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The Tide of Times by daw the minstrel	247 Review(s)
The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/23/2003
A very nice wrap-up, daw. The symbolism of the ceremony was well done, but it was Thranduil's remembrances that got to me. Oh my. I was very glad to see Eilian and had wondered if it was acceptable for someone of another gender to take on assigned roles. I always thought that Eilian was the best choice to take his naneth's role. The funny thing about Eilian feeling weighed down by shadow..though I didn't know that was what it was at the time...was how strongly I felt it. You did a terrific job of giving him that heavy slow feeling of despair. Sinnarn was a sweet note...sort of that circle of life thing. And what Eilian said about him being grown in five minutes...well, it's so true. Legolas was certainly thrilled at the news of his posting...Eilian was not. "At least we of the House of Oropher are all consistent, he thought." I chuckled at this...very good. I hoped there for a minute that Ithilden was going to post Eilian to the eastern border, too, but I suppose that would defeat the purpose of giving Legolas sometime without his family hovering. This ended very nicely, but gives you some good fodder for the fire. Eilian and Legolas in new roles...and Thranduil with only Sinnarn to fuss over....yes, new things to consider. I really enjoyed this...just as I do all your stories. Thanks for sharing. Karen Author Reply: I really enjoyed writing Thranduil's remembrances. It was the opportunity to do those that led me to tell the scene through Thranduil's eyes rather than Legolas's. And Eilian had to be there. He has always seemed to me to be maternal toward Legolas, and I don't think he gives a damn about gender roles. Now all he needs is a long vacation. And a bath. Definitely a bath. He missed out in this story. I shall have to atone for that. I know that Legolas needs to be apart from his family. It's right for the character. But I have to say that it makes for challenging writing because it's much harder to get everyone in the same place, and I like family dynamics. I suppose there will be plenty of dynamics with Beliond if I write about that next.

Aly	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/23/2003
I really enjoyed Legolas' coming of age ceremony. Having Eilian show up for it was a nice touch, along with giving Legolas his own protection charm. I just hope that's not forshadowing of something bad happening to Eilian! I don't want to loose him as a character in your stories. Hopefully this time away from the southern patrol will help him to heal from shadow. I'd really like to see some more interaction with Legolas and his keeper. hehe...but that can also come in future stories (HINT!). Wonderful writing as always. Aly Author Reply: I need to do something about that rune of protection for Eilian. I can probably make a nice plot element out of it if I try! ;-) I think you are likely to get what you are asking for. I hadn't planned to write about Legolas's first patrols until I wrote the scene in which Legolas meets Beliond for the first time. And then suddenly, I could see possiblities.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/23/2003
Ithilden and Eilian at each other's throats, Eilian having adjustment issues, Legolas just happy as a clam with no idea what he's getting into - this is wonderful! Wait - the story can't be over!! Hey, that's not fair! Author Reply: LOL. There will be another story. There always is. I think I have to start the next one soon after the end of this one because, as you point out, there's a lot going on. When will we see a new story from you?

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/23/2003
So many good things about this chapter - the coming of age ceremony was beautiful. Naked elves, tending their naked elfling - truly a lovely idea :D The words were beautiful, and I am glad Eilian came home - and not just for Legolas' coming of age. The effects of shadow are great on him, and he does need to cycle home for a while. Sinnarn was as cute as Legolas so long ago, and Thranduil and Alfirin were quite good together. She has been a wonderful presence in the life of this family. And, I am still voting, now that this story is done, for you to write about Legolas' first real patrol and learning to work with Beliond. :D:D Pretty please? Author Reply: As I recall, the nakedness was your idea! I was just going to have Legolas remember all this stuff. But as it happens, I am not made of stone and had a good time writing about it. A really good time. Once I wrote it, I was actually charmed by the picture of serious Ithilden laughing and dancing with his little kid. And poor Eilian. I have to remember to do something about that rune of protection. As always, thank you for all your help. The story is much better because you beta read it.

tapetum lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/23/2003
I am glad he was able to catch a deer for his feast. There must be some pressure to get one. Your ritual descriptions were excellent as usual. Eilian's home! I am so glad he made it to his brother's big day. What is wrong? Obviously Thranduil has what ever it is under control as usual. Ritual bath? What a great idea! Naked Legolas, Thranduil and Ithilden. Why don't you send in Eilian and just kill me? Does he need any more help washing? Legolas heart felt welcome to Eilian was very sweet. The are obviously a little closer than he and Ithilden and they have a lot more in common. Thranduil's flashbacks to his baby's growing up was incredible. What a great idea! It must have been a bittersweet day for him indeed. It is very sad that their gifts of adulthood were weapons. Excellent point. You handled the "My Lord" thing very well. I knew you would. Somehow I didn't think his commanders and instructors would be required to call him that in a military situation. A new salutation always takes time to adjust to but it is a happy adjustment. Eilian and Ithilden's conversation was very productive. No wonder poor Eilian is such a wreck. He has been through a lot recently and I am glad you are giving him a vacation. My favorite line: "Perhaps all warriors were plagues to their families and he simply did not know it." LOL - that was a great one. This one seems to be winding up. :-( Tapetum Author Reply: It is wound up, I'm sad to say. It would have wound up even sooner but my beta wanted to see the last scene with Ithilden and his brothers. That wasn't in here at first, so you have her to thank for your favorite line. Actually, I think she also requested the naked elves. I would have sent Eilian in (after all, he'll be all sweaty from travel and stuff ;-)) but he was too depressed. I loved writing the flashbacks. I thought of doing them while I was writing Annael's coming of age. Up until then, I wasn't sure whether to do Legolas's through his eyes or his father's eyes, but after I had done Annael's through Legolas's eyes, I realized I could use Thranduil and do these nice flashbacks to the baby, the kid, and the adolescent. I'll probably write about Legolas's first patrols in the next story, but I'm going to have to go back and do more with young Legolas too. It's too much fun not to.

Elemmire	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/23/2003
Hm...you managed to get Thranduil naked again, which is always a good thing, but I was hoping for Eilian too. ;) I really like the coming-of-age ceremony that you have written - it feels just right for them. But I feel sorry for Thranduil now - Legolas of age & off to the border, and unable to assert the control he wants to over his grandson. Elemmire Author Reply: Naked elves are good! Eilian was too depressed to strip for this story. I think I have to work on that, though. I am sure he has a good body and is very good looking in general. Ahem. I must meditate on that for a while! Excuse me.

Molly	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003
The thing that struck me most about this chapter was how bittersweet the ending was. Legolas doesn't realize it right now, but he should enjoy the connection he has with Arda while he can because presumably he won't be able to find it again after the war. Or, if he does, it will be much weaker after he hears the call of the sea. Poor thing! I'm looking forward to the rest of the ceremony. Author Reply: Oh wow, Molly. What an excellent reminder. That was what Galadriel told him: that if he heard the cry of the gulls, he would no longer live in joy under the trees. How sad. I think that Tolkien's story is really melancholy. It's about loss as well as victory and no one comes through unscathed. I wonder if PJ will do the sea longing.

Tapetum Lucidum	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003
I seem to remember that jeweled dagger being a problem once before... He should put it away before Sinnarn finds it. I enjoyed the King and Wizard's discussion about the council. It is always good to hear another perspective. I wonder if Gandalf suspects which way Saruman is headed. Sinnarn's comment about Mithrandir's beard was very cute. Kids can always take us down a notch when our heads get a little too big. Only two novices graduating? I thought it would be more. I liked how you gave Annael exceptional skill with woodcraft. It seems like he should excel at something. Posting him in the home guard is a good place for him for now. It will take him time to get over his father's death. Penntalion's gushing over the prince was very cute. It is nice to see an old stoic warrior get excited about something. It was clear that the instructors took a lot of time preparing their arguement. Apparently they were ready for some resistance from Ithilden. Perhaps he is not as objective as he wants to be. Ahh, Grandparents interfering in child raising. That is NEVER a problem. (hahaha). It would be worse for immortals because all of your parents, grandparents, greatgrandparents, etc are all still alive and well. How many generations of criticism can one set of parents put up with? shudder... I completely understand Ithilden's mixed emotions when confronting his father. You handled it very well. Legolas' vigil was very well written. From his fear to being weaponless, releasing his problems and finally bonding with Arda it was a nice emotional ride. Well done! Tapetum Author Reply: When Legolas started novice training (in "The Novice"), I had him start with Annael and Tonduil but then Tonduil dropped out. I thought that there would be few children among the elves at any given time because if that were not so, the population would soon outgrow its environment, given that, theoretically at least, they did not die. I am trying to write a little scene between Alfirin and Thranduil about how grandparents should behave. We'll see how it goes!

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/23/2003
“The shadow does not wait. I will soon send my last son into the fight against it, Mithrandir, and still we retreat before it.” Thranduil grimaced. This seems to cut to the heart of the matter. It's not just Thranduil, personally, but all of the Woodland Realm continues to make sacrifices and yet, they continue to be beseiged by shadow. The king's frustration was readily apparent in his words and even his body language. Well done, Daw. I felt like a fly on the wall during Ithilden's meeting with the novice masters and I have to say...I liked eavesdropping on a gathering of elves. The novice masters always amaze me at how well they not only know their charges, but how much care they put into their decisions and in this case, recomendations. Ithilden does a good job of trying to separate his personal feelings from his professional ones, but I think his heart still did clutch a bit at the thought of sending his youngest brother into danger. Of course, all those big strong male elves turned tail when the subject of telling the king came up. I couldn't help but laugh. The ceremony was lovely. What a nice touch for a part of the purpose of the vigil to be for the young elf to take stock and find balance in his life. For some reason I thought that Thranduil and Ithilden would stay with him, but I liked your way much better. I guess that's why their presence is called 'keeping watch'. I also thought about how vulnerable Legolas must feel being in the forest...unarmed. I hope Thranduil isn't too rusty if trouble shows up! Well, the grandfather Thranduil....He painted himself into a corner with Ithilden about Legolas...much to Ithilden's advantage...and, I'm sure, Thranduil's chagrin. Funny how grandparents are more lenient with grandchildren than they were their own offspring. I look forward to seeing how this plays out. Another wonderful chapter. I look forward to rest of the Legolas's coming of age and pledging his service to the king. :>)Karen Author Reply: Mirkwood is in deep trouble. How maddening it must be to have these other powerful elves seemingly ignoring them. Ithilden was appalled by the masters' recommendation but he rose to the occasion and tried to do what was best for his brother and the realm. I love the guy. And I don't blame the masters for not wanting to tell Thranduil about where his baby was going. Ithilden was lucky that his father gave him an opening. I'm not sure I'll get to the pledging ceremony. I had thought I would but the chapter is already getting long so maybe I'll let it go.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/22/2003
As always, I loved Thranduil's frustration and impatience with the worsening situation and with Elrond - loved the line, "Time rushes past us." Great solution to the problem of where to post Legolas, and it shows Ithilden's leadership abilities and sense of fairness that he would not only accept that recommendation but defend it to his father. I think Legolas could have some rough times ahead with Beliond, though. The vigil was very moving - "the sleepy murmur of the trees" -in the way it calmed Legolas and eased his fears. Author Reply: I'm intrigued by the idea that the Elven rings stopped time and that the Elves in Lorien particularly, but also in Rivendell, tried to preserve the past. But I think the Elves in Mirkwood, where there was no ring of power, were immersed in time as we know it and that time was running out for them. I am looking forward to writing about Legolas and Beliond!

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