Reviews (24)

PSW · 9 November 2016 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Oops... :-P This was great! And, I knew that would be Beliond.... :-) Thanks for writing!

Ces · 19 February 2008 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

How have I not found this story before?? Thank goodness I have though and it was wonderful! I love Beliond - yes, I can imagine all his encounters with Thranduil's family are not boring! Poor Eilian and Gelmir - they wanted a little pet and they get more than they bargained for - at least they learned their lesson!

Ice · 30 March 2007 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

I loved this story! I was so happy to see an Elian story after I had finished reading all of Daw's stories. This was really well written and I didn't see any mistakes, which is great and really rare in fanfiction. My favorite part is definitely when the spider calls Elian nana. That was so funny. I loved how you incorporated Beliond and his future job with Legolas into the story. I can't wait to read what you wrote about Ithilden! :)

nautika · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

If I have nightmares tonight, I owe it all to you. Grin. I have a major 'thing' about spiders, but I just couldnt stop reading your story!

Noor · 26 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

What a wonderful story - you captured Daw's characters beautifully. I did laugh at Belion showing up like that! Well done! Noor

The Karenator · 23 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Talking spiders make my skin crawl. This...this...Tithen-lhing was a scary beast. All that whining. And saying hungry every ten seconds. Nope, nothing good is going to come from trying to tame this mug-ugly critter. Eilian and Gelmir are blissfully ignorant. Such boys. Creepy crawlies don't bother them at all. At least not until the bad spider decided to attack them. To Eilian's credit, he was putting two and two together. I think the squirrel would have tipped me off. Of course, a spider that can talk would have been a major clue. Gosh, I just loved Beliond. Your description of him was terrific. The little details like no identifying markings on his clothing and the single braid made a complete visual. He is such a cool dude. I loved it when he told Eilian he did not need permission to see the king...and he told Ithilden what to do! I'm surprised Eilian didn't follow him home like a lost puppy. Beliond is Eilian's kind of guy. Of course, if Beliond had trained Eilian, Eilian might have changed his mind. Maltanaur has enough trouble keeping 'the fool' straight. I have to say, that was the creepiest spider to invade Mirkwood. Eilian is brave and it was kind of Beliond to recognize this even if Eilian was also a little clueless. I was glad Thranduil didn't chew Eilian out. Beliond saved him from that fate, I think. Of course, at the moment when Thranduil found out what had happened, he was probably so relieved he couldn't breathe. But Thranduil is smart. He did tell Eilian they would have to tell Nana. After Nana picks herself up off the floor, I'm sure she had a few instructions to offer. Wonderful story, Nilmandra. I loved it. You captured Eilian and Gelmir perfectly. And Beliond! I'm such a fangurl.

Dot · 23 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Ok, the Great Catch-Up Session is beginning and you’re first on my list :D I really enjoyed this, Nilmandra. You have Eilian spot on! Those two are such boys. It wasn’t enough to just look at the creature, they had to go dangling food in front of it. It was a great moment when it spoke – and then it chimes in now and then as they discuss it, lol! “It is not much bigger than my hand.” Oh, geez. I’d have been running off as fast as I could to cower in a corner somewhere, even if I did think it was a big small spider. I would *not* be trying to touch it and having a conversation with it! As much as I hate spiders, I admit that I laughed when it followed them! You’ve actually given the little horror its own personality. And in the space of about five minutes they’ve ended up with a new pet. That’s what happens you, isn’t it? They just follow you home from the pet store ;-) I think Eilian has the makings of a good captain, the way he puts that spider in his place. Or a good Ada! I used to try that same story about a friend having forgotten something too. It only works so many times, though… The spider seems to have been making itself at home. The thought of the web is disgusting. But oh my God, there’s a squirrel caught in it. Poor Eilian. Not only has he just witnessed a most unpleasant part of forest life, he knew this squirrel and brought danger to its home. But thankfully a mysterious stranger arrives! Hmmm, now who could he be… :D I like the detail about him not wearing any markings to identify himself as a warrior of the Woodland Realm. I hadn’t thought about that before but it makes sense for someone who needs to be inconspicuous while on, uh, special missions. I cringed as I read the scene with the spider leaping at the two lads and then devouring the rotten meat. Ugh. The whole thing was just nasty. At least it made Eilian and Gelmir see sense. For a while. And then it rained… One thing I really like is the way you give hints of what’s happening elsewhere so that we get a sense of the life of the realm but Eilian himself is only focused on his own little corner of it. Like Thranduil and Ithilden being worried about flooding but “he had not heard where. He only knew they had sent elves out to check on it.” What if his spider was not a regular spider? And the lightbulb goes on. I had to feel sorry for him, though. He’s just realised that he may not have done a very clever thing after all. But he still doesn’t seem to have quite grasped the seriousness of it. I was starting get nervous that it would take the realisation that he was about to be the “fresh meat” that the hideous thing was demanding… “Like Eilian. Eilian-nana,” wheedled the spider. *falls off chair* The was no way the spider was getting in that bag. What a tense scene. I was peering through the fingers of one hand while the other scrolled down! But thank heavens for Beliond and his timing! I wonder if he wears his underwear outside his clothes… And I’m still grinning at Beliond getting the whole strange story out of the two boys. I bet he thinks he’s heard everything now. “How is it you two young fools have managed to stay alive this long?” Hmm. That sounds like a refrain his pal Maltanaur will be taking up in a few years time. Now that the danger is over, Beliond seems to be enjoying this immensely. One of my favourite moments was Thranduil picking Eilian up and checking if he’s alright. It was a lovely fatherly moment. And Eilian needed the safety of his father’s arms. I admit I was surprised that he didn’t land in trouble, though! I thought it was really good of Beliond to stress the fact that they didn’t know what they were doing. And it’s poor Ithilden who ends up embarrassed! ROTFL! Bad author! “If you have any more progeny, please warn me so I can prepare myself for the inevitable encounter.” Beliond! What have you done?!! Be careful what you ask for, eh? Especially when you decide to tease Thranduil… An even funnier line, though, is this: Eilian decided this must be an important elf, because he did not wait to be excused and told Ithilden what to do. *snort* The ending was excellent. Eilian quickly recovers in the safety of his home and his experience will probably become an adventure in his mind – while outside the protective walls of his family evil is closing in and all those who can are arming themselves and doing everything they can to ensure that no other innocent child is ever in such danger. This was great, Nilmandra – tense, disgusting, and totally hilarious with just the right amount of seriousness!

perelleth · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

ROTFL! This was hilarious NIlmandra! I´m glad I was able to snatch some time to start catching up! I´m chuckling like mad! My! A speaking, overgrwon but totally regular spider! It is so true that cchildren are able to find explanations for the things they wish to believe! LOLOL It was priceless, from their enthusiasm to their worry to the squirrel episode... I howled at Beliond the brave coming to the rescue, only to learn that the terrified children had been keeping the spider as a pet! And Beliond is eager to train Eilian!¡_ Now MAltanaur would have really loved that, I bet! And that would have been a huge headache for all of MIrkwod, trees included!THe whole exchnge between Beliond and the king was hilarious,seen from the child´s pov. Great story!

elliska · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Catching up again... This was hilarious! Only Elian would have a giant spider calling him nana! Oh the poor things. Their hearts were in the right place but they sure did pic the wrong creature. I felt so sorry for Elian when he found the squirrel. I'm glad it survived. And of course I loved this exchanged: “If you have any more progeny, please warn me so I can prepare myself for the inevitable encounter.” / “That is a wonderful idea, Beliond. I will ensure you have adequate notice to prepare for such a duty.” So that's how he got the idea, huh? And wasn't Legolas's first battle with Beliond and a spider? Hilarious. Great story!

pipinheart · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

This sounds just like Eilian, alway curious. Adopting a spider as a pet, wasn't the smartest of moves, very nice... Beliond, it was nice to see him here and rescuing Elian and Gelmir... Great Job...

nessie · 19 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

I KNEW it was Beliond all along! I squealed when it was confirmed. Oh, Eilian, Eilian. I'm soo glad you wrote something concerning Eilian and Gelmir, since I am in love with both of them. And Beliond. And Ithilden....and Thranduil too. Too bad Maltanaur was missing-in-action. Can you believe daw actually considered killing BOTH Eilian and Gelmir? I think I would have fainted if either happened. I mean, I literally BAWLED when Nithron was brutally killed, and he was not even a huge, huge character. But maybe this lesson will teach the elfling to be a little bit more cautious...of course Eilian still doesn't understand the full danger until about twenty more years or so. And I loved this part: " ... “What is it with your sons and spiders, Thranduil?” asked Beliond. “If you have any more progeny, please warn me so I can prepare myself for the inevitable encounter.” Eilian felt very safe in the crook of his father’s arm. He did not know what the elf Beliond was talking about, but it was about more than him. He looked up at his father, to see his response to Beliond’s words. A strange gleam came into Thranduil’s eyes. “That is a wonderful idea, Beliond. I will ensure you have adequate notice to prepare for such a duty.” Eilian looked back at Beliond, who suddenly seemed to regret his words. He was frowning and looking at Eilian’s father suspiciously.... " I loved Beliond's sudden alarm, lol. We all know he enjoys "keeping" the youngest Thranduilion. I'm very glad I found some more fics concerning daw's characters, since I have more or less accepted them as being canon (to me, at least). And I also enjoyed your others immensely This was a wonderful story, and now I'm off to review "Ithilden's Begetting Day," which was also awesome. ~nessie~

Raksha The Demon · 19 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

I did feel rather sorry for the young spider, it couldn't help its greedy, hungry nature. I thought it did love Eilan, at least in the way an infant spider would care for its mother. Anyway, a good and suspenseful story.

meckinock · 18 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Eilian just cracks me up. Young Legolas is always getting dragged into some hairbrained scheme, with with Eilian its him doing the dragging. A large regular spider LOL. Sure, one the size of a dinner plate, and it talks! I absolutely swooned when Beliond appeared. Oh my goodness that elf can make me forget I like Rangers. I loved how he informs Eilian that he doesn't need permission to interrupt Thranduil, and Eilian figures out he's somebody important when he doesn't ask permission to leave either. And tells Ithilden what to do! To Eilian that had to be almost godly! But this was my absolute favorite part, of course: “What is it with your sons and spiders, Thranduil?” asked Beliond. “If you have any more progeny, please warn me so I can prepare myself for the inevitable encounter.” Eilian felt very safe in the crook of his father’s arm. He did not know what the elf Beliond was talking about, but it was about more than him. He looked up at his father, to see his response to Beliond’s words. A strange gleam came into Thranduil’s eyes. “That is a wonderful idea, Beliond. I will ensure you have adequate notice to prepare for such a duty.” Eilian looked back at Beliond, who suddenly seemed to regret his words. He was frowning and looking at Eilian’s father suspiciously. Yeah, he'd better! He knows he's in for it, now. I would almost accuse Thranduil of having another child just to torment him. This was a blast, Nilmandra. (I seem to be reading a lot of spider stories lately. Caught me off guard until I remembered you planned it that way.)

Alice · 18 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

(shudders) That was a frightening story Nilmandra! You did a really good job making the spider menacing. I was on the edge of my seat reading this wondering if and when it was going to attempt to eat its little caretakers. I was very glad when Beliond showed up. Also glad to see Beliond in true form, tossing about the phrase " Young fool" and being no body's elf but his own. I get the feeling that Beliond only "lets" Ithilden command him. This tied into Daw's world and characters very nicely. Thank you for letting us all enjoy Daw's birthday present.

Mum's the Word · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Shades of "Little Shop of Horrors"! "Feed me, feeed me." I'd originally thought of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...," but then it turned scary. I was also thinking of the story of the rattlesnake when Eilian wanted to carry the horrid creature. This was both fun and sad, cute and frightening all at the same time. The elflings were so innocent and caring, yet the spider so deadly! Hurray for Beliond, help unlooked-for! And another of your glimpses of Providence, since the youngsters probably wouldn't have thought to "report" the presence of the spider to their parents or the guards, so bringing the thing home actually alerted the adults to the danger of giant spiders' return. Now about that family obsession with spiders: Is Gollum's similarity to the whiny spider-baby a possible reason that Legolas was so tenderhearted that he escaped? Beliond has his work cut out for him, for sure. Another wonderful story, Nilmandra! Happy Birthday, Daw!

French Pony · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

I assume that Celuwen is off exhibiting the greater common sense of 12-year-old females during this little adventure? Good ol' Eilian and Gelmir. Bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, full of good intentions, as kind as can be. . . and so, so stupid. I love how it's their innate kindness and good intentions that causes the situation to get worse and worse as they try to fix it and make everyone happy. That's our Eilian, to a tee.

s · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

oh that was entertaining! Ew- thats all Ihave to say about the spider. I'm not fond of spiders at all to begin with so you had me creeped with the descriptions... I loved how you added Beliond coming to the rescue.

Elflingimp · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

That was a great story! I read a really funny spider story on F.F. called Elronds Unforgettable Birthday that was hilarious with a spider involved in it,your story was a little more serious but funny also gosh that spider could have eaten them! kids are so innocent,its also so real how when we grow up we forget we did the same things and always deny we did Happy Birthdat Daw!

Jay of Lasgalen · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Happy birthday, Daw! What a wonderful present, Nilmandra. Young Eilian is as reckless, compassionate and brave as ever - he only wanted to look after the spider! His grief when he thought the squirrel dead was touching - I'm glad it revived. That spider reminded me a lot of Gollum in many ways - the hissing, whining, and 'tricksy'. I was sad it had to die, especially when it thought Eilian was it's Nana. I just knew that it was Beliond who had come to their rescue! But honestly - 'too small to be a giant spider' - where do they think spiders come from? Jay

Bodkin · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Oh wonderful. I just love bright-eyed young Eilian and Gelmir making a pet of a baby elf-eating spider. And Eilian being its nana! And it being Beliond who comes to their rescue is even better. Together with the way Beliod treats everyone around him - the way the guards automatically let him through and he just walks in to see Thranduil and commands Ithilden ... he is so one of those footloose cowboy heroes who just comes into town and sorts things out before swaggering off into the sunset. What a guy! I can just picture him tipping back his Stetson with the end of his smoking gun ... Well, actually, no. But never mind! And seeing him seal his fate with those fatal words ... Splendid, absolutely splendid. I'm glad Eilian had a free and light-hearted childhood. (And a fairly indulgent mother.) He needed that to bolster him against the troubles ahead. And he might forget the danger quite easily, but I'm sure there are at least three people here who will never let him forget his brief career as a spider's nana.

Karri · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

*sniff* I still feel bad for the baby spider; it was just following its instincts. I loved Thranduil and Beliond! :-) *claps* Terrific story!

Gwynhyffar · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

I love innocent Eilian and Gelmir. Silly elflings! What other spiders talk?!? Beliond is wonderful, of course. He was even... nice. Eilian's thoughts about him after he leaves are hilarious, of course, and I love Thranduil putting Ithilden in his place about his own spider event. I suspect Eilian is going to find himself with a few more restrictions on his movements now that the Watchful Peace is ending. Alas.

JastaElf · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Oh, that was delightful!!! Poor spider... poor Eilian-nana!! *g* Just brilliant--AND they were caught by Beliond, who does indeed not have to wait for permission and tells everyone what to do! *g* I love it... Lucky daw!! Happy Birthday a few days early!!

daw the minstrel · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Ask For

Oh! Oh! I'm so excited! It took me a few lines to realize that these dingdongs think this is just a big small spider instead of a small big one. It's talking, Eilian! And it's as big as your hand! Ick, ick, ick. And oh yes, touching one to see what it feels like, that's Eilian all over. And it follows them home. Well of course. That's an old story. I love Gelmir. Except for his friendship with Eilian, he's pretty sensible. Of course, he must enjoy what happens on his ventures with Eilian or he wouldn't go. How efficienct of Eilian to dry his hands and straighten his tunic at the same time! It's interesting to try to assess how a kid like Eilian would feel about the squirrel. He wouldn't be sentimental because as you point out, elves hunt and he knows it's a dog eat dog world out there (so to speak). But he's tender hearted and he brought the spider there and the squirrel trusted him. You caught it nicely, I think. Gelmir's glee over the spoiled meat was very boyish, I think. The grosser, the better. Eilian as nana! LOL. I like the pangs he feels over its death. He'd been caring for it and nasty as it was, I can see how he would feel attached. “What is it with your sons and spiders, Thranduil?” asked Beliond. “If you have any more progeny, please warn me so I can prepare myself for the inevitable encounter.” Fair warning! Thank you so much, Nilmandra. This was wonderful!