Oh good. Another chapter.
Elflings are so precise. You have to say don't ever touch any sword without permission. Lathron has a sword, dagger, bows and empty quiver. He was alrady high on Legolas' top hits list but now he is even higher. Lathorn was trained as a warrior and can defend himself like Ada, Bregolas and Elanath and all the other warriors.
This elfling loves baths and lots of bubbles. I like it when he threw bubbles in Lathrons direction.
I think the link between the two L's is so precious. He wants to be with Lathorn and hates it when they are parted. Lathron seems to not like it also. The link is much like the link between the Peredhil twins. Just not as focused. Maybe as Legolas grows he will learn to use it himself.
Yes Adar had figured out where Legolas would be on Lathron's first night home. Adar is pretty quick that way.
The times we live in can be dangerous. Unbeknownst to Legolas he has already experienced that unfortunately. He seems to be remarkable untouched as yet by his experiences. Youth just accepts things as they are. Really bizarre things can be the norm and they just accept it as part of life.
Bouncy, flouncy, trouncy Legolas. Adar has learned to deal with that over the years with all those elflings to bring up. He can do it with the eyes in the back of his head and with one hand.
Lathorn's visions must keep him a little uptight if he has flashbacks also.
I loved the little song Legolas sang. And Legolas is me.
He got a PONY!! What every elfling wants. The baby always gets things a little sooner than all the rest. Especially this one. He is just too adorable to not give him things.
He's speechless with joy. Quite a feat for this elfling. Better mark this down on the royal calendar for posterity. You are mine, I am yours. So sweet. I am going to wear that word out on little Legolas stories.
Such a nice picture at the stables with all those present meeting the pony and contratulation Legolas.
Oh Oh does Lathron have a vision or feeling he hasn't shared with anyone about this trip coming up?
Oh Elladan you got in so much trouble being out there alone. Nasty orcss. Well at least Gathron was there for the rescue. Orcs are up to something because they didn't take the time to kill some elves.
Well this is getting more exciting as we go along. We all know there is going to be some umpleasantness in the future and we await your update to see this through. Thank you for sharing.
Author's reply
I think that the elleth and Tathiel and Legolas's family are probably far more affected still by the events of those two years than Legolas is now. It is fortuante how the very young do adapat and move on. And yes,we did mark on the calendar that Legolas as speechless - he seems to be humming or singing or talking otherwise :D
eokat
· 28 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
I just love your stories of Legolas' young life, I feel I know him so well since reading your other ones also. I adore the love and bond between Legolas and Lauthron and also Thranduil. This is the best Legolas I have ever read, looking forward to reading more.
Author's reply
Thanks for the nice words! I have tried to base little Legolas on what Tolkien wrote of elven children - fair and happy children with little need for correction. Times might be dark, but he is loved and protected. I think, too, his earliest memories have faded, though it might be interesting to see if he recalled things if he were to visit those places again (like Ada would allow that!).
naneth
· 26 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
What a wonderful, fun chapter. You must spend lots of time with a child of about four or five, because you have "nailed" that age with Legolas and his songs and dances. Children that age just cannot be still. They are a delight to watch-as long as they aren't your own! I loved that line, "a present for Legolas and Legolas is me"!
Elladan's portion of the story was very tense, on the other hand! You made my heart race as he climbed that tree. I'm glad Elrohir was there to tend him and give him comfort at the end.
I have made the assumption that these two stories will intersect at some point and that Legolas will have the opportunity to meet the twins. I'm looking forward to his reaction to identical twins. That should be interesting!
Good job as always!
Author's reply
Actually, I have no children but I do enjoy them immensely. I suppose I might just think like one :D. These stories will collide soon, and hopefully will be both tense and a little humorous.
Karri
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
Legolas's song was too adorable! :-D Some very sweet brother bonding. I enjoyed it enormouly, 'cept I'm worrying about Lathron. I'm glad Elladan wasn't injured too badly. I'm looking forward to finding out how these to stories are going to eventually interact.
Author's reply
Legolas is adorable, isn't he? I swear he writes himself. Happy-go-lucky elfling with an indulgent family that just enjoys having this little child. The situation to the west is grim, but this story is not meant to be overly dark or scary. Little Legolas still has some fun ahead :D
Jay of Lasgalen
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
You have two such contrasting parts to this chapter! The scenes with Legolas and his family were sweet, and I loved his delight in his new pony. But the other section - when the orc began to climb after Elladan I realised he could be in trouble, but did not really expect anything to happen. The knife was as much a shock for me as it was for poor Elladan! Thank the Valar he wasn't too badly hurt - and Elrohir is there as well.
Jay
Author's reply
I think it is that contrast that is making this fun to write. The wood elves are all tra-la-la - life is good and elflings are adorable and enjoy them while you can - which is fun. The Imladris elves are warriors facing a resurgence in orc activity in the mountains. Elladan's situation was precarious, but the events played out in his favor.
Orophins Dottir
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
I see I shall have to go back and read the earlier stories. I want to know more about Legolas' brothers, particularly Lathron.
Excellent story and I am enjoying it. I am curious about what will happen when the stories interact, as I expect they must.
Very small observed typo: It should be "anar" instead of "anor" for the sun, at least as far as I know. Let me know if this is wrong as I used it in my last chapter!
Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil
(who sends fond regards to the Library Rat!)
Author's reply
Oh, my, the library rat responded to that! He should like to inform you that 'Anor' is Sindarin and 'Anar' is Quenya, so depending on who is speaking the words, either one is likely fine. He should like to inform you of so much more, but Glorfindel just wrestled a sword away from him and is escorting him (forcefully) to the family room where a nice glass of calming wine awaits him. You do get under his skin, don't you?
I will be the first to tell you that I am guilty of presumption in that there is indeed a whole history for little 'Legles' in my previous stories. You don't really need to read them to enjoy this story, but some of the original characters have their history told there too.
I do however, promise that no elflings were harmed in the creation of this story. I promise little Legolas will come through unscathed :D
He really is too darn adorable to torture more than I already have.
Orophins Dottir
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
". . .jumping on to the tops of his brother’s feet and holding his hands up to the tall elf. Bregolas picked him up and swung him through the air, and then sat down on a nearby bench with Legolas beside him." You are making me very fond of the the family of Thranduil.
Also, Glorfindel and the twins. No one, I see, can escape the "elfling" monikor from this ancient elf. We are all so young compared to his two lifetimes!
Do we get bells in this one?
Orophins Dottir
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
OK, slap me. Where have I been? I totally missed the start of this. Too much miruvor eggnog over the holidays.
How charming is that little elfling? I want to take him home. I love the interaction between Thranduil and Legolas and also the older brother with the young one.
I get nervous with Elladan and Elrohir and orcs mentioned in the same story with baby Legolas.
I continue on. At the back my thick elven brain is the idea that I have a wagon left dangling over a precipice in History2 and must also attend to that.
Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil
Antigone_Q
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
I'm sure people have told you this before, but you do a marvelous job writing small children. I could just picture little elfling Legolas dumping an entire jar of bubble bath into the water and singing about his present (Lucky kid, getting a pony so young!).
Author's reply
I think my alter ego comes out when I write about children - I think I really just want to be one. Those carefree years ...and the elves get many more of them than we do :D Since much of Legolas's early life was spent riding on a horse, he is rather attached to them. Ok, I admit it - they spoil him.
daw the minstrel
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Surprises
I love the way that Legolas's family is always one step ahead of him. He heads toward mischief and someone is there waiting for him with a hug, and a distraction or a firm reminder of limits. Lathron is a great brother. He lets Legolas use all the bubbles he wants. And the reminder that he might have "flashbacks" was interesting. I hadn't thought of that.
And Legolas's little songs were as cute as it is possible to be. "A present for Legolas and Legolas is me!"
But you had me worried about Elladan. That part of the story is very tense. I wonder what the Orcs are up to? You haven't told me that!
Author's reply
The Imladris elves are indeed in full orc-hunting mode. I think Glorfindel sees a challenge here, and one that he is not going to let go unanswered. Stubborn elf.
And little Legolas is rather adored, isn't he? I think his family realizes that they almost did not have him and they treasure the little darling.
rgbj
· 20 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
It is a little hard to track your target if they already know you are there. The squirrel probably knows Legolas very well by now.
Goody, a camping trip. When I was young I really liked them. My knees are too far gone now. At least elves don't have to worry about body parts wearing out. That thought is amazing isn't it?
Legolas is being so good. He used his indoor voice and was very polite. The baby kicks now and yes I am sure Rawien already has felt that. Such excitement for an elfling and he can't wait to share with ada that the baby does somersaults. It does feel that way sometimes. I do wonder when he will figure out he had a naneth that carried him around for a year and he lost her to men. Ouch factor here.
That was a smooth move on ada's part to keep Legolas from sharing his dirt from under the bush with him.
I don't like to even think of the damage an elfling could do with a stray sword or even a dagger for that matter. Good, he now has to ask ada's permission to touch the sword.
Cooperative is a good word. Big Bird says so. Also communication. We learned that in early childhood and it always worked for us.
Lathron with Legolas the little leech. Such alliteration. As soon as Legolas said he was as tired as Lathorn I knew he was headed for Lathron's room. He really missed Lathron.
From ada's viewpoint, Legolas' heart is so easily read, we all knew what he was up to. I am sure they watch him with such loving eyes and hearts.
I am glad you brought up Elanath in the patrol and Elumeril and her tapesty work. We can't leave them out of this story.
And Thranduil feeling content after all this time. Children make so much in life worthwhile. He has a better perspective now and can stay the course.
Back to serious orc death. Elrohir has excellent timing for an elfling.
Nice battle scene, just enough gore and not too much. No loss of that leg or anything.
Aah. The lead orc on some sort of mission. With a readers' prescience I predict it will impact Mirkwood. Just a wild guess here and I can't wait.
Nice chapter. Fluffy Legolas, lots of family love and serious orc death. Can't beat that. I look forward to your new chapter.
Author's reply
Thanks for your comments - it will be interesting to see when Legolas really questions about his mother. I am sort of thinking when Tathiel's baby is born it will occur to him to ask. Poor thing. But, the reason he has so many loving siblings is because I felt such guilt over taking his naneth away. :(
rgbj
· 20 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
NO NAPS!!
You couldn't calm that elfling down with anything less than knockout drops.
I am glad that Tathiel has Rawien to "protect her" from less than quiet elflings and that she has him to strengthen her fea to support the new elfling to come. It hasn't been that long and here she is enciente.
What is Legolas going to do when Tathiel has an elfling of her own? Drool over him/her because it is Tathiel's and that almost makes it a sibling or get sibling rivalry? I am sure you will let us know in detail. At least I hope so. Ordinarily elves spaced their offspring so far apart in essence their older sibs would be like extra parents to them.
Can't track or surprise ada. He has had a lot of tracking experience with his earlier elflings. Hard to put anything over on him.
Yes the garden wouldn't be as much fun but on the other hand there are too many things to track elflings outside the garden. I think ada would always err on the side of safety when it comes to this little prince.
Now we have the gorgeous twins of Imladris in fine orc killing form. At least I have always thought of them as gorgeous and since Peter Jackson didn't give them parts in his movies my imagination can still run wild. Gotta love 'em.
And we get one of them nekkid also. Can't get much better than that.
I thought the phrase "something comfortable and comforting to know adults of his childhood still watch out for them" was very nice and opens up a interesting train of thought. When you consider that many elves could possibly by around for a really long time, elves would have such a different view of generations and relationships.
Nice first chapter. Can never go wrong with a nice, fluffy, cute, adorable, (OK I'll quit now) little Legolas and family and friends. I look forward to more.
Author's reply
Hmmm........I missed this review! Bad me. I have rule- every story with elves must have at least one nekkid elf. I thought about making it site policy, but was dissuaded :D
eokat
· 17 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
Have just started to read this story and to make sense of it had to go and read the previous two, which I thought were quite outstanding, very moving and very well written, I enjoyed them immensel. I don't normally go for Legolas stories, [Eomer being my favourite], but I do have an inkling for Thranduil, and could get unneccesary over him also. Any way look forward to more chapters in the future.
Author's reply
Oh, we were just discussing that! My Legolas stories do build on each other, and it is much to ask someone to go read them in order. Thank you for taking the time to do so! I am glad you liked them.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 14 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
This is another nice chapter - I'm glad you have the twins AND Legolas in this story! No doubt they will meet at some stage? It's good to see Elrohir such a competant warrior - he's made a good recovery. I like the continuation of Glorfindel calling him an 'elfling' - and that Elrohir has accepted it. And I'm glad Glorfindel has Elrohir going with the patrol to find Elladan.
Jay
Author's reply
I hope the twins come across as mature warriors in this story. They will have some fun too, but I have to remind myself that they are 2300+ years here vs only 120 or so in HLII. Those differences are so amazing to think about.
naneth
· 14 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
An update from you and a new story from Daw on the same day...I am so very, very happy!!!
I can't decide which brother of Legolas I like the most. They are all so wonderful! Just when I'm sure that it's Bregolas, I think it must be Lathron, but wait, Celebrinduil is pretty special, too. You have created such a wonderful family for Legolas and we get the joy of reading about them all!
Author's reply
Thank you, naneth. I think I love Lathron most of all - not that the others aren't great too, but Lathron is special.
LKK
· 14 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
I loved little Legolas trying to track the all-knowing squirrel! So darling. His excitement over the upcoming trip with Bregolas was another joy. Legolas stopping to tell everyone he met including the guards amused me. Your elflings are always a delight, Nilmandra.
Loved Glorfindel's comment about not separating the twins when one of them might be in danger. He knows them so well. A very wise elf, that one. :-)
Great chapter!
LKK
Author's reply
I love writing elflings! They are delightful and I think adult elves doted on their children and loved these years. Thanks for your nice words!
daw the minstrel
· 14 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
This is so good! In Mirkwood, everything is domestic happiness, which I like. Legolas is so cute. He is such a cheerful, resilient little thing. Ada has his hands full, I think.
And then the Imladris part is very exciting. I like seeing the competent, adult twins and got excited along with Elrohir when he realized that the warriors had waited for him to go after Elladan.
Author's reply
I have noticed that Thranduil is very specific in making boundaries for Legolas. Something tells me a little certain someone must have pushed them a few times :D Big twins are fun to write too - they are even so different now than they are in HLII.
Fadesintothewest
· 14 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
I don't know how I have missed the updates on your stories! Grrr! I was so happy to see that there is a new little Legolas story, and was pleased to read that Tathiel and Rawien will be having a little bundle of energy of their own!
Author's reply
Thanks, Fades :D Little Legolas practically writes himself, and I am curious to see how he is when he is not the 'baby' and constant center of attention!
Karri
· 13 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Brothers
Ah! So it is Legolas who will wander out of the garden, though with permission. Oi! This has the potential for much angst. I'm looking forward to it (even if it doesn't develop into angst ;-) It was nice to see how Elumeril has developed and more interaction with Legolas and his sibling now that he has settled in. Its nice to, also, that he is still find of the warriors that helped bring him home.
Author's reply
Little Legolas is just the most happy go lucky little kid - actually a better behaved version of a certain little nephew of mine :D Not sure how much angst there will be...but I think it will be fun. A little fluff, a little angst :D
Melje
· 5 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
Great, a new story with the Twins in it!
I'm already looking forward to this one! Starts off well, too, with Elladan bathing in the stream... you know, I think I'll go now and have a cold shower myself.
Author's reply
LOL! - you know the fanfiction rules, right? Every story with elves must have at least one naked elf in it. And now that Elladan is all grown up, it is much more fun to imagine.... :D
JS
· 5 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
I am sooo glad that you're writing another little Legolas fic! It completely made my day. :) I simply love the family and relationships you've set up for him. And little Legles is positively adorable. ;) I'm really looking forward to reading more about them.
There's only one thing I'm a little confused about. I've always heard that Legolas is nearly three thousand years old by the time of the Fellowship, but you have him at about 500 years old. Is the older age wrong or is the discrepancy in the books?
Author's reply
Actually, Tolkien never said how old Legolas is! PJ made up his number (29xx) whatever Orlando Bloom said. Legolas seemed younger to me than that, and he made a comment once about how '500 times have the leaves fallen since..' - and so I wanted him born at the end of the watchful peace --- and of course, the return of shadow in 2460 was just convenient :D So, I made up my number too. Glad you like the start - I have the next chapter almost done, and little Legolas still steals every scene he is in :-)
naneth
· 4 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
I'm so glad that you've started another story with this wonderful family! The fact that the twins and Glorfindel are also in this story is "icing on the cake".
Author's reply
I am looking forward to writing more about this delightful little elfling. And he gets to meet elves who are not wood elves!
Nikara
· 4 January 2004
· Chapter 0: Character List
This looks like a great story. I love the description of Legolas. Keep going!
Author's reply
I plan to! I hope this plays out in word as much fun as it is running through my mind :D
LKK
· 4 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
Great opening, Nilmandra! I loved little Leg'las successfully "catching" Tathiel, then being caught himself, and not being able to catch Ada. Nice parallelism. :-)
I have a growing fear that our little elfling might have an unfortunate meeting with the Imladris-hunted orcs!
LKK
Author's reply
Poor Tathiel, being tracked and stalked but this little elfling. He is delightful, but....
His encounter will not be too scary, well, at least not for him. I have no Legolas toture planned. The twins, however....
LOTR lover
· 3 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Tracking
Mmmm, intriguing beginning. Little Legolas is a hoot, as usual (he reminds me so much of my own grandson!), Ada Thranduil is good and wise ;), and it's lovely to see Tathiel and Rawien again.
And Glorfindel and the twins are here too! Almost all (no Elrond or Celebrian) my favorite elves together in the same story--I'm looking forward to this.
Author's reply
Glorfindel sends a big hello and hug your way :D Little Legles is amazingly fun to write and is such a cheerful and delightful little elf that I think I will have fun with this. Hope you enjoy it and it brings a smile to your face :D