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Paths Taken  by daw the minstrel 239 Review(s)
mistry89Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/26/2004
"He would live in the woods forever, he thought dreamily. He would never leave. The path of dreams came up to meet him and he ran along it with his arms spread wide in joy."

Oh, that's so very sad - such an innocent wish, and it won't happen.
Will go and watch my lovely ROTK dvd to cheer myself up!

Thank you, Legolas is learning by leaps and bounds, and a little education is slipping through to Ithilden .... and even all the way to Thranduil. Looks as if it is thrue, you are never too old to learn. I wonder whether Leoglas "does" have that dagger, and when Ithilden remembers to follow up on it?

It all reads so easily ... so plausibly, and it requires both the knack and the need to produce that. Thank you again for sharing this story.

Author Reply: Thank you, Mistry.

I so agree about Legolas's "innocent wish." I was thinking the other day about the parallel between him and Frodo. I was remembering that scene in the FOTR movie when Bilbo says that Frodo is still in love with the Shire. And then at the end, Frodo can never go back and live happily in the Shire again. Legolas is like that too. He can never go back and live in contentment in the woods.

Anyway, thank you for your kind words. Easy-reading, plausible stories are what I aim for!

LeraReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2004
I'm very sorry this review is so late, especially since I read the chapter the day it was posted. Bad me!

Ok, that ending was so lovely, yet so sad! Legolas singing about living in the woods forever, but we all know what the desire of his heart eventually becomes. I wonder what his family went through, when he left them. So sad.

I saw in some of your answers to other reviews that you're thinking of doing the battle of the five armies sometime, and I want you to know that this thrills me to death. Of course whatever you do will make me happy, but the events of the hobbit told from your point of view would be fabulous! God bless.

Author Reply: I imagine it was hard on Legolas's family when he left, but it was probably also hard to see him unhappy. He lost a lot in the Ring War.

I'm glad you're enthusiastic about my plans, Lera. I'm still thinking along those lines, although I haven't written anything yet.

emjoReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2004
Great story Daw! I loved the way you showed Ithilden and Alfirin's story before their bonding. And I always love the way you show Thranduil and his sons. Once agian great job!

Author Reply: Thank you, emjo. Ithilden is still acting stupidly, and I think Alfirin might have to clue him in eventually. If she waits for him to smarten up, she may have to wait a long time!

Estel_Mi_OlorReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2004
That was a touching end to a very sweet story. I love Legolas when he's little! Ithilden and Alifrin are so cute together, and I am very interested to find out how they became sweethearts, and later married. Of course, that would mean that Ithilden would have to master the power of speech around Alifrin. But I'm sure he can handle it. :) Thranduil is such an interesting parent, reminds me of my mother... His idea of "controlled freedom" is interesting, but he better hope the elflings never find out or he will be in big trouble. Legolas is pretty responsible for his age, isn't he? I am not a parent and therefore I don't exactly know the expected behavior at this age. In this fic, Legolas seemed to be acting particularly irresponsible. Well, I won't debate the issue. A great fic, as always. I am eagerly awaiting your next story.

Author Reply: Thank you, Estel. You're very funny about what Ithilden has to do to court Alfirin. It doesn't seem like much, does it? But apparently it's beyond him.

Legolas is good for his age, but that's not saying much. "For his age" is a really big qualifier when you're at that middle school age. He'll come around though. His heart is in the right place and he has a family and teachers who care enough about him to discipline him.

erunyauveReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/23/2004
Sorry this is so late in coming - I read it right away but my brain has been too scrambled to put together coherent words (very long week at work).

I think Alfirin has made her choice - Ithilden can put to rest any rivalry with Penntalion. (Of course, he won't!) I had to love Eilian's letter - he's still a bit of kid himself, so of course he knows what to expect from Legolas. And I'm glad Legolas finally got to sleep on the flet - can I guess that my favorite future member of the Mirkwood Secret Service was camping in the copse?

Author Reply: I know what you mean about work, Erunyauve. I've been trying to write some stuff for work and I am so depressed to be doing that instead of elf stories that I am almost ready to give up! Let's set some priorities here.

If Ithilden only knew it, Alfirin is becoming more and more attracted to him. But he's such a sap, he can't figure it out. I'm not sure who was in the copse actually. Beliond may have been off spying for Thranduil.

MizalayeReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/23/2004
I've been reading your fics for at least a month now, and have finally found the review button! (Seriously...I was looking for it and missed it) Anyways, I have enjoyed each and every chapter you have written. You are a phenominal writer with an excellent grasp of your characters and setting. Your original characters are fascinating and complex; you've inspired a few ideas of my own! Your plots are well-thought-out and interesting, your dialogue is true-to-life and fun...in short, you're wonderful! =o)

I can't wait until you start your next fic (there will be a next one, right?)! Thanks for writing such beautiful stories.

~Mizalaye

Author Reply: Mizalaye--

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me this. I admit to being shamelessly fond of my OCs, and if you think the plot and dialogue are good too, then I am very happy!

There will be another story eventually. I've been working at what I get paid to do for the last few days and have to do it some more, but eventually I'll have to give in and write some more because I get depressed when I don't.

Again, thanks.

daw

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/23/2004
Poor Ithilden. His head must just be spinning. What a rude introduction to parenthood, but he did ask for it, didn't he? The way you manipulated the shifting moods of this chapter, from the carefree delight of the swimming hole to the antagonism and frustration of the final scene, was just masterful. I liked how Ithilden, even in his consternation, manages to notice that Legolas at least has learned to move silently in the forest, and his comments about Turgon's influence were amusing. His little scamp of a brother sure made short work of the composure of the commander of all Mirkwood forces, didn't he? Talk about pushing the right buttons....It took a lot for Ithilden to completely lose composure and haul off and hit Legolas. I know physical violence is never the answer and all that...but I can't help but thinking that a similar well-placed slap at this age might have done Turgon some good!

Author Reply: Legolas knows exactly what to say or do to make Ithilden turn purple and jump up and down. And what's more, unlike Ithilden's warriors, he doesn't hesitate to do it. Maybe that's a sign that he trust Ithilden to love him anyway.

Yeah, Turgon would have been much better off if someone had cared enough to discipline him. Legolas didn't suffer any lasting damage, and Ithilden certainly got his attention.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/23/2004
Daw, you must have been cracking yourself up writing this chapter. Sweet Eru, Ithilden is blundering straight into disaster. Legolas's little snits and pouts and lightning trasnsformations to sweetness are delightful to behold. These were my favorite lines:

"Thranduil blinked and then laughed. “I have always looked forward to Eilian becoming a parent,” he said, “preferably to sons who will jump off the bridge over the Forest River to see if they can fly. But I begin to think you may offer me some amusement too, iôn-nín.”

"Their father really should spend more time with Legolas doing things like this. Ithilden would see if he could find a way to tell Thranduil that when they got home."

I guess Ithilden never had time to take Eilian on a camping trip, huh?

mrk

Author Reply: Now that's a funny thought! He wouldn't have lasted five minutes!

I'm glad you could see some sweetness in Legolas too. I think he is sweet underneath. It's just that sometimes it's mighty far underneath!

Hisie LomeReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/23/2004
Well, am I not long winded or what? I forgot...

Ithilden may think he has freedom, yet his adar will surly deny it to him until he really is much better and then add a few weeks just to make sure.

It sad to think that Legolas will one day be overcome by sea longing and must leave his woods. But for now, life seems to be returning to normal.

Again, Thank you...please tell your family that you have made alot of us happy! And some one else needs to do the dishes, take out the trash, whatever!

You need a reward!

Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome

Author Reply: I think the sea longing is very sad too. Legolas will one day be unable to find contentment under the trees. That's about as sad a thing as I can think of for a wood elf.

I'll tell my family this but I'm not sure they'll listen!

Hisie LomeReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/23/2004
Daw, What a surprise?! I just checked and found chapter 8 posted....Thank the Valar! I had thought the tale was ended....How lucky I am...Thank you.

How sad that Ithilden was moved to his private chambers....and drugged, as well. No unlooked for female visitors :(
I understand that as soon as he was out of critical care, his adar would not want him on "display"....in private one may be weak, alas- a public image must be kept.

Ithilden really is a Type "A" elf. In pain and still thinking of the his duty. I am glad that I am not the only one that is so "focused" on work. He really does not like to lose control...and not being there "anything" could happen. Is Ithilden really surprised that his adar does not know what his heir is thinking? Is adar any different himself?

With the difference in their ages and circles, I guess that Ithilden would not really have much dealings with elflings. Even young soldiers would have been drilled and have expected reactions, of which Ithilden could understand....how fustrating to have an inconstant in your very midst!

It was wonderful that Ithilden was concerned for Legolas, his rearing, and the need to explain every direction to the youth. It really is an age thing...children of any race still need guidence (even when they are SO grown up- but not yet adult.) That the king would reflect that his queen had made a statement that their sons behaved the same way was honest and sad.

I loved that Penntalion thought that Legolas was " self-disciplined"! Ithilden may think that his brother was brave and responded well to the crisis...but, disciplined? LOL! It must be that ability to "turn off" the lord/brother thing that Ithilden has yet to quite master. And the letter....Even Eilian agrees!

Wait until Alfirin's Naneth finds this wandering Lord! One trembles at her ire! No spoonfull of suger to help the medicine go down...No, just plain yucky tea and quite alot of it I am sure.

I loved that Thranduil is willing to allow Legolas some independence, yet only with a little bit of protection. Adar did take Ithilden's advice and explained his expectations and the whys.

Turgon immediately wanted trouble. Let's just break the rules and have some fun...Legolas would have made his family proud to know that he had indeed told his friend, "No."

Wood elflings in the forest with stars and song ==> perfect!

Annael's nana, as always comfort and joy.

Thanks again for all of your hard work,
Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome






Author Reply: Thank you for this lovely review, Hisie Lome.

I think you're right about the young soldiers who would certainly been trained to follow commands or they would not have been allowed to become soldiers. Legolas will do that too someday but for now he's just a kid.

Another reviewer suggested that Thranduil probably came to Ithilden's office with the guards that Ithilden insists he have and escorted him back to bed. I thought that was a very funny idea and I'm sorry I didn't think of it.

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