I feel it is ominous that only the leader speaks. I hope my imagination isn't working overtime. It seems terribly ironic that biting back might be what is causing Legolas to be so ill - except he might have frozen to death if not for the fever.
However - I'm sure they're not going to escape from this web of difficulties too easily! (Where would be the fun in that?)
Author's reply
Your imagination, while interesting, is a bit off target here.
I agree that it is ironic that the thing that is making Legolas so ill is also the thing that saved him from freezing to death.
Of course, their difficulties aren't over. There would indeed be no fun in that. :o) We must have more angst!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 15
'That plan sounded so simple. He didn’t think about the fact that the chances were quite good that it was he, his brothers and his wounded friend, who would become the ones being sought.'
That one paragraph is more doom-laden than any cliff-hanger I've read! Great chapter again - Legolas's confusion is very well written, and very worrying. He's really not with it. I feel that his omission of the fact that only the howler leader spoke will be significant - perhaps the others can't, so capturing one will be useless?
Jay
Author's reply
I'm glad that paragraph had the desired effect. I'm also glad you liked the way I wrote his confusion. It is quite worrying, even to me!
I have to tell you that the fact the leader is the only one who has spoken to Legolas is not significant, at least, not in the way you may think. Good idea, though.
Angelelf
· 5 December 2004
· Chapter 14
This story is so interesting as it weaves the characters into a new storyline. I love the way Aragorn and Legolas are comfortable enough to rely on each other fully without hesitation. I can't wait for the next part.
Author's reply
Thank you. I, too, love the way Legolas and Aragorn depend on each other without hesitation. They would easily sacrifice for each other. The next chapter should be posted by the ned of the week.
Angelelf
· 30 November 2004
· Chapter 14
Wonderful story. I can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you are liking git. I will get the next chapter up as soon as possible.
sofia
· 30 November 2004
· Chapter 14
I can not imagine the pain Legolas must of been through. And the ending, I did not expect that. They should leave the mountain real soon.
-sofia
Author's reply
Me either. That must have really hurt. I'm glad you didn't expect that ending to the chapter. I try not to be too predictable. I think they will give their best effort to escape, but will they be successful? What do you think? :o)
Sindar90
· 30 November 2004
· Chapter 14
And, you're doing it again...Oh, poor,poor legolas... Where is your heart? Is it in your chest or are you just living without it? You realise that, you're very cruel? But, still really good story...=) Please, don't make this that long as your "Wrong path" was...Please!!!
You are really, really cruel human (if you even are human):
-Aragorn knew, as he was sure his brothers knew, that Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, their friend, was dying.-
Sad...I'm so gonna cry...and it's all your fault...
P.S. Greetings from my mother- she didn't care about all this - she only says that living without hard times is just like painting with only on color...
Author's reply
Welcome back. I didn't think I'd ever hear from you again. No, I promise this story won't be as long as TWP.
Yes, I have a heart, and I do believe I'm human. But I won't deny that I do have a bit of a cruel streak, so I'll take responsibility for your tears.
Greetings to your mother. She is right about the hard times. We all need color in our lives.
daw the minstrel
· 30 November 2004
· Chapter 14
The description of the treating of the wound was very well done. How hard for Aragorn as well as Legolas. The exchange about the stars at the end was nicely subtle.
Author's reply
Thank you. The wound is such a big part of the story, I didn't want to just gloss over having it taken care of. I imagine Aragorn was very upset, knowing how bad the wound was and trying so hard to fix it. I thought that part about the stars said more about Legolas's state of mind due to his dire condition than several paragraphs of narration would have.
Bodkin
· 30 November 2004
· Chapter 14
Poor Legolas - he can't die!!! But at least he is at death's door in the company of his friends this time.
Aragorn shouldn't really leave home without a fully equipped ambulance. (A back up team of surgeons might be a good idea too.) Middle Earth is a very dangerous environment! Athelas is pretty good, but it can't cure everything.
Save that elf!
Author's reply
Unfortunately, he can die. The question is: will he? Yes, he is back with his friends---finally.
I cracked up laughing when I read your idea of what Aragorn should take with him when he leaves home. I agree completely. I'm just wondering when he and Legolas are going to realize that just being together is dangerous for both of them, never mind what's out there. In this case, athelas isn't the wonder drug of Middle-earth.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 19 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Well, thank goodness for that! At least they are all together again. The twins and Aragorn can look after Legolas now, and they are warned just how bad the howlers can be.
So why do I have a bad feeling about this?
Jay
Author's reply
I just couldn't keep the guys apart any longer. Legolas definitely needs help. I think E3 are going to be surprised at what Legolas has to tell them about the howlers.
Is it possible that your bad feeling comes from the fact you've been reading this story for thirteen chapters, so you know bad things are usually just around the corner? :o)
Lindelea
· 19 November 2004
· Chapter 13
I can just see the picture you painted here:
Since it was his uninjured right side that was against Aragorn’s chest, the elf couldn’t return the embrace, however, he did grip the man’s arm with his right hand and leaned into Aragorn with an overwhelming feeling of relief and pure happiness. He stayed just like that until Aragorn was ready to release his hold.
Very exciting! Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
I'm really glad yo liked that bit. I didn't want to get too maudlin about the reunion, but I also needed it to be somewhat powerful. I thought a quiet but strong embrace, with attention to Legolas's wounded shoulder, was best.
Thank you. More soon.
Karri
· 19 November 2004
· Chapter 13
I am glad to see the boys all back together finally, even though they hardly seem out of danger. :-)
Author's reply
So am I. Your suspicion is correct. They are far from out of danger.
daw the minstrel
· 19 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Thank goodness the four of them are reunited and Legolas is out from under that rock. There's still his wound to deal with and it sounds as if the howlers are going to be around again too. How... unpleasant!
Author's reply
Whatever happens now, the four are certainly better off together. I promise that Legolas won't have to worry about being under any more fallen rocks. His wound will be a big part of what happens next. Unpleasant is a good word regarding the howlers.
Bodkin
· 19 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Well, they're back together and they know Legolas is still alive, but I don't think escape is going to be as simple as that! Although, as they now know what happened to those who disappeared on the mountain, they really don't need to stay any longer.
However, the howlers will be raring for blood and Legolas is Not At All Well. I'm looking forward to finding out what you have planned for them all!
Author's reply
Oh you are so right. Escape, if it even happens, is not going to be easy. They don't plan on staying any longer than they have to, but you know what can happen with plans.
So far the howlers don't know Legolas is alive, and the leader thinks the rest of his group are bringing A2E back. I shudder to think what they will do when the truth is known.
sofia
· 19 November 2004
· Chapter 13
yay! they are reunited again! I dont even believe the conflict with the howlers is over.
-sofia
Author's reply
Yes, they are reunited finally. You are right about the howlers. :o)
buffipie
· 17 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Okay please make sure you update soon, I wanna know what happens next!!!...I don't think I'll be able to stand the wait! ;)
KC Smith (buffipie)
Author's reply
I gather your anxiety stems from you liking the story. Thank you. I'm going to post the next chapter right after I finish writing this response. Is that fast enough? :o)
buffipie
· 17 November 2004
· Chapter 6
Hi,
I really enjoyed your previous story and so I decided to check this one out as well and after reading chapter 6 I just had to leave a review.
I don't normally review but this chapter was really really good! I love the atmosphere that you created, it was very creepy and Legolas finally coming face to face with those creatures was quite chilling!
I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this story. :)
KC Smith (buffipie)
Bodkin
· 13 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Love the rock!! Settling an inch above his nose and making the howlers think he was squashed - very clever. It also seems a good thing that the mountain seems determined to shake off some of the howlers and send them into the next life - and an even better thing that they do not reproduce. (Are any of them female? If not, they would find it hard to reproduce anyway.) Little do E2A know how lucky they were!
I hope Elrohir has spotted what I hope he has spotted! Legolas is in rather serious need of rescue now, I should think. Save that elf!
Author's reply
Thanks. I'm glad you liked the way I kept Legolas from getting squashed. He's still in a bind, of course. The howlers are neither male nor female. That's why I never refer to them in gender terms, only using the neutral it. Can you imagine having a bunch of tiny howler children with wicked little teeth running around the mountain. That's a scary thought.
I know what you think Elrohir has spotted. So you want the elf saved, do you? I'll see what I can do about that, but I'm not making any promises.
sofia
· 12 November 2004
· Chapter 12
why stop there? its getting to the good part! When i read about the howlers being killed and they have no means to grow in numbers, i cheered (inside my head). They found Legolas; they did they did! Oh boy. More soon please!
-sofia
Author's reply
Does that mean you don't think it's been good up to now? :o) I cheered, too. I'd be very happy, if they dwindled down to nothing. I'm happy you're happy at the discovery. More soon.
daw the minstrel
· 11 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Oh! Oh! Rescue is at hand. I just hope they all manage to pull it off this time.
The part about the howlers dwindling in population was interesting. I hadn't thought of that before. All I can say is thank goodness!
Author's reply
Me, too! I think it's about time they all get back together. However, their troubles aren't over, as I'm sure you've guessed by now.
When I was writing about the howlers being killed, it dawned on me that, considering how they were created, there was no way of replacing them. I'm glad you found it interesting. Thank goodness is very apt. They are not very nice beings.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 11 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Hooray! E2A have found him! Now, surely even you wouldn't be so cruel as to make Legolas play dead, so that Elrohir thinks he's crushed? Besides, he'll hear them - they have to rescue him.
Good chapter - thanks!
Jay
Author's reply
Well, I have been called cruel on more than one occasion. This time, I'll be a bit nicer. The next chapter will hopefully explain your concerns, and it won't be too long in coming.
Thank you.
Lindelea
· 11 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Very nice sense of timing! You crank up the tension with a great deal of skill, making the reader want to shout at the monitor, for all the good it would do (none).
Looking forward to more, in this story I just sort of stumbled over this morning.
Author's reply
Welcome to my little tale. Thank you so much for the compliment. Like most writers, I do a lot of reading, as well, and I've done my share of wanting to shout at the monitor. And you are right; it does no good whatsoever.
You and Estel seem to be 'stumbling' today. :o) Both of you will be rewarded, hopefully.
Bodkin
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 11
Oh no! The nasty howlers have got Legolas again. I hope that scream will bring E3 back in time to prevent any more damage. Though at the moment I'm more concerned about the effect of Very Large Rocks on elven anatomy.
Save that elf!
Author's reply
They do indeed. You know, of course, that I can't tell you if AE2 arrive in time. You'll have to wait for the next chapter. And that includes the >i>possible effects of falling rocks on elven anatomy. I love the way you said that. :o)
Author Reply: Well I managed to screw up my html code, didn't I? Let's try that again. possible
Jay of Lasgalen
· 3 November 2004
· Chapter 11
Great! I read this chapter this morning over on ff.net, but I can't review there.
Yes, E2A, get back up the mountain! As fast as you can - but look out for falling rocks. I'd say the same to Legolas, but I don't think he can hear me. Let's hope that the boulder bounces over him or something, and that all the howlers who grabbed him have been squashed. Somehow, I don't think you'll be that kind.
Jay
Author's reply
Indeed, look our for falling rocks. And no, poor Legolas can't hear any warnings at the moment. No bouncing, I'm afraid, but the 'or something' does come in to play. Unfortunately, not all the howlers get squashed. I can say no more about that, except we aren't through with them yet. As for me being kind, you'll have to read my Little Legolas stories for that. Come to think of it, even one of them is a bit angsty. Oh well.
daw the minstrel
· 3 November 2004
· Chapter 11
Lots of twists and turns here. Like Legolas, I was dismayed when the howlers grabbed him, but then their tormenting him turned out to attract the attention of Aragorn and the twins. And then there's the earthquake. I remember in The Hobbit that men blamed the dragon for the earthquakes, which tells you that they had them.
I have to say that this kind of cliffhanger doesn't worry me a whole lot, since I assume you're not going to kill Legolas. I am interested in how you get him out of there though.
Author's reply
I didn't want the cry of pain to be recognized as Legolas, since his friends truly believe he is dead. That would have been a bit far-fetched in my estimation. I had completely forgotten about the dragon and the earthquake.
You are right not to worry. There will be no elfsquash just like there was no elfcicle. The infection, however... I've already written the next chapter (which still needs a little polishing). I hope you will like how the saga of Legolas and the Falling Rock is handled.
sofia
· 3 November 2004
· Chapter 11
Do the howlers know that Elladan, Elrohir, and Aragorn are following them? What a fantastic way to end the chapter... I thank you so much for it. Don't keep us waiting for too long.
-sofia
Author's reply
I don't think the howlers would care. They believe in their own superiority. You are one of the few people who actually like the cliffie. Thank you. I will be updating before too very long.