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| A Moment of Joy by daw the minstrel | 26 Review(s) |
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| erunyauve@lycos.com | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/7/2006 |
| >>He had never seen anything like the exploding waterwheel, and it had been a long time since he had done anything as enlivening as the ride down the rapids. Most of all, it had been a long time since he had shared a moment like this with Eilian. This is lovely - Ithilden needs to have more fun, and it's so much like Eilian to find humour in loss of all their hard work. Author Reply: Thank you, Erunyauve. Ithilden does need to have more fun. I think his mother's death was a loss for him too, although he was older and a pretty self-possessed adult by the time she died. It struck me as funny when I decided the kids would see the exploding wheel as hilarious, not tragic. LOL. | |
| ziggy | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2006 |
| It is wonderful to have another story from you - I have missed them! This is a lovely, light tale, but there is still a sadness becasue it is obvious that they all lost something different with Lorellin's death - and the hapiness of the family here contrasts with that edginess that is in the relatonships subsequently. ANd that makes it real- when families lose their lynch pin, it is everything is harder, laced with pain. Lorellin clearly kept everyone sweeter - oiled the wheels of the family - they miss her. Anyway- THIS story is just a delight. Good to see Ithilden getting his kit off! I love it that the three monkeys whoop with delight at the destruction! The waterwheel wynch is a brilliant idea . I love your OCs. Thank you! Author Reply: My goodness. Did I never reply to this review? I must have missed it somehow. You're so right about Lorellin. They were lost without her and had to readjust all their relationships while they were awash in grief. These kids would have been amusing and appalling to have around. I'll bet they drove the adults wild. | |
| Socket | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2006 |
| I know I'm hopelessly late with my review, but I do want you to know that I'm still reading and enjoying your marvelous stories about my favorite family of royal elves. And how wonderful it is to read one centering on my favorite OR elf, Ithilden, who by now is as real, and as dear, to me as any character Tolkien actually created. Please keep on writing, your loyal readers love you! Author Reply: Socket-- Thank you so much. I have to say I love my readers too. They're perceptive and generous and I can't tell you how much their interest in these stories means to me. daw | |
| Gwynhyffar | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/3/2006 |
| Wow, I was so happy to see a story from you I didn't finish review before I hit post! Ithilden needs more moments like these to relax a little. I think this was one of those priceless moments when Eilian could actually look at his older brother with admiration and not have it tempered by Ithilden's unending correctness. It was cute to see Eilian at that age. I don't think he changed all that much between 12 and 200, he just had a different way to vent his need for excitement. :D Author Reply: This is the first time I've written Eilian this young, although Nilmandra wrote about him a bit younger. I have to say it was easy to do. As you say, he didn't change that much. | |
| Gwynhyffar | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/3/2006 |
| I loved this story (of course, I love ALL your stories)! I really enjoy the glimpses of life when Lorellin was still there. It was especially funny to see her prodding Ithilden toward a maiden (and telling him to lighten up) and Thranduil defending him (even though he found it a little funny). It's a contrast to Thranduil getting on Eilian and Lorellin defending him. I'm sure Eilian got in some choice teasing at his brothers expense at some point over Alana. ... I think I would have anyway. I'm pretty sure it would be satisfying to tease Ithilden - up to a point anyway. Author Reply: I'm pretty sure it would be satisfying to tease Ithilden - up to a point anyway. That would be the point where he made you wish you'd never been born? :-) Nice summary of the way the parents relate to the two oldest boys. When Naneth died, both Eilian and Ithilden lost something they needed, although it wasn't the same thing. | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/3/2006 |
| This is such a treat daw! I'm still laughing! There are many things I like in this tale, but reading it twice, I think I'm mostly caught by its rythm. It flows in a very appropriate manner, as we see Ithilden slowly and inadvertently shedding part of his seriousness and allowing himself to flow into the youngsters' carefree and pure enjoyment. Why, he is even able to enjoy the "failure" when the wheel explodes! “Come and show them how you can shoot, Ithilden! You can use my bow.” Smiling and beckoning to his brother, he took a step back toward his waiting friends. This is so endearing! Eilian must have worshipped his big brother! and it was good that the big brother took time to share some fun with him! This must have been such a different family when the queen was alive! She was very clever here! But the three imps were great, their cautious approach to explainig what they intended to do with the boat! I bet they were a bit surpirsed when the troop commanded decided to wield hammer and nailed and get hiself a shower! That picture of Ithilden under the pouring buckets was priceless and so comic! A wonderful tale, Daw, congrats! :-) Author Reply: Thanks, Perelleth. I'm thrilled with your comment about the rythm because that's subtle to do! I figure Eilian was simultaneously impressed and appalled by Ithilden. He probably got big points with his friends for having Ithilden as an older brother though. I'll bet Ithilden was exceedingly competent with weapons and just about anything else he tried too. Except for courting Alfirin, of course, but that hasn't happened yet. | |
| NaughtyNettie | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/1/2006 |
| I have been meaning to read this story for about a week now but have been so crazy, busy that I just got to it and I'm sad that I didn't get to read it sooner because I pretty much laughed through the whole thing. Eilian living in a village?? As if! Oh wait :o) I love that! Just knowing the truth behind the statement made it all the better. Anyone who has been white water rafting knows how exhilarating it can be and I thought you captured that perfectly. I love that Ithilden was able to get a much needed break and that his brother's happiness leant him joy. Thanks for another GREAT read!! Author Reply: Thanks, Nettie. I had a good time writing this. I don't think I've ever before written about them as brothers when Eilian was young. And Naneth knows them both quite well, although she and Eilian are the kindred souls. Glad you liked it. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/1/2006 |
| Now that, with your help, I've finally gotten my present up, I can catch up on a few reviews. This is such a delightful story. Eilian is a little scamp, but he's always got direction. He knows just what he wants to do, even if his adventures do turn everyone's hair gray. I really enjoyed seeing Ithiden getting dunked...wet elf, yeah baby...and loosening up with the kids. He's so methodical and the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants construction did him a world of good. Lorellin, the match-making Nana, is right that he needs to take moments of joy. She would have loved Alfirin as a daughter. The last line caught me completely off guard. I laughed out loud and read it over and over just because it's so clever. This story was a terrific gift to the ranger and to us all. I enjoyed every word. Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Karen. I figure Eilian is one of those kids with boundless energy and a mind that's always working. And he's ready to go with the flow. Wheel pulls the boat up? Cool! Wheel explodes? Cool! I think Lorellin would have liked both her daughters-in-law. I figure she knew Celuwen pretty well, given how much time Celuwen spent with Eilian. It's just occurred to me that Alfirin is the same age as these three. An encounter would be interesting to see. | |
| yanic | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/31/2006 |
| That was great. I always wondered what Eilian and Ithilden's relationship would have been like when they were younger and no Legolas around. Too cute. I enjoyed this glimpse of Ithilden, he's so serious that he needs a bit of fun. Thanks for another great story, it was great to see an update! Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Yanic. I've always hesitated to write stories without Legolas around, but I finally decided what the heck. If I enjoy writing and people enjoy reading, why not? And you're so right: Ithilden does need to loosen up a little. It's what his mother always said. | |
| Noor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/28/2006 |
| Just a few further comments..............this is a really touching story as it is all about Lorellin's attitude to life and her love for her sons as well as showing us young Gelmir and Celuwen. Didn't Thranduil tell Legolas to take "a moment for joy" in a Creature of Fire and Ithilden said the same to Eilian inone of the other stories....Spring Awakenings? I really have read these stories again and again because I love them! Noor Author Reply: Yeah, I've used that "moment for joy" line several times, claiming it was what Naneth used to say. I think of her as very wood elfy compared to Thranduil's Sindarin character. The wood elves like having someone organized and disciplined to run things, but they don't want to live that way themselves. And Eilian is more like his mother, while Ithilden is like his father. There was a good balance in the family until she died. :-( | |