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When Shadow Touches Home  by daw the minstrel 10 Review(s)
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.

MagicfeatherReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/29/2008
I have probably read all your stories at least twice over, but it's only just occurred to me that I have never left a review :P I think it's just one of those things I keep intending to do, but by the time I get to the end of a chapter, I skip it in order to read the next one!

I am absolutely in love with this series; your characters are so real, that I keep forgetting that they're not canon. By the time I had read the first few of stories, they already seemed like old friends, especially Legolas' family and his wonderful brothers - you have a real gift at creating flawed yet admirable characters, that you can't help falling in love with. Though I have to admit, when you killed off Sinnarn in 'Spring of Joy' I was weeping; he was my favourite character! I haven't felt that bad since my dog died, but I suppose that is just a sign of how brilliant your writing is.

I also adore your protrayal of canon characters, especially Legolas and Thranduil. Your Thranduil is not only very kingly and impressive, but you make him into such a loving father as well! Although I must admit, Thranduil has made me laugh hysterically at times when I suspect you intended to be quite serious! When Ithilden is talking to Thranduil about why Legolas wants a sword, Thranduil's line 'But that doesn't make any sense' had me laughing for five minutes straight - I love how you make him so shrewd as a king and a competent warrior, but so clueless when it comes to the inner workings of a child's mind! Although, I suppose that could just be a sign of his age; it's been so long since he was a child, I suppose it really doesn't make sense to him anymore.

Anyway, I will stop here as the length of this review is getting out of hand - my own fault for waiting so long :( I hope you continue with this series, as it has giving me many hours of enjoyment and has a firm place at the top end of my Favourites list! Thank you very much for what you have already written and for whatever you will write next!

Author Reply: I was dragging tonight, Magicfeather, and your review came and made me feel better.

You know, I'd always thought of Sinnarn as a minor character. And then I killed him. Oh man, did I get a response on that one. Plus I felt bad for days. Fortunately, Bodkin felt so bad that she asked me if she could write a story in which he's reincarnated in Valinor and I jumped right on it. It's on this site under Bodkin's name, of course. It's called "In the West." It'll make you happier about Sinnarn, I think. I know it did me.

When I first started writing about Thranduil, there was a fad in LOTR fanfic to show him as an abusive father, which seemed silly to me. First, he's an elf. But beyond that, the Legolas we see in LOTR didn't look to me to be the child an abusive parent. So I wanted Thranduil to be a good father. But I'm a parent and I know that even good ones fail to understand their kids sometimes, and Thranduil was just not in sync with little Legolas! LOL.

Thank you for taking the time to tell me you're enjoying the stories, Magicfeather. I needed that.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/28/2004
Ahem. Rolly says hi.

Where was I? Oh, yeah. Ithilden gets invited in for a nice cozy chat with wine again, and will undoubtedly get credit for his enormouse INSIGHT into Legolas's problems; meanwhile Eilian is just a big problem for everyone.

Ithilden and Thranduil keep having these big grown-up alcoholic male-bonding sessions, and Legolas keeps getting hugs and night-night kisses, and Eilian just keeps getting pushed aside. Poor Eilian.


Author Reply: Hi, Rolly! You're not getting cat hair in the keyboard, are you?

Yeah, I know, poor Eilian. This is one reason he needs Legolas so much.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/28/2004
"and you could not have saved Nana even if you had had a sword. Believe me. I know." They sat for a moment in silence.

"But I will be a warrior some day," Legolas murmured into Ithilden's tunic.

Ithilden's grip tightened again. "Probably you will," he said, and to Legolas's ears, he sounded sad.


Oh, that is sad.

Now, onward -


Ithilden shrugged. "Perhaps it is all connected," he said.

Oh, sure. This is going to be like a STROKE OF GENIUS



Author Reply: See I knew you were going to be that way! You Eilian lover you!

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/28/2004
Legolas looked at him wonderingly. Sometimes he did not understand grown ups. Of course a dagger was dangerous. He knew that. That was why he wanted one.

ROTFL!!!

I'm sorry; I have to do this one in two parts. Up until now the recurring reference to Turgon's getting a sword has been simply amusing; now things are getting serious. And poor Eilian - again nobody wants to listen to him. Legolas's sudden fascination with bladed weapons is intriguing, and again you nailed his boyish curiosity about the contents of his older brothers' rooms. I liked his observation that Eilain's room was less interesting than Ithilden's because Ithilden usually put everything away. ROTFL again!



Author Reply: I knew there was a reason I liked you, Meckinock! I thought that line was hilarious and I swear no one commented on it!

Again this is the kind of chapter I love writing. Getting into this kid's head is so much fun. The most bizarre things seem natural.

brynReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/19/2003
I debated on whether or not to post the review here or on... that other... site. (But we all know storiesofarda.com is the better of the two.)
As I said before, I am very worried over the fate of Celuwen. It is nearing the point of hand-wringing.
Legolas, Legolas, that darling little elfling (what a sweetheart!). My heart goes out to him. You've done a perfect job of capturing his innocence.
*snort* WHY is Turgon getting a sword? The little monster is trouble enough as it is with sticks and mud. *lol* Good grief, what were his parents thinking?

TreeHuggerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/19/2003
Well, gosh! What a chapter! Eilian is chomping at the bit again, and Ithilden is still holding the reins in check. Legolas can sense the tension in these two and that is unfortunate as he has enough of his own tensions to deal with. Not to mention the tension with his ada as well.

Then Legolas and his obsession with having a weapon! It is too bad, but I do understand why he wants one so badly. Poor child. I hope though that he can see he is not ready for a weapon; they are dangerous and shouldn't be used by someone with no experience. I KNEW he would go after Ithilden's sword when he was looking at it when Ithilden was there. I guess the poke on his finger wasn't enough to deter him when his thoughts are so confused on the whole protection issue. Again, you can understand why he thinks this way. It is so sad to hear him say he doesn't want to get eaten by an orc. :( I do hope that Eilian won't do anything rash as Legolas is probably watching both of his brothers like a hawk just now. CHildren are always fascinated by the things forbidden to them for whatever reason. Yes, it is dangerous, I know this and that makes me want it MORE!

I hope that Eilian and Gelmir's little side trip was exciting enough for the moment, as Ithilden is not letting him go anywhere further away at present. He should try to get his excitment close to home, and I suspect that Celuwen could and would gladly provide him with some of a different sort. :) Young love is so sweet! :D

I am glad Legolas is doing his math. I never liked it, and honestly don't use a lot of what you had to learn in high school. :/ But...addition is used every day. :) That at least is necessary.

I am glad that Ithilden told his thoughts about Legolas to his ada. Thranduil needs to know about all of his sons problems with coping. They are all having slight troubles just now, and I for one will be glad when they can all come to terms with what has happened and move past them.

Very nice ending too.

Lovely as always!

Elenath sila am le!

FadesintothewestReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/19/2003
Oh this chapter touched me so closely. Little Legolas, struggling with the demons that haunt him, his guilt, so overwhelming in such young one. And Ithilden's response to hold him tightly, to blink back the tears, the sadness in his reply when Legolas asked if he would one day be a warrior too... omg he has to resign to the fact that legolas will be a warrior but only b/c things are getting much worse. Not even Thranduil can hold back that tide.

Ok poor Eilian, they need to listen to him. I totally feel you Eilian, I am the youngest of five and no one pays heed to my words, well not as much anymore but I feel you. Yes I will comfort you, Celuwen who??

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/18/2003
If I were Eilian I would be beating my head against a brick wall. Haven't we all had the experience of having good ideas, but no one will listen to us? Then someone else says the same thing - and its such a novel and good idea! Eilian is the best scout, but Ithilden is blind to it. Legolas' behaviors are associated with his fears and grief over his nana's death, and Eilian sees it but Ada won't listen to him! Poor Eilian - he gets no respect.

But, we are getting closer. Ithilden sees what Legolas is doing, and to some degree how Eilian's recklessness is part of his reaction to their mother's death, now we just need him to recognize his own reaction to it all. Eilian is the most insightful of them all. And poor Thranduil - he will pull it together because he loves his children. Little Legolas needs him too much for him to be clueless for long.

Nice showing too - nowhere have you 'told' all this - but the characters behaviors are fascinating to watch.

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/18/2003
Daw,
How frustrating for Eilian. I think he's right. No one listens to him despite the fact that he is very perceptive. He would have groaned if he had heard the conversation between Ithilden and Thranduil regarding Legolas's feelings. He has been trying to tell Adar that for some time. I assume he is sensing orcs in the border areas. After so many of the out dwelling elves decided to return to their homesteads, I had to wonder if that included Celuwen and her mother. Poor Legolas and his hurt finger. Ithilden did a good job fixing him up, but Nana would have kissed it. Looking forward to the next chapter. Karen

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