Reviews (270)

Socket · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Oh, this is so sad. I was just not expecting Sinnarn to die. But how beautifully you have handled everything in this chapter, and how perfectly this sad event fits into Legolas's decision to join the Fellowship. Poor Annael. He has no family left in Middle-Earth now. And my poor Ithilden. *weeps*

esamen · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

"He had always believed that Alfirin drew comfort from Ithilden’s strength, just as Legolas did, but he had never before realized how much Ithilden relied on Alfirin’s immovable courage." Oh, thank you for writing this sentence. It made me proud to be a woman . . . we do have such a great history of strength hidden within our smaller frames. I guess that's a terribly sexist comment but hey, that's how I see it. I think that this is the best funeral scene you've written so far (in these stories). The idea that Sinnarn has gone on and no longer needs the "shell" of his body is such a comforting thought. And I loved Thranduil's strength at the end. That's exactly what he would need to have, a preternatural courage to match the devastating circumstances that face him now. That's why he's king, hmmmmm, and why even the trees recognize him as such. And Mithrandir . . . that observant old fox . . . taking Legolas's measure with every visit he makes. Ah yes, he'll be back with Gollum. I think that you have beautifully juxtaposed good and evil in this story. The evil is fabulously written. The terror that the Nazgul inspires and the seriousness of the threat at Dol Guldur is very well done, even better done than Tolkien himself. And I think you have written a uniquely Elvish way of facing loss with honor and sincerity. What a story! I'm sorry it's over so quickly. I enjoyed our talkathon. See you again sometime! Esamen

Brenda G. · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

I remember Sinnarn when he was born and tugging on his Uncle Legolas' braids. I remember him getting soused as the dwarves escaped. I remember him shuddering with the pain and loss at the Battle of Five Armies. I remember him falling in love and later, in this story, helping to lace up his wife's gown. I remember his last smile at Eilian before he and Tynd started their patrol from which neither would return. And, of course, the death scene. More bewildered than frightened, staring upward. So many Sinnarn moments... Now he is gone. I don't blame his wife and her grandmother for sailing West. The pain would be unbearable almost as much there as here, I would think. Legolas did not weep at Sinnarn's loss, but I did - enough for both of us. The bit where Thranduil imagines a dark-haired sprite running along beside him as he escorts Sinnarn's wife to the palace... That part broke me up pretty good. I'm glad Loriel is okay and that Gollum is gone. I'm glad that you have had enough of funerals and funeral pyres for a while. Me, too. Me, too. If my tears are a testament to great writing and the power of one author to make the heart overflow, then here's to you, Daw. You're the B-E-S-T! Brenda G.

Frodo3791 · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

I'll put it simply. I was totally in shock, then denial, then I was just purely angry that Sinnarn died! I had this hope that you wouldn't kill him, despite the fact you seem to have been in the killing mood lately, but then bam! Wow... to think at the beginning of this story I was wondering how you were going to keep track of all your OCs... guess you handled that! Ugh, the struggles of being a wood-elf.... I loved the ending of this chapter. I think it's very true, and you've definitly created all those elements within your characters. Mirkwood goes through a lot of pain, but yet it still goes strong. Awesome story, but I think you're due for some Legolas as a child fluff bit of writing soon. -Frodo

Dot · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

More random thoughts from someone who should have been in bed a few hours ago... Legolas wondering "how many deaths would there be in the families of the Men he had just visited?" was interesting, I thought. It shows that he's beginning to think of the need to conquer evil in terms of all races rather than just wanting to protect his own home. Also interesting was the fact that Loriel was present at the funeral. I guess she's learned how dangerous the woods can be :-( And... there was something else but I've forgotten...

elliska · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

I am absolutely bawling my eyes out. I loved it. Very well done. When I can think better, I will leave a proper review.

sheraiah · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Oh, Daw, when you do a tearjerker you really do it! I'm sitting here bawling like a baby. Very well done indeed.

Lera · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Ok. I don't cry. But I almost cried reading that. Sinnarn's death was horribly sad. But that was not was really touched me. This world, this family you have created have become so incredibly real and I FEEL for them. It was so wonderful to start this story off with peace and joy and Elien and Celuwen in the woods with a little girl, and now once again they must fight. You're setting it up perfectly so that it will seem so natural for Legolas to go on the quest. When Thranduil gets word of this, he will be sad but he will not be surprised. With finishing my freshman year of college and starting a new job I have been pulled out of Middle Earth. But this has absolutely drawn me back in. As you write onward towards the War of the Ring, I look forward to sympathizing with Celuwen as Eilien goes back to fighting, to seeing Loriel grow up under darkness and Legolas continue to grow. He will always be growing. Though he has seemed the most grown up in this story, more so even than in the one you wrote where he decides to be part of the fellowship. Thank you as always for a wonderful riviting tale that Tolkien would be proud of. You are quite honestly my favorite author I have found. Bless you for making your readers truly feel.

Dot · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Oh, daw. I’m so sad. I felt a little of what they all did over the last few days as I waited for this chapter, knowing deep down that Sinnarn was dead and just waiting for that confirmation… You know, I’ve often felt sad or distressed by things in your stories but this is honestly the only chapter I’ve read with tears running down my face. I should be embarrassed to admit that but I’m not. I’m so attached to Sinnarn and this whole family and you wrote it all so incredibly well. I’ve often wondered what happened when Thranduil felt that Lorellin was gone. Now I know. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to feel something that’s so much a part of you suddenly disappear. It must leave them reeling and so frightened. I love the way you’ve made it such a physical reaction. How bad I felt for Ithilden in that moment when he too realises that his son his gone. Thank heavens for Thranduil’s strength. “And in Thranduil’s imagination, a dark-haired sprite of an elfling ran along beside them, laughing and chattering excitedly about whatever Arda had offered him that day.” Oh, that’s just heart-breaking. I was sad about Siondel and Todith, but after Ithilden, Sinnarn was my favourite OC of yours. Remember him wanting to dance with Eilian at Legolas’ coming-of-age? Bowing to Mithrandir when he first met him? Messing about with Amdir? Paying for his youthful carelessness time and again? His enthusiasm about meeting Dwarves? His acceptance of his punishment after the Dwarves escaped? His bravery at the Battle of the Five Armies? Falling in love? His determination to find out exactly what was threatening his home so that he could protect his family? *sob* “In disbelief, he froze for a second and then sprang forward to crouch next to Tynd, who lay sprawled face downward, with an arrow in his back, reaching into a trench in which Sinnarn lay on his back, staring up at the sky, with three arrows in his chest.” I don’t even know what to say. I should probably have left this and thought about it for a while! It sounds like they never had a chance. But in some ways I’m glad that it was both of them. That’ll sound terrible, but I just think that it proves how dangerous this place is and what they had to contend with. If it had just been Sinnarn, there would probably always have been a certain question as to whether he had been as careful as he should and Tynd would likely have been completely guilt-ridden. This way was the best, I think. I always like to see Calith and I do enjoy seeing him take over. This must be hard for him, though. Apart from having to “have a little talk” with Beliond, I bet he misses the elfling who played with his Oliphaunt paperweights. I thought Legolas’ reactions were just perfect. His disbelief and unwillingness to accept what Emmelin was saying was a very natural reaction, and I thought his anger was spot on. This is his first experience with the return of Shadow and after everything they’ve suffered to finally gain some peace –a peace that lasted just long enough for them to begin to believe in it – to see evil return in such a way must be soul-destroying. The little moment between Alfirin and Ithilden was so moving too. Something like this could tear people apart but these two seem to be taking some comfort in each other. I love seeing her trying to look after him. He needs it, and I imagine doing so helps her a little. Aren’t the keepers just great? Eilian would be lost here without Maltanaur. His despair as opposed to Legolas’ anger shows the difference in their experiences. He’s seen this happen before and it took away the last of his childhood then. What will happen now to his own daughter? And how unspeakably awful for him to know that he has to return Ithilden’s son to him like this. There’s something very heartbreaking about the idea of Ithilden having to keep working, because it’s what he knows and where he can take refuge as well as the fact that the work needs to be done, and even more so to see Thranduil’s regret that he would need Ithilden now, despite the pain and grief he will be feeling. The saddest moment in the whole chapter is when Eilian hands over Sinnarn’s body to Ithilden. It’s one of the hardest things either of them will ever have to do but there’s still a connection between them. I was so grateful to Ithilden for that bit of reassurance he gave Eilian. I was surprised (and thrilled) that you showed the funeral. I’m glad Amdir spoke, and I thought it was a lovely touch that Beliond said a few words. He said exactly the right thing too. “I will remember Sinnarn’s gift for finding moments of joy, but I will also do anything I can to drive away the thing that killed him.” I’m welling up again reading that! To me, that sums up exactly Fellowship!Legolas – a deadly and determined fighter who will still play games and run off to find the sun. Thranduil is amazing. No one should ever have to see their grandchild die. Yet everything he has experienced has only made him stronger and more determined not to give in to the Shadow. He’s absolutely inspirational. His family are lucky to have him, and so are the people of the Woodland Realm. I think Elowen and Emmelin have made the right decision. I feel sorry for Annael but they deserve to find some peace. It might have been different if Emmelin and Sinnarn had children but as it is, there’s nothing for her here and Elowen has done more than enough for everyone. I’m glad too that Emmelin won’t be there to see the trees destroyed. This whole family has such strength. I think in them you’ve really captured the spirit of the Wood-elves. They won’t give up. They’ve suffered a terrible loss in Sinnarn’s death and also of the peace for which they fought so hard. But they’ll pick themselves up and just keep going. I’ll miss Sinnarn and still can’t quite believe he’s gone but at the same time, I think you did the right thing. Things are bad in the Woodland Realm now and there’s no clearer sign than the death of a brave and beloved warrior. I’ve talked too much and will probably realise tomorrow what I should have said. So I’ll finish by congratulating you on a wonderful story that brought us closer to the events that Tolkien just touched on and helped us see how they affected those involved, as well as how deep the strength and determination of the Wood-elves and their king runs and why Thranduil’s son would be prepared to risk his life to destroy evil for good. Thank you so much for a truly amazing story! :-)

Elemmíre · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Ah, you deceptive creature! There are few author's who can make me cry, but you are certainly among them. Elemmíre

Elena Tiriel · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

I weep for them all. - Barbara

dr_seuss_is_cool · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Hello. You are such a fantastic person. While I was reading this chapter, especially the paragraphs of Legolas thinking about how darkness and shadow have invaded his and his family members' lives, I realized how blessed I am. This chapter opened my eyes to all of the blessings that I have. Thank you so much. I have really enjoyed this story. You always do such a marvelous job of writing. You really are just such an amazing person. I hope that this chapter and this story affected other people like it affected me. I am sorry to see the loss of Sinnarn but thank you for writing this story and especially this chapter. It was just so great. I loved it so much. Thank you so much. Dr. Seuss

LOTR lover · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

My word, daw! You write amazing stories, each as good as the last. I so love your growing, developing Legolas and your incredibly strong Thranduil, and all the original characters that make up the folk of your Mirkwood. You truly take fanfiction to its highest level in these episodes of Legolas's life. LOTR lover

Alice · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

I'll leave a proper review later when I'm not so overcome, but right now I just wanted to tell you that I cried through out the entire chapter. I'd start to calm down and then something else would get me started again. I miss Sinnarn.

rikki · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

I saw by the title I would have to go open a new box of tissues and I was right. By the end of the chapter I could barely read the ending paragraph. How sad that the end of peace should come so tragically. But this is also the place where you have given Legolas the real reason that he would consider becoming one of the nine walkers and to try and see Frodo to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. "I will remember Sinnarn’s gift for finding moments of joy, but I will also do anything I can to drive away the thing that killed him..... They would struggle on. Eilian had described a creature that used fear as a weapon, one against which there seemed to be no defense. But there were forces stronger than fear: love, honor, duty, loyalty, and sometimes, sheer stubbornness. Among the Wood-elves, these qualities flourished." The stage is set, Tolkien's elf is now an adult and ready to face the hardships he will see in the future. Legolas has met and dealt with the men of the Dale, he and Ithilden are getting ready to deal with the dwarves for weapons to face the coming evil, and he has not forgotten Gollum, I think. I am very sad that you had to sacrifice Sinnarn and in a way Emmelin and Elowen who will now sail to the West to show the rise of Sauron's power at Dol Guldur. I hope that someday you will write the story of Legolas arriving in Valar and finding all those who have preceded him waiting on the beach for the ship to land.

French Pony · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Well, so much for Sinnarn. So long, ol' buddy, and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. And so long to Elowen and Emmelin, too. And Tynd. It looks like the Fickle Finger of Fate has been busy. You must be taking out student-generated frustrations; with all this death right after the thing with Tuilinn, you seem to be feeling quite murderous. Time to prune the cast list again? This must be especially difficult for Ithilden, seeing as how Sinnarn had that close call at the Battle of Five Armies. Nithron bought it, but did his job and saved Sinnarn. And then, just as Ithilden's heart started again, whammo. It also strikes me that this is one loss that Thranduil will not be able to help Ithilden through. Thranduil has experienced losing at least one parent (presumably both), therefore he knew what Ithilden was going through losing Lorellin. And he then lost Lorellin, so he could have done the empathy thing if Alfirin had been killed. But, for all that Thranduil has lost, he's never lost a child, and Ithilden's going to have to go through this one all by his lonesome. Fascinating to see who's special bonded to who here. Parents and children have a bond, as do spouses. So a death would twang on your mom, dad, and husband/wife. There doesn't seem to be any bond between more distant relatives; Thranduil doesn't feel a grandson die the way he would feel a son. Uncles also don't get the news about nephews. And I guess Loriel didn't feel anything, since that's an even more distant relationship. I wonder if siblings feel anything -- genetically, that's the closest relationship there is. But the Wood-elves don't seem to have enough children to make an in-depth study possible. The funeral (all the funerals, but this is the one where I really noticed it) seem very Quaker. I recently learned how Quakers get married, and this seems like a very Quaker way of saying goodbye. Everyone gathers together, and those who are moved to do so speak. I like Quakers (at least, I like the Quakers I know), and it seems like a good system. I wonder if Loriel will remember her cousin. She doesn't seem to have known him all that well, but she'll grow up with his ghost constantly hanging around. All in all, it's an interesting way to end a story. It's almost a non-ending; the initial main thrust of the storyline kind of peters out when Gollum escapes, and it turns out to be the secondary plot that rises up to bite you in the tuchus. I think it works, because life often works that way -- kind of sudden and unexpected. But there is something kind of abrupt about the structure of the ending. It almost felt a little rushed. But I know you really don't like dwelling around a death, so I guess it's a tradeoff. Also interesting is the clear sight of how well-connected Sinnarn was. You don't realize it when someone is alive, because their various relationships are all there and don't really need to be remarked upon. But when you remove someone from their own personal web and see who cries, you realize just how many people that person is connected to. Sinnarn is son, nephew, cousin, grandson, husband, son-in-law, grandson-in-law, and friend. And corpse. Let's not forget corpse. I think that I will have to reread this story and the Tuilinn one many times this summer. I'm doing a Holocaust-related thesis, and that'll be good training for listening to Yom Ha-shoah music for a year.

Alison H · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Daw---what can I say? Having wiped the tears from my face after such a harrowing, moving chapter I realise that you are one brave author!! To kill off such a beloved character took courage and the aftermath of Sinnarns' death will be felt for a long time.But, and I love this, each Wood Elf in Mirkwood will fight all the harder tp protct what they love.They send Sinnarn on his way but fight on in his name. I realised that Sinnarn was probably not going to survive and I truly worried over how Ithilden and Alfirin would cope, but hey, as always, drew strenght from each other.Their marriage is truly blessed. Poor Eilian--how he must be suffering.Okay, I have to stop there because I'm tearing up again! You never fail to impress me with your stories and I wish I had the time to print out every single story you have written--they are far better than many published novel I have read. Thank you for this story and I look forward to the next one, as always. Take care. Ali. Namarie Sinnarn.

Jems · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 8: Facing Loss

Thanks you so much for another great story, albeit another incredibly sad one. I didn't think that I would be this sad about Sinnarn's death! First, I really love the way you have prepared Legolas for the quest. His anger at the end of the story and his resolve to get rid of the evil was perfect, as well as the interaction with humans earlier in the story. Perhaps one of the saddest things about this story is the fact that we know that it will only get worse from here, and that these are only the first of many more losses in the days ahead for Legolas and co. You are wonderful! Thanks again, and I can't wait until the next story! :)

Brazgirl · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 7: Terror in the Woods

Thrilling chapter! I am scared... I know something not good happened there but I don't know each person got hurt: Sinnarn? Emmelin? Loriel? Eilian(!)??? Who? I am just too curious! Very exciting chapter to read!

Legolas4me · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 7: Terror in the Woods

Hey daw its me. ff.net is being stubborn and would not let me place a review! How annoying! Anyway, WHAT A HORRIBLE CLIFF HANGER! You really left us at the edge of our seats! I can not wait until the next update...I am really looking foward to reading it! Your descriptive writing is excellent. I could almost feel the terror that Eilian and Thrnaduil were feeling. Great writing!

Alice · 30 May 2005 · Chapter 7: Terror in the Woods

But, but, but what happened?! You and your cliff-hangers! Every single, dagnabbit transition in this story was a cliff-hanger! Fiend. I'm on the edge of my seat with this chapter Daw. The tension and anxiety just kept building and building and now it's just going to have to sit there until you update. This is a real horror story and while my nerves are all a flutter, I'm loving every minute of it. It's making the darkness before the War of the Ring abundantly clear. The darkness is back and it's stronger than ever. This story is really well constructed with the order of the scenes by the way. It's all inter-related and every thing ties together. The Royal Family has turned out to be very useful in illustrating everything that's going on at once. I love reading your stories and having moments of "Wow! That's so clever!" I don't get many moments like that in fanfiction. Oh and it's very scary how much like her father and Uncle Legolas Loriel sounds like. It's a good thing that the family is so large and has so many females in it right now. Speaking of which . . . Oh no, oh no, oh no, I think I just figured out why Emmelin is on her knees and keening. Daw, tell me you didn't do what I think you did. Please, please don't have done what I think you just did. Ahhhh! How am I possibly supposed to wait for you to update? I think I need to go and have a cookie now to make myself feel better.

Alice · 30 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Meetings

Once again, real life has interfered with my fanfiction reading. (sigh) At least this time it was fun RL as opposed to AP testing. This chapter was worth the wait however. I'm really enjoying the suspense of this story and the little elements that make me worry. Like these scenes with Thranduil and the little sentences about it being a good thing that there are so many adults to watch Loriel? Very effective. That dream was fabulous for building tension though. I enjoyed seeing Legolas in Dale. It's really interesting watching the elves interact with humans. Your elves seem like regular people that it's easy to forget that they are in fact elvish. When they go and play (or stand aloofly as the case may be) with humans there's a barrier between them. It's fun to watch Legolas be all baffled by humans. Silly elf. He seems a little befuddled by how time moves with humans. It makes me wonder how the elfs in Rivendell reacted to Estel growing up so quickly. It must have seemed like they blinked and he was grown. Oh! And I loved the line about Thranduil loving small children. While our favorite king is not fond of other races, he makes exceptions for the smaller members. :) That seems very in character to me. Take that Evil!Thranduil writers! So, dwarves at dinner huh? Legolas is going to sit Beliond next to them? Not a move I would have made, personally. This should be interesting. I'd tell you to update soon, but you already did. Sweet.

French Pony · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 7: Terror in the Woods

I like the parallel you're drawing here of the dangerous nature of the woods. While Eilian and Co. are out in the woods experiencing Very Grave Danger, Loriel and her attendants echo that theme in a smaller, more comprehensible way. Eilian's story is tense and scary in the way that a really well-done horror movie is scary. There's shadows and hints and suggestions. People traipse bravely through the woods as the audience cries, "Don't go in there!" And you can really tell how Eilian has matured. Before marriage and adahood got to him, he would have been all about following the danger to its source, adrenalin junkie that he is. But, over the course of his life, he seems to have learned that he's not just one person, but that he has people who love him and who he loves. And, since they would all be just devastated if anything happened to him, and he knows that, he's developed the instincts that say, go this far and no further. In light of everything that was going on in the South, Thranduil's hunt for Loriel seemed very symbolic. It was no great surprise that she would wander off and follow other children. Some kids who have been raised in isolation tend to be shy, but not Eilian's kid. Thranduil does a good job tracking her -- clearly, he keeps up his woodcraft skills, and it's a good thing he does. I was amused by the picture of the three women. Alfirin and Emmelin are making clothing for a growing child with no source of hand-me-downs, and Celuwen is playing hide-and-seek. Who is the practical one in this situation again?

elliska · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 7: Terror in the Woods

Sorry, couldn't resist: I think I'll just ask you to remember two things: loss is real in Tolkien's world, and I made all these characters up. :-) The thing is, daw, Tolkien didn't make me love Boromir, Theoden, Halbarad etc as well as you have made me love Sinnarn and the other family you have given Thranduil. Even Siondel--we didn't know him directly very well, but we did know him through Annael. You made the characters all right--you did it very well! Too well! :-) But regardless, I will still love the story. I'll cry my eyes out and if you ever say 'I can't imagine how I did that' in future reviews (as you do now about Siondel) as will say 'I told you so' with glee. But I'll still love the story. :-) Already dying for the next update...

ziggy · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Meetings

Thank you for updating SO quickly and so regualrly- I cant keep up! I love the way you write Thranduil. He is tender and totally wonderful! Becoming my favourite character...hm. Aprt from Eilian...where is he? Is he OK? (wail) I am worried about him. Sorry- pathetic!