Tapetum Lucidum
· 12 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Ok, it's been 150 + years since Sinnarn got into trouble. Is he still being punished? That would be the worst thing about immortality, some things would last forever.
Finally! A posting to the Southern Patrol. Be careful what you wish for. I enjoyed Legolas' excitement about finally get the posting which he long sought. Eilian's mixed greeting was very appropriate - happy to see his younger sibling but saddened that he would be under the shadow. The "You are lucky to have me." comment had me laughing. His comment about Elian obeying Thranduil was great as well.
The brothers' discussion upon the tree branch was very endearing. I was glad Eilian made a point to mention that he was not singling Legolas out with his warning. It was a point that all new warriors need to hear. Legolas' response with "Thank You," rather than a complaint was a good demonstration of his maturity.
Once again you handled an orc battle well. Have you been training with the rangers again? I liked how Legolas minded Beliond and the two worked as a unit to dispatch the orcs. It looked like Eilian realized his brother was not in need of his protection. Legolas' feelings of loss were very sincere. Great start!
Author's reply
I am not dealing with Sinnarn at all in this story. Eilian is enough of a handful.
Eilian is approaching Legolas very carefully right now, I think. He knows that Legolas is likely to be touchy and that he himself is overprotective, but he also knows he needs to be Legolas's captain and tell him what to do.
And I thought that after 200 years of fighting side by side, Legolas and Beliond would sure have a good idea of how to work together. I think Eilian and Legolas might be even better together, though. They have a sort of intuitive connection.
Thanks for the kind words, Tapetum.
Kalile
· 12 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Hooray! A new story and Eilian's more prominently in it this time (I love Ithilden, but I have utmost sympathy for the middle child in the family. =D) I really enjoyed your take on Legolas' thought processes throughout this first chapter, from his mental note to compensate for Beliond building their snow den by doing clean up duty first to his reiteration that he would not quarrel with Eilian. BTW, any chance of a resolution between him and a certain settlement elf maiden any time soon? Poor Legolas, always seems to get what he wants right when he realizes maybe it wasn't what he wanted to begin with. Eilian's been like a mother to him, a balance to Thranduil in some respects, it'll be sad to see that relationship change. BTW, is there any particular reason for the repition of the word "shadow" in your titles recently? Just curious. As always, thanks for sharing your story with us.
Author's reply
I'm a middle child too! And Eilian is a lot of fun to write about because he's kind of a bad boy. Not very bad, mind you, but bad enough to make life interesting. I think that Eilian and Celuwen will have to wait a little longer, I'm afraid.
You are absolutely right that Eilian has been like a mother to Legolas. He loves the kid unconditionally and is intuitive about what he needs and what he feels. The relationship between the two will change (because it has to), but not go away.
I have trouble thinking up titles actually. And "shadow" has occurred to me because Ithilden was near Dol Guldur in the last story and Eilian and Legolas are in this one. I guess it is becoming kind of a running theme.
Jebb
· 12 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
A new story to look forward to and Legolas finally gets his wish to join the Southern Patrol but why do I get the feeling his expectations and reality are not going to coincide?
Eilian as well!!
That last little thought of Legolas' was wonderful
Author's reply
Poor Legolas. Expectations and reality seldom do coincide for most of us, I guess. I am looking forward to writing more about Eilian this time. He is so charming, even when he's being a pain.
JS
· 12 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Yea! I'm so glad you're posting again so soon! When you're posting I know there's always going to be some good writing to help make it through a stressful day! Reading your stories are always such a delight.
It's great to see the maturity in Legolas and fun to see him protect Beliond for a change. ;) I can't wait to see what you have in store for Legolas and Eilien's relationship. Can't wait for the next part! Hope you post soon. :)
Author's reply
Glad I made you happy, JS! If my own boss would realize the importance of knowing what happens to Legolas and Eilian, I could do this even faster. But no, he expects me to keep showing up at meetings and stuff. Silly man.
I had to keep reminding myself as I wrote this that Legolas was an adult now. I've been trying to grow him up over this series and it's a little tricky to gradually change his reactions. Now I'm working on a chapter to introduce the young Eilian part of the story. :-)
ANA
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
I have been checking every day since I finished the last chapter of Fire and Shadow and finally seeing a new story from you is like hitting the jackpot. I note that I am not the only one suffering from withdrawals of your stories. You have created a beautiful winter scene - brings back childhood memories for me of when winters can last as long as six months. The orcs must be such a blight on the pristine winter woods. The title of your story is rather foreboding and I am not even going to try to guess what you might have in store for us. Eilian isn't the only one sad about a grown up Legolas. I also miss the young Legolas and the elfling Legolas. I hope you will write of young Legolas again some time in the future. That's one thing nice about stories, the timeline can shift back and forth; not like our children - once they're grown, there's no turning back other than our memories.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you feel that way, ANA. The winter is beautiful but also *cold*. I can't imagine sleeping in a snow den. I'm much too big a sissy.
I was thinking about an elfling Legolas story just today, but I really miss writing about "teenaged" Legolas. That's such an interesting (and painful) age.
sofia
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
oh yay! another story by the lovely daw the minstrel. So legolas is finally on the southern partol. I feel bad for Eilian because he just realized that legolas isnt a little elf any more.
Author's reply
Eilian has treasured his little brother for a long time now. Legolas loved him uncritically and he needed that I think. And in turn, he was unstintingly loving to the little elf. So it's a loss for him.
Camp6311
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Yeah, a new story. The title sounds a bit ominous though, "Sacrifice Under Shadow". I am going to try to keep from making wild guesses this time, and just let the story unfold.
I like stories that open with the characters in motion, it just seems to pull you right into the story. Your opening line "Legolas ducked his head under a snow covered branch and rode the last few feet into the camp of the Southern Patrol" not only has the characters in action, but sets the scene as well. One sentence, and I already know it's winter in Mirkwood and who the characters are.
I have read more of this story than just the title and first sentence, and am looking forward to reading more.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the opening. First chapters are hard, I think. You need to establish who everyone is and where they are and what's happening now. Now I need do a first chapter for the young Eilian part of the story and I'm underway. I'm all excited!
naneth
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
I am so thankful that you are back with a new story. I have reread all of your older stories, and Nilmandra's, and was starting on old Mellon Chronicles stories. But a new story is much, much better!
My, Legolas is so calm and mature in this story. He's accepting of Beliond's role in his life, very adult in his dealings with Eilian, and sure of his status as a warrior. The loss of that precious relationship he had shared with Eilian since his childhood was sad to me, but I'm sure it will be replaced with a mature, but equally wonderful, relationship between the two adult brothers. I don't really believe that Eilian will ever be able to completely not see Legolas as his little brother, though.
You created such beautiful pictures with your snow scenes! It never snows like that here in the south where I live-heck, it never snows at all. You built such a realistic picture of a snow-covered forest that I had to go dig out a blanket to wrap up in to finish the story.
Great job, as usual!
Author's reply
You are funny, Naneth! But I know what you mean. I think I started writing my own stories because I ran out of ones I wanted to read.
Legolas is doing well, isn't he? Of course, he's had a long time to learn in. And the loss of the relationship with Eilian is sad to me too. I have plans though. There will be something else. ;-)
All I had to do to be inspired about snow was look out my window to the snow covered wasteland around here. Will it ever be spring, I wonder? Maybe this is the Long Winter?
tigerlily713
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Great chapter! Your descriptions were clear and vivid as always, and your actions scenes were wonderfully constructed. Great dialogue too. Eagerly awaiting more! Lily
Author's reply
Thank you, Lily. You are kind, as always. First chapters are always hard for me because I feel like I'm just setting things up but not much happened. I think next I need a chapter on young Eilian.
LKK
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
While I read about elves in snow, the TV showed kids at play in a Hawaiian water park. This has nothing to do with your story, daw, but I thought it made an odd juxtaposition. LOL
Legolas did well on his first day with the Southern Patrol. It seems like he managed to convince Eilian that he doesn't need looking after. Eilian, on the other hand, didn't seem to happy that he had been convinced. I can't help wondering if older brother is sad to realize that Legolas is almost grown up, if not wholly grown even. And maybe younger brother is sad to realize it, as well??
Author's reply
Good observation, LKK. Eilian is sad and Legolas is not wholly happy. His relationship with Eilian has been very important to him and now it's changing. He still needs it, I think, but he needs it to be different. ;-)
Legolas4me
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
I really hope that Legolas does not get Shadow sickness...that would not be good for him or his family. THis is a great story and I love the battle scenes! They are so exciting and real!
Author's reply
Glad you liked the battle scenes. I looked out my window at the frozen wasteland I now live in and said to myself, "What was that Long Winter like? And did they really sleep outside???" I could never be a warrior for so many reasons but that's one of them.
erunyauve
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Na vedui! I was going into withdrawal, here. I liked seeing the way Legolas and Beliond have learned to work together - it seems that the scare with the dragon did teach him something about making sure that Beliond knows where he is at all times.
I can see how gaining Eilian's full acceptance of him as an adult and a warrior would be a little bittersweet - he's leaving behind something of the simpler and more innocent times of his childhood.
Author's reply
Erunyauve--I was tickled at your claim that you were going into withdrawal. I was worried that I post so fast that people might be getting tired of these stories.
Legolas and Eilian have both learned some things over the years. But I have some other new stuff for them to experience, so they'll have to adjust more yet. And I am going to show Eilian at about age 40 too, the equivalent of human 16 year old, more or less.
Karri
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
I'm glad to see Eilian behaving more reasonably. Nice bit of foreshadowing at the end. :-)
Author's reply
Eilian learns slowly, but he does learn. He just needs to act on impulse for a while before his better self rises to the top and he settles down. As we will see, that's a lifelong behavior pattern for him.
Fadesintothewest
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Oh yes! I have been waiting for Legolas' stint in the Southern Patrol and here we finally have it! Eilian's expression towards Legolas at the end just said it all, he does see his little brother in a different light. And Legolas' feeling towards it, well that is just such a great touch b.c it is so true! I await the rest of this story anxiously!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, Fades. Eilian and Legolas will have to adjust to this change in their relationship, but I have plans for them that will push them along, I think. ;-)
LOTRFaith
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Yay! You're back already:-) I am very glad to see that:-D So is this story after Fire and Shadow? I can't wait until the next chapter;-)
Namaarie!
LOTRFaith
Author's reply
I think of this story as a companion piece to "Fire and Shadow" because that one had flashbacks to a younger Ithilden and this one will have flashbacks to a younger Eilian. I'm glad you enjoyed the first chapter.
Justafan
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
Yay, another story! It's such a nice, exciting beginning with the orc battle and everything. I love the Eilian/Legolas relationship that's showing up here with Eilian giving advice to Legolas as a captain rather than as a brother, yet still unable to keep his protective instincts completely at bay. Poor Legolas, as he almost, but not quite, realizes that he's losing that complete protectiveness that characterized his relationship with Eilian.
Author's reply
I'm glad the relationship came through for you, Justafan. Family dynamics are what I like writing about the best. I'm working on a change in this particular relationship, so we'll see how it goes. I would never want to completely lose that sense that Legolas's brothers would kill anyone who harmed him, but they need to see him as an adult too.
FirstMate
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 1: The Southern Patrol
I was so pleased to see this new story of yours...a wonderful treat after a long day of work! I'm also happy to see it's about when Legolas joins the Southern Patrol. I've been wondering how Eilian would react to his presence, so it will be fun to see what you do with them. Well, it was a great chapter and I'm anxious to see the rest. My favorite part, by the way, was the very end of the chapter. Rather sweet that Legolas would realize that even though he wanted to be seen as all grown up, he still feels a bit sad to lose that sense of his brothers taking care of him. (Although, truthfully, I suppose they will always feel a bit protective of him!)
Author's reply
I think you are absolutely right. Legolas's brothers will always want to take care of him. But for Legolas, the loss of the sense that he is sheltered in loving arms must be bitter as well as welcome. Thank you for the review, FirstMate.