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The Seeds of Time by daw the minstrel	181 Review(s)
Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/12/2007
Poor Ithilden. Yeah, that’s what I got out of it, lol. But really, you do such a good job of letting us feel the background tension and troubles, that awful mixture of forces moving against them and feelings of futility in the face of that. Thranduil must have been so frightened by Legolas and Lorellin’s little adventure. He wants so badly to keep his family safe :-/ Legolas writing his name is very sweet, even if it is another sign that he’s starting to move out of babyhood. I love how you tie all your stories together. She had once found a small Eilian riffling through one of the chests in his father's office, looking for sealing wax to use to heal a wounded toy warrior who had lost an arm. She had dragged him from the room by the scruff of his neck, scolding all the way, but she had also mended the soldier and not told his parents. LOL!! No doubt elfling Eilian had half the place charmed. When he wasn’t exasperating them. She made me laugh when she nods “approvingly” at him. To people who knew you as a child you’ll always be a child. But at least he’s being sensible! And it’s rather touching that he makes sure his little brother gets his chance to enjoy himself, even if it means walking around on sore feet. I’m still smiling at Legolas getting a visitor. Trust Turgon to just turn up and look for his new friend. And poor Gelmir! I feel so bad for him. He’s managed to notice that Eilian hasn’t been himself, though. And you know, I’m quite glad he’ll be there so in a few weeks when Eilian has to return home. I just love all the movement in the background as Eilian and Gelmir talk. It really made me feel like I was watching children out of the corner of my eye. I enjoyed the chat between Eilian and Lorellin too. She does know the right way to go about things with him – he’s left in no doubt that she not only understands him but has reacted as he does and sees things the same way. I can well believe she was stubborn and a little wild as a young elf. I suspect she knows – though not to the same extent that we do – that it will be a lifelong struggle for him not to distract himself from pain with danger. We played a game, and I should collect my winnings before I leave." The divil! I did feel for Lorellin when she has the chance to say to Thranduil that yes, they should have Eilian transferred home but she knows that it’s wrong for her son even if it’s what she’d like. He has his duty and more than that, he needs to be where he feels like he’s making a difference. Yay for Elowen! I’m glad Lorellin got the chance to see her with the children and know that Legolas would be safe in her care. "The spring dancing is in a few days. After that?" No, no, no, no, no! The three friends are just adorable together. It’s such a delight reading about them at this age. They already seem to have formed a very definite bond. Turgon seems almost bossy in making sure they stay friends. I suppose he’s too used to being left on his own. The ending is lovely. Everything is just so perfect for Legolas in this moment. I was flicking through your reviews for the last few chapters and I know many people have read it with the next event in mind but I’ve tried not to except for when it was particularly poignant or foreboding. Mostly I just wanted to enjoy the glimpse of this family as a whole and the chance to get to know Lorellin as herself rather than a memory. She’s become much more real to me in a way that she never has before. Even more fascinating in a way was seeing her family through different eyes. They’re as familiar as always to me and yet she brings something else out in them. I’m so glad you decided to write this. I look forward to more the next time you decide you need a break from revisions :-) Author Reply: I knew you'd miss Ithilden! LOL. I had to kind of fence him out of this one. I needed space for Nana, and Ithilden tends to displace a lot of air when he's around. Besides, the last story was about him. I figured Turgon would be the one who was bold enough to march into the palace and ask for Legolas. Can you imagine doing that? Not me! And not Annael either. But Legolas was just thrilled. And Eilian kept an eye on them, which is sort of scary when you think of it. Gelmir was one of the loose ends I needed to tie up. I had lots of little things scattered here and there that I needed to work into this chapter, including Legolas being able to write his name (a place where he stalls for a while as he recovers from his loss) and Lorellin being willing to trust Elowen to take care of her baby. I learned a lot about Lorellin while writing this. What surprised me most was how different Thranduil felt around her. I'm beating my head on my desk over plot plausibility problems in the brewer book, but it's coming along, I think. One of these days, I'll start the agent hunt again. Woe is me.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/12/2007
As bad a reviewer as I've been lately, I still wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading this. Lorellin is such a delightful character. I'm glad we got an opportunity to see her in finer detail. We've known her mainly from the remembrances of her family. It's interesting the details about her that are uncovered when she's in action rather than just a memory. Not that her family hasn't remembered her correctly, but there's a tendency to recall the people we've lost with a less critical eye than reality. Lorellin proved to be everything they thought, plus so much more. She and Eilian are cut from the same mold. But! Because of her insight into him, he couldn't fool her for a second and she didn't hesitate to tell him. I liked that. She was strong, but compassionate. I know I've asked you to write about her death before, but I think I spent this whole story worrying you might actually do it. I'm such a wimp, I drew a sigh of relief when I realized this timeline would not extend that far. It would still make a wonderful story, but I think it'd be tough to write, and tough to read. I've grown quite fond of Lorellin. Every time I read one of your stories, I realize how much I've missed your characters. This story was just what I needed. Thanks, Daw, for such a terrific story. Author Reply: Thanks, Karen. Once I started writing about her, Lorellin surprised me. She could be impulsive and selfish, but she was devoted to her family and they all needed her. Once she was gone, a part of them went too and they were different people. Not bad people, but different. I miss these characters too, so it always gratifies me when people still want to read about them.

Socket	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
Thank you for this great story, Daw. It was wonderful to have a full portrait of Lorellin, who is such a strong, if unseen, presence in your canon after her death. How sad it is to recall that, some time in the future, Legolas's memories of her would become so distant and faded. Author Reply: Thanks, Socket. Lorellin showed herself to be a more complex person than I imagined before I started to write. She was more flawed than her family remembers, but also more adventuresome and even more essential to her husband and sons than I realized. It is hard to believe that Legolas scarcely remembers her. He's little, of course, but also I think he needed to "forget" a little, or he might not have been able to bear her loss.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
Ahh! (big sigh of contentment!) That was lovely, but I am sad to see this little tale end. It's such a rare treat to read about Lorellin and her interaction with the family. And she's off on that fateful trip to her family's village soon too, isn't she? And we all know what happens after that. I can see more clearly now why the family was so devastated by her death. She is extraordinarily perceptive to the people around her and accepts them for what they are rather than trying to mold them to her standards and/or needs. I know you said you have your book to work on, but I hope you'll find some time in the near future to gift us with another one of your stories. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Author Reply: Thank you, Manderly. I learned a lot about Lorellin in writing this story, even though I thought I knew her before. Her family needed her even more than I realized. Even Thranduil is quite different when she's around. So I made myself sad thinking about her loss. On the other hand, I loved the chance to write about little bitty Legolas. I love writing from the POV of little kids. They're so sweet.

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
that was a nice story. Will you write anymore featuring Lorellin? I have to say, as heartbreaking as it would be, will you ever write a story that deals with Lorellin just before/after her death? I know you've said it would be too sad to do and that you couldn't bring yourself to do it, but I think if you ever did do it, you would do a really really good job. Good luck with your original novel and I can't wait to read more stories concerning our favorite family! Author Reply: Thank you, Sofia. This is about as close to Lorellin's death as I can stand to write. She goes to see her family after the spring dancing and is killed on the way home. And I think "Paths of Memory" is about as close as I can stand to write afterwards. Maybe I'm too attached to my characters!

Fantaisa	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
Daw, I have never review one of your stories, but your Mirkwood universe is one of my favorites. I love your stories, I keep reading once in while, and have always a “lovely time” when reading, thank you very much for sharing your stories with us. This new fic was fantastic, you are a wonderful writer. When you finally have your original novel published, please have a post in this site to let us know, I will run to the bookshop to buy it. My favorite stories in when Legolas is a novice, and of course I would love to see more fics about that time. I always wanted to ask about Eilian first scoting trip to Dol Guldur. If I remember the other warrior was killed, and I don’t remember Maltanaur being with him, anyway, you never wrote about that, I really would like to read it, and yes, I’m another of Eilian’s fans. Someone has already asked you writing about Legolas family reaction after his decision to go with the fellowship and when he comes back after the War. I think that will be funny to see Ithilden in Gondor or Rohan and people recognizing him for being Legolas brother and not the other way around, as usual. I’m at work now, so I can write too much, but please, never stop writing about Mirkwood, even when you become a best seller writer (I’m sure that you will). Thanks, Fantasia Author Reply: Fantasia-- Thank you so much for this nice review. I love hearing from readers who have never reviewed me before. It's like having friends I didn't know about. I like writing about Legolas as a novice too. There's something about adolescence that's really appealing to me as a writer. The character is vulnerable but so full of potential and learning so fast. As I recall, I just had Thranduil refer to that scouting trip but I never wrote about it. That would be interesting. I'll put it on my list! You also made me laugh with that picture of Ithilden. He was undoubtedly busy during the Battle Under the Trees, but afterwards he could have gone east, assuming he survived, of course. Bless you for your confidence in me. Some days I get discouraged, but then I try to relax and enjoy the process of writing. daw

Matt	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
I have read (though not reviewed as I couldn't figure out how to do so until recently) most of your stories and liked this one as much as most of the others. Your characters are very well drawn and their situations and ways of doing things are clear, consistent and develop appropriately as they grow and change. Though I know that there are people who like the Turgon character, I have never enjoyed him because he both seems too undisciplined and too thoughtless of how his actions impact others. I know that there are many children (particularly boys) who are like this but (male though I am), I have never felt comfortable with the "boys will be boys" response to children that so many of us have. Still, he is an important character in many ways and his part--along with those of all of the others--is certainly integral to your vision of Legolas' growth. I hope that yo continue to do more stories in this universe (though I am not sure where else you could go to get multi-chapter ones at this poitn) and thankyou again for a thoughtful and well-written tale. Matt Author Reply: Thanks, Matt. I love these characters shamelessly, so I'm always pleased when someone else appreciates them. Turgon is a problem. I have a son, who's grown up now. Turgon is patterned after a friend of his. That friend scared the wits out of me. I liked him on a one-to-one basis but his parents paid too little attention and he just did some crazy things and I was worried he'd draw my son into them. I was deeply grateful when the friend didn't get accepted at the same university my son did so they couldn't room together. In other words, I think you're right. And yet, I feel for Turgon, especially when he's little. He has so much potential and he needs a firm hand to guide him until he gets some sense. I'm going to work on an original novel for a while, so what fanfic I do will probably be short things. I can't seem to leave it alone entirely.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
I am being a bad employee and reading at work, since I taught last night... And that might have been a bad move because something about the end of this brought tears to my eyes. Thranduil and Lorellin together were so sweet and it is sad to know where that is going so soone. And to think of all the things she is going to miss--like Annael's mother being so important to Legolas and Eilian/Celuwen (her help really would have been good there). So sad. I love the family atmosphere in this--Eilian's dismay at how Legolas is writing, Lorellin's story to make her point to Eilian, a nice ride in the forest. Very nice to see. Great story daw! I hope you write another one soon. :-) Author Reply: I'm being a bad employee and answering reviews at work. What can they do? Fire me? They're busy planning my retirement reception! Nilmandra once told me that what my stories are really about is family. I think she's right. I really enjoy writing these loving but complicated relationships between people.

erunyauve	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
>>The letters were wobbly but clear: 'Legolas.' Oh! I remember this from the story about Annael's mother. I ought to re-read some of those older stories again. >>Turgon scrambled onto a bench and jumped off. Legolas climbed after him, with Annael right behind. Eilian glanced at Annael's mother. Seeing her continue to look serene, he relaxed. Heh - I can identify with that. I always had visions of broken necks when I babysat. Real parents are so much more relaxed - they've figured out that the kids don't break that easily. >>Gelmir's mother often asked herself the same sort of question. Yes, I can imagine. >>Eilian sat utterly still. Did he blame himself? Through his mind ran a rapid string of scenes: himself realizing where the orcs were, signaling, speaking to Maltanaur, hearing Gelmir and Fithral approaching, watching the forest floor collapse and take Fithral with it. >>He sighed. "When I think about it, I know I did everything I could, so I know I am not to blame." >>She seemed to consider that. "Perhaps knowing is not the same thing as feeling." That's the difficult part - convincing the heart. Lorellin seems to have put Eilian on the right path, at least. Author Reply: Oh yeah, writing his name. I was trying to tie up as many of the things that point to the future as I could, including that and also that Lorellin trusted Elowen to take care of her son, which of course she frequently does in the future. Lorellin understands Eilian, poor guy. He's young here and coming close to the Shadow for the first time. It must have taken him a while to learn to deal with it, and in some ways, I'm not sure he ever does completely. Glad you liked it, Erunyauve.

mistry89	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007
What a delightful addition to your arc. I particularly like Legolas' "voice". The sense of danger is embedded in the story, and future grief - if that makes sense in what seems to me to be primarily a window on attempting to deal well (well, to try to deal) with loss. Elflings and sub-texts they may be aware of but do not understand make it easy for the poor human mind to empathise. Thank you! Author Reply: Thanks, Mistry. The Legolas parts of this story were my favorite to write. Trying to sound like a little kid is so much fun. I have to shorten my sentences and alter my vocabulary, but mostly, I have to see the world in that kidlike way. So Legolas can get excited about being a tree, for instance. That made me laugh when i was writing it. You're right about the subtext, I think. We know what will happen and see what the characters will lose, and they just go on not knowing.

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