Web of Treason by Linda Hoyland
harrowcat · 12 September 2006 · Chapter 26: Frosty wind made moan
Congratulations on the award Linda. It is richly deserved.
Author's reply
Thank you so much.I was thrilled to receive it. I found it dreadfully hard to write in places,especially until Aragorn was rescued. I'm pleased to see you are still following it and hope it is improved by my polishing.
Raksha The Demon · 10 September 2006 · Chapter 25: Treachery is noble when aimed at tyranny.
Now we're seeing some proper action! Excellent handling of the relationship between Faramir and Elbeth. In contest with Faramir's quick thinking and implementation of his plans; Aragorn is in a terrible state of paralysis, unable to move and mistakenly believing that Faramir has betrayed him and abandoned him to slow suffocation. Good chapter!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I feared no one had noticed this chapter. I'm pleased you enjoyed the action. This was a big challenged for me as I usually portray Aragorn as the man of action in my stories.
Radbooks · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 24: I am in blood stepp’d in so far
Poor Aragorn... to have to suffer that hurt, too, even though it makes it look like he's dead and will, hopefully, allow him to get out with Faramir. But, the fear he is going through is so heartbreaking. And, Faramir! Even to consider killing little Elbeth... yikes! That is horrible, too. Understandable in one way, but awful nonetheless. It is good that he can see the parts that are like his brother because I'm sure that that makes it easier for him to like her.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I did find it hard to write to torment our poor heroes like this ! That Faramir should even think of killing Elbeth, shows how the company he is keeping has effected him.
Radbooks · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 23: If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly
Well, I must confess that I went to ff.net and finished this story... I couldn't stand it any longer. :) But, I often re-read stories that I enjoy so I'm going to re-read it and review it and pretend I don't know what is going to happen! I've been feeling guilty... but I just had to see how it ended. :) Anyway, it's so hard on Faramir here... the guilt he feels for what he is doing. But at least he has a plan now... something believable that will keep those madmen and one madwoman away from Aragorn for awhile at least. Elbeth is so sweet in this chapter... you just want to slap those people and then you wonder what the heck Boromir ever say in her mother!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I have to say I'm flattered you couldn't wait !I'm curious now if you thought one of my characters a bit like your Will? I hope you'll find the story more polished on this site. OCs are not easy to endear to readers so I'm pleased you like Elbeth.
Julia · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 24: I am in blood stepp’d in so far
Oh my,Hanna and those lords are extra-disgusting in this chapter. If only Boromir had had either more self-control or at least more taste everybody might not have ended up in this situation. But then that would deprive us of Elbeth, who seems to take after her uncle, thank goodness. You can really see how low poor Fara has sunk in his thinking when he thinks about doing away with her, but then luckily he snaps himself out of it and decides to take her with himself and Aragorn when he makes his escape.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I decided that as Tolkien said that Boromir was less Numenorean than his father and brother,might mean he was less moral.
Raksha The Demon · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 24: I am in blood stepp’d in so far
Alright - Faramir's going into action mode, albeit with a lot of baggage on his conscience, and, hopefully soon, two important 'pieces' of physical baggage to free from the traitors' clutches. The passage where he contemplates killing his young niece because of her political significance is harrowing, and his horrified recognition of how far he has fallen to even think such a thing is the most moving part of this excellent chapter.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm very honoured you should think this chapter excellent, it was tough to write !
harrowcat · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 24: I am in blood stepp’d in so far
Just thought I would drop in and let you know that I have used the holiday to catch up with this again on this site Linda. I also went and voted for you on another site. I do enjoy your work even when I find telling you so on the other site very frustrating.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.I'm so pleased that you enjoy my work. THank you so much for voting !
Bodkin · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 24: I am in blood stepp’d in so far
I'm glad Faramir has decided to save Elbeth - she deserves a better life. And I'm very relieved that Faramir will soon have Aragorn out of there. He must be a mighty tough Dunadan to have survived so far. But this isn't good for sensitive Faramir at all. Elbeth will probably be the only one to escape from this relatively unscathed!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.You are right that none of this is good for poor Faramir.It will take him a long time to recover,if he ever does, the same applies to Aragorn. I think Elbeth has learned to be resilient.
Raksha The Demon · 24 August 2006 · Chapter 23: If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly
Praise the Valar, Faramir remembered how to use his memory and his brain! And he should know the importance of even a fool's hope in desperate times. Quite the harrowing chapter; but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel now, even if that tunnel is very long and dark. And more great moments with Elbeth, too!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. Thank Goodness, Faramir is thinking again rather than being overwhelmed by the horror of what he has done. I'm pleased you enjoyed Elbeth's part.
Julia · 24 August 2006 · Chapter 23: If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly
Oh my goodness, this chapter also needs a "tissue alert!" Poor Aragorn, I remember this as the chapter where I started to get seriously worried about him getting dehyrdrated and kept wishing someone would give the man a drink of water. But I always thought Fara's plan with the onion and sackcloth was a very clever way for him to convince the lords that the King had the fever, so they would leave him alone and give Fara's plan for rescue a chance. And Elbeth is very good in this chapter too, reminds me of why she's my favorite of all your OC's.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm glad it came across as moving.Aragorn's condition worries me too !I'm pleased you enjoyed Elbeth's part.
Raksha The Demon · 22 August 2006 · Chapter 22: You faithless, most faithful of friends!
Where are the Eagles when you need them - too bad Mithrandir has gone home to the West. Our heroes are in very bad straits right now, and Faramir is well and truly at the bottom of the abyss. Will he ever be able to climb back to the light? Not if he kills the King. Intense chapter!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I think whatever Faramir does it will take him a long time to recover from his actions. I'm pleased you found it intense.
Julia · 21 August 2006 · Chapter 22: You faithless, most faithful of friends!
Merciful Valar! I think this revised chapter must have at least 50% more angst than the original one. Aragorn's moments with Elbeth, and how he gave her that message for Arwen were heartbreaking, as was poor Fara's decision at the end. I practically had to break out the tissues while reading this one!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you found it moving.
Radbooks · 20 August 2006 · Chapter 22: You faithless, most faithful of friends!
Oh, how could you stop it right there! Cruel, cruel, cruel! :) Of course, I do recognize it from the prologue, but still... I know that Aragorn isn't going to die, but now I have to wait to see how you are going to get him and Faramir out of this. sigh. I hope it isn't too long between updates... not like with my story. :) I so like little Elbeth, she is so sweet and I now know why she is in some of your stories that are set later than this (Rising of the Moon... I think that is the name!) I always sort of wondered who she was and how she ended up living with Faramir and Eowyn.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I will try to get another chapter polished within the week. I introduce Elbeth in "Shadow and Thought" which I'm also polishing up here.I fear my stories are very interwoven as I like having my own mini universe !
Radbooks · 13 August 2006 · Chapter 21: The unkindest cut of all
Oh, my. I didn't think that Faramir would ever, ever be able to brand Aragorn. It is so devastating for both men and I don't know how they will be able to recover from it. But, I have faith in you. :)
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I think Faramir can hardly believe that he did it either !I found this chapter very hard to write.THe consequences will indeed be devastaing.
Julia · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 21: The unkindest cut of all
Oh sweet Valar, poor Aragorn and poor Fara, I wish I could give them each a big hug (and Aragorn lots of medical care) at this very moment! Heartrending chapter, and I think the combo of the two versions is better than either alone. Thanks for leaving in all the A/A too!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I found this chapter very hard to write ,especially as the new version is even darker.I'm pleased you liked the final version, heartrending though it is.
Raksha The Demon · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 21: The unkindest cut of all
Note to Dervorin - put a gag on Hanna. She really gets on the nerves. Poor Aragorn and Faramir. I'm not sure how they'll ever reconcile; that is, if they both get out of this mess alive. Hanna is quite a nice little kid. Gets it from her father. A harrowing walk on the dark side.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. It was harrowing to revisit this chapter to polish it,especially as I'm still dealing with the consequences,or rather Aragorn and Faramir are.
Radbooks · 4 August 2006 · Chapter 20: Staring into the abyss
Branding him! Don't make Faramir do that! He'll never be able to forgive himself for that. I thought it was a hopeful sign that Fontos was not there... maybe he isn't really a bad man. Maybe there could be another one on Faramir's side, even if he doesn't know it yet.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.You are right that Faramir could never forgive himself if he goes ahead and could Aragorn forgive him either?I'm pleased you noticed that Fontos was absent.I am so pleased that you are reading my more polished version here !
Raksha The Demon · 3 August 2006 · Chapter 20: Staring into the abyss
Sob, sob. Both our heroes are in the abyss now. Only Aragorn thinks he's been completely betrayed by Faramir, and Faramir's in no position to tell him otherwise. Painfully riveting chapter.
Author's reply
MAny thanks for your much appreciated review. Your comments always make the hard work of editing these chapters worthwhile ! I hadn't thought before that both are in the abyss, but you are spot on.
Raksha The Demon · 26 July 2006 · Chapter 19: My broken heart is full of heaviness
This is painful to read, but necessary to the story, and the violence and misery is not gratuitious. Yay for Elbeth, bringing food and water to the debilitated, tortured King. I do think she understands more than she's telling Aragorn. You had indicated in an earlier story that she might have been physically abused herself - that would explain her unusual self-control and quiet understanding, she would have come to believe that tears and complaints don't do anything to stop abuse. I love the bit about "Lesser the Zerper", it makes sense that Elbeth would construe the words Elessar the Usurper, which the rebels would have mentioned, in that way, especially since she probably doesn't know Sindarin (the meaning of Elessar being "Elfstone". And it's easy to see how the sight of Faramir apparently turning on him and joining his tormenters has broken Aragorn's heart.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you feel this chapter works,it was painful to write. I based Elbeth's "Lesser the Zerper" on how I used to treat unfamiliar words as a child.Poor elbeth learned all too much from life with her grandmother and mother.
Radbooks · 25 July 2006 · Chapter 19: My broken heart is full of heaviness
Oh, poor, poor, Aragorn. To have all of those horrible things done to him... that Hana woman is scary. *shudder* Elbeth is wonderful though! Very brave... maybe Eldarion will grow up and want to marry her! :) But, Aragorn's heart is broken here at the end and I don't know how much he can take!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I found these chapters almost unbearable to write.I think Elbeth has been keepinng Aragorn going but he truly has reached the end of his tether now.
Raksha The Demon · 21 July 2006 · Chapter 18: What darkness here !
Oh my, Aragorn's in big trouble here. At least in the future, he may not be so imprudent as to walk around Minas Tirith late at night alone. That is, if he has a future. Good description of how Aragorn was caught and humiliated, and the start of what has surely been a painful few weeks. Obviously the hunting lodge, and especially the wine cellar, are not going to get a five-star rating from the Middle-earth tourbook.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I think Aragorn was so used to being alone,he could hardly comprehend now he was King he could be in danger. I'm glad you felt the desciption of Aragorn's capture worked.It was painful to write. I don't think his accomodation is worth even one star !
Gandalfs apprentice · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 18: What darkness here !
Good heavens! What a way to treat the king! Faramir to the rescue!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review and welcome to the story !It is adreadful way to treat poor Aragorn.
Lady Saruman · 19 July 2006 · Chapter 12: Love all, trust a few
Waahhhhh Linda I am so sorry! My delay was absolutely ridiculous! But I hafta explain everything..... (June 15) It was graduation day...go through everything.....and finally it was over. I went home, hoping to go on the computer and go on SOA.com (where else?) But when I turned it on, it kept telling me to restart! The next day, we took it to the computer repair shop, where the worker there told us that our computer was old and so we needed to buy a new one. I was shocked. I knew my parents wouldn't buy a computer until late into the summer, and that meant that I couldn't do anything. At all. So now I'm at the library, reviewing your story. I'm so sorry! (I don't know if you exactly remember me or not...) It’s funny that Faramir would actually confide in Tarostar, whereas he can’t with his uncle. But then again Tarostar kinda “saw through him”, so I guess he has no choice. Poor Faramir. He certainly has no idea what is going to happen, and what kind of trouble he’s going to be in. -Lady Saruman P.S. I am slowly catching up on the chapters. Don't worry, you're not forgotten!
Author's reply
Welcome back, I've missed you ! I'm so sorry to hear your computer has broken down.That must be horrid for you.I hope you are able to get a new one ere too long. Mine went wrong a few weeks ago but I was lucky my friend fixed it. Faramir confided in Tarostar because he guessed the truth and unlike Imrahil, he is not involved in politics.Faramir will get into deep trouble,I fear !
Radbooks · 18 July 2006 · Chapter 17: Why this is hell
Goodness! Poor little Elbeth to be with all of those horrible, wicked people. I can't wait for her to be rescued out of those peoples' hands - she needs to be out of there just as much as Aragorn does! And, Faramir having to sit and eat with them - shudder - maybe he can be sick later. :)
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I hated writing that meal and to think an innocent child was present! I needed though to show just how depraved Aragorn's captors are. I am sure Faramir is feeling queasy.I would imagine having to kiss Fosco was the worse part so far.
Julia · 15 July 2006 · Chapter 17: Why this is hell
Hi,it's me! I loved the detail you added to this chapter, and yes, I did find Faramir convincing. If I was one of those wicked traitors, (which I could never be as I love Aragorn so much!) I would be entirely convinced by the Steward's performance, and think he was also a traitor.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm so pleased you found Faramir convincing for he would find it as hard as you would to betray Aragorn. Must fly to get ready for the BBQ !