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| Tangled Web by daw the minstrel | 48 Review(s) |
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| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/11/2004 |
| This was a good wrap-up. I like the additions - Tinar is humanized a bit, and Ithilden's pain is just palpable. Thranduil is many things in this chapter - father, king, diplomat etc. He did bring home much treasure, but he expended much in helping Laketown and lost many of his warriors. What a price, but being the long-sighted king he is, he sees the bigger picture. Now, I want Eilian to have a little elleth all his own. And she needs to drive him crazy. :D Author Reply: Thranduil is my favorite character in this chapter. He's just such a wily king (let them all wonder about the source of the magic!) and good father (he knows what his kids are feeling). And you and the Elvenking are on the same page about Eilian! | |
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/11/2004 |
| That was a fantastic fic, daw. I think it is my favorite of all the ones you have written. Thranduil was great, he really is a wonderful father. Eilian will be a good parent-but I will still laugh at his mistakes. Imagine Sinnarn having children of his own...no I don't think it's time for that yet. :) Thranduil did not become king for nothing-he really knows his stuff. I really liked his comment to Legolas about not dismissing an ally because he has flaws. It seems to me that Elves, especially, do not make allowances for the flaws of others. I am glad Thranduil is not one of those Elves. I also appreciated his foresight in realizing that the alliance that the North has now formed will serve a greater purpose in the War of the Ring, which is coming up...soon. Thank again for this fic. I can't wait for another one, which should be out in a day or two, following your amazing schedule. :) Keep writing! Author Reply: Thank you, Estel. Thranduil is, indeed, a good father. He knows that Eilian and Legolas both have things on their minds that he wants to help them with. But I wonder how he will feel when Legolas one day makes an ally of a Man and goes off on the quest. I think you're right that Elves are not good at making allowances. Thranduil probably does it because he's a shrewd ruler who wants any strength he can get for his people. | |
| emjo | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/11/2004 |
| Excellent story Daw. I loved every chapter! I know you probably have a story in mind to write next but can I tell you how much I would love it if you wrote of the time Legolas returns from the quest. I would love to read your take on Thranduil and his families reaction to Legolas and the quest. I would also like to thank you for your wonderful stories I enjoy reading them so much I always read every chapter twice. Thank you so much for your time and for sharing you talent with me and all your other devoted readers! Author Reply: Thank you, emjo. There seem to be a number of people who want to see Legolas come home from the quest, so I might write it some day. It would be tough though. There was a terrible battle in Mirkwood while Legolas was at the Pelennor, so that would be grueling to describe, I think. I need a break from big battles right now. :-) | |
| White Wolf | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/11/2004 |
| I think I will have to get a computer version of a rubber stamp that says, "Another wonderful story." I have read all of yours, and I am not only never disappointed, but I am forever getting lost in the terrific family that you have created for Legolas and all their adventures, as he grew up. I love Legolas now, but I hope that you will go back and do some more of him as an elfling. I particularly like him at age four and also at sixteen/seventeen. I enjoyed seeing Legolas take responsibility for the home Guard after Todith's death. I know he was an adult, but I think that was the point where he really came into his own. When Thranduil mentioned to Eilian about having his own children and then stepped out of line was so funny. I could picture Eilian's being forced to continue on with his mouth wide open. I do hope that he and Celuwen will have children soon. They will be great parents. The Battle of Five Armies, as I said before, was handled very well. I know the aftermath will linger for a long time, but I have faith in our woodland friends. Looking for more very soon. Author Reply: Thank you, White Wolf. As it happens, I'm thinking of doing an elfling story next, maybe when he's about 7 or 8. And I need another adolescent Legolas story some time too. I enjoy writing about that vulnerable age. Legolas is, indeed, coming into his own. He's about ready to set of on the quest, I think. Eilian as a father. I love the image. One of these days I'll write that too. And again, thank you. I love hearing from you. | |
| erunyauve | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/10/2004 |
| This marks a real turning point, the sort that would have to occur before Legolas could be allowed to go to Rivendell as his father's representative. I think people have tended to see that errand as a punishment or an indication of inferior status in Mirkwood, but it seems to me it would require a fair amount of tact - the Wood Elves are in a rather embarrassing position and although Legolas is not aware of the implications, I think Thranduil must be. It also marks a new phase for Eilian - I was wondering when he'd get around to having kids. It will be interesting to see how Ithilden handles Sinnarn's near death, and how Sinnarn handles Nithron's death. I can understand how he would feel. Incidentally, have you ever considered writing a story from Beliond's point of view? He's such a colorful character (okay, I'm his number one fan, I know). Author Reply: I loved being able to show Legolas and Eilian taking charge in that last chapter. They weren't necessarily enjoying it, but they were doing what was needful and Thranduil and Ithilden saw it. And your comment about the nature of the messenger to Rivendell is interesting. I love it when someone questions the commonly portrayed reason for something. And yes, Thranduil has apparently decided that he needs more grandchildren. ;-) Actually, one of the story ideas I have in my list is to tell a tale completely from the POV of the wives and/or the keepers. It would be interesting to get into their heads and see what they are like. | |
| Cormak | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/10/2004 |
| I'm terribly sad that this tale is over. I've enjoyed reading it as I have enjoyed all of your stories. You impress me with how quickly you put out these chapters and how well they are written. I hope there will be more stories in the future. I love reading how your write Tolkien's characters as well as your own! Author Reply: Thank you, Cormak. I expect there will be more stories. As I was wandering around the house yesterday with no story to write, I was thinking about an elfling Legolas story. I need to get a little work done for a few days and they I'll be back writing again, I think. Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the story. | |
| Esamen | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/10/2004 |
| What a wondrous toy the hobbit had in his possession And what a wondrous line that is . . . . light hearted, yet full of dark forboding. To think that Thranduil didn't guess what it was! Hmm. I am so glad that you decided to include those last few lines of Mithrandir's and Bilbo's parting conversation with Thranduil. Those are some of my favorite lines of the whole book. So . . . it's a wondrous story with a wondrous end. I'm wiping a tear, saying goodbye to everyone as they ride off into the Elvish distance . . . please bring them all back soon . . . I'll be watching the cyberwaves for them again . . . . Thanks, Daw. Author Reply: Thank you, Esamen. It's actually hard to write about the ring, given what we know about it. It seems as though it should just stick out and sort of scream "Look at me! The One Ring, right here!" But not even Gandalf knew what it was. He was suspicious, but not terribly so, given the years he let pass before he did anything. And they all seem to take magic for granted, so maybe it could be a toy. | |
| maya_ar | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/10/2004 |
| Very nice indeed - in this chapter you've drawn together the various threads you started earlier as well as hinted at developments in the future. You handled the interaction of the woodland elves, the dwarves, and the men of Dale so well: have you considered writing about the Battle of Dale during the War of the Ring? We know so frustratingly little about it, other than the heroic last stand of King Brand and Dain Ironfoot. I'd love to see your take on it. cheers, Maya Author Reply: Thank you, Maya. What a good idea about the Battle of Dale! I'd never even thought of it, although I have thought about writing about what went on in Mirkwood while Legolas was on the quest, maybe cutting back and forth between him and home. The Battle of Dale could be worked in there somewhere maybe. Right now though, I think I'll do another elfling Legolas story. I miss the little guy and I need something cheerier. | |
| Ms. Whatsit | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/10/2004 |
| And I have to add: poor Eilian! The nagging for grandchildren has begun! Author Reply: Hey! As the mother of a grown son and NO GRANDCHILDREN, I'm with Thranduil on this one. It's time! Get to it. | |
| Ms. Whatsit | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/10/2004 |
| So do we get a Sinnarn/Emmelin wedding fic next? Or Eilian and Celuwen with elflings? Or is it back to the days of Young Legolas? I liked Legolas bossing Thranduil and Ithilden around and making them eat. Role reversal, indeed! Heh. Yes, Thranduil, do talk mysteriously about "Elvish enchantment" and leave the Men and Dwarves guessing as to what exactly you mean. I've always seen Wood-elves and Thranduil in particular as having a wicked, slightly cruel sense of humor, and this seems typical of him. And good for Thranduil for realizing that Eilian and Legolas are (oh!) ADULT, (no!) CAPABLE, and (gasp!) TRUSTWORTHY. How long did it take him to figure that out, again? I guess Elves are no better than human parents in that regard. Bilbo's gift was cute, and he was wise to decline Thranduil's invitation. Legolas and Sinnarn would have played soccer with Bilbo as the ball if he'd stayed, I bet. Galelas's death was the saddest, I think, especially for Eilian. I actually felt bad for Tinar, too. I liked the discussion about Bard--and Legolas being reminded that having a flawed ally is ok. That will help him when dealing with a certain Man and Dwarf in the future. Author Reply: I think young Legolas will be next. I've just been thinking about it today, but I have to do a little work first. My editorial assistant has been out of town and when she gets back Monday, I have to do stuff or I'm going to have an entirely empty April 05 issue of the journal. I guess I can just stamp "use this page to take notes" on each blank page. I enjoyed having Legolas take care of his father and Ithilden. He sounds just like his father, doesn't he? I guess he's following the role model he knows. I think your characterization of Wood-elf humor is so right on. Thranduil would enjoy being mysterious and having people wonder if he could turn them into toads or something. | |