Tapetum Lucidum
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
Ithilden's pondering over sleeping under the stars was a nice way to start the chapter. He doesn't spend enough time being an elf. Sounds like Thrior is more than competent to help him out at this exciting meeting. I loved the other Elf Lords' reactions to Ithilden's presence. They might as well have jumped up and down and sang with glee over Thranduil's absence. Curinir seems disgruntled about the whole production. Excellent job with Ithilden's gut reaction - don't trust the wizard - then his response to his mellifluous voice - suddenly he trusts him. Saruman is powerful but no one can shake him off like Thranduil.
Tinar is always great for some comic relief. I guess he hasn't completed his sentence in Ithilden's office because no one will work with him anywhere else. If I were Calith I would send him on a long, long, long errand. "Not trusting himself to speak, Legolas nodded to them both ..." LOL! It would be hard to keep a straight face. Umm, maybe Amdir shouldn't have been send to Rivendell with the Ring delegation. Apparently his feelings were long harbored.
Ithilden's practical take on the food situation was a good one. Great suggestion to cook it downwind. Now if Mithrandir would only smoke his pipe the same way... It sounds like the Gray Wizard is up to something as well. He will be a strong ally for Ithilden.
Sinnarn day dreaming about Emmelin was cute. I don't think he should tell Annael that he was noting his daughter's beauty rather than searching for spiders. Alfirin is wise to set down the law in the family room. Legolas is becoming quite the diplomat between Celuwen and Thranduil. I imagine their "little discussions" happen frequently. I doubt Eilian is home enough to be much help.
I am looking forward to more of the council!
Author's reply
Oh, you're so perceptive about Saruman. Ithilden sees him and feels something is wrong but can't put his finger on it. Then the nasty wizard speaks and Ithilden is under his spell. He wants to believe, after all. But Thranduil would probably be just as happy kicking him down the stairs, which is one of the reasons the rest of them are happy that Thranduil stayed home. I love the elven king.
I think that sending Tinar on long errands is probably how Ithilden deals with having Tinar around. And actually, Tinar is going on these errands by himself, so you have to hand it to him for bravery. He's just a pain in the butt to have anywhere nearby.
Ah yes! Mithrandir is up to something. More on the Council coming right up, with Mithrandir's thoughts revealed.
Anonymous
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
Oh, yes. Amdir will perform so admirably with the stubby little creatures in Imladris that I'm not surprised that Legolas can already see his potential as a diplomat. I love this one so far!
Author's reply
LOL. Hey! Sarcasm about Amdir? Who would have ever expected that?!
I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Nilmandra
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
I really like all the little details added in this chapter: Ithilden's noting the food and not to hunt around Radagast's cottage; Saruman's voice; Tinar and Calith - and the little details about Calith's past; I like what Legolas notices and stays out of - he is into nonconfrontation! Good thing he picks his battles wisely. I like seeing Celuwen with Thranduil and I love them arguing - and even more so that no one crosses Alfirin. These types of details just make these OC's (and the CC's) come alive.
And yesterday was great fun!
Author's reply
The women do seem to be pretty unintimidated by Thranduil, don't they? I'll bet Lorellin got whatever she wanted. Maybe he's just so glad to have these nice ellyth loving his sons that he's willing to give ground. And I appreciate your comments about the details. Maybe I'm learning patience too (and I was always more patient than Thranduil :-)).
I had a great time visiting. It felt like old friends.
Bodkin
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
Second Reading
Ithilden - the sight of Glorfindel making him feel like an excited elfling. Ahh. I would love to see Ithilden in the days of his innocence, before all the troubles of the world descended on his shoulders and he was pushed into becoming sensible, reliable, dependable, etc in defence of his homeland. I don't imagine his years of light-heartedness lasted very long. It's not much fun being the heir.
Author's reply
I'd love to see Ithilden as an elfling and maybe I can do it some day. I like to keep canon characters at the center of stories if I can though, so that one would have to be about Thranduil. Hm. It's possible.
Bodkin
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
Glory - another chapter. I get so excited!
I loved the reference to Amdir and the stubby ones - I recall he was an utter pain with them in A Question of Duty. No matter how much Legolas tried to be big brotherly and help him, Amdir is still Turgon's brother!
Ithilden is showing his quality - good reading of Saruman's character, hope he does not let himself be won over. Elrond altering how Galadriel thinks - h'mm -could happen - maybe - one day - perhaps. Mithrandir insisted on the meeting place? I wonder what he has in mind - teaching by showing perhaps. They won't listen, but maybe if they see. I can understand Cirdan not wanting to come - must be like going round in circles.
Love the Tinar moment - he is just beyond redemption. Nothing dents his self-esteem.
Little Legolas is acting in charge of the Home Guard. How the little ones grow up! (Though he is still Ada's little elfling, and mustn't assume too much or contradict his adar!)
I really hope that Sinnarn and Emmelin marry - I want Annael to join the family, although that would still keep him on Legolas's generation level as the adar-in-law of his nephew. (It would be quite amusing if Legolas married his best friend's daughter - making Annael his father by marriage!)
Nice to see Tonduil - and I like the weaving in of the financial constraints of long war, with the cost of metal and the number of horses. It goes a long way to explain Thranduil's reaction to the dragon's hoard, without making him avaricious. Which he isn't.
This is far too long - but never mind. Keep going. (Plotting this one must be really complicated.)
Author's reply
Yes! Amdir actually WILL be sent on a diplomatic mission to Imladris and have to deal with dwarves. How unsuitable is THAT?! I had fun trying to refer to his actions in that other story, even though they haven't happened yet.
I thought about the fact that Ithilden had met Saruman only once years ago and that Saruman might not yet have been corrupted then, so he might see a change in Saruman that the others don't. But boy, the minute Saruman opens his mouth, he's in charge. Except with Thranduil. :-)
I thought folks might like to see how Tinar and Calith are doing. Poor Calith!
The idea of Annael as Legolas's father in law is funny. What must it be like to be an elf and have such generational confusion be common? It's beyond my imagination.
Complicated to plot?? I am looking at my notes and wondering what on earth possessed me to try this one.
erunyauve
· 2 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
"And if Elrond could be persuaded, then he, in turn, might be able to work on his formidable mother-in-law."
::snort:: Or not. It's a pity Celeborn isn't there - I think he's the only one with much chance of influencing Galadriel.
"he still felt like an excited elfling on seeing him."
I can imagine! I should think that any elf would go as slack-jawed as a fangirl who has just met Orlando Bloom.
"His father had indicated with some satisfaction that he thought that Círdan too was growing impatient with the Council’s endless, fruitless debates."
The Círdan fan in me would certainly agree, but in all seriousness, that might indicate why Círdan sent Galdor to Elrond's council.
I loved the scene with Calith and Tinár - between them and Thranduil, I can imagine Todith tearing his hair out by the time Ithilden returns.
Your use of the Voice of Saruman was a great tidbit, and it does help to explain how he held sway over the Council for so long.
Author's reply
I thought about having Celeborn at the meeting too but I already have so many characters to manage that I'm beating my head against the keyboard. Sigh. What must it be like to be an elf child who is taught history and then see someone like Glorfindel or Elrond who was in the history they were taught? It's very hard to imagine what being an immortal must be like.
Poor Todith. My guess is that Ithilden just sends Tinar off with messages as quickly as he can. I doubt if he lets Tinar hang around the office too much.
Saruman just amazes me when I think about it -- double crossing the Council and trying to get the ring before Sauron did. He just didn't care who he made into an enemy!
The Karenator
· 2 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
Glorfindel! Okay...I'm calm, I'm calm. Ithilden is certainly making a good showing. Not only does he have patience, he is cunning. He seems to have the strategies of negotiation at his disposal. Unfortunately, it will require time that apparently he knows is limited--won't be making that family wedding it seems--and the mysterious hints dropped by Mithrandir that time is awastin'. So what's Gandalf got up his sleeve?
And Curunir is certainly a bit of a priss pot, isn't he?Finicky...finicky...finicky. Even if I didn't already know I don't like him, I wouldn't like him. But, you've given him the subtle air of someone not to be trusted. I'm with Ithilden--he should be double checked on a regular basis.
I see Legolas is still adjusting to being home. I imagine it would be quite a change after being away on patrol for so long. But he's Elf enough to handle it.
And Tinar is still Tinar. He's thicker than a brick...Eru love him.
I'm still enjoying the view into Sinnarn's head. You're rounding him out nicely. He may bear many of his Uncle Eilian's characteristics, but you've given him a personality unique to him. Well done. I fear he has a way to go before he wins Annael over. Who can blame the concerned adar?
The interesting facet you've added to Thranduil's personality is what a push over he is for the females of his family. We've not had much of an opportunity to see him interact with females except in flashback to Lorellin and the cousin of Lorellin--whom we will refrain from gossiping about. Not that he doesn't say his peace or argue his point, but these little skirted ones sure do get more leeway than those in leggings. I can just imagine how much he enjoys them being around and how much their presence also makes him ache for Lorellin. Poor king.
It was extremely interesting to see some new canon characters brought in to hang out with your fun OC's. I can't wait to see more of the Council.
Carry on, your dawness. Good form as always. Karen
Author's reply
I think that Thranduil is wily at meetings too, so Ithilden learned from a master. And I actually hesitated about including Glorfindel because I was afraid he would take over part of my story. But I can also imagine a couple of good scenes with him. I hope. :-)
If ever anyone was weaving a tangled web, it's Curunir. Imagine trying to go up against both Sauron and the other members of the White Council! I can see why PJ just had him be a creature of Sauron because it would be too hard to deal with him in a movie (or three) but Tolkien really showed him as one bold wizard!
I've always thought that Lorellin must have had Thranduil wrapped right around her little finger. And the guys can only stand to one side and shake their heads in wonder.
Thank you, Karen.
PS I went to meet Nilmandra for the first time yesterday and it turns out she really IS a sweet child. ;-)
French Pony
· 2 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
Everyone is being highly diplomatic. I smell a rat. This is a state of affairs which just begs to go downhill. Fast. Slalom.
Hey hey, it's the Calith And Tínar show! Wacky bureaucratic antics galore. At least there's entertainment around Ithilden's office. I'll just bet he's glad to be out of there for a while.
It looks like Thranduil needs all the help he can get with the spiders. I wonder if it might be worthwhile for him to deputize a few soldiers to help train the settlement militias. It's not like they're going away -- the settlement Elves are notoriously stubborn. He might as well take advantage of any civilian help on offer. That would satisfy him as to the ability of the settlement Elves to spot spiders, and it would satisfy Celuwen that the settlements don't need to move just yet, if they can be useful in their present locations.
Author's reply
I thought folks might enjoy a glimpse of Calith and Tinar. Poor Calith. I imagine he is overjoyed when Tinar gets sent off with a message, preferrably to East Outer Mirkwood.
That's a good idea about training the settlement elves. Hmm. I wonder if they're trainable? I mean, I wonder how happy they'd be to listen (not if they can be housebroken).
Manderly
· 2 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Battles of a Different Kind
I think Ithilden would do well in the power meetings held in today's boardrooms. He definitely has more patience than Thranduil, but then he hasn't been at this for as long as his father so there's still a bit of novelty there.
I see that Tinar has not changed a bit. Ithilden will have to work harder on him when he gets back. Maybe next time someone should try slamming his head in the drawer rather than the fingers. Might smack some sense into him, though unlikely.
Poor Legolas, getting caught up in other's arguments all day and having to tread on eggshells.
I like the womenfolk in Thranduil's household. They can certainly hold their own among these stubborn males.
Author's reply
Ithilden is very strategic, but then he's had to be in working for and with his father for all those years. You don't get far with Thranduil by just butting heads. At least you don't if you're male. The womenfolk seem to do just fine that way!
Thanks for the review Manderly.
lwarren
· 2 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Yes!!! A new story - hallelujah! But, ewwww, more spiders! Yuck! You do such a good job of describing the hunt for the nasty things and their nests that I was checking the floor and the walls and under the desk while reading it! *shudder* This promises to be an interesting (and long, I hope *vbg*) story. I hope Ithilden lets the Council have it if they pull that, ahem, STUFF like they've done in the past with Thranduil. I know he (Ithilden) still believes in them...I'm afraid he's going to be bitterly let down - but I hope he lets them have it before he leaves! :)
I love Celuwen! I remember when Thranduil appointed her as an advisor and I thought what a smart choice he'd made since she was so knowledgeable about the settlements...it seems she's learned quite alot in passing years! lol You go, girl! He certainly needs to hear what she has to say, and I love it she's not too intimidated to say it. She and Ithilden seem to have adjusted well to working together - and have mutual backup from each other, too!
Legolas has very much become a mature warrior (*sniff* I'll miss the elfling, tho') and is seeming more and more like the Legolas we know and love of the Fellowship. It's good to see Annael again (poor besieged father of a courted daughter that he is *g*) and Sinnarn! Well! He's grown up, hasn't he? I would dearly love for him and Legolas to know something besides Shadow, at least sometime in their lives, bless them! It must drag and gnaw at them constantly. And dear Elien - he hasn't changed a bit!;)
Read in some other reviews that this action precedes the Battle of the Five Armies and frankly, my dear daw, you cannot update too often! (Don't you just love your demanding readers? lol ...I think we're a little spoiled!) Thanks for a new story and a great beginning!
linda
Author's reply
The spider stuff is kind of creepy. I keep rubbing my arms to make sure there aren't any there. Of course, if there were giant ones around, I'd probably notice.
Thranduil believes in the strength that comes from a family working together and that's what he's getting in Celuwen and Ithilden. Of course, he might not have exactly planned on the strength they get from working with one another!
Legolas is very close now to Legolas of the Fellowship. He just has a few more things to do and what goes on in this story is part of that.
Hope you continue to like it!
Jebb
· 2 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Have been away and come back to the pleasure of not one but two stories and this one already fires the imagination I like Legolas' thoughts on Beliond it sums up theirrealtionship very well
Also Ithilden and Celuwyn working in tandem against Thranduil to get what they think is needed only for the king to be one step ahead as usual and agree to his heri going to the council I am getting a bad feeling about that journeyalready
lovely to see a new story to look forward to thank you for sharing your writing
Author's reply
You have to be pretty sharp to fool Thranduil. And rightly so. He's experienced and wise. But he may also be bound by memories that no longer apply. It's fun to think about what might have happened at the White Council meeting. I have plans both for the folks away from home and the ones who stay there.
Estel_Mi_Olor
· 1 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Another fic, yay! This plot sounds very intriguing... I am very curious to at least read a hint of the danger that is supposed to be growing while Legolas is on Patrol. Something is going to happen, how exciting. I am glad you (finally) wrote a fic with the White Council as your setting. You've already explored most everything before the beginning of LOTR, except the Council. Now that should be interesting...Good thing Ithilden is going though. I can imagine Mithrandir rolling his eyes in exasperation at Thranduil's obstinacy. I do believe he would tax even Galadriel's diplomacy. I wasn't aware that Sinnarn had a lady friend, how sweet! Poor Annael! But he'll accept it soon. I believe it was Eilian himself who put the black squirrel meat in Maltanuar's plate. Trust him to think of something to keep everybody amused. This fic has started out very nicely, and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, Estel. The White Council is an interesting body. I'm glad to be writing about them too. I don't think anyone would accuse Thranduil of being a diplomat! You are sure right about that.
tigerlily713
· 1 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Oh my. Is Sinnarn really old enough to be courting? Wow. I am very eager to read more of this story! Lily
Author's reply
It is hard to believe, isn't it? I think I need to go back and write about him as an elfling again. He was a lot of fun.
Glad you like the chapter, Lily.
Duchess
· 1 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
LOL Sinnarn is sweet on Emmelin? Poor Annael! *giggling*
I'm glad to see Celuwen is fitting in so well, in the family and among the advisors of the King. *vbg* Very nice! :)
Author's reply
Poor Annael, indeed. On the other hand, when you think about it, there's something sort of nice about thinking that Annael's daughter will be married to Ithilden's heir, and that Ithilden is himself the heir to the throne. Of course that means less to Elves who don't expect to die, but in a time of war, you never know.
Esamen
· 1 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Ithilden had been skeptical when Thranduil first appointed Celuwen to serve as his adviser on matters having to do with the small Elven settlements scattered through the woods, but he had found that he enjoyed having her at these meetings because he knew they shared a mutual understanding of the king. And then he could talk to her afterwards about what had happened in a way he never would have done with someone not in the family.
This is great. So insightful . . . Thranduil could have had others counsel him about the settlements, but only someone in his immediate family could give Ithilden this kind of support. What a great new vector for new kinds of insights, dialogues, and plots! I can't wait to see what Celuwen does in the king's council! She's becoming my favorite character . . . after Legolas . . . and Elian . . . and Thranduil . . . and Ithiden . . . thanks for the OC list; it was good to get everybody straightened out. Someday you should do a flow chart, and maybe a map . . . an Appendix, I guess. You'll have three volumes before you're done!
Author's reply
LOL. I'll leave the appendixes to Tolkien.
I'm sitting here looking at your very interesting speculations about what could be made of Celuwen's presence as one of Thranduil's advisers and I'm only hoping I can work it in. I'm working on the second chapter and this story is already starting to spin out of control. Ack! Ack! Ack!
The Karenator
· 1 June 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Forgive me for being so slow on the reviews. Graduation of eldest son--I'm so proud.
Speaking of proud.... As I read, I was struck by how much Legolas has grown up. You have written him with the 'feel' or 'air' of a Legolas we could see going with the Fellowship. He remains Legolas, but he's a full adult now. I have to admit, I sort of mourn the loss of the teenager. I'm one of the few people in the world who actually likes these creatures of The Black Bog of Hormone Woods.
The prospect of Ithilden going to the White Council explains a lot. Why Thranduil was at the Battle of the Five Armies? I'm not sure that part was not an oversight on Tolkien's part when he didn't explain Thranduil's apparent absence, but then the good professor never had any idea that 50 years later people would be combing his work with a fine-toothed comb looking for where everyone was and what they were doing. Also the Elves of Mirkwood were more or less a footnote for him, I think. I don't think he spent much time on them after the Hobbit. They weren't necessary to advance his story...except to provide Legolas, of course. I really like your take that Ithilden went instead.
Love that Celuwen! Respectful, but fearless when approaching the king. Say what ya mean, girl. Every good ruler has trusted advisors who tell them the truth even when they don't want to hear it. I note that Thranduil's advisors pretty much leave that up to his son and daughter-in-law. Chickens!
Another point of the chapter I liked was the look into Sinnarn inner thoughts. His world view is different than the older generation of his relatives. He's never lived in a Mirkwood free of Shadow. Well, neither has Legolas. Still, they have different approaches to how they should react. Sinnarn has less hope for a solution and seems to only look to survival, while Legolas still nurtures a hope that it can be defeated.
Well, done, daw. A good set up for the show. I'm ready when you are. :>) Karen
Author's reply
Congratulations on your son's graduation, Karen! What a big moment. Is he going away in the fall? You might need to share some sympathetic moments with Thranduil.
It turns out to be very hard to reconcile parts of The Hobbit with LOTR. We'll see how I do!
Sinnarn surprised me when I went to write about him. I knew he had had years to grow up since I last wrote about him, and that he was like Eilian but of course not exactly like him. He had the influence of Ithilden, who is shrewd and also more open to new things than Thranduil is, and also of Alfirin, who is gentle and home loving. His father saw to it that he was able to be young for as long as he could but placing him in less demanding positions than he had to do with Eilian or even Legolas. So when I combined all that, it struck me that he might be seeing events "realistically," ie pessimistically. And if he's also falling in love, his need to protect those at home would be strong. Poor guy.
Molly
· 31 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
I was thrilled to come back home from out of town to see a new story. I'm eager to see your take on the Battle of Five Armies. I was just rereading The Hobbit the other day and Tolkien said hardly anyone came out of the battle unscathed, so it will be interesting to see how the Elves cope. I had to laugh when I saw Sinnarn was courting Emmelin. In my head I've often imagined them married! It will be fun to see more of both of them, and I was glad to see Annael. I enjoy his friendship with Legolas a lot.
Author's reply
Isn't "The Hobbit" funny? I reread it last year and was surprised by how funny it was. I had forgotten that. And my favorite line is where Bilbo gets to Rivendell and says something like "Hm. Smells like elves." I wonder what elves smell like?
If you have imagined Sinnarn and Emmelin married, then you must have prophetic dreams like Thranduil does sometimes. :-)
Glad you liked the chapter.
nessie
· 31 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Yes! Finally, the story that includes the Battle of the Five Armies! Or at least I think it does... Ah, so Sinnarn is getting serious with the daughter of his uncle's best friend? How sweet! And now Tonduil's getting married! Everybody's getting married except Legolas! And possibly Gelmir, I don't know what he's been doing lately. But anyhoo! I'm glad you posted this so quickly! Well, I think it's quick because some authors usually post another story months and months after they've finished one. I wonder how Ithilden will do at the White Council? I'm mad at Saruman for just telling Thranduil about the meeting a week before it happens. He deserves to get stabbed in the eye, the traitor. But yay! Mithrandir is on the Wood-elves side! And I'm assuming Radagast is too, but he's not as important as Gandalf. Well anyhoo, loved this so far and update asap!
~nessie~
Author's reply
You made me laugh about Gelmir, Nessie. I'm not sure what he's been doing lately either, except tormenting Maltanaur.
Saruman is indeed a traitor, a lying, sneaky one too. But Mithrandir is, as always, the best. I'm afraid I see Radagast as a little flakey, but at least he's good hearted.
I'm glad you like the story. I'm working on the next chapter now.
White Wolf
· 31 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
It's great to see another story so soon.
The spider battle was nicely done. It's also nice to see Legolas and Annael together again.
It's going to be interesting to see a romance develop between Sinnarn and Annael's daughter.
I think the White Council is in for a big surprise when Ithilden shows up.
Author's reply
Thank you, White Wolf. I love seeing Legolas and Annael together. They are relaxed with one another in the way you can only be with a life-long friend.
I've just been trying to write about the White Council meeting, and yes, I'd say the others are surprised. :-)
Tapetum Lucidum
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Yay! A new one! Character list? I guess you have some rookies who don't know the ropes in your version of Mirkwood. I feel like most of them are old friends. Ok, I didn't know where Rhosgobel was so I guess I can't brag.
Good start with a quick review of Who's Who and some spider action. It brought back memories of his recent trip with Ithilden. Legolas was much more successful dealing with the arachnids this time. Your description of the spider spinning to it's death and spraying blood everywhere was very "Kill Bill." Quite gruesome. I don't blame him for not putting that nasty arrow back into his quiver.
I guess the realm is somewhat depleted from battling the shadow for so long. I'm glad you remembered some economics to give Thranduil something to fret over. It seems Celuwen and Ithilden's relationship is coming along well. They will definitely be allies when trying to manipulate poor Thranduil. I think Celuwen is a worthy opponent.
Thranduil's frustration over the inaction of the White Council is very human. It would be aggravating to attend time after time with no aide from his allies. Sending Ithilden is a great idea. He is much more diplomatic than his father but certainly not more forceful. Better bring some ear plugs so as not to be swayed by Curunir's hand gestures and suggestions.
Alfirin is in her element planning her little brother's wedding. In Paths Taken you mentioned you might have Alfirin make the first move on Ithilden. It would be a little out of character for the very traditional, formal elleth unless she involves the younger siblings. Setting up an outing for the Young Ones would be appropriate and a good way to bring the pair together. She is such a good organizer... At least she is forgiving of Ithilden's little trip.
Legolas put out a fire?! He is a sly one. Apparently his tactical skills have improved with age. Poor Maltanaur - only Men would eat black squirrels fed to them by wild elflings in the forest. I would fear the old warrior's revenge.
Sinnarn and Legolas have something in common - many pleasant hours in Annael's cottage. I think Legolas had quite a crush on Annael's Nana. If I were Annael and if Sinnarn is like Eilian, I would be very worried too. It is sad that Sinnarn is growing up without hope of defeating the shadow. He has never seen the wood without it so it would be hard to imagine it any other way. Maybe love will brighten his outlook.
Great start!
Author's reply
When I start a new story, I do try to write the first chapter so that a new reader could read it. So I have to say "Ithilden, his oldest brother" and stuff like that. I wind up feeling that the first chapter is all reminder and set up, but that's ok. It gets me rolling again.
I absolutely HATE meetings where nothing happens, so much so that I am occasionally rude at them, so my sympathies are with Thranduil all the way. It worked out ok anyway to send Ithilden because I have plans for him there and plans for Thranduil at home. Heck, I have plans all the way around! :-)
Sinnarn was tricky to write about. We haven't seen him in a couple of hundred years so I had to allow for some growth. Poor guy turned out to be sharp enough to see that the battle was going badly.
You know, that's a good idea about Alfirin and Ithilden. I'd like to write about their courtship sometime and you suggest a good tactic.
Dot
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Oh! Oh! I’m so excited! I’m loving this story already. It looks set to be deliciously long and involved with starring roles for nearly everyone!
Wow, I can really see how things have changed for the worse in Mirkwood. It looks like the Home Guard is no longer a safe patrol to be assigned to. I had to laugh, though, at the idea that Legolas is *still* frustrated by the fact that Beliond trails him! I bet he’d be fairly sorry if he turned around one day and his ‘keeper’ wasn’t there. I think I felt a chill at the thought that the spiders are that close to the elves’ homes. Legolas might have felt he was restricted when he was growing up but I imagine elflings are barely allowed outside their own front doors by themselves now.
I’m so glad we get to spend some time with Annael. He really has made a career of the Home Guard, hasn’t he? I found the notion that he had a daughter strange enough before but to see him worried about her possible choice of husband made me suddenly realise that he really is all grown up! Is there anybody who’d be happy to have their child marry one of Thranduil’s sons??! As I recall, Alfirin’s parents were a bit reluctant to have her wed a warrior with responsibilities as great as Ithilden’s and, well, need I even mention Sólith…?! Still, I guess Annael is just a worried father and it’s likely that he doesn’t necessarily dislike Sinnarn but out of everyone outside the palace he must have the clearest idea of the demands of life in the king’s family.
“My very wise wife says I should accept the fact that there is probably nothing I can do about it anyway.” Did you ever notice how wise nearly all the females in Mirkwood are in comparison with the males?! They seem to spend a lot of time trying to persuade them to better behaviour…
Legolas really gives the impression that they have all been fighting a lost cause for far too long. The excitement and fear I’m used to seeing in him when he’s facing an enemy has been replaced by weariness and he almost veers between resignation and desperation. I suppose the encroaching Shadow is more real when it’s on their doorstep. I really like your phrase about it “all but knocking on the Great Doors of Thranduil’s stronghold.” Oh, remind me again – when did Todith move to the Home Guard?
Thranduil and those Dwarves, eh? It’s interesting that he’s so often in a position where he has to rely on them to provide for his people one thing or another. I can see how that wouldn’t exactly sit well with him.
Ithilden seems really happy to have an ally in Celuwen! It’s true that they both share a certain perspective on Thranduil and it must be great for Ithilden to have that after all these years when he really had to keep so much to himself. Of course, that’s probably *not* what Thranduil had in mind when he appointed Celuwen… I’m so glad she seems to have well and truly settled in. I loved the image of her “arguing fiercely” with Thranduil – and she also seems to have learned how to get her own way!
I really enjoyed the discussion between Thranduil and Ithilden about the White Council. I actually really felt for Thranduil. Yeah, he’s impatient and probably could have been a bit better-behaved at past meetings but he must have been disappointed so many times to have lost all faith in them. Of course, he’s an elf of action too, I suppose. “You believe that attending the meeting is important enough that you are willing to leave your post as troop commander to attend it?” I wonder if that was intended to make Ithilden realise his duties to the Realm? At least Ithilden stuck to his guns if he really does have some hope. Like he says, the Council at least need to know how bad things are. I’m glad Thranduil let him go, though I’m not sure whether it’s because he believes that it at least can’t do any harm or whether he wants Ithilden to learn that his father was right. “He was, indeed, more patient than his father, but then, almost everyone was.” Funny, I think that in this case Thranduil and Eilian would be very alike. I couldn’t see Eilian listening to endless talk while his home suffered either, whereas Ithilden and Legolas probably could if they thought it would help in the long run.
Tonduil is getting married now as well?? I’m really happy for him, actually. I always liked Tonduil. I hope events don’t get in the way of his wedding. “He was not supposed to alarm his mother, who tended to worry.” It’s rather sweet that Ithilden and Sinnarn would try to protect Alfirin. Must be hard, though.
So, Eilian is still down south? That must be so incredibly dangerous now. But it seems he still has a sense of humour. It wouldn’t be Eilian himself who played the trick on Maltanaur, now would it?!
Hasn’t little Sinnarn turned out well?! So much for fears that he’d end up like Eilian. I suppose they grew up at such very different times. I found it really interesting that the Home Guard would get a clearer perspective on the spread of the Shadow because they’re constantly around those they have to protect. I like the fact that even though he does crave some excitement, Sinnarn seems to believe that protecting his own doorstep is a worthy cause. He’s so perceptive, even realising the despair that Ithilden must feel. It’s quite sad, though, that someone still so relatively young has such a practical outlook on the fact that there’s little chance of victory. And he’s in love! How wonderful that these wood-elves still feel great love in such dark times. I’m doing my best to quash any ominous feelings I have about Sinnarn…
That list of OCs was a good idea. Most feel like old friends by now! I only glanced at the list, but I think Beliond was also in ‘A Question of Duty’, and wasn’t Tonduil in ‘Paths Taken’?
Brilliant start, daw. I’m ready for the next chapter now:-)
Author's reply
Good lord, Dot, how did you do that? You are absolutely right about where Beliond and Tonduil appeared and I changed the posting on SoA. But how did you DO that?
You are absolutely right that "just about everybody" is in this fic. When I sat down to outline it, I was overwhelmed. Hence the list of OCs. I can't imagine what new readers would make of one of my stories by now. OC must stand for out of control.
Annael is much more reasonable than Solith is and if his daughter is happy, he'll be happy too. But he remembers Sinnarn as a young warrior. Long Elven memories must be kind of a pain sometimes.
Things are bad in the Woodland Realm right now, it's true, and Sinnarn really sees it. I think he's shrewd like his father is. Not that Eilian and Legolas are slow, but they've believed in this cause for a long time and can't let go.
I amused myself thinking about Celuwen arguing with Thranduil. I think she's enough like Eilian that it doesn't bother her at all if the king gives in to her because she's female or his daughter in law. She'll happily take what she can get. I can see the other advisers backing away and letting the king's son and daughter in law take him on. When Thranduil asked Ithilden if he would go to the council despite being troop commander, I meant for the king to be weighing the seriousness of Ithilden's concern. He knows how responsible Ithilden is and if he's willing to do that, he must really be in earnest.
I think I'll start working on the next chapter tomorrow. I'm into this now! Starting a new story is hard because the first chapter is so much set up and you have no momentum.
vic
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Daw,
What a wonderful chapter! It was great to once again catch up with all our favourite characters. How time flies though. Annael's daughter and Sinnarn...I think even the immortal elves feel the passage of time. Legolas is certainly growing up, becoming more and more the Legolas from the Fellowship. He certainly takes responsibility very seriously. Good for him though. He is facing, and is about to face, very hard times, when the shadow will try to claim more of his home. Thranduil is very lucky to have him as a son and also a great worrior. I was also very happy to see Celuwen as one of the advisors for Thranduil. She is so sweet and lovely, but boy has she got a backbone!
Overall it was an other great chapter (are you by any chance tired of hearing this?!). Cannot wait to read more. Thank you for such speedy updates too.
Vic
Author's reply
I think they do feel the passage of time. And they are adults for such a long time that they must miss their sons' and daughters' childhoods even more. Legolas is indeed close to being Legolas of the Fellowship, but I am thinking he will have some struggles in this story too.
Celuwen is very independent minded. I think that's a good thing, given who she's married to!
French Pony
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Aww, Sinnarn's going a-courtin'! I wonder if Annael is going to be his usual easygoing self about this, or if we will see the Dark Side unleashed. Cause when someone like Annael gets mad, people die. . .
I think Thranduil is right about the White Council -- the song "Piddle, Twiddle, And Resolve" from "1776" is chiming in my mental background right now -- but sending Ithilden can't possibly hurt. Attending long pointless meetings is more Ithilden's style anyway, and who knows? The White Council might take more kindly to hearing Ithilden than Thranduil. But the wedding! He Must Be Home In Time! I sense, with my spidey-senses, that Wacky Hijinks are in Ithilden's future. And so Thranduil waves goodbye, singing "A second Flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts ev'rywhere / Or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair / But, no, You've sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?"
Speaking of spidey-senses, you've been just hurling those spiders at Legolas lately. Better watch out, he'll come and chop off one of those hairy legs and come and trace it down your back when you're not looking.
I take it there's not a lot of good eating on a black squirrel? Tastes nasssssty, do they, precioussssss?
Author's reply
Oh ick oh! I'm shuddering and looking over my shoulder to see if anything black and hairy and disgusting is being put down my shirt! Ick!
Your rendition of Congress/the White Council made me laugh. I haven't heard the music from "1776" in ages. I'd forgotten how apt it was.
Bilbo and the dwarves found the black squirrels uneatable. Of course, Gollum might like them, assuming they're rrraw and wrrriggling.
Anonymous
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Oh my gosh, is this 2941? Ithilden will absolutely have a stroke if he is at a meeting of the White Council and is not in Mirkwood when the Battle of the Five Armies takes place. That is so mean, Daw! But is is a good explanation why Thranduil is present at the battle. I doubt Ithilden would let him go if he was there. Dying to see what you are doing here. So glad you started another--I'm totally addicted to your stories.
Author's reply
I have wondered about that myself, but then I thought about the Dagorlad. Both Oropher and Thranduil were there. And Theoden and Eomer are both at the Pelennor. So maybe Ithilden would 'let' Thranduil go. And maybe he wouldn't have anything to say about it!! :-)
LOTRFaith
· 30 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows Closing In
Horray! A new story:-) I am currently writting two myself;-) So Sinnarn has got himself a girl;-) Boy, I can remember when he was just an elfling;-) lol... Just a few stories ago...
Poor Celuwen... I think I would both love and hate to have a husband be a soldier.. The possibility of him being killed, captured or worse (shiver) But there also is a sense of pride as well of being a soldier and fighting for one's country... :-) Am feeling very patriot today... Must be because of Memorial Day:-D Which, by the way I hope wasn't as rainy as mine ;-)
Namaarie~
Author's reply
We had thunderstorms this morning and have tornado warnings right now, I'm afraid. Life on the prairie!
Sinnarn does seem to have grown up quickly! When I thought about it though, he was several hundred years old. Time flies, I guess.
Celuwen is in a difficult situatin and it's a good thing she can keep busy. But she knew this was what would happen if she loved Eilian and it was one reason she resisted.
How can you write two stories at once? That would drive me crazy.