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On Border Patrol  by Manderly 132 Review(s)
elliskaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2005
Poor Feren and poor Thranduil. You know that's a conversation they had to have had at some point--I just imagine that Thranduil would have prefered it to be later. That conversation was well written. Great job!

Author Reply: Thank you for your kind words. Thranduil cannot be too happy about the decision but he probably knows that it's probably just as difficult for Feren as well. I imagine Legolas will be the only one to be delighted by this decision, while the rest of his family loses sleep over it.

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2005
See, this is why Middle Earth needs more cop dramas. Everyone knows that you pair up the rookie with an old grizzled veteran cop who smokes cheap butts and doses out gruff yet heartfelt life lessons right before the commercial breaks.

I guess it's a tough job to know what to do when the army is the family business. Sounds like this family needs some unrelated aides de camp to help them see things more in the cold light of day. Or else the kids need to move into their own apartments. It seems like a lot of the problem comes from the fact that they have these separate official roles during the day -- King, crown prince, troop commander, warrior -- but then during the evenings, they switch and become Ada and the kids. That can't be an easy thing to do each night.

Probably the best way to get Legolas to accept a bodyguard is to tell him that they're responsible for each other.

Author Reply: Yup, cop dramas would definitely bring dramatic light to Middle Earth. I can't for the life of me though picture an old grizzled elf. I guess they'll need to improvise.

Shuffling between their public roles and private roles cannot be easy. Must be impossible to draw a clear line between the two. Talk about beig a good source for ulcers.

You've brought up an interesting point about bringing in outsiders for some unbiased opinions. I suppose the King's advisors must do that to some extent, but I wonder whether they are brave enough to tell Thranduil what to do with his kids? Interesting.

Your solution about the bodyguard might just work.

Thanks for reviewing!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2005
That must have been a hard decision for them all to make. You showed the argument very nicely, giving the reasoning on both sides. Legolas is not going to like the idea of a guard!

Author Reply: I'm sure more than one member of the family will lose sleep over the decision. Even as I was writing this chapter, I was feeling sorry for Feren as the final decision was up to him and ultimately, he'll bore the brunt of any blame or guilt should things go wrong.

BlaiseReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/18/2005
You made my day! I was so excited to see your name knowing I would soon be reading a new adventure of Legolas and his endearing brothers. So Legolas is getting older...but not quite so old enough. Who doesn't remember (and cringe) that stage of being an adult but not an adult. I love his initial explanation of "unexpected irregularities" HA! Legolas knew there was no way his brothers were going to leave it at that. I can imagine the adrenaline pumping through "bored" Legolas' veins sensing an opportunity to finally prove his worth when that elf ran up seeking aid and then the excruiating letdown of assisting with not one pig but two. How did he restrain himself from groaning out loud and banging his head against the nearest tree?

Poor Legolas has so much pressure on him following in his brother's footsteps, being the youngest, being a prince, living up to their expectations but putting even higher ones on himself and all the time knowing that whatever he does will eventually get back to Feren. I can't wait to travel along with Legolas through the rest of his adventure!

Author Reply: You are so right about the cringe-worthy stage of being nearly an adult, but not quite there yet. I am so glad that I'm far beyond that stage.

Yes, I can see Legolas secretly banging his head against a tree once he realizes the object of his rescue mission. Rescuing stuck pigs cannot possibly be on his agenda of becoming a heroic warrior. What's probably worse is the inevitable teasing that he knows he'll be getting from his brothers once the story spreads. Poor guy. I guess I've made life pretty miserable for him in this chapter. But no fear, he'll prove himself heroic yet as the story progresses (I hope!).

Thanks for reading and reviewing.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/18/2005
Poor Legolas. You'd think he would have given up on trying to be on his dignity around his brothers by now. Especially as he is stuck with their teasing for ever! Unless worse things happen, of course - and he wouldn't want to have them killed just to stop them tormenting him. Still, you're not truly adult until you don't mind being babied by your older relatives. He's still at the defensive, wanting-to-be-taken-seriously stage.

Somehow, the picture of the elf with the pigs has just captured my imagination. And the noble warriors gallantly rescuing said pigs.

I would think another two or three baths. With some really strongly scented soap. Pig smell is - rather intense.

Old enough to know he's sulking, but not quite old enough to laugh it off. Well, as my mother would say, he's at an awkward age.

If only pigs were the worst thing he was going to face here.

Author Reply: Yes, Legolas is at that awkward stage. I cringe at the remembrance of it. I suppose for him, it's even more difficult with a string of accomplished older brothers before him, and a king for a father. That's a lot to live up to, but then we all know that eventually he'll make a reputation for himself. Until then, I guess he will have to put up with the babying and teasing.

Stuck pigs and gallant warriors hardly seem to belong in the same picture. I wonder whether I've been too cruel on poor Legolas.

Thanks for reading and reviewing.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2005
I can just see that poor elf running up to Legolas and begging for help to catch the errant pigs and Legolas closing his eyes and groaning, "Awwww mannnn!" He probably knew he was going to hear about this incident ad nauseum from his older brothers (and they were ALL home, too!). This was a very nice look at the dynamics involved in a close family of males where the youngest is trying his hardest to establish himself as a relevant, serious, adult part of group. I think you did an excellent job capturing his frustration with Feren, especially, who bore the brunt of the youngster's ill temper(who then felt bad about it later...so typical!). Great chapter! Welcome back, Tavaro...and Aldeon...and Feren...and Thranduil (aran brannon *bows deeply*)...and Legolas! And a very large WELCOME BACK to you, Manderly!

linda

Author Reply: So nice to see another familiar name!

"Awwww mannnn!" is right, and probably "Why me?!" added for good measure. Legolas really doesn't have the best of luck, does he? Which is great for people like us who can then happily write about the tales of his misfortune.

It's always a bit of a challenge to write about the interaction between Legolas and Feren (Who am I kidding? It's a challenge to write, period). I don't think I have Feren quite figured out yet, but I am working on him.

The entire Royal Family thanks you for your warm welcome, and I am delighted by the WELCOME BACK as well. Thank you!

P.S. Will we be getting another chapter from you soon?

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2005
Whoo hoo! A new story. I was just thinking the other day that your penname had been awfully quiet. I'm so glad to see you back.

What a good beginning. Legolas is bored stiff and that's usually a good sign that something is going to 'entertain' him shortly. Poor kid. Being the youngest can always be a trial, but when you're at the bottom of the pecking order of four dominant males, you could feel a little less than adequate.

Rescuing pigs is not exactly the glamorous life, but butting heads with orcs isn't all it's cracked to be either. I'm sure Legolas will find out that he's got it much better than he thinks.

I'm looking forward to more! And again, it's so good to see you back!

Karen

Author Reply: Awfully quiet is right - the muses went AWOL. Had quite a time rounding them up, and even now they threaten to abandon me. I can only envy those whose imagination is seldom obstructed by massive writer's block.

Very nice to hear from you again, and it's nice to be writing again (I think).

Being surrounded by accomplished family members can be trying and rescuing stuck pigs is hardly the way to move up the status ladder. However, Legolas will have his wish realized soon enough and hopefully it won't be more than he's bargained for.

Thank you for the review!

("butting heads with orcs isn't all it's cracked to be" -- instant chuckles)


French PonyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2005
What Legolas fails to realize here is that most of the other warriors would give their collective right arm for a chance to spend a day rescuing stuck pigs. I guess it's always hard to have an entry-level position in the family business -- especially with three big brothers who are always ready to tease. A nice beginning, and I suspect that Legolas will be learning a Painful Life Lesson relatively soon.

Author Reply: I guess Legolas is still fresh enough to be bored by the lack of danger. You are so right - other warriors would kill to chase after pigs than running after orcs and whatnots found in Mirkwood. Having three accomplished brothers is probably something pretty hard to live up to and the temmptation is always there to try to outdo them. Legolas will probably learn something by the end of the story, but hopefully it won't be too painful. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

FirnsarnienReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2005
Hi Manderly! :) It was so good to see another story from you! :) I can't wait for more, this chappy is already a jewel. I'm sure the others will be too. You have such a knack for writing about Legolas' family and his relationship with his brothers. I've never seen the family dynamics described so well and with such exquisite detail. Reading your stories is like dining at my favorite restaurant,
I always leave soooo satisfied. Hmmm, well, I should ammend that and say, sometimes your cliffies give me indigestion though! LOLOLOLOL! ;) Hurry with the next chappy!


Author Reply: So nice to hear from you again. I am glad to be writing again too as it's been a while. My mind had been refusing to come up with any passable story lines and even with this one, I am still rather hesitant. Hopefully it'll turn out okay.

Believe it or not, it's always the familiy dynamics that gets me itching to write more about our favourite elf. The bantering between the brothers always comes rather easily to me, but the rest, well ----.

Anyway, the next chapter should not be too distant in the future. Once again, great to hear from you and thanks for such nice words!

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2005
Oh good. :-) Another story. And I think I found the stuck pig incident as amusing as Legolas's family. Poor thing! Pigs are very disagreeable creatures when they are frightened and anxious to escape but worse, I think, are older brothers who just love to tease. That was well done. I doubt Legolas will continue to be plagued by such simple problems, however. I imagine you have something far worse planned for him. Looking forward to seein what it is.

Author Reply: I find the idea of rescuing stuck pigs quite amusing too, though like you said, it's always better to be the spectator than the rescuer in such situations. I guess Legolas' brothers are milking the situation for all its worth as I don't imagine they have too many things to laugh about while on patrol. And you are so right, stuck pigs will be the least of Legolas' problems soon enough. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

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