News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Fear No Darkness by Thundera Tiger | 12 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 3/17/2005 |
| "He did not know how his foster brother did it, but somehow, Elrohir managed to give the perception of motionless shock without breaking stride. It was rather impressive, actually, and had circumstances been different, Aragorn would have tried to startle Elrohir into doing it again." This just cracked me up! It looks like an occupational hazard associated with having a Man for a foster brother---he messes with you. LOL! That said, there are some interesting and disturbing developments in this chapter. I'm wondering if Elladan's strange visions are a device of the enemy or some sort of connection to Legolas. Since Haldir and Orophin have found the cliffside entrance to the cave, Elladan's impressions have some accuracy, but the uncertain souce makes it worrisome. I wonder if the main force are sniffing at the wrong orc-hole, if Haldir and Orophin are in really big trouble and if Elladan will pay a price for his visions. I wonder even more how you find the threads to weave into an intricate plot like this. It's just amazing. TF Author Reply: Glad you liked that line! It was one of my favorites from the chapter. As for Elladan's "visions" or whatever they might be, you're on the right track in some of your suspicions but a little off in others. Hopefully more things will be explained in subsequent chapters, but Elladan's impressions will play a role soon. | |
| Ithilien | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 1/16/2004 |
| Oh, as is usual, I'm late in reviewing. Sigh. This gets harder and harder to do. How many times can I tell you what a great story you have created and how much I love seeing updates to it? Actually, the fact is I love seeing updates to any and all of your stories, and though I know your muses have been really difficult lately, perhaps if I tell you again it will spur them on. Yes, I think I should as I have missed seeing your updates terribly. You are one of the prizes in the fanfic world, and I'd hate to see you slink away because the muses got hungry. Here, give them a cookie and let's get on with this review. Can I tell you how confounded I am by this shadow? I almost get a headache every time we get near it in the story. That's how pressing the gloom of it is. Which, of course, for writing purposes is a good thing. But for the reader, it just makes me eager to beat a way out of there. These poor hunters have been in the midst of it for so long, I just don't even know how they can manage to remain there without really feeling sick. Now I'm really getting scared about Elladan. How does he know so much about the cave? And is it a good thing for him to know? I learned a while back it is probably not good to second guess what you are doing (you always surprise me), but I have to wonder if Haldir and Orophin are onto that second entrance, and if so, will it be good that they are there? Odder still, why does Thranduil seem to be the only sane one in this bunch? Okay, that's a question for another day, but I do have to point out he has been uncharacteristically rational (more and more so as the story has progressed) that I have to wonder about that too. My last real question is how Celeborn knows, or suspects, so much. It seems he has heard of, or perhaps faced this sort of happening before. And now I am eager to see more of this story laid out as a result. Can you muster your muses to give us more soon please? I would love to see an update from you. On any thing. Something. Please? | |
| bryn | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 1/6/2004 |
| Ahahaha I LOVE Your Thranduil!!! He's so kingly and fierce and steady and oh I just love him to death. Yes, it would make sense that he remains the one most unaffected by the Shadow, wouldn't it? I love your take on it. Elladan and Elrohir are simply marvelous--it's hard to portray them as individuals while keeping in mind they are (to a degree) the "same." But you are able to completely maintain it. Wait, if they have the wrong cave entrance... then where ARE they? Is it a direct diversion, or will they find themselves in quite a bit of trouble? Ah, but it seems Haldir and Orophin have found the correct location. For some reason, it's oddly fitting. Thundera, I am practically drooling over visions of Thranduil storming the cave, devil-may-come, Gimli, Aragorn, Celeborn, and E2 behind him, orcs flying everywhere, The King HAS COME NOW FLEE IN TERROR FOUL BEASTS!!!! Wohoo!!! What I wouldn't give to be there! (On the side of the good guys, that is.) I can't sit still when I think about it. Could Merry be used to breed some sort of hobbit orc? Hmm, probably would end up with an army of Gollum-like...things. And that's just what Middle-earth needs. An army of Gollums. *cringe* Hooray for updates, and another riveting chapter!!!!! :) | |
| Littlefish | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 1/1/2004 |
| Yipes!! Still reading? Of course I am still reading. When I said I couldn't stop reading this fic if my life depended on it, I wasn't exagerating...well, not really anyway. ^_^ I apologize for the tardiness in reviewing, but this update caught me right at finals time. Then there was the trip home, Christmas, New Years...needless to say I am just now getting enough time to catch up with many late reviews. I also realize that you have several other stories out there which I have not yet had the pleasure of reading. I can't wait until RL decides to cut me a break so I can catch up! Until then, however, I will content myself with this superb chapter and the anticipation of what is coming next! If you had trouble writing this chapter, let me assure you that the final product was just fine. I can understand the frustration, however, having written several chapter myself only to later tear them to pieces. But as I said, this chapter was great. The tone of the chapter was so intense that I found myself literally shaking by the time I was done. This of course had nothing to do with the fact that it was blizzarding outside and I didn't have the will to tear myself away in order to turn up the heat. ;) I felt an acute sense of relief that they had finally found the entrance to the cave, but I know better than to trick myself into believing that everything will be easy from here on out. Unless I miss my guess, you have plenty more surprises waiting up your sleave for us! And some of these surprises might come from the direction of Gimli and the hobbits. The comment about them purposefully giving away the position in order to hasten the battle was humorous and almost frighteningly acurate. I am not sure Aragorn was completely exagerating. They are almost going mad with their need to find their frriends, a feeling that I can quite sympathize with--I am nearly going mad myself! Perfect and delightful characterization here! Hmmm, I am growing more and more curious as to why Thranduil has not been affected by the darkness in quite the same way as the rest. Is it simply because he has lived in the shadow of Mirkwood all these years and is somewhat used to it, or is it something else? Or perhaps his reaction to the darkness is merely not taking the same form as with the others? Either way, his actions are not quite normal at the moment, and I am not sure whether I should be relieved or suspicious. And speaking of weird actions, Elladan is acting quite peculiar as well. I had almost forgotten about his earlier vision. Now I am curious as to what his role is going to be in the upcoming rescue operation. It seemed to me that he was almost viewing things from Legolas and Merry's point of view as they tried to escape the cave but could not. In this case, he has somewhat of an understanding of what is going to face them. This could be very useful. Oh, and please allow me to gloat for a few moments. When Elladan mentioned the second cave entrance, I immediately knew that this was were Haldir and Orophin were going to come in. I still don't know exactly what their part is going to be, but I am sure it is going to be key. Perhaps they will capture the Mouth as he tries to escape, or perhaps their role will be something else entirely. Maybe they will be the ones to reach Merry and Legolas first. Hmmm. That is an interesting idea, but I suspect it could also be a rather dangerous idea as well. Whatever the case is, I am sure it is going to be most interesting. Yikes! I can't wait. Awesome job on this chapter. Please write more as soon as you can!! And once again, please forgive me for the lateness of this review! I really, really, really am enjoying this story very much! | |
| Etharei | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/31/2003 |
| Thundera! Don't worry too much about posting late. And author's block is just horrific. The update is what's important *g* And what a brilliant update it is! I love how Elrohir realised how much the shadow has been affecting them, and it's clever how you used Thranduil as a constant against which to compare the others degenerating further into serious PMS mode. But because I love the twins, I especially adore you having Elladan succumb to the shadows. Angst, angst, angst! I would describe this chapter as the "deep breath before the plunge". You have me at the edge of my seat, worrying over poor Legsie and Merry, as well as wondering what you're going to do with Haldir and Orophin. Now I guess the trick is to produce an update before the suspense makes me break my computer... | |
| Nightwing | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/11/2003 |
| I'm delighted to see this new chapter. No apologies necessary for delays in updating. We all have lives outside of this world, and it stands to reason that opportunities to write will often be interrupted by other matters. I got a bang out of Aragorn noticing the hidden archers before Elrohir did. I'm sure it is due to the fact that Elrohir is shadowed that he did not see them first, but I enjoyed the mortal brother's little victory anyway. The beheading of the Mouth will result in the body undergoing violent death throes? Gross!! That sounds totally creepy. I hope the Mirkwood elves have those arrows nocked and anchored if that thing comes running out of the cave! I'm very curious about just where the two Lothlorien warriors are going to end up. Right in the thick of some very juicy action I believe. Haldir needs to fire up and little brother needs to simmer down so they can work together when they come to wherever it is they are headed. A secret entrance it seems that they have spotted. I'm also very curious to find out just what the heck is going on with Elladan. I really admired the section where he was trying to listen to the strategy discussion while struggling with the Shadow's effects at the same time. The words of the others really came across in a somewhat hazy fashion, as we were reading his POV. Very nicely done. Spooky, too! So Celeborn and Thranduil managed to drive the Shadow from Elladan's mind? Cool, but it seemed too easy. Certainly they will not be able to do the same for Legolas and Merry. I see a terrible struggle in store before they are fully healed. It seemed the farewell between Elladan and Elrohir hinted at something ominous for the brothers. I thought I detected faint but scary music playing in the background. So, on many fronts and on many levels the tension builds. I'm on edge to see what happens next. | |
| Lamiel | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/11/2003 |
| Welcome back Thundera! My sympathies with your struggles - writer's block is a true curse. I don't know about you, but I find that when I treat my muses badly they get very uncooperative. And now, let's see, you've got Legolas wounded and stranded in the desert in LoLaS, you've trapped him in a cave with Orcs and the Shadow in this story, and he's soon to enter Moria in the sequel to While the Ring went south. I'm amazed he speaks to you at all any more. Okay, he is having fun with practical jokes in the New Years sketch. But that's still a lot of trauma for one Elf to bear. To say nothing of his writer. In any case, this new chapter is highly welcome and greatly appreciated. Glad for some insight into the way this Shadow works - it is very insidious, but there's hope that Legolas and Merry will be able to fight it off once their friends are with them, and once they realize how to fight. I don't believe that having Elladan throw it off in this chapter will undermine their struggle at all - rather it should set up for how very much more difficult it will be for them, given their proximity to the Shadow and the Mouth of Sauron. And they've been in that cave for so very long now . . . I love your Thranduil in this story. He's just as proud and stubborn and loving as I would imagine him. That line about him giving a look that would make even Galadriel pause . . . wonderful! I think I remember an argument in which he was finally convinced to let Celeborn lead the search party into the caves. That must be terribly difficult for him. But with good stubborn pride he's resisting the Shadow better than anyone - that's my Elven king! I bet his ability to hold out is related to his long resistance without the aid of one of the Rings. The warriors of Mirkwood have fought long and hard, and they defeated the northern armies of Sauron without any help from any Rings at all, thank you very much. And so much the better for them - this Shadow is likely another sign that as the Rings diminish, the grace of Imladris and Lothlorien is doomed to wane. Sigh. Very sad, but I still cheer for my favorite Sindarin/Silvan Elves - those Noldor were always too haughty for their own good anyway. Okay. It's late, and I'm tired. Thank you again for another wonderful chapter, and please don't worry about frequency of updates. Your stories are a true gift, and a treat to be savored when they come. It'd be greedy to ask for such quality and super speed too. Lamiel | |
| FaerieQueen | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/10/2003 |
| Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been waiting so long for that chapter! And what a chapter! The calm before the storm breaks, so to speak? I'm glad that the company has now managed to creat a plan- a really good plan might I add- to rescue our heroes. I have but one question- At the end of the last chapter we read that the Mouth of Sauron was exhausted from fighting Legolas and Merry. How could he have possibly controlled Elladan's mind and thrown him so off-balance, if he was so weak? Well despite that, thank you one more time and keep writing and updating! I hope that the update to this fic means that perhaps other fics will be updated in the very near future...Thank you! | |
| Una | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/10/2003 |
| Excellent as always, Thundera! i'm glad you've gotten over that terrible writer's block, for your sake, and for mine and the rest of your readers. i'm must admit i've been starting to go kinda crazy 'cause i didn't have anythig *good* to read! now if you could update land of light and shadows, and journey through the darkness, i would be in 7th heaven! keep updating, ~Una :) | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/10/2003 |
| Yeah! A new chapter! The preparations for the rescue begin... | |