Aranel I've read all of this series (light and ardent included) so far and I made an account here simply to comment on them. Legolas was my first favorite character in LotR for ages, and he still ranks among the top 5. It is refreshing to read stories about a young Legolas, Tolkien gives us so little about his past and i love reading your take on it! Can't wait for the next update.

so cute.

I am so glad that I have get again found an author who keeps Legolas as a happy and loving child in a great family!
I have enjoyed reading this story and the ones before it. update soon!

Heyoo!
I loved this chapter and haven't read fanfic for oh-so long! But it was fantastic and the Aldan and Meril part was the best...
:)

Little Legolas is so adorable! *squeals* Hessocute! Whosealilcutie? Whosealilcutie? *legolas smiles sweetly at her while wondering what the strange human is saying* *D sighs and melts into a large puddle of sticky goo*

I am late, this will be short and I can only hope that FF.net will decide *not* to swallow this review - but, very well, here it is:
This was a truly wonderful chapter, and it was so good to see an update of "Holding"! :-)
I really love the beginning, with little Legolas in the tent - you capture the emotions and thoughts so well... It is absolutely realistic that he would easily be worried seeing that Aldan is not there any more, but then, when he realizes that he is not all alone although Aldan is not in the tent, slip back into comfortably lazing around in his "bed"... Very cute! :-)
The conversation between Thranduil and Aldandil was lovely - the right thing to make me feel touched and chuckle at the same time! :-)I love that the love stories in your universe are not too straightforward and uncomplicated, but so very realistic and endearing just because of that... It is great to see a glimpse of young Thranduil (and Thilome) in his story, and I really enjoy his relationship with Aldandil - it is always nice to read about them just interacting, talking about things, etc. - and poor Aldandil at a loss and feeling uncomfortable is somehow very cute, especially as he is usually far more self-assured, all witty remarks and diplomacy... It somehow shows that the relationship with Meril means a lot to him.
Again, I enjoyed the little transitional parts - the changing perspectives are a good thing and keep the story interesting.
And then, Nimaron and Aldandil! Those two have definitely managed to become one of my favourite combinations of characters in your stories! I found it touching that Aldandil suddenly realizes that Nimaron has spoken less as a healer than as a friend... That is definitely a new development! I simply love how you have shown the growth of that relationship, from Aldandil's enjoying to tease Nim over tentative friendliness and curiosity towards real friendship... I know it's not the main plotline, but it is excellently done and quite fascinating. :-)
Aww, and Cúran and Legolas being "such good helpers" are so very cute - you are simply the best when it comes to writing elflings! :-) I enjoyed that entire scene, from convincing Vanima that she needed help over the brush "duel" and the decision to make baked apples even for the horses, and the clever little bit of tactics from Legolas' side (if Thranduil eats an apple, they will get one as well!)... Childlike, utterly enjoyable, realistic, and, again - you really manage to make seemingly small things seem important and exciting once again... I loved this, and yes, I did start a search for dried apples (and found some slices, ha!) because you had made me all hungry with those lovely kitchen scenes! :-)
But the bit about Meril and Aldandil was sweetest - really enjoyable! Meril is a great character - I like that she manages to be a convincing strong young lady without being very "loud" or unrealistic. I liked the insight in her mind and had to smile a bit at her being angry with herself for that peach accident - had that happened to me, I would have thought the same (though I have not managed to get into a kitchen accident of that extent yet)...
And then, the conversation with Aldandil - just great! "“I…I need to apologize.

It's just the first page, and I LOVE IT!

oh I'm just happy Aldan and Meril finally made peace! I really enjoyed the scenes with Legolas and Cúran helping Vanima with the apples. I look forward to next chapter!

First of all...YAY YOU UPDATED! I am burdended with so much school work and this really cheered me up for the evening. Thanks! :-)
This was so cute!I am observing in a kindergarten this quarter and a while ago they made applesauce...similiar things happened!
Anywho...that was great. Please update soon!

There were so many good moments in this, starting from Legolas's small fear that his father and brother had left and going on through things such as Thranduil's musings on "events" during his engagement. Little Legolas is so wonderful to watch in his happy, childish activities, and big brother is equally fun.

So good to see you back and writing! I had forgotten about this delightful story till it showed up on my favorite stories list at the top. Keep up the good work. I, for one, will always be around as long as you continue to post (no matter how long it takes).

I loved this part:
“Such a waste of the peaches too,

Wow three months. You know what they say, Time flies rather you are having fun or not. I hope you had some fun in those three months. Good to see you back.
I would sleep in if I had a nice warm tent to snuggle up in too.
Ah another Thranduil and Thilome story for Alandil. It seems Alandil and Meril aren't the only ones with a communication problem. So Alandin will apologize and explain. It is about time for them to get things straightened out.
The older novices training out in the pouring rain. The Queen is worried about them but as warriors they won't get to come in when the weather is bad. So they must learn how to cope with bad weather sometime. I worry about when it is Legolas' turn though. He is so fragile.
Apple time. I love our homemade applesauce. Legolas may just enjoy this. Good thing he brought his animals though just in case. He is a far seeing elfling.
Nim the so good friend. Well Alandil can make things right now and we know from "Regatta" they will eventually be right.
Oh good Apple Day is a good day after all. Curan can be fun when helping is neded. Poor Vanima. ? from elflings.

Meril and Alandil's reconciliation was to the point and yes one day they will look back on this with humor. The can tell their elflings about this day as an object lesson and they will laugh ruefully.
OOH Swordplay in the cooking area. Legolas is getting to be a real he elfling isn't he?
Baked apples. I haven't made them in a long time. Have to put that on my list. You made me hungry!
Why wouldn't Alandil plant a peach tree? "I like peaches, I like trees and I think I like you." Good enough reasons.
Adar is so nice to notice that elflings would like a baked apple right away but horses need plain apples not baked.
Legolas had a good, busy day. He gets to eat a baked apple and got to feed some plain apples to the horses. He agrees that peaches are good and Alandil thinks they are good for a lot of things.
Another very sweet little Legolas chapter. You do have some nice precious tales about him and his family.
Thanx for the update. I look forward to more please with a pitiful look on my face. You know like Oliver Twist.

Oh my oh my how quickly my words came true. You wove the new family and the tragedy into your story so seamlessly. Good craftmanship.
Poor Alandil is very depressed and Legolas is very confused. Neither one has much life experience in these matters to sympathize and no one really explains these things until you ask. And Alandil is asking. So Nana will do something special with Legolas to take his mind off his troubles.
Alandil is trying so hard to avoid this difficult visit. So like a guy. Nim isn't going to let him get away with it though. Good. You have to face these things and learn to grow from them no matter how unpleasant they may turn out to be.
A tent. I am getting excited just remembering how much fun they are when you are young. They are great in the back yard for when your friends come over in the summer for a sleepover. This will really cheer the elfling up.
Poor Meril and Alandil. See how important good communication is. They thought each one knew what the other was thinking. At least things are out in the open now and can be resolved. Maybe.
Good Thranduil took things in hand and had a long talk about the facts of life. No not the birds and the bees. The real facts of life, about relationships. Isn't it interesting that children only see their parents here and now. We all have our pasts and some of them were pretty wild. Thraduil and Thilome like each other much better now. My first meeting with my husband was not the best. We like each other much better now too. Funny how things work out that way. I hope Thraduil's talk with Alandil was helpful. This isn't the ending of Arda for Meril and Alandil. It could be the beginning of something very special for them.
For Legolas life is good right now. I am so glad. He needs good moments to look back on in his future.
Yes Alandil you can fit if you stick your feet out the door. I told you tents are fun.
I started reading your stories when I found Singing Songs. A story I really like a lot. I just noticed with this story that you haven't updated since November. I hope you get time to add to this one also. I would hate to lose this little Legolas. He has become one of my favorites. Thanx for all the hard work you have done on this. I look forward to more.

This chapter was well named. We got to read about everyone's ups and downs.
Summer and melons. The chapter started out great. It is February here and cold toes and noses are the thing here not summer melons.
Contests for the elflings. Upside and downside to that. Why can't Ada and Nana see what fun that could be for Legolas? Well we don't want to see the elfling discouraged even more. Legolas has confidence in his abilities now but put him ups against his peers and that could change.
Alandil and his letter. Could this be a personal letter rather than one of those he has to copy for his court duties? Rather sounds like it.
Well Thranduil took Legolas to the greens to practice with his comrades and the king is pleasantly surprised at how well the elflings comport themselves. We won't be able to call them elflings for much longer if they behave.
Rough day for Nim is about to get rougher. Alandil seems to have great focus. He can ingnore the signs that Nim would rather have a long hot soak in the tub rather than a drink and talk to a trouble youth. But no Alandil plans on getting him soused if he can. The wood elf panacea, liquor.
Bad day at the green. The elfling learned a little to much about competition. His peers are to young to realize how important it is to get the basics down just so. Legolas is really fortunate being taught carefully for the future. One day Legolas will be strong enough and have the skills honed to be the archer we know he becomes in time.
Oh dear now it comes out. Alandil and his SML. He and the maiden didn't communicate. She probably didn't know he had a fear of getting his head cut off and was trying to impress him with her skills. If he still thinks of her and tries to write to apologize I think we are going to see her in the future. Alandil is old enough to have a little romance in his life. I wonder how Legolas is going to react to this?
And Nim's story surprised me a little. It seems a little off for elves but this is fanon and not all elves have to react the same. There may have been workaholic elves in Middle Earth. Tolkien just never wrote about them. That is what fan fiction is all about.
Naneth and Adar will do their best to comfort their little Leaf. I think in the future he will run up against situations like this often. He is going to have to toughen up, learn to be grateful for his small advancements and not lose hope. The last one is the biggest. It would be so hard to be in a society that is beautiful, strong, so physically perfect as the elves are and somehow be lacking. No wonder the king and queen worry so much.
Well more angst. We love it you know. Thanx.