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| Untold Tales of the Mark: The Banishment of Éomer by Katzilla | 2 Review(s) |
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| Eilenach | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/29/2007 |
| If I were to suggest that you completely rework any of this story, it would be the Isengard chapters. You stated earlier in the story that Eomer has matured and outgrown his hot-headedness. Yet the folly of his attack on Isengard is extreme. He already knows the terrain in Rohan, and I'm sure he uses scouts to bring back intelligence on any enemy he goes against. But here, he has no idea what he is getting into! He doesn't know the terrain or what is inside the wall. No cavalry commander worth his salt is going to lead a charge where there is only a very narrow entryway into his field of battle. Furthermore, he is surprised by the pits on either side of the path inside, keeping him constrained even once he is through the gates. And then to have the Ents accidentally slaughter hundreds of men and horses is just too cruel. And yes, I do know that in real life these extreme mess-ups happen. But it sounds very out of place for a Tolkien story. I sense that you were trying your best to (1) do something different from the book/movie so you needed to be away from Helm's Deep and (2) keeps the orcs from destroying so much of Rohan while they were on their way to Helm's Deep. Perhaps a battle on the other side of the Isen, where they are losing until the Huorns come from behind the orcs and the Riders escape by going back across the river on their horses? Author Reply: I see your point, but I think the attack results from sheer desperation. Everything Éomer hears points toward the fact that Saruman is breeding more orcs with each passing day, and that he is in the process of gathering all his forces. The Rohírrim's only chance seems to lie in a "surprise attack" while his army has not yet fully gathered. The problem is, that it won't march for Rohan until it has fully gathered. If they attack on terrain they don't know, it could go very wrong; yes. But if they wait until they are faced with an army that outnumbers them 1000:1 (always considering the worst-case-scenario), that will be at least as hopeless! Of two less than perfect choices, Éomer chose the one that he believed offered them at least a minimal chance at survival. And the Ents entry into battle... I agree that was cruel. But I saw no way to avoid the mayhem, and must ask if you think it indeed more cruel than these poor horsies being crushed underneath the Mumakil's feet in "RotK"? I've always loved grim, dark stories (I suppose you wouldn't have guessed ;->), and I try to do what seems to be consistent with the tone of my story (and hopefully, the original work as well... which *is* quite cruel in places, too). So I must disappoint you and say that I won't change the Isengard-scenario, but thank you for your ideas nonetheless. Those questions always force me to think why I wrote a scene in a specific way, and if I can't justify it to myself, I *will* change it... and if I don't, I will know more clearly why I did it this particular way. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 12/11/2006 |
| Excellent way to bring the Ents in... stunning - but hideous as all fall in their path.... Author Reply: Can you imagine what that would have been like on film? Wheeheww.. although.. poor Rohirrim! It was bad enough to see horses and men trampled by Mumakil in RoTK. | |