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When Shadow Touches Home by daw the minstrel	7 Review(s)
Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/20/2013
After a long day of baking nutrolls and cookies with my mom and sister I come home and want nothing more than to cuddle here on the couch with my cats and see what happen next in your wonderful tale of Mirkwood's Royal Family! Every time I read these battle scenes or see them in the movies I just cringe...soooooo dangerous and violent. That way of life is so very different than mine and the sights, sounds and smells of these types of battles seem so far away. These Elves would have to harden their hearts to it to defend the forest and themselves from the ever pressing Shadow and the dark creatures of it. I know Ithilden is grieving and is stressed but he was kinda rude to Eilian's bodyguard...that poor Elf really needs a wife! But Maltanaur is right the family has already lost too much to risk losing anything now. It just came to me that a few months ago I read a young Thranuil tale (one with Oropher in it, which I loved BTW) and Maltanaur is one of young Thrandui's friends! That grove does not seem like a very wholesome place! What Eilian did was foolish and I feel bad for him at the same time...let's hope his Adar doesn't find out about that. Author Reply: Yes! I wrote that story about young Thranduil and his friends Maltanaur and Beliond (who won't appear for a bunch of stories yet). Thranduil entrusted his sons to his oldest friends. Thank goodness for Maltanaur. He kept Eilian alive long enough to grow up, and he made Ithilden see some sense here too. Eilian tempted death and decided he didn't like it after all. Nutrolls sound amazing. So does cuddling with cats on the couch.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/28/2004
I really liked Ithilden getting put in his place by Maltanaur. That doesn't happen very often. Poor Legolas, he's acting out big-time; and Eilian is on one big self-destructive downward spiral, too. Eilian's recollection of being fed breakfast porridge at lunchtime was cute. Author Reply: I love Maltanaur. He tells the truth and is completely impertubable, no matter which of Thranduil's sons he's dealing with. He's like a force of nature. Is this the chapter where Legolas confesses to setting the fire? He must have scared his family big time. And yes, this is where I saw Eilian at his most self-destructive.

Brenda Geraci	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/9/2003
Well, the first four chapters of When Shadow Touches Home are as wonderful as every other story you have ever written. I love your writing. Your characters live and breathe, and I feel as though I could reach out and lay my hand on Eilian's arm or kiss the blond head of little Legolas as I make this journey with them. Can't wait for the next chapter! Another thing that I inordinately appreciate in your writing style is solid continuity in characters and storylines. I remember the blanket that Legolas uses for comfort in this story because you had written about it in another of your stories before this one. It's nice when your reading audience can depend on their author to keep the thread of the storyline true from past to present and all episodes taking place between. What a gift you have, and how generous you are to share it with your grateful fans. Looking forward to Chapter Five!

Levade	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/6/2003
A great chapter! I can't help wondering how long it will be before Legolas completely loses it -- he's very close it seems. Growling at Adar! g I remember doing that, or daring to, and getting much the same reaction. The race was wonderful! I love the way the tree gathered Eilian then scolded him. He's quite the reckless adventurer, maybe much like his Adar was? Or his grandfather. And the pressure on Ithilden increases as the Shadow grows. How frustrating to live so long and still not understand everything, nor see all the patterns. I hope Thranduil has some of that beautiful hair left when all of this is done! Peace, Levade

fadesintothewest	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/6/2003
It seems that all three males are struggling with keeping sane, not only do they have to deal with Lorellin's death but they have the increasing Shadow to deal with. Poor little Legolas, he plays at being an orc, those horrible creatures that ate his mother as he so vividly described it. It must be his way of trying to control his feelings. Hopefully Eilian and Legolas can help each other come to some resolution of sorts.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/5/2003
Daw, Another great chapter. I still think the relationships between the family members retain an underlying sweet flavor of sincere love for one another and I like the strong bond they share....even when they're battling each other. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) Unfortunately for them, they are also drowning in guilt and grief. I'm not sure anyone ever truly recovers from such a loss as they have suffered, but one merely finds a way to place it in a scarred corner in the heart and continue. I'm sure they will learn to manage the pain, each in his own way. Right now, they don't seem to be able to even recognize it fully or control the effect it's had on their lives...sort of like being on an out of control roller coaster. They know what happened, know they suffer from it, but this knowledge doesn't seem to translate or at least there doesn't seem to be much communication between the head and the heart or an understanding of how to deal with it. And Legolas is just too small to be able to make any sense of anything except he's angry and misses his nana. Like some of the other reviewers, I like the careful attention Thranduil is giving to Legolas at meals. It may seem a small thing, but to me, it tells us a lot about the kind of father he is. Ah and Celuwen....I can hardly wait! I think Eilian needs a good kissing! (Volunteers will be lining up to the right!) I also loved Maltanaur's reaction to Ithilden's little discussion with him. He's a good elf....knows who butters his bread! Oh and the fire thing....what kid hasn't tested the power of fire? It's a scary thing for a parent to have to confront. Thranduil has known for a long time that Turgon is fueled and ready to launch. I loved your discription of him in Prodigal Sons when Legolas thought he was like trying to stop a boulder rolling down a hill. Most parents know a Turgon or even have one themselves! You're doing well with your angst....got me by the heartstrings! This is getting too long...so I'll beat it for the time being. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/4/2003
I like Maltanaur more and more. An outsider who loves and cares for the King's family is a good influence right now. Ithilden may not recognize his need for a 'keeper' but now more than ever he and Eilian both need one. I look forward to more interactin between them. Eilian is bored - never a good thing. He is concerned about his performance on the job though, and this is good. He does need something stable right now. Legolas is really acting out. Those orcs must seem awfully powerful to such a small child - they stole from the powerful people in his small world. So he is going to act like them. Eilian sees his anger, but I was so saddened to think of him sent off to his room for the evening when he really needs someone who can draw out of him his feelings or at least play with him and give him some normalcy. And Eilian's final recklessness this chapter - what does he have to lose? That certainly speaks to a deep need in his soul. The tears at the end are telling - the tree caught him and admonished him and somehow he must have seen there is something to lose.

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