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When Shadow Touches Home  by daw the minstrel 9 Review(s)
AliceReviewed 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: 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.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/28/2004
Wow, I don't think I've seen Ithilden being quite such an ass before! So he thinks he's going to keep Eilian out of the Southern Patrol? Hmmm. That should be interesting. I hope his revelation about not being able to control everything brings him to his senses. It was amusing that Maltanaur deprived him of the opportunity to summon him to the "having it out" session. Go Maltanaur!

Celuwen and Eilian's little make-out session was lovely. Too bad we have to wait a few hundred years for the real thing.

Author Reply: Go Maltanaur indeed. Boy did Ithilden need to hear that! And he needs to go home and he needs to get a damn grip on himself! Although in some ways, he's got way too tight a grip. Poor guy.

"The real thing." Yes. I enjoyed writing that too, scary as it was to post it!

LeraReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/13/2003
I wish Eilien could feel confident enough of his ability to control his temper that he could tell his father what needs to be said about Legolas. I must say I admire him in how handled Legolas at the dancing. Having your bratty sibling interupt your romantic moment like that must have been maddening. Oh, speaking of which, Eilien's nickname for Legolas later on is brat. Is that how it all started? lol. So glad Ithildien has realized he is not allpowerful. I hope he realizes he cannot live in the land of "if only." He seems ready to forgive everyone but himself. Hope he realizes coddling Eilien will only drive his brother mad. He needs to realize that all the warriors are someone's brother or son or sweetheart. But I feel for him, poor guy.

Author Reply: I feel sorry for Ithilden too. He is, in my opinion, a typical oldest child, always feeling responsible and as if he has to take care of everyone. That's why I married him off in a later story. He needed someone to take care of him too.

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/14/2003
Daw,
Another very interesting chapter. I'm glad to see Todith defend Eilian. And Ithilden's reply is quite telling about his frame of mind where his brother is concerned. Ithilden's frustration is certianly evident when he goes into the woods alone after having heard of the orc attack on the elven family. He's certainly having a hard time of it! Maltanaur is great! He's not in the least intimidated by Ithilden's anger or frustration. The king has chosen wisely in his appointment! When I read about the death of the family, I had a sudden thought that it was Celuwen's family, but apparently this one was not. So...are we to see poor Celuwen and her family fall victim to orcs? She's a good match for Eilian, but...we know too much about the future and she's not in it! Poor Eilian. Ithilden and Eilian have been working out their feelings in the last two chapters, but I fear there is much yet to come. I can't wait to see what happens. Gee, I hate being so impatient! Carry on......(tapping toe)....."I'm waiting...waiting...waiting," said Karen.

KarriReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/13/2003
Though the situation is grim, Ithilden seems to be burying himself overly in his work, but I'm glad to see Eilian is making some progress. Recognizing a problem is the first step, or so they say. Perhaps if he can reconcile with father and older brother, he will be better able to help little brother. The whole lot still have a long way to go. Excellent work. Thank you.

FadesintothewestReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/13/2003
Always learn to listen to the advice of elders young Ithilden, which he did. My my, the sons of Thranduil have the weight of Arda it seems on their shoulders. That's always a huge life lesson to learn to go with the flow, control- or rather manage what you can and try to do your best with everything else.

Oh no, I fear for a tragic ending between Celuwen and Eilian, will her family be too stubborn to move from their homestead in the forest and be overrun by orcs resulting in Celuwen's death or injury? Or will Eilian's commitment to the Southern Patrol turn so overwhelmingly his single objective because of the increase of shadow that love does not fit in the picture for him. That is he may love her but he cannot have her. Oh I am crying already!

Orangeblossom TookReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/12/2003
Ooooh. Romantic ending to the chapter. Lovely. Thank you. Poor little Legolas. Well, his brothers care for hims and so, really, does his father.

Sidenote: No, I am the only one. Just recently FF has put weird numbers after many people's names. : )

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/12/2003
Have I mentioned how much I like Maltanaur? He is a good guy. I hope the King commends him for saving Ithilden's life. Maltanaur will take it stoicly and say it was his job -but I still just like the guy.

I also like Celuwen. She is a good match for Eilian - strong and capable and she knows him. I like the familiarity they have.

So, Eilian saw the light last chapter; and Ithilden shows signs of seeing it this one. Legolas at least knows he is sad. Thranduil might actually be hurting worst of all, and yet the most might be expected of him. We know he makes it - he will see. Can't wait to have you show me how it happens. *grin*

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