Reviews (30)

mystarlight · 1 July 2019 · Chapter 1: The Decision

What was in the letter?!

lucidity · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 1: The Decision

That was truly lovely! I admit, I'm not an expert on Legolas, but I am assuming he is the child who was begotten that day? I enjoyed your glimpse into their home life!

Elentari · 18 October 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

That was beautiful. We had heard Thranduil had conceived Legolas as a blow to the growing of the shadow, but it was not as much his ideas' a sit was Lorellin's. A fine point, Ithilden is as usual endearing in his need to protect the king and his desire to respect ada's privacy. And Lorelin is always a treat. Could I ask you to drop a few flashbacks so we could see a teeny bit more of her? What of it shows through the king and sons is delightful, but I am always greedy :)

LKK · 28 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

A wonderful response to the challenge, daw. You really had me wondering who the letter's author was and what that author wanted. I found it fascinating how adamantly opposed to the idea Thranduil was even though I didn't know what the letter said. "With difficulty, Thranduil restrained his irritation at being treated like a helpless child." Oh, the irony of that line! I laughed out loud. What a thought coming from someone who seems to want to never let his children grow up! I'm glad Lorellin got her way although I had little doubt that she would. Arda is going to need that little life they brought into the world that day. One final thing, I would not have been surprised to discover that Ithilden had secretly set guards on Thranduil after all. Quite honestly, I'm a little surprised that he didn't. :)

Estel_Mi_Olor · 13 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

That was excellent, as usual Daw. Short and sweet. :) Not that I dislike long... Great insight into the cirmustances in which Legolas was born. I love reading about this time, because it helps me realize how much Legolas means to his family. I think you answered the challenge very well, in a very creative manner. I think most people would interpret the letter as one about the Council either from Elrond with an invitation, or Legolas with his decision. Nice take on it! Thanks again and keep writing!

elliska · 10 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Now this was an unexpected treat as I paged through the stuff I had missed while I was offline. You absolutely have to do more stories with Lorellin as a living presence rather than just a memory. This was wonderful!

Fragile · 9 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

I first saw your stories at henneth-annun, my friend postes her fan-fics there and sometimes i get a little curious and i go to see what she has been up to. The first storie i read that was writen by you, was called "See the Stars" and i found it refresching because is not one of those Mary - Sue stories or one of those silly modern-girl-lands-in-middle-earth stories, you know what i mean. What i liked was the fact that you felt comfortable using characters that had been created by Tolkien, like Thranduil and Legolas, but you also created original characters, like Eilian, Ithilden, Alfirin, ect, and it works, because the characters just dont pop-up in the plot, they have some kind of backround or some relation to the other characters that works inside the Mirkwood society. No false flatery here but, as a reader, i liked the fact that you use proper grammar and spelling that adds even more credibility to your stories. Because sometimes it distracts the readers from the storie plot. Im gona read some of your other stories, altho i dont have many free time i alredy read, Prodigal Sons, See the Stars, Joinings, and The Decision, i like that the story dinamic's main source is family in this case, Thranduil's family, i like how you potrait them, they dont seem fake, it makes then real. Now that my found this web site, i'll read the stories in between. ^_^ {starts missing college to read fan-fics} LOL Congratulations, you have been doing a great job. Keep it up.

French Pony · 6 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Saucy! Sorry I didn't get to this earlier, but I was busy. My best friend came to visit for a few days, and I had my twenty-eighth birthday and he had his twenty-seventh, and there was much rejoicing, so this story had to wait. But it kept quite well. I don't think you've ever written a story featuring Lorellin in "real time," have you? It was nice to get a look at her and see why it is that Thranduil gets so depressed when he thinks about her in the later stories. It's a wily old lover he is, too. He's right; Ithilden would be absolutely appalled if he knew what Maman and Papa were getting up to out there in the woods. He's probably still at that phase of life where he just can't imagine his very own parents actually having sex, and part of him believes that his own conception occurred as the result of a long discussion.

Nilmandra · 6 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

I really like the ending - and the innuendo about the afternoon ride. There is something gloriously wonderful about a couple still so in love after all these years together. I love them making a baby out in the trees.

esamen · 6 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

He had been king of the Woodland Realm for longer than any of these trees had been alive. They had never known another ruler, and his being was so linked with theirs that he drew on their strength and their deeply-rooted connection to Arda almost without effort. Ah, our awesome Thranduil, completely unlike any other king in Middle-earth. Aren't you the sly one, sneaking up on us with Lorellin being the writer of the note? Lovely, just lovely. Only too short! Thanks for writing it.

Effigy · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Very cute story! She pulled back a little and looked pleadingly into his face. “But that is just why we should have a baby now. Think about it, my love! There can be no better way to defy the Shadow than to have a baby.” That line is very familiar though, did you use that line before in one of your previous stories? I know I've read it before. Anyway, another job well done.

White Wolf · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

This was lovely. I think Thranduil and Lorellin are so good together. Their deep love for each other is very evident. Too bad Legolas didn't get the chance to grow up with his naneth.

tigerlily713 · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Very beautiful! Lily

LOTR lover · 5 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

This is a wonderful line: At the moment, he was not sure he could have protected himself or Lorellin from a chipmunk. Ah, the image evoked there! I love the idea of Elves being able to know at once when they conceive, and you surrounded this delightful idea with a fine story. Terrific.

Karri · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Excellent, daw! It is amazing how many different way this has been spun so far. I enjoyed the glimpse of Legolas's begetting. Very sweet!

meckinock · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Wow, Daw. This was quite a change of pace after "Brother's Keeper." So sensual and poetic, so intimate. I loved Thranduil's private communion with the trees, the visual image of Lorellin bathed in light, her resolve quenching his indecision, their amusement at eluding Ithilden's babysitters. It was all wonderful.

Brenda G. · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

So Legolas is begotten... The stories you write containing Lorellin are always a special treat because they give us a different insight into Thranduil than we regularly see. It is easy to forget that he was a husband and lover alongside the other roles he so capably fills as warrior, king, and father. Of course, we who have long kept company with your tales know Lorellin's eventual fate and the ripple effect that has in the lives of those surviving her. I think that is why when Lorellin makes her rare appearances in a few of your stories that we are so greedy to grab at and absorb all that we can about her because of all that Thranduil becomes when he is with her that is often tucks away for moments of private reflection or grief. It strikes me that I would have loved this dear lady as deeply and reverently as the others whose lives she graced for so short a time. This piece was a little bitter, a lot sweet, and altogether delicious! Well done.

Jay of Lasgalen · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

So this was really Legolas's begetting day, was it? I like the way Lorellin 'had her way' with Thranduil - and the forest is the right place for the conception of a wood-elfling. I'm amazed at the totally different stories that have been written so far as a result of this challenge! Jay

jenolas · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

This is a beautiful story, daw. I love the implication of spicy humour in the letter and on the mind of it's writer when all is revealed.

Ms. Whatsit · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

This was cute and fluffy in a good way, and also very Elf-y. Perfectly Wood-elfy. I love the way you write wood-elf romance. It seems so natural and yet very beautiful, as it should be for Elves. It also humanizes Thranduil nicely--king or no, he's a wood-elf, and isn't above a little play in the woods.

sofia · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

aww, that's cute. I wonder what that important letter is from and about... hmm. -sofia

eokat · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

I like this. I do enjoy most Thranduil stories and am always glad when hie wife is in the story. I know she is never mentioned in the book, but she was there somewhere, [or where did Legolas come from.]Eokat.

Dot · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

There you are! And what a treat this is! This particular challenge has resulted in some great stories. And the resurrection of dead wives. Hmmn. You *are* a tricksy one. An impatient letter writer demanding that a request be fulfilled, eh? That’s a really clever angle to take. Thranduil does seem very reticent to do as she wants. I suppose when he’s sitting in his office listening to one son report on another son’s injuries, I can’t blame him for not wanting to bring another child into the world. As always, I love to see Ithilden make an appearance. It’s fascinating to see him less confident in his work than I’m used to. I hadn’t thought before about how so much of his time as troop commander was during the Watchful Peace. It’s understandable that he would need to adjust once the Shadow returned. Of course, it sounds as though he is excellent at his job and just needs a little reassurance. I like that Thranduil is so understanding and clearly appreciates his son. After all, it’s the faith that he places in his son now that turns Ithilden into the supremely confident and capable commander that we know and love. And Thranduil will no doubt find fewer opportunities to “object if he wished”. I really like too the way they both read each other’s worry about Eilian so easily. And of course, Ithilden realises that his father is distracted by the contents of the letter he’s clutching. It would have been quite amusing if he had actually insisted on the guards accompanying Thranduil. “Are you going for your afternoon ride?” LOL! As a matter of fact…. That race that was taking place… Eilian ends up doing something similar in the not-too-distant future if I recall correctly. I could totally feel Thranduil’s pain at the thought of his own young son in much more serious danger every day. I know Ithilden had very little choice in sending Eilian south at such a young age but still, it must have nearly killed him and Thranduil. I can only imagine what Lorellin had to say on the subject. Thranduil seems to feel a certain guilt that he can’t provide a safe place for young people to grow up. Seriously, it’s really interesting to see these characters at a time when living under Shadow is something to which they must become accustomed rather than a way of life for them. That part with the trees is amazing, daw. What a very powerful image of them comforting this king who they so clearly love, offering him such wisdom and in turn Thranduil opens himself up to them more than he does with anyone. Wow. Lorellin is great. I get the impression that our mighty king is putty in her hands. I feel bad for him, though – the thought of bringing another life into this world was clearly troubling him and his concerns shouldn’t just be dismissed. But then, Lorellin is right too – throw some light in the face of encroaching darkness. She really was so good for them all with her carefree and very wood-elfy spirit, the type of person that Eilian and Legolas could have been if times had been different. She’s wonderfully defiant and stubborn too. Poor Thranduil can’t really take all the blame for his sons’ rather wilful natures. Oh, and I love the idea of them both just knowing that it’s completely right to create a child at this moment. “At the moment, he was not sure he could have protected himself or Lorellin from a chipmunk.” *snigger* There’s an amusing image. It must have been quite some…session. The ending is beautiful. These two are so in love and have just created something wonderful out of that love. “This one’s heart will be given to the trees.” I love that certainty, almost as though no matter what happens to the forest this child will love and want to protect it. Thranduil is right, no one knows the future but he could never regret something born of such love. The child will be a light in their lives as well as in the darkness of times to come. A really lovely piece, daw. :-)

Bodkin · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Apologies for coming back with more thoughts! But - somewhere I've read of children being your hostages to fortune - your belief and commitment to striving for a better world. And as Sam says in the movie 'There is some good in the world, Mr Frodo, and it's worth fighting for. . .' (At least, that's not exactly what he says, but it's along those lines.)

Alice · 4 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Decision

Excellent one shot. I loved the scene with Thranduil talking to the trees. The trees were cool. Ancient, optimistic, and loving. It's easy to see why the elves of Mirkwood are enamored of them. Lorellin is great. Sending a courier with a disgraceful message to lure her husband out into the woods to play. It's really sad that they lost her. She was really good for all of them. Evil orcs. This was a fun read. I went and reread it after I finished it, now that I know who the writer is. That made Thranduil's thoughts very amusing. Hear I was thinking the letter was about some important matter of diplomacy. Giggle. Which in a way it was. It was great reading about Legolas's conception. He really was born to love trees and to save Arda. Cool. I look forward to your next story.