Reviews of Prodigal Sons - Stories of Arda

Eirinn Leigh · 21 July 2016 · Chapter 7: Orcs

It's nice to finally have some context (temporally) about where Legolas is in relation to other members of the fellowship. When we meet him in Rivendell he seems fairly young compared to the other elves present- I wonder if he ever talked with Aragorn about his first meeting with the Dunedan?

Author's reply

Tolkien doesn't explicitly tell us how old Legolas is. Actually, he tells us very little about Legolas and especially little about his life before the Quest. That's one of the things that makes his a good subject for fanfiction. The field is wide open apart from what we see of Thranduil's realm in The Hobbit. Legolas seems young compared to other elves to me too. I'll bet he did talk to Aragorn about meeting his ancestor. They were friends a long time.

endorearwen · 24 August 2013 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

This was a sombre and sobering story, Daw. I held my breath with each new chapter knowing that one of these times sorrow and loss were going to be Legolas' hard teachers. The pathetic imagery of the litter arriving in the stronghold... very moving. You did a great job of presenting the various perspectives around the circumstances. I stand amazed at the clever and wise punishment you had Thranduil mete out to his youngest - "Their father was sometimes far deeper than a casual observer might expect" indeed! Legolas' world has been forever changed. I expect we will see him profit remarkably from the experiences of this adventure and become (throughout the coming pages) the judicious warrior we meet in the Fellowship of the Ring. I think this was a marvelous 'transition' story, stirring in unexpected ways even for the reader! PS - I had wanted to share some further remarks to your comment about Alfirin's attraction to Ithilden from the last story, but it feels almost irreverent to do so now!! :-} Sigh....

Author's reply

You hit the nail right on the head. This is Legolas's crisis moment when he finally realizes how dangerous his world is. He had to see it for himself rather than just taking the word of the adults around him, but what a price he pays. I wrote this story before I'd written about Turgon as a cute, if maddening, elfling. Otherwise, I couldn't have stood to do it. I nearly warned you about it when I responded to your last review. Sigh, indeed.

Annariel · 28 August 2007 · Chapter 7: Orcs

ai ai You killed Turgon!! I adored him! Poor reckless and cracked Turgon, my grief in your death weight in my spirit. *sobs* Daw the minstrel, you weave beautiful stories with enchanting words and infinite grace. The world you have created is amazing and I am so glad to read it. greetings Mirkwood minstrel. Annariel ps.- In this link there are gorgeous songs about Tolkien: http://www.fmusic.olmer.ru/heledis.shtml

Author's reply

I feel bad for poor Turgon. This is the third story I ever wrote. If I'd been writing about him for longer before that, I never could have killed him. Thank you for you kind words about these stories. I was down about my writing today and you cheered me up.

Mariasha · 27 April 2006 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

I had already read some two or three of this serie on another page but I was glad to have found this site and read them all in the right timeframe. I have to admit that, even though I felt it from the very first mentioning of Turgon in these stories, that he would find an untimely death, I was still shocked when it happened so early and I found myself crying. But hard as his death was, it had one good point...the character development of Legolas. Some things are best learned the hard way, I am afraid. :(

Author's reply

Mariasha-- Thank you for this very kind review. I think this was the third story I wrote, which is the only reason I could kill of Turgon. If I'd been writing about him any longer, I never could have done it. Fortunately, I can always resurrect him by writing a story set earlier. :-) Legolas certainly learned something the hard way on this one. Stories of Arda is a great site. daw

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

Legolas has to help train the younger class.And he has a student just like Turgon, not surprisinly its his younger brother, if only they will teach him in ways they never taught Turgon there could be hope. They needed to take care with Turgon and they didn't and he is now gone...

Author's reply

I still feel bad about killing Turgon. I wrote this story very early. If I'd written about him more first, I never could have killed him.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 7: Orcs

Turgon...he was always the adventurous one and Legolas cared for him deeply. I kinda liked his character, his advengerous nature was his downfall as well. This will always mark Legolas.

Author's reply

I think this and the death of his mother do always mark Legolas. This was a real turning point for him. He settled down after this and recognized the fact that he lived in a warrior society in a dangerous world.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Consequences

Ithilden has a temper and I can't really blame him. Though Turgon had the mind to speak on Legolas's part was brave in the face of Ithilden wrath.

Author's reply

Ithilden was deeply ticked off, and he wanted Legolas to know it. He knew right where to stick the knife in too. Legolas felt the sting of that scolding.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 5: Learning to Trust

It seems they are being treated well by the human companions... An very funny that Legolas brought back a squirrel... It seems Turgon shouldn't have spoken about who Legolas's father was...

Author's reply

These men are Dundedain. And as you probably know, one of them is Aragorn's ancestor. So they do treat the boys well. But Turgon was not discreet.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 4: Men

How nice...now they are tied up by humans, not a good thing.

Author's reply

The boys are having a much bigger adventure than they even anticipated and that is definitely not a good thing.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Hunting Spiders

You would think Legolas would know better than to go around spiders...knowing the dangers. I wouldn't want ot be him when they are found...

Author's reply

See you think just like Thranduil does! He'd think Legolas would know better too, but apparently he doesn't.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Turgon's Idea

Turgon is always thinking of some scheme to get them in trouble. Legolas thinks he needs to protect him,in a way he is the only one looking out for his friend. Too bad Turgon dosen't have a father like Legolas has...

Author's reply

In some ways, I think Eilian could have been like Turgon if he hadn't had Thranduil. Turgon is creative and daring in getting into trouble, and Legolas feels obligated to go along.

pipinheart · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 1: On the Training Fields

You have to feel or Legolas here as he resumes knife fighting even as he doubts himself. Turgon is a little too confident in his skills but his heart is in the right place, as he feels for Legolas but misunderstands the problem. Of couse Legolas always owns up to what he done, an honest Elf...

Author's reply

I wrote this story long before I wrote "Matter of Heart" so it was tricky making them fit together. And you have Turgon exactly right. He has a good heart, but he's completely undisciplined. Poor kid.

meckinock · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

Ah, well, he thought. We wanted him to learn responsibility. Trust Legolas to do it with a vengeance. But at such a cost. Poor Legolas. So this is where he finally gets his wake-up call. And Thranduil gets another son on his knees. Two out of three. I wonder, was Ithilden ever on his knees before Thranduil, or was he always the Responsible One? Is doing something to get put on his knees the one thing that Ithilden would never do....?

Author's reply

You are exceedingly nice to read this older story, Meckinock! It was after I finished this story that a HASA reviewer told me I was telling, not showing, and Nilmandra helped me see what that meant. When I look at it now, I like moments of it, but I'd write it differently. And I do feel just awful about Turgon's death now that I've written more about him. :-( That's a good question about Ithilden. I have a hard time picturing him as a child and adolescent. Hmm. I suppose that's a good reason to write about him like that?

lwarren · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

How in the world I missed this story, I'll never know! I thought I had read all, but tonight I came across a mention you made in a reply to a review (for My Brother's Keeper) about Turgon's death in the Prodigal Sons, and I made rather rapid tracks to read it! Turgon was a troublemaker, but in many ways he was a good friend to Legolas, and it was terrible when he died...such a hyperactive, inventive kid with no direction...he was bound for some serious trouble eventually. The part where Legolas could not see anything but the replaying in his mind of all the little scenes with Turgon...*sniffs loudly*...was so very sad!! The whole story was very exciting, and I liked the meeting of the Wood Elves with the Dunadain - that's quite something to think that in some hundreds of years, Legolas will meet a descendent of Aragost and play a large part in his life, as well. Thranduil was very much King, as well as Adar in that last chapter. His punishment for Legolas was just right - take away the training he enjoys so much, but give him added responsibility so he can really understand what it means to "be responsible" for others. This was a great story, daw - I may have to start over with all the others and reread them (in some sort of order) to make sure I haven't missed any others!!! :-) linda

Author's reply

Thank you, Linda. I've been out of town and got back very late last night to find this wonderful review of the third story I ever wrote. If it hadn't been written so early, I never could have killed off Turgon. I've grown very fond of him in the last year or so. There are quite a few stories out there where Legolas meets Aragorn, but I thought about whether he might not also have met some of Aragorn's ancestors. Why not? This story, for me, represents the moment when Legolas finally decides to stop fluffing off the commands of his father and brothers and become a warrior who can accept discipline. He's never been a Turgon, but he's been sheltered and babied a little, and he needed a wake up call. The death of his friend and the serious way Ithilden and Thranduil responded to his behavior were what did it finally. I'm glad you liked it.

Alice · 21 July 2004 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

Wow. I just reread this and it's just so good. I was tearing up at the end. Its horrible to picture losing someone you've loved deeply and for all your life. This story is one of your more touching and one of your best, though I admit it's hard to pick which ones I like best. It makes all the stories with Turgon in them bittersweet. Poor lost elfling, and poor Legolas. (sighs) I like how there are some amusing bits in this one too. Like Ithilden requesting permission to make Turgon's trip home unpleasant also. Oh Ithilden, is that a glimpse of vindictive pleasure I detect in your eyes at this thought? Tsk, tsk, such an unworthy sensation. I can certainly understand him wanting to make Turgon's life a little unpleasant. Its interesting reading one of your earlier stories. This one's very Legolas centric while your others focus a great deal on the original characters, which are slightly less developed in this one. Your OCs have certainly grown in number and in depth of character. You do some of the best OCs I've ever encountered. They're one of my favorite part of your stories. Which is why it's ever so frustrating when you kill them off. But fortunately, I know you'll bring them back to life to play by switching to a pre death setting. Thank goodness because as touching as this story is and as troublesome as Turgon is, he tends to grow on you.

Author's reply

I wrote this story before I had written much about Turgon or I don't think I could have done it. I've filled in a lot of his backstory since then, and he makes me so sad. He was goodhearted but had not guidance at all. I think that Eilian could have been like him if he hadn't had firm, attentive parents. Sigh. Poor Turgon.

nessie6 · 19 April 2004 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

I knew from the beginning, from When Shadow Touches Home, that Turgon was going to die. I started reading Spring Awakenings first, and when I read no mention of Turgon, I came to that conclusion. I'll have to say I cried. He was a troublemaker, but he was cute, and I see that Amdir is following in his footsteps. Hopefully though, his parents will be more disciplined with him than they were with Turgon, because if they had been, he might not have gone. I was a little upset that we didn't get to see Annael's reaction, but I suspect his was very much the same as Legolas'. I am shocked and appalled that you do not have more reviews for this story, or some of your other stories for that matter. This was very good, and I'm sad to see Turgon go, but I expected he would.

Author's reply

I felt bad about killing Turgon. He was affectionate and not a bad kid, just completely undisciplined. He would have been an ongoing problem for Thranduil as he tried to raise Legolas. I think the reason there are few reviews for some of my stories is that I posted them in the first half of last year on ff.net. SoA only opened in August and I moved them all here then. But a lot of people had already read them on ff.net, and the reviews are there instead. I do get excited when new readers find them though!

hisielome · 21 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

As always, your perception of the royal family's relationships was perfect. Each character has a strong individual streak. Your writing style is exceptional. The range of emotions in this tale was full. Legolas being less than perfect, making poor choices, and having a brash best friend was a trip. Being an archer, I found that Turgon’s sloppy release and lack of planting being noted by several was very humorous. Very well done. This made me laugh out loud. Moreover, the foolishness of the elflings’ logic was on target. Neither thought of the consequences They only wanted their adventure, (until it was too late, dangerous, and out of their control) . Legolas’ naivety was evident in his “courtly“ introductions of the Men to the Elves. Finally, Thranduil’s and Ithilden’s anger and concern were evident and felt real. The King telling his captain to help the youths have an uncomfortable trip home was a gem. Further, the cold fury the elves exhibit when Legolas and Turgon were found was tangible. I loved when Ithilden threatens that Turgon will not sit a horse Legolas’ remorse was stilling , such a bitter lesson to learn . Yet the story ends with hope. One day these events would lead to responsibility and redemption for the young Thrandulion.

Author's reply

Hisielome--- Thank you so much for your kind words. I was pleased to hear from an archer that what I said made sense because I learned all this via the internet. I've never actually shot a bow. I really enjoyed writing about Legolas at this age, teetering between childhood and young adulthood. I think he was lucky to have the adults in his family who cared enough about him to make sure he was safe and then make sure he would never pull a stunt like that again. daw

FaerieQueen · 4 January 2004 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

Yet again Daw the Minstrel has created a beautiful young Legolas story. The way she interweaves emotion into her fics creates a feeling that the reader is in the actual story. This is my favorite fic so far. Poor Turgon, poor Legolas. I see now why he turned out so well. Thranduil really knows how to raise/punish these kids of his. Keep writing!

Author's reply

Thranduil is a very good father in my opinion. I hate the abusive Thranduil stories! He's not a push over, but he's not abusive. And poor Turgon. He needs a parent like Thranduil.

sofia · 31 December 2003 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

good, good good. It is sad that Turgon had to die, though. Off i go, now, to read your other stories.

Author's reply

I felt bad about Turgon too, but the story was really inspired by him. I woke up one day and thought "Legolas's friend Turgon is a tragedy waiting to happen." His parents have a lot to answer for.

Deana · 22 October 2003 · Chapter 8: Coming Home

*sniff sniff* How sad! Poor Legolas, to lose his best friend, and in such a way! Poor Legolas! Great job with the story! :)

Reviews (20)