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Good Neighbors by daw the minstrel	21 Review(s)
Susanlu	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/12/2004
Is that the mannish boy who has shot the raft? @_@ If that's true, I will say he's lucky because he's under age, the elves will do nothing bad to a kid. And Legolas, I strongly suggest you put on a pair of kneepad and prepare your "I'm so sorry Ada" speech from now on (maybe Eilian can help you, I guess when he back from east, he will need the speech, too, although the receiver may not be Thranduil but Ithilden). Sigh, we can do nothing about that, Turgon is still alive after all. Author Reply: The attack on the raft still has to be sorted out, that's true. Whether the kid is connected to that--or to anything else that's happened--is another question. Legolas and Eilian are both doing their best to be responsible here -- well kind of responsible. Legolas is taking care of someone, and so is Eilian. Of course, Eilian is also hoping for a good time!

esamen	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/12/2004
Hi there -- I am beyond belief; I have to review your review. Are we all nuts, or what . . . ? ******** "Kick ass with a sword" . . . oh, someone needs to develop a visual, maybe a poster, of the glamorous twins with weapons in hand, lookin' bad, with a caption along the lines of "Kick ass with a sword." We could post it somewhere on the website where we could all go look at it. ******** The boy has his role to play, poor thing. Everyone in Thranduil's family is thinking about their relations with men. I really, really like the way you weave themes of real-life issues through each of your stories. It gives them a visceral punch that moves them into a higher level of storytelling. I am always impressed by the many levels of emotion that resonate in your stories. ********** I'll be out of town this weekend, visiting my mother, so I'm not sure when I'll post again. Airplane time is usually good writing time but then I have to be sociable eventually. Yeah, I like that airplane time too. No phone calls, no people interrupting--I'm going to visit my Dad for Thanksgiving and I'll have that same situation going on. Best wishes for a wonderful trip! Esamen Author Reply: The SoA review system and the people who use it are absolutely the best! I love having people "talk" to me about these characters and stories because they occupy so much of my thoughts. And I have to say oh please someone make such a visual!!! I wantsss it, I doesss. I used to feel kind of self-conscious about writing with "themes," because I don't want to be preachy or anything. I just like to have a central idea floating through all the strands of the story, tying it together just as the plot does. It helps me to think about what I want to have happen and why. Have a good Thanksgiving trip. My mother is unfortunately aging and ailing, so this is one of those trips you make now because you'll regret it later if you don't. But it will be good to get away and to see her.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
Ahh, the plot thickens. Eilian and the twins together hunting orcs? If I were an orc, I'd be running for my life. Poor Ithilden. It must have been such a difficult decision to make, allowing the three to go orc hunting in the company of Men. Thranduil will not be a happy king or adar when he learns of this. And the elflings are getting themselves involved with an orphaned Man child? And they actually think they can get away with hiding the child in a nearby cottage? I don't know whether I should applaud them for their well-meaning intentions or wring my hands over their foolishness. Probably a bit of both. You are certainly building up the excitement here. Author Reply: Poor Ithilden indeed. I think he makes a lot of difficult decisions, and this one probably pushes the boundaries of their two areas of responsibility because it involves going outside the territory the guards normally defend. But Elrohir and Elladan are going to do it anyway, and there is a very real question of how much the Elves owe to their neighbors, the men. The relation of elves and men is supposed to tie together all the threads of this story. The very boldness of the kids' move may let them succeed. For a while. :-)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
Ooh, I'm so glad you posted this tonight, because I get to review it. We did this really cool drill in fencing tonight that I wanted to tell you about, because it sounded like something that one of the novice masters (I can't remember who teaches fencing; Penntalion does archery and Maldor does unarmed combat, but I don't remember about fencing) could use, and I know you like to be realistic about things like that. I'll put it at the end, so you can skip the description if you're not interested. How "convenient" for Ithilden that, just when he was wondering where extra warriors would come from, three get dropped in his lap. Rebel McRogue and the Twin Terrors of Tinytown. There are times when Ithilden's life resembles a musical comedy. He did the right thing in assigning Eilian to command this venture. It seems to be an astute observation of Eilian that command of and responsibility for others steadies him. It's also kind of sad that he seems to think he alone is not worth the protection he'd give to other warriors. Eilian is definitely an Elf in need of more TLC than he's currently getting. I'd offer, but I'm cold and prickly and not very good at giving TLC. But I can give Eilian a friendly pat on the shoulder. Perhaps after he has elflings and becomes the second most important person in their world after Celuwen, he'll finally really get it that someone needs him to come home every time. The thing that's dangerous here is that Elladan and Elrohir have just announced their intention not to place themselves under command unless they feel like it. That's highly irresponsible, and it's putting Eilian and the Men in more danger. No matter how few Orcs there are or how slow they are, Eilian does not need the added worry that the twins will run off and go AWOL if something about his command doesn't suit them. Ithilden should probably swear them to Eilian temporarily before they set out. Sondil, trusting babysitter that he is, didn't split up the Unholy Trinity. He will regret this later, I think. These poor kids -- they so want to do the right thing, and they've all got enough innate morality to have an idea of what "the right thing" might be. This situation is playing to all of their strengths: Annael's woodcraft, Legolas's compassion and Turgon's creativity. But they're still laboring under the schoolkid code of omertá, and Eru forbid they should rat out another kid. You can see that they want to do the right thing, but they're not sophisticated enough to know quite what that is. I wonder if Sondil will notice the missing arrows. I give fifty-fifty odds on that. If it were any of the other masters, they'd know in a New York second, but Sondil, though he is good at observing bears, does not appear to be the world's greatest observer of elflings. So. This drill. It's kind of a variation on Monkey In The Middle. Take three fencers (Annael, Turgon and Legolas). Legolas goes in the middle, and Annael and Turgon stand facing each other, each about twenty feet away from Legolas, so that they're all three in a line. Legolas's job is to attack and hit, and Annael and Turgon have to parry and riposte. As soon as the attack on Annael is over, Legolas spins around, scootles over and attacks Turgon. Wash, rinse, repeat. Legolas is working very hard, and after a while, he'll be exhausted and breathing hard. His attacks will degrade, his stance will falter, his legs will start to cramp. When that happens, he has to do the drill twenty more times. Then they can switch someone else into the middle. The idea is to teach a fencer how to keep fighting through the deadly fatigue that an all-day tournament can bring, where you have your shortest and easiest bouts in the morning when you're fresh, and by five in the afternoon, you're fencing fifteen-touch bouts against the best opponents, none of whom have lost yet. And you're exhausted. And the only thing to do is to keep fencing through it and to be in top form while you're fencing through the exhaustion. It strikes me that this could very well apply to a real battle-with-Orcs situation and that novices could learn much from it. Author Reply: What an exceedingly cool drill! I love it. I'm going to save it and use it someday. Thank you so much. I thought that putting Eilian in command might make the mission more interesting. :-) And it really is true that he is steadied by command. One of the things that's interesting about him is how vulnerable he seems to be, despite his facade of good cheer and devil-may-care attitude. He seems to feel unlovable. I suppose that's not surprising given his difficult relationship with his father and the death of his mother, who understood him well. He needs Legolas, who loves and depends on him. I suspect that even now, Legolas would be devastated if he didn't come home. I'm treading carefully with the twins. I want them to be adult warriors who must have learned some discipline. But I also want them to be concentrated on one goal by their grief and loss. (And it just occurred to me this morning that I'd better figure out where Maltanaur is and hustle him onto the scene.) Poor Sondil! He probably secretly dotes on Annael, an enthusiastic and apt pupil, and I think he spends less time with the elfling set than the other masters do. They'd all be learning some woodcraft just by watching the everyday actions of those around them. So he does indeed make the mistake of sending the three friends off together. I suppose he figures they can't get into too much trouble gathering nuts, berries, and roots. Silly Elf!

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
You know, I just kept going uh-oh throughout the discovery of the orphan deserter. When is Legolas going to learn that an idea from Turgon is a bad idea? Sweet boy, not too bright. So, anyone want to bet me that this won't blow up in their faces? What, no takers? Didn't think so. I enjoyed the bit with Ithilden too. Particularly the line about Eilian having enough self preservation not to lie to Ithilden. Really makes me wonder what Ithilden does to people who lie to him. Ithilden is kind of scary sometimes, you know that? But that's okay, because he only breaks out the scariness when the kingdom ( or the wellbeing of those he cares about) necessitates it. I love how he sort of threatens Elladan and Elrohir also. I was sort of expecting him to ask them to remain behind while he told them, " I understand that you're going through a hard time right now and I truly am sorry but that is my little brother you have there and if either one of you gets him killed or maimed because of your lust for revenge, then so help me Eru I will hunt you down and make you suffer." But reminding them that Eilian is in command was probably a better way and much cleverer. And Ithilden has my pity for having to be the one to break the news about the mission to Thranduil. Not exactly a fun job. So, I eagerly anticipate the next chapter and seeing what those three elflings get up to. Oy, are they in over their heads on this one, but then, aren't they always? Update soon! Author Reply: When I was writing the Legolas part of this chapter and wrote that Legolas could see the "merit" of Turgon's suggestion that they hide Rodda in the empty cottage, I have to admit that I laughed. I suppose from a 12-year-old's pov, there might be merit in that idea, but the rest of us are going to groan and shake our heads. Ithilden is scary. I was thinking about how Eilian and Legolas were convinced he scare the wits out of Celuwen's guards in "Glorious Summer." I think he has a sharp tongue and the ability to put warriors on duties they would find very unpleasant. I'm not sure that the twins are particularly intimidated though. We'll have to see how things go on patrol. I'm looking forward to trying to work out fighting styles for the men, the twins, and Eilian; create an interesting, believable battle; and have some exchange occur on the topic of dealing with grief. Oh. And also, I need to retrieve Maltanaur from wherever he's hiding and throw him into the mix.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
Alright, I’m lost. I think I’ll just have to sit back and see what happens with this one. I figured the house next door to Turgon would reappear at some time but I had not expected an orphaned human child to be wandering around the forest. Then again, I didn’t exactly expect the arrival of the sons of Elrond either ;-) So let’s see… a man attacks elves, orcs attack men, twins and Eilian go to find said orcs, elflings find lone boy and give him their food and arrows (I'm presuming they're armory arrows and not the homemade ones...) and leave him alone in the forest. Yep, that’s me bewildered. And dying to know what happens! Anyway… the whole scene in Ithilden’s office was great. I’m glad you did it from his point of view – it was great fun watching his mind at work. I would like to petition for Calith to be allowed to call him by his name, though. Even just when there’s no one else around? It seems that Ithilden’s tendency to feel responsible for and guilty about everything has now extended to men being attacked in the vicinity of their forest. I suppose he knows what it’s like to have warriors endangered, and it’s horrific to think that many were killed. I really liked the moment when he suddenly realises that he could use Elladan and Elrohir and then tries to banish that thought. He’s almost painfully aware of their grief, though, and I suppose he knows something of the way they’re thinking, having been there himself to some extent and having seen how Eilian dealt with his grief. I thought Elrohir’s point about how the men of Esgaroth might join them made sense. I guess it highlights again their different mindsets when it doesn’t even dawn on Ithilden to work with the men until the idea is put to him. It’s kind of a nice thought too that Ithilden is behind a lot of Thranduil’s interaction with other races, like with the dwarves in other stories. I do hope for Ithilden’s sake that some good comes of all this. Very funny line: “Lord Eilian wishes to join the discussion.” I can imagine the conversation that took place in the other room. And the one in the infirmary for that matter… Eilian often says things that are “much too plausible.” That’ll never change! You know what, though? I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He could very well end up with some tough decisions to make when Elladan and Elrohir get going but there’s always a possibility that he’ll use what he learned when in their position to help them. Then again, he could get carried away by adrenalin… Nice touch of Ithilden’s to put him in charge. “I have no doubt at all that warriors of Imladris are able to understand the importance of following orders.” Very well done. Almost Thranduil-esque. Speaking of Thranduil, I wouldn’t fancy having to tell him. But Ithilden may find that Thranduil knew very well that Eilian was likely to go with the twins. Of course, that wouldn’t make him any happier. Well, this camping trip took an interesting turn! What possessed Sondil to send Annael, Turgon and Legolas off together I’ll never know… What’s a huckleberry?? Come to think of it, what are cattail roots?? Darn Annael and his excellent tracking skills – this time it’s his fault! I was wondering what they’d find. But a boy! And barely adolescent by the sound of it. Quick question, though… I thought Turgon didn’t speak Westron? How sad that the boy is a member of Esgaroth’s army, especially as they seem to have seen a lot of fighting lately. I’m guessing there’s more to his story too. This is all so fascinating! Trust Turgon to come up with a mad plan. What are the chances it’ll work? It’s actually quite touching, though, how they all try to help the boy. It was very considerate of Annael to give him their food even though they were bound to get into trouble. So now he’s alone in the woods and Turgon has to go back there at night to find him. Ooh, I’m getting all excited!! :-) Author Reply: No, no, no! You're not supposed to remember that Turgon doesn't speak Westron. When I was planning this story, I know I was going to hit that glitch and just decided to hell with it. I couldn't deal with having to skirt around the language issue. So we will now pretend that it never happened, won't we, Dot? :-) I know I have a lot of threads going. They're all supposed to be connected by the idea of Thranduil and his people working out their relationship to men. In that sense, the sons of Elrond were timely arrivals, being the sons of Elrond Half-Elven with strong ties to the Dunedain. I'm just hoping I don't forget anything by the time I get to the end. I like the thought that Calith might call Ithilden by name occasionally, maybe at a moment when they are both joking or when Ithilden is under a lot of stress or something. Sinnarn will eventually play with the oliphant paper weights on Calith's desk. I should mention them now! I still have to work out the details of the Orc hunting mission. It should be fun to try to show different styles of fighting and how Eilian manages (or not). Huckleberries are -- well, they're huckleberries! What can I say? LOL. This woodcraft site I found claimed that the roots of the cattail plant were starchy but good to eat. Since all my food comes from the supermarket, you couldn't prove it by me. I figured Turgon would take the boy home like a pet that he found! Now I have lots of notes about him.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
I think the exercise of having the young elves have to forage for food and live off the forest is a great lesson. I am not sure I envy Sondil having to teach them, though! I am still contemplating Ithilden's behavior. His dictatorial manner doesn't seem to have gotten him in hot water to date, but I am curious to know how the sons of Elrond react to his somewhat condescending comment about following orders. grin He has put Eilian in an interesting position, but I think Eilian can live up to it. Author Reply: Sondil seems up to the challenge. These are good kids, even Turgon. Really! Ithilden is not exactly the soul of tact. I understand. I'm not either. I'm thinking now about what exactly will happen on this mission, how the men and two sets of elves will interact. It should be fun!

Firnsarnien	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
Oh no! I'd forgotten how persuasive Turgon can be! And how could I forget how easily Legolas was persuaded by him too! What on earth are they thinking? Hiding that boy? They'll never get away with it. Either they're going to be found out and be in a heap of trouble or something terribly bad is going to happen because of their deception. It always does! sigh And I just hate for poor Leggy to get in trouble from a bad decision. Getting in trouble otherwise is just fine for me, ;) but when disaster finds him because he's done something he knows he shouldn't have, shakes head that's another thing entirely. Ithilden is NOT going to be pleased, neither is Thranduil! shudder I could almost hear Ithilden groan when Eilian came into the room. I don't know if Eilian has really gotten over his thirst for vegence on the orcs. Even now, after he's been bonded with Celuwen, I've still seen too much recklessness in him to be comforted. I think things are really going to go ill on this hunting trip. Especially with Elladan and Elrohir in the thick of things. Their grief is still too fresh and I can just picture them ignoring an order of withdrawl and rushing headlong into the thick of things with Eilian right on their tails! Ha! And Galelas is back too. :) He's nearly as bad as Turgon! LOL This is not looking good. Eek! Hurry up with an update please! :) Author Reply: The kids are sheltering someone they feel sorry for and think an adult might harm, but lordy, lordy, as you say, what are they thinking? And Ithilden is probably beating his head on the desk. He was willing to let the twins go. He'd like to help them but basically they're adults with their own decisions to make. And then Eilian shows up. And in the meantime, Ithilden has decided to feel guilty about the Orcs killing the Men. And he still has to face Thranduil!

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
Well the plot seriously thickened there didn't it. Ithilden must have found some dangwath somewhere and smoked it if he's sending Eilian with those twins. :) I mean, Eilian is a good captain and he's a risk-taker but he doesn't endanger anyone. But how is he going to control bloodthirsty Men and twins...I really pity him. And already, in the back of his mind, he was preparing the argument he would make to Thranduil about the wisdom of this decision. Indeed. Good luck Ithilden--Thranduil respects your command of the troops but I wouldn't want to be in for the initial reaction. And trust Turgon to convince Legolas and Annael to shelter deserters. That can only turn out bad. But given that I was afraid they were going to find an orc, I suppose it could have been worse. Poor kid. Orphaned and pressed into the army for lack of any other way to survive, I suppose. That will be one heck of a revelation for the Elven children when they figure it out. Make it hard to complain about too many hours with your tutor after you learn how some young boys your age have it. This is getting tense. Hurry with the next chapter! Author Reply: I have yet to work out how the patrol will go! I mean I have a general idea, but the details are the hard part (and the fun part). You have to feel for Ithilden, who is really caught in the middle here. He can't command the twins. He feels some obligation to go after the Orcs. And yet his father is worried that the twins will lead his sons into trouble (although Ithilden probably doesn't know that) and here comes Eilian. And then there's the kids, deciding they will help the boy to "escape." Ah good times.

esamen	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/11/2004
Ithilden looked at him hard and then raked his eyes over Elladan. “I have no doubt at all that warriors of Imladris are able to understand the importance of following orders.” He made sure they both were meeting his gaze and then picked up the dispatch that had come that morning Hey, this is great! I really, really like the way that Ithilden is not intimidated by the twins. It shows so much maturity and security on his part. And I kinda like seeing these two not getting their own way all the time. I'll bet that they pretty much intimidate everyone, wherever else they go on their travels. And I also smile at the way that Eilian is just in love with them. That's great too. This is playing beautifully! But it's a funny balance to have him leading the command. What on earth do you have in store for this story? And how is the boy in the woods going to play into it? I thought you were going to have Legolas stumble into the Orcs . . . but now I remember the discussion about young Mannish warriors . . . well, well, I'll just have to wait and see. Please keep on writing at your furious pace. I'm watching down the road for your next update! This is wonderful! Esamen Author Reply: I doubt if Ithilden is intimidated by anyone much. Of course, once the twins and Eilian go off with the men into the forest, things could get dicier. I need to work that out yet, actually. And Eilian does love them. They are glamorous and kick ass with a sword. The boy has his role to play, poor thing. Everyone in Thranduil's family is thinking about their relations with men. I'll be out of town this weekend, visiting my mother, so I'm not sure when I'll post again. Airplane time is usually good writing time but then I have to be sociable eventually.

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