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Good Neighbors by daw the minstrel	19 Review(s)
Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
Wow, that was tense! Ithilden is cunning in putting Eilian in charge - forces Eilian to reconsider his moves instead of leaping into danger. Funny how being responsible for others instantly changes your perspective of things. Eilian is getting a good look at how reckless he himself must appear to Maltanaur at times by watching the twins in action. I can't help but think that Maltanaur must be doing a bit of gloating even while he's probably getting an ulcer worrying how he will keep Eilian and the twins from leaping blindly into danger. All I can say is thank God Maltanaur is there with them. It's interesting to see how really secluded the wood elves are from the rest of ME as evidenced by Eilian's unfamiliarity with the ways of Men, and his shock that the twins do not communicate with the trees. And then there are the three elflings and the child fugitive. Poor Legolas. Even at such a tender age, he's already more perceptive to worries and responsibilities than the other two elflings. I suppose that comes with the territory of being the son of the king. Author Reply: Maltanaur must be ready to beat his head against a tree and say, "Why me?" Although you're also right, that he's probably taking some secret satisfaction in watching Eilian squirm too. I do think that Eilian settles down a little when he's responsible for someone else. All of Thranduil's sons, even Eilian, have been raised to accept responsibility for others, as you see with Legolas. I thought that Eilian would not have seen Men much. He's only 90 years old. I wrote in another story that he didn't leave the Woodland Realm until he was of age at 50, and soon after that he started serving in the Southern Patrol. So he just hasn't had the opportunity. The same would apply to Elves from other realms really.

Firnsarnien	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
Ai! Amdir knows! huge groan Now they're in for it. It's almost a matter of time. Although, I find myself almost hoping they are found out. I don't like it when Leggy sneaks around and does things that will disappoint his father and brothers. It just seems, I don't know, off kilter. But, sigh he is young and I know he was not the little angel we all like to think he was when he was an Elfling. You've captured that wonderfully. That's one reason I like the way you write so much, there is such a sense of realism to your stories. You always make Legolas so, pardon the use of this word here, human. LOL I can just see Tolkien reading your stories while nodding approvingly the whole time. ;) Ok, back to your regularly scheduled programming... I felt so badly for the men. I wonder how much of their friends they will actually get back. And poor that young wife. I don't think she'll want to see what's left of her husband. If she's lucky, maybe she'll get a belonging or two. sniff OMG! The whole time I was reading what was going on with Eilian and the others, all I could think was...POOR Maltanaur. I can only imagine what's going through his mind. He's probably praying to Illuvitar that Eilian keep his head and not go off recklessly when the twins finally lose that tight thread of control they are barely managing to hold on to. I also think it's funny that Eilian is trying so hard to be level headed instead of rushing off like he usually does. It's almost as if he's become Ithilden and the burden of responsibility to get the twins back in one piece is something he wants desparately to do. What a role reversal here! Now he's getting a small taste of what he put his family through when he was grieving. You think if I scream at Eilian to NOT leave the twins alone, he'll hear me? That's not a good idea! Why didn't he leave Maltanaur with one of them and take the other? Even if Maltanaur would have objected. It would have been safer than leaving Elladan and Elrohir alone. I just know they're going to do something extremely stupid! Arg! Do hurry with an update! I'm on pins and needles here! And I'm crossing my fingers here...looks around shyly to see if anyone is looking...hoping for some good ol' fashioned Eilian or Legolas angst! ;) Author Reply: Legolas is indeed doing something his father wouldn't like, but he's doing it out of the goodness of his heart. He's just in way over his head and beginning to know it. I suspect there's not much of the Men left. I have to say that the fact that Orcs eat Men grosses me out. Ick. You know, in one way, Maltanaur is probably have a terrible time, but in another way, he's probably enjoying watching Eilian suffer as the twins do some of the same things that Eilian himself does. But he is worried, and with good reasons too. LOL. You're such an angst hound, Firnsarnien! Come on! Legolas and that boy are angsty. Eilian is just worried. I'll have to write the battle scene and see how they do.

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
Go Maltanaur and Elrohir and Elladan and Eilian! As much as I love the twins, I think grief and revenge are overclouding their better judgement, but then again we do not know much about them. Just Like Eilian I keep wondering when the twins will reach the end of what they can control under Eilian's command and just outright attack the orc band. More soon! -sofia Author Reply: I'm having a hard time writing about the twins, Eilian, et al. They're all complicated characters. The twins are grief stricken but underneath it, they also have 2500 years of warrior training, so there has to be some underlying discipline there. And yet, they're not fully themselves either. It's hard to write about.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
I think I have just enough time to leave you a review before I have to skedaddle off to work (evening shift). Would you be terribly surprised to know that not only do I completely understand the elfling don't-tell-the-grownups logic, but I still find myself thinking that way at times? Pathetic, considering that I'm twenty-eight. But one day, I will tell you about a spectacularly stupid decision that I and two of my friends made when I was eighteen that was based on precisely the logic that Legolas and his backup singers are using now. Be interesting to find out what Rodda's done that's a hanging offense. I rather suspect that a) it isn't quite as bad as he thinks it is, and b) it's connected with the Orc attacks. Speaking of which, Maltanaur must be getting his jollies on this mission. Specifically, the "I hope Eilian has a kid just like himself" jollies. It looks as though the sons of Elrond are going to be more of a hindrance than a help in any fight they get into. You think their tree-moving ability and maybe their night vision might be slightly impaired by their human heritage? It's a thought. And Eilian learns that not everyone can hear the trees the way he can. But I'm a little confused. Doesn't he encounter this phenomenon again in the story about The Hobbit? Where they're assaulting the Necromancer, and Eilian meets Glorfindel and is wowed and then amazed that Glorfindel can't hear the trees? Or am I on crack again? Author Reply: You're working too? That's hard. You need a vacation. And I look forward to hearing about the bad decision! It sounds to me as if you're figuring Rodda out. :-) You made me laugh about Maltanaur. I have a place in my notes where I say that Eilian gets more sympathy for Maltanaur, but I didn't note Maltanaur's reaction. You're probably right that watching Eilian try to curb the twins' overenthusiasm must warm his heart in a cruel way. I spent a fair amount of time trying to decide what the twins would be able to do or not. I'm just guessing really. And their human heritage complicates everything. They're so mixed even without it: lots of Noldor blood but grandpa Celeborn is Sindar. You're right about Glorfindel, and I probably should tone down the amazement there, given that he's seen the twins here. But that's Glorfindel! So maybe Eilian would be amazed anyway.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
Eilian is so funny. I love how he's so, "C'est la vie" about Elladan refusing one of his orders. Unlike Ithilden or Thranduil who would have gone, " Excuse me?" in a really dangerous sort of voice and there would have been elvish glares flying faster than arrows. I loved Maltaunar's observation about E2 being a mix between Ithilden and Eilian at their worsts.Maltaunar is smarter than I gave him credit for. Of course, it would require cunning, stubbornness, and the patience of the elvish equivalent of a saint. Wow. Maltaunar so deserves awesome pay and benefits. Also more time off with his wife. I really liked how you magaged to show what Elrohir and Elladan would be going through by having Eilian's own blood lust come through and then pointing out that E2 would be even worse. Very smooth, very smooth. I'm enjoying Eilian's interactions with the men. It's interesting to compare him to Ithilden and Legolas, who are both stellar diplomats. I loved how he talks to the men and the Sargent is like, yes captain and you can so tell that Eilian is a captain after the Sargeant's own heart. It's interesting to see Eilian make social blunders though. Bet that doesn't happen often. The gang of three were so like themselves. That makes no sense, but they're just so in character. Legolas as their leader is trying to find out what's up and a way to deal with it, Turgon's keeping the adventure going as long as eh can, and Annael is being all motherly. Annael's a bit of a mother hen. He's the one who will bring you soup when you're sick. He is just a sweetheart. And I am probably so mortifying his adolescent self by saying these things. Poor baby. I look forward to the next chapter! I have this image of Elladan and Elrohir just staring at the orc cave. It's kind of funny at first, but then it's like, ooh, that's intense and kind of, I don't know, creepy. Update soon! Author Reply: LOL. Your picture of Ithilden or Thranduil with the twins is hilarious. And accurate, I think. Maltanaur has a hard job, but you know, I think he secretly enjoys the adventures he gets to go on with Eilian. He probably wishes he could do those things but is too responsbible to just do them on his own. I'm struggling with showing the twins. I feel like I have only a superficial knowledge of them, like I'm looking at them from outside, just like Eilian is. And I thought that Eilian was probably not in contact with men much, given his regular patrol. Once he spends a little more time in the Home Guard, he'll be better. I love Annael. He's just exactly the kind of guy you hope your daughter brings home. He probably spends a lot of time following Turgon and Legolas and wringing his hands.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
These are Maltanaur and Eilian, our captain.” He slid his eyes toward Eilian, smiling blandly. That was an eye roll if I ever saw one. Talk about Ithilden always getting what he wants. The twins managed to maneuver themselves into striking distance of their quarry and dispense with their babysitters without breaking a sweat. It's interesting to see how the twins' considerable familiarity with the Rangers is both a help and a hindrance ("What's wrong with these guys? They can't track for squat!") Didn't Legolas & co. watch E.T.? The little sibling always gives up the goods... Author Reply: So you think that "our captain" is a little sarcastic? Could be! I'm tearing my hair out trying to decide who would know what here. And I vacillated back and forth about whether the twins would be good in trees. I'm making it up as I go along here! This situation does bear a striking resemblance to ET actually! Good one.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
I like seeing this group of warriors through Eilian's eyes. He is unsure of some of their customs and strengths and weaknesses, and I also like seeing the 'Numenorian' differences in the Rangers that the twins are used to hunting with. All of these groups have to learn how to work together and Eilian is in an interesting position to do so. Fortunately, he has Maltanaur with him too! Author Reply: Thank you, Nilmandra. I know I'm trying your patience here. It occurred to me that the Men the twins were used to would be unusually good at tracking and things, so they too might have something to learn about the Men of Esgaroth. Maltanaur says hi. His wife is keeping her eye on you.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
A very tense chapter here - Eilian and the twins tracking the orcs was very good. I like the subtle differences between them - that the twins are so much more familiar with the customs and limitations of men, but surprised that Eilian can hear the trees. I hope that the twins can restrain themselves until reinforcements arrive - I liked Eilian's observation here: 'That the sons of Elrond were under his command had always been a fiction. ' I also liked Maltanaur's comment that they were the worst mix of Eilian and Ithilden :) What are the orcs up to? And what has Rodda done? Jay Author Reply: I'm having to really think about all the differences here. And I haven't even tried to take into account what would happen because the sons of Elrond aren't full-blooded elves. I mean, it seems to me that they're elfy enough, but Tolkien doesn't call them elves, I don't think. (Does he?) I'm not sure we're ever going to find out what the Orcs' exact mission is because I suspect that no one is planning on taking any prisoners. :-)

Karri	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/19/2004
It sounds like the whole lot (Legolas, Eilian and all their buds) are heading straight into trouble. Very good chapter. :-) Author Reply: Thank you, Karri. I think that trouble is upon them, yes. But at least Eilian knows what the outcome of his trouble is supposed to be. :-)

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