter is just another example - from the psychological horror that Legolas must deal with (add a generous dollop of guilt, too) to the physical/psychological torment that Ithilden must endure in his waking moments (add a huge helping of humiliation for hurling in front of the love of his life). But Thranduil and Alfirin (and her mother, who seems to be quite adept at handling seriously ill patients and their families, never mind the KING!) seem to have things in hand! Great chapter, as usual, daw. I'm hoping that the elfling and his brother get some much needed quiet time and rest, before their next outing. ;) linda Author Reply: Thank you for your kind words about the emotional interaction, Linda. The "not staged or forced" part of your compliment pleased me no end! I like to think I've gotten better at letting the reader know how characters feel. I had never written any fiction at all until I started writing LOTR fanfic almost year and a half ago now and it's been a long haul to learn bit by bit how to do it better.

insignia	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
Hi Daw Once again a greatly enjoyable chapter. I liked the way in which you allowed Legolas's story to become apparent in stages to Thranduil, without spelling it out in full or even half full, through Legolas's actions and his inadvertant words, and also the suspense as Legolas's father begins to understand that there is more to what has happened than what he sees when he arrives in situ. I am not clear if Legolas's screams are real and if they are intruding into Ithilden's dreams, but it looks like they are to me. So Thranduil is having to deal with the consequences for his eldest and his youngest son simultaneously! Poor guy! Does Eilian get an appearance in this story? Would be nice to see him, even if worried about older and younger brothers. I liked the vignette of Alfirin: very promising for future interactions with Ithilden - if he is able to remember, that is! Best regards insignia Author Reply: Thranduil is an experienced and smart father, and he's been Legolas's only parent for a long time now, so he's pretty tuned in, I think. Now he has to decide what's the best thing to do to help his youngest son heal and learn what he can from his actions. Eilian is not going to appear in person. When he show us, he tends to steal the story away from me. But I think he's written a letter to Ithilden. As for Alfirin, she's seeing a side to Ithilden that few people see, and that's a good thing. Thanks for the kind words, Insignia.

tigerlily713	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
Oh! That was such a wonderful chapter. She's seen him at his near worst, hasn't she? That is a good bonding experience. Nothing will break down the walls quite like a life-threatening illness. Anyway, wonderful chapter! I eagerly await more! Lily Author Reply: Alfirin is seeing a side of Ithilden that few people ever see. He's vulnerable and not in control of anything, not ever his body. And she seems to think he's attractive anyway! It must be love.

Duchess	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
As usual you write things out so clearly one can see everything happening in the mind's eye. :) Poor Ithilden, having variations of the same horrible dream over and over like that. shuddering at the thought Poor Legolas is probably doing something similar, but not quite as bad, or at least that's what I hope. I see you're still letting Legolas be so rattled he is calling his father Ada and not Adar and I'm still loving that fact. The little rascal needs to stay out of trouble for a while! g I'm sooo glad Alfirin came to sit with Ithilden because Thranduil may be a King but he can't be in two places at once and both sons needed comfort, didn't they? So I'm suspecting this will be the start of Ithelden's "courtship" of the elleth who later becomes his wife. Am I right? vbg Very well done! Author Reply: Legolas was scared silly both for himself and for his brother. And rightly so! He was very nearly turned into spider snack. Alfirin and Ithilden have a way to go yet before they marry and have Sinnarn, but they're on their way. And the Valar only know, Ithilden needs someone with whom he can relax. Assuming he knows how to relax.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
Well, it sounds like both of Thranduil's kids have received more than enough trouble for their actions that any punishment Thranduil could impose would be beside the point. Of course, knowing Thranduil, he won't let it rest with an "I hope you've learned your lesson, kids," and he'll impose some creative punishment anyway. But really, there is plenty of intertwined blame to be spread around between both Legolas and Ithilden. Yes, Legolas shouldn't have taken the antidote packets out of Ithilden's kit. But it does seem a little odd that Ithilden wouldn't notice that they were missing and put them back, especially after having a night's sleep to cool down. He's so anal about that sort of thing. And this experience will only make him more anal. He'll probably wind up his days being the only Elf ever to suffer from OCD. I think, at the infirmary, they would not have wasted time pulling Ithilden's clothes off when they could cut them off instead. That seems to be standard procedure at emergency rooms, especially when you don't know what internal injuries might be under the clothes. Gwaleniel is very good with hysterical children. But of course, she has one of her own who's about that age, right? Tonduil, I think. Oooh, I remember being eleven years old and sitting in a bathtub and having my mother try to comb out my hair. It was very long and very very curly, and it took ages to comb out. There's something about such situations that just forces honest conversations to come pouring out of a kid's mouth. And then when I was thirteen, I cut off all my hair. Hmmmm. Question: Where do the Elves get milk? I'd think that they'd use chamomile tea if they wanted a sleeping drink. Ithilden seems to have a nasty habit of throwing up medicine. I suppose he is the sort of person for whom hypodermic needles were invented. I think I shall have to hunt him down and destroy him for that. But at least he gets Ada and a pretty girl to help him feel better while he's sick. No wonder he and Alfirin get along so well. If you can get over the humiliation of being taken care of by the object of your affection, there's never again a need to be shy in front of them. Probably just what Ithilden needed to break the ice (though certainly not the way he'd want said ice broken). Author Reply: Thranduil does tend to want to be sure that his sons learn their lessons, especially when they're still children. When I wrote that infirmary scene, I did have Gwaleniel cutting off Ithilden's clothes at first, but then I couldn't see any reason why she would do that rather than just pull them off, but maybe I should have left it. At thirteen, the last thing you need is a situation that will encourage honest confession to your mother! Yes, cut the hair! But Legolas was dying to confess. He needed to do it. All Thranduil had to do was ask. Elves get milk from mammals. :-) Oh, you mean which mammals? Probably cows or goats would be my guess. If you go by Tolkien, it's almost impossible to figure out how the silly wood elves lived, so I'm helping them along a little here. I'm sure Ithilden would have wanted to impress Alfirin with his skill and confidence, but ironically, she's far more likely to be touched by the vulnerability he shows when he's sick. Men never get it.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2004
Oh, what an excellent chapter. “Thranduil eyed the guard’s red face and rumpled tunic.” What did Legolas do to that poor guard?? I’m so glad Thranduil allowed him to stay, though. I don’t know what the guard thought he’d do with Legolas once they got back to the palace. Apart from needing to see that Ithilden is looked after and going to be all right, the poor thing clearly needs his father. Isn’t Gwaleniel great? Obviously she has experience with worried families and she does such a wonderful job in calming father and son down. I thought it was quite clever of her to try and get Legolas to give her the facts about what happened so that he isn’t totally consumed by hysteria. “But if he were going to die from it, he probably would have done so by now.” Blunt indeed. But I suppose it’s probably the best reassurance she can offer. That moment when Thranduil realises that Legolas needs to be taken home must have been awful for him. Imagine having to choose which son to stay with. Actually, I think it’s quite good that he chose to see to Legolas’ needs first. Ithilden may be very ill but there’s really nothing Thranduil can do for him, whereas his mere presence would mean everything for Legolas at this moment. In fact, I’m quite proud of the way Thranduil has acted in the infirmary – he’s clearly worried but he allows the healers room to do what they must and tries to keep out of the way as much as possible. Obviously he knows that they have to do their work but it still must have been hard for him as a parent to just stand back – particularly because rumour has it he “fusses” a bit when any of his sons are injured! “If he is at home, he might not confess it, but we will be able to tell and then to give him something to ease it.” I admit I found that rather amusing – it seems that she may have some experience with the sons of Thranduil! “It is my fault he was bitten, and I want to help take care of him.” I like the way that Thranduil picks up on everything Legolas says and has enough experience as a father to know that there’s a lot more to the tale than he’s been told, and not only that but that it is bothering his youngest son so much that he’d be better off sharing it as soon as possible. The bath scene was so touching. I think it gave them the contact and reassurance that they both needed. And that image of Legolas sobbing in his father’s arms and confessing that he thought he “was going to die like Nana did” had me in tears. I’m glad Legolas told his father everything in complete honesty. It would have added too much to his anxiety if he was trying to keep anything from him. I liked Thranduil’s reaction – agreeing with Legolas’ own assessment that he should have been more careful but still letting him know that he did something right. I just hope Thranduil isn’t inclined to blame Ithilden for not keeping a close eye on Legolas. He himself knows that’s utterly impossible. Those poor Elves seem to be having horrific nightmares. I’m wondering if it’s such a good idea for them to be so close that they can hear each other screaming… It nearly made me cry when Ithilden’s first concern was for his brother. It’s so moving the way they are both concerned for each other rather than themselves. “I ache for you, he thought, to his own astonishment.” LOL! Yeah, and he probably finds it a lot more painful than spider-bites at that particular moment. And then she holds his head while he vomits! How humiliating for poor, proud Ithilden. It sounds to me like Alfirin would have made a great healer herself. No doubt she finds this weaker side to such a powerful elf just as endearing as I’m sure many of your readers do. I’ll hold a basin for him any day… I’m worried about him, though. He sounds quite scarily ill:( Author Reply: I thought that Legolas was at his breaking point and probably went hysterical when the guard tried to make him go home where, as you point out, he'd have been alone among servants! I thought he's probably have a screaming, kicking fit, which is ordinarily quite unlike him (or any of Thranduil's sons). The time that Legolas worked in the infirmary is coming in handy now. The healer knows him and he knows her and she can calm him down and learn what she needs to know. No wonder her daughter can eventually deal with troop commander Ithilden on a daily basis! And while Thranduil is being quite restrained in the infirmary right now, I would not be surprised to see Ithilden at home very soon. Thranduil is very tuned in to Legolas here. Poor Legolas. Here's a kid who has always talked about orcs eating his mother. For him to hear the spiders talking about eating him must have been terrifying. I think he was so frightened and so guilty that all Thranduil had to do was get him started and he's tell pretty much everything. He NEEDED to tell it. I pictured Ithilden waking up in the infirmary with no idea how he got there and no knowledge of what had happened to Legolas, so I thought he'd be worried. But he's lucky. Alfirin sees this vulnerable side to him that almost no one ever sees. Now what he NEEDS is her!

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