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All Those Who Wander  by daw the minstrel 31 Review(s)
erunyauveReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/3/2006
>>“When I was your age, I had a friend whose language would set fire to the forest. He is one of the most valiant warriors I know, and I treasure his friendship, but I am not sure I would want him spending time with Legolas.”

I literally spit out my juice at that! I'm looking forward to reading your latest story.

I loved the bit about Legolas' blanket in this one - I have to confess that I still have my 'rag' (as my Grandma called it) tucked away in a drawer.

And it's so interesting to see Eilian at such a young age - in the stories in which he's an older, married Captain, I rather miss the Eilian who still has so much to learn.

Author Reply: One of the pleasures of writing these stories for so long is being able to insert those little references to characters and incidents that readers will not to have explained. Beliond is great.

I still have my son's blanket too. He'd probably be mortified if he knew.

I rather miss the Eilian who still has so much to learn.

Thranduil begs to disagree.

NelsoniaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/20/2006
Hi Daw
Long time no see! How is the novel going? Any chance of seeing onther of your stories at SOA soon? The legions of fans (as I belive we are)claim for another story! Anyway I hope all is well and I wish you all the best with publishing!

Author Reply: I just finished a revision of the novel last night. And I'm planning to do a fanfic to make myself sane again!

lmwReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/25/2005
I have been away from these stories for a while, and have just had time to catch up. This one was, as usual, just great! I love the way you write your family - from the King to Legolas. I really like that Eilian confided in his Adar, those moments don't seem to happen often. Keep up the excellent writing!

Author Reply: Thank you. I've been away from them for a while too and I've really missed them. Eilian and Thranduil manage to break through to one another once in a while, thank goodness. If they didn't, they might drift so far apart they can never find one another again.

ElentariReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/22/2005
Again, read them all in one go. Fantastic. I was at the point where I suffer from withdrawals, and this fic went down rather nicely! :P
I thought the flashbacks different from your usual style, but I enjoyed seeing all those gap-filling scenes. I can't commend a one scene because I love everything you write , but I did so love Thranduil's decision to look for and talk with Eilian. The talk in itself was touching too. Young Legolas, as usual, is absolutely captivating in his childish charm. Your grasp of the cute factor is unbelievable.
The news of original fic makes me both sad and happy. It is great to see that someone with so much talent is trying her own wings, and at th same time I mourn the slow-down on the House of Oropherion (Agree with maltanaur there, they rule!). Nevertheless, I am quite curious to see what you're preparing. when the project is done and flying high, send us a note so we can take a look on this new universe, new characters.
Your fan,
Elentari.

Author Reply: I was suffering withdrawal too, which is why I wrote the story. I love these people. I'm so pathetic.

The scene where Thranduil talks to Eilian was hard to imagine at first, but when I managed to get some sense of it, I was pleased. These two are odds and then every once in a while they connect, and then they whirl apart again. But if they didn't connect occasionally, their relationship could have broken down entirely. So Thranduil did a good thing here because Eilian wasn't able to make the effort.

My original world feels thinner than Tolkien's to me, but then whose isn't?? He was a master. But I hope people get a chance to read this eventually and want to and enjoy it.

White WolfReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2005
I like the conversation between Thranduil and Eilian. I think they made a little more progress toward better understanding each other, though that will be a lifelong endeavor, I fear, even with them being immortal.

Eilian is so lucky to have Maltanaur as his keeper. That elf is wise and cares enough about Eilian to make him work to be the best warrior he is capable of being.

I love Legolas's spunk, when he went to see Maltanaur. That was great, and I think Maltanaur was impressed with the elfling. He must have looked like a stern, miniature Thranduil. And he even ended up with some gingerbread for him and his friends!


Author Reply: that will be a lifelong endeavor, I fear, even with them being immortal.

That's a good point. They're just too different to ever find being together completely problem free. And I also really like your observation about Maltanaur making Eilian work to be his best. That's just what he does. It's what Thranduil would like to do, but Maltanaur is willing to be cagy and clever, while Thranduil wants to just tell Eilian what he should do.

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/5/2005
Sorry, I thought I reviewed this but I'm high on cold medicine so...

This was great but I am so sorry to see it end. I love little Legolas's honesty about the spiders and his greeting for Thranduil--both very dear. And sharing treats is certainly the way to popularity. :-)

Poor Eilian--I remember in one of your stories Thranduil wonders that surely there must have been a time when Eilian's face brightened to see him as Legolas's does. That line comes back to mind in moments like this one--Eilian is so tense when Thranduil wants to talk to him and sadly I understand why. They just aren't at the point now where they understand each other yet. But this was a good talk. “When I was your age, I had a friend whose language would set fire to the forest. He is one of the most valiant warriors I know, and I treasure his friendship, but I am not sure I would want him spending time with Legolas.” Hehehe, wonder who that was. :-)

Poor Eilian again for the story of what happened to Maltanaur. What Eilian did was not all that bad--he just had bad luck that the branch didn't hold him--but it sure was costly. Of course he shouldn't have really been on it but... Very scary, sad scene.

Poor Eilian a third time that Thranduil foisted what would now be a restless Legolas off on Eilian--he knew perfectly well he would not be lucky enough to get through another night without the blanket so he gave the problem to Eilian. That was evil! ;-)

And poor Eilian one last time when he went into the infirmary and Maltanaur wasn't there--you must be trying to give the poor Elf a heart attack. Maltanaur is a clever thing, isn't he? I guess he'd have to be with Eilian as his charge. That was a great conversation! And even better was the one with Legolas. That just cracked me up because I had just re-read My Brother's Keeper where Legolas and Maltanaur also have a bit of a run in--things to come for Maltanaur. He must be crazy to agree to guard Thranduil's family. And I loved "I had a lovely time." Nana would be proud. :-)

I am so sorry to see this end, daw. Please tell us you will write another one soon.


Author Reply: Thank you, Elliska. I'm sorry about your cold. I'm a big baby when I have one.

Sometimes I wonder how things would have been different for Eilian if his mother had lived. I think he would have matured faster, and I think he and Celuwen would have bonded a lot sooner and probably with the proper ceremonies. Lorellin would have taken care of Celuwen's father quite smoothly, I'll bet.

I love Maltanaur. He's very fond of Eilian and sees handling him as a challenge that takes all his strength and ingenuity. I think that he and Beliond each regard the other's charge as an unknown factor in their handling of their own, so they're kind of wary of the other Thranduilion.

Legolas wanted to end the visit on a polite note, as he exited having delivered his warning and scored some gingerbread. :-)

I don't know about "soon," but I will write another one.

emjoReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/4/2005
Well I'm sad to see this story end but great job Daw. I know you'll be working on your original fic but please don't stay away to long, your stories are always a treat!

Author Reply: I really enjoyed writing this. Fanfic feels unpressured to me compared to original fic so I get absorbed in it and just rush fearlessly ahead. As a consequence, it's fun! Also, perhaps not unconnected, I think my fanfic stories are better written than my original fic. Too bad the Tolkien estate would object if I sent it to a publisher. :-)

RhiannonReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/4/2005
Oh, I love that Thranduil reached out to Eilian. They need to be gentler with each other. And how funny is little Legolas telling Maltanaur what to do. I agree with Maltanaur - I enjoy the house of Oropher too.

Author Reply: I like the way you put that -- they do need to be gentler, but they have such a hard time. They get their backs up and then they start spitting at one another.

I have to say I agree with Maltanaur too. :-)

ScarlettPendragonReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/4/2005
Hi Daw!!

Yaay!! What a wonderful end to an amazing story!!

I love Little!Legolas and his impeccable manners - “Thank you for having me. I had a lovely time.” - indeed!! Especially after critiquing Maltanaur on his protection abilities!! LOL!!

And Thranduil!! Go!Thranduil!! I loved how he came through for Eilian, just listening to his tale of what went wrong without chastising or correcting him!! I love it when Thranduil can be "Adar first, King second", and I'm sure he does too!!

I found it very realistic that Eilian was torturing himself over his mistakes, when Maltanaur didn't blame him at all - brooding over regrets and trying to be impossibly perfect seems to be a failing of the House of Oropher!!

And don't think I didn't notice that foreshadowing you snuck in - "The world was wide and cruel, and he was going to have to let those he loved wander in it without him on guard at their side. It could not be helped." Bad Daw!! I stuck my fingers in my ears and chanted "LALALALA I'm not listening." Well, I couldn't really stick my fingers over my eyes, or else how would I read?! **grin**

No, it really was a lighthearted, yet suspensful and action-packed tale, and I enjoyed it very much!! Thank you so much for writing it, and giving us another glance into the Woodland Realm!! Of course, any time you feel like taking us on another adventure, I will be extremely grateful and I look forward to more stories (hopefully!!)!!

Thank you again,
Scarlett

Author Reply: Legolas made me laugh. He lays down the law to Maltanaur and then announces what a nice time he had. I don't think he's quite got the social niceties down yet.

Thranduil did well in what was a difficult situation for him. Mostly, he held his tongue and let his concern show. And lo and behold, Eilian responded and vowed to be more careful. Now you'd think Thranduil would remember that! But no, old bad habits die hard.

I'm glad you enjoyed this. I had a wonderful time writing it. Thank you for having me. :-)

TigerLily713Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/4/2005
I am so glad you are writing again! I've missed my weekly fix! What a great new story in the wonderful saga that you have created around Legolas and his life. I eagerly await more!

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it, Lily. I'm going to go work on my original fic for a while, and it turns out I have to work too, but then I'll be back with some more fanfic. I really enjoyed writing this and miss these characters when I'm not working with them.

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