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| Sacrifice Under Shadow by daw the minstrel | 167 Review(s) |
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| Asms2 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/1/2016 |
| Legolas did a great job keeping Eilian and himself safe in this one. And Eilian handled the situation quite well too - allowing himself to be taken care of and trusting Legolas. It was fun to see the two of them alone together for a while without their keepers or other warriors around. They did pretty well considering the circumstances. It's interesting to see glimpses of their Mother and remember that Eilian and Ithilden grew up with her in their lives, as Legolas didn't get a chance to. The family dynamic would have been different back then. Maltanaur and Beliond are endearing with how protective they are of the boys. This would have been difficult for them to have no idea where they were! When they came back to camp, and Legolas learns that Eilian will be ok, and then slumps back into Beliond's grasp, I like how Beliond says: "Yes, yes. Now you see sense. Come. You can sleep now." Another fun read! :) Author Reply: Thanks, Asms2. I wanted to do a role reversal between Eilian and Legolas here, and also a glimpse of one between Eilian and Ithilden. In each case, I wanted the younger brother to care for or comfort the older one, which kind of confused them both. :-) You're absolutely right that if their mother had lived, the family would have been very different. For one thing, I think Eilian and Celuwen would have bonded younger. Lorellin would have worked her way around Celuwen's father and brought him to see sense, if anyone could. And Ithilden might not have been so driven to save everyone else. And of course, as you note, Legolas would have grown up with a mother's unconditional love. Of course then he might not have been so motivated to go on the Quest, so you never know. daw | |
| endorearwen | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/2/2013 |
| This was another enthralling story, Daw! Naturally, I simply could not get enough of Ithilden! I just LOVE reading about the early years in this family. It was very touching to envision that scene of Eilian awkwardly comforting his older brother in the palace gardens. Oh, how my heart broke when Ithilden revealed his fear of not being able to bear the return of Shadow to the Woodland Realm. Sometimes experience is the hardest burden to bear - ignorance does hold a certain amount of bliss. However, I quite appreciated seeing Ithilden in a rare moment of vulnerability! You did a superb job of reversing roles between Eilian and Legolas. It was difficult at first to think of Eilian as 'dependent' - upon anyone! I really enjoyed seeing Eilian deferring to his younger brother's judgement in getting them both to safety. I always like it when you move between the past and the present in your stories. This one delivered that in spades! It was a clever idea to parallel the role reversals between the brothers in both the past and present - well executed too! I found it fascinating to follow Legolas' thoughts as he surmounted each new challenge threatening Eilian's safety. The series of tests you threw at him would very easily have overwhelmed even the most seasoned of warriors and it was gratifying to see him emerge as a force to be reckoned with - even if he has only 200 years of experience to his credit! ;-) After having ventured so far along the path with this wonderful family, it was both heartwarming and satisfying to see Eilian openly acknowledge Legolas' abilities (not that I anticipate he will actually curtail his protective instincts but...!) If there was anything wanting in the work, Daw, it was reaching the end of the story without being told the content of Celuwen's letter to Eilian! It was the only part of the plot left unresolved... Why would you do that to us, Daw - really, why?! :-) Author Reply: Endorearwen! How nice to see you again. I hope you're feeling better. Thranduil is cynical and never believed the Shadow was gone forever, but Ithilden is more hopeful, so it's return was hard for him. Eilian was certainly shocked to see him so beaten down. And poor Legolas knew that he wouldn't be able to bear it if Eilian died in his care. Eilian wasn't always an easy child for his parents, but hearing that comment from his mother was tough. You'll see the content of Celuwen's letter in the next story. I should probably warn you that story is my only R rated story. Thank god my mother never saw it, rest her soul. daw | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/15/2005 |
| Maltanaur is fierce in his protection for Eilian, Legolas did a good job caring for him and he let him know...Beliond as well was worried about him and threatened to beat him with his crutch, funny... Thranduil loves his childeren and can tell as he sits with Eilian, and the worry over Legolas out with no family watching after him,he has grown up and that is hard for a father... Author Reply: Eilian is home with a "personal" letter from Celuwen, and he and Thranduil are temporarily at peace. | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/15/2005 |
| Legolas might have to get them both back to camp if the search Party past them up..And Thranduil set a bodyguard watching him when he was young is that right? If so Eilian must have scared him...As a young one Eilian felt his father thought he was trouble, that must have been hard growing up believing that... Author Reply: Yeah, Thranduil set Maltanaur watching Eilian when he was quite young. My beta, Nilmandra, has a story called "Eilian's Begetting Day," which she wrote as a birthday present for me. Eilian is about 8 in human terms (20 in elf terms), and Maltanaur is watching over him in that one! | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/15/2005 |
| Even when they were young Eilian cared for Celuwen...Legolas is playing a game with the Orcs hope it turns out allright... Author Reply: When I started trying to think about a romance for Eilian, I had to think about what kind of romance he would be likely to have. And it seemed to me that once he had loved someone, he'd be loyal forever. So I thought these two would have known one another from very early childhood. And their friendship would gradually ripen into love. | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/15/2005 |
| Legolas is worried about his brother and has him continue his story...Eilian liked to make trouble for himself, poor Ithilden was so mad at him...he scared him... Author Reply: Ithilden was ready to clobber him! Luckily the novice master stepped in. | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/15/2005 |
| Eilian is injured with some type of posion, it sounded as in the Orc was targeting Eilian...knew him. Legolas and him is alone, this is not good... Author Reply: Eilian has been the captain in this area for a long time. I thought the Orcs might know him by now. And you're right. This is not good. | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/15/2005 |
| Eilian was daring in his youth, but came to be a disaplined warrior, to an extent, still has some of that spirit...Nice to hear about his youth... Author Reply: Eilian must have driven his father and the novice masters crazy. What a shock he'd be after young Ithilden! | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/15/2005 |
| Eilian seems to be treating him like a warrior, and Legolas is in different territory ow with the Shadow around... Author Reply: Legolas has finally gotten what he's always wanted and been posted to the Southern Patrol. He may find it's not all he's dreamed. | |
| moonshine44(ff.n) | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/24/2005 |
| Hey Daw! I just re-read this story! It still amazes me in the way which you manage to capture such a strong sence of loss and love among Legolas`s family. I have read this story once, and I am still left dazed by it! Author Reply: I'm glad you like it, moonshine. When I wrote it, I was experimenting reversing the usual order of who comforts and looks out for whom. So Legolas cares for Eilian, and Eilian comforts Ithilden. "Dazed" is a high compliment. | |