Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

The Warrior  by daw the minstrel 178 Review(s)
Asms2Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/15/2016
Another good read!

I love how Anneal talks to Thranduil about Legolas’ spider encounter and then realizes too late that Legolas might not have shared all the details. Lol. I can just picture this happening. I, like Anneal, tend to assume that people share things with their family members, and from time to time, I am surprised when I learn that they haven’t.

I smiled when I read the line about Thranduil hoping there was a disbatch about the illegal logging because he was tired of pretending he didn’t know anything about it!

It was so sweet that every member of Eillian’s family individually realized that he had given up his rune of protection, and sent him a new one, without realizing that the others had done it too.

And I love how Ithilden and Thranduil are hypocrites when it comes to getting information on their sons! They both want to know everything, but don’t have a problem shielding information from the other when they think it will just cause unnecessary worry or anger. They care so deeply for their families, and it's adorable!

Great story :)


Author Reply: Poor Annael! I tend to blab indiscreetly myself, so my sympathy was totally with him. And I like that Thranduil sends his regards to Annael's mother. (He did do that, didn't he? I haven't reread.) Still, Legolas had to know his father would eventually find out about the spiders, just as Ithilden had to know his father would be aware of the logging. You have to get up pretty early in the morning to outfox the Elven Kind. He knows what's going on in his woods and with his kids.

He's not very adept at dealing with Eilian though, even though he loves him. Probably the best thing he did was make sure Eilian had a rune of protection, since that spoke volumes. Of course, Eilian wound up with enough bling to open a shop. Eilian is an interesting character to write about because he looks devil may care, but he has these fits of shadow sickness that are really dark.

Anyway, thanks for the review.

daw

endorearwenReviewed Chapter: 10 on 9/9/2013
Well, Daw, here we have yet another example of the delightful story telling I have come to expect from you! :-) As always, the question is where to begin? I guess, first and foremost, there is Ithilden...¢¾ ¢¾ ¢¾ I can never get enough Ithilden!¢¾ ¢¾ ¢¾ SO CUTE that after ten years of marriage he remains as modest, shy, and naive as his precious elfling son! As you can guess, my favourite scene was the revelation of the secret customs of the swimming holes!! I had to laugh at Ithilden's insecurity about Eilian when it came to his wondering just how much enjoyment Alfirin might have gotten from this custom! ;-) I think I would have learned to swim in my youth had I access to that set of swimming holes (and, no, Eilian would not have been my quarry either...) ¢¾ ¢¾ ¢¾ Let's leave that where it is - I don't think anyone needs to know anything more about how much I truly enjoyed that scene...

I just LOVED the letters from home! To me, letters are almost sacred in a way. When they feel at their most vulnerable, letters become the vehicle through which people share intimate confidences, the things you NEED to say to someone else before it's too late. It was so interesting to see Thranduil attempting to convey the depth of his love for his children when he couldn't draw them near to himself in a physical way. Even when scolding Eilian, he remains certain to add that he is Eilian's "most loving Adar". It was a simple yet compelling way to show that horn that Thranduil has to sit on between being their father and their King. Several times I thought about what a major concession Thranduil made in allowing Legolas to 'skip' the relative safety of the Home Guard for his first posting. It is the sheer force of his strength of character and principles that he manages to govern so well despite the internal struggle he's living with, which at times must be draining for him. I think Thranduil is one of Tolkien's most curious characters. I defy anyone not to have some respect and/or admiration for the Elvenking!

I thoroughly enjoyed the way you've written about both Legolas and Eilian as warriors executing their duties on different fronts. That perspective of experience vs. initiation becomes obvious the minute you start reading. You've done a great job of introducing us to 'Legolas the warrior' as he starts coming into his own! I must say, I like the choice of Beliond - he is the perfect guardian for Legolas! It's amusing to watch the new warriors have their concepts about the elders they know shaken by seeing them in a completely different set of circumstances - can you image their shock at realizing they are people too! ;-) The fact that Beliond has a sense of humour - or worse still, a fallen son - was so surprising to Legolas! Still, they seem to be on the road to understanding one another. From the start, I had my suspicions that Beliond was actually quite soft-hearted despite appearances to the contrary. Everytime Beliond did something 'unexpected', I was reminded of Legolas' utter astonishment at the sight of Maldor's wife. I guess age and experience really do teach you a lot about reading people...

I was sorry to see this story end, Daw, I enjoyed it that much! Onward now to the next!

PS - Please tell me that we get to see something more about this maiden who is so misguided she would even consider bonding with Tinar!?! I see that his arrogance has returned to to its full strength again... Sigh...

Author Reply: To my very great surprise, Nana Beliond eventually had fans. I wouldn't want to live with the man, but Thranduil knew no one would defend his child the way Beliond would. I see him, Maltanaur, and Thranduil as old friends. As a matter of fact, that's what they often call one another. And when Thranduil appointed Beliond, he was saving Beliond as well as Legolas because the old guy needed to come in out of the cold.

And speaking of saving, I think Alfirin saved Ithilden from a lonely life too. He sure learned things he never expected.

One of my favorite moments in this story is when Eilian's depression lifts a little and he realizes he's happy. Optimism is his natural state, so when he's down, that's a sign he's really beaten.

Tinar's wife does eventually show up. She's not a prize, but then, even if she started out well, living with Tinar would finish her off.

It got harder for me to include everyone once Legolas left home. Glad you enjoyed.

nessieReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/17/2008
Of course you can mention it on your LJ! And if I ever draw another of your characters (because Alfirin was great fun to do!) I'll let you know ;-) Thank you so much for the compliments *blush* I'm glad you like it!

~nessie~

Author Reply: Done. My LJ is at dawtheminstrel.livejournal.com

nessieReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/17/2008
Beliond still makes my heart go all aflutter. And is it just me, or does anyone else find it incredibly sexy of Thranduil rescuing wayward swimming elflings fully-clothed?

I also wonder what elf-maiden in her right mind would marry Tinar and spend all eternity with him. They must love each other fiercely, or I would not think it possible.

The drawing of Alfirin can be found here: http://nessie6.deviantart.com/art/Alfirin-77606034
It is not colorful and is done in just pencil and shaded. But then again, I count coloring as my downfall, unless it is paint.

~nessie~

Author Reply: Nessie, what a gorgeous picture! You got her thick braid and everything. And I'm bowled over by how patient you were to do things like the leaf pattern you mention on the edge of her dress. Is it all right if I mention this picture on my LJ?

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/12/2005
Quit funny the song Foril came up with and Tinar must be dense not to know it was him in it.
Thranduil knows how to work his sons, get Legolas to talk to him and gets Eilian to apoligize. Also Beliond wouldn't spy on Legolas and tell, he is Loyal.
So sad that Celuwen sent a message from her father, it was cruel. Those other girls ment nother he loves her...Solith, I think sometimes likes being cruel to Eilian...

Author Reply: Solith is a complete jerk. Well, maybe not complete. I do think he loves his daughter. But he's not making her happy. And Tinar is indeed dense. If he weren't so dense, he might notice how people react to him and change.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/12/2005
Beliond lost a son so sad, no wonder he didn't want this task. He and Maltanaur have something in common after all. Tinar dosen't appreciate his brother for saving him from that orc....

Author Reply: I picture Thranduil, Beliond, and Maltanaur as young friends together. Sometimes I'm tempted to write about that, but I'd have to make up a whole new setting in a competely different age, and that sounds like work.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/12/2005
Legolas finds Beliond wanting to spout advise in his ears when he dosen't want to hear it, but finds he needed the advise with the battle of Orcs and Wargs...

Author Reply: Yes, I think Legolas can see Beliond's usefulness in this situation. Still, it must feel as if his father's along with him, not a fun thought.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/12/2005
It must be hard being the Kings son... Thranduil wants Eilian to apoligize and I don't blame him for not wanting too... And Annael accidently let it slip that Legolas lost sight of the Spider that didn't go over too well...And Poor ithilden stuck in the middle wanting a report when his own father didn't tell him about his own sons mishap...

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/12/2005
It was nice to see Nitha again as a young lady... Legolas and Beliond are starting to get along, you have to wonder why he is so cold and defensive at times...But he has a sence of humor after all....

Author Reply: I've gotten very fond of Beliond over the time I've been writing these stories. But I wouldn't want to have to live with him.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/12/2005
Legolas did well in the spider hunt, but missed one and almost got himself hurt. But Beliond was ther when Tinar badmouthed Legolas, he needed his mouth washed out, Tinar has no respect.
Galelas is prospering under Eilian and did well if overconfident. Kinda nice how Legolas and Eilian are worried and thinking of each other...

Author Reply: Tinar is someone I wouldn't want to have around all the time. Poor Legolas. But he did do well, despite the fact that this was kind of scary. And Galelas needs someone like Eilian to bring out the best in him.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List