Ivy-Green · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 5: Home
AWW! This reminds me of the Andy Gryfith show where Opey kills the mother bird. Yeah for Thranduil deciding he likes the outdoors!
New Beginnings by Gwynhyffar
Reviews (37)
Ivy-Green · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 4: Bows and Arrows
Ahh... I remember when I first shot with my first bow. Your depiction of disappointment when not hitting the target it true. My first time shooting ended up with one of my arrows embedded in a tree ten fifteen feet behind the target. Anywho, it's great once again. ;)
Author's reply
When I was a kid I did a bit of archery. The only time I ever hit the very center was when I drew and accidentally let go before I was supposed to!
Ivy-Green · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
I love the emotion in this one! And the ending with all the singing. Sometimes it really is the simple, little things that encourage us the most. Wonderful!!
Author's reply
Singing makes everything better-even for humans. :)
Ivy-Green · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 2: Decisions
Again I say, that is adorable! I love how you depict Oropher. A lot of people only cast him as a jerk that yells a lot with little thought of anyone else. I love it when people make him just a little fluffy! ;)
Author's reply
I can't imagine any elf parent being a complete jerk to his or her child- even Oropher. :-) I'm glad you like this image of him. He would have had to be a someone who inspires loyalty in people, and generally that takes more than just a stern countenance.
Ivy-Green · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 1: Escape
I know a lot of other people probably told you this, but this was really good! I loved your child's perspective. Poor little Thranduil! Anyway, well done!
Author's reply
Thank you Ivy-Green! It's been awhile since I did the story, so your review was a nice surprise. I think kids tend to live in their own reality most of the time. Thranduil got pulled into a grown-up world when he was too small to understand it all. Poor little guy!
Stephanie · 18 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Home
I really enjoyed this story. Daw the minstrel directed me to it and I am so glad to have read it. I feel so sorry for Thranduil. His whole world was turned upside down and that it a very traumatic thing for a child (well, anyone for that matter). His thoughts and actions are very real and believable: a child would have reacted this way. I also liked his parents. Oropher had a good balance of affection and discipline. The ending was nice too. It was good to see that Thranduil was going to like his new home. Thanks again for sharing your story. It is nice to see a little Thranduil story.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading, Stephanie. I will have to thank Daw for recommending it too. Thranduil found himself in completely unfamiliar surroundings very abruptly and while he may not have completely understood everything that was happening, he understood enough to know that things would never be the same again. I think that would have a profound effect on someone, especially when you realize that you have no control over anything that is happening to you - even if you are still very little. I am glad you enjoyed the story. There is one more chapter, sort of an epilogue, that I am working on and I have a couple other story ideas that involve a young Thranduil.
Redheredh · 13 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Home
Finally getting caught up on this story and still loving it! So, here is where Thranduil begins his long transformation into a Silvan! I like his boyish interest in Malagar. Heck, *I* am interested in Malagar! Does his name mean gold or yellow? I hope he does not spoil our little hero's budding hero-wordship! Ai,getting off track... Thranduil's thoughts are very well-done. You've made the future Elven-king a sweet child. And his parents loving, wise adults.
Author's reply
Hi Redheredh. Thank you for reading and I'm really glad you're enjoying the story. No need to worry, Thranduil will be perfectly free to hero-worship Malagar, who I suspect could get used to having a little admirer (or a big one). :)
daw the minstrel · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Home
You do little!Thranduil so well, Gwynhyffar. He thinks and talks just like little kids do, and it's so touching. What a sweetie. I'm glad to see him with something to look forward to too.
Author's reply
Thank you, Daw. :) He should also be able to help with getting things all settled, which will make him feel useful. I think everyone, even little kids, like to feel useful.
Bodkin · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Home
Thranduil is so sweet. He is really upset about the rabbit - and its death has brought back memories that I'm sure the elflings' parents would far rather leave buried until they are old enough to deal with them. And Oropher is such an understanding parent! Takes no nonsense, but is loving and supportive when needed. I'm glad the refugees have found somewhere to settle - they need some peace to give them time to adjust to the loss of Doriath. And Thranduil will, I'm sure, be good for his naneth while his adar is gone. I loved this chapter - it was so touching and child-centred.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading, Bodkin, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think knowing that things are going to start settling down will help Thranduil be good for his naneth. I'm sure there is a lot of work to be done and he can help with it.
French Pony · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Home
Oh, my. I felt so sorry for the poor kid. He's been through so much, and to have his parents be so angry at him and to feel as though nothing he does ever turns out right. . . what an unhappy day for a brutalized little Thranduil. But once again, he's got Oropher being a strong, calm rock of a father. You can just feel how much he loves Thranduil, and how important he is to his child.
Author's reply
There is so much going on around Thranduil that he isn't aware of, but at the same time he knows things are changing forever. I think that knowing there is always something (or someone) solid to fall back on makes nearly anything tolerable.
moonshine44 · 4 December 2005 · Chapter 4: Bows and Arrows
I like how Thranduil is a little angel in this chapter, and then at the end, he is about to disobey his father. He is still growing up, even though he went through something horrible. I am wondering about his father`s reaction to what he is about to do.
Author's reply
Wow, moonshine. I have to apologize, I must have missed the announcement of your feedback. Thank you for reading and since I just posted you can see Oropher's reaction. :)
French Pony · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 4: Bows and Arrows
I'm glad to see that Thranduil is feeling better. He was an unhappy little elfling when last we saw him. But the excitement of a new toy heals plenty of wounds. I like seeing Oropher teaching him how to shoot, but it seems that he broke off lessons at a most inopportune moment. Thranduil now knows just enough to be dangerous. I have the feeling that one of these adults is going to get an arrow to the tuchus pretty soon.
Author's reply
Hmm, it would serve them right for leaving the little one's bows where they were easily accessible! Thranduil is indeed feeling better. They have moved on a bit and are now in a place where they can stay for a little bit. They are close to the end of their journey, which is a relief for everyone.
Bodkin · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 4: Bows and Arrows
I hope Thranduil doesn't start thinking that he's skilled enough with that bow to hunt for real. I suspect his adar won't be pleased that he's taken it with him at all - and elflings and bows sound like accidents waiting to happen. I loved the way he tried to stare his parents awake. Such a hopeful way to wake them. Oropher is so sweet with him - and he is so proud of his parents. It sounds as if they are about to settle down for a short period of safety. At least after the current bow and arrow crisis.
Author's reply
They are very close to settling down, as you will see soon. There are two more chapters for this story and hopefully I won't take so long to finish them up. Thranduil thinks that he is being accused of being incapable, which he thinks is completely false. I remember as a kid walking into my parents bedroom and just standing there looking at them until they woke up, and I have had my nieces do the same to me. Oropher was insightful enough to know it was Thranduil standing there instead of my reaction which was to open my eyes and get an immediate start at seeing someone there before I could focus. (hahaha)
daw the minstrel · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 4: Bows and Arrows
I can see Thranduil's logic, although I suspect his parents aren't going to be happy. Not only is this dangerous, but also it's disrespectful to the life of the forest, which needs to be taken gently. You do a nice job of conveying his excitement though, hopping around and all.
Author's reply
Thranduil is on the verge of a lesson that I think everyone learns (or should learn) fairly early on. He thinks that he's just being held back from doing something because everyone around him assumes that he's incapable. He doesn't stop to think that there may be other reasons behind it.
Brazgirl · 6 November 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
Sad chapter, but I like it. At least the elves could sing.
Author's reply
Sorry it took so long to reply to you, Brazgirl. I was out of town for a bit and tied up with things here at home when I got back. I think singing would be the best thing for stressful situations for the elves. I know it always helps me. :) Thanks for reading.
JastaElf · 1 November 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
Ah yes, when children reach the end of their ropes, this is what happens... poor Thranduil, and poor Nana! :-( I would not want bread either, I would want to sit down and scream if I were in that situation.... This story continues to surprise and delight, in the ways that real life does. That is a part of its charm! I thank you for realistic characters and the realistic situations in which they find themselves. There is pathos in everyday suffering, and this tale shows that. The chapter is excellent. Thank you for the update!
Author's reply
Hi Jasta. It seemed like time for a meltdown and I definitely would have felt like sitting down and screaming too, especially if I felt that there were all these things going on around me, none of which I really understood and I was tired and drained and had no way to really express what I was feeling. Thank you for reading and I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story so far. :)
ScarlettPendragon · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
Hi Gwynhyffar! What a heartwrenching chapter - and what a fantastic story!! Poor Little!Thranduil - my heart is just breaking for him in this chapter, the poor little mite is so tired and his world has been turned upside down, so no wonder that he finally gave in and screamed his pain to the world!! I don't think he's really had time to process the deaths he saw as he and his Naneth fled, and to hear that his own kind are responsible for the carnage and the upending of his life, must be a terrible burden for such a little one to bear!! Also, I imagine hearing about the deaths of other little elfings and their Nanas from his friends, and not from his parents who could perhaps give him some perspective and help him to process this news, has left him somewhat unprepared and unable to deal these events in a more constructive way. I think you sum his feelings up beautifully in this line: "At first it had felt like an adventure, but that did not last long because he was hearing things from the older elflings that made him realize that everything was wrong." Everything is wrong in his world at present and you convey his pain and uncertainty brilliantly in this chapter, and yet you manage to end the chapter on a postive note - the image of all the elves gathered round and singing is extremely powerful and poignant, and leaves us with hope that things will get better for them!! This really is an amazing chapter, and I am looking forward to more!! Thank you, Scarlett
Author's reply
Hi Scarlett, Thank you for the wonderful review and thank you for reading. I think Thranduil is just beginning to process what has happened, and he's struggling with mixed emotions. On the one hand he has his parents and they are always able to give him a feeling of security, but on the other hand the horrors that he saw and was told about by other elflings are very frightening images. I think he isn't sure how to reconcile the two.
daw the minstrel · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
It's interesting to see this journey from a child's POV. He doesn't understand the big picture, just the day to day loss and exhaustion. You can't really blame him for the tantrum. I would probably feel like crying and screaming too. But it's also true that kids will play in the most appalling circumstances, so he sings. And that's a nice moment for everyone.
Author's reply
I'm pretty sure that I would feel like sitting down and crying if it were me, and there might even be a moment in time where I do just that. Oropher tried to be understanding, but I think he was also concerned about sending the message that there are better ways to react to all that. I'm not sure how I would react if I were the parent in that situation, but I would hope I would be understanding. The singing seemed like the way to end a bad day.
Bodkin · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
Poor little mite. It's all too much to take in - and no-one is going to let little Thranduil in on their real worries. It's not surprising that he explodes. Oropher dealt with it very well - as reassuring as he could be under the circumstances, yet not letting up on the comfort of demanding the proper behaviour from his son. I should think Thranduil needs all the consistency he can find in a world turned upside down. I love the comfort he offered his grandmother - touch and song. And remarkably comforting too. He might feel her sadness, but his physical presence is the one thing likely to hold her to the world at this point. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
I think Thranduil is realizing more and more of what's going on and he really isn't equipped to deal with it. He did the only thing he could think of to vent his frustration. In the end, I think Oropher and Anirael understand that to a certain extent but at the same time have to tell him that there are other ways to deal with it. I'm not sure that he wouldn't do the same thing again though, given that he really hasn't had a chance to try to talk about his feelings.
French Pony · 30 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
That was such a perfect chapter. You got it just right, the way a really little kid who's tired, hurt, sad, and bored will just melt down and have a tantrum over some totally innocent little thing like a piece of leftover fry bread. Oropher sounds like he's beginning to grow into a real leader here. He's mastered the art of calming a toddler, and he's caring for the rest of the refugees, too. It seems as though he's really growing on this journey. And I loved the last scene where they all started to sing, just a simple little forest song. Song is what elves need as much as food and water to keep them alive and healthy, and they seem to be picking up the pieces of their lives once more.
Author's reply
It seemed like it was probably about time for a meltdown. It didn't occur to me until after I had posted this chapter that I should have perhaps make it clear that it was after they had been travelling for a few days. I hope that came out in the story, but I might start being a little more specific about things like that. Oropher is an enigma to me. We know virtually nothing about him other than the brief mention of going to Greenwood and his participation in the Last Alliance. I want to show enough of him for some things to be obvious, such as the refugees relying heavily on him and him taking up the mantle of leadership. It seems he would have already been in a leadership position before and the others following was a natural progression of that. Because the story is from Thranduil's eyes at a small child (I was thinking 3 or 4), things like that aren't quite so obvious. I'm glad that it shows though anyway. The song at the end seemed appropriate after everything they had been through. I would sing too. In fact, I sing all the time (not well, but I do sing haha) at work and in stressful situations. Singing makes everything better.
moonshine · 30 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Journeys and Revelations
Funny, I was thinking about this story just as you updated it. lol. Thranduil is still so cute. The outburst was something any child would do, and was very fitting. It made the story all the more realistic. And the singing at the end- that was so cute! Just perfect for this chapter!
Author's reply
You must have replied as soon as I posted, moonshine. When I was working on this chapter I was thinking of some work that I did a couple years ago that involved a lot of hiking to get to where we were going to be working. The days were usually pretty long and the job lasted for 6 weeks. I don't think I was ever really rested during that time and was constantly tired. There were times when I wanted to just sit down and scream hahaha. The singing seemed to be something that should happen, even if it was a children's song.
danae · 29 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Decisions
This turned out great! I love seeing your version of Thranduil is a child. It gives a great insight to his character as the great elvenking. I've never seen Oropher so gentle. But I love him too. Thanks for writing. peace, danae
Redheredh · 28 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Decisions
*g* I was refering to Thranduil's cousins Elured and Elurin and their mother Nimloth, Dior's queen. Oropher sounded sure they were gone too, but he did not tell Anireal how he was so sure. He might have seen Dior killed, but not them. Certainly, he would not be talking of leaving if he did not know their fate and I was curious about that.
Author's reply
Ah, you had me confused.. I don't remember Elured and Elurin being twins. Oropher won't be telling that story within close hearing of Thranduil, whether he thinks he is awake or not. Other kids, however... well you know how they talk. I will just say next chapter will be full of realizations.
elliska · 27 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Decisions
Poor little Thranduil. You do a good job portraying how difficult it is for someone so young to understand events that the adults can not even really understand. And Oropher is wonderful here. Well done.
Author's reply
Thanks Elliska. I think elves were generally good parents and Oropher so far is very understanding of Thranduil's feelings. I'm not sure the full extent of what's going on has really sunk in yet though.
Redheredh · 27 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Decisions
I was as happy as Thranduil that his adar found them. The little prince is adorable... and so brave just as Oropher says. I hope Thranduil will overhear more parental discussion about what happened to his royal twin cousins and their mother. "...following the river to Sirion..." does that mean Oropher and family will not be headed that way too? Interesting! Ossiriand has always seemed a more reasonable choice. Thanks for showing Oropher not only as a good and loving elf, but clever and determined. One who can face defeat and remain undefeated for the sake of his son and wife and those looking to him for leadership.
Author's reply
Elrond and Elros haven't been born yet, they have another 20 years or so before they come along. :) So far Oropher has been very understanding and Thranduil is only just beginning to realize what's going on in his world. When I started this I hadn't really given much thought to how I was going to portray Oropher because I was so focused on telling Thranduil's story that it didn't really occur to me. I know better now!