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| The First Journey by Manderly | 76 Review(s) |
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| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/19/2004 |
| I'm glad they got back when they did. The smelly steam treatment sounds nasty, but is a good way of treating breathing difficulties. (Ahh, when I remember sitting up at night: number one son with rasping breath, boiling kettles with the lids off to fill the room with steam and having his breathing ease. Magic properties.) They didn't do anything TOO terrible while they were away - only the sorts of thing that your brother would let you do but your Adar wouldn't. Holiday behaviour. I'd love to hear Legolas telling his Adar all about it from his point of view. And Tavaro. And Baragallon. Is what's his name - Roitar? - going to come and visit Legolas at the palace? That would be a bit of a culture shock for him. It's great to go away, but it is always nice to come home. Author Reply: The steam treatment is pretty nasty, and is probably something that Legolas (and Thranduil) will not forget any time soon. Holiday behaviour - I like that. I think we all fall into that one time or another. My Holiday behaviour is eating (lots) and not exercising. You are probably right about a culture shock for Roitar. Just having guards following him at every step will take the fun out of anything. | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/18/2004 |
| Quite an ordeal indeed, but I am very relieved Legolas came through it all right. Terrific story! Author Reply: Legolas probably didn't count on anything quite so nasty to end his journey, but kids are pretty resilient. It will probably soon become something to brag about once he feels better. Thank you for your review! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/18/2004 |
| That description of the steam treatment made me cringe it sounded so awful, although I know it was necessary. As a parent, there are few things more difficult than making your child do something that's physically painful for their own good. And Tavaro came out of this much better than I expected him to. Thranduil is pretty understanding. Author Reply: I cringed when I was writing about the steam treatment. I think the parent actually feel the pain more than the child when it comes to things like this. Tavaro did get off kind of easy, but I think Thranduil probably decided that he suffered enough worrying over Legolas and the prospect of facing an angry king at the end of the journey. | |
| Firnsarnien | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/15/2004 |
| I'm glad to hear the floodwaters at last receded. I was beginning to think we would have a major disaster on our hands! :( Ah, Roitar and Leggy asking the almost exact same thing was a nice touch. I can see how the little ones would see their father and brother as able to move mountains. LOL Poor Leggy, though he tries to deny it, he's really sicker than he wants to be. He just has the most rotten luck! But, it's so nice for us readers! LOL And Tavaro's worry is understandable as well. He loves his little brother and does not want to see him hurt in any way and he also has to think about what he's going to tell Thranduil. I'm sure his father will not be very happy with him that Leggy was hurt and took ill, even though it wasn't his fault. Tavaro has done all he could to make sure Leggy wouldn't come to any harm, as have the two warriors. But, it just seems fate has decided that nothing anyone could do would keep the little Elfing out of harms way. His trials as an Elfing are probably what made his such a wonderful and special Elf when he grows us. :) I loved the way Leggy told Vayne that his brother was being bossy! I could just see Tavaro's face when he said that! Wonderful line, that one! And this one too: "Yes, Adar," Legolas muttered insolently. OMG! That was great! You can't blame Tavaro for his hovering though. He's got good reason! Uh oh, Leggy may grieve over Huor's death. That's not going to be good for him. He needs to use his energy for healing, not grieving. Ai! And now look what he's done, the sobbing has made him have another coughing fit! I'm glad Tavaro has decided to take Legolas home. Perhaps there they will have the herbs Leggy needs to get better. Another nice touch was how Baragallon caught two rabbits hoping to encourage Leggy's appetite. Too bad it didn't work better but Leggy is just too sick and feverish to have much of one no matter what they do. "Ada?" Legolas blinked and his eyes flickered in confusion. Tavaro's heart tightened. That right there told me just how sick Leggy really is. The confusion is not good, the fever is taking hold of him. Poor Tavaro, he must be worried out of his mind. Hmmmm, might be interesting to see more of what Baragallon and Arandun might be feeling seeing their little princeling so ill. After all, they've come to love him so dearly. :) Wow, this was another great chappy. Wonderful angst! Wonderful worry from Tavaro and everyone else. Wonderful hurt and comfort! *sigh* Just wonderful all around! Can't wait for the next chappy! I do hope you hurry! :) You know, with each story, you just get better and better at writing. I guess you can say you're like fine wine! You get better with time! :) LOL Author Reply: Not a very happy homecoming for Legolas and Tavaro, is it? Legolas is probably too sick to worry about anything, but poor Tavaro has to worry both about his sick brother and a possibly angry adar - a pretty lethal combination. Taking on an army of orcs might seem to be the better alternative! Legolas is having a pretty tough time. I can't imagine him having much experience in being sick so it must be quite frightening for him. No wonder he wants his adar. Getting better with time? I should point that out to my husband so he can better appreciate me. Thanks for those kind words. I find it, if anything, more difficult to write as I progress from story to story, as I try to be more careful and look at things from all angles before putting the words down. With the first story, I just wrote down anything that came to mind (I cringe to think of all the booboos that must be rampant throughout that story). | |
| Firnsarnien | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/15/2004 |
| Ai, even this little, Leggy is still stubborn, isn't he? LOL As hurt as he is and as much pain as he's got to be in, he's still pretty insistent that he will be up and around on his own! I honestly thought Tavaro was going to scold Leggy for giving his dagger to Roitar. Not because he would disapprove, but because maybe Thranduil would when he found out. I'm glad he didn't though. Aw, the way Leggy hugged Baragallon and Arandun was so sweet. I'll bet they fell even more in love with their little princeling. :) I got a laugh at how Legolas started to squirm under all the praise he was getting for rescuing Roitar. He did the same thing for Roitar that Baragallon did for him yet he does not want any special treatment for it. His humbleness is such a wonderful trait isn't it? ;) Uh oh, more coughing. He's getting sick by the sound of it. Or should I say, perhaps his lungs are becoming infected from the bacteria in the water he ingested. Yup, that's better! LOL :) We all know, Elves don't get sick! LOL I loved the way Legolas was surprised the tea the healer left for him was not bitter, but sweet. That was great! And Roitar wanting some too, oh my, I really laughed at that one! Imagine an Elfing *wanting* medicine! LOL Poor Leggy, the trip up the mountain really tired him out and his condition, he should not be out in such cold weather. I'm sure it did not help him one bit! I'm off to the next chappy to re-read and review. :) Author Reply: It's delightful writing about stubborn little ones, as they are not my own. Seeing other people's kids being stubborn may be amusing, but if they are your own, then one simply gets the urge to wring their stubborn little necks. When I wrote the scene of Legolas thanking Baragallon and Aradun, I started wondering what it would be like for Thranduil to thank them the same way if he was saved by the guards - and started giggling. Things aren't looking well for Legolas, are they? Knowing that elves don't get sick, we have to find some very ingenious ways to circumvent that, don't we? | |
| Firnsarnien | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/15/2004 |
| :) Hi Manderly! *wave* I'm playing catch up here since I'm a little behind! Hey, blame the new school year starting, my new assignment as a 3rd grade teacher and CARE chair! LOL See, it's not my fault at all! ;) Well, what can I say? This chappy was just glorious! I think I especially loved Leggy's moaning, "Tired" when Tavaro woke him up. I bet Legolas makes such an adorable sleepy Elfling. And after all he's been through, it's a shame they have to wake him at all. But, since they did, I love the tender care Tavaro gave to his little brother. ;) *sigh* And that cough...doesn't sound very good does it? :( As far as the angst factor though, yeah, it does sound good! :) LOL Of course when the healer said the cough wasn't a concern for now unless it worsens, my immediate thought (and hope *blush*) was that it would worsen. This is after all, Legolas we are talking about! Everything happens to him! LOL Poor Roitar, he feels so guilty. I bet he'd have done the same for Legolas too. Those two little Elflings have become such good friends. And poor Baragallon. I bet he feels so guilty too. It's not his fault though, I hope he realizes that and doesn't blame himself too much. I only hope Thranduil doesn't blame the warrior. He feels enough guilt as it is despite Tavaro's grateful words. *double sigh* That little "nightmare" scene was wonderful! I loved it! Just loved it! The way Tavaro put Leggy on his chest reminded me of the way my son used to sleep on my chest when he was little. Such trust those little ones have in the strong arms that hold them close, no? :) Fears are so easily cast aside when they are that age. Wonderful chappy, I'm off to review the next one! :) Author Reply: 3rd grade teacher and CARE chair - you ARE brave! I can't imagine being responsible for other people's kids. I find managing my own challenging enough! The little rescue stunt that Legolas pulled certainly has everybody around him on edge, but like you said, everything always happen to him, and the journey so far has been quite trouble-free (can't have that, can we?). It's funny how little ones always settle down when sleeping with their parents (or older siblings). I can still remember my youngest slipping into our bed during thunder storms. It's wonderful to read your delightful reviews again. | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/13/2004 |
| I am greatly relieved that the flooding has been dealt with, but I am awfully worried for Legolas. Poor kid. Terrific chapter. Author Reply: Legolas is not doing too well, is he? He's probably scared witless as well as I don't imagine that he has had much experience with being sick. Thanks for your review. | |
| Rose Sared | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/13/2004 |
| Cliffie award for the day - gasp. Poor little mite, better get home soon methinks. I'll officially worry until the next chapter. (g) Rose Author Reply: Offcially worry until the next chapter? That's a good one! Yes, I think the elfling needs to be home soon too, and drinking the nasty teas that the healer will be brewing up. | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/13/2004 |
| Ai, Manderly! Poor Legolas! So sick, and worried about death, too! The scene where Tavaro tells him that Huor died was SO SAD! He didn't want Huor and his naneth in the Halls, he wanted them with him! *wails and wrings out hankie* Good chapter, and especially how it touches on Tavaro's worry of disappointing his Adar...but ya know, some things just cannot be helped, and this particular bit of trouble was not Tavaro's fault...or Legolas', for that matter! He was just being his sweet heroic self! (moremoremoremore....soon!) :-) linda Author Reply: Dealing with death and getting sick must be totally alien to Legolas. I cannot imagine him having to deal with such things before this - except the death of his naneth, but then he probably can't remember too much of that. I think Tavaro must be silently wailing and wringing out hankies right along with you. Poor guy! I don't think it's their fault either for being in such a predicament. Let's hope Thranduil feels the same way. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/13/2004 |
| Well, that's kind of scary. Poor Tavaro. He must be worried out of his mind. And even apart from his worry over Legolas, he's going to have to face Thranduil. Legolas sounds really uncomfortable and he's not used to that, given how resistent elves are to illness. Author Reply: When I was charting out this story, I was wondering whether I was overstepping boundaries in writing about Legolas getting sick as elves are basically immune to diseases that afflict humans. I see Legolas' condition as more of a reaction to the near drowning rather than as falling ill due to some disease. It's a fine drawn line, I know, and I hope I haven't rocked too many boats. Poor Tavaro is right. The prospect of facing Thranduil with a sick Legolas would give the bravest of warriors the willies. | |