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Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil	7 Review(s)
Ainu Laire	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/22/2007
Ah! It is finally summer and I have time to give this brilliant story a decent review. I have been reading it with every update- school has kept me busy, however, from doing much else. This whole story is just as good, if not better than the last one. Your characterization is just brilliant. Each character is clearly their own; even the minor characters have a set personality. I love how you manage to create a plot filled with action and adventure, but not too over-the-top. You are truly one of the most canonical writers out there, and it is difficult to write action stories without becoming over the top. It is truly brilliant. I do not know where you came up with this amazing plot, but I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens. I absolutely loved the final confrontation between Thrandir and Aragorn. I cannot see canonical Aragorn as anything but an overconfident, somewhat arrogant young man- exactly how you portray him. I love how it took a couple of times for him to back down- I wonder, though, what Thrandir foresees? Why does Aragorn need to go to Edoras? What is his purpose there, and why does he fear for himself? Gilhael needs to live. I desperately hope that he is found alive. Also, I am glad that Grimbold and Aragorn made up- it shall prove fruitful, I'm sure. I am glad to see that the poor messenger made it alive thus far, and I am glad to see Widfara is tagging along to Edoras- I like him. I truly cannot wait to see what you have in store for us. Laire Author Reply: "I do not know where you came up with this amazing plot, but I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens." Me, too! grin Half the time I'm never sure what is going to happen from one chapter to the next! Anyway, I am glad you are enjoying the story, especially my characterization of Aragorn. This last chapter was very emotionally draining for me. I know that I would never want to be where Aragorn was with Thandir. I don't think I could have lasted as long as he did against the implacable will of a Firstborn who remembers the Light of the Trees. As for all your questions.... never fear! They will eventually be answered in subsequent chapters. Thanks for reviewing.

Hildigrim	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/21/2007
Since Thandir was talking in Westron at the time, I wonder what the Rohirrim made of his oration culminating in "...evil that has the stench of the nameless, though he is lost in the Void"? Thandir strikes me as a bit unusual for an elf. Compared to Gildor Inglorion, who departed from Frodo while knowing the latter was "bearing a great burden without guidance", and the sterotypical "Go not to the Elves for advice, for they will say both no and yes" sort of elfishness, Thandir is pretty directive. Author Reply: I doubt that the Rohirrim in that room really understood what Thandir was saying, but I think the Elf switched to Westron for their benefit. By switching from Sindarin to Westron, Thandir was reminding Aragorn that, however exalted his bloodline, he was still a Mortal (Westron being a Mannish language) and could not hope to beat an Elf in a war of words. The key word in your last paragraph is "stereotypical". I refuse to write stereotypes if I can possibly help it. Thandir, like all sentient beings, is unique unto himself and as such acts according to his own set of internal rules (as do we all). He is neither typical nor atypical... he merely is. While Thandir may not have had much dealings with Men in the last three ages, he has dealt with Aragorn and knows him. His manner towards the Dúnadan may not be typical of how he would act towards a complete mortal stranger, but certainly typical of how he would treat one he knows and loves, though he does not publically demonstrate his feelings towards Aragorn in that regard.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/21/2007
Whew! That was quite a confrontation, if even Aragorn was shaken that much... I think the Rohirrim would have preferred to be anywhere else than in the room with Thorongil and the elves. I think this is a hard lesson for Aragorn to learn: that he can't always follow his heart, that he sometimes has to let others do what he wants to do. Author Reply: I'm sure that none of the Rohirrim were happy to be in that room with Thandir and Aragorn and were very glad (Háma especially) that Thandir's attention was not directed towards them at that moment. Of course, unlike Aragorn, it would never have occurred to any of them to dispute or argue anything Thandir or any other elf would have said. One does not argue with one of the Firstborn... ever. It is certainly a hard lesson for any to learn but especially Aragorn who is really just beginning to learn the cost of leadership... you cannot always follow your heart but must let others do what you want to do, or do what needs to be doing though you would rather be doing something else. By the time of the War of the Ring, of course, he has learned this lesson when we see him letting Frodo and Sam go alone into Mordor though he would've liked to have done otherwise, recognizing that his duty lay in a different direction.

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/21/2007
Oh, Meldonya! I am stunned by the intensity of this chapter. For a bit I was wondering if Someone Else was talking to Aragorn through Thandir. But then it occurred to me that it could just be that the Elves who regularly interact with humans (and me trhough the medium of reading about them) keep themselves in check so as to not overwhelm them. Humans most likely block the alieness of the elves from their consciousness unless they are forced to actually seriously confront it (as Aragorn and Hama--though to a lesser extent--do here). Not only is this a being who looks different, but one who is immortal, who has an experience of living and priorities coloured in a distinctly different way from us because of that immortality, as well as the ability to do practically everything better than any human ever has any hope of doing. I truly appreciate the way you write the Elves in Middle Earth and in Valinor. You make it clear that they are DIFFERENT than humans. So many writers depict Elves as essentially more beautiful and talented humans with long hair and pointed ears, which is a complete failure to take into account immortality and the psychological differences that creates. Others make them aloof and standoffish without realy giving any idea of the (spoken or unspoken) reasons for the behaviour. Yet others make the Elves out to be more extreme versions of human beings, in both negative and positive aspects (if I never see another Evil![fill in the elf's name] story it will be too soon!). I suppose what Aragorn experienced between himself and Thandir is a parallel experience to what an Elf experiences with one of the Valar. I certainly don't want to go through such an experience. THe only thing I can think of that might give me an inkling of what it must be like is the times in the old and new testament when an angel is giving a message to a human from God (when I read the annunciation in Luke's gospel I've always wondered if Mary fainted from fright and had to be revieved before the angel could give her the message). I also like the way you are writing Aragorn. Not only is he the younger, less experienced version of the man in the books but he is truly HUMAN here. A lot of times Aragorn and the other Dunedain/Numenoreans seem intimidating to me. Yes, as a group they are more noble than most Men in Middle Earth but it seems a lot to the time (even in the books when Aragorn is fretting about whether he has made a bad decision or not) that I belong to another (and lesser)race entirely. But here, he is still learning and still making the kind of mistakes I would make and having to deal with the consequences of those mistakes. He's still obviously the same man who we see sixty some years later during the quest, but I can better connect with him as a character because of his inexperience and youthfulness. Having thought about both Elves and Men and their differences has got me considering the Peredhil. Elrond and Elros (and other half-even characters we never really ever get to meet) really must have had a rough time as they developed their identities. Not fully Elven, not fully human, their physical, mental, and psychological maturation very likely affected by the mingling of Elven and human genes, they are trapped in between the two races. Even given the choice to be Elf or Man by the Valar, neither can actually really be one or the other. The only thing that the choice provides is either immortality or death. Apparently, it didn't change their abilities or appearance and it certainly wouldn't negate the experiences that were the foundation of their identities and worldviews prior to the choice. After making the choice of course, that would change. Elrond now had millenia to live, learn and experience, he could take the long view. Elros, his years limited by the Gift of Eru, must have had to learn to adjust the way he thought about things and dealt with problems because he no longer had all that time. Come to think of it, Elrond was the perfect person to have the raising of Aragorn after the death of Arathorn, regardless of any oaths to succour Elros' decendants. He was in a position to be able to understand humans better than a full elf, sort of a case of seeing things from halfway up a hill instead of from the top of the hill. Oh, dear, this has wandered far from the events in the chapter, hasn't it? It will be interesting to see how Aragorn responds to Thandir's lessoning. He's still in shock and not necessarily in the best condition to be heading post-haste into what sounds like certain trouble but he doesn't have a choice. But that's part of being a grown-up isn't it? Sometimes you have to do things regrdless of your fitness at the time because there's no one else there to do the job. I'm glad Widfara is going along though, I suspect that Aragorn is going to need his friend's support. I hope that Hama has a friend or two who can help him through the aftermath of his encounter with Thandir as well. Well, I don't think this is longer than the chapter (I must be slipping!) this time. Very well written (as usual) and most effective! Take care of yourself and stay well. May you live blessed! Edlyn Author Reply: Aragorn has lived all his life among elves but this is the first time I think that he has been forcibly confronted with the alienness of the Firstborn. Thandir doesn't pull any punches here, which is why Aragorn reacts as he does in the end. I'm glad you like how I depict the Elves in my stories. I do try to show that they are different from humans and are not prettified versions of the Secondborn. We tend to forget that the elves were in Middle-earth for over 4600 years before they ever met any of the Secondborn. Aragorn, of course, is entirely human, however exalted his bloodline, so his reaction to Thandir is as any human would be, no matter how "used" to elves he may be compared to other mortals. His youth and inexperience also are deciding factors in this entire confrontation. While haring off to Edoras in his condition is probably not the wisest move, it is necessary and perhaps with the need to deal with a "human" problem, Aragorn will be able to put the confrontation between himm and Thandir in perspective. I'm also sure that Hilderic will see to it that Háma is comforted by his fellows and given special care until the shock of what has happened wears off... right after he recovers himself. grin Your analysis of the difference in psychological make-up of Elves, Half-elves and Humans is quite interesting (if beside the point of the chapter).

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/21/2007
To be forced to give way in this manner would be most difficult indeed, and I can understand the feeling of disconnectedness he experiences. But Thandir is right, and Aragorn is needed now at the King's side. Author Reply: This is probably the first time Aragorn has ever attempted to defy any of the Elves of his acquaintance and it must have been very difficult to give way. Thandir, I'm afraid, was not gentle with Estel, needing to get across to him in no uncertain terms the necessity of the Man to ride to Thengel's aid. More is going on than Aragorn suspects and Thandir will not say.

Shoshana_Rose	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/21/2007
Short and sweet! Very interesting chapter. The pieces are moving across the board, but I still can't see the final picture. Can't wait to read what happens next. :) Cheers, Shoshi Author Reply: The pieces are indeed moving across the board but how it all turns out remains to be seen.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/20/2007
I would have loved to see the confrontation between Aragorn and Thandir! Another amazing chapter, a great read. Author Reply: I just feel sorry for the other mortals in that room when that confrontation occurred. It could not have been pretty. Glad you enjoyed the chapter.

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