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Legolas's Begetting Day  by daw the minstrel 20 Review(s)
Estel_Mi_OlorReviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/21/2004
Hi Daw! Sorry I haven't been reviewing but I just came back from vacation yesterday. And what a delightful surprise awaiting me! This finished fic and a whole new one! What a great present! I shall try and review every chapter.

Anyways, this chapter was very sweet. I loved Thranduil's understanding and how Legolas was so heartbroken over letting Blue-y go free. It makes you realize, I suppose, how much humans, and elves as well, need others to show affection for. I am very glad that Legolas has a loving family and many friends to show affection for him, and vice versa, so that he need not depend on mice.

The scene with Amelith was very funny. I wonder what was going through Thranduil's mind when he steps in the room to see Eilian holding a lady's shift, Amelith and Legolas & Friends. The conversation with Eilian must have been interesting.

I also loved how in the flashback Eilian is jealous of his brother, but before the flashback, we find out how much Eilian loves his brother. I do hope that made sense. In other words, I liked how his attitude changed.

I hope Eilian and Maltanuar get out of that cave alright! Cheers and here I go to read more!

Author Reply: Thranduil was such a good ada to little Legolas, understanding that he wanted Blue-y for a pet, but encouraging him to think of the mouse and not just of himself. And then he praises Legolas for letting the mouse go. :-)

He has a harder time being a good ada to Eilian, but then, he's probably told Eilian the same things over and over and is getting tired of repeating himself.

When I was outlining this story, I tried to think about what Legolas's birth might have meant to each member of his family, and it occurred to me that Ithilden might resent the extra responsibility and Eilian might be jealous. Jealous not in a kid kind of way, but aware that his mother is going to have a new baby to love and he's not even at home, poor guy. But it didn't take long for any of them to fall in love with the baby.

erunyauveReviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/1/2004
I have to admire your cleverness with the treasure hunt hints - those little rhymes would have driven me bonkers. And it was very sweet when Thranduil got Legolas to let the mouse go.

I *do* want to know how Eilian came by that chemise - and I find it amusing that the palace laundry knew to whom to return it.

I hadn't thought of how it would be for Eilian to suddenly lose his place as the youngest - it seems so odd to think of that for an adult, but obviously, that would be a common situation for elves (it does give me a tiny ounce of sympathy for Feanor). And, of course, there is his affection for his mother. It might not be fair to be jealous of a helpless baby, but he can't help his feelings.

Author Reply: I am the world's worst poet and those little rhymes are the height of my accomplishment. :-)

Thranduil was a very good father to Legolas in that chapter. It was tempting to make him get all upset about the mice, which would have been entertaining, but I thought he really would be interested in helping his son learn something here (and also in getting rid of the mice).

I picture lost of people living in the palace -- servants mostly. So in my head, the chemise belonged to one of them. Really!

I had trouble working out just how Eilian would feel about Legolas's birth. He's an adult (more or less) but his mother is the person he's closest too, probably the person he loves the best. He knows he'll never be as close to Thranduil as Ithilden is. And he can see that his mother is absorbed in the baby even before he's born. I don't think he'd be nasty jealous, like a two year old, but I think he might unconsciously worry.

Tapetum LucidumReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/31/2004
Your description of the turmoil in the Great Hall was very vivid! I could almost see it happening.

Legolas is a quick learner - it was cute when he alerted his older brother to their arrival. I would have thought a warrior in the Southern Patrol would not be caught off his guard, even at home (grin). Turgon is clever to figure out that is in the library. Why is a chemise pinned to the wall? I don't think I want to know. Thin is not a good thing when it comes to little boys' undergarmets but it is apparently good in a chemise.

Thranduil is obviously unhappy with Eilian. I guess finding your youngest climbing a pole doesn't put you in a good frame of mind. The request for a day off will likely be granted when coming from Thranduil. He is very hard to say 'no' to.

Amelith is nowhere as cool as Celuwen. Celuwen would have scooped up the mouse and played with it. I am glad Eilian is smart enough to realize that she is no great loss. "How kind of you to give advice on what my son should be allowed to do." I could hear that one out loud. If I were Amelith I would cut my losses and run.

Legolas' releasing of Blue-y was very sweet. My 8 year old always cries over stuff like that. He even cried when we had to get a new refrigerator because he was going to miss the old one. He is very tender-hearted. Thranduil's logic was sound and effective.

Your exploratin into the similaries between Lorellin and Eilian has been excellent. You have often alluded to it before but the specific instances in this story are a nice change of pace.

Author Reply: The chemise came back from the laundry! And Eilian had no use for it, so he donated it to the game. And thus Legolas's education has been furthered.

You are so right about Celuwen. She would never have been so fussy. I think Eilian is just passing the time until she comes to her senses and agrees to marry him, but if he'd grow up some, she might do it sooner.

I am smiling about your 8 year old missing the old refrigerator. What a sweety! Legolas is supposed to be about that same age.

As I write this story, I realize again what a tragedy Lorellin's death was for this family. :-(

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/31/2004
Ah, lovely chapter again, Daw! Thranduil is such a wonderful father, getting Legolas to realize on his own that the mouse had his own needs, too... So elfy!

I was amused -- but not surprised -- by Turgon's willingness to fib, and by Annael's and Legolas' obvious discomfort. And, later, Eilian's mental shrug at being in trouble with this Ada -- he'd handled it before, he could do it again! These tidbits so capture the unique personalities of your characters, Daw, whether canon or OC. Great characters! (And I giggled at Legolas' desire to warn Eilian and whats-her-name before entering the room; perceptive kid, and thoughtful of his big brother, not to mention squicked out by his behavior with the maiden...)

Glad to see Eilian and Maltanaur are still okay behind the waterfall... Maltanaur has a good deal of insight into Eilian's emotional state, and he is willing to speak up -- and Eilian is usually willing to listen. That's good for Eilian! And, I suspect, that connection will become crucial after his mother's death... (And I think the caring goes both ways...)

I always feel a little bit bereft when you say that one of your stories is drawing to a close; but the good news is, you usually end up writing about twice as many chapters as you think, so I suspect there will be two chapters to go. ;-)

- Barbara

Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Barbara. I thought that Thranduil was a very good father for Legolas here too. He's less good for Eilian, I think, but he's probably tired of telling Eilian the same old stuff whereas Legolas was mostly acting in innocence.

Legolas is funny about Eilian, I think. He doesn't want to see any more smooching if he can help it, but also he does sort of tolerate what he regards as Eilian's quirk.

You know, until people started commenting on it, it had never occurred to me that Maltanaur must have been a real source of strength for Eilian after his mother died. You can kind of see it in "When Shadow Touches Home," although six months has passed there.

You sound just like Nilmandra about the story length!

nessieReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/31/2004
Amelith, Amelith. I too, agree with Legolas and would have Blue'y rather bite her ankle than tear her stockings. And she did one of the things Thranduil disapproves of greatly. Which is interfering with raising his children. Good Eilian, you're coming to your senses. I thought it was sweet that Legolas put the mouse in his mother's garden. I also loved the flashback. Well update asap!

~nessie~

Author Reply: A good nip would probably have been just the thing but Blue-y is much too nice a mouse to do it. And you are right on the mark: nobody interferes with Thranduil's raising of his son's. She was SO stupid to do that. I doubt if Eilian was serious anyway. He was just indulging himself. Bad elf!

Legolas is a sweet little kid who wanted Blue-y to be happy. Thranduil is doing such a nice job with him!

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/31/2004
We really don't like Amelith after this - and if she is wise, she will move to a settlement far away until the King forgets about her!

I really like how Thranduil handled the mouse incident. Very wise, indeed, and very elfy too. The forest creatures are owned by themselves and the mice do no wish to live in the palace as pets.

Eilian is insightful in his own way, and I like that he listens to Maltanaur in a way that maybe he would not his own parents. We are all a little jealous if we thinks someone else is going to supplant us in the affections of someone important to us. He will learn that love grows when given, and is not finite. Good chapter :D

Author Reply: I think Amelith is a bit spoiled and is not used to guarding her tongue. She probably tell other folks what to do and think and is not used to having the other person be Thranduil!

Thranduil was a very good father for Legolas here and I enjoyed writing about that. I think he's not quite to good for Eilian, but then he's probably told Eilian the same thing about a million times.

I like your observation about love. I may steal it, beta.

JebbReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/31/2004
If this is a repeat I apologise as one of my three kittens (Viggo of Viggo, Orlando and Bean ) sat on the keyboard and the first review disappeared
Loved Legolas' and Thranduil in this what a good father he is to his youngest son and how well he handled both mice and Elleth she is probably running off even faster than Blue-y and company.
Eilian really does not learn does he? A ladies chemise oh dear!
Loved the conversation between Malantaur and Eilian here is another elf who can see right through the king's second son
Eilian must really have missed his mother when she died
Am really enjoying this sorry to hear only one more chapter

Author Reply: LOL. Doesn't that get cat hairs in your keyboard? Viggo apparently wanted your attention!

Thranduil was very gentle with Legolas and, I thought, a good father to him. I think he's less good with Eilian, but then he's probably said the same things to Eilian a million times and is getting tired of it, whereas Legolas was mostly acting in all innocence.

I think Maltanaur is really good for Eilian. He's fond of him and doesn't hesitate to speak truthfully.

Ms. WhatsitReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/30/2004
Sucks to be Eilian, doesn't it? Amelith AND THRANDUIL know he's in possession of the chemise...oy. Embarrassing. AND he's been caught making promises he can't quite keep. And seeing it through Legolas's innocent eyes makes it all the more funny. Turgon's a clever little brat, figuring out that riddle.

Was waiting for mouse to meet Amelith. Was betting on it running up her leg, but over her foot is almost as funny.

Legolas was so adorable defending Blue-y...and then almost crying when he realizes that Blue-y's afraid and wants to go back into the woods. I especially liked the way you showed Thranduil handling all of that. And Annael, saying that Red-y and Blue-y and Green-y would all play together, was also really cute. But what about Brown-y? Is he going to burst in on Eilian's little talk with Thranduil and lighten the mood? Or have I somehow forgotten what's happened to him? Hmm.


Author Reply: Oh yeah. Eilian is in trouble. But he's used to it!

I considered having Blue-y run up Amelith's leg, but I didn't actually know if mice could do that. I've never had a close enough encounter with one to find out, thank Eru.

Thranduil was a very good ada to Legolas, who is a sweet kid. We will hear more about Brown-y. :-)

White WolfReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/30/2004
I loved the way Thranduil convinced Legolas to give up the mouse. Legolas realized it was the right thing to do, as well. He has such a good heart. It was nice he chose the garden so Blue-y would be happy.

I think Eilian's thoughts about his mother were sweet. It is natural, I think, that he would be a little jealous of a new baby that will take his place as the youngest son.

Author Reply: Thranduil was a very good ada to Legolas and encouraged him to listen to his wood elf side. He's protective of the helpless -- someone who will go on a quest some day, I think.

And it took a lot for Eilian to admit he was jealous, but it seemed natural to me too. His mother is the one person who loves him unconditionally and he needs that.

Duchess67Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/30/2004
Ah, giving up the pet because of it's fright was the right thing to do, very sweet and brave of Legolas. *smiling at the image those words painted for me* Too darling!

I did NOT like Eilian's "lady" friend and I'm just as glad he recognized she was a twitterhead and will now probably see her no more, even if she did want him to. *giggling at the huffy way she left* Served her right, the ninny! Loved Thranduil's reaction to her too. *nasty grin*

Thank you for more of the flashback of Eilian and Maltanaur behind the waterfall, I really did want to know just how that went. I'm hoping you'll show us the conclusion of that particular adventure too. *vbg*

Wonderful story part! Please post more soon? *hopeful look* Like, *ticking 'em off on my fingers* what exactly happened to "brownie" in all this excitement? *snickering*



Author Reply: Legolas was a sweet child, and I thought his respect for the forest creatures (which Thranduil was encouraging) was a nice elfy trait. What a cutie!

I think we can safely assume that Amelith is gone for good. Eilian wasn't serious anyway. He's just marking time waiting for Celuwen to come to her sense. Of course, if he'd grow up a little, she might do it sooner.

I think there's only one more chapter so we'll certainly hear more about Eilian and Maltanaur (and Brown-y).

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