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| When Shadow Touches Home by daw the minstrel | 105 Review(s) |
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| Orangeblossom Took | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/12/2003 |
| Ooooh. Romantic ending to the chapter. Lovely. Thank you. Poor little Legolas. Well, his brothers care for hims and so, really, does his father. Sidenote: No, I am the only one. Just recently FF has put weird numbers after many people's names. : ) | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/12/2003 |
| Have I mentioned how much I like Maltanaur? He is a good guy. I hope the King commends him for saving Ithilden's life. Maltanaur will take it stoicly and say it was his job -but I still just like the guy. I also like Celuwen. She is a good match for Eilian - strong and capable and she knows him. I like the familiarity they have. So, Eilian saw the light last chapter; and Ithilden shows signs of seeing it this one. Legolas at least knows he is sad. Thranduil might actually be hurting worst of all, and yet the most might be expected of him. We know he makes it - he will see. Can't wait to have you show me how it happens. *grin* | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/11/2003 |
| The first thing I have to review- It was so wonderful reading about Eilian and Celuwen, although I know that theirs is a sad tale of love impossible. Eilian has been through so much, and is such a deeply feeling even for one of elf kind, but he hides behind his dashing demeanor and his lust for adventure. It's as if he is running away. But I am glad that he recognized that he was only aiming to get himself killed. Ai and little Legolas. I think this portrayal is very well done as it is obviously not your sappy sad child tale that is easily resolved. Instead, Legolas is behaving in ways we the readers do not like, we *know* Thranduil does not approve, but such is grief- messy, painful and not easily dismissed. I eagerly await your next chapter! | |
| Strange Blaze | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/11/2003 |
| Wow what a great chapter! I really really like Celuwen. I think everyone's problem with Miri was that it was LEGOLAS, so I'm thinking that since this is Eilian you might get away with more. Lol. Plus so far she seems to be a more likeable character, and she genuinely likes Eilian, as opposed to all the competition there was for Miri. I really love your portrayal of Legolas in this chapter...this is exactly how children in my experience have responded to grief and things they don't understand. It's great that Eilian and Thranduil and everyone are so patient with him, understanding what he's going through. Where was Ithilden during the dancing? Did I miss that part? | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/10/2003 |
| Daw, Another good chapter. Poor little Legolas. My heart goes out to him. In his memory, a dance was a good time, but in his reality, it was such a horrible reminder that his nana was gone and not there to dance with him. Thranduil's memories about the spring dance were such a sweet path to tread. I loved the image evoked of dancing with his wife and his sleeping son nestled in his arms. Poor Thranduil,too. I like Celuwen. It sounds like she would be good for Eilian, but as Thranduil says, the timing is bad. Eilian has apparently learned a good lesson from his little brother's behavior and his own when he frightened himself so in the race. Seems like a privotal moment in understanding himself and his actions. He's a good guy, just suffering the pains of loss and growing into his own. And yeah, I think Thranduil has a quandry in determining what to do about Turgon. I like the little hug he gave Legolas. I agree that most Turgons are rarely all bad; most are really hurting themselves inside for whatever reason and use this acting out behavior to try and find some order to their confusion. Rarely, are people (or elves, as in this case)all bad, but have behaviors that run amuck. I have always kind of liked Turgon. I agree with Adar that he is a bad influence, but I can't help wanting to hug him and help him find a way out of whatever pains him. It's sad that he ends so tragically, but that happens all too often in real life....as it does to those who don't do anything to warrant such drastic consequences. All this just to say, I'm enjoying this story as much as all the others. I look forward to Chapter Six. | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/9/2003 |
| Hi Daw, This is a wonderful, very touching chapter! It made me a bit teary to discover that wee little Legolas had been looking for to the dancing because Nana and Ada had danced with him with last time. Poor little guy still has a long way to go in recovering from his grief and building a secure relationship with his Ada. Excellent work! Looking forward to the next chapter. | |
| Brenda Geraci | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/9/2003 |
| This was so good... How I love this family of Elves. Poor litte Legolas. Losing someone is a huge turnabout in one's life, and it must be doubly hard on the young who have neither the years nor the experience to understand the loss. Thank goodness the elfling has such a wonderful family to support and sustain him through this most difficult time of his young life. It is fortunate that Eilian has had time to do some serious thinking as to his own behavior and what is at the base of it. I'm glad he's home for a stint to get his head on straight and his priorities in order. You've done a masterful job of touching on all aspects of life - whether lived by elf or human - and the struggles that are common to both species. Life is not easy for them, just like it is not easy for us. Elves and humans basically ask the same questions and fight the same battles inwardly and outwardly. You've done an exceptional job of helping your readers slip inside the skins of your characters and to see life through their eyes. Very well done. Can't wait for Chapter Six. Post soon...please? (P.S. Thanks again for your advice.) | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/9/2003 |
| The changes worked wonderfully ;) beta is very very pleased. Thranduil at the begining is perfect - you can see he is tired of the day to day stuff and how much he misses his wife. He is reactive with Eilian - he knows he is and yet seems helpless not to be - he can't seem to change that. But Eilian gives, thank goodness, and Thranduil's fear is revealed. Legolas is ornery - excited but not - just a little study in contrasts. He is remembering Nana, remembering the dancing. Oh, and then Ada doesn't want to dance; Eilian is off with some maiden and this dancing is nothing like the last one. ok, I cried for him this time. Poor little elfling. Temper tantrums are not the norm, but he is one hurting and angry child. Fortunately Eilian has had his own little revelation, so he can see Legolas' pain more clearly. I like Celuwen - she is a believable characters and I like that Eilian has someone like her in his life. Thranduil is still snapping at Eilian at the end. He is so worried about the external - and he loves his sons and wants them whole and well and happy - but his own pain is blinding him. I am glad Legolas has Eilian right now! | |
| Dragon-of-the-North | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/9/2003 |
| This will be short, as I am admittedly sick of my reviews for this story apparently always getting lost... somehow... But perhaps, this site is more reliable than fanfiction.net...? The new chapter is just wonderful once again - not only are the actions and reactions of Thranduil, Eilian and Legolas convincing, but the atmosphere is also great! I loved Celuwen's explanations about simple life - in a way, their family's choosing the simply, rustic settlement over the palace mirrors choosing Middle-Earth over Valinor, and the like... ;-) Skilfully done! I do pity poor little Legolas... Of course, the situation is especially terrible for him! It is good that he has an understanding elder brother in Eilian, though... I really admired Eilian's patience in this chapter! He really seems to have started to think now. Apart from that, I really felt like in some late 19th-century-novel, especially during the conversations between Thranduil and Eilian - they simply always stop before what needs to be said most can be said, for reasons of decorum, authority, defiance and the like... Perhaps it would be quite good for everybody concerned if Thranduil stopped being (or rather acting) the unapproachable king, if only for a short time? I cannot really explain it - he clearly is affectionate, and all - but you really get the impression that Lorellin was the only person who ever got *really* close to him... And that is sad. :-( Write on soon - and I do hope that *this* review reaches you! | |
| Levade | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/9/2003 |
| *sniffles* It's so hard to think of children growing up without their mothers. Fathers are very important too, and Thranduil is so clearly doing his best, but struggling with his own grief and the shadow that grows near his realm. I can't help but wonder at Legolas' reaction to seeing his Naneth again once he reaches Aman. A happy day, no doubt! Elian realized what he was doing, and that's so good. He and Thranduil still have a lot to work on, but it's hard when you're that much alike, isn't it? Hard to see the same mistakes you made repeated by your children, and wishing you could keep them from the pain. You have given me sympathy for Thranduil, something I lacked before starting this story. I didn't hate him, but, like Elian, I think I saw far too much in him that reflected back on me. *g* Your story is winning me over to him, and I can only say, thank you! This is a touching, wonderful tale and I'm always looking forward to updates. You touch the heart of a family and make it very real. Peace, Levade P.S. What did I mean about the stubbornness, oh King of the Greenwood? ;D Hmm... I think your sons will show you much better than I could ever hope to explain! May you live in interesting times and look to see brighter days before you. *bows* | |