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Good Neighbors by daw the minstrel	31 Review(s)
The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
Ah ha! I was right! The poor kid feared being a deserter. Who can blame him for running for his life? And what he witnessed was terrible for anyone to see, but for a child to see his own father die was too much. Legolas's compassion was touching. It was sweet of him to give Rodda his arrows, and it must have been tough to give them up. I have a feeling that in the end that won't be necessary, but Thranduil can be proud of his youngest son. Legolas was willing to give up something he valued. And when he goes to his father, he's risking a lot there too. You know Turgon won't understand that decision! I'm sure Thranduil will handle things well, but Legolas must wonder what sort of trouble he'll be in for hiding the kid. And Mithrandir...he always seems to know a little more than he's telling. What was the ranger's great line..."To know Gandalf is to ever wander paths of one's own choosing only to end up at Gandalf's destination? Or something like that. The old wizard knows far more than he'll admit. A lot of unspoken communication was flying around the throne room when the 3E's and Maltanaur reported. Nothing went over the king's or Ithilden's heads though. Obviously, the orc hunt turned out to be a rather tense mission. The merchant certainly stumbled into a hornets' nest. He wasn't quite as nifty a businessman as he thought. And now he's gone and ticked off the Elvenking. Bad move. Bad move. I don't think the folks back home are going to be pleased with his business strategy either. I'm looking forward to finding out how Thranduil handles the boy's situation. Great chapter. Karen Author Reply: You're always right, Karen! That's what makes you so dangerous! LOL I felt terrible even writing those things about what Rodda had seen. I can't imagine what it would be like to live through them. I think that giving up the arrows must have been unbelievably hard for Legolas. No one asked him to do it. No one would know if he didn't. He'd made them with his father and Eilian and they're beautiful. And he needs them for his archery class. But he gave them away anyway. Yes, I think Thranduil can be very proud. I actually had to stop for a minute to realize that that line about Gandalf was Meckinock's and not Tolkien's. It's early here, but that's also a sign of what a great line it is. Thranduil is pleased that Eilian is no longer as charmed as he was by the twins, and I don't blame him. I'm sure they're good company at some points, but they're not good for Eilian right now.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
Way to go Gandalf. I should have known he'd get involved in the whole Rodda situation. He's been pretty quiet the past few chapters, so it figures he'd show up now, just in the nick of time too. Good chapter. It was fun watching Thranduil go all scary King on the merchant. Ithilden got in on the act too. Way to go Troop Commander. I imagine Beam will have some things he wants to get off his chest to the merchant also. I like Beam, he'll take care of that scoundrel. Boy is it a good thing for the merchant that the elf he shot at didn't die. Then he'd be doing a stint in Thranduil's dungeons instead of merely buying off Thranduil's wrath. I liked the line about Ithilden finding Maltaunar close lipped about his activities as a keeper. Good old Maltaunar. The twins would be a bit complicated and old for Eilian to handle. It's interesting to think how the age thing might affect how elves relate to one another. I mean, here you are an adult, or so you think, and then you meet some elf who's 2500 years old. I mean geez, it would be hard not to be overwhelmed. So good chapter. Poor Rodda though. I'm glad Legolas finally decided to tell Ada about it. His father will fix it. And hopefully not be to hard on the boys. Or the woodcraft teacher. I have this image of Ithilden giving the wood master a talking to. " What on Earth possessed you to let those three alone by themselves? Are you unaquainted with the chaos that is Turgon?" I greatly look forward to the next chapter. Author Reply: I've had a surprising amount of time using Gandalf well in this story. I think I just had too many characters to deal with him effectively. But he did well here. He was the just the one for Legolas to talk to because he's such a bridge between all the races of ME and know what men would be like. I'm glad you enjoy reading about Scary!Thranduil because he's fun to write too. I think that Ithilden has watching him for long enough that he knows just how to assist without needing to be told, even though he was surprised by what happened too. "Complicated" is probably a good way to describe the twins. They have a lot of layers to their personalities that we see nothing of at the moment. I'm laughing at your description of the confrontation of Ithilden and the woodcraft teacher. "The chaos that is Turgon." LOL

	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
Uh-Oh! Author Reply: Now, now. Things are going to get better, not worse! Thranduil may have a little heart attack when he finds out what the kids have been up to, but then he'll fix it. ;-)

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
Of all the dumb things the cloth merchant could have done, attempting to hoodwink Thranduil and in the process, injure one of his people, has to be the dumbest! What does the guy have - a death wish? Actually, the King must have been feeling somewhat merciful to let the merchant leave relatively intact, but I guess hitting that mercenary man where it hurts (moneywise) was the best solution. I loved the confrontation, and Ithilden's reaction to it. He could read the signs of a major storm brewing, couldn't he? Thranduil certainly has the royal part of his personality down to a fine art, complete with temper. :-) I would love to know what happened between E2 and Elian. Maltanaur seems pleased the Elian was not too happy with whatever it was. You will enlighten us soon , right, daw? begs nicely Legolas is such a compassionate child, and I was glad to see him hold the boy after hearing that terrible story. Legolas' talk with Mithrandir seems to have galvanized him to go to his Adar. I'm glad Thranduil quickly realized his son needed him, and said the right words to get his son talking. Wonderful chapter, daw...so much action character-wise, and I always enjoy your development of the interactions between the members of this family and whatever outside forces/people happen to be on hand. linda Author Reply: Not only did the cloth merchant do that -- then he waltzed happily into Thranduil's palace when invited. You're right. Dumbness has to be the only explanation! I assume that Ithilden enjoyed the show. He works with Thranduil and his father must provide him with many an entertaining moment, some of them more stressful than others. I'm not sure how much more I'll show about E2 and Eilian, other than what I did in the last chapter about him telling them off. I have plans for the twins, but I'll have to see how they go. Legolas must have been shaken by Rodda's story. I'll be surprised if he doesn't have a few unpleasant dreams himself. But he stuck to his purpose of seeing to it that Rodda got taken care of. What a great kid! Thranduil should be very proud of him. I'm glad you liked this, Linda. Things are sort of falling together now.

rikki	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
The tapestry of this story is almost complete. And in the weave was a lot of laughing and tears here. I was laughing over the "Mae Govannen, birdies" that Amdir said as he came out of the cottage. I could just see him running amidst the flock as they were pecking for food on the ground and then flapping his arms to imitate the birds. And such a normal sound when right next door there is so much angst and dispair. Poor Rodda. To see that man disemboweled and then know his father was killed trying to protect him. He was displaying some smarts by getting out of the situation even though he thought he should have stayed and fought. He just needs an adult to let him know that he did what was right and that everything is ok. Legolas did good in getting him to talk and to comfort Rodda - a precursor to meeting and becoming friends with Aragorn? And giving away his arrows had to be very painful. But it was a true gift. I wonder if Ithilden and Thranduil will get the whole story of the battle from Eilian. It was funny when Ithilden thought that it was no good asking Maltanaur about Eilian as he would never tell. It's nice to know that the keepers maintain some privacy for their charges. Thranduil can probably tell a lot about the battle even though Eilian doesn't go into a lot of detail. The body language where Eilian turns slightly away from E2 and gives a slight grimace would tell as much as a blow by blow description. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Thranduil doesn't have a private conversation later with Maltanaur. Except for the fact that it was the throne room and the detective was the king, Thranduil did a good job of discovering who actually was behind the attack of the river raft. What Thranduil lacked while he was stalking around Cudry when accusing him of the crime was a briar pipe, a deer stalker cap and a country manor library to really set the scene. I love your Thranduil. He is such an intelligent, savvy and interesting elf. He is not only concerned with recovering the cloth that was lost, but he also makes Cudry apologize to the raft elf and offer him anything he wants for recompense. Any man in Esgaroth is going to think twice before trying to fool the elves again. The entire Thranduil family was at their best here. Ithilden backs up his father without questioning what is going on, Eilian is diplomatic about reporting on the orc battle and Legolas is showing some sense in coming to talk to his father. And Thranduil is quick to realize that Legolas needs to talk to him. This is a chapter/story that I will want to reread again and again. Author Reply: That's a great observation, Rikki -- that Amdir's morning greeting to the birds is so normal when Rodda is describing horror right next door. This story in general is about the relations between Thranduil's family and men. So it prepares Thranduil to be the friends of the Men of Esgaroth in The Hobbit, and at least as important, it prepares Legolas to befriend Aragorn. And when he does befriend Aragorn, and does all the hard things that the quest requires, I'll be he still would say that they were all easier than giving away those beautiful arrows. I've thought about the keepers a bit, and it seems to me that their job is to guard the sons of Thranduil. And if they tell the king or Ithilden about their charges' behavior, they're going to undercut their ability to do their jobs because their charges will try to hide things from them. I suppose Maltanaur might be willing to assure the king about Eilian's refusal to be sucked back into careless despair though. That would reassure the king. Thranduil is smart. I love him. He's a good king who be an avenging fury and then turn around and call his youngest son "my heart." :-)

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
The scene between Rodda and Legolas was quite heartbreaking. Poor Rodda! It's bad enough to see his father killed before him, but to fear that his own people would hang him for his "crime" - no wonder he has nightmares. And Legolas, so compassionate and feeling all of Rodda's devastation. No doubt this is all bringing back the grief of losing his own naneth not so long ago. You really do make it easy to like the Legolas that you have created. Well, Thranduil certainly kicked Cudry's butt - way to go! It was quite gratifying to watch that whole scene unfold. I can just imagine Ithilden standing with his mouth hanging open as he watched his adar in action. The image that you provoked when Thranduil said that he would shear the sheep and weave the clothe himself was hilarious (Ithilden's mouth must be hanging down to his knees by this point). Thanduil is the ever sensitive adar - to Eilian and especially Legolas. So Legolas is finally going to spill the beans. I think Thranduil will probably go easy on him this time (fingers crossed). Author Reply: As I was planning this story, it occurred to me that it was full of children who had lost parents to orcs. Legolas and his brothers, the twins, and Rodda have all had it happen. The fact that Legolas and his friends stand by Rodda as well as they do is sweetly touching. They understand Rodda's grief. I just love Thranduil in this kingly, kick-ass mode. He's completely uncompromising. This guy did something unforgiveable and he's going to pay. I'll bet Ithilden enjoyed the show in general! Thranduil is tuned in to Legolas in particular, although it's nice to note that he's thinking about his wayward middle son too. And it looks as if Legolas finally decided that Rodda needs help and he goes to the strongest person he knows to give it.

emjo	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
So it's thanksgiving and I am thankful for Daw's story! It was so touching when Legolas gave up his arrows. Yeah for Thranduil getting a confession and resolving the cloth problem. I can't wait for the next chapter and Thranduils reaction to what Legolas has to tell him. Please hurry! Author Reply: I think I'm thankful for the great web home Nilmandra has given us and the wonderful, smart readers at SoA. The reviewers here are so great, I can hardly stand it. I expect that even when Legolas is an adult, and has walked through Moria, befriended a dwarf, and stood before the Black Gate, he'll still say that one of the hardest things he ever did was give away those arrows. In the meantime, Thranduil is royally ticked off and kicking butt. The nasty merchant never had a chance.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
claps That was brilliant! Thranduil was in fine fettle, and there were some hysterically funny parts in this chapter too. Rodda absolutely breaks my heart. What a pitiful image of him curled up and in the grips of a nightmare that is all the more horrifying because it’s based on real events. The line about him giving off the same smell as a rabbit caught in a snare shocked me for a moment. I though it really drove home that what caused his fear has struck him to the very core, that it’s real terror and abhorrence that he’s experienced - something that clearly needs more help than even the most well-meant sympathy from three elflings. And in the midst of it all is one of the funniest lines ever: “Mae govannen, birdies!” And the poor birds get the hell out of there as fast as possible… Even knowing what had happened to the men, it was still so painful to read. I was so torn between disgust at what happened, pity for Rodda and regret that Legolas has to hear this when he finds the idea of Orcs hurting anyone so difficult to deal with, not to mention that this child’s parent being killed by them is a little too close to home for him. Poor Rodda. Running was the only thing he could have done, but how awful it must have been for him to leave his father behind when he probably knew what the Orcs would do. It was so touching when Legolas puts his arms around him. And he gives him the arrows! He was so proud of them, with their beautiful feathers and the crest he and his father had created. How generous of him. Especially as at this stage no one knows about Rodda and Legolas is expected to bring the arrows with him to his next archery lesson. I had tears in my eyes when he straightened one so that it wouldn’t be crushed! That scene with E3 was…odd! I loved that we saw it as Ithilden did as he tried to figure out what in the world was going on. Oh, and I nearly cheered at the line “If Ithilden could bind them to him as allies, he would be foolish not to do it, no matter how angry at him his father became.” Yes! I love Thranduil but it’s always great to see his sons think for themselves and try to separate themselves a little from their father’s views. Ithilden does seem to still be trying to convince himself but still, I enjoyed that little moment. It made me smile too to see the way Thranduil has not only realised that something is up, but has honed in on those twins as the cause. “It was our pleasure.” Uh-huh. I bet it was. I like the way Maltanaur seems pleased at how Eilian is reacting to their display of such enjoyment in the kill. He still has a long way to go but at least he seems to have learned a little about battle behaviour and has apparently decided that Elladan and Elrohir aren’t very good for him to be around. I really liked the scene between Legolas and Mithrandir, with poor Legolas desperately trying to polite when all he wanted to do was keep going. Mithrandir is a great source of information about men. I hadn’t really thought about that before. I love the idea that Legolas obviously feels really comfortable with him and seems to respect his knowledge. Of course, with Mithrandir suggestions like “Just talk about whatever you like to help me pass the time” are unlikely to be as innocent as they seem. I’m so glad he was able to reassure Legolas to some extent. And even though I didn’t think Rodda would be hanged, he kind of reassured me too! The part with Thranduil and Cudry was so fantastically well done. That poor fool just kept yammering on with no clue that he should just give up. I think what made it so good was the sense that Thranduil himself was actually really enjoying making Cudry pay for what he did to the elves. The use of the royal ‘we’ would have been enough to have me trembling but apparently Cudry is either made of sterner stuff or is a bit of an idiot. Ithilden only figuring out what was going on just before Cudry did really added to the scene too. Thranduil is just so impressive when he’s doing his threatening and dangerous act. Him circling the man was such an amazing image. Cudry made a big mistake the day he decided to try to get one up on the elves. It all played out so beautifully. “Indeed I will sheer the sheep and weave the cloth myself if I have to before I will deal with the likes of you again!” LOL! I’m still laughing at that. And Ithilden’s apparent difficulty with such an image was comical. For a second I thought Legolas might change his mind about talking to his father when he witnessed him being rather less than gentle with a man. What a relief when Thranduil realises that something is troubling his son and encourages him to tell him. I sincerely hope that Legolas does indeed tell him and that you don’t have any tricks up your sleeve! I can’t believe you left it there too! sigh This truly was such a great chapter. I loved it. And as it’s late here and I read it in kind of a rush, I get to read it properly tomorrow and savour that wonderful scene in the Great Hall!! Isn’t it Thanksgiving there tomorrow? Enjoy whatever it is you do for it! Turkey? Pumpkin pie? Or have I just been watching too much American t.v.??! Author Reply: I'm so glad that someone else laughed at Amdir greeting the birds, who immediately flew away. Sometimes I think my sense of humor is too odd, and no one else sees the funny lines in among the bad stuff. I mean, we all need to think about Hobbit the Dwarf Child once in a while! Even writing about Rodda was painful. I think he truly is terrified, so much so that Legolas would be able to smell his fear. He's so alone. That's what really gets me. The kids are trying to help but this is just beyond them. I'd planned for Legolas to give away the arrows from the start, but even so, it was kind of wrenching to have it happen. I'll bet that even as an adult, he remembers that as one of the hardest things he's ever done. He loves them so, and they represent not only his own pride in his archery, but also the time he spent with Thranduil and Eilian making them. You are such an Ithilden lover! I do like the fact that he's managed to separate from his father and establish himself as an adult. You have to hand it to him. That could not have been easy with such a domineering father. And I love Thranduil too, but that's the truth. Mithrandir is an interesting bridge among the races of ME. He is trusted by them all apparently (except for Denethor, I guess). Legolas needed to edge his way toward telling Thranduil and Mithrandir was just the one to help him do it. Thranduil is a scary guy when he's ticked off, and he was royally ticked off (hence the royal 'we'). Having apparently spent centuries observing the master, Ithilden caught on quickly and played his part so that poor Cudry was caught between them. I'll bet he's whimpering somewhere in Esgaroth and it serves him right. Idiot. So you don't fancy Thranduil as a shepherd or weaver? Ithilden found it hard to picture too. Legolas is indeed about to spill the beans. I probably won't get to that for a while yet because tomorrow is indeed Thanksgiving. I'm having company and cooking turkey. I made cranberry relish yesterday, and poached a turkey breast on the bone today and then reduced the stock for gravy and the stuffing tomorrow. I'm going to make sweet potatoes too. And I make apple pie. Pumpkin is good, but apple is better! :-)

ScarlettPendragon	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
OMG!! Who is the best little Elfling in all of Middle Earth - why, your darling Legolas, of course!! He gave away his special arrows that his father and brother helped him make, just because he knows that Rodda will need them far more than he does!! I could just huggle and squeeze Lil!Legolas too death!! g And Go Thranduil!! I love when your Thranduil gets all masterful, and in a towering rage, and throws Wicked Humans out on their bums! I hope that Thranduil won't be too crispy with Legolas, and I'm sure that they'll know what to do with the poor little boy - and I have every faith that Mithrandir will no doubt play a part!! A fantastic story, as per your usual extraordinary talent, and I am very much looking forward to updates!! Thank you again for writing my favorite Lil!Legolas stories!! Scarlett Author Reply: Thank you, Scarlett. I was charmed by Lil!Legolas too. I'll bet even when Legolas is an adult, he'll remember giving away those arrows as one of the hardest things he ever had to do. What a sweetie! He looks like someone who might go on a more or less hopeless quest to save the world, doesn't he? Thranduil is so scary when he's ticked. I'll be Cudry is whimpering in a corner somewhere in Esgaroth. At least, I hope he is. You're very kind to tell me this stuff. I'm smiling from ear to ear.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/24/2004
BTW, you 'shear' sheep, not 'sheer' them. I'd love to see Thranduil doing it though! Jay Author Reply: Thank you, Jay. Fixed it! Me too. Ithilden seemed a little skeptical though.

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