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Tangled Web by daw the minstrel	22 Review(s)
Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/28/2004
Poor Legolas! (Well, it makes a change from 'poor Sinnarn'.) He'll have to live with hobbit jokes for a long time, I think. Quite clearly, everyone knows about his mistake. The not-very-well-hidden amusement of Thranduil, Ithilden and Sinnarn was wonderful. I think Sinnarn has coped with his disgrace and punishment admirably, and has grown as a result. He obviously listened to his grandfather's advice, and has shown more maturity than I think his uncles would have done. But poor Ithilden, hoping none of 'his' warriors would have to fight Smaug, that 'he was tired of sending elves to their deaths'. They won't have to fight Smaug, but face a far worse battle, where we know many will die. Who are you going to kill, Daw? Tinar? He's the only one I won't grieve over! Jay Author Reply: My experience is that male relative enjoy teasing one another far more than one might hope, and I can just see Legolas's father, brothers, and nephew (and probably friends too) enjoying themselves greatly at Legolas's expense. Ah well. He should be used to it by now. Sinnarn is doing very well, and I think that Ithilden is pleased with how he's acting. I'll bet Calith and everyone else also notices that he's being strong. I am getting reviews instructing me not to kill various characters, but someone has to die. That was a nasty battle! :-(

Jebb	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/28/2004
This was so perfect and a real pleasure to read it is good to see the whole family re-united and happy, well apart from Sinnarn who seems to be handling the whole thing with stoicism he is more like his father than Ithilden gives him credit for it must be very hard to have to face such humiliation day after day Legolas what can I say the scene with the river elves was priceless he is right he will never live it down! And Eilian comes home what a reunion. But more than the sheer joy of reading this is the real sense of being there of living their life through your eyes a great gift So many lovely little things that make up the whole like Legolas waiting for permission before sitting down, Thranduil giving support and silent approval to Sinnarn for wanting to face up to his troubles, Ithilden's sadness at seeing his son in his office and so many other tiny details that make this so wonderful to read Author Reply: I think Sinnarn is a nice blend of his parents. He is bright, like Ithilden, and somewhat more gentle than his uncles because of his mother. Of course, he also shares Thranduil's pessimism. I was glad to have Eilian come home. I missed writing about him. Your last two paragraphs really made me feel good. I like writing about the Arda-shaking events that Tolkien is describing, but I really like seeing these characters as people who were affected by those events in their own lives and in the lives of those they loved. And I like giving their lives texture. I'm not good at descriptions, so I have to concentrate of what it must have been like to do even simple things like join your family at dinner. Thank you for being so kind.

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/28/2004
Whew! an upbeat end to an upbeat chapter. At least while they are getting at Legolas they are leaving poor Sinnarn alone. That lad needs to get into some real mischief so that he can feel guilty for something he actually did!(consciously) Lovely stuff Rose Author Reply: Thranduil's family is all at home and mostly happy. Except for Sinnarn, who at least has Emmelin. (I almost can't bear the thought of adding another member to the family. It will be so huge I'll never be able to write about them!)

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/28/2004
Oh what a lovely chapter after the emotional agonies of the last! Eilian and Celuwen - ahhhhh! Thranduil amused - and offering loving fatherly advice. Interesting differences between Eilian / Sinnarn - Sinnarn is, in some ways, stronger and more balanced than his uncle: less mercurial. Poor Sinnarn (there it goes again) is dealing with the outcomes with surprising resilience - and at least the dwarves have gone off to a place where they are currently doing no harm. Poor Legolas - it is a good thing he has been thoroughly well trained in enduring brotherly teasing. The family must be glad to have someone make a mistake that can be responded to with laughter, rather than treading on eggshells. Legolas still hasn't quite disentangled work and family - although as he is a generation further up the family tree, it is probably a bit harder for him than for Sinnarn, whose father is troop commander and grandfather is king. Awful position for both of them, really. Especially living on the job - I thought it was quite right when Legolas went to the Eastern patrol as a new warrior. He would never have coped at home - and neither would Ithilden (not to mention Thranduil). I'm glad to see some reflection on the 'one cup' story: Sinnarn is usually truthful - Ithilden is wondering about some deception, although he really believes his son is deceiving himself. Galion is very lucky that this disaster occurred to him in the presence of Sinnarn - I doubt Alfirin would have been so accepting if she didn't feel that supporting Galion was supporting Sinnarn. Let Solith move, Thranduil. I believe Dol Guldur is pleasant at this time of year! Poor Galelas - he needs a loving elleth. (Not a funeral pyre.) If Tinar can find a wife - presumably the only deaf/blind elleth in Mirkwood - Galelas should certainly be able to find someone who loves him to the exclusion of all others. One of the most fun aspects of this story (well, apart from characterisation and the plot and so on) is the fact that the readers are insiders and can pick up all the references - small parties, hopeless quests, evil mountains, returning kings indeed! Author Reply: You know I think you're right about Sinnarn and Eilian. And I think there are two possible reasons. One is that Alfirin is still around and I think she helps to balance Sinnarn. Eilian was technically an adult when his mother died but he was a very young one, only 70. And the other is that Sinnarn was left to mature with less responsibility. Eilian went south early and was a captain early. Sinnarn may have complained about boredom occasionally in his safer posts, but he also had time to mature. I think Ithilden learned from what he saw happening to Eilian and he didn't make the same mistakes with Sinnarn. Legolas, on the other hand, was sent away young, as Eilian was, but he was sent somewhere relatively safe and not made an officer young. So he, too, had more time to grow up. Ithilden did his best by all of them, but the times are demanding. I think the idea that Sinnarn might have lied to him is one of the most troubling parts of this to Ithilden. He can't quite believe it but he can't see any other explanation. As I was writing this chapter, I was struck by the parallels between the two quests. Legolas can't help but admiring the Dwarves for undertaking this one. Maybe that affected his decision to go on the other one!

erunyauve	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/27/2004
I have to mention again how much I loved Emmelin's reaction in the last chapter! The scene in which Legolas learned of the hobbit was wonderful. And I could just see there would be no end with Eilian coming home. Okay, now I get the wine mystery (it took me a couple of chapters). Poor Sinnarn - that is one elf who might do serious damage to Bilbo Baggins. Author Reply: Emmelin is going to be a wonderful addition to Thranduil's family (although I can hardly stand the thought of the family getting bigger -- it's hard enough to write about them all together now). Legolas was so compassionate and responsbile, and then it turned out that "Hobbit" was "a" hobbit! And his family will enjoy themselves forever. I can see them years from now sitting around the table and saying, "Remember the time that Legolas mistook a hobbit for a dwarf child? Hahahahahaha." I pushed canon a little bit there about Bilbo refilling the wine cups, but he could have done it. Poor Sinnarn (apparently I'm not done saying that yet).

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/27/2004
im glad that Eilian is back. He really isnt going to let the hobbit thing with legolas down right? actually im looking forward to hearing him tease legolas. Dont keep us waiting for too long. -sofia Author Reply: I'm glad that Eilian is back too. I've missed him for the last few chapters. He's fun to write about. And I think that he is planning on tormenting Legolas for a good long time. It's an older brother's privilege!

Molly	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/27/2004
I just had to laugh at the irony of this: They were on a fools’ errand, he thought, but somehow, he could not help but admire the little company, marching bravely toward the mountain where evil dwelt that they might regain what was theirs and bring about the return of their king. Hm, why do I think Legolas will one day be more familiar with that type of journey than he expects... I'm glad we're able to see the whole family together and well. I think that's the first time that's happened. I like seeing them interact; it's obvious that they all love each other. And Legolas is being a better sport than I ever would about the whole "hobbit" mistake. Author Reply: Ah! I loved writing that sentence. As I was writing this chapter, I was really struck by the parallels between the two stories. Here we see Legolas admiring others for doing what he's going to be asked to do himself. I wonder if that affected his decision to go? Writing about the whole family together is challenging now because the family has gotten so big. It's relief to go back and write about the smaller family that existed before there were wives and a grandchild, actually.

Ms. Whatsit	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/27/2004
Aww, Eilian/Celuwen fluff. How sweet--and how very Eilianish to have all these public displays of affection. I loved Thranduil teasing Legolas about "Hobbit." Ha! So the truth comes out at last! Legolas will probably try really hard to look completely nonchalant whenever anyone says "hobbit" from now on--and his family will probably find a way to work the word into every sentence! Is he going to tell Annael? I seem to recall Annael staying out all night looking for the "child" out of sympathy. Poor guy. Once more, with feeling: Poor Sinnarn. Just had to say that :). I liked Thranduil's total contempt for the notion that the Dwarves are "magical" or have powers or something. I also like how you show that he was quite reasonable in wanting a bit of the treasure, what with the trouble the Dwarves caused and the shortages in Mirkwood! I also like the glimpse we get of Thranduil's spies. I bet they're really, really, really good. I think the glimpse we got into Galelas's family was a sad one. Poor kid. A brother like Tinar--and parents who actually prefer this obnoxious brother! Eek! Author Reply: You are so right! Annael is going to have to be told, and I think Legolas would be the one to do it. LOL. At least Legolas's mistake shows him up as a person of compassion. His family is enjoying the chance to rib him a little though. At least he's had lots of practice in being teased. I'm trying to show Thranduil's lust for the treasure as reasonable although I also suspect that he did like pretty things. But he behave pretty well during the war actually. Two of the keepers used to be spies, Beliond and Nithron. And I expect you're right and they are very good. Thranduil would get someone else if they weren't. I loved having Eilian home again to write about.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/27/2004
I can't believe I have fallen so far behind in reviewing, but I've caught up (reading, not reviewing)! The tone of this chapter was so nice. It had an almost peaceful feel to it. For the first time in a long while, the realm is seeing some peace. Maybe not everything is hunky-dory, but it has certainly improved. I can't help but feel bad for Sinnarn. That must have been some potent wine! But it's to his credit that he's born his sentence well. Despite the fact that it's obvious that Sinnarn's entire family suffers with him, he has been held accountable. The worst part, I suppose, is to tell the truth and have everyone doubt you. Poor guy. At least Legolas's 'error' about the child brought a smile to his face...much to Legolas's chagrin. He was just worried about a 'child'. Commendable, really. I love the spy! I don't know who he is or if we'll ever see him again...but I loved the James Bond of Mirkwood! Great touch! Double 'o' seven with a bow! It certainly is nice to have Eilian home! For a moment, I got all choked up when Galelas was standing all alone as everyone else's families came to greet them. But I did get a kick out of Maltanaur's wife making sure he was intact. I dare anyone else on the face of all of Arda to do that! I'm glad the sorry family finally dragged themselves over. I've got a bad feeling about Galelas.... And of course, the final scene where Eilian carried Celuwen off to their chambers while she is still trying to conduct business was priceless. Wonderful, daw. It's such a pleasure to find an alert in my mailbox. I'm never disappointed. I look forward to the next installment. Karen Author Reply: This chapter was one of those plot set-up ones. I needed the Dwarves on their way to the Lonely Mountain and everyone else assembled at home and ready to go. And there really was about five weeks between the Dwarves' escape and any further actions the Elves took (that is, if "really was" can cover what happened in The Hobbit). Legolas's mistake showed his goodheartedness. It's like the theme of pity in Tolkien. Lots of characters do things out of pity (like the Wood elves letting Gollum go outside) that seem a mistake at the time, but later they turn out to have been necessary for everything to work out. Kindness is never a mistake in Tolkien. Thranduil's spies are fun! Legolas's keeper, Beliond, used to be one and so did Nithron (Sinnarn's keeper). I've decided Maltanaur never did though. Eilian needed a different kind of minder than the other two did. And Maltanaur is married, as we see. :-) I was glad to be able to write about Eilian and Celuwen together again. Sigh. Coming home is even sweeter for him now.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/27/2004
What a nice chapter, especially so after the angst of the last one. Sinnarn is behaving admirably through all this humiliation. I cannot help but see the similarities of the relationship between Sinnarn and Ithilden and the relationship that Thranduil has with his sons. It must be difficult for Ithilden too to draw the line between being a father and commander, as does Thranduil between father and king. Poor Legolas. Eternity is a long time to be the butt of "hobbit" jokes. At least he no longer has to worry about the lost child. And Eilian is at last home and claiming to be tired. Somehow I don't think he will be getting much rest this night, not with all the catching up he has to do with Celuwen. You update so incredibly quickly, but I keep wanting more. This is really a great story! Author Reply: Sinnarn is doing very well. Ithilden and Alfirin did a good job with him. I think Alfirin's continued presence is one thing making his life a little easier than that of Thranduil's sons. The relationship between Ithilden and Sinnarn can be difficult, but at least Alfirin is outside that whole chain of command. And she believes him. At least Legolas has the comfort of knowing that his mistake showed up his kindness. And I'd think his family would know that too. I was very glad to have Eilian come home so I could writing about him again. I missed him!

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