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Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil	7 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/28/2008
Every once in a while we need a reminder that Argorn in this tale is still a very young man. I loved the double meaning of his exchange with his cousin. And I wouldn't put it past him to act just the same. The elves obviously are convinced he would do it. So, Aragorn's outrage is a bit hypocritical. Author Reply: Well, as you say, Aragorn is still young. Do you remember how young you were at taht age (assuming of course you're NOT that age LOL)? The double entendre was fun to write knowing that the Rohirrim would have no clue. Glad you enjoyed this chapter.

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/11/2008
Bravo! This was a most excellent chapter and I wish that I would have had time to read it when it first appeared but I just started my winter term Latin class and have been busy learning things like the ablatives of means, place and time. But I got my studying done and sat down this morning to read. I was not disappointed, meldonya. I liked the way you used the changes of POV and I really enjoyed seeing the scene where Aragorn lost it and Elrohir banged his and Gihael's heads together and the following apology and reconciliation. Thengel definitely has a sense of humour, doesn't he? I am however, worried about Elrohir's comment about Gilhael not necessarily being sound of mind. I'm sure that we will eventually find out what the problem is but I'm hoping that Gilhael comes out of it OK. He's a great character. THe way that the evlves were discussing events of 600 years ago as if it were tea-time yesterday was fun to read as well as Thengel's comment about "ancient history". It really points out how alien the two races are to each other in mindset. And to think that the same situation exists in regard to the Valar and the elves; which got me wondering how a Man would be able to emotionally and intellectually handle a similar situation with a Vala. It would be even more jarring and upsetting. Actually, I think that if Thengel and other Men couldn't use humour when dealing with Elves the understanding that they are immortal as well as being beautiful and as close to perfect as a corporeal being is would send the humans plunging into a terminal case of depression and low self esteem. So now we get to hear the elves' side of the tale. I'm definitely looking forward to it. Edlyn Author Reply: Hi Edlyn. Yes, Thengel definitely needs (and has)a sense of humor, something that I doubt either Fengel or Éolind ever had. I'm afraid Aragorn in losing his cool that way is showing just how young he still is and how unable he is to separate his feelings for Gilhael as both his cousin and his Chieftain. That's something that will take a few more decades for him to work out. I don't think Elrohir's reference to Gilhael's state of mind is to be taken literally (although with elves you never know). I think he may have merely been making an editorial comment on Gilhael's actions in the ruined village; the same actions that set off Aragorn's tirade. I thouhgt the discussion of events of 600 years ago from the perspective of both Men and elves an interesting contrast. Thengel's reaction to the discussion would not have been seen as abnormal in a purely human environment, but mix in a group of immortals for whom 600 years was the day before yesterday and you can see the culture clash quite nicely, especially in the shocked reactions of the elves. Even Elladan and Elrohir, who are considerably younger than the other three elves, were shocked at the use of the word ancient. Thanks for reviewing and good luck with the ablatives. grin

Shoshana_Rose	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/10/2008
Oh, Thengel must know that Thorongil is the oft-mentioned Chieftan of the Dúnedain by this point! He's been doing so much "looking" and "noticing" of Thorongil's little "tells" that he has to at least suspect the truth! Another good chapter. It certainly was interesting seeing Aragorn pitch a fit. I'm really not sure if I see more of the chieftan or the concerned cousin in his response. Certainly, the switch to Adûnaic and the desire he displays to control what risks his subordinate ranger should take smack of a Dúnadan used to being in charge, but a chieftan wouldn't air his dirty laundry in public. The highly emotional reaction speaks to me more of his familial concern. Combine the two and you get a highly emotional, young man who has been vested with authority but hasn't quite grown into his britches yet. Poor Aragorn! So close, but so far yet to go! Reading Gilhael's Tale reminded me of the movie-verse spill Aragorn took into the river while fighting the wargs (also in Rohan!). I always love to see you update! Cheers, Shoshi Author Reply: I suspect you're right about Aragorn's character and his reaction to Gilhael's story. Reverting to Adûnaic was probably his rather lame attempt to ream out a subordinate in public without most of the onlookers knowing what was really going on, as we see with Wídfara. Aragorn still has a ways to go before he's able to separate the Chieftain from the cousin. Even a few more years under his belt and I doubt he would have reacted as he did here. I did not have that scene from the movie in mind when I wrote this chapter. Gilhael was always meant to fall into the Isen with a couple of arrows sticking out of his back. grin. While I probably won't be updating every week as before, I should be updating more regularly than I have been doing of late.

phyloxena	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/10/2008
I was following this tale since the first installment appeared. For some reason, I found Aragorn switching in wrath to Adunaic (or any character to the more exotic than before language) particularly adorable. And old and respectable device to make characters reveal some basic information in an attempt to conceal details. Author Reply: Hi phyloxena. I'm not sure if Aragorn is particularly adorable in his wrath, but it is amusing to see him lose his cool. grin His inadvertant language switching is, of course, very telling, as is his reaction to Gilhael's tale. He is acting less the concerned cousin and more the Chieftain of the Dúnedain at this point. Glad you've been enjoying this story. Thanks for reviewing.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/9/2008
Another great chapter.I enjoyed both the banter and the drama. You show well that Aragorn is still very young in his outburst towards his brave,foolhardy cousin. Congratulations on your MEFA win ! Author Reply: Thanks Linda and congratulations on your own MEFA wins, too. I'm glad you emjoyed ths chapter. For a time I wasn't sure Gilhael was ever going to talk, then when he finally did, I couldn't shut him up. LOL! Aragorn is indeed young here. Luckily, he does mature over time, but it's good to remember that he wasn't always the "Strider" we know from LOTR, which is another 60-odd years away.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/8/2008
Yes, as reckless as about any Dunedan ever spawned, I suspect. A brave and valiant effort to prove where the enemy was headquartered and learn their next objective; am glad the Elves apparently were nearby. Now, to hear how Thandir and the others found and succored him, and whether that group of orcs and Dunlendings are still holed up there. Author Reply: As to whether the enemy is still holed up in the ruined village... I'm sure the Elves will let us know, as well as tell us how they manage to find Gilhael and bring him back to Aragorn more or less safe and sound.

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/8/2008
I swear I could hear the wheels turning in Thengel’s head.... “As he fought to right himself, he fell headlong into the river” -- LOL It must have been quite a sight -- I hope the elves were close enough to be able to see it (though I’m sure the humor would have been easier to appreciate in retrospect). If “urîk” is the Adûnaic for “orks,” did Men learn the word from elves? Or did both Adûnaic and Sindarin adapt from the orcs’ name for themselves? (Do we even know what orcs call themselves?) And then there’s “Rohirrim,” which also seems Sindarin in origin (just a slight understatement there). The fare may be meagre for Yule, and the quarters more than a bit crowded, but at least the entertainment’s top notch! Author Reply: I have no idea what word the orcs used to call themselves. "Orch" is a Sindarin word borrowed into other languages including Adûnaic. "Rohirrim" is also a Sindarin word that was adapted into the language of the people of Rohan (that name too is Sindarin). So there was a lot of borrowing back and forth as is common among peoples living side-by-side who speak different languages. I'm glad you find the entertainment top notch. grin I'm sure the Rohirrim think so too. Thanks for reviewing.

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