wow， I just want to say, your writing is truely good.

What does Thranduil's insult to Smaug mean?

I love this version of Thranduil. His confrontation with Smaug was so well written. And of course tiny Legolas was adorable.
And I'm so happy for Tamin and Tulie. Now Legolas can see them whenever he wants.

This is a wonderful insight into what could have happened and it fits so well into the tale too. Poor Thranduil really goes through the wringer here. (One wonders if Legolas recognized the shirt in Moria when its revealed that Frodo wears it.)
JasperK

I love Thranduil and love your writing. Are you going to write more stories? :_)

What a lovely story. I really like the way you tie in the story of Smaug and the mithril coat. Great job with Thranduil-he is often a sadly misunderstood character. I like your version of the devoted father, whose reputation is far darker than the reality.

Oohhh... This is such a nice story. A perfect sweet bed time one... Your writing is excellent and I think this story deserves more readings! Your descriptions of places and interactions between charas are amazing. I have the beautiful scene of Tuile sleeping with Legolas stuck in my mind, it's the sweetest thing. Tomorrow I will happily continue to read :)

No idea if youre still around but I handt read this story until about a week ago and its absolutely brilliant, probably the best character portrait of Thranduil Ive come across yet.

ahh very plausible explanation for the shirt...loved Tamin and Tulie and the interactions of the elves, especially Thranduil with Smaug and Tamin :) Very enjoyable reading.

I am just getting into fan fiction for the first time. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your writings. They are very well-researched and therefore believable, but also respectful of Tolkien's original creations. You have a very captivating writing style, and it is a joy to read. Thranduil is one of my favorite characters and I greatly enjoy your portrayal of him, and being able to glimpse what his life might have been like. Thank you for the entertainment!

Just finished this story and I love it. So few stories address Legolas as a young child and this was a great way to incorporate it into the main storyline. I love your interpretation of Thranduil. I think he would be a loving father, if a stern one. Thank you for addressing all aspects of his character. Great job, I thoroughly enjoyed it

A very enjoyable, well-written tale, with a Thranduil portrayal I very much endorse, and ending appropriately with a young Legolas ready and eager to learn for the defense of his people, as graceful elvish princes would of course desire to do, and as would be needed in their forest in particular. Fantastic.

Better still was the relationship you portray with the Men, as in so many stories I've read, Thranduil and/or Legolas is portrayed as never having encountered Men before and/or being highly prejudice against them. Your portrayal here feels so much more realistic, and much more true to all I've read regarding Tolkien's created world and the relationship that likely existed between the elves of that quarter and the various Men they would have associated with through the ages.

Awesome piece! It's so canon-like and detailed. As always I love the interactions between characters and Thranduil! :D :D

Good story, but I don't think a child that young should train with real weapons. Thranduil should have him be trained with wooden or blunt or fake weapons instead.

I think he should wait until Legolas is a few years older in human ages before they start training him with knives and bows, but if they start training him at 5 it would be a lot safer for him if he didn't train with real weapons. Real weapons are too dangerous for a very young child.