LozzaBabachoo
· 19 October 2020
· Chapter 13: Adults
Hello! This my first review. I am not sure anyone comes back to read them, but speaking as a youbg lady who find the J.R.R.Toilken's literary works to be fascinating, when I came across your writings and the many stories you have written because of inspiration from LOTR, I was truly enamoured and impressed by their quality. You are a wonderful story teller! You have brought to life, for me, the people of the Woodland Realm in a way I hadn't connected with before and made for some cosy evening readings. This is written in the early 2020's, and writing on a possibly archived website, but I loved the writings so much I was compelled to compliment the author. Thank You!
Author's reply
Hi, Lozza--
SoA automatically sends me a notice when someone leaves a review, and believe me, I always come and read it!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I spent a long time writing about Thranduil's boys. I love my characters quite shamelessly, and I appreciate it no end when someone else does too.
I'm writing my own stuff now, but I will never, ever regret the time I spent on LOTR fanfic. It was one of the great pleasures of my life.
daw
PSW
· 26 October 2016
· Chapter 11: Looking Ahead
Yay, Beliond! :-)
But wow, I'd forgotten...Legolas really really doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut... :-P
Author's reply
I'm trying to decide if you mean overexplaining while dumping his girlfriend or snapping at Beliond and then demanding an explanation from Ithilden. I suspect the latter, though the former must have been painful too!
Yes, this is Legolas's intro to his bodyguard. It will take some time to work out that relationship!
Eirinn Leigh
· 22 July 2016
· Chapter 13: Adults
Have you done any quest-tics from the pov of Legolas' family? Seeing how hard it is for them to allow each other into danger I can only imagine his brothers' and father's reactions to the news that Legolas - whom they probably only reluctantly allowed to travel to Imladris without them in the first place - had volunteered for an unnamed quest through dangerous territory with a ridiculously small number of people... and then spent the better part of a year nearly completely out of contact with them.
I cannot believe that you killed Annael's father! Was this some kind of plot connivance - oh I need a way to split Legolas and Annael up - or what? I am actually angry with you! (although I will try to refrain from throwing tomatoes :j )
Author's reply
I've sometimes thought it would be really interesting to write a fic about the quest in which I alternated between what's going on with Legolas and what's going on in Mirkwood. IMHO, during the Battle Under the Trees, Thranduil and his people were driven back to their very door step. I think Sauron's forces probably burned large pieces of the forest. So there'd be plenty of action for all of Legolas's family in addition to their worry over him. And of course, he apparently sense that they were in trouble because he says that thing about how war had come upon his people.
The problem is it would take me months to write that, and at the moment, I'm struggling to meet deadlines for my original fic.
Hm. Why did I decide to kill Annael's father? I think because the story was about coming of age and I wanted Annael to come of age with a vengeance. I love his whole family, and I felt guilty about killing Siondil, but it seemed the right thing to do. Sorry! :-)
daw
Asms2
· 13 April 2016
· Chapter 13: Adults
Wow this story was awesome!! Thranduil being away in the beginning was a unique dynamic as Ithilden had to hold down the fort by himself. The fire fighting was neat to read about, and oh gosh I just love Anneal! He felt so bad that his tree chopping caused a chain reaction that injured Legolas. It was really sweet how he got Legolas' pack and asked Eilian if he could go and see him.
My heart broke when Siondel died! I was like NO!! Not Siondel. He was such a good father. And a rock of wisdom/experience. Poor Anneal! What a shock and tragedy that must have been.
There were a lot of interesting layers in this story. The family dynamics are always so fun to read about especially in the face of stress or injuries. LOVE IT!!
Author's reply
I like Annael a lot too, though he stays a minor character. I like his whole family actually. Legolas was lucky to have this normal, supportive household to go to when he needed it. After I wrote this story, there were plenty of times when I felt guilty about killing Siondel. But I wrote these stories out of order, so if I could always jump back in time and resurrect him.
I have to confess though that every once in a while, I got an urge to kill a character, and following through was always sort of thrilling. Once I'd done it, readers no longer felt that a non-canon character was safe, and it made them nervous, which, from a writer's point of view, is a good thing!
Thanks for the review.
daw
endorearwen
· 6 September 2013
· Chapter 13: Adults
Excellent story conveying the weight of loss and change, Daw! I think you’ve done a marvelous job in this one of reminding us how fleeting happiness actually is. It was quite a journey, constantly moving from catastrophe to catastrophe! The entire plot was brilliantly executed and every scene was gripping in its own way. I think I felt the most sympathy for Anneal and Thranduil - they lost the most in my mind. Though, I must admit, I do have my concerns about Eilian. The loss of Celuwen has definitely taken the heart from him. Could it be that it is time for him to leave the Southern Patrol behind for good so he might enjoy other pleasures in life?...
The most poignant scene in my mind was the bathing at the end of the coming-of-age vigil. The manner in which you had Legolas explain the significance of what his father and brother were doing brought tears to my eyes! It was the worst moment in the whole story for me because that was really when Thranduil ‘lost’ his elfling. Absolutely beautifully done!
I loved the way you mixed Thranduil’s memories into the ceremony as it played out. It was nice to see a reference to Turgon at this pivotal moment for both father and son. It was, perhaps, more meaningful because it was Thranduil who reminded us of the special bond the three boys shared in childhood - despite his personal objections to the friendship that meant so much to Legolas. Undoubtedly, Turgon’s influence has marked the character Legolas now takes with him into adulthood. Strangely, I also liked that there was no female involved in the ceremony. Legolas had never known what it was to have one in his early life and it felt right that only the men who had reared him were the ones who had earned the privilege of ushering him onward into adulthood.
It must be a wonderful feeling, Daw, to write something that is both insightful and that truly touches a reader’s core! Well done! :-)
Author's reply
Endorearwen, your consistently kind and insightful reviews make me light up the minute I see them in my email. You know you don't have to do this, but I appreciate them no end.
For the longest time, I felt terrible over killing Siondel. I liked him in himself as a character, and I liked him as Annael's father. And of course, Annael is really young to suffer this loss. I thought it was the right thing to do, but I felt bad anyway.
It was also interesting to send Thranduil out of his own realm and see him be thrown a little off balance. Not too much. He's pretty self contained and doesn't care a whole lot about making friends except as his realm needs them. Gotta love the Woodland king. He kept his realm intact even without a ring of power.
I think this story was the first time I ever wrote from Celuwen's point of view. It's always exciting and a little intimidating to enter the head of a new character. And Eilian is pretty wiped out by events. Of course, he's also the kind of guy who doesn't break off a battle until his hair is nearly on fire.
Poor Ithilden. They all drive him crazy. I think he needs your comfort. :-)
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 13: Adults
Legolas had his day and finally found out where he would be stationed, but he dosen't like his keeper.
Eilian is sick with shadow, he is stubron and wasn't going to mention it to his brother or father...
Author's reply
I liked being able to finish the story with a party where everyone was around, even if Eilian is unhappy. Poor guy.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 12: Children
Legolas is going to the eastern patrol not as he was hoping but not the Home Guard...
Author's reply
Yes, it's a good compromise for everyone, I think.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 11: Looking Ahead
Legolas should watch it...Storming into Ithilden office and demanding things isn't wise. It seems he is assigned a bodyguard as well, and one who is experienced too...
Author's reply
Ithilden doesn't take well to back talk, and Legolas was dishing it out. Ithilden is Legolas's commanding officer, and Legolas better get used to it.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 10: Coming Home
Legolaa is a good friend to Annael and stood by him at the funeral, even being carried outside. But going for a ride with his foot still in a splint, his father coming in at that moment, he wasn't happy...
Author's reply
Legolas was good for as long as he could stand to be good. :-)
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 9: After the Fire
Kinda sad...Siondel was a good father and his death was a hard blow... Annael was heartbroken but Legolas was there by his side.
Eilian tryed to convience Celuwen to stay but even as they love each other she will not bond with him. A hard choice that is for them...
Author's reply
I still feel terrible about killing Siondel.
Bodkin just posted a story on this site in which she borrowed my characters (with my permission) and wrote about them all being reunited in Valinor. Thank Eru, Siondel was there.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 8: Enemies
Orcs of all the trouble they have to show up... Legolas and Celuwen get out, and her father wasn't pleased...Legolas injures his foot again...Nice work...
Author's reply
I hesitated about adding the orcs to this story because I already had a lot going on, but it worked out okay. At least for me.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 7: Making Plans
I don't like Solith, he seems selfish and hard. Putting water on the cottages could work, but thats risky to chance.
Legolas is awake at least. Celuwen loves Eilian but why does she subject herself to the pain, she says she wants to fight the shadow, why not together....
Author's reply
Solith is not a likeable character.
I think stubborness is a characteristic of wood elves. If it weren't, they wouldn't have lasted as long as they did.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 6: In Another Time
Thranduil left the council, and he seems to know something is wrong at home at with Legolas...He did end up at Celuwen's house and she still makes Eilian stop in his tracks...
Author's reply
she still makes Eilian stop in his tracks...
That's a good way to put it!
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 5: Treacherous Ground
A fire... and the novices get to help, but them Legolas gets hurt, and on his first time out too.
Author's reply
Legolas does indeed get hurt, poor thing. After I started writing this story, wild fires broke out in California, so I was sure that people there would know how wrong I was undoubtedly getting things, but no one said anything!
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 4: Negotiating
It seems synia thinks Legolas and her are closer than they truly are. And Legolas wants to go to the southern patrol, but he didn't get the answer he wanted...
Author's reply
Legolas is having some trouble getting the various parts of his life sorted out. I hope he learned his lesson with Synia!
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 3: Friends and Enemies
Thranduil is having problems at the council and is angery, and who could blame him. He needs help but they are not listening....
Author's reply
Thranduil was in a difficult position. His realm was under attack in a way that Rivendell and Lothorien were not, and he had no ring of power. Of course, those with the rings had other burdens too, but he can't see them.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 2: Freedom
Little Sinnarn is a bundle of energy, you have to feel for ithilden trying to keep him safe.
You can feel how proud Annael's parents are for them, and how time goes past so quickly...
Author's reply
Sinnarn is a bit too much like his Uncle Eilian for Ithilden to be easy with him. But he treasures the kid and does his best by him. And I've always loved Annael's family.
pipinheart
· 11 October 2005
· Chapter 1: Currents of Change
Thranduil at the council he seems worried. Legollas and Annael are growing up, coming of age are they ready...
Author's reply
I wanted to write about Thranduil outside of his forest for a change. He's not happy being in Rivendell, but he'll do what he has to if he thinks it will protect his people and woods.
Gilraen
· 9 April 2004
· Chapter 2: Freedom
This is getting interesting... I've been reading your stories in (chronological) order, so this is the first that I've seen Legolas this close to adulthood. Ack! Synia! I loved Miriwen- she's so sweet. I'm glad Legolas has no intentions of seriousness with Syni. This is really enjoyable. BTW, Elves with tack makes perfect sense :)
mistry89
· 1 February 2004
· Chapter 9: After the Fire
I said I would comment later in the series - well, this is it.
As with all of your stories, there is a mix of action, character interaction, "forwarding the story", but underlying all is the slighlty melancholic almost-not-quite-lump-in-the-throat and the nearly-prickling-tears-behind-the-eyes feeling that is so very approppriate for JRRT's elves. The end of ME for them is approaching and for those who delight in it (elves, not readers!), it must be its own kind of Long Defeat (ta, Galadriel!). The almost-bittersweet tone comes through even the happy little interludes (Legolas as an elfling being ..... a young naughty, curious,troublesome being!) and they highlight the more obviously sad, tragic, or dangerous events.
In this chapter it is Elian and Celuwen with emotions at odds with duty, honour, and fate.
You manage to maintain this tone without descending into maudlin drippiness and have captured Thranduil for me best so far of all the fanfic authors I have read - some avoid the mistake of making him too a-too-hard-conveniently-bad-tempered-elf, and acknowledge that he has problems with his own race (as well as Men & Dwarves), but you are the first to acknowledge the problem with Galadriel, and that was a biggie, so I've been looking for someone who writes that (at all, let alone well!). All JRRT readers have their own bits of canon they feel shouldn't be tampered with - Thranduil and Galadriel are too often addressed in ways I wish they weren't. I don't dislike stories where they are ooc, as long as there is a reason, and as long as 99% of the stories aren't they same, it just seems to become a new kind "accepted canon", and *that* bugs me!
All that said, a well-written story drags you in regardless of the reader's own (believed) preferences .... I never suspected I would enjoy "toddler" Legolas, but I did, and I thought that very sad toned (ala Nancy Springer's The White Hart et al) books were left behind in my (very long ago adolescence -LOTR- excepted). Perhaps I can cope with a little melancholy after all! I'm sadder still that I have nearly reached the end of this story arc - thank you.
Helen
Author's reply
I think that Tolkien is rather melancholy. There are no completely happy endings. Everyone loses as well as gains.
I thank you for reading all of these fics. I have been swept up in writing them, so I know there are a lot. But if I dragged you in, despite yourself, then I am pleased.
FaerieQueen
· 11 January 2004
· Chapter 13: Adults
Another beautiful story! Just an aside comment, but do I really start every review like that? I need to get a little more creative. Well I really liked this story. Although, Legolas and the tree issue was pretty clumsy. Poor Annael and poor Eilan. I'm sure they'll get over it though. Now Legolas needs to learn to be nice to Beliond. Or some issues will occur. Well keep writing!
FaerieQueen
Author's reply
Legolas and Beliond will adjust, but they will never be new best friends, I think. I actually wondered how plausible it was for Legolas to fall etc. but I decided I needed it for the plot, so what the heck.
FaerieQueen
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 5: Treacherous Ground
I know, I know, I only review at the end of a story. And since this story is already complete, this review is rather pointless. But I had to rant at Legolas. What and earth is he doing? And what about Annael? Good grief, it's rather comical though. Novices cutting trees: watch your head. Well either way keep writing!
xsilicax
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 13: Adults
This was as brilliant as all your others have been to read, though I'm inclined to favour this above all.
I really enjoyed seeing your characters having to cope with new situations. Ithilden made a great interrim king, but I do not think it is ever a position he would like to hold for real.
It was good to see Eilian coming off worst with a lady for a change, I like that your OFC is so strong-willed. They would be well-matched if they could ever manage the time to be together. Seeing him despondent makes the encroaching shadow seem that much darker, that it is able to suck the life out of one so full of fun. Out of curiosity...are we ever going to see the adventures of Eilian at Dol Guldor?
I wonder if how long Legolas' sense of peace will last before he finds himself behaving rashly again. No matter how old he thinks he is I don't think he's quite reached the level of maturity needed. Although he has clearly evolved hugely just in this piece alone.
I also wonder how Thranduil will cope not being able to baby Legolas anymore. Especially as it seems he won't be allowed to transfer these feelings onto his grandson.
Cathy,
xx
Author's reply
Eilian's love life is not going to run smoothly for a while. Which is a shame, because he is sexy and sweet, in my opinion. I don't plan to write about this trip to Dol Guldur (although anything is possible!), but I have some other interaction with Dol Guldur in mind for the Southern Patrol for a future story.
And Legolas is not quite grown up yet. I am outlining a new story that takes up a few years down the road from this one.
sofia
· 29 December 2003
· Chapter 13: Adults
i love this story, too! my first story i read from you was shadow touches home, and this is the second story i read from you. I really enjoyed reading this story and i am now working my way to read all your stories. It seems to me that the tides of times is kind of like, in a way, a sequel to shadow touches home.
Author's reply
Sofia--
Thank you for your kind words. I think of all my stories as fitting together into a single story of Legolas's growth toward being Legolas of the Fellowship, so Shadow and Tides do fit together. I hope you like the other stories too.
bryn
· 20 December 2003
· Chapter 13: Adults
My huuugest apologies for falling behind in reading! As I've said many times before, I absolutely adore your work. With each piece, it gets better and better. This has been my favorite story as of yet. With each fic, Legolas, his family, and his friends become more developed and stronger characters. I simply cannot rave enough!!! :) You are brilliant, daw. Absolutely brilliant.
Author's reply
Bryn, you are too kind. I find I too have to leave stuff unread sometimes because I just don't have time to read everything. Sometimes I see a new story and deliberately choose not to start reading it because I am already following too many others.
But I do appreciate your comments. This story was interesting to write because I deliberately tried out some different stuff, like Thranduil apart from his sons and the combination of fire and orcs. So thank you for telling me it worked for you.