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| Tangled Web by daw the minstrel | 21 Review(s) |
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| Tapetum Lucidum | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/31/2004 |
| July has been a busy month and I am finally catching up on some fun! It is nice to be able to read the chapters in succession. You are doing a great job of fitting all of your OC's into this complicated story line. Maintaining all of the smaller stories has to be hard - Sinnarn's discipline, his relationships with Annael and Emmelin, Galelas/Tinar's feud. It is coming out very well. Your elvish perspective has also been great! Thranduil's people are not the greedy race that are portrayed in the dwarvish version of events. They do need to replenish their coffers after many years of fighting. I was glad to see Thranduil back off on his claim as soon as he realized that Thorin still lived. Having him hang around to see how things turned out was the natural thing to do. The king's admiration for his sons was a nice touch as well. He doesn't get a chance to do that often. Ithilden is still quite protective of Sinnarn. I guess now he knows just how his father has felt for milennia. Legolas and Sinnarn's little encounter with Bilbo was very amusing. I would be very nervous if I were that hobbit. Author Reply: I'm so glad to hear from you, TL. I hope whatever you were doing was fun. It was hard keeping track of everything. This story is longer and more complicated than most of what I write, and really taught me how complex Tolkien's plotting is, even in "The Hobbit," which is much simpler than the trilogy. I also noticed much more about how lively his battle descriptions are. He's remote from the action mostly, but he's very poetic. I was interested in the relationship of Sinnarn and his parents. I felt like I was taking a glimpse into their intimate lives in their own family apartment. And snoopy me,I enjoyed doing it! | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/7/2004 |
| This chapter is just full of little insights and giggles... I loved Eilian watching Bard and Thranduil....:-)...so he was wondering what sparks might fly if Thranduil ever disagreed with Bard, huh? That would definitely be a sight to see! *g* Legolas at Eilian's camp - Galelas, I have a feeling, was resentful of more than Legolas' skill when they were young, and to seems to have continued into the present. I felt really sorry for Galelas, to have such an insufferable pig for a brother (how ...comforting...to know that Tinar will NEVER change), and watch Legolas and Eilian act as brothers (not warriors)...it had to have hurt him on some really deep level, knowing his family was so lacking. Ahhhhh, a grim, dark man (backed by a fair, fell warrior of an elf).......sounds so familiar, doesn't it? *big smile* Mithrandir - I love it!!!!! He drives them all crazy with his hints and smiles...I had to giggle at Legolas' reaction (can just see him shaking his head, checking his ears to make sure he heard correctly, with that puzzled "what did he just say?" look on his face.....) oh! and later on, the "caustic" tone of voice when he replied to the wizard...do you think Gandalf had gotten on the elf's last nerve? *vbg* And those stupid dwarfs SHOT at Sinnarn!!! And Bilbo....Legolas wanted to knock him senseless for Sinnarn's sake...that's a GOOD uncle, there! You commented last chapter on how you are just elaborating on a story already written....if I haven't said already, I will now... you are doing a wonderful job of it, and I am enjoying the heck out of your characters...their feelings, reactions, everything! linda Author Reply: Bard and Thranduil are two of a kind in some ways, although Thranduil ROCKS when he says he won't start a war for gold. I think that Bard is a kind of proto-Aragorn. Actually, there's a lot of stuff in "The Hobbit" that you can see being worked out more fully in LOTR (like the dwarves going to kick the monster out of the mountain and restore the king). I choose to think that experiencing it here prepares Legolas for the quest. Mithrandir would be handy to have around some times, but I'd certainly be ticked if he sent the dwarves my way with no explanation and then seems to know something he's not telling about what's going to happen. Still, he's Mithrandir and you just have to accept it. Legolas is an excellent uncle. He's a very loyal person. Anyone need a loyal elf to go on a quest??? | |
| tigerlily713 | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/6/2004 |
| Bilbo! Lovely chapter! I'm so delighted to be able to have this portrayal from another vantage point on one of my favorite stories! Lily Author Reply: I think that Bilbo shows up in this story as such a hobbit! In the end, he would give up every bit of treasure owed him for some peace and quiet and a good hot dinner. | |
| caz - baz | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/5/2004 |
| I'VE BEEN ON WORK EXPERIENCE ALL LAST WEEK SO HAVE HAD NO TIME AT ALL TO REVIEW. BUT I'VE JUST CAUGHT UP AND IT'S GOING REALLY WELL - IT'S GIVEN ME A BETTER INSIGHT INTO THE HOBBIT, AS I SORT OF SKIMMED THE BOOK. WELL I'LL HAVE AN ATTEMPT TO READ IT SOON. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER'S. CAZ BAZ Author Reply: I hope your work experience went well, Caz-Baz. "The Hobbit" tells this story from the Dwarves' point of view, of course, so they come off looking much better in it, I think. | |
| LKK | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/4/2004 |
| Happy Fourth of July, daw! For at least what's left of it in my time zone, anyway. :) A long haul? Perhaps. Tedious? Not in the least. I'm very glad Bilbo fessed up to the trickery with the wine. I hope that his confession will remove the stain of liar that marked Sinnarn. There are many things I like about how you're handling the close integration of your work and Tolkien's in these past 2 chapters. We can't deny that Thranduil enjoyed jewels and treasure. But simply liking them and letting them dominate actions are two different situations. You clearly show the contrasts. Maybe now the anti-Thranduilites will be able to reread The Hobbit and see the truth more easily. Good job! Author Reply: Having people believe he's lying was, in some ways, the worst part of this for Sinnarn, and if he can convince at least his father that he's not, he'll feel much better. As I was writing about Thranduil, I was worried that readers might think I was treating him too gently and ignoring his faults, but when you look at what Bard demands, it's clear that they're not asking for anything for the Elves. That actually took a while to sink in for me because Thranduil is portrayed as so greedy in fanfiction. I had read The Hobbit years ago and reread it last year, but I somehow didn't notice that Thranduil was asking for NOTHING. It actually made a plot difficulty for me, because then I had to think of reasons he would stay at Erebor rather than just going home once he realized that the Dwarves were alive. | |
| White Wolf | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/4/2004 |
| It was good of Bilbo to tell Sinnarn what happened with the wine, otherwise he would probably never have known, and no matter how well he acquitted himself after that, that would have remained a black mark against him. I like Bard's determination and logic in arguing for part of the treasure. Thranduil seems content to let him have his way, for now, at least. I never liked Galelas when he and Legolas were novices together, but I really feel sorry for him being Tinár's brother. No one deserves *that*. I'm glad he told the jerk off. Author Reply: You're so right: Sinnarn needs to know what happened with the wine and he needs to be able to tell those who rely on him. He probably should have noticed he was getting drunk, no matter how "little" he thought he was drinking, but still, he was trying to limit himself and the Dorwinion was strong enough that maybe it caused him not to notice. Bard's an interesting character. You wouldn't think there'd be very many Men who could take charge while Thranduil was around, but he seems to be one of them. And Tinar is so awful that I don't even know what to say about him. | |
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/4/2004 |
| Thanks for thanking us for reading, Daw. I hope that made sense. :) However, none is needed, for the word tedious does not enter my mind when reading your work, nor does it require thanks. But thank you all the same. After my confusing opening remarks, I would like to proceed with: more confusion. I really don't remember my hobbit. Did Mithrandir show up? And did Bilbo really go visit the Elves? Ay me, I will have to reread. Gah! Sorry, I should have done so before reading this chapter. Anyways as to the parts I understood, nicely done. Thranduil and Bard seem very similar leaders. I see they are working spledidly together. I am so happy for Sinnarn, that he is accepted again. But Bilbo, really! If I were Sinnarn I would have throttled that Hobbit on the spot. Cheers for the siege! And good luck everybody! Cheers and keep writing! Author Reply: Oh yes, Estel, Mithrandir shows up (much to Bilbo's surprise and delight) and Bilbo does indeed sneak out of the cave and go to visit the Elves and Men. He's fed up with the siege, and so far as he can see, Thorin would sit there forever before he'd part with a single gold chain. And I couldn't agree more: Thranduil and Bard are a lot alike! I've just finished writing that in a line in the next chapter. And things are looking up for Sinnarn. Thranduil told him that how he lived with the consequences of his actions would determine what happened next, and that's all come true. He's behaved with dignity and courage and people see that. :-) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/4/2004 |
| I was thinking in the dark hours of the night (yes I am a sad obsessive) - until Bilbo apologised to Sinnarn, the elves wouldn't really have known he was there, would they? I mean, Legolas had the Home Guard searching for Hobbit outside - and without knowing that he had the magic ring of invisibility, they would never have suspected he was inside the Stronghold. So, they might have wished to thump him for being one of the dwarves' party, (although having received the approval of Thranduil and Bard might have made them realise Bilbo had done something to help them) - but until he said he was there, and proved it by recognising Sinnarn - they wouldn't really have been able to blame him for the escape, would they? Incidentally, this is not in the slightest tedious. It is, to quote Ron Weasley, 'b***y brilliant'. Author Reply: My thinking was that Legolas was just ticked off at the fact that the "Dwarf child" had "tricked" him so thoroughly. He took lots of teasing for his concern about Hobbit, and he knows that the Dwarves know it, so he figures Bilbo must too, if only because the Dwarves told him. That's why Bilbo speaks about Legolas's "kind heart" at first. And Sinnarn is just ticked at any member of the Dwarf party until, as you say, Bilbo apologizes. Then it's all too confusing and they have too many questions. I'm glad you like the story. I feel better about it today. Yesterday, I moaned to Nilmandra about how boring it was and how much I hated it, but it's not like I've never done that before, and I'm sure she's laughing in front of her computer terminal even as she types comforting messages to me. | |
| Jebb | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/4/2004 |
| Where do I start this was a great read and gave a much needed insight into the thoughts of the elves and humans as opposed to the Hobbt and dwarves It fits seemlessly into the book though and the boredom of setting a seige was well handled too it is not all excitement in war But good although all that is and it is! It is the persoanl touches that make this such a wonderful tale to follow Maltanaur warning Eilian to keep quiet else he would be in trouble with both kings LOL Legolas not minding Galelas so much now he is sure he stands higher in his brothers affections Galelas giving it back to the lovely Tinar Sinnarn getting to go as standard bearer despite misgivings Mithrandir driving poor Legolas mad with his conundrums Thranduil just reminding Legolas and Sinnarn that Bilbo is his guest he must have been very aware what they were thinking Legolas' outrage at Bilbo's 'explanations' and his desire to thump him in retribution for his nephew and his final thought at the stream how tempted he must have been this was wonderful thank you Happy Independence day Author Reply: I'm so glad this seemed to fit into the book for you. Working out what Thranduil was thinking was tricky actually because once you discard the idea that he's hanging around for treasure, you have to ask why he doesn't just go home. And for me, the most enjoyable part of writing this came when I had my characters in scenes of their own with Tolkien's story going on around them but not dominating them. It was tricky to do actually, because Tolkien's story is so compelling. I think that Bilbo was lucky Thranduil reminded his son and grandson that Bilbo was under his protection. :-) | |
| erunyauve | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/4/2004 |
| 'As often in conversations with Mithrandir, he was not sure he had completely understood what was being said.' I think that's one of the things I like about Gandalf (and that's why I like writing him, too) - he has this mystery about him that sometimes seems bumbling but in the end shows that he knew everything all along. The meeting between Legolas and Sinnarn and Bilbo was priceless - and perhaps will give Legolas a very personal reason to see the Ring destroyed. Author Reply: That's exactly how Gandalf comes across! If you didn't know him, you'd think 'what is this old man rambling about?' But then events take place and you think 'NOW I see!' You made me laugh about the ring. I can imagine Legolas glaring at it at the Council of Elrond. | |