Reviews (197)

Eirinn Leigh · 20 July 2016 · Chapter 6: Taking Action

This tale hits a bit too close to real life to be enjoyable but I can't not read it :j On another note I'm happy to report the /first/ error I've noticed in your works (happy because one error in all that I've read of yours so far is a much better record than most):: When Legolas leaves his room leaving Turgon behind he says "Goodbye Turgon" loudly enough to be sure that the guard can hear. He should have said "Goodbye Legolas" instead; Otherwise he is giving away his game and the guard's surprise in the next chapter becomes extremely odd.

Asms2 · 16 April 2016 · Chapter 7: Rescue

I thought it was suspicious when Thranduil seemed so uncharacteristically passive about Eilian's issues. He's the kind of father that would just step in and take control. So it totally made sense when the reveal came that Eilian was a secret agent. I figured something was up, but I wasn't entirely sure what the what going on until that moment. And then the scene at the beginning suddenly made sense (when Ithilden was trying to make sure an elf known for gossiping saw Eilian out of sorts before he took him into his office). Someone in the family should have told Legolas what was going on once they realized how worried he was. And Legolas should totally have stayed with Maltanaur instead of running into the clearing. That could have been bad news! But that did mean we got to see Thranduil in action protecting his kids! :) Fun read! I love your stories!!

endorearwen · 17 August 2013 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Ended in tears with this one, Daw! So well written! The final image of Maltanaur and Hiolith was poignant and I found it most touching that you ended with the sentence: "He would stay here as long as he was needed." I don't think there was a better way to demonstrate the humility, mercy, compassion and loyalty that the elves have for one another. Given their lifespan, that is an awesome commitment to make. I can't say I hardly know where to begin - that would really be a lie! ;-) Favourite scene - the cat! the cat! the cat! Most amusing! Alfirin would naturally want to do everything she could to help the Prince - perfectly sound motivation in my opinion. A little dab here and there - perfectly harmless! ;-) And I could almost feel Ithilden's hand wrapped tightly around my wrist as his breath shortened and his face took on some colour - swoon... Now, about the rest of the story, very nicely plotted with Eilian! For the longest time I was like Legolas, afraid Eilian was using the dangwath. I really enjoyed the way you wrote about the effect of the shadow sickness on both Elves and Men - very insightful. Although the First and Second born are different in many ways, they also share some common frailties and I think you've done a great job demonstrating that in this story. I just LOVED the way Thranduil handled Turgon! (Oh, he must have enjoyed doing that!) It will be interesting to see if Turgon's character is in any way affected by the event - somehow I doubt it. Turgon is too free a spirit to let something as unimportant as a scolding from the King get him down! PS - Thanks for throwing poor Ithilden a bone at the end where Alfirin is concerned! Took him long enough to realize she had called him by name... :-)

pipinheart · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Nice that Eilian was compliment by his father. But seems Legolas get to be at court, oh, my... Maltanaur is seeing to a friend who was long forgotten, he is a good friend

pipinheart · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Taking Action

Legolas did the unthinkable, I was afraid he would... Now Maltanaur is taking him back, I hope Eilian is all right without him...

pipinheart · 1 October 2005 · Chapter 5: An Evening's Occupation

It seems Ithilden has bad luck with Alfirin...He saved from burning her but she was to embarrassed for him to walk her back with her dress torn. Eilian is close to discovering who is profiting from ther herb and would love to beat them up over it..

pipinheart · 1 October 2005 · Chapter 4: Helping Out

Using a drug isn't good and it leaves and example to Legolas and his friends... His father seems to know something for sure... Nice work...

pipinheart · 1 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Along the River

Legolas was so glad to be able to go with his friends some freedom his father has finally given him... Eilian is looking for trouble... It seems he is getting that herb and it is addictive as was told...

pipinheart · 1 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Summer Solstice

Something seems to be wrong with Eilian... Legolas is worried but them appears at the dance and wanting to argue until he was pulled away... Love it!

pipinheart · 1 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Lessons

Legolas is worried abour Eilian and no wonder his hands shaking, the shadow has pulled him down.

LKK · 28 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

That was quite a Mirkwood Vice story you created, daw! I am always amazed at the wonderful twists & turns your stories take. You have an outstanding ability to write compelling and believable plots. In today's atmosphere, it's sometimes hard to feel sympathy for those who become dependent on drugs. And even harder to feel anything other than disgust at those who deal them. Yet, you managed to show us that not everything is as black and white as we would like to believe. I'm glad Hiolith will be getting the help that he needs. “I would never let any of you suffer if I could help you,” ... Ah, Thranduil. But that's exactly what you did when you refused to inform Legolas about Eilian's situation. I know you thought, rightly so, that Legolas would might accidentally give away the secret. But once you confined the child to his room, it was safe to relieve the young one's fears. At least, you came to realized that later. I guess you can tell, daw, that I agree with Ithilden. Thranduil tends to see Legolas as still a baby. Speaking of Ithilden ... his early courtship of Alfirin was funny. A welcome comic relief to the tensions in the main plot. The poor boy. I laughed out loud when he realized that Alfirin called him by his name. (Did you ever see the Rankin & Bass Christmas special "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"? If you did, do you remember Rudolph's reaction after Clarice said he was cute? That's how I pictured Ithilden at that moment then. LOL) I hope you don't mind, but I think in the future, I will wait to read your stories when they are completed like I did this time. Your writing hits my emotion buttons so often. I can't possibly go days and days without knowing how they end. Dang you! ;) LKK

tigerlily713 · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Great story! I am so happy to read about the lives and experiences of your characters! I can't wait to read more of your masterpieces!

tigerlily713 · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 6: Taking Action

You'd think that by now they wouldn't be surprised to find Legolas where they lease expect him. He seems to be a magnet for trouble. I loved this chapter and can't wait to read more!

tigerlily713 · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 5: An Evening's Occupation

Wonderful chapter! I'm so far behind! Off to catch up! ~Lily

emjo · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Daw, I know I have already reviewed this chapter but I was rereading some of your older stories and I came up with a question and since this is the only way I know of to contact you I thought I would give it a try. I don't know why this interests me so but in your world does Beliond go with Legolas to Ithilien? He has spent his whole life serving Mirkwood, but does he allow Legolas, who he has become so attached to, go establish a new realm on his own. I know you said you might have to write this story some day but I am so curious!

Brenda G. · 3 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Kudos and congratulations, Daw. Another superb story. I have no words for how much I love Legolas at this age. Him deciding to take Eilian's protection into his own hands is so typical of any of Thranduil's brave sons, but in one so young! - a mark of courage that will only grow as does this precious elfling into a seasoned warrior of the Woodland Realm. I love all of your stories. It would be very hard for me to pick a favorite out of the many you have written thus far, and I am so looking forward to tons and tons of new stories and adventures from you about this noble Mirkwood family. I was surprised to see Legolas get his first "whipping" by his father, but sometimes the rod is warranted. A favored son is disciplined by the father who loves him. At least Legolas knows that he will never lose Thranduil's love. The scenes between this father and this son have been, over the years, particularly tender to behold. Keep up the good work, and I look with delight to your next offering. Please don't make us wait too long!

The Karenator · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Early this morning, in the predawn darkness, I took my cup of coffee and reread this chapter one more time. (I was up alone, I might add. The ranger had yet to drag her sorry self from the warmth of her bed.) No matter how many times I read this, I still find myself smiling and cringing and waiting in anticipation for the big drug bust...*and* for Thranduil to bust! Now, I have to say, I loved it when King Micro-manager told Ithilden that he could not control everything. I just love your Thranduil! He really is a good king and a good adar, but Eru love him, he can't see that his son is the spitting image of him. I loved Ithilden's line: “Are you advising me to return to the battle?” Ithilden asked dryly. That's what love is sometimes, I guess. Sweet, stiff Ithilden. You just gotta love him and his sweet, stiff adar. Wasn't there something about a stick being lodged somewhere...um...personal? LOL! Legolas really did get off light. The kid just doesn't get it yet. I read what you replied to the ranger about how the realization of living in a warrior society came to Legolas in such a sad and dangerous way with Turgon's death. It was certainly a hard lesson. I think it was a hard lesson for all the family. Thranduil had over-shelterd Legolas and it came back to bite them all. As a parent, I think I can understand how much Thranduil wanted Legolas to be safe and to remain the last baby for as long as he could manage it. With Lorellin gone, he lacked her influence and balance in raising this last child and he made some mistakes. I can't help but think that Legolas was something like a final link with her, almost like still holding her in his arms, and he so wanted to hold on to that child. You have done such a good job of allowing Thranduil to be a parent with all the flaws and fears that all parents suffer but we rarely care to inspect too closely. We just do the best we can. And I think Thranduil was doing the best he could. Still, I want to join the ranger after Adar tucks the cocky lad into bed. We can tag-team him. I want to side with Thranduil in this. Legolas scares Thranduil almost beyond the circles of Arda when he takes off on his little adventure with Turgon. The urge to stop Legolas just won't go away. :>) Too late, I know. Like the ranger, I was also very moved by the final scene with Hiolith and Maltanaur. There was so much strength in the simple embrace of a warrior who knew what pain was and wanted to offer some comfort to a fellow warrior. And it took much more strength than Hiolith knew he had to accept it. I liked that we were left with such a feeling of hope for this damaged warrior. He was back in the embrace of his people and the love he had forgotten. Gosh, daw, I'm getting all teary-eyed here. It was such a terrific ending. This has been a delightful story for me to read. I have spent more time that I probably should admit trying to glean out clues and second guess where you were going in this tale. It was such fun to connect the dots. You wound it up without missing a clue and gave us a satisfying ending. I'm sorry you missed the ranger's dramatic reading at GSP, too. But, IMO, the TSA employees kept opening those nifty sliding doors when there was no one wishing to exit, because they wanted to hear what was going to happen next! However, it's altogether possible that our pictures have already gone out over the wires. "Be on the lookout for two squeeing females speaking an incomprehensible language about an angry king." Just think, someone is working over time tonight trying to find out what dangwath is. This last chapter just added to the enjoyment of a beyond-my-wildest-dreams wonderful weekend. All that was missing was Nilmandra. We'll get her there next time. Thanks, daw! Karen

meckinock · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

You and SWMBO are such gratifying readers! And you are such an inspiring professor! [runs off to complete homework assignment]

meckinock · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

I guess She Who Must Be Obeyed and I already told you how much the TSA employees at GSP enjoyed our dramatic reading of this chapter; although my partner in crime and I should probably be more circumspect in the future when squeeing glee at Thranduil's impending wrath while sitting within view of Homeland Security officials.... I really love Eilian as an undercover cop. This could be a spin-off series - Mirkwood Vice. Please? Only with more shower scenes? The cocky elfling got off easy, I thought. And I don't mean Turgon. Legolas is a smart kid with a heart of gold, but he's living in a warrior society that relies on military discipline for its survival. He's got to learn to obey orders even when he doesn't understand the reasons for them or he'll end up endangering his entire patrol every time he thinks he knows more than his commander. He also still seems awfully smug at the idea of Turgon being in trouble, but if I'm not mistaken, the heinous plot in question was hatched not by our favorite scapegoat but by one diminutive Thranduilion. The swat on the rump did not seem to inspire the proper spirit of contrition here. In fact, come to think of it, if Thranduil is finished tucking the lad in, the ranger would like a word with him! The closing scene with Maltanaur and Hiolith was beautifully poignant and heartwarming. It is good to know that Hiolith will be looked after by his fellow warriors again. I think this really was a wake-up call for Eilian, and maybe for Maltanaur as well. Eilian probably never fully realized before how blessed he is by the love of his family and the friendship and support of his comrades. I don't think he considered before that there were those less fortunate than himself, who faced the same shadow he did, but alone. Thanks for the story and for the inspiration, Daw.

caz-baz · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

aww that is such a great story and legolas is so sweet how he's really concerned for his brother - he's a little like my sister like that. i remember spying on my brother a bit when he was really upset about something this one time and no one would tell me what, but that was more curiosity than concern. i'm not really the sort to worry about other people which is probably really evil of me but people can take care of themselves i'm more of a sort of i want to know what's going on person. Legolas is quite devious and cunning really with that whole sneaking out thing. with me i climb out of the bathroom window cause there's the office extention and the roof is easy enough to climb along to the wall where once you get there you've made it. - but then there's the whole problem with living on a farm in the middle of nowhere so the only place i can go is on a walk or too my friends so i only tend to sneak out when i'm bored of walking out the front door and for the adrennelin rush. well dont wait to long to post the next story. You have to tell me whether or not sinnarn and Emmelin get married or not. i'm thinking yes at the moment. until next story when i should be in this country and hopefully with a computer that has the internet on it. caz - baz

emjo · 30 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Great story Daw! Sorry this review is so late work has been crazy! I don't think I will ever get enough of Thranduil and his sons. And Alfrin called Ithilden by his name how funny that such a little thing can restore hope. As always please hurry with your next story, I can't wait to start reading!

erunyauve · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

'you surely would not let happiness elude you because reaching for it was sometimes painful' Thranduil is such a wonderful dad. And he does have his own experience to guide him - he knows that the little embarrassments Ithilden is suffering now will be worth it. Poor Legolas - in a way, he gets what he wanted - to be treated more like an adult with regard to matters of the realm, but he's finding out that this carries responsibilities that aren't always exciting or fun. I quite enjoyed this - it took such an unexpected turn. I can guess that one elf, a future in-law, was not moved by Thranduil's efforts to restore his son's reputation, however.

White Wolf · 28 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

Legolas was willing to risk everything to help Eilian. That's what I call real brotherly love. I can imagine his relief and his dismay, when Thranduil and Ithilden showed up. Even though he was punished, I can't fault him for what he did. I'm glad Hiolith got the help he needed. I loved it when Thranduil told Legolas that he, Eilian and Ithilden were the most precious things in all of Arda to him. That is one thing that rings true in all of your stories. Looking for more.

Bodkin · 28 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

The only disappointment? How can it be the last chapter already!!! It cries out for more. I am glad Hiolith is getting help. (He is not expendable!) (In fact, expendable is only the fifth person in the landing party - one never seen before and introduced only to be killed. As mentioned in Galaxy Quest.) Good for Maltanaur. I do find it slightly hard to credit that the elves could completely lose track of someone in so much need - but I daresay he did not want to be found. Turgon is lucky to have survived the meeting with Thranduil intact. Or maybe it would be truer to say that he is unlucky. If feet had been firmly placed on the back of his neck at this point - some authoritarian Thranduil style discipline - maybe, just maybe, Turgon would have developed enough sense to survive. He seemed quite impressed by a wrathful Thranduil. I loved Ithilden blushing and unable to concentrate on his game of chess. Tactful of Thranduil not to make direct mention of the Dress Incident. I think here we have an instance of Ithilden really needing his naneth. And his giddy joy when he realised she had called him by his name! I would love to see their relationship finally developing to a slightly less gauche level. The whole thing must have Eilian in stitches. Eilian is a good actor - I think it is not just that everyone thinks he is capable of being reckless, it is also that he throws himself into everything. Ithilden and Thranduil know that, if they ask him to act like an addict, he will do it convincingly at all times. I'm glad Thranduil was able to be so warm and approving with him. Eilian is very good at putting on a front, but there is an awful lot of needy elfling still there and he radiates a need for love and approval from his Adar. I do think Legolas is increasingly lucky to survive these adventures with his hide relatively intact. Not only considering the danger he places himself in, but also bragging about his stupidity!! It sounded (somewhere) as if Eilian had managed to provoke his Adar to physical violence - and I would love to know what he managed to do that was worse than the things that Legolas gets up to. Mind you, if Thranduil has picked up the idea that talking to his 'teenager' is probably more effective than having to rush to the rescue, it will be a Good Thing. Confining him to his room is all very well, but it's been done before, Thranduil - and it wasn't terribly effective then, was it? Actually some of Legolas's most effective penalties seem to be the ones where he has to WORK - like the infirmary and the armoury. I suppose having to stand patiently through court sessions might be quite good - especially if he has to summarise the proceedings later to prove he was listening! I hope Bierd gets put on some kind of Woodland Realm witness protection programme after giving the name of the Big Baddie. He wasn't involved for profit either - and he jumped in to save Legolas. Good story. Shame it's over. Any plans for more?

lwarren · 27 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Rescue

An excellent ending to a great story! That is...if you wanted this story to end...which I didn't...(*sniff*) But it was great! Lots of excitement - Thranduil announcing he was going to check on Legolas - I actually yelled! My husband came in to see what was up...and I told him Turgon's life! LOL That was great...and that poor guard! Thranduil in a temper is definitely a sight to see (I just wouldn't want to experience it first hand!) Thranduil and Ithilden rescue Legolas - well done, I just knew Thranduil was going to get even nastier than he did...I think he showed a lot of restraint when that man put his hands on the King's youngest. I loved the flat of the sword applied to Legolas' seat of knowledge! :-) Maybe that will stay with him for awhile. The whole rescue scene was great! (Trite description, but words fail me!) Poor Maltanaur - he'll have to find some way to get back into Legolas' good graces...it may be some time before the Prince trusts Eilian's keeper again. Thranduil and Legolas finally have that talk - I hope the King learned something about his youngest from all of this! I loved the way he held his son when it all became too much to talk about! Ithilden and Alfirin are so cute - though I'm sure he'd hit me if he heard that little comment! He's going to analyze every conversation they have to the letter, I'll bet! Eilian waking up feeling whole and free - I wanted to cheer, and then ended up laughing at him heading for the nearest sweetie! His father did a good thing when they had their talk - Eilian needs to hear that approval often...maybe he wouldn't take so many chances with himself! The closing scene with Maltanaur and Hiolith had me tearing *sniffsniff* up big time...but it was the perfect way to close. Hiolith is finally getting the help and holding he needs...and as Maltanaur said, he had the time. Terrific, daw! Thank you for another great story! linda