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Sacrifice Under Shadow by daw the minstrel	167 Review(s)
sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/14/2004
Im glad we got to hear some of Eilian's story. He really was care free in his youth. Author Reply: Eilian did have a relatively carefree youth, compared to Legolas especially. It was a time of peace, for the most part, and his mother was still alive. Things are going to come crashing down over the next few decades, I'm afraid.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/14/2004
Daw, I apologise for not reviewing this before! Despite pressure of work, I have been trying to keep up to date with my favourite writers, both to keep me sane, and because I know I will never catch up otherwise. But luxuries like reviewing have had to go. I always love to see a new story from you, and I like this - poor Legolas in the thick of it, affected by shadow already! His family have finally realised just how good he is, but it must have been hard, especially for Thranduil, who now has two sons in such grave danger. I look forward to lots of angst and action ahead! Jay Author Reply: I'm so glad your inspection went well, Jay. And I think you are right that Thranduil must be anxious right now. How sad to have to send these children whom he values so into the fight against Shadow.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/14/2004
Great chapter, daw. Quickie review, I'm afraid, or I'd have to leave it until tomorrow... I loved the opening – poor Legolas trying to force himself to get up and brave the freezing cold. I think we can all empathise with that – I’m so bad at getting up out of bed in the morning. “You are a warrior of the Woodland Realm and a son of its king, he told himself. Get up!” That just really struck me as hilarious…! I wonder what Beliond would have to say about being called a “valet”? I doubt he’d be too impressed at the thought of having to help Legolas to dress! Siondel? He’s the same age as Eilian? I…never knew that… Even though I probably should have. Hmmn. I suppose being in the Home Guard did give him a chance to settle down and grow up a little when he had the responsibility that comes with being a father and husband. I never thought about it before but if I did I’d probably have thought he was Ithilden’s age or older. You’ve really stopped me in my tracks by adding him in here…! I’m glad we get to see him as a novice, though. He’s so like Annael, isn’t he?? How on earth did you come up with that escapade?! I’m starting to think my childhood was really dull… It’s a really fascinating thought, though – and again I hadn’t really considered it before – that Eilian could have chosen not to become a warrior, that it wasn’t necessary to do so, especially when the Crown Prince would be able to eventually lead the Realm’s forces. If Eilian started off a little reluctant and disinterested, no wonder it took him longer than most to settle down. Poor Lómilad! Do elves get high blood pressure?! Ah. The first sign of problems between Eilian and Celuwen. It seems to me that they’re actually quite typical problems that they are experiencing – Celuwen beginning to realise that she likes Eilian while also disapproving of his behaviour and Eilian completely oblivious to the reasons why his childhood friend is becoming a bit distance – but it’s just dragged out over such a long period of time for elves! I wonder if she had explained her feelings at that time would they have been saved years of turmoil…?! I have to say, though, that I love the glimpse of flirty Eilian;) Legolas seems a bit shocked! It’s not as though he was perfectly well-behaved… Still, I suppose the difference is that Eilian was the instigator and Legolas always the follower, and as Eilian pointed out, Legolas has always been so serious about his training. “He could not help but wonder how his brother had changed from the irresponsible youth he had just described to the formidable warrior and captain he had become.” I thought that was really interesting. I do think that Eilian is a great captain and seems to have grown up a lot recently but I wonder does Legolas still view him less critically than others. He just seems to see his recklessness as being completely in the distant past. Having said that, why should he have to see his brother’s faults when he doesn’t have to? Too many other people do. The fact, though, that Eilian can see so plainly how irresponsible he was and even the reasons behind it show that he is thinking more clearly than before. I actually feel quite proud of him! More young Eilian, please!:) Author Reply: I turn the heat way down at night and what I do every morning is hop out of bed and turn the thermostat up and then run back to bed until the furnace stops running. At least, I'd like to stay in bed that long but on these sub-zero mornings, I can't. The furnace never stops running. Anyway, that's what gave me the idea for Legolas being reluctant to get up. Siondel is a lot like Annael. You'll recall that Annael joined the Home Guard and bonded soon afterwards. When Legolas was chasing dragons, Annael had a small daughter. Siondel would have been like that too. So one thing that means is that when Siondel died, he and his family were both quite young.;-( One of the things I'd like to show in young Eilian is that he has certain strengths that he can learn to use wisely, but that he doesn't know that yet. And you should also be able to see the root of his relationship with Celuwen, both its long strong history (they know one another very well and are comfortable together) and its problems.

ANA	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/14/2004
What a riot! I can just picture Eilian shooting across the river like an arrow from a bow - something straight out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. I thought it was a great idea so I guess I would be considered reckless too. Considering Legolas' reaction to the story, I wonder whether some of the hero worshipping of the older brother might be wavering just a bit. Interestingly enough, Legolas' reaction to the story also struck home for me how seriously he takes his warrior role, even at such a young age. Very entertaining chapter. Can't wait for more. Author Reply: Eilian and Bugs Bunny -- a juxtaposition that made me laugh! I strongly suspect that your teacher or your parents would not have been amused to see you shooting across the rived, ANA. "Reckless" is probably not the strongest word they would use. Legolas is seeing Eilian more like adults see one another, as a mix of strengths and flaws. But there is no doubt that he will love his brother anyway he finds him. Thank you for the review, ANA.

Any	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/13/2004
Hi, just wanted to tell you: I love your stories! I've read them all now (took me two, almost three days, but I just couldn't stop reading!) and I really really love them!!! :))) Most of all I like reading about Legolas' relationship with Eilian. Both of them are such cool guys and they love each other so much (I always had to think of my two sisters while reading, I'm the middle daughter, so I sympathize with Eilian quite a lot, hehe ;)) and I like the fact that Eilian still calls Legolas "brat"! It's so sweet that he stills sees him as his naughty baby brother, hehe :) I also like Legolas calling Beliond "Nana"! You should let him do that more often ;)! (Oh, and please could you make them hug at least once anytime soon? That'd be sooo nice!) Well, so, please update soon! Oh, and please, please, please make Eilian get Celuwen, will ya! Pleeeeeeeaaaaase puppydogeyes I so much want to see him happy!!! And I like her. She is a very nice character. She seems the right one for him! I believe that some day even someone like Eilian would sacrifice some important part of his life like his role as Southern Patrols' captain for the sake of love! So, please, let them make up and bond soon. :) And let them have a lot of children, too! :) Thanx! I'm really looking forward ~Any P.S.: I never knew I could beg so much! Haha... :) Author Reply: Yes, Nana! I forgot about that. What a good idea. I'll see if I can work it in. I'm glad you liked the stories, Any, although it seems to me that you must be reeling after reading them all in such a short time. I'm a middle child too, so I also sympathize with Eilian. Eilian and Celuwen will get their reward one day, just not yet. I have plans for them right here in my notes. Shall I hold them up to the screen for you to see? There. Isn't that nice? ;-) daw

Antigone_Q	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/13/2004
How nice to see a new story! And with Eilian, too! This is going to be good, I can tell :) Legolas is finally in the Southern Patrol! I hope he enjoys it as much as he thought he would. I know he goes on to serve in the home guard later, so maybe the Southern Patrol isn't all it's cracked up to be. Meanwhile, I noticed some improvements in Legolas' interactions with Eilian; he seems to have learned a great deal from previous experiences working with his brother. Building a snow cave - oh, ick. I can remember doing that for a survival class. It was not at all fun to dig out (gloves too wet, face too cold) but much warmer than I expected inside and not too bad, except for being a little cramped. I noticed that now that Eilian does not feel that he has to protect Legolas so much anymore, Legolas misses Eilian looking out for him. Ah, well, growing up is a series of trade-offs, I guess. And now Legolas and Beliond seem to be working very well together - very good. I hope Eilian isn't suffering too much from prolonged Shadow-exposure. How long has he been there? Author Reply: Legolas is more mature in his reaction to Eilian, at least for one day anyway. But other things will affect their relationship too. I have plans for them. You really built a snow cave?! I got that off of the internet while sitting warm and toasty in front of my computer. Would it be possible for Legolas and Beliond to sleep in a single one or would they need two? I thought one might be warmer (shared body heat) and also give Beliond a chance to protect Legolas more, but maybe a bigger one would collapse or be colder because the body heat disperses? Eilian is in pretty good shape right now, I think. He seems able to be aware of the Shadow and stand aside from it.

Spirit	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/13/2004
I have been reading your stories right from the beginning and have not reviewed any of them yet. I just don't normally review, for anybody. But something compels me to write this. I have been reading fanfiction for a long time, many different genres and subjects, so I consider myself to be a bit of an expert. Of all the authors I have read your stories are the most memorable and your characters the most endearing. Every night when I get home from work I rush to see if you have updated. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing all of us the chance to read your stories and for the wonder and enchantment it brings into our lives. Author Reply: Wow. This is the kind of review I don't even know how to answer because it is so wonderful. I will tell you that when it came I went and got my husband out of the shower to come and read it. Thank you for this. I am just overwhelmed.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/12/2004
What a nice surprise to find a new story. And it finds Legolas in the southern patrol. I knew this day would come, but I'm with Eilian...I don't have to be happy about it. Certainly, Legolas is ready to tackle such a dangerous assignments and Eru knows, he's been chomping at the bit since he first became a warrior to go south. The opening scenes of the snow were beautifully rendered, but ...so cold! I know the Elves don't get all whiney about the cold like I do, but it must get to them after a while. Back in the First Age when the Elves crossed the Helcaraxe, some of them succumbed to the cold, didn't they? Apparently, they have their limits, too. Mine just comes long before theirs! I still enjoy Beliond and Maltanaur. We've found out a little about Beliond over the last few tales, but not much about Maltanaur. I remember from one the first stories that he had a grandchild, but you've not told us much else. Of course, I'm probably the only person wondering about these things. I must have a thing for the background guy. My husband say I'm the only person he knows who sings the backup lyrics to songs on the radio instead of the main lyrics. If we have any shrinks in resident, maybe they can help me. I also enjoy the interactions of the two 'keepers'when they're together. I suppose they can relate. The relationships of the 'keepers' and their charges are interesting to see, too. Legolas has certainly matured in his with Beliond. And I love that the 'keepers' answer only to the king! Despite what looks like a babysitter job, in reality, they out rank everyone else where their charge is concerned. Go keepers! The battle was good. Even though Legolas gave Eilian a headache, he performed as a experienced warrior. I'm sure it was a relief for Eilian, but he'll never stop worrying to some degree...and that's as it should be. The brat is still...no matter what else he may be...his brother. I look forward to your class completing the next chapter. Give them an 'A' for this one. :>) It was wonderful as always, your minstrelness. Carry on, Karen Author Reply: When I was getting ready to write this, I thought about what it means to say that Elves are less sensitive to cold than men are, and I thought about the deaths on the crossing too. So I decided it had to do with their ability to control their bodies. And I'm with you. There is snow piled up outside my windows right now. Sleep in it? Are you kidding? I thought it must be odd for Beliond to be back in the Southern Patrol as Legolas's keeper. He was once this patrol's captain, after all. But as you say, he's really working for Thranduil. My class is busy editing materials to go in a brochure that promotes our MA program, but they know I do this as a hobby and one of them suggested that a good fanfic might liven the brochure up a little. Shall I give him an A?

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/12/2004
Ooh, this looks interesting! Legolas in the south, the two brothers working together, perhaps a glimpse into Eilian’s past…. I’m intrigued already! I had to smile at the meeting between Eilian and Legolas. I really like that Eilian greeted Legolas as a brother first, rather than as his captain. Two years must have seemed a fairly long time for them to be apart, even for elves. They have to sleep in the snow? Crikey, you really do think of everything! How did you come up with that?! I have to say, though, the snow-covered forest sounds amazing – it hardly ever snows here, and it never stays on the ground so I’d really love to see proper snow… There’s Gelmir! It’s nice to see familiar faces! Legolas and Beliond seem more comfortable than ever in their relationship. I love the way Beliond automatically searches for a safe place for his charge and gives him the opportunity to spend some time with his brother, while Legolas doesn’t even think to question Beliond’s choice of sleeping-place for him and is shocked that his ‘keeper’ should do his work for him. They play off each other really well, too. LOL! Maltenaur is the same as ever, I see – he really is one of my favourite of your OCs! You know, I’ve probably said it before but I love the way that when you decide that the other characters aren’t really necessary to the story, you still ensure that we don’t miss them too much by slipping in little references to them, like Ithilden letting Eilian know Legolas was coming and Thranduil sending Eilian the gloves. It’s good to know as well that even when they are so isolated they still have little pieces of home touch them now and then. Legolas’ description of how things are at home is quite frightening. There’s a real sense of hardship that I’m unused to in your stories. The difficult times brought about by the harshness of this winter seem to mark the beginning of a new chapter of life in Mirkwood. I really liked Eilian’s speech to Legolas about the Shadow. It shows how good a captain he is, that he knows that warriors who are new to the patrol will need reassurance about what they are experiencing. I guess it’s quite sad, too, that he understands the effect of the Shadow so well and knows how it works. What I particularly enjoyed about this chapter is the interaction between the two brothers. They are clearly delighted to see each other but there’s a definite wariness. Legolas seems to have a completely different attitude this time when he has to serve under Eilian, obviously brought about by experience. He really is determined not to argue with Eilian, isn’t he?! I wonder how long that’ll last… I feel more sorry for Eilian, though. It’s hard enough for him to quash his protective tendencies towards Legolas, but to see him in the most dangerous part of the realm, and under his command, really must be difficult. I thought the ending was so moving. I suppose that while Eilian didn’t want his little brother in a dangerous situation, it must in some way have felt good to be his protector – whether as captain or big brother. Now he realises that Legolas is not only a capable warrior and therefore destined to be in such situation but really doesn’t need him as much. I hope he remembers that his younger brother can still need his comfort and reassurance, if not his protection. Equally, despite his insistence on independence, Legolas must have relied to some extent on the support of his family. Proving his competence and gaining more independence also comes with the loss of something that he always had. I’m dying to see where this goes, how Legolas fares in this patrol and how the brothers get on in such a situation…. Ah, I have that tense feeling that only comes with one of your stories again... We’re back to normal;) Author Reply: I am such a sissy that I could never sleep outside in the summer much less in the snow. I live where there is a nasty winter and there is snow outside my window right now. I hurry in and crank up the thermostat. Ithilden and Thranduil aren't necessary to the Legolas part of the story, but we'll see them in the young Eilian part, which is what I'm starting to write now. He and Gelmir will be new novices, so Adar will be very much in evidence, as will Naneth. I'm glad you like the brother interaction. It's what I enjoyed writing the most too. Eilian and Legolas have always had a relationship that was very rewarding for both of them: Legolas loved Eilian uncritically (in contrast to Thranduil and Ithilden who love him but see his faults) and Eilian was an intuitive "motherly" figure for Legolas. And I think elements of that will always be there but there will be new ones too. I have plans.

Lera	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/12/2004
Oh, happy day! I was going into withdrawel! I'm glad you're letting us see how Legolas does on his first time in the Southern Patrol. Will it be all he thinks it'll be I wonder? Picky question: you said he's now served in every patrol but the Southern one; has he served in the home guard? I was surprized that they hadn't seen each other in over two years. That's a long time. What a tough thing to be a warrior and not see your family like that. That's pretty sad, but even today I guess it's reality. Still love that Maltanaur. His and Eilien's relationship is so fun to read about. I'm glad he doesn't limit his advice to safety and military advice. Although I suppose treating Legolas like a warrior could be called military advice. But it's kind of more personal. Sweet old, ada Thranduil is still lovably protective. I'm glad. Legolas wasn't sure he believed Eilien about The Shadow Talk being given to all new warriors, but I do. That's kind of a scary thing to have happen, and of course you'd want your warriors to be aware of it. Eilien's a good captain. He can be a brat and be unpredictibly wild, but he's a good captain, who I'd trust. I remember in the last story in one of the reviews you said Amdir and Turgon needed to be free to be wood elves, all tra-la-la, dancing, feasting, stuff, and the shadow needed to be gone, and peace needed to reign for that to happen. Well, I was wondering, Eilien's a very good warrior who seems to thrive on the danger and challenge. What would he do if all peace is restored to Middle Earth? Would he be able to just be a peaceful, calm wood elf? At least he'd finally have a chance with Celuwen. But I'm thinking he'd probably have to take up extreme sports. The battle was fast and well written. Stupid owl. I was surprized to find myself feeling a little sad with Legolas at the end. I guess I finally realized he's an adult and a full-fledged warrior. You've allowed me to see him grow and it really is hard to finally see him as a full grown elf. Feeling a little sad. Ok, on a last note, you're not going to have any "I can't rememer what happened" stuff in this story are you? I adored the last story, but I don't think I can take that kind of suspence again! At least not this soon. Well, thanks for starting a new story. God bless. Author Reply: No memory loss in this story, no! That was fun while it lasted but I don't think I can do it again. Hm. Has Legolas served in the Home Guard? Maybe that's not counted as a patrol? That must be it, because I don't think he has. And I've wondered about Eilian living during peace too, but I think he might do OK. He could have a great deal of freedom to wander if he liked. I suppose it might depend on how much he had matured by then. I wonder what extreme Elf sports would look like? LOL I am a little sad that elfling Legolas is all grown up too, but I can always resurrect him if I want to I guess. I think I have to do that.

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