Reviews (176)

endorearwen · 23 September 2013 · Chapter 8: Healing

An excellent illustration of 'perspective' and how it changes the shape of things, Daw! I thoroughly enjoyed not being able to figure out what had really happened until we reached the end and had seen the situation through so many sets of eyes! I also thought it was a good lesson in realizing that no one person's actions/decisions are the catalyst for any given outcome - regardless of how much we burden ourselves with individual responsibility for it! We're all interconnected and the choices we make will necessarily affect those around us - no man is an island. My favourite parts, of course, were the private, quiet moments wherein Legolas (and I) learn more about Ithilden - the brother, not the troop commander. The lesson of taking every chance for joy that you come upon is not an easy one for 'old souls' who enter life always understanding the responsibility they are meant to bear. Fun, happiness, joy - these are not comfortable places for the Ithilden's of the world. In many ways, allowing oneself to savour them is like a betrayal - to the memory of the dead, to the sacred trust that you're burdened to carry, to your duty of being strong for everyone else. Yet, those were the feelings Lorellin wanted for her family - and especially that son whom she knew with certainty was unlikely to experience very much of because of who he was and who he would become. It was so nice to see how that tender spot in Thranduil which is still so deeply bonded to Lorellin can influence him from time to time. My eyes filled when he agreed to join Legolas on the camping trip. Too few are the moments Legolas gets to share in privacy with his father and they are treasures for both of them. Although you didn't speak to their time together, I expect that Lorellin was spoken of often during those short hours they shared under the canopy of stars... Finally, I must say that it is interesting to see some changes in Eilian's character. Against all possible odds, I think he might actually be maturing! If that is the case, then I think we have all learned something important about how great his love for Celuwen actually is - despite the appearances to the contrary that he seems content to display in public. Yet, I remain uncertain about whether or not he is truly worthy of her! (Interesting, isn't it, to consider how long you could flirt about with someone's heart when you had all the days of Arda to finally win them back? The race of Men have so few years of life by comparison that making huge romantic errors is far more costly to one's ultimate success for happiness with another. I guess it's that perspective that sometimes makes Eilian's actions seem a bit 'frivolous' to me...) In any event, yet another wonderful story, Daw! :-) PS - LOVE reading about the ever growing bond between Beliond and Legolas!

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 8: Healing

Legolas tied too his keeper, I am not sure who I feels sorrier for Legolas or Beliond.. Very funny... Another Letter returned for Eilian, he has so much on his plate u feel for him, and hopefuly stop treating Legolas like a baby...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story

Legolas gets away from the medicine but then he had wanted it it seems....Ithilden seems to tell story to tell Legolas something and to comfort him, he is a good brother...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Legolas's Story

Now that he remembers he may wish he hadn't...He tried to save the dwarf family but a situation occured he didn't know how to handel...His anger with Eilian mad him go off himself...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 5: Amdir's Story

Legolas seems to think he can perhaps help Amdir, be a responsible Elf, just because of Turgon. He is like Turgon, but not as bad I think... Legoas found Eilian not lettin him do anything, perhaps he is a little too protective.... But he has remembered some...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 4: Ithilden's Story

An unsure Ithilden, its nice to see the earliy years, you have to feel for his keeper him being the only son of the King a big responsibility... Legolas is trying to find information, might be easier if he told someone, they might say what happened...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Sinnarn's Story

Legolas really should say something about not remembering... proubly happened when he hit his head. Am curious what happened that Sinnarn is in trouble...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 2: A New Lieutenant

Nice to be able to get a look at Ithilden when he was younger...and he under Beliond command,seems he was a smart Captain, since not much is said on him...

pipinheart · 15 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Hunting Dragons

A Dragon, how nice...Legolas was hurt, poor him....Eilian now Captain to Legolas and sinnarn, I wonder how he will handle his nephew who is much like him...

nessie6 · 24 April 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

This story was a little different from the previous ones, but it was good nontheless. I felt really sorry for the poor Dwarves...Actually, I assumed that even children Dwarves have beards, because it's kinda funny to picture it. Really good story!

Elentari · 6 March 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Finished heart`s ease, tide of times and this one here at SA. I have this one question bothering the shit out of me: What about celuwen/eilian? are they not going to make up?Will sódith not swallow his tongue and die????????????? Lovely, lovely, and perfect as ever. Thank you so much for the caring and effort.

Esamen · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Oh! Beautiful! On so many levels! This was just a great story. I admire how you must have worked out all the different story threads that run along in it, and then how you wrapped it all up in the end. And the moments when fierce Thranduil becomes tender with Legolas are just fabulous. "Legolas laughed and turned his head to the sky to wait for the stars to emerge, not because he would then be freed from his keeper, but because it was a chance for joy." I love the ending. It has that certain weight, and that certain ring, that makes a reader want to sigh and say, Oh, wonderful. Is there a story that comes chronologically after this one? And do you have anything going on Legolas during the Fellowship time? You certainly have a lot going on up your talented sleeve! Many wishes for many fun hours travelling the Mirkwood realm! I'm looking forward to your next tale! esamen

esamen · 2 March 2004 · Chapter 2: A New Lieutenant

Fire and Shadow by daw the minstrel I borrow characters and settings from Tolkien, but they are his, not mine. I gain only the enriched imaginative life that I assume he intended me to gain. You're going to crack up that I'm reviewing your disclaimer, but I love it. And I really like your structure of this story! Very well done. Lots of suspense and great Legolas-laid-up-in-bed comfort. What on earth happened? You meanie . . . keeping us guessing like this! I should be sleeping, not reading . . . but I'm going to have to go on to the next chapter and find out what's happening.

esamen · 2 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Hunting Dragons

Wonderful! I love this story . . . all my favorite people. I hope Beliond isn't seriously hurt! Can't wait to read more . . .

meckinock · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

"That" vs. "which"? I need that course. Badly. I'd drive on over there but I'm afraid they'd revoke my Herky fan club membership... Don't listen to Karen (Hey, I'm not the one reveling in gratuitous glimpses of Eilian's naked backside!). I like Celuwen right where she is - driving Eilian crazy! I don't think he would be half as interesting if he were happy. With two lovely, dutiful, obedient sons, where would we be without the good-hearted but darkly conflicted black sheep? I am so afraid you will just get frustrated with him and send him off to Elf re-education camp! Anyway, it's great the way that the relationship between Legolas and Beliond continues to deepen and grow in complexity. I find it interesting that the one person who is statutorily entitled to mother-hen Legolas is the one person who doesn't do it. Beliond truly respects Legolas and treats him as an adult and as an individual. The exchange about the healers was delightful. Beliond has clearly not only accepted but has embraced his unusual partnership with Legolas. It has been fun to see Eilian's evolving relationship with Legolas. Eilian clearly wants to do the right thing, but he has a lot of ingrained risk-aversion to overcome. I can't wait to see where this leads next. And hey, if you put more of Eilian in the next story, I won't complain!

bryn · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Fantastic tale, as always, daw! :) This one almost had a cliff-hangish feeling to its ending--I can't wait until you post another. I can't tell you how much Legolas' recollection of the Dwarves' fate moved me... and his reaction... Truthfully, I don't think it could have been written any better. Ithilden's character became a force in his own right, and Eilian... well... I still maintain he needs a good kick in the head (I don't know what YOU thought I meant... *snicker*). And I have a strange desire to slap Celuwen as well. You are an amazing talent. Thank goodness you're kind enough to share your stories with the rest of us!

The Karenator · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

As always, I hate to see your stories come to an end, but then, there is the anticipation of the next one to come. I hope it won't be long. Well, Alfirin is certainly running this household of males now, isn't she? As a matter of fact, she has nearly become Nana-like to Legolas. When he asked her to bring him a book about the Frist Age and she refused, but offered him a nice sappy book of poetry, I thought Lorellin would be pleased. However, poor Legolas, they just won't let him stand on his own two feet...can't even decide which book he wants to read. Of course, their over-protectiveness is born of love, but that doesn't make them any less frustrating to the poor elf-boy. I loved it when Beliond told Alfririn that Legolas would not break. She loved that! Beliond's words to Legolas about his guilt were well done. All Thranduil's sons have something of a hyper-responsibility complex. They're Thranduil's sons! No big surprise there. Beliond is a breath of fresh air in Legolas' life. He's an excellent guide, teacher and protector. And he's even a friend as much as his position will allow. Poor Eilian. I have always liked Celuwen, but I'm now beginning to think she's been too influenced by her hard headed adar. Come on girl! Follow your heart! She knows she got him wrapped around her little finger and I think it would serve her right and maybe, get her in gear, if some other fair elleth took a shine to the wild child. You could take applications. I'm sure the line would be out the door and around the corner. I liked the way Eilian made his point about considering the others in the patrol by tying Legolas to his keeper. It made his point and allowed Legolas to keep his dignity. The situation was almost a no-win situation and under the circumstances, Legolas didn't react badly, just maybe not according to protocol. Not to mention, he slew the dragon. Nicely done, your dawness. However, the Ranger Meckinock and I were having a short little routine patrol meeting and we have discovered your secret of rapid posting. We have spies in all foreign lands, ya know. Anyway, admit it! You assign these stories to your students and they write them. You surely can't have time to correct their work, so you grade them on their chapters. Ah ha! That's it, isn't it? Isn't it? Dang those spies. Never hire hobbits to spy on Elves. Back to the drawing board. Carry on, Karen

Lera · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Wow, great story as always! I love Alfirin. They're all lucky to have her. Seeing what Beliond and Legolas's relationship has come to is neat. It's good for Legolas to have someone who doesn't see him as a sweet little brother. Having them tied together was hilarious. I'm glad Legolas killed the dragon. It made me think of how later on Legolas shoots down the...what is it? the nazgul's beast during the FOTR. Whatever that thing is. It's sort of like a dragon. I loved the two storylines going on at once. And the suspense. You really mastered that in this story. It was a beautiful ending. Thranduil and Legolas camping under the stars. Lorellin must have been a special lady. Even after she's gone her wisdom stays with them.

caz - baz · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

hey great story. when do you think you'll have another one out? well i'm going to be late if i don't run now so bye.

ANA · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Aah, it is with a big sigh of contentment that I read the last words of this wonderful story. Mixed with it is regret, as always, that the story has ended. I hope you won't keep us waiting for too long for your next story. I really do love the family dynamics in all your stories. I think the modern family can learn much from Thranduil and his sons. They are certainly not perfect individuals (which makes them that much more likable) but the love and support that they have for each other is so touching that one feels almost envious. Thank you again for sharing your talent with us!

Dot · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Ah, Alfirin is risking Thranduil’s wrath by allowing Legolas out of his room?? Brave girl! I was beginning to wonder if we were going to see Beliond at all. He’s so funny – I love the way the two of them sit there grumbling about the healers! But how sad that Beliond seems to realise just how much easier it can be to sometimes forget events rather than face them. Legolas killed the dragon?? And nobody thought to mention this? Do they even know? Wow. Well done, Legolas! O.k, I feel really bad for any negative thoughts I might ever have had about Beliond. He’s brilliant! “But you are as limited as the rest of us […] It is best not to have any illusions about one’s power to stop the inevitable.” Well… I guess you can’t really argue with that. I love that there’s absolutely no mollycoddling with him – just straight to the point. Sometimes a little abruptness is exactly what’s needed to stop someone tormenting themselves. It’s great to see the Beliond and Legolas getting back to full strength. I really like the sense of trust between them and lack of fear in showing any weakness. A lot different from the first time they both sparred. Poor Thranduil has to let Legolas go again. It seems that it really doesn’t get easier for him. At least now Legolas can see how hard it is for his father and appreciate the effort he is making. It’s a lovely thought that his youngest son, who has so recently experienced such horrors, can still teach him a little about the joy to be found in life. Ithilden obviously isn’t the only one to realise, albeit a little belatedly, the wisdom in Lorellin’s words. I really love the idea of father and son spending the night under the stars – living the lesson she tried to teach them. Beliond seems much more relaxed. Out in the open, doing what he does best, I suppose. It’s good to see him teasing a little. Maltanaur really loves Eilian, doesn’t he? He seems to be able to read him better than even his own family. He, more than anyone, is in a position to help Legolas realise the burdens Eilian carries and the reasons behind his decisions, be they right or wrong. I loved the reunion between the two brothers. Eilian seems almost giddy with relief that Legolas is alright. It seems Maltanaur has been ‘helping’ Eilian a bit too… It says a lot, though, about how much Eilian respects Malatanaur to listen to him and heed his advice. Being responsible for Legolas and Sinnarn seems to have really helped Eilian. It must have been difficult for him to realise how much pain it caused Beliond when Legolas disappeared and was then injured, when he frightened Malatanaur just as much countless times. He’s a good captain, especially when he learns to leave himself open to guidance. No! Celuwen has been sending back his letters? I can see that it’s probably the only way she can save herself from pain but still…poor Eilian! He seems to have grown a lot in all other respects but I’m afraid that maybe there’s still a hint of desperation in him when it comes to Celuwen….. LOL! I can’t believe he tied them together! Beliond has become so much more open, hasn’t he? I really like the way he offers advice but does so now without lecturing and has become unashamed to admit his affection for Legolas. They really seem to have earned each other’s respect. After all, while his family have all helped in their own way, at the end of the day it is Beliond who has enabled Legolas to see that in terms of his duty he did what he could and can learn from the experience. Thranduil really is wise in his choice of ‘keepers’ for his sons, isn’t he?! I really enjoyed this story – you had me totally gripped from the beginning! Thanks for putting up with my impatience;)

Dot · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story

Aagh! So, I go away for a few days, resigning myself to the fact that I would probably miss the next chapter, and I return to find that I have actually missed two chapters – including the end of this amazing story – and also another story… That’s it. No more weekends away for me ever, ever again. Ever. I love the way Thranduil continues to offer his support to Legolas, holding his hand in an attempt to provide some sense of reassurance. Belówen is really not impressed, is he?? I had to laugh at the way he goes through the ritual of issuing instructions and offering help, all the while knowing exactly what the reactions of Thranduil, and indeed his son, will be. I love seeing ‘fatherly’ Thranduil – getting a basin of water, cutting the leggings so that they will fit, then lifting his son so that he wouldn’t aggravate his injuries and even tucking him in comfortably. There’s something really touching about the idea of him looking after Legolas as he did when he was a child. “The world is a better place because you are in it, iôn-nín.” Thranduil’s words brought tears to my eyes. How difficult it must be for him to witness his son’s pain. Even all his experience as a king who has no choice but to send his people into danger couldn’t prevent him from wanting to shield his sons, no matter how strong and capable they are, from the evil of the world. And Legolas has seen an unspeakable horror. I think Thranduil did absolutely the right thing in just speaking from his heart and letting Legolas know his own worth and the pride and love his family feel for him as well as their willingness to help him. I don’t know how Legolas manages to tell immediately how he should address Ithilden. Years of experience, I guess. I like Ithilden’s no-nonsense approach when he reassures Legolas that although he made some mistakes, no matter what he had done, the dwarves would have been no better off. He has enough experience to be able to distance himself when necessary and judge how Eilian would have reacted and indeed, how he himself would have reacted. Ah, an unhappy ending to Ithilden’s story. It clearly still bothers him. But, like the events Legolas has just experienced, Ithilden made a decision and while the two elves were distracted by their argument, who is to say that any other two elves would have been more successful against five Wargs? It was really interesting to see Ithilden as a young warrior, learning and debating whether or not to voice his opinion. Beliond seems quite reasonable when he feels people aren’t wasting his time. I can see how Ithilden would feel guilty, though – I wonder did he have anyone at the time to tell him as he did with Legolas that rationally, he could not have prevented what happened and certainly wasn’t the cause of Anilith’s death simply for not putting an end to their argument and instigating the pairing of the two of them. What an insight to Ithilden this conversation is! I had never thought before that he was keeping Legolas away from the South simply because he had no necessity to be there yet. Or that he was, in a way, forced to allow Eilian to serve there because he needed the number of warriors. It’s really interesting to think of everything that goes into his decisions. It’s a tough role that he has as the eldest son of the king and I suppose out of all of them, he can see what demands are made of his brothers and son. It’s a pity he has to see those he loves come home injured before he really stops and thinks but it’s nice to know that he has been offering what little protection he could all along by not needlessly sending them into danger and I’m glad that now he will openly admit to Legolas that he is happy that his son, at least, and Legolas to a certain extent, can experience some freedom from the burdens he and Eilian bear. I felt really sad for Ithilden here. It’s as though he has been doing his best all along but has suddenly realised that not only will danger come anyway to those he loves and that perhaps they should be encouraged to take more opportunity to experience the joyous side of life, but that his own chance to do so is gone, really, and perhaps he should have listened more to the words of his beloved mother so long ago.

tigerlily713 · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Great story! I am glad to see everyone communicating better. I eagerly await your next creation! Lily

Nelsonia · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Hello Daw how are you? hope all is well. Sorry for not reviewing sooner, I loved this story! Looking forward to see what happens about Eilian and Celuwen... As usual very well written and planned, Thanks loads Best wishes Nelsonia

Antigone_Q · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Healing

Oh, a nice close to the story! I liked Beliond and Legolas bantering back and forth about the evils of healers and cementing their friendship. Legolas killed the dragon? Wow! Way to go, Legolas! I noted the reference there at the end to Celuwen sending back Eilian's mail. So, no Eilian romance story upcoming? What would I have to do to bribe you to write one? Some of us are very fond of him... Anyway, it was nice to see that Legolas and Eilian worked out their differences. Beliond and Legolas are back on good terms, and Eilian is going to _try_ to remember that Legolas is a warrior, and not just his baby brother. All's well that ends well for Thranduil and his sons! Now I just have to wait patiently for another episode of the Thranduilion Saga... I'm sure it's not over yet!