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| Spring Awakenings by daw the minstrel | 406 Review(s) |
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| 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. | |
| Antigone Q | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004 |
| I was waiting for this. I've been peeking at my email all day - and last night, too! I loved Thranduil in this chapter. So he was up half the night being introspective and figuring out the rift between Eilian and him? That was a good thing. And of course, when Thranduil finally took the time to slow down and explain to his son how much he worried, and how deeply Eilian was loved, Eilian responded. I hope Thranduil notes for future reference that Eilian would never give such a heartfelt apology after being raked over the coals for twenty minutes, even if he was clearly in the wrong. I hope I see more understandings between them in the future. I was very satisfied to see Thranduil put Solith in his place, too. Totally aside from seeing Thranduil in protective-father mode, it was good for Eilian to see that Thranduil won't allow anyone to be disrespectful of his family. And clever Thranduil! It was a stroke of genius to name Celuwen one of his Settlement Advisors in front of her father. Now if Solith has problems with Thranduil's edicts regarding the settlements, it will be tantamount to mistrusting his own daughter's judgment. The ceremony was lovely. I could just imagine Eilian and Celuwen all in green - good choice of wedding color for Wood Elves! And it makes perfect sense that Eilian, who has so many friends, could count on them to be at the ceremony, make noise, and bring extra food. There was a line in "When Shadow Touches Home" that made me all sniffly: it had to do with Thranduil going to bed and staying awake all night, missing his wife deeply. There was an echo of that here. I'm glad Beliond came to comfort him, at least a little. I'm sorry this one is over; I had a good time. P.S. ...Bring on the Elflings! Author Reply: It tickles me that you looked forward to this chapter, Antigone. I am so grateful for my readers. You're right of course, that after a false start, Thranduil groped his way to treating Eilian in the best way possible to have him respond well. I think Eilian needs to feel loved by the people who matter most to him, and Thranduil is high on that list. And though he must know his father loves him, they just talk right past one another sometimes. This was better. Maybe they can do better again. Solith was in a very unequal battle, outclassed by Thranduil in every possible way. And I liked the thought of Eilian's friends each thinking they would bring some precious bit of food and then finding that others had done it too. And for Thranduil, this wedding did evoke memories that are painful as well as precious. Poor guy. No wonder he wants to protect his sons. I'm kind of sorry this one is over too. And no elflings for a little while! | |
| LOTRFaith | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004 |
| Am quite curious to see if Tuilinn will be in the next story... Hmm? :-) I was pleased to see Thranduil lock horns to a point with Sólith... I liked how Thranduil stepped down and explained his actions to Eilian... I know how Eilian feels at times... Being a middle child;-) Sometimes you feel like everyone is out to get you... True or not;-)... Looking forward to the next story hopefully... :-) Author Reply: I'm a middle child too, and my sympathies are with Eilian. As I was typing that though, I wondered if it would be different with elves because of the big differences in their ages. Each one of Thranduil's sons might have felt more like an only child. Or maybe not. It's really hard to guess at the effect those big time spans would have had. Solith was in a contest he was bound to lose. Thranduil is the master. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004 |
| Oh, Daw! What a wonderful chapter. I am so proud of Thranduil. He recognized the source of his fear for his son, narrowed down exactly what it was that frightened him and admitted it! It seems to me that he never meant to hurt Eilian, he simply wanted to protect himself from the kind of pain he felt when he lost Lorellin, and if possible, push Eilian into being different from his naneth so he could protect them both from this horrible outcome. I think that by explaining how he had come to set up his reaction and relationship to Eilian, it helped Eilian finally understand where his adar was coming from. I can't help but think that while it might not change who Eilian is, it will make Eilian more aware of how his behavior affects those who love him. Gee, it only took them around 350 years to figure this out. What can I say? They're males! :>) Still, it was a wonderfully written scene. It was a difficult but poignant moment for Thranduil, and such a sweet moment when father and son came to an understanding. Utmost in that understanding was that above all else, they love each other. And for Thranduil, the realization that Lorellin is still with him in the form of their son was a real tugger on the heartstrings. Eilian is the living legacy of two of the people Thranduil loved most: His wife, Lorellin and his father, Oropher. Oh my goodness. I'm a little teary eyed. Just wonderful, daw. Solith is a slow learner, but he seems to be catching on. Thranduil was the king and adar through and through at that moment when he asked if the old goat would dare to insult 'our son'. And the best blessing the old coot could come up with was one involving the political advantages of the union of one of the settlers and the king's son...and a sort of backhanded acknowledgement to his daughter's happiness! Bless his heart. He has a long way to go. There were so many nice little details that I loved. The extra food the people brought out of love for Eilian. The ring that Thranduil had given Lorellin at Eilian's conception. Legolas searching the crowd. Thranduil's sense of loss while watching Eilian and Celuwen dancing. Maltanaur riding all night to be present at the celebration. And of course, Beliond. The ending was also well done. How strange it must have felt for Eilian for Legolas to be riding back south while he stayed home. Of course, Beliond will not let the whelp out of his sight. Thranduil seemed to be in a different place with his sons, and it was doubly hard for him to see Legolas leave again. As difficult as it was, he let his son go. A very touching moment. Such a good story, daw. So much happened! I'm suffering the depression I always feel when your stories end, but I always have hope that there will be another. This was a real triumph of personal examination for your characters. Way to go! Karen Author Reply: Karen-- Thank you for that wonderful reaction to the father/son scene. Yes, they're males. But fortunately they're male elves, so they have time! I think that understanding why they act as they do will help them refrain from hurting one another so much. Solith is not an easy person to like, I have to say. I strongly suspect that Legolas said something insulting about him when he whispered in Alfirin's ear! Those details you mention all mattered to me, so I'm glad you liked them. You know what it's like when you write: each little thing is deliberately chosen. I expect there will be another story! This is the last week of classes and then final exams and then I will have time to breathe again. | |
| nessie | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004 |
| Okay, it's about time I reviewed for this one. I loved this story, and it was sad at the end with Thranduil, having to tell Eilian how much he is like his mother and how he's frightened because of that. It was also sweet of him to let Eilian give Celuwen the ring that Thranduil gave to Lorellin. It must have been a bit hard for him, but he made a good choice at the end. Now, are you going to start writing any other stories any time soon? If so, I can't wait! I would love to see the Battle of the Five Armies, or something before that, or even the Royal family defending Mirkwood while Legolas is out killing Uruk-hai and befriending dwarves(!) and men. I would also like to see you write something about when Legolas arrives home and his family discovers his sea-longing. Just little suggestions ^_^ But anyhoo, this was absolutely spiffing, and I can't wait for more Ithilden, Eilian, Legolas, and last-but especially not least- Thranduil! ~nessie~ P.S- Only just discovered I don't have to add the sick on the end here like I have to do for ff.net! Yay! Author Reply: For Thranduil, that linking of Eilan and his mother and Thranduil's anger was a real insight. I'm thinking it may affect their relationship. They're always going to rub one another the wrong way sometimes because they're so different, but maybe Thranduil can stop hurting Eilian so much. I don't know what to write next. I'll have to think about it. Maybe Ithilden and young Legolas? I'd like to write the Five Armies, but I may do a young Legolas thing first. I miss him! daw | |
| Ms. Whatsit | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004 |
| Oh, and I forgot to add that I was highly amused when Thranduil told Eilian to stick a chair under the doorknob. Except that I'm just puritanical enough to go "EWW!!" at the thought of hinting at bedroom activities in a discussion between parent and child. So it was a combination of "EW!" and "Hah!" Author Reply: LOL. It was a *distant* hint and they were males and one of them was Eilian! | |
| Ms. Whatsit | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/26/2004 |
| Not the last chapter! Noooooo! *stomps feet and throws tantrum* Okay, tantrum over. The conversation between Eilian and Thranduil was...just...wow. That was an eerily perfect parent-child conversation, especially for those two. Thranduil wants to make Eilian understand how much he's loved, but he just can't break his habit of judging and criticizing and lecturing, and it all ends up coming out wrong, and Eilian reacts defensively. At least Eilian managed to get the most important points: that Thranduil loves him, appreciates his service and that Lorellin is the reason for a lot of Thranduil's concern. And yet they both know that Thranduil will always be especially worried about Eilian because even when he's being responsible he's just less cautious than Thranduil; it's just a difference in attitude between them. That was perfect. And the bit about Lorellin approving of Eilian's hasty bonding made me laugh. I can see it: Thranduil being furious and Lorellin saying, "But darling, it's so *romantic*!" And then the celebration. Solith was funny, but even more than that, he shows how much *class* Thranduil has, especially in comparison. The way he maintains that he's happy for the couple and the way he calls Celuwen his daughter--he's great. I wonder what Legolas whispered to Alfirin. He can be a smart-aleck. And I felt bad for him looking for Tuilinn. I liked that Maltanaur showed up, though, and I liked the Beliond-Thranduil bit at the end, and everyone's reactions to Legolas riding back to his patrol. This was a great story, Daw--I look forward to seeing what you write next! Author Reply: I think that Thranduil and Eilian will always drive one another crazy (because, as you say, they're so different), but the more they understand one another and themselves, the better they can keep from hurting one another. And yes, "But darling, it's so romantic!" is probably exactly what naneth would have said! Thranduil is a wily elf. And he does, indeed, have class. He will welcome Celuwen and treat her well, and Solith had better at least make a semblance of politeness to Eilian when Thranduil is around. I thought Maltanaur needed to be at Eilian's wedding reception, if not at the event itself (that would have been awkward!). Glad you liked the story, Ms. Whatsit. daw | |