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Spring Awakenings by daw the minstrel	39 Review(s)
dr_seuss_is_cool	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/28/2004
Hello. I must apologize very profusely firstly for not reviewing earlier than now. I am very sorry. Hopefully this will not be your least fullfilling review. :) The talk with Eilian was very interesting. I loved Eilian's behavior. Thranduil is so different. He can be very interesting and confusing at the same time. Even with those things I still love him. Alfirin is so adorable. Ever since she was introduced to your characters she has be in my heart. Solith, even if he is a semi-bad guy, is very special to me. He is almost the exact same as my dad. I can just imagine the necklace that Thranduil gave to Celuwen. The bonding ceramony was very sweet, much fluffiness. Tears came to my eyes when Beliond came to Thranduil. Beliond is so wise, I had never ever thought of why someone would not want to have foresight. Tears also came as Legolas was leaving. To wrap up this review, and the last of my reviews on this story, I will say that I have loved this story very much, along with all other stories of your doing. Thank you very much for writing. Bye bye :) I await the next story with eager eyes. Author Reply: Dr. S, reviews are welcome any time, and I am very grateful for this one. Thranduil was confused, I think. He's just figuring out some things about his own feelings. And he misses his wife terribly. I'm glad you liked his talk with Eilian because it was my favorite part of the chapter. I think Alfirin is a kind and gentle soul. She makes a life for Ithilden that is more relaxed, and when she married him, Legolas was young enough that she mothered him a little, which he needed. You're scaring me saying Solith is like your father! daw

rgbj	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/28/2004
You jumped right into the angst in this chapter. When was the last time that Eilian's face had lit up at the sight of his adar? How do things go so wrong in a family that loves each other? Well it is all those little things. The rubs, tugs and tweaks that can really have a corrosive effect. A great paragraph about the wood elf lightness of spirit of his wife and the impulsiveness of his father. Poor Thranduil and Ithilden are the solid as a rock elves in this family. Legolas has enough of the solid Sindar blended with the lightness of the wood elves to be on the cusp. He can please his adar most of the time but I can recall how Thranduil reacted to Legolas' struggle as an elfling. All the king's actions driven by fear have really alienated him from his middle son while his youngest son has managed to cope. The scene between Eilian and Thranduil was so good I had to read it three times before I finished the whole chapter. It was great. Finally Thranduil knows his emotions are based on fear and Eilian can sympathize with him. He can't really empathize since he is who he is. He has changed as much as he can up to this point and bonding will also change him some but on the whole he is Eilian and the king and Celuwen will have to at some point accept that if they expect to have a good relationship with him. I don't think the king is very used to having to accept the inevitable. He seems to feel he can sway things. My special favorite was when the king had to accept comfort from his son. This makes him very uncomfortable. Since when can we not accept comfort from our children? That is not in my parent handbook thank you very much. The king better get a new one. This was a lovely Thranduil moment. Facing his fears finally, his angst over the loss of his wife and his love of her and all this leaking into his relationbships with what is left of his family. My ring. The rainbow stood for him. That brought a lot of memories back to the king. Yes new marriages always bring the movement of time and the pain of loss home to roost. Thank goodness I have a little time left before I have to worry about this. My family still calls me when they see a rainbow and I have to go look or they won't leave me alone. They will yell Eilian until I go look. We have had a lot this spring and quite a few doubles too so I have been busy. I enjoyed Lorellin liking Celuwen and probably approving of their bonding. I think the bonding would have been sooner and not as cataclysmic for the family if she were still alive. I like to think of the silvan elves as saying how nice about this bonding and the sindar elves as being shocked. Oropher would have been approving also. Now if they can just get through this party intact all will be fine. Forced smile here. Both parents are here. OOH! This is where fanfiction.net ran true to type and screwed up again. The chapter stops right here. So I came here to finish the chapter and to review. I see Solith is going to be as big a pain in the er, neck as he possibly can be. After all this can't be the first time a couple in Arda who just eloped or whatever. What really clad them was the glow of happiness. That was so sweet and Thranduil's sudden memory of newly wedded bliss. Sigh. So nice. Oh you make Solith such a hard headed elf and I bet you love writing him. All around him trying to ignore his anger about the whole situation. I bet he was hard to get there but I have total faith in Isiwen keeping him in line. I actually felt that Thranduil wouldn't hold with a Noldor tradition either since his father kept moving to get away from their influence but maybe Thranduil is more pragmatic about them and doesn't try to disassociate his realm from them. I loved Thranduil's royal WE and OUR through this whole scene. Reminding Solith of who WE and OUR family are and how Celuwen will now be a part of US as well as part of you. Upper and lower case on purpose here. Giggle. Now we get to the good stuff. Do you mean to insult OUR son? and all his children, probably including Alfirin tense up. They know what is going on here although Solith has no idea what he is getting himself into. He has crossed the line and is about to pay the price. Now we get king mode here. Solith is in for it now. WE cannot allow anyone to insult our son or daughter. Yes now Celuwen is part of the royal family and Solith will never be allowed to forget. If he wishes to not accept Eilian that is fine but Thranduil will not ever allow his son or daughter to be denigrated in any way. Gleeful here. Some elves have to learn the hard way what the warning almost threatening tone of voice from the king means and Solith is one of them. He got slammed and will eventually learn not to press Thranduil's buttons or he will always be paying the price. This won't always help Eilian but at least Solith won't be allowed to make a fracas at family gatherings. One wonders why Solith is so dense. Even my father knows better than to butt heads with my husband. He tamed me after all which is something my father never did. I loved the pleasant kingly smile and his children relax. Legolas won't go near Solith. No one wants to be near him in case he starts in again. No one is brave or stupid enough to be in the line of fire with this dense elf. Give him lots of room to stew in his own juices. I think I am glad not to hear what Legolas had to say to Alfirin. He is such a gentleman for the most part and I want this idea of him preserved. I am sure adar would not think this comment good manners but his children behave admirably as they always do. Ah those elves know how to party. It was so sweet of Eilian's friends and probably many of his ex-flirts over the decades share this special night with Eilian and his new mate. He must be great to have so many who love him. And of course the king can't let this great opportunity go by. Yes more than just his family love him. He picked the only elf in Arda who hates him for a father in law. Gotta love this irony. Ah Legolas eyeing the crowd. Another puzzle for the king to figure out. And he will. I think Legolas has plenty of time ahead of him to pursue an elleth. He is a warrior now and that's hard enough without extra pressure. The belated blessings of the parents. Gulp. I see Isiwen is holding on so Solith won't bolt. Also she can squeeze him till it hurts if he doesn't behave. The king is a master tactitian here, turn up the music so Solith is cut off before he can rant. I have attended a few weddings that turned into battle royals by the families of the participants. Such bad manners. Nice to know the king had his hand steady on the helm here. Ah Maltanaur. I agree that this will be the making of Eilian. It won't be easy for either one of them but they do have forever. He rode all night in dangerous territory, something he would never let Eilian do. The 'keepers' take their job very seriouly. Beliond and his angst. I am glad that Maltanaur is a happier elf. Beliond would never do for Eilian. Who would want Galadriel's gift of fore sight? It didn't help her with her only child, Celebrian so what good is it? Well it did seem to help during the War of the Ring. Legolas has to ride off his headache from last night. He was disappointed about his maiden wasn't he? Wily Adar indeed, he just snuck up on warrior Legolas after all. More praise for the new Lieutenant (that doesn't look as if I spelled it correctly,sigh). Big family moment here. They all show up to say fare well. Beliond will not let him ride into danger. Oh really. Off to face whatever awaits them. Great chapter, great story. I hate the end but then of course you always come up with another one to impress us with. Sorry to be so verbose but because of ff.net I am stymied about reviewing and you got the burden of it. Sorry. Author Reply: You're funny, Farflung! You write wonderful long reviews and then apologize. I was glad to be able to write about the party in this chapter, but the section between Thranduil and Eilian was my favorite too. It was tricky to write because I had to keep asking myself the same thing Thranduil was asking: what's gone wrong here? It's been interesting as I wrote this family that the death of naneth keeps coming up as something that has sent longlasting shockwaves through them all. I think you're right that if she had lived Eilian and Celuwen would have been bonded long ago. She might even have been able to get Solith to consent so that it was done with ceremonies. But even if the couple had eloped, she would have thought it was a good idea and helped smooth things over. I think that Eilian is, in a way, more independent of Thranduil than Legolas is because he had his mother growing up while Legolas did not. Not that Eilian doesn't still need his father's love and approval, of course. Thrnanduil outclassed Solith every inch of the way here. Solith never had a chance. And it amused me to show Thranduil's kids all reacting to his 'scary' voice even when Solith was oblivious. They've all had years of experience with it and know when to run for cover. Maltanaur is a much better match for Eilian than Beliond would be, you're right. He's easier to live with, I think. Beliond and Eilian would have killed one another within a month! Your family cracks me up with their "eilian" jokes! Thank you for this lovely long commentary, Farflung. Author Reply: Farflung-- I apologize for doing this here but my email keeps bouncing back from you no matter where I send it from. It says something about Your message could not be delivered due to complaints we received regarding the IP address you're using or your ISP So I have no idea what that's about. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the leaf. It's so beautiful and so elfy!

mer	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
It is hard for me to see your stories come to an end but I tell myself not to worry, there will be another one soon. Right? I am addicted! Need another story! Hey, I saw you reply to some one that there will come a time when Beliond will come back alone when Legolas goes with the fellowship. I would love to see that story from you about the at home response of Legolas' absence into the...unknown....(I recently read the one you wrote about Legolas' choosing to join the fellowship). Am I right to assume that even though you need to focus on (ahem) other things you will also be planning another story?Did I say I was addicted? Me? Author Reply: I hate seeing my stories end too. I get wrapped up in them and then they're gone and I miss them. So there will certainly be another story. I think young Legolas. I have only a vague idea right now, but it will come! I can't imagine what Legolas's family would do or say when they realized what he had gone off to do, especially since things weren't going so well in the Woodland Realm about then either! daw

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
This has a nice, satisfying ending, Daw. I love to see Thranduil in full Elvenking mode, using the royal 'we'. Solith is indeed a fool to have ignored that even once! The tentative understanding between father and son is good to see too. I do hope that we (and Legolas!) will see more of his maiden before too long, though. Jay Author Reply: Thank you, Jay. I find endings hard to write, so I'm glad this one came off ok. Thranduil was great. He was so capable and strong and damn sexy! Solith never had a chance. I'm actually not sure if Tuilinn will appear again, but it's nice to have the option.

Camp6311	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Oh daw, this was terrific. I think it is the best ending that you've written yet. Ditto all the accolades from everyone else. I liked this scene: "suddenly Eilian rose and came around the desk to put his arms around Thranduil’s shoulders. Immensely gratified, Thranduil rose to embrace him." This sounds just like something an impulsive Eilian would do, and this time, Thranduil is immensely grateful for his son's impulsive nature. Very nice touch. Author Reply: Thank you, Camp. Endings are hard to write so I appreciate the praise. Thranduil needed to feel loved about as much as Eilian did, I think, and Eilian has the easier time showing it, bless him.

Justafan	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
How perfectly lovely! I loved the anxiousness of Legolas as he looked for someone that he could not find in the crowd. In a way, it's very nice to see him experiencing the pangs of first love. I enjoyed the way that Thranduil handled the situation both with Solith and Eilian. I hope Eilian stays careful now! Author Reply: Thank you, Justafan. Legolas was missing Tuilinn. I suppose he saw everyone else in his family with mates. Except his father of course, who was really lonely, poor thing. Thranduil was masterful with Solith, however, and the good Ada with Eilian. I'm glad you liked it.

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Congratulations, Daw, on the completion of this marvelous work of fiction. I truly believe you outdid yourself with this one. Thank you for these characters, who are so tangible, I feel as if I have known them all my life. Thranduil's discussion with Eilian was perfect. It couldn't have gone well fromt the beginning, as Thranduil had hoped, because their personalities wouldn't allow it. Thank you for keeping that consistent. Sólith was hilarious. I do so love justice. I wonder exactly what Isiwen said to him, to make him come... The feast was fantastic! Although I am curious to find out exactly who brought all that extra food. Perhaps the answer will be revealed in another upcoming fic? Legolas was very sweet, thinking that Tuilin would come. It is difficult to forget your first love. Beliond will take care of our Prince, as usual. He will come back to his family. Thank you once more for this story. Please continue writing. I expect another masterpiece shortly...:) Author Reply: Thank you, Estel Mi Olor. I had a good time writing it. The discussion between Thranduil and Eilian was tricky to write. I had to keep stopping and asking myself what was really going on here. What was really eating at Thranduil? How would Eilian have reacted? But I was pleased and readers seemed to like it too. Legolas will come back to his family this time. But there will come a time when Beliond will come back alone and Legolas will go with the Fellowship. And when he comes back from that, the sea will be in his heart. Sigh.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
I think I had a lump in my throat for this whole chapter. I was so glad when Eilian hugged Thranduil because I was beginning to think someone really needed to… I like the way Thranduil is not just gaining a new perspective in his relationship with Eilian, but that he is aware that he is – if you know what I mean. Like, it’s almost as though he can look at this discussion between them objectively and tries to learn from it rather than get caught up in his anger. “Surely there had been a time when his child’s face had lit up with joy at the sight of him.” I hope there was such a time. In fact, I’m sure I've had a few glimpses of it before... Now, if only there was someone to write more about it…;) “But warriors can behave with some discretion, some care!” Ooh, that was slightly uncalled for. Poor Eilian. He was really in no way careless and as far as I remember he was singled out solely because he was such a threat to the Orcs. “I believe you expect me to behave irresponsibly and are shocked when I do not.” Thranduil seems to be digging himself in deeper and deeper. The way I see it, he really has two choices – walk out the door and start again or be honest with himself and Eilian. Luckily, he chose the honesty option! It brought tears to my eyes to see Thranduil so vulnerable. I was only thinking the other day that even after Lorellin’s death he rarely showed his pain and grief to his sons but I think it’s good for them to see that no matter how strong he is as king, as a father and husband he has weaknesses and feels fear and sorrow as much as anyone else. It must have been hard for him to admit that sometimes he feels angry that his wife was careless. If he felt in any way that she was somehow to blame for her own death, it’s easy to see why he would be so furious at what he saw as Eilian’s ‘careless’ behaviour over the years. Like I said, I loved that moment between them when Eilian comforts his father – Thranduil doesn’t need to feel absurd, it’s doing them both good. What a lovely idea, for Eilian to give Celuwen that ring. His mother explaining the meaning of the stone is obviously a memory he cherishes. Thranduil is right, I think, that Lorellin would have loved Eilian to give it to his beloved. “I would wedge a chair under the doorknob if I were you.” Very funny. It seems Thranduil knows just how frustrated Eilian must be to so far be allowed very little time alone with his new wife! Ah. They came. Having Sólith as his guest immediately puts Thranduil in a position of control. I had to laugh at his overly exuberant greeting to Sólith and Isiwen. I thought it was very clever of Thranduil to give Celuwen the symbol of office in front of her parents. It shows enormous respect for her and her parents as well as for their way of life and at least Sólith will see that his daughter isn’t just expected to sit around in the palace all day. Eilian doesn’t seem to have known about this new job of his wife’s, though… Sólith is really something, isn’t he? How could he insist on provoking Thranduil like that? It’s a pity he can’t be “summoned” to Ithilden’s office as well… “We repeat, do you mean to insult our son? We ask because that is something that we could not allow any more than we could allow someone to insult Celuwen.” I actually physically shuddered at this point. I think it was the scary repetition of the royal “we” that had me quaking even more than the thinly veiled threat. Sólith is indeed a bit of a fool. I wish his wife had got up and decked him one right there and then. I thought it was very amusing that Legolas doesn’t want to walk with Sólith. Good old Alfirin for including him. I’d love to know what he said, though… Oh, and I had to laugh at Thranduil hoping his “children” would behave! I loved the slight touch of informality about this celebration – due, of course, to Eilian’s rowdy friends. At least their presence ensured that any tension disappeared for the time being. “The guests brought it, my lady,” said the steward happily. “Lord Eilian has many friends.” Oh, daw! What an amazing show of love and support for Eilian. Wow, he really is loved by the whole Realm. “So you will see the rainbow in the stone and think of me even when I am far away.” sob That’s just so beautiful. I suppose as well that Celuwen could easily have known the significance of the ring considering her close relationship with Eilian – and his naneth too – when they were growing up. It’s sad, though, that they live in a time and a place where the gifts they give are intended to serve as a reminder to the other of their love when one is away. He wanted Sólith to speak?? Nice one, Thranduil. Put him on the spot. Well, at least he spoke…and he wasn’t exactly rude…I imagine it was enough to ease Celuwen’s mind anyway, which is what’s really important. Oh look, there’s Maltanaur! He must be thrilled to bits. Of course, he’s seen Eilian mope about Celuwen for a long, long time now… “And suddenly, he found he could not bear to watch these two Wood-elves, who were so obviously in love, and had to turn away.” That’s so heart-breaking. Memories must be very near the surface if he finds it so painful to watch them. At least Beliond was there, someone who knows what Thranduil is thinking and who shares his sorrow. Beliond is a wise old elf. Who knows what the future has in store but at least Eilian and Celuwen always have this one moment of absolute joy. I guess we just have to hope that they will always treasure it but never have to dwell on it as a time they will never have again – as Thranduil and Beliond must do with memories of their lost loved ones. I loved that last part, with Legolas setting out again. He certainly had an action-packed leave! It’s a pity he spent most of the feast looking for Tuilinn, but I suppose love definitely was in the air and I don’t blame him for longing for her company again. It must be hard for him to leave when everyone else, except Sinnarn, is at home. If Eilian finds it this difficult letting Legolas go, methinks he isn’t quite ready to have any elflings yet! It amazing, though, how worried they all still are about letting him out into danger, but it must be comforting for Legolas too. I guess he just has to go off and prove himself now as lieutenant. I never like it when your stories come to an end but I really am particularly sad that this one has to finish. You really spoiled your readers with it, daw – thank you. RN (?): Lol! How many people asked for Tinár’s wife that you felt compelled to apologise?! It’s o.k. I’m kind of half afraid to meet her anyway – I wouldn’t know what to expect. I’ll bet the whole Realm didn’t turn up with gifts of food for their wedding. Although, maybe they all came with popcorn… Author Reply: This chapter was Thranduil's all the way, I thought. He managed to achieve some sort of understanding not only of Eilian, but what was far harder, of himself. He's learned some wisdom in all those years. I wish I could show the elflings Ithilden and Eilian but I hate to write a story without Legolas, who is the one Tolkien treated as important. It would be kind of fun though. I'm sure they loved their Ada and Nana like all kids do and Nana was around all the while they were growing up. And I do think that Nana would have approved the use of the ring and thought that his bonding was romantic, even if Ada was ticked. Your line about Isiwen decking Solith made me laugh. I don't know if you are married, Dot, but you write like you are. I would have had to smack my husband a good one. I figure there are no locks on the doors in Thranduil's stronghold. The Great Doors seal by magic and Elves respect one another's privacy. At least most of the time they do. Anyway, I figure Thranduil may have wedged a chair or two when his kids were small. I did feel badly for Thranduil at the party though. He so plainly misses his wife. I truly enjoyed writing this story and I'm sorry it's over.

LKK	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
I missed another chapter's review. Sorry! I was doing some internet research for a friend. :) Ah! An understanding of sorts between Thranduil and Eilian! I'm sure there will be times when they both forget their understanding. Centuries of behavior aren't changed by one conversation. But hopefully, they have built the foundation of a better relationship. :) I absolutely loved Thranduil taking down Solith! Solith didn't stand a chance against the king -- as it should be. It was a pleasure to watch Thranduil in full Father/King mode. :) This has been a great story, daw. I have really enjoyed it. I look forward to whatever you turn your imagination to next! Author Reply: LOL. I should go and add to the author's note, making the point that "eilian" is the Sindarin word for rainbow. And I thank you for the research too. I don't suppose that either Thranduil or Eilian is going to change much, but at least for now they understand one another and recognize the love between them. They'll probably have to keep reachieving that. Thranduil was in full kingly flight and Solith never had a chance. I love the Elven king. Thank you for your kind words, LKK. If I ever need to hire someone to do internet research, you'll be the one.

White Wolf	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
I love the way Thranduil handled Solith, who never realized what thin ice he was standing on. The celebration was lovely. Legolas's farewell to his family was very touching. I'm looking forward to your next story. Author Reply: I love kingly Thranduil! He was so in control and Solith didn't have a chance. Legolas's family was sorry to send the baby off while the rest of them stayed home. It would seem very unnatural. I'm going to take a couple of weeks off to do the work I'm paid for and then I'll have to start writing again. It's too much fun not to.

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