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A Creature of Fire by daw the minstrel	20 Review(s)
sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/25/2005
Eilian's letter was funny to read. I wish my brothers were like that! And adding Tuilinn at the very end was a surprise. I also wonder why she and the other elf are there. -sofia Author Reply: Glad you liked the letter, Sofia! I needed it if we were to find out how Eilian was doing and then it was fun to try to get into his "voice." I'm also glad you were surprised by Tuilinn's arrival. So was Legolas!

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/25/2005
We talked so much about Galelas, I barely mentioned how much I did like the letter. It did sound very Eilianish, and I can see why Legolas looks forward so much to those letters. I would imagine that letters from Adar and Ithilden mighe not have all sorts of thoughts and details about things, just by nature of their jobs, but Eilian can lay it all out, full of humor, and in doing that he includes Legolas in his life in a way that maybe the others cannot fully do. And I am glad to see Tuilinn too, and especially glad to see Legolas's reaction. Make sur he closes his mouth. Author Reply: The letter was fun to write and was the first think I wrote for this chapter. I wrote it on the plane coming home last weekend actually. It was easy to do that because it's kind of detached from the rest of the chapter, so I didn't need a lot of pages of draft. Legolas will try to behave himself and not look like a gibbering idiot.

terryb	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/25/2005
I like this chapter a lot. Eilian's letter is delightful! It's a clever way to get Eilian's POV into the story without actually moving away from Legolas. You have Eilian's voice down to an art form and I love lines like "Are you blushing, brat? I know I am! But then, as you know, I am shy." or "They know how to enjoy themselves, a talent that Adar would no doubt say I share..." As I read the letter, because you've made Eilian so real to me as a reader, it feels like the letter is written to me and I can laugh as Legolas would laugh. That sounds stupid, but it's how it feels. It's also true, I think, that you've caught the perfect tone and contents that Eilian would use in a letter to his youngest brother. I'm also curious to see how Legolas and Galelas resolve things. It seems as though Galelas thinks Legolas takes advantage of his position as the king's son. Perhaps, too, the resentment of Legolas's position is spreading to the nephew as well. Galelas is a great character. He's three dimensional and fascniating. Sympathetic at times and unlikeable at others. Pretty cool. Of course, I love Beliond. His matter of fact compliments of Legolas's ability and his willingness to help. He's a gruff tough cookie, but we like him. And Lieutenant Legolas is sexy as can be. How insecure will he be with the return of Tuilin. Author Reply: I'm so glad you think that letter sounded like Eilian. I worked on that. The letter was like writing a first person POV and it's tricky to keep that in the character's voice instead of mine. One of the advantages of working with a character like Galelas for a long time is that they do tend to get more rounded. At least, I find they do, if I'm trying to be realistic at all. I think Galelas was doing fine in this patrol until Legolas showed up. He and Sinnarn weren't new best friends, but Galelas didn't pick at Sinnarn either. But when he saw Legolas and Sinnarn joking about Alfirin's care package, while Legolas was also giving orders, he kind of lost it. He needs to get hold of himself. I too think of Lieutenant Legolas as sexy. How shameless is that in author? He's competent and lordly. We'll have to see how things go with Tuilinn.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/25/2005
Excellent chapter. Normally I think about reviews following the order of the chapter so I don't forget what I wanted to say but this time I can't resist jumping to the end--I am so glad (and thoroughly surprised) you brought Tuilinn back. I know there are a lot of camps out there on Legolas's personal life and I respect them all but I personally believe that he would have had to have been interested in someone as he lived his life. As a good father I do not believe Thranduil would have allowed his son (and especially his baby) to be sooo buried by duty that he had no time for friendships or maidens. I also believe duty would have ultimately come first for Legolas but it just seems unrealistic that no lady ever caught his eye (he is alive). So I love this character! Ok, now back to the beginning. I laughed at the 'Woodelf captains hate reports' line. That seems very specifically woodelfy, doesn't it? And the conflict with Galelas was just waiting to happen. I do like the way your Thranduilions deal with this type of thing. It always seems so cool and forceful. Well done. And the followup with Beliond was very funny. Some great dialogue there. But the letter from Eilian was wonderful. I was thinking about this story yesterday and thinking Legolas needed a letter from Eilian so I was happy to see it was mail call in this chap. :) His description of living in the settlement is just great. His wild side fits in just about perfectly but there is still that nagging common sense and responsibility (and just plain reality) that holds him somewhat in place. I actually think Thranduil would be relieved to read that letter. It shows Eilian is more responsible than he gives him credit for. But there are just too many great details in the too mention. I loved it. But I guess Eilian had better keep that sword in hand. He'll be wanting it and definitely his bow, a lot sooner than he knows, I think if they are anywhere near a certain creature of fire's path (which I hope they are not). Is Maltanaur with Eilian in the settlement? If he was, I bet his view of Eilian's life in the settlement would be hilarious. Is that is what is in Beliond's letter? Great chapter. Looking forward to seeing what comes next with the visitors. Author Reply: I'm so glad you like Tuilinn, and also that you were surprised by her appearance. It always feels to me as if everyone must anticipate what I'm doing because, after all, I know it! I did think that Wood-elves would be less willing to write reports than the Noldor would. But Ithilden has to know what's going on somehow, so Elorfin, or rather, Legolas, is stuck. Legolas is now a competent adult, and I have to admit I find him very attractive when he puts Galelas in his place. He just couldn't let that misuse of his title go. The letter was the only way I could think of to get Eilian's information into the chapter without switching POVs. This is hard! Why did I decide to do this??? I had thought that Maltanaur was home with his wife. You're tempting me though. I could get another letter in that way!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/25/2005
Tuilinn! I hope she has frozen for the same reason as Legolas (and that the elf with her is not her current squeeze). So what if their romance takes several hundred years to develop beyond longing glances and sighs! They're elves - they should take their time. Legolas is the sort of elf to be incredibly loyal and constant. I can't see him dashing off to the woods to bond precipitately. I loved the letter from Eilian. It's fascinating, watching him begin to turn into his Adar. It must be really hard on him. As long as he has those boundaries to kick against, he can happily carry on being the light-hearted, irresponsible one of the family - but, take them away, and he is saying that elflings need discipline and adult elves need structure. And that caution is a good thing at times. I like picturing him staying awake at night and listening to the forest as his own personal method of setting a guard. I'm glad to see he has spotted what a huge change in lifestyle Celuwen has endured for him, too. (Although I can't imagine Solith's elves being quite as frivolous as Anyr's.) And I love so many of the Eilianisms in the letter that there are too many to quote. Galelas is just going to make things more difficult for himself if he can't get a hold of his jealousy of Legolas. Presumably he managed to cope with Sinnarn and his loving Naneth's regular supply of honey-cakes before Legolas arrived - he's going to infuriate a lot of the patrol if he starts snarking at Sinnarn, too - and Sinnarn isn't a lieutenant and is far less likely to take it calmly. Not to mention that Uncle Legolas will get protective. And yet, it is terribly difficult to get a handle on emotions - and nothing is going to make Galelas's horrible family any better. And Beliond is such fun. (Well, provided he's not here constantly watching everything I do.) He and Legolas are getting like an old married couple. I love imagining him and Gimli ganging up on Legolas in years to come - and shaking their heads over the elfling and his sea-longing. Author Reply: Legolas is a nice blend of Ithilden and Eilian, I think. He'd never do anything as rash as Eilian did. And I think if he loves someone, that will it for him, in much the same way that his friendships seem to be very strong and long-lasting. Look how he stayed around for Aragorn or how he overcame prejudice for Gimli. Eilian is always going to be cautious on the topic of safety -- other people's at least. He's been a warrior too long and seen too many bad things happen. On the other hand, he's going to take a chance or two in a race through the trees. He's an adrenaline junky I think. You're absolutely right that it's the appearance of Legolas that's unsettled Galelas. He and Sinnarn weren't cozy before, but they were OK. But as soon as Legolas is joking with Sinnarn about Alfirin sending honey cakes (not to mention issuing orders), Galelas loses control of himself. It can't be easy being Galelas. Everyone else is reading mail while he's sorting the herb. I laughed at the idea of Gimli and Beliond ganging up on Legolas. That would be wonderful!

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/24/2005
Well, that was an interesting chapter, with an even more intersting ending. So you have decided to bring Tuilinn back. Yes, things will definitely get more interesting for Legolas. I wonder what you have planned for these two. Galelas and Legolas are still like water and oil. Don't think they will ever mingle, but hopefully they can find some form of truce before there's real bloodshed. As much as I am sympathetic to Galelas because of his family, he really isn't making himself likable here. I feel sorry for Legolas in having to deal with someone so difficult under him. It was a joy reading Eilian's letter. Looks like he's finally enjoying his stress leave. Maybe Ithilden should make a point of sending out stressed warriors to live in settlements as rehab. So Eilian is not too impressed with air-head Anyr either. Too bad we don't get to see them in action together. It would be most entertaining. Author Reply: With Legolas in the north, this seemed like a good opportunity to have Tuilinn show up again. As Anyr rather vaguely told Legolas, she lives in the north. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them too! Like staying in Legolas's POV, a romance for him is a stretch for me. Oh well. If it doesn't work, there are always other stories to write. I find that Galelas has gotten more complicated on me as I write more stories in which he appears. I know that when he's not with Legolas, he can be a decent person. But Legolas brings out the worst in him, and the reverse is probably true too. I too wish I could go to the settlement! But I'm afraid letters are the best I'm going to be able to do. I need to go look and see how old Rodien would be now. He's the little elf who wanted to see Legolas's sword in "Spring Awakenings." I'll bet he's impressed as anything with Eilian.

Alice	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/24/2005
She's back! Yay! That was a very nice set up by the way with the details about her height and the smell of her hair. Very clever, making it known that she and Legolas have a history without explicitly saying so. And a cliff hanger to boot! I'm bouncing in my seat in excitement here! Does she still feel the same way? Is Legolas about to re-encounter the potential love of his life or get his heart broken? Is this going to further complicate relations with Galelas? And just what is she doing there? I can't wait for the next chapter! So, also, I adore Eilian. I really enjoyed his letter. It was just so totally him. I loved that bit about him being shy. He's just so utterly charming. And apparently savage according to Anyr. Is that lesson teaching trouble I sense on its way to Anyr's settlement? I do like reading about the settlements. It's such a different way of living than at Thranduil's stronghold. I really wish Tolkien had been more explicit about the Eryn Lasgalen. It's frustrating because as I see it now, or at least in your stories, the majority of people live at the stronghold which I don't see as having a huge population, but there are also enough settlements so that the settlers are not seen as those radical settlers political faction or what not. And obviously they're not the majority of his subjects or he would have already had someone on the council to deal with their needs before Celuwen. And I know Thranduil's not stupid enough, nor callous enough, to do that to the majority of his subjects. Tolkien, always with the Noldor, never the woodelves. It's fair frustrating at times. So, I got sidetracked on Eilian with my thoughts on the demographics of Thranduil's kingdom. I really did enjoy reading his letter. I can picture him and Celuwen going there and shaking things up a bit. Poor Celuwen, having to deal with Mr. Let it Be and illegal trading. Eilian better be careful to hide his relief or she might decide as the son of a king he should help. So, Galelas and Legolas really are heading for trouble. They should just be put up in a tree and not allowed to come down until they've worked things out. And Galelas should not be slandering Legolas to his protoge. Of course, Legolas's less than sunny outlook on Galelas has probably effected the patrol also. Stupid machoismo elves. Oh! Another fun thing! I really enjoy the little moments with the patrol. Like the procrastination on the reports and the anticipation of mail. Those details are nice. I enjoy reading about the patrol camps. I have to admit, this story has been a bit slow to start, but in this chapter you hit it. Nice job. And I'm deadly serious about being breatheless about Tuilinn (hee, like Legolas only in a different way). So please, I beg you, update soon! Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the reappearance of Tuilinn. I hope most readers are at least tolerant. There are some very possessive Legolas lovers out there! And it's hard to do a good female OC in Tolkien, I find. I too find it frustrating that Tolkien told us so little about the Woodelves. I more or less made the settlements up but I didn't make them from nothing. In The Hobbit, Tolkien says the Wood-elves lived in the woods, usually near its edge so they could hunt in the more open ground. But the idea for the settlements came from the fact that when Bilbo and the dwarves escaped on the rafts, the raft elves stopped overnight in a village along the river. So I thought there would be other villages too. But Thranduil's cave is their stronghold, and I imagine that as times were hard, they either lived nearer the stronghold, or lived in hiding in the woods. It's hard to guess, really, but kind of fun. And Celuwen is a wood elf too, so she's not exactly comfortable damming the river or anything. But they're not all alike. Her father's settlement is much more sensible than Anyr's. The tension between Legolas and Galelas could indeed affect the patrol, so they need to straighten it out, but it's hard. Emotions are hard to deal with, especially when they've been there a while. I have to admit I've been worried that this story was starting too slowly. I think I was trying to orient everyone, including new readers, and for readers who have read my other stories, I could very easily have started later in the sequence of events. I'll have to remember that and try to figure out what to do about it in my next story. Thank you, Alice.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/24/2005
Lookee, it's Tuilinn! Dun dun DUN! Isn't Legolas still a little young to be on "This Is Your Life?" Though, judging from the probable look on his face when Tuilinn cropped up, he's more likely to be on "Candid Camera." I know that you're always worried about female characters, but I have to say, I like Tuilinn. She's a nice person, and she's got a good head on her shoulders, and she has curly hair. Gotta love an Elf with curly hair. Eilian and Celuwen living with the hippies. They do sound right at home. Thranduil is going to be alternately smirking at the thought of Eilian becoming Responsible and Lordly (by comparison) and horrified at the ease with which Eilian settles down with the hippies. I wonder, though. . . human hippies give their kids fairly Elvish-sounding names like Greenleaf, Star-spray, Sunshine, Moon Unit or Dweezil (okay, I have yet to meet an Elf named Dweezil), but what sort of names do you think Elvish hippies give their kids? Fred? Bertha? Horace? Awwww, lookit li'l Sinnarn, getting a care package from home. It's good that he shares out the honey cakes. He'll make friends that way. I'll bet Alfirin packs extra, because she knows he'll share. She raised her boy right, after all. All commanders hate writing reports. One of the joys of commanderhood is being able to fob the scut work off on someone. Legolas will find this out after the Battle of Five Armies, I think. And Galelas is still bad news. I think maybe he was bucking for a promotion himself, or at least a transfer to a more glorious patrol. And I'm sure it's his attitude that's preventing him from getting what he wants. He'll just have to bang his head against that wall till he learns better. Author Reply: I'm feeling a little tentative about Tuilinn's appearance, so I appreciate the reassurance, FP. I just can't believe Legolas never looked at a maiden in all those years. And yet, I do think he was unmarried during the quest. Funny you should mention Moon Unit and Dweezil! I was thinking about that not too long ago. I have this problem in that I named Turgon and his brother Amdir before I knew that Elves are unlikely to repeat names. I just assumed that they'd be like humans and some of them would name their children for famous elves of the past. But I don't feel I can change those names now because I've established them. So I thought I could make it kind of a local scandal that their parents named them like that, and that it would be the equivalent of Moon Unit! But then it occurred to me that if I did that, I'd have to account for "Legolas," which is also obviously a repeated name, and I couldn't think of a good way to do that. So I'm still stuck. Galelas is at his worst with Legolas, I think. I'll bet Elorfin is surprised to see some of this behavior. And you're right: he needs to stop it.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/24/2005
Waiting 'til the last minute to do your paperwork, eh, Elorfin? Well, join the club. I guess it's harder to miss your deadline when the courier is standing over you waiting to take the dispatch back to Ithilden, though. Around my place we just figure they won't read it for a month after they get it anyway, so what's the bother. Another reason Elves are better than people: Legolas did a fine job of handling Galelas, and because he's an Elf doesn't need to worry about handling Galelas only to have Elorfin undermine his authority by telling him he's being too mean to Galelas and he should be nicer. Oh, did I say that? I loved Eilian's letter. That was wonderful. LOL about Anyr being right about Thranduil not understanding him. You have nailed Anyr. Hearing Eilian describe him is a complete riot. Love his Elven "Nuclear Free Zone." I'm still enjoying Legolas's musings over why Eilian seems to like Galelas as much as he does. I like the fact that it continues to elude him. A lot of things like that do. Sometimes you just can't figure people, and that's all right. If he figures it out eventually, that would be OK, too. Well, and it looks like something else has captured Legolas's attention anyway. At this point Galelas could probably put on a tutu and dance the Macarena around the fire and he wouldn't notice. Can't wait to see how this heats up. Great chapter! Author Reply: I suspect that Ithilden doesn't wait to read this stuff, but then the information might be more immediately pressing than what most of us write in reports at work. And I do think Elorfin will support Legolas. He surely knows what happens if warriors don't do what officers tell them pretty darn quick. But I can just picture maybe certain rangers jumping up and down ranting at some hapless, impossible underling! I wish I'd been there. Using a single POV has driven me to things like the scene in chapter 1 in which Legolas overhears Eilian and Celuwen or this letter. I've been racking my brains trying to think of the devices authors use to communicate what's happening elsewhere. They use these and also accounts by people who have been in the other place. And if you're JK Rawling, you use magic (which would be very cool!). I'm hoping people will tolerate Tuilinn's presence. Legolas certainly can!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/24/2005
“My mail is calling to me,” Sinnarn groaned as he walked away. Great line. While visions of honey cakes danced in his head...he went back to gather herbs. Galelas's response was interesting. He's going to pick on Sinnarn now? That will not bode well with the young lieutenant. Galelas can pick on him all he likes, but when you start reprimanding relatives, then trouble is sure to follow. And there is the small problem that it was simply out of line for Galelas to say something to another warrior. I'm even beginning to wonder how Eilian gets along with him. Legolas gave an incredulous laugh. “You would check to make sure I had changed my underclothes if I let you.” I laughed out loud. So Beliond is Aunt Noreth's cousin once removed on her mother's side. Undergarments worries must be a family tradition. Actually, such worry wart behavior is commonly shared among worry warts. This just cracked me up. Eilian's letter was great. This line: Then he told me that the people in the settlement were peaceful, and thus I would not find it necessary to wear my sword while I was there. I tried and failed to follow the logic of that. I had never thought that the settlers were the ones who would cause me to use my sword. And this one: I sound as if I am armed to the teeth as I go about trying to ward off settlers who want me to go berrying with them, but I assure you, Legolas, I am subtle and sneaky. These two lines just tickled me. They're both so Eilian. I also like the part where he talked about having never slept without a guard. That must have made him feel vulnerable. Of course, he's worried about Celuwen too being so unguarded. Old habits are hard to break and I don't know that I'd disagree with him that it's not advisable to simply trust that nothing is going to happen. Surprise! Tuilinn is back and she saw Legolas too! Who's that with her? Just tell me it's not her husband or betrothed. That would be a bummer. It's her dad, right? Or brother? Some guy who gave her a ride? I can't wait to see what happens! Wonderful chapter, as always. Karen Author Reply: OK. Confession first. When I wrote that line about Beliond checking to see if Legolas had clean underwear, I suddenly remembered Daeron and thought maybe I should change it, but I couldn't resist. So I owe you one, Karen! Sinnarn did what he was supposed to do, but Galelas just couldn't stop himself. Here are Legolas and Sinnarn all friendly and honey cakes are on the way and Legolas is giving orders. That all must have been hard to take. I had fun writing the letter. Actually it was the first thing I wrote for this chapter. Along with the scene in Ch 1 in which Legolas overhears Eilian and Celuwen, this letter is one of the devices I'm using to try to talk about what's happening elsewhere without leaving Legolas's POV. Tuilinn seems as struck by the sight of Legolas as he is by her, doesn't she?

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