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The Decision by daw the minstrel	30 Review(s)
sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
aww, that's cute. I wonder what that important letter is from and about... hmm. -sofia Author Reply: LOL. I actually wrote the letter before I started the story. Lorellin told him where she'd be waiting and just what she wanted. :-)

eokat	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
I like this. I do enjoy most Thranduil stories and am always glad when hie wife is in the story. I know she is never mentioned in the book, but she was there somewhere, [or where did Legolas come from.]Eokat. Author Reply: Thranduil is an interesting character, I think. We know very little about him, but he held onto his realm without the aid of a ring of power and that says something about him. I don't know why we fanfic writers tend to kill off his wife, but we do. Poor Thranduil.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
There you are! And what a treat this is! This particular challenge has resulted in some great stories. And the resurrection of dead wives. Hmmn. You are a tricksy one. An impatient letter writer demanding that a request be fulfilled, eh? That’s a really clever angle to take. Thranduil does seem very reticent to do as she wants. I suppose when he’s sitting in his office listening to one son report on another son’s injuries, I can’t blame him for not wanting to bring another child into the world. As always, I love to see Ithilden make an appearance. It’s fascinating to see him less confident in his work than I’m used to. I hadn’t thought before about how so much of his time as troop commander was during the Watchful Peace. It’s understandable that he would need to adjust once the Shadow returned. Of course, it sounds as though he is excellent at his job and just needs a little reassurance. I like that Thranduil is so understanding and clearly appreciates his son. After all, it’s the faith that he places in his son now that turns Ithilden into the supremely confident and capable commander that we know and love. And Thranduil will no doubt find fewer opportunities to “object if he wished”. I really like too the way they both read each other’s worry about Eilian so easily. And of course, Ithilden realises that his father is distracted by the contents of the letter he’s clutching. It would have been quite amusing if he had actually insisted on the guards accompanying Thranduil. “Are you going for your afternoon ride?” LOL! As a matter of fact…. That race that was taking place… Eilian ends up doing something similar in the not-too-distant future if I recall correctly. I could totally feel Thranduil’s pain at the thought of his own young son in much more serious danger every day. I know Ithilden had very little choice in sending Eilian south at such a young age but still, it must have nearly killed him and Thranduil. I can only imagine what Lorellin had to say on the subject. Thranduil seems to feel a certain guilt that he can’t provide a safe place for young people to grow up. Seriously, it’s really interesting to see these characters at a time when living under Shadow is something to which they must become accustomed rather than a way of life for them. That part with the trees is amazing, daw. What a very powerful image of them comforting this king who they so clearly love, offering him such wisdom and in turn Thranduil opens himself up to them more than he does with anyone. Wow. Lorellin is great. I get the impression that our mighty king is putty in her hands. I feel bad for him, though – the thought of bringing another life into this world was clearly troubling him and his concerns shouldn’t just be dismissed. But then, Lorellin is right too – throw some light in the face of encroaching darkness. She really was so good for them all with her carefree and very wood-elfy spirit, the type of person that Eilian and Legolas could have been if times had been different. She’s wonderfully defiant and stubborn too. Poor Thranduil can’t really take all the blame for his sons’ rather wilful natures. Oh, and I love the idea of them both just knowing that it’s completely right to create a child at this moment. “At the moment, he was not sure he could have protected himself or Lorellin from a chipmunk.” snigger There’s an amusing image. It must have been quite some…session. The ending is beautiful. These two are so in love and have just created something wonderful out of that love. “This one’s heart will be given to the trees.” I love that certainty, almost as though no matter what happens to the forest this child will love and want to protect it. Thranduil is right, no one knows the future but he could never regret something born of such love. The child will be a light in their lives as well as in the darkness of times to come. A really lovely piece, daw. :-) Author Reply: Thank you, Dot. In "Legolas's Begetting Day," I mentioned Lorellin leading Thranduil off into the woods and "getting her way" at last, and The Karenator has been after me to tell her about that. So my answer to this challenge is aimed at doing that too. :-) My guess is that Thranduil is quite willing (eager?) to do part of what Lorellin wants (the afternoon ride part g). It's the baby part he's not so sure about. And, as you say, you can hardly blame him. His world is a dangerous place for children, including his own. I think that Ithilden will not take too long to become pretty confident in his own judgment. He's made that way to start with. I have written about his gaining confidence over things like the Dwarven weapons, but I sometimes have trouble keeping my own time line straight and remembering who is supposed to be at what stage of their lives in each story. It would be truly awful to have to send your child into danger, and the youngsters on the green are very much like Eilian in Thranduil's mind. It's funny, because Tolkien tells us that Thranduil was always suspicious that the shadow would return. He's not a trusting fellow. But I still imagine it must have been devastating when it did. I would imagine that Lorellin was used to getting just about anything she wanted. I think maybe Eilian should have a daughter who looks exactly like Lorellin. That would make all the males in that household melt. I do feel kind of bad for Legolas because he is devoted to the trees, but then once the sea longing hits, he can't live in contentment among them any more. daw ps. Have I ever told you that my RL name is Dorothy? But my family never called me "Dot."

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
Apologies for coming back with more thoughts! But - somewhere I've read of children being your hostages to fortune - your belief and commitment to striving for a better world. And as Sam says in the movie 'There is some good in the world, Mr Frodo, and it's worth fighting for. . .' (At least, that's not exactly what he says, but it's along those lines.) Author Reply: You're always welcome, Bodkin. I am very flattered by the idea that you think about my characters even after you finish the story. I have to say that when my son was born, I felt that I had given a hostage to fortune, as you say. Anything could happen to him out in the big, bad world and I could stop so little of it. No wonder Thranduil is so protective of Legolas, especially after his mother dies.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
Excellent one shot. I loved the scene with Thranduil talking to the trees. The trees were cool. Ancient, optimistic, and loving. It's easy to see why the elves of Mirkwood are enamored of them. Lorellin is great. Sending a courier with a disgraceful message to lure her husband out into the woods to play. It's really sad that they lost her. She was really good for all of them. Evil orcs. This was a fun read. I went and reread it after I finished it, now that I know who the writer is. That made Thranduil's thoughts very amusing. Hear I was thinking the letter was about some important matter of diplomacy. Giggle. Which in a way it was. It was great reading about Legolas's conception. He really was born to love trees and to save Arda. Cool. I look forward to your next story. Author Reply: What was odd for me to think about was that Thranduil was more ancient than those trees. I do think he's very connected to them and to Arda in general and that that's where his magic comes from. He has no ring but he draws on his woods. I'm glad you enjoyed the rereading. I knew that line about going for his afternoon ride was vulgar but it was too much fun to skip. :-) I think the names of all three of Thranduil's sons reflect the circumstances of their conception. "Ithil" means moon; "eilian" means rainbow; and, of course, "legolas" means greenleaf. daw

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
I think Lorellin understood there was no better way to reaffirm hope than with new life. It was, perhaps, her way of fighting Shadow, of thumbing her nose at it and saying, "You will not dictate my life..." . Thranduil's connection to the trees was very strong, as befitting the Elvenking he is, and I would think the certainty the trees felt of surviving would be a comfort, to some extent. The saddest part was the King watching the youngsters racing and acting silly, and grieving about the loss of childhood and innocence they would soon face (especially in light of Eilian's injury). Just wait until Legolas, my lord.... I loved her saying this new little one would be given to the trees, like his naneth. Thranduil, bless his heart, didn't know what to do, did he? Sometimes it's just better to yield to the inevitable, which in this case, was his wife! I really love this family of Thranduil's you write so wonderfully of! I also heartily agree with Bodkin's parallel to our own Shadow - children are not safe nowdays, are they? :-( (sigh) linda Author Reply: You're probably right about Lorellin. She was making something good so that evil could be kept a little further at bay. I thought that the enduring natural world would be one of the things leading Thranduil to agree to have a child. But I also thought that his glimpses of Ithilden and thought about Eilian would show him both how wonderful it was to have children and how terrible. As I was finishing this today, I was thinking about those Russian children. I can't even bear to watch the news stories. What kind of people attack children? I think the Orcs are back among us.

Jebb	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
Such a surprise and such a joy I was so slow on the uptake as well shame on me But it was beautiful to read 'We reach toward the sun nonetheless. We endure. We send our seeds to Arda, and we are renewed' what a piece of poetry and very appropriate given what was about to happen many thanks Judy Author Reply: I'm so glad you were 'slow' on the uptake! I was trying to create a little bit of mystery. I couldn't think of why Thranduil would give in and have a child, but I thought maybe the enduring natural world would be part of it. I think he's very closely connected to it and that's where his magic comes from. Thank you, Judy.

Duchess	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
Lovely! So nice to get another glimpse of Legolas' mother and to show his begetting day is just too cute. Oh I really do hope Ithilden DID send the guards away. LOL Wonderful little vignette, wonderful! vbg Author Reply: You're bad, Duchess! It never occurred to me that the guards might still be there. I love writing about Legolas's mother, although I also feel destiny hanging over her. She won't live to see this baby grow up.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
Lorellin put a lot of pressure on Thranduil to give in to her wish for a child - in many ways, I think I would be with him. This does not seem a good moment to have a child - but then, what is? It is just as well she overcame his reluctance. I'm rather pleased Thranduil managed to dispose of his guards, though. This isn't really a spectator sport. I've just run down the page and read the others with the same starting point. What a lovely group of stories. Clever people. Author Reply: I had to really rack my brain trying to think of why he would give in, and all I could come up with was defying the shadow and drawing comfort from the enduring world around him, to which I think he's very closely connected. Maybe when things get ugly, that's when it's time to make something beautiful. The guards would have been QUITE unwelcome, I think. :-)

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2004
Oh yes. The Thranduil and Lorellin encounter, featuring Legolas Thranduilion in an early role. How lovely. Poor Ithilden still worrying and Eilian being damaged in the south. I just love this family to pieces. Author Reply: This was fun to write -- not particularly earth shattering, but fun. I was thinking about our own Shadow touched world, a dangerous place for children apparently. :-(

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