News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| The Tide of Times by daw the minstrel | 28 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| mer | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/25/2003 |
| Another beautifully written chapter. I was so moved in many ways. Thanks for another wonderful story. I truly hope for another one. I could say more but I am such an emotional person... Author Reply: Thank you, mer. I've been writing fan fiction for almost a year now, and I am still enjoying it immensely, so I think you can be sure that another story is in the works. I have a long list of things I want to write about, but at the moment, I really have to see how Legolas and Beliond work things out during his first few months as a warrior! | |
| Antigone_Q | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/25/2003 |
| Lovely study in contrasts: Sinnarn-the-Elfling vs. Legolas-the-adult, desire vs. duty, Legolas needing care vs. providing for others. Also, I hadn't noticed before, but there seems to be a lot of going away from home and returning. Everything "has a season" and the cycles continue - very nice! You have also, by the way, made a very good completion of "Growing Under Shadow": Legolas goes out to hunt a buck, really not ready to hunt by himself and never catching it, but in this story, of course, he is required as an adult to go alone and bring back venison, and he feeds his friends and family. I absolutely loved the coming-of-age ceremony. For some reason I very much enjoy reading different interpretations of Elvish customs. I thought Legolas' ceremony was very touching. Thranduil was sweet. I was sad right along with Thranduil that he and Eilian didn't connect as well as he did with his other children. Funny, because Eilian has inherited a lot of his father's protectiveness, he just shows it in a different way. The mischievous part of me sort of hopes that Eilian has children that are just like him. I think it would give him a little more sympathy for his father. Thranduil took Alfrin's discussion very well - better, I think, than if Ithilden had brought it up. Family dynamics are funny things, aren't they? I am glad Eilian took the role Legolas' mother would have taken in the ceremony. I remember him as being sort of the maternal character in Growing Under Shadow and When Shadow touches home. And I think Legolas must have appreciated the thoughtfulness of his brother coming home and his standing in. (Didn't I say Eilian needs some Elflings of his own? Oh, well, I know there has to be a sequel coming involving Eilian at some point, because you've left Celuwen/Eilian up in the air, and the rune of protection, too, and besides that, all the major characters have ended up in the tub except Eilian. So I'm sure you'll come back to him). Now this is funny, because, while I'm not as worried about Legolas as his family is (after all, he has to last long enough to go to Rivendell for the Council), _I_ am sad that he has been posted on the eastern border, because _I_ am going to miss his family while he's gone. I'll be reading all about his adventures and loving them, but I'm sure I'll be wondering the whole time what Sinnarn is up to, and what's up with Eilian (ah, Eilian!) and who Thranduil is worrying about that day. Write more, please, Daw: write lots and lots! Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the ceremony. Nilmandra and I brainstormed about what a coming of age ceremony might look like when she was writing one for Elrond in "History Lessons," and a lot of the ideas emerged then. Hers is amusing because it takes place on a battlefield where they've already missed too many meals and too much sleep, so they basically toss Elrond in an icy river, warm him up again, and go straight to the feasting. In my head, Eilian already has a daughter whom he spoils rotten, much to Celuwen's exasperation. He's a very loving guy; Celuwen is right about that. He has always loved Legolas in that unreserved way that we associate with mothers, I think. And as an author, I am also a little worried about Legolas leaving home because it will make it harder for me to get all the characters together. Even up until now, I've had to work hard to bring Eilian in contact with everyone else sometimes. Hm. I'll have to think on that one. Thank you for the lovely long review! | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| This chapter was a complete triumph. Was it difficult to write? It just struck me as somewhat complex in the range of different emotions to the point that it unsettled me slightly – which is its genius, I think, because while Legolas takes this step into adulthood it is the emotions of those around him that show the true significance of the day. The different parts of the ritual were beautiful and clearly well thought out. I loved the flashbacks during the ceremony itself. It’s interesting to see the scenes that stand out in Thranduil’s mind – they all seem to be filled with pride on his part and little moments of Legolas unexpectedly proving his worth. I really enjoyed watching Legolas reach this moment that he had been longing for – isn’t it strange to hear him being called ‘Lord’ Legolas?! – but like I say, I thought the best thing about this chapter were the glimpses almost ‘behind the scenes’. I’m glad that Alfirin spoke to Thranduil. That must have taken some courage, and I’m equally glad that he accepted her views and admitted his tendency to take control. Annael and Elowen went! Legolas will really miss his friend when they’re split up. I really like the way Annael looked after Legolas and knew what he wanted before Legolas did himself. And poor Elowen. I breathed a sigh of relief when Thelion went over to her in an attempt to rescue her from her thoughts. Ah Thranduil. I hope he doesn’t dwell too much on childhood left behind. You did an amazing job with him here. It was such a beautiful picture of him bathing his son, just as he did when he was a helpless elfling. It was so sad that he suddenly realised that life in Mirkwood means that a weapon is considered a great gift and a sign of adulthood. I was just thinking how hard it must have been for him to watch this last child of his enter adulthood at this time when the son he last performed this ceremony with is standing by, deep in despair from the weight of the shadow and all that life has thrown at him. He must surely wonder if this is also in the future of this excited young elf standing before him. I cried for Eilian in this chapter. I was so relieved that Thranduil reacted immediately on instinct and sent for the healer. I couldn’t bear the thought of Eilian suffering any more. The saddest part for me was Thranduil admitting to himself that his tie to Eilian was the weakest. You showed so well, though, how the shadow has affected him. His spirit seems to be completely despairing. This melancholy elf isn’t the Eilian we all know and love! Ithilden is right to take him out of the south for a while. I just wish Eilian wouldn’t fight it. I’ve become so attached to these characters that it actually hurts to see him so angry all the time! I think I had the same reaction as Thranduil, by the way, at Eilian giving Legolas his protection charm. It was such a selfless gift but Eilian without protection worries me! I really can’t wait to see how he fares. It’ll be strange now if Legolas leaves home – what’ll happen all the rest of these characters?! I’ve probably left out half the things I should have said, but suffice to say I thought it was a truly brilliant chapter:) Author Reply: In the last couple of days, I've been watching the extended DVD of TTT. And at one point, Peter Jackson says that when they shot the battle of Helm's Deep, he decided that they needed to see the human side of battle, that what mattered was what people were feeling and experiencing in the midst of this huge event. That rang true to me. It's what I try to do in battle scenes and in this chapter too. I think what we care about is how people feel and react. I was afraid that this chapter, with all the ritual, would feel too distant and dehumanized. It needed to be ritualistic, which is not everyday stuff, but we still needed to feel along with these characters, so I concentrated on their feelings, working that in wherever I could. And Eilian turned out to be key. I knew I wanted Eilian present for the ceremony. That's been in my outline from the start. But when he left Legolas without saying goodbye after the fire, it occurred to me that he was unhappy. And as soon as I wrote the greeting between him and Thranduil, I could feel the whole emotional balance of the chapter changing. There was this dark piece running along side the elation and high feeling of the coming of age. It seemed to ground it. Oh dear. I seem to be taking myself much too seriously. I am just writing fan fic after all. But I have a really good time doing it! | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| I have only one thing to say - you WILL tell us how he fares on the Eastern border, won't you? There was so much I liked about this chapter - the coming of age ritual was so symbolic, Legolas providing for his people, and I loved Thranduil's memories of his son as an elfling. So Legolas is now officially an adult - but Thranduil and his family will not stop caring and worrying. I am reminded of my own son - 19, and legally adult in the UK, driving and working - but he is still my son, living at home, to whom I say 'Don't be too late home!' when he goes out. Jay Author Reply: I think a story about Legolas (and Beliond) on the eastern border is in order. I just need to devise a plot! Thranduil still worries about Eilian, who is 60 years older than Legolas. I can't imagine he will let Legolas go very easily, but at least the kid will be out of sight. | |
| JustMe | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| Your description of the coming of age ceremony was awesome! I could visualize the entire thing based on your verbal description. I really loved the little "flashbacks" running through the minds of the participants. That really made me feel like a part of the family! I was really glad that Eilian could make it to the ceremony, I think it meant alot to Legolas to have him there. It was really thoughtful of him to take his naneth's place and present his brother with a token. I had to laugh at Eilian's reaction to the news that Legolas would be posted to a border patrol! Of all the people to worry about an assignment being dangerous...! The "dance" between Sinnarn and Ithilden was precious beyond words. These are the moments that an Ada has to make the most of, because as Eilian points out, they won't last long enough! A commander's job is never easy, is it? On one hand he has made one brother very happy, but the other one is very much less than pleased with his decision. I loved Ithilden's thought that Eilian was a pain in the "backside". That was great!! Made me giggle out loud! I can't wait to see how you develop the relationship between Legolas and Beliond. Sounds like neither one of them is too pleased with the "partnership" right now. Once they get over their initial displeasure, I hope they are able to come to some sort of understanding - it sure will be interesting to see what happens next! Author Reply: I enjoyed writing the flashbacks. The chance to do them was the primary reason I didn't tell that part of the story from Legolas's point of view. And there is a lot of irony in Eilian's sheltering of his little brother. When he came of age, he spent 6 months in the Home Guard and made such a pain of himself that Ithilden agreed to send him to the Southern Patrol! The idea of serious, overburdened Ithilden laughing and dancing with his son in his arms made me smile too. I hope it will be a few years yet before Sinnarn drives him as crazy as his brothers do. I think I'll have to write about Legolas's first few months as a warrior next. He and Beliond are too good to resist! | |
| caz - baz | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| we won! yay we won the rugby world cup! we are the champions! yay! but my brother plays rugby for his 1st team and he always comes home bruised so far this season he's been - kicked in the face - 4 black eyes (not all at once) - bruised ribs and other parts cuts and scrapes all over and you get the picture his best friend broke his arm but the stupid NHS said it was nothing to worry about and he carried on playing rugby with it for 7 weeks before the doctors finally realised it was broken, stupid NHS! any way thats great! yay. better go got histoire. Author Reply: Congratulations! Your brother sounds tough enough to withstand warrior training! | |
| LOTRFaith | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| Poor Ithilden. In some ways he has more responsibilities than Thranduil does. And he probably has to face more irrate warriors than Thranduil does as well. lol. Poor Eilian, a break is just what he needs, but is something that doesn't seem to rest upon his shoulders to well. I can see how Thranduil and Elilian can't really get along, in many ways they are both the same, and in that they seem to differ. :-) If that makes any sense. I loved how Alfirin asked Thranduil to not interfer with parenting Sinnarn. I liked how despite Thranduil is her father-in-law, she still feels as though she can approach him as if he was her own adar. :-) Namaarie! LOTRFaith Author Reply: I suspect Thranduil sees his share of irate visitors. The settlers are his responsibility under normal circumstances, for instance. But Ithilden does carry a heavy burden and he does it so well. In my opinion, if Thranduil would make it clear that he approves of Eilian, Eilian would make more effort to behave in a way his father approves of (if that makes any sense!). | |
| naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| This chapter had too many wonderful moments to mention them all. This truly was a bittersweet chapter. The joy of seeing their son/baby brother grow up was so wrapped up in memories and the sadness of seeing their son/baby brother grow up that it tugged powerfully on my heartstrings. They grow so quickly! Thank goodness for those moments Legolas was called "my lord"! His bemusement gave me a chuckle each time. But his reaction to Maldor was the best, along with Eilian's statement that tomorrow he would go back to being "Legolas are you bored?" on the training fields. That was one of your best lines ever. Again, I am just amazed at your ability to "give birth" to these incredible ceremonies and traditions. What an amazing and complex mind you have! I am really looking forward to Legolas and his "keeper" working things out, that promises to be interesting! The two of them are in for some grand adventures , I'm sure. This story is just so wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us! Author Reply: Legolas's family is having a hard time letting him go and so am I! I have to share credit for the coming of age ceremony with my beta, Nilmandra. We brainstormed about what one would look like when she was writing about Elrond coming of age in "History Lessons." Mine shares many moments (a bath, for instance, although poor Elrond was tossed in a cold river) and also differs because it does not take place on a battlefield and is carried out by Wood-elves millennia after Elrond's. But I think you could see a thread connecting them. My guess is that Maldor would be extra careful to keep "Lord Legolas" in line the next time he shows up on the training field! | |
| Jebb | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| Good job I stocked up on tissues as this had me crying from start to finish.The coming of age ceremony was stunning the detail amazing and exactly what I would think such a ceremony would entail. Poor Eilian so much angst but I am glad he was able to be there for Legolas. Thranduil and Alfirin come to an understanding but I don't think he will let go that easily! Especially since his own baby will soon be gone and of course Ithilden the rock on which his brothers and father have come to depend. So sorry this story has reached its conclusion but I look forward to many others some with Legolas exploring his new status as an adult and some I hope as an elfling Legolas with much interaction with his adar and brothers thank you for your wonderful writing Author Reply: Is it wrong of me to be glad I made you cry? One of the things my last couple of stories have done is given me a much firmer grasp on the character of Ithilden, who was the OC I had the hardest time pinning down. I have come to admire him and think that his family and people are lucky to have him. I do want to do some more young Legolas stories. It's too much fun not to. | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/24/2003 |
| Oh my, I am now so worried about Eilian, but at once pleased. I do hope that being in the Border Patrol will give him time to really consider and spend time with Celuwen. I think this next part of Eilian's life will bring a strange peace for him despite the encroaching Shadow. I look forward to reading about Legolas' experiences in the Border Patrol. Although probably a busy time with Thanksgiving and all, I do very much look forward to your next story! Author Reply: I have to cook turkey, so I'm not sure how much I'll write this week, but I'm looking forward to doing a border patrol story. I'm thinking that Eilian and Celuwen may have to wait a while yet to have a peaceful time together. :-( | |