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When Shadow Touches Home by daw the minstrel	105 Review(s)
Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/2/2016
I still come back and reread these stories the same way I reread LOTR, Harry Potter and my beloved collection of Tamora Pierce novels. I get the same pleasure out of rereading them that I do with books, including increased appreciation for new moments. I want to be Maltanaur when I grow up (ie unintimidated by Thranduilions). Author Reply: That's incredibly kind, Alice. What's impressive to me is that Maltanaur is unintimidated by Ithilden. But then, he's friends with Thranduil and has known Ithilden since birth, which must make a difference. Hope all is well with you. daw

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/24/2013
The moment where THranduil could feel the bond with Lorelinn was absolutely wonderful!! I hope that one day Celuwen and Eilian can bond. It seems that is not possible now but hopefully one day. Thank you for this wonderful story! I enjoyed it immensely! Author Reply: Red Squirrel, thank you for all these reviews. I'm so glad that someone still enjoys these stories. You know, though, you don't have to review each chapter. If you want to, I welcome it, but I know it's a lot of work. When I was posting chapter by chapter, chapter by chapter reviews seemed reasonable. But really, you don't have to. Enjoy your holiday. daw

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/24/2013
whew...a battle! I like how you described it! Poor Gelmir...glad he is going to be fine. hmmm...Solith...it looks as though he might be a problem for Eilian and Celuwen. He sees Eilian as some spoiled, reckless youngling and it may be difficult for Eilian to change his mind, especially since it concerns his daughter. But to me anyway they don't seem quite ready to be betrothed let alone bond. These Woodelves seem very stubborn...more dangerous and less wise indeed! But I suppose they do have a point about trying to live in the forest but with these creatures of darkness so close even to Thranduil's stronghold it seems perilous! Author Reply: Eilian has not made a good impression on Solith. And I think you're right that Eilian and Celuwen aren't ready yet anyway. They're each too intent on getting their own way.

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/23/2013
Thank you for pointing that story out to me...it was great! I am glad to see Thranduil visit his friends...he seemed so alone in this story so far! Also, Maltanaur provided some insight to the family situation. I really liked good Ada Thranduil at the dinner scene...very heartwarming. Legolas about broke my heart in this chapter. Poor little guy. Author Reply: Was this the chapter in which Legolas lets his brothers' horses out, trying to stop them from leaving? I think it is. Yeah, he's just frantic at the thought of people he loves being anywhere near orcs. It's hard to blame him. But Thranduil came through for him.

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/22/2013
um...Turgon's parents really wouldn't buy an elfling a sword, would they? I really wouldn't put it past them! Eilian's right...his family is not really listening to him. Poor Ithilden...it must be hard for him seeing his brothers as babies and elflings and then training into warriors then riding off into danger to defend the Realm. Author Reply: I don't think even Turgon's parents are ditzy enough to let him have a real sword. I guess I never decided. What you say about Ithilden is connected to what you were saying earlier about Elven ages. The huge difference in age means he's completely an adult when they're babies, but he's still relatively young for an elf when they grow up. It's very odd. Tolkien was bold to make up stuff like that.

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/21/2013
I love the elflings' imagination! That was a sweet little scene at Annael's house. I think that Annael's nana will be good for Legolas. awww...Legolas repeating his mother was bursting with sweetness...after all the orcs int he last couple of chapters I like all the fluff here. I also enjoy Thranduil and Ithilden's relationship. It seems very solid, not as turbulent as Eilian's and of course our relationship with our parents evolves as we grow from children to adults and it is nice to see that here. From what I have read I get the sense (sorry if this is going off the subject but I noticed this) that Thranduil is considerably older than Lorellin. I know for Elves it must not matter too much once they reach a certain age if one is centuries older than the other. I guess what I am asking is if they are from the same generation. I have read almost all of Tolkien's wonderful works and I believe (it's been a while since I read LOTR) that Legolas identified himself as Silvan so I assume that Thranduil married a Silvan Elf. I honestly don't see him as married before the fall of Doriath or in Lindon...I think he was probably either an elfling or too young to want to settle and bond with someone then. I really wish there was more information on these characters! I fell in love with Elves the first time I read THe Hobbit waaaaaaaaaaay back in the early 90's! I am so grateful to my 4th grade teacher for requiring that we read it! Author Reply: It was a pleasure to give Annael this ideal little family where Legolas could take refuge. When I wrote the scene, I meant it to be a significant moment when he decides he and his buddies should be warriors rather than orcs. It's small progress, but progress! I have trouble wrapping my head around the whole concept of elven age and how it affects the concept of generations. If I think about it too much, I have to lie down. Fortunately for me, my beta Nilmandra wrote me a story about Thranduil first meeting Lorellin. http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1164 As I recall, I first read The Hobbit when I was in college. LOL. I'm in awe at 4th graders reading it.

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/21/2013
Just reading that Patrol scene I got the sense of despair and the long, hard fight they have against the evil spreading through Greenwood (can't bring myself to call it "Mirkwood" LOL) It feels so overwhelming! It also seems like a huge financial burden to the realm to have to pay for this war and of course Thranduil does not have a Ring of Power unlike other realms...he is kinda on his own! Poor Ithilden...so serious, stubborn and takes on too much. In that he reminds me of his Adar. I think that may be his way of dealing with his grief by burying himself in work. I like how you have shown each son grieving in his own way, according to his distinct personality. These details really add to your story. Also, thank you for replying to each of my reviews. I think that is very nice of you. I have a limited number of people who like the movies let alone read any of the books so it is nice to have a discussion! Perhaps it is time to widen my circle of friends! LOL Author Reply: I love talking about this stuff. I've always thought that the real genius of the SoA site was the review reply feature. I've never seen it anywhere else. Ithilden and Thranduil are very much alike, which is why they mostly get along. They understand one another. And really Ithilden is as close as it comes to being Thranduil's best friend. It's admirable that Ithilden has become a full adult more than Eilian has, for instance, but I think having his mother around helped him with that.

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/20/2013
Thranduil's memory about the Spring feast was so sad. I really liked the wife you gave Thranduil. I enjoyed the other story she was in. LOL @ Thranduil trying to get Legolas ready for the dancing. I don't know why but it seems ALL small children are just like that! Poor little Legolas...that brought tears to my eyes. His world was turned upside down with the death of his mother. Children are resilient but it does take time to adjust to such a loss. I also think he is picking up on the tension between his brother and his father. Author Reply: I've been there trying to dress a cranky child who decided he didn't want to be dressed. LOL. Poor baby Legolas though. So eager and then things don't work out at all and he's carried off in a screaming tantrum. Still, Eilian is good with him.

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.

Red Squirrel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/20/2013
I really need to be heading over to my mother's and I am running late but I just had to read another chapter. I started this story in July and the beginning of the school year has been so hectic that I have not had anytime to read! I just love the age Legolas is in this story! They are so cute and mischievous. Now that Lorellin died who is going to mediate between Thrandul and Eilian? Personally, though Thranduil is a loving Adar who clearly cares for his children I get the sense is very hard on them and demands nothing less than excellence. I can see a free spirit like Eilian resenting and rebelling against that. um...Turgon with a sword...what kind of parents does this kid have?...I think Turgon might have ADHD...seriously... Eilian sitting in time out next to his little brother was cute...loved Legolas' retort "I threw mud on some girl" and Eilian's response made me laugh. The dinner scene was so sweet and sad at the same time. It must be so difficult mourning the loss of your spouse and then still have to be a full time single parent to your children, one of which is very young and then on top of all of that be the king...that is a lot on one plate! I hope to read more soon! Author Reply: School sounds like it was really tough this fall. But that's when the start of Christmas vacation feels soooo good. Sleep. Eat. Fool around. Watch TV even. What could be better? Ahem. Back to your very nice review. Thranduil loves his children but he's not a good match for Eilian at all, and as you say, the death of Lorellin left them all trying to adjust. And he's never been a single father before, so he has a lot to learn about managing Legolas, and, as you also say, it comes at a time when he's suffering himself. Take it easy. Enjoy the holiday.

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