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| Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil | 16 Review(s) |
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| Shoshana_Rose | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/12/2007 |
| This is my new favorite chapter. You clearly had a great time writing the dry wit of Erkenbard and the subtle (and not so subtle) sarcasm of the elves. This chapter had all the elements which made me want to stand up and cheer. Great triumph for Aragorn as he grows up just a *bit* more. He is learning the dignity of Men, and actively supporting it, even to the Firstborn whom he respects with special fervor. I especially enjoyed his admonition to Thandir: "Rude they may be, but they are still Eruhîn and worthy of your respect." A timely lesson for us to take into our own "real-Earth" interactions as well, I think! I wonder what the Queen's motivatons are, truly. If she is truly concerned about Rohan, she must see that Thengel is a better king than was his father! What would she do if she *could* "control" Thengel? How would she govern differently? And why does she think she could pull Fréawine's strings? I love that you've given her enough of a buildup and constructed this wall of mystery about her so that the reader is so actively engaged in asking these types of questions. I wonder also what the story is behind Erkenbard's relationship with Thengel. That kind of camaraderie usually has a powerful story behind it. Erkenbard's irreverence is intriguing, especially given that Thengel has not been king in Rohan for terribly long and that he was in Gondor for many years prior. When did Erkenbard get the chance to know Thengel so well? I adore the way you occasionally reference the "stars in Aragorn's eyes" which elves and Maia cfan see, while people tend to get a sense of without truly understanding. It is a nice motif or trope, which is useful and ties together those times when Aragorn steps beyond himself and realizes some of his own potential. Very clever. This story is the first thing I check for on Thursdays, now. Keep on truckin'! Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn is beginning to mature a bit more and taking ownership of his heritage as Isildur's Heir. Thandir and the other Imladris elves only remember him as a child trailing after Elladan and Elrohir and they're not used to dealing with him as an adult (a situation many to which many of us can no doubt relate when friends or relatives who have not seen you in quite a while treat you as they remember you being, not as you are today). Your questions concerning Erkenbard and Thengel's relationship are quite good and while I don't know any details yet (many of my OCs show up but refuse to tell me anything about themselves at first, preferring to be mysterious until they trust me enough to open up) I do know that Erkenbard was one of Thengel's friends (albeit somewhat younger), joining in on the "blinding" Fréawine ruse and helping him to leave Rohan for Gondor. They have maintained their friendship even over long distance and I think Erkenbard may have visited Thengel for a time, which is how he knows something of Sindarin and why Thengel trusts him enough to make him his spymaster. Perhaps, as this tale progresses, we'll get more backstory out of him. Éolind is, of course, *not* concerned about Rohan, only about power and how to wield it for herself. She is like many rulers and those who wish to be: seeing only how they can control the power, whether directly or indirectly. There are some people who enjoy "pulling the strings" from behind the scenes. It gives them a great sense of control to see others, especially those who are in positions of power, dancing to their tune, however capricious it may be. It's almost a sexual high for them. I suspect that Éolind was the "power behind the power" as Fengel's dutiful wife and Thengel knows this and wants nothing to do with it or her. You might even check for this story late on Wednesdays (your time) because it is indeed Thursday (for me here in China) when I post the story even though back in the States it's still only Wednesday evening. | |
| Telpethoron | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/12/2007 |
| So THAT'S how Aragorn first met Haldir of Lothlorien! To me, Haldir is one of those 'unappreciated' characters in LOTR...especially since we saw so little of him in the film version. The queen sounds like someone I would not like to run afoul of - plotting treason and having no qualms about doing so. Thengel is right to keep her on as short a leash as possible, though I can understand Erkenbard's reasons for letting her have her 'freedom'. If he followed Thengel's orders the letter and kept the queen locked up, she would probably have become very suspicious, and less likely to reveal her plans. I've thoroughly enjoyed the story thus far - looking forward to the next chapter! Author Reply: Well, I have to agree with you there about Haldir being one of those 'unappreciate' characters in LOTR. Glorfindel is another, which is why my opus magnum is about him. *grin* The queen is definitely a nasty bitch and she doesn't get any nicer. I'm glad you are enjoying this story so much. I will be posting a new chapter once a week so you won't have too long a wait between updates. Thanks for reviewing. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/11/2007 |
| A wonderful ruse. And to find the Elves there in reality was just too perfect! Heh! Excellent. And love that they honored Aragorn as Isildur's heir. Author Reply: Yest, it was a perfect piece of serendipity to find elves actually there to help them out and Thandir especially would recognize Aragorn as Isildur's Heir and give him his due. | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/11/2007 |
| Oooooh yeah! Way cool, Fiondil! Aragorn is calm and in control (and in full plotting mode) and I loved seeing Thandir again! Haldir, too, bless his little pointed ears! :-) Lovely chapter - take that, evil queen mother hag! Now, what are those crafty elves up to? Linda Author Reply: Glad you liked this chapter Linda. Thanks. I was a bit surprised when Thandir showed up among the other elves, along with Haldir, but it was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed writing about them again. I'm rather fond of Thandir myself; he's a lot of fun to write. | |
| Ainu Laire | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/11/2007 |
| I meant to review before you put up the latest chapter, but I forgot that you lived in China and that it is already Thursday there :) Speaking of China, may I ask in which part of China you live in? I just went to China in February on an adoption trip. My parents adopted a young girl from Hunan province, though we went also to Beijing and Guangzhou. I had an absolutely fabulous time. The Great Wall was amazing... and the driving! The driving was so bad! My dad and I were nearly run over by a bus when we were in the middle of the crosswalk. But I had a good time. My idea? *blinks* Oh, I remember that! I had no idea that you would actually follow up and make a story out of it! You have no idea just how happy that makes me- while I have many favorite stories and authors, yours is probably the most practical and realistic out of all of them. You manage to throw in a bunch of action and adventure without overdoing it, and manage to stick within canonical bounds. It makes my Tolkien-purist side and my sadistic-fangirl side coincide very peacefully with one another. *grin* Err, enough silliness on my part. The last chapter- chapter 6- was fascinating. I loved the myth about Grimhild and Fengel. I doubt that much of it is true, especially the part about the elf, but it was really great. Now, about this chapter... I *love* Erkenbard. He is such a character. I burst out laughing when he said "A rather clever forgery, don’t you think? I do so enjoy my work." I can imagine him saying that with a very smug voice. But I do love him. I hope we will get to see more of him; perhaps after all this business is done, he can stay in Edoras and amuse us some more. *g* I love how Aragorn keeps on making references to these Ainur, and how Widfara thinks he's a little bit off of his rocker. Interesting that, while many men in the First Age knew about the Ainur in the West and whatnot, not so many men know about them now. I am pretty sure that Bema is supposed to be Orome... I wonder if the Rohirrim know more about him, and that he is only one of the Valar? Hum. I am going off on a tangent. Back to the story. I cannot imagine any mother- or father, for that matter- being so cruel to their child, though I know that there are people like that. Eolind really makes me sick. What a witch. I do hope she gets what she deserves in the end. I do wonder about Freawine, though. Does she just mean that he is weak, or does he crave power and wish to userp Thengel? That would not be well. Ah, Haldir! I suppose this is the communal elf-scouting trip? Elves from Rivendell, Lorien, and Mirkwood, I would assume. I wonder what they're doing in the middle of Rohan. I loved Aragorn's idea. It's hilarious. I have a feeling that Thrandir also found it amusing... I wonder what the other elves thought about it, or if they were insulted that some uppity mortal would try and imitate one of them ;) But yes, Thrandir certainly can play the part of an elf better, hum? *grin* LOL! I loved the scene in front of the spring. It really didn't help that, during the whole scene, I had the image of the giant from The Princess Bride, being pushed forward in a wheelbarrow and his deep, dark voice proclaiming death. *snickers* I did love the broad smile at the end, though. I felt like clapping for the magnificent performance ;) And I love the air of power Aragorn carries, even among the firstborn. He is truly not one to be messed with, even at the age of 26. But I wonder, what in the world is he doing wearing Barahir? Is he confident enough that no one in Rohan will recognize it (or no one foolish enough to try and steal it)? I wonder if Thengel or Morwen would, especially since they both lived in Gondor for a long time. Even so, he better take it off before he goes into Gondor because it would certainly be recognized there by someone, and it would do no good to reveal his identity... not just yet. Silly Aragorn. Well, I look very much forward to next Thursday (or Wednesday afternoon for me). Cannot wait to see what tales are exchanged, and what happens to Eohild. Laire Author Reply: I sometimes would wait until it was late Thursday afternoon for me before posting (there's a 13-hour difference between me and the East Coast of America) but you're right. Why should I have to wait when it's already Thursday for me? As for where in China I live: I live in the city of Manzhouli which is in Inner Mongolia Province. If you take a look at a map of China and find the area where China, Russia and Mongolia meet, you will find Manzhouli. The Russian border is less than ten miles from here and Mongolia is an hour's drive away. The heart of Siberia (the city of Chita) is a grueling six hour drive over impossible and more or less nonexistent roads. Many Russians from there come across the border to shop, drink vodka by the barrelful and dance the night away at the various restaurants and bars that cater to them. And then there are the Mongolians and Boryiats... And the driving is bad everywhere in China! These people have no concept of "rules of the road", yet amazingly, there's no road rage here. Probably, as one of the other English teachers pointed out, because *everyone* is a lousy driver, so no one gets upset over someone ele's stupidity. *LOL* Anyway, back to Middle-earth as I write from the Middle Kingdom.... I had a lot of fun with this chapter, as I think you can tell, and tried to show the otherness of the elves, especially Thandir's interactions with Aragorn as well as with the conspirators. Aragorn is (at age 26) just young enough to be arrogant enough about some things and the Ring of Barahir is one of them. I'm sure he'll wise up eventually and hide the ring before going on to Gondor. Either that or his older cousin Gilhael will straighten him out there. At any rate, we see him maturing at this point and taking upon himself the mantle of power that is his birthright as Isildur's Heir and the elves recognize this, however reluctantly. | |
| Idril Celebrindal | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/11/2007 |
| I have enjoyed this story, I like this chapter the best so far. Punishment was the favorite. Can't wait to read more. Idril Author Reply: Thanks, Idril. I'm glad you are enjoying this story. This particular chapter (and the Punishment chapter as well) was fun to write, especially the part with Thandir threatening the conspirators. *grin* Playing with elves is more fun than any human should be allowed to have. *lol* | |