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A Spring of Joy by daw the minstrel	270 Review(s)
The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
I've had to take a little time to think about my review. Not because I have anything negative to say, but because I have so many things bumping around my head that I wasn't sure how to organize my thoughts. First off, despite your reservations about this story, I think it's one of your best. As each chapter progressed, the tension just wound tighter and tighter. By the time we got to the last chapter, the coil was wound so tightly that the tension was almost unbearable. Of course, Tolkien's world is fiction, but I think the plot of the story is so appealing to readers because it's so relevant to the world in his time and in ours now. He created characters who rose above the terror and trials of battling evil by choosing to do the right thing. We have characters who are loyal, brave, self-sacrificing and determined despite overwhelming odds that they will most likely perish. Your story captures the essence of these qualities in your characters. Mirkwood was unique in that it was the only known Elven realm of that time without the protection of a ring of power, and it's people were constantly under assault. In one of your earlier stories you said that Eilian thought that his father kept the shadow from their door simply by his strength of will. In this story, we see that not only was Thranduil's strength of will the barrier that kept his people safe, but the woodland people themselves were possessed of the same kind of determination as their king. We can easily see why Thranduil was considered the greatest of all Elven kings, but we also see that he was supported by people who helped him reach that height. When Legolas realized how much strength Ithilden drew from Alfirin, Ithilden and Alfirin seemed to parallel the relationship of Thranduil and his people. Both relationships are closely bound in mutual support. The loss of peace and the loss of life go hand in hand. My favorite line: There before Legolas stood the king of the Woodland Realm, one who would fight the Shadow for every inch of soil, every rock, and every tree, and if by some mischance, an enemy overcame him, he would grasp it by the neck to drag it down with him and spit in its face as he did so. This is a beautiful description of the unmovable determination of the king in the face of such a personal loss. Sinnarn's loss was felt by everyone, and each in their own way held up someone else. Everyone seemed to know that Sinnarn's and Tynd's deaths were symbolic for all the losses that the woodland people had known and would know again in the future. They were markers for the death of peace. Dol Guldur was occupied again, but the people stood firm with resolve. Emmelin and Elowen's leaving didn't seem to be an escape from evil, but a symbolic step toward healing the hurts done to the realm. Gosh, I know this sounds like a bad high school book report, but the whole story seemed to me to be about so much more than just a couple of scouting trips and the loss of a family member. I could be wrong...:>) However, I can't tell you enough how wonderful I thought this story was. You outdid yourself. Karen Author Reply: Thank you, Karen. Your praise means a lot because you give it with such consideration. I learn about my own stories from reading your reviews. I think this review really articulates what I admire in Tolkien's characters: they've made clear decision to do what's right and they do it no matter what the cost to themselves. In thinking about Ithilden and Alfirin, it seemed to me that we might assume he was the strong one and she leaned on him. And she probably did. But I think his strength comes partly from her, as Thranduil's strength comes from the woods and the Silvan people. What a determined lot they were! They may not have been particularly disciplined fighters under Gil-galad, but they never lacked for courage. The idea of Elowen and Emmelin going west together comforted me, I have to say. They would take care of one another. And poor Elowen needed to see Siondel again. I think he'll be waiting for her. In my head, this story has been about what people do in the face of great loss. The personal loss of Sinnarn is connected to the greater loss of the peace and is set against it. Thank you for being such thoughtful words, Karen.

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
Eeeek. So many of the wonderful reviewers here at SOA make me feel so inadequate... I'm afraid that's a permanent state now that I've read Dot's lovely poem... - Barbara, the wholly inadequate reviewer (but loyal and appreciative reader) (um, except when you make her cry...) Author Reply: I'm just floored by that poem. I love the reviewers at SoA. They're articulate and bright and informed. And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
"His name is Sinnarn," he said, "for his life will be a new story to be woven with all the others in the song of Arda." Ithilden, One Year in Mirkwood When a future of peace seems so far away And Shadow grows closer every day What better way to seize a moment of joy Than to rejoice at the birth of a baby boy The grandson longed for by the king for years Was greeted with smiles and joyful tears His parents loved him from his first cry He would ever be the apple of his grandfather’s eye The child was dark-haired and fair of face Full of mischief, life and grace He thrived in a home of love and of light Sheltered from the dangers he would one day fight He learned to swim at his father’s side He learned to climb and he learned to ride He learned of duty and honour, of the sword and the bow All the warrior skills he needed to know His father gave him a harp and together they’d sing, Both grateful for the comfort it would bring It never failed to lift him out of despair When he was troubled by worry and care For sometimes he struggled as his father’s heir Duty seemed a burden too heavy to bear A good warrior and full of courage was he But he oftentimes thoughtless or careless could be Open and eager to meet Dwarves and Men His curiosity took over time and again Still slowly he proved he was someone to trust Who would protect his home as long as he must One day he was truly put to the test When with too much wine he lay down to rest And prisoners escaped while under his care, Found too late, though the Elves searched everywhere He had been tricked, though they did not yet know And so his punishment came as a very harsh blow He felt the disgrace, saw his family’s pain But knew that in hiding there was nothing to gain He remembered all he knew of courage and tried To learn this lesson with dignity and pride Quietly and bravely he rebuilt once more The good reputation he’d had before A great battle followed, of which tales are still told And the warriors welcomed him back to the fold Proudly he swore to do what his duty would ask He pulled out his sword and turned to the task He fought with his friends for his home and his king Knowing the dangers that battle would bring Around him friends fell and Death drew near Yet on he went and fought without fear Till he too was injured and almost died For something started by lust and by pride The battle was won, there were rumours of peace But deep down he felt a sense of unease He knew that the peace was unlikely to last Shadow would return as it had in the past He turned to what he treasured most in his life His home, his people, and now his new wife In love and in peace he found anew His joyful spirit and great happiness too Though he still believed a time would come when Shadow would stir in the south again And evil did come to the forest once more Yet something seemed different than it had before Someone was needed to go and to see What this new danger could possibly be So he knew with never the smallest of doubt To protect his home he had to find out The threat to them, if there was any way That this new evil could be kept at bay Off he went with courage in his heart Prepared once more to do his part But no matter how much strength he tried to show He had no hope against this foe Fate had decreed this was the end For Sinnarn, beloved son, husband and friend The hearts of his family filled with dread As his brave soul to Mandos fled To us his death seems so very wrong But he played his part in Arda’s song We remember his courage and his heart so true His gift of finding joy and of spreading it too Author Reply: Oh. My. God. I can't believe you did this, Dot. Holy cow. I'm just so honored and flabbergasted and moved. Thank you so much. I need better words to tell you how much I treasure this. Author Reply: I was rereading these reviews this morning, Dot, telling myself that I can write stuff that doesn't suck. And I came to this poem. I have tears in my eyes. You are amazing to do this.

sofia	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
just reading the chapter title made me very nervous. Facing Loss! A few paragraphs in I immediately thought Sinnarn died because of Ithilden and Emmelin's reaction... I can't believe you killed Sinnarn off. I never really cared deeply about Sinnarn like I did with Eilian and Ithilden, and Legolas, and their bodygaurds but still it was a shock. More grief. And of course you brought me to tears again. I liked Beliond's part in in Sinnarn's funeral. It was sweet. The funeral scene was written out very well. Another brilliant story, I might add. -sofia Author Reply: Thank you, Sofia. I can't believe I killed Sinnarn either! But I thought it was necessary to drive home the seriousness of the return of the Shadow. Beliond is a surprising guy sometimes. I don't think he'd like being called "sweet" though, so I won't tell him you said that. :-)

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
Yippee! My hotel room has wireless internet access! Having said that - Daw, what a sad chapter. It came as no surprise that poor Sinnarn was dead, we'd all worked that out - but the pain of his wife, of Ithilden and Alfirin, and especially Thranduil (who has seen so much loss already) was very vivid. I felt for Eilian as well - he's so much a warrior he doesn't blame himself, but this is his nephew. The scene between Thranduil and Eilian was very poignant. I loved the final image of Thranduil, the Elven King. He's so Churchillian. 'We shall fight them in the trees and the clearings. We shall fight them in the meadows. We will never surrender!' Jay Author Reply: I'm in Texas, and my hotel room has internet access too! How did we ever get along without it? It occurred to me as I was reading the reviews of this chapter that readers waited in much the same condition that Sinnarn's family did. They knew he was probably dead, but they didn't want to believe it. I felt bad for Eilian too. He needed his father to tell him that he was not to blame. He knew that in his head, but facing Ithilden must still have been hard. LOL about Thranduil and Churchill. In my head, Thranduil is much better looking.

nessie	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
Wow. And you called this 'A Spring of Joy'? There's babies being stolen, fawns being ripped to pieces, beloved characters dying, Nazgul coming...Joy indeed! But this is terrible (Sinnarn being dead). I mean, we saw Sinnarn grow up! You really had me balling here. Really. I haven't cried so much in a fanfiction story since Turgon died, actually. And I was wondering where Amdir went. But I'm glad he spoke here. But ooh! Poor Ithilden and Alfirin! You should never outlive your children. Or your grandchildren, for that matter. I feel so bad for the royal family right now. And Elowen's leaving with Emmelin! I'll miss them, Elowen especially. She really was like a surrogate mother to Legolas. But anyways, besides the fact that this story's SAD, it's still great like all your others. Can't wait til' you come out with the next one! ~nessie~ Author Reply: I know. The title is ironic. At the end of The Hobbit, Tolkien says that the wood elves looked forward to a spring of joy after long winter. This story is set just 10 years later, and the spring has been much too short. I feel bad about Sinnarn too. As you say, we've seen him grow up and struggle and overcome some real failures. But what's good to remember is that elves don't die. Their fea is separated from their body, true. But eventually they get reincarnated in Valinor. Thank you for saying good things. I truly appreciate it.

jambaby1963	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
That was a very moving story. I am glad I finally found my way, through a link on another page, back to Stories of Arda. I like fanfiction, but I have to read many lessor quality stories to find one there of high quality. Stories of Arda is always filled with quality stories, of which I think I enjoy yours the most. I hope you have many more in store, and perhaps a story someday when the elf prince meets a certain ranger. I am eager to know your take on their relationship. Annette (jambaby) Author Reply: Jambaby-- How nice to see you again! I'm glad you found your way to SoA. It's the best site for LOTR fanfic right now, I think. Plus it always works! I have Legolas and Aragorn together in "Question of Duty," but I also imply that they saw one another when Aragorn took Gollum to Mirkwood and I've never written about that. Maybe someday!

Brazgirl	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
Oh my. Such a sad chapter. I am sad Sinnarn died, even more when I read his family's reaction. I wonder how Ithilden must have felt, since he was the one who send his own son to his death. I think it was his time, because he almost died in the battle of the five armies... but I'll miss him. Beliond was nice!!! And surprising. What I really like is the key you left in Legolas' heart in the end, when he swore to vanquish the source of his nephew's death. It was touching and a nice explanation for his joining in the Fellowship. Author Reply: Thank you, Brazgirl. I'm kind of sad too. I'm fond of all my characters, so I hated to kill Sinnarn, but I wanted to drive home the fact that the return of the Shadow was going to cause pain to Thranduil's people. The personal off of Sinnarn and the loss of the peace are intertwined. When I had Beliond speaking at Sinnarn's funeral, I was thinking about how Beliond liked to tease Sinnarn and vice versa. And yes, I think Legolas is just about ready to join the Fellowship.

Leaward	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
wipes tears So well done, Daw. And hopefully Emmelin will see Sinnarn soon. I like how Legolas sees the difference between 'his father' and 'the king' and takes comfort in that. And a lovely way of saying good-bye too. And so from a 'spring of joy' to a winter of discontent ... Author Reply: Thank you, Leaward. I fervently hope that all of the people are reunited with their lost ones soon. daw

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/1/2005
This is going to sound silly, but I'm just too depressed to comment properly. Poor Ithilden is so going to blame himself for putting Sinnarn there. If I was Annael and Beliniel, I'd get on that boat too. And I bet Beliond gets killed protecting Thranduil's back while Legolas is down south. Done well, but I wish it had not been done at all. Author Reply: That's ok, Bodkin. I'm a little depressed myself, although I feel better now that it's done. I promise that no one is going to die for a while. The story I have in mind to do next should be lighter, I hope.

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