French Pony
· 29 January 2006
· Chapter 3: The Future Foreseen
Ah, the Elvish way with all good beasts only extends so far. I suppose it doesn't help matters at all that Elladan is thisclose to panicking. That won't be calming any horses any time soon. It's good that Glorfindel was around to be the calm in-control marshal. He heard and understood what Elladan had to say, and he seems to be the one person who could make Elladan stand still to listen to reason in the middle of what is turning out to be a most unfortunate evening.
Author's reply
I like Glorfindel, even though I don't write about him much. He and Elladan will take charge of this situation together - now that he's managed to calm Elladan down. The twins have always viewed Glorfindel as a second father, so he could make Elladan see sense.
All elves are good with animals, but I decided that some of the horses were too spooked by the fire to listen even to them :(
Larner
· 29 January 2006
· Chapter 3: The Future Foreseen
Terror can cause such strange reactions.
Now, to find out what happened to Elrohir, Aradan, and the horse! Horrors@ And we can certainly understand why the Balrog Slayer would not wish to see anyone die such a death.
Author's reply
The next chapter will be from Elrohir's POV, but you'll have to wait to see what happens to him. The only promise I made was that Hithil and her foal would not be harmed.
Poor Glorfindel - this must bring back terrible memories.
daw the minstrel
· 29 January 2006
· Chapter 3: The Future Foreseen
Well, I knew that ending was coming. Good job on building the tension, Jay.
Author's reply
Yes - there were no great surprises here, so instead I tried to build up the sense of impending disaster. I'm glad the tension worked - thanks!
Faye
· 26 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
I've read quite a few of your stories now, though this is the first time I'm reviewing and I have to say I think you're one of the best fanfiction writers I've ever come across. I rather like this story, though I am a bit worried about Elrohir, somehow I don't see him coming out of this unscathed.
Author's reply
Thank you for your review - it's great when a reader comes out of 'lurkerdom' to leave a review!
I'm glad you're enjoying the stories - and thanks for the lovely comments. I *love* to hear remarks like that. If you've read other stories, you'll know by know that I rather like to inflict pain and anguish on the twins, especially Elrohir :) You're not the only one to be worried about him - so's Elladan.
Thanks again for reviewing - and please come again!
pipinheart
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
Elrohir trys to help prevent the fire from happening. Sometimes trying to prevent it mkes it happen....I hope Elrohir dosen't get hurt, but somebody gets trapped or hurt, and will Elladan watch as his brother is hurt? Can't wait to find out....
Author's reply
Sadly, there was nothing anyone could have done to stop this fire happening.
The worst thing for Elladan is that he's already seen this happen once, and now must live through it again - knowing what's going to happen ... :(
pipinheart
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Nice work... Poor Elladan... Those visions he has at times can be burdens. Never knowing what will happen and how to prevent it...
Please continue...
Author's reply
Yes, poor Elladan. Elrohir doesn't envy him these visions, though he does wish he could do something to help his brother.
Knowing that something will happen, but not what or when, is hard for them both.
Larner
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Having had some prescient dreams myself in my life, I know how the vagueness chafes.
Author's reply
That must be scary, especially when you realise you were right. It's the not knowing that bothers Elladan most.
Larner
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
And both brothers are eager to see the horses and those with them saved.
Author's reply
Of course Elladan wants the horses saved - he's just not happy that it's Elrohir who's risking his life to do it :(
Nilmandra
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
Elrohir's reaction to the fire is almost amusing in that grim humor sort of way - he gets to see his brother's vision come to life right before his eyes, right after hearing it. I get the feeling he is going to get burned (owie, owie, owie!) and I am already hoping Elrond has some great burn remedies. Poor Elrohir - now he faces the loss of the barn and the horses, and the threat to his own life.
Author's reply
The lightning strike made Elrohir's obsession with the lanterns a little pointless, didn't it?
I don't know why so many people think Elrohir's going to get hurt - it couldn't have anything to do with my enquiry about burns, could it? The only reassurance I'll give you is that I won't hurt Hithil or her foal.
Bodkin
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
I haven't killed them though!
Author's reply
Neither have I! Not this time, anyway. The other was AU.
Kitty
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
I don't envy Elladan this burden, too! As long it is something pleasant, as his very first vision of the visit of their grandparents was, it is nice, but all the others - this fire now, for example, or the spider incident in the other fic - must be very difficult to bear.
Hm ... Aradan is not very courteous, isn't he? He could be a bit nicer to the son of his Lord! Not to mention that Hithil is Elrohir's horse, if I understand correctly. The birth of her foal was nice - I had the luck to witness a birth once myself. It is a little miracle every time!
*sigh* I have *known* it, you would send poor Elrohir in the burning stable and then let me hanging again! You've an evil streak, my dear!
Author's reply
Of course, not all Elladan's visions involve death and disaster - there is just more angst and tension in them. One day, I'll focus on the pleasant visions - there are several, I think.
Aradan is rude to everyone - it's not just Elrohir. He thinks Elrohir is checking up on him and Hithil (yes, she is Elrohir's, and the foal is her first).
Bearing in mind that this is me, did you really think I *wouldn't* sent Elrohir in?
BlueEyedElf
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
I kind of like Aradan. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he seems like a good guy. At least he cares about the horses. However, I got the feeling that he and Elrohir have managed to make a connection. I think Aradan has a new respect, since Elrohir admitted that he already knew the foal's sex. "The only healer I know who troubles to look after the beasts as well." LOL. That was a great line.
I'm glad it wasn't Aradan who started the fire after all. However, now we have the fire itself to deal with. I loved how Elrohir and Aradan both seemed to simply know what must be done, and plunged into the barn at the same time.
Hope everything turns out okay. I would like to see those other grooms just try to stop Elladan from following his twin into the burning barn.
Great chapter. Can't wait for more.
Author's reply
Aradan's difficult with people, but great with the horses. He and Elrohir are going to find themselves working even more closely together soon! The cause of the fire had to be a natural cause - if it had been a dropped lantern, or someone kicking one over, the guilt would have been too great :(
I wrote a story where Elrohir first discovers his healing skills by healing a dog - since then he's always cared for animals as well as elves.
I'm glad you liked Elrohir's final order - just *how* does he expect it to be followed?
Bodkin
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
I love Elrohir's recollection of Elladan's first moment of foresight. Well - you wouldn't believe it, would you, until it had been proved a few times.
But this seems rather more dangerous. I do like the thought of Elrohir the healer using his skills on horses. And his love of horses is a constant theme with your Elrohir, isn't it? Then, for all his care with lanterns and newborn foals, a flash of lightning - and they're right in Elladan's nightmare.
I noticed that Elladan's flashes of foresight often seem to involve harm to Elrohir! If I were him, I'd react to Elladan's visions by taking to my bed - it'd be a lot safer.
Don't leave this too long - you are known for occasional flashes of cruelty towards the twins. I'm having to remind myself that they have to remain well enough to get to the Black Gate.
Author's reply
'Occasional flashes of cruelty towards the twins'? It wan't me who knocked Elrohir down a waterfall so he nearly drowned, or who had Elladan take such a bad fall with his horse that he shattered his leg.
My Elrohir (what a lovely term!) is both a horse lover and a healer - I think he's the nearest thing M-E has to a vet. It's not the first time he's used his skills on animals, after all.
I don't blame Elrohir for not believing his brother that first time - but he's always felt guilty about it. He knows the visions tend to involve him, but bearing in mind the vagueness of *when* things may occur, he'd be in bed for a long time!
perelleth
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
Oh yes! a dry storm. Honestly, poor Elladan, coping with those visions is not always so happy an experience as the first time!
The foaling was very sweet, and I laughed when Elrohir discovered that he had forgotten why he had gone to the stables on first place... No wonder, with such interruption! Now let´s see what happens with the poor mother and the fire... I bet she'll be terrified for her foal inside the stall!
Author's reply
Elladan sometimes sees happy events, and sometimes bad ones. There's a reason for this one, though - Elrohir might learn from it.
There will be a lot of terrified horses unfortunately, which is why Elrohir and Aradan have to rescue them ...
Lianna
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
Good chapter, but must you always deal with such scary stuff-of-nightmares scenarios? I think the only thing worse than going inside a burning building would be to be trapped underwater -- as Legolas was in one of your other stories!
Author's reply
Sorry. Yes, it can be a bit nightmarish, can't it? I feel rather sorry for my characters!
I can't imagine which would be worse - the burning building, or being trapped underwater:(
daw the minstrel
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
Good chapter, Jay. The scene of the foal being born was sweet, but you never lose the tense feeling that something is about to happen.
Author's reply
The foaling was really only a plot device - a reason to keep Elrohir down at the stables, and to fulfill Elladan's prophecy of seeing him.
Elrohir was so caught up in the event he nearly forgot why he'd gone down there in the first place!
French Pony
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Past And Present
Aradan must have a bigger dose than usual of the Elvish way with all good beasts for Hithil to let him stick around while she foals and let him bring a friend along, too. It sounds a little as though this might be her first foal, but she handled it like a pro. Although it looks as though that little colt is going to have plenty of eye-opening experiences in its first hour of life.
I love how the bond between Elladan and Elrohir is so strong that Elrohir pauses to give orders that Elladan be kept away right before he rushes into a burning building. No matter what happens, his brother always comes first.
Author's reply
The website where I read about foaling said to leave the mare well alone - but these are elves, and I needed a reason for Elrohir to remain in the stable! The colt's eventual name will reflect his early experiences.
Elrohir's final order is partly his concern for Elladan, and partly him knowing precisely what his twin will do - there's no need for foresight there. How successful do you think that order will be?
daw the minstrel
· 10 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
I can't imagine what it would be like to have the gift of foresight but have it be so vague that it was usually useless. I like the way you've followed up on this from other stories. So I'm assuming the stable master is going to be a sticking point. And lightning starts the fire?
Author's reply
Most of the time Elladan knows that *something* will happen - but he can never be sure what, or when. The visions he had of Elrohir during The Search only made sense after the event, and in Along Came A Spider he didn't foresee that Elrohir would be affected at all. Sometimes, though, he gets it right ...
You're right, Aradan won't take kindly to Elrohir's suggestions about the lanterns. But perhaps it will be irrelevant?
French Pony
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Elladan's sudden fits of visions sounds like it must be the (more useful) Elf version of epilepsy. Only he has dreams instead of seizures. And he has the horrible problem of fortunetellers -- getting just little dribs and drabs of events, not anything specific. Just enough to scare him. . . and, fortunately, put him on guard.
Author's reply
Poor Elladan. Yes, these visions come on him without warning, and there's little he can do about them.
Fortunately, he's been right enough times to know that there's truth in what he sees, even if he doesn't know all the details. Let's hope that Elrohir is on his guard as well.
Nilmandra
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Nice use of the visions and the lack of information that they convey - a scene, but no sense of timing and no way of knowing if it would happen at all. Why do I think that Elrohir might be the one in danger?
Author's reply
Why do I think that Elrohir might be the one in danger? Why? Because this is me, probably! Where would my stories be without plenty of twin angst?
Let's just hope that he listened to Elladan's warnings. He trusts his brother, even if he doesn't share or understand the visions.
Silvertree
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Wow, Lasgalen! This is turning out pretty good! When's the next chapter?
Author's reply
Thank you! The next chapter will be along as soon as I get chance to write it - at the moment it exists only in my mind. Soon, I promise.
Jay
Dot
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
You and your cliffhangers!! Very frustrating :-)
Great opening. Your descriptions of the fire pulled me in as much as it did Elladan. I’m always fascinated by his visions, especially because you do such a good job combining their feeling of reality with a vagueness that must be so maddening for Elladan. And it’s particularly trying for him when it’s something like this, that so clearly involves danger and terror and yet what can he do? I love the idea that Elrohir knows when Elladan has these experiences, even if they are a mere instant and the way his teasing turns to patience and resignation when he realises that Elladan is experiencing a vision now. It must be hard for him too, to try to reassure his twin when they both know how unreliable these visions are.
So a blazing fire and trapped horses and at least one trapped elf? Eek. Not good. So who’s the elf? Are you going to hurt Elrohir again?! And just how close is Elladan that the horses brush past him? Is he actually the one in there? Hmm. And where does this Aradan fit in? Alright, I know you’re not going to tell me anything… But a sense of urgency and a missing twin who was last seen going to the stables is making me feel very uneasy! At least, I presume that’s where he was going to find Aradan, although maybe not if it’s late. Unless the horse has foaled early.
You really do suspense very well. A little too well!
Author's reply
I've often mentioned Elladan's visions, but have rarely concentrated on them as the focus of a story. He knows that what he sees probably will come to pass one day - but he doesn't know when or how. As you say, it's maddening for them both. In a way, it's even worse for Elrohir. All he can do is listen, and offer support and reassurance, and try to keep away from the stables. Oh, wait ... strike that last part.
A sense of urgency and a missing twin who was last seen going to the stables is making me feel very uneasy Yes - and Elladan agrees with you!
Mystwing
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Wow! I'm in such suspense right now! I hope the twins are okay. Of course, a little angst doesn't hurt either. I don't think I would want that abilitly even if I could get all the details. It would be a hard responsibility to deal with, and even more frustrating when you don't get all the info. Nice cliffhanger too.
Author's reply
Ahh - I'd forgotten what it's like to write a cliffhanger. It's been a long time.
Will the twins be OK? You mean both of them? Well, you'll have to wait and see about that. There'll be angst, you can guarantee it!
This is an ability Elladan wishes he really didn't have. He keeps feeling responsible for what happens - even though it's not his fault :(
Bodkin
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
Oh dear.
So many possibilities. And all of them, I suspect, bad.
This vision malarkey - and all the magic mirror / foresight stuff - it's of very questionable use. If they are true visions, you would come to rely on them and, perhaps, not trust your other senses which could lead to danger. If, as often happens, merely having the vision can change the event, so that the vision never happens, then would you ever trust what you saw? And they seem to be very uncomfortable, too.
But fire. And horses. And trapped elves. I don't like the sound of that!
More soon, please.
Author's reply
Poor Elladan sees things that may/may not happen. It's like The Road Not Taken. If he changes the course he would have taken, who is to know what might have happened?
I think Galadriel's mirror is simply a device she uses to allow others to share the visions she can see.
But fire. And horses. And trapped elves. I don't like the sound of that!
No. You're right - that's not good :( You'll have to wait to see what happens next :(
perelleth
· 9 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Dreams Of Fire
UH! And now?
Visions are so dangerous, and even more when there are two of them so he can not be sure which of them is out there! My! I sincerely hope that he was not seeing his brother outside the barn while himself -fool of a brave twin- was inside searching for survivors? When will Elladan learn that visions are better left for Galadriel? :-) Nice cliffhanger!
Author's reply
Poor Elladan! It's not his fault that he sees things - the visions are, after all, something he's inherited from Galadriel. So is it himself or Elrohir he sees? Well, even Elladan finds it difficult to tell the difference at times (see my story 'The Search', especially chapter fourteen!)
As I've said before, I'd forgotten how much fun a cliffhanger can be!
Jay