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A Mirkwood Solstice  by Thundera Tiger 6 Review(s)
Estel_Mi_OlorReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/20/2012
What a powerful story. Not that Nazgūl ever seemed trivial before...but never quite so intense. Great idea to take the winter solstice as an opportunity to demonstrate the battle for survival that the Elves of Mirkwood fight every day. As usual, your writing is vivid and had me breathless on the edge of my chair. I also enjoyed the brief glimpses into Mirkwood's royal family life. How their militaristic relationship is not a choice. And it's also awesome to get Thranduil in action instead of yelling at everybody all the time. Excellent story!

Author Reply: It's apparently the night for replies! ;) But to the point, thanks for your review of "A Mirkwood Solstice"! Nazgul are my secret writing pleasure. I don't get to play with them often, but they're certainly fun when I do find a chance to put them in a story. I'm glad you enjoyed the Mirkwood royal family, too. They're an eclectic bunch, but elves in general strike me that way. As for the militaristic aspect, the fact that Mirkwood's halls come equipped with dungeons and their front door is sealed magically seems to indicate a certain level of martial awareness not seen in other elven realms. Well, except maybe Lothlorien where marchwardens stand guard. But west of the Misty Mountains, this heightened watchfulness doesn't seem to be prevalent. It's a difference I thought might be important. Thank you again!

KalimaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/6/2007
I'm worried that my last review didn't post, so maybe I'm just a voice crying in the wilderness, but lo! I'll do it again.

Intriguing tale. I've been away for a bit, but the story didn't lose power by it. It seems you're writing in a world I'm just now peeking in on, in a way, though. The sons we don't know (Legolas, of course, we all know) are a little vague to me, so I suspect you are writing in a world you've written more about. But I'm enjoying the story very much, so don't be downcast. The character most vivid to me is the nazgul, and I guess you may mean it that way. I could almost feel sorry for him. Almost.

I hope you get the review. I know I left one for Ch. 1, but it's not being counted. Perhaps I write for nothing. Hope at least you're getting them.

KalimaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/31/2006
I've never read this before, and I can't quite figure out why, for I have much admired some other works by you.(And yes, I did review.)

What a delightful piece. I should go down now and rejoin my family on this New Year's Eve, but your piece is very appropriate as my holidays seems to darken with time.

I'm enjoying this story very much. Good stuff! Excellent building of tension. I might just have to make them miss me a little longer.


CeanaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/8/2004
What a powerful story. Your dark scary portrayals of the Nazgul and the longest day of the year were perfection. I too, had the hair on the back of my neck stand up while reading this. If I had had a sword, I probably would have jumped in to help. LOL. I truly didn't know how it was going to end.

Your descriptions of the mind control and even the explosions of the trees were very real to me. (Please reference sword comment above.) I think the challenge now would be for someone to try to write a better piece. I just don't think it could be done.

Thank you so much for posting this.

Ceana

Author Reply: You're very welcome, and thank YOU for such a kind review. I'm glad it seemed realistic. I ran into problems trying to paint a dark night in a dark forest, especially since visual senses were limited for elves and all but missing from the Nazgul. But I'm glad it worked for you and I'm glad you enjoyed the exploding trees! I had fun with that.

docmonReviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/8/2004
yet another of your stories I've only just read. A terrificly dark story of a very different way to 'celebrate' the solstice. The mental attacks on the sons of Thranduil were fascinating in a twisted way. I loved your image of a fierce Thranduil facing down the Nazgul and fending him off till dawn, in a way only he could really pull off. great, fun, intense, action story.

monica

Author Reply: I kind of wish now that I'd done the Thranduil vs. Nazgul smackdown from the perspective of a guard or Narsigil or someone else standing around watching. It could have been fun to get a more visual perspective. At the same time, I loved writing from Khamul's POV, and I think the different tone he brought to the scene might have made up for flashy descriptions. *shrugs* It's in the past now, I suppose. Glad you liked it!

nessieReviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/27/2004
*Says in a strangled whisper* No reviews...? None at all? Hmph! Well, I'll make myself the first! They all probably read and reviewed it on ff.net anyway...Like me. And I'm reviewing again. I have to admit, I like reading lotr stuff here better because the backround is easier on my eyes. Not that bright white with that tiny print where I have to be two inches from the moniter to read. I would like to go about two years without getting a stronger prescription on my eyesight for once... But anyhoo! Did I tell you how amazing this is? Well... it's amazing! I absolutely, love, love, LOVE your Thranduil! He's so kingly and stubborn and oh-so-intimidating that I feel a shiver everytime I read about him in your fics! He's NOT an elf you mess around with. Nope. And then his battle with the Wraith...priceless. Him not evening FLINCHING as he they swung their swords around and tried to stab at eachother (to put it simply...uh, very simply) That's great. Plus, as I said, I always get the chills when he's all "Don't even think about it. You'll never win" attitude, and that's just GREAT! I bet if he wanted to, he could have the power to smite things just by giving them the Elven glare. Very nice. I also loved all the interaction and stuff with his sons, and I can't forget Legolas! Saving his brother like that, and then being saved, that was great. I could almost feel their love for eachother. I'll always read any of your fics, and if you post another one, I'll be there reading it, probably making me blinder than I already am. Lovely story and update the others asap!

~nessie~

Author Reply: Yeah, I think most people reviewed over at FF.net because that's where this fic first aired. Not a problem, although the review page does look a little bare. Ah well. Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for your comments about Thranduil. I wanted him to come off as stern and uncompromising, but I didn't want him to look like a total dictator. He's many things all at once and that's the way he has to be in order to keep his kingdom together. I don't know if I got that message across or not, but I'm glad you liked the final result regardless. Thank you!

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