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The Blue Wizard Blues  by GamgeeFest 7 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 7/5/2007
Frodo really has grown into his power! And with things so desperate now, he will not hesitate to use it!

I just hope that the distraction from Semira and Rick will come in time to help them!



Author Reply: It's do or die time and Frodo has already determined that he's not going to die. :D Those poor unsuspecting wizards...

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 19 on 7/2/2007
Oo, good fight scene there! I always admire those who can do them; I find it extremely difficult, partly because of my own squeamishness.

I can't think what the Haradrim think they're going to gain by all this. The wizards are too busy to...oh! Or would the wizards abandon their prey long enough to deal with the one who brings the wife of Amros?

As for the Hobbits, it's beginning to look hopeless. What a horrible plight! I trust, however, that in spite of the truly wicked cliff-hanger, it is not hopeless. Something *has* to happen!
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I don't usually write fight scenes, the main reason they have been non-existant up to now. I tire of them easily and just generally don't like violence, but there was no getting out of this one without encountering some conflict. It seems that I am making up for lost time! ;)

The Haradrim are in a rather tight spot and don't have the time they need to thoroughly think out this plan. If they did, they might realize that the wizards have more important things to deal with at the moment. With the fortress locked against them, they are rather dependent on someone letting them inside, otherwise they will just have to stay where they are and the possibility of a surprise attack after sunset will be gone.

Well, yes, *something* will happen. Let's just hope it's a good something. ;)

elanor winterflowersReviewed Chapter: 19 on 7/1/2007
What a splendid fight scene! Really impressive, not to mention the fine irony of Sauron having to beat off his own vile creations. Always nice when the monsters turn on the inventor! :)

Poor Rick! He's had his share of unexpected surprises, but finding Semira is married was quite a blow--not only to him, but to me! Sweet the way he checked her bonds to be sure they weren't too tight. I like him!

Frodo and Sam's walk to the torture chamber was really disturbing. What in the world are those wizards doing with those poor people, and why do they keep bodies in cages? I don't even want to think about it! I wondered if Sauron used to do such things (though of course he was just an Eye) or if these guys outstrip even him for depravity. They are in SO much trouble when the Valar get their hands on them! I was very impressed that Frodo and Sam kept so cool during all of that, and so glad Frodo has a Plan! :)



Author Reply: Generally, I don't like writing fight scenes, which is why there haven't been any until now. There was certainly plenty of opportunities for this to go astray while the gang was marching through Harad (all those orcs rumored to be living in the mountains still, for starters) but I knew all this was coming up and didn't want to tire myself out before I got here! ;) I'm glad you enjoyed it though, and Sauron is undoing much more of his evil deeds on this trip than he thought he would be! Those Variags were quite a surprise for him and they are, unfortunately, doing their job well.

Poor Rick. After everything else he's learned, that was the last thing he wanted to hear. But it doesn't stop him from caring about her, even knowing she's not available. Of course, he would check the bonds! He couldn't have her being scarred or hurt! ;) But he still hasn't learned his lesson about being "weak" in the eyes of the Haradrim - offering to die willingly to allow another to live. Semira seems to have learned it though, if not to adopt it for herself then at least to ensure that nothing happens to Rick!

In movie-verse, Sauron was just an eye. Per canon, he was embodied at the time of the War of the Ring, and most likely when Gandalf extracted him from Mirkwood. This story is based more off the books than the movies, despite its inspiration and the presence of Brego the Horse. :D But would Sauron have sunk to such depths? An interesting question.

Frodo and Sam are in for quite a fight and they will need every ounce of nerve that they possess to get through it. Frodo does have a plan, but its very much dependent on overcoming the wizards quickly.

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 19 on 7/1/2007
How exciting as you ramp up the action and tension. I hope this story won't be over too soon as I am enjoying it so much. The way for them to get Frodo to cooperate is to threaten Sam, but Frodo seems to be on top of things and ready to act. Sam's steadfastness/bravery seems to be on the verge of cracking, which is an interesting take on his character. There are too many variables in play right now for me to try to figure it all out, so I shall sit back and enjoy the wild ride.

Author Reply: Well, the story won't be over right away but it is nearing its conclusion. Except more tension and action, but be prepared for the inevitable. ;)

Frodo is just as protective of Sam as Sam is of Frodo. Neither of them would allow the other to be molested in any way if they can prevent it. If the wizards thought that meant Frodo would become a weak kitten and give them whatever they want, they are in for a rude awakening.

Sam's steadfastness and bravery in LOTR, most especially ROTK, were very much dependent on the fact that he *had* to be those things, that Frodo no longer could be due to the torment of the Ring, and that it was largely Sam's sole duty to see the Quest accomplished. As such, Sam was also the one making all the plans, when to stop, when to hike and for how long. He simply didn't have time to think about anything else, much as Frodo finds himself doing now. Also, he's never been in the position of being tortured before, and that would be quite a shock to him. Once Sam can get in on the action, we'll be seeing his usual steadfastness come to the fore.

I'm glad you're enjoying the ride! :)

AltheaReviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/30/2007
My heart almost beat out of my chest as I read this chapter. There was so much suspense. First there was Sauron's desperate battle. On top of that came Semira's clever, but dangerous plan. The worst part was the hobbits in the torture chamber with that terrible saw and Sam's wrist glued to the stone. I hope Frodo's plan, whatever it is, works. I'm amazed that he can stay so calm. The next chapter can't come soon enough.

Author Reply: Sauron really had better act quickly or this plan is going to implode in four minutes! Semira's plan isn't very well thought out, but they're in a rather tight spot and have to act quickly. I'm sure she'll be reminding Amros that her original idea to capture Sauron in Harad was much better (even though it wasn't, as he was anticipating just such a thing happening). Her intervention now could very well be what makes or breaks everything.

Frodo right now is on survival mode. He's not thinking about anything other than getting out of there, which can give the appearance of calm. Much as Sam always appeared to calm through Cirith Ungol and the march through Mordor. By narrowing in on that one thing that must be done, he can ignore everything else. The shock will come later.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/30/2007
Oh my! What *IS* Frodo's plan, I wonder!
His performance was great, but it hindered the wizards only for a few moments. On the other hand, it seems as if he has just begun to show his skills...

And I'm quite satisfied to see that Rick has indeed an important role to play in the future. Let's hope they arrive in time to help rather than to make things even more difficult, which could also happen, don't you think so?


Author Reply: Right now, I think he's just banking on getting out of there as quickly as possible! Skills and powers he may have, but they won't be an equal match to the wizards for very long.

Rick and the Haradrim are walking a rather fine line. If they act too soon or too late, it could be disasterous to everyone, including themselves. And their plan is not exactly fool-proof. There will be no one there to open the gate, and even if they do manage to get anyone's attention, the wizards have far more important things to worry about just now.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/30/2007
Aha! Wonderful to see Frodo's will at work, and in part a match to theirs--even a surprise.

Now he will do his best to get all out of there.

And the servants must go through the dungeon daily? These have certainly fallen from what they were!

Author Reply: Frodo does have some power, but he will have to put it work quickly before he tires out completely. The surprise has already worn off and the wizards won't be playing nicely. Eek!

Yes, the wizards are quite a good deal more despicable than I intended them to be. They take 'falling from grace' to whole new level. They have much to answer for.

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