Reviews (169)

Bodkin · 28 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Eagle-gram!!! Love it.

Bodkin · 28 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Oh, just brilliant - so funny. Amelith calling the elflings 'sweet' and 'cute' - how insensitive. I'm so glad Eilian was able to control his raging hormones and be nice to the elflings when they misread his clue - it certainly helped Legolas feel valued when his brother was able to remove his arms and lips from his evening's entertainment and turn his attention to them. And he passed the test when he said they could give up the hunt and join him and Amelith in the sitting room. Poor Green-y, being the cause of all that chaos. Those elflings are bound to end up in trouble over this - as is big brother. Not the most subtle of places to hide the answer to clue 2 - or a place/answer likely to thrill Adar. I adored the look he gave Turgon when told the clue - and Legolas's hasty explanation. I think Eilian has already earned one paternal rebuke. Loved the flashbacks - Lorellin pretending not to know about Eilian to make it easier for Ithilden. And the memories of Ithilden and Eilian's childhoods. Even in mischief, Ithilden is anxious and taking the responsibility of the world on his shoulders, whereas Eilian is frivolous and light-hearted. Naneth is right - Ithilden does need a nice elleth - it is so sad that she never got to know Alfirin or Sinnarn. Annael is so lovable. He is just such a secure, loved elfling (until you slew his adar!!) He is also reliable, dependable (and to quote a comedy show of which you will never have heard) lots of other things ending in 'able'. And Turgon - so many good qualities, to go with the less appealing. And more open, I think, than his little brother. Lovely way to start the day.

Rose Sared · 28 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

ahh, the mice of chaos live up to their name! Great pile up, and nice labour scene. Poor Eliam, now Dad's going to break up his tryst, poor lad can't win. Much fun ta. Rose

Dragon-of-the-North · 28 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

This chapter really cracked me up - it was a perfect comedy piece, balanced by the more earnest (and very sweet and fitting) memories, but mainly such fun! Legolas innocent wondering why Eilian likes to kiss maidens on the mouth was priceless - *that* matter seems to come into the story very often... But only fitting for a begetting day story, I suppose. The flower hunt itself was quite wonderful, and I admit that I was very curious what the "chattering pest" reference meant ("flowers overhead" did make me think of Thranduil's crown, but I was quite sure that not even Eilian was going to term him a "chattering pest" - so it was doubly amusing when Turgon's words let Thranduil assume that just that had happened... *g*). "He is, in short, a Wood-elf, my poor Sindar love" - I loved that bit, too! It is most fitting, and even if said in jest, it might explain one or the other thing about your Thranduil... It is also most amusing to see where the mice turn up again - one mouse for every step of the "treasure hunt", hm? I will also admit that I am quite glad that Eilian is not going to end up with Amelith forever - she "smiles too much" indeed, or rather... she seems a bit immature and does not take children seriously, always a minus. ;-) Great chapter once again!

Elena Tiriel · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Aaaack! Did I say ten days? My fingers didn't keep up with my brain, or vice versa. It was *two* days after the fall of Sauron that the Siege of Erebor was broken. So that news travelled fast... probably by Eagle-gram. - Barbara (blushing...)

vic · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Daw, What a great chapter you produced for us! So beautiful and funny :-) I loved flowers being on the head of a chattering pest... sorry still rolling on the floor here... This was just brilliant! I do hope Legolas and his friends will not get into too much of a bother on the eve of the elfling's birthday. It is very interesting to see how the whole family reacted to the imminent birth of yet another son. I do hope that the whole family will be together to welcome the new addition into the world. I hope you had a wonderful birthday yourself, with lots of presents and Legolas stories running through your head :-) Vic

Karri · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Woo! Go, Green-y, Go! A very entertaining chapter, daw. :-) (One thing, is there a word missing here: “What are three doing in here? Where is Eilian?”)

Elena Tiriel · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

It's stuff like this that would prevent me from killing Legolas's family because he doesn't look like someone who has gotten such a message in the books. In other words, the death of Eilian, Ithilden, etc. is uncanonical, odd as that seems! **Very, very big grin!** I saved some lives today! Woohoo! Barbara does a happy dance...

French Pony · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

I am officially coming down on the side of the kids here. Kissing is gross, especially on the mouth. And Amelith is the chirpy type who has the chutzpah to call sword-and-bow-wielding elflings "cute." Eilian can do waaaaay better than her. Good thing he convinces Celuwen in the end. She knows better than to call such helpful little elflings "cute." I suppose Legolas was a relatively fortunate baby. He did have a beautiful nana who loved him, but he didn't have her for very long. On the other hand, he had an ada who liked him, which is more than, say, Faramir had. Or Frodo, who lost both parents in one swell foop. I suppose it's all in how you look at it. "Be well and do what the midwife tells you?" Excuse me? Did Ithilden just say something so mind-bogglingly arrogant to his own mother while she was in labor? If I dared to tell my mother or my aunts anything like that in a similar situation, I'd count myself fortunate if they restricted themselves to laughing me out of the room. My mother and one of my aunts would probably scold my eyebrows off my face, my other aunt might even be motivated to take a swipe at me, and my grandmother would curse at me in Russian. That is truly a rude, presumptive thing to say to the woman who gave birth to you, especially if you're a boy. I can think of several good reasons to put raspberry jam into fur-lined boots. Aaaaaaaand enter the Three Stooges. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. . . Three little kids, one mouse, one rowdy dance, and the place looks like one of those old comedies that ends with someone throwing a pie. I love it! And now Legolas is inadvertently going to get Eilian in trouble. Payback for kissing people on the mouth.

Duchess67 · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

LOLOLOL That was too funny, the whole crazy scene in the Hall was easy to picture from your descriptions. The fact that Thranduil was afraid to startle Legolas while he was so high up without himself below to catch the Elfling was very realistic of fatherhood. Been there myself with various nieces, nephews and friends' children. *chuckling* Thank you for more of the flashbacks, these are just darling and you're making such GOOD use of them! *vbg* Loved it and already want more, greedy gus that I am. *still chuckling* Well done!!! :):):)

Ms. Whatsit · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

--“We are not ‘sweet,’” Turgon scowled. “We have archery lessons and sword lessons.” -- Yes, you are, Turgon! You're such a cute little boy, yes, you are! And Legolas and Annael, too! And don't even think about throwing things at me because I'm better at that sort of game than you are, I promise. So who did Eilian mean to be the "chattering pest"? The squirrel--or was it a subtle if inaccurate jab at Thranduil? Stop fretting, Thranduil. Your son's a wood-elf. He can climb a damn pillar. Poor Green-y. Not only does he have an awful name but he almost got trampled. --To Legolas, kissing on the mouth looked like a really embarrassing thing to do. -- LOL. I remember when I thought like that. You write little kids so well.

Elena Tiriel · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Oh, Daw! I am laughing so hard! Really, Eilian has no sense of propriety whatsoever! *Big loud guffaw* - Barbara

sofia · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

that was hilarious. I would like to read about Eilian and the pot of raspberry jam. -sofia

Elena Tiriel · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Hi Daw! Regarding your reply to Bodkin, below: "I'd have to look at the time gaps to see if there was time for messages to go. Legolas's family would not have known where he was at first. They had no reason to know he was in Minas Tirith, I think, right? Or did I miss something?" I believe that status messages did go back and forth (both ways); Mirkwood is not mentioned specifically, but was as likely to be sending and receiving messages as Dale and Erebor. Consider this quote (emphasis is mine): "[March] 17 Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. ... March 27 Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy from Dale. ... At the same time as the great armies besieged Minas Tirith a host of the allies of Sauron ... crossed the River Carnen, and Brand was driven back to Dale. ... there was a great battle at the Mountain's feet. It lasted three days, but in the end ... the Easterlings had the victory. But they could not take the Gate, and many, both Dwarves and Men, took refuge in Erebor, and there withstood a siege. ***When news came of the great victories in the South, then Sauron's northern army was filled with dismay; and the besieged came forth and routed them,*** and the remnant fled into the East and troubled Dale no more." The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age And this one: "So it was [because of the Quest of Erebor] that when the War [of the Ring] came at last the main assault was turned southwards; yet ... Sauron might have done great evil in the North, if King Dáin and King Brand had not stood in his path. ***Even as Gandalf said afterwards to Frodo and Gimli, when they dwelt together for a time in Minas Tirith. Not long before news had come to Gondor of events far away.*** 'I grieved at the fall of Thorin,' said Gandalf; 'and now we hear that Dáin has fallen, fighting in Dale again, even while we fought here. ... When you think of the great Battle of the Pelennor, do not forget the battles in Dale and the valour of Durin's Folk.'" The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Durin's Folk So, the major news (that Sauron had fallen) reached the forces of Sauron besieging Dale and Erebor within ten days (possibly not much more than rumor, at that point). And specific messages (telling that King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot had fallen) reached the Fellowship in Minas Tirith during their stay there. Hope this helps! Anything to encourage your Muse... [as long as you don't kill any of my favorite OCs, especially Legolas' family.] - Barbara

nessie · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Yay! I was actually just finishing 'Heart's Ease' when the author's alert telling me you updated came! Yay for Legolas for figuring it out! I don't like Amelith either...Legolas is right, she does smile too much. They're not some eleven year old elflings you know! Geeze...Celuwen is so much better. I think I said that before though. Oh well. I loved the Great Hall scene. Poor elf carrying the goblets of wine! The riddle in this one was harder. So obviously I didn't figure it out. *Sighs* Well anyways...Oh yeah! And I loved the flashback again too. I could just imagine Eilian putting jam in the boots and Ithilden stealing a horse! And it shows just how much Thranduil loved Lorellin. Awww! Update asap! ~nessie~

Jay of Lasgalen · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Really Daw! Do you have to write such stories? This made me laugh out loud, which *always* gets me funny looks! Thranduil's memories were bittersweet, especially the realisation that Eilian was overdue. Poor Eilian did do his best to be fair - 'if you found the treasure then of course you come back' - although he was very obviously interrupted. The scene in the hall was wonderful, pure chaos, and I loved the reference to Thranduil's crown on the head of a chattering pest. I thought he would explode. Jay

Anonymous · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 4: A Chattering Pest

Best lines ever: “He made a treasure hunt for us,” Turgon said, “and we were looking for flowers and these are the right flowers because Eilian said they were on the head of a chattering pest.” He took Thranduil’s crown from Legolas and held it up. Thranduil narrowed his eyes at the child. “It was the squirrel, Ada,” Legolas put in, pointing at the carving, and Thranduil relaxed a little. That is tooo funny.

tigerlily713 · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Oh the antics! I can't wait for more!

tigerlily713 · 27 July 2004 · Chapter 2: Escape

Great chapter! I love this flashback of Eilian! I can't wait to read more!

Estel_Mi_Olor · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

*Grin* I suppose the image of an Elf running about knocking pans around with a broom isn't a very common one. Nevertheless, it's very funny. Now to twist that we can picture Lord Elrond or even Thranduil himself in that position :). But I hope the elflings find the mice-at least to spare more...er...embarassing scenes? I really like the angle you're taking with these flashbacks. They are a whole different story in their own right-hey it's the two-for-the-price-of-one-sale. Very nice. I do hope Eilian makes it out alright! Isn't Eilian hysterical? He has the elflings fetch the wine-well at least they didn't have to go get Amelith. He knows how to have a good time and babysit. Eilian is definetly going to make a great father. Keep writing!

Dot · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Woops, nearly missed an update. I don’t know how you get these written so quickly. Yay, though! “A maiden is visiting him. He will not want to help us now, and he will be unhappy to be interrupted.” Tsk. It sounds like baby bro’ has been ditched for maidens before. No wonder he never likes any of them. I still think Turgon is right and that Eilian would have helped them if not for his, um, guest. It’s a pity the three elflings are probably not old enough to scheme a way to get rid of the maiden before the mice do it for them. I love how attached they are to the mice already. I mean, they seem much more worried about how the mice must be feeling than the trouble they themselves might be in. Nice story about Legolas being lost! The poor thing seems traumatised by the incident. But just because he lost track of his father and brothers doesn’t mean they lost track of him. No, I’m not mean enough to laugh at him. Well, maybe I giggled a little… He just seems so wise due his experience… *slaps wrist* That riddle was very clever! I can’t believe he’s asking them to fetch him some wine. Bad Eilian. Drinking whilst babysitting and plying maidens with wine would surely be frowned upon by his father! “Sometimes when his family was busy in the evenings, Legolas liked to read on a bench in the Hall and listen to the singing.” Oh, daw, do you know how sad that made me? I think that’s a really lonely picture – Legolas all by himself. Or being watched over by servants and guards. Mind you, he seems to enjoy it but still, both his brothers would probably have had their mother for company at that young age if Thranduil was busy and servants would likely have been a last resort. What’s up with these Men? How awful that three disappeared and all that was found was spider web. That message from the Master of Laketown did indeed sound rather offensive. But then again, if some of his people are gone missing inside the Elves’ territory I can see why he’d be angry. Odd that the eastern border patrol didn’t spot any spiders. I’m glad Thranduil is helping the search but like Ithilden, I wouldn’t have expected anything else from him. I like Hiran already and hope his brother is alright, although at the moment I don’t see how he could be… I meant to say in the last chapter – I love the way you introduce the flashbacks! Nineteen years and about five hours earlier… You know, I hadn’t really thought about it before until Deler appeared but I have to admit that it’s quite freaky sometimes seeing so many people back from the dead as it were. Seriously, it actually unsettled me when he walked into Ithilden’s office! And of course there’s Turgon, and we get Lorellin in the flashbacks… *shudder* I shouldn’t have thought of that… Anyway… what terrible news for Ithilden to get. Apart from his own fear for his brother, he has to keep the news from both his parents. He’s probably used to keeping some things from his mother but not from Thranduil, and certainly not something so important. “Another brother to send off to face the Shadow, Ithilden thought bitterly, and I will not be able to assure his safety either.” I thought that moment of selfishness when Ithilden blames his parents for forcing him to send another brother to danger was wonderful. It shows a very human side to him and brings home the times in which they live and how even the birth of a baby can bring despair for those who know they have to let him into peril. It also shows that Ithilden doesn’t have much hope for the future if he’s so certain that by the time this baby is a warrior there will still be Shadow to fight. I felt sorry for him having to act unconcerned in front of his parents. It seems he hasn’t fooled Thranduil, though, but the king is clearly also determined not to bother his wife. I like the connection between Ithilden and Legolas, that they were both born at a time of danger. I love too the picture of Lorellin and Thranduil as first-time parents. Some day you’ll have to show us that. And don’t say there are too many OCs. Thranduil is there, isn’t he!! It’s quite sad to know that Lorellin wished Ithilden’s life could be easier. She’d probably have really liked Alfirin. Cook seems nice! He seems very found of young Legolas. It sounds like the staff in the kitchen are very familiar with Eilian too. They really should have sent up cider…! That mouse chase was hilarious! Poor Annael seems frightfully upset. Turgon is so funny. He has absolutely no fear in him at all. Lord knows what the assistant thought. The cook was wonderfully understanding, considering. It’ll be a job and a half to make a load more tarts. Ai, such havoc! So Red-y seems to have found his freedom. Good luck to him, I say. And now back to Eilian for the next clue. I almost dread to see what happens next… ;-)

White Wolf · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Those elflings, those tarts, and the Cook was so funny. And then throw in Red-y, and it all turned hilarious. I can't blame Ithilden for his flash of anger at his parents having another son that he will one day have to send into danger, which we all know he does. And now with Eilian apparently missing, I think his feelings are justified. Now I have to say, poor Ithilden.

Jebb · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Another beautiful chapter so full of smiles, the trip to the kitchens was certainly exciting even more for the red mouse and the cook! Legolas knows his older brother very well and how he will be distracted by his visitor and Ithilden all those years before trying his best to protect his parents from bad news what an excellent son even if his parents knew very well something was wrong thank you for another great update

Jule · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

You have to give Turgon credit. He is very loyal and loving to those his cares about. I remember in one of your other stories after being told he couldn't hang out w/ Legolas for a week, he just hugged him and went on his way. Here he throws himself between his Red-y and a broom weilding cook. He really is a sweetie. It is to bad he had such lousy parents. Eilian should be ashamed of himself. Think of all though trouble the elflings could have found if they actually went down to the store rooms. I'm almost afraid to see where he sends them next. I can't wait to see where the rest of the mice turn up Thanks for writing Jule

sofia · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 3: Lost

Is that his real name? Cook? I actually like that... -sofia