Reviews (23)

Noor · 29 October 2016 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

What a wonderful insight into a younger Ithilden and the birth of Eilian. Initially I thought it was going to be Legolas' birth but then of course it was impatient Eilian! I had somehow missed this one chapter story so thank you. I do so love the fact that you go back to this family from time to time.

mistry89 · 14 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Proving that Eilian's sense of timing was destined to be not quite in tune with Ithilden :) Thank you!

elliska · 2 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

I was happily enjoying Ithilden's complete innocence regarding children in general and Eilian in particular and enjoying his willingness to dance with a maiden without being prodded when...--I was as surprised as Ithilden by Eilian's birth. Hilarious and so typically him! This was a great story Daw!

Gwynhyffar · 2 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Oh gosh, what could be more satisfying than an Ithilden-centric fic featuring Thranduil and Lorellin??? I love seeing Thranduil happily married and revelling in wife and family. It's doubly interesting seeing it from Ithilden's POV. Poor Ithilden, though! He's a tiny bit self-centered and used to being an only child. That kind of shows early in the story. You almost get the sense that he's jealous of the time that his parents are spending focused inward on the baby. Hmmm, maybe jealous is too strong of a word. I felt for him at any rate. He just doesn't get it yet. He will, of course-and seems to by the end when Eilian makes his appearance. Sarith is a piece of work! I loved Ithilden's embarrassment at their first meeting, and how he decides his mother is just too busy with the baby to push them together. *snort* She has more sense than that! I think she would have a thing or two to say to him if she thought he were seriously going to court that chippy! Wonderful as always, daw!

Nilmandra · 25 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

What you need to do is pass the debt along to your aide or maybe that baby brother, who is sure to cause no trouble at all This is one of my favorite lines, LOL. Oh, if they only knew how much trouble that impatient elfling was going to cause them. I also enjoyed clueless Ithilden. I can see him this way in his younger years, clueless about children and to some degree, about people. I have to admit now that when I first read the story, I though this was Ithilden's second child you were writing about.... (hint, hint).

Dot · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

I forgot to say - "We were not concentrating on the precise time," his father snapped. LOLOLOL! I'll stop spamming you now and go dream about Lathron instead.

Dot · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

I don’t even know where to start with this! You’ve put in so many things that make me smile :-) The opening is gorgeous. The start of spring... so this would be the 1st February, right? ;-) Anyway, that image of Thranduil listening to the trees made me go all fangirly. It’s such an elfy thing for them all to gather and celebrate the beginning of new life in the forest. I love that they look on it as New Year. I didn’t realise at first when it was set so when you mentioned pregnant Lorellin I got all excited. Especially as it wasn’t a story where she’s giving out to Ithilden and making me hiss at her. It was really wonderful to watch her and Thranduil from Ithilden’s point of view as they come near to the time for the baby to be born. I actually felt a little sorry for her when she so obviously wanted to join in but couldn’t. I imagine it’s no harm that her son, her husband and the healer were all nearby or she might just have given in to the temptation to swing up into a tree. Ithilden’s mild bewilderment at his mother’s distracted state is very sweet. It’s such a lovely idea that her focus turns inwards towards the new baby. And Gwaleniel is there and pregnant too! I’m chuckling gleefully because I know the future and Ithilden doesn’t. "You were the talk of the village maidens for the next month." LOL! Not exactly shy, is she? She has that openness that tells me she’s used to being indulged. And she’s clearly still being protected and babied. My heart went out to her parents at the thought of them losing a child and I can see why they’ve sheltered her but crikey, she needs to get out more. It made me laugh when Ithilden reads his mother’s silence as baby-distraction. Not to mention her comment about them having the same lacing. If even Lorellin, the unstoppable matchmaker, isn’t pushing them together, I’d stop and think about the reason! Calith’s appearance as a young and inexperienced new aide startled me :-D LOLOL. Poor Calith. Ithilden must have seemed really formidable to work for. It was fun seeing Nithron and Deler again too. Deler must win the prize for the longest-serving Home Guard captain. You know, before you kill him. And I always liked Nithron. You know, before you kill him. You mean because of the baby?" Ithilden shrugged. "He is due tomorrow. They will name him the next day, and then life will return to normal." Nithron and Deler looked at one another. Simultaneously, they guffawed. ROTFL!! I love clueless!Ithilden. Wait until he discovers something he can’t control. Ever. I truly appreciate it even if I do occasionally sound like an ungrateful ass. I love Ithilden. I really, really do. I look forward to the day I can repay your patient care. Heh. By giving him Sinnarn. Hmm. What you need to do is pass the debt along to your aide or maybe that baby brother, who is sure to cause no trouble at all. Wise words. Lucky for Calith, anyway. Another lovely image of Thranduil and Lorellin. In a way it must have felt almost intrusive to be around them at this time. He found the cakes too sweet himself, but he did remember loving them as a child. Wake up, Ithilden! She’s an overgrown elfling! Your mother isn’t too distracted to push you together, she’s too distracted to pull you apart! The thing is, I can’t blame Sarith for being an idiot in front of Ithilden because, let’s face it, I’d disgrace myself too but this girl has no sense at all. I was very relieved when Ithilden finally decided to stop giving her the benefit of the doubt and realised what a silly little twit she is. I could think of worse words too. He mother lay on the ground, covered with a suede cloak Ithilden recognized as his father's. His father stood over her, holding a wriggling, blood-slicked baby. Well. Hello, Eilian. Someone really is in a hurry to be in the woods! I was actually thrilled to see this after you mentioned it in ‘Visitors’. And it’s perfect, just perfect, that he’s born in the forest. But poor Thranduil – what a shock! I’ve never seen him that unsure what to do. Still, he better get used to Eilian trying to give him a heart-attack. "Give me your shawl. LOL! What is it about Ithilden and ladies’ shawls? Doesn’t Alfirin’s end up on fire? Still, it was quick thinking! And I don’t feel the slightest bit sorry for Sarith having her shawl taken and being sent off into the woods. Ha. How could someone so small be so hard to manage? LOL! You think he’s hard to manage now?? Just wait. "I suppose, but I will be glad enough to pass along the gifts I have been given." I love that he listened to Nithron and took in what he said. "Mae govannen, Eilian. Welcome to this family and these woods." Aww, that made me just about melt. Ithilden can see him as his brother now and make that special connection with him instead of thinking of the birth just as an event that was going to take place before things went back to normal. The last line is just beautiful. I love how you wound through the story the deep bonds that tie these people – to the forest, to each other and to the next generation. And how central these ties are to their culture. Lovely. I know I’ve forgotten half of what I wanted to say (and no, it didn’t involve anything about moveable begetting days ;-) because I got all caught up in it again when I re-read it to review. You’re probably better off if I don’t keep talking anyway! I really, really enjoyed this, daw. You’re so good to me. Thank you.

Idhreniel · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

As always a nice fic! Eilian causing trouble since his birth! I presume that much of his conection to the woods comes from his birth. Great to read from you again, Daw! Hugs!

perelleth · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

A lovely tale! I loved the springness of it all: Calith as newly minted aide to fearsome Ithilden, the Stronghold bursting with newborns, Alfirin and Eilian about to come into the woods... and the amused snorts of Deler and Nithron at Ithilden's trust that everything would be the same after a day or two... Ithilden trying his hand at courting without his mother's prompting... Of course Eilian had to come in making trouble and giving joy as it will be his trademark. HAppy birthday, Dot, I hipe you are enjoying your early spring!

Bodkin · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Sarith is a silly little bit of fluff. Although I suppose you can hardly blame her for having a fangirl moment over Ithilden - and I daresay her parents have babied her outrageously if her older sister drowned. I don't expect she'll be so keen on the bossy Ithilden who ruine her shawl by wrapping it round a bloody and slippery newborn Eilian and barked orders at her. Dear Eilian - causing trouble from the moment of his birth. Start as you mean to go on, I say. And Calith - new to his job and nervous about managing to do it properly. I'm glad Nithron and Deler reminded Ithilden that everybody has to start somewhere. Ithilden has already got the stick quality he's so famed for - and that Eilian will do his best to adjust. The baby will be born to a timetable and co-operate with his keepers ... yeah, I join Nithron and Deler in their laughter. I love Thranduil and Lorellin's intimacy here - they are so wrapped up in each other and the baby. I think Ithilden, for all his centuries, is suffering from the jealous pangs of an about-to-be-supplanted only child here. Lovely story. Happy birthday, Dot.

Redheredh · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Very enjoyable! Loved that it was really about Ithilden. *giggle* Well since Dot is human, is not fitting she have a birthday every nine months or so? ;)

sofia · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Oh that was enjoyable! Another good one! I bet Sarith won't try to seduce Ithilden anymore. And Ithilden doesn't have a clue how much of a handful Eilian will be. Pity. ;) I enjoy reading your stories Daw and I can't wait to read the next one. Sofia

artistic sprite · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Wow, that's fast!:0

Elflingimp · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Hi Daw! I really enjoyed this story, its a nice view into the world you've created. I like all the little side stories about parts of thier lives we havent been privy to. Hugs The Imp

Elena Tiriel · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Hi Daw, Well, I love the way you write family relationships, and this story is no exception. But Sarith is definitely not going to be Ithilden's wife, I see... much to the relief of them both! LOLOL! And Eilian was in a hurry.... what else is new? Well done, Daw! I always look forward to each and every story you gift us with. - Barbara

Ces · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Yes Ithilden, everything will be back to normal as soon as the baby is named....*snort* To paraphrase Nimloth, “You direct warriors, not elflings.” He is so clueless! I love reading about Thranduil and Lorellin. She was his strength and together they were whole. I can't even begin to imagine the emptiness he must feel after her death. Their love shines through in your writings of them. And what can one say about baby Eilian? Of course he has to be ornery and be born on a day other than the one his parents planned, right?! Great story as usual. And perfect timing as I'm rereading your stories now!

Agape4Gondor · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Lovely tale - I love the rapport between husband and wife. And Sarith is definitely not what Ithilden needs for a mate!

meckinock · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Yep, things'll get right back to normal, soon as that baby comes. That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time! Poor Ithilden. He's not used to his parents going la-la on him, and he sure as heck doesn't have a clue how the new baby is going to rearrange his life - for the next five hundred years or so. LOL.

Nieriel Raina · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Awwww! How sweet to see Eilian brought into the world. I enjoyed seeing all this from Ithilden's POV. He is quite a lovely OC. Well done as always. A nice addition to your ever growing collection. *grin*

nessie · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

I knew it was Eilian they were expecting. I loved the part where Deler and Nithron were poking fun at Ithilden because he's clueless about babies lol. Everything will be back to normal, indeed. I imagine Eilian was quite the calm baby ;-) I imagine Sarith was barely of age here; she's very naive and thinks that being the king's son entails him to have rights above everybody else--as if Ithilden would trust any other to command his troops! All I thought about when Gwalenial appeared was that Ithilden's wife was currently growing inside her, as Lorellin subtley (this time) matchmakes. I also love how Thranduil and Lorellin are so into each other as they start to prepare for this new addition to the family! And quite a different experience from Ithilden also! You can say one thing about Eilian living a little impusively on the wild side---but EILIAN never cut a dwarf's beard off just to show him who's boss (while doing a deadly sword-dance, might I add)! Thranduil's doings in his rebellious youth seem to be...well, calculating--while Eilian just seems to want impulsive fun. I really wish Eilian, Ithilden, and Legolas learn about that incident one day---I'm sure jaws will drop to the floor. "As if he had the slightest control over what his mother did, Ithilden thought." And I bet his being less-in-control is a real pain in his backside! Lol, poor Ithilden is just not use to it; well, perhaps he was with his mother...the only exception he'd allow! (As if he had any choice). Anyways, daw, as always, I loved it! It's always a treat to see Lorellin, and even more interesting to see some sort of interactions before the youngest two came along. ~nessie~

Larner · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Poor, poor Sarith. Calculating, but not sufficiently experienced to understand what true responsibility entails. But she'll learn! Heh! And one small ellon has decided to come just a bit early. That's one thing Ithilden needs to understand--that babies are NOT particularly predictable! Heh!

Jay of Lasgalen · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Wow. That was an extremely fast labour and birth!! And Eilian seems to cause havoc from the start :>) I love poor, clueless Ithilden: '"You mean because of the baby?" Ithilden shrugged. "He is due tomorrow. They will name him the next day, and then life will return to normal." Nithron and Deler looked at one another. Simultaneously, they guffawed. ' Happy (early) birthday to Dot! Jay

Dot · 22 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Ties that Bind

Oh, daw. THANK YOU! It's wonderful. But then, you had me at the first word ;-) Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have to work tomorrow but I'll leave a proper review when I can. I'm still in over-excited mode at the moment - and there I'd been, thinking how dull my night was! I'm off to read it again :-) P.S. How did you know begetting day plus nine months minus four days is just how I like to celebrate it?