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| The Warrior by daw the minstrel | 16 Review(s) |
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| Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/20/2003 | |
| Hi, Daw. Thanks for another great chapter. Oh, boy, Thranduil's back is up in a big way, having found out that information concerning his youngest son is being withheld from him. Add to that Eilian's letter of unbrooked defiance... Is that steam pouring out of the king's pointed ears? Poor Annael, accidently spilling the beans abour Legolas' lack of concentration in the spider hunt, a fact that Thranduil would have expected Legolas to himself divulge, and then Ithilden walking neatly into the trap set for him by his irate father concerning the withheld news. Oh, dear. I may be mistaken, but isn't this the first time in your multiplied stories about the Thrandulion clan that the king has been upset and angry simultaneously with all three of his sons? Then I was as taken aback as Ithilden when I found out that Alfirin and Thranduil had worked together to cover up Sinnarn's own misadventure and the harrowing consequences that might have ensued from that. Turnabout is fair play? I'll bet Ithilden didn't think so, not when he found himself squirming in the same chair his own father had so recently vacated! Ah, families! Will we ever truly understand them? I can see both sides of this argument and agree with both sides. A very sticky situation, but I have confidence all will be righted eventually. I love how you take "real life" situations and write them into "made up" stories. That's one reason we can all relate to your characters, for almost without exception, most of us have experienced the same or similar scenarios in our own lives. Annael's ruminations about his mother and his sweetheart added a soothing quality to this chapter and a touch of sadness for those of us who still grieve the lost Siondel. But, I see marriage and fatherhood in the very near future for Legolas' best friend, and that would be a wonderful way to bring healing to those who have been hurt by Shadow. So Eilian is about to patrol for Orcs? So glad you brought out what it was the Dwarves were warning the Elves about. That would certainly explain the Warg, but I have a feeling this situation may bleed over into the territory of the Eastern Patrol and combine Eilian and Legolas together in a future battle. Gee, that would make for a terrific chapter, don't you think? (Hint, hint ;]) Hey, I'm just meandering a bit... Daw, I don't usually point out what I consider "discrepancies" or "typos" in your stories (cause we all make them), but I do wish to inquire about this since I may be the one needing proper instruction on this word's usage. In this sentence "Ithilden drew a deep, calming breath and reigned in his own temper." "Reigned" means to rule over, right, as though "HE REIGNED OVER THE KINGDOM"? I thought perhaps you meant to actually use the word "reined" in this sentence, which would mean to pull back and take control over (i.e., as with controlling a horse--same as Ithilden controlling his temper). So did you intentionally choose "reigned" over "reined"? I just need to know what is correct so that I will be sure to use the right words in any of my own ritings. Please, Professor, can you instruct me in this? This was a great chapter. Can't wait for the next... BG Author Reply: Oh Valar, you are so right. It should be 'reined' and I ran right over and changed it here as soon as I read your review. Bad professor! Bad editor! Actually,Thranduil was ticked at all three of them when Ithilden sent Eilian home from the south for being reckless (so Eilian) but didn't sent Maltanaur (so Ithilden) and then when he went out to ride to off his temper, he found Legolas throwing mud at little girls (so the baby too). Ah, parenthood! I can't stand seeing Annael unhappy, so need him to have a loving wife and some elflings. Funny you should say that about the two border patrols running into one another! | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/19/2003 |
| Sorry I missed reviewing your last chapter, Daw, it wasn't intentional but an unwelcome intrusion of RL... The one I really feel sorry for here (besides the royal messenger) is Ithilden. He is bending over backwards to be reasonable. Maybe he could find Adar a hobby or something to get his mind off micromanaging his kids...I would not want to be Ithilden when Thranduil finds out that Eilian blew him off on the letter. Seems likely the one to bear the brunt of that wroth (love that word) will be whoever's closest. And what the heck was Annael thinking?? What a bigmouth. Loved Eilian's impatient dismissal of his father's instructions. And he must be so happy to be getting some action soon - me, too, I must admit! Author Reply: Reviews are down all over as the fans flood the theaters, me among them! But that's a welcome intrusion. I also feel sorry for Ithilden. But he is also far more able to disentangle himself emotionally from his father than either of his brothers is. He loves Thranduil and wants his respect, but he doesn't get too bent out of shape if his father is angry with him. Of course, Eilian seems to be willing to tolerate some anger too, but he's a long way away! Annael is kicking himself even as I type. | |
| Naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/19/2003 |
| Ah, the irony indeed! Hope Thranduil appreciates the irony as much as Ithilden does. What a wonderful parallel you created. Did Eilian suddenly develop a death wish???? I can't believe he's being so defiant. Good thing there is time for Thranduil to cool off before Eilian will be home again on leave! And poor Anneal! Open mouth and insert foot indeed. Author Reply: Eilian doesn't exactly have a death wish; he just finds it easier to blow his father off when he's far from home. But then he has to go home again and we'll see what happens then. Poor Annael, indeed. At least he has his girl to keep him warm. I want him to be happy. He's such a nice person. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/19/2003 |
| Daw, Interesting developments. Another title for this chapter could have been 'Thranduil's Terrible, No-Good, Rotten Day' and when the king has a bad day, it spreads like an oil slick. I'm not sure that I think Eilian's advice was so bad, but then what do I know about diplomacy? Besides, it seems to me that the settlers are just looking for a reason to buck Thranduil...I think that may pass as deep wood entertainment for them. Speaking of obtuse! It's true that Eilian will never be seen as a private citizen, but he said nothing that should have riled the settlers up so much. What's his name...Celuwen's father... is going to be offended if Eilian just breaths the same air as he does. He's not done anything that I've seen that strengthens his credibility...the old wood louse. By the time Eilian gets all his runes on, the guy won't stand a chance. Eilian may also need to rub those runes a bit to calm down. The king's oil slick has hit the Northern border. What goes around, comes around. Ithilden withholds information about Legolas and Thranduil conveniently forgets to mention Sinnarn's Big Adventure. After Ithilden calmed down, at least, he could see the irony of the situation and the possibiity of using it to strengthen his position with his adar. Not to mention that he will have some fun with Alfirin over the whole swimming episode. Another Eru given chance to use it to his advantage. Poor Annael...bored stiff and munching unhappily on his foot. I'm sure he's ready to beat his head against the palace doors. A good chapter and fun to boot. Thranduil is such a delight when he's ruffled...though I suspect his sons and subjects would beg to differ. Looking forward to the next one. :>) Karen BTW, I apologize for the last review that I should have never sent. I discovered that I could not think with an antsy teenager hanging over my shoulder. It was a wonderful chapter, too. I'm sorry I did not do it justice. Author Reply: You are so right! Eilian didn't say anything so very bad, but Solith is ticked off at him for breathing, and especially for wanting to breathe the same air that his daughter does. So he complains to the king. Poor Eilian. Ithilden is very clever and using whatever weapons come to hand against his father. He's had centuries to learn and lots of motivation. But I have a feeling he'll develop some understanding of his father's position once Sinnarn gets a little older. Indeed, he may be developing it already. Thranduil wasn't really happy with any of his sons, although I suppose the baby got off the easiest, as always. How can you be apologizing for a review? You are always a delight to hear from. | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/19/2003 |
| I am patting myself on the back for reviewing right away. Obsessed? Me? Well... yes, I am. Eilian, Headstrong? Yes he is. That was a rather forceful letter he sent back to his father. I imagine he should stay on patrol as long as possible after that one. At least he will have something to distract him. Hunting orcs is his favorite pastime. The dwarves were not exactly neighborly to conceal the presence of orcs from the elves. I guess they feel it serves the haughty eldar right. I think they will come to regret it. Wroth? 10 years of college and I have never heard that one before. I had to go look it up. Then you used it again in the same chapter - I'm impressed. I would not want to be that poor messenger. First trying to stand up to a furious Eilin, then bringing word to Thranduil that his son did not send a reply. I think I would take the long way home if I were him. I am glad to see Eilian back to his old commanding self. Your Annael scene was very sweet. I can imagine him discussing his day with Beliniel - it is very endearing. I have told you before, though not in this story, your royal perspective is excellent. You do a great job of showing a situation through the eyes of not only a young warrior but also the family of the Woodland King. Few authors can do it so well. I think Annael is going to owe Legolas and Ithilden both an apology. Ithilden did a good job standing up to Thranduil. It must be very difficult. I would be shaking in my boots. The water adventures of Sinnarn were an excellent way to show both of them how the other one feels - very clever. I hope the evening does lead to more pleasant diversions. ;-) That was a great non-Legolas chapter! Tapetum Author Reply: If I were Eilian, I'd try to stay away for a while. Once Thranduil's two younger sons get out of his reach, they seem much more comfortable blowing him off, but then, one day, they have to go home again. And I hadn't thought about things from the messenger's point of view. Oh yeah, he's in the north trotting along after Eilian: "but the king said I was supposed to bring something back!" And 'commanding' Eilian says "not my problem." Poor guy. I like seeing Eilian as a competent captain, issuing orders that people run to obey. I actually hesitated about using 'wroth,' but it seemed like a nice, appropriate old fashioned word. I admire Ithilden for being his own person and standing up to Thranduil quite well. He can do it even when he's in the same room with Thranduil! | |
| tigerlily713 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/19/2003 |
| Yet another lovely chapter. I love the parallels that you draw so often. It is interesting how Father and Sons seem to struggle with the same problems, but none of them can see it clearly enough to show empathy or even co-miserate with the other. That parting scene was very cute. I look forward to more! ~Lily Author Reply: Parallels were what I was going for here, Lily, so I'm glad you like them. Poor Ithilden. It's good he has Alfirin to lighten his life a little. | |