erunyauve
· 3 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Well, I will only encourage the postponement of your work. You have some interesting conflicts going here - Ithilden's struggle with his father to be allowed to do his job as he sees fit - and make his own mistakes, and Legolas' need for more attention from his father. I suspect the latter comes partly from the loss of his mother - Thranduil may be forgetting that he has to be both mother and father to his youngest son; he never had to do that for his older children.
And it's wonderful to see Ithilden courting Alfirin. I look forward to seeing him with butterflies in his stomach and sweaty palms for once.
Author's reply
I am going to work during the week. I am going to work during the week. I am going to work during the week. Yes, I am!
I think that Thranduil does have a hard time giving Legolas what he needs and maybe even noticing that he needs it. He's an experienced parent, but his experience took place with Lorellin there, so he has to relearn some things.
It's fun to make Ithilden be unsure of himself. That is SO not like him!
Antigone Q
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Yay! A new story! With Little Legolas! Looks great so far - "Don't track dirt on the wet spots!" - LOL.
I guess the treehouse is going to be an issue? I can't really see why, if Annael's parents are going to be right there. They are usually pretty sensible, and it wouldn't hurt for Thranduil to talk to them, at least, about some possible compromise that would let Legolas have an overnight with his friends. If Thranduil really has his knickers in a knot about Legolas' safety, he could probably just post a guard at the base of the tree all night. Oh, well. No use trying to change the king's mind (or, more realistically, your outline) once it's made up.
Thranduil gives Legolas MORE latitude than his brothers? Holy cow!
Author's reply
I suspect that Legolas never before noticed when people were tracking dirt onto a clean floor, himself included. But once you've had to keep a floor clean, your whole perspective changes!
LOL about the latitude thing. I figure nana was the indulgent one with the other two. And I don't expect that Legolas gets away with much, but I think that because he's the baby and because the people around him would have felt so sorry for him when his mother died, he's probably been indulged in little things: bedtimes, treats, getting to do things at a younger age than the other two did, maybe. When I think of it, though, it must have made a difference that Eilian was a child during the Watchful Peace. I'll bet he could have quite a lot of freedom that was then yanked out from under him when he was a novice. That had to be hard.
Glad you like the story so far.
dr_seuss_is_cool
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Hello.
Ithilden seems very strong and capable in this chapter. When he leaves I felt as if he had bested Thranduil. That makes me feel even more love towards Ithilden.
Calith, even if he is a small character, is one of my favorite small characters. He is so great in these stories. If you have ever read "The Odyssey", I imagine him as being Eurykleia or Eumaios.
Aw, Ithilden is crushing on Alfirin. I think I know how that turns out! Yay!
Poor Legolas. Woe is him. I feel just as Ithilden does in that Thranduil needs to pay more attention to Legolas.
Well, thank you for writing.
Bye Bye :)
Author's reply
You are so right about Ithilden. He IS strong and capable. He's like his father in most ways, but I think it's probably important to him that he be allowed to be different from his father too and that's not easy.
It's been so long since I've read "The Odyssey" that I don't remember minor characters, but I may have to reread "The Iliad," given that "Troy" is coming out soon. I am so excited about that! I have considered doing a story through the eyes of Alfirin, Celuwen, Beliond, and Maltanaur only. I could add Calith to that list. It would show my characters through the eyes of these other people.
Poor Legolas yes, but also poor Thranduil, I think. He is so busy and he's a single parent whose child just did something stupid and dangerous and he wants to be sure that said child is safe. He's wrong, but I can understand it.
Lera
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Man you write fast! Which is an absolutely wonderful blessing. I had so much fun reading about Eilien and Celuwen in the last story, I'm so really, really excited to see Ithilden and Alfirin's love story playing out.
The whole thing with Legolas and Ithilden thinking the other was being incredibly rude was really funny. It was strange to see Ithilden and Legolas, rather than Eilien and Legolas. I've always appreciated Ithilden. He's an absolute rock and it'll be interesting to see how he gets there.
I felt kind of sorry for Legolas. It didn't seem that unreasonable a request to me. I mean he's spent the night at Annael's house and the flet is right outside the cottage and I'm sure Annael's ada has checked it to make sure it's safe. So it wouldn't hurt Thranduil to find out some details before saying no. I feel for him. It's obviously so hard to be a single parent, but he does it pretty well, overall.
It's good to see a young Legolas story again. I had just got used to him being a grown up! I actually wouldn't mind some young Ithilden and Eilien stories. I love them and am curious about their childhoods. And even their relationship. Right now I can't think...have you really explored their relationship in other stories? It's late. You probably have and I can't think of where right now. I'm so tired. I"m going to bed. Thanks for the new story!
Author's reply
You know, it doesn't feel like I write fast. I know I must, but it doesn't feel that way.
Anyway, I don't know how far we'll get with Alfirin and Ithilden in this story because I have already shown them marrying when Legolas is about 40, so about 13 years from now. So that means the romance moved slowly, which I guess makes sense given that this is Ithilden and not Eilian.
For much of Legolas's childhood, Eilian was around only occasionally (which is probably one reason he stayed the shining idol) but Ithilden was there almost every day. I don't think I have a very good grasp on what that must have been like, which is one reason I'm writing about it.
I've shown glimpses of Ithilden and Eilian together over the years. It probably would be possible to piece those together and see their affection and respect for one another as adults, even though Eilian still drives Ithilden mad on occasion. I kind of hesitate to write much about their childhoods because then Legolas wouldn't be around. I use OCs so much as it is and I think readers expect canon characters. Of course, there would be Thranduil, but I still think that Legolas is the one that the stories should focus on. But in truth, I too wonder about their childhoods. :-)
French Pony
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Well, Legolas is certainly right -- he's not an elfling. No, he has morphed into that most fearsome of creatures, an Adolescent. An Adolescent who orders people off his freshly mopped floor, no less, with all the élan of a certified naneth! And Ithilden, number one son that he is, must obey an order. I am going to betray my standing as a firstborn and say that it's fun to see Ithilden taking orders from Legolas.
When Ithilden looks at Alfirin, you can see the little birdies tweeting around his head.
Thranduil ought to see that the flet is safe. After all, it's in Annael's back yard, and Annael's parents are experts at what is safe and what isn't. It's not as if it were in Turgon's yard, where there are probably snakes. But I think that Legolas will find himself on the flet before this story is out.
Author's reply
It was fun to write about Legolas giving orders to Ithilden! I doubt if that happens too much through all the time in Arda, not orders that Ithilden takes anyway. And once a kid has washed a floor (or a bathroom), he takes much greater notice of the fact the fact that it's about to get mucked up again.
I'm glad you could see how besotted Ithilden is even though he has spoken all of three words to Alfirin so far in this story. I think he needs lessons from Eilian.
Manderly
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Yeh, a new story, and with a young Legolas! I've been getting the withdrawals for your young Legolas stories. He's been so grown up and sensible in the last few stories that it's nice to be reminded that he wasn't always so. Legolas always seems to be getting in the way of his brothers and their female interests, doesn't he? He did it with Celuwen and now he's doing with Alfirin. I guess it's his God-given right as the younger brother. Poor Ithilden!
Spider venom antidote. Why do I get a bad feeling about it?
Looking forward to your next chapter.
Author's reply
I missed young Legolas too, and needed to write about him again. (Although I have to say I enjoyed writing about grown up Legolas more than I anticipated. He made my fangirl heart go pittypat.) He just doesn't get this girlfriend stuff quite yet. Give him a few more years!
The Karenator
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
daw,
I can't believe how fast you write! Mind you, your dawship, I'm not complaining. I am always thrilled to get an announcement that you've put up another story or another chapter. I am, however, a bit jealous. I want to write as quickly as you do!
I think that was the most heated 'discussion' we've been privy to between the king and Ithilden. It makes me sound a tad pathological, but I really liked it. You had the tone just right. I could feel the tension and rising irritation between them. Thranduil might be a little on the hot-headed side sometimes, but he's always reasonable when he can take a step back and see the situation clearly. One of the things I like about your Thranduil is that he will admit when he's wrong and even capitulate when he sees the reason behind Ithilden's stand.
Now if he can just slow down enough to listen to Legolas's side. Though, I might even be more sympathetic to his quick refusal to Legolas than to Ithilden. At this point, Legolas has a history of make rather suspect choices, and his close association with Turgon always raises red flags when his name is mentioned. Not to mention the emotional baggage of Lorellin being gone, and Thranduil being a single parent trying to run a kingdom, fight off the encroaching shadow, and raise a child. Legolas has proven he bears watching. I think I would have to have more information on this spend-the-night party, too, before I gave my permission.
I really like a flustered Ithilden. He's so competent and serious, it's fun to see him so smitten that he can hardly talk. Of course, we know the outcome, but you still did a good job of showing that she was interested too. I thought it was evident in the way they just sort of stood and looked at each other without saying a word.
I'm looking forward to finding out what this practical joke is going to be. A great start, daw. Carry on, Karen
Author's reply
Thranduil is pretty good with Ithilden, although the two of them are still working through how independent Ithilden is going to be in making decisions about the military. I had him being pretty self-directed in stories set later, and here's where they're still establishing that, I think.
Legolas is about 11 or 12 in human terms and when my son was that age, I'd have wanted to know a whole lot before he traipsed off to spend the night, especially if it was going to be with the kid I modelled Turgon after. (I know, *shudder, shudder*.) I'm not sure Thranduil and Legolas are very pleased with one another right now. It's a bad age. Legolas wants to be independent and he's still young enough to have no judgment. Thranduil wants him to stay home and be a good boy and it's not going to happen.
Nilmandra
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
I liked the Thranduil and Ithilden interation - Thranduil needs someone as strong as Ithilden to stand up to him, and I look forward to seeing more of his character developed here.
I did feel bad for Legolas, though. Adar didn't even ask for details about IF an adult would be present, or say he had to talk to Annael's parents - he just said No. I think Eilian is right about the attention Legolas needs. Looking forward to the journey you plan on taking them!
Author's reply
I think that Thranduil's first reaction is protective. That's his first instinct with Legolas, to keep him safe. I wonder if he reacts differently because it's a bigger deal for him to stroll on down to Annael's cottage and ask that it would be for someone else. He'd have guards and everything. I suppose he's done it before but I'll bet it never feels natural. I wondered if he could send Ithilden, but even that would be awkward because Annael's father is one of Ithilden's warriors. Legolas does not seem to be giving up, so he may know how likely his father is to come around if more facts present themselves!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Yay, a new story! It's funny to see Ithilden beginning to show an interest in Alfirin, when we know the outcome so well! I wonder what the practical joke is going to be, and who is the perpetrator? I'm guessing Turgon, and something to do with the spider antidote. And I'm probably completely wrong.
Jay
Author's reply
I like going back and having these characters do things whose outcomes they don't know but we do (a tangled sentence, but you know what I mean). Actually, I suppose most of fanfiction is like that. We know where all these characters wind up, which is the thing that really makes them interesting. Think about the twins as you write about them and then about the events that will happen in a few thousand years!
sofia
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Another story.... wow..... good chapter, seems like Legolas gets in bad moods alot durring his childhood.
Author's reply
I suspect that Legolas had many happy times too but those are less fun to write about! And the age he's at now is a hard one--right on the edge of adolescence. Combine that with living with a father whose king and an older brother who's a commander of troops and you have a recipe for problems. When they issue an order, everybody jumps! Except Legolas, of course.
Ms. Whatsit
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
I can see that Legolas is going to be stubborn about the tree house--but so is Thranduil. Uh-oh. I don't think Legolas is being too unreasonable, since Annael's parents are allowing him to do it too. I like that you're showing us some wrinkles in the relationship between Thranduil and Ithilden. Ithilden's too much of a good boy to actually *fight* with Thranduil like Legolas and Eilian, but it's unrealistic for them to always agree. I hope Thranduil listens to Eilian for once and pays attention to Legolas so we get more Thranduil-Legolas scenes.
And, Ithilden, flirting in front of the little brother? Not a good idea. You'll only irritate him. The whole bit about *rudeness* was quite funny.
I wonder who's going to play the practical joke. I suppose Legolas, with the possible help of Turgon and Annael, is the most likely candidate--but it would be funny if it were Ithilden!
Author's reply
I'm interested in Ithilden. I wonder what his relationship with his father is like and how it got that way. In stories set later, he seems to making decisions pretty independently but I wonder if it was a struggle for him to get there. Anyway, that's some of the questions I'm asking myself as I write here.
And I have to say he needs to ask Eilian for some advice on how to approach a maiden. :-)
Legolas is at a difficult age, I'm afraid. I'm not sure Thranduil is well suited to deal with a kid his age who is stretching toward independence.
naneth
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
A new story! Hooray! I love going back to the younger Legolas days. I dearly love him as an adult, but I so enjoy seeing those things in his childhood that molded him into the wonderful adult we know and love. Ithilden not exactly knowing what to do to actually court Alfirin is a hoot! So knowledgeable in the ways of war and warriors and yet so clueless about love, poor guy.
I'm already in love with this story. Can't wait for more! (wow, how many times can I use the word "love" in one review???)
Author's reply
You can't be happier than I am for there to be a new story, Naneth. I missed elfling Legolas and I'm overjoyed to be writing about him again. I'm also looking forward to a chance to explore Ithilden a little better. He is *completely* clueless about Alfirin.
Karri
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
I didn't think anyone had noticed that challenge. :-) I'll be looking forward to seeing how the story plays out.
Author's reply
I've had that challenge in the back of my mind ever since I first saw it, Karri. The brothers Thranduilion are not usually known as practical jokers so we'll have to see how this goes.
Bodkin
· 2 May 2004
· Chapter 1: Father and Sons
Oh joy! Ithilden mooning over Alfirin and naughty little Legolas with Turgon - the friend no parent wants. More, please.
Author's reply
I am so happy to have another story going that I can't stand it. This coming week is final exams and then I will be free! I feel like Legolas running out of the infirmary.