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| The Spy by daw the minstrel | 57 Review(s) |
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| Lamiel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2005 |
| This is a wonderful tale, and it is a treat to see Beliond shine on his own. Really I know your little corner of Tolkien's universe so well by now that it didn't even feel like I was reading about an OC. This line so perfectly sums up Beliond's character, "if one of the town’s inhabitants had told him that the day was sunny, he would have immediately pulled his hood forward to keep the rain out of his face." Ha! Brilliant! Really, that is like one of the exercises they teach in creative writing class, "How to show a character's personality in one sentence." The story is wonderfully told, and a great pleasure to read. Author Reply: Really, that is like one of the exercises they teach in creative writing class, "How to show a character's personality in one sentence." Wow. That makes me feel really good. I'm totally untrained at this, and I sometimes feel so pig ignorant, like I'm just floundering along. I think I know my corner of Tolkien's world pretty well by now too, but then someone like Beliond will come along and offer to let me write about a new part of it. This was fun to do. I've been spending the last few weeks experimenting with converting one of my stories (Growing Under Shadow) into an original young adult novel, and I'm just astounded as how much difference it's made to create a world of my own. The longer I work at it, the less the story I'm writing resembles Growing Under Shadow. I'm enjoying that discovery too. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2005 |
| At last I have a chance to sit down and review this. I had to come forearmed, you see. I got a persistent earworm from your last story, and I might have picked up another one from this story, so I checked out a book of Henry Purcell's naughty catches from the library to have to hand. I think Beliond would like the work of Mr. Purcell very much, given his appreciation of a good streak of blue language and the song about the maiden and the goat. Speaking of which, one thing he should know about Men is that, when it comes to entertainment, the lowest common denominator is always in fashion. When in doubt, sing the one about the maiden and the goat. Or the two ladies and the farting contest. He does seem to have an odd set of talents, doesn't he? I kind of like that he plays the harp; it's such a delicate instrument, and it seems completely at odds with the rough, gruff exterior that he likes to project. It does say something about him, that he keeps all these little tender things so hidden and so buried deep down inside. He's a very private person, and I like that about him. He also seems to have a habit of borrowing trouble. Thranduil probably noticed that about him and decided that he needed something to do. And thus did Beliond become "Nana." Awwww. Author Reply: Do you mean you have a song in mind that Beliond might have sung? One of Purcell's? Or did Purcell do some earthy songs I don't know about? Writing cuss phrases for a Beliond story is a lot of fun. I'm usually pretty conservative about language, but Beliond brings out a creative streak in me. Particularly given that the men in this town had kept their womenfolk from the lord's hall, the song about the maiden and the goat might have gone down a treat. But Beliond is still an elf, and he gave them a musical gift they didn't expect. I love the guy. He has this tender, loving side that he's surrounded with a crusty shell. I think Thranduil probably brought him home so that the shell wouldn't have a chance to grow any thicker. | |
| thechevin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2005 |
| If this turns out to be the second review for this story from me then the first one didn't disappear into the ether as I feared I really enjoyed seeing the otherside of Beliond before he became keeper to the king's youngest son. He certainly led an interesting life prior to becoming 'nana'. I wonder if Thranduil was aware of all his little extra curricular skills that he might decide to pass onto Legolas purse snatching, lock breaking, abduction of innocent minstrels the list goes on this was a joy to read thank you Author Reply: This is the only review I see, so you read your computer's bad ways accurately! I've been thinking for a while about what Beliond's life as a spy was like. Nilmandra's birthday was the perfect occasion to write about it. He had to think on his feet and he was good at it too. No wonder he was horrified at being made nursemaid to Thranduil's youngest son. Surely Thranduil knew about some of Beliond's skills. Many of them would be useful as a spy. But he probably thought Beliond had enough sense not to teach them to Legolas. Or maybe not. I can't help but wonder what skills Thranduil has that we haven't seen either. :-) | |
| Yanic | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2005 |
| That was awesome! When I first read the description of it I got so excited and the story just made me even happier! I LOVE Beliond!!! I was laughing so hard at all the little Beliond-isms that were in there, especially his respect for a man who can "express himself" HAHAH! I really think you did a wonderful job with Beliond and I really hope you might consider to do another one, because it's just too funny! Author Reply: Beliond seems to have a lot of fans, which would probably appall him! I can't see him wanting fangirls coming his way, although he'd probably be smug about having them too, now that I think of it. I enjoy writing humor and don't get enough chance to do it. Beliond is a rich seam to be mined for funny stuff. Even the swear words just come rolling out of me when I write about him, and I'm normally pretty reserved. | |
| LOTRFaith | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2005 |
| I was laughing my head off in quite a bit of this... lol... Absolutely hilarious :-) I loved it... Reminded me a little bit of The Pacifier... :-D Wow... That must have been some shock for Beliond. From being a spy to a 'nursemaid' to the king's 'spoiled' son. :-D lol... Hmm... But I think that both parties were able to learn a lot from each other... Great story!!! Author Reply: Thranduil did a good thing when he put Legolas and Beliond together. He must have known that given the loss of his own son, Beliond would never let harm come to Legolas, even with Legolas fighting him every step of the way. And Beliond needs to care for someone again. He's been singing for himself alone for long enough. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/21/2005 |
| Ah, Beliond at his finest! He's certainly a jack-of-all-trades: minstrel, psychologist, pickpocket, lock pick, plotter-of-ruin, and on top of all this, he's got a nice bum. One of the things that struck me was how the kitchen boy immediately trusted him. This is a nice little foreshadowing for his future job. Despite his somewhat out-of-place appearance and his unfamiliarity to the boy, the kid could see that he's a good guy. Down the road, even when he's a tad grumpy, we can see that he's good with the younger guys. One in particular. Beliond's not nearly as sly as he thought though, because Thranduil figured him out and 'managed' him quite well. But...what happened to the minstrel? He had escaped when Beliond went back to untie him. I know we're supposed to speculate and that it's really not important one way or another, but I couldn't help but wonder what this poor guy thought. Here he thought he had a nice gig and the next thing he knows, he's tied up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey and someone has stolen his limelight...and his harp...and his cap. I bet he was miffed! Delightful story. And what a wonderful gift for Nilmandra. I truly enjoyed it. Happy Birthday to Nilmandra! Karen Author Reply: I hadn't thought about the kitchen boy in connection with Legolas, but you're so right. The kid trusted him and saw him as an ally. I wanted to smack the steward when he hit the kid, but the kid was tough and Beliond took care of the steward. The minstrel? Hmmm. He went to complain to the guards. After he found them and they were done with the bad guy, he led them back to the scene of the crime and there, lo and behold, were his clothes and his harp. How's that? | |
| 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. | |