aww, little baby eilian. cute and unplanned and uncontrollable as ever!

I liked the idea of having a song and dance for the New Year - it sure reminds me a little of their cheery nature in the Hobbit.. It's nice how the Elves cared for one another, and of course, how Lorellin was so concentrated on her baby that everything else seemed secondary.. "As the king's son, I am the one who looks to the safety of others. That is what being the king's son means." Loved that line, it echoes very nicely in Legolas' conversations in LotR.. And, I must add that the contrast between Ithilden as a commander and Ithilden as a son was really well done too..=)

~Aranel

This is lovely- I like the focus on Ithilden – even though he is the observer in this really, his pov makes it more interesting. I love the way you play with narrative voice and perspective!! I laughed right along with Nithron and Deler at the idea that any baby will sleep – but Eilian! If only he knew! The lines that Lorellin speaks about \Ithilden looking after Elian made me smile- much like my own big bruv, who is also a ‘force of nature’ (Gifts). Sarith is so silly – you just know she is going to be all giggly and irritating. Thank goodness Ithilden is not fooled by this ‘kitten’ – love that- purfect. I like the way Calith is developing as a character too. I think I am on the fifth or sixth re-reading of the ENTIRE catalogue of your stories… what would be good is if you updated the homepage to show the order they are now in, so I can read them all in order- oh god- listen to me -Yes, I am a Daw-Thranduilion Groupie .

Very good, as usual! I really liked the part at the beginning with the elves welcoming the spring. I think us humans should try that out one day- get up at 5am, grab some coffee, and sing as the sun comes up. That'd be a sight...
Write again soon!

(Where was Beliond!!??)

Aw! Little Eilian! That was great Daw. Will you write more chapters on this one? I would love to hear more about Eilian as an infant! Lol, it is so fitting that he came during the celebration. Great story!

This is a sweet story and I enjoyed it greatly. That maiden is much too fragile and silly for Ithilden, I think, but her shawl did come in handy at least. And I loved Thranduil's line about them not concentrating on the precise time. Hee!

Like all of your stories, this one left me smiling, with a joyous heart. Thank you so much for sharing!

Beautiful chapter! I love how Ithilden really didn't know what to expect when it came to babies!

Very nice chapter

I really enjoyed the story

Lauren

Nice to see Calith in this story; unsure in his new position and we know he turns out to be one very confident aide to Ithilden.

Eilian's entrance into Arda; we've heard of it but now we get to watch it happen. Little does Thranduil know how many headaches this second son will brng him - perhaps his first appearance was an inkling? And Ithilden, he's so innocent about babies isn't he? Thinking everything will go back to normal as soon as the baby comes! Loved Nithron and Deler having a little fun at his expense!

Poor Sarith - she's in way over her head here and doesn't realize it. Can't even see how much responsibility Ithilden has.

The small glimpses we see of Lorellin just reinforce how much Legolas must miss her in his life. He never really got a chance to know her and she is the light that shines on that family.

Ah, that was lovely... can I smack Sarith now? *grins* Poor girl, she's SO way out of her league...

I love the fact that Eilian was born in the middle of such turmoil. *snickers* How very like him! I can well imagine Ithilden has had MANY a chat with him over the years about this wonderful night... :) A lovely look back into the lives of your Mirkwood gang, and of course every tale you spin is a welcome thing to me. Good to see you again!

I always get so excited when I see a new story from you; I know I will never be disappointed. I love that even in such a short piece like this that you can contain so much plot. The upcoming birth of Eilian, a glimpse at a newly appointed, and not so confident, Calith, revealing how Ithilden got rid of his keeper, as well as a look at why Ithilden rarely courted. And I always enjoy when Lorellin is present. My two favorite lines...Thranduil's retort, "We were not concentrating on the precise time" and Lorellin's observation, "Eilian was in a hurry to be in the woods." Isn't he always? Thanks for another great fic.

That was a wonderfully sweet story!
I am so impressed by all your characters--they are so fully developed and realistic!
Thanks for writing