Reviews (181)

Manderly · 27 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Poor Eilian, always getting caught in the act! I suppose his guilt in causing his little brother a fright is probably enough punishment for him, not to mention the guilt in causing Lorellin a fright as well. I wonder whether a mother and son talk is forthcoming. For his sake, better a mother and son talk than a father and son talk. I can just imagine Thranduil's (or Ithilden's) reaction if he had witnessed Eilian's little death defying leap. Eilian is pretty imaginative when it comes to find ways to thumb his nose at death and Lorellin must have nerves of steel to go about so calmly considering she must know all Eilian's little tricks.

White Wolf · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

"I need you, my love, so perhaps you will postpone thinking of another baby." He bent to murmur in her ear. "We can go through the motions, of course. I would not want to forget how." I love that. It's a good thing it was Lorellin and not Thranduil who saw what Eilain and his friends were doing, or things would have gotten very ugly very quickly, especially if he knew Legolas had been watching. Turgon is likeable, but we know what a bad influence that naughty daredevil turns out to be on Legolas and Annael as time goes by. I shudder to think that Elfling Fire Jumping may be in their future.

pipinheart · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Eilian in his sorrow has gone to fire jumping.I am curious to what guilt he holds. Fire jumping is dangerous, but I'm sure he didn't intent Legolas and his friends to be watching. His mother didn't seem to pleased at all. Very nice...update soon...

elliska · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Lorellin at the feast is just wonderful. Worrying over Thranduil and Ithilden and the foolishness of the younger elves and whether there is enough meat for everyone...she is so what everyone needed. Thranduil's arm came around her shoulders and pulled her against his warm side. He kissed the top of her head. I just loved that. What would he do without her indeed! Poor things. And I absolutely loved that game! Very clever. I love that both the rabbit and the fox are worth playing. And Turgon certainly is himself in it. His fate is a pity. He would probably have been an outstanding tactician, he is so creative. And Eilian is certainly himself too. Counting his kisses and fire jumping. Poor little Legolas (I hope that didn't remind him of the funeral he just saw). Eilian regrets that! So much that he abandoned his kisses! Great chapter!

pipinheart · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

Nice... Eilian is impatient, of all the talk, and who can blame him. He is a good friend trying to help Gelmir out. The introduction to turgon and annael is nice, to see when they first met. You can see turgon is a bit on the risky side. Good thing Eilian came along when he did. Nice work...update soon...

French Pony · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

There is definitely a need for some good hard partying here. I like that each member of the family reacts to the party's offerings so typically. Lorellin glides around to oversee and make sure that things run smoothly, Ithilden ignores the fun and tries to concentrate on work, Thranduil does a much better job of balancing work and pleasure, and Eilian and Legolas run off to play with their friends. It looks like the funeral made quite an impression on Legolas, and I like how all the grownups help him deal with that impression without making a big fuss out of it, just making it seem like something normal. If an elf child has to grow up in a world with regular funerals, there are definitely worse ways that he could be introduced to them. Eilian is a good soul, taking care of Gelmir. Kisses will keep, and he'll always be able to get them, but his friend needs him now.

Dot · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

People have a real affection for Lorellin, don’t they? The group of Eilian’s friends made me smile. It’s interesting how much is kept from her and yet she accepts that and focuses on her role to provide strength and comfort and love when her warrior family are too weighed down by duty and care to even realise how much they need those things. I like how her instinct tells her to pull Thranduil and Ithilden away from business and yet she realises that their attention must be needed. I know it’s heartbreaking that Legolas loses his mother so young but you know I’m kind of glad in some ways that the rest of them had this child to draw them away from the despair and responsibilities into which they might otherwise have sunk. Speaking of Legolas, he’s absolutely adorable the way he natters about his new friends! And I loved the game. It’s such an elfy one! Legolas makes a fine tree. He hummed a tree song under his breath and then murmured like fluttering leaves. Oh, that’s gorgeous! Annael has the makings of a great tracker there – and Turgon makes me laugh out loud. He has his own logic and once he gives voice to it, suddenly it seems to make such sense. It was good to see Tonduil and Miriwen make an appearance too. I bet you’re having a ball thinking of games for these elflings. Like Fithral," Legolas said. "His body got too small for his spirit, so he left." Ouch. He says it so matter-of-factly too. I’m sure I’ve said “poor Gelmir” after every chapter so far but I’ll say it again. Poor Gelmir. Is he being dosed with dangwath? At least he has the sense to listen to the healers. Watching Eilian and Amadith flirt was fun. He’s such a charmer. It’s no wonder the females can’t resist him :-) I knew when I saw Tithrandir that this was not going to be a relaxed gathering. I bet the fire-jumping was quite something to watch, though! And Eilian, of course, finds release for his tension the only way that works for him. I was seriously wondering if someone was going to be hurt. He’s a lucky elf that he was only singed! He frightened Gelmir, I think. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eilian wasn’t the only one picturing Fithral’s funeral pyre again. Three small faces gazed at him, and behind them, her hand on Legolas's shoulder, was his mother. Uh-oh. Though I did laugh at how exciting Turgon seemed to find it all! I feel bad for Legolas and clearly Eilian does too. I like that the first thing he did was try to reassure him. To be fair, he didn’t know he was being watched. But I can hear Thranduil saying that’s no excuse :-) Lorellin really does seem to understand Eilian’s need for an outlet and to push boundaries. But that was outright dangerous. And her reaction has made him stop when having his tunic and hair burnt didn’t. I suspect Naneth wouldn’t be too thrilled if his easy flirtation with Amadith went much further that night either. I was glad he made the decision to leave and take Gelmir away from there too. They’re all so worried. They need some peace, not just in the wider world but in themselves. I wish I knew they were going to find it :-/

meckinock · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

I loved seeing the family here through the lens of Lorellin's unique personality. It's clear she loves them all, but she's not so saintly that she can't see Ithilden as a humorless stick-in-the-mud and to connive at finding him a wife. But while she clearly thinks her husband and eldest son would be happier if they would manage to lighten up a little; she's also wise enough to see that there are times when their jobs are downright grim, and pep talks won't help. Like Perelleth mentioned, the foreshadowing here and the little images of a future that will never be are painful. Seeing her laughing and teasing Thranduil about having another baby, knowing what's in store for them really illustrates how not just her life was lost, but also the shared future they all hoped for. But see Legolas so proud of his little friends! The fox and rabbit game had me laughing. Legolas is so deadly earnest about the game, eagerly taking instruction and working out in his mind the finest details of acting like a tree, and trying ever so hard to follow the steward's instructions to the letter. Well, at least until Legolas blinked. Why had he not thought of that? Turgon was very clever. I could just see the lightbulb going off in his little head as Turgon managed to re-wire all the connections. So this is where it begins. No, Legolas!! The moment that touched me the most was the one at the end of the fire-jumping scene, when Eilian realizes his mother has witnessed his final stunt. Lorellin and Eilian are so comfortable together it's almost painful. He seems vulnerable here, not because he fears her disapproval as is so often the case with his father, but because he trusts her, and her calm understanding seems to steady him. Having seen what losing that calming, steadying influence does to him, it's bittersweet to see this moment.

perelleth · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Speaking of well known fates...this chapter is so full of foresights! A pity that Loirellin willl never get to see the wonderful wife that will one day catch Ithilden...or feel how much her sons really need her still. Not to speak of her husband. And Eilina, playing dangerous games and his mother managing to calm him down with sweet, worried care, rather than with stern disapproval. Surely Eilian did lose a lot when she died. This story is turning out so telling, after all we know of the aftermath! Wonderful!

nessie · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Ah! I'm sooo glad you're writing another one! And this one features Lorellin, w/o flashbacks! This gives us even more of a chance to see her and her family interact with each other. She really was their rock. Anyways, I see this is when Legolas meets his lifelong friends too! Eilian is still acting foolish, but I think that it's actually toned down since his mother is alive. He seems to feel more guilty about throwing himself in danger while she's around as opposed to Thranduil. I'm sure if she was still alive, there'd be a few more Thranduillions running around. And of course, I've always loved Gelmir. He needs a wife. And a hug, it looks like. Great story so far, as always! Update asap! ~nessie~

sofia · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Sorry again for my other review, pressed the wrong keys... (I always seem to do that) I remember playing something similar to fox and the rabbit when I was young. Good fun. Aha, so now we start the three elflings spying on Eilian game. I remember other stories when they did this, and it never turned out good.

vaske · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

When Lorellin was wondering about the right maiden for Ithilden it made me really sad to know that she won't be there to see him find his wife. It's moments like that that make this story bittersweet sometimes. I loved Legolas being a tree, it's facinating to see the world through his eyes.

Bodkin · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Poor Eilian. Such an adrenaline junkie. He doesn't feel he's alive unless he's taking risks - and only more risks ease the pain of the last. Whether on patrol, drinking and flirting, fire-jumping or whatever, he has to keep moving. I'm glad Lorellin saw him - and that he saw her seeing him. It might give him pause. More, probably, than doing his best to set his hair on fire and scorching his tunic. And I'm not glad that Legolas, Annael and Turgon saw him - since he's now shown them two things that he would be mortified to have them copy. Ithilden is being so stiff and duty-ridden that he seems about to shatter. Not even noticing Naneth's selection of suitable maidens - or the game of getting him to meet them. And Thranduil is leaning on Lorellin for uncomplicated love and support - and to remind himself, I think, of the reasons why they do this. (Saucy of him to suggest that he is willing to keep practising the techniques for producing babies, even if he's not keen to have any more. Which he wouldn't be, the way things are going!) I'm glad that Legolas is beginning to take those first steps away from his mother's side. He's going to need that smidgeon of independence to help him survive what comes. And Annael is a star right from the start - I love the way he listens to the sound of the 'rabbit'. While Turgon's response to the game is just so totally Turgon! Legolas makes a gorgeous little tree - and he's learning so much, just from being around these elflings who will become his friends. A lovely evening - but the echoes of pain and grief and loss are still in there. Poor Lorellin. She wants everything to be perfect for her family - but it can't be. The world intrudes on them and the fuse is burning.

Jay of Lasgalen · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Games

Eilian is lucky he only singed his braid! As the fire was built higher and higher I had a nasty feeling that he'd be hurt more. It's not good that the elflings watched though - especially Turgon! I just know he's going to copy the game. Legolas being a tree was sweet - I loved the bit about the squirrel and the robins :>) Jay

perelleth · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

lovely, the beginning of a famed friendship, and with the markings of mischief snce the very beginning. I always suspected that Turgon and Eilian would have been good friends, if they had been of the same age, but then Eilian's childhood would have been far more troubled than it was! And how sad to see trouble brewing, as LOrellin worries for her family, the troop commander expects that he can keep the lands free by his own strength of will only, GElmir drowns in guilt and the villagers norun the lost ones. I wonder how Thrnaudil bears the burden. The parts with the children are a most welcome relief, daw.

Dot · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

So sorry this is late. And that it’s about to be more hurried than I’d like. The meeting was great. Very tense! I felt so bad for them all. The back and forth discussion was very realistic, I thought, but there was also a sense of despair in that room. And Ithilden really is a stubborn ass :-) How hard it must have been for Eilian to sit there and listen to this when he knows what it’s like in the south and he just wants to be doing something that feels like it’s helping. I like how he reads Maltanaur’s reaction and tries to do what his keeper wants him to do too. I loved the scene with Legolas and Nana! It’s fascinating to see how his mind works. Though Nana is clearly used to her elfling as she patiently deals with his questions. It might take a long time for the Valar to make new bodies, maybe all the way to winter. I’m smiling at that even though it’s really rather moving. What a perfect way to show how he perceives time. I also really like the idea of everyone bringing food to the grieving family. I know it’s something you see in lots of cultures but there’s really such a sense of community here. It sounds like a hive of activity around the Green. I suppose this is the spring dancing, then :-( "Nana, can we see what those boys are doing?" He pointed to the two along the river. She glanced at the boys, then swept her gaze along the riverbank. "I think we should." Er, yeah. I’m with Nana – those elflings need to be supervised! Oh wait, Mírdaniel is there. That’s ok, then ;-) She doesn’t seem as bad as usual but she’s certainly distracted enough to choose a stitch to concentrate on instead of elflings playing by a dangerous river… I did groan loudly when she said she has letters for the queen but hasn’t managed to find them yet. I mean, seriously Mírdaniel! And not to mention the fact that I was cringing incase Mírdaniel’s words might be the reason for Lorellin’s visit to her family. You can really tell that Legolas is used to spending time around adults rather than with people his own age. I’m glad he’s getting a little lesson in imaginative play, even if he will be coming under the rather questionable influence of the bould Turgon. Even the trees sheltering the cottage sang more somberly than usual. A willow trailed a branch over the thatched roof, as if caressing it and offering comfort to those within. That was a beautiful and very moving image. If the tone of his voice had not told her he was lying, that failure to brave her gaze would have. She understood the pity from which he spoke, but surely he could have leaned on his wood elf heritage and curled his tongue around an ambiguous answer. Thranduil would speak sharply if he knew. People had to be able to trust Eilian's words. Gosh, that was interesting. What a different culture it is! I mean, I’d be more likely to criticise someone for not softening it if that would provide comfort when there was no need to know any different. I can see the point, though, about people needing to be able to trust Eilian’s word. (I vaguely recall something about truth/ honesty in medieval times… was there a term for it? I might have done it in a Middle English Literature module at some stage but can’t quite remember it.) I’d still be inclined to think Eilian was right to trust his instincts and provide some comfort to the brother. Maybe he could have just left out the “fear” part… The part with Helith was quite hard to read. My heart goes out to her. Especially when she gazed after Gelmir and Eilian with such longing. More people than her family benefited from Lorellin’s presence, I think. She seems to be very easy and natural around people and was able to offer a comfort that is simpler than what Thranduil or his sons could provide. I must say, I quite like Turgon’s clueless naneth. I know she’s not an ideal supervisor but she seems fond of children and I bet they like her too when they’re young enough not to question… parenting techniques. Annael made me laugh telling her they’re being careful! "Numenor is very far away, and maybe something happened to it." LOL! That’s sweet. Clearly such history is nothing more than a good story with no relevance to these elflings. The river grumbled past That seems like an odd thing to pick out, I know, but I have to tell you that I loved that description! That Turgon is a ball of energy. I was almost afraid to read on the closer they got to the water. I was thinking that weighing down the “boats” with pebbles was probably not a great idea but apparently that was the least of their problems. Hurrah for Eilian! Granted he possibly should have pulled the three kiddies away from the river altogether but I was glad he rescued Annael’s boat. I didn’t want him to get into trouble. And I laughed at Eilian walking on water! LOL. Plus he got a smile out of poor Gelmir. It amused me no end too when they exchanged understanding looks after being shown the person looking after them. He glanced back to make sure Eilian was coming and saw him walking with his hand on Gelmir's shoulder. Legolas turned forward again and put one hand on Turgon's shoulder and the other on Annael's. *grin* I love how he copies him. A case of big brother worship. "Some other day." *bangs head off desk*

erunyauve · 23 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

>>Legolas scowled at him. "It is not an orc boat. It is a warrior boat, and they are sailing all the way to Numenor." Annael frowned. "Numenor is very far away, and maybe something happened to it." ::g:: I love this bit. He finally gets to meet Annael and Turgon!

sofia · 22 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

'It might take a long time for the Valar to make new bodies, maybe all the way to winter.'- ah, that is too cute! And hearing Lorellin thinking about going to visit her family makes me want to say, "NO!" Because of course, we all know how that'll turn out. I love how Eilian came and saved the day by rescueing Turgon and Annaels boats. It's such a good brother.

Bodkin · 22 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

Right. Now back to the important stuff! Eilian's report of Fithral's death reminds me of a WW1 poem - can't remember which one - where brother officers are telling those at home about a soldier's fate. And it's not a lie - not really - just not the exact truth. Fithral's death was quick - just not (as if anything could be under those circumstances) quick enough. And it's an evasion his family would far rather live with. What a dreadful time to be King ... and council ... and warriors and mothers. This dark is such a tangible, polluting, fouling thing. And elves, unlike men, have personally faced this before and know how insidious it is - and how difficult to resist. They must be on the verge of despair beneath their defiance. And I daresay there will be a fair number bleeding away to the Havens in a desperate desire to protect the innocence of their families. And little Legolas - and his newly-discovered friends - shine through it. Lovely stuff.

Noor · 21 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

Lovely to come back from holiday to another story in your world Daw. Lorellin's influence on her family is so well expressed. I hope this is not the story that she is going to die in. It was traumatic enough reading the excerpts in your earlier stories! Although the threat of Sauron and SHadow is there in this story at least Thranduil's family is together and not divided in grief. Thanks again Noor

Bodkin · 21 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

Let joy be unconfined - Legolas has made Turgon's acquaintance, and the ellon has already begun his campaign to provide the king's youngest with adventure enough to train him for his future role. So lucky that Eilian turned up just before the elflings inadvertently went swimming in the swollen river. Even if he has provided them with the seeds of a future adventure. And it seems that Turgon's mother, in addition to being a total incompetent in the field of child care, also bears the blame for getting Lorellin so worried about her family that she heads off to see them! More later. Interruption!

Agape4Gondor · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

A great chapter - though I had my heart in my throat through most of Legolas' adventure! Sure the little one was going to fall in. I think someone should give a good scolding to Turgon's naneth! I love the way you write - there is always a line or fourteen that just catch my breath - this is one of them.... 'Water dripped off the bottom and made a dark border.' What a neat way to bring an image so easily to mind. Also - on my comment from the last chapter - I didn't realize and was horrified to finally understand why poor Fithral's body (what was left of it) was burned by the Elves! My goodness, I don't think my mind could quite register what the Orcs had done to him. Hideous. Many thanks for continuing this - I sincerely hope your business trip goes well.

Idhreniel · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

Oh no... the queen decided to travel! I don't want to see the end! ahaha Nice chapter. I like Laurellin so much... and like to see what Eillian inherited from her. Eillian simply cannot imagine that he gave some ideas to those elflings...

Elena Tiriel · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 2: Funeral

Hi again, Daw, Sorry that I'm not really feeling up to writing a real review... dealing with the death of a dear friend a few days ago, and feeling kind of "out of it" right now.... But I saw Agape's question about Elves dissipating, and I do have the quote handy: "The flesh of Dwarves is reported to have been far slower to decay or become corrupted than that of Men. (Elvish bodies robbed of their spirit quickly disintegrated and vanished.)" The Peoples of Middle-Earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 2, Ch 13, Last Writings: Notes, Note 24 Not sure how exactly to interpret it, but I thought you did very well in that story about Legolas's girlfriend dying.... sorry, the name isn't coming to me right now.... but I suspect that "quickly" means in relationship to Men, here, not necessarily "instantaneously", except possibly for spirits of fire.... - Barbara

Socket · 19 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Meetings

I waited to read a few chapters all at once, and I'm glad I did! How wonderful it is to see Legolas with his nana -- I could never get enough of Little Legolas. And seeing the origins of the Annael-Legolas-Turgon crew was great, too. But underlying my joy was the realization of what is coming very soon, and how things will change, and not for the better. Thank you for returning to this wonderful series, Daw. It is always great to read your stories -- like the Tolkien stories, they never grow old.