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Good Neighbors by daw the minstrel	28 Review(s)
Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/22/2004
What a great battle scene! One of the firsts I could actually picture it vivid on my mind. I guess that human is not going to have a good meeting with Thranduil. And Turgon, Legolas' friends... as always you make them so real! He sounded just like my brother when he was at this age and had not done homework... Thranduil's reaction to that greedy talk was very funny. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it. Battle scenes are hard to write. You have to make them realistic and suprising somehow, but really it seems to me that the thing that matters most is the emotional reactions of the people in them. Thranduil is kind of weighed down by his long history, while his sons are thinking about things without his experience but also without his baggage.

Karri	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/22/2004
I can imagine that remembering Doriath would indeed be a painful thing for Thranduil. That was a nice touch. :-) Ai! Amdir, I see, was always the bane of Legolas's existence, and there I was thinking that didn't start until Sinnarn befriended him. ;-) Terrific chapter! Author Reply: History must weigh heavily on older elves, who have learned from experience but then have to learn to forget some things too, I think. This stuff is still alive for them. Amdir made me laugh, even while I was writing about him. He says he's going off orc hunting and the neighbor dodges a stick in the eye and says, "That will be nice." I'll bet! LOL

Nelsonia	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/22/2004
Hi Daw let me just say that you made my day! It was great te see an update first thing monday morning! RL is pretty hectic but I have been following your story very closely and I love it! You have won a place in the acknowledgements of my thesis since you helped make my Phd time such a good one! Hope you dont mind! Great chapter, but "Legolas has grown enough that he needs new ones, but he could probably wait three months until the new supply of silk arrives." really got to me, i never thought that the steward was the one taking care of such details as Legolas's need for new clothes, it made me sad that in spite of all the love there is around him these little details that Naneth would have taken care of are now in someone else's hands... and not even Nimloth's..dont know if this makes sense... Hope you all have a good week, I love reading everyone's reviews! take care Nelsonia Author Reply: I am so flattered to be in your acknowledgements that I can't stand it! :-) :-) I thought of that about Legolas's clothes too. Poor baby. He needs a mother. I suspect it was Nimloth who told the steward about Legolas needing clothes, but still, while these people are fond of him, they don't love him and care for him as a mother would. It's sad. This is a holiday week in the US. Thanksgiving is on Thursday, so I'm having company come to stay and I'm cooking a turkey and a bunch of other stuff. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to write, but I'll need some. It's so much fun. Thanks again for the acknowledgement thing. daw

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/22/2004
Perhaps Eilian should introduce the twins to Tinar. He has a tendency to leap from trees too early, as I recall, because he is too arrogant to see why he should work with his patrol and thinks he knows best on all occasions. Elladan may not have been happy with Eilian's words, but he was right. Perhaps they need some home truths now - it might take that to penetrate their thick wall of misery. It hasn't done Eilian any harm to see himself in their battle lust, either. Might have helped him continue to move on from his own loss. (Good for Maltanaur. What an elf.) Well, the identity of the boy is now known - and his reason for being on his own in the woods. And, short of him inviting the orcs to tea, I don't really see how he could be blamed for anything other than running - which, with orcs behind you, is probably excusable even to men of very little brain. I can see Legolas's idea has some merit - but 50 leagues of forest? On his own? With three arrows? I don't think so. And he will be found in Legolas's clothes . . I think suspicions might head the way of the three amigos. Turgon seems to have lost interest in Rodda a bit. He is developing his avoidance techniques - deliberate failure is more attractive that trying to succeed and not getting there. Poor elfling. However well-meaning, his parents need kicking. (Couldn't he get the injured elf to help? After all he is currently sitting at home recuperating and turning a deaf ear to Amdir. The 'smile and nod' technique of listening to children.) Legolas is right - Elu Thingol did commit hari kiri with that dratted Silmaril. I was thinking about them the other day and came to the conclusion that, while not evil in themselves, they led to nothing but disaster - 'for the love of Silmarils is the root of all evil' - to misquote a famous text. Not what you would see if you were there though, probably. History is so much clearer with lots of evidence and retrospect - yet that is what the more ancient elves can't develop. They were there - and the wounds remain fresh. So much easier to blame the dwarves than the holy jewel - yet everything those Silmarils touched turned to ashes. (Glad to see Thranduil admitting to himself that it takes all sorts among all sentient races. Though I'm not sure he includes dwarves there. Yet.) That cloth merchant seems to be rather more than an opportunist. I have my suspicions that he has more to do with the attack on the raft than he would want Thranduil to know about. Suspicious that he should have on hand exactly what the elves need. Author Reply: Eilian has learned some things from watching the twins. I don't know if they've learned anything at this second, but you never know the effect something might have, even if it's further down the road when people are finally ready to think about what you said. Actually, there's research showing this is true in the teaching of writing. At the end of first year composition, the students might not show they've learned much, but then they often recall those things and practice them over the next bit of time. Poor Turgon. I'm ticked off at his parents and I made them up. As for the raft elf, I'm not sure I would want to live next door to Turgon and Amdir. I could just imagine Amdir waving that stick in the face of this still-ailing elf, and him thinking that Amdir going off on an Orc hunt would indeed be "nice." When Thingol starts to lust after the Silmarils, that's when it becomes clear that it's not just the sons of Feanor who are demented here. The damned things are really cursed. Well, I guess literally they're cursed. Manwe did an excellent job of that. You are so clever, Bodkin.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/21/2004
So what's up with Turgon and his arrows? He seems awfully peculiar about them. The lunch discussion was interesting. Thranduil had a little moment of insight when he finally admitted that elves are not always perfect either. Of course, he has a right to think ill of the merchant. Nice that he realized that not all men should be judged by one. So the boy is one of the missing men. There are two ways to look at this: They don't know the kid is alive so he can start over, and the other is that whatever he did was not bad enough for anyone to mention, so the men might just be glad that he's alive. I don't think traveling all the way to the western border alone is a particularly good idea. I see signs of this little escapade coming unraveled. And the fight scene...excellent. The twins didn't go off like loose canons, but they did sort of tick Eilian off. I really like what he said to them. “You are presumptuous,” Elladan said coldly. I so wanted Eilian to say: "And you are reckless." That would be such a pot calling the kettle black moment. Of course, he had already more or less told them that they were not exactly playing on the team. He got his point across. I'm looking forward to seeing how you straighten out this mess of elves and men. Very good chapter. Karen Author Reply: Turgon can't finish his arrows by himself and has decided to declare that he just doesn't care. I feel sorry for him and want to smack his parents, even though I created them. Elves might like to think that they're very different from men, but in essential ways, I don't think they are. The Silmarillion makes that pretty clear. And Thranduil is struggling out from under the weight of history to learn that too. I think that Legolas agrees with you about the foolishness of their plans for Rodda. He just hasn't decided what to do about it yet. Eilian is in a bizarre position here: he is watching other people do what he usually does and finds he doesn't like it one bit. Thranduil and Ithilden would be so pleased!

Firnsarnien	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/21/2004
Whew! What a chappy! I'm actually surprised Elladan and Elrohir didn't do anything foolish until the battle started. I thought they'd lose their heads although they kind of did during the battle. And I'm so glad Eilian told them a thing or two. Personally, I thought he should have told them more and I think he would have if he hadn't been interrupted. The twins certainly needed to hear it and Eilian was the perfect one to tell them. After all, he should know. His mother died while their mother only went to Valinor. It must still be hard for them but at least they will see her again. Poor Eilian and his family must wait until Mandos decides to release their mother, if he ever does. But, I guess they are still too grieved to think clearly right now. And seeing things through Eilian's eyes is the last thing they want to do right now. I also think Eilian was pretty shook up that he enjoyed killing those orcs so much. It was almost as if he was back to being that reckless Elf he was right after his mother died. He had that blood lust running through his veins and I think it scared him. Especially because he knows how devastated Legolas would be if anything happened to him. At this point in his life, I don't think Legolas could handle losing anyone else that he loves. Especially Eilian, it would push him right over the edge. And losing control, even for an instant, really shook Eilian up. I was pretty nervous that someone was going to get seriously wounded. I'm actually glad to see they all pulled out of it unscathed! ;) Now Leggy, hmmmmm. I wonder just how much the cooks are buying his lame excuses of being so hungry lately. Surely, they know something is up. Ah ha! At last, we find out who Rodda is. Why doesn't he want to go back though, I wonder? The men looking for him seemed pretty disappointed they didn't find him. I smell a tale behind all this! :) And yes, I guess I am an angst hound! LOL But really, can you blame me? After all, Eilian and Legolas make such wonderful targets...er, I mean, they are just such lovable Elves that you can't help but want to smother them with love and affection, Ithilden too. And what better way to do it than when they have a few owies...ok, ok, BIG owies! LOL sigh-holds out hand so author can smack it I guess I deserve that for wanting our beautiful Elves to get hurt, huh? LOLOLOL! Can't wait for an update, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait! Hurry, hurry, hurry! Author Reply: I've been trying to decide if it would be worse to have your mother be murdered suddenly (as happened to Lorellin) or to have her be tormented, suffer for a year, and then choose to leave you (as happened to Celebrian). Truly, I don't think this is easy for the twins, and their mother has only been gone a short time. But I do think you're right that hearing Eilian might help them in the long run. And he needed to say what he did, if only for his own sake. He needed to remind himself that he didn't want to be that way again. And you're right. Legolas is an anchor for him, a commitment he won't shirk, if you will. Boys Legolas's age are often hungry because they're growing, but Legolas is probably pushing his luck about the food. He and his buddies can't do this for too much longer. No big owies in this story, I think, Firnsarnien. At least not for Legolas or Eilian. But they're struggling with the hurts of others such as Rodda and the twins. You'll just have to be satisfied with that, I'm afraid.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/21/2004
I like the change about Doriath - the insight that Thranduil had about the elves was a good touch. It is sad that deception and treachery happen in all races, though we would all like to think that people 'like us' would never do that. Eilian's reaction to the twins was fascinating. He is very young, and seems to be projecting how he felt and reacted when his naneth died on to them. He can't know their normal style of fighting or the limitations of men, and he is too young to have the insight needed. Which of course makes Maltanaur all the more valuable. Yes, I love Maltanaur. What can I say. :-) Author Reply: When I got into this, I decided that I would stay out of the twins' heads and see them only from outside. Mostly what I'm interested in here is their effect on Thranduil and his sons. So that's what you see, and Eilian is wrong in some of his judgments. The Men really were having trouble in the dark in this kind of fight, for instance. But also, Eilian was the captain of this little venture. The twins' decision might be the right one but, as another reviewer says, it's not theirs to make. So take that, you twin lover you!

esamen	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/21/2004
Hello again! Goodness, these new updates are just flying out. You must really have the story on your heart. ******************** “You are very sure of yourself,” Elladan observed, “but the Orcs were escaping, and the Men were having trouble seeing their targets. There were not so many of them left that engaging was foolish, and surely Elrohir and I were the only ones in any danger.” “The Orcs were going nowhere that we could not find them,” Eilian cried, “and I am sure of myself for a reason. Moreover, let me tell you something else: I have been where you are now, and, in the long run, it occurred to me that I was being a selfish ass. Is your family ready for more loss? I assure you that mine was not! Your naneth has chosen to try to heal, to be happy again. You might consider doing the same.” I really, really like what you are doing with the twins. They are developing personalities in a very intriguing way. I like it that they are not flat super-hero type characters. They are coming off the page as real people, full of emotion and bad judgement. Pretty good job, considering how few lines Tolkien gives us to work with! You are giving them room to make mistakes, learn and grow. I hope this means that we'll see them in another story as well. They can be humbled and it will be so intriguing. ************** “Let them be, Eilian. They are old enough to work this out for themselves. And even if it takes them a while, that does not change the fact that you have chosen to go on with your life.” Eilian nodded but said nothing. Perhaps the fury of the twins belonged to them and not to him, but he had felt its alluring embrace. Maltanaur was right. He needed to leave them alone. Wow! the "toxic twins" ? Now you are REALLY giving them room to grow. So, not all Elves are noble all the time, huh? Living proof right here. I like all the contrasts about them -- awesome warriors, grieving sons, friends of men, wrongheaded princes. (Did I remember to say glamorous? Or can that go as understood, by now?) I hope that Mithrandir or Eilian or Maltanaur or Thranduil or someone can make a chink in their armor. Elladan's armor, anyway. Too bad Bilbo isn't on the scene. He could hop right up there, all unaware and unintimidated, and make a hobbity speech full of common sense to save the day. Seriously, though, this is a wonderful theme of grief and recovery that gives the story great beauty and depth. Signature daw! Fabulous! Thank you! on to the next chapter of adventure! Actually, I'll be out of town 11/23 through 11/30, so I probably won't be around to read your next chapters until December 1. But don't let that slow you down. I'll be ready for a good long visit to Lasgalen when I get back. Esamen Author Reply: When I started on the previous chapter, I could see what had to happen for the rest of the story very clearly and have it outlined in detail, so it was quick writing, except for the battle. There's not much more of it, actually. Of course, this week I have company and have to cook a turkey, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to write anyway. In my opinion, the twins do eventually go on to regain their balance. They continue hunting orcs, but that's not so bad. It's not what they're doing that's hurting them; it's what's in their hearts when they do it. And I think there's 2500 years of loving family life underneath there, so I expect their hearts come right in the long run. Have a good holiday! See you when you get back.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/21/2004
I would really like to see that conversation between the merchant and Thranduil. I would be willing to bet that he will be very cooperative and sympathetic and reasonable. Very suddenly. :) I loved it when Thranduil said he would not be robbed twice--too right! I also liked Legolas' thoughts on Elu Thingol. That could be nothing but a difficult topic for Thranduil for more reasons than you could list but I think it's one his sons would naturally ask about. And it would be hard for them not to make comparisons between Elu Thingol (or any king they are learning about--but especially the High King of the Sindar) and Thranduil. And that could not be comfortable either. Thranduil and Mithrandir's exchange about men was interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where Thranduil comes out on men by the end of this--holding them in better stead, worse or unchanged. I definitely agree with you that Thranduil could see them as nothing but unpredictable/unreliable and all too often none too scrupulous. He would have seen that often enough in a few thousand years. Legolas and that boy--he'd better not give away too many of his clothes given the cloth situation. And that boy will never make it all the way west. That situation is obviously about to blow up. But fortunately it sounds like he will be a welcome find to the men who obviously don't think he deserted. But still he has nothing to go home to. So sad and the elves' reactions are perfect. Eilian was in fine form. The twins might have thought they were making the best decision, but decisions weren't theirs to make. I loved Eilian's reaction both to the lack of obediance and to their recklessness and how he recognizes himself in it. And I think it's interesting that it disturbs him. He doesn't get over his own recklessness truly for some time after this fic but he definitely sees it. I like his comment about staying safe for Legolas. Great chapter. 'Setting plans in motion' indeed. A lot happened in this one. Author Reply: As it happens, I have plans for you to see that conversation between the king and the merchant, so that works out. I've seen lots of folks talk about how different elves and men are, and in some ways that's right. But when you read the Silm, you see that they're not so different in some very unfortunate ways. And Thranduil would have seen it all. Because this story is about the relations between Thranduil and men, it's relevant here that he's thinking about these things, partly because his sons are thinking about them without the weight of history. The kids are in deep and need help. That's a good point that even if the twins' decision was a good one, they shouldn't have made it. I'm interested in the sons of Elrond, but really in this story, I've been trying to concentrate on the effect they have on the sons of Thranduil. I think Eilian clings to the idea of Legolas as someone who wants to see him come home. That's obvious and simple to him, in a way his more complicated relations with his father and Ithilden are not. Glad you liked it. I'm so glad the battle scene is over!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/21/2004
What? I meant to say Legolas learning from his tutors, not Eilian. Just because my mind was on Eilian at the time... Author Reply: Eilian knows what's on your mind! ;-)

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