More Dangerous and Less Wise by daw the minstrel
Idhreniel · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Oh no, one of my two favorite elves together??? I love the chapter, especially Thranduil.. almost shy!
Author's reply
Thanks, Idhreniel. I think of Thranduil as reserved until he's struck dumb by meeting his wife. My beta, Nilmandra, wrote a story about their meeting as a present to me. It's called "First Celebrations" and is on this site. Really, I think of him as a lot like Ithilden, and we know what a smooth talker he's not!
Larner · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Legolas's brother is good at getting his own way, isn't he? Heh!
Author's reply
He certainly is! As long as he doesn't cross his father, that is. :-)
lwarren · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Hmmm, had an afterthought! *g* (Would Beliond characterize that as a brain fart?) Overcautious, careful...it would seem the specter of Ithilden-to-come is present in this story after all. He's an awful lot like his father in his younger days (and older), isn't he? linda
Author's reply
I've always thought Thranduil and Ithilden were a lot alike, though Ithilden had his mother to balance things off too (and she tried, really she did). The thing is, Thranduil has a temper but he's also shrewd and likely to strategize about consequences. Wood-elves are a little more impulsive, I think. Oropher fit right in!
lwarren · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Ah, Nana Beliond. I can't imagine one with Eilian's personality coping well with that elf breathing down his neck! And Beliond's statement that he's not one to practice patience...what an understatement!! I remember the incident with the dwarves vaguely; plan to go back and refresh my memory. But I love Beliond's story and I'm certain Maltanaur's rendition will shed a whole new perspective on the incident. Poor repressed Thranduil - so they took him under their wings did they? How...kind. LOL Great chapter, daw - am somewhat on pins about the dragon, tho'. :-) linda
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. I've just started working on Maltanaur's continuation of the story, and yes, it turns out he has a different perspective. :-) The dragon stuff is coming, but not for a while. It's trickier than I thought it would be to integrate all this stuff. But that's why it's fun.
sofia · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Triple Fart Face. That made me giggle, I have to admit. The whole encounter with the dwarves was quite humorous. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Author's reply
The flashback stuff is a lot of fun to write, especially in Beliond's point of view. I don't usually report his exact words, but this was irresistable. Thanks for the review, Sofia.
Agape4Gondor · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
This was quite fun - I'm glad both of the 'boys' are hearing the tale... As for Beliond - good grief he is a fuss-bucket, isn't he? And it's good to have Eilian have some knowledge of what Legolas' endures with his nanny. As for Eilian, he will probably appreciate Maltanaur even more! Thanks for the link to the tale - will run over and read that one!
Author's reply
I've been experimenting lately with ways to strengthen my use of character voice, and Beliond is a great chance to do that. When I'm writing from his POV, I can say stuff I'd never in a million years say otherwise. I'm glad you're enjoying it, Agape. Thank you for telling me.
meckinock · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
It is so good that Beliond is not Eilian's keeper. This was a great line: Nana Beliond's hot breath sliding down Eilian's neck. Yeech, I could almost feel it myself. Poor Eilian. It is good to hear embarrassing stories about your parents when they were young, though.
Author's reply
Beliond takes good care of Legolas, but I, personally, would go crazy having him around all the time. And Eilian is far less docile than I am. I suspect Eilian is really enjoying hearing about Beliond's craziness so far. We'll see what I can plan for Thranduil.
pipinheart · 16 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Very nice.... You feel a bit for Eilian here, Beliond breathing down his neck. He now knows how Legolas feels at times. Here he tells the story of Beliond, Thranduil, and Maltanaur. It seems Beliond thinks the other two were not sensible with the Dwarves encounter, but Beliond seems to have a temper then. And seems to blame Maltanaur for what happened next. Eilain really got a kick out of this...too bad he can't here how his Adar cut the beard off... Can't wait to here more...Love it...
Author's reply
I do feel for Eilian! I'd hate having Beliond nagging at me all the time. In the next chapter, we'll get part of the story from Maltanaur's point of view, and I suspect he'll have a different opinion on who the sensible one was. :-) Thanks for the review, pipinheart.
nessie6 · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Haha, loved it! I can just imagine Thranduil's reaction when he finds out that his sons learned some of their past deeds! And how Beliond would explain: "Well, it's really a story about me and Maltanaur, so it doesn't really count, you know." Very diplomatic indeed. "All three Dwarves were snorting like bulls, although, to be fair, perhaps that was their usual way of breathing. " I found that amusing :) I love Beliond's point of view. I love the Beliond/Eilian interaction! Eilian especially gets very snappy, haha. Can't wait for the next chapter! Update asap! ~nessie~
Author's reply
Beliond's point of view is so much fun to write! He's just outrageous, so I can kind of let myself go. I've been working on point of view and voice lately, so this story is letting me try out some stuff. I love the Beliond/Eilian interaction! Eilian especially gets very snappy Having Beliond around all the time would drive me crazy. I imagine Eilian will be happy to return Beliond to his rightful charge, Legolas. Thanks for the review.
Gwynhyffar · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
I'm thrilled to be hearing more of these three in their younger days. Stories of Thranduil in his youth acting like Eilian make me giggle. :D Great so far and I'm excited to see what's coming! Beliond never fails to amuse me with his language, which you actually quoted this time!
Author's reply
LOL. Thranduil had some interesting friends, just like Legolas did. As for quoting Beliond, I decided I needed to do it because I was in his POV. I guess I could have said he swore or something, but this was more fun. Glad you liked it.
Nilmandra · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
Eilian and Beliond are far more alike than they realize. How kind of Legolas to push them together to figure it out. Which makes me laugh when I think of Maltanaur taking Legolas down as a kid. LOLOL.
Author's reply
The tension between Maltanaur and young Legolas always made me laugh. Legolas was so sure that lots of things were Maltanaur's fault. And Maltanaur was partly amused but also partly dismayed by the wild card Legolas was when Maltanaur tried to guard Eilian. He couldn't predict what Legolas would do, and he knew Eilian would sacrifice himself for Legolas if he had to. Thanks for all your help on this.
perelleth · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 2: At the River
This is getting even better... Beliond's dry humour mixed with Eilian's spark is a good combination. I really like their interactions here.. although I really doubt they would ahve survived long together! :-) his arrows were short a few feathers. This expression really caught my eye. What's more, Lord Oropher didn't mean it." And this one made me howl with laughter. I wonder what oorpehr thought of his son's friends! And now you get me so intrigued about what Maltanaur may have concocted! :-)
Author's reply
Well, Beliond says it was Maltanaur's idea. We'll see what Maltanaur has to say in the next chapter. I've always thought Thranduil chose his sons' keepers with care. As Nilmandra was beta reading for me today, she pointed out that Maltanaur calms Eilian down, and in my head, he's willing to use persuasion and trickery to do it. Beliond on the other hand is not known for his subtlety. But he's a good match for Legolas, who's less likely to rebel than Eilian is. And even more, Legolas is a good match for him. Beliond needs Legolas as much as Legolas needs him.
wantanelf · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Yippee! Yippee! Yippe! Another story from Daw! Your stories always brighten my days. I'm lookin forward to following along on another adventure. :)!!
Author's reply
Thanks, Wantanelf. I love an enthusiastic reader!
Idhreniel · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Aw, it's great to read from you again! What a cliffhanger... I am curious to know the story! Thanks for the update!
Author's reply
Thanks, Idhreniel. I'm working on the story this very minute! It's good to be working on fanfic again.
perelleth · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
I hd to lugh at how disaster can pile up and then add some more! Beliond scolding Maltanaur with his own words was priceless, as was Eilian subtly influencing Beliond into giving in! lthoug I m sure tht he is going to regret it more than Beliond! BUt a switch o keeppers is something ll of your readers have been expecting eagerly for years! :-)
Author's reply
As you know, I'm experimenting with voice, and these four are a lot of fun to write about when I'm thinking that way. I'm glad you laughed! This story will be mostly light-hearted. We all need that, I think. PS. I think your A key is sticking.
ziggy · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Sorry Daw- missed the A in Hurray so it reads Hurry- grovel.
Author's reply
LOL. I never noticed! Maybe I read in a "hurry."
ziggy · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Hurry! I have missed you and Eilian and co! I love this- LOVE Beliond and Eilian together - that's just going to be soooo much fun. All the time Legolas is comparing Matanaur's treatment of Eilian and Beliond's treatment of him, it is just setting us up so nicely for the decision that surely Beliond is going to regret. I also especially loved the first bit where Legolas speculates on Beliond's origins -' the re-embodiment of a bossy, little Noldor lady whose family had finally had enough and shuffled her off to see Namo during the kin slaying.' Made me laugh. I will gleefully await for events to unfold- my main question, will Eilian kill Beliond first or will Beliond just deck EIlian, hog tie him and drag him back kicking and screaming?? As Legolas says, 'Tell' please.
Author's reply
LOL. You could probably write Beliond and Eilian's adventure better than I can! I have to get Thranduil's story in there too. I like using fanfic to experiment with complicated and tricky stuff because people are so patient when I screw up. LOL Thanks, Ziggy. I worked on Chapter 2 today and it's coming along.
sofia · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
I was so happy to see that you started another story! This one looks to be a good one since you have Legolas and Maltanaur together, injured, and Eilian and Beliond together. I can't wait to see how each group behaves and what the story is!
Author's reply
Thanks, Sofia. I've toyed with the idea of switching keepers for a while now, and this seemed like a good opportunity. And then the story from Thranduil's youth just seemed too good to pass up. We'll see how it goes!
White Wolf · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
I was thrilled when I saw your name on a new story. I knew that having Legolas, Eilian and their keepers together was going to be a treat, and as usual, you didn't disappoint. Despite the injuries, I loved the inherent humor in the unfolding situation. Eilian falling out of a tree! Who'd have thought such a thing. And he wasn't even one of the ones that got hurt. I'm as anxious as Legolas for Maltanaur to 'spill the beans'.
Author's reply
Thank you, White Wolf. This will be mostly light-hearted because I need some laughs right now. It's sad how easily I can amuse myself! :-) I'm working on the story about Thranduil and the keepers right this very minute.
Bodkin · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Delicious - I started smiling right at the beginning and couldn't suppress my glee all the way through. So typically Eilian to come off without a scratch. So typically Beliond to treat Legolas like a particularly dim-witted elfling. And the idea of Maltanaur telling tales out of school ... Of course the story is more about him and Beliond! Barely about Thranduil at all! Sophistry, Maltanaur! So lovely to see this foursome in the woods together - and multi-chaptered, too. Oh, joy.
Author's reply
Sophistry, Maltanaur! LOL. Lately I've decided to use my motherly training to judge what people say, including politicians. If my kid had given me the line that someone else is spouting, would I have believed it? I see you have the same sort of insight! Thanks for the review, Bodkin. I hope all is well with you.
Freelancer of Arda (Estel Greenleaf) · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Yay! another story from my favorite author!
Author's reply
LOL. Thank you, Estel. I hope you like the story.
Jay of Lasgalen · 14 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
It's wonderful to see Legolas, Eilian and their minders again! I really like the way you draw the differences between the two bodyguards - especially as Eilian is always the more reckless. There are some great descriptions and imagery throughout, starting with the very first paragraph: 'the branch sagged into a heart-stopping imitation of an otter slide'. I like that - I can picture the moment so clearly! I love the way you build on the tension - first Legolas nearly falls but doesn't, then Eilan falls but is unharmed, then Legolas and Maltanaur are both injured when the ledge collapses. What more could go wrong? (On second thoughts, don't tell me - I might not like it.) The best line: '"I am a Wood-Elf," Eilian said, which would have been more reassuring if he had not just fallen out of a tree.' LOL! Finally, like Legolas, I can't wait to hear what Thranduil did! Jay
Author's reply
Thank you, Jay. I found it hard to manage four speaking characters on stage at once, even though readers are likely to know them. I can't imagine what a new reader would make of it (assuming there are still new readers in LOTR fanfic). As you know, I've been working on description, so I'm glad you think it worked. What more could go wrong? (On second thoughts, don't tell me - I might not like it.) "Ha!" says poor Elrohir. "You love it when things go wrong!"
mistry89 · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
How typical - Eilian gets off scot free and is off to have an adventure (without his own bodyguard)! Looking forward to hearing the story about Thranduil, too :) Thank you.
Author's reply
It amused me to have Eilian get off without a scratch. LOL. Beliond wasn't amused though. We'll see how they all do. Thanks for the review, Mistry.
meckinock · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
I didn't put Beliond and Eilian together to have them settle down and study history. Now you're getting me all excited.
Author's reply
LOL. The adventure is probably smaller than it should be even yet. I keep writing in big letters in the margins of my notes: Don't waste this chance!
meckinock · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 1: A Little Slip
Poor Beliond. Yes, I think it is best if they all stay put for a while and listen to a bedtime story! It is great to see the boys all together again!
Author's reply
Bedtime story coming up! But some adventure too. I didn't put Beliond and Eilian together to have them settle down and study history.