Losses by daw the minstrel
pipinheart · 18 February 2008 · Chapter 1: Losses
Poor Eilian, he took the wager a bit to far. He lost the horse his Adar gave him which hurt both of them. He should have thought it out a bit more. nice
Author's reply
You're so right. Eilian should have thought before he acted rather than after. He learns though, and he never makes a bet like this again.
obsidianj · 27 December 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Eilian, Eilian, you have a lot to learn still and a lot of growing up to do. No wonder that Celuwen turns around and walks away from him. It's bad enough that she watched him, but that her father saw him was at least as bad. Now I understand why he never warmed up to Eilian, king's son or not. He probably always sees Eilian as a spoiled brat.
Author's reply
Eilian once said of himself that he learns slowly but he does learn. I think that's accurate. He means well. His heart's in the right place. But he's impulsive and despite his ability to read people well, he's deeply dense when it comes to Celuwen.
ponypetter · 22 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
How heartwrenching for Eilian to realize that he hurt Thranduil as much as he disappointed him. Add Celuwen's anger on top of that, losing the horse in the first place, and looking like a spoiled brat, he's just plain had a bad day. Poor thing. I think that's one of the reasons I love Eilian so much. He's been on such a long road to self-discovery. It's tough to disappoint even yourself, but he presses on despite his setbacks. In my mind, he's absolutely your most lovable character.
Author's reply
He sure did have a bad day! Truer words were never spoken. He never intends to do wrong, but he acts before he thinks. At least he's willing and eager to learn to be better, as you say. I find him loveable too, despite his obvious failings.
perelleth · 19 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
I knew that I had forgotten to review this! This Eilian is os full of life and so eager than he losses himself in action... beside lsing other important things! And I like it how the naneth is coming out in thses late stories. HEr trick with the bracelet was a typical wonderful motherly blackmail, but one can see how much Eilian lost when she died, for surely this was more effective in making him reflect than any of THranduil's scoldings. BUt poor Eilian, what a long road he has still to walk before he earns Celuwen's trust!
Author's reply
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be deathless, like the elves. Would you just go on learning forever? So would Eilian be expected to eventually come to some sort of sense? Or would you get stuck somewhere along the line? Fortunately for him, his parents nudge him into being his better self.
mistry89 · 17 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
I confess than on one level I felt more upset about the loss of the horse than of Elian's problem with Celuwen (possibly because I know that will be resolved eventually). The way things unraveled for Elian rang so true - a sort of domino thing that had a few pivotal moments when things "could" have turned out differently had he stepped back and looked at what he was doing and the reasons behind it all, the thought "Can't see the wood for the trees" springs to mind :) Thank you - delighted to visit your 'verse again!
Author's reply
I thought the horse thing was bad too. Long ago, I mentioned the incident in another story, so I was trying to figure out how it might have happened and the more I looked at it, the more painful it was. He never means to hurt someone else, but he does it. He needs time and experience to grow up and find himself.
erunyauve · 11 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
>>"Yes, and that stallion was your adar's gift to you. He took such joy in giving it to you, Eilian. You hurt him tonight when you treated his gift as if it did not matter to you." This is so painful! I felt so sad for him when he lost his horse, and even more so when he had to explain how he'd trifled away his father's gift. The frustration between Eilian and Celuwen is almost comical, however - neither of them realise how much they are alike, and they each condemn the other for faults that are their own. (I *do* recall Solith making a comment in another story about the horse - Eilian would have done well had he never left his chambers, for all the damage he did that day!)
Author's reply
The frustration between Eilian and Celuwen is almost comical, however - neither of them realise how much they are alike, and they each condemn the other for faults that are their own Oh that's funny. It's true too! I mean, if Celuwen didn't like a bit of excitement now and then, she wouldn't be spending all that time with Eilian. What can I say? They're both wood elves, more dangerous and less wise.
Bodkin · 10 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Good grief, but Eilian is an idiot. Well-meaning, but completely lacking in any real conception of how his actions affect others. It's not surprising that he is constantly in trouble. More surprising, really, that everybody keeps on giving him another chance. (Of course, he is seriously charming. But I'm glad Celuwen is tough on him.) It's actually painful to read about this particular lesson - Eilian always needs something extreme to get a message into his Wood-elf skull. And it will be a long, long time before there is real understanding between father and son. Post Flower-face, probably. (Who, I hope, will give her flightly father a really, seriously hard time.)
Author's reply
At this stage of his likfe, I don't think Eilian thinks ahead. On the other hand, as he once said of himself, he learns slowly but he does learn. Flower Face is likely to be the adventurous sort. We'll have to see how that goes.
elliska · 8 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
I really enjoyed the argument here between Celuwen and Eilian. He is so young and clueless. What is the height of stupidity, Eilian?! He had a lot to learn about women! :-) Oooo but when he said he'd wager his horse I just cringed. It is hard seeing people do things so wrongly when they are sure they are doing it right. Poor thing. And Thranduil! Cringe again. But my favorite part was with Lorellin--she definitely knows how to hit hard too! Eilian would definitely understand what he really did wrong after that with the bracelet. Poor thing. Eilian really did lose alot when he lost her. It was sooo great to read these characters again, daw! And happy birthday Karen!
Author's reply
Thank you, Elliska. Eilian is always interesting to write about because he's flawed but he's also struggling against his flaws. Since I feel that way most of the time, I sympathize. He screwed up here, of course. His mother really is the one who's best at getting him to understand what's going on.
Nilmandra · 6 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Ooh, I admit I'm tickled pink. I really like the changes. A lot. :D
Author's reply
Thank you for all your help. I liked the changes too and I enjoyed the challenge of making them. It was good for my writing anxiety to see that they were just craft issues, something I could analyze and work on.
Larner · 6 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Indeed, where is the victory in this? And several have been hurt from what was pridefully intended to be a wager to awe the other. I certainly hope he has learned his lesson--WELL.
Author's reply
Well, in a story set later, he does say he never again wagered for big stakes, so he probably learned something anyway. Thanks for the review, Larner.
Dot · 6 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
You relaxed by writing one of the most frustrating and maddening scenes ever written?? Some people are so strange! I was delighted to see this because I didn’t expect it for another while. Even allowing for your well-known impatience ;-) But wow, Eilian is dense sometimes. Hats off to Celuwen because I wouldn’t be able to put up with him. I really liked the scene-setting – this tense conversation separating them from the celebrations nearby. Celuwen is written fantastically well. I can really feel the need in her for him to understand. I like her strength too in insisting that this is what she wants. It would be so easy to pretend that her adar was making her go. And my heart went out to her in her obvious hurt at the way clueless Eilian has been carrying on with the other girls. Though I must say, the firefly analogy was very poetic, Eilian :-) Celuwen has always been so much part of their gang that his realisation that she’s a woman hasn’t quite extended to realising that she’s a person who thinks and feels differently to him. “I expect I will serve in the Home Guard until I can talk Ithilden into sending me where I am really needed." I had to laugh at that because despite the cockiness, he actually sounds infinitely more sensible about than Legolas will when it’s his turn! Poor Gelmir. I always feel bad for him being the third wheel. What an awkward moment. Eilian seems a bit torn about which is more exciting – Celuwen or the horse. He’s so funny in a roll-your-eyes kind of way in how he turns it into a chance to show her what she’ll miss and to grab a moment alone with her in the stables. It looks like Celuwen had other ideas, though. I think it was at the point where the groom told Eilian about Thranduil’s excitement at the gift that I suspected that horse wasn’t coming back to the royal stables again. I love the horse wondering about Eilian! It’s a nice reminder too that elves work together with their horses. I did feel a glimmer of hope when Celuwen convinced Ganion not to ride but really, I should have known. Though it sort of amused me that it was all inadvertently her fault in the end because she stopped the race! I was a bit bewildered by the whole honour thing. I’m glad he’s aware of preserving his own honour and that of others but… well, he seemed a bit misguided to me. I thought maybe I was having trouble deciphering the male thought process so I was glad when Thranduil points out that it was more about pride than honour. Good old Thranduil. Oh how I cringed when he wagered his horse. And because he thought it would show Celuwen how much he valued what Ganion offered! Aaargh! I know I should forgive Eilian for being a fool because he seems to think in that one moment that he’s doing something right but it’s so hard to feel sorry for him when he just throws stuff away like that! Aaargh again! Of course, I still nearly cried when he lost. This is just not Eilian’s night. And what bad luck that Sólith and Isiwen happened to wander by at that point. Eilian was very dignified, though. I’ll give him that. I’d have been sobbing by then. I swear my heart rate sped up when Thranduil appeared. And he seemed to be having such a good night with Lorellin up until now. I thought it went ok, though. I mean, considering some of the scenes between the two of them… Eilian was brave and honest and Thranduil managed not to pin him to the wall with his jewelled dagger, which is what I would have done. I thought Thranduil did a good job in explaining where Eilian went wrong. Except I felt so bad for Thranduil and even though Eilian has learned a lesson, he hasn’t realised just how hurt his father is. Thanks heavens for Lorellin because Thranduil himself would never confess to pain at having his gift disregarded. But I don’t understand why he doesn’t get the horse back! I know it was Eilian’s stupid fault but it’s a horse! That’s like an idiot teenager losing the car in a bet. Surely Ganion’s parents won’t let him keep it. Surely Ganion himself won’t keep it once he’s sobered up. I’m not a massive fan of Lorellin but Eilian clearly listens to her and I thought she was very clever by using the gift he gave her to show how much he hurt his father. He needs to learn that his actions affect more people than he might think when he’s caught up in a moment of excitement. At least he sticks to wagering feathers, weapons and assorted items of clothing after that… There was something very lonely about the ending. He’ll figure it all out some day. At least we know that, even if he doesn’t. This was great, daw! I hope you enjoyed writing it as much as I enjoyed reading it :-)
Author's reply
Oh yeah, this was fun to write. I'm not sure I pinned Eilian's reasoning down even for myself but I finally decided that was a sign he was confused. But at least he listens when his parents tell him how they think and feel about his actions. Celuwen engages in a wise act of self-preservation when she decides to go with her parents and remove herself from Eilian's presence. She probably thinks she can end the romance, but really all she does is delay things until Eilian has had a chance to mature. Which Eru knows he needed! One thing Thranduil taught all his sons was to be honest, and I think Eilian owns up to his faults because of that. He's honest with himself too, to the extent he's wise enough to recognize the truth. I suspect the horse will be coming back, but the damage to Eilian's reputation and relationship with Celuwen is done. Did you notice that the horse was blond and thrilled by the smell of the woods? :-)
Freja · 6 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
I'm with Gwynhyffar! I don't feel sorry for Eilian - he really wasn't showing very much of his good qualities. I actually had to stop reading for a few minutes when he bet the horse his father had given him - I just knew that it would end badly (and not because I remembered the outcome of this from your other story), and the disrespect he was showing for the gift given with love and joy was almost too much to bear for me... And it really didn't help that he was sure he wouldn't loose! I'm glad his mother put things into perspective for him including how much Thranduil had been hurt by his actions. Thank you for another great story, Daw.
Author's reply
You had to stop reading? Wow. It's a good thing you couldn't reach through your screen and pop Eilian one. He was bad and it's a good thing he had parents who cared enough to tell him so. Thanks for the review, Freja.
The Karenator · 5 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
What a nice surprise! Actually, it's better than nice; it's wonderful. And Eilian, oh my Eilian.... Yeah, boy, he impressed Celuwen all right. Made a clean sweep of it, in fact. Threw in the parents too. All of them. It's a good thing Eilian had no designs on being a lawyer. He blew his case all to Mordor. He called Celuwen's father stupid! As an impartial observer, I'd agree Solith has his moments of Eilian-ish pigheadedness, but it's probably not a good idea to tell the girl you're trying to woo that you think her father is dumber than dirt. Well, they (the Official US Dept. of They) do say a girl marries a man...or Elf...who is a lot like her father. Hmmm. I'm on Eilian's side though that moving out into the forest was asking for trouble (even if he did get to 'right' for the wrong reasons). I've not noticed the Shadow being overly impressed by Elves squatting in the middle of its path. If that plan had worked, the Elves would have still been living where Oropher planted his flag when he got there. Oh, Solith.... No. Anyway, back to the horse escapade. Eilian's heart was in the right place to not want to take Ganion's knives...after Celuwen pointed out that was just wrong. And Eilian did want to look good and all. He probably really didn't want the knives, but I bet he wished he'd thought to mention it before Celuwen brought it up. But you know, it's all about honor. And never having a knife contest with a drunk. Oh Eilian.... Even the unnamed horse thought Eilian had a braid loose. To Eilian's credit, he owned up to his boneheadedness by telling his father the truth right away. Poor Thranduil. I felt his hurt and disappointment. It seemed to me his anger was tempered by this. I loved his line about Eilian leaving him speechless at times. I also liked his differentiation between honor and reputation. So true. And the consequences were just. Eilian got the M-e version of turning over the car keys. Naneth always has the right tone and words to put the period at the end of Thranduil's sentence. She goes right to the heart of the matter, just at the right time when Eilian has to make sense of what he's done. The bracelet was a great illustration for her to use. She left him thinking on the right track. Things are not always as they seem. The meaning of winning and losing is something he'll probably contemplate well into adulthood and beyond. Like when Flower Face brings home a little pointy-eared worm he doesn't like. So the moral of the chapter? Never play a game of HORSE with a drunk? I absolutely loved the chapter, daw. Thank you so much. When I saw the alert, I was surprised and thrilled. It's always good to read anything you write, but it's extra special to have you remember me when you do it. Since I'm totally in the swing of a new daw story, I hope there's more to come. I didn't see 'The End', you know. Again, thank you.
Author's reply
You're entirely welcome, Karen. I originally had a line in there that I cut in which Eilian says only Celuwen's father would live near the Stronghold during the Peace and move to the woods when the shadow returned. He's just so contrary! I guess it was training for Celuwen to put up with Eilian's less rational moments. He never would have taken Ganion's knives though. As you say, what use did he have for them? And I think he knew taking them would be wrong. But he and Gnaion both are deep in testosterone poisoning and unable to just act reasonable. It seemed to me Eilian is unlikely to be careless of his honor, but he's sure willing to be careless of his reputation. Bless Naneth. Nilmandra suggested she give Eilian an example of what it felt like to have a gift treated carelessly, and it worked out well, I thought. This is the end of this one though. Nilmandra also said it should be multi-chapter but I don't think I could stand being around Idiot!Eilian that long.
meckinock · 5 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Oh, Eilian. Eilian, Eilian, Eilian, Eilian. Eilian. Celuwen is a saint. That's all I can say. I think anyone else would have given up on him. And poor Thranduil, having his gift thrown away like that. I'm glad Lorellin was there to give Eilian a smack upside the head to make him realize other people's feelings were hurt by his actions. Oh, Eilian.
Author's reply
Eloquently put! LOLOL. The fool eventually learns some stuff and grows up, but he puts a lot of other people through pain first. He never means to do it. It just happens.
Idhreniel · 5 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
It is so good to read from you again! I just love your OC's. When I read about the wagger... I knew Eilian would do something impulsive. I still love him. Hehe I like his mother... and the bracelet thing. Smart queen! Thank you for one more wonderful story, Daw!!! You made my day (and it sucked today, believe me.) Hugs,
Author's reply
Thank you, Idhreniel. Thank goodness Naneth was around when Eilian was growing up. His youth doesn't bear thinking about otherwise. Sorry you had a sucky day. Eat chocolate. That's what I always do. :-)
Gwynhyffar · 5 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
I don't feel sorry for Eilian (Poor Thranduil)! I am probably supposed to, but I want to smack him. Hard. He had my sympathy until he bet his horse. I even forgave him his foot-in-mouth disease with Celuwen. That was BEFORE he bet his horse. His horse that he had been bragging over, that he enjoyed and thought was great. ... that his loving ada had been so happy to give him! Bad Eilian! You hurt Thranduil! Bad Eilian! That being said... :D I loved this story! Poor Thranduil. Yes, Eilian is bad. Poor Thranduil. I will eventually forgive Eilian-maybe I should read a story where I felt sorry him. I felt sorry for Thranduil, though. Naneth is wise in how she gets Eilian to see the real consequences of his actions. Poor Thranduil. Seeing the alert for a new daw story made me happy today. (Poor Thranduil)
Author's reply
LOLOL. You Thranduil-lover you! I don't know if you're supposed to feel sorry for Eilian or not. He's pretty stupid and thoughtless here. And I had no choice about betting and losing the horse, because in "When Shadow Touches Home," that's what I said happened. So I was trying to figure out how he ever came to do such an insane thing. He learned from the situation, which is about the best you can say about it. He never gambled for large stakes again. And maybe in the long run, Thranduil would count that a victory. Sorry, Gwyn. Sorry, Thranduil.
Fantasia · 5 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Daw, As always, thanks for posting this story, it is great. I have missed your Mirkwood royal family a lot. There is not many goods fics around lately. It sounds as a complain and I know that you are busy writing your original novels, but can you dedicate a little time to Mirkwood? I remember this incident for one of your previous stories, I remember Sólith telling Eilian how irresponsible he was, how he had lost a horse in a game and so on...I think that I will read that one again. Just for the records, I love Eilian, and the whole family as well but, he is my favorite (Legolas is the second one) Again, than you very much, I really enjoyed, please more LONG stories...I don't want to sound ungrateful...just I miss good fics. Thanks, Fantasia
Author's reply
I miss good fics. You and me both! It seems to me that the LOTR fandom is dying back and I really miss it. You could look at older stories you maybe missed. I don't mean mine, really, but Nilmandra's, Meckinock's, The Karenator's, Bodkin's, Dot's, Jay's, etc. And if you're into Eomer, Lialathuveril is wonderful! Thank for your so kind words, Fantasia.
Jay of Lasgalen · 5 November 2007 · Chapter 1: Losses
Oh ... Eilian!! I want to slap him and hug him at the same time. He tries so hard, yet squanders something he doesn't realise he values until it's too late. He always has the best of intentions, yet everything seems to go wrong. I love his mother's method of making him realise the cost and true price of what he's done. Poor Eilian - I always want to make things better for him! Jay
Author's reply
Young Eilian is maddening. I wonder if that's his wood-elf heritage, something that wouldn't matter if they were at peace, because time would cure it. He does seem to grow up eventually. Thanks for the review, Jay.