Reviews (84)

Author's reply

Rereading this? Gosh, I don't know what to say. Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it a second time. In 'Serious Trouble' we only get Daeron's POV, so it's a pretty one-sided tale. :>) I had fun getting into everyone else's heads in 'Good Enough' to see what they were thinking. I do have a one-shot deal that I've written that I'm thinking of posting. I wrote it to get to know Daeron and Seregon's father. I'm not sure exactly what I'll work on next. I have some ideas and outlines jotted down. Hopefully, I won't be as slow in getting the next story written as I was with GE. Thank you so much for your support. I can't tell you how much it means to me. Karen

Author's reply

Thanks you, moonshine. I'm so glad you enjoyed Legolas and Daeron's adventure. And I'm particularly pleased to see you over here at SoA. This is my favorite place to read and post, and I'm so happy to share it with you. You might come here often, but this is the first time I've bumped into you. Welcome! It was really sweet of you to read this older story. I had a great time writing it and as you know, I still enjoy these characters. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I hope to hear from you again. Karen

Author's reply

Thank you, Imw. What a nice surprise to get a review for an older story. I like young Legolas stories too. Since so many have been done and many done so well, I attempted to find a different way to see Mirkwood and her ruling family. Daeron was born in order to give me a different 'eye' with which to peek into the palace and the realm. I'm very pleased that you saw the 'love' in this family. I can't help but believe that Legolas was raised with a lot of love and careful attention. The Legolas of the Fellowship had all the qualities of a secure person. He had been well loved. Thanks again. I can't tell you how pleased I was to get your review. You've made my day. Karen

Author's reply

No, thank you. I can't believe you read this whole thing in one sitting. Really, that's above and beyond the call of duty. Rangers are made of sturdy stuff! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to read and then to review each chapter. Well, that was a doubly nice treat for me. Thanks again. You've made my day. Karen

Author's reply

Thank you for such a nice compliment. Thranduil thanks you too. He's nothing like he's portrayed sometimes! In my world of Mirkwood, the royal family is tight. And there's a lot of love. Losing Tarondor was quite traumatic for everyone, but no one felt worse than Thranduil, I don't think. He gave the order to go to Dol Guldur. I imagine he carries a lot of guilt. But he loves Seregon and Daeron like his own sons. I decided that he took male role with Daeron, but he did not usurp Noreth. She's Daeron's mother. I think lots of family conferences go on around the palace. I also didn't think that Noreth would push Seregon to fill the father role. She just wanted Seregon and Daeron to be brothers. I'm glad you found the scene moving. Especially since I was trying to write it from a child's perspective. Thanks for all the kind words. Karen

Author's reply

How bad things happen to good people and how can people who seem to be good, do bad things are some of life's mysteries. I pondered this question long and hard. I could only come up with the answer that there was no good answer. I'm sure that was hard for the little guys to comprehend, but they shouldn't feel bad; it's hard for most people to understand. Thanks for the kind comments about the imagery. Meckinock has to sit on me frequently to keeping me from waxing poetic. I can take off on run on sentences that are a mile long. And be happy as a clam. It's like dancing; I just go with the flow. And then cut most of it out! :>) Yep. Poor Thranduil. He had no idea what went wrong. But boy, didn't he look good in his warrior duds? Thanks again, Leaward. Karen

Author's reply

Boy, you're a trooper! All I can say is wow! Thanks.

Author's reply

Well, yeah. How could they help but run into the men? They'd been scheming and planning for days. And of course, a spider would be there! Poor Daeron. If he could take care of spiders as easily as he can Fluffy, then he'd be in like Flint. But as it is....he's in big trouble now.

Author's reply

Oh my goodness! I can't believe you're reading this! You're so sweet to go to this much trouble. And review, too! Daeron and the spiders go back a long way. He's never been a fan of the beasties. Even the little garden ones. I drew on personal experience for this scene and his phobia. I wouldn't say I'm terribly phobic, but I do try to keep a respectful distant from spiders. Bite me once.... I remember reading somewhere that English sounds grating to people who are not native speakers. It lacks the flow and beauty of some of the other languages of the world. I suppose compared to oh, say, French, English sounds rather like a fingernails on a blackboard. Then to compare it to Sindarin, I thought English must really sound rough. In the movies, I thought the spoken Sindarin was beautiful. I'm so pleased that you're enjoying this and really touched that you took the time to go back and read it. Thanks again. Karen

Author's reply

Fair One, How it pleases my cold heart that you enjoyed the snapshot. It is the stuff dreams are made of, is it not? I puttered around for a bit this morning on the next tale, but alas, the duty of daily life has called me away for most of the day. Perhaps later tonight I'll get back to it. Thanks again for all your support and kind words. Soon, Fair One, soon. :>) Karen

Author's reply

Okay!! Welcome, sister of the spider fright! I can draw a great deal on personal experience when it comes to talking about eight-legged horrors! I was bitten by one once on the shoulder, and the ensuing slowly, creeping numbness across my back and chest was quite a treat. The emergency room bill was enough to finish me off. I'm so glad you enjoyed the prank played on Daeron. Legolas sure did. I really appreciate you taking the time to review. :>) Karen

Author's reply

What a great review! I'm so happy you liked this last installment. It seemed to me as I read the books and especially as I watched the movies, that Legolas had a sixth sense about the movement of the orcs and the shadow in general. I'm not sure if all Elves were so attuned to the creeping evil, but it makes sense to me that Thranduil would be particularly aware of the realm and that his sons would share his ability to sense the well-being of the forest. Legolas is just beginning to recognize this ability and doesn't quite know what to make of it yet. I'm not sure if he truly sensed that something was going to happen to Erelas, or if he merely felt the first stirring of his connection to the woods and thought of Erelas, and his brother's wounds were just coincidence. At any rate, he was quite puzzled by the whole thing. Thranduil does value the little guys, and I think he chose the warriors he did, because he knows he can trust them without question. Even though the little guys think they've really grown up, I think they were glad to have the guards. And the scene in the corridor with Ohtar was one of my favorite scenes to write. I'm so glad you liked it. Well, I could probably seriously crush on 'Serious' Seregon, too. He's been battling his own demons for so long, he'd lost touch with Daeron. Now that they have grown closer, I think he really enjoys the little mite and wants to ease his fears. And if you can't cuddle with Seregon, at least one can always turn to a ragged, stuffed horse for comfort. I think we both know which one I would chose. :>)And I really like the idea of writing from Seregon's perspective. I'll file that away for future reference. I'm beginning to putter around with a new tale. What little I've written, I've done in third person, but I don't think Daeron's going to allow that. He's been raising a ruckus! It looks like I'm going to have to start over. But, I'll do my best to not take too long. Thank you so much for all your fun and thoughtful reviews. You have really made this journey worthwhile for me. Karen

Author's reply

I think I would have been a little unnerved by the men being held in the same place I was, too. If, and that's an 'if', Thranduil had dungeons, then they must have been in the lower levels of the Stronghold. In The Hobbit, Bilbo and company were held below and escaped with the wine barrels. Without creating a whole new place as a prison--which I don't think the Elves would have had as a rule--then the logical place to imprison the men was down below. I imagine that the men were secured quite far away from the living quarters. But like you, I would not have slept a wink either. Erelas is going to be fine. It's a dangerous job out in the forest. It's probably not his first wound and most likely not his last. But, he's a trooper! Thank you for all your reviews. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. It was fun for me to write and to post. Such wonderful reviews, such as yourself, make it all worthwhile. Thanks again, Karen

Author's reply

Hail, Fair Hisie, I think the little guys are still quite innocent despite their recent run-in with the men. But they are at that odd juncture of moving to the next step toward adulthood...the terrible teens or thirties for an elf, I suppose. Still, they're young enough to really get into whether a frog is warm or not. I'm not sure the good king stopped to consider how 'in touch with the woodlands' the little scamps were when Kermit took a stroll across the banquet table. As the Ranger Meckinock said, "It was the return of The Throbbing Vein'. Thranduil probably had a throbbing headache, too. Maybe Lalaith will know what to do to ease the king's discomfort. ;>) Oh, dear child. There is no need for apologies. How could you have known I was slyly watching the fair elder Thranduilion through the lens of my Pentax? I trust you enjoyed the snapshot I sent? Just remember when opening any of daw's stories...it's always a Kodak moment. :>) (Just in case daw reads this, let me say that it 'is' an inside joke and one that is very complimentary to your Ithilden!) *Tugs at collar. Is the air conditioner on in this place?* Thanks you Hisie Lome for all your fine reviews. I have truly enjoyed hearing from you and reading your notes. It's been such fun for me. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tale. Keep in touch! Karen

Author's reply

Goodness, no! It's never too late for such a nice review. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. I have a lot of experience with little male units, but I never know if I have captured the 'kid' without losing the 'elf'. I really appreciate your words of encouragement. My favorite scene to write was the one with Ohtar and Daeron. I have to admit, I would probably be just as nervous as Daeron if I knew the 'bad guys' were being held right under my feet. I so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again, fliewatuet. Delurk anytime. :>) Karen

Author's reply

LOL! I think you would fit right in with these budding Steve Irwin wannabes. Nilmandra/salamander...it has a certain ring to it. It 'would' be a little strange to have the local pokey in your basement. It would certainly unnerve me. I did my time in a psych ward, too...no, I was not the patient. While I felt for the people there, it could be a bit daunting. Luckily, I was never smashed by one of the patients...but don't think I didn't keep my distance! I think you're right about the men going home with a whole new view of Elves. A healthy respect, as Daeron would say. Thanks for your reviews and for your support, Nilmandra. I really do appreciate it. Karen

Author's reply

You know, I felt bad for the men, too. I really don't think they were evil, just terribly mislead. Happens a lot in real life too, I suppose. Even good people do bad things and often for what they think is a good reason. For these men, the cost was high. I don't think Daeron completely 'got it' that he was cracking up Ohtar or that his little ruse was a big flop. It's been a challenge to let the adult reactions come through Daeron's filters, but it's been fun for me. I'm glad they were evident. I think trouble will always follow Daeron and Legolas. They don't mean to be magnets; they just are. I see them as fairly happy, well-adjusted kids who simply embrace life and get caught in the webs they spin--or the frogs they bring home. I imagine Thranduil was a little miffed when the frog went on a stroll, and the cider was flying. It's hard to be king! Thank you, daw, for all your reviews and kind words. I appreciate your support more than you can know. Karen

Author's reply

Thanks, Ranger, but without you I'd still be back trying to moralize what the rescue team was doing. Your input has been beyond measure...as Thranduil would say. Yes, he is the king of The Throbbing Vein. And no, Lalaith is not modeled on me, though there are some behaviors shared by all mothers. I couldn't stand that messy bed of Erelas' and just had to have her set it right. I'm glad you got a kick out of the corridor scene with Ohtar. I think that he's really a pretty good guy under that stern exterior. And he has a daughter so he knows how 'tricksy' kids can be. Daeron didn't fool him for second. The next installment is being mixed in my underground laboratory at this moment. You'll be the first to know when it's soup. I'd like to see more of the older brothers, too. I'm just tring to figure out how I'm going to do it. (Now where is that wolfbane and toad toes?) Thank you again for all your long, hard labor and support. You have the patience of a saint and the disposition of a.....scared you there, didn't I? :>) I can't say thank you enough, Karen

Author's reply

Hi Elena Tiriel, The world is a messy place, isn't it? Daeron and Legolas have just had a crash course in some of the intrigues of men and Elves. You're right about Daeron being a bit of a jokester, but he does have a keen eye and an analytical mind. I think the extra years of experience an elfling has gives them a broader world view than a human child of equivalent age. But, he's still a kid--with a bit of a warped window on the happenings around him--or maybe a clearer window. I think his observations are often quite on target, but not always since he does lack the maturity to see perfectly. I so glad you enjoyed the story. The brotherly relationships have grown. It took some serious rattling of their cages for Daeron and Seregon to see each other in a different light, but I think the most important thing they found out was how much they truly do love one another and how this bond can change the way they respond to each other. Things may not always be smooth sailing, but they know each other a little better now. Thank you again. Karen

Author's reply

Hi Jule, I had to laugh when I saw your double post. I've posted two or three times in the course of trying to get one review up! But I decided to just think of yours as a double dip! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tale. It was a lot fun for me to write, and I'm so pleased that people have read it and responded. Thank you. I'm contemplating the next one. Right now I'm trying to decide exactly who will tell the story or if I'll just go to third person. Daeron is highly incensed that I would even consider such a thing and keeps trying to tell me his version. I'm not as quick as daw (wish I was!) but I'll get it on it as soon as I figure out whose story this is. Thanks again, Karen

Author's reply

Hi Hisie Lome, It's so good to hear from you. And you're still a trooper! After all the trouble you've had with your computers and then to have another review vanish into thin air...well, I can'tell you how good it makes me feel that you go to the trouble of doing it again. I truly enjoy them. Daeron really likes having the father-figure in Thranduil, but I think it also magnifies the loss of his own adar sometimes. Up until now, he's probably missed his adar, but he's facing making big decisions in his life (like becoming a warrior) and we all know how the transtition from child to teenager to adult can try even the most patient, so he's become acutely aware of not having his adar there with him. Now that Seregon has finally admitted to himself the demons that have plagued him, I think he'll be more available for Daeron. Daeron finds he likes this caring side of Seregon. Consequences...yep, me too. I'm an expert punishment-wielding nana, and I call it consequences, too. I learned that from Thranduil. I imagine that Erelas spent some time dipping out wash pots himself. He's pretty knowledgable about how the whole thing works. Thranduil knows what a gem he has in the laundry in Morwen. She can make the importance of the forest and the wood elves' lifestyle come alive in her tales. I think the time will come when Daeron recognizes his adar's presence has always been with him, too. It may take some time and maturity before this happens. And I think it'll take something important to jar him in suddenly realizing this. I'm certain you will find support that I'm a terribly wretched person. Just ask my sons...the ones who know all about consequences. Yes, Erelas met up with some nasty blade wielders, and they did some damage. It's another reality that has come home for the little guys. It's dangerous out there. But I'm glad you recognize that it's my muse and not me. Feel free to let him have it anytime you wish. I do so regularly. He's one of the 'little people'. His name is Elendv and since he's so short, I'll hold him for you. :>) Thank you for all the reference pages. I can't wait to zip over and look at them. I've not been able to find any I thought were very helpful and these look promising. Thanks again for reading and reviewing. I'm so please you hung in there with me during my 'silent period'. I hope the last chapter won't take me so long to get up. Karen

Author's reply

Wow! Ranger friend, what a nice review. I'm glad Chaos Central is on-line so you could drop in. I'm pleased that Daeron's mouth hasn't stopped him from seeing some of the 'bigger picture' of life. He's still young and all of this new found knowledge might take a little while to sink it, but at least he's paying attention. I think Aldamir and Seregon are very close...as close as their younger brothers, but with a lot more time under their belts. I think they can read each other like books. I wasn't sure exactly when to have Aldamir show the letter to Seregon. It seemed the king should be informed first, but I couldn't see Aldamir just sitting there next to Seregon and not clueing him in. Seregon is Aldamir's second in command after all, and he should be right at the top of the list of who gets told quickly. It seemed natural for Aldamir to just simply tilt the note so that Seregon could see it. They are the ones who deal with the every day command of the troops, and it was a military matter...as well as a family matter. I'm glad you found this realistic. I hope we'll get to see these two in action in the next chapter, though it's sort of 'behind closed doors', and we might just have to use our imaginations a little bit...okay, a lot. However, I think these two are a formidable pair, and I'd love to see them loosing arrows and wielding swords, too. I have to run the next chapter by my beta plot hole detective first--I think you know her. She knows a lot about these things, you see. Really, Ranger, this was such a nice review. If this story is anywhere near as well done as you say, then you should take a bow. I could not do it without your input and support. You keep me focused and not off chasing wargs. Thank you for all your help. And thank you for taking the time go over this thing...again and then review. Above and beyond the call of duty, if you ask me. BTW, I think Aldamir has his eye on you. He's says it's strictly a professional interest, but I saw the way he looked at you.... Thanks again for everything, Karen

Author's reply

My sweet elfling, What patience you have. Lalaith is so...determined when she sets her mind. I think I have calmed her for the time being. Let us hope that no further news come to her ears that will upset her. Do keep your eye on her...the frog thing, you know. It just fuels that 'elf-witch' thing. I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter. I think I enjoyed most trying to let Seregon uncover his innermost fears and give Daeron a glimpse into what has driven him all these years. I'm not sure Daeron completely gets it at this point, but he has the beginnings of an understanding about his stern older brother. I think Seregon is finally beginning to face it himself. Guilt is a heavy burden. I also think Seregon would be most pleased if Daeron decided to not be a warrior and decide instead to grow daisies or something less dangerous. He just realized how frightening it will be to have his brother face danger. Legolas and Daeron have had a lot to deal with. Things have really gone to pot, and the little guys are being exposed to such difficult issues for the first time. I doubt that Mirkwood has been sailing along without any bumps before this, but these two have been too young to know exactly what was going on. When they got into the thick of things this time, they got in head first. Thank you for reviewing. I know Lalaith keeps you busy, but you are always such a wonderful support for this queen. And I want my time with you, too! Kaladriel

Author's reply

Maeglin, my sweet elfling, take the horses back to the stable. Maeglin huffs and turns around to lead the horses back from whence he came. Lalaith, dear, the vile creature who harmed your son is already deader than a doornail. Your son needs you at his side, not off chasing corpses. The king's border patrol is more than capable, Sistah. Calm yourself. Put the axe back in the corner. Slowly, Lalaith, slowly. And no more frogs! Lalaith, my dear sistah, you cannot continue to turn every elleth who looks upon your husband into amphibians. The king has eyes for no one but his beautiful lady wife. Whew....I am growing weary here. I think I shall just sit down for a moment. Too much excitement. Turns to a servant who has the misfortune to be passing, "Fetch some of the king's finest red for two overwrought queens. Will you, dear?" I like Morwen, too. I think she was not just an accomplished lady with thread and cloth, but a very good friend for the queen. I think she would love an expanded role. It gets tiresome just sitting around the laundry. I'm so glad you like the minor characters and their roles. Borgil's not a bad guy. The little guys just see him as a stern taskmaster, but he's a very caring and kind Elf. But you know how hard it can be to keep those little minds on the task at hand? I so appreciate the review. I know it's upsetting to you to see your beloved child harmed, but the healers are confident that he will be well soon. Look, there comes the servant with your glass of Dorwinion. Now sit here next to me and tell me if you've heard any new gossip. Your loving sistah, Kaladriel