Wood-elves by daw the minstrel
mystarlight · 1 July 2019 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
The sword dance is awesome. Love Thranduil and his friends. Wonderful characters full of life. The only bad point is that it ended too quickly. Thank you for your story.
Author's reply
Thank you! I see you're on here and ff.net. The review reply system here is great. I liked trying to imagine what Thranduil and his buddies were like when they were young.
Eirinn Leigh · 22 July 2016 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oh Goodness! It's a good thing Legolas - or forbid, Eilian - do not know of what their father and keepers got up to when they were their age!
Author's reply
No kidding! No wonder they had to swear not to tell one another's children. I liked the chance to write about Oropher. He's an interesting figure.
endorearwen · 12 November 2013 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Very entertaining story, Daw! So nice to see Thranduil as something other than the 'Elvenking'! Oh dear, how I do see glimpses of Eilian and Ithilden in this vignette - perhaps they are not so much like one parent or the other as I had thought! ;-) Thoroughly enjoyed the experience of seeing the friendship between Beliond, Maltanaur and Thranduil before they were 'important' too! Thanks for telling me about this one. I'll definitely be looking for more once I get through the Legolas series!
Author's reply
I'm still not sure I have the canon right for this story. Tolkien was maddeningly vague sometimes. And I suspect Thranduil would not be pleased if his sons did some of this stuff or knew he'd done it. On the other hand, Oropher rolls with the punches. Now there's an interesting characer. Glad you enjoyed it.
Agape4Gondor · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
What a great tale - especially the last line! Honestly, I don't know how this happens - I thought I had read everything you'ver written (big fan here) but I missed this one. When I get a moment, I'll have to go back and look at the rest of your 'list' and see if there's anything else I've missed. I truly loved this - especially the little things - like Oropher stroking the leaves... but the axe-spinning and sword dancing were exciting and breath-taking! Great job.
Author's reply
Thank you, Agape. I remember having a hard time picturing these three when they were younger, and I'm still not sure I have the canon of the early Second Age worked out right. But this was fun and I'm glad you liked it.
Kalima · 15 September 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Hi Daw, I just read your story here. I've been wandering all over in my spare time, so I was delighted to go back over my emails and see Jasta's recommendation to catch this one. It was delightful! A young and rather carefree Thranduil . . . I've never seen him like this. The story provided a rather good insight into how the line of Oropher ended up ruling wood elves, though I would welcome a story that evolved that line more, because I never quite understood it. Nice repartee. I meant to copy some parts I liked best to use here, but then I kept reading. I also liked to see how Thranduil avoided worse trouble by getting back his own (and so preserving their honor) without bloodshed. Yes, I can imagine what that insult would mean. I have read the Silmarillion, but I forget it. Was Doriath sacked by the dwarves? I would guess from your story, it must be the place they were after the necklace, right? Oh yeah, Celeborn of Doriath. I think some of this is coming back to me now. (And I don't really mean you should write me and tell me -- I'll be rereading it again soon to help out some facts in a fan fic I'm writing.) Anyway, I'm supposed to working on many projects here (Yes, I'm at home -- I would never do this if being paid by someone.) Thanks for writing this. It was very real to me, and had a good flavor of an earlier time.
Author's reply
Thanks, Kalima. This was a great opportunity for me to think about a young Thranduil, and a young Maltanaur and Beliond too. I had to sort of rewind their history in my mind to guess at what they might have been like. You're right that it was the necklace with the Silmaril that caused trouble between Elu Thingol and the Dwarves, and Dwarves did sack Doriath. Then later the Sons of Feanor came, which was even worse. I have trouble sorting all this history out too and always have to look it up. I've probably got some stuff here wrong because this story was a birthday present for Nilmandra, so I didn't have her beta it because I wanted to surprise her. She's the one who keeps me on the right track for canon.
pipinheart · 23 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
It is nice to see Thranduil in his younger years, with his freinds Beliond, and Maltanaur. They seem to became good friends. It seems Thranduil was even cautious as a youth and one who could think on his feet. I don't like thier commander that well. Kinda interested in his father and how much alike Thranduil is to him. Good job, loved it!
Author's reply
It was interesting to try to imagine Thranduil as a young elf. I felt sort of like his sons, unable to picture him as anything but an adult. Wouldn't the sons like to hear this story? :-)
erunyauve@lycos.com · 7 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
>>Beliond shrugged. “What was he like in Doriath? Did he drill you in the proper way to hold a rattle? Make you polish your toys and line them up just so? Tell you he despaired of your ever becoming even an adequate elfling?” Thranduil could not help laughing. “He saves his most scathing remarks for you wild wood elves. He is trying to teach you to exercise some sensible caution.” I love the mix of cultures in this story. By the time Legolas comes along, Thranduil hardly stands apart from the Wood Elves and his children don't even know the difference. >>Beliond waited until Laegcened was well out of earshot, then took his time expressing his opinion of the captain’s parentage, physique, and personal habits. Thranduil listened with interest. He was always trying to expand his Silvan vocabulary. Hee! And Legolas thinks he's the first to have heard Beliond's expressions of delight.
Author's reply
Thinking about those cultural mixes was interesting. I love it when canon suggests some problem that wouldn't have occurred to me otherwise. Thranduil looks so permanent in "The Hobbit," that it's hard to realize he had to adjust to living among the less wise and more dangerous.
Noor · 3 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Daw, What a fabulous story. I came back from a great holiday, feeling a little blue only to be heartily cheered by your story. It was lovely to read about young Thranduil, Beliond and Malthanaur.....I also though that you were going to put in Thranduil and the 7 knives! It was a real insight into these "youngsters" - as well written as I would expect from you....you know Thranduil and your OCs so well! Thank you! Noor
Author's reply
Thanks, Noor. Glad you had a good holiday. Coming back is often pretty grim. I had fun doing this. I was trying to imagine Thranduil choosing to be Silvan rather than Sindarin and also to think of what these three would have been like when they were a lot younger, like thousands of years and no Dagorlad yet younger. Knife throwing is so last year! Thranduil needed a new trick. :-)
Sadhbh · 2 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Hello daw I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this. It is fun to see Thranduil, Maltanaur and Beliond as youths. I can certainly see that Beliond has not changed a bit over the centuries! I really like your Oropher. Thranduil is similar to him but not so rash, I think. I would really like to read about Oropher's fall at Dagorlad. It obviously had an impact of Thranduil and made him the king that he is. ~Sadhbh
Author's reply
Thanks, Sadhbh. I had fun writing it too. I hear that Gwynhyffar is planning a story about Dagorlad. I'm looking forward to reading it. I don't think I've ever seen one.
The Karenator · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oropher was an absolute delight to see! I wouldn't mind seeing more of him. In the short time he was on screen, you did a marvelous job of creating a visible character. I'm always amazed at how you can mold the essence of your characters in so few words. I especially liked how his feelings about the dwarves and Doriath bubbled up--for lack of a better way of describing it. I could feel the emotion in his reaction. I also smiled when he trailed his hand over the willow branch. Thranduil might have been reminded of his mother, but my thought was he was like someone who had just stepped off a boat full of yahoos doing his rendition of kissing dry land. Ah, really, it was a lovely moment, but I can't get over my glee at seeing the merry trio of youngsters I know well as grownups. You also did a great job of showing Thranduil's reserved nature in contrast to the 'less wise and more dangerous' wood elves. It was obvious Thranduil liked and respected his new people, but he wasn't quite one of them yet. But there's nothing like bonding over a haughty dwarf that needed taking down a few notches for solidarity. I think Thranduil was surprised to hear himself described as a wood-elf, but it was an important moment for him. That's who he was. Perhaps not by birth, but choice, and perhaps that's even better. I love this line: “Paah,” Laegcened spat. “Then you can ‘lead’ your friends straight to the manure pile.” It has a direct meaning and it also has deeper meaning that gives Thranduil something to chew on. He has responsibilities and he has choices. Loved it. Great story, Daw. I embarrassed to tell you how excited I got to see this. It had everything: Oropher and three of my favorite characters.
Author's reply
Thanks, Karen. I had a great time trying to figure out what these three would have been like as youths, given the circumstances and the times. I really do think Thranduil was more restrained than his father, but Oropher made the wood-elves love him somehow. I think he was always one of them, just temporarily out of place.
k_lara7 · 24 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
I think the keepers might have broken their promise not to tell the children of youthful follies. Thranduil must have chosen these Silvan elves to be keepers since they already knew what kind of trouble Thranduil was capable of. Now we know where Thranduil learned those colorful words Beliond also teaches Legolas.
Author's reply
K_lara! How nice to see you at SoA. Thranduil would be most unhappy if he thought his sons knew about this little episode, especially Eilian. If he did know, it would be fun to watch Eilian haul this tale out at the dinner table. Glad you liked it. daw
meckinock · 23 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oropher is so powerful and graceful he just leaps off the page. It's hard to imagine Thranduil being overshadowed by anyone, but Oropher here comes near to stealing the show! This is wonderfully entertaining - I love seeing the Three Elfketeers in their impetuous youth - and also sneakily insightful, tracking Thranduil's transformation from outsider to insider. The captain is a wonderful character, with his stiffly braided locks and snobbish attitude towards the Silvan elves. I love Beliond's cheeky remarks. Good practice for him. The encounter with the dwarves was wonderful. Not only outstanding descriptions and suspense, but the humor! I loved how Beliond and Maltanaur thought Thranduil was going to go all humorless-Sinda on them, only to score the coup-de-gras with the beard-slicing. The deadpan "He means me, sir" was brilliant, as was "He slipped. He is sorry. It will not happen again." Poor Laegcened. but my favorite line of the whole story was Thranduil's "My adar says you cannot govern wood elves, only serve them and lead them" Bravo, Thranduil. There goes a king.
Author's reply
Thanks, Meckinock. When I started this, I thought I'd have more of Oropher in it because he's an intriguing character. He must have been a charismatic leader. But it turned out to be more fun to show Thranduil becoming a wood elf. And you're very good at picking out the lines I liked too!
nessie · 22 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
For a moment, I thought you were writing about the Thranduil-tossing-seven-knives-at-once incident that Beliond let slip about. But this was just as good and exciting! I'm soo glad you chose to write these three together! I've been waiting for something like this forever! Now, are Beliond and Arriel already bonded here? I also thought Nithron was a friend of theirs, but perhaps he is not as close as those three. Maybe sort of like how Tonduil is to Annael and Legolas, and Turgon too. I was pondering something awhile ago and something occured to me...Believe it or not, I was wondering which suitor of Loriel's would cause Eilian the most grief...I came up with Amdir. It would be Eilian's worst nightmare, I think. Anyways, I LOVED this! It's nice to see them as young Elves, and I like how you portrayed that Thranduil seems older in years compared with the other two. Always love to hear from you! Can't wait for your next story (whenever that may be)! ~nessie~
Author's reply
I figured we needed a suprise rather than the 7 knives. You know, you're the second reader who's mentioned the 7 knives, and while I knew I'd said Thranduil tossed a lot of them, I'd forgotten just how many! Beliond and Arriel aren't bonded yet, but they will be. She's good for him. I'd forgotten about Nithron, to tell you the truth. I don't think he was part of this same band for some reason. At least, I haven't written him that way. Amdir and Loriel? You are a wicked, wicked reader! Watching Eilian deal with his daughter's suitors would be very funny. He'd know when she was seeing the wrong sort because he used to be one. Glady you liked it, Nessie.
perelleth · 22 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Wow Daw!I had been dying to read this since I saw the alert! LOL! The secret adventures of THranduil and his little band! Good that they agreed to keep the secret, but Thrnaduil so much resembled Eilian`s witty answers here it made me laugh! And Beliond before his loss is still Beliond, even if he is a happy grumpy one ! “Do you suppose the old goat will give us any free time?” Why do I have the feeling that he would have referred to Oropher in the smae way? It was good to see THranduil as a plain warrior, siding with his trobublesome friends and behaving like a youth. And the Captain's admonition was great fun. I really liked the way you make the forest and their natural environment come around in their speech so naturally. Some expressions are simply perfect, like THranduil feeling as if he had ants runnig across his skin, and Maltanaur saying they're hungry as a bear in spring! THose sound perfectly natural and add a lot to the characterization. Great.
Author's reply
I wonder if Thranduil would ever believe he was like Eilian? LOL. Maybe all young males are alike. Beliond makes me kind of sad, given that I know what's coming for him. Poor thing. I hadn't thought about the fact that the images were of nature, but you're right! I've been consciously trying to do that in my original fic so maybe it's slopped over to my fanfic too.
Elena Tiriel · 22 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oh, I love this, Daw! It's almost as good as Beliond in his too-short minstrel's tunic! ;-D This background with Thranduil, Beliond, and Maltanaur all together is precious... and I think I finally really *understand* Tolkien's words about wood-elves being less wise and more dangerous.... Great job, Daw... thank you! - Barbara
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, Barbara. The character of Laegcened grows out of a memory Beliond has in that story. He thinks about a sword master who trained him and Maltanaur and Thranduil. That was the moment I picked up on here. I love wood elves. Less wise and more dangerous indeed.
Idhreniel · 22 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
How great it was to read from you again! And what a delighhtful surprise... Thranduil in his younger days!!! I love it! I don't know what was better: see some glimpses of his sons in him (I could see Ithilden, Eilian and Legolas in his actions and words) or see Beliond in his youth... Thank you!!! I had a wonderful reading. Hugs,
Author's reply
This one was fun to write. I had to sort of cast my imagination backward and strip away everything thousands of years of history had done to these three and see what they might have been like when they were young. Glad you liked it.
Yanic · 22 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oh gosh that was just awesome! I've wanted to learn about the young Beliond and Thranduil ever since that mention of Thranduil's exploits in Time's Turnings. And can I just say I LOVE BELIOND!! Oh gosh I want more!
Author's reply
Thanks, Yanic. I had fun picturing Beliond and Maltanaur as real wood elves, untempered by painful experience yet.
mithwen · 21 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
I nearly did a “happy-dance” when I saw this story. It’s so fun to see what Thranduil was like when he was younger. …and Beliond blushing!!! Hehehe-that made me laugh. So great to se what he was like before he lost his son… Anyway…I could go on and on about how great this story is, but I think you already know how much we all love your work, so I won’t bore you to tears whit my mindless worship. I wish you the best of luck on the original novel your writing. I’m sure it will be great!
Author's reply
Thanks, Mithwen. Young Thranduil turned out to need some thought before I could write him. It was actually hard to imagine him young and not in charge of things. But I did enjoy the chance to write Beliond and Maltanaur as young wood elves. Glad you liked it.
Manderly · 21 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
What a gem! It's always so nice to see a glimpse of these ageless elves in their youth. Seems like Thranduil, Beliond and Maltanur were quite the Three Musketeers in their early days. Must had been a total handful for their long-suffering captain. So there was a pact not to tell the kids about their pranks? What a shame. They would make such great fireside tales. Just think how inspiring they would be to someone like Eilian.
Author's reply
Thanks, Manderly. Thranduil would choke on his Dorwinion at the idea of Eilian hearing about the sword dance. That's all the second Thranduilion needs!
elliska · 21 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
I'm sneaking internet time at work because this has been looming since yesterday and driving me insane--I was dying to see young Thranduil, Beliond and Maltanaur. Boy this was great! I absolutely love seeing characters in positions that you don't expect, like Thranduil not in charge. That is so much fun. I howled when I got to the part with the beard. Oh daw! That was great. And it was sooo nice to see Thranduil and his silvan friends just being young (fighting, flirting etc). “Thranduil, there is what one can only hope is a slim possibility that you will one day have to govern your father’s people. This kind of foolishness does not bode well should that need arise.” I cannot remember Laegcened from your other stories. Is he in them? Or does he fall with Oropher? This begs a short sequel describing his reaction when Thranduil does become king. Sorry this is incoherent. I loved this daw! And happy birthday Nilmandra!
Author's reply
I told someone else Laegcened was new, but that's not quite right. In "The Spy," Beliond remembers a sword master who trained him, Maltanaur, and Thranduil. That's this guy. And yeah, I figure he fell at Dagorlad. As one other reviewer said, he was probably glad. With Oropher over him and wood elves under him, he must have gone mad. Thanks for the review, Elliska.
JastaElf · 20 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oh come now, that was just plain BRILLIANT!!! What a marvelous story!! You just keep getting better and better and better.... And can I just say that I adore Maltanaur and Beliond even MORE now.... *g* The whole thing is just brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant. Such good characterizations... such wonderful dialogue and clever side-commentary... I loved Beliond's reaction to his elleth and her Lorien friend.... the comment about Laegcened making him polish his rattle and toys, and despairing that Thranduil would ever make an adequate Elfling....(snort, giggle...) *g* and this was one of my favourite paragraphs: "Beliond waited until Laegcened was well out of earshot, then took his time expressing his opinion of the captain’s parentage, physique, and personal habits. Thranduil listened with interest. He was always trying to expand his Silvan vocabulary." So understated and just plain PERFECT!!!! And the end bit... with them agreeing never to tell tales to each other's Elflings.... *roaring with laughter* OMG Maltanaur and Beliond would NEVER live it down!!!! Have we seen Laegcened before? Or (gulp!) did he get lost at Dagorlad? Marvelous tale, hon... when was Nilmandra's birthday?
Author's reply
Bless you for finding this, Jasta! I'll post on ff.net eventually but it wouldn't let me upload the file. Nilmandra's birthday is actually Thursday but I had this written and couldn't wait to post. I so appreciate your kind words about the characterizations. I've learned a lot about writing in the last few years and hope to learn more. It was odd trying to imagine these guys as youths, really. I felt like one of Thranduil's sons unable to believe his father had ever been young. Laegcened is new. I figure he never came back from Dagorlad. Thanks, Jasta.
Gwynhyffar · 20 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Oh my gosh, that was priceless. I LOVED the sword dance! Thranduil cutting that dwarf's beard had me howling and I have to admit that I couldn't hold back the giggles when the captain came over to reprimand them. I was wondering if anyone ever told Eilian about the incident. I suspect it may have come up, depsite Beliond's announcement that youthful actions would be kept amongst them. *snort* as if. Both Beliond and Maltanaur ended up being big blabbermouths.. well sort of anyway. I like that about them. I really like how you used Sindarin and Silvan and showed a mingling of the two languages. Great story, Daw, and somehow I don't think Oropher would have minded the sword dance all that much.
Author's reply
I don't think Oropher would mind either! He might tell Thranduil to stay out of trouble. I could see that. But he wouldn't see a thing wrong with teaching the dwarf a lesson. Poor Laegcened! He must feel like he's holding this army together and discipling it on his own. The stuff about the languages was interesting, once I got to reading about it. Glad you liked it, Gwyn.
Nilmandra · 20 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
What a delightful story! Thank you! But what I really want to know is how Beliond came to be just like the Captain he couldn't stand?? That is so funny. The differences between Thranduil the Sindar and Maltanaur and Beliond the 'less wise and more dangerous' wood elves was great. I like seeing them all so young and carefree like this. Oropher fit the profile - he can take care of himself all right, but he is also pretty impetuous and opinionated. And the dances were great - glad to see Thranduil thoroughly corrupted by the wood elves. Also sad to think that Beliond lost that wife and child. :( I assume that is what changed him so, that and Dagorlad. So much history, sorrow and joy, wrapped up in this. I liked it very much.
Author's reply
You are most welcome! You know, I'm not sure Beliond gets to be exactly like that captain. I think even thousands of years down the road, with much sad experience under his belt, he's capable of doing what he likes, no matter what the rules are. Hence he can break into a spice shop and tell off his king. But life beats him up a little. He sees too much to stay so joyous and hopeful. It made me sad.
Sofia · 20 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Beliond sure seems... carefree. Definitely not the same elf who now is a keeper to Legolas. As I say for each new story of yours, good good!
Author's reply
Beliond is young, very young, and still hopeful and untouched by the sorrow that lies ahead. And yet, he's also capable of doing exactly what he wants, despite what authorities think, which I think is a trait he keeps. It's just that his beliefs come to be more in sync with those of the authorities when he gets more experience. Thank you for the review, Sofia. I'm glad you liked it.
Alice · 20 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Wood-elves
Aww, man, young Beliond, Maltaunar, and Thranduil! It's so exciting! I really liked this. It's so strange seeing Thranduil as a young warrior under the authority of Oropher and Laegcened. As well as seeing him somewhat seperate from the wood elves. When he's their king in later stories the fact that they're silvan and he's sindarin never even comes up he's such a part of them and they're such a part of him. He knows them as shown by the whole you can't govern wood elves, only serve them. Very insightful about the wood elves, particularly when we think of those stubborn settlement elves in later stories. I really liked seeing Thranduil's captain. It's interesting how much more stiff and formal he is than the later captains of Lasgalen. That's part of why I liked this story. It had such a different feel than the other stories. I felt like I was truly in the first age. I'm delighted that you decided to post Nilmandra's birthday present for the rest of us to enjoy.
Author's reply
You know, it was strange to write about Thranduil under someone else's authority too. I felt like one of his sons, unable to imagine him as a youngling. And these Sindar are in transition here. Several thousand years down the road, they'll all have changed. It's hard to think in those time scales. Glad you liked it, Alice.