Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

To See A World by Nightwing	776 Review(s)
LOTRFaith	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/24/2003
Hello there! Another lurker coming out of the shadows lol. I really, really like your story. It is very well written, though poor Legolas! I do hope he will get his sight back. :-D Merry Christmas! Namaarie~ LOTRFaith

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/24/2003
Oooh, it's back! I wasn't really sure how long you took generally to put out more story, but I am well prepared to wait. This continues to be a good, strong, patient exploration of changed circumstances. I love the way you describe every bit of Legolas and Aragorn's journey in adjusting to sudden blindness, especially since there are no therapists or trained personnel around to guide them through. They've got to do everything for themselves and figure out what they need as they go along. The detail about counting paces between points A and B, and the problem of walking drift (and how many of us sighted people would even think of that?) bring this process to life in all of its slow, frustrating glory. Now, as to the problem of Legolas being able to follow sound but not walk in a perfectly straight line -- He does seem to be able to perceive "voices" in the natural world around him all through the Trilogy. I wonder if it might be appropriate to place different natural items with their own "voices" at important points. I wonder if he could "hear" a potted plant calling. The horse might prove useful as well. Horses have good memories for direction, and while there is no seeing-eye dog around, a seeing-eye horse might be an acceptable substitute. Right now, the murder mystery is of secondary importance to me -- we've never really met either the old man nor the townspeople, so they're far less real than Aragorn and Legolas, who are brought to life in such stunning roundness. But clearly the murder mystery is important to them, so I will follow what they follow. It's also nice to see how perspectives change -- Legolas, an Elf, thinks that Aragorn is strange, while the human townspeople think that Legolas is strange. It all depends on how you look at it, I suppose.

Orophins Dottir	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/23/2003
What a lovely holiday treat! This has become one of my favorite stories. The blindness is overwhelmingly sad but it is none of this "torture the elf" genre of writing. Something that is very plausible and could happen. I love the cat and am glad you gave her a dignified name. As the owner of two elvencats, this is most important. They can become sulky if called Squeeky. They have too much dignity! I thought the part with Legolas seeking comfort from the trees was perfect. Aragorn's trepidation at the idea and still letting him go was also good. Keep writing! (Dare we hope for an update before the New Year?)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 11/15/2003
Oh my goodness, lookee what I just found! This one's got it all! Thick plot, rich characterizations, an evolving relationship (as opposed to static), a plausible explanation and realistic expansion of a sudden handicap. . . . It is indeed interesting to watch Legolas adjust to his blindness, from the initial panic and awkwardness to the beginnings of independence. Rather like what happened to Mary Ingalls, in a way. Now, thinking of Mary, I wonder if this blindness is reversible. High fevers that cause blindness do so either by frying the optic nerve, which is not one that really regenerates, so as to make the blindness permanent, or by causing something to swell up and pinch off the nerve. If the swelling goes down in time, the nerve might recover, but it may die from being pinched off anyway. I wonder. I shall have to see about that as this story goes on, for I am sure that it isn't over. I like the cat. She is sweet and soft and cuddly. I, too, am intrigued by the trap, partially for the mystery of who set it and why, and partially because I'd never heard of such a device used in Middle Earth before. I've seen spring traps like that, and they're rather more complex machines than generally seen in Middle Earth, I think. And finally, before this review starts going pages and pages and I start writing a novel of my own here, the title was what really caught my eye. Your use of the phrase comes from the Blake poem, but my initial thought was that it was an adapted line from the hymn by Charles Wesley that goes "O what hath Jesus bought for me, Before my ravished eyes? Rivers of life divine I see And trees of paradise. I see a world of spirits bright, Who taste the pleasures there, They all are robed in spotless white, And conq'ring palms they bear." The tune by J.P. Reese is a big powerful thumper with a fugue beginning on the line "I see a world of spirits bright," so your title immediately brought that hymn to mind.

Orophins Dottir	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 11/15/2003
I am now officially "de-lurking"! This is one of my favorite stories, despite the fact that it often makes my heart hurt. Again, our beloved prince is being dragged through the wringer, but I admit that the blindness is quite effective. It just grabs hold of you to have the elf robbed of what has always been one of his greatest strengths. "What do your elven eyes see, Legolas?" etc. I thought it was quite perceptive of Orlando Bloom when he said that it was his interpretation of his role that Legolas was the "eyes" of the fellowship and would see danger first. Chilling that in your story he no longer has this gift. The elvencats who own me also approve of Squeeky and are glad that she will survive. Perhaps Master Elrond could use a good mouser? (Much as I love my own liege lord, I would not trust Thranduil with a cat!) Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

Ithilien	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/11/2003
Happier moments. We needed this chapter. But good lords, Nightwing. Squeaky? I wonder what the elvish equivalent is for that word. Something more poetic, I bet. Still, I love it, and the cat probably doesn’t care. That being the case, if the name fits, wear it. I think Legolas needs to be introduced to the horse. I think it may be good therapy for him. And I’ll bet he could even learn to ride again were he to be given the chance. Horses, as I understand it, can be trained almost like seeing eye dogs, so that might be a very nice fit. One little worrisome thing for me on Legolas' recovery. What is this about his disdain for food and the taste of it? Wine is okay, it seems, but food? Is this a clue or just a remnant of the toxins still working their way out of his body? I feel like we are not quite done with this illness. You are making me scared, you know. Is that intentional, of just more of the paranoia I've been experiencing throughout this story? As for the old swimming hole, eeks Aragorn, get thee to a bath! I would imagine the man reeks. Funny how so many of us chuckle over his scruffiness. There are some who like that sort of frayed, unwashed look, and some who like their men elven-ly clean. Count me in the latter group. I love what Legolas does to him. Funny! And not only does he force Aragorn in once, but twice. Bravo, my elven prince! Ooh, but after all the light playfulness of this chapter, what’s this you have hinted at now? “I smell death.” Those aren’t exactly pretty words to end a joyful moment, are they? So what next, Nightwing? More? Soon? Please?

Ithilien	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/11/2003
I know you heard a little flack over the unexpected turn in this chapter, but for me, I loved it. I had said in the previous chapter that there was a hint of danger dancing on the fringes of this story, and I was so delighted to see it make a sudden lunge forward in this chapter. I think your timing for launching it was perfect too. Far enough into the story to have your readers lulled into a state of comfort, but daring enough to make people lurch a little. I love that in a story. Rolls and dips! Yes! Now what is going to happen, and what does Legolas really know? He sees into his mother’s death, but what insight has he gained? The orcs that killed her came from the north. But why? Does he know? Ooh, I can’t wait to find out more. As for reactions, wow! Right on the mark. Seriously. Legolas is frustrated, and I can’t blame him. The poor elf’s situation is grim, and despite the fact that Aragorn can’t find what is wrong, my Legolas is still blind. Was it the toxin that did this? I have to believe it so, and I’m thinking the incredibly slow withdrawal and tedious resumption to a state of health is indicative of the healing process for Legolas’ eyes. That’s my guess at least. I loved the description you painted in this chapter, especially the small symbols you use (the leaf being set adrift on the water, for example). Your painting of words is exceptional here. Keep feeding me this. That’s the stuff that I love.

Ithilien	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/11/2003
This story truly has me caught. It is gripping and fresh and I am loving every word of it. Please forgive me for falling behind in reviews. I know it is important for authors to know their story is read, and more so, appreciated, and I have been horrible about fulfilling my responsibilities in that. So let’s work where we can and get us caught up to date. Underlying everything in your story is this mood that cannot be denied. Poignant and sobering and lined with dread. Almost dread. That’s not quite right. Truthfully I can’t put my finger on it, but it seems like I feel serious trepidation with every chapter. It’s as if there is foreshadowing just in their existence in that house, and the anticipation is just about killing me. I know there is something coming, but what? What? So it is time to wake up and face the music, er, birdsong. Poor Legolas. And Aragorn. Legolas’ situation is pretty horrible, but you have to give it to Aragorn, he is dealing with a lot himself. Well, at least the elf has the cat to help. Nice kitty. I love cats. And hey, Legolas is making progress. Almost. Set backs are inevitable I guess. Poor Elf. Gosh, can I say that enough? Apparently not. I think you are going to coax those words from me many times over. Keep going, my friend. I haven’t found a flaw in this magnificent tale yet.

Fadesintothewest	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/8/2003
Now that chapter was something else! Legolas in all his glory, my you provided some nice visuals for me and I thank you very much! It was great to see Legolas laughing again, although he is still in much pain, but it was very nice to see him playing with Aragorn in the cold water (I also very much appreciated the Aragorn visuals!) Squeaky the cat, well is fast becoming my favorite, but please I ask you don't kill the cat off. Let the litte one have a happy ending.

Lamiel	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/7/2003
Oh, Nightwing, this is wonderful! One of your best chapters yet. I can completely sympathise with the difficulties of combining work and authorship, but I'd say that your writing is only getting better and better. Definitely worth the wait. This was so funny! I can completely believe that Aragorn would go seven weeks without bathing, but it's hard to imagine that Legolas would put up with the smell. There was so much I liked about this chapter--the little detail of Legolas' difficulty with the door, and Aragorn having to tell him where the food was . . . so wonderfully done. But of course it's all drowned out by the fantastic image of naked Legolas swimming. Woo hoo! So wonderful, a real nude Elf treat, without having all those cliches of slash fics--"oh, we're so hot and dirty, what to do, oh hey look, a moonlit pool!" But that image, when Legolas arched his back and then ran his fingers through his hair . . . oh dear VALAR that was good! Hee hee! I do love the friendship and love you have between Legolas and Aragorn, without getting into slash. Wonderful! And now there's a sense of foreboding building . . . "the smell of death." Mmmm. Mysteriouser and mysteriouser. Looks like things won't be quite as nice in future chapters. I am so impressed by your pacing with this story--you hold back, not giving too much away at once. Very well done. I have so much trouble with that--just want to jump ahead and get everything out at once. This is brilliant. Oh, by the way, the bit where Aragorn asked Legolas if he could talk to the cat--that wasn't by any chance inspired by Ithilien's sketch of Aragorn pretending to talk to the squirrel in Hunting Trip, was it? Very clever. I could go on and on. This is just such a pleasure to read! But I should do my own work now, I suppose, and then maybe I can get a bit more of DP done this weekend. (I was doing so well with the new chapter, but then I moved, and I had to buy a new computer . . . real life has no respect for fandom.) Lamiel P.S. It definitely helps to have someone experienced with tranquilizer darts leading this mission. I was discussing rope with Theresa just yesterday, though, and given the notorious difficulty of tying up an Elf successfully (that ability to wriggle out of the tightest bonds in two seconds is definitely a nuisance to the would-be Elf stalker) she suggested that wire might work better. A surprisingly ruthless suggestion, coming from her, but it has merit. Just visualize those slender, strong wrists caught fast, the sensitive skin lightly scored by the shining wire, those burning dark eyes looking up through the fall of golden hair, so proud, so defiant . . . heh, heh, hoo. Deep breaths. I believe that Theresa is swinging by her local supply store on the way. It never hurts to be prepared.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List