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Spring Awakenings by daw the minstrel	39 Review(s)
sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Ah! Another story done! i hope we hear again from you soon. I enjoyed reading this story. Poor Legolas! all his brothers are married and he feels alone! I'm shocked that Sólith would say such things to a King. He really must be unhappy. Dont keep us waiting for long! -sofia Author Reply: Sofia, you made me stop and think with your observation that Solith must be very unhappy to have spoken in such a way to Thranduil. I think you must be right. He angry and unhappy. Poor guy. But poor Isiwen more, I think. Legolas is feeling a little lonely, but he has lots of people to love him and he has important work to do. It's hard to ask for more than that I think. I need to take two weeks to get some stuff done at work, and then I'll be ready to write again. Thank you for the review.

tigerlily713	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Great chapter and beautiful story! I cannot wait until we have more from you! Lily Author Reply: Thank you, Lily. I enjoyed writing this story. I need to take two weeks to finish my semester and then I'll be ready to write again, I think.

Elentari	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
I nearly cried at Thranduil and Eilian's talk. Seriously. It was such a touching scene of a stern man who suddenly sees hiszeal may have caused more harm than good- it really hurst to see how much he put on him, even if it was of love and fear, and how badly Eilian craves recognition. Loved the eye stone story. And wanted to put Thranduil on my lap when he became hurt as he watched the enamoured couple dancing- too many painful memories, it seemed. It is a good thing Thranduil has good friends of his own, people in whom he can trust and that will stand for him when he needs it (whether he wants it or not, I can hear Beliond say). I also want to applaud you for your dealing with Sólith- and many, many hugs to the lovely Isiwen who is, it seems, the only one to hold the brat in place. That, ecxept when thranduil is playing the over-protective father (and it's great to see him like that, I say!) threatening to make the settler's life hell if he does not go easy on the king's son. And take it, Sólith! Eilian has so many devoted people in his life, if only he could see it. Even in times of dire need they are willing to share what few they have with him, because he is important, damn it! I think it kinda caught poor Eilian off guard, he wasn't quite ready for such overwhelming show of affection. It seems the old saying rings true on their family as well: We are the only ones that can talk about our own. Pity those who dare do it. Poor Legolas. I think he will not see Tuilin for a while yet, if ever. Poor, poor lad indeed. Come here, darling, i will do what i can to ease your plight. Bravo! I loved this story, daw; and I am sorry to see it end, even if it ends so perfectly and - dare I say it- with such an elven mixture of hope and sadness, of renewal and longing. Hmmm... maybe we get to see lorellin next? I could do with the lack of Tinar's wife, if I got some more of Thranduil's wilful wife. I'd like to hear some about her. By the way, I saw Nimlandra's fic about the royal couple's first meeting and was enchanted. thank you for leaving a note- I would never have found it otherwise. Cya! Author Reply: Oh wow, I am so glad you liked that scene between Thranduil and Eilian. It took me quite a while to write it because I wanted it to be honest and painful and that's not easy. Eilian needs his father's love and approval more than either of them realizes, I think. The affection that was showered on him by his family and friends at the celebration was just what he needed. It's one reason that the party needed to happen. I was particularly struck by the appropriateness of an opal in the ring that Eilian gives to Celuwen because "eilian" is the Sindarin word for rainbow. Thranduil misses his wife. Her absence is a hole in the family that I don't think has healed even yet. Legolas is grateful for your offer of comfort. He'll be right over! And did you see Nilmandra's story "Eilian's Begetting Day"? I like that one too. daw

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Ah, happy ending. Interesting that Thranduil compares Eilian to Oropher as well as Lorellin. Has the poor elf always been surrounded by impulsive enthusiasts? I don't know why Eilian was surprised that he is being kept home - he's been allowed to ride for less than a week and he's still in pain. He was bound to have to spend some months as a pen pusher until his hip improved and then some time in a less demanding posting. Perhaps that's one of the reasons he managed to stay quite calm about it. Apart from the obvious benefits, of course. Thranduil should note that it was when he showed his weak point regarding his sons, rather than when he was 'being king' that Eilian came round - and bear in mind that taking charge of the Southern patrol made him behave responsibly. Moreover, five minutes with Solith must have made him realise that Eilian could not have done anything other than elope with Celuwen. Even her fading was not enough to make him bend. I like Thranduil's use of the royal 'we' to intimidate - and the way he asserts he is defending Celuwen as well as Eilian. Fun to see Legolas make Alfirin giggle. I'd like to see more of her and Ithilden. I feel with her that, as well as being conventional, she's so much younger than Ithilden, she was probably quite willing to follow his lead - making him boss elf (although not like Tinar). And as for her attitude to the king - he was an authority figure rather than someone she knew personally before her marriage. In short, the only thing I can see her getting ferocious about with either of them would be Sinnarn. Celuwen, on the other hand, was childhood friends with Eilian, so their relationship is much more equal from the start - and the two of them and Gelmir must have had their moments of trying to evade the righteous wrath of Eilian's adar, so she's probably more willing to try to get round him. I hope the introduction of Galadriel's gift of foresight to the conversation with Beliond is not suggestive of any future unpleasantness. Author Reply: I'm sure Eilian expected some period of recuperation, but he may have been hoping to do something more fun: play with the novices maybe. He's never been particularly realistic about stuff like that. I think the reference to Oropher shows that he comes by his impulsiveness honestly on BOTH sides of the family. And yes, scolding is probably the worst possible way to handle Eilian. Thranduil needs to get hold of himself. Apart from that, Thranduil rules! Figuratively as well as literally. He outclassed Solith in every possible way. What a sharp analysis of the differences that the histories of the two wives would make in their relationships with their husbands and father in law. I'll be you're right every step of the way. One of the things foresight would have told Thranduil was that he was going to lose Legolas to sea longing. I think it's better he didn't know that. Thank you for this nice review. daw

	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Thranduil drew him into a close embrace. “Take care, Legolas. You will make a fine lieutenant, but you must take care and come home again whole. I have had enough of wounded sons for a while.” For a moment, he paused, scanning the much-loved faces turned up to him. Alfirin looked motherly and anxious, and a serious-faced Ithilden put his arm around her shoulders. Legolas knew that it had always pained him to send his brothers into battle. Eilian stood unhappily near Legolas’s left side, his hand still on Legolas’s leg, and Celuwen waited a little behind him. But it was Thranduil upon whose face Legolas focused. His father looked grave, but when the moment came, he raised his hand in farewell and let his son go. Daw, you have absolutely outdone yourself. I want to cry and clap. I feel like I'm sitting in the theater at the end of a movie, waiting for the credits to roll. How have I possibly fallen in love with all these people so much? This story of Thranduil and his family is a total gift to read. This is the best work I've read in a long time. Absolutely awesome. Thanks so much for all your time and hard work in writing it. Esamen Author Reply: Thank you, Esamen. I am immensely flattered by your reactions and your praise. It seems to me that it must have been hard for Thranduil to let his sons go into danger when he could have stopped it with a wave of his hand. But he couldn't do it. It wouldn't have been right and he knew it. So he sent off the most precious things in his life, much as he might have liked to keep them locked in a storeroom with his other jewels.

caz - baz	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
that was a nice end to a lovely story. i must say i very much enjoyed that one. you're very talented in writing stories of different natures, alot of people stick to a certain style of writing but yours is very varied, it intrests me every single time as well. Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Caz-baz. Endings are hard to write actually. I'm glad you think my writing is varied and interesting. I truly enjoyed writing this story.

Jebb	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
What can I say I am so sorry to see this story end but it was a lovely ending with Thranduil at his kingly best. Being honest about his fears with Eilian may be the thing that allows them to at least understand their differences and how hard it must be for him to have lost a loved wife and see a loved son behaving the same way. Approval first definitely seems to suit Eilian better! The put down of Solith was masterly 'Do you mean to insult our son' run for the hills Solith your days are numbered! Ada and King wonderfully combined. The celebration ceremony made me cry they were so happy. Lots of little things stand out in this chapter, Thranduil fidgeting with the knife and the knowledge of a knife in the heart because of his wife and son. The relief everyone felt when Adar arrives to deal with Solith, Legolas preferring to walk alone and then being included by Alfirin I would love to know what he said sometime! Thranduil hoping his 'children' would behave! Ithilden amused and caring, Thranduil unable to look on such happiness when Eilain and Celuwyn were dancing Beliond and Maltanaur who rode through the night something he would not let his charge do! Eilian's friends bringing food for the feast and so many others that make your tales such a rich tapestry of pleasure wonderful writing wonderful story so sad to see it end but look forward to more very soon thank you Author Reply: This last chapter was all Thranduil. He's good Ada and good King and he is doing his best for his son. That means a lot to Eilian, I think, who is, for the moment, blindingly happy. Solith was outclassed in every possible way. Those details you mention are so satisfying to write. I can see these little moments of their lives and see them interacting with one another and even I don't know what Legolas said. He whispered it to Alfirin and Ithilden heard it and they're a family and outsiders don't get to hear. Oh dear. I am so sad this story is over. I have another one in mind and was talking to Nilmandra about it last night, but I have to do some work first.

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/27/2004
Have I told you recently just how much I love this fic. All your OC's are as real as any canon character and I so care about what happens to them. I hope Leggy finds his girl again soon, the suspense is killing me. Thanks for being such a good writer. More more soon please Rose Author Reply: I am shamelessly fond of my OCs so I am grateful for anyone who appreciates them. And actually, I left Tuillin's fate vague so I can produce her or not as is convenient! I need a couple of weeks to finish off some pressing work at work but then there will be another story. I can't be without one.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004
Can I ask you something? I want to have an ada like Thranduil and brothers like Ithilden and Eilian and Legolas. Do you think that Thranduil would accept a daughter-in-law-at-large? Just sort of a general daughter-in-law without the bother of me actually having to marry anyone? This bonding was the Right Thing To Do, if only because it finally forced Thranduil and Eilian to say their pieces to each other. And they were good pieces, too. It reminded me of something one of my friends said to me once, when he was trying to stop me from doing something aggressive and stupid and self-destructive. He said, "If you do this, you'd be hurting someone I love, and I won't stand for that." I think everyone needs to hear something like that, and both Thrandil and Eilian have now had the opportunity to say it to each other, and they will be better people fore it. They both tend to be guarded and tightlipped unless something forces their hands. This bonding seems to have been that something. Good for Celuwen! Potluck wedding! Potlucks are the best. Food at a potluck is always better than at any other kind of dinner, because it's made well and with great care. What a nice way to have a wedding dinner. And Elf mariachis, too! Do you know that verse from the old Tom Lehrer song? "The mariachis would serenade, And they would not shut up till they were paid. We ate, we drank, and we were merry, And we got typhoid and dysentery." I'm sure that Elf mariachis are in an entirely different class, though. Sólith has been officially outnumbered, outwitted, outfoxed and outclassed. Point Thranduil, Sólith to serve. It must burn his Elvish britches to be related by marriage to the King. Good. Serves him right! Even Isiwen is on Thranduil's side. This was quite an adventure! Author Reply: Yes, but wouldn't you WANT to marry one? I can kill off a wife and do something about that eternal bond thing. I think there were exceptions! Maybe Thranduil himself. Thranduil and Eilian are both groping their way to a better understanding. I assume they will still drive one another crazy but they may at least believe a little more in each other's good will. While I like Tom Lehrer, I had never heard that song! The Elf musicians were good although some of their songs were bawdy because that's appropriate at a wedding. And Solith was outclassed in every possible way. I'm glad you liked the story, French Pony. There is always another one.

erunyauve	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004
I know I've been reading too much Tolkien when my brain wants to pronounce 'Celebration' as 'kelebrateon'! I loved the scene between Eilian and his father. Thranduil's love for his son and dismay at their troubled relationship strike a chord. And it would certainly be very important to elves to have a proper ceremony, and I don't think Eilian has truly realized how much he upset his family. Perhaps after the ceremony, however, Thranduil has a slightly better idea of just how impossible it would have been for Eilian to obtain Solith's permission. And poor Legolas - though I assume his missing maiden will turn up again in the future. Author Reply: The habit of that hard C is hard to shake! I liked writing the scene between Eilian and Thranduil. I had to keep stopping and thinking about what the real problem was and how each of them would see it. Neither of them seems to be able to help doing things that will hurt the other. But perhaps understanding why they do them will help. I actually think that Eilian did the only thing he could have done if he and Celuwen were to bond. The parents made things impossible. But that doesn't change the fact that he upset everyone else. Too bad naneth wasn't there. She really would have told him to go for it, I think.

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