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Darkness Falls by Kara's Aunty	4 Review(s)
Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/12/2010
When I first saw this story I had no time to read it. It's rather long, you know ;-) But now I had enough time and I think it is very well done. Just imagine how long the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog actually lasted and you won't say that your account of it was too long! I, for my part, liked that you started with the history of the Balrogs. Author Reply: Hello Andrea, chuckles. I know. It IS longer than I'd intended it to be. It was only supposed to be a ficlet, but, you know how it is - sometimes the words just keep coming ... Glad you enjoyed the Balrog history. There're very little facts about them in the books & on the internet, so a good bit of that was artistic licence on my part :) Gandalf's battle with the Balrog was ten days long (I think), so yeah, you're right - my account could have been a whole lot longer (am blissfully happy that it wasn't. Not in a million years could I have written a ten-day-long-battle. Nightmare!!). Thanks very much for R & R-ing, m'dear. Schlaf gut! M :)

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/10/2010
My friend, do not seek to amend it, but I do suggest removing your end comments. Some stories write themselves as they ought to be written, and all attempts by us to change them only do harm. This one is complete, and done properly. Let it stand--it has a magnificence that is worthy of much praise. Author Reply: Hello Larner, thanks for that. I think let this one settle a bit more into my mind now, and am not quite as 'unhappy with it as before. It is what it is. And if you think it has a '...magnificence that is worthy of much praise...' (really, THANK you for that), then who am I to argue with the great and talented Larner? wink I do think I'll leave the end notes, though. They're an honest expression of how I felt about this fic at that time, and to remove them now would feel ... funny. Does that sound odd? Probably. Just chalk it up to one of those writer's 'quirks' that we all have now and again ;) Thanks very, very much for R & R-ing. It's always an honour to have your thoughts and a pleasure to know you enjoyed, M :o)

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/5/2010
My most dear and talented cousin, 'tis a shame, very nigh to a crime, that you have only received one review here! But it is not due to the quality of the writing which is wonderful - I've already written myself a note to nominate it for this year's MEFA's. Perhaps it is just the time of year. This is a masterpiece of darkness and fallen light that I had only read part of when I reviewed due to being unable to finish at the library so here I am again. Don't doubt your beginning and history of the Balrog - that is the best part in a tale that is full of greatness. You make them innocent, even sweet, in using their heat and flame for good and then the Enemy steals that innocence away - very like the way he works even now - and there is sadness for them that they were so deceived. Doesn't look though whether you have answered the big question though - do Balrog actually have wings or just seemingly so? :) But at least you have settled who that unnamed power was that Gandalf fought at Balin's tomb or at least provided a possible explanation. I didn't know before what it was. And that other power before the battle was joined that the Balrog detected was the Ring itself? I love also what you said about "Innocence and fear shone on its face, though evil pulsed from its breast, calling out to him, entreating him for aid..." Good ending too. Namarie, God bless, your bloom :)

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/2/2010
My dear, dear cousin - do not ever doubt your ability for brilliant writing - man oh man, this is wonderfully done! Love the beginning about how the Balrog was once good and how they all got corrupted. This is so well done and you are truly gifted in the ways of the dark mind. wonders if I should be concerned about that :) Happy New Year! The sooner you come back, the better I'll be pleased to at least paraphrase Mr. Barliman Butterbur. Namarie, God bless, your spring berry :) Author Reply: Hello my flower, Happy New Year to you, too! I hope you've had a wonderful, blessed festive season. And what a blessing for me that you read and reviewed! As I said in my A.N., I wasn't too sure about this fic. It seems I'm not the only one, either, 'cos you're the only person who has left any feedback on it since it was posted. I don't know if it's the style I used, or if it doesn't flow quite right, or maybe even if it's just the unnecessary spiel at the beginning about the history of Balrogs that's making me question it. Still, you, at least, enjoyed the history lesson, so perhaps I'm just imagining issues where there are none. Perhaps my dubious gift of understanding dark minds is addling my wits (which wouldn't be difficult - I don't have THAT many wits to addle!). Or it might just be a result of all that mulled wine at Christmas ... Ooh, yes. I like that better. Blame it on the alcohol! chuckles Anyway, this 'ficlet' is longer than the others because Gandalf's ten-day battle with the Balrog couldn't (for me) be described in a paltry 1,000 words. However, this meant I had to research Udun's flame in more detail, because I knew so little about them (or Melkor) before. Which explains the whole spiel about Morgoth, etc. It seemed a shame to waste all my shiny new knowledge, so I included it in the fic as a backdrop to the Balrog's story. I'm delighted you enjoyed the fic and thank you for your (ever) kind words of support. You have made me feel a bit better about this one, m'dear, so thanks for that. Thanks for R & R-ing, Cousin Mo :o)

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