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Stirrings of Shadow  by Fiondil 6 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/21/2009
Methinks the Elves are up to something, but what that might be remains to be seen.

Author Reply: Elves are always up to something. *lol* Hopefully we'll find out just what that might be.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/1/2007
A simple answer to a simple question? No, I don't think so! And Thandir can be a little patronising! It would be nice to see him caught out - but it's probably not going to happen...

A system that leaves the plotters in place to plot again and only deals with the underlings doesn't seem very sensible - although, perhaps, it reflects reality more than it should!

The elves certainly seem to have something on their minds that they're not telling. Not yet, anyway. But it's never a bad thing to have an elvish protection squad around. Probably.



Author Reply: Elves will never do something simple when they can mysterious about it. It's part of their mystique. Whatever their reasons for doing what they are doing, they would seem good to the elves, though not necessarily good to the mortals.

The execution of nobles in the Anglo-Saxon period was considered a grave affair, not lightly entered into. In fact, off-hand, I can't recall ever reading about a noble being executed... although assassination wasn't unheard of....

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/27/2007
I wonder what those Elves are up to?It cannot be easy to be around them.

Author Reply: Guess we'll have to wait and see, won't we? *grin*

eilujReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2007
(decloaking)

“The mood swings of the Firstborn”! Yes, they’re *not* mortal Men, no matter how, unthinking, we try to interpret them that way.

Enjoy your travels!


Author Reply: Yes, exactly. While Tolkien describes the Firstborn as Men in an unfallen state, and they obviously are genetically compatible with mortals otherwise they couldn't produce viable offspring, they are definitely not Men and should not be treated as such. Which makes it interesting for me as a writer, because sometimes even *I* don't know what they're up to! *grin*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2007
Thandir knows something Aragorn doesn't know, obviously; and it's wonderful to think that Aragorn proved such a good influence for healing within Elrond's house on his arrival as a two-year-old child.

Now, to find out what plot the Elves are intent on seeing to the end. It appears Thandir doesn't intend to allow Elrond's fosterling to go into whatever it is without a watch at his back.

Author Reply: Aragorn healed more than just Elrond and his sons. Thandir and many others also suffered loss when Celebrían was attacked by the orcs. Thandir lost his wife, Eluwen, who was acting as part of Celebrían's escort. The only reason why he didn't follow her to Mandos is because their two children were still elflings. Thandir remained for their sakes. Aragorn's innocence captured the hearts of more than just Elrond, Elrohir and Elladan. Thandir was also taken in and has begun to heal because of it. He and his children will eventually follow Elrond to Tol Eressëa at the end of the Third Age and will eventually be reunited with Eluwen.

Whatever the elves are up to, I don't think Aragorn will disdain their help if they offer it. He just knows them well enough to be suspicious and he's just young enough to resent the idea that the real reason for their being there is to "look after little Estel for ada".

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2007
This gets mysterious. Why do the elves stay with the Rohirrim and Aragorn? I think Aragorn is right to be concerned. Elves hadn't taken any interest in humans for a long time and now suddenly they show up and not just for a short visit.

I like the way you describe the mercurial mood swings of the elves, one moment more childlike and then the next cold and ancient warriors.

Have a nice vacation.

Author Reply: I have tried to show the elves as not humans. Their motives and motivations are not ours. Their mercurial moods swings are a testament of their differing psychology. They are indeed childlike one moment and cold and ancient warriors the next and their sense of propriety does not follow ours. Aragorn does indeed have reason to be concerned, but he is forgetting (or choosing to ignore) the fact that these elves watched him grow up and therefore they have a vested interest in his well-being, not just for his own sake, but also because he is Isildur's Heir and his destiny may well rule the fate of many, including the elves.

>> Have a nice vacation.
Thanks. I hope to. It's the first time I've been outside Manzhouli for some time now and I'm looking forward to seeing new sights. :)

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