Ah yay! You’ve cheered me up no end. Believe it or not I ended back in hospital for a whole week and only got out last night. Let me tell you I was very annoyed at life in general! On top of that I was so afraid I’d missed the start of your new story but it seems that not only did I *just* make it but it looks like it’s a fun one too!
I’m thrilled to bits that we get to see the elflings sleep over in the palace. I love the way you show the differences between the homes – Legolas not knowing what they’ll get to eat, the guards at the door, Legolas’ huge bed etc.
It’s so great seeing Turgon again. He’s a riot. He had me in stitches when he suddenly stops and asks “Your ada does know that, does he not?” It seems he doesn’t have too much faith in Thranduil. And I wouldn’t put it past him to tell Legolas’ ada about his son’s entitlements either! It’s hard to imagine these little elflings training with knives and swords. So Legolas doesn’t think archery is all that “grown-up”, eh?!
Uuugh….mice. Still, at least it’s not spiders. Why four? That’s a bit odd. Does Legolas *really* think that Nimloth wouldn’t object?! Hmmn. I like his child’s logic about how no-one told them *not* to bring the mice in. And it’s really sweet the way the elflings look after the mice and really want to build them a nice home and take care of them. I had to laugh at them tying ribbons onto the mice. They’re so creative, really. Except when it comes to choosing names for their new pets…
“Is this the kind of nothing it is better for Adar not to know about?” Well, if anyone has experience of such things, I imagine it’s Eilian. It might not be very responsible of him, but I’m glad Eilian didn’t question them but just lets them off. Legolas is lucky it wasn’t Ithilden or Thranduil who came in. Still, who’d think they’d be up to very much in his own bedroom. I loved Legolas’ description of Eilian: “He is grown up, but not all the way, my ada says.” Despite the phrasing, I could totally hear Thranduil in that sentence!
That dinner scene was hilarious. I actually felt sorry for Thranduil when he is pleased at Legolas’ apparent appetite, wonders if he’s going mad when he sees his son hide a potato and is amused to know the elflings are up to something. Hmm. I think ‘pleased’ and ‘amused’ mightn’t last too long…
“Why is it called a begetting day?” LOL! I love the way they ALL turn at look at poor Thranduil. It’s funny that Thranduil has a pre-prepared answer. And boy, it was a good answer! “I told you it was the day my parents knew they would be getting me.” Oh, brilliant. I don’t know how Thranduil kept a straight face. Mortification, I suppose. Actually, I have a question. A fairly stupid one, mind. So, I know elves celebrate their day of conception rather than the day of their birth. But why exactly “begetting”? I know the word can be used in terms of ‘creating’ and thus ‘conception’, but doesn’t it usually mean ‘to give birth to’, or at least is more widely understood that way? Maybe that’s just here. Confusing.
I really loved the glimpse into the past. It must be awful for Thranduil that even joyous occasions are tinged with memory. At least so far it’s a good memory, although there’s likely a bit of drama involving Eilian… Lorellin clearly loves this baby so much even before he’s born. It’s sad to know that she doesn’t get much time with him. I always enjoy seeing the closeness between Thranduil and his wife. I’m looking forward to seeing more of them and to knowing the story of Legolas’ birth.
In the meantime, Eilian has to baby-sit mischievous elflings who are trying to hide four mice. That cannot end well! If this Amelith comes over, I hope she’s not afraid of mice…
This looks great, daw. Thanks again for brightening up my day! :-)
Author's reply
Bummer about the hospital! A week. Holy cow. I don't know what it's like in Ireland, but in the US, you practically have to be dying to spend a week in the hospital. I'm so sorry you were sick and hope you're done with all that.
You are so right that Turgon might, indeed, point out to Thranduil that he'd been remiss in not allowing Legolas to learn sword fighting. Fortunately, the king is on top of things. I don't know why there are four mice. It just seemed right. Three would have been too neat. And there's nothing neat about these mice. I think the kids may find that they have about as much trouble handling mice and their parents have handling them.
Eilian is a fun big brother when he's not teasing, but I think Thranduil must have had a momentary brain fade when he put Eilian in charge of the elflings, particularly since he has his mind on female company.
My understanding of the word "begetting" is that it's the male equivalent of "conceiving." Lorellin conceived Legolas but Thranduil begat him. And that's a memory the king treasures along with the little blond result.
Rose Sared
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
They are so sweet when they are little - but Mice! the smell, the scurrying in the night, the increasing numbers. Oh dear.
Cute, lovely to read another of your stories, thanks.
Rose
Author's reply
Thank you, Rose. Yes, I think the elflings have bitten off more than they can chew by bringing four mice into the palace. We'll have to see how it goes. :-)
Elemmire
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
>>As Thranduil pulled the door shut behind him, he caught a quick, startling glimpse of Annael spooning bits of roast pheasant into a little bundle in his napkin. What in Arda were the elflings up to? he wondered with some amusement.
O, and I am very amused too! I like the start of this one. :) You write elflings so well! And reading your stories seems to tempt Elves into my dreams at night...
Elemmíre
Author's reply
I am so glad to be writing about elflings again! My last story got kind of grim toward the end, so I needed something entertaining.
I wish I could dream of Elves. You would think that I would because I spend so much time thinking about them during the day, but I never seem to do it. I'm glad you like the start of this story. We'll see how they all do.
Dragon-of-the-North
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Another very good story! :-) I was delighted to find this, and the first chapter is really very sweet and hilarious. I liked that it stated with Annael's nana who stands for so much in these tales - it sets the right atmosphere for this. And you write the elflings and their little world so well - yes, being some months older or younger is still of such importance at that age, and I sympathize with Legolas being the youngest (same situation during my school time *g*) - getting to do such important things as carrying a knife later than all your friends must be annoying indeed! I also find the situation interesting because it makes for two conflicting social hierarchies in Legolas' case - he is born into a position of high standing, but we tend to give more importance and respect to the older ones. I liked the little scene with the guards that shows so much about the elflings' different temperaments and views (the same goes for the beginning of the dining room scene).
Oh dear! The poor mice! But you are touching childhood memories again here... It appears elven and human children are not always too different, hm? And yes, children will be clever diplomats at times - no one has forbidden it, so it is "allowed", but better not let Nimloth or Ada see it... *g* Poor, deluded Nimloth, anyway - confiscating the knives and thinking that this will stop the elflings from wreaking too much havoc! Little does she know...
LOL - "He is grown up, but not all the way, my ada says" Well, Legolas, I guess your ada is very right in that respect... Some elves never grow up "all the way", I fear! *g* But that also makes them endearing.
Ah, and then, THE question is asked... I loved the explanation of "begetting" coming from "be getting" (English is a wonderful language at times!) - and Thranduil's elegant explanation leading to exactly this innocent addition is so priceless. I loved the king in this, anyway - his memories were so very sweet, but it was also enjoyable to see him observing the elflings (yes, hiding a potato in your lap would seem "absurd"... But not necessarily in an elfling's eyes!). I also liked that politics come into this once more - even on such a private family event, the king is still king and his princes are still princes... That lends more realism to the tale.
Wonderful story once again - I am looking forward to more! (And sorry about the long "silence" review-wise - I was on vacation).
(Ah, one more thing - one little elfling is proudly playing with his carving knife here: "They only get knives in Mirkwood when they are twenty? That is a silly rule, ada - you must tell the king that he was being silly to make such a rule!" - "I do not think it is the right time to tell him so now, Alagant - he appears quite occupied.")
Author's reply
Turgon and Annael don't seem to think much about Legolas being the son of the king, although the fact that he is becomes evident in his behavior some times. I think the Mirkwood royal family live closer to their people than we sometimes see. There was more ordinary interaction. At least in my world!
Nimloth tried to prevent death and maiming. Everything else could be dealt with later. And actually, that's not a bad philosophy of child rearing!
Eilian is pretty young in this story. He's 60 years older than Legolas. So he's technically an adult, but he's not 100 yet. And of course, he's Eilian! So he is, indeed, not all the way grown up.
Thranduil did very well. He was an excellent ada, even when the big brothers were laughing. And then he left Eilian in charge. :-)
Little Legolas says hello to Alagant and wishes he could come and play too.
Elena Tiriel
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Actually, I said snakes...
The second pet-handling tidbit I'll share today is this: Don't carelessly dangle your thumb between a boa constrictor and a mouse. It *really* upsets the snake...
Author's reply
Snakeses? Snakesessss?! Why?
Thank you for the advice. In return, I'll pass on advice my mother-in-law once gave us in a letter: Do avoid falls and severe blows to the head. :-) I know. It made no sense to us either.
Bodkin
· 21 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Ahh, this is just lovely. Legolas and Annael are so adorable - and Eilian isn't bad either. Or come to that Ithilden and Thranduil.
It's not so much the wriggliness of mice or their ability to escape almost anything - let alone a towel - it's the smell. Which is vile. And apparently the fact that they have no bladder control. Guinea pigs are better - they live outside. Though I don't think they had them in Mirkwood.
The eternal optimism of youth (including Eilian). How they think they will get away with this...
Love the 'where do I come from?' and the 'see I told you it wasn't that icky!' parts. Trust Turgon to know - the unfortunate product of a liberal household, where liberal means lack of care rather than a considered alternative principle of child-rearing.
A story to bring a big smile to the face.
Author's reply
It made me laugh to think of these kids believing that Nimloth might not notice the mice. Oh no. Of course not. My son once made a present for me at school and brought it home and hid it in his closet right next to his laundry basket. I'd never see it there! ;-)
Yeah, I thought Turgon was the kind of kid who would have information about what begetting meant and feel compelled to pass it along. And Legolas and Annael struck me as the kind of kids who would not believe him. The big brothers got a good laugh out of it anyway.
Nilmandra
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Um...Amelith? Celuwen is so not gonna be happy that you are brining previous elleths :-)
I love mischievous elflings and am glad to see this trio as children again. I am sure his begetting day will be a fine event (and it reminded me of how awful I made it!) and something his family remembers with pride.
I had a boyfriend that had a pet snake. He'd keep the mice in his truck - and if you really wanted to catch one...just turn the snake loose in the truck :D
Author's reply
Yeah, well Celuwen blew him off. Does she expect him to sit around by himself for several centuries? Not this warrior!
I can promise you that no bad guys will come and kill Nana on the day Legolas is born in MY story, you cruel author you. And what is it with the pet snakes and the mice? I know NO ONE who did that and you're the third one here to talk about it. No pet snakes. The best pet is, of course, a sweet, adorable puppy, who will never get into any kind of bad trouble. LOL
erunyauve
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
::happy to have a new story to read::
'Eilian laughed. “Whatever you say, brat. Go and wash your hands and then come and eat. I will wait for you out in the hall so you can deal with the nothing.” He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.'
Lucky for Legolas, Eilian did a lot of 'nothing' as an elfling! (And he's still prone to doing a lot of 'nothing'.)
'“Why is it called a begetting day?”'
Trust Turgon to ask that! And trust Eilian to encourage him.
Author's reply
Thranduil actually did very well with the kids at dinner -- answered the question, was amused by them taking food and so on. Then he made the big mistake: he left Eilian in charge of the kids. Oh well. They'll have a good time anyway!
Laura
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Oh, I was so excited when I saw this story! Daw, your twentieth story is about Legolas's twentieth begetting day, how fitting.
Those mice are going to be into everything aren't they? I remember when my 7th grade science teacher tried to catch a mouse that was living in the storage room. It took awhile, but eventually he fed it to the class snake. *g*
Can't wait to read more. ~Laura
Author's reply
Have I really written 20 stories? Good lord. No wonder I feel like I'm not getting any work done! But who cares?
I suspect that the mice will not let a towel and some loose rocks stop them for long, no. :-) Several people have now told me about feeding mice to snakes. What is with you people????? Blue-y and Green-y are NOT going to any nasty old snake.
French Pony
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Ah yes, this is why hamsters were invented. It is only marginally harder to lose a hamster than a mouse, which I suspect the elflings will do before this story is out. If they need help, I know a good way to trap pet rodents. We used to have hamsters, and those critters love to try to escape. But for now, the trio seems to have thought of everything, from what kind of house the mice would like to how to divvy up four mice between three friends to what the mice would want to eat. They are certainly smart little things. Tee hee hee.
Oh boy, an eight-year-old with a sword! Have you ever seen really small children learning fencing? They are so funny. The weapons are nearly as big as they are, and they're just absolutely swimming in the jackets and masks, and they're so earnest about it. Watching Legolas learn to use a real grownup sword will be much fun.
I don't think that I would like Legolas's bed very much. If it's big enough to sleep three wiggly elflings comfortably, then it's too big for me.
A smile spread slowly over Eilian’s face. “Is this the kind of nothing it is better for Adar not to know about?”
Yup. That's Eilian all over. Glad to know the Pod People haven't taken him over. Speaking of Eilian, already he's in the Southern Patrol? Was he ever not in the Southern Patrol?
He is grown up, but not all the way, my ada says.
I giggled when I read this. My aunt said the exact same thing about me to my little cousin a few years ago. I suspect that, if he pressed her again, she'd still say the same thing.
Besides, we are not doing anything wrong. Nobody told us not to bring the mice in here.
Classic little kid logic. It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Author's reply
You are the second person who has offered advice on trapping an escaped rodent. It's hard for me to believe that so many people actually have them in their house as pets (actually, Elena Tiriel didn't have them as pets. She had them to feed the snake that was the pet). They're RODENTS, for god's sake. A dog is the only decent pet. Cats would be ok but my kid is allergic.
The trio at least thinks they've thought of everything. Of course, they're wood-elves, so maybe they're better at this kind of stuff.
I've never seen little ones fencing. It's actually hard for me to imagine raising kids in a world where there are weapons, fire, and all manner of dangerous thing lying around. How did any of them every survive?
Eilian spent 6 months in the Home Guard when he first became a warrior and then got shipped south. He begged to go and he was a disciplinary problem at home, so Ithilden let him. Hard to believe, isn't it? :-)
LOTRFaith
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Horray! Another story! At last I can actually read something without already having read it;-) Am been re-reading all of your stories.. This time all in a row:-D But since you messed it up again, I shall have to go back once this story is finished and begin all again! :-D What fun!:-P I think I will never tire of your stories Daw.. So please continue!
Author's reply
LOL, Faith. I'm glad you continue to enjoy the stories. I am glad to be writing about elflings again. I've missed the little guys.
Elena Tiriel
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Yes, what in arda *are* the elflings up to? Can't wait to find out! ;-D
Cute little mice are so furry and cuddly and... cute. But they can escape from *anywhere*. I know. I used to raise them to feed to my snakes... (Ooops, did I just admit that out loud? *Claps hand over her mouth*)
Do you know how to catch a mouse that's gotten loose and run behind the refrigerator? You've got to put yourself into the mouse's, um, shoes, er, paws. You block up the kitchen door with books, except you put a waste basket on its side among the books, so they have a safe "cave" to run into and hide. Then you use a broom to get them to scurry out from behind the refrigerator and -- hopefully -- towards the door. Prayer helps, and if not, cursing sometimes works, too.
Great start, Daw!
- Barbara
Author's reply
I am NOT going to tell little Legolas and his friends about the snake. Now the information on catching escaped mice could come in handy, I think. :-)
Books would make a much better barrier than rocks, at least temporarily. I assume that mice chew paper stuff after a while. But the real question is, why were you keeping a snake? Ick.
vic
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
Daw,
Huh, Thranduil is amused? I thought he was a smart elf! Previous experience should have told him otherwise. :-) I am SO glad that you decided to write this particular story, as I have wanted to find out the details of Legolas's birth for ages. I assume that the brat, as always, will be a handful of trouble, sweet, but trouble nonetheless for poor Ada and brothers.
Vic
Author's reply
I'm going to weave the story of his birth in with this story of the overnight visit by Turgon and Annael. I hope it all works out. I am SO glad to be writing about elflings again.
Manderly
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
What a great beginning to a story that I've always wanted to read - the story of Legolas' birth. And it was so full of little laughs and giggles (from me). The best line I thought was concerning Eilien "He is grown up, but not all the way." What a perfect description! And Thranduil's explanation of the meaning of begetting, as opposed to what I can only imagine to be Turgon's understanding of the word.
Mice in the bedroom and no one will notice? I really don't think so. If I were Nimloth and the one to discover them, I would be eeek!ing all the way home. Never was fond of rodennts of any kind.
Whether it's a warrior Legolas or elfling Legolas, you really do draw us into your stories immediately, for which I can only be grateful. Thank you!
Author's reply
In this story, Eilian would be about 80 too (and 60 in the flashbacks to the day of Legolas's birth), so he really is a very young adult in elf terms. Tolkien says some of them don't reach their full adult stature until they're 100.
You think Nimloth might notice?? Me too. But the elflings are eternally optimistic.
naneth
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
I can just picture those elflings tucking away pieces of food to take to their pets. Better yet, I can picture Thranduil's eyebrows as he notices their antics!
Oh, the question that every parent dreads. Poor Thranduil. He did handle the whole thing well, despite his older sons.
I am happy to be back with younger Legolas. Thanks for another story about this wonderful time in his life!
Author's reply
Thranduil was really pretty cool, considering the provocation. Of course, he was busy, called away to deal with the Men. Let's leave everything in Eilian's capable hands. Nothing untoward would happen with him in charge! *snerk*
sofia
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
I loved the little part about Thranduil seeing Legolas and his friends snatching little bits of food in their tunics or something else. I thought that was funny. Good beginning for the story. This should be a funny enjoyable story to read. Dont keep us waiting for too long.
-sofia
Author's reply
Thank you, Sofia. The kids thought they were being so subtle! But it's hard to fool the Elvenking. And really, when three kids innocently announce that they're doing "nothing," you know you have to be suspicious!
Duchess
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
*giggle fit* Oh I can't wait till Thranduil find out what the Elflings are doing! LOL This is going to be funny isn't it? I hope so! *vbg*
Well my fun is over for a couple of days, I'm off to the coast to see my Grandmother who is in the hospital. Gotta go pack now... *yawn*
Author's reply
I hope it will be funny! I also hope there will be some more serious and exciting parts, but you never know.
I'm sorry about your Grandmother. I hope she's better soon.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 1: Visitors Arriving
I can tell I'm going to like this new story - in fact, I already do! Little Legolas and his friends are sweet, and I love the mouse house. Poor Turgon, though - it seems sad to see him here. It's good to see Eilian and Ithilden again too.
Jay
Author's reply
I'm enjoying just writing about the basic family again. All the OCs in the last story made for a harder thing to write. The kids are sweet -- trouble makers, but sweet!
Aw, poor Eilian. Stuck inside baby-sitting.
Why do I have the distinct feeling that the mice have escaped, and will possibly be climbing up Thranduil's leg during his meeting with the Men?
I laughed out loud when I read about Turgon asking what "begetting" was--and then Legolas saying "See! I told you it wasn't what you said it was!" I also liked the part where Legolas wonders if Annael is rubbing it in that Legolas is younger. That's so very child-like. I remember in elementary school the people who were born towards the end of the year kept feeling like they were left out of a special club where everyone else was 8, or 10, or whatever.
The three little elflings playing with the mice were so cute. But they need to think of more creative names for them. "Green-y" and "Blue-y" just don't cut it.
Author's reply
No! You don't think the mice will stay under towel and inside the rock wall? How could that be??? :-)
I love writing about the kids. They are so much fun because they are so serious about what they're doing and thinking and they're so funny.
Green-y and Blue-y have already been named. One of my friend's kids had two goldfish and he named them Red and Blue, which I thought was odd, given that they were both gold. Lord knows what the kid was thinking.