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| Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil | 16 Review(s) |
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| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/15/2009 |
| I was delighted to see Haldir in this tale. As for Aragorn's plan, I think the Elves greatly improved on it. I would have loved to see the expression on the faces of the three mortals. It had to be priceless. Author Reply: I couldn't resist adding him into the mix even if for a chapter or two. *grin* I would love to have seen the expressions on the Mortals' faces, too. A definite 'Kodak moment' *lol* | |
| viggomaniac | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/17/2007 |
| I've been following this story every week so sorry for not reviewing more often. You write wonderfully and I find myself thoroughly engrossed in each chapter. There are always so many things to think about and speculate about and it makes for a very interesting read. I like that you make the characters speak in a way that you would expect them to speak -- no 'gonnas', 'okays' and the like...:>) I don't feel qualified to point out the finer details of the story (though I do enjoy reading reviews by some of your more scholarly reviewers) but here are a few things I liked this chapter: Widfara, Aragorn's displeasure with his perception of being treated like a child by Thandir, his refuting Thandir's words about men being barbarians, and of course the whole storyline itself. The richness of detail is amazing. Anyways, I'll be back (how's that for a threat?) to review again, though I'm not sure when. I'm going to sneak ahead now and read your latest chapter. Terrific story. Author Reply: Thanks viggomaniac. I'm glad you are enjoying this story and am happy to read a review from you whenever you get the chance to do so. I've been very careful to recreate the speech patterns of the early Middle Ages, especially with regards to the Rohirrim in their Anglo-Saxon mode. I think it's very important in order to maintain the believability of the story. Aragorn and Thandir's relationship will be further explored in later chapters. I just finished writing a chapter where there's a real confrontation between the two and unfortunately Aragorn does not come out the winner. Anyway, I hope you continue to read and review the story. | |
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/19/2007 |
| That's a surprise. So there really are elves around in Rohan. Smart idea of Aragorn to pretend to be an elf. But the real thing is always better than a make believe ;-). Poor Widfara. He probably felt like in a bad/good dream. This new friend of his suddenly seems much more than just a Dunedain of the North and then elves... Author Reply: Wídfara probably is wondering just what has he gotten himself into with Thorongil, but he's young enough to adapt to the situation and take delight in it. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/19/2007 |
| A very enjoyable chapter.I loved all the drama which you wrote superbly.I love it when Aragorn becomes all kingly.Especially nice touches were Thandir's appearance to the conspirators and Aragorn's care for his young companion. Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Writing is was rather fun, especially the part of Thandir and the conspirators. It was probably the most fun he's had in centuries. *lol* Aragorn is finally taking ownership of his role as Isildur's Heir now and we see this here and in subsequent chapters. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/15/2007 |
| That was handy! Having a group of elves turn up just when they could do most good! But did they pick up on all the plotting? They've just sent the Queen Mum off with her party of recalcitrants .... but do they know what she'll be getting up to next? Aragorn is being quite regal and authoritative here - and proving that he has the respect of a group of people Wídfara didn't even believe existed. I suspect that Wídfara will be thinking quite hard about his new friend - and maybe deciding that there is more to him than meets the eye! Author Reply: I don't think the elves really care one way or the other. They only have gotten involved (and really, only Thandir is involved actively) because of Estel. For any other mortal it would've been "namárië". And Aragorn is beginning to come into his own here. Wídfara, I'm sure, has much to think about concerning his new friend. | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/13/2007 |
| Well, that's annoying... I thought I had tested those links to the HASA Research Library articles. My apologies for the problem... here they are in plain text: The Northmen of Rhovanion: www.henneth-annun.net/resources/bios_view.cfm?scid=256 The Éothéod (People) (or, if you prefer, the Proto-Rohirrim *vbg*): www.henneth-annun.net/resources/bios_view.cfm?scid=259 - Barbara | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/13/2007 |
| Actually, the Rohirrim are descendants of the Edain, for one branch of Hador's line did not go to Númenor with Elros and the other Edain. They elected to remain in Middle-earth and some of them eventually made their way across the Misty Mountains to settle in the upper reaches of the Vales of Anduin. No doubt they intermarried with those who were already there, but the blood of Hador would still be in their veins. Their descendants, in turn, followed Eorl the Young in his ride to the Field of Celebrant to the rescue of Cirion and the Gondorians and thus became the Rohirrim. No, the Rohirrim came from people who had never crossed the Misty Mountains. Except for the return of the Edain/Dúnedain to Middle-earth from Númenor, the overwhelming bulk of the migrations of Men of the West have been westward. The Northmen of Rhovanion migrated westward and settled in Wilderland, east of the Misty Mountains; they were a very numerous people with many tribes. A very small part of them -- including some, but not all, of the ancestors of what later became the House of Hador -- broke off to continue their westward migration, and settled in Beleriand in the First Age. They were named the Edain by the Elves of Beleriand. But while there may have been some movement from the remnant of Edain who didn't leave for Númenor back eastward across the mountains, it would have been a truly inconsequential number of people compared to the numerous existing Northmen... and I haven't found any mention of it in Tolkien's writings. In the Third Age, another established group of Northmen who lived east of Mirkwood -- many of whom shared ancestors with the House of Hador -- were displaced by invading Wainriders. Some gathered together in the Vales of Anduin near the Carrock; they called themselves the Éothéod (others joined the Beornings or Bardings, and still others were killed or enslaved by the Wainriders). Later, the Éothéod migrated north to the sources of Anduin, then eventually south to Calenardhon (Rohan), as you describe. These are the people who became the Rohirrim. I have compiled extensive histories of the Northmen and the Éothéod from Tolkien's words on the subject; if you are interested, see these entries in the HASA Research Library: Northmen of Rhovanion and Éothéod (People). If you know of other relevant Tolkien quotations that I have missed in these two entries, please let me know where to find them. But even if that isn't strickly true, Aragorn's last part about they being Children of Eru does hold true and this is what he is stressing to Thandir and the other elves. And they're not about to argue genealogy with one who can actually claimm kinship with a Maia, however distantly. *grin* Agreed, the quibble I have does not impact Aragorn's main point. And, if any other Man said that, I would just think they were not very knowledgeable. ;-) But it is precisely because of Aragorn's credibility that I truly believe it is glaringly out of character for Aragorn, who was educated in the House of Elrond, to make such an error... especially when he could just as easily said the Rohirrim are "kin" or even "brothers" (metaphorically) of the Edain, rather than "descendants". Sorry that the research geek in me sometimes takes over.... ;-) Don't let the number of words I've devoted to this quibble obscure the fact that I really enjoy the story overall, and look forward to seeing where you take it. Author Reply: Well, I can easily modify Aragorn's words if it will make the research geek in you happy. *grin* No one else has bothered about it and I confess I haven't bothered with extensive research about the ancestors of Rohan except where it directly impacts the story I'm writing, but thanks for the history lesson anyway. It's always interesting (being a history geek myself). | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/12/2007 |
| Hi again, I just remembered: there ie an open challenge at HASA that perfectly suits your story. It's called "A Tale within a Tale", and after you log in at HASA, you can find it at www.henneth-annun.net/members/challenge/challenge_detail.cfm?NGID=457. It closes on April 30, and, since HASA challenges accept unwritten stories (via placeholders -- I have a lot of those ;-) ), in-progress stories certainly qualify. Anyway, I think this story would be a welcome addition to that challenge... in fact, I'm enjoying it so much that I'm going to go check out the ones already submitted.... - Barbara Author Reply: Hi again, I haven't been over to HASA in quite a while and had forgotten about this particular challenge. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the head's up. | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/12/2007 |
| Hi Fiondil, What an interesting story! I like the realistic sense that you portray... for example, certainly not all of the Eorlings would accept Thorongil as an equal, despite his prowess on a horse, and some might take the more "direct", er, "masculine" way of showing their disapproval.... I especially enjoyed the last two chapters. Elves? Who'da thunk it? So now you have Elves and Rohirrim, my two favorite races.... and for that, I'll certainly tolerate an uppity Dúnadan or two.... ;-) I really like how you've interwoven genuine Rohirric history into your story... Folca was indeed the King who cleaned out the last of the Orcs that had fled to Rohan after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, so it makes sense that the Dúnælfenedale massacre actually occurred then... and I like how you hinted at the deaths of Folcred and Fastred. And Fengel was certainly hated, but it's a surprising and thought-inspiring twist that his wife would conspire against her own son... what a nasty piece of work! One tiny quibble with They are descendants of the Edain.... It would be more accurate to call them "brothers" of the Edain: they share common ancestors (especially the House of Hador), but the split in the family tree arose before the ones who became Edain were called that. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing where you take this story in the future.... - Barbara Author Reply: Hi Barbara! Thanks for your review. Actually, the Rohirrim are descendants of the Edain, for one branch of Hador's line did not go to Númenor with Elros and the other Edain. They elected to remain in Middle-earth and some of them eventually made their way across the Misty Mountains to settle in the upper reaches of the Vales of Anduin. No doubt they intermarried with those who were already there, but the blood of Hador would still be in their veins. Their descendants, in turn, followed Eorl the Young in his ride to the Field of Celebrant to the rescue of Cirion and the Gondorians and thus became the Rohirrim. But even if that isn't strickly true, Aragorn's last part about they being Children of Eru does hold true and this is what he is stressing to Thandir and the other elves. And they're not about to argue genealogy with one who can actually claimm kinship with a Maia, however distantly. *grin* As with all my Middle-earth stories, I try to bring in the history of the people about whom I am writing, as much as I am able without bogging the story down, and filling in the gaps with my own twists whenever Tolkien's own gaps in Middle-earth history allow me some latitude (without, of course, violating canon). | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/12/2007 |
| A very exciting and entertaining chapter, meldonya. Blood will tell won't it? I like Erkenbard very much. When he admitted to forging the letter I laughed aloud and his "It's been a thin year," comment was priceless. Is he perhaps the father of Erkenbrand? Aragorn's idea was very clever and I have to admit that when he was grabbed from behind I guessed that it had to have been an elf because I can't imagine Aragorn being so preoccupied that he wouldn't have heard the approach of a man. But as Thrandir said, it might not have worked or he might have gotten caught out. Even though I knew that Thrandir was going to play the role, it still gave me shivers to hear his words. The idea of being in the presence of a being that remembers a time before the existance of the sun and moon is mind-boggling. I think that Widfara was very brave and can't say that if I were in his position that I could have handled the situation with as much grace as he did. Seeing Aragorn take on his true aspect as a Lord of Men was wonderful. I suspect his doing so is a lot like the way a friend of mine described "the sudden expression of comand presence." One minute you're doing whatever you are doing with this other person sitting over on the other side of the room and then he simply stands up and you find yourself snapping to attention without consciously knowing why. I'm betting that should he live to old age, Widfara will have wonderful stories to tell his grnadchildren (Did you REALLY meet an Ælfhláford, Ealdfader?). I meant to mention in my last review that when reading the story of Dúnælfenedale that Thengel told Aragorn, that I was reminded of the story of Tam Lin. Most likely it is the connection of water in each tale with the elven Lord/Elfin-Knight. And given that mortal Aragorn was going to play the part of an Elf Lord there at the spring, mortal Tam Lin in thrall to the Elf Queen at the well at Carterhaugh returned to my mind. I really oughtn't to be surprised that I'm seeing such parallels given the amount of folktales I've read in my life and given that Tolkien's world echoes many of the archtypes from those tales. I think it is going to be interesting to find out more of why Éolind thinks that Fréawine is more malleable than Thengel. I am still willing to take Thengel's opinion of the man over the dowager queen's opinion but until we (and Aragorn) actually meet him and see him interact I think I'm going to reserve judgment on Fréawine's loyalties and capabilities. As I am reading this I've caught myself planning the layout of a manuscript recording the telling of the adventures and works of Earntungol in the service of Thengel-King as heard in the King's Hall of Meduseld. Though that might be aggravated by seeing the animated Bayeux Tapestry video on YouTube.com this morning (If you haven't seen it you ought to check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDaB-NNyM8o). Have a good day and I look forward to your next posting. May you live blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: I never saw the original Bayeux Tapestry, but in Winchester Cathedral is a wooden representation of it that someone carved that is quite fascinating to see (along with the "Round Table" purported to belong to King Arthur). This animated version was quite clever. I liked the different mix of music which nevertheless blended in very well. Anyway, you can see that the Aragorn of this tale has matured quite nicely from the Aragorn of the previous tale, especially as we see him in the beginning, setting out for Mirkwood with Elrond and Glorfindel. Thandir, especially, only remembers Aragorn as a fourteen year child nagging his "ada" about letting him ride with his "muindyr". He and the other Imladris elves have never seen him as "Isildur's Heir", hence their condenscending attitutde towards him. The Lórien elves are even less impressed, not having the history of fostering Elros' descendants that the elves of Imladris have had, and see only a Mortal haranguing one of the Firstborn, who, for all that he has eschewed the titles to which he is entitled as the scion of a noble Amanian family, is still a Noldorin elf-lord. I think once he got over the shock, though, Thandir rather enjoyed seeing "Aragorn" rather than "Estel". He also obviously enjoyed going into "Elf-lord mode" and probably drew on memories of his own father and the other Noldorin elf-lords with all their arrogance when confronting the conspirators. Of course, just being an elf would have been enough, but he probably decided to put the "fear of the Valar" into those three mortals just for good measure. I have to admit that while not consciously drawing on any specific folk/fairy tale as I'm writing this story, I am drawing on my own store of knowledge about English folk tales and such to provide the atmosphere for this story. Even though the Rohirrim are not Anglo-Saxons, it's hard not to draw cultural parallels between them. | |