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A Creature of Fire by daw the minstrel	321 Review(s)
Karri	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/14/2005
A lovely, light chapter, daw. You have done a marvelous jog of making the ordinary, every day sort of stuff entertaining. :-) Author Reply: Thank you, Karri. This is the kind of stuff we were talking about that is most hard to write, I think. I beat my head on my keyboard trying to think about what Legolas and his new captain might talk about, for instance.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/14/2005
You know, I re-read Spring Awakenings just a few hours ago! Is that wierd or what?! :) I think this will be very interesting to follow Legolas all through the story. I was thinking about that when I read your review reply and my initial thought was, oh that will be easier for her. It took about one minute of thinking about it to realize that was certainly not the case. Part of the reason I like your stories is because you always share with us the little challenges you set yourself and we can all learn from them as you do. I've learned a lot, I think, by looking at your writing here. I bet your classes are great. Anyway, on to the chap: I was amazed how much you packed into that opening dialogue. It was great. All the fun references to Spring Awakening (tied for my favorite story of yours along with A Question of Duty--depends on what day you ask me which I like best at the time). And all the nuances of everyone's relations--especially Celuwen's ability to difuse situations between Thranduil and Eilian and Thranduil's deference to her. Thranduil needed a daughter! I just went back to think about which lines from that dialogue were my favorites that I might want to call attention to and I realized I had highlighted about all of them. Great dialogue! And so we are going to see Legolas commanding Sinnarn and Galelas. I think I would have refused that duty. Poor Legolas. And he has already put Galelas off by displacing him. That whole dynamic, along with helping new warriors along ought to be very interesting. And once again I will say, I just love Beliond--from his approval of Legolas's new horse to his sneaking up on them in the talan to his offers to put everyone to bed. He is a great nana for Legolas. I love how you use him in these stories. I am certain I am going to love this story already. Author Reply: You really know how to make a fellow writer feel good, Elliska! I'm already tearing my hair out about having to limit myself to Legolas. I'm suddenly thinking about things I've seen in other writer's work and realizing what they're doing. I was thinking about how JK Rowling always follows Harry. So how does she get around the need to know what other people are doing and feeling? That's what a huge amount of the magic is for -- extendable ears, bowls of thoughts that you can read, etc. Once I thought of that, I could see it everywhere. Another thing I've been working on is showing, not telling and that's why there's so much dialogue at breakfast. I was trying to get them to reveal themselves without getting into their heads. I'm glad you think it worked. I'm hoping the Galelas/Sinnarn/new warriors stuff is interesting. I need to start the next chapter with that. I'm flying to San Francisco for a conference early tomorrow and won't be back until Saturday, so I don't know how much time I'll have to write other than on the plane. My beta loves Beliond. She makes me put in everywhere. :-)

LOTRFaith	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/14/2005
Horray!! A new story! :-D lol... I must say.. I do not know how in the world you can write in between stories! I would go insane trying to remember what I wrote in the previous story and making sure it also fit within the next story.. I can barely write my own story as it is let alone figure out any of the stuff you have to :-) But I must say.. You do an excellent job! I too have wondered why Eilian easily took Galelas under his wing when Galelas quite obviously doesn't like Legolas. Perhaps he is jealous of Legolas? That Legolas has a loving older brother and Galelas does not? And that Legolas gets at much attention at home as his brothers? Hmm.. Now there's a thought... And unless you clear that up;-) I will continue to think as such :-D With your permission of course ;-) Winces... Boy.. Thranduil can really go straight for the heart can't he... Sometimes I wonder if he really even knows how he can so easily slip past Eilian's defenses and strike at his vulnerable spots... But anyway.. excellent chapter! And I look forward to seeing what trouble Legolas can get himself into ;-) Author Reply: I confess I have to read my other stories to remember who's where and when. I made this list of stories on my author page and it's been the most useful thing! It has the stories in order and lists Legolas's age. I consult that all the time. I think Eilian is one of those people who can't resist trying to help someone in pain, and he sees that Galelas is in pain and that's why he acts like he does. That's harder for Legolas to see because he and Galelas are the same age, and Eilian has never been Galelas target like Legolas has. That's an interesting observation about how Thranduil can always hurt Eilian even without meaning to. Eilian is much more vulnerable that he'd like to admit. Thanks for the review, Faith.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/14/2005
All the class clowns together in two lumps, eh? Eilian, Celuwen and Anyr all sharing a settlement, that oughta be fun. I suspect that no one is more surprised at seeing Eilian in a position as The Responsible One than Eilian himself. But it's probably a sobering learning experience for him, suddenly having to be responsible. Thranduil can yell at him all he wants, but at home, Ithilden is always there. Eilian is one of those guys who have to learn to be responsible by doing it. And the Northern Border Patrol. Elorfin must be having kittens at the thought of having the King's baby boy and the King's darling grandson both under his command at once. I mean, yes, he gets to have Beliond and Nithron in the patrol, but the stress must be overwhelming at times. Add Galelas into the mix, and you've got The Three Stooges, The B Cast. Galelas and Sinnarn ought to be an interesting mix, given Galelas' feelings toward the royal offspring and Sinnarn's tendency to cozy up to misfits. It looks like Thranduil has decided that the lesson that worked with Eilian will also work with Legolas, teaching him responsibility by setting him to watch over someone else. In Legolas's case, it kind of works -- he learned a lot by adopting Amdir, though it didn't seem to do Amdir much good. But he's always been the sort to indulge Sinnarn, probably because they are so close in age, and Sinnarn, being younger, is someone he can indulge. My sister was like that when our little cousin was born. She wasn't the baby of the family any more. Author Reply: Eilian does well as captain because he won't risk other people like he risks himself. But as a captain, he pretty much can issue orders and watch them get carried out. Anyr is not going to respond well to that. He'd be maddening, actually. I did wonder if it was realistic to have Legolas and Sinnarn in the same patrol, but decided it had to happen sometimes. Family members did serve together (Thranduil and Oropher, Eomer and Theoden, etc). But it still must make Elorfin nervous. At least the patrol is a safe one -- usually. If I were Sinnarn, I'd be ticked off that everyone still thinks he's a kid. I think he's pretty shrewd too. But he's not always the most responsible person around. Sometimes things slip his mind -- 13 dwarves, for instance.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/14/2005
Well, that was a tense breakfast. Something makes me think Thranduil was only too happy to get Eilian out of his hair while they were still on speaking terms. I can't really imagine Eilian getting along with the hippies too well, though, especially if Celuwen starts wearing flowers in her hair and playing a ukelele. Beliond hasn't changed. Still as carefree and lighthearted as ever. Legolas's arrival at the camp was nicely edgy. Geez, first impressions. How are they going to react to him? He can't be too soft or too stern. Wow, they're young. It's amazing when they start to look young. And Legolas cracked me up, calling Sinnarn an inexperienced warrior. He's what, 350 to Legolas's 390? Hoot! Just throw Galelas in for a monkey wrench and we've got warrior stew. He's an interesting puzzle. Legolas's speculation about why Eilian is the only Thranduilion that Galelas tolerates was interesting. Oh, and I loved the little scene with Beliond dropping in on Legolas and Sinnarn, and then almost pushing Sinnarn off the flet. Entertaining, and a nice reminder that these are Elves. And it was good to see Legolas enjoying being out in the woods. Author Reply: Eilian and Anyr is a happy thought, isn't it? LOL. Almost makes me wish I hadn't decided to follow Legolas around in this story. Maybe Thranduil is amused by the thought. He does seem relieved to have shipped his son off where at least he won't have to see what's going on and Celuwen will keep things from getting too out of hand. I had to keep reminding myself that there were about 200 years worth of warriors who were younger than Legolas now. Some of them, like Sinnarn, are also experience (although Uncle Legolas has trouble remembering that), but there must be quite a few who will indeed look young to Legolas. (In that category, the one that bothered me was when my doctor started looking really young!)

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/14/2005
It is nice to see the family take the time to breakfast together, especially when one of them is departing. I can see myself in Alfirin - worrying about my kid and having all of the household things done at the same time. Parents are much better at multi-tasking than nonparents. Thranduil's spoiling of his grandson is also a constant source of amusement. I love Bill Cosby's routine about grandparents being old and trying to get into heaven. I guess is doesn't really apply if you are immortal. Anyr's settlement? It was a big mess. Maybe he can look out for a curly haired elleth that wears a green ribbon. Maybe she will visit again. I hope she isn't betrothed. Hmm... Legolas, Eilian, Celuwen, Sinnarn, Galelas, Belion and Nithron all in the same part of the woods. Nice set up! Celuwen is an excellent peacemaker for Eilian and Thranduil. You always set her up to succeed - nice job! "I have probably been made difficult enough having you and Ithilden as my brothers." - LOL! It is good to see Legolas get in a few barbs. Eilian usually wins their sparring matches. Beliond would judge a horse by its obedience but I also think he would be the first to admit there is some value in initiative as well. You made him far to well rounded for that comment to be true. I think I remember Eilian letting Legolas pass out the mail when he first arrived at camp. It is a good way to win friends. Elorfin sounds like an excellent captain. I think the two leaders will get along well. I hope Galelas does not stir up too much trouble - a little will be fun. Legolas' lack of self-confidence when it came to Galelas' attitude was very realistic. It was probably a relief to find out that he dislikes Sinnarn as much as he dislikes Legolas. The board is set, the pieces are moving... Looking forward to the rest of the tale! Author Reply: People who don't run a household don't know how many details you have to keep track of. And I figure the king's household is like a small business. So it's a good thing that Alfirin is capable and can multi-task, as you say, because she has her work cut out for her. Legolas is light-hearted enough to joke again. A week off would do that for me too! My beta is a big Beliond fan, for reasons I cannot fathom. Oddly enough Beliond seems to have many fangirls, a fact that would horrify him. I was thinking about Legolas's reaction to Galelas. I think it's a shock to all of us to realize someone dislikes us, even when it's someone that we dislike. And in Legolas's case, Eilian is a puzzling fact here. He likes Galelas! Thanks for the review, Tapetum.

Rose Sared	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/14/2005
I really love the way you consistently manage to capture the bittersweet nature of elven life. Sadness and joy, immortality and sudden death, odd mixtures. No sorrow without the perfect comprehension that time will ease it, no joy without the knowledge of its inevitable end. Constant in an endless sea of change, no wonder elves sail eventually for the west. I hope Leggy tastes at least a little romance, tough to be the odd one out when the whole fam-damily is, or has been, happily partnered. Lovely to have another story from you - do hope you might get to my neck of the world one day soon, you would, indeed, be most welcome. Rose Author Reply: My husband was just asking me yesterday where I'd still like to go and I said New Zealand, so maybe we'll make it one day. I was caught by your comments here. That word "bittersweet" does seem to characterize much of what it must have been like to be an immortal in ME, with all the perspective on impermanence that deathlessness would give you. Legolas is feeling a little left out just now. I was thinking about LACE, in which Tolkien seems to say that marriage is the natural state for an elf. That suggests that one who isn't bonded might feel a certain emptiness. Thank you for letting me know you're reading, Rose Sared.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/13/2005
Sometimes it is hard to make the jump from one story to the next. It usually takes me a little while to figure out where I am in your Legolas timeline. He went from rookie to lieutenant and it is a hard adjustment to make. Starting a story with a Tinar scene is always a good way to get back in the swing of things. He is always good for a laugh. Ithilden handled his youngest sibling well. It was best to clear the air over the death of a warrior before moving on to new assignments. I hope Legolas never learns to take death lightly. He shouldn't. I am glad his attitude towards this new posting is a good one. It sounds like their Nana was very wise. The picnic sounds like a good way to relieve stress! Ha! Ha! I am surprised we haven't seen a lot of matchmaking in the past! I can't really blame Beliniel - she must have a lot of friends ask about the most eligible bachelor in the realm. I am sure she was pleasant enough but I am glad he is holding out for true love. Legolas is a popular guy when he is on leave. The trip to the stables was very pleasant. The horse sounds like a pleasure - Go Thranduil! It was good to see Legolas act so maturely and take his new assignment and horse in stride. The training issue was handled cleverly. The lilac and trellis screen sounds like a dangerous place. Eilian and Celuwen would be mortified if they knew their "discussion" had been heard. Celuwen is not making an unreasonable request but I can also understand Eilian's guilt over taking some time off. You have set up quite a quandry. It is nice to see Legolas stop and smell the roses. Great start! Author Reply: It's hard for me to adjust too, TL! On my author page, I put together a list of my stories in chronological order with Legolas's age on there too, and I actually have to consult it sometimes. Legolas is 290 here, and we last saw him picking locks a little over 200 years ago. Legolas is a grown-up here, and that's one of the things I was trying to show, the other being his loneliness as he sees the happy pairs around him. In LACE, Tolkien says that marriage is the natural state for elves, so I think an elf who isn't bonded might be aware of something missing. I thought Ithilden handles Legolas well too. He treated him patiently and showed confidence in his ability, even as he listened to what bothered him. The last time I wrote about capable!adult!Legolas it took me a while to get into the swing of things, but then I found him quite attractive. :-)

White Wolf	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/13/2005
Legolas seems a little weary to me. I guess that comes from being in the Southern Patrol, plus he's older in this story and has seem a lot more. I admire Calith's self-control. I would have brained Tinár long before now, if I had to work with him. The phrase 'long-suffering' comes to mind. I'm glad to see Annael back. He's a great character, and I've missed him. I'm sure Legolas has, too. Author Reply: He is a little weary, I think. And I think your reasoning about why is correct. He's young to be weary, but supposedly elves did get that way after a while. He'll be fine once he's had a chance to recover. I think I might have to write something about Calith one of these days. He's funny. And I too love Annael. I love his whole family and am still feeling guilty about killing his father. Thank you for the review, White Wolf.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/13/2005
Legolas seems to be discovering the lingering melancholy of being adult...It's a strange beginning. I like it very much, but it suddenly makes such a contrast from the delighted Legolas we left behind at the end of your last story...it is striking. Legolas is older now, and he seems even more by contrast. Now life seems almost a weigh of routines, instead of the world full of treasures and surprises that it used to be for Legolas the elfling. I love how you manage to draw the weigh of shadow upon him, in the way he seems to be only passing through things that in other circumstances are source of great enjoyment for him. Sure in a couple of days the shadow will disappear, but it's an interesting way of introducing this older Legolas, and the way he sees himself through what he has and has not... poor one, he's needing some romance in his life! I'm intrigued by Eilian. I cannot see him simply "taking a holiday" away with his wife. And it seems he still has some issues to sort through regarding his father. In a sense he's being slower in reaching maturity than Legolas... let's hope Celuwen helps him... I think this is the first time I hear Thranduil being a bit "reluctant" about his duties!"... and think of me listening to what are likely to be some very tedious petitions.” LOL! He's human, err, mean, elven!!!! ;-) I'm thrilled you're back! Author Reply: You cannot possible be more thrilled to have me back than I am to be back, Perelleth. I miss writing no end when I don't have time to do it. I jump around in time so much that going from one story to another can be jarring. This Legolas is over 200 years older than the one at the end of "Time's Turnings." He seen a lot more and spent time in the shadows near Dol Guldur. He's strong and will recover, but in the meantime, he's a little vulnerable and lonely. I like writing about competent!Legolas too though. He's kind of sexy. :-) I think that Eilian is slow to mature (as is Ithilden's son, Sinnarn). Perhaps that's part of their wood elf heritage, or perhaps it's what elves would be like if they weren't battling for the survival of ME. I don't know. I'm making it up as I go along!

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