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Along Came A Spider by Jay of Lasgalen	17 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
That is a very evil cliffie, if I ever have read one! To stop at this point in the story! I shouldn't read something like this at work, it does my concentration not very much good ;-) But it was very well written. Poor Elrohir, he has to go through a lot of pain. And Elladan will suffer no less, I suppose. But I hope Elladan will reach his twin in time to call him back from Mandos. The twins share a strong bond after all. Why shouldn't Elrohir belong to the few who survive spider bites? It would be too mean to let Elrohir die, Elladan wouldn't survive this. And then - your stories are linked together with many hints, and in "Interlude in Imladris" the twins are very much alive, many years later. So I trust you, although you will make it not so easy for your poor readers. Btw, although I haven't reviewed, I have read nearly all your fics and enjoyed them very much! Thank you for many hours of joyful reading! Author Reply: I've had several reviewers who've complained that I've ruined their concentration at work! (That'll teach you to read fics when you should be working ;0 Yes, poor Elrohir AND poor Elladan - it's not easy for either of them! But you're right, my stories are linked, and Elrohir is alive and well many years from now ... I'm so glad that you've been reading my other stories - but writers LOVE reviews, so please let me know what you think about them!

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
As much as I like Namo coming for Elrohir so gently and kindly, I am going to have to assume that this too is part of Elrohir's dream, or that it is decided taking all of Elrond's children from him is deemed too much even by the Valar and they send him back :p Author Reply: Poor Elrohir's been having terrible nightmares, but no pleasant dreams - so that's not the explanation. And Namo doesn't send him back, either. Wait and see.

Lianna	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
Oh, my. How am I supposed to pay attention to work this morning after reading THAT? How horrible for Elladan, having to just wait, and knowing that some -- such as Nolimon -- have died, while others -- such as Legolas -- have survived a spider bite. There seems to be little if anything that Elladan can do to affect Elrohir's fate. Or maybe there is. The twin bond is a mysterious thing... Author Reply: Anything to take your mind off work! ;-) Sadly for Elladan, he knows only too well that far more have died than have survived. But a twin bond is indeed myterious ... As Calmacil, wait and see. Author Reply: Whoops! As Calmacil said, wait and see.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
Looks like somebody's read the literature on Near Death Experiences. . . I've seen some interesting attempts to explain them as a result of brain chemistry. The theory goes that, after traumatic fatal injury, the body frantically pumps out endorphins. At the same time, as the brain gets more and more starved for oxygen, it starts firing random nerve messages. The combined result is a feeling of euphoria and strange visions. People who survive these experiences seem to interpret them in similar, possibly culturally conditioned, ways. Interesting stuff. This was another well done chapter. The small recap at the beginning was a useful trick for switching point of view gently. Such a trick doesn't always work, but I thought you did a good job with it. Nólimon seems to be far worse off than Elrohir. He goes under faster, he dies much sooner. I wonder what the difference is. Is it that Nólimon is a Wood-elf and Elrohir is a (possibly stronger) hybrid, or is it just that Nólimon is a bit character and therefore does not have the aura of Authorial Attention protecting him? I must commend your description of the care that the Wood-elves give Elrohir. No one runs around getting the screaming abdabs (except Elladan, but he's allowed), and there is no excess weeping and wailing. They do what they can, and they know their limits. Somehow, that makes for far better drama than to have everyone running around shrieking their fool heads off. And Nólimon gets ushered off stage with a simple lack of ceremony, since he really wasn't that important to Elladan except as an example. One thing -- the athelas water (thank you for not using athelas as a magic cure-all medicine, by the way -- it really doesn't seem to do that) at first heats on a stove, then on a brazier. Which is it? Personally, I prefer the brazier, as a stove seems too technologically advanced for the Wood-elves. Ben Franklin patented one around 1770, but I don't quite remember if there was anything earlier. Author Reply: You mention some very interesting, very technical reasons for 'near death experience'. But this is much more simple - divine intervention! Poor Nolimon was doomed from the start. He's got a bit part, does not warrant authorial protection, and was wearing a red tunic. Do you recall the early Star Trek series? In any landing party, you could always tell who was going to die horribly by the red shirt. I don't see elves as the type to panic - they'd be very calm and cool. Even Elladan hasn't panicked much (yet). The 'stove' is just a small wood-burning heater that the water is heated on. That and the brazier are the same thing, but I'll check the terminology.

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
"Elrohir did not hesitate." Jay, we really must have a loooooong talk about this tendency you have to torture the twins...and your readers! :-) uh, actually :-(. This was a most uncomfortable chapter as you did an excellent job of relating Elrohir's quickly deteriorating condition. Poor Elladan...he hasn't even started to experience his pain/suffering yet, has he? The guilt has not quite kicked him in the gut yet. And poor Elrohir...not only poisoned, but he finally gets one up on his brother ("can I have that in writing?) and he's in no position to enjoy it! Not fair! It was very wise of Elladan to question his brother about his condition, too...who would know better the effects the poison was having than a healer? BTW, I've always enjoyed your Calmacil character (did I spell that right?)...highly skilled, and not just with the patients! The meeting with Namo was well done - I have often wondered at the portrayals I've read where he is shown as this grim, dreaded personage...there had to be a hint of compassion and caring in him to deal with all the tortured souls that came to him; tho' I suspect the grim, dread aspect of him is true also. (Well! That certainly made sense!! :-/) clears throat noisily to get Jay's attention You DO realize that if Elrohir goes, Elladan will probably follow? Yes, I thought you did. I hope you have some clever form of rescue planned...one can only pray it doesn't take 3 or 4 chapters to develop! Excellent chapter, only...how do you expect me to teach after reading this ("all right, boys and girls, let's write a story about spiders!!!!) linda (you are soooo evviilll!) (I couldn't resist saying that AGAIN!) Author Reply: I would love to have a chat about torturing characters! Poor twins - although Elrohir is the one everyone is worried about, Elladan is suffering just as much. And yes, I do know what will happen if one of the twins dies :( Hopefully Elrohir will be able to remember the 'you know best' comment later on ... I think Namo could be 'all things to all elves' - compassionate and grim at the same time. I'm glad you're enjoying this! (If 'enjoying' is the right word at a time like this), and many thanks for the lovely long review. BTW, what age do you teach? I've taught 5/6 year olds, though I'm between jobs at the moment.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
Good heavens, what place to end it! The death of the other warrior must have been terrifying for Elladan. I liked the sudden arrival of Legolas -- straight from patrol but having to report to his father. It gave a sense of life going on elsewhere that was strange in the midst of Elrohir's suffering. Author Reply: Nólimon's death really brought it home to Elladan that his brother could also die. And yet while he concentrates on Elrohir, life goes on around him. As you say, it's a strange feeling.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/5/2004
No! Elrohir! You can't do that. Elladan needs you - you have to go back! Tell Namo to leave you alone. Elladan - use your bond with him. He won't consent to go if he remembers what it will do to you! Stinking spiders. Don't like them. Don't like any creepy crawlies much. Except ladybirds. They're all right. And butterflies. Oh all right then, I suppose you have to have creepy crawlies. Author Reply: I'm very glad we don't have poisonous spiders in the UK - the big ones that come in from the garden in damp autumns (like now!) are bad enough :( Poor Elrohir. Poor Elladan. This is not good.

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