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Stirrings of Shadow  by Fiondil 5 Review(s)
Ainu LaireReviewed Chapter: 69 on 5/10/2009
I feel like the end of this story is coming very soon, and that saddens me; I love your Aragorn, elves, and Dunedain, and want to see more of them XD

Thank you for the wonderful story. So Tolkienesque, so wonderful. It pleases me so much to read it.

Author Reply: Actually, there is only one more chapter left which will be posted this week. I have no idea if there will be a sequel to this with Aragorn and Gilhael going to Gondor. Perhaps, but I cannot say definitely at this time. I'm glad you enjoyed this story Ainu Laire, since it was your idea *grin*. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

njomoReviewed Chapter: 69 on 5/6/2009
Fiondil, congratulations on a wonderful story! Though I haven't reviewed until now, I've been following the story for a while. I've especially liked the chapters with elves--just a failing of mine--none on your part! But the story kept me coming back week after week to find out how everything would turn out. What a surprise, too, with an appearance by Glorfindel at the end of this chapter.

One thing that really grabbed me though, was the the translation of Denethor’s oath from Quenya. I most likely read this before at some point in time, but it never struck me as it did when I read it today. Maybe it was the reference to "those who sit upon the thrones of the West and of the One who is above all thrones for ever." Needless to say, it gave me shivers. At the time of the War of the Ring, Denethor asks Theoden to "remember old friendship and oaths long spoken." At the same time, Theoden says "even if Rohan itself felt no peril, still we would come to his [Denethor's] aid." Valar valuvar indeed.

Joanne

Author Reply: Hi, Joanne. Thank you so much for letting me know how much you've been enjoying this tale and thank you for the congratulations. The telling of this story took longer than I originally thought and it's been quite a ride. Just one more chapter (an Epilogue) which will be posted soon.

The Oaths of Eorl and Cirion are very powerful, especially when you consider the cultures involved where oathgiving and oathkeeping are absolutely sacred and oathbreaking is the ultimate treachery. A pity we in our times have forgotten that and consider any promise given breakable when it becomes too inconvenient.

And I'm glad you liked the surprise appearance of Glorfindel. I wasn't quite sure myself who the messenger was until he lifted his hood, so I was just as surprised as everyone else. *grin*

Thanks again for reading and reviewing. I truly appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 69 on 5/6/2009
And the oath of Eorl is in line with ancient oaths sworn in Britain, of which the Master, of course, was fully aware.

Love Widfara's reward. Excellent!

Author Reply: Yes, the oath is very "Anglo-Saxony" *grin*. I'm glad you approve of Wídfara's reward. I think it was quite appropriate considering all he did for Thengel during the crisis.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 69 on 5/6/2009
Thengel is happier here – and no wonder. He is not delivering judgements and ordering punishments – including capital punishments – but instead he is handing out rewards for faithful service!

Widfara is evidently both nervous and happy at his new dignities – and responsibilities - as the new Lord of Alorharadsdale. It wouldn’t surprise me if he asked himself when it came to the disposition of Léodward, “What would Thorongil have done in this situation?”. And there would certainly have been worse role models.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Thengel is pleased that Widfara models himself on Thorongil – and that is perhaps one factor in his decision that young Sigefred would be granted a thegnship after getting trained up by Widfara.

As for Aragorn - his reward for a job well done is … another job! And Gilhael’s "I am your humble servant, my lord" – in Adûnaic, which nobody else there would understand – was deeply amusing, under the circumstances.

And _are_ his brothers going to be jealous that Aragorn is getting his own éored?


Author Reply: Giving out rewards is always more fun than giving out judgments and punishments. I'm sure Thengel had as much fun doing it as the recipients had in receiving them. I think you may be right about Wídfara asking such a question. I don't think Thengel minds that he models himself on Thorongil, especially since they are gwedyr. It just makes sense. And Thorongil getting his own éored... well, that's like being Chieftain of the Dúnedain and is already a role with which he is comfortable, so I don't think he minds. *grin*

As for his brothers.... I'm sure they'll pretend indifference, but underneath they're going to wish they had stayed in Rohan with him. *lol*

Glad you liked this chapter, Sunny. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 69 on 5/6/2009
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *glomps Fiondil* That's the sound of me screaming in excitement. *GRINS* I loved all the rewards given. Aragorn got his own eored! Well, to share with Gilhael. I hope they can share nicely. *snicker*

BTW, I meant to tell you before, I LOVE Thengel's constant use of 'son' for Thorongil...I bet Ecthelion will be just the same, and then Denethor will perchance regret his invitation, to our sorrow. They would have made such wonderful gwedyr! Alas that Ecthelion's favour sparked Denethor's jealousy. But at least in Mandos they finally made their peace. (And if anyone here reading this review hasn't read your "Aragorn in Mandos" fic, THEY NEED TO! *grins* And your other Mandos fics! Need to, need to, need to! Because they're awesome and I said. :-p)

*Anyway*, lol, I'm so glad for Widfara! And for the former lord of Widfara's new holdings, that he'll be able to stay in his house and be looked after. Widfara is a kind and generous soul and I love him very much. (Can I marry him? *grin* Oh, wait. He's fictional. *pout* But hey, if Widfara ever wants to get married and you can render "Kaylee" into Rohirric...*bats eyes*)

...No, I'm not hyper at ALL this morning. *snort*

Nor am I trying to beat Rhyselle and Edlyn's review-as-long-as-the-chapter reviews. Really. *innocent grin*

No, I'm just trying to amuse you. *beams* And hey, sometimes it takes this long to tell you how very much I enjoyed the chapter, all of it! It's making me sad to think this story is finally ending.

Best part besides the rewarding...YOU SNEAKED IN GLORFI!

YES! *loves Glorfi* And...you sneaked in Finda! Ok, only by name. But mention him more often! *beams* *loves them both*

YAY GLORFI THE MAIL-ELF! *snicker* Or should that be Messenger Elf?

*is bouncing with hyperness, forget about not being hyper*

Ok, I'll eat my breakfast now like a good little Kaylee and stop rambling. In short...

I LOVED IT.

Tye-melin,

Kaylee!

Author Reply: All I can say to all that is, thank you, Kaylee. I'm glad you loved this chapter, the rewarding, and Glorfindel (and Finrod being mentioned). I think 'Messenger Elf' sounds much better than 'Mail Elf' myself. *grin* I'm sure Glorfi would agree.

Thengel is, of course, in his 50's and Aragorn is young enough to be his son so it stands to reason that he would address him in a paternal manner. I think Ecthelion probably did the same, and perhaps that was part of the problem with Denethor, thinking that Aragorn was somehow supplanting him in his father's eyes. I doubt that is what Ecthelion was really doing, but.... at any rate, as you point out, Denethor and Aragorn do reconcile in Mandos (at least according to my version of events), so things do work out between them eventually.

Anyway, just one last chapter left. I'm happy to know that you've been enjoying this story. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Kaylee. I really appreciate it.

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