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| Paths Taken by daw the minstrel | 26 Review(s) |
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| Ms. Whatsit | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2004 |
| You know, if I were in Legolas's position, I would probably tell Thranduil I was staying with Annael and then go to the flet. It wouldn't even be a direct lie--I'd just say "I'm sleeping over with Annael!" or something. But then I'm not an honorable little Thranduiliel. Legolas is such a good boy. Sweaty, shirtless, swordfighting Ithilden...*sigh* But, dude, he's not too good with the ellyth, is he. He inevitably ends up making an ass of himself. I like the power struggles between Ithilden and Thranduil, too. It's a dimension of their relationship that you haven't quite explored, I don't think. And I was laughing hysterically when Calith told Ithilden that he was required to go on leave. This camping trip is bound to be interesting, since Legolas never really spends time with or plays with Ithilden the way he does with Eilian. Also, Eilian doesn't have an agenda when he plays with Legolas--he's not trying to "guide" him or reform him or turn him away from Turgon the way Ithilden is. Legolas is a sharp kid and will sense this, I bet. Something tells me there'll be some kind of a spat. Am looking forward to more! Author Reply: If you did that, you would be in BIG trouble right quick, Ms. Whatsit! Thranduil *always* finds out and Legolas just spent a month emptying bed pans for what was essentially the same offense. I can't even imagine what he would do it Legolas repeated it any time soon. I rather liked half-naked, sweaty Ithilden myself. But he needs a lesson in suave from younger brother Eilian. On the other hand, he has more success in arguing with Thranduil than Eilian has. That's a very nice analysis of the difference between Ithilden and Eilian when it comes to Legolas. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2004 |
| *gasp*...Ithilden...hot, sweaty, tight leggings...*faints* Anyway... Turgon is such a little troublemaker. “You could probably do it even if your adar says no.” Doesn't he know that Thranduil always finds out?? I like the fact that Legolas has learned that it isn't right to lie to Thranduil, but he'd want to very careful how he approaches asking him again. I really do like seeing the three of them together again. There's such a wonderful closeness in young friends in the way that they do everything together that is inevitably lost as they grow older. Although, a friend of mine has a theory that three is a really bad number in a friendship, that someone is always left out - she maintains that three people don't fit on a footpath so it's not going to work in any other aspect of life either. Tonduil! I always liked him. I'd forgotten he trained with them for a while. Daw, that whole scene with Ithilden sparring... What a treat. Let him spar with Thranduil and I'd be in heaven... I was going to say that I'd hate to have Calith's job, having to handle Ithilden's sweaty clothes. Then I thought, nope, I'd actually be quite willing to do that. I really would. It's great to see Legolas' admiration for his brother. Ithilden is so funny about Turgon - even though I did cringe at the "drive them apart forever" bit. Didn't Ithilden ever have a friend like that? Oh, yeah - I remember now that Ithilden thinks Alfirin likes Penntalion in another story. “I believe you have a class waiting for you.” Yikes. Poor Penntalion. At least Ithilden had the grace to feel ashamed, even if he couldn't exactly go and apologise. So, so far in this story Alfirin has seen Ithilden snap at Legolas and at Penntalion. Not a very good impression. Still, the fact the he "was stripped to the waist and was wearing only snuggly fitted leggings" could make up for his rudeness;) Ah, those Dwarven swords again. “The Men who brought it say that the Dwarves claim that the groove will make the sword lighter but will not weaken it.” Okay... It sounds fair enough to me but I don't have a clue so I'll just wait and see what the armorer has to say. "You, my lord." That's hilarious. Calith must indeed have taken pleasure in seeing Ithilden gobsmacked. I felt sorry for him, though, when he is so panicked at the thought of Thranduil getting his hands on his troops again. Deler...Deler...Why do I know that name...? I felt as stressed as Ithilden during his meeting with Thranduil. It really is annoying how he jumps so readily to conclusions about the Dwarves. I think Ithilden could be right that Thranduil is humouring him. I get the impression that if Thranduil doesn't feel Ithilden is letting him be more involved, then as far as he is concerned it is Ithilden's problem if anything goes wrong. If I were Ithilden, I wouldn't have said anything to the king just yet. If Ithilden is allowed some leave, does that mean Thranduil is too? I was just wondering what he might do. I suppose he'd have too many guards trailing him if he went very far... I really like the idea of Ithilden wanting to sleep under the stars. I guess it's because it's fairly rare to see a really wood-elfy side to him. How gratifying it must be for Ithilden to see how eager his little brother is to spend time with him. Whyever would Thranduil think that time with Legolas wouldn't be relaxing?? I'm so glad Ithilden agreed, even if it is to get him away from Turgon and give him "guidance". I think Eilian would be quite pleased that the two brothers are going to spend time together. Can Legolas just take time off from training like that? I suppose Penntalion isn't exactly going to argue with Ithilden or Thranduil. I'm getting really excited now at the prospect of a camping trip! I am so delighted with this story, daw. I'm thrilled you decided to give us a closer look at Ithilden - and since I'd be happy enough if you just wrote about him sitting in his office all day, this is wonderful!:) Author Reply: I have to admit I enjoyed writing about half-naked, sweaty Ithilden. I didn't go into detail about muscles or anything else, not in writing anyway, but I thought about them! I feel bad for Turgon. He's not a bad kid. He's just completely undisciplined. When you see him, you can see how much Legolas and especially Annael have to be grateful for in having parents who watch over them. One of the things that I think might have made Alfirin hesitate about Ithilden is that he's pretty "bossy" as Legolas says. On the other hand, she's fairly traditional herself, so that might not bother her. As a matter of fact, when accompanied by the half-naked, sweaty stuff, I suppose it could be attractive. Ahem. Deler is the captain of the Home Guard who gets killed in a cave in during "One Year in Mirkwood." Thranduil would be tough to work for, I think. I don't imagine he suffers fools gladly. It's a sign of Ithilden's competence that his father trusts him as much as he obviously does. | |
| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2004 |
| Archery practice - the best time of the day. Having the youngster concentrate so hard on perfecting his hold at that age was very Legolas. Sounds like the tree house will come back to haunt Thranduil again very soon. At least Legolas is mature enough to not only admit he won't like to his father but also that he doesn't like to lie to him. That is a hard thing for a pre-teen to say to his peers. Watching Ithilden spar with the other warriors must have been very exciting. I loved the pride evident in Legolas' reaction to the battle. You could see him beaming. Ithilden's reaction to Penntalion talking to Alfirin was much less mature that Legolas' little conversation. I was cracking up! It pays to be the commander, not the trainer. Dang dwarves! Maybe it is not so good to be the commander. I think anyone would be glad that they didn't have to bring this up to Thranduil. He seemed to take it fairly well. It is wise of him to leave the burden up to Ithilden. It was his little plan so he should deal with both the good and bad consequences. Calith was clever to present his need for a vacation to him in such a way he could not say no. Ithilden is sweet to take the elfling camping with him. It should be an interesting experience. Why do I think Alfirin is going to be the unhappy victim of 3 elfling's practical joke? I am starting to feel sorry for her. Good job so far! Author Reply: Much to my fangirl pleasure, not much gets between Legolas and his warrior training, even at this age. It's the one thing he's consistently serious and reliable about. In other areas, he's a little wobbly, as you see. Ithilden has a lot going on right now. He does need a leave. I'm not sure how relaxing it will be with Legolas along, but at least it will be different. You're very nice to review these stories so consistently, Tapetum. I always look forward to hearing from you. | |
| Nelsonia | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2004 |
| Hello Daw! I just thought that I should drop a quick note to tell you that you made my day! I was having quite a hard day until I opened my mail at lunchtime and your story was there! First of all great handling of Thranduil on the last story, I loved it! Look forward to see what happens in the camping trip, good idea of putting Legolas and ithilden together just as brothers, should be fun! Keep writing girl! take care nelsonia Author Reply: I'm glad I made someone happy! I sneaking peeks at SoA during my own work day too, and it's not even lunch time. Bad me! Thranduil is cool when he's in full kingly, fatherly mode. He just dominates. I'm interested in thinking a little more about Ithilden, which is one reason for writing this story. I think that all of Thranduil's sons must have had a hard time with this loved but somewhat domineering father. They need to break from him but also want his approval. And I also thought that the big age difference between Ithilden and his younger brothers might make for some interesting dynamics there. We'll see, I guess! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2004 |
| Oh, boy, the joys of fencing in full gear in the summer! I know them well. You break a sweat before you've even finished warming up, and your uniform smells perpetually of gym. I've never tried fencing outside, although I'm going to grad school in the fall, and the university fencing club claims to practice outside occasionally if the weather's nice. Ithilden seems to have one of the same problems that I have, which is remembering to riposte after a parry. Are these guys using edged weapons? If so, I wonder about that horizontal guard. It seems to be either a full extension with the weapon pointed at the opponent or a modified parry five, with the blade held across the body and parallel to the ground. Either one is a very dangerous thing to do with an edged weapon, because the opponent can disengage and cut very quickly, does not have to be as accurate as with a point weapon, and the defending weapon is not providing a "wall of steel" defense anywhere on the body. The guard for sabre (the modern edge weapon) is the most vertical of the three weapons for just that reason. I did like the inclusion of the fuller in the new Dwarf swords, though. They're right; a fuller will make the blade lighter. You can tell Thranduil that I approve of this design. Sorry to make this so much about the weaponry, but I just looked at the clock, and I have to get to work. Catch you later! Author Reply: I think the elves are playing with danger. I think they like it. :-) But also, I am just pig ignorant and make a lot of sword stuff up, so that could be a reason for the dangerous technique too. Now I looked up the stuff about the fuller and decided the clever Dwarven smiths had made it up. Grad school tends to be a stressful experience, so swinging a sword at someone else should be a useful release! | |
| Elentari | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2004 |
| Whooohooo! Ithilden shows what he's got! I absolutely adored him this chapter (not that I ever disliked him): so charming, so brave, so shy, so attentive. The awkward scene on the trainning fields was absolutely priceless. Thank you so much! And the Nice Big Brother will take his baby brother out for a camp! Go Ithilden! Hmmm... I think Thranduil has some mighty issues with letting go, even when he does acknowledge his son has good- great- judgement. I hope he fels more comfortable in time, poor darling, he does seem to go out of his way to try and understand Ithilden. If only he could be so with his other sons too. But I do not think Thranduil will find it so easy to let others do things he does not like- as he pointed to Alfirin once, he orders around naturally! Author Reply: I have to admit I enjoyed getting Ithilden sweaty and shirtless. In terms of needing to be in control, I think that he and Thranduil are a lot alike (no surprise there). They each take their responsibilities seriously. Ithilden is also a little arrogant. He genuinely believe that no one can do these things as well as he does. He doesn't even like having his captains tell him what's going on. And he may be right about how good he is too, which doesn't help. And he are both used to having people jump when they snap their fingers. So I think they are bound to clash a little sometimes. The only thing that saves them is that they think much alike. | |