daw the minstrel
· 25 June 2013
· Chapter 4: Of darkness
I was really interested in the part of the opening section where Thranduil says Legolas is too old to be commanded in certain areas, that he should be making more of his own choices. That shows how Legolas is on the cusp of adulthood and his parents are trying to gradually let him get there. That conversation also makes it clear that Legolas doesn't run home and complain about every little thing that happens. I kind of cringed at the amount of detail Tureden appears to be passing along. If I were Legolas, I'd feel spied on. And the thing about Tureden is that not only does he think he can command Legolas, he thinks he should. To me, that is so totally not his role. He's a guard, not a parent or superior officer.
And another elf on elf killing. It was necessary, of course, and Berior learned something from having participated. Poor kid. I liked the way Legolas set priorities and gave information about the bad guys afterwards and how the guard captain expected him to, thus again showing respect for Legolas's growing maturity. He was especially good to ask permission from Tureden to sent Anastor with a guard. I don't think I could have done that. I'd have been flipping Tureden off at that point, assuming I wasn't howling over my damaged ribs. It had to be good for Tureden to see Dollion's respect for Legolas's order about clearing the Green. "My lord." Hear that, Tureden?
I had to laugh at Galion's horror over leaving a half-full barrel on the Green.
As Thranduil was reaming Legolas out about using the secret passage, I suddenly remembered the owl. Tolkien tells us Thranduil used birds as spies. Is Manadhien doing that too? If so, ack! Legolas made a real mistake. I loved the idea of him hunting the bad guys to make up for it. That was somehow counter intuitive for me. I thought he'd be punished by being forbidden to do stuff like that, but it makes much more sense for an almost-adult to try to undo the damage he's caused.
Lindomiel was wonderful when she said she couldn't have endured to be imprisoned after being released from captivity. That gave me new insight.
Author's reply
Your comments made me so happy. Of course, what I'm trying to show here is Legolas making (mostly) good decisions, even under pressure, like the nearly-adult that he is. So I am very glad that came across. And, as you said, the people who know Legolas already recognize that he is nearly an adult, the king's son and therefore is owed...well, at the very least something much different from what Tureden is giving him. You are right, of course. Tureden is totally outside his job responsibilities. He's got nanny (from Hell)/spy confused with guard. He's going to be disabused of that misunderstanding. ;-) Meanwhile, generally speaking, I think Legolas is showing tremendous patience and restraint. I'd be with you on my reactions to Tureden. At the very least, I wouldn't have pulled that gut punch Legolas got in on him in the duel. I'd have let Tureden have it full force. And I wanted to write that for Legolas, but I decided he had to take the high ground. That was hard. ;-)
I couldn't resist poking a little fun at Galion.
That owl. :-) He will definitely be showing up again.
My first reaction when planning this part was to send Legolas off for punishment too. But when I gave that more thought, I realized it didn't really fit with the 'Legolas is nearly an adult' idea. Adults fix their mistakes, if they can. Moreover, later on, when Gollum escapes, I see Legolas arguing to go to Imladris as him feeling the need to do what he can to fix that mistake, or at least own up to it. So, this sort of is a precursor to that. And parents have to allow their adult kids to face their mistakes, even if it's painful. It is hard here for Thranduil--it will be very hard for him to send Legolas to Imladris. So I decided to go that way and I liked it better. :-) 'Course, I'm not a parent, so I'm glad it ended up making sense to someone who is too. :-)
And I'm glad you liked Lindomiel's comment. In my little world, the way I imagine Thranduil's family's past, Lindomiel is the only one who shares with Legolas the experience of having been held captive (her, for a much briefer time than Legolas, of course). Given the emphasis Tolkien places on elves' 'will' and their 'free will' being held or made to do something against their will strikes me as something that would be very disturbing to them. Legolas and Lindomiel understand that.
Thanks so much for the reviews daw. I appreciate them so much!
CandissD
· 23 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
what a cliffhanger -please update soon! Poor Thranduil having to relate the Menegroth story and poor Legolas having to fight his jerk of a guard while injured. Cannot wait to see what happens next
Author's reply
Poor Thranduil and Legolas indeed. I think you will be saying that even more still. Thank you so much for the reviews, I really appreciate them. I hope you continue to enjoy!
katrina
· 21 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
Ah cliffhanger!! I'm reviewing this on my phone while walking to the train station, but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated and liked this chapter =)
Author's reply
Thank you so much for reviewing (and I am a little jealous you live somewhere that you get to take the train--so much better than driving). I appreciate the reviews so much! I'm glad you enjoyed and I hope you continue to.
picara
· 19 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
Tricky beginning. You fooled me into thinking it was Tulus again for a moment. Thranduil's story to Berior was very pwerful. And everything at the Oak was very tense. Given what we see in this chapter, I am certain that Legolas is in a lot of trouble and not just because of that arrow pointed at him. Update fast.
Author's reply
Good, that's what I wanted you to think. ;-) And I'm glad it came across as tense. You are definitely right about trouble. No doubt there. Thanks so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them!
curiouswombat
· 18 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
Now that last line is what I call a cliff-hanger...
Thranduil's telling of Menegroth was a very powerful way of reminding Berior ( and the reader) of all he has been through - and how he has experienced not just loss but kin-slaying. It should, most certainly, explain his reasoning - when Berior is finally able to really think straight, poor lad.
As for Tureden - I presume he has some reason for his attitude problem in this new role - but even if has, I still want to hit him over the head with rotting fish!!
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed Thranduil's story. It is not something he talks about freely, as he said, but Berior's comment that he would finish Fuilin and Mauril himself was just a little too much for Thranduil. Berior does have some thinking to do, and he'll do it.
Tureden--wow he is not making a good first impression. But I was in the library reading when I saw this review and I got quite a few glares for my loud laughter at the last line. I am still laughing. Legolas might just borrow that idea at some point. ;-)
Thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate them so much!
Fantasia
· 18 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
For goodness sake!!!! you are going to kill me!!!!
Thranduil's story was very sad, touching and realistic. Civil war ( I see the kinslaying as an equivalent of human civil war) it is the worst war nightmare that can be inflicted to humankind. Families vs families, it is so terrible wrong.
My heart goes to Berior, he is such a brave young elf, he will do well, no doubt.
Thranduil is right, artistry is needed, even in evil times.
Tureden is completely out of place, someone needs to "train" him as a personal royal guard, Gosh, how I miss Tulus!
Please, please update soon....
Author's reply
LOL! I'm glad you enjoyed. Thranduil has seen a lot. The older elves all know that. The younger ones have heard that statement, but they don't know the details to make it real. Now Berior has and it definitely made an impact.
I laughed when I saw your comment about Tureden needing training. In one version of this, Thranduil reacted to hearing that Tureden re-broke Legolas's ribs by saying essentially the same thing.
The rest of your comments, I can't respond to without dropping major spoilers. So I need to shut up. :-)
Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!
daw the minstrel
· 18 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
Man, this had some high tension moments in it. Often flashbacks are flat because we know they're done, but Thranduil's story of the attack on Menegroth had me right there, horrified. And it seems to have helped Berior get some perspective even if he hasn't yet changed his mind. I loved the moment when Thranduil says Berior is frightening him. That surely should have given Berior some sense of how his actions are coming across. It sounds like he'll be busy with his new duties though.
I wanted to smack Tureden. He thinks the worst of Legolas with no excuse that I can see. Yet, anyway. And then he fails to pull his hits and smacks Legolas right in the broken ribs. He'll be lucky if no real damage was done.
So I hate to admit that he then does a good job guarding Legolas when the bad guy shows up, and he shows faith in Legolas's ability hit the guy in mid-jump. Which he does. Only the guy has another arrow.
I liked the speed shooting. That's a great idea for a contest. And I liked the way Galithil is taking his father's place.
Thranduil is not going to be happy about any of this. A bad guy so close to the stronghold. Legolas out without a guard. The guard forcing him to spar when he isn't supposed to. And of course, the little matter of an arrow still being pointed at Legolas.
Author's reply
I'm glad that Thranduil's story came across. I was worried about it, for exactly the reasons you mention. It went through some major changes, which, though I gave up some stuff I liked, I think I ended up with something that was more in character for everyone. Point is, thanks, daw! :-)
I loved the moment when Thranduil says Berior is frightening him. That surely should have given Berior some sense of how his actions are coming across.
Thanks again! And we'll hope so, for Berior's sake.
Tureden is not Legolas's fav person right now either. Not even a little bit. But, true, he does do what he is supposed to do. Legolas also isn't feeling generous enough at the moment to notice that.
I'm glad you liked the speed shooting. I did too because it is a practical skill, especially for elves, and it is simple, requiring no special/elaborate set up or explanation (easy to write and fit in almost any story space). It made me happy to think if it. :-) Galithil is much more mature, generally speaking. That doesn't mean he's forgotten how to cause a little grief for Thranduil :-)
And yeah, Thranduil is going to be one very unhappy elf when all this comes to light.
Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!
Morn
· 18 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
Wow. what an intense sad story. I love the thorough history all your elves have. It is good to see how thought out this is and how their actions are affected by this history in this way.
And Legolas just can't catch a break at the moment. what cliffhanger you leave us on yet again.
Just a small note. By a happy coincidence I'd been rereading some of your story as I'd forgotten some of the details since I'd last read it. I had been reading chapter 3 and one point set alarm bells ringing. you've killed off his naneth's brothers twice! Poor things. ;)
Besides that, a great chapter. Thanks for pointing out the lack of death warnings on the last review: I can breathe a sigh of relief. For a small amount of time at least.
Author's reply
Oh that's true. I should make that more specific. Sometimes I know what's in my head, but all of it doesn't get on the paper. Thanks so much for catching that! I'm going to go do that in both places and then I'll answer the review more carefully.
Author Reply: Ok, that's done. At some point, I changed a few things about who lost what family where, for a variety of reasons (this being one of them). I thought I caught all that in the already posted stuff, so I'm glad you said something. It is terrible to have to die twice, even for an elf. ;-) (When I was editing this part, I originally had the word 'remaining brothers' in this chapter. On re-reading just before posting, I took it out because it sounded odd. Now I remember why I had put it in there).
Anyhoo, in another version of this, Legolas was in the room for this little story as well. It was a wrench to move him out when I re-arranged sections, because he's tried to get his father to talk about Menegroth so many times and failed. This was written from his POV, coming to an understanding of why Thranduil never talks about Menegroth. I liked it a lot that way too. Now, hopefully I can still keep in Berior telling Legolas about this little story. That chapter is awfully long and I am eyeing stuff to cut from it...
It is a bit of a cliffie, isn't it? I mean, unless this story is going to suddenly take a seriously AU twist, Legolas survives. :-) But who knows what else might come of it. I just posted an answer to another review and it forced me to look at how much of this story (the whole thing, not just this part) I have left to post. I am now considering if I can reliably post more than once a week! Fingers crossed.
Thanks so much for the reviews (and careful reading!) I appreciate them so much!
tnt2b2
· 18 June 2013
· Chapter 3: Of pain
Quick! Send the next chapter!!!! I can't leave this story lingering on a cliff in my mind for a whole week :).
Elliska, I truly enjoy your story. I look forward to your updates. Thank you for sharing your gift for my to enjoy.
Author's reply
LOL. It just so happens that I am trying to figure out if I can post faster and still be reliable about it. So, there may be hope.
I'm glad you are enjoying and I hope you continue to! Thanks so much for the review. I appreciate them so much!
katrina
· 17 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
So glad you're back and that this series is continuing! I love how specific this series is- writing about Thranduil and then Legolas so closely throughout the ages is something I have really never seen before from fanfic writers.
I love the story line about the kinslaying, but I'm also wondering, will we see Legolas grow up a bit more (or will there be a few hundred years jump) in the chapters to come? I ask because I just can't imagine how long it will take to get to Legolas in Valinor, like in the prologue- it has been 10 sections and he still hasn't reached his majority! Not that I'm complaining- I will be reading this till the very end!
Great work!
Author's reply
Glad to be back. More time in the summer is great! :-)
will we see Legolas grow up a bit more (or will there be a few hundred years jump) in the chapters to come? I ask because I just can't imagine how long it will take to get to Legolas in Valinor
LOL! You would be amazed how many earlier childhood things I never posted. I had a lazy job back in 2004 that bored me to tears (plus 4 hurricanes that gave me weeks off at a time) and I did a lot of rough writing drafting this story. To get better organized, I went through a while back and pulled out parts that I really wanted to post and they look like this: one or two more stories before Legolas comes of age, two or three when he has just come of age, two just before the Watchful Peace, one during it, one when it ends, five or six between the end of the Watchful Peace to the Hobbit, one for the Hobbit, one after it, one for LotR and one for after it. The Hobbit and LotR ones are long--my guess would be 20-30 chapters each (When I drafted, I didn't divide into chapters--that was a mistake, because doing that now is hard and usually means re-writing to make logical splits). Two of the others are probably 15 chapters. All the rest are 8 chapters or less.
So, yes, there are some major jumps in date to follow interesting canon events. :-)
There are other bits I could post too, but I won't until the really central parts of this are posted. That's because I do feel I must get Legolas to Valinor as in the prologue and that lazy job is long gone (and interest in LotR fanfic will fade once the Hobbit movie is over--I really want to get all this up before the last movie comes out, so I honestly am focusing on getting a lot of editing done this summer to be able to post more with less gaps in between stories). :-)
I'm glad you are enjoying. Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
c_belle_a
· 15 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
It's so great that you started these new chapters! I known it has only been a few months, but to the eager reader, it has been an eternitiy!
As usual, I love these two new chapters. It warmed my hearts that Thranduil was trying to protect Legolas and take Demil's death as blame. And how Legolas refused to have is Adar take that blame. Beior's reaction to his father's death is so sad- it is understandable that he is grieving, but still, sometimes, he made me so mad!
I think Legolas and his new guard really need to negotiate/ talk it out. Right now, both are just being stubborn and mean to each other- I feel bad for Legolas, but at the same time, I can understand Tureden.
I wondor if Langon is going to remember anything important about Marti's family?
Oh, and I really do not like Aewen. I don't know, but it sure seems like she's leading him on. And any girl who isn't faithful to her boyfriend really gets on my nerves. If she still has feelings for Legolas, she should break her courtship with that Palace Guard First Year. Her actions are really not fit for a princess- and unless she drastically changes, I don't think she should/ aspire to become one.
Author's reply
It's been an eternity to me too! I'd really planned on getting these up in March. March came very late this year! ;-)
I'm glad you are enjoying so far. This is a pretty difficult time for everyone involved. You are definitely right that Legolas and Tureden need to talk. You're right. They both have valid complaints. But if they talked before any trouble came around, where would be the fun in that. ;-)
You have Aewen's character perfectly. And it becomes important later. Without giving away too much, that's all I can say about her or Langon right now. :-)
Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much!
Morn
· 12 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
Perhaps not the ideal way for everyone to find out, but it was bound to get out eventually. At least people will stop putting him in awkward situations discussing what happened.
Tureden needs to get a grip. I don't know what he thinks his role is with Legolas, but he's certainly not right. Imagine having someone watching you in those kind of circumstances with Aewen, I would be horrified! No wonder she was so put off. And what is she playing at if she's courting someone else?
I do not like the sound of Dolgallion going south, nor the Queen going to Dale. Got a feeling at least one of them isn't going to end well.
Author's reply
I don't know what he thinks his role is with Legolas
You've got that right. Yeah, I mean honestly (and Thranduil is going to say this, eventually)--how do you think you are going to treat someone in the House of Oropher like this and expect it will turn out well? Tureden has some learning to do. To be fair, so does Legolas.
And what is she playing at if she's courting someone else?
Good question. Says a lot about her character, doesn't it? Talk about someone with something to learn.
I do not like the sound of Dolgallion going south, nor the Queen going to Dale. Got a feeling at least one of them isn't going to end well.
At least there are no warnings for OC deaths. In this story. Oh, am I mean! ;-)
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
picara
· 12 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
Wow, Tureden is a jerk, but that is obvious. Seen enough of these characters to know to expect at least some explanation for that, so I'll wait and see.
What else I noticed was how mature Legolas is in many parts of this--he makes good observations in the meeting, he has the courage to tell the truth to the Dragon and, frankly, his understanding of how Tureden should be handled is way better than Tureden's understanding of how to behave in public. That contrasts in an interesting way with the glimpses of still 'immature' Legolas that we see (rolling his eyes and his general shortness/snarkiness with Tureden and laughing at New Foolish Tulus, for example). I guess I'm just saying that I thought Legolas was pretty realistic here. Almost an adult. And that's what he's supposed to be.
I predict he's going to be in a lot of trouble for using that door.
Looking forward to the next one.
Author's reply
I'm glad Legolas came across that way. That is what I was going for. Generally speaking, he is very mature, especially for his age, but that is sort of expected given his position and responsibilities. But he still has his moments. He's having one with Tureden right now.
Your prediction is right in many ways.
Thanks so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them!
CandissD
· 11 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
Poor Legolas with Tureden! Can't wait to see how that works out :)
Loved the entire chapter and as usual, cannot wait for more :)
Author's reply
Glad you are still enjoying! Poor Legolas indeed. Talk about being at the end of your rope!
Thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Rikwen
· 11 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
Was happy to see this chapter pop up tonight. I really liked the scene with the Dragon in his office. Langon turns to be the one person who really understands, besides Thranduil, what Legolas went through. "If he attacked you with a sword, he intended to kill you and you had the right to defend yourself. If he attacked the king's son, he is guilty of treason to this realm and you had the responsibility to kill him. The king would have done so on the spot if you had left him alive. You did the right thing, Legolas." He understands why Legolas hesitates to pick up a weapon to fight again. It is going to take time, but I like the way you have a him counsel Legolas to find joy to overcome the darkness. He may be a hard ass on the training field, but I was cheering him on when he talked to Legolas and when he released him from sword training. Now, on the other hand, I think someone should take Tureden and drop him into a cave with a bunch of orcs and turn the lights out. I haven't figured out if he thinks that Legolas is some child he can intimidate or if he thinks that Legolas is a warrior under his command. But whatever, he definitely needs to be reamed on that action to keep Legolas inside for the night. What a dunce, this is only going to make Legolas totally uncontrollable and cause problems between Legolas and his adar. That trip to Dale is going to be going down the tubes when the king finds out what Legolas is about to do. I hope Legolas gets a new guard before he decides to kill this one.
Author's reply
Langon is a tough guy to like. Until something like this happens. And then he's the guy you want on your side for lots of reasons. He didn't get to be as stern as he is by knitting for the last three ages of the world. He knows. And that means he can help.
Legolas would like to say that he is currently in a mood to approve of your suggestion to throw Tureden in a cave with orcs, lock the door and turn out the lights. He'd like for you to go ahead and execute that plan, thank you. ;-)
You are right that this situation is going to become uncontrollable fast. I will restrain myself from saying any more. :-)
Thanks so much for the review! I appreciate it so much!
daw the minstrel
· 11 June 2013
· Chapter 2: Of grief
The morning meeting brought about some unexpected revelations. That might not have been Legolas's ideal way to tell the truth about Dolwin, but he chose it himself, which I think is good because it was in his control, which he probably needs right now. Berior certainly learned something. I guess a lot of people did. I hope we're going to see the trip to Dale.
Tureden stunned me. What an ass. Does he resent this assignment? I couldn't believe the way he argued with the Dragon on the Dragon's own turf in front of the Dragon's students. That's just unforgiveable. And the Dragon turned out to be helpful. He clearly knew something was wrong and demanded that Legolas cough up. His admission that Legolas WAS shadowed stunned me for a moment. No sunny denials for him. And it turns out truth was most useful for Legolas.
I don't trust Aewen. Not that I think she's up to something. Just that she seems flighty and thus likely to do damage even if she doesn't intend to. Geez, it would suck to have a guard watching and more or less commenting on your adolescent ventures into kissing. Man. Tureden needs to be beaten for that alone.
And his ordering Legolas to stay in is ridiculous. I assume Thranduil will tell him so eventually, but in the meantime Legolas is going to get himself into enough trouble sneaking out that his father might feel obligated to say something about that too.
I was super glad to see this today. Somehow I wasn't expecting it until tomorrow.
Author's reply
That morning meeting was rough for just about everyone. (I hope it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the trip to Dale is the next story, or at least I hope it is--haven't edited it yet and it has probably been 5 years since I last looked at it. How scary is that!)
You think Tureden stunned you? Think about poor Legolas. ;-) In Tureden's defense, Langon did throw a rock at his head, so he was a little peeved (and, of course there is more to their history than that to come out later), but yeah, Tureden's behavior there was abominable and Langon rightly called him on it. Tureden's behavior unfortunately got worse with Legolas. Ridiculous describes it. There will be fall out all around for everything surrounding that incident.
I laughed that Langon stunned you. Good. :-) He would not be in character saying anything else. But, yes, it was what Legolas needed.
And I'm glad you feel that about Aewen. You are right on the money with her character.
Yeah, by the time all is said and done, Thranduil's going to be saying quite a bit to Legolas too. After all, the Woodland Realm, and its royal family specifically, are not exactly at peace now. And in such times, one should not be too hasty, as Treebeard might say. ;-)
Thanks so much for the reviews, Daw! I appreciate them so much!
CandissD
· 8 June 2013
· Chapter 1: Through Shadow
So glad this series is continuing! :D Loved this chapter and cannot wait to read more!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are still enjoying it! I hope you continue to. And thanks so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
Morn
· 7 June 2013
· Chapter 1: Through Shadow
Made my day to see a continuation of this. I have to say, this story is one of the stories that has most caught my imagination and I'm happy to see it continuing.
"Tulus nodded. "It bowed to her," he confirmed, releasing his grip on his companion's arrow lest he snap it in half and betray their position. It was true. She was in league with orcs! He would need to send another message to the king, and quickly."
Woah! This Manadhien gets worse and worse. At least the King and others are finally catching on to just how dangerous she is. Going to be interesting to see just what she plots next and hopefully how they finally manage to defeat her.
And poor Legolas. Must be so difficult living trapped inside what he did, presuming so few people know what he did. The events of his kidnap and his uncle's death have clearly made a lot of changes around there.
Looking forward to seeing how they start to deal with all this. :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are still enjoying it!
If everything that is currently in this part stays in this part, we will learn a bit more about Manadhien here. There are reasons she's so nuts. :-)
Yes, there are some changes in attitude that are going to be tough to manage. Poor Legolas indeed. He's got some rotten, no good days ahead of him.
Thanks so much for continuing to read and thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate them so much!
Fantasia
· 6 June 2013
· Chapter 1: Through Shadow
Glad to read this. I think that the whole kingdom needs a therapy or several therapies, they are all wrecked.
This "The night air was crisp and the smell of fall leaves lingered in it. That was a pleasant smell that reminded Legolas of childhood games jumping and hiding in piles of leaves." is my favorite phrase, it perfectly describes the lost innocence of childhood, something that you can't take back.
Thank you, waiting for more.
Author's reply
Definitely in need of therapy. No doubt. :-)
I am so glad you liked that line. That is exactly why I put it in there. Just a little hint at what has been lost.
Thank you so much for continuing to read and review! I hope you continue to enjoy!
curiouswombat
· 6 June 2013
· Chapter 1: Through Shadow
Bother - I left a review and the internet ate it... anyway, it basically said that it was lovely to see a new episode - and how very right everyone's feelings and reactions are after the end of the last episode.
Author's reply
Ooo! We hates it when the Internet tries to steal our precious! ;-) I can't tell you how often that happens to me. My Internet connection stinks.
I was so pleased, surprised (and honored) that you are reading this. Everyone is definitely going to be reeling from everything that happened and hopefully growing from it (or possibly losing a bit of themselves in some cases).
Thank you so much for the review! I hope you continue to enjoy!
picara
· 6 June 2013
· Chapter 1: Through Shadow
Hooray! You started a new one!
It looks like pretty much everyone in the cast is struggling, not just Legolas. Definitely difficult times. It looks like Legolas is thinking about everyone else more (or at least as much) than he is himself. First he worries about his mother, then he tries to reason with Berior while trying to make sure everything he says is permissible, then he worries about Dolgalon and Galithil. Somebody needs to worry about him.
Berior really is out of line! It will be interesting to see where that goes.
Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
I'm happy to get this one started too! Definitely difficult times is right. Everyone is suffering for their own reasons and it is hard to help each other in that situation. Legolas is trying. I think this might be one of the memories he draws on during the Fellowship to understand the importance of helping all his companions find the sun.
Berior is in for a bit of a fall in this. Poor child has been sheltered and now his world is shattered.
daw the minstrel
· 5 June 2013
· Chapter 1: Through Shadow
I can't tell you how much my mood lifted when I read the notice for this chapter. Yay!!!!
One of the things I'm interested in is how Thranduil et al shaped the life of the wood elves. So this
Thranduil, Aradunnon and Dolgailon had managed to instill a sense of discipline into the ranks over the long Ages. That was definitely an accomplishment
was a lovely little glimpse. Those officers must have had their hands full.
Ooh, Legolas!
He might not argue, but he would also not obey. To dance was not really an order either a king or even a father could issue. To not write of summaries of the day's orders was
He seems to be at that stage boys reach where they have to become their own men, meaning they have to refuse to let their father treat them like boys. And Lindomiel appears to be refusing to be sheltered too. Thranduil apparently understood her desire for vengeance, even if Legolas is surprised. I feel for Berior. For pity sake, what is his mother thinking to leave him? It's interesting that his anger sort of corrupts him, which I suppose I should say about Lindomiel too, but somehow I don't feel that way about her. I wonder if it's because Berior is young, while Lindomiel has some perspective and balance despite her current feeling. Berior's argument about whether kindness was wise picks up a strong theme in Tolkien. In his work, kindness is never a mistake.
I also like understated reminders of what other characters have experienced, like this:
If any of his cousins understood the difficulties of being forced to retell the same horrible story over and over, it was Galithil.
Galithil has grown up amazingly well. "Out of line!" Succinctly put. And speaking of growing up, Anastor is amazing.
no one in his family hid from confrontations
No kidding.
The dialogue in the garden between Legolas, Galithil, and Dolgailon is quite realistic. "No one help. I'm fine." LOL Legolas needs to tell Dolgailon the rest though.
Author's reply
I can't tell you how happy I was when I finally plucked up the courage to click the publish button on this one. I've been fiddling with it for months, as the 'started' date shows. :-)
I can't resist a few of Tulus's reactions to the new position that he is in--very different from anything he has done in this Age and most of the last. It can be fun.
And Legolas--yes, definitely at that point where he is almost an adult. It is uncomfortable for anyone. It has to be doubly so for someone in his position as people trip over deciding how they are going to treat him this time--prince or child. I'm playing with that in this story, definitely.
somehow I don't feel that way about her. I wonder if it's because Berior is young, while Lindomiel has some perspective and balance despite her current feeling
They definitely both are experiencing a bit of the Shadow. Lindomiel at least recognizes it and tries to fight it. Berior has no idea and he is just falling right into it. Losing your dad as he did justifies it to some extent, especially since he is young and has no idea how to react. But, still, he was definitely out of line, as Galithil said.
Galithil is doing very well. He will continue to in this story, largely speaking. But you know what they say about the calm before the storm...
I had fun writing Dolgailon and Galithil. Brothers can be so much fun.
Daw, I really appreciate you continuing to read this. And I appreciate your reviews so much!
Author Reply: ETA:
Berior's argument about whether kindness was wise picks up a strong theme in Tolkien. In his work, kindness is never a mistake.
I forgot to comment on this. Definitely. Exactly what I plan on playing with in this part. I really like that theme in Tolkien.