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Legolas's Begetting Day by daw the minstrel	31 Review(s)
Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/31/2004
It is always amazing how naive kids are. They are completely flabbergasted that the mice not only Could escape but also that they even wanted to escape. Eilian is very wise not to leave the tricksy trio unattended with nothing constructive to do. It is a sure way to get them in trouble. The treasure hunt was a good idea. Legolas is at least smart enough to know not to bother his brother while he is visiting with a maiden. It is amusing that neither Turgon nor Annael know their way around the palace at all. I would think that even if you grew up there you could get lost occasionally. I knew the arrival of the men was not a good thing. Spiders and missing humans are not good things. The flashbacks to Eilian's flight behind the waterfall are a good way to infuse some action into a family tale. Trying to keep the information from Thranduil would be quite a challenge. I can understand Ithilden's desire to shelter is parents, especially Lorellin, but I know Thranduil will find out. The visit to the kitchen was very exciting. I would not wish the little group back any time soon! Author Reply: Why would the mice run away??? And who could have predicted they would flee from the impenetrable rock and towel house???? I kind of liked mixing the flashbacks in too. It made this very fluffy story seem a little more substantive. Cook is still recovering, I think. If I'd just made a bunch of tarts and a mouse danced on them, I'd be ticked off too!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/28/2004
Eagle-gram!!! Love it.

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/27/2004
Aaaack! Did I say ten days? My fingers didn't keep up with my brain, or vice versa. It was two days after the fall of Sauron that the Siege of Erebor was broken. So that news travelled fast... probably by Eagle-gram. - Barbara (blushing...)

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/27/2004
It's stuff like this that would prevent me from killing Legolas's family because he doesn't look like someone who has gotten such a message in the books. In other words, the death of Eilian, Ithilden, etc. is uncanonical, odd as that seems! Very, very big grin! I saved some lives today! Woohoo! Barbara does a happy dance...

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/27/2004
Hi Daw! Regarding your reply to Bodkin, below: "I'd have to look at the time gaps to see if there was time for messages to go. Legolas's family would not have known where he was at first. They had no reason to know he was in Minas Tirith, I think, right? Or did I miss something?" I believe that status messages did go back and forth (both ways); Mirkwood is not mentioned specifically, but was as likely to be sending and receiving messages as Dale and Erebor. Consider this quote (emphasis is mine): "[March] 17 Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. ... March 27 Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy from Dale. ... At the same time as the great armies besieged Minas Tirith a host of the allies of Sauron ... crossed the River Carnen, and Brand was driven back to Dale. ... there was a great battle at the Mountain's feet. It lasted three days, but in the end ... the Easterlings had the victory. But they could not take the Gate, and many, both Dwarves and Men, took refuge in Erebor, and there withstood a siege. *When news came of the great victories in the South, then Sauron's northern army was filled with dismay; and the besieged came forth and routed them,* and the remnant fled into the East and troubled Dale no more." The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age And this one: "So it was [because of the Quest of Erebor] that when the War [of the Ring] came at last the main assault was turned southwards; yet ... Sauron might have done great evil in the North, if King Dáin and King Brand had not stood in his path. *Even as Gandalf said afterwards to Frodo and Gimli, when they dwelt together for a time in Minas Tirith. Not long before news had come to Gondor of events far away.* 'I grieved at the fall of Thorin,' said Gandalf; 'and now we hear that Dáin has fallen, fighting in Dale again, even while we fought here. ... When you think of the great Battle of the Pelennor, do not forget the battles in Dale and the valour of Durin's Folk.'" The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Durin's Folk So, the major news (that Sauron had fallen) reached the forces of Sauron besieging Dale and Erebor within ten days (possibly not much more than rumor, at that point). And specific messages (telling that King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot had fallen) reached the Fellowship in Minas Tirith during their stay there. Hope this helps! Anything to encourage your Muse... [as long as you don't kill any of my favorite OCs, especially Legolas' family.] - Barbara Author Reply: Wow. Great information, Barbara. It's stuff like this that would prevent me from killing Legolas's family because he doesn't look like someone who has gotten such a message in the books. In other words, the death of Eilian, Ithilden, etc. is uncanonical, odd as that seems!

tigerlily713	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/27/2004
Oh the antics! I can't wait for more! Author Reply: This story is fun to write. I laugh out loud sitting all by myself in front of my computer. :-)

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/26/2004
Grin I suppose the image of an Elf running about knocking pans around with a broom isn't a very common one. Nevertheless, it's very funny. Now to twist that we can picture Lord Elrond or even Thranduil himself in that position :). But I hope the elflings find the mice-at least to spare more...er...embarassing scenes? I really like the angle you're taking with these flashbacks. They are a whole different story in their own right-hey it's the two-for-the-price-of-one-sale. Very nice. I do hope Eilian makes it out alright! Isn't Eilian hysterical? He has the elflings fetch the wine-well at least they didn't have to go get Amelith. He knows how to have a good time and babysit. Eilian is definetly going to make a great father. Keep writing! Author Reply: I have to admit that I laughed while I was writing the kitchen scene. I can only imagine how outraged the cook was at seeing Red-y dancing on the tarts. The flashbacks are interesting to write. I'm trying to figure out what Legolas's birth might have meant to each of his family. And of course, it's also fun to have some adventure to go with the little kid antics.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/26/2004
Woops, nearly missed an update. I don’t know how you get these written so quickly. Yay, though! “A maiden is visiting him. He will not want to help us now, and he will be unhappy to be interrupted.” Tsk. It sounds like baby bro’ has been ditched for maidens before. No wonder he never likes any of them. I still think Turgon is right and that Eilian would have helped them if not for his, um, guest. It’s a pity the three elflings are probably not old enough to scheme a way to get rid of the maiden before the mice do it for them. I love how attached they are to the mice already. I mean, they seem much more worried about how the mice must be feeling than the trouble they themselves might be in. Nice story about Legolas being lost! The poor thing seems traumatised by the incident. But just because he lost track of his father and brothers doesn’t mean they lost track of him. No, I’m not mean enough to laugh at him. Well, maybe I giggled a little… He just seems so wise due his experience… slaps wrist That riddle was very clever! I can’t believe he’s asking them to fetch him some wine. Bad Eilian. Drinking whilst babysitting and plying maidens with wine would surely be frowned upon by his father! “Sometimes when his family was busy in the evenings, Legolas liked to read on a bench in the Hall and listen to the singing.” Oh, daw, do you know how sad that made me? I think that’s a really lonely picture – Legolas all by himself. Or being watched over by servants and guards. Mind you, he seems to enjoy it but still, both his brothers would probably have had their mother for company at that young age if Thranduil was busy and servants would likely have been a last resort. What’s up with these Men? How awful that three disappeared and all that was found was spider web. That message from the Master of Laketown did indeed sound rather offensive. But then again, if some of his people are gone missing inside the Elves’ territory I can see why he’d be angry. Odd that the eastern border patrol didn’t spot any spiders. I’m glad Thranduil is helping the search but like Ithilden, I wouldn’t have expected anything else from him. I like Hiran already and hope his brother is alright, although at the moment I don’t see how he could be… I meant to say in the last chapter – I love the way you introduce the flashbacks! Nineteen years and about five hours earlier… You know, I hadn’t really thought about it before until Deler appeared but I have to admit that it’s quite freaky sometimes seeing so many people back from the dead as it were. Seriously, it actually unsettled me when he walked into Ithilden’s office! And of course there’s Turgon, and we get Lorellin in the flashbacks… shudder I shouldn’t have thought of that… Anyway… what terrible news for Ithilden to get. Apart from his own fear for his brother, he has to keep the news from both his parents. He’s probably used to keeping some things from his mother but not from Thranduil, and certainly not something so important. “Another brother to send off to face the Shadow, Ithilden thought bitterly, and I will not be able to assure his safety either.” I thought that moment of selfishness when Ithilden blames his parents for forcing him to send another brother to danger was wonderful. It shows a very human side to him and brings home the times in which they live and how even the birth of a baby can bring despair for those who know they have to let him into peril. It also shows that Ithilden doesn’t have much hope for the future if he’s so certain that by the time this baby is a warrior there will still be Shadow to fight. I felt sorry for him having to act unconcerned in front of his parents. It seems he hasn’t fooled Thranduil, though, but the king is clearly also determined not to bother his wife. I like the connection between Ithilden and Legolas, that they were both born at a time of danger. I love too the picture of Lorellin and Thranduil as first-time parents. Some day you’ll have to show us that. And don’t say there are too many OCs. Thranduil is there, isn’t he!! It’s quite sad to know that Lorellin wished Ithilden’s life could be easier. She’d probably have really liked Alfirin. Cook seems nice! He seems very found of young Legolas. It sounds like the staff in the kitchen are very familiar with Eilian too. They really should have sent up cider…! That mouse chase was hilarious! Poor Annael seems frightfully upset. Turgon is so funny. He has absolutely no fear in him at all. Lord knows what the assistant thought. The cook was wonderfully understanding, considering. It’ll be a job and a half to make a load more tarts. Ai, such havoc! So Red-y seems to have found his freedom. Good luck to him, I say. And now back to Eilian for the next clue. I almost dread to see what happens next… ;-) Author Reply: Bad Eilian, indeed! Wine and women are on his mind, not necessarily in that order. And Legolas knows about the maidens anyway, but except for the fact that they draw Eilian's attention away, he's pretty non-judgmental. I suppose Thranduil might not be so forgiving. We'll have to see! Actually, I think the kids are very sweet about the mice. I think their behavior shows that they all feel loved by those who care for them, even though that care might be kind of loose in Turgon's case! Poor little Legolas does seem kind of lonely in that scene in the Great Hall, doesn't he? When you think about it, Eilian isn't usually home, which leaves Legolas in the hands of Thranduil and Ithilden in the evenings. I'll bet it's not all that unusual for them to be busy. I'm glad you liked Ithilden's flash of anger at his parents. He doesn't often get the chance to be imperfect, in that way at any rate. But I can see that to both him and Eilian, a baby brother must have been a startling development given the times. Eilian was born during the Watchful Peace, so his arrival must have looked different to Ithilden. The scene in the kitchen was a lot of fun to write! I don't usually get to do slapstick. I could just see Turgon flinging himself across the door and telling Cook that he imagined the mouse! Hope you're still feeling ok, Dot. Seems like with you these days, a week out of hospital is a good week!

White Wolf	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/26/2004
Those elflings, those tarts, and the Cook was so funny. And then throw in Red-y, and it all turned hilarious. I can't blame Ithilden for his flash of anger at his parents having another son that he will one day have to send into danger, which we all know he does. And now with Eilian apparently missing, I think his feelings are justified. Now I have to say, poor Ithilden. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the kitchen scene, White Wolf. It was fun to write a little slapstick for a change. Poor Ithilden indeed. He feels pretty burdened by responsibilities, I think, and this baby must seem like just one more.

Jebb	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/26/2004
Another beautiful chapter so full of smiles, the trip to the kitchens was certainly exciting even more for the red mouse and the cook! Legolas knows his older brother very well and how he will be distracted by his visitor and Ithilden all those years before trying his best to protect his parents from bad news what an excellent son even if his parents knew very well something was wrong thank you for another great update Author Reply: Oh yeah. I expect Red-y goes back to the forest and tells all his friends about the kitchen ("You wouldn't believe the food just lying around!" "Ha! You're making that up.") Legolas has apparently seen Eilian with maidens before, and even at his age, he knows that his brother is thinking about other things when they're around. What things, he couldn't quite say. When I outlined this story, I tried to think about what Legolas's birth might mean to each of his family members, and I thought that Ithilden might just feel more burdened by responsibility. Poor guy.

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