Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

In the Dark by Ariel	9 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/13/2005
Frodo tried to think back on the land they had struggled so to protect. The Shire. Though the word brought peace and he knew such a place existed, he could not see it. Such was to be expected, he supposed. It was but one more confirmation that he would never escape this doom. Only in Sam, his living marker, could he see a glimpse of the promise and potential, hope and purity of his homeland. Sam alone reminded him of what he had to protect and why he struggled through torment and beyond. But even for that service, Frodo would reward him bitterly. The knowledge rent his heart. How beautiful and yet heartbreaking! This is a very realistic depiction of Frodo in Mordor, I think. God bless, Galadriel

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/23/2005
I’ve been reading some sweet, gentle fics lately and suddenly got this overwhelming craving for some straight-up ANGST! And I knew just where to find it, too…this fic has been on my reading list for a long time. From the very first line, I knew I’d come to the right place: In the dark, fume-laden air, a chill wind blew. Ahhh… This is just wonderful, Ariel! The sense of doom is so palpable, and the feeling that there are three of them present, not two…especially at the end when not only Sam is waking up, but the Ring as well. That gave me a strange mental image of it uncoiling itself like a snake, or stretching like a cat. Poor, dear Frodo, his only regret now for Sam… You captured very well the curious mixture of fatalism and denial that seemed to be to be constantly battling within him throughout the quest with this line: The realization that his heart had accepted long ago at last found its way to the forefront of Frodo's mind. Thank you, O Angst Maven! Author Reply: And I knew just where to find it, too… LOL! My reputation precedes me! Oh, thank you! Yes, I do love my angst and this one was a fic I had had in my mind for a long time before I wrote it. It seemed a simple story idea, reiterating what Tolkien himself wrote, but the movie seems to have made it harder for people to see this in Frodo. Would you believe I had someone write me that they disliked this story because it made Frodo look like the hero?!?!?! Um... yeah?!?! Read the book! He WAS! shakes head However, getting nice, appreciative notes from people who obviously have an excellent grasp of the character does ease the sting a bit. There are people who will never 'get' Frodo (PJ included, seemingly) and if they couldn't see him through the master's eloquent writing, I'm hardly going to be able to get them do so with mine. Thanks!

smaug's_mommy, who is too much in a hurry to log in	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/21/2005
I had my books and my pencils taken out and I had already settled down in a silent corner. But I could by no means concentrate on learning, knowing that a wonderful story was waiting to be read. Really liked the story and your Frodo. Although some lines made me shudder - my poor dear hobbit...so much suffering, so many dark thoughts. Especially liked the last lines. Thank you for giving me the link. Although it's a sad story it's something to dream about while learning. Author Reply: Well, it is my opinion, but it was formed through many years of reading and considering Frodo's mindset. If it's any comfort, I don't think Frodo much liked thinking that he was purposefully taking Sam into danger - but I doubt any commander in any army does. Tolkien himself compared Frodo and Sam to a military captain and his batman and in this part of the story, you can see those parallels most clearly. But yes, it is sad. Sorry. There are some parts of the story that just are. I always thought it sad that Tolkien kept us out of Frodo's head during this part of the story, but perhaps even he couldn't bear to think what must have been going through his beloved character's head.

Periantari	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2004
i love this so much.. i needed some angst today and turned to this piece and really like it just as much as the first time i read it~ =) Especially like this line: Only in Sam, his living marker, could he see a glimpse of the promise and potential, hope and purity of his homeland. Sam alone reminded him of what he had to protect and why he struggled through torment and beyond. But even for that service, Frodo would reward him with nothing but death alone on the mountainside. The knowledge rent his heart. awwww~!! poor Frodo :( :( Also love the description of the Mordor sky that you portray... very believable description. Author Reply: It is incredibly gratifying to know that something I've written provides pleasure to people (not once but twice!). I think that's the most wonderful thing about fanfic - that and the fact that you have an easy way to tell people how much a work has impacted you. Keep on telling your favorite authors that! If they are anything like me, they can't get enough of it!

Werecat	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/18/2004
I liked that. It was dark and disturbing at times, but I felt Frodo truly speaking in this. Good work, and good luck at the Mithrils. Author Reply: Thank you, Christine! Even getting nom'ed is the cat's meow. ;) It'd be nice, sure, but there are a lot of good fics out there and it's all someone's opinion. I value yours much more.

Grimnir	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/9/2004
Very reasonable thoughts of Frodo, and well carried out. I thought about what Frodo's thoughts in mordor may have been as well for a while - and came to a similar conclusion. So I'm the more pleased you made a story of this topic. I enjoyed it very much - thank you for sharing it. I found your story through the mithril-awards semi-finalists list. This story very much deserves it to be there. Author Reply: I found your story through the mithril-awards semi-finalists list. This story very much deserves it to be there. I am tearing up here. You don’t know how much it means to me to hear you say that. Thank you.

Niniel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/12/2004
Once again very well written. Mind me, but that didn't really surprise me. g Nice little story, very touching, very emotional. I think this comes pretty close to what must have wandered through their minds. I enjoyed myself a lot. Thanks for sharing. Author Reply: And thank you for consistently and kindly providing me with feedback! It is very nice to hear from people even if it is just to say 'thank you' - and your comments are always much sweeter than that. I am still waiting to see what you can come up with! ;)

Lindorien	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/11/2004
coupla things (okay, I counted, its more than a couple, but less than a lot): 1) Is this a one chapter story from you? pause for fainting all done now ducks and runs 2) I really like how you've pulled the relationship between Frodo and Sam back to their canonical roots - Master and Servant -- and have captured each beautifully. 3) You do realize just how edgy number 2 is? Perhaps it should be considered for the AU category at the Mithrils. 4) You also manage to do it without making Sam so servile I want to run screaming into the night. 5) I absolutely LOVED this line: He would not see Sam's death wasted. Okay - that's everything I think. Author Reply: HEHEEHHEHE!!! Do you know how much your notes delight me?! They DO! I LOVE your wit and sarcasm - you literally make my day. OK... enough mushy stuff... #1 - I know... astonishing, isn't it? And no injuries or illnesses! (well, relatively speaking, that is.) #2 - Oooo! giggle Thank you! #3 - You think? ;) #4 - Never make Lin run screaming - it is a very bad sign. #5 - If I can write something that YOU love, I can consider that a great accomplishment. :k Ariel

Karen	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/10/2004
Hello Ariel--Great insight and great writing! I love your work on many levels, one of which is how you bring great depth and detail to scenes and still stay true to canon. That's my very favorite kind of fan fic reading. Thicker Than Blood was the very first fic I ever read, so many thanks to you for all your hard work to share your vision with us. Please write more! You have a line on page 3 that is interesting to me . . . "His life had been forfeit long ago . . ." I think that it makes sense to infer from the book that Frodo knew at Rivendell that he would not be able to give up the Ring to someone else. He was too deep in its hold even then. So, being the hero that he is, and understanding the desperate need of the situation, he made the decision to take the Ring to Mordor himself, believing that he would destroy the Ring AND himself or else die trying. I think that he believed from the outset that he would not return. I am actually working on a Boromir-at-Rivendell fic that hinges on this very same concept. It's almost done . . . I am still tweaking the last part of the last chapter and the epilogue . . . I'll be posting it at Stories of Arda soon, under the title Boromir at Rivendell (keeping it simple, you know). Good luck to you in whatever you are doing, and I hope you always stay inspired! Karen Author Reply: Thanks, Karen! I read your posts on the Yahoo group and was quite interested in reading your story! I have a soft spot for the Gondorian hunk myself, you know. ;) I have sort of always assumed Frodo did have a feeling he was giving up his life even when he first left the Shire. He certainly didn't seem to think he would ever return, and I think as he learned more about the ring's true nature, he began to realize how sinister a thing it was and that he was inextricably tied to it. I think that terrified him but he was bound and determined NOT to let his realization scare his friends. sniff What a guy! ;) I wrote a line in Thicker than Blood’s Epilogue that I always wondered if people understood. ‘His master was looking down at his hands and Sam had the feeling there was much more that Frodo was not saying. "It must be destroyed," he continued. "And I could not give it to any other to do it."’ Now, I’m no Tolkien, but I chose these words very carefully to convey exactly the feeling that he had that he was already ‘claimed’ – and because of that, he felt tainted already. He felt he was the only person who could take on this ‘job’ partly because he wouldn’t want to lay such a burden on anyone else, and partly because he was already frighteningly aware that it would be very difficult (or impossible) for him to give up the ring. It’s but one view, and I am sure there are as many others as there are readers, but its one that always made me feel so much empathy for this wonderful character. I am pleased that you saw and appreciated that point and that I was able to write something you could enjoy so much. Looking forward to reading your insights and ideas soon! Ariel

Return to Chapter List