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| The Seeds of Time by daw the minstrel | 181 Review(s) |
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| annie | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| Daw, I just wanted to let you know that I have read all your legolas stories amd have looooved them all very much. They are without a doubt my favourite fanfiction. Please dont stop, reading them over and over brightens my day and new stories are a very big bonus. Author Reply: Thank you, Annie. I love these characters shamelessly, so I'm grateful when someone wants to read about them. I'm working on original fiction these days, which is why I'm writing less fanfic, but I can't seem to stay away entirely. Fanfic feels like play, like a chance to experiment and learn something. And of course, I get to hear from readers. :-) | |
| Noor | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| Thank you so much for this moving story that speaks volumes about the influence of Lorellin on her family and illustrates all the relationships within the family. I really enjoyed seeing young Legolas's friendship with Annael and Turgon developing. This story really underlines their future loss...at least in this story despite the shadow Lorellin's family are together and their love for each other is apparent. Noor Author Reply: You're welcome, Noor. I'm so glad you liked it. Writing from Lorellin's POV let me learn a lot more about her. Her family tends to remember her in rosy terms, and she deserves them mostly because she was so important to them. Even Thranduil was different in her presence. But she was more complicated than her sons and husband recall. She was flawed and strong and fierce and thoroughly wood elfy. I liked her. | |
| insignia | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| Hi daw, thank you for another great story. I like little Legolas - pretty cuddly, I'm sure, and much less hardy and tested than the older one! And nice to see his nana and ada interacting, too. I like also how you manage your characters, so we see them developing through your stories. We have a young and less confident Eilian, Gelmir struggling to cope with shadow, Elowen being a responsible young parent, and some markers for what is to come in the next stage of Legolas's life when we hear about his mother's daring past, her missing her family and her plans for her next trip. Bit puzzled about why Legolas in this chapter had two visitors, who then get reduced to Turgon ...? So what is next in your saga? Another young Legolas, or back to adulthood? Personally I would like your take on how the fellowship got on and on what happened after the events of RotK. But whatever it turns out to be I shall read with great delight I am sure! Thanks once again. Author Reply: You're entirely welcome, Insignia. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You made me laugh because I guess it is pretty hard to look at this sweet elfling pretending to be a tree and see the warrior of the Fellowship. I so appreciate your comment about how the characters seem different over time. That's tricky to do, I find. Someone else asked me about the two visitors too. In my head, it was only Turgon who came to get Legolas. He was bold enough to march up to the palace while Annael waited on the Green. So the two elflings in the antechamber were Turgon and Legolas, who had run ahead. Given that you're the second person to mention it, I guess I wasn't too clear. Hm. Shall I try to edit? I'll have to think. The next bit of writing I need to do is a revision of an original young adult fantasy novel I wrote over the winter. I only hope you and everyone else gets a chance to read it! | |
| Marie | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| That was a wonderful story. It was good to get a glimpse of how life was like for the royal family of Mirkwood at a time when all its members were still there. I like Lorellin alot, and it is an almost unbearable thought that she will not be with them much longer. Your imagery is excellent, I especially enjoyed chapter 4. "Trouble lay thick in his heart". I could almost sense a sort of mistlike worry laying claim to THranduil. And of course the elfling-game. As others have said it is a great woodelf thing to think up! But what stood out most for me, was little Legolas having to push at his heart to keep it in his breast at the end of story, because his beloved older brother was doing really scaring things! The action in these last chapters was excellent too. You show very nicely the different reactions of everybody, instead of just telling us how they are feeling. The three elflings on the ledge was a good example. Anyway, I could probably go on for quite some time. Thank you for this story Daw, I can never get enough of your Mirkwood-tales. Marie Author Reply: Lorellin surprised me while I was writing this story. She turned out to be more flawed and more wood-elfy than I realized. But she's fierce in her love for her family and she was so necessary to them. As I wrote this, I could see even more clearly how much they lost when she died. The elfling game was my favorite part of this story. I know there's not much action and it's just kids playing, but making Legolas pretend to be a tree was so much fun. I've been working on both imagery and showing rather than telling, so I'm immensely pleased to have you notice both those things. Thank you, Marie. | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| Daw, This is a thoughtful and insightful story, though it made me scared more than once... two cliffies in a row left my fingernails chewed down to the quicks! But it tugged at my heartstrings even more, especially knowing what's to come. You have so clearly shown how central to the entire family Lorellin was. I wish she wasn't going to visit her relatives quite so soon... it is soooo obvious that she is loved and truly needed... as she loves and needs her family. And they all need time to recover from almost losing Legolas. I love how much she shares with Eilian... she is the one person who really understands him. Who would have thought that the Queen had such a wild childhood? And I also love the little bits about how Celuwen kept her childhood friend from doing the more stupid things he might have otherwise attempted.... And Legolas, Annael, and especially Turgon are such amazing prototypes of the adults they will become (except Turgon, of course, who won't quite make it...). I have read (many times) all your stories from the beginning, Daw. You started as a good author, and have grown so very much since. I am in awe of your ability to describe the intricate bonds between your characters, and to make each one so distinct and so real and so fascinating. There were so many excerpts to like about this story, but the one quotation that struck an incredibly sad and profound chord with me is: I am coming, sweetling, she thought. I will always come. *sob* - Barbara Author Reply: You know, I think you're right about the heartstrings. There was action in this story, but the real thing I cared about was establishing what Lorellin was like and how important she was to her family. The action was all in the service of that. I certainly never realized Lorellin was a wild child, but when I started writing about her, it just seemed right. She's a wood elf and Eilian is like her. That combination suggests a lot! You started as a good author, and have grown so very much since I can't tell you how much I value this compliment. I've been working at learning to write better and it's such a slow, incremental process that I can't tell if I have. So thank you for this. daw | |
| Kate | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| I'm not sure if it was harder for me to read this because it's the end or because Lorellin is about to die. As always, this story was a pleasure to read. You were not joking when you said this chapter would tie up the lose ends! "Ithilden had been upset enough about being too big to go into the cave " LOL! I'm getting this picture of him yelling at the rocks. "Of course, Eilian had spent the evening in his parents' sitting room too, with no desire to leave and find his friends." Prefect. I loved how close they all were in this story. Thranduil’s protectiveness of those he loves is so touching. I'm very happy you decided not to kill Eilian so many stories ago! Thranduil has suffered too many loses, seeing him with his wife only reinforces that. ""Very well. I believe you." She patted his arm. "Remember those at home who love you, and stay out of rapids or whatever the equivalent is in that place. In the long run, you have to face your own feelings anyway." " I really liked how you showed with their relationship. What she said here is so different from what Thranduil would have said... it's so clear what all of them, Eilian in particual lost. You really explained Thranduil’s “you’re so like your mother at times” comment with some of Lorellin stories. ""There you are." Thranduil settled next to her, his eyes on the elflings. "I am free for the rest of the afternoon, and I hoped you and Legolas would go for a ride with me. Eilian too, if he is around."" Oh, soft/doting Thranduil! I love how he included Eilian! Also from the last chapter, the "two elfings" line was great! ""Thranduil, I have seen that map you and Ithilden spend all your time poring over. My family's village is within the safe area." " No wonder Ithilden felt responsible! Ouch. "Besides," he whispered in Legolas ear, "Nana is worth waiting for, do you not agree?" " I loved that exchange. I loved this story and am sorry to see it end. The ending of chapter seven was so sweet and the interaction between all the characters was amazing (as always). I particularly liked how you foreshadowed her death with her advice to Eilian, approval of Legloas's friends and the time with Thranduil. Do you expect to write another story while she is alive again? Additionally, have you considered writing about Lorellin and Thranduil in Valinor or about Legolas's return after the ring is destroyed? Best line: ""Are you sure he should be playing with Turgon?" Thranduil asked. " It took me a minute to recover from laughing. If only they had foresight. Nice to see that Lorellin has some concerns about Turgon's parents. Looking forward to the next story! Kate PS One line I think I forget to mention before that I liked from chapter one was: " even more maddening, he did not seem to notice when Thranduil tried to intimidate him into silence." One other question, the rune Thranduil gave Eilian in The Warrior, what was its significance? Author Reply: I had to kind of keep Ithilden out of this story because I had Lorellin's POV to deal with too and I just can't manage too many. My head starts to hurt after while and I'm tempted to kill of a few characters. Of course, Nana is going soon anyway, more's the pity. Every once in a while, I think about how I almost killed Eilian and I can't believe it. What was I thinking????? Was I insane? Lorellin was already enough of a loss, as you say. Thranduil was so different when she was around, even with his sons. I'm sitting here thinking about a Thranduil/Lorellin in Valinor story. There are people who do terrific stories about Valinor, Bodkin most notably. But when I think about it, I realize how much I depend on Tolkien for my fics. If I don't have the Quest in the future and Sauron as an enemy, I have a lot more trouble thinking up plots. Re the rune: It was just a rune that was thought to protect the one who wore it. In my head, mothers often gave them to young elves intending to be warriors. Sort of like wearing a cross or a saint's medal. Thanks for this kind review, Kate. | |
| Purplesmackers | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| Hi Daw! It is great seeing yet another story from you! This is my favorite story universe that I have ever followed. I especially enjoyed reading this story, since up until now, we never got a really good idea about Legolas' mother. After finishing this story, I went back and reread 'When Shadow Touches Home', and by reading this story, it added so much more emotion to that story. My favorite part of reading this story was that every time Lorellin thought or talked about wanting to visit her family, I would cringe, or want to reach into the story and knock some sense into her! lol You are a wonderful author, Daw, and I look forward to many more stories from you. My only question left unanswered, and I was slightly disappointed in not finding out the answer in this story is...what did Legolas do to not be allowed to go along with Lorellin to visit her family? Hopefully at some point, we will learn what the tantrum was about. lol Even though, you have once said you would have no idea how to write a sequel of sorts for 'A Question of Duty', I am still holding out hope that one day you will enlighten us all with such a story. I would love to read about how Legolas' family reacts to him not returning with Beliond, and of course the reaction of his family and friends when he did in fact return home. I am turning 30 in the next year, and hmm...such a story would be a great present..*hint hint*...j/k! :) ~Roni Author Reply: This story was a lot of fun to write. When I was planning it, I listed what I wanted to accomplish, and one of the things was writing as much as I could from Lorellin's POV because I hadn't done that at all before. She turned out to be stronger and more flawed than I thought ahead of time, but she was also so central to her family. Thranduil was a different person around her. That tantrum thing makes me groan. I was talking to my beta about it last night before I posted. I wrote about that happening several years ago and if I had it to do over, I'd probably do something different. In the meantime, I have to fit my stories around what I already have. What a pain! I don't know what the tantrum was about. I can't even guess! At the moment, my next writing project is revising an original novel I drafted over the winter. Fanfic is a great break from that. It's pure play. daw | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| I'm glad Lorellin has approved Elowen - and cottoned on to the weaknesses of Turgon's parents. But she shouldn't go and see her family! Thranduil should make more effort to keep her safe in the Stronghold! (Foreknowledge can be a terrible thing!) Although Lorellin knows perfectly well who is the right one for Eilian - he just needs a few more centuries to get the idea himself. She understands Eilian so much better than he understands himself. And certainly better than Thranduil does. Legolas's delight at having a friend call for him is so charming! And Eilian is very mature in deciding that he needs to keep a firm eye on his little brother - at least until Naneth turns up, when he can go off to collect his winnings! A lovely story of happiness and family togetherness. But the black cloud is far too close. Author Reply: One of the things I like about writing fanfic is the resonance it gains from our foreknowledge. So when we write tales of the Fellowship as children, for instance, everything that happens takes on a significance it wouldn't have otherwise. The Legolas parts of this story were an utter delight to write. I love writing from the POV of a little kid. He's so innocent here, and so secure. Poor baby. | |
| DJ | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/11/2007 |
| Hi, Daw. Wonderful to have another story from you! I keep wishing you would write more, because I love your stories so much. But I do understand that your writing time is taken up with original fiction--I just hope it gets published so I can go buy it and read it. And I don't care if it's YA fiction; I _love_ YA fiction. This story is funny, exciting, scary, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I love seeing Legolas make friends outside of his family for the first time. Anneal and Turgon and Legolas together for the first time. Anneal seemed shyer in this story than in ones set later, but I think that's natural for the beginning of a friendship. Turgon about broke my heart. He was so brave, and encouraging, and good-hearted, without any of the belligerent overtones that come out in stories where he is older. I really wanted to smack his mother upside the head for claiming she's watching the elflings, when she's really off in her own world. I wonder how much intervention Lorellin (or Thranduil if he knew) could have provided had she lived. Can the queen or king step in when they see parents ignoring their elflings? (I can't see elves physically abusing their elflings.) The elflings' ride down the river scared me. Even though I know they survive to appear in later stories, I did not want them to get hurt. The "glow worms" that lighted the river creeped me out. I don't care if the elves thought of them as beautiful stars; they're creepy, slimey worms that could have fallen on one of the characters at any time. Then Eilian decides to swim the river to find the elflings, and once he does, he has to leave to get help. Both sections of his swim were exciting, and his acrobatics to get back into the stronghold were incredible. You really surprised me when Lorellin decided she was going to pilot the boat down the river to rescue the elflings. And neither Eilian nor Thranduil could stop her! It shows how strong she is--somehow, I can't see Thranduil being attracted to an elleth with a doormat personality. It shows her maternal protectiveness--no one is coming between her and her "baby." I don't know if you intended it, but Lorellin's trip down the river reminded me that Tolkien said elvish society did not dictate traditional human-type roles for males and females--that each elf was free to choose the path that fufilled his or her own destiny. Lorellin was certainly competent in her handling of the boat, something that we (or at least I) thing of as a male role in a society that predates our own. This showed elvish society did give males and females equal opportunities. I loved the scene with Legolas tucked into bed between his parents. I know it was probably more to illustrate Thranduil's and Lorellin's need to reassure themselves their "bably" was safe, but I think it also reassured Legolas that his parents would always take care of him. If they'd put him to bed in his own room, I think all of them would have had nightmares about the river. It's heartbreaking to know that Lorellin won't be there much longer. She seems to really anchor the family together. Wonderful story! DJ Author Reply: I had a good time writing this. I feel freer to experiment in fanfic because it's low stakes. But I'm ready to go back and revise a novel whose first draft I finished about two months ago. I can see all its flaws so much better now. Turgon had such potential, but I think as he grew older, he was able to see that things weren't quite right at home and it bothered him. He had to fend for himself far too young. I don't know how much Thranduil could have done officially. Tolkien says elves were organized into houses, so I think family was very strong. But I do think Lorellin would have taken Turgon under her wing more if she'd lived and things might have turned out differently. I saw glow worms in New Zealand and they were beautiful. They didn't seem creepy at all, but I suppose if you think about them too hard, they are kind of slimy. Lorellin surprised me a little in this story. Her family tends to remember her in glowing terms and she mostly deserves them, but she was both stronger and more flawed than they recall. Glad you liked it. daw | |
| White Wolf | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/7/2007 |
| Heroes, indeed. It's easy to see where Eilian gets his willingness to defy danger. When it comes to saving her child, Lorellin is just as determined to do whatever it takes, no matter how dangerous. More lovely detail. I see you finally found something that silenced Turgon. The scene with Thranduil, Lorellin and Legolas was very sweet and tended to bring out a big sigh and a smile from the reader; it did for me. :o) Author Reply: Lorellin was going in after her baby and the menfolk would get out of the way if they knew what was good for them. Turgon amuses me, but he's still a little kid who needs his nana sometimes. Actually, he probably needs her more than he gets her. Legolas is very snug at the end. Too bad his world will soon be shattered. Not in this story though. | |