Reviews (42)

nancylea57 · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

legolas has learned well the art of loving kindness, it's great to watch him practice it. thank you.

pipinheart · 1 August 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

I liked this one... Legolas gets confussed as words are said that aen't true. I like the relationship between Legolas and Lathron, it is different than his other brothers...And one I am curious of...Good job...

moonshine44(ff.n) · 15 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

I don`t know if you have written any more in this series, but if you haven`t, will you? There is so much to find out about! Like Elenath`s wedding, this thing with Lathron and Tinania, and of course, Legolas growing up! Please write more if you haven`t already! I love this series!

perelleth · 9 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

And the gift of forgiveness is granted, and so the wounds may perhaps start to heal…See, I don’t know how you manage to do it, but your stories always leave me with a sense of lingering peace... It is good, to read and think about things that can help us be better persons, and your stories have that ability. Thranduil is a good king, but, above all, a good person, to be able to feel compassion and grant forgiveness, and Legolas is naturally following into his steps. And Mithrandir is always at hand to put some fireworks as a final curtain! Nice story, I enjoyed it way too much!

perelleth · 9 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Found

Such a wonderful feast! Legolas is so fortunate. It’s wonderful to see him so confident now that Tinania is by his side, and his fears are mostly forgotten, and now he is the cheeky elfling with Mithrandir! “What else did you bring?” He’s having the time of his life, one would say! But then, he knows he’s done a foolish thing and knows he’ll have to accept the consequences and learn from it all, “ but not tonight!” that was so endearing! I bet Thranduil was melting inside! ;-) First crush! A lovely, though somehow unexpected couple Lathron and Tinania would make, although Legolas might be a little jealous at first! I'm curious as to what Thranduil is going to do with Abronwë. His behaviour was cruel without apparent reason, and the king must be incensed with all that has happened because of his careless words, but somehow I fear there's something tragic behind the child's bitterness...

perelleth · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 3: Guardian Elleth

Mmm, not quite sure if this is the most intelligent thing to do (reviewing each chapter as I read them..) but then, you'll let me know if you don't want your inbox flooded that way! ;-) Smart girl!Yep! The guardian elleth! This is a girl with a sense of timing! It must have been really hard for them all to adjust to their lives again after those two years, and Tinania seems to have achieved a great deal of wisdom and maturity! I'm sure her words are the best medicine Legolas can receive, he trusts her and she knows what they all have been through! Big brothers were great! It is so understandable how everybody gets frantic when Legolas goes missing!Still, Thranduil was quite calm and composed with the children! Poor one, I could not picture him just sitting there, and waiting, *once* again! (shudders in sympathy)

lwarren · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

You know, I did the same thing when I tried to review more than one chapter in another story...I jumped the gun here and had Thranduil seeing the parents and children in the last chapter...sorry! :-/ He still does a wonderful job of getting to the bottom of everything and making me feel very sorry for Abronwe. This closing chapter was just right. I loved it before when Legolas woke up with Lathron, and he's still funny, trying to pry those fingers loose one by one. Lathron plays such a good big brother all throughout this chapter...he does indeed read his little brother like a book! (The business when everyone bets on when Legolas will bother them about Mithrandir is hilarious, and very familiar...doesn't Legolas do the same thing with Elrohir and Elladan in another story?) When Legolas gets upset at the feast when he sees Abronwe, it is Lathron who pulls him onto his lap and lovingly explains why the ellon has been so mean. And Legolas forgives everything because he knows how sad he would be if Alagos had been his only brother. Such a compassionate elfling! The ending with the elflings enjoying the fireworks, and then finally with Legolas falling asleep to join his friends in dreams...in a forest always safe is lovely! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, Nilmandra...but then your little Legolas stories are always a treat! As for it all being posted at once, I loved not having to wait, tho' you can see it played havoc with my keeping the reviews straight! LOL Thanks for a wonderful story! linda

lwarren · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Found

Mif'dir!!! Looking all fine and festive "like a big ripe berry" in his purple cloak, compliments of Elrond! :-) The meeting of Mithrandir and Tinania and Legolas in the snow house (?) was perfect for a Yule story. He provides the warmth and food for a feast and Legolas provides the sweets! (I liked Mithrandir calling Tinania "little naneth"...she was quite the little mother when she felt like he was being too loud, or Legolas was cold again! LOL). So Legolas is found at last...what a lovely reunion with Thranduil. The whole scene in the palace while Legolas is bathing and getting warm was so warm and loving. Legolas has such a loving, understanding Adar and his advice about always coming to him if Legolas doesn't understand something is great. Legolas and Lathron are wonderful together, too. And Legolas asking if Tinania will marry him is priceless! Of course, Tinania seems to have eyes for an older Thranduilion! And he for her (when she's older)! *sigh...ah, love!* :-) The meeting between Thranduil and the settlers - Abronwe, Narthon and their parents, was handled with much tact and caring by the King. He found out all he needed to know and Nilmandra, you had me crying in sympathy for poor little Abronwe. (He certainly was maddening in the first 2 chapters, tho'! LOL) Anyway, things look to be settling down and the real celebration will be the next night! Yay, Mif'dir's magic!!!! Great chapter! linda

lwarren · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 3: Guardian Elleth

I think I'll review this by character this chapter - I tend to ramble off and skip around until even I get confused! :-) Tinania has turned into such a competent, capable elleth. She's really grown up and gained confidence since the last I read about her. I like how she didn't just note the footprints and go on, but made some deductions from direction, lack of adult prints, and size of stride to feel like it was necessary she find the elfling running away from the palace in the midst of a snowstorm. Smart girl! When she finally finds Legolas, she remains calm, keeps them both as warm as possible and manages to address his hurt and insecurity caused by Abronwe in a manner he can understand. Such good advice about gossip, too! Rawien is back, and just in time, too. He is quick to assess the situation and keep his wife from running off into a blizzard looking for Legolas. Another calm, competent elf! :-) Tathiel and Elumeril both react with concern and fright - they do not wait awhile to see if Legolas will eventually show up. They inform Thranduil so a search can be initiated at once - given Legolas' upset of the morning, I don't think Tathiel overreacted at all. And he is really young to be disappearing like that and not cause some uproar! *g* Bregolas is the commander/son/brother in this chapter! I really like the way he senses his father's presence or when his father is using his power to monitor his forest. He organizes his warriors quickly and efficiently, but still is the son when his father needs him to be. Lathron's connection to his little brother is still very strong, and of course he is petrified to realize Legolas is asleep during the blizzard. Thranduil almost broke my heart a couple of times here - he is still recovering from events in MTVPT, isn't he? He was so torn between wanting to search for Legolas and questioning the children..."he wanted to be the one to find his son, fold him into his warm cloak, hold him close, and bring him safely home. Nothing else mattered at the moment." *sniff* And when he tells Lathron he will not be left behind this time to wait...you can't blame him after what they all went through before. Legolas is wonderful in this chapter. He wakes up covered in snow, in the middle of a storm, and after a little cry to relieve the tension, he thinks what would Bregolas do? Bregolas would not be scared. Bregolas would not wander around either, he would stay put in some kind of shelter. Then of course, there is the worry about spiders and bears, but he reasons things out...such a smart ellon when he's calm! When Tinania asks him what he is doing here, and he replies, "I do not know...But it was not very smart." I had to laugh, poor baby. It just hasn't been a good day! The TREE is absolutely great! It gathered its branches together to shelter Legolas from the snowfall and set about comforting the distraught youngster. Wonderful! Another terrific chapter - on to the rescue now! :-) linda

lwarren · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 2: Who Is Your Nana?

The picture of Legolas trudging into the palace, head down, hood up, feet dragging until he walked straight into his Adar's legs and grabbed hold was heartbreaking. "I think the sun has just hidden behind the darkest cloud." A very appropriate observation! The very picture of dejection and hurt! Poor baby! And when he twines his Ada's braid around his fist like he used to do as a very young child...well, I was ready to howl along with him! Thranduil was very calm, I must say, so as not to upset his little leaf any more (at least until Narawen's traveling while pregnant entered the discussion, which of course resurrected all his own guilt). Bregolas and Lathron were ready to track down the culprits responsible and I loved Tathiel's response, flaring nostrils and all! But nap and a belated lunch restored Legolas' balance somewhat, until he ran into Abronwe again. I didn't think that ellon could get much worse, but I was wrong! Now Legolas has run blindly off into the forest (I loved the trees' concern for him as he passed) and fallen asleep somewhere, which of course, does not bode well for anyone's peace of mind later! Great chapter! linda

lwarren · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 1: New Friends

This is such a good story about the family life Legolas enjoys day to day as he's grown older. I love seeing Tathiel and Lathron and Thranduil and the way they have helped Legolas become such a sweet, loving child. It was inevitable the he discover the not-so-nice side of people...watching his pain and confusion when faced with it was not fun! I was ready to snatch up Abronwe and pin his ears back by the end of this chapter! Emlin is a seriously cute little elleth - I love her name. And Legolas' "tweet, tweet" in greeting was so cute! Fluffy indeed - but fluffy is good where little Legolas is concerned! :-) He has turned into a good older brother...I can remember when he was flying around talking to the baby in Tathiel's tummy and telling it to cooperate! Emlin twirling and watching how her skirt and cloak bell out is so typical - my daughter did it when she was small, and both my granddaughters do it now! LOL The guards are just one more part of Legolas' life that is loving and protective - I liked Magor the Magician! Tathiel had Legolas doing a great botany lesson - name it, describe it, and draw it...lovely! I minored in Biology in college and botany/plant taxonomy were favorites! Enter the new playmates...Narthan is a kind child, but Abronwe really put my back up (and I know about his issues, but he still made me mad! LOL) Legolas is so excited to be playing with kids his own age and a little friendly competition made it all the more fun...however, I got the feeling that Abronwe would have been nastier still if Legolas had shown any notion that he knew he had shown the older ellon up in their acorn game. But Legolas is so friendly - here, let me show you...and cheering for the boy when he did well. I love Lathron - he's still my favorite, and Thranduil is still the best Ada with his little blond whirlwind! The goodnight scene was so nice, but sad as the King thinks how perfect it would be if Narawen was there. *sniff* Of all the things Abronwe could have picked to throw at Legolas to hurt him, I guess he picked the worst. And Legolas' reaction - you described it so well, the tight feeling in his stomach and the knowledge that something was wrong - his thoughts of why was he saying those things? A terrible introduction to the cruelty of others... You know you have succeeded with a character when your readers want to spank him for being so mean! :-) Well done, Nilmandra. linda (Little Legolas Bunny Hutch, hmmm?)

perelleth · 3 April 2005 · Chapter 2: Who Is Your Nana?

Oh my! Poor elfling! (Tissues have been very useful!) This Abronwë seems to be angered with Legolas for some particular reason! Children can be very cruel, and hurt children are even crueller! I loved how big brothers raged and set out to right things! But then, poor Legolas, to make him doubt Tathiel! I liked (in a technical sense of course!) how you managed to picture the child’s point of view in the Hall, as he tried to catch Tathiel’s attention, and how his short stature caused him to be left out of the circle of bigger elves trying to comfort Tathiel and her child, and how lost he suddenly felt. It was so visual! My! Thranduil’s going to have a stroke when he learns his child is missing, yet again!!!!

perelleth · 3 April 2005 · Chapter 1: New Friends

Well, my education proved more than enjoyable, although highly demanding in terms of tissues too!:-) I’m amazed at your ability to write such long stories, so full of emotion and feelings and so packed with unstopping action. Amazing. The best compliment I think I can make to that story (MTVPT) is that by the end of it I was able to recognize each and every OC, which is some kind of feat, as my attention span is becoming very diminished in my old age! ;-) Blizzard, now! It was great to find Legolas so fully immersed in his life. It is amazing how well he managed to adjust, and how lovely and caring a child he is. Undoubtedly thanks to the way he was cared for and loved even when the circumstances where so difficult!. So it’s doubly painful to see his confusion at the end of this chapter. That Abronwë seems trouble! I’ll better go and get my tissues!

perelleth · 29 March 2005 · Chapter 1: New Friends

As I've found that I'm grieviously illiterate about your Mirkwood, I thought I'd better go and get myself an education first! I'll be back here eventually!!! ;-)

meckinock · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Who Is Your Nana?

Must...kill....demon-elf-child... Wow, is this Abronwe kid the spawn of Sauron or what? Poor Legolas. I was so relieved when his ada finally got him settled down nice and warm and cozy, and then this unholy terror had to go and torment him again. He seems to know exactly how to push Legolas's buttons. Where's his mom? I want to have a talk with her! Poor Legolas. Nothing could be worse for him than being made to doubt Tathiel's love. And now he's all alone in the forest.

Dot · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

Ah. I knew you’d give Abronwë a good reason for acting as he did but I wasn’t expecting this. My heart went out to him and his family. He’s tried to be brave and strong but he’s just a child who needs love and reassurance. I’m so glad too that it didn’t turn out that his naneth was being cruel in her words, just that a conversation was overheard when it shouldn’t have been. Narthan is a little darling. He’s so loyal and loving. I’m relieved that Thranduil waited until after he knew Legolas was safe before talking to the two families because he was calm enough to be able to see and understand their grief as something he shares. I always love seeing Lathron and Legolas together. I just loved the little comment that “Lathron could be like that sometimes.” I thought that really summed up Lathron’s attachment to his brother. And it seems they’ve all been wagering on Legolas and his desire to see some magic!! That’s so funny. Lathron did well in explaining to Legolas why Abronwë acted as he did. As young as he is, Legolas can understand something of what he must be feeling and perhaps even recognises that in many ways Abronwë has a bigger hole in his life because he’s lost someone he knew and loved. I love how simply it was all resolved in end, with Legolas inviting them to watch Mithrandir’s ‘magic’. It’s so wonderful to see him so happy and to know that he has friends. He has spent so much time with adults and really needed to be a child with other children for a while. I can’t tell you how much I loved this story, Nilmandra. I haven’t done it justice at all but it really was such a treat. Thank you! :-)

Dot · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Found

What a wonderful thought that everyone would come to help search for Legolas. Mithrandir! I wasn’t expecting him! I had to laugh at her apologising to him for not having food. She’s such a little mother too, all annoyed at the wizard for waking the sleeping child. It seems Legolas remembers who he is, though, and is just as entranced. Tinánia’s memory of another Yule was so moving. It really gives weight to this scene, them all sheltered together, waiting to be found but still able to feel some happiness. I thought it was lovely that it was Thranduil who reached them first and was the first person that Legolas saw. “You look like a big ripe berry.” LOL. Now that conjures up an interesting image… ;-) Legolas is very cute in his apologies. He knows he’s does wrong and seems to want to make amends. There was no chance of Thranduil punishing him, though!! I thought it was such a nice moment when Thranduil told him that he does remind him of Narawen but reassures him that it’s a good thing. “Adar, do you think Tinánia will marry me when I grow up?” I’m still smiling at that! It was a beautiful scene where Thranduil spoke Tinánia as an adult and thanked her for all she had done. She has been such a blessing to his family. Tinánia and Lathron?! Oh, yes! When does she come of age??!

Dot · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Guardian Elleth

Hey look, it’s Tinánia! I just love seeing all your OCs again! And at least she’s on Legolas’ trail, even if she doesn’t realise it’s him. “Adar, we cannot find Legolas!” Thranduil’s heart must have stopped for a moment. I love the image of them all flying into action immediately – Bregolas organising everyone, Thranduil and Rawien wanting to get moving, Lathron looking after Tathiel. I thought it was so cute that Legolas tries to think what Bregolas would do and is so confident that his eldest brother wouldn’t be scared. Clearly Bregolas is someone to look up to! I love that tree! There’s a sense that the tree recognises him and wants to protect him until the king finds his young son and that’s so endearing. It was an amazing moment too when Thranduil attunes himself to the forest and senses which way Legolas went. So elfy!! Tinánia is just incredible here. There’s such a wisdom in her born of experience even though she’s still so young. I hate the thought that people’s questions still cause her pain but she seems to have learned to deal with them. I thought her explanation that “sometimes children need different things at the same time and a parent must choose the order in which they provide for those needs, but they are determining what need must be met first, not which child is more important” was very insightful. I was glad that she understood that these questions were important to him and answered them carefully, yet honestly. He seems to have responded to that too. I felt more for Thranduil having to face the children and their families than for them facing him! I was relieved that he knew to be gentle with Narthan, though. There’ll be time for more later. For now, at least they have something to go on.

Dot · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Who Is Your Nana?

Oh, Nilmandra, the image of the sad little figure trudging into the palace and wrapping himself around his father was just heartbreaking. And how terrible for Thranduil, Lathron and Bregolas to hear this and feel so helpless in the face of such a tale. I had tears in my eyes when Thranduil felt his anger well up inside him and Bregolas placed his hand on his father’s arm to bring him back to the present. Thank heavens he was able to shelter Elumeril from Legolas’ pain. I’d hate to see her sad again. I like that moment when Lathron and Bregolas leave without asking for permission for anything and Thranduil not questioning them. Whatever Thranduil might think, for now it’s the only way they feel they can help their little brother. Abronwë really comes across as a nasty piece of work. Legolas was making quite a valiant effort by even staying there and talking to them. But the suggestion that Tathiel might care more for Emlin and prefer just to look after her obviously hit home. I cringed when Tathiel brushed him aside to look after Emlin. She couldn’t have known how much Legolas needed reassurance at that instant and of course, she had to take care of her injured child – but it just couldn’t have happened at a worse moment. And that suggestion that Thranduil couldn’t face raising Legolas because he reminds him of his wife… I’m angry just thinking about it! Poor Legolas. No wonder he ran off as he did.

Dot · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 1: New Friends

What a thrill it was to see this there. I read it yesterday morning and it was just the perfect way to spend Easter Sunday. Apart from the fact that I love your world and get completely caught up in it, it was such a joy to have a whole story from you to read! Yay! I loved seeing Tathiel again. And Emlin is adorable! The relationship between her and Legolas is so sweet and it’s probably done him a lot of good to have someone younger than him to love and look after. So, two boys, eh? I had to laugh at the way they introduced themselves – name + status in relation to knife. It was awful to see Emlin’s tears when she was left behind but I can see why Tathiel thought it would be good for Legolas to have some playmates near his own age. One of my favourite things about this story were the glimpses of Legolas’ relationship with his family – like Bregolas teaching him the best way to throw a stone and Celebrinduil showing him how to spin them. I loved those images. Yay, Lathron! I love him! I really liked the part with Thranduil putting his son to bed too. They clearly adore each other and I feel so glad for Thranduil that he has these moments of happiness. “You forgot Alagos,” said Abronwë snidely.” Ouch. Well, that stopped me in my tracks! I like Narthan and the way he offers his sympathy but if I could have dragged Abronwë out of there by his pointy ear I would have! My heart went out to Legolas. It’s never easy to hear such cruel things but this is obviously the first time he has and it must have been devastating for him. The fact that he’s so young and didn’t even clearly understand made it even sadder to see.

meckinock · 27 March 2005 · Chapter 1: New Friends

Is it OK if I put Abronwe over my knee now? What a terrible, cruel little brat. How could he deliberately make Legolas feel awful like that? Emlin is an adorable child, though. I really liked Thranduil's fatherly musings as he watched Legolas sleep. This is a wonderfully touching and warm story.

elliska · 27 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

I will have to look into Karri's challenges. This was adorable. Children can be very mean to one another but Abronwë's story, when it came out, certainly shows why he'd be such a hurt and confused little elfling. The adults in this story were just wonderful. Probably a lot better than I would have been in the same circumstances. Great story.

Manderly · 27 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

What a wonderful little story! I really love your rendition of the Royal Family - their interaction with each other always give me such a warm feeling. And your little Legolas is too precious. It's always nice to revisit all the familiar characters in your story. Dare we hope that there will be more on the way?

Jay of Lasgalen · 27 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Who Is Your Nana?

What a horrible child Abronwe is - but why? Why is he always quoting his Naneth, and why does shesay these things? Poor Legolas must wonder who's right and who's wrong at times.

daw the minstrel · 27 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Forgiveness

I liked Legolas's judgment that "Lathron could be like that sometimes." And the moment when Bregolas has to pay off the bet is another brotherly moment I liked. I'm glad that Legolas has learned a lesson in forgiveness. That's a hard one.