News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| The Spy by daw the minstrel | 41 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| Happy birthday, Nilmandra! Can't think of a nicer gift than a story written in your behalf for your special day by none other than Daw the Minstrel - and about Beliond, of all Elves! Quite an honor indeed. Daw, I loved every moment of this tale. That Beliond is one slick spy! I laughed and laughed all the way through as you revealed from moment to moment some of the newer layers of Beliond's "qualities" that were hinted at before but never so fully developed until now. Quite the character, this Beliond of yours. Thranduil knows how to pick em - spies and/or "nanas." I thought it was touching that you revived for your readers some of Beliond's past life when he had a family, especially the songs of love he used to sing to his wife while she was still in Arda. Yet, despite all of his tragedies, Beliond seems to be tough, well-rounded, with still enough semi-sweet, semi-soft parts intact on the inside to make all the female fans line around the block for him. Had I been one of the giggling maidens in attendance in this story, I believe I would have noticed more about Beliond than just his nice backside! Love this OC of yours. Glad to know that you are full steam ahead on your young adult novel project. I'm quite excited for you and eagerly awaiting your first publication. Please keep yours fans in the loop as to how you are progressing. You are a marvel, Daw! Keep up the good work! All my best, BG Author Reply: It took me a while to think of how an elf spy might operate among men. He can't take on a new identity very easily because his appearance is different. But Beliond just bulls his way through the china shop and makes everyone behave as he thinks they should. I love the guy! And then he thought about his lost friends and family, and he was beautiful as well as funny for me. I hope there's publication some day, but I'm not holding my breath. In the meantime though, I'm wrestling with interesting puzzles in changing the story. | |
| Ithiliel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| *grins* You sure know how to make a girl proud to be a Beliond fan... I loved this story! It was written for Nilmandra, of course, but you'd think that it was everyone's birthday. Beliond is such a treat! I think my favorite part was Beliond remembering the songs. For all his "tough-guy" attitude, there's a kind-hearted man hiding under that shell. Good to see him putting his skill to use! Of course, the readers all cackle evilly at the end. Nobody "manages" Thranduil, and our one-man SWAT team is about to become "Nana." Oh, if only he knew... This was a really great story! Thank you for sharing it with us. :) -Ithiliel P.S. Happy birthday to Nilmandra! Author Reply: I tend to shy away from writing all OC stories, but I knew Nilmandra had a soft spot for Beliond (she won't let me hurt him!), and once I got going on this, it was a lot of fun. He's a good POV character because he has a distinctive tone but is still unpredictable in what he does. I laughed at the "one-man SWAT team." He sure set that town on its ear and they'll never know how it happened! | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| "Come home, old friend. I have a special task for you..." Ai, Beliond, your days as a spy are over and your new job description 'Nana, extraordinaire' is just waiting for you! LOL Daw, this was a wonderful insight into the many talents of Beliond! He is so funny - so distrustful (is that a word?) and so inventive! I loved the little snippets and peeks of life in that town of Rhun (the market, the guards at the gate, the bread being withheld to get more information, the minstrel with the nice legs...) and Beliond's reaction to each thing (the short tunic and his feeling of being "airy" down below...and he kept tugging at that tunic LOL, the purse snatching was great, too). He's such a grump, but so very good at what he does and he certainly would come to the aid of a ruler with a temper and the inspirational curses to match! :-) Still, there were little glimpses of the sadness that lives in him (I thought him thinking of the songs he has sung over the years, especially the ones sung to his wife) was very sad and lonely. I'm glad Thranduil thinks he needs to be home and that the King has just the job for him that will eventually melt that hard casing of ice Beliond has built around his heart. This was a lovely surprise and I'm so glad you posted it. Happy Birthday to Nilmandra, too! linda Author Reply: When you look at what Beliond was doing, you can see why he was ticked off at the idea of guarding this wet-behind-the-ears kid who had been raised in a palace and, so far as Beliond knew, had never set foot away from home! Beliond is indeed good at what he does. He has no self doubt and he's had years to hone his skills -- picking pockets, picking locks, mugging minstrels. But underneath he's a kind and lonely guy, and he needs Legolas at least as much as Legolas needs him. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| What a nice little skill-building exercise for Beliond. But that was entirely too easy. He didn't even break a sweat. Yes, he definitely needs a new challenge; something he's not quite so good at. Something that will stretch him a little. Hmmm... I love this story, Daw. Beliond is so good-hearted and kind in spite of himself, and he's an Elf of many talents - some of which we haven't heard described in quite such frank terms before! He makes a pretty good spy, too. And Happy Birthday to Nilmandra! Author Reply: Something like nursemaiding the smart mouthed youngest son of his king? The one who calls him Nana? Yes, that would stretch him. LOL He is kind-hearted. He takes to the kitchen boy immediately, for instance, and even more telling, the boy takes to him. And he hasn't done anything too bad to the minstrel with the nice legs. Glad you liked it. | |
| moonshine44 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| This was great Daw! A glimpse into the past life of Beliond. What a surprise this was! That elf has more in him than I originaly thought. His plan for helping Abun was amazing, given that it was one elf against many men. And the ending was quite funny. Beliond doesn`t know what he is getting himself into : ) Great story! Author Reply: Beliond has more in him than I originally thought too! Legolas would be dazzled if he knew this story in all its detail. But now Beliond's days as a spy are numbered. He's about to become the bodyguard of the king's youngest son who will irreverantly call him "Nana." But in the long run, that will be good for him. He's been singing to himself alone for too long. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| Oh, this is a wonderful birthday present! Beliond at his finest - minstrel, thief, lock picker, insurrectionist? LOL, I knew he was an elf of many talents, most of which I am sure Thranduil hopes he will not teach to his son. I can see why Beliond was NOT chosen for Eilian. I have it on good authority that the kitchen maids are correct about certain anatomical parts. This, though, is hilarious: He had known Thranduil for a long time and was confident of his ability to manage him. If Beliond only knew what awaited him, he'd run back into the depths of the forest and hide! Sure he can manage Thranduil's assignment...but he doesn't realize how permanent this one is! I think Thranduil has just managed him into a corner. Thank you for a most lovely gift. Author Reply: You're most entirely welcome. I owe you for more than I can say: a great site, incredibly patient and helpful beta reading, and your friendship. Beliond and Eilian: now there's a match made in hell. But Eilian would be really impressed if he could see Legolas picking locks and know that Beliond had taught him. Thranduil? Not so much. And Beliond is about to acquire the nickname "nana." LOL. Geez he's gonna hate it. | |
| Socket | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| Oh, wow, a stand-alone story about one of your OCs. Fantastic! Beliond is a great character to pick, he's so intriguing. Can't wait to see how this develops. Author Reply: Sorry, Socket! This is all the development that's going to happen. Beliond is on his way home to be assigned to play bodyguard to Legolas. And boy will "Nana" hate that! | |
| Elemmíre | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| That was nice :) Author Reply: Glad you liked it. :) | |
| Brazgirl | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| Wow!!! A fic just with Beliond!!! What a gift for Nilmandra and for us all. Great to read from you again. And it is good to read Beliond's sarcasm and know he can be embarassed with somethings... ;-) A lovely read to end my day! Thank you. Author Reply: Beliond is a lot of fun to write about. He has such a distinctive attitude that it's easy to build language and situations around him. I've sometimes tried to picture his life before Legolas, and this is what I came up with. | |
| ScarlettPendragon | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| OH DAW!! What a fantastic story!! If Nilmandra needs a Vice President or Scretary-Treasurer for the Beliond Fan Club, just let me know!! I think I have a pretty good idea of just what the "special task" Thranduil has for Beliond is!! I would love to eavesdrop on that meeting!! ;>) I love the way you can draw a complete picture of your characters, even in just a few words!! Lord Abun, the little boy, the kitchen maids, and the Sargeant all came alive for me in this story!! It is a difficult skill and one you have definitely mastered!! And best of all, no crying for me!! No deaths, no encroachment of the Shadow on the Woodland Realm, just a romp in town for our intrepid spy!! Thank you again for an amazing story!! I look forward to your next adventure - whenever you write it, I'll be waiting!! Scarlett Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Scarlett. And it didn't get you sent home from work or anything! Beliond is about to be nicknamed 'Nana,' much to his disgust. But he needs to home. He's been alone and singing only to himself for far too long. What you said about the minor characters coming alive makes me feel really good! | |