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Paths Taken by daw the minstrel	239 Review(s)
meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/22/2004
Oh, lovely! Nothing better than a sweaty, half-dressed Ithilden except a sweaty, half-dressed Ithilden "reduced to idiocy" by a maiden! He really does need a vacation. Too bad he's not going to listen to his father! Author Reply: Indeed, Meckinock! But she seemed impressed. Maybe he could make progress by taking his shirt off more often. :-)

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/22/2004
Hi Daw, Uh, better late than never? I've been on the road a lot lately. It was great to see Ithilden and Thranduil butt heads. One of the most delicious aspects of your stories is the way you show us the characters through on another's eyes, and we get to see the same situation or conflict from two (or more) different perspectives, each of them perfectly reasonable, of course! Spectacularly hilarious portrayal of the mercurial disposition of a near-adolescent. I admit I skipped ahead and already know where this is going, and it makes me laugh in anticipation! mrk Author Reply: I'm glad you found Legolas funny. His family doesn't always agree with you, I'm afraid. And one of the fun things about writing these stories is exactly what you named: trying to make all of these characters equally reasonable and flawed, so they are interesting in themselves and with one another. Hope you have a good time as you continue to read.

LKK	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/21/2004
Confession sems to be good for the elven soul as well as the mortal soul. :) I was impressed in the last chapter when Legolas told Thranduil about his wrong-doings. I was even more impressed when I found out that Legolas had not mentioned the spanking to his father. I wasn't surprised that Ithilden mentioned it. He's a warrior, trained to leave out no details. But for a child not to tell on his brother ... that's very impressive of him. I think Ithilden desperately needed to hear Penntalion's praise of Legolas. After reading that scene, I realized that with their long lives and the many years between children's births, adult elves don't have much interaction with children. Unless like Penntalion, they teach elflings in some way. Ithilden doesn't have any other elfling to compare Legolas to, so he genuinely doesn't know how responsible his brother is for his age. (I doubt Ithilden knows Turgon or Anneal very well.) I'm glad Thranduil finally allowed Legolas to sleep in the flet. That was a wonderful way for the story to end. Very peaceful and pleasant. May I make a suggestion? You have many faithful readers, but some of us (okay, me!) are somewhat forgetful, especially when it comes to names. Would you consider putting a Cast of Characters list or your regular OCs somewhere? Perhaps on your profile page? It would help us (translation: me) remember who is who when one of your OCs appear. Just a thought. :) Wonderful story, daw. Even though I hadn't planned on reading it until real life calmed down, I'm glad I did anyway! LKK Author Reply: I think that Legolas was embarrassed by the spanking and didn't even want to think about it, much less mention it. And I suspect that it doesn't even occur to him that he could get Ithilden in trouble. Ithilden is an authoritative adult to Legolas, and adults stick together. I'll bet you're right about how hard it is for elves to get some perspective on children. That whole age thing is very hard to think your way into because our lives are so different. A Cast of Characters would be a useful thing. Maybe I'll make one soon, given that I'm not supposed to start another story until I'm finished writing this thing for work. But a list of characters would just be one of those routine tasks it should be possible to do without much creative energy. I made a list not too long ago for my own sake but I don't think it's complete and it's just names. Good idea.

Camp6311	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/21/2004
What a sweet sad ending to this story with the singing and the lullabye and Legolas dreaming of living in the woods forever, when we we know fate will deny him that. Sigh On a lighter side, I could just see Thranduil and his guards escorting Ithilden back to bed, and Thranduil remarking that he is finding his guards to be quite useful after all.... Author Reply: YES! That's exactly what happened to Ithilden! Why didn't I realize that??? That's hilarious.

Dragon-of-the-North	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/20/2004
A lovely last chapter for a wonderful story! "You behave well when you understand why you are supposed to do some things and not others." - that is an important lesson to be learnt for Ithilden (and Thranduil, too ;-)) from this story... It is something adults tend to forget too easily because certain things seem so obvious, but are not immediately obvious to a child. So I wonder who learnt more on this trip, Legolas or Ithilden... But I would almost guess that it was Ithilden - while Legolas has learnt certain little details, Ithilden has realized an important general truth that might be quite useful even in his job. Eilian's letter made me chuckle - and so did Ithilden's astonishment at the notion that Legolas is a comparatively self-disciplined and well-behaved child (LOL - should I wish Ithilden a camping trip with Turgon...? No, I am not that cruel, I believe!). The little bits of Ithilden and Alfirin romance were nice as well, and the end, with the three singing elflings and Annael's nana... just lovely. :-) Wonderful job once again - and knowing your usual speed, I can hope that the next story will be out soon. :-) Author Reply: Thank you, Dragon-of-the-North. I think you're right that Ithilden learned more (although apparently not about the best way to court a maiden). One of the reasons I wanted to write this story was to learn more about Ithilden, so maybe I'm the one who learned the most. :-) The idea of Ithilden and Turgon on a trip together made me laugh! Can't you just picture it? Neither one of them would survive.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/20/2004
daw, As always I hate to see one of your stories come to an end. But what a good ending! Legolas and Ithilden seems a little wiser after their ordeal, and Thranduil even seems to have listened to what Ithilden had to say about what he learned about dealing with his youngest brother. You have said before that you see Thranduil as seeing his role as making the sons toe the line, and this certainly seems the case. He's a very good father, but he does have a tendency to approach his fathering much like he does running a kingdom. Neither role is devoid of love and compassion, but orders are to be obeyed without question! I think that tends to be the male approach to most things.:>) Still, most of us understand better when we see the reasoning behind the orders. Legolas is an intelligent child, but he's still a child. Being both mother and father for his last child has been a difficult job, but I think the king has done quite well overall. He's learned as he gone along and makes adjustments as he sees the need. Every child is different, and I think Thranduil is wise enough to realize this. Now, as for intelligence... For a smart guy, Ithilden sure is dumb. Bless his heart. That elleth sure does reduce him to an adolescent. His confidence flies right out the window. Even poor Penntalion probably wonders what is going on with his self-confident commander. I really enjoyed the scene between Thranduil and Siondil. A nice little father to father chat. I can only imagine why Siondil thought he had been summoned. He was probably trying to decide if he or Annael had done something. I love the idea of posting the warrior to look over the little ones. As a mother, I can certainly understand. I would post guards with both my sons if I could get away with it. Not just because I fear someone else harming them, but to be sure they don't do something so stupid that the consequences are beyond repair. I see signs of intelligent life in my oldest, but the youngest is now entering the grumpy know-it-all stage. Maybe, it's me that needs a guard to keep me from climbing up on a step stool and strangling my over 6 foot 'baby'. :>) I can't imagine raising them without their father. I really sympathize with single parents. They have a tough job. Thranduil has done well with Legolas despite the little guy's ability to wander off. Very good, daw. I loved getting to know Ithilden a little better. He's really one of the good guys...even though he still has the testosterone brain damage of his gender. I read where you're considereing the Five Armies for your next story. Sounds great. I'd love a little action and to see what all three of the Thranduilions were up to during that time. Besides, I'm still in awe that you can write three or four stories in the time it takes me to write one! But that's one of the many things I like about your stories. I love quick updates. Thanks for such a delightful read. Karen Author Reply: You are so right about Thranduil learning as he went along being an only parent! I can't even imagine how hard a task that must be for him. I think that Legolas is lucky that he's not also an only child. His brothers love him in a different way than his father does. It's not better. It's just different. And that gives him space to learn in. Also, as his family's baby, I think he's unconsciously confident that he'll be loved no matter what he does. Now Ithilden is another story. Here's a guy who's deeply responsible. I suspect he feels he has to earn love. He needs Alfirin in a big way. I think adolescence is nature's way of enabling parents to let go! If they stayed sweet forever, we'd never be able to send them out on their own. As it is, we sometimes want to kick them out of the nest -- kick them hard!

vic	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/20/2004
Hi Daw, I am always so upset when you finish a story, but at the same time, I cannot wait for the next one! This was yet another great chapter, filled with love that each family member has for one another. I'm very glad to hear that Ithilden recovered from his little encounter with spiders, while Alfirin, I'm sure, kept a keen eye on the convalescing patient! It will be interesting to note just how the two eventually get together, so perhaps there is another little tale on the way? Or are we going to see adult Legolas back for his stint as a Lieutenant? It doesn't really matter, as anything written by you will be very welcome! I loved the last part, where Legolas promised his Adar that he’d only go into the woods with an adult elf. What a little imp, indeed. I seem to recall a number of adventures that he goes on, much to the angst of his Ada. Quite touching also were the last few sentences "he would never leave"... I cannot imagine just how hard it might be for our little Wood Elf to be torn away from his home; I'm hoping that Nice, and Clever Daw will make it better, or at least write another story (hint, hint) :-D Anyways, it was brilliant a story and I thank you for sharing it with us! Vic Author Reply: I'm always upset when I finish a story too. It depresses me! I have it in mind to do Bilbo and the Dwarves/the White Council/the Battle of the Five Armies next, but I also want to write those other stories about the year Eilian stayed home and Legolas first acted as a lieutenant and about Ithilden and Alfirin courting too. So many plots! So little time! Every time I think of how happy Legolas is in the woods, it makes me sad because I think about the sea longing. Galadriel says he'll never be contented beneath the trees again after that. In the movie, he looked like he lost nothing in the war, but that is SO not true.

White Wolf	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/19/2004
My mother is in the hospital, so I haven't had as much time to read as usual, and I fell behind in this story, which I enjoyed so much. It was good to see Legolas and Ithilden together, even though things didn't go quite as either of them planned. I think Legolas learned a good lesson, although I know from other stories of when he's older, he still doesn't mind all the time. I liked Ithilden's dreams of Alfirin kissing him and the fact that Legolas got to sleep in the flet with Annael and Turgon. Author Reply: I hope your mother is better. RL can be tough sometimes. Legolas is on his best behavior right now, but I'm not sure how long that will last. He's awfully curious, and at some point, he does need to grow up and declare his independence. Thranduil is a good father, but he has his hands full.

Hisie Lome	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/19/2004
Hey Daw, I have just check Stories of Arda and All but 2 of my reviews have disappeared! I have no idea what has happened. I really hope the Valar are not angry with me for some reason. Just wanted you to know that I have not changed my mind....I look forward to more of your work! Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome Author Reply: Thank you, Hisie Lome. I still have your reviews saved. :-) This story was fun to write. I get bored when I'm not writing one, so I suppose I'll start another one soon, although today I have to work. Sigh.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/19/2004
Now that is a dream! Much better than being chased through the forest by giant spiders. I think anyone is better off just giving in to Thranduil, he is quite accustomed to getting his way. I bet the only one who ever beats him is Legolas. The brothers' conversation was very sweet. Apparently Legolas is quite the nursemaide - he is fascinated by vomit. I am very glad they could clear the air between them. I think their bond is stronger for the trip. Not every kid responds well to physical discipline. I am going to send you an e-mail on a good way to calm your kids down next time they are over active. I don't think Thranduil has tried it. Only non-parents think they know how to handle kids all of the time. Ithilden is wise to admit Thranduil is much more skilled. Apparently elves are just as poor patients as men. You would think they had a little patience. I would think Eilian is an amusing correspondent. He would have to be quite clever to make his adventures in the south anything less than terrifying. Kids are very entertaining from a distance. Penntalion's remark to Ithilden and the prince's reaction had me LOL. It is amazing how different an outside perspective can be. You left me wishing Ithilden would make a move on Alfirin. That's 2 stories where I was actually wishing for romance. You must be the master! Thranduil's plan to protect his son while letting him have a wonderful evening was great! I would not think Siondel would object to having a warrior look out for his son for an evening. I don't think I would ever turn down an extra pair of eyes. The boys had a wonderful evening under the stars together. Your last little scene left me all choked up. Excellent wrap up! Super job as usual! Author Reply: Legolas is in a good state of mind right now. He's sorry for what he did and tells Ithilden that. He wants to care for him and Thranduil, bless him, sees all that as making any other penalty unnecessary. They have undoubtedly had a little talk (or several). I wouldn't lay any bets that this good state will continue indefinitely, but his family should enjoy it while it lasts and remember it when things go bad again. Maybe Alfirin will have to make a move on Ithilden. I'm thinking. Loved your email!! Sent you a picture of Eilian in return.

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