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Fear No Darkness by Thundera Tiger	14 Review(s)
TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 3/23/2005
Wow, this was good. The description of Elrohir's charge and the hand-to-hand combat was excellent. You really created an authentic impression of a chaotic, dangerous situation. I really like the way you put it in Aragorn's point of view, since it combined a warrior's perspective on the battle with Aragorn's anxiety about Elrohir. This is a small thing, but I loved the difference in character between the orc-horns and those of the elves. There were some neat touches in the Haldir/Orophin part of the story. It was a neat little moment where Orophin was suddenly hit again by the effect of Rumil's death because he was no longer there to distract Haldir from his restlessness. That bit with dropping the leaf to get someone's attention was ingenious as well. Also it's very scary that they are going into the cave like that, as it is for Celeborn's recue party. The description of Merry's and Legolas' mental state was really nightmarish, though it's encouraging that they still have a little bit of memory and sense that they have connections with others of some sort, even if it feels to them that those are lost things. Great chapter! I hope your muse is operating. I'm running out of chapters! TF Author Reply: The decision to show the battle from Aragorn's perspective was something of a risk, as he wasn't actually in the battle for much of it. But I like the end result. It's slower and not quite as rushed as it could be, but I enjoy seeing what's happening from someone a bit more removed from events. At least for the beginning part. Orophin and Haldir have a fairly large part to play. Perhaps one of the more crucial parts, though it's not evident now just how crucial that part will be. And it's made possibly by Rumil's death, which is going to affect them throughout the rest of their role. So I'm glad it's not quite wearing thin yet. Sometimes I wonder if I'm overusing it. But it was a traumatic moment for both brothers.

Lera	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 1/9/2005
Hey, still alive? Just kidding. I was just wondering...how did you like the EE RotK where Mouthie is very much exterminated? Cause it sort of conflicts with the story here...lol. Hope to see an update soon, however as a freshman in college now I understand an utter lack of time as well as other's intolerance of our LotR priorities. Author Reply: Hey Lera! Yup, still alive but sick over here. Hence the delay in responding. Sorry about that! As for Mouthie showing up in EE RotK... sigh I was glad they brought him in as he's an important character, but I didn't like his appearance. RotK tell us that this guy was clearly a man. A warped, ruined man, but a man nonetheless. I wasn't getting many mannish vibes out of the Mouth in the movies. And as for Aragorn decapitating him, that was completely OOC for Aragorn. He wouldn't resort to that, especially since this guy had come as an emissary. Aragorn has more honor than that. He's not a very nice emissary, but he's still an emissary. Ah well. Anyway, glad you understand that LotR can't always take top place in my priorities!

Catoblepas	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 10/30/2004
...I think I am seriously going to just keel over and DIE if you don't finish this story. The suspense...IT BURNS. I must know what happens...Please, PLEASE update soon... I'm sure it must get irritating having people harass you repeatedly to finish your stories, but I can't stand not knowing what happens to them. But in all seriousness, I love all of your stories that I have read, and I have read most of them. Your works are probably some of the best (if not THE best) fanfiction that I have ever come across (and that's saying quite a lot, since I spend what little free time I have reading fanfiction when I should be doing homework...mournful sigh). Alas, alack. Well, a final parting plea with my sanity in mind: PLEASE UPDATE!!! MY MIND CANNOT WITHSTAND ANYMORE SUSPENSE!! IT MIGHT EXPLODE!!! FOR THE SAKE OF MY UNSTABLE MENTAL HEALTH, UPDATE!! AAARRRGHLfaldfasjdl;kasdaftjasdffdgdk23owcc!!! ...Sorry. I get overenthusiastic sometimes. Author Reply: blinks You know, an update from me might not solve this. We may have to look into a ward of some kind... Beyond that, thanks so much for the review and I'm glad the suspense is still holding. I wondered if it broke around chapter 25 or so and desperately hoped that some of it still remained. So thank you for commenting on that. And actually, no, it doesn't get irritating at all to have people ask for updates. It makes me feel as though my writing might mean something, and that's a big confidence booster for me. So thank you for that, too! Hope you continue to enjoy and I'll work on getting around to that update.

Eruvyweth	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 10/25/2004
You must finish this. I COMMAND YOU TO FINISH THIS!!! No update since August 31?!?!?!?!?!?!? NOOOOOOOO! I copied this whole thing onto Microsoft Word and spent every ounce of my free time for three days ravenously swallowing every word, and then I got to the ending (on something like Page 468 or something) and THE CONFLICT WASN'T RESOLVED (AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!), and now I'm anxiously checking the update box every five minutes and am basically living on the edge of my seat constantly because there's SO MUCH SUSPENSE and everything could go wrong and the drama is so excellently perfect and uncheesy and the use of language is so wonderfully precise and well-planned and the characters are so right and I'm writing a run-on sentence but I don't care because maybe a grammatically-incorrect review will catch your attention and you'll be motivated to update sooner so you don't get more weird reviews from this crazy insane redundant person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Author Reply: ducks and hides Aaaa! Right, right, I'll get on it. Although...you'll probably hate me for saying this, but August 31 is actually not that far back for me. At one point, FND went six months without an update. I haven't repeated that since, but two months is sadly somewhat normal. I have to many WIPs going at once and I rotate between them for updates. Glad you like the suspense, as that's become the primary driving force for this fic. I'm afraid it went wandering in the middle and became bogged down. But it's now more or less back on track, so I suppose that's a good thing. I'll try to resolve some of the conflicts for you in the next few updates, though I warn you that...there's still a little ways to go before we see a final resolution. (And the grammatically incorrect review DID catch my attention, and it's the first time such a device has been used to prod me for an update. So congratulations on originality!)

pipinheart	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 9/25/2004
This is great! I love all the action sceens and I so worry for merry and Legolas. They are in great pain and can't even hear thier own scream. All the elves are trying to fight the enemy,but is it too much for them. The two that went alone in the cave and killed off the ten orc's, I wonder what awaits them, inside,and will they be able to rescue merry and Legolas,before all is lost. A powerful story,and one I have enjoy very much. Please update this soon,can't wait to hear what will happen next.... Keep up the great work..... Author Reply: Many thanks for the review. And I'm glad you're enjoying ths suspense. It's certainly taken me long enough to make it suspensful. ;) Anyway, I'll try to update as soon as possible, but it's very likely that other stories will be updated first. Hope you're able to hang in there!

Nightwing	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 9/12/2004
My apologies for coming in so late with my review. I read the chapter the instant it was posted, of course, but finding time to leave a review seem to always seems to entail a struggle on my part. I just loved your opening paragraph, it made me burst out laughing. Ah well, so much for the beautiful sunrise. I also enjoyed the following paragraph that launches us right into Elrohir in the midst of battle. I assumed we were in his POV, and I found it a surprise that we actually were in Aragorn's, and he was crouched behind a tree and watching his brother fight. I liked that little twist. Good fight too, displaying the strong emotions of both fighter and witness as well as the physical movements of the combatants. It was a pleasure to watch Elrohir... such passion! I also enjoy the interplay between the Lorien brothers. Not always agreeing (or is that never agreeing?), but together nonetheless. Your descriptions of them in the trees served to satisfy my perpetual need for nice elf descriptions to keep the lust flames fanned. Anytime the breezes stir the hair of an elf warrior, I sigh and am contented. The Legolas/Merry POV was most disturbing. Poor things, they are truly lost in the depths of madness. I am certain that their bodies will be rescued and carried from their captors to Imladris, but their minds will not be so easily liberated. Their imprisonment will continue as is, they will know nothing of their rescue. And... they have received "instructions" as well. Dear, dear... "The real battle is yet to come". Yes, on all fronts. I'm worried about Elrohir. An arrow deep in his side is not good. Liver, spleen, intestines... and orc arrows tend to be nasty poisoned things just to add to the fun. I'm worried about Haldir's deep sense of foreboding and peril, I'm worried about the captives, and where on Middle-earth did those two Hobbits sneak off to... oh, hell, I'm worried about everyone. I'll depart after complimenting you on your prose. You have so much going on, gobs of detail which in another writer I might find fatiguing. But your prose is so bright and crisp and unmuddied I did not at any time feel bogged down. Some of it could have been shortened or deleted to tighten things up and make it a bit more economical, but I mean it as a true compliment of your writing ability that you made it all work and remain clear even with such detail. Nightwing Author Reply: Oh, please! Don't even think about apologizing for a late review seeing as I haven't given you a review in a long time. And you definitely need one. I'm going to try to get that done by tomorrow night, but no promises! I wondered if anyone was going to pick up on the Aragorn POV twist. You're the only one who's commented on it so far. Ah well. It was fun for me. Kind of a strange challenge to see if I could start out a chapter looking through Aragorn's eyes but describing Elrohir. But of course I couldn't describe anything that Aragorn couldn't see, because I wanted the POV to be consistent. Yeah, like I said, fun for me. Strange, but fun. French Pony made much the same comment about eliminating some of the prose, and there have been others who've said the same. I'll definitely work on that. Of those who are willing to say it (and I thank you all for coming forward, I really do!!!) that seems to be the concensus. So I'll start cutting down on the descriptions aside from what is absolutely essential. This could be a REAL challenge, as I just love to yammer. ;)

Estel_Mi_Olor	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 9/10/2004
In my opinion, this was the best chapter I have ever read of any fic. Did you count the number of cliffhangers? The gripping-the-edge-of-the-seat-who-is-she-going-to-kill moments. I will inform you that I had several mild heart attacks over the course of reading this chapter. The first occurred when Elrohir-ELROHIR!-was apparently killed, but not. I had this heart stopping moment, thinking to myself, "now wait, she wouldn't actually kill Elrohir, would she?" Thank you for not doing so. Well, in retrospect canon characters are rather difficult to kill. But the Elrohir's charge was described with such great detail! I could feel the battle in my mind as if I was Elrohir's shadow. It was not a very pleasant thought. Sometimes battles can get very boring with the hack, parry, slash pattern, but yours was fanstastic. Great job! I was also worried for Orophin and Haldir. They are so brave! But really what a plus that they were there. You can't beat the Marchwardens, especially a Marchwarden who has apparently overcome instinctual hate for the Orc, by learning enough of its language to understand battle plans. ;) Three cheers for Haldir! Your description of silence and not being able to hear a scream was chilling. You would never normally think of those things, would you? I assumed it was Legolas's POV that we were getting, but on second thoughts a third person could have easily described both Legolas and Merry, since they were suffering the same fate. I hope the rescue party saves them soon, before it's too late! Ooh the Celeborn Contingent. If Celeborn was not the head of that group I would be very, very worried about their chances of success and survival. Not that I believe Gimli, or Elladan, or all those Elves are incomptent, but it's nice to know you have someone so trustworthy in charge. If Celeborn said he was going to storm Minas Morgul with three hobbits and a wooden sword, I would believe him. Back to the point: You have created such great suspense in this fic, especially revolving around the Celeborn Contingent, who, I assume, will soon meet the Helpful Hobbits and Mad Marchwardens. (Sorry, but I really like alliteration). To conclude: This fic is one of your best, and the chapter is your best. The tension, suspsense and action rolled into it are described so well, and fit together excellently. I especially love how you explore different POV. (I know I say that practically every time I review...). Cheers again, and I can't wait for an update. (Gosh, I've never written such a long review before...so let's have a PS). PS-Sorry if I seem unnecessarily picky, but there are two very small typos in the beginning of the chapter. 1) "For its efforts, it was promptly reflected back into the sky by an arcing fountain of red" I think you meant arching fountain in this sentence. (2nd Paragraph) 2)"With those wounded still able to travel protected in the middle of their defensive circle, Elrohir’s group broke out into what was almost a job." There I think you meant jog. (26 Paragraph). More apologies if this annoys you, but I notice things... :) Keep writing! Author Reply: blushes madly Many thanks! Good grief, with praise like that I won't be able to get my ego back down until next month! But seriously, thank you! I was having a rather depressing day and then I found your review. It did wonders! Anyway, in response to the review itself, I only counted one cliffhanger, and that was Elrohir. Orophin and Haldir are fine. Celeborn, Elladan, Gimli, and Calbenarth are fine. We haven't heard from Sam and Pippin, but last we did, they were fine. And as I told Layangabi, Merry and Legolas are in perpetual free-fall, so that doesn't count as a cliff. ;) So one. One cliff. I'm VERY relieved you liked the battle. Personally, I now think I spent too much time on it, but be that as it may, I'm glad you enjoyed it. There's only so many ways you can describe slash, hack, and parry. And then all action cuts out when we switch over to Haldir and Orophin, which can be really jarring. Ah well. Something for the revisions, I suppose. You've given me a great image of Celeborn taking on the Witch-king with three hobbits and a toy sword. It's accompanied by a bunch of people in the background doing their best impressions of a landed fish. Hilarious, actually, so I thank you very much for such a great mental image. On to your corrections, the first thing you spotted was actually intended. I did mean to say "arcing." A rather archaic use of the term, I suppose, and probably a tad too precise for the circumstances, but I like it. I'm old fashioned. ;) Good job on the second catch, though. I'll fix it on the next update. Thanks again!

Layangabi	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 9/8/2004
See....Thundera, this is why everyone wants updates. Cliffhangers. It's your cliffhangers. It's your own fault. You make everyone want to find out what happens next. ;) I'd agree that things aren't as moving as fast, but hell. I love the details, the descriptions, and there's time and oppurtunity aplenty for things to pick up. They're almost there! :D Into the hellmouth you go, folks. Show ol' Teddy the ol' what for) And Ohhh, Elorhir. Methinks it's not only the line of Oropher which has the infamous, ill-starred reckless fury in battle. There's a common ancestor in there somewhere. Thranduil and the other avengers are going to be a bit more careful, mehopes and thinks, there's way too much at stake. BTW, sorry I haven't emailed you yet. :( It's hell month, and yeah, things are more than hectic, they are rushing towards the famed lemming-cliff. 0 Adios, friend. May I see on the other side of the shore... Author Reply: scratches head But there's only one cliffhanger right now, and that's Elrohir. Unless you count Legolas and Merry, but they seem to be in a state of perpetual free-fall, not hanging from a cliff. Ah well. Anyway, I'm relieved that people are enjoying the details enough to overlook the pacing, but I'd like to think there's a way to find a balance between the two. Can't we get to the hellmouth on time and still have such great details such as Spike denying Buffy's assertion that she loves him? Err...sorry. You got me off on the wrong fandom. ;) Anyway, Elrohir is just channeling his inner enraged-Noldor-prince. I don't know about a common ancestor with Oropher, but Elrohir is descended from Fingolfin. That alone should say a lot, especially considering how Fingolfin finally died. Good luck with everything that's keeping you busy, and don't waste time apologizing about emailing! I completely understand. Let me know if there's anything I can help out with!

mer	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 9/2/2004
Once in a while I come forth to review...I really should do this more often, I apologize... I want to say that I really love this story. I like how you give these events more depth by the dialogue, observations of, and expanded inspection into the characters. Definitely gives it more meaning/feeling. I know you write in cycles (4 stories I think are now in progress). I love them all! I also saw somewhere that you are going to post a short story--is that going to happen soon? What will the timeline be? Thank you for sharing your talent!!! Author Reply: No, don't apologize for not reviewing. As an incorrigible lurker myself, believe me when I say I understand. You're fine. I'm elated that you've shown up to review at all, and for that I sincerely thank you! And thank you again for your comments. I have a tendency to overdo the dialogue and observations, but I'm glad you're enjoying it. Makes me feel as though it hasn't been a total waste. ;) And I do enjoy getting inside my characters' heads, so I'm happy when anybody else enjoys the ride, too. As for the next update, there's an impromptu short story coming out in a couple of hours. Fairly inane with no real purpose, but I had fun writing it. Beyond that, I really can't tell you the timeline. My writing urges come and go, and I'm more or less a slave to them. Hopefully there will be an update within a week to ten days, but I can't promise anything. Thank you again!

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 9/1/2004
With casual ease, morning’s first light cleared the Misty Mountain’s towering peaks, ambled down slopes of melting snow, and drifted out into the forests and hills surrounding Rivendell. It touched upon spring flowers and furled leaves, bestowing warmth and life as it moved through the trees and chased away the shadows of night. At length it fell upon a clearing and descended gently, intending to banish the darkness that flowed over the ground like a plague upon the earth. For its efforts, it was promptly reflected back into the sky by an arcing fountain of red. This opening was very Douglas-Adams-like. It made me happy. As for the rest of the chapter (what a terrible sense of proportion I have. . . ), I liked your focus on the senses. What people are seeing, what they are hearing, what they are ESP-ing, it all makes for a lovely detailed picture of a very large and complex battle. And everyone is bringing along a different set of assumptions and background information. Haldir and Orophin have Rúmil's death weighing on them, Aragorn has his knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Elrohir's battle personality, and Calbenarth has his long and detailed memory of times when currently allied species were not allied. It all adds layers upon layers to what is essentially an extended action sequence and raises the stakes even higher than they would normally be. The only problem that I see with this is that, over the last few chapters, you've started to get a little bogged down in all this detail. Each chapter contains reams of your wonderfully vivid prose, yet the story doesn't seem to have advanced a whole lot, and it's starting to lose some focus. Much as I love reading all the little details about what the characters are sensing and what they are thinking and why they are thinking it and what events in their pasts made it possible for them to think this way, I think that this kind of a battle sequence isn't really the place for all that. It's making things a little slow. But still, if it's going to be slow, detailed going, it's fascinating to read about these characters all the same, so it's not as if reading this chapter was a terrible tragedy or anything. I had a good time. Just . . . a slow one. Author Reply: I love it when you review. You put everything into perspective. THANK YOU!!! Details, details, details. Right. So we're dispensing with the details. I can do that. I think... I can certainly work on that... makes giant note-to-self So we're talking characte background, character thoughts (and probably motivations as well), and general input. Well, I can definitely cut back on the character background portions. That's the easiest of the three. And thought and input should be way back anyway because this is a battle and there's no time for such things. Theoretically, that should be easy, too. Oh, you really should have seen the first draft of this chapter. Actually, you shouldn't have. But the thing was so bogged down with character background that it was ludicrous. Calbenarth's section was twice as long as it is now for that very reason. Seems I still have work to do. Ah well. MANY thanks for focusing in on something that seemed to escape me. As for the opening lines, I actually wasn't thinking of Douglas Adams, but I've read him enough times that I'm not surprised. Between him and Terry Pratchett, I'm surprised there aren't more passages like that.

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