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A Creature of Fire by daw the minstrel	22 Review(s)
Yanic	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Thank you so much for updating, it really made my day! I keep telling myself that I should wait for the stories to be completed before I read them, that way I won't have to keep checking everyday, but I just can't keep away! I really was struck by how mature Legolas has become, I know that it must have been hard to tell Galelas considering his behavior towards Legolas. And the letter from Eilian was priceless, I would have paid good money to frolick in a river with a bunch of elves "clad only in water drops and sunshine." And Sinnarn's reaction: "Perhaps I should go and visit him!" was just great! I think that this story is shaping up to be a tragedy, but I'm actually ok with that. So long as Beliond stays safe, I say bring it on! Author Reply: You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you can't keep away! Legolas is maturing indeed. You're right about that. And I think that happiness makes him generous too. When you're full of joy yourself, it's easier to give other people a break. I think I'd like to go for a little swim too! And it seems your another Beliond fangirl. I don't know what it is with you people! My beta loves him too.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Oh, geez, I got so sidetracked I forgot all about Beliond and Sinnarn. It's hysterical that Beliond seems to like playing with Sinnarn so much. The acorn-throwing had me laughing, but not as much as taking the plate of food away from him. "Thank you, young one." LOL. I wonder if Beliond recognizes in Sinnarn someone who still needs a little mothering... Author Reply: I'm going to tell Beliond that you all but called him Nana.

Ms. Whatsit	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Oh, and I forgot about Tuilinn--it seems like the relationship got really serious really fast, at least on Legolas' side! They hardly know each other and yet Legolas is blathering on about marriage! Author Reply: Legolas is sure she's the one. And maybe she is! But I think Adar would make them wait at least the year so they would get to know one another. Assuming he gets the chance, that is.

Ms. Whatsit	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
I loved Eilian's letter. So very funny and breezy, even when talking about important things. And of course Anyr's hippie elves would be utterly unconcerned with modesty! Woohoo! I like the way you've created cultures within Mirkwood--not just the settlements vs. the strongholds, but also the differences within the settlements. I like how Legolas tries so hard to be nice to Galelas but even then just decides that Galelas probably finds him patronizing. Poor Galelas--I can see why he'd be jealous of Legolas. Eilian vs. Tinar...not much choice there! Author Reply: I've had a lot of fun with Eilian's letters. They turned out to be easy to write, and I liked experimenting with putting Legolas's thoughts in the middle of the letter. Eilian seems to be having a good time mostly. :-) Legolas's happiness makes him feel rich. He can afford to be generous to Galelas. And maybe it will do a particle of good. Who knows?

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
So Legolas has spent all of maybe a week and a half with Tuilinn ever, and he's already thinking about marrying her? And he's thinking of Ithilden as being too serious? Kiss of doom for Tuilinn, it looks like. It's interesting -- the more you write about Beliond, the more he lightens up. He used to be just inescapably dour, but then you did that bit from his POV back in that other story, and now he seems so much. . . well, happier. Bouncing acorns off Sinnarn's head, stealing food from him. . . old Beliond is just the life of the party these days. I had been wondering if Legolas might figure out that a good way to approach Galelas might be through their shared concern for Vanduil. But it seems that Eilian beat me to that suggestion. Eilian really is very good with people. He also seems to have a much broader range of mood swings than either of his brothers. When he's happy, no one is happier or more excited. When he's down, no one hurts more than he does. He really seems to know all the extremes of Elvish experience, and I think that must be frightening for him sometimes. Maybe that's part of why he's so close to Legolas -- Legolas has always been someone who gives Eilian reason to anchor his mood swings. He becomes stable because Legolas needs him to be stable. And now he has Celuwen in his life doing much the same thing when Legolas can't be there for him. So it all works out. For someone as swingy as Eilian, the more people there are in his life who love him, the better. And it looks like he'll need all the help he can get with Anyr. I think I've figured them out. Anyr's settlement is one of those places where literary worlds collide and leak. The residents may look like Tolkien Elves, and that fools the other Elves, but underneath, they're really Kipling's Bandar-log: "Now you're angry, but -- never mind! Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!" Author Reply: I'm guessing that Thranduil would agree with you about the fact that Legolas is rushing things, assuming he ever gets the chance to comment. Beliond is lightening up gradually over the years. He was very isolated after his family left. Working as a spy suited him. And I think that when Thranduil assigned him as Legolas's guard, the king was thinking of both their goods. And Beliond has come a long way, drawn out of himself despite himself, but his affection for Legolas and just being around other people. I like your analysis of Eilian. It seems true to me. I laughed about your Kipling thing, but I have to confess, I've never read whatever it is you're talking about!

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Eilian is going to be in so much trouble. Covert warrior training! I can't wait to see what happens when Anyr finds out. Reminds me of a case we studied in the class I was in this week (featuring real live college professors, not the usual rabble of self-taught experts). Shell Oil, Greenpeace, and the disposal of the Brent Spar, which was a big huge oil tank in the North Sea. Shell did studies and decided the most environmentally safe way (this turned out to be true) to dispose of the Brent Spar was to drain it of oil, tow it out to sea and sink it in about 11,000 feet of water. Versus option B, towing it to land and taking it apart. Unfortunately option A happened to also be the cheaper option, arousing immediate suspicion, so Greenpeace managed to incite a huge European boycott and they attacked the Brent Spar with a water cannon from the Rainbow Warrior and in the end Shell ended up towing the spar to Norway and dismantling it just to make everyone happy. The moral of the story is that now oil companies involve Greenpeace from the beginning in these types of decisions so there are no surprises. I don't know if there's a moral for Eilian there or not but I hope Anyr doesn't have a water cannon... Great letter from him, by the way. He cracks me up. I think he gets a kick out of the naked coed bathing. He sounds so natural in his letters to Legolas. His concern for Legolas's mental health was also very touching. Legolas is handling Galelas very well. I was cringing when he was tempted to avoid contact to spare himself the inevitable surliness, but he did the right thing. The only way through this is to stay engaged. Complimenting Galelas's mentoring ability and pointing out their shared affection for Eilian was a good start. Galelas probably will think Legolas was being condescending, but it's a knee jerk reaction. Right how he'd think Legolas was condescending if he said, "Good morning." Sooner or later, like Legolas hopes, he'll get tired of the snarliness. Especially if Legolas can't be perturbed and Galelas can't recruit anyone else to his cause. Where was I? Oh, yeah. Legolas's love life. Talk about thinking with your you-know-what. The fog of love! I loved this line: For a moment, he wondered if his father would object to his own plans to bond with Tuilinn, but he rejected that thought out of hand. Tuilinn had no irate father forbidding the match. At least, Legolas assumed she did not. Oh, great. All ready to order the monogrammed bath towels and he doesn't even know if she has a father. You'd think he would have learned from Eilian's father-in-law experiences. Well, I just hope she's around long enough for it to become an issue....Fire on the mountain does not bode well for this romance... Author Reply: You and Celuwen would get along well because she's trying to involve Anyr too. After all, she's the one who's on Thranduil's council. She's learning to think that way. But Eilian is somewhat less patient! And it won't be only Anyr who's ticked at him, I fear. His loving wife will have a thing or two to say. I was thinking that Legolas's joy made him more willing to be generous with Galelas and less likely to hold a grudge. He's at a good stage to make a move toward Galelas. Someone has to make that first move and be willing to let go of the past just a little. If Legolas ever does get to talk to his father about Tuilinn, I think Adar is going to put the brakes on hard. He won't stop the romance, but he'll sure as Mordor make them get to know one another better.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Vanduil seems to be doing better. A lot of credit has to be given to Galelas for that too. Actually the two of them really seem to get on well. I don’t know why, but I’d always pictured Galelas as not getting on particularly well with anyone. I like seeing these two together. “Surely Galelas was getting tired of his surliness by now, he thought.” You’d think so, wouldn’t you? It’s absolutely draining to be around people like that. I’ve often wondered myself how they don’t get fed up with being sulky or hostile themselves. Sort him out, daw!! Eilian’s letter was just so hilarious. I almost choked on my pick ‘n’ mix while reading it. It sounds like he’s had time to think about things, though, and dwell on Legolas’ trouble with the Shadow a bit too much. I hope he receives Legolas’ letter. Although, Legolas could have worse things than Shadow sickness to deal with soon… Are these letters difficult to write? Eilian comes across as so completely himself in them! I’m so glad he recognises his worth and contribution as a husband ;-) He paints such a funny picture of the settlement. I’m still laughing at the thought of the maiden “skipping through the woods gathering roots”. And they bathe together??! Personally, I thought that was a rather elfy thing to do, especially as they apparently have enough self-control not to be tempted left, right and centre. But I can see how it would be completely scandalous behaviour to anyone not from Anyr’s settlement! I remember Ithilden being mortified at the thought of Alfirin wading fully-dressed into the males’ pool one time but free-thinking Eilian doesn’t seem to have any problems with his wife swimming around naked and “frolicking merrily” with nude settlers. Celuwen is wise to suspect that he might enjoy it himself more than he admits. I thought the funniest part of the whole piece was the line “Sólith is about as likely to allow mingling in the bare as he is to send me a scroll declaring what a fine son-in-law I am.” LOL. Nah, I can’t see that happening either, somehow. That part about “sufficient perseverance”, did you invent it for this or is it based on someone? I was just wondering. It painted a wonderful picture of Eilian’s younger days. Poor Galeril. Eilian is doing what??? Teaching them to use weapons??! It’s good to see that he’s determined to keep them safe, and even better to know that not all of the settlers are as ditsy as Anyr but crikey, Eilian could end up in a lot of trouble. And Celuwen would have a fit. sigh Does he really think no-one will find out? It’s sad in some ways, though, to hear about their idyllic life and to know that they have to learn to protect themselves and fight in battle because danger is not far from their door. Ródien!! Good to know he’s still around. I can just imagine Eilian’s face when he realised that the “captain” was Legolas. I loved Beliond throwing acorns at Sinnarn! He’s so much fun when he’s relaxed. Or bored. Whatever. He’s great! Legolas seems very serious about Tuilinn. I knew they had the start of a real bond but I didn’t expect Legolas to be trying to make such concrete plans so soon. But talk of formally bonding, of telling Thranduil, wondering how Tuilinn would feel about palace life… That’s serious. And nobody else knows he feels this way! Except Beliond, of course. I’m still feeling sorry for Sinnarn. I doubt Ithilden would suddenly have developed a tendency to talk about all his duties in great detail so I’m guessing Sinnarn is at the stage where he’s even reacting to little things. Although, I wouldn’t put it past Ithilden to try and impress upon him how he should live up to what is expected of him. The very idea of “duty” seems to frustrate Sinnarn, although whether it really is resenting his father putting his duty first, worry that this is what his own future holds or fear that he’s not as capable as Ithilden, I can only guess. I get the impression that people – Ithilden – thinking that he may not be able for responsibility hurts him, for all that he dismisses it and claims not to want additional responsibility anyway. Legolas should be able to understand that to some extent. At one stage he wondered if the fact that he wasn’t made an officer at the same young age as Eilian or sent to the southern patrol meant that Ithilden didn’t trust him to be able to do it, even though he probably didn’t actually want to be an officer at that time. I’m not making sense now. It’s all the sugar. I’d like to know what Galelas made of all that. I wonder if it’s a good thing that he knows that Legolas was “worn down” enough for his family to be worried. I was so glad that Legolas decided to pass on Eilian’s message to Galelas. It is possible that Galelas will think he’s patronising him, but it seemed to me that he was just pleased with Eilian’s words. At least Galelas had something pleasant to think about that night. And the mountain is on fire. That was the most dramatic cliff-hanger I ever read! I’m really not good when it comes to having to wait and see what happens. I suppose another couple of chapters tonight would be too much to ask…?! :-) Author Reply: Galelas kind of surprised me too when he turned out to be good with younger warriors. Truthfully, I credit Eilian for that. I think that Galelas feels like he's doing for others what Eilian did for him, and in so doing, he's claiming a little bit of Eilian for himself. Because really, deep down, it's not Legolas's rank and "privilege" he's jealous of. But I'm not sure how much of that he realizes. And that's one reason I wanted him to overhear that conversation between Legolas and Sinnarn. I don't want to make too much of that one small incident because it's not likely to change anyone by itself, but I still thought he should hear it. Eilian's letters turned out to be amazingly easy to write. You know I don't write first person often and that's what these letters are. But I must know Eilian pretty well by now, because letting him speak for himself has been just a delight. This line -- Sólith is about as likely to allow mingling in the bare as he is to send me a scroll declaring what a fine son-in-law I am -- I need to confess that The Karenator gave me that "mingling in the bare" phrase because I was stuck. The scroll was my idea, and one that Solith would indeed never share. I made up "sufficient perseverence." I suspect that Eilian would not be one to keep at anything that bored him and that would be a whole lot of what the tutor was doing. It seemed to me that defense is one thing that Eilian would be absolutely serious about and even Celuwen wouldn't be able to keep him from doing what he thought was right there. If Legolas ever gets a chance to ask for Thranduil's permission for this marriage, I'm willing to bet Thranduil will insist on at least the customary year. These two need to get to know one another better. And I think, unlike Eilian, Legolas would do that. I think that Sinnarn sees the possibility of huge responsibility in his future and doesn't know if he's up to it. I know Elves don't die in the normal course of affairs, but the times are not normal. Sinnarn is second in line to rule the Woodland Realm. That has to scare the pants (leggings?) off of him. And I think he's trying to make sure that no one expects too much of him. Poor guy.

sayre	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Thank you for this new installment. As always, I'm enjoying your tale immensely -- and as always, am remiss in telling you this. The character of Tuillin is nicely drawn, and it's good to see some happiness for Legolas. I find myself fearing, however, that she shall fall prey to the Curse that plagued the Cartright brothers of Virginia City, whose dates always died or left town by the end of the episode. Please tell us she's not going to end up quick-fried crunchy dragon snacks? Looking forward to more (greedy, me? Oh yes!)and thank you again. Author Reply: I'm really glad you're enjoying the story. I hesitated to give Legolas a romantic interest but it seemed unrealistic that he would never have one. On the other hand, Legolas does not sound married when he's running around with Gimli after the quest. So what to do? :-) I'll start on the next chapter tomorrow maybe, but I'll be away this weekend, so it may take me a little longer than usual.

Manderly	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Anyr is just running a regular hippie commune at that settlement of his, isn't he? Mixed bathing. I wonder what Thranduil would have to say about that. Though I can see Eilian fitting in easily in this relaxed environment. At least he's making an effort at training some of the elves in the art of self-defence. I am glad we are getting our fix of Eilian, even if it's through his letters. Legolas is really smitten with Tuilinn, isn't he, to be thinking of bonding and how she would adjust to life in the stronghold. I hope you don't have anything nasty planned for her. I am glad Legolas decided to pass on Eilian's greeting to Galelas. Maybe this will encourage Galelas to shed some of his prickly armour. Things have been proceeding quietly so far, too quietly. So you've decided to stir things up? What's next? Author Reply: I admit I think about hippie communes when I'm writing about Anyr's settlement. I kind of think of wood elves as being a bit on the hippie-ish side. And I too thought that Eilian might be able to fit in, although he's never in a million years going to let up on the need to defend the place. Joy has made Legolas generous with Galelas. He can afford to be a little easier on others because he's so happy himself. And yeah, we're getting to crunch time around Erebor.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/31/2005
Oh Daw, you're going to kill her, aren't you? Legolas is thinking bonding and well, I saw 'Bonanza'. Everybody any one of those Cartwrights fell in love with was a walking bull's eye. I have a bad feeling about this. However, Tuilinn could decide to stay in Dale and 'help' the people...she was sort of like the Mirkwood Red Cross when she visited the flood victims. That could happen. And that would make Legolas most unhappy. Eilian's letter was priceless. Daeron was envious of some of his lines. Really good lines. I loved the one about wearing water drops and sunshine and all the ones where Eilian is extolling his virtues as a husband. There are too many to list. But it was just great. Legolas's rather cautious praise of Galelas shocked the old boy. I really do like how you've shown Galelas's strengths. Knowing all we do about his background and the fact that Eilian finds such good in him, I can feel his pain and jealousy. What he wouldn't give to have Eilian as his brother? Tell Beliond he has good aim. Bouncing acorns off the kid's head. LOL! Legolas got a quick glimpse into Sinnarn too. A nice revelation. And now, the mountain is on fire! Tell me when it's over. I can't look. Really!!! wonderful chapter. Looking forward to the next one. Karen Author Reply: As I recall, Daeron provided me with one of those lines! But as I've said before, he and Eilian would get along. Of course, Daeron would need to get a little older before his naneth would allow him near that settlement without putting her hand over his eyes. Galelas would love to have Eilian as his brother. He's jealous of Legolas and he thinks it's because Legolas gets favored treatment. But deep down, that's not what he really envies. I've beent thinking about Sinnarn lately, and trying to figure out what makes him tick. Legolas is doing that too. Thank you for your support, Karen.

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