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| ...Does Not Glitter by perelleth | 25 Review(s) |
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| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/2/2009 |
| A little delayed, but finally here... I am sooo glad the fellow under the boulder was not killed - especially since it turned out to be Halbarad! But, I am sorry he is hurt so badly. I really like Bilbo thinking of Gollum, and the whole idea that there might be corrupted hobbits, like orcish men, skulking around out there. But, I take solace in knowing that the Dark Lord had a hard time corrupting the Dwarves because of their innate nature, so I will hold faith that in general as well the Hobbit's nature (there will always be Mims and Smeagols) protects them from Sauron. Poor subjects for his evil do not warrant his attention, you know. Hmm, medicine (magic) used to treat "wounds in dark forest, make us immortal..." How intriguing! And Poor Poor Samid! To be so in love! "...sand-gazer, the one who ties and unties the future." Loved that! oo,oo! He's going to open the bag! Yay! Dang! He's been interrupted! Boo! Mean Perelleth! The camp is becoming quite crowded! But, certainly lively!! Dumb Dwarves leaving stuff out like that just so they didn't have to sleep on the ground! Poor Poor Samid! It's a wonder he has not swooned or gone crazy let alone utterly panicked. A Gulliver he ain't. Two elves, two rangers, two dwarves, two ponies, a hobbit, and a southron (a rather mismatched pair of far travelers) - AND AN ARMY OF SPIDERS! "hell" Uh,yeah. But wait, there's a clue here! Why all the spiders now? They can't be suddenly hungry! Venom! That used as medicine! Samid put his prize in a sack, which means he could handle it in the first place... maybe its already in a sack... with the rest of its siblings...*shutter* Now, I'm hoping you will trick me! On the Author Note: very nice. One of my favorite 'slip's is in the Sil, Luthien and Beren's adventure on the Isle of Werewolves, where Sauron takes a vampire shape like Thuringwethil. I appreciate finding both beasties with their own particular features in Tolkien's world. Can't wait to see how you get them out of this one! ;D Author Reply: Mean Perelleth! Yeah, I know! (smiles smugly) Thank you very much as always for your reviews, Redheredh. As usual, you give me a lot of food for thought, and also for rambling on! But, I take solace in knowing that the Dark Lord had a hard time corrupting the Dwarves because of their innate nature, so I will hold faith that in general as well the Hobbit's nature (there will always be Mims and Smeagols) protects them from Sauron Well, you are more optimistic than I am. After all, it didn't cost Saruman all that much, did it? BUt you are right, I think. I also believe Bilbo was more likely thinking here of the kind of degradation than a life of isolation and deprivation, like the one Smeagol had led, might have also corrputed others of his kind if they had remained in the Gladden Fields or had returned there and fell out of tales. Kind of suddenly opening his eyes and thnking that perhaps not all the hobbits led the same easy, comofortable life that he knew! ;-) Thuringwethil! Indeed! I had forgotten that one! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/2/2009 |
| I must say quite a gathering is appearing in Mirkwood--Dwarves, Bilbo, Radagast and Gandalf, Aragorn and Halbarad, spiders and patrols--and Gollum! It sounds suitably ominous! And love the inclusion of so many folk tales. And I certainly agree with you about DrummerWench's lovely tales! Author Reply: When one looks at what happened in those years, it appears that many things converged there in Mirkwood, which did not count with the protection of a Ring. BUt still chances happened, too. :-) Thank you very much for your kind reviews, Larner. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/1/2009 |
| I'm sorry, I'm late - I haven't been keeping up with fanfiction for the longest time, but daw pointed this out to me - Halbarad! Squee :-) I will be back later with a more mature and thoughtful review, hopefully Author Reply: LOLOL! Never mind! I keep writing because this is the only pastime that I can force myself into, to avoid work related issues in my spare time, but do not feel forced to read or to review! :-) Anyway, there is quite more Halbarad in the next chapter. :-) | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/1/2009 |
| I’m so loving this. Radagast! And of course he’s friends with the white buck. And there’s Mithrandir! Well, I was expecting him ;-) I love how Radagast doesn’t seem remotely surprised to run into him in the middle of Mirkwood. Radagast is such an interesting character – I look forward to seeing what you do with him. And he gives a very precise report, don’t you think – Thranduil could probably use him! But I found myself with a lump in my throat with his description of darkness spreading across the forest. So Halbarad was the one who got squished! Excellent! Having Halbarad in the story is excellent, I mean, not the squishing of him. “Their screeches drove the blood from my veins and the strength from my knees,” Very powerful description. It actually made me shudder. I enjoyed watching Halbarad and Aragorn together. They move from grim conversation to gentle teasing with ease. How do they know the Southron thought they were ghosts? It sounds like they’ve been having quite a time in the forest. All these people wanting to meet one of Thranduil’s patrols and for once not an elf in sight... I think I know who owns that creaking wagon, though! And there’s Mallereg. It’s good to see someone enjoying themselves anyway! “You’ve made up such a convincing case that were we to run into that white deer with the fabulous rack of antlers, I could not honestly say that you were pursuing your personal interests…” LOL!! Mallereg has diplomatic skills for more than persuading Galion to give him the king’s best wine, it seems. Poor Thalaûr. He doesn’t appear to enjoy being teased. I laughed at him taking the piece of antler from under Mallereg’s nose in revenge. Radagast will have something to say about them hunting his guide, though... Boy would I not like to be listening to the Southron’s scary stories before settling down for the night. In a forest teeming with strange and dangerous creatures. Still, the Dwarves don’t miss an opportunity to have a dig about the tolls. Bilbo’s thoughts about Gollum were really unsettling. It’s a good reminder of just how dangerous Gollum is. It was almost imperceptible, but the man first cast a quick glance to his pack, safe by his side, then hastened to shake his head, avoiding Bilbo’s searching glance. “No spiders. Heard rumors, but no spiders!” I just had a horrible thought. If that’s a baby spider or an egg (or whatever the heck spiders have) I’m not reading any further. *shudder* Very interesting conversation between Bilbo and Sámid. From Sámid’s description of his home you can really see why he’d be so uneasy in this forest and why all the tales he’s heard seem suddenly so horrific. And I adore that moment when Bilbo longs to see that new land! So very Bilbo! Medicine. Our sand-gazer says medicine for wounds in dark forest, make us immortal. Medicine? Immortal? Hmmm. Nope, still clueless. “Well-met, travelers in the Greenwood.” Oh yay! The elves are here! That was a nice little stand-off. What Sámid thought he could do against them I have no idea but fair play to him for trying anyway. The two elves drawing their bows so fast sent my heart all a-flutter ;-) And now the Dwarves are awake. Lovely. And go ahead, Grerin, just dive right in and insult the Elvenking as much as possible in a short space of time. Oh, and the entire race of Elves too while you’re at it. I love Mallereg. He just does as Bilbo says and shows Sámid the back of his head! LOL. Bilbo is fabulous in the way he just tries to be all sensible and calm things down. I’m still chuckling at his “storytelling voice”! Another gorgeous moment when Thalaûr and Mallereg hear the two rangers before anyone else does. I was delighted when Halbarad and Aragorn appeared until a split second later it dawned on me that Sámid might very well freak out again. “Djinn!” the Southron shouted, wielding his torch to the newcomers and looking around for an escape. “The two-bodied djinn!” And so he did. Spectacularly. Fireworks??? Holy crap. I definitely wasn’t expecting that! LOL at Mallereg still managing to be amused for a moment. But yeah, every foul creature in Mirkwood must have just been roused with that unexpected show. It might even have caught the attention of two wandering wizards? What’s going to happen next??! Great chapter, Perelleth. Thanks too for the birthday wishes. And I very much enjoyed your author’s notes! It always fascinating to see the thoughts behind the story. I don’t think I knew that about twins. Ok, I’m off to fall into my bed – and hopefully dream of handsome elves with quick reflexes and not of mysterious squirmy things in bags :-) Author Reply: Wow, Dot, really, I am always imrepssed but how you manage to grasp so many htings in your reviews! And it is so gratifying, as well! But it is your present, again, not another task! I'm glad you are enjoying this. I really wanted to throw in as many threads as possible to see how truly Mirkwood was a dangerous place at that time. (IN this year gollum was aoready wandering the lands in search of Bilbo and his ring, Mithrandir had summoned Aragorn and the Dunedain to tighten the watch vover the shire and Dol Guldur housed three of the Nazgul. War and darkness wre brewing, and many htings were moving at the same time, so I tried to see how they might have made no sense when seen as separate events, even if they were all tied together in hindsight. I was thinking of that story with Radagast visiting Thrnaduil that you wrote not so long ago. He lived in mirkwood, and he surely was a good ally, despite his independence, of the wood elves. I had never writen him, but somehow it turned out not too difficult. OK. There are still two groups that are still to join in the party. Fireworks of course will be seen by wandering wizards! Have a nice week! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2009 |
| Oh I love how you manage to gather them all into one spot, finally! And Radagast--I always love seeing Radagast in stories! Bilbo is wonderful here, as he manages to try and create a bit of order out of all the wild tales of the Southron. And I am very curious about the humorous undercurrent between the Elves. Author Reply: Thank-you, Dreamflower. Bilbo is such an endearing character, so hobbity but also so much more than that, a good, open minded person at heart. I suppose that his common sense could barely believe what he was hearing when the Southron said such things of his beloved elves, but still he tried to make sense. I had fun picturing that. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2009 |
| I loved the author's notes at the end of this chapter. But I loved the chapter even more - Poor Halbarad and Aragorn, the poor Southron, the poor Dwarves and their fireworks.... but a great happenstance as the light shone upon a hideous enemy. GREAT CHAPTER!!! Author Reply: Thank-you, Agape! The poor spiders surely had never seen such fireworks, and suprely none of the other characters ever fought them under such unsteady light! :-) | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2009 |
| Halbarad! Yay! But how funny that the Southron thought they were ghosts. If the horse seller in Laketown has his horses trained to dump riders and head home again, he has a good business going. Shame on Mallereg for teasing Thalaur! LOL. I hope he really is courting the guard's daughter. I understand Samid's discomfort in the forest if he's used to grasslands. I feel the opposite way, exposed here on the prairie, instead of sheltered by trees. It's very Bilbo-ish to long to see Samid's lands, even though he's just been wishing for comfort. So then everyone is together and "all hell broke loose"? You're so mean, Perelleth. LOL Author Reply: You're so mean, Perelleth. LOL I feel mean these days, so that is a compliment, LOL! I really love Bilbo, and as I thought about him eagerly thinking for the comfort and safety of Imladris after all his travels, I could also almost feel his mixed thoughts about wanting to see yet more unknown lands. | |
| Galimeril | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/28/2009 |
| This is shaping up to be quite promising! I can't wait to findo out what's in the bag, and who your mysterious southron smooshed with his rock slide! Poor elf! You really characterize the dwarfs well too, many authors only develop their elvish characters. A very pleasant read if I do say so myself! Author Reply: Thank you, Galimeril! I am glad that it succeeded in entertaining you! I find dwarves amusing but difficult to write, so I'm doubly pleased by your kind review. More is coming soon. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/21/2009 |
| Yaaay! Mirkwood! I was just thrilled to see this. You’re the greatest, Perelleth :-) No-one writes bedlam like you do. Mirkwood seems almost as chaotic as one of Gil-galad’s council meetings. What a fabulous opening. Poor Sámid! He’s terrified. I seriously gasped out loud about the Blue Wizard. You’re so clever. And that’s a mighty story about the demons with two faces. Although, you know, I suspect legends and folklore from different places have a way of getting quite mixed up. I really want to know what brought Sámid and his pal into the forest if they’d heard such horrific stories about it. Who’s under the boulder? Are men and elves all merging into one demon? And then there’s an odd creature that sounds distinctly Gollum-like. Run, Sámid. But first, tell me what’s in the bag... As bad as the situation is, I found myself reading most of this with a grin on my face. I just love the touches of humour and how everyone has such distinct personalities. And look, it’s Penalag! He’s wonderful. It’s always a little sad when you know their fate, though... I also really like the explanation about Thranduil’s spies. It sounds like Penalag might be a good person to have around if they were to unexpectedly encounter a wandering Southron. For some reason it tickled me too to see the casual discussion of vampires, etc. You always sprinkle your tales with cultural details that no-one else would think of and they’re always the better for it. “Apparently only Lord Mallereg enjoys unrestricted access to the king’s cellars…” “Is that true?” Legolas asked; his curiosity piqued as every time he heard that piece of gossip. ROTFL!!! Well, is it?? Some would say it is a rider cloaked in black, others an old man in grey rags, others a bald frog with hairy feet, others a giant bloodsucker in different forms…” Uhh... that odd-sounding mix might not be quite as farfetched as they might think... “You are telling me that three rangers, two Southrons and a band of woodcutters…not to mention these murderous creature or creatures, spirits or not, with sharp teeth and claws, are loose in the Greenwood?” And Dwarves! Oh, Thranduil will love this. I’ll bring the popcorn. “When he is not distracted by a wounded wolf or a passing butterfly!” Heeheehee. I picked that out for no reason other than that it amused me. I absolutely love Mallereg here! It’s so good to see him more carefree than in WLB. I’m laughing at himself and Gelirben explaining themselves to Thalaûr. “The scouts have…scouted…” *snort* Oh, sorry. Just amused again. A white stag. A white stag? And Mallereg and Thalaûr are going after it. Towards Legolas’ territory. Ok, then... Who knows what portents this one may bring to the Greenwood? *gulp* And there’s Bilbo! With a bunch of Dwarves. And our friend Sámid. Well, Bilbo can’t go anywhere without having an adventure. Your Dwarves are wonderful, btw. “Well, he doesn’t look like the kind who would pay the fare,” Borin, the youngest of the two, objected, studying the newcomer’s bloodstained clothes. LOL!! That’s the first thing that would come to my mind too. Really. “What would a Southron be doing in Mirkwood?” That’s a very good question! And what the heck is in that pack? And how is it still alive? This deserves much more than I’ve said but I’d be here forever if I picked out everything I loved about it. And I feel like I’m missing something, mainly because you’re so tricksy that I don’t trust you for a second. But I’m prepared to go along for the ride ;-) Thank you so, so much for such a fantastic birthday story. That was very sweet of you, and while I’m always delighted to see an update from you I was particularly excited to see you back in Mirkwood. Ok, I need to go read it again and see if I can figure out what I’m missing... Author Reply: Wow, Dot, thank you! It was your birthday present, not mine! :-) Anyway, I hope you don't mind sharing. I had other idea in mind for your birthday story, but I began this in Septembre hoping to ahve it finished by Karen´s birthday and see where we are! :-) But I´m so glad that you liked it. (Mirkwood seems almost as chaotic as one of Gil-galad’s council meetings) This made me smile. I think I am fond of large casts and chaos partly because that is how I see life, and partly because I find it easier to feel the story is entertaining enough! I was explaining to redheredh about my take on folklore here. Two-faced man-eating ogres appear in fiction all over the world. So I had been dying to put that into a story of so long! :-) And for the rest, the misunderstandings and lack of communication between peoples and cultures is something that interests me, and Middle earth is a nice playground for all that, as well as for the richness of multicultural approaches, which is my daily work, so this offers a nice escape way for all that. BUt I am glad that it adds to the general entertainment as well! Regarding Thranuil´s cellars...Well, you are the one who has just read WLB... you know whether it is true or not! :-) I must confess that I am quite fond of Mallereg myself. Thank you very much again Dot, Your thorough wonderful reviews are a prseent in themselves, and also allow me to see the tales under a different light! I'll be posting weekly, and i hope that you enjoy the rest! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/21/2009 |
| What an exciting start!! I really like your launching the story from Samid's desperate pov. This Mirkwood novice's fears make circumstances even more interesting to us human readers than would seeing things from the other already savvy characters. I am dying to know what is in the bag! But at this point, I am not even going to guess. You would trick me, I am sure. ;) Still, how can it breath in that sack?! The varied tales and myths held in mind lend both an entertaining confusion and colour to events. Which have and will propel actions that are not necessarily going to be what the participants expect or find pleasant to deal with. Can't wait for things to precipitate! As always, your descriptions paint an expressive picture of people and places. As always, your humour gets me laughing out loud! :D Especially, because it is so wry. Others have included vampires or bats in a story, but only in a rather 'goth' way. You are looking at this a little more culturally/ethnically, me thinks. Personally, I like that approach better. But, I hope you explain, in the author's notes, a little more about your take on the nature of these creatures in Tolkien's Arda. "Being an old oak familiar with all kind of bug tricks..." Liked that in particular! And gosh, I like grandson Mallereg. Nice revelation of his legacy from Oropher. The dwarves are delightfully dwarvish. "...Black whatnots...And they say this is safer! Ha!" :D Ha! Wonderful beginning! More! Author Reply: Still, how can it breath in that sack?! LOLOL! Thank you very much! You are so good at picking up the details that I, detail-neglecting author always overlook! Well, let's say that the pack is not absolutely tightly air-proof so whatever is inside has enough air filtering through the cloth and the tied up folds to breathe... :-) But, I hope you explain, in the author's notes, a little more about your take on the nature of these creatures in Tolkien's Arda. Well, I had not thought of putting an A/N, but let me try. Two-faced ogres are common in many cultures, from amazon, to north american indians to european fairy tales, to desert middle east spirits. Regarding vampires, well, I am not exactly thinking of vampires or bats, but any kind of unknown creature that might live in a forest and attack people. LAter on, the people of Esgaroth and Dale will report of a craddle robbing creature. Wild cats, mad wolves, and nay other kind of strange predators have always inflamed rural imaginations, so I'm drawing from that. ALso, in north european medieval floklore there are references to many different types of wild and dangerous creatures that were hostile to men. So in a world where there are orcs and strange creatures spreading fear from Dol Guldur, and trolls, and dragons, and a Blarog hiding in Moria, I thought it was not too far fetched to draw form popular folklore and guess what people's imagiantion might create as an externalization of their fears. I hope it works. NO supernatural vampires, though, but people's imgaintino creating dark and unknown creatures out of unfamiliar or unexpected events. And cultural differences, of course, from far HArad to the northern lands! :-) And gosh, I like grandson Mallereg. So do I :-) IN What's left behind several charcters remark on his likeness to the great grandfather.. so it helps identifying the character, I suppose. Thank you very much, Redheredh. Your intelligent reviews are always welcome, and also make me think and rethink my tale! :-) | |