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| The Queen's Orc by jodancingtree | 5 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Calime | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/23/2004 |
| This line brought tears to my eyes. '"The Darkness runs on my footsteps, even when I flee." His voice was heavy with grief." Emotionally powerful and piercingly perceptive--vintage Jo. Author Reply: Thank you, Calime! I'm so glad you're enjoying Canohando's story - and thanks for reviewing! jo | |
| Gentle Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/4/2004 |
| And so it begins... I've been looking forward to this story and so was thrilled to see five chapters this morning. Canohando continues to be compelling and is well able to carry a story on his own. This is going to be such a fascinating conjunction of three very distinct and strong characters -- Canohando, Aragorn and the Queen. And a mixture of strong themes -- faith, ideals, racism, and compassion. I look forward to more of the complex internal journey that this orc is on. Author Reply: Hi, Gentle Hobbit - You're right that Aragorn and Arwen are strong characters! I meant to write about Canohando, and they were there pretty much as foils to him, but it isn't working out that way at all! I'm getting to know them better than I ever did before, as they exercise their royal prerogative and take over the story. >vbg< Not that they're elbowing Canohando aside - you can't elbow an Orc. But there are chapters when I feel like I'm just along for the ride. Anyhow, I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am! jo | |
| Breon Briarwood | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/3/2004 |
| What?! How can Elessar do this? Doesn't he see Canohando was only acting in self-defense! Arwen has to make him release the orc! Eagerly awaiting more! :D Author Reply: Well, he *did* kill one of Elessar's men, right there in front of everyone! But I'll let Elessar explain his own thinking a little later... Glad you're enjoying it, Breon! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/3/2004 |
| Canohando is so sure that he is going to die. He says it over and over, in this chapter and the last. I could imagine being afrraid in his place, and expecting death, but this is different someohow. He is not afraid, and it is like he is drawn to death despite himself. I hope he is wrong, as I hope he has misjudged Aragorn, even though at the end of this chapter he is bound by his order. It is very sad for him to realize that Darkness ever chases him. It says a lot that he is still fleeing it. I'm interested to see how Arwen will intercede for him. The redemption of an orc is certainly a fascinating thing to explore. Author Reply: You're right, FantasyFan - he's fatalistic, and maybe even more than that: as if he was courting death, as if the only possible outcome of finding the Lady would be his death. And then too, the only connection between the men of Gondor and orcs that he can imagine, is that one kills the other. And he did not intend to kill - yet he did, in a moment of instinctive self-defense, despite his conscious decision to be the victim rather than the aggressor. And he was drawn to Arwen in spite of the fact that he thought he would pay with his life for coming to her - poor Canohando is being buffeted about by internal forces he doesn't understand and has very little control over. I think he has had only a few truly free actions in this story: choosing not to kill either the young drunk or the obnoxious one, and helping the tipsy sailor home, and in this chapter, throwing down the sword. Yes, his redemption is continuing. It's one thing to live a harmless life in the seclusion of his mountains, quite another to be a new kind of creature in the face of misunderstanding and hatred from people who see him as just another bloodthirsty orc. | |
| Finafyr | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/3/2004 |
| They struck first blood not our orc.. I hope that Atagorn can see that.. cause this is not an orc that I would want harmed.. how can he learn more of the light with such actions...but (smile) this is a good story...thank you Author Reply: You're welcome, Finafyr - I'm glad you like it! :-) I'm not sure Aragorn can see past the death of a loyal soldier that he no doubt knew by name, possibly from boyhood on... but Arwen has clearer vision than he does, where Frodo's orc is concerned. | |