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Interrupted Journeys: Part 2 Journeys Perforce  by elliska 5 Review(s)
BodkinReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/3/2004
Oh no! I knew they would have under-estimated the number of orcs!! (Well, I didn't, but I was worried that this wasn't going to be a push-over.)

The opening description of the damaged forest begging for protection was very moving - together with the desecrated land.

'“So we are going to attack an unknown number of orcs, certainly more then hundred, that are armed with bows and sheltered in a fortification that we must approach from down slope across an open plain at night?” he summarized.

Aradunnon nodded grimly.

“How did you think that this was different from Dagorlad?” Thranduil asked wryly.

“They have not yet built gates,” Aradunnon replied sardonically.'

Beautifully understated, yet making all the difficulties of the fight clear to understand in remarkably few words.

'As one of only three mounted warriors in this unit and the one obviously commanding it, Thranduil stood out as a valuable target.'

This always seems a bit of a downside to the fancy horse, armour, crowned helmets, vigilant guard, flying standard, etc of being the leader. Useful for your own side to see who and where you were - but also making you a more than slightly obvious target, even to an enemy as basically dumb as orcs.

This whole situation sounds very worrying - tell Thranduil to get home safely. He has not yet begat himself any heirs! Perhaps he should.



Author Reply: Yes, Amon Lanc cannot be a push-over. I wanted to show that they knew that it would be a tough fight (because they obviously aren't inept at warfare) and that they were still surprised (because, as we know, Tolkien says it took everyone a long time to figure out what was happening in Dol Guldur. I thought the power in the mountain might surprise them a lot and I figured I'd start showing that surprise from their very first encounter).

I like the description of the forest in the beginning too. I think seeing the forest damaged (either this way by orcs or simply by the Shadow) would have been a remarkably painful process for the elves. Especially for Thranduil because he has seen so many homes destroyed and he is responsible for this one. Somewhere in the back of his mind he is already hearing a little voice...'not this one too.' What happens in Mirkwood is very sad for so many reasons.

And yes--the fancy equipment and insignia and all that can be very detrimental in battle. It is a given in medieval battle tactics that one of your primary objectives is to eliminate the enemy commanders. And since commanders always fought from the front of the line to be able to see what was happening and give orders, they were always vulnerable. That is why they had guards in battle--to protect them and free them enough from the need to constantly fight so that they could concentrate a little on the overall process of the battle and give orders. It was tough to be king. :)

I'll pass it on to Thranduil that you want him to stay safe. *She sighes and thinks about having a conversation with Thranduil...can I, please?* I sure hope they make The Hobbit and understand Thranduil's character when they do it. :)

picaraReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/2/2004
I left a review on Open Scrolls but I forgot to ask something. Better to ask here anyway since they have a reply function: what Thranduil does with his horse (where it attacks the orcs)--is that realistic? Could horses be trained to do that? I thought it was cool. I just wondered if it was possible. Liked the chapter.

By the way, in the other story you asked what was up with my screen name. I did choose it because I did my Masters in spanish lit and I liked Lazarillo de Tormes. I assume you've read it?

Author Reply: Thanks for the double review :) Yes, it was not uncommon in the Middle Ages to teach horses to kick and bite on command. This was done after the horse was conditioned to work under battle conditions (loud noises etc) and to accept pain without bolting. It must have been really tough to be a war stallion.

So you have a Masters in Spanish Lit? Cool. Yes, I've read Lazarillo. If you liked that, you should surely try El Buscon. It is hilarious--especially the part where they are in the school and then 'rescued' from it. You might alos try the novels of Castillo Solorzano--they are not first rate but they do fit your screen name (the picaro is a picara).

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/2/2004
Oh, this is getting exciting! I hope nothing is going to go wrong on this attack - it sounds as if they've underestimated numbers badly. Please don't let Thranduil or his brother be hurt!

Author Reply: I'm glad you feel it is exciting. I can never resist a little focus on strategy because I find it interesting personally. My friend who is reading this and I argue over it because she says it slows the pace too much. They have underestimated Amon Lanc. I can't promise they won't be hurt. *evil grin*

Thanks so much or the review!

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/2/2004
Aw yeah! Bring it on, Thranduil, bring it on!

Now, that was battle writing. Very clear strategy and realistic use of weaponry. I like that. You are one of the few authors to remember that swords and daggers have two edges, and they're both sharp. (For the record, scimitars only have one sharp edge.)

The issue of attacking over an open plain is a fascinating one. You're right; generally, a defending army won't come out if they see an army charging over a plain towards their stronghold. But there is a record of an army doing just that. In 1759, Major General James Wolfe attacked Quebec (under the command of the Marquis de Montcalm) by scaling the cliffs from the St. Lawrence River and crossing the Plains of Abraham. The French could see the British coming from miles away. Incredibly, instead of staying safely within the fortress of Quebec, Montcalm led his soldiers out to engage the British on the Plains of Abraham. Both Montcalm and Wolfe died in the battle, but the British won. If the French had stayed in Quebec, there would have been a protracted siege, and Wolfe's army was not at all prepared to do that. The French could have outlasted the British, but they chose to leave the fortress. Just think -- your Orcs are brighter than the 1759 edition of the French army!

Also, props to you for knowing that the command to shoot an arrow in a pre-gunpowder age is "Release!" not "Fire!"

Thranduil scowled and looked at Aradunnon. “So we are going to attack an unknown number of orcs, certainly more then hundred, that are armed with bows and sheltered in a fortification that we must approach from down slope across an open plain at night?” he summarized.

Aradunnon nodded grimly.

"It's 106 miles to Barad-Dur," he said, "We've got a full bag of horse feed, half a wafer of lembas, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."

"Hit it," Thranduil said.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

Author Reply: Thanks French Pony, I'm really glad you liked it. This was very difficult to write. I do medieval battle re-enactment on a regular basis (historically based stuff, not Society for Creative Anachronism, though I used to do that too). I am a flanking archer normally but I also carry a broadsword and a dagger and I am usually an officer, so I do know something about proper commands and the use of bladed weapons. I love designing tactics. Last summer, one of our free mêlées (i.e. one we did for fun that wasn't scripted) was exactly this situation and I am copying the tactics and outcome of our battle. So I know this general scheme worked at least once. :)

That was fascinating about Montcalm--not a good choice! I am definitely going to have to look that up. The One Hundred Years War contains other examples of commanders making equally poor choices of that nature and that is what we re-enact alot.

But--I almost passed out laughing at your Blues Brothers parody. I actually have the movie on and I am watching it right now. How about that for a really bizarre coincidence?! When I read that I about died. Too funny.

Thanks for the review. You made my day because I worried about this chapter. Writing battles is tough to do.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/2/2004
Great battle scene! The brothers certainly do have contrasting styles. Aradrunnon is clever but he seems to have stumbled into a hornet's nest. I suppose it's better to know what's there, but this is obviously the sign of a serious problem.

Author Reply: Thanks. I find them very difficult to write although I like the topic intellectually. I do historical battle re-enactments and I love pre-gunpowder era strategy and tactics. Yes, Aradunnon has got a hornets nest on his hands, no doubt. They did not know exactly what they were facing. They did the best reconnaissance they could but under the circumstances they just couldn't find everything. Perhaps that is the nature of Amon Lanc and the evil dwelling there. It is definitely a sign of trouble. That will be clear to Thranduil before his day is over.

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