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| Sacrifice Under Shadow by daw the minstrel | 36 Review(s) |
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| Kalile | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/1/2004 |
| I remember the first time I saw a deceased body and my reaction was not so far removed from that of Eilian's. What a shock to the system it must have been for Eilian to realize that violence and death has now become part of his once safe, little world. Wonderfully done. Would it be odd for me to say that it was surprisingly refreshing to see Ithilden break down before his younger brother? In front of Thranduil he is the troop commander and to Lorellin he is her oldest son, but Eilian has never really thought of Ithilden as being anything more than...well, Ithilden. It adds a welcome break from the tension the two sometimes have in their relationship. I think I'm more afraid of an angry NanaMaltanaur than an angry NanaBeliond (although I'd rather not face either.) I can't help but grin at all the scenes of those four interacting...it's so immensely dysfunctional yet undeiable sweet at the same time... Yay! A happy Eilian at the end of one of your fics...it has been a while since that's happened! (My interpretation of the note is that it said very little and instead included some "steamy elleth sketches.") Err....that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Thank you, your minstrelness. You make me want to call my mom...and I think I will. Toodle-loo. Author Reply: I thought that Eilian's reaction to a dead elf would be especially strong since he would not be expecting any elf to die. What he was seeing would be almost incomprehensible to him. And I too enjoyed (?) Ithilden's weak moment. I figured everyone needs comfort sometimes; no one is always strong. And it was good for Eilian to learn that. My beta encouraged me to expand the scenes with Maltanaur and Beliond in this chapter and I did. And as usual, my beta was right, because readers seem to enjoy them. The keepers kind of make me laugh too. And yes, a happy (if wounded) Eilian. We'll have to see if he can manage to stay that way. | |
| LadyJules | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/1/2004 |
| Thank you for another wonderful part of this series. I found these stories a month ago and love everyone of them. Thranduil is a great father and I love reading about Legolas growing up with his 2 grat older brothers and friends. Ithilden and Eilian are both well written believable characters that I care about. Finally I love Legolas, especially your Legolas. Thanks for writing Jule Author Reply: LadyJules-- Thank you so much for your kind words. I am always thrilled when a reader tells me they just found the stories and read them all. That tells me they were caught and THAT is so satisfying to hear. :-) I have to admit that I am shamelessly fond of Legolas's brothers. Legolas is at the center of this series, but its writing about his interaction with his family that is most fun for me. | |
| Lyn | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/1/2004 |
| What can I say? The BEST!! Author Reply: Thank you, Lyn. That's a lovely thing to say! | |
| Antigone Q | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| Whew! So Eilian got out of it safe and sound - yay! And Eilian the younger talked to his Naneth about his worries - again, yay! And of course, he finally talks to his Adar as well, it is just many years later. But what on earth did Celuwen write? If Eilian was making Thranduil read it over and over it couldn't have been bad news, could it? Could this finally be the moment for the two of them? I hope you start a new story soon, and take over more or less where you left off (HINT, HINT). I found the scene with Eilian taking care of Ithilden very touching, and all the more powerful because Legolas had just experienced that very same kind of role-reversal. Nice story, Daw - keep them coming! Author Reply: Even Legolas didn't think he should be reading that letter, Antigone! We need to leave Eilian in peace to enjoy it for a while. But then we'll see. The scene with Ithilden really intrigued me once I thought of it a few weeks ago. I wanted something that was parallel in the two stories and that seemed to do nicely. And it was just so startling to think of Ithilden breaking down and needing Eilian. I am usually bored when I am without a story, so another one will probably be along soon. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| Now, just wait a cotton pickin' minute, your minstrelship! What was in the bloomin' letter? You dangled it like a big, old, fat, juicy worm before your flock of readers and then snatched it back. I smell tar being heated up again, and I see a few white feathers flitting about in the breeze. I don't know that I can hold off the angry peasants again, ya know. Where's that dear, sweet-faced, adorable, well-mannered beta anyway? Well, I never! Despite the evil manner in which you left us all hanging for word from Celuwen, the rest of the story was great. Legolas is coming into his own. He's proven himself to Eilian and to the keepers. Not that Beliond will take his eyes of him, but he must feel proud that his charge reacted so proficiently in such horrible circumstances. It was a testament to how shaken Maltanaur was that he was snapping at everyone. Fortunately, he made peace with Legolas by praising him...after he had gotten himself under control. Control came a little harder to Legolas. But who can blame him? He had put his heart and soul into seeing his brother safe. I suppose one doesn't just turn that kind of concern off like a light switch. Like Maltanaur said: "He could not imagine what would separate the sons of Thranduil from one another unless true disaster had befallen them." Knowing what love and devotion there is between these two, Maltanaur's thought was truly a frightening one. And he loves Eilian like his own son. So, Beliond is expanding Legolas's vocabulary? Good. Then when the time comes for him to hang out with mangy rangers, gruff dwarves and rough-riding Rohirrim, he'll be educated. I had forgotten that you had told us that Annael's grandfather had died fighting the shadow, and I was thinking as I read that that we need to put a keeper with Annael. This 'death by shadow' is starting to look like a family tradition. Poor Siondel. Poor Annael. The scene with Eilian and Ithilden in the garden was so sad. Poor Ithilden. He's so strong and competent and for the shadow to be returning must feel like a personal failure to him. He had already seen what horrors the shadow brings and to be faced with it again was just heartbreaking. It was certainly an eye-opener for Eilian. I loved Thranduil at the end. For as tough and solid a ruler as he is, he's such a good adar. While he and Eilian may be at odds from time to time, his love for Eilian is no less strong than it is for his other two sons. I think Eilian needs to know that,too. I imagine he may feel oftentimes that he doesn't live up to his adar's expectations. It's good for them to have these downtimes when both of their defenses are lowered and they can just love each other. Too bad it has to be when Eilian has nearly been killed! They have really had to grope in the dark for each other without Naneth to be their guiding light. Okay, your dawness, another terrific tale has been laid to rest. But from this finality comes the welling of hope, for surely a new one will weave its way into our hearts soon. Good show. Karen PS. Ps.s.s.t You can tell ME! What was in the letter? I won't tell anyone...just a few people who only have Eilian's best interest at heart. I promise.... Author Reply: The letter is *personal*, Karen, PERSONAL!!! ;-0 But Eilian seems pleased by it, don't you think? Nilmandra wanted me to include a present for him from her too but I was sure I was done with this chapter at that point and I beat my head on the keyboard a few times and refused. You and she can commiserate. Maltanaur and Beliond were both scared witless. I have told several other reviewers that these two have grown on me over time. They started out as just minor ideas, but they have become interesting. And I have to say the idea of Beliond swearing like a sailor amuses me. I'm not sure that Thranduil would have chosen him to take care of the baby if he'd realized quite how broad Beliond's vocabulary was. When the idea of Ithilden breaking down like that occurred to me a couple of weeks ago, I was really struck by it because he does seem so strong most of the time. And Eilian comforting him made a nice parallel to Legolas caring for Eilian. Good!Ada Thranduil needed to end the story, I think. These are his sons and he is risking them in the defense of his people. How hard that must be. Thank you for your continued encouragement, Karen. It means a lot to me. | |
| sofia | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| Im glad they were reunited with Maltanaur's group. Maltanaur sure is stubborn when his charge is wounded. I am glad that Eilian will be going home to get better help. Good story. You better not keep us waiting for another one! Author Reply: Maltanaur is sure that Eilian needs him and that everyone else is less competent than he is at taking care of Eilian! And mostly, he's right. But Legolas did a good job here. I usually can't stand to be without a story for too long. Thank you for your kind words, Sofia. | |
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| *Tear* How do you always have the moving endings? So touching. Poor Maltanuar. Having to deal with a wounded Eilian and an incensed Legolas cannot be easy. I foresee some interesting times ahead for Legolas, in the Southern Patrol with a hyperventilating Beliond. Hee. I guess that your next story will take place when Legolas is a lieutenant? I hope so, that should be interesting. Thanks for this story and keep writing! Author Reply: Estel-- Thank you so much for telling me that you found the ending moving. This story felt emotional to me at the end too, but you can never tell if readers will feel that way too. At least, I can never tell. I suspect that Maltanaur brushes Legolas off like a fly until he's sure that Eilian is OK. Then he turns around and realizes that this person he's fond of is hopping around shouting at him and he's sorry. Beliond is a little unglued here too. The keepers have gradually taken on lives of their own, I have to say, to a far greater extent than I expected when I first made them up. I am grateful for your kind words always. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| Amazing. I’m so sad this wonderful story has come to an end, but what an incredible ending it was. I wonder what it feels like to have so much power over our emotions…;) I loved the way you wrote Maltanaur’s deduction of events. It was fascinating to watch the way he pieced everything together. What a horrible moment it must have been, though, when he saw the hole in the ice. If Legolas or Eilian had fallen through they might never have been found. “Clever elfling.” LOL! Elfling indeed. I love that after all the worry, it isn’t relief he feels, or even hope but “approval”. You just gotta love Maltanaur! It actually was frightening to see Eilian just lying there, waiting for Legolas to tell him what they would do. It really shows just how weak he was, that he would give in to his helplessness. I had to laugh, though, at poor Eilian trying to muster a sense of dignity as he is being carried, half dead, across the snow by his baby brother… Daw, you have my heart broken for Ithilden! As shocking as the realisation of the existence of death and evil and of their effect on his loved ones was for Eilian, I just felt so bad for Ithilden. I know it must have seemed incomprehensible and shocking at the same time for Eilian to discover that not only can death touch elves, but that it will now become a reality in the Woodland Realm. But for Ithilden and Thranduil…I can’t even begin to imagine how awful it was for them to know that the history will repeat itself, that everything they fought for and achieved will become undone. I imagine Ithilden has rarely felt either helpless or hopeless but this seems to be exactly what he experiences here. I had tears in my eyes when he wept in his brother’s arms. It completely captures what the return of the Shadow means for Mirkwood, that even the strongest are driven to despair. It’s such a strong image, and one that will definitely stay with me. As always, the moments between Eilian and his mother are so touching. “I understand, my sweet.” She’s so gentle and reassuring – I love the way she lets him know that she’s proud of him for being exactly as he is, rather than for things he might accomplish. Actually, I thought both of his parents handled the situation really well here. Thranduil knows his son must be reprimanded for his behaviour but nevertheless they both ensure that Eilian is left with a sense of purpose and understanding of what his place will be in times to come. “What would he ever do without his mother? […] he could not imagine how he would ever sort himself out without her help.” *sob* I’m not even going to comment…it’s just too sad for words… I can’t tell you how relieved I was when Legolas heard the elves’ signal! You did such a great job with everyone – Legolas’ reluctance to surrender his brother and the beginning of his awareness of his own exhaustion, Maltanaur’s anger born out of his worry and relief, Legolas and Maltanaur’s eventual understanding of one another… It was just such a realistic reunion, you made everyone’s emotions so believable and there was a wonderful sense of urgency to remind us not to get too comfortable about Eilian’s well-being just yet…;) “Beliond was obviously near the edge of reason and had perhaps slid slightly over it.” *snigger* That’s so funny! Methinks Legolas would want to look a little closer to home to see who’s gone beyond reason. And I’m still laughing at him speaking “placatingly” to Beliond! I really liked the last scene between the brothers. There’s such concern from both of them, beneath the lectures and the teasing. How hard it must have been for poor Legolas to watch Eilian leave. It’s really the first time he’s had to look after a loved one to this extent, it can’t have been easy to then let go again. Celuwen’s letter must have held something…reassuring;) Dare I hope?! Woo-hoo, you added Thranduil!! What a lovely image of him watching over his son. “I do not think I have ever told you how sorry I am for the trial I was to you and Naneth at that age.” Eilian must have been doing a lot of thinking after telling Legolas of his youth. I’m glad Eilian and Thranduil had that moment together, for once able to talk without arguing. I liked Thranduil’s rather mixed reaction to the knowledge that Legolas is clearly a more than capable warrior. And he is, isn’t he? You’ve showed a wonderful progression in him throughout your stories. He seems ready for anything now. I really enjoyed this story. I loved everything – the excitement and tension, the moments between Eilian and Legolas, and especially the glimpses into the past. You’ve done yourself proud again! I can’t wait to see where you take us next – that Conception day story you mentioned sounds enticing…:) Author Reply: Wow, Dot. I am overwhelmed by your reaction. I feel as if I can see you reading this chapter and is it so gratifying for me. I have recently been thinking about what it must have been like for the Elves to see evil rise and fall so many times. They defeat it at great cost and it comes creeping back. Surely that must lead to despair. And Ithilden just seemed to me to be someone who would take it hard. And also, in this particular story, I liked the idea that the younger brother could care for the older one in both time lines. Maltanaur and Beliond have become really fun to write about over the course of several stories. At first, I thought of them as really minor but they have taken on lives of their own. And, as Legolas said, Celuwen's letter was "personal"!! So I can't tell you what was in it. But Eilian seems pleased. ;-) Maybe I will do a couple of small stories, the conception day one and another one I have mind because I want to try a technical thing with point of view. But then I want to do the Battle of the Five Armies/White Council at Dol Guldur (ie Southern Patrol) which happened at the same time. I can get the whole family in that I think. | |
| erunyauve | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| I always end up with such a goofy smile on my face when I finish your stories (well, before the despair sets in and I realize the story is over). It was certainly a shock to see Ithilden in such a state. It's no wonder Eilian felt his world turning upside-down. And the Mirkwood 'Secret Service' was wonderful, as usual. I must say, however, that I was unable to find Beliond's rather colorful word in any Tolkien language. Author Reply: Erunyauve, you made me laugh! I'm glad you liked the story. I too am always sad when one is over. I mope about for a while, not knowing what to do with myself, and then decide to write another one. The moment with Ithilden was the one I was most interested in in this chapter. It seemed such a revelation to Eilian and gave him a chance to care for his older brother as Legolas was doing for him in the other time line. Beliond is creative in his language. Legolas is learning a lot. :-) | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/29/2004 |
| Very glad that the searchers recalled how to search and managed to find their quarry. Very glad, as well, that Eilian has survived another story, for I'm rather fond of the idiot, even if I don't care for Celuwen. I'll be watching for the next installment in the Saga of the Brothers Thranduilion. Author Reply: Thank you, Karri. I had to redeem the searchers just for you! Eilian is charming even when he's being a jerk. I think it's because he's so well intentioned and generous. And he loves Legolas completely. The next installment will be along eventually. | |