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Beyond The Dimrill Gate  by Jay of Lasgalen 16 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/3/2009
And not enough experience to recognize a balrog when he sees it! They need to hurry indeed!

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/20/2008
Elrohir's climb was agonizing ... and its wrenching to see how tired he is, yet how determined. And a healer healing himself ... very interesting!

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/10/2008
I am stunned that I 'lost' this tale. I hadn't noticed these further chapters being posted. Very glad I found it again...

It's strange with good writing - I couldn't remember anything about this tale nor even that I'd read earlier chapters (using the reviews to see if I'd been doing this...) BUT - as soon as I read the very first line of this chapter... memory flooded back and I didn't need to read the earlier chapters again at all - much to my delight for I wanted to 'press on.'

Your writing is so powerful that my mind 'grasped' the memories and just rejoiced. I knew exactly where I was in the tale and read with gusto.

It is incredible to think that Elrohir could heal himself - but quite plausible with the help of his twin - without that 'special' support - what would he have done?

Great job you are doing - now I just hope I don't 'lose' this again!

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/3/2008
That was a great scene on the rock face, with the orcs shooting arrows at them. I could almost feel the shards of stone stinging Elrohir's cheek. I was also thinking of you rapelling down the side of your church. And for next year's event, Jay will rappell down the side of the church whilst dodging arrows! Elrohir's exhaustion and determination really came through here, as did Estel's growing into a protective role he's never had to assume before. Great chapter.

Author Reply: Rapelling down the side of the church whilst dodging arrows? Don't give anyone ideas! We had an archery demonstration at the last summer fete ...

'Elrohir's exhaustion and determination really came through here, as did Estel's growing into a protective role he's never had to assume before.' I really liked showing the role-reversal here - before, it's always been his brothers who have cared for Estel. It's the first time he's been in the position of having to help them.


KittyReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/5/2006
Interesting idea to have Elrohir healing himself. Elrond's doubt in this matter seems well founded, and I suspect Elrohir could only do it because he had his twin with him. Elladan could lend him strength and block out his pain enough to be able to concentrate, and I think this is something more unique to the twins, or am I mistaken?

Good to know even Elladan is acknowledging how useful his littlest brother can be! Great idea to block the tunnel this way! Though I suppose the fire and the collapsing tunnel forced the orcs to look up and detect them. Well, the climb up took longer than expected, considering Elrohir's fatigue. Poor elf, no wonder he is so exhausted after all he had been through.

This doesn't sound good. I thought it couldn't be the balrog, but now I have some doubts ...

Author Reply: You're quite right about the twins' healing technique. Elrohir couldn't have done it on his own, he needed Elladan's support. Healing himself is far harder than healing someone else, and it's why it's never been done before. In fact, part of the reason for this whole story was to look at the possibility of Elrohir doing this.

Elladan is realising just how much Estel has learned, and how sensible and resourceful he is - and it doesn't end here.

The Balrog? Unfortunately, Elrohir is not at his best, and thinks he's seeing things ...


Jay

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/18/2006

Love it! Didn't want it to end...Elrohir did heal himself but is in a weakend state, his father had been right at it being risky.
Good think Elladan is there to lend a hand, its going to be a long road out.

Please update soon...

Author Reply: Yes, Elrohir found out why it's not a good idea to try to heal himself - but at least he can move now, and they have a chance to get out. Eventually ...

EllieReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/5/2006
I liked the description of Elrohir healing himself. I loved Elladan being the helper and protector of his borhter, too, lending him strength and taking away the pain. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Author Reply: It was only because of Elladan's support and the bond between them that Elrohir was able to heal himself at all - no other healer has managed it. I like to show the bond between the twins, and how it affects them.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/5/2006
Very good Elrohir, now you can at least move and not be a orc's next lunch. Not only that Elrohir got a glimpes of the bolrog.

Author Reply: Yes - at least now they can get out of the mines, even if Elrohir has exhausted himself. Unfortunately, because he's exhausted, he doesn't realise that it was the Balrog he saw!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/5/2006
You had me thinking here whether twinship made it possible for Elrohir to heal himself. Because he can share who he is with Elladan, it's like being two in one - so healing himself is rather like healing his brother, which he has done before. Very incoherently expressed - but it's early and I'm half-asleep and trying to catch up!

Estel is doing very well - his brothers can be extremely proud of him. He's growing up fast. Firing the supports was a good idea and (hopefully) a good distraction. Although having arrows fired at them as they climbed suggests that maybe not a foolproof distraction.

With luck, maybe Mr Evil has taken the attention of the orcs away from the invaders ... but maybe he's just offered a stay of execution. Orcs are nothing if not persistent.

I'm with Elladan - they need to keep moving. I'm just not sure how long Elrohir can do that. Long enough, I hope.

Author Reply: I like your idea about why Elrohir could heal himself - wih the twins, it's a case of two for the price of one (or BOGOF, as we say at work!!) I see it more that he was able to use their bond to draw on Ellladan's strength when his own ran out, though.

Estel is more than making up for his shaky start in this story when he wandered off. He's resourceful and quick-thinking - in fact, developing into Aragorn as we watch.

The glimpse of the Balrog had to be vague, so that Elrohir didn't realise what he'd seen - but it's down there, and after them. So are the orcs. And it's still a long way to the eastern gates ...

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/4/2006
it seems the only kind of healer who could heal himself would be a twin who has someone to give him theenergy needed! Well done. Hmmm... a creature in the dark, surrounded by flame, seemingly burning to death... with a burning sword. To steal a linee from Star Wars, "Luke, we're going to have company"! i know what is coming their way! From literally hanging your characters from cliffs, to leaving your readers hanging!

Author Reply: That's why it's never been done before, of course. It seemed a sensible reason, and a way I could have Elrohir do something no-one else can.

You think you know what the crature is? You're probably right, but I have to remember that I can't let the twins or Estel realise what it is. No-one knew there was a Balrog down there until the Fellowship found it.

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