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A Spring of Joy by daw the minstrel	22 Review(s)
Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
Oh, poor little Loriel! I hadn't thought that she would expect to see Eilian there. Despite her disappointment, I'm very relieved that she and Celuwen are safe in Thranduil's stronghold - the thought of Gollum sneaking around her bedroom window is horrifying :( The fawn that Legolas and Annael found is horrible to think of. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Loriel with her 'other grandfather' (when she's in a better mood). And I loved Eilian and his horse, and him behaving like the King's son without even knowing it. Jay Author Reply: All this Gollum stuff is appalling, isn't it? I've had this bit of canon tucked away for a while now, planning to use it someday. Gollum crossed Mirkwood twice, Gandalf says, and the Wood-elves hunted him for Gandalf. So you know Thranduil had to know about it. But what happened? I was just writing about Loriel and her other grandfather today. And I think Eilian might be dismayed to realize how very much the king's son he is. :-)

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
Have I ever told you that I love the character of Annael? Well if I haven't- I'm telling you know. At the very beginning I had thought it was Gollum and I was right, as I came to find out. (so much for my frog guess). I feel so bad for Loriel! -sofia Author Reply: Oh good! I love Annael too. He's just such a balanced, generous person. Yeah, it's Gollum. In chapter 2 of FOTR, Gandalf tells Frodo about Gollum's crossing Mirkwood, stealing babies etc along the way. Ick. Poor Loriel. Her secure little world is about to change, I fear.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
That's so sad! I feel so bad for Loriel. It's awful when my Dad goes on business trips and his are usually just for a few days. A few weeks is forever when you're young. Poor baby. How is she going to deal with Eilian being gone for long periods of time when the shadow comes back fully? How's Celuwen going to deal with it? No wonder Loriel can't stop crying. Loriel comes off very realistically by the way. There's a habit among writers to make children cutesy and sweet, and while Loriel is undoubtedly adorable, you're also showing that she's a bit of a handful too. It's nice. And I feel kind of sad that Loriel is the only child in the settlement. She has no one to play with (other than Eilian, because he's the get down on the floor and play with them sort of dad). That's terrible. Those other settlement elves need to get hoping darn it. Give Loriel a little friend to get in trouble with. I'm relieved Celuwen came to the palace though. I was scared for a moment that she wouldn't and that would have tragic consequences. I'm glad she knows when and when not to take her father's advice. I like your version of Mithrandir. Mostly what I like is that Thranduil has a friend that isn't related to him or under his command. He can be so prickly that he doesn't get along with many people, and it's nice when he does. Plus, your version of Mithrandir seems to fit well with the books. He's powerful but underplays it, wise yet playful, and shows up when he's needed most. You write canon characters really well. So I think that's everything. Again, some chilly moments in this chapter (like that thing with the deer). (shudder) When I read the Hobbit, ( or when my Dad read it to me and my brother before my brother got nightmares from it), Gollum was really, really scary. He's not that scary in TTT or ROTK, when you can see how pathetic and tormented he is, but he's really frightening when he's skulking around stalking things. You've tapped that creepiness really well. I look forward to the next chapter. This has turned into a very exciting story. Author Reply: I think Loriel's little world is about to be irrevocably changed, poor thing. I can't see Eilian sitting around if the Shadow returns, even if he does have a child. I love writing kids. Their logic makes so much sense to them, but it's so unexpected to the rest of us. My beta says it's scary how easily I can think like a four-year-old. Celuwen is a sensible person (except for marrying Eilian). And while she's a wood-elf and hates to leave the settlement to take her daughter to live in a cave -- still she'd never take a chance on Loriel's safety. Mithrandir can be hard to get right, I find. It's easy to go too far with him. And I do think that he's an ally for Thranduil who doesn't have many. He seems to be in and out of Mirkwood and to trust the Wood-elves to do things for him. The place in FOTR where Gandalf tells Frodo about Gollum creeping in windows and so on is really horrible. I noticed it one day and made a note to use that stuff in a story some time. After all, Gollum crossed Mirkwood twice, Gandalf says, and the Wood-elves hunted him for Gandalf. So obviously they knew something was up. Thank you, Alice. Are you sure you're a teenager? :-) You're very articulate.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
Poor Solith. (I never thought I'd say those words. Even when he was unconscious on the floor of his cottage being threatened by Easterners, they were not the first words on my lips.) But it must be really difficult to deal with your adored granddaughter's other grandfather being the king. (And the provider of presents. Supplied with messengers with nothing better to do than deliver gifts. And the power to command by suggestion.) He is so defensive, poor elf. And he would be so gratified to know that Loriel burst into tears when she got to the Stronghold - although less gratified to know that it was due to the absence of his son-in-law. I just love Annael. Him and Legolas in the woods together - that's good. Him and Legolas in the woods together, searching for little cradle-snatching, fawn-ripping, blood-sucking, web-footed Gollums. That's not so good. And Legolas's confidence in finding him is probably misled. Good to see Gandalf. Bringing his usual quota of doom and gloom. He must have been extra glad to go and see hobbits and give fireworks' displays. At least they were always happy to see him. (Some of them, anyway.) I liked seeing Legolas and Ithilden interacting as adults. I loved this line - He doubted if Mithrandir lacked the capacity for almost anything at all. Lovely chapter. Lovely characters. Great situations. Author Reply: I felt sorry for Solith here too. And you're right! He was more pitiful here than he was in "Glorious Summer." he would be so gratified to know that Loriel burst into tears when she got to the Stronghold - although less gratified to know that it was due to the absence of his son-in-law. This made me laugh! Indeed, Legolas is a bit overconfident, as we know. I'm having fun showing how spooky and nasty Gollum really was. I know I'm supposed to feel pity etc but I'd sooner pity Solith! Yeah, I don't blame people who call Gandalf "Storm Crow." I might bar my door if he showed up too.

Yanic	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
Oh wow, what a great opening with a mangled Bambi body... really sets the tone. And I love that statement about Eilian unable to go without a horse, even if it is "an extravagance to keep horses" as Celuwen puts it. I bet he keeps it for the excitement of riding fast(rather like a sports-car today), because Eilian just wouldn't be Eilian if he didn;t crave excitement. I had to laugh at Flower Face's squirming around during traveling. I know that kids can barely stand long car rides, but I never even thought of long horse-rides! I'm glad that Loriel is now safe at the palace, and I can't wait to see what she gets up to next! Author Reply: Gollum's actions really do have a sort of nightmarish quality to them, don't they? They're spooky to try to show here. (I was going to say "try to flesh out" but that seemed ill-advised, given the nature of what Gollum did.) I suspect you're quite right about one reason Eilian likes having a horse! He may be an ada now, but he's still himself underneath it all. Celuwen must just roll her eyes sometimes at the way he thinks. I definitely think Flower Face and her grandpa need to spend some time together. :-)

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
There’s such fantastic atmosphere in this story. Very creepy. It’s fascinating to watch them piece together what’s happening. Where does Beliond live? Does he have a cottage for when he’s not in the woods? If so, why do we never see anyone being invited around for tea??! And what does Calith’s son do? I was just wondering because if he was a warrior once upon a time, maybe his son is too. Or maybe he’s the same place as Maltanaur’s grandson…;-) I really liked the scene between Legolas and Ithilden. It’s really interesting the way Legolas tries to read his reactions. My heart nearly stopped at the sentence “Loriel was smaller than the fawn he and Annael had found dead today.” Put like that, it’s so frightening. Ah, I was waiting for Mithrandir. I had to smile at Legolas’ “familiar mix of pleasure and apprehension”. That’s a perfect description and I imagine is the way most people feel when he turns up! Thranduil was having none of the small talk at any rate. In the middle of all the horror, I had to laugh at Thranduil calling it “Eilian’s settlement”. I know he didn’t mean anything but I don’t think Sólith would appreciate it! I felt sorry for them all having to listen to these tales when they know that this creature has been so close to Loriel. It’s interesting that Mithrandir tells them Gollum’s name and is so blunt about how dangerous he is. It makes me wonder why on earth Thranduil would then agree later to hold Gollum for Mithrandir, and why the elves would show kindness to him and let him have some freedom. Oh well, who am I to argue with canon. Presumably nothing too bad happens while he’s wandering around Mirkwood. “The messenger would probably appreciate having a written message from you to give to Celuwen, Adar.” LOL. That was brave of him to point out. He’s so right, though. Only Thranduil’s well-trained sons jump at his bidding. I love the way they considerately think of the poor messenger too! Poor Legolas, though. He seems to know deep down that the relatively peaceful home that he’s just getting to know is about to change for the worse again. It’s just awful to watch them having to admit to themselves that there’s evil in Mirkwood again. And it sounds like Loriel hasn’t bounced back from the upset at her Ada’s departure. Everyone else in the king’s family has grown up with the knowledge that a parent could be absent due to duty, but it’s all new for little Loriel. I liked the letter. It’s a lot different than the one Eilian got, I’d say! Thranduil seems to have taken great pains to explain not only that Eilian’s mission is an important one, but that there is definite danger out there that could threaten Celuwen and Loriel. There’s a very apologetic tone to it that I doubt many people hear from Thranduil. Of course, it’s also very clear that sorry or not, Thranduil will have them come to the stronghold! I do feel a little sorry for Sólith as he watches them rush of to Thranduil. It wouldn’t surprise me, though, if he thinks that Eilian’s been telling tales of this mysterious creature and that’s why his daughter has been called back to the palace. “She had not told her father that Eilian had gone south.” Well, she didn’t have to. He read the letter and he’s not a fool. He’ll know the south is place with which “no one is more familiar than he is.” Sólith must be wondering if he’ll see his daughter and granddaughter anytime soon at all. “The king is my other grandfather,” she informed him. “He lets me stay up late.” That’s adorable! I thought Loriel’s excitement to go to her other grandfather was so cute until I realised that it was more than just seeing Thranduil. The poor child. She misses Ada, she’s had a long day and it turns out that Eilian went the completely opposite way than they did. To be honest, though, I feel more sorry for Thranduil, who didn’t get much of a chance to revel in the presence of his granddaughter! Hopefully all these people will distract Loriel once she’s had a chance to calm down. Of course, Legolas, Sinnarn and Eilian will all be missing. But there are plenty of women-folk about! I wonder how she feels not being surrounded by trees and having no windows? So, Legolas, Annael and Beliond are going to track Gollum? Goody! Now, I wonder if there’s any possibility of old Gollum heading south… How are Eilian & co. getting on? Apologies that this is so rushed. I have a meeting tonight after work so if I don’t do it now, it could be tomorrow before I get a chance. I look forward to re-reading this chapter when I have more time! And as usual, you have me dying to know what happens next :-) Author Reply: Calith's son! I'd forgotten about him. I remember Maltanaur's grandchild occasionally and wonder if I can do anything with him/her (did I ever say which it was?), but I'd forgotten that Calith had a son who was about Sinnarn's age. I wasn't actually sure if Gandalf would tell the Elves Gollum's name, and as a matter of fact, I wasn't sure he would know it yet. I thought maybe he wouldn't learn it until Aragorn caught him. But then I realized he got his information from Bilbo and Bilbo knew Gollum's name. So I concluded Gandalf did too. And then I could think of no reason he wouldn't tell the Wood-elves Gollum's name. He wouldn't voice his suspicions about the ring. He wasn't sure yet if it was the One Ring and he'd see that as a big secret anyway. (No, PJ and millions of fangirl writers! The news that the One Ring had been found was NOT spread all over ME. And also, Elrond did not CALL a council.) And I thought he'd want to warn them how dangerous Gollum was. As for why the Elves agreed to hold Gollum and then treat him kindly, I suppose that's a story for a different day. It does bear thinking about, doesn't it? This must have been a very hard time for the Wood-elves, as the peace faded despite their sacrifices at the Battle of Five Armies. I suppose the older generation had seen evil return before, but the younger ones, people like Legolas, had not. It must have been terrible. I think both Ithilden and Thranduil have learned a little caution around Celuwen (as no doubt Eilian has too!). She's very independent, not in a stupid kind of way so that she'd rush into danger just to prove she could, but in a way that says "I'm an intelligent person. Give me the facts and I'll decide for myself." At least, that's what it says in my notes about her. :-) I too felt sorry for Solith, although he is a pretty selfish guy. But it must hurt him to know that he can't protect these two people that he loves. I wonder how she feels not being surrounded by trees and having no windows? I thought about that. She has to feel really cooped up, I think. She's used to running out her front door and squishing her bare feet in the garden and then playing near the trees. The cave is going to feel pretty confining, I think. You're hilarious to think that this is rushed, Dot!

Jule	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
Sorry about my previous posting. I slipped and hit the send key by accident. Thank you for another wonderful chapter. Poor Loriel. I felt so bad for the baby but hopefully Ada will be home soon. I have to admit I am thrilled they are back at the stronghold and hope it is to stay. Once again the differences between a selfish Ada and one who puts their children first is clear. Thranduil let Elian and Celuwen move to the settlement even though it meant missing out on seeing his Granddaughter raised and having his son home to stay for the first time since he came of age. Solith wants them to stay even when the danger to Loriel is clear. He was hurt but it was a selfish kind of hurt even trying to deny Thranduil's place in Loriel's like by calling him the King. I also felt bad about there being no other children in the settlement. The little girl needs friends, hopefully she will find them at the stronghold. I actually like Celuwen here. She did what was best for her daughter not what she wanted. I also do sympathise with her being worried about Elian. That has to be scary. Gollum is in the Woodland Realm! Ahh!. Hopefully he won't be there long. The scene between our boys and Mithrandir was wonderfully done. You really showed the terror at the thought of a monster who snatched children under the window of their niece/granddaughter. Legolas' horror at the point he saw the fawn felt so real. I was sad for the poor baby deer. I can't wait for the next part. Thanks for writing. Jule Author Reply: OK, Jule, I saved you from yourself and deleted the blank and repeated review. :-) Way to artificially jack up my review count! Go, Jule! I admit I felt sorry for Solith as he watched Celuwen and Loriel leave. He probably knows he can't protect them as well as Thranduil can and that may hurt. But you're right, of course, that he reacted selfishly in contrast to Celuwen, for whom this move must have been unwelcome but she did it anyway. Gollum is indeed in Mirkwood. In chapter 2 of FOTR, Gandalf tells Frodo that Gollum crossed Mirkwood twice, trying to find Bilbo and the ring. The first time I noticed that, I thought "Aha!" And then I made a note in my list of possible stories. It struck me as a good possible plot element. I feel bad for the animals Gollum is killing too, but I thought that the Elves might be close enough to nature that they see predator and prey in action all the time. Still, this was an unusually nasty predator, and Legolas felt it. Thank you, Jule.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
I'm with Legolas. I'm horrified by what 'the ghost' has been dining on. I also like Legolas's observation about Mithrandir. You never know whether to be pleased or worried when the wizard shows up. As it turns out, the wizard was the bearer of unsettling news. I'm glad to see that Mithrandir isn't mysterious about what he thinks, but came right out and told Thranduil and company his suspicions. He didn't reveal everything, but at least he did tell them about Gollum. What would you like us to do with him when we find him, Mithrandir?” I love Legolas's confidence that they would find the slimy little critter. Ithilden raised an eyebrow. “The messenger would probably appreciate having a written message from you to give to Celuwen, Adar,” he observed mildly. “She will not like leaving their home.” Ithilden knows his sister-in-law well. But I think he and Thranduil know that Celuwen will do what's necessary to protect Loriel. But just in case...that messenger will have instructions! Sólith can't stand that he's not in control. He just won't give up trying to manipulate things to his liking. He loves Celuwen and Loriel--that's obvious--but he's as hardheaded as they come. I'm sure he would do his best to protect them, but even he's got to see the wisdom of Celuwen and Loriel being protected in the stronghold. The woods are far more open. I imagine he does know, but just can't admit it! And Celuwen was wise enough to know that she had received an 'invitation' to the stronghold, but a command. As much as she hates it, I think she's comfortable with doing what's best for her daughter. But poor Sólith thought he was being tossed aside in his granddaughter's affections. It's hard to compete with the king. The trip to the palace was so well done. All of us with children heard our own experiences in Loriel. “How much farther is it?” Are we there yet? Time just crawls by for an excited kid. But they at least had the horses to make the trip a little faster. I loved Celuwen's observation that Eilian couldn't help being the king's son even where it came to just having a horse around. I imagine that's kind of a warrior thing too. Eilian is used to moving quickly when needed. Horses are sometimes better than taking to the trees. Poor little Loriel. She thought Ada was going to be there waiting for her. You handled the tired child well. She's wasn't bratty, just tired and disappointed. “We came the wrong way?” Loriel wailed. This was a great line. I loved this chapter. I was relieved to see Celuwen and Loriel get to the stronghold and in the meantime, we got to see Legolas, Thranduil and the most satisfying appearance of Mithrandir. Things are heating up! I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Karen Author Reply: Isn't that stuff about Gollum creepy? I had to go back to FOTR and make sure I'd read it right. He creeps in windows to rob cradles?! Words aren't strong enough to describe how horrible that is. I amused myself by having Ithilden advise Thranduil to put his request in writing. In my head, Ithilden and Celuwen have occasionally clashed at Thranduil's council meetings, and Ithilden has long ago decided that his sister-in-law is a pretty formidable opponent. She has to be. She's married to Eilian. I felt a little sorry for Solith when he saw how excited Loriel about going to the stonghold. He must occasionally cringe when he sees the gifts that come from the palace too. But Loriel is a wood elf and living in the forest is precious to her, although she doesn't know it yet because she's always had it. I love writing about kids. Their logic is their own, and poor Loriel was sure she was going to see Eilian. This was where he went after all and I'm sure no one had told her that he went off into danger.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
So nice to see another chapter. The situation is unravelling pretty quickly now with the confirmation by Mithrandir of Gollum stalking the woods, but at least the elves know the creature is no phantom. It's interesting to note Legolas' mixed feelings about Mithrandir's appearance. Wonder if he has some sixth sense feeling on what's in store for the Mirkwood elves later on. I am glad that Celuwen and Loriel are now in the stronghold, though I felt bad for Celuwen's parents having to see them go. I had to laugh at Loriel's restlessness during the journey to the stronghold. I guess even for elflings, there's the concept of "are we there yet?" when travelling. Author Reply: Mithrandir's arrival must sometimes have evoked mixed feelings, I'd think! Although the Hobbits seem pretty glad to see him. I guess he mostly sheltered them from what was going on until he couldn't do it any more. Although maybe marking Bilbo's door (burglar) falls somewhat short of sheltering! I felt sorry for Celuwen's parents too, but Thranduil was determined to get his granddaughter into the cave where guards are around and I don't blame him. I so wanted to write "are we there yet?" That and how "many more miles?"

Socket	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2005
rubs hands with glee This story is just getting better and better, and the way you're building the tension is superb. I just adore the scene with Mithrandir; I hear his dialogue in Ian McEllan's voice, of course. And nice job handling the tension between Celuwen and Solith -- very realistic! Can't wait for the next chapter. Author Reply: I'm glad it feels tense! I've been worried that it's just meandering along. Poor Mithrandir! I'm sure people flinched when he appeared. Storm Crow indeed. I kind of felt sorry for Solith. Not only are Celuwen and Loriel leaving (at the king's command), but Loriel looks thrilled. Of course, she thought they were going where Eilian was, but Solith doesn't know that. Ah well. Perhaps he deserves a few blows to his stubborn head anyway.

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