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A Creature of Fire by daw the minstrel	321 Review(s)
thechevin	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/25/2005
What can I say? I am sorry so see this tale ending but loved the way you brought everything together and gave Legolas at least a brief glimpse of a happy life beyond all the grief and suffering he is dealing with presently His emotions were certainly raw and the fact that he had difficulty being with 'happy people' really rang true to me Everyone wantsd to help and give comfort but only those who have been in a similar situation really know how he feels and this was made clear by Beliond, only he would storm the palace and carry off Legolas without so much as a by your leave, although I guess the king must have known what he intended to do. His silent support seemed to ease Legolas and give him time to think His family are so loving Eilian and Ithilden and Alfirin trying to make sure he eats! Anneal and his mother as well offering support But it is the one family member who relates directly to his grief that shines through and with whom Legolas can allow himself time to grieve. I thought it was lovely how Legolas learned from his father how to deal with going on with life and how much quiet support he offered even managing to hold back what were quite natural fears for his son what a parent he must be The ending with the memory of the day long ago in the garden just made me cry all over again for both of them A truly wonderful story and so rich in emotion thanks for allowing us to visit your Middle Earth again I can't go without asking of course how soon will we see another story? Judy Author Reply: This story has been a challenge for me because of the intense emotion and the limited POV, which interacted of course, since it was Legolas who was the center of both. So if it "rang true" to you, I am deeply pleased. Beliond is great. I told someone else I should make "I heart Beliond" buttons and bumper stickers and sell them. I could make a killing! But the part with Thranduil was my favorite part of this chapter too. I loved having Thranduil reveal himself a little to his son on a more deeply personal level. I don't think that's easy for him to do. And Legolas was so small when his mother died that he was absorbed in his own grief and would probably not have thought much about his father. So this was a moment when Legolas could relate to his father in a new way, with deeper understanding. And then, I could bring in the memory of Naneth. I can just picture little Legolas squatting down hacking at the rose and then beaming at her: "I help!" What a sweetie! I don't know when the next story will come along. I have some ideas. In "Legolas's Begetting Day," I had Legolas remember being lost and I might do that. Or someone else asked for a story set shortly before Lorellin died, so Legolas would be little and cute and the brothers would be younger. Eilian and Celuwen need an elfling. And I have another story in mind with Eilian, Legolas and their two keepers. I'll take a little time off and then decide. :-)

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/25/2005
I've been longing for this chapter, because I so wanted to see Thranduil with Legolas. He was just as caring, concerned and compassionate as I expected - he's been there, and knows what Legolas is going through. In him, Legolas can see that it is possible to be happy again. Yhe scene with Galelas's mother was a little light relief, but sad at the same time: '“Galelas was extremely brave in the face of the dragon’s approach. I was lucky to have him with me.” Galelas’s mother beamed at him. “Yes, both of my sons are brave.”' Poor, poor Galelas. And the utter crassness of this remark: 'I just thank the Valar that nothing worse occurred.” It was good of Beliond to whisk Legolas away from the rather claustrophobic care of his family to the peace and quiet of the forest. The moment when he hears the song of the tree include him was a real moment of healing, I think. Jay Author Reply: Isn't Thranduil great? I loved trying to think through the way he would help Legolas. As you say, he's been there and he knows. So he anticipated that Legolas might feel cold, and he just let Legolas talk at first and held back any advice until he thought Legolas might be ready. I adore him. Galelas's mother's remark about how it could have been worse made me cringe, and I wrote it. Beliond was right. Legolas needed the forest and some peace before he could accept what his family had to offer. Thanks for the review, Jay.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/25/2005
'to high-handedly tell' - Morgoth's teeth, I split an infinitive. Sorry. Author Reply: You're forgiven just this once. That's a stupid rule anyway.

Purplesmackers	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/25/2005
I am a huge fan! - and I have been waiting all weekend for this chapter. I was not disappointed. Although I have found so many wonderful moments within this story, it has also been exremely frustrating for me as well! lol With this all being told from within Legolas' head, I constantly found myself trying to reread each chapter from all the other characters' points of view. I can only imagine how difficult this story was to write! This final chapter did such a great job tying everything together. I love how Legolas questions his ability to sleep unaided for the first time. I also loved the description of Legolas' first moments home with his family. My favorite moment in this section, though, was Legolas' comments about the fireplace and how he had not realized how cold he had been feeling. However, like the loving father he is, Thranduil understands what his son is going through. In this chapter, the scene between Beliond and Legolas was wonderful! Beliond always shows up at the perfect time, and always seems to know what would be best for Legolas. You can definitely see the level of care Beliond has for Legolas. Any insight into Beliond's life gets bonus points from me. Also, I personally love every time you have Alfirin and Beliond interact with one another. It brings a smile to my face. It was also great to see Annael make an appearance. It was nice to see the two friends let loose for a short time in the woods. Annael is a great friend to Legolas. Finally, it was more than I could have hoped for to see Legolas finding a new way of relating to his father. It was beautiful seeing the new understanding of his father blossom in Legolas. Before this story, I don't think Legolas truly understands the level of love and understanding Thranduil has for each of his sons...especially his youngest. Legolas certainly does a lot of growing through this story. The memory of his naneth was a brilliant addition. I always feel sad whenever it is mentioned how that time in his life is a blank. I was curious how you would handle that, but once again, it was handled brilliantly! I feel like I will need to read this story a few more times - especially this last chapter. I am use to seeing things from Eilian's point of view (he is my favorite character...and as cheesy as this sounds, when I finally settle down and decide to have kids, I plan on naming my first child Eilian...as long as you don't mind, of course! lol) For some reason, I have found it difficult to understand Eilian in this story. Perhaps that is because I am use to seeing things through Eilian's thoughts - especially when it comes to his younger brother. Overall, as always, you are a wonderful author. I am never disappointed in any of your stories, and you have outdone yourself this time. I loved the memory of Legolas' about the role Alfirin played when Legolas was still a youth and she came to run the household. In some ways, she played the role of 'naneth' for Legolas. Have you ever thought of doing a story based on this time period of Alfirin and Legolas? I am constantly amazed at the world you have managed to create in this universe. Wonderful! Author Reply: This chapter turned out long to it took me a while to finish it. Hence the Sunday night posting. And I have to tell you I found it hard to write just from Legolas's POV too. I really missed being able to move around. The best I could so was use Eilian's letters and have Legolas overhear things. You're welcome to use the name Eilian, although the kid might one day object! "Eilian" is the Sindarin word for "rainbow." Thranduil really was the family member who was in the best position to help Legolas because he'd been through the death of his wife. I loved having the chance to have him talk about that aspect of his life. We don't often get to see his emotions except in relation to his children. I think Legolas will understand his father better as a result of this, and that's good. Putting Alfirin and Beliond together always makes me smile too! He's just not her kind of guy. But he was good for Legolas, and he was generous to share his time in the woods. It comforts him and he thought it would comfort Legolas too. I've never thought of writing about that time when Alfirin first comes to live in the palace. I think I'm only just getting to know Alfirin. When I wrote "A Matter of Heart," that helped me a lot. You are exceedingly generous in your praise. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
Is there any part of this that is less than excellent? Answer: no. Legolas's grief - his inability to speak and eat, his reluctance to be with people who are happy, his inertia, and so on are just so accurate. The anxiety of his family - all hanging there and not quite sure what to do except feed and talk to him, yet all unconsciously increasing his feelings of loss and abandonment. Thranduil is just brilliant. I only wish he had had someone comparable to him to lean on when Lorellin died. He coped by being needed - by realm and sons - and by being angry, but a shoulder would have been a bonus. I'm glad that Legolas has made a note of the Problem with the Grotto. And where on the path he should not stand when revealing confidential information. Beliond - what a star. I loved the way he stalked into the palace. Not, I would think, a way most people move when approaching the heart of power, but very, very Beliond. And then to high-handedly tell Legolas that he is going camping. And he was only too right that it was what Legolas needed. Even to the silence. (Though he must have cleared it with the King, or they would have been chased. But Thranduil probably recognised his need to be away from fussing for a while. And Nana Beliond's fussing is of a very non-fussy kind.) Annael's care is what he needs, too. Undemanding. Annael has always been good at being the kind of friend who gives what Legolas needs, rather than demanding. And it was good for Legolas to see Elowen and Galelas and Naran's parents. But the best moment of all, I think, was Legolas's recovered memory of his naneth. I hope that, now he has found a trail into the big black hole, he will be able to find a little more of her in there. Such a good story. So well written. So skilled. It must have been hard to do - but it was worth it! Author Reply: Thank you, Bodkin! One of the things I've decided is that it's very hard to show strong emotion and do it well. There are obvious options to show: weeping for instance. But it's easy to go overboard or just manipulate those things so they don't have much impact, they just stay on the surface. So I learned a lot doing this story, although it depressed me like crazy. In truth though, I think it's probably harder to show great joy than great sorrow. Joy seems to escape our words entirely. I figure Beliond told Thranduil what he intended, although I'm not exactly sure he would have done it in a way that counted as asking permission. He's Beliond, after all! But he was so generous and kind to share with Legolas the thing that has helped him with his own loss. And the woods and the silence were just what Legolas needed for a while. Then he was ready to face his family and accept their efforts to help him a little more. I loved writing that moment with Lorellin. I could just see this wee little Legolas saying, "I help!" He'd be beaming at her. I had to edit a line in "Tangled Web" to let him recover this memory here, but I wanted to do it. In truth, I've always thought that his mother's death was a tremendous influence on how my Legolas developed. It made him serious and intent. And I was hoping that this death could release him a little. He's an adult and might be able to process it better so that he becomes more willing to take life as it comes, which I think is more like Book!Legolas.

Jems	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
Wow! This was yet another wonderful story. I really enjoyed the way you decided to do it all from the one character's perspective but was still able to bring the other characters in, like you did through Eilian's letters. I think you captured the feelings perfectly , especially in this last chapter. I do have one question though: do you think that Legolas will be able to eventually feel the connection with Tuilian when his grief fades, even though they didn't officially bond? I'm glad that it seems like he will. Thank-you for sharing your talent, I find that I am able to read your stories over-and-over again and get just as much, if not more enjoyment from them. Have you ever considered writing about Legolas' return to his family after the war of the ring? I look forward to your next story. Thanks again!! :) Author Reply: That single perspective was hard to work. I missed writing about Eilian in particular, although the letters were fun to do. But as the story went on, I realized that this was a good choice to do solely from Legolas's POV because it really is his story. He's the one whose emotions matter here, so it was good (if painful) to be in his head. I don't know about the connection to Tuilinn. I'm making most of that stuff up about how partners feel about one another because Tolkien hints but doesn't tell us a lot. I know I've shown Eilian's bond with Celuwen deepening when they actually marry, so maybe Legolas's wouldn't be that deep yet. He has time though. After all, we know that he eventually sails. :-) You're extremely kind to tell me that you can reread these stories with pleasure. I don't know if I'll ever write about Legolas post-quest. That's a whole different mind set, I think.

Kristy	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
Ohhh, that hurt my heart! Poor Legolas! Daw, that was just mean, but you did it so well. Wonderful job even if it did just about break my heart. Author Reply: I know. It hurt my heart too! I told this whole story through Legolas's eyes rather than switching around to his brothers or whoever, and there was a point when I just thought Legolas had to get happier soon because I couldn't stand it any more!

Ms. Whatsit	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
It's interesting how both Legolas and Thranduil fall in love "at first sight" or pretty close to it. That's a cliche among humans, but Elves as Tolkien wrote them can really do that. Their emotions are so much clearer and sharper, which can be a curse. I loved Beliond hauling Legolas off for camping. That was just brilliant. And that conversation with Galelas was also good. At least Legolas has a great support system in place. It's so true that it's easier to be around grieving people when you yourself are grieving. Author Reply: I really do think that Tolkien's Elves sort of recognize one another as the right partner for them. But as you say, what a curse too. They love once and that's it. If something goes wrong, they're out of luck. Beliond was very generous to share his place in the woods with Legolas. He knew it comforted him and he wanted that for Legolas too. Legolas does have a wonderful support system. He's very lucky in a lot of ways despite the loss he's suffered.

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
Oh goody! I loved hearing Legolas's memories of arriving at the stronghold. He really needed all his loving family and his adar making sure that he got some peace. That was so touching. And this line: A wave of guilt washed over him. Could he really have forgotten her enough to sleep? God, that is so true that you feel that. And then this immediately made me chuckle: and while Legolas thought that in a pinch he could ignore Beliond’s orders, he could not imagine defying his father. That was great. :) And Thranduil did a great job with the food. "If it will make Alfirin happy..." Very smart play there, ada. I loved Legolas's memories and reasoning there. You did a really good job capturing a still reeling (sp?) but slowly recovering mind. Thranduil, like all good fathers, knows exactly what to say. I was so glad, as sad as it seems, to see Legolas cry. He needs a good many of them. That whole conversation was great and I can't cite what part I like best without citing all of it. But to his dismay, he found it difficult to bring himself in tune with that song, distracted as he was by the pain that seemed permanently lodged in his chest. Great description (as was Thranduil's when he said that about Arda is still beautiful, no matter how hard that is to see). This type of thing is so elfy while at the same time being something we can understand perfectly well. Poor Legolas has really always hated people fussing over him and he just can't stand it now, which is natural because when you are grieving, you've got 0 tolerance. His inability to look at his brothers with their wives is so sad but also very realistic. And just when I was wondering how he was going to stand it, in stalks Beliond! That was perfect! He turned to glare at Eilian. “Are you going to object too?” Eilian raised his hands in protest. “I would not dare.” Hah! Loved it! “Then perhaps we will just enjoy the moment. In silence,” he added forbiddingly. Beliond is exactly perfect for Legolas's mood! That was just great! And so was Legolas's ride with Annael. I love seeing those two old friends together. Annael could always be whatever Legolas needed at the moment--a true friend. And Galelas. Those two will just never see eye-to-eye, but I suppose they are doing a little better. I really feel sorrier and sorrier for Galelas everytime we see him. I don't think I could stand to read Tangled Web again. But the upside of that conversation is that Legolas actually managed to joke about Celuwen. He must have been feeling brave to go visit Naran’s parents. But the best part was the last with Thranduil and that memory of the roses. I am so glad Legolas remembered it. That he can barely remember her seems so tragic to me. I absolutely loved that. This chapter must have been very hard to write. You have sooo much in it and it is so well done. This whole story has been absolutely fantastic. I imagine it has seemed difficult (technically, not just emotionally) but the experiment was an absolutely resounding success. And this emotional trauma was the perfect story to try the single POV with. I think it made it even more poignant (sp?). Absolutely wonderful! And it wouldn't be a last chapter if I didn't beg for a hint at your next one. You must have expected that. Author Reply: Thranduil gets to more or less open and close this chapter with his son because I think he's the most important force in Legolas's life from almost any angle you can think of. His strength is such that Legolas can let go and grieve because it's safe to do, and Thranduil knows first-hand more or less what Legolas is feeling. Beliond's command that Legolas camp with him was touching to me, because Beliond has always valued his time alone in the woods, but now he's decided to share what comforts him with Legolas. That took a lot, I think. Poor Alfirin. She just doesn't "get" Beliond. By the time Legolas gets to the race with Annael and the jokes with Eilian, he's feeling a bit better. He's on his way to healing and he can now start to see that he's not the only one who's suffered loss. It's sadly common in the Woodland Realm, and he's more able to sympathize now. The memory with the roses was pure pleasure to write, although I had to go back and alter a line in "Tangled Web" so it would be consistent with this story. Sometimes writing out of order is a problem. Thank you so much for your kind words about this story's "success." I've learned a lot from writing it, although there were days when I would sit and stare gloomily at my computer screen and moan. :-)

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/24/2005
Crud - sleep deprivation - I forgot to say how much I LOVE "We're going camping, kid. Getcher gear" Beliond. Yes, that was exactly what Legolas needed! Author Reply: Ain't that the truth? Beliond is great. I think I need to design some "I heart Beliond" buttons or bumper stickers and sell them.

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