This was actually one of the first of your stories that I read. It was before I started leaving regular reviews. I just re-read the second half, and was like, dang this is a good one! Lots of interaction between brothers and father/son. This line really stuck out to me: “Thranduil had a sudden glimmer of how unpleasant it was going to be if Legolas chose to “protest” being removed from the infirmary”. Haha.
Poor Ithilden trying to maintain composure after he is bitten. And Thranduil always strikes me as such a good father! He was trying to split time between his kids and did so pretty successfully.
You write family dynamics so well! It is a treat read :)
Author's reply
Thank you!
I just had email from the artist doing the cover for the book I have coming out in the fall, and she wanted to know what inspired me to write it. I said I was always inspired by family dynamics. Apparently, I'm stuck on that because I've been writing it a long time.
I wrote this one because I was still trying to get a handle on Ithilden as a character. To do that, I had to write more from his point of view. Before I tried to write, I never realized how powerful point of view is in revealing the character even to the writer.
“Thranduil had a sudden glimmer of how unpleasant it was going to be if Legolas chose to “protest” being removed from the infirmary
Yes indeed! LOL. Apparently even royal children are capable of making a scene even with a father as intimidating as Thranduil.
You're kind to write this now, long after you first read the story.
daw
endorearwen
· 9 August 2013
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
Another satisfying story, Daw! You must have the most interesting children because you certainly have created a truly believable, growing Legolas! The struggles of those in-between years and the necessary consequences that follow ill-considered decisions... I liked the slip of Legolas calling Thranduil 'ada' again at the infirmary - a gentle reminder that he isn't really as grown up as he would like the adults around him to believe! Perhaps he has learned a lesson about his limits and his lack of understanding of the dangers in the world about him.
I expected Ithilden to be 'not smooth with the ladies' as you put it in our last communication and hence we get to see the first hint of it in this story! ;-) I will admit, you made me a bit nervous with that double spider bite but I did get that he needed somehow to be back in that infirmary again! The release of stomach in front of the object of his affections was very clever! Learning to live with that little moment of weakness won't kill him in the long run!
And of Thranduil? I think my favourite line is from the scene where he and Ithilden talk about the camping trip and Thranduil's concerns about Legolas - “I have always looked forward to Eilian becoming a parent...But I begin to think you may offer me some amusement too, iôn-nín.” That brought more than just a passing smile and I'm afraid the laughter got a bit loud in the house (definitely have to be more careful reading at night...) Well done!
Author's reply
I have just one child, a son, and I admit I do draw on my memories of him at this age. He was a great kid, responsible and well-intentioned, but he was, after all, a kid. Luckily for him, there were no giant spiders or orcs in our neighborhood. It takes Legolas a while yet to adjust to the reality that they are in his.
I made myself laugh at poor Ithilden here. Puking in front of the girl he'd like to impress must have been just awful for him. Poor guy. He's so honorable and strong and he's prefer to stay that way, thank you very much.
Luckily for any children Ithilden might ever have, Legolas softened him up a little. :-)
pipinheart
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
I wonder if Alfirin likes the Archery master it seems Ithilden feels she does...
Author's reply
Ithilden is a dense male!
pipinheart
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 7: In the Infirmary
Ithilden is sick and feels guilty about not watching Legolas more... Alfrin sat by him as he was sick,it seems she may like him too..
Author's reply
Ithilden is in a bad way, but at least he has a pretty girl to help him. Of course, he's not sure that having her watch him throw up is the way to win her heart.
pipinheart
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 5: A Brother's Help
Spiders, I didn't know they talked... But Legolas is helping his brother I hope Ithildren will be allright
Author's reply
The spiders in The Hobbit talked. I hesitated to make them do it here, but it turned out to be pretty creepy.
pipinheart
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Ups and Downs
Poor Ithildren, he and Legolas are having a bad day, they seem to rub each other the wrong way. Legolas is stubron and dosen't listen to well, and wants to do everything his way...
Author's reply
Legolas is very stubborn. It's the age, I think. He'll grow out of it, assuming Ithilden doesn't kill him!
pipinheart
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 3: Brothers
I feel for Legolas. He feels his father bosses him around and his brother to, and nobody lets him do anything he wants. They are overprotective, and should be a little more flexible..
Ithilden hasn't taken a leave in 4 yrs...Quite funny how his asssistant told him that...
Author's reply
Legolas does feel like he has a lot of people bossing him around. They're so aware of how dangerous things can get and they remember the death of his mother. But it's not good for him to be over-protected. You're right about that.
shana40347@aol.com
· 22 September 2005
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Legolas needs his father to be more invoved if only he'd take the time... His older brother Has a love interest, nice for him.
Author's reply
Ithilden's courtship of Alfirin is long and slow, but in the long run, she'll be very good for him, I think. Legolas does need his father, but Thranduil is pretty busy.
Emily
· 20 August 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
I really do love Ithilden. He's wonderful. He's just what I wish my brothers were. The plot was so wonderful. Poor Ithilden. Thranduil's comments about looking forward to Ithilden having sons made me smile. Poor guy doesn't know what he's getting into.
Legolas is the one who really tugs at my heart here. I'm the family baby and can relate to a lot of what he went through here. Nothing he does is right, he's always being told what to do, and he's probably at the stage where his voice tends to be whiny. Add to it that he's surrounded by warriors with no motherly influence...yes, it's hard being baby.
The prank was perfect. Just the kind of thing a boy his age would go for. Still...ugh...I hate snakes! Give me a spider of ridiculously monstrous size any day over a baby snake. Speaking of spiders...
Wow! They creeped me out. Glad they were nice and safe on the other side of my computer screen. Ithilden made me love him more with his rescue. Then brave Legolas stole the show. I simply exaulted when he made Thranduil take Ithilden on his horse. What a kid!
I love Annael's nana! I really loved the ending, where she's singing a lullaby to the forest. Beautiful and very Wood-elfy.
Author's reply
You are certainly jumping around in terms of Legolas's age here! That's ok. I didn't write the stories in any particular order either. I like being able to go back to Little Legolas after I've written something like "Tangled Web," with its big battle scenes.
I wrote this story partly because I wanted to get a better handle on Ithilden, who was much harder for me to get clear in my head than Eilian was. But you better not let Legolas hear you calling him a baby! :-) I'm a middle child myself, so my sympathies are with Eilian.
It wasn't until I started writing about the spiders that I realized how nasty they were. Ick. Poor Legolas, caught in the web. It must have been so wonderful when he felt Ithilden's arm around his waist as his big brother cut him loose.
I love Annael's family in general -- his father (whom you saw speaking to Eilian in "My Brother's Keeper") and his mother (who turns up in a lot of my stories). Legolas was lucky to have this normal family to go to, not just because his mother was dead but also because they didn't live in a palace and he saw another side of life.
tianaia
· 8 August 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
i like your story. i like the childlike innoence(sorry but i dont know how to spell that)lol. I said i like the childlike innocence* but i also liked the older brotherly love and then jumped to the responsibility so its like legolas gained some sort of maturity and responsibility under bizarre circumstances.
Author's reply
Thank you, tianaia. Yeah, I thought that both brothers had some things to learn here. Legolas did a brave thing in going for help by himself, but he also had to admit that he behaved a little badly. And Ithilden learned that Legolas was not someone to be ordered around like a warrior. They each learned about their own limitations.
mistry89
· 26 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
"He would live in the woods forever, he thought dreamily. He would never leave. The path of dreams came up to meet him and he ran along it with his arms spread wide in joy."
Oh, that's so very sad - such an innocent wish, and it won't happen.
Will go and watch my lovely ROTK dvd to cheer myself up!
Thank you, Legolas is learning by leaps and bounds, and a little education is slipping through to Ithilden .... and even all the way to Thranduil. Looks as if it is thrue, you are never too old to learn. I wonder whether Leoglas "does" have that dagger, and when Ithilden remembers to follow up on it?
It all reads so easily ... so plausibly, and it requires both the knack and the need to produce that. Thank you again for sharing this story.
Author's reply
Thank you, Mistry.
I so agree about Legolas's "innocent wish." I was thinking the other day about the parallel between him and Frodo. I was remembering that scene in the FOTR movie when Bilbo says that Frodo is still in love with the Shire. And then at the end, Frodo can never go back and live happily in the Shire again. Legolas is like that too. He can never go back and live in contentment in the woods.
Anyway, thank you for your kind words. Easy-reading, plausible stories are what I aim for!
Lera
· 24 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
I'm very sorry this review is so late, especially since I read the chapter the day it was posted. Bad me!
Ok, that ending was so lovely, yet so sad! Legolas singing about living in the woods forever, but we all know what the desire of his heart eventually becomes. I wonder what his family went through, when he left them. So sad.
I saw in some of your answers to other reviews that you're thinking of doing the battle of the five armies sometime, and I want you to know that this thrills me to death. Of course whatever you do will make me happy, but the events of the hobbit told from your point of view would be fabulous! God bless.
Author's reply
I imagine it was hard on Legolas's family when he left, but it was probably also hard to see him unhappy. He lost a lot in the Ring War.
I'm glad you're enthusiastic about my plans, Lera. I'm still thinking along those lines, although I haven't written anything yet.
emjo
· 24 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
Great story Daw! I loved the way you showed Ithilden and Alfirin's story before their bonding. And I always love the way you show Thranduil and his sons. Once agian great job!
Author's reply
Thank you, emjo. Ithilden is still acting stupidly, and I think Alfirin might have to clue him in eventually. If she waits for him to smarten up, she may have to wait a long time!
Estel_Mi_Olor
· 24 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
That was a touching end to a very sweet story. I love Legolas when he's little! Ithilden and Alifrin are so cute together, and I am very interested to find out how they became sweethearts, and later married. Of course, that would mean that Ithilden would have to master the power of speech around Alifrin. But I'm sure he can handle it. :) Thranduil is such an interesting parent, reminds me of my mother... His idea of "controlled freedom" is interesting, but he better hope the elflings never find out or he will be in big trouble. Legolas is pretty responsible for his age, isn't he? I am not a parent and therefore I don't exactly know the expected behavior at this age. In this fic, Legolas seemed to be acting particularly irresponsible. Well, I won't debate the issue. A great fic, as always. I am eagerly awaiting your next story.
Author's reply
Thank you, Estel. You're very funny about what Ithilden has to do to court Alfirin. It doesn't seem like much, does it? But apparently it's beyond him.
Legolas is good for his age, but that's not saying much. "For his age" is a really big qualifier when you're at that middle school age. He'll come around though. His heart is in the right place and he has a family and teachers who care enough about him to discipline him.
erunyauve
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
Sorry this is so late in coming - I read it right away but my brain has been too scrambled to put together coherent words (very long week at work).
I think Alfirin has made her choice - Ithilden can put to rest any rivalry with Penntalion. (Of course, he won't!) I had to love Eilian's letter - he's still a bit of kid himself, so of course he knows what to expect from Legolas. And I'm glad Legolas finally got to sleep on the flet - can I guess that my favorite future member of the Mirkwood Secret Service was camping in the copse?
Author's reply
I know what you mean about work, Erunyauve. I've been trying to write some stuff for work and I am so depressed to be doing that instead of elf stories that I am almost ready to give up! Let's set some priorities here.
If Ithilden only knew it, Alfirin is becoming more and more attracted to him. But he's such a sap, he can't figure it out. I'm not sure who was in the copse actually. Beliond may have been off spying for Thranduil.
Mizalaye
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
I've been reading your fics for at least a month now, and have finally found the review button! (Seriously...I was looking for it and missed it) Anyways, I have enjoyed each and every chapter you have written. You are a phenominal writer with an excellent grasp of your characters and setting. Your original characters are fascinating and complex; you've inspired a few ideas of my own! Your plots are well-thought-out and interesting, your dialogue is true-to-life and fun...in short, you're wonderful! =o)
I can't wait until you start your next fic (there will be a next one, right?)! Thanks for writing such beautiful stories.
~Mizalaye
Author's reply
Mizalaye--
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me this. I admit to being shamelessly fond of my OCs, and if you think the plot and dialogue are good too, then I am very happy!
There will be another story eventually. I've been working at what I get paid to do for the last few days and have to do it some more, but eventually I'll have to give in and write some more because I get depressed when I don't.
Again, thanks.
daw
meckinock
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 4: Ups and Downs
Poor Ithilden. His head must just be spinning. What a rude introduction to parenthood, but he did ask for it, didn't he? The way you manipulated the shifting moods of this chapter, from the carefree delight of the swimming hole to the antagonism and frustration of the final scene, was just masterful. I liked how Ithilden, even in his consternation, manages to notice that Legolas at least has learned to move silently in the forest, and his comments about Turgon's influence were amusing. His little scamp of a brother sure made short work of the composure of the commander of all Mirkwood forces, didn't he? Talk about pushing the right buttons....It took a lot for Ithilden to completely lose composure and haul off and hit Legolas. I know physical violence is never the answer and all that...but I can't help but thinking that a similar well-placed slap at this age might have done Turgon some good!
Author's reply
Legolas knows exactly what to say or do to make Ithilden turn purple and jump up and down. And what's more, unlike Ithilden's warriors, he doesn't hesitate to do it. Maybe that's a sign that he trust Ithilden to love him anyway.
Yeah, Turgon would have been much better off if someone had cared enough to discipline him. Legolas didn't suffer any lasting damage, and Ithilden certainly got his attention.
meckinock
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 3: Brothers
Daw, you must have been cracking yourself up writing this chapter. Sweet Eru, Ithilden is blundering straight into disaster. Legolas's little snits and pouts and lightning trasnsformations to sweetness are delightful to behold. These were my favorite lines:
"Thranduil blinked and then laughed. “I have always looked forward to Eilian becoming a parent,” he said, “preferably to sons who will jump off the bridge over the Forest River to see if they can fly. But I begin to think you may offer me some amusement too, iôn-nín.”
"Their father really should spend more time with Legolas doing things like this. Ithilden would see if he could find a way to tell Thranduil that when they got home."
I guess Ithilden never had time to take Eilian on a camping trip, huh?
mrk
Author's reply
Now that's a funny thought! He wouldn't have lasted five minutes!
I'm glad you could see some sweetness in Legolas too. I think he is sweet underneath. It's just that sometimes it's mighty far underneath!
Hisie Lome
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
Well, am I not long winded or what? I forgot...
Ithilden may think he has freedom, yet his adar will surly deny it to him until he really is much better and then add a few weeks just to make sure.
It sad to think that Legolas will one day be overcome by sea longing and must leave his woods. But for now, life seems to be returning to normal.
Again, Thank you...please tell your family that you have made alot of us happy! And some one else needs to do the dishes, take out the trash, whatever!
You need a reward!
Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome
Author's reply
I think the sea longing is very sad too. Legolas will one day be unable to find contentment under the trees. That's about as sad a thing as I can think of for a wood elf.
I'll tell my family this but I'm not sure they'll listen!
Hisie Lome
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
Daw, What a surprise?! I just checked and found chapter 8 posted....Thank the Valar! I had thought the tale was ended....How lucky I am...Thank you.
How sad that Ithilden was moved to his private chambers....and drugged, as well. No unlooked for female visitors :(
I understand that as soon as he was out of critical care, his adar would not want him on "display"....in private one may be weak, alas- a public image must be kept.
Ithilden really is a Type "A" elf. In pain and still thinking of the his duty. I am glad that I am not the only one that is so "focused" on work. He really does not like to lose control...and not being there "anything" could happen. Is Ithilden really surprised that his adar does not know what his heir is thinking? Is adar any different himself?
With the difference in their ages and circles, I guess that Ithilden would not really have much dealings with elflings. Even young soldiers would have been drilled and have expected reactions, of which Ithilden could understand....how fustrating to have an inconstant in your very midst!
It was wonderful that Ithilden was concerned for Legolas, his rearing, and the need to explain every direction to the youth. It really is an age thing...children of any race still need guidence (even when they are SO grown up- but not yet adult.) That the king would reflect that his queen had made a statement that their sons behaved the same way was honest and sad.
I loved that Penntalion thought that Legolas was " self-disciplined"! Ithilden may think that his brother was brave and responded well to the crisis...but, disciplined? LOL! It must be that ability to "turn off" the lord/brother thing that Ithilden has yet to quite master. And the letter....Even Eilian agrees!
Wait until Alfirin's Naneth finds this wandering Lord! One trembles at her ire! No spoonfull of suger to help the medicine go down...No, just plain yucky tea and quite alot of it I am sure.
I loved that Thranduil is willing to allow Legolas some independence, yet only with a little bit of protection. Adar did take Ithilden's advice and explained his expectations and the whys.
Turgon immediately wanted trouble. Let's just break the rules and have some fun...Legolas would have made his family proud to know that he had indeed told his friend, "No."
Wood elflings in the forest with stars and song ==> perfect!
Annael's nana, as always comfort and joy.
Thanks again for all of your hard work,
Minna Sedh, Hisie Lome
Author's reply
Thank you for this lovely review, Hisie Lome.
I think you're right about the young soldiers who would certainly been trained to follow commands or they would not have been allowed to become soldiers. Legolas will do that too someday but for now he's just a kid.
Another reviewer suggested that Thranduil probably came to Ithilden's office with the guards that Ithilden insists he have and escorted him back to bed. I thought that was a very funny idea and I'm sorry I didn't think of it.
meckinock
· 22 May 2004
· Chapter 2: Struggling with Weapons
Oh, lovely! Nothing better than a sweaty, half-dressed Ithilden except a sweaty, half-dressed Ithilden "reduced to idiocy" by a maiden! He really does need a vacation. Too bad he's not going to listen to his father!
Author's reply
Indeed, Meckinock! But she seemed impressed. Maybe he could make progress by taking his shirt off more often. :-)
meckinock
· 22 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Hi Daw,
Uh, better late than never? I've been on the road a lot lately.
It was great to see Ithilden and Thranduil butt heads. One of the most delicious aspects of your stories is the way you show us the characters through on another's eyes, and we get to see the same situation or conflict from two (or more) different perspectives, each of them perfectly reasonable, of course! Spectacularly hilarious portrayal of the mercurial disposition of a near-adolescent. I admit I skipped ahead and already know where this is going, and it makes me laugh in anticipation!
mrk
Author's reply
I'm glad you found Legolas funny. His family doesn't always agree with you, I'm afraid.
And one of the fun things about writing these stories is exactly what you named: trying to make all of these characters equally reasonable and flawed, so they are interesting in themselves and with one another.
Hope you have a good time as you continue to read.
LKK
· 21 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
Confession sems to be good for the elven soul as well as the mortal soul. :) I was impressed in the last chapter when Legolas told Thranduil about his wrong-doings. I was even more impressed when I found out that Legolas had not mentioned the spanking to his father. I wasn't surprised that Ithilden mentioned it. He's a warrior, trained to leave out no details. But for a child not to tell on his brother ... that's very impressive of him.
I think Ithilden desperately needed to hear Penntalion's praise of Legolas. After reading that scene, I realized that with their long lives and the many years between children's births, adult elves don't have much interaction with children. Unless like Penntalion, they teach elflings in some way. Ithilden doesn't have any other elfling to compare Legolas to, so he genuinely doesn't know how responsible his brother is for his age. (I doubt Ithilden knows Turgon or Anneal very well.)
I'm glad Thranduil finally allowed Legolas to sleep in the flet. That was a wonderful way for the story to end. Very peaceful and pleasant.
May I make a suggestion? You have many faithful readers, but some of us (okay, me!) are somewhat forgetful, especially when it comes to names. Would you consider putting a Cast of Characters list or your regular OCs somewhere? Perhaps on your profile page? It would help us (translation: me) remember who is who when one of your OCs appear. Just a thought. :)
Wonderful story, daw. Even though I hadn't planned on reading it until real life calmed down, I'm glad I did anyway!
LKK
Author's reply
I think that Legolas was embarrassed by the spanking and didn't even want to think about it, much less mention it. And I suspect that it doesn't even occur to him that he could get Ithilden in trouble. Ithilden is an authoritative adult to Legolas, and adults stick together.
I'll bet you're right about how hard it is for elves to get some perspective on children. That whole age thing is very hard to think your way into because our lives are so different.
A Cast of Characters would be a useful thing. Maybe I'll make one soon, given that I'm not supposed to start another story until I'm finished writing this thing for work. But a list of characters would just be one of those routine tasks it should be possible to do without much creative energy. I made a list not too long ago for my own sake but I don't think it's complete and it's just names. Good idea.
Camp6311
· 21 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
What a sweet sad ending to this story with the singing and the lullabye and Legolas dreaming of living in the woods forever, when we we know fate will deny him that. Sigh
On a lighter side, I could just see Thranduil and his guards escorting Ithilden back to bed, and Thranduil remarking that he is finding his guards to be quite useful after all....
Author's reply
YES! That's exactly what happened to Ithilden! Why didn't I realize that??? That's hilarious.
Dragon-of-the-North
· 20 May 2004
· Chapter 8: The Path Home
A lovely last chapter for a wonderful story!
"You behave well when you understand why you are supposed to do some things and not others." - that is an important lesson to be learnt for Ithilden (and Thranduil, too ;-)) from this story... It is something adults tend to forget too easily because certain things seem so obvious, but are not immediately obvious to a child. So I wonder who learnt more on this trip, Legolas or Ithilden... But I would almost guess that it was Ithilden - while Legolas has learnt certain little details, Ithilden has realized an important general truth that might be quite useful even in his job. Eilian's letter made me chuckle - and so did Ithilden's astonishment at the notion that Legolas is a comparatively self-disciplined and well-behaved child (LOL - should I wish Ithilden a camping trip with Turgon...? No, I am not *that* cruel, I believe!). The little bits of Ithilden and Alfirin romance were nice as well, and the end, with the three singing elflings and Annael's nana... just lovely. :-)
Wonderful job once again - and knowing your usual speed, I can hope that the next story will be out soon. :-)
Author's reply
Thank you, Dragon-of-the-North. I think you're right that Ithilden learned more (although apparently not about the best way to court a maiden). One of the reasons I wanted to write this story was to learn more about Ithilden, so maybe I'm the one who learned the most. :-)
The idea of Ithilden and Turgon on a trip together made me laugh! Can't you just picture it? Neither one of them would survive.