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Paths Taken by daw the minstrel	33 Review(s)
sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Oh! Trouble in paradise... But do we even call it pardise, when they have been argueing just about the whole time? Author Reply: Not the whole time! They had some nice moments fishing and cooking and swimming. But it sure seems like things went downhill fast, doesn't it?

tigerlily713	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Legolas is quite the devil, isn't he? Poor kid! And poor Ithilden. But I suppose he's got to learn to be a father sometime, he might as well practice now. Wonderfully done; I eagerly await more! Lily Author Reply: I like it that your sympathies go both ways, Lily. Both of them are having a hard time. And Ithilden's son should thank his lucky stars that Legolas (and presumably Eilian) were around before he was. Otherwise, neither he nor Ithilden might have survived his childhood.

Ithildin	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Re: the interaction between bossy Ithilden and bratty Legolas: all I can say (as mom of nine, from young adults to little kids) is - you really pegged that scene. As unsatisfying as it is that they are at odds at the moment, it certainly was true-to-life. Well done. ___________________ “I am going to have to let him be a warrior, just as I did Eilian, Ithilden thought unhappily, but not yet. For now, I am going to keep him safe whether he likes it or not.” ___________________ Ai, this one hit home. I sometimes have thoughts like this myself when I’m watching my five-year-old – especially when he wants to play at soldier, like his big brother in the Air Force… Keep writing, Ithildin ( Author Reply:* A mother of nine?!!! I have to lie down just thinking about it. I once lived in a neighborhood with big old houses and big Catholic families. Across the street from us were three houses in a row with 11 kids, 12 kids, and 9 kids respectively. 30 kids in three houses. When we had a block party, we really had a party!! I have an only child. I can't imagine dealing with adolescence that many times. And Ithilden is about to decide he can't do it once (or maybe twice, counting Eilian). I like the little symbol by your name. Very appropriate.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
That elfling is so bold! I just read the chapter and was so stressed by his impertinence that by the end of it I had to get up and walk around for a while before I settled back down to write this! It all began so well for them… I loved the start of this chapter, with the two brothers enjoying each other’s company and being outdoors. Legolas really does seem to like being given some responsibility and I had to smile at how eager he is to get on with the hunting. He’s so cute when he’s being good. I suppose that’s true of most children, though… I liked the little remark about Annael’s adar showing them how to clean fish. I think it really shows how fatherly Siondel is, not just with his own son but his son’s friends too and it’s good to know that Legolas gets to learn these things that would probably only have come up in a situation like this camping trip, whereas Siondel was probably preparing the fish for their meal at home. If that makes any sense… “Ithilden was increasingly pleased with Legolas today.” You know, I think that good manners and the ability to command respect are completely innate to Ithilden at this stage in his life so I can see how he becomes frustrated with Legolas when he’s rude and feels proud of him when he behaves, but I think that what also comes through here is a genuine desire to see his little brother happy and I get the impression that even though it is supposed to be his leave, he’d be more than satisfied if at the end of it Legolas went home and was able to say that he had a good time. My heart stopped when Legolas disappeared! Then to discover that he had simply climbed up a tree… What was he thinking! I mean, if even I know from listening to Thranduil that you can’t properly track a deer from the trees, then Legolas should certainly know this! “You do not have to keep on about it!” Wow, you really know all the catchphrases that annoyed children use, don’t you?? I suppose, at least it means that he’ll obey that particular rule anyway. “He had probably not wanted to admit he was getting tired, Ithilden thought, and softened at the idea that his brother had been quiet about his discomfort.” Um, am I the only one who thinks he was quiet because he was sulking?? Oh dear. I’m really going to have to start being more sympathetic towards Legolas. After all, the poor guy is obviously just trying to prove himself and is being thwarted at every step. The swimming scene was wonderful. And no, not just ‘cos Ithilden’s naked… It’s just great to see them having fun together and so completely relaxed around each other. Of course, that makes it all the more pity when they clash. I still think that it’s not totally the fault of Legolas being at a difficult stage – in a way Ithilden has to remember that he’s Legolas’ brother, not his father but it’s so difficult when he’s that much older and, like Thranduil, feels the weight of responsibility and the fear of Legolas rushing headlong into a world that is so very dangerous. “For now, I am going to keep him safe whether he likes it or not.” I really liked that line. I thought it summed up perfectly the attitude of all of Legolas’ family. Where on earth did he get a dagger??! “Why had none of the weapons masters ever told him that Legolas was so undisciplined?” I think Ithilden should go and watch Legolas at training some day. It seems to be consistently an area where he is most assuredly not undisciplined. He would definitely have reason then to feel proud of Legolas, both as his brother and as his future commander. “He missed his footing…” Two shocks in one chapter?! My nerves can’t handle this at all… I felt so bad for Legolas, though, when his arrow hit the branch. He must have been so disappointed. I’d say he probably genuinely just misjudged the distance when he jumped rather than taking a chance. He probably didn’t expect to be scolded after it. LOL! He put a snake in Ithilden’s pack?! I thought it was funny even if Ithilden didn’t… “Before he had time to think, he seized Legolas’s arm, turned him sideways, and delivered a hard slap to his backside.” My jaw dropped at this part. I can totally see how the snake was the last straw for poor Ithilden, who probably had too many frights and too many arguments that day. It looks like he isn’t quite so capable of dealing with one elfling as he thought – I imagine he never had to slap the backside of any of his warriors;) Great chapter, daw. Ups and downs indeed. Well, as “maddening” as Ithilden finds Legolas, at the end of the day Ithilden is the adult here and I can’t wait to see if he comes up with a solution to their problems or if Thranduil is going to get his sons back sooner than he thought. Author Reply: Absolutely you made sense about cleaning the fish! That's exactly what I pictured. Annael's father cleans fish for their dinner and the kids watch and try it too. Fish is being cleaned for dinner somewhere in the palace but Legolas is not around to watch it. He misses all the ordinary things that Annael learns to do just from everyday living. And you're also right that Legolas obeyed about keeping close to Ithilden and not using the trees once he understood why. Ithilden might think about that a little. I imagine he's not accustomed to explaining his orders to his troops, but this is his little brother who need to be nurtured and have life explained to him. I love it that your sympathies are with Ithilden, but you feel sorry for Legolas too. Reviewers have been surprising me with how divided they are. I wanted them to see both sides and I guess they do. You know, usually when I write Elf swimming scenes, I'm having fun thinking about naked (adult) elves. But this one left me feeling for how vulnerable Legolas is. He's a child who is stumbling into a confusing new stage of life and his body shows it and Ithilden sees it, but Legolas himself is still unselfconscious.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Hey Daw, Interesting chapter. I really enjoyed it. I can understand both brothers' perspectives here. Ithilden was smugly congratulating himself on bringing Legolas along as long as his little brother was compliant and marching to his tune, but alas, little brother hears his own drummer. Ithilden's lack of experience with elflings is showing! Legolas has plenty of history with adults, but little with being commanded solely by the military. Thranduil may be exacting in his directives, but he's already raised two children and does know how to finesse. I actually sympathize with Ithilden that he has reached his last straw. He hadn't slept well, Legolas frightened him out of his wits by disappearing, the knife thing--which he handled poorly--and then the snake was the icing on the cake. He just reacted. Legolas, on the other hand, was just out for a good time with his brother in the woods. At his age, pushing limits comes as easily as breathing, and there was no maliciousness, just the youthful bravado of wanting to play grownup--and a good practical joke to get even. With Ithilden's constant command, he just 'reacted'. Okay, now that they have butted heads like two territorial moose, maybe they can step back and get on with the camping trip--which is still headed for disaster it seems. My favorite lines: “Everyone hears you” and “Annael’s adar showed us.” The Annael's father line was quite revealing. I'm surprise that Ithilden didn't pick up on it, but that's evident in the way he continues to order Legolas around like he's a warrior under his command rather than a sibling in his care. Great little line, daw. And Legolas is wanting and needing his own family's male guidance, and he screws the whole thing up by trying to assert his own independence. It seems they are at cross purposes here. Ithilden's the adult, and he's not dumb. I think he may figure this out pretty quickly--once he's calmed down. Children are not warriors for a reason! But there is battle to be won here, and I think Ithilden looks like a guy that can rise to the occasion--when he has his clothes on. Oh dear! I would have listened to anything he had to say while swimming...I would have tried anyway. I can't wait to see where this is going. I have spiders in my crystal ball. But not even the wisest knows all ends, and since I'm not one of the wisest, and I'm so easily distracted by naked Elves, I could be wrong. Great chapter, daw. Carry on, Karen Author Reply: Yeah, Legolas was feeling like a grownup, out hunting with his brother, dagger in his boot. But from Ithilden's point of view, he's a little pipsqueak. Except that he also treats Legolas as if he were a warrior who had to hop when the commanding officer said so. I'd say they both have to learn some stuff from this day that started so well and ended so badly. I could picture Annael's ada showing the two elflings (or even all three) how to clean a fish. He must have the patience of Job. I think Eilian would do that too. But at the moment, Ithilden really needs to feel in control of situations and keep everyone safe. It's his job, and it's his personal nightmare that he wasn't in control when his mother died. But maybe tomorrow will be better!

LOTRFaith	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
lol....I think that is exactly what would happen if I took my little brothers out... They are just like Legolas.. The think the world revolves around them and don't understand what the meaning of 'danger' is;-) Author Reply: Ithilden would probably agree with you, Faith. Legolas is not the only one who needs a good night's sleep to restore his temper.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
And it all started so well! The good parts were still outweighing the bad until the Grass Snake Incident, but Legolas has a lot to do to win Ithilden back now. (And he really should stop rolling his eyes and answering back if he doesn't want to infuriate his poor older brother.) Looking after an elfling still a simple task compared to warriors, is it, Ithilden? Love the way Mr. In Charge tells the Home Guard that WHEN Deler wants his help, he will be there. That's showing confidence in your subordinates! Slapping the elfling was understandable, but not a good tactical move - he wants to be treated like an ADULT, Ithilden. Regardless of the fact he is not behaving like one. And don't generalise - he was actually rather endearing for large sections of the day. Criticism needs to be specific and focus on behaviour, not personality. He clearly hasn't read the right books. I can't wait for more. Author Reply: I suspect that Ithilden is rethinking his position on warriors vs. elflings. I felt bad for them really. They DID have fun some of the time, and they care about one another. But Legolas does not need to be given orders like one of the troop commander's warriors. He's a kid who is trying to grow up. He needs someone to listen to him and explain things.

jebb	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Oh a bratty Legolas and so true to life no wonder Ithilden lost patience with him that must have come as a shock to both of them but certainly doesn't seem to have slowed Legolas down any. Why do I have a bad feeling about that snake? Author Reply: You're right, I think. Ithilden was probably just as surprised as Legolas was he swatted him. And I'm sure that Legolas doesn't want to get smacked again, he mostly just resented it. These two need to start over. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

mistry89	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Just read chapters 3 and 4 - I could see in chap. 3 that Ithilden was about to receive an education in elfling behaviour, but now I am on tenterhooks! I suspect that Legolas, too, is about to learn something! Thank you. Author Reply: "Overconfident" doesn't even begin to describe Ithilden's attitude to start with But then, that's the way he is in general a lot of the time, I think. He has a lot to be confident about usually. But Legolas has been giving him a hard lesson. And the story does need to go on from here too!

Camp6311	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/10/2004
Ai, both brothers had moments this day that they should be ashamed of, and they were having so much fun fishing and hunting and swimming! Ithilden is the adult though, and should be the one to take the steps to put things right between them. Hopefully he will also reflect on this day and figure out what techniques were effective in manipulating a youngling's behaviour and which were not. Author Reply: Yeah, I think there was plenty of blame to go around to both of them. And as you say, Ithilden is the adult here. I would guess that neither one of them is going to be eager to describe all this to Thranduil.

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