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Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Midnight Promise	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/25/2009
Ah Finrod. . . When Aragorn does meet him, I want a front row seat for that awesomeness. . . ;) Hope life is being awesome, MP Author Reply: So do I grin.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/22/2009
Your command of the Elvish laguages amazes me. I would so love to be just able to speak it, but unfortunately there is no one else around who is interested in doing so. This was a very touching interlude between Aragorn and Thandir. Wouldn't it be wonderful if elves really existed? I'd be waiting in line to meet them. Author Reply: Thanks, Tari. I don't speak it either but I've studied both languages for some time now. I'm not an expert by any means, and I rely heavily on the work of people like Thorsten Renk and Helge Fauskanger. Thanks to them and many others who are more knowledgeable about these languages, I can be fairly confident that I have rendered the languages as correct as possible given what information is available to us. Whenever new information comes along that clarifies existing grammar points I will often go back into my stories and update the sentences to reflect more closely what we believe is the 'correct' form(s) of verbs, nouns, sentence structures, etc. I'm glad you found this interlude between Aragorn and Thandir touching. It would indeed be wonderful if elves really existed... somewhere.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/6/2007
Aragorn lived in so many worlds - part of all of them and yet detached. But Imladris must have been home, and those elves his family, in a way that no other could ever be. And yet he was still a cuckoo in their nest. A loved cuckoo, though. Author Reply: I suppose that is one way to look at it, Aragorn being a cuckoo in the Elves' nest. Growing up he probably didn't think about it much, it was just what was and he knew no other world. As an adult, having left the nest, he realizes just how unique his life has been and still is. It must be hard, since we all have the desire to "blend in", to be "just like everyone else", only he isn't and he is beginning to see that as he lives among the Rohirrim. Thandir and the other elves just make it that much harder for him to "blend in".

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/4/2007
This was such a lovely chapter, meldonya, very evocative. I truly enjoyed hearing Thandir talking about Finrod (like Aragorn I wish I could have known him in person). Aragorn's reaction to Thandir's presence really pointed out to me how young his still is at this point. He's angry at the intimation that he's not capable to be out on his own but also in desparate need of affection and reassurance. And his insistence on wearing the ring of Barahir seemed perfectly understandable as was his asking if the ellon had known his father well. It really isn't all that long since he learned of his true heritage and I'm sure he is still uncertain about it. Wearing the ring gives him a touchstone to hold on to as he tries to come to terms with who he really is--or rather, who he has to become. Eventually, I suppose he'll have to hide it. I just hope that events that lead to him doing so aren't too traumatic (but given Murphy's Law--I'm certain that it functions in Middle-Earth pretty much as it does here, I seriously doubt my hope will be fulfilled). "I have lived among the elves nearly all my life, yet I still do not understand you." It's all right, Aragorn. I've lived among humans my entire life and I still don't understand them. Thandir's description of Finrod was heartrendingly beautiful and his grief and love for Finrod, even after all these centuries, was just plain heartrending. I couldn't help but snicker at Thandir's expression distaste for pipe-smoking but still hearing that Arathorn smoked also must have given him a much desired connection to the father he never knew must have provided some comfort to Aragorn. Well, I don't have tears running down my face after reading this, meldonya, but that's just from sheer willpower. I don't want to have to try to explain to my co-worker why I'm weeping as I go back to work after my break. This was so beautifully written and a perfect quiet interlude before the next crisis appears (because as sure as Hobbits have furry feet, trouble is going to show up). May you live blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: This chapter really wrote itself, especially Thandir's description of Finrod. Thandir and Aragorn obviously know one another well enough to be able to speak on the level that they do to one another, yet also maintain barriers neither one of them is ready to breach. There is much respect on both sides and, as we see, there is also love. That makes their conversation about Finrod and Arathorn so poignant, each of them mourning a loss that neither can truly comprehend, though for different reasons. That's what makes their exchange so heartrending to my mind.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/4/2007
A lovely interaction between the two. Elves amongst the Rohirrim--it would be definite culture shock! Author Reply: Thanks, Larner. I'm glad you liked this little chapter. It would indeed be a culture shock for the Rohirrim who have long believed that Elves are mere legends to have such people walking in their midst.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/3/2007
A very touching scene that shows Aragorn is still young.The memories Thandir must have. Author Reply: Thanks Linda. I'm glad you liked this chapter. Aragorn is indeed still young and Thandir... what memories indeed.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/3/2007
Thandir is there to be not-so-little Estel's babysitter - I love it. While Aragorn isn't an infant anymore, he's still the only, and last, Heir of Isildur, and Elrond has more than a parental interest in him. I loved Thandir's recollection of Finrod, an Elf killed thousands of years ago; it brings home the extreme age of many elves, and the things they have experienced. Aragorn's wistful desire to know more about the father he cannot remember are touching. You do write Elves very well, capturing not only some of their wisdom, the different timestream they seem to move in, the haunting quality of their songs, and effects they have on humans. Author Reply: Elrond would naturally be concerned and he has to contend with Gilraen's fears for her son as well, so he would want to keep an eye on the "baby" of the family. And being the last Heir of Isildur, Elrond especially has a vested interest in Aragorn's safety and well-being. The fact that Aragorn knows Thandir helps to keep Aragorn's resentments to a minimum. Thandir is one of the few Noldorin Exiles left in Middle-earth who was actually born in Aman, like Galadriel. Other Elves of Holdorin descent were born in Middle-earth. For them, Middle-earth is their home, not Aman. Thandir's memories stretch back across three Ages to growing up in the Light of the Two Trees, memories that go further back than our own recorded history. Thank you for thinking I write Elves very well. I've tried my best not to turn them into prettified humans, but beings of great power and wisdom and depth of knowledge that no human can hope to attain. As such, their effects on humans would not necessarily be benign.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/3/2007
So, Thandir was kind of a nursemaid ;-). Here in this chapter Aragorn shows that he really still is a young man. His indignation that Elrond still keeps an eye out for him shows that he feels insecure enough to interpret Elrond's care as mistrust. But in the end he is mature enough to see beyond his initial reaction to the love Elrond feels for him. Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn is just young enough to equate parental concern with parental interference but intelligent and mature enough to eventually realize that Elrond is only looking out for his best interest. Thandir is savvy enough to recognize this and allows Aragorn space to come to terms with it and to appreciate the love that Elrond has for him.

Shoshana_Rose	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/3/2007
Short and crushingly beautiful. A very nice moment between them, perhaps even moreso because it is still a bit opaque; neither of them see the moment fully (they aren't connected in a way which strips all defenses and barriers between them), but they still connect in an intimate way, for all that they are not equals of situation, station, or race. I love the grammatical notes you leave at the ends of your sections, too. I specialize in ancient Semitic languages, but these notes really strike a chord. Shoshi Author Reply: Thank you for your review. This chapter sort of wrote itself, so I can't take full credit. grin You are correct in your analysis. These two people have a history between them but it is not one of great intimacy, yet that is not necessarily a bad thing. It allows them space that could not exist say between Aragorn and Elrond's sons. This conversation in fact could not have occurred between Aragorn and Elrohir, for instance. Thandir maintains a remote distance from Aragorn that allows him to express certain feelings that he would normally not express to another elf and Aragorn is not "little brother" to Thandir. They are not equals, yet they are companions, and this is what allows them to have this particular moment between them. I'm glad you like my grammatical notes. I have a background in sociolinguistics myself and find the way a language influences and is influenced by the culture in which it finds itself absolutely fascinating.

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