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| Glorious Summer by daw the minstrel | 243 Review(s) |
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| esamen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| Oh, another gorgeous story . . . I get to go live in the Woodland Realm for a while. Blessed relief! That tree comforts me, too. I live in south Texas where most of the trees are small because of the heat, and I get homesick sometimes for a lush, tall stand of verdant Iowan oaks or pines. I love all the detail you have included in this story . . . the staging of the battle, the requisition and responsibilities of a lieutenant, the supplies of arrows, and the moment of dropping off to sleep. Just beautiful. And I love the dramatic tension already building amongst the characters. Another great daw tale is on its way! Can you please get Legolas into some warrior-type difficulties again? My work is so stressful this month that I would really enjoy some tender h/c moments, even if it's only the vicarious-reading-type kind. Thanks and praise, and please update soon, Esamen Author Reply: Thank you, Esamen. Somehow, I thought you lived in Florida. Actually, I find Iowa rather treeless compared to Michigan where I'm from. I'm so glad you see the tension among the characters already. I wanted this chapter to orient us to Legolas's current life and companions, and show how he was reacting, so it had a lot of weight to bear. Warrior-type difficulties are in the works. :-) | |
| Naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| Yipee! A new story! I am always excited to see a new story from you, and this is one I have been waiting for. This time period in the life of both Legolas and Eilian should be lots of fun to learn about. I'm so glad you chose this as your next story. Can't wait for more...and more...and more! Author Reply: It's nice to be greeted with enthusiasm! I agree that both Legolas and Eilian have lots to learn just now. It's taking me a while to think about it and then figure out events that would show it, but I've been looking forward to writing this too. | |
| Jebb | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| I was so happy to see a new story from you Legolas seems to be adapting to command well and even earned a word of praise from Beliond he better make a note of that as I don't suppose it will be repeated too often. Still Beliond like Thranduil seems to know just when to give support and praise to make a point do we get to see the new husband next? Can't wait Judy Author Reply: Thank you, Judy. I think that Legolas is doing well. He's watched other lieutenants for a long time and Ithilden judged he was ready for command so he probably is. But he still has things to learn too. Knowing what you have to do and doing it are two different things.I think about teaching. New teachers have watched other teachers for years, but standing up there yourself is a whole different thing! Legolas is lucky to have Beliond, I think. And yes, Eilian will be in the next chapter. As will all the other folks as home. We'll see if Thranduil is cooled down yet. :-) | |
| elliska | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| Oh wonderful! I was going through withdrawal without your stories! And I am so happy to see this topic. It is going to be great. Poor Eilian. I think he is probably in for some interesting lessons :) And I love your explorations of Legolas in new roles. This one started out so well. I do love Beliond. And Gelmir is great! So happy to see you start a new one! Author Reply: I'm glad to have a new story underway too. I've been busier with work than usual so I've been slow getting started again. I think that both Legolas and Eilian have things to learn. I adore him but I think he might be tough to be married to. In the next chapter, we'll see how people at home are doing. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| Legolas seems to be making a good impression in his new post - I liked this part: Then, with self-discipline he was relieved to find he had, - he's developing as a warrior nicely. Beliond is great, as always. I like him saying a word that got poor Legolas punished, but then finding the two of them a spot near a healthy tree for Legolas's peace of mind. Do I see problems ahead with Sorion? Jay Author Reply: Legolas is doing well, although I think he's still learning. He's at that stage where you scrutinize all your own actions because you're still afraid of making a mistake that will get someone else killed. Thank Eru for Beliond. Legolas needs him, I think. I tried to introduce a mix of characters in this first chapter that I could then use to show what this little world of the patrol was like, with all its strengths and weaknesses and conflict and loyalty. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| PS: Like the Shakespearean reference. Author Reply: You're so clever! In this case, it's the sons of Thranduil bringing the heat. (I've always liked that pun.) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/10/2004 |
| Oh, splendid. I was just beginning to gibber from the lack of one of your stories. Legolas has become so grown-up! Ithilden was right really to give him longer to grown into his role as warrior / son of the king / officer etc. Eilian coped with being thrust into command quickly - but he is a different character; better at taking authority than accepting it. And it would still have been good for him to have the chance to grow more slowly - though after his mother's death, what he needed probably changed anyway. In some ways, it must be really handy for Legolas to have Beliond on hand to observe, because he knows his minder wouldn't let him make a mistake that would kill elves, but, on the other hand, what must it be like to have every step watched and noted! (Do you think that Beliond will end up going to Ithilien?) I hope Sorion's caution doesn't lead to trouble - and that Isendir learns to keep his mouth shut. With luck Riolith will keep him in order. And at least Tinar is far away - just getting used to being squashed by Ithilden, I believe. Love the Legolas half of the story. Looking forward to the Eilian side. Author Reply: You must be feeling withdrawal from finishing your own story, although I guess you have others. Always have a story going! Legolas needed the time to grow into this role, I think. I think he's slow to mature in a lot of ways, which may be normal for elves who in normal times have forever. Eilian probably had kids following his lead from the time he was small. I'll bet that when the other elflings' parents asked them "If Eilian jumped off a cliff, would you follow him?", they all thought "Yes! Yes!" And Eilian's leadership style and instincts were well matched to the Southern Patrol, which Ithilden was smart enough to see. I don't think Eilian would have made a good captain of a border patrol at the same age. In my opinion, Beliond would certainly go to Ithilien. He has no family in ME and I think Legolas is the substitute. Eilian will be in the next chapter. :-) | |
| Rose Sared | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/9/2004 |
| Well it is nice to be back on patrol. Looking forward to spending time in the South again, daw, thank you for your usual action packed writing. Author Reply: Thank you, Rose. As I was writing this chapter, I kept thinking how hard Legolas's life seemed to me. What a stressful way to live! It's amazing they don't all drink, or have ulcers, or go crazy. | |
| Ms. Whatsit | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/9/2004 |
| Yay, a new story! Sorry that I have no time for a long review--school just started last week--but I'm liking this a lot so far. I like the way you describe Legolas's battle-lust especially. It's so easy to cast him and other Elves as ethereally above that sort of thing, but it's much more canonical to acknowledge that wood-elves are feral and deadly. You had me feeling all tense and wanting to hit something right along with Legolas. And I'm looking forward to the resumption of Eilian/Celuwen *g*. Author Reply: Yeah, school started for me too. That's why this story has taken a little more time to get launched. I like the idea of wood-elves as 'feral and deadly.' Tolkien says they're 'more dangerous and less wise' than the Noldor. And if the battle felt tense, I am enormously pleased. I kept going over it, shortening sentences and changing words, trying to make it tenser. Eilian/Celuwen will be along next chapter, as will Thranduil, Ithilden, Alfirin, and let's not forget, Tinar, who is working in Ithilden's office. :-) | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/9/2004 |
| I have a favor to ask. Can I borrow Beliond for a few days? I'll feed him well, and he can sleep on my futon couch. See, UPS has been holding one of my birthday presents hostage for three days, and they're threatening to send it back without me even finding out who it's from, all because I live in an apartment and have work and school and can't wait around all day for them and I don't have a car so I can't pick the thing up at the UPS office in the next town over. I need Beliond to come and beat the bejeezus out of UPS and make them cough up this package. Then I'll send him right back, soon as my birthday present is safely in my hands. You'll never miss him, and Legolas might enjoy the time off. Good for Legolas, learning to make a grocery list. It's a skill surprisingly few people have. Nice to get a glimpse of what everyday life as a lieutenant might be like. And the other characters have lovely cameos -- each one is really crisp and clear, like you get a good glimpse of who they are. I particularly like Riolith. He's got to be the grizzled old sergeant of the company, the one who smokes cigarette butts and bosses the fresh-faced young lieutenant around. You get on the good side of one of those guys, and you'll learn the most valuable life lessons. Question: How did Beliond get out of being a captain alive? I mean, you had to kill off Todith to free up his spot. Can the captains just retire? Or was he promoted straight from captain to bodyguard? Gelmir seems to be feeling a little like a fifth wheel here, and who can blame him? He must feel that it's nice to have Legolas around, but Legolas isn't Eilian, and he probably reminds Gelmir even more that his best friend isn't there. Poor old Gelmir. He does seem to end up as the odd Elf out quite a bit. Author Reply: Oh how evil! My husband is an e-bay addict so our UPS guy knows us by name and will leave things on the porch. Of course, he's probably encouraged to do so by the way I yank the door open and snarl, "Now what has he bought?" You may borrow Beliond if you think he could help. I'm sure he'd be happy to come over and straighted out anyone who was annoying you and you too. I'm so glad the characters come through here. One of the functions I wanted this chapter to serve was introducing the characters in Legolas's life now. Riolith has been in my stories before but only as a kid. He was Tynd's buddy in "Growing Under Shadow," the story in which Legolas was learning to hunt and the older guys told them to clear off, that the deer they were stalking belonged to them. And he was in "The Novice," doubting Legolas's reliability while they were on a novice exercise. So he's not much older than Legolas, but he does have that mind set you describe, I think. Beliond became one of Thranduil's spies during the Watchful Peace. He was in his "I want to be alone" phase and spying was good for that. I think a captain could retire though. Mirkwood doesn't seem to have a draft. Gelmir is in an interesting situation, the opposite of the one Riolith is in. He was the patrol's old captain's buddy. With the change in leadership, Gelmir's role changes a little too, and not just personally. | |