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Battles Won by daw the minstrel	59 Review(s)
fan81981	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
It has been so long since I have reviewed that first I must apologise. You update so fast that I only have time to read your fics and never enough to review. Actually, I am extremely lazy but I do religiously read whatever you write so ... I know you must have become sick of hearing how wonderful this ficlet was and how well you write - so I will not repeat it (since it goes without saying). What really caught me about this fic was the change from your usual style. It is in first person but even so the tone is so relaxed and mischevious. More like conversation playing in someone's head - very real. Now I don't sound this clear in my own head but I wish I did. I think you got the balance between aware observer and cluless son/Eilian very well. I guess he is not clueless but the uncertainity all of us feel really comes through. The last bit - where he is confused at Thranduil's affection really got me. We tend to forget how important we are to our parents and loved ones - it's nice to know that elves are not different. Now i am going to finish the last few chapters of Sacrifice Under Shadow that I missed. I am never going to get any work done today. Joy! Author Reply: Fan, I know how it is when you get busy and want to work on your own story too (HINT!). I am so glad you think this POV worked. I tried to make it sound like Eilian but it's hard to know what a young, male, warrior elf would be thinking! And in some ways, he is clueless. Got girlfriend troubles? Just don't think about them. Little brother shouldn't throw a snowball at his tutor. Should we consider not throwing the snowball at all? Naw. I'll do it! And so on. But he is endearing and his father loves him even when Eilian doesn't realize it. Thank you for the review, Fan.

Iraci	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
Just read the end... lovely... Please write others soon. Author Reply: Thank you, Iraci. Work is busy at the moment, I'm afraid, so I've been writing only on the weekends. But I get bored when I'm not working on a story, so I suspect I'll start another one soon.

erunyauve	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
I loved the way Maldor dealt with the snowball Legolas threw - he knew who was putting him up to it. But somehow, I think Maldor remembered that when Legolas came to him as a novice. It was good to see Thranduil recognize Eilian's worth. He's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder regarding his father and older brother's opinion of him - probably more than he should have. He understands that their anger stems from the things he does and can even see that it is justified in some cases, but I think he confuses their feelings about his actions with their feelings about him. Author Reply: I suspect that Maldor had an opinion about Legolas before he ever showed up for training and I'll bet this incident did not help. You're right about Eilian, I think. He is uncertain of his own welcome sometimes. Or maybe he's certain that he's not welcome, even though he is. His father and older brother love him, even if they're not as demonstrative as Legolas is. Thank you for the review, Erunyauve.

rikki	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
Wow, this is wonderful to be able to finish the story tonight. I had read the first chapter Sunday night and meant to leave a review then when I got side tracked. Tonight I came back to review and the second chapter was up. I enjoyed this story as I have enjoyed reading your entire series. Little Legolas is one of my favorites and I love Eilian. Hehe! Your use of first person was very good, you didn't lose it and start sounding like the author talking instead of the character. I think that shows your ease of portraying Eilian, you know him well. I especially liked Ithildin in this story, he was more rounded and I was able to see him clearly. Perhaps because it was Eilian reacting to his big brother. I laughed almost the whole way through this story. Eilian doing the count your sins when Ithilden calls him into his office, the Scarlett O'Hara Eilian who thinks about it later and the little boy Eilian who builds snow tunnels and pelts other elves with snowballs. Even with everything going wrong around them, you have given your readers a very loving and close-knit family. If you ever decide to do first person again, I think that doing Ithilden's POV would be interesting. Looking forward to the next story. Author Reply: I had most of the second chapter written before I posted the first because I originally thought it would be all one chapter. But then it got long and I thought the snowball stuff would have more energy if it were a chapter on its own. Actually, one of the aspects of using first person that surprised me was this it shifted the family dynamics a little. They all seemed closer than they look from the outside and Ithilden suddenly became capable of play. Who knew? You sure have Eilian pegged! Ithilden's POV would be interesting. You are so right! Thank you for the review, Rikki.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
The snowball fight was a lot of fun! It was nice to see two of my favorite elves having such a great time. I really liked how the brothers targeted their siblings nemesis. Eilian was sweet to target Legolas' tutor. It probably gave him a bit of satisfaction as well. Legolas was brave to clobber Maldor. If he only knew... Maldor's response was clever - inviting Eilian to the practice field so he could soundly kick his booty. I liked how Legolas had so much reverence for Annael's mother. I remember him eating jelly toast in her kitchen and he was truly content. It was wise of Eilian to pick up on that and let the parents pass peacefully. Elleth are another matter entirely. The family bonding at the end was very sweet. I thought it was funny that Gelmir was way too scared to target Thranduil or Ithilden. I would have been terrified as well. It was nice to see the usually tightly reined leaders of the realm having a great time playing in the snow. Their Nana would have been proud. Thranduil's praise of Eilian was a great ending! Author Reply: I think Legolas may just have been ignorant to target Maldor. Didn't he notice that Eilian was hiding at the time? I assume that Eilian will NOT take Maldor up on his offer of a "lesson." Nanas are not elleth. Everyone knows that. Thranduil and Ithilden surprised me when they joined the battle, but then I had fun picturing them playing with the two irresponsible younger ones. They needed that. Thank you for the review, Tapetum.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
What a lovely, happy family tale - it's good to see Thranduil and all three sons laughing and playing together. I love the collusion between Eilian and Legolas - 'what are brothers for?' - and the 'little talk' Eilian promises himself. But best of all is staid, straight-laced Ithilden pushing snow down his brother's back, and Thranduil throwing snowballs and threatening to drop elflings in the snow. The final scene, where Thranduil remembers how important it is to play is so very poignant and sweet. Great stuff, Daw. Jay Author Reply: I'm not sure that Ada is entirely pleased by what Eilian taught Legolas about throwing snowballs at tutors, but he is certainly pleased that they all had fun, something they really needed. I was giggling to myself as I wrote Ithilden laughing and playing like an older brother. And I'll bet Legolas treasures this memory of playing with Ada for a long time.

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
That was very touching. I knew Thranduil and Ithilden would show up and get pelted by snowballs sooner of later. I was rather surprised at Thranduil's reaction, but only initially. I understand that large family quarrel would have ensued. That is not the goal with Lorellin so recently dead. Again, you really see how Lorellin's death was so devastating and how it affected young Legolas especially. Eilian can be so thoughtful at times. Thank you for this fic. Keep writing! Author Reply: Thranduil and Ithilden actually surprised me when they joined in the fight. I suppose all these warriors can't resist a fight. And besides, they were all elflings themselves at one time and, being males, are still mostly elfling. You are so right that they needed this fun after Lorellin's death.

ANA	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
That was so wonderful! Much laughter, action and of course, a little emotional hiccup at the end to make us teary-eye. I really do love all your characters and hope you will never tire of writing about them. And OMG, was Ithilden actually having fun?! Wonders never cease! Author Reply: All the members of the House of Oropher had fun! And really, they all had Eilian to thank. The fact that Ithilden's 'fun' involved shoving snow down Eilian's back is irrelevant!

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
Loved it! This chapter really made me laugh. Eilian is really quite, uh, inventive, isn’t he?! I get the impression from the way he issues instructions that he’s perfectly happy with this excuse to pelt people with snowballs again! “Legolas crept next to me, and I could feel him quivering with anticipation.” I love that line! Not only could I feel his excitement but it’s such a wonderful image of this adorable little elfling, huddled next to his beloved big brother, totally captivated by this new game. Crikey, if I were Miriwen I’d be getting quite paranoid – in another story weren’t they flinging mud at her?? “For Legolas, almost anyone’s nana was untouchable just now, and I strongly suspected that Annael’s nana in particular was dear to his heart.” Poor Legolas. It’s so touching that he just doesn’t want to harm Annael’s mother in any way, even if it is just fun. It’s a lovely little reminder too of the way Legolas feels about her, and the love that she shows him. I’m glad Eilian realised this and prevented Turgon from hurling snowballs, something which in all likelihood would have upset Legolas and ruined the fun they were having. snigger Eilian’s grand gesture of taking it upon himself to toss the snowball at Galeril so that Leoglas wouldn’t get into trouble was hysterical. Did it even dawn on him that they didn’t actually have to throw one?! Although, I can see how tempting it would be to throw something at an old teacher… It’s so lovely that Galeril is willing to forgive as long as his young pupil is enjoying himself. Ai, Maldor!! “Let me do this,” he said grandly.” Oops, I think Eilian may have just taught baby brother that it’s alright to throw snow at tutors… I’m still laughing Eilian cowering in the tunnel and this tiny elfling facing up to Maldor! Yay, Thranduil and Ithilden joined in! Ithilden seems to be taking a scary amount of delight in tormenting Eilian! Poor Gelmir…;) What a lovely image of Legolas skipping alongside his father, chattering happily. Of course, there was no hope that he wouldn’t tell what had happened with Maldor! I’m guessing Thranduil and Ithilden knew exactly how much glee Eilian probably took in it, even if he wasn’t actually the one who threw it. That last scene between Thranduil and Eilian was beautiful. It must have been wonderful for Thranduil to see Legolas so happy, and then to be able to experience a closeness with Legolas that wasn’t born out of his youngest son’s misery. I’m so glad he expressed this to Eilian. “Sometimes I forget that a gift for play is one to be treasured too.” It’s so good that Thranduil is willing to see that Eilian understands his mother’s view and knows it is one that should be valued. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you let us see this joyous day that they all shared. This story was a wonderful glimpse at this family and I loved the way this style allowed us to see more of Eilian and even understand him a bit better. Like I said before, I tend to veer away from stories written in first person but you really helped me to see that not only does it allow us to feel more of the emotions of the narrator but actually gain a deeper understanding of those around him, and give us a closer view than we might otherwise have had. Thanks for sharing this!:) Author Reply: Like Thranduil, I am afraid that Eilian is not yet too grown up to enjoy throwing snowballs. And yes, the two little girls are the same ones the elflings threw mud at. They try to give as good as they get here. Oh plot bunny attack!!! The girls' revenge. Yes! Put it on the list. I think throwing snowballs at Annael's nana would indeed have ruined Legolas's fun. But I did think it was funny that she asks them if they are having fun with not a clue about what they have been up to. And no, I don't think it occurred to Eilian at all that NOT throwing a snowball at the tutor was a possibility. The tutor, on the other hand, was very nice about it. He was glad to see Legolas happy. He knows what a hard time the kid has been having. Ithilden needs to have fun too sometimes. Even Eilian said that although he probably did not mean that Ithilden should pin him down and dump snow down his back. He and Ada both need to play too and I'll bet Legolas remembers playing with Ada for a long time. When I got this review and Any's (which is just below), I was sappily aware of how great my reviewers are. You are all so kind and generous.

Any	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2004
How do you just do this? You really amaze me with your great talent, Daw! Most authors would fail awfully using a POV they're not used to use, but not you! :) I mean, I guess it was hard to switch from your usual POV, but you worked this story out so wonderfully, I'm almost speechless. Well, but only almost lol So I can still bother you with just another review (aren't you getting tired of me? ;)) Anyways, I don't know how to describe what I felt when I read this story. I think I must have been smiling like a lovesick idiot while reading this - at least it felt like it :). If I was/am in love either with little Legolas (just adorable, cute, sweet...) or with Eilian (big brothers can be so damn sexy just being big brothers!) I don't know myself. Probably both! gg It's so beautiful how you made me actually feel in my own eyes that sparkle of deep affection and gratefulness and care Eilian must have in his eyes, when he watches happy little Legolas play. Do you know what I mean? Awesome. :) I also like it that, even though this is a first person-POV-story, you still manage to show that there are things even the main character doesn't seem to comprehend/know about himself but the reader might know them. E.g. when Eilian prefers to push thoughts about Celuwen away because that's a "tactic" that worked so well for him so far. I mean, hello, how could one say it "works well" when one can't be with the woman one loves???!!! He (still) doesn't seem to understand the way he feels about Celuwen, does he? Or if he does he still doesn't know what he should do, eh? Oh my... poor Celuwen, poor Eilian! sigh I can't wait to read the story in which Eilian and Celuwen will finally get their reward you mentioned to me in a reply to another of my reviews! :) You did a wonderful, wonderful job, once again! :) You're definitely my favourite author (even beating Cassia & Sio from the Mellon Chronicles!)!!! ~Any Author Reply: Any-- I just got your review and Dot's in the same batch of emails and I can't tell you how far I am from tired of you all. If Legolas had a good day in my story, I have had a wonderful day today. I am suddenly so moved by how generous my reviewers are to take the time and thought to write to me and tell me they liked what they read. OK. Getting hold of myself now. I smiled (and even giggled) the whole time I was writing the second chapter. I made this list of potential victims: little girls, of course. Oh, the tutor!! Yes! Wait, wait! Let's throw Maldor in. And Thranduil and Ithilden too! That's when I started really having a good time. You are so right about Eilian being a little slow on what counts as a good tactic for dealing with problems. Ignoring them is NOT it! I thought the same thing about his rush to throw a snowball at Legolas's tutor: he didn't have time to think about this, he thinks, because he has to hurry! Oh yes. That will work all the time. Thank you so much, Any. The comparison to Cassia and Sio is deeply flattering.

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