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The Journey Home  by Fiondil 648 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 19 on 12/30/2013
Burning the carcasses was for the best, and not only because they stink that much. Somehow I wonder if even wearing anything made from these skins would make them sick, seeing what they caused to Thurins brother. Still remember how upset I was when I did read it while you still posted the story.

Speaking of Thurin, that was certainly a bit of a setback, but Neldorion is right about it telling them more about why he is so bad off and how to help him. Wise guy. And he even got Thurin to talk about the whole thing a bit. Good.

Thurin certainly notices more than one would think at first sight, like the weather pattern, but then, if he didn't learn that sort of thing, I can't imagine how he could have survived that long on his own.

That Denethor trusted him to go and call the others was another step for Thurin, no doubt. Feeling useful and accepted will go a long way to help him.

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Thurin may be brain-damaged a bit, but he's not an idiot and he does have eyes. Neldorion is pretty wise to get him to open up a bit and Denethor is even wiser to entrust him with a task that is within his capabilities. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/24/2013
They're on a good way with Thurin, I think. It's going to take time, that's only too true, but he's getting there. The bit with the stones was rather touching, how he was giving away his 'pwetties' to the others.

I have to admit, at first I was hoping that there would be some way for them to reach Valinor without having to wait and build a ship, like Vingilot, but I guess that would be too easy. But if they actually have to wait until they can buy a ship, they really need some projects to keep them busy, in that Maglor is right. Just sitting around doing nothing would send them back to the lethargy from before their journey north.

Uh oh. Thurin must have had some very bad experiences with these beasts, that much is pretty clear. I notice that his agitation even got him to talk relatively much and clear – more than we have seen before.

Author Reply: I think a lot of people were hoping that Eärendil would show up in Vingilot and offer them a lift, but that's too easy and a cop-out. Getting there under their own power, however long it might take, is better for all concerned.

We'll learn more about Thurin and his hatred for the beasts in subsequent chapters.

Thanks for leaving a comment, Kitty. It's always appreciated.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/24/2013
Thurin is really dependant on Maglor right now, but it seems he's beginning to warm up to Glóredhel as well. And that first attempt at teaching him went rather well, despite his initial aggressive reaction. At least he stopped when they called, which I think is a good sign.

Author Reply: A very good sign. Civilizing someone isn't easy (just ask any parent), but they're making headway and Thurin is learning (or re-learning). Thanks for reading and reviewing, Kitty!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/24/2013
Being surrounded by so many people may be a bit intimidating for Thurin, but I suspect he's going to like it when he gets feed regularly, and with warm food no less.

Nice way to not only give Maglor some help, but at the same time make sure that Glóredhel does feel more useful. It sounds as if she needs a task for herself, too.

The end was rather touching. The singing apparently brought memories to the fore that got Thurin to try and speak again. It's the first step to regain what he lost, I guess. And it's good that he trusts Maglor enough to let himself be comforted by him, I think he needs that after centuries, if not millennia being alone.

Author Reply: Having Maglor sing is a treat for anyone, even if he's only singing a lullaby. Thurin is well on the road to reclaiming himself and Maglor and Glóredhel will help. Thanks for leaving a review, Kitty. I really appreciate it.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/23/2013
It's really sad to imagine what Thurin must have endured to behave more like a wild animal – for that it how it sounds in parts. One has to wonder how long he was left to himself, for I agree it had to be quite a while when he even forgets how to talk and everything. Poor guy. I am very glad they found him. And I completely agree with Maglor, it was no coincidence. The Harthadrim were meant to not only save Maglor himself, but Thurin as well.

It's good that Thurin seems to trust Maglor already, that will make things easier, even if Maglor will have to play babysitter for a while. If he'd still shy away from them as he did at first, it would make things much more problematic. And it appears as if it gives Maglor a task he looks forward to and that will help him in a way, too.

Author Reply: Very sad indeed, Kitty, but luckily he's been found and the others will do all they can to help him. Maglor probably is remembering when he took care of Elrond and Elros. He no doubt misses being a "Dad". *grin*

Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/23/2013
Mithlond would certainly give the Elves some room for exploring in more detail over the winter, but it's true that the food supply is better at the White Towers.

It has to be a bit creepy to explore these ruins when there's not only that eerie silence, but the feeling of being watched.

So they finally caught the silent watcher. Poor Elf. It's hard to imagine that he didn't even make any clothes for himself – to go naked in that climate is unimaginable to me.

Author Reply: It does feel creepy and I wouldn't want to do it, especially when it feels as if they're being watched. And we will learn more about the poor Elf. I suspect that he forgot how to make clothes after a while, as he seems to have forgotten much of everything else, including language.

Thanks for the review, Kitty. It's appreciated.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/23/2013
There's not much use in knowing how far the sea has receded right now, no. It's not as if they are going to build a ship over the winter, after all. So I think they need to concentrate on more important things.

I was really glad that Celepharn didn't laugh about Maglor's forgiveness ritual, but was understanding and even thought he should do the same. My impression is that it helped Maglor to talk about it.

Just the idea of walking through that water makes me shudder. It has to be pretty icy. While seeing Mithlond would be interesting, I could do without that part of the adventure ;)

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Celepharn is a very sympathetic character and I think you're right that it helped Maglor to talk about it with him. Seeing Mithlond would be interesting, but not in the ruined state the Elves find it. That's too sad.

Thanks for leaving a comment. It's very much appreciated.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/23/2013
Ok, after another interruption (had to re-read all 125 chapters of EA for obvious reasons ;)), let me continue here.

The difference between the towers is a bit strange, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Valar had a hand in it. The same goes for the goats. Well, it sounds as if they could use them, and particularly the western tower, for some shelter over the winter, and they will need it. Even with that state of disrepair, the towers are going to be better than being outside with no real shelter. Elves may not suffer from the cold as much as we do, but I can't imagine them surviving outside in these conditions.

Author Reply: The western-most tower is the one which housed the palantír, so some of it's power probably lingers and helped to keep the tower from being less eroded compared to the other two. And the goats are a breed that thrives in cold weather, so finding them there would not be unnatural. Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. I appreciate it very much.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/23/2013
Hi! Yep, I'm still alive and starting on another attempt to catch up with the reviewing, after only reading all of it when it was posted. Let's see how far I get this time.

These animals remind me of sabre-toothed tigers, from the description. Or maybe some sort of mutation of them, as they sound a bit too intelligent to be just that sort of animal.

Maglor may insist on Denethor being the leader, but he certainly takes over when he thinks it necessary, does he? In any case, his tactics worked rather well. I am glad the Elves got away unscathed; it didn't look too good in the beginning.

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Yes, these are a version of sabre-tooths (there were several different species), but I think they were tinkered with by Morgoth, or at least their ancestors were, hence the heightened intelligence. And Maglor is a natural born leader and just can't help it.

Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated.

AW123Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 11/23/2013
A lovely story filled with just the right amount of everything, I think you did a wonderful job!

Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed this story and I appreciate you letting me know. Thank you.

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