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| When Shadow Touches Home by daw the minstrel | 17 Review(s) |
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| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| Daw, Oh my. I'm sorry this has ended. It was such a touching ending where all seem to be coming to grips with change. I'm still not sure how I feel about the elves in the settlement seeming so reluctant to heed the advice of Ithilden and Thranduil. A part of me would feel the same way if forced to leave my home, but another part recognizes that not all things can be controlled. I can't say I think they are wrong, but neither can I say I think they're right. Sometimes, being right is not the most important ingredient in outcome. They do have a hard decision. The return welcome for the warriors was a nice greeting. I'm with Ithilden. It can never be taken lightly. I was as glad as Little Legolas to see his brothers home and safe. And Thranduil, of course. I can not imagine what it would be like to send one's son to war. I have great respect for the parents of soldiers and for the soldiers themselves. No, I don't think any return would be taken lightly. (This is the mother of sons worrying!) Thranduil seems to have finally recognized Legolas's needs, (as well as the needs of his older sons), and found that sometimes just being Ada is most important in healing them all. It was a sweet moment when Thranduil felt Lorellin's presence. He needs her. And then we have Celuwen. She must be as fiery as Eilian in many ways. Truly, they are a good match. I'm glad she survived this first story and offers hope of a future. Maybe if we could ask the older Legolas of your later story where he decides to accompany the Fellowship, he could clear up the burning question inquiring minds want to know ...Did Eilian and Celuwen get together later and bond? Again, it raises questions with me about the wisdom of her decision even if I can see her point. We know, from our lofty position, that the shadow presses Mirkwood to the point of having to withdraw the southern forces even closer home. So I suppose she will have to return or will not survive for that to even be a question. Ah, fodder for the creative fires! I hope you will, eventually, let us know what happens. (Though if you marry off our favorite bad boy, hordes of fangirls and old fan-moms might just be knocking furiously on your computer screen! I'm sure after a moment of reflection, we will all be happy for Eilian. We'll try anyway.) It was nice to hear Legolas tell Eilian to hurry with his bath because he was hungry. (I was far too focused on the dropping of the leggings, so it was good to be reminded that there was a child present and that his appetite had returned!) Good story, Daw. I enjoyed every word and still say that your original characters are among the best. Looking forward to the next tale. Karen Author Reply: In truth, I also have ambiguous feelings about the elves in the settlements. I think the day will come when they will have to give up. I just hope Celuwen is still around then! The bath scene appears to have provoked some interest. Let's just say this is a healthy, graceful, strong adult Elf. Using a bow must give him nice shoulders and I assume the hips are narrow and legs are long. (Excuse me a minute while I jump into a cold shower.) Thank you for your careful responses to this story. They mean the world to me. daw | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| I think that fulfilled my need for Little Legolas :) A lot seems to have happened at home in the three weeks the warrriors were away. Thranduil seems to have seen the light, so to speak, and he is making conscious changes to his parenting because of it. That is wonderful - it is good to see even old elves willing to change when needed. Legolas' healing does come through nicely - I am glad he is hungry, I am glad he is sorry, I am glad he is spending time with Ada and I am especially glad he is loved. Crawling into Eilian's lap and saying 'you still have me' was adorable. Unconditional love is a wonderful thing. So, this journey is over. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. :) Author Reply: I confess I stole the "you still have me" line from my son when he was preschooler and found me in tears over something I now have memory of. I thought it captured the love and egotism of four year olds quite nicely. But then, I thought that most of what he said was brilliant. Thank you again for all your help with this and all my stories. You are endlessly creative in suggesting ways to make things happen. I could not ask for a better beta or virtual friend. | |
| Naneth | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| Note to self: hit tab key not return key when typing review! A wonderful ending to a wonderful story! You are one of the most talented writers in the LOTR's arena. Your stories are always a thrill to read. They draw me into this wonderful family and help me to feel all the emotions they are feeling at the time. What a special gift you have! Now....more, please....soon! Author Reply: Thank you, Naneth (and I say again, that's a wonderful name for anyone reviewing this story to have!). If you have felt this family's emotions, then I am thrilled. To me, all the external battles in the worlds aren't nearly so interesting as the grief of a child or the struggle of an adult to be a better person. I appreciate your continued feedback on this story. daw | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| Daw, lovely end to the story! (Yay, I can review from here!!) Lots of loose ends tied up - Ithilden is going to be at home more, which Legolas will like, and Thranduil will have more time to be Ada. Poor Eilian - but I guessed from your other stories that he wouldn't stay with Celuwen. And at least we know he will be fairly free from harm down there on the South patrol. BTW, I loved the description of Eilian in the bath - looking like a dog when you scratch her back!! I know that soppy expression perfectly well from my own dog! Jay Author Reply: Thank you for the review, Jay. I would guess that after a couple of weeks in the wild, wallowing in a hot tub would feel pretty good. But no one appreciates feeling good like a dog. Thank you for staying with this story and reviewing even when ff.net fought you. daw | |
| Strange Blaze | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| No, that wasn't mean of you at all. You have succeeded once again in creating a fantastic story about this family. Every one of the characters is so real and so amazing. Poor Eilian! I'm looking forward to what happens next in the story of he and Celuwen, because obviously she's not in the other stories. I'm looking forward to more stories soon! Author Reply: But Celuwen *could* be in the other stories - just not around! Thank you for your kind comments. Having characters called "real" is a very great compliment. daw | |
| Brenda G. | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| A triumph. I can't think of any other word to describe "When Shadow Touches Home." From the opening word of this story to the very last period, your readers have been privileged to travel beside Mirkwood's First Family through the valley of the Shadow, to strive with them against the blnding pain of loss, not only of their loved one, but of themselves. With them, we have groped for the "whys" that always accompany a death, and we have groaned beside the members of this elven family as they were stretched taut on the rack of grief and pain. It is there where they learned to fill the gaping void left by Lorellin with each other. This has been a journey of incredible tenderness, of laughter and tears, of learning to take courage in hand and forge ahead. I come away from this story different--better, I think, in every way for joining Thranduil and his sons in their struggle. YThe theme to your story is universal: Love conquors all. It is the glue that keeps the jumbled pieces of our lives together; it is the source of all healing; and as the Bible so eloquently puts it: "Love never fails." Never has. Never will. You've shown us in vivid brush stokes just how powerful Love can truly be. This is a wonderfully wrought tale, one to treasure and to read over and over again. Thanks, Daw. You're a blessing to many. Author Reply: All right, call me sappy, but you actually made tears come to my eyes with your comments on grief and loss. I think that Elves were very family centered and they felt deeply, so the loss of a family member must have been very hard to bear. But you are right. "Love never fails." daw | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/29/2003 |
| OmG, I thought I would hate Celuwen but I don't, again this is due to the fact that although we do not read about her in great length, she is a well developed character. Her decision was not simple one dimensional reaction, not in the least bit. And Thranduil's advice to his son was the most appropriate. Elves are long-lived until the end of Arda (who knows when that is), though Shadow looms to cut their lives short. True love does stand the test of time the romantic in me thinks, but love also succumbs to the realities of life, and other true loves can grow. In the end if Celuwen or Eilian end up together or not will be a pleasure to read about. Eilian's character really came around in this story, and Ithilden seems so steadfast, like a rock, what Thranduil needs most. Little Legolas is too darn adorable, I want one! I look forward to whatever stories you dream up for this wonderful set of characters! Author Reply: I count not hating Celuwen as a huge victory! But then, I liked Miriwen. Now that I have spent so much time with these characters living in my head, it is hard for me to imagine them living without one another. They care for one another and take care of one another. I will miss writing about Little Legolas, I think. Looking through his eyes was always a kick! daw | |