Antigone_Q
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
Ha! I finally have a moment to sit down and catch up on reviews and things. I didn't realize how much I used the internet until I suddenly was without it for most of the day.
Poor Legolas! That really is a lot of bitter stuff to remember, and OF COURSE the moment he really wants medication, he can't have it. And we finally discover what Ithilden's mistake was - I thought it would be something quite different. Naturally Ithilden would take a lot of the responsibility on himself - I find it a funny that in the next breath he is exhorting Legolas to take time for joy. Ithilden should relax and take some time for joy, himself. Maybe his wife will remind him.
Author's reply
There is a lot of irony in Ithilden telling Legolas not to take too much responsibility on himself. I guess he knows from experience what that's like. Alfirin has helped him already, and when Sinnarn was little, he was a help too. He's more of a worry now.
I hate being without the internet.
LOTRFaith
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
Well, I know I am late.. But better late then never right?;-) Hmmmmm. Happy to see Legolas healed as well as Beliond. Burns, I think are some of the worst wounds you can get... I feel rather sorry for Eilian. He is still trying to convince Celuwen, (That's her name right?) that he truly loves her. But I can understand why she is still refusing him. Eilian still has some growing up to do and Celuwen (I think) knows that, and I think she also knows that he will grow better without her... My two cents anyway;-) But I really enjoyed your story and I hope you continue! (You've done what, two stories to my one? lol)
Namaarie!
Faith
Author's reply
Absolutely, better late than never! I appreciate your taking the time to leave a review at all.
One of the reasons that Legolas has no burns is that I couldn't stand to write about them. They are pretty awful. Beliond got better without my having to do anything.
I think you're right about Eilian. He's coming along, but he and Celuwen will eventually be happier if he grows up BEFORE they bond.
Tapetum Lucidum
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
I go out of town for a few days and you finish it! At least I get two chapters at once.
Thranduil's little chat with his son was very encouraging. He knows better than anyone what it is like to take responsibilities for someone else's actions. Ithiliden's story was the same - it was an excellent parable for Legolas on the difficulty with being a leader and second guessing one's actions. It is also nice to know that your perfect older brother is also fallible.
Beliond and Legolas' conversation was excellent. Commiserating about the evils of healers was funny. Anyone who has been in the hospital knows just what they are talking about. Legolas did need a little shake to get rid of some of his self-pity. Beliond is right - the youngest of Thranduil is tougher than his family thinks. Their verbal sparring is almost as good as their sword fighting. I imagine warriors of their skill level would draw a crowd on the practice field. Legolas and Thranduil do both need to stop and smell the roses.
Their return to the border patrol was the right place and time for Legolas to gain more perspective. He was able to see how he hurt both Beliond and Eilian. You handled his discovery very well. Tying them together at the end was clever.
Great job with your multiple story lines. They intertwined quite well and were all relevant to character development.
Author's reply
Tapetum--
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consistent and interesting reviews. You make me feel as if my characters are alive, or at least that they are living in someone's head besides mine.
Legolas's family does tend to be very careful with him. He's the youngest and somewhere they must still feel the pity that came with the early death of his mother. But Beliond is right. Legolas has grown up into a strong warrior who can hear the truth and live with it.
I would think that Legolas would remember being tied to his keeper for a good long time!
sofia
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
BRILIANT story. very good. I like the ending with Legolas being tied to Beliond.
Author's reply
Thank you, Sofia. You don't know how much comments like yours mean to me. I expect Legolas will remember being tied to his keeper for a good long time!
wire
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
A fantastic and engrossing story, but I was wondering who the voices are in chapter one which Legolas hears after the incident. I've been trying to work it out all the way through! Thank you so much and I can't wait for where you plan to go next with this series.
Author's reply
I think we just heard an assortment of patrol members speaking. I'm not sure I ever decided who was talking (except for Eilian, of course). So sorry!
I'm glad you enjoyed this, wire. It was satisfying to write. I'm thinking about the next story and have some elements in mind that I want to appear in it, but I haven't worked anything out.
Justafan
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
Oh! The conclusion (indeed, all of it) was so well-written and -good-. I'm so glad to see that in the story new plot lines are still constantly being developed because that means sequels! Thank you so much for writing this wonderful story. I love the punishment at the end and the affection that Beliond and Legolas show towards each other (and Eilian and Legolas too).
Author's reply
Beliond has turned out to be a interesting character to develop. He is irritable, I think, but he is also experienced and knowledgeable, so he has a lot to teach Legolas, and he is genuinely fond of the kid. His family is careful around Legolas, perhaps as a legacy of their pity for him as a little one who lost his mother. But Beliond knows he's grown into a strong adult and can take being told the truth about himself.
Thank you for the review, Justafan. I'm glad you liked the story.
Estel_Mi_Olor
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
That was a beautiful ending!!! Am so happy to see Legolas and Beliond well again. And everybody is friends again! What a happy ending! Still interested in the "job" that Eilian has for Legolas. Keep writing!
Author's reply
Thank you, Estel_Mi_Olor. Eilian didn't actually have a "job" for Legolas; he had "plans." And you've just seen them put into action. Eilian wanted to be sure that Legolas understood his obligation to Beliond. But he probably also has other plans, namely to treat his little brother more equitably and let him function as the warrior he is. Whether he can carry out those plans or not is another question, of course.
Jebb
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
Oh I can't believe this has ended so soon.
Fire and Shadow was so lvey to read almsot as if you were sitting in the trees watching it all unfold around you.
Pooe Eilian I hope we have some good news for him soon and as for the ending sheer unadulterated joy it was so funny
thank you for sharing your glorious talent with others hope to read more soon
Very soon??
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Jebb. If this seemed real to you, then I'm content.
Eilian will be rewarded some day, just not yet. My beta says I am mean to him!
daw
Fadesintothewest
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
As always you manage to tell such a wonderful story and make me want more, more more! It was nice to see Legolas be received by his fellow warriors
and Eilian, get the space he needs, but also know he will always be looked
after. That cann't be such a bad thing can it? Beliond, well he's good ole
gruffy Beliond. I have to remind myself he's an Elf and not a war torn 40
year old veteran... Elves are timeless, forever young... dare Beliond be
sexy? hmmmm
Author's reply
I got up this morning and found some reviews of the last chapters and I'm reading through them and I got to yours and suddenly I am just so grateful to reviewers like you and the others who have taken the time to tell me how much you liked this story. I enjoy writing, but I love hearing that people enjoy reading too. So thank you.
Hm, a sexy Beliond. I'll have to create a nekkid elf scene so we can check that idea out!
JS
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
*sigh* I'm always sorry to see your stories end! Another wonderful story, Daw. Bravo to you! I loved the scenes where Beliond knocked some sense into Legolas, as it were. Loving patience is important, but sometimes you need a little bit of a push as well. ;) I'm glad Eilien and Legolas seemed to have worked things out as well.
Wonderful story all around.
There's only one part I'm a little confused about... I guess I'm a little dense, but I can't figure out the deal behind the letter that was sent back... :( I feel like I should get it, but I'm a little confused. Help? :)
Thanks for sharing your great writing talent! I hope you have another story in the works!
Author's reply
Beliond is a hoot to write about. That scene of him telling Legolas to shape up just jumped out of my computer all by itself. And as your second post suggested, Celuwen is still refusing to see Eilian and sending his letters back unread. I am thinking I will write about him more in the next story. I have a complicated set of things I want to do, including some more Legolas growth, so it may take me a while to sort it out.
Thank you for your kind words.
LKK
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
What an excellent ending, daw. Legolas' punishment was fitting for his mistake and he was clearly ready to learn the lesson it was intended to teach.
Nice to hear that Legolas killed the dragon. I hadn't realized that. Yay, for our young bowman, praised even by Beliond no less!
Loved the two patients trading "healer stories", sort of like trading old war stories.
I enjoyed this story. You did a fine job handling the multiple, intertwining, time-crossing, stories. I wish you a brief break for some joy of your own, then may you start a new story, and bring joy back into our lives. :-)
LKK
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, LKK. This story was an experiment for me and I was pleased with how it worked out. I expect that Legolas will remember being tied to his keeper for all his time as a warrior, particularly since it was his brother who tied him. No one was angry. They just all wanted to be sure that everyone understood what was expected.
Legolas4me
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
What a wonderful story! I really enjoyed reading it. I am glad that Legolas leanted his lesson in the end. I found Eilian's punishment both amusing and very appropriate. I can not wait until you start another story! Any ides to what you may be writing next? I am certain it will be great no matter what it is! Happy writing!
Stephanie :-)
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it, Legolas4me. I'm thinking I'll have more Eilian in the next story. I'm still thinking on it. ;-)
erunyauve
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
I just had a vision of Mirkwood's 'secret service' sharing a drink together, swapping stories of their respective charges. But it did occur to me that Beliond and Nithron would feel as if they had failed in their duties.
I think even more than not trying to protect Sinnarn, Legolas needs to let his nephew make his own mistakes, though this might be the mistake that forces Sinnarn to learn a bit of caution. Still, he has to learn to stand up to Amdir and realize that sometimes he could be a better friend to him by letting him get into trouble. I think Legolas still struggles with that, too.
Author's reply
At the moment, Nithron is standing guard duty at the palace, next to Sinnarn. Bummer for him!
And you're right: Sinnarn has to learn from his mistakes. I think adult Legolas is better at that than he was as a kid, but he still has a soft spot for his friends and family.
naneth
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
What a wonderful ending to this story! I was amazed how well this chapter shows a more developed, mature relationship between Beliond and Legolas. I saw such a difference in the relationship that it was easy to tell how the years had brought them to a more comfortable place with each other. Legolas is a fortunate elf to be loved and cared for by so many!
Eilian's "punishment" was perfect and hilarious. Poor Legolas is so clueless at times!
I am glad that our favorite elf and his father were able to have a moment of joy together. I believe that he never forgot his naneth's advice over the years-that's why he was so full of joy even during the war of the ring.
Great story, as always!!
Author's reply
I'm glad that Beliond and Legolas seem to have made progress. Beliond is still on the critical side but Legolas seems to know how to take him and Beliond is also obviously affectionate.
I figured this patrol of warriors would have a sort of insider's way of making sure they all followed tacit rules. And they aren't particularly angry about this. They just want expectations made clear.
I think we all need to be reminded some times to take chances for joy.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
I always have mixed feelings on reading the last chapter in a story - pleasure at a satisfying outcome, sadness that there is no more to come (for a while, at least). This was no exception. I'm glad that Legolas is healing, physically and mentally, and has made his peace with Beliond and Eilian - but I enjoyed this story, and I'm sorry it's finished. Thank you (I think) for the swift update!
Jay
Author's reply
Thank you, Jay. I too have mixed feelings when I finish a story. But I will read other people for a while and beta and think about what I want to do next. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Nilmandra
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Healing
I feel like a kid in a candy store. Ask and you shall receive - this is all I could have wanted or hoped for to end this story. I love Beliond and Maltanaur - Thranduil chose them well. Great story, great ending.
Off to write a letter to Eilian, to lift his spirits, poor dear.
Author's reply
Keep asking, please. I am happy to write the bits once you point out where I need to do it (and I stop moaning).
Eilian would be grateful for a letter. ;-)
Jay of Lasgalen
· 31 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
I always hate to see your stories drawing to a close - and I sense this is near the end. I do hope you have plans for another in the wings?
I love to see how supportive Thranduil is in this chapter - he may be King, but still has time to be a father, and can say the right words to start the healing. I love the way you write him. Ithilden is also great - especially the way he switches from stern commanding officer to caring big brother! I like the way Legolas had not considered what would happen when he had to give an official report, if he had not regained his memory.
Jay
Author's reply
One more chapter on this one. And then, as you know, there are always more stories!
Because you are a fellow advocate for good Ada Thranduil, I really appreciate your comments on him. I cannot imagine how he got the bizarre reputation he seems to have in many fanfic stories. And one of my goals in this story was to write a little more about Ithilden. I find him harder to write about than Eilian. I am glad I seem to have succeeded in making him appealing.
Fadesintothewest
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
I was happy that both Ithilden and Thranduil have expressed their admiration for Legolas, and in turn Legolas was able to see thru Ithilden that to doubting one's actions is part of the formation as a warrior, though it is costly, through experience he will never repeat those mistakes.
I am anxious to see what Eilian has in store for Legolas, and hopefully those two can exchange whatever needs to be said and heal from this tragic event.
Author's reply
Legolas is good at learning from his mistakes, I think. He'll be fine, given time to heal, and now that he's got his memory back and things are in the open, his family will help him.
Eilian is waiting for Legolas with open arms!
Camp6311
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
Good chapter, I loved the interaction between Legolas and Ithilden. Ithilden can be so imposing at times, it was good to see him in a different light, making mistakes, offering comfort, even explaining his orders and the reasons behind them. I think Ithilden is my favorite of your OC's.
Still have one unanswered question, what happened to the dragon? Did it fly off full of arrows, or did it crash spectacularly into the mountains???
Eilian has plans for Legolas, hmmm, perhaps lieutenants bars are in Legolas' future.
Author's reply
Camp, you are such an optimist! No, lieutenant's bars are not in Legolas's near future. ;-) All will be revealed in the next chapter, including the fate of the dragon.
I am so glad you like Ithilden. One of my goals in this story was to show him a little more. I find him harder to write about than Eilian but he was interesting to deal with in this story. He's so serious, but he also is able to sympathize with his son and his younger brothers. Thranduil is so lucky to have him!
Estel_Mi_Olor
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
That was great! If that was the end, then well written. Poor Ithilden, guilt like that can be terrible. Not as if I would know, but I have an imagination. :) I liked the resolution as well. I like resolutions. Sorry this isn't a very inspired review, but all has been said in the story itself. Cheers and keep writing!
Oh, allow me to congratulate you on the characters of Ithilden and Eilian. They are so completely believable and realistic that they could be attributed to Tolkien himself!
Author's reply
You are absolutely right about Ithilden. It's ironic that he tells Legolas not to be so serious and so on, but there's no one who takes things more seriously that Ithilden. So he has this failed mission and a dead warrior the first time he's an officer. I'll bet that took some time to get over!
Thank you for your nice comments about my OCs. I am shamelessly fond of them myself.
tigerlily713
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
Great chapter! The flashbacks you are using are a great tool. I am very much enjoying this story, and I am eager to start on the other one I just recieved in my inbox. ~Lily
Author's reply
I've never used so many flashbacks in a story and it's been really interesting to do. It worked out better than I thought it might, but I did have trouble keeping track of everything. Glad you liked it, Lily.
sofia
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
good, good, good! Legolas is finally out of bed and he told people of his memory loss... good good good.
Author's reply
Legolas is making progress and now can start to heal emotionally as well as physically. His father and brothers will be able to help him. I think that's good too!
Sindar90
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
hi,
This is great story!!!
by the way: i live in finland
Author's reply
Sindar--Glad you liked the story. Isn't the web a wonderful thing? You and I can share our love of Tolkien even though we live so far apart. One more chapter and this story is done.
LKK
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
First, let me apologize for not reviewing the last chapter. I could not review it. Not for lack of internet access or time or all the other everyday excuses we reviewers offer. I could not review it because the chapter left me without words to give you. And I still have none for that chapter.
For this one, I can breathe, think, and speak again. The healer was right; no mind-clouding medicine for Legolas. As painful as his memories are, he must learn how to handle them for they will be with him forever.
Thranduil's speech about wanting to take Legolas' pain away was very touching.
Ithilden's story ended sadly. A very painful, costly way to learn that in the battle against the Shadow, he who hesitates is lost. How ironic it is that even though Ithilden is trying to follow naneth's advice about taking time out for joy, Legolas cannot conceive of Ithilden telling him a story simply to amuse him. Ironic ... and amusing. LOL
Finally, I noticed that the one person we have yet to see in real time, beyond a brief cameo at the beginning, is Eilian. I assume now that Eilian has plans for our young hero (or is that "warrier about to be disciplined"?), he will finally speak with Legolas, yes?
Good chapter, daw!
LKK
Author's reply
LKK-- I am deeply appreciative of your reaction to chapter 6. It needed to be horrible to justify the build up to it, but when it came time to write and post it, I could hardly stand to do it.
And I think that Ithilden's experience must have been hard on a young warrior. The mission failed more or less, and someone died. The fact that it was someone he disliked might have made things even harder. Ithilden is the type to bend over backwards to be fair. And indeed, there is irony in Ithilden being the one to tell Legolas not to be too serious!
Legolas will return to his patrol in the next chapter so Eilian will turn up, but he's still a minor note in this story. I wanted to concentrate more on Ithilden for a change. But I'd like to do a younger Eilian story too.
caz - baz
· 30 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Rest of Ithilden's Story
hahaha! that sounds daunting "he has plans for you."
my shoulders better nothing seriously wrong with it just a swollen bruise cant wait to go hunting again, but i have to wait a couple of weeks till i break up for 1/2 term. oh well! if i'm lucky i'll get at least 4 more hunts in this season.
How many more chapters will there be?
i want to know what Eilian has instore for him.
Author's reply
There's one more chapter in which Legolas returns to his patrol.
I'm glad you're not badly hurt, Caz-baz. I'd hate to have you fall into the hands of the evil healers.