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| Dol Guldur by Arnakhor | 27 Review(s) |
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| Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/16/2018 | |
| Now, what could that diversion be, I wonder? And doesn't Gorthaur have another ace in his sleeve? Great chapter, as always... Author Reply: Gorthaur thinks he has an ace up his sleeve, the same one he used against Eradan and his failed mission. But he may be in for a surprise. He does have other creatures that he will draw on that may be an ace for later on in the finale. Also, he is not as powerful at this time as he will be 1000 years later during Aragorn's time. That too will play into just how stretched he can be against an assault. Now we go to another chapter, as our band of 'traders' makes entry into Mirkwood and encounter some unpleasantness. Author Reply: As to the diversion. It will not sit well with all members of the team, but in the end will be crucial, even though it won't go as planned. | |
| mystarlight | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/16/2018 |
| Great chapter again. Thank you Author Reply: And thanks again for reading and commenting. It means a lot to get feedback. | |
| mystarlight | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/16/2018 |
| I love the progress of darkness through the Mirkwood. Author Reply: You will see more of the darkness in later chapters. | |
| mystarlight | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/16/2018 |
| I really enjoy f the plot and characters of this story. Thank you Author Reply: Thank you very much for reading it. I think you'll enjoy the various twists and turns and the roles each play in the final showdown. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/13/2018 | |
| This is the stuff of nightmares - very entertaining! Holding my breath until the next chapter! Author Reply: Nightmarish indeed. To return to the outside world I wanted Eradan to face something deadly that would make your skin crawl at the thought. Beetles came to mind. His fate? To be revealed. Our pieces begin to assemble. The vast flocks of birds have left Rhosgobel, heading south for their part. Mardil advances across the Brown Lands towards the southern edge of Mirkwood. Gandalf and his party make their way west of the Anduin, to eventually enter Mirkwood’s west side at a point of his choosing. Sauron watches Mardil like a spider anticipating dinner with a fly almost in his web. Stay tuned. Much to come. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/12/2018 | |
| I am sure I am repeating myself: I really like the way you take your time to describe everything in detail. Now bracing myself for lots of gore! Author Reply: Once all the pieces converge at Dol Guldur the battle will be on. But next a desperate effort by one man. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/11/2018 | |
| I can barely keep up with your posting. Wow, now I know a lot more about birds. I like the way you portray Mardil. Really curious about how all the pieces will fall into place. I always thought that the idea of Mithrandir or even the White Council driving out Gorthaur single-handedly was ludicrous. Author Reply: I did a lot of research on the birds. The names of the captains even come from their Latin name. Sturnidae are starlings…captain became Sturnus. Swifts, Apodidae…captain becomes Apodidie. And so forth. The elaborate maneuver they did for Radagast is part of the plan to deal with Sauron and his allies at Dol Guldur. When Earnur disappeared, Mardil, as Steward, activated his role to mind the store should the king return. That was 10 years ago. Now he’s got to hold Gondor together, dealing with internal politics, external threats. A full time role he probably didn’t envision, like Truman becoming President after Roosevelt died. But Mardil rises to the occasion, trying to balance the risks, rewards, using craft and strength. In the genealogies, he’s little more than a name. Here, I tried to use the external events of the time, past and present, a and dash of the usual politics of sudden leadership to envision the type of man who would be needed to succeed. And I created this Mardil to fill those boots. Really enjoyed have the chance to do it. The next chapter will be lighter in some ways. Some interesting encounters on the way to Mirkwood. But after that, things get more compelling. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/9/2018 | |
| Yes, the giants are 100 % canon - and so are mighty cats (Tevildo and his offspring...). The Hobbit, and to a lesser extent The Lord of the Rings, has kept some vestiges of these curious components. It reminds us how many layers of mythology there are to Tolkien's writings. Author Reply: How many layers indeed. What he created is simply astonishing in its depth and breath. For me, this book was in homage to what he had given me to read and enjoy many times. Also a chance in my own little way, to try to bring to life more of the worlds and ages he had created. The next chapter will begin the mobilization to implement Gandalf's plan. I'm curious as to whether you will see what part Radagast's allies will play. I drop clues so it may be fairly obvious. Thanks again for continuing to read and provide comments. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/9/2018 | |
| Great interpretation of Dúnedain family dynamics! The cats are hilarious, although I have always regarded the snow giants as slightly out of place... And I also liked Haldir's being surprised! Author Reply: Glad you liked it. The youngest brother, Ardugan, sadly left out of the Rendezvous meetings that his brothers had with King Arvedui, also too young to fight the Witch King. Becomes a loner, an outsider, trying to show he's just as good as his older brothers, with his arcane hunting skills and crafts. They accept him, but Ardugan has a complex about never measuring up. This will factor in mightily at a critical moment. Full disclosure. The cats were included at the request of my brother. He and his wife had two cats. The names in my book, their coloration, and some of their behavior is modeled after his cats. We'll see them again in two key scenes. The Stone Giants were mentioned in The Hobbit. I decided to bring them in for a cameo role and give them a purpose, tamping down the snow, and a way to include the cats productively. Next comes a meeting of the parties in Rivendell. After that, resources are mobilized in the following chapter where Radagast's allies are introduced. Author Reply: The next chapter will post soon. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/8/2018 | |
| I really, really like this chapter. Real Tolkien-names! Just kidding: Immersion comes readily the way you write. With each minute detail - and also with the reassuring length of the chapter. Looking forward to the next one! Author Reply: We aim to please with the names. The next chapter will be up very soon. | |