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| The Warrior by daw the minstrel | 27 Review(s) |
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| Antigone_Q | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
| Oh, look at me, recklessly reading and reviewing at work! I have short-timer's syndrome I guess: my last day is Wednesday. I liked this chapter so much! Whatever reservations I may have had about Beliond are completely gone now. (Insert regal wave of the hand here) He has my permission to continue to protect Legolas in whatever way he sees fit. Seriously, that conversation between Beliond and Thranduil was priceless. Good for Beliond for not being intimidated by his king and laying down some ground rules. It sounds as if Beliond has known Thranduil a very long time. I also liked that in private, Beliond tells Thranduil all about what a great job Legolas is doing in his patrol, and how he has begun to like him. Very sweet! Speaking of knowing the king a long time, my imagination was caught by this little gem: "He reminds me of you when you were young, although he is somewhat more biddable." It suddenly occurs to me that Thranduil would have to have been as much of a handful as Eilian when he was younger, if not more so. Someday, Daw, I hope you write a Young Thranduil fic. I bet it would be a kick to see him as a young Elf...although if any Elf would be a scary father, Oropher would likely be on the top-ten list. It's nice to see the whole family gathered together for a day or two. I had a ball with the family dynamics. Not to mention there were some lines that just cracked me up. For example, when Legolas talks about meeting Eilian's patrol and fighting Wargs and Orcs: " 'That is good news,' [Ithilden] lied calmly." Also when Thranduil says he hopes that one of the letters contains news about the men cutting down trees - because he is tired of pretending to Ithilden that he doesn't know about it. And Foril's little song at the beginning, which was "very amusing, and Legolas had finally decided that washing dishes with his friends was a small price to pay for the entertainment." Oh, LOL! and it is such a good thing Tinar is a little slow on the uptake sometimes...size of his weapon indeed (snort). Thranduil, I thought, handled Eilian very well. Rather than resorting to all sorts of threats, he gets them both comfortable and tells Eilian that the safety of other Elves, including Celuwen, will depend on him. And Eilian naturally swallows his pride and apologizes. That Solith - the more I see of him the less I like him! I hope things work out for Eilian and Celuwen...they really are awfully good for each other. Author Reply: I am sorry to say I sometimes read and review at work, but only when it's really necessary! A young Thrandil fic would be fun. Actually, I have just been thinking about my next fic, which would have a tale of a young Ithilden embedded in a story about Legolas. One could do the same thing with Thranduil, really. Beliond could even tell the tale. That would be fun! And I liked seeing Legolas comfortable with his fellow warriors who were now his friends. He is learning to be away from home. The only one I feel bad about here is Eilian. I had this bad news planned for him from the start and felt guilty all along, as he started to feel happier. Oh well, I will reward him one of these days. | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
| Fletching arrows is not quite as interesting as going on patrol but it does give the wounded a chance to rest. Your descriptions of Foril's songs had me laughing out loud -especially the undersized weapon! Only the truly egotistical, and clueless, would not make the connection. I agree with Legolas - it is worth doing a month of dishes. The man seemed nervous, that is the understatement of the year. He must have been terrified. Todith shows his leadership skills again by sending the new recruits home for a little break. I am beginning to really like Foril, almost as much as the bees. "Lord Legolas," - has a nice ring to it doesn't it? The scene between Ithilden and his brother was very well done. The younging did a much better job of controlling himself and remembering his place but there was still plenty of sincere affection. Good tone. Legolas is becoming wiser - asking about the forest situation before accidentally mentioning it in front of his Adar. I hope Ithilden doesn't hold him back too much. It is nice to know that Legolas can trust Beliond to watch his back but not go running to his Adar. Beliond is wise to know that revealing too much will encourage Legolas to run off. He was obviously well chosen for this position. Tired of time with your children? Like over the holidays when school is closed for way, way, way too long? I don't know what you are talking about? I am glad their greeting was so light hearted. Eilian procrastinating? Don't you think elves would be major procrastinators? They do have forever to get things done. I don't envy this one having to meet with his father. Thranduil played his trump card - using Celuwen to get Eilian to do what he wants. It is the same thing Eilian did to her when he manuvered her into watching out for his injured youngest. Tricky elves. I dislike Solith, I guess I am supposed to. This is not going to help Eilian's depression at all. Your closing scene was very touching - just like old times. I am glad they are keeping the friendship strong in spite of the new distance between them. That is going to be harder to do as Annael becomes a family man and Legolas focuses on being a warrior. It is hard to maintain that closeness when you have less in common. Very Sweet. Thanks for all of your regular updates and for finishing everything you start! Tapetum Author Reply: I started this story with Legolas and Annael standing next to one another and I wanted to finish it that way too, but their paths are diverging, as you say. Still, there is nothing like the friend who has known you all you life. My son is an adult and works with someone he went to middle school with. They are just very easy with one another. Legolas is growing up. I think the time away has been good for him. And I liked your point about Elves procrastinating! Of course they would. Why not? Poor Eilian, though. This has to hurt. I'm thinking about the next story now and will see how it goes. Thank you for your regular reviews, TL. | |
| Jebb | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
| This was a wonderful last chapter although my feeling s are always mixed as you bring another of your great stories to an end. There is satisfaction in the conclusion but sadness that I will miss looking forward to waht will happen next. Poor Eilian to go so far and then be faced with such terrible news I creid for him. Lovely to see Legolas back with Ada and Beliond doing his best to keep some of Legolas's secrets for him thank you so much j Author Reply: Don't worry, Jebb. I lay awake for a while last night and thought about the next story. :-) I knew that Eilian had this waiting for him even when I was writing about how much better he felt, so I've been feeling bad for him all along. Poor guy. | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
| It is so nice to read a realistic story-someone would have to make arrows after a battle unless all the elves have "magic" quivers! Those every day touches are what make your stories so special. I'll bet that Tinar doesn't even realize that Foril's song is about him (can't stop humming "You're so vain"!). Hearing "Lord" Legolas announced still gives me a pause...the elfling is all grown up. But not so grown up that he didn't plan his grand announcement of dispatches! Guess Thranduil's ties to Legolas are still strong if he has fretted over Legolas since he was in danger. Some things don't, and shouldn't, change no matter your child's age. Beliond's character becomes a little more fun with each chapter that you write about him. I loved his appraisal of Legolas as a warrior as well as his admission that he has grown fond of his charge. I think he has known Thranduil long enough to carefully walk the line of friend and subject, and he does it well! Poor Eilian. He just can't catch a break with Celuwen and her adar. I loved the end of your story. Legolas and Annael looking back at their dreams and realizing the reality is going to be *somewhat* different than those childhood visions is the perfect ending to your story of warriors. Well done! Now I'll just stroll off whistling the "Andy Griffith" theme-sorry, but the fishing scene started it, and now I can't quit! Author Reply: I know I slip up sometimes and am less than realistic, but when I find the details, I really enjoy using them. I think that Beliond and Maltanaur are both Thranduil's age or a little older. He trusts them because of his experience with them through the ages. He would never put his sons into the hands of someone less capable than these two. I feel really bad for Eilian. :-( Author Reply: I know I slip up sometimes and am less than realistic, but when I find the details, I really enjoy using them. I think that Beliond and Maltanaur are both Thranduil's age or a little older. He trusts them because of his experience with them through the ages. He would never put his sons into the hands of someone less capable than these two. I feel really bad for Eilian. :-( | |
| Arbelethiel | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
Sorry. With the holidays, I’ve been an even worse reviewer than usual :(, even though I had been reading regularly. Now pell-mell. I loved that Legolas gave another protection rune to Eilian, the glimpse we saw of Nitha, the relationship between Beliond and Legolas, and that between Ithilien and Thranduil... How old is Eilian exactly? Not much more than a century, is he? Probably too young to have been given the responsibility of a captain, however gifted he was. He lacks maturity in some areas (mostly in his dealings with women), even though he is growing up. I checked Ted Nasmith’s spiders, and I agree these are icky. But not as much as PJ’s Shelob! Thank you for these chapters. ~Arbelethiel | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
| Oh my this was a great chapter. Legolas coming home and Ithilden's reaction, so hard for him to let Legolas go! I nearly split my side reading the part where Thranduil let us in that he knew what went on in the forest- of course he does, he is the King! Oh my, my heart goes out to Eilian, but I still want to beat Sólith, the perverse delight he took in informing Eilian that Celuwen does not want to see him. Oh dearest Eilian, such the male! I must admit I also teared at the end of this chapter, it was sso touching, Annael and Legolas fishing together. You have really built these characters up so well, that them sitting there together, you cannot help but remember the entirety of their history which has been so lovingly told by you b/c of course it's real right?! Thanks for making these characters so life-like and dear to my heart. As always I anxisouly await the next chapter! Author Reply: It's hard to fool Thranduil! Ithilden does his best and it's a sign of his father's respect for him that Thranduil even pretends that Ithilden gets away with it Poor Eilian. I knew this was coming and I felt rotten about it for the whole story. And of course they are real! | |
| Lyn | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/29/2003 |
| I hope this qualifies as a "signed review" because it is important to let you know how truly wonderful your stories are. Many stories are interesting, intriguing, and hold one's attention, wanting more, but your stories are blessed with the wisdom of human nature and a certain nobility which carries them to a higher place than most stories. I just finished a course in children's literature and was not too thrilled with young students exuding praise over some writers I felt were glorifying the wrong values as to what was okay or what expected or even what was to be admired. That is, following these stories I felt would result in adults that could not be trusted. Anyway, I am proud to say I would recommend your stories to anyone, for they are full of wisdom and good thoughts, always rare in any age, and seemingly rarer today. Author Reply: Lyn- I am extremely gratified by your kind words. I think one of the things about Tolkien is that he shows us people who struggle to live honorable lives and are devoted to those they love. I try to make my characters worthy of him. They are flawed, but their hearts are, I hope, in the right place. | |