Reviews (31)

Tanis · 1 January 2011 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Oooooooooooooo ... I just spent a lovely New Year's afternoon reading this epic tale. I actually stumbled across chapter six by doing an internet search on how to spell penneth or pen-eth and was intrigued enough by the small Legolas in the first sentence of the chapter to find the beginning and read straight through. I'm very thankful I found this as a finished story as I would have been in despair if I'd had to wait between chapters! When I have free time again, I think I must go back and read the opening story - if my tender sensiblities can handle it. :) Your tiny Legolas learning to know and trust his father and siblings is absolutely adorable! I love the little tells for his insecurity that you've given him; twining fingers in braids and tunics, burying his face in a convenient neck, needing to sleep with someone often, and his attachment to Teflian(?) My apologies, I'm not yet fluent with elven names, especially when I have no idea how they're pronouced - so I can't even spell them phonetically. I did, however, love the character! Thranduil with his family was a joy to read, such a wonderful mixture of proud father and king and mentor to all he cares for. A gorgeous word portrait of a truly functional (as opposed to dysfunctional, of course ) family. And a wonderful way to spend a lazy afternoon welcoming in 2011.

nancylea57 · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 10: Decisions

i'm glad you and thranduil worked this out it is the wisest thing, legles needs ada at home for a while longer. the depth of the story you tell is so realistic and detailed that its sort of a mini series in my mind, (i have better than average image imagination; movies often seem to lack some of the detail that is in my pitcure of the scene.)so on to next weeks sequel.

pipinheart · 30 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Decisions

This is very nice..I like the relationship between the brother and Legolas as well as the rest of the family...And of course his Tafie...This is lovely, please update...

Karri · 18 June 2005 · Chapter 6: Memories - or Legolas' bad day

I wonder if Tamil and Legolas ever became friends.

moonshine · 11 April 2005 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Oh, what a great story! Will you write another?

moonshine · 7 April 2005 · Chapter 9: The Wedding

Hello again! I just wanted to say I am enjoying this so far. I`m sad to see I have only one chapter left.Lol. I can relate to Lathron in this chapter. I`m constantly asking my neice to take a nap, not for her, but really for me! Children are always a joy, but they can be very tiring. well, I`m off to the last chapter!

aspen taurie · 22 September 2004 · Chapter 1: Introduction & Character List

legolas goes to valinor,hre is un married, 4 his promise is to come back for the one he left behind.

Duchess · 19 May 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Ahhhh, nice fluff. *happy sigh* Please feel free to write more in this vein for these characters, they had so many chapters of bad stuff happen to them before I'd love to see more peace and happiness for them all. *vbg* Well done!

lwarren · 28 April 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Read this story more recently than "May the Valar Protect Them", but just had to tell you how your ability to tell the story of this family amazes me. Family dynamics can change so much when a new member arrives, and I love the way this family welcomes Legles and the others. Everyone has a hand in his care, and I love the way his Ada is helping the little one adjust. Have read this one a few times, too. Can't get enough - keep writing! :)

Gershwhen · 9 February 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

A fine ending. I do hope we get to see lots more of little Legolas and his hurts and adventures. I do adore reading about all the comfort your version of the family provides to him -- and I hope he continues to need it in your future stories!! Thank you for sharing this, it was lovely.

Gershwhen · 8 February 2004 · Chapter 2: Warm Pools and Naked Elflings

Ahhh, happy sigh. This is just what we needed to see after suffering with the whole family through the separation!! I look forward to lots more family interaction, love and bonding!

websterans · 24 January 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

And now that I have read this pair of stories, I know that your way with elflings in "History Lessons" was not a fluke! Great!

Sofia · 18 January 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Im glad there was a sequel to "May the Valar". I smiled alot while reading this story. Im glad that Tathiel and Rawien got married. they seem like the perfect couple.

rgbj · 17 January 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Big storm. I love them but I know many who are 'fraid of them. Not necessarily younglings either. But ada's the king he should stop them because they scare Legles. The rain though is needed so they can have a nice spring with lots of fun things for elflings to do. OK as long as elflings can sleep with their adas it will be fine. At least this saves Rawien from an elfling in bed with them. Now we come to the conflict. Can ada leave elfling behind to go to a very important council? There is only one answer. What is more important than family? Thranduil has been through so much in his long life. Evil is always there and elflings don't stay young forever. I made notes of this before I read the whole chapter. I am glad we both agreed on this point. Tathiel definitely has her own life and responsibilities now. Adar has been able to take over much of Legolas' care and keeping so she can focus on her own relationship. In the pool scene she feels the lessening of the bond and is saddened. It is hard to let go when the time comes. Lovely pool scene for the king to see. So much love, understanding and compassion. Ah Bregolas lost the bet because he forgot to consider the counsel of one of the advisors, Lathron. I like that. And during the day Lathron heard more ada than Tathiel. A big step in the right direction. Mithrandir hasn't heard about Mirkwood's loss. I'm surprised. He always seemed to know everything even when he chose not to share or let on. Legolas first encounter with Mifdir. At first he is just a strange looking man but then he becomes a magician with the stones. That is enough for Legolas, he must be a good man. One of those Elanath was talking about. Mithrandir's eyes see beyond what even the eyes of the First Born see. The sorrow, broken bonds of family and friendship. The unnatural maturity of the ellyth. He knows he won't be traveling with the king to the council meeting. It was so nice that everyone knows that the king can't leave his youngest princeling. Yes begetting days and presents are good things for little elflings to have. So many nice and fun things to learn about and now time with adar to learn them. The last two paragraphs were so precious. Adar and ion bonding so nicely. AN You attained your objective beautifully. Congratulations.

rgbj · 17 January 2004 · Chapter 9: The Wedding

The Wedding Day!! Decorate the bridal bower and leave a bottle of wine with two glasses. That is class. Shuffle off Legolas to his own bed, just anyone's bed won't do. You know better elfling. So many new things to learn to enjoy and with everyone so excited a wedding must be one of them. Lathron contemplating his brother. Slowly integrating into the family and giving Tathiel as much of her own life as they can. She will always be a part of Legolas' life. The littlest prince does sound very draining. A friend of mine once gave me one of those light bulb moments. I asked wearily 'where do they get all that energy?' as my daughter scampered around playing. My friend said 'didn't you know? They drain it from their parents.' I just stopped in my tracks dumbstruck. I believed her totally. Now with elves they do drain their energy from their parents. Legolas' begetting day present from Thranduil to his Queen, the sapphires. It is very fitting that Tathiel gets them and Narawen would agree completely. She also wears Narawen's wedding dress. That was so very nice of the king. Tathiel is fully of that family now. A beautiful bride is a given of course. All brides are beautiful but Tathiel is especially so. After all that she has gone through. Sons of the House of Oropher. How proud ada must be of all of them, daughters also dressed alike. OOH Legolas is the ringbearer and he gives a blessing. What a big responsibility for such a little elfling. He is very important today. Lovely set up for the wedding. Nice details. Lots of singing and food is very elvish, wood elvish anyway. I loved the bond between the two L's, Lathron and Legolas. They are so fond of each other. The whole family table, ceremony and everything was so touching. We all love weddings. Tathiel thought her heart would burst with love. How sweet. And Legolas got a kiss too. Very romantic bonding. Do you think we obssess on the bonding btween two elves because we have nothing to compare to it. We can leave a relationship all too easily. They never forsake that bond. Except in fanfiction of course. An elflings big day. Swim, ride, play games, build with his blocks, maybe stories but no naps. He will stay still long enough to watch Lathron take a nap but that is all. Will Legolas beg for a nap? He will just collapse likely as not. On to the bet between Bregolas and Adar. That was funny. Who will win? Great wedding/bonding. I bet you had so much fun writing it. The interaction between the brothers and between Thranduil and Tathiel was great. Such a very nice chapter. Thank you for getting Tathiel married off in grand style.

rgbj · 17 January 2004 · Chapter 8: Changing Spaces

What is the elfling up to now? AAH Tathiel's new room and he gets stuck there. What a lot to do and see. Old bed, new furniture, a sword and a boot. What fun. You think just like an elfling to come with all this. And a bath. It doesn't get much better than this. What a big day for Legles. He definitely needs his sleep. Little firefly flitted away. He flitted to Tathiels's bed and rested there. He had a busy day. Rawien, being the mighty hunter he undoubtedly is figured things out very easily. Getting very romantic here. We just can't wait for the wedding/bonding. Big discussion about Tathiel. Elflings don't like changes. Changes can be very disruptive and frightening. If he really needs Tathiel he knows exactly where to find her. And Ada is right next door. He is more than capable of taking care of little elflings. Our little elfling likes him very much so it will work with a little worry and some good care. Elenath is back and a heroine warrior. She didn't get hurt. And to Legolas' amazement she has a sword like Rawien's. I think Elenath just went way up in Legolas' estimation. Back to Bad Men. This is going to take a long time to put away. At least his family is going to help him in this by not reinforcing his feelings but gently helping him cope and change. Such a sweet chapter. I liked the romance very much. Tathiel and Rawien deserve it.

rgbj · 17 January 2004 · Chapter 7: The Healer's Report

Legolas is certainly surrounded by love and he is Tathiel's fishy baby. Tinania is settling in nicely now. Earundra is getting much better thanks to the pool and care of the healer. Legolas is recovering from his bad day. I think it would be a really good idea to slowly introduce Legolas to men. He needs to come to grips with the concept of good men sometime. Tathiel is still in the minus column. Legolas is still drawing too much energy from her. Nesta said the right things. No one no matter how strong would have been able to do what she did and then bear another child. Ethiwen said the right things and pushed Tathiel a little more in the right direction. Everyone is trying so hard to help them all. Legolas adores his ada. So sweet. But still Legles misses Tathiel. The family certainly worked hard for Tathiel's date to work. And work it did. We have a wedding/bonding to look forward to now. I liked your AN. I read quite a bit of fan fiction and I don't mind AUs that would probably drive a purist insane. I do like it though when a writer does his/her homework and gives us as canon as they can work into their tale. The idea of the parents fear being used to maintain a child is one I really like. Being a parent I know how much energy goes into just one child. I feel that the concept of the fear of the parents being shared in a three fold cord is crucial to elven family life. Anyway thank you for that AN and the concept being used in your story.

rgbj · 17 January 2004 · Chapter 6: Memories - or Legolas' bad day

Legolas is certainly helping to ease his family's pain. He has naneth's looks and charm and must be so much fun for them to have around after so much doom, gloom and heartache. Tathiel's memories of the hard time with no food. Now there is plenty and she needs to build herself up for the future. Legolas'bad day indeed. Poor Bad Man. He doesn't know what hit him or why. I think Tathiel didn't want to recognize what might have been Legolas' reaction to these type of events. She probably wanted to feel that everything was all over now, they were safe and sound, cocooned in the love of the family. Just a little denial going on. She forgot how he reacted to the male elves because Legolas seemed to have adjusted and be fitting in to regular life in the palace-cave. Legolas is so distraught that he even rejects he ada until Tathiel can reassure him that ada is not a bad man but a good elf. Maleness seems to be the common thread here. I can certainly see why. Now Camnestra and Thranduil have a better understanding of the emotional upheaval and deprivation that the lost ones suffered in their time away. Yes they do need to share not only to free themselves but also to let those who must deal with them when to give them support and aid in a touchy situation. Thranduil has lost so much at the hand of Men. Not to be bitter would be more than most could handle. I really liked this chapter. It really moved your healing plot and a return to normality along.

rgbj · 16 January 2004 · Chapter 5: Letting Go

Winter time with snow. As long as it doesn't pile up and ruin everyone's commute I think snow is very romantic. Gracious. A little angst from Tathiel. I suppose she would be hesitant because of her physical condition. I like Rawien. He is so patient, kind and understanding. But sometimes in love and courtship you have to be bold enough to push a little. Tathiel needs him as much as he needs her. Saying good bye to the novice warrioress. At least ada let her see how hard it was to let her go. As far as embarrassing her, I can only quote Roseanne "Let me live long enough to humiliate my children as much as they have humiliated me." Every mothers chant. During the discussion about the White Council they really needed elfling laughter to remind them of why this is all worthwhile and why they must keep fighting and manuevering. I think getting something for Elumeril to occupy herself is a really good idea. I'm not sure how old she is in man years but she needs some useful art or craft to make her feel as if she is a participating member of elven society. Poor elfling. Tathiel is his anchor. Life without her constant presence is just too uncertain. Time to take care of this so he will have others he can depend on. Again ada steps in to take his rightful place. I am glad he knows what he must do to help Legolas grow beyond who he is right now. The prince could get stuck in a loop that would be so hard to break free from. But with his family's help he will be fine after a rocky period. Oh great we have Tathiel crying now. The bond with Legolas must be so strong that she just can't cope with letting go. She must be a strong fea indeed. Rawien is going to be so glad to have that strength by his side. It was sweet about the tapestry of Narawen and Elumeril. At least the king has something to look at that will bring her memory fresh to him at times. And little Legolas gets the last word. He is good at that with Tathiel. Lovely chapter. Lots going on and getting solved for moving on. I really enjoy your protrayal of Thranduil. I can accept him as bad for a story's sake but I really prefer good King Thranduil. I can't see the Legolas in the book or movie coming from a bad background.

rgbj · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 4: Eärundra's Surprise

I loved the possessiveness of the king with his new born elflings. He had to take this relationship very slowly because he had not bonded with this baby fully yet. So after the confrontation Legolas claimed his ada. This doesn't surprise me. I really think children want so much to please and adore and be adored by their parents that when you show them loving concern, even when you think you are being hard on them, they love it and you even more. Sheesh what a run on sentence. Sorry. Oh little Legolas thought ada was angry with him. Children do take things on themsleves. The king is not angry at people just at events. Once he has calmed down he realizes this. It is events that caused him to lose Alagos and all his other warriors not people. Having to let go of your children is a step by step process. Some steps are just bigger and harder than others. My daughter will go away to college in '05 after one year here in a community college. That particular step is going to kill me. I just want to protect her so much. Now who does that sound like? Didn't think I would ever be like an elf. I am too hobbit-like.

rgbj · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 3: Tears and Temper Tantrums

The little prince was just worn to the nub and loved every second. Elumeril feeling left out. She is in a large family lacking a mother and a new baby has taken her place. Too much emotional upheaval and changes. No one can fix this only time and love. So nice to see good King Thranduil guide his family to solve a sibling's problem. He is a wonderful adar to encourage all of them to get involved without placing blame on anyone. Legolas' first temper tantrum. Mark this day in red on the calendar. Adar having brought up six other elflings recognizes the burgeoning signs of temper and does such a good job of short circuiting it. He is a very strong elf and he uses that strength to help his younglings to be happy in their growing up years by setting good parameters for their behavior. They will be very good strong elves in their turn. And Tathiel can be relieved of the burden of Legolas' behavior. She has someone to depend on now, she is not alone. Very nice chapter. It is nice to see all of them settling in without the huge problems they had in your first story. There has to be some tension and in family life you can't escape tension.

rgbj · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 2: Warm Pools and Naked Elflings

I have to go to the pool every day for an hour of waterjogging. It is truly heavenly and the hot tub is my ultimate reward. I can see how Legolas would be quite taken with his own pool/hot tub. A very sweet picture of Thranduil and Legolas at court. Legolas hanging onto his adar's braid and Thranduil swaying to placate his elfling. Nekkid elves are always a plus and we get all the males of the House of Oropher at once. It is too good to be true. How much better can you be to us? I once saw a PBS series on English gardens and it mentioned the mud mixture that they used at the bottom of ponds that lasted for decades without any problems. I guess the elves got there first. OOH The game of toss the elfling. He probably really enjoyed that. He does tire easily with so many to play with him he gets his fill. Thraduil remembering Alagos and Narawen was very angsty. But after so long a time he has his littlest back and he can gain comfort from that. Nice start to a cute and fluffy tale. I can't wait to read more.

rgbj · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 1: Introduction & Character List

Warning: This story will contain much fluffiness. Expect excessive amounts of elfling cuteness and domestic bliss. Do not expect deep plots, much political intrigue or too many bad guys. Tathiel and the elflings need a break. I can't wait. There cannot be too much Legolas cuteness in all the ages as far as I am concerned.

FaerieQueen · 2 January 2004 · Chapter 10: Decisions

Again, another beautiful little story. I will enjoy reading more about Legolas and his childhood, if you would care to write it. I enjoy your point of view on his family. Keep writing!

LKK · 25 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Decisions

I'm sorry, Teacher. I meant to do my Second Age History Lessons review, honest. Only when I got to the library, I found this story, you see. One I hadn't ever read before. And it was about one of my favorite peoples when he was just a toddler. An' he was soooo cute and adorable an' he even talked like a toddler! And, and, well, I just *had* to read it, don't you see? And it was *such* a good story. With lots of cuddly moments and a swimming pool and a wedding and it even had a wizard showing up at the end! and ... Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. I'll do my Second Age History Lessons review, soon. I promise.