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Paths of Memory by daw the minstrel	30 Review(s)
esamen	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
“I will stay with you always, Ada,” the child pledged, hugging Thranduil fiercely around the neck. “I will not frighten you by wandering far away.” Ah, a lovely clue there. Promises, promises. What a delicate masterpiece this story is. Speaking of Legolas wandering far away . . . I'd still love to see the scene when Beliond comes back from Rivendell without Legolas. I don't mean the thunder and lightning of the king's wrath . . . I mean the depth of both Thranduil and Beliond's love for Legolas, and their knowledge, as elves of long life and long memory, of what Legolas will be up against . . . or, maybe, if dont' want to get that close to quest action, you could make Legolas cross the path of some stray Nazgul while in the Southern Patrol . . . of course these characters are all yours and not mine, but I can dream! Author Reply: Yeah, I was thinking of the same thing, I'll bet. Legolas eventually does wander about as far off as he can go and still stay in Middle-earth. Poor Thranduil. You are full of good ideas of what can happen! The Nazgul is possible. They didn't come to Dol Guldur until after the Battle of Five Armies, so that's beyond most of what I've written so far. And off course, Beliond's return to Mirkwood is beyond anything I've written. I think the story of what happened in Mirkwood while Legolas was away would be stunning to tell.

Tinnuial	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
That was a lovely, but sadly tragic set of memories... Thank you for sharing it with us... Author Reply: Thank you, Tinnuial. I originally thought this would be just a fluffy elfling fic, but then the tragedy kept creeping in. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
oh that was sweet. Everytime I read about their nana being killed and seeing how upset they are afterwords... it makes me cry... Great story. -sofia Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the story, Sofia. I meant it as a mixture of sweet and sad and it seems to have worked that way for you, so thank you for letting me know. I'm even glad I made you cry, sick as that might be of me!

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
sigh You have my heart just about broken, daw. Right, I’ll try and go back to the start and forget that I read the end… There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to switch your mind off even when you’re physically exhausted. I really felt for Thranduil trying so hard to get the rest he needs. I see he doesn’t even consider disobeying Ithilden, though! Random question – if there are no windows in the caverns, how are they lit during the day? I really liked the image of Thranduil sitting at his desk while Eilian did his work on the floor. There’s just such a sense of normality about it. I just knew this elfling had to be Eilian. Who else would have been so attracted by the prospect of excitement? It must be very strange for Thranduil when his sons study the lives of those he actually knew, especially when they have such an outsider’s view of it and can so easily praise or criticise without really knowing the personal costs. It’s so very touching how much faith Eilian has in his father but wow, my heart stopped with the words “He also remembered Dagorlad.” None of us want to think that our loved ones are far from invincible and I don’t blame Thranduil for sheltering his child a little longer. I think he did completely the right thing too in reassuring Eilian that children will always be protected, even if it does nothing to quash Eilian’s longing for excitement. Since they were in a time of Peace then there seemed no reason for Eilian to learn of the bad in the world. Oh, and it’s just so endearing the way Eilian wants to be “like Ithilden”, the way Legolas always wanted to be “like Eilian”! Carrot, Oats and Apple?? Very cute! Children’s games are sometimes just utterly bizzare. I like Thranduil indulging them and taking them with him to his meeting. I’m presuming that’s Annael and Turgon there. I could really feel Thranduil’s panic when they disappeared. How awful to know all the dangers that are around – and of course the very worst run through his mind – and these children have simply have no idea. He seems to get through when Legolas realises that he was frightened, though. At least Thranduil was honest about that. Although, Legolas’ tendency to wander off will no doubt resurface again… A lot. I notice that just as Thranduil hoped the Peace would last when Eilian was young, he hope that it would return for Legolas’ future. It’s really rather touching to see even the very practical and really quite cynical Thranduil cling to some hope. As with the last chapter, I particularly loved the Ithilden bit. Very cute the way he just confesses it all in one go and Thranduil has to try and pick out the bits he actually needs to know. Ah, the First Snow incident. Vague memories stirring of Thranduil telling Alfirin about this. This is the same story, right? I should probably check. No other child would not only go and confess before being found out but would have enough presence of mind to take the injured elfling home and then accept responsibility to the point where he truly believes the criticism he receives. Boy did he turn out to be anything but a ‘bad influence’. I felt so sorry for him because that must be just about the worst thing he could have been told. It’s something that Eilian would probably shrug off but Ithilden obviously takes it to heart. What a pity if it stops him having fun. But at least he still has plenty faith in himself! “She should not have tried to beat me though.” And I bet she never tries again. LOL too at Thranduil summoning Lorellin. What mother would take kindly to someone criticising her beloved only child?? That scene in the nursery… As soon as I realised it was Legolas I had this horrible sense of foreboding. The two of them are so content and so eager too for Lorellin’s return. How truly awful to know that this little cocoon in which they are living is about to be shattered irreparably. I was actually thinking in the last chapter that if Thranduil did fall asleep Legolas would probably wake him. I found it really moving to see how quickly all three of them responded to his distress. Eilian is clearly struggling with what has happened. And Ithilden goes to him? I’d give just about anything to know what happened in that room. I had kind of thought that they all more or less shut themselves off around this time but maybe the eldest sons can find some comfort in each other while Thranduil struggles with his own grief and that of his youngest child. Legolas’ anguish is just heartbreaking. But still, even though I know that there are tough times ahead for him, at least he is still young enough to scream and cry and seek comfort from others – something that the rest of his family obviously need to do but clearly don’t seem to be able to, or think that they can. I wonder if Ithilden had anyone to turn to? He seems to be doing a lot of the care-giving here. How strong Thranduil is, though, even at such a terrible time. At least he seems to be able to relive good memories and even though he wishes for such simple times again, he seems to be able to enjoy them too. I loved being able to see some of those memories, and they mean so much more in the context of his great loss. Apart from the joy of seeing glimpses of childhood, especially of Eilian’s and Ithilden’s that we don’t ever really see, I had always wanted to see more of this family after Lorellin’s death, considering how much it changed all of their lives. I’m so very grateful you decided to write this and I loved everything about it. I’m hoping as always that we see more from you soon… I’m away next week on a trip to London so I might miss some if you do post around then (no pressure!), but I’ll be looking forward to whatever it will be! :-) Author Reply: Ithilden can be very bossy when he chooses! Re windows in the cavern. Until Bilbo discovers the trap door in the cellars, he thinks that the Great Doors are the only way out of the caves. That's what leads me to think there are no windows or balconies. As for how they light it, I'd have to say lanterns of some sort, whether those are lit by burning oil or by some sort of Wood-elf magic. But who knows? Tolkien doesn't always tell us this stuff, drat the man. I too liked the image of Eilian doing his lessons under Thranduil's eyes, lying on the floor and kicking his feet together. And even though Eilian probably wanted to be outside, I'll bet he valued the time alone with his father. As I was writing this, I did think that studying history must have been odd for elves when they knew people who had lived through that time. And it also struck me that it must have been scary for elven children to realize that their parents had lived through such peril as what happened in the First Age. Eilian does tend to see it only as exciting though. Sigh. A sign of what's to come, I guess. When I wrote the pony story, I wasn't sure at first whether to give it to Legolas, Turgon, and Annael or to Eilian, Gelmir, and Celuwen. But the theme of wandering off struck me as relevant to Legolas, who is going to scare the bejeebers out of his family one day by going off with the Fellowship. This is the same First Snow incident that is mentioned in "One Year in Mirkwood." There Ithilden laughs when Thranduil recalls it and says that surely it must have been Eilian who did that. But he didn't laugh it off as a child. As you say, being told he was a 'bad influence' is not something he would shrug off easily. (Gelmir's parents told Eilian that so frequently that it just rolled off his back.) I loved the idea of Ithilden going to comfort Eilian while Thranduil went to Legolas. Eilian is quite young here -- about 70. And he's having a hard time. Ithilden seems to see himself as responsible for everyone else, now that he 'let' Nana get killed. How alone he must have felt. I have to go to a conference in Boston next week, so I don't think I'll be posting much. I suppose it depends on whether I get inspired this weekend, but I usually outline quite a lot before I start writing, which is why I then can post so quickly. I haven't decided what to write next.

Karri	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
A lovely fic! The ambiance is very much that of a man who has survived the initial weeks of grief and begins finally to reconcile himself to his loss – an excellent job creating that feeling. :-) Author Reply: Thank you, Karri. Yeah, I thought this would be after Thranduil and his older sons hunted down the Orcs and came back, but before Eilian had to return to his patrol. Poor all of them. They have a hard time ahead yet.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
I had an inkling when I was reading the first chapter where it would lead us to and unfortuntely, I was right. The sweet innocence of Thranduil's memories is such a stark contrast to the heart-rending scene at the end. It has left me quite numb and speechless, but then death does that, I suppose. I hope that you might consider expanding this story in the near future. It really is too well written to stop at just two chapters. Author Reply: When I started this story, I thought it would be pure fluff, but the angst kind of crept in anyway. Poor Thranduil. For him, these times with his children were idyllic interludes that he's afraid will not come again. Thank you for your kind remarks, Manderly.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
Very sweet story though the last bit makes me sad. Poor Legolas. Poor all of them for that matter. The rest of the story was heartwarming though. There were a lot of little things that made me enjoy it. Like Legolas promising his ada not to wander far away. Poor Thranduil. I enjoyed Ithilden's scenes. He's a cute elfling, and much like his adult self only more cuddly. I liked the line about Thranduil missing the happiness caused by his mere existence. That's how I remember me and my brother being about my Dad when we were little. So, overall, good story. Very sweet. It made me want a cuddly elfling of my own. Oh, and I liked the line about Lorellin leaping to her son's defense. Little did the other concerned father know that Thranduil had just called in the big guns: Mommy. I look forward to the next story. Author Reply: I know -- the ending was sad. Actually, the whole "now" was sad. But the elfling stories were fully of joy. As I'm sure you realized, Legolas does wander far away eventually. Poor Thranduil indeed. If only he knew. And I enjoyed showing Ithilden as an elfling because he's ordinarily so grown up. I remember my son being thrilled when I showed up. Needless to say, he soon grew out of that! And Lorellin doted on all of her sons, I think. Clever Thranduil to call her in to handle to complaining father. I'll bet he never does that again!

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
Oh, dear. I guessed that was probably the reasons behind Thranduil's heartache and Eilian's drinking. There had to be sadness behind the happy memories. I enjoyed guessing which son was the subject of each memory - Eilian reluctant to do homework, Legolas the pony, Ithilden responsible enough to confess before he got found out! I liked the final scene with Thranduil comforting little Legolas, and Ithilden presumably doing the same with Eilian. I don't think he was going to scold him for drinking, somehow. I think I'd like to see more with Ithilden and Eilian as brothers, rather than Troop Commander/warrior. Jay Author Reply: Good guess about the overall situation, Jay. And I was hoping that people would enjoy guessing which son was being written about. I think you are so right about Ithilden comforting Eilian. Eilian is very young here still -- about 70. And Ithilden is considerably older. He must have seen Eilian as his kid brother for a long time. I had fun writing about Legolas and Ithilden as brothers going camping. Maybe I will have to do more with Ithilden and Eilian.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
You have to make a habit of writing these. You could do one of those Drabbles things that lots of people seem to do. This is just great. I love the part with Eilian's essay on Elu Thingol. That would indeed be a heck of a thing for Thranduil to read no matter the maturity level of the content (in this story it was too cute but also undoubtedly too much for Thranduil). I really do think this is an interesting thing for the elves. Their children would study these events 1000's of years in the past that their parents lived through. Bizarre. Must have made history seem more immediate to them, though. Legolas playing pony. Grin My friends and I did that when I was a kid so this was particularly sweet to me. Poor Thranduil. I bet it was hard for him to have 'parent duty' when everyone would try to approach him for 'king duty.' I imagine he lost track of his share of elflings over the years. But to be honest, I burst out laughing when Ithilden confessed a parent said he was a bad influence. Ithilden? Ever a bad influence? I doubt it! And Thranduil going to get Lorellin. I bet that was ugly! That poor parent had the nerve to come complain to the king but he didn't know who he really had to fear. I can definitely see that. I feared when I started the second to last part that it was the night before Lorellin's death. Then to find out Thranduil had been contemplating all these memories soon after it and that's why he can't sleep and Ithilden and Eilian are worried about him. Too sad. Very well done. You must do more of these. Do not feel bound to include Legolas in every story. We love Legolas, naturally, and you write him very well. But you also write Thranduil well. And part of the reason your stories are so good is because you have developed outstanding OCs. You could write a full length story with nothing but your OCs and I would bet that a very large number of us would read it and love it as much all your others. :) Author Reply: Funny you should mention the drabbles! When I started writing this, I thought I would just do a series of fluffy elfling bits to post for a week in a row or something. But then the angst crept in and my beta suggested I put a frame around the elfling bits and consider it a story. So I did. I have to admit that I really hesitate to be even more OC than I already am, so I try to keep Legolas in all my stories. But sometimes I'm tempted. :-) I also wondered about teaching history to elven children. How odd that would be! I kind of tried to guess what it would be like, and Eilian is still figuring it out too. He knows that his father met some of the people he is being taught about. He seems to accept that more easily than the idea that Thranduil was ever an elfling. You're probably right that Thranduil occasionally lost an elfling. He had plenty of other things on his mind. And I have to say that the Ithilden bits were a lot of fun to write. He had a security blanket! He was once called a "bad influence"! Who knew? But Nana would be fierce in protecting her sons, I think. More? Maybe. :-)

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2004
Oh, I was so afraid of that. You dealt with "the event we all dreaded" very subtly, though -- thank you for not going into any gory details. I especially liked that Ithilden went to Eilian while Thranduil went to comfort Legolas. I absolutely love the flashbacks with each of the elflings. I would really like it if you could continue to show some backstory for each of the boys whenever it fits into the current story (10 tips for writing be damned!), like you did in, um, the story where Eilian got hurt (sorry -- I went to look up its name, and got distracted by Spring Awakenings - the part where Beliond scolded Thranduil - and started laughing so much I forgot what I was searching for). I always enjoy those bits so much! Thank you for the lovely -- and loving -- story! - Barbara Author Reply: You know, I really liked sending Ithilden to Eilian too. Eilian is young here -- about 70, which in elf terms makes him "of age" but possibly not even fully grown yet. And this is his beloved mother. Ithilden is considerably older, although I'd have to go look it up so be sure how old I made him. Eilian was his baby brother for a long time. I am ridiculously flattered that you wandered around in my stories and got distracted. I think the story was "Sacrifice Under Shadow." I showed Eilian as a novice in that one. I have to admit that I hesitate to leave Legolas out, so I seek for opportunities to write about his brothers while still keeping him around. I'm glad you liked the story.

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