An update! Hooray!!
I am sorry that real life is continuing to be hard for you and your family. I admire your determination to continue despite everything else that is demanding so much of your time and energy.
Now for the chapter. This is an exciting, action-packed ride with a heart -- as they fight together, Aragorn and Legolas are both suffering from their personal weaknesses, but drawing strength from each other. I think that's the best portrayal of their friendship anyone could ask for.
And I love, love, love seeing Legolas the strategist here, planning how to ambush the Orcs, ordering the troops such as they are, organizing the men. Of course he's fighting against their prejudice too -- and you make his blindness serve perfectly here, possibly saving his life and Aragorn's -- and the town's as well, since otherwise the men might well have attacked their best defender.
And yes, the archery practice paid off at last, as I knew it would. Fantastic! It's a bit unusual that Legolas and Aragorn missed the clean-up at the end of the fight -- rare in fanfic to see our favorite heroes sitting out the action. But it is more realistic this way, given their injuries, and of course it allows them to have the confrontation with the sorcerer.
Oh, THAT is a chilling scene. The aura of menace that you describe as he approaches is so intense, my first thought was of a Ringwraith, but of course I knew it was Malcovan. Perhaps there will be more fighting with the Orcs to come, but the real confrontation is coming with Malcovan. Only that will save the city, and that will be between Legolas and Malcovan and Aragorn. I can hardly wait!
Pity about poor Koryon. He was very brave indeed, if a bit foolish. Perhaps that's a necessary component of bravery.
This is another well-written, thrilling, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable chapter, well worth the wait. Bravo!
Author's reply
Lamiel! Hey, how are you? Boy, do I owe you some reviews. The latest chapters of yours have been amazing. Never fear, I have been reading. Your Thranduil knocked me out of my chair. You Legolas is breaking my heart.
I'm so glad you liked the battle. I did want Aragorn and Legolas' contributions to be believable, and yes, the confrontation with Malcovan needed to be somewhat private. Delighted that I conveyed the creepiness factor effectively.
Delighted too that you are pleased with Legolas taking on a leadership role, despite his blindness. He is still Legolas, after all!
Yes, Koryon was a bit foolish. I based his actions on those of a hero from one of my favorite childhood books by Lloyd Alexander. This young man, Prince Rhun, was a bit feckless, sort of dumb, but he matured and turned the tide of battle in his final unplanned moment of courage and sacrifice. Unexpected, from him, and all the more heartbreaking for it.
I should be updating next week, at last. And I must review your chapters! Meanwhile, have a great Thanksgiving! Feast well!
Oh yeah, just who was that red-haired girl shooting at the orcs? Lucky girl, she's going to marry Alun. He's pretty darned hot, you know.
Mandy
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 46: Koryon
That was great! Worth the wait.
But on a different note, I'm sorry to hear about your declining relative. As you know, there can be no happy ending. My mother died of "dementia, Alzheimer's type" a few years ago, after some 8 yrs of illness. By the time she passed away we only wanted it to be over, but as her daughter, I now find myself in need of more medical information. I wish I'd pushed for the autopsy that would have definitively established her cause of death. Dementia is a generic term for several diseases with many causes. I know when this finally passes, you and your family will want to put it behind you, but you'll find out later that the descendents of your relative will need all the medical information available. If your doctor doesn't already know the cause of your relative's dementia, I think you should consider getting an autopsy when the time comes. I hope you don't think me intrusive or insensitive; I just want you to learn from my own experience. I'll be seeing a neurologist next week to discuss some mild memory lapses I've had lately; I wish I had more to tell him about Mom's condition.
Mandy
Author's reply
Hi Mandy. My next chapter should be coming soon.
Thanks for the advice. The definitive diagnosis is Parkinson's, with accompanying dementia. The cause for PD dementia is unknown. This relative is an in-law of mine, so my husband's family will have to make the decision.
I do hope all went well with your neurologist. Best of luck to you.
Naledi
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 46: Koryon
It's so good to see Legolas as the strong warrior he really is after such a long struggle to adjust himself to his blindness. Legolas' actions in this chapter show that he is essentially the same person he always has been, whether or not he is blind.
I loved the way that just when all the action seemed to be over, Malcovan came on the scene. He's so evil, he makes my skin crawl! I'm itching for him to meet a sticky end :)
If there is more fighting that Legolas is involved in I'd be interested to read it from Legolas' perspective. No matter how calm and collected he would appear to others, he must feel churned up inside and disoriented. To have a battle described in terms of sound, smell and feel rather than sight would be a real insight into Legolas' world.
I'm looking forward to reading more, but I know real life has to come first. Take all the time you need...
Author's reply
Yes, the elf is still a warrior and prince. His leadership skills are unaffected.
Legolas' POV will be coming in the final showdown. Lord help me, that will be a tough one to write!
Meanwhile, Aragorn's POV will be coming again, in the next chapter. Hope to update next week. See you then.
Mandy
· 17 June 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Is this story dead? It seems to update less and less as the months (years?) go by and I'd like to read the whole story. I'm thinking I'm unlikely to get the chance.
Author's reply
This story is not dead. And you are right - it is being updated less frequently.
I am dealing with ill family members. Things are the way they are. Enough said.
I'm loving this story! But I'm dying for an update! Please please please! I wanna see how Legolas and Aragorn are going to get through an orc attack, and whether they'll be able to rescue the kid and defeat the evil tyrant...
It's all so exciting!
Naledi
· 11 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Wow! I've only just discovered this story and have devoured it in a few days. Of all the Legolas / Aragorn friendship fanfics I've read, in my opinion this is the best of the lot. I'm now desperately awaiting the next update!
I don't usually cry when reading emotional stuff (British stiff upper lip!)but I've blubbered shamelessly through most of this and I think you've got the balance just right between the heart-rending emotion and the lighter moments. I'm also very impressed with your use of language - as I'm English, I find obvious American phrases very jarring in a LOTR fic, but nothing's jumped out at me at all, which is quite an achievement in a 45 chapter epic!
Oh, did you have to leave us there?
I do hope the people begin to listen to our two friends. Some people are just so stubborn.
Orcs...they're in for trouble. MUCH trouble.
Wonderful chapter, Nightwing.
Linda Hoyland
· 22 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
A very exciting chapter.Our heroes are certainly in a tight corner now !
Elenora
· 18 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Yes, a whistle, but not just any whistle. A whistle so overwhelmingly loud, piercing, and longgggggggggggggggg, that the elf cannot help but be noticed, as if his glow and beautiful blond hair were not enough!! Yes, that seemed altogether fitting at that point, and definitely made for a really rousing mental picture!! Wonderful!
I was thrilled to see this update - and very thrilled to hear that you'd gotten your laptop. Now if the muse will just stay in residence, I think we should be in a very good way to seeing some really great action very soon. Your story has been slowly but inexorably building in tension - it's beginning to feel like just before one of those summer thunderstorm, when the air is heavy with humidity, the clouds are dark, the air is still, but the rain doesn't come, and you feel this growing tension, wishing it would JUST RAIN, DARN IT!!! You know it's coming, but the wait is killing you! Things are building in this story, we know there's got to be some major head-on confrontations for Legolas, and the tension is getting as thick as that summer pre-thunderstorm humidity! I think when this breaks, it's going to be a downpour, LOL!
Thanks so much for sticking with this story and giving us such a quality read. I'm loving every work of it.
Bev
· 15 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
YES! I'm so happy to see a new chapter up, Nightwing.
Well, the Orcs are coming and all the folks are concerned with is that the Elf is out of prison...*tisk, tisk*. I'm thinking, that once he has positioned some archers on the roofs and has taken down a couple dozen orcs single handed, they just might change their minds...hummm? I,too,loved the whistle Legolas gave to get their attention. It's a gift I very much admire...ha. Okay, now the fight begins...hope they can win the people over to their side.
Nightwing...so happy to hear you have received your laptop...I guess I can now put Aragorns' stinky, wet sock away.
I await the next instalment of this wonderful story. Please make it soon...
Peace
Bev
Author's reply
Hi Bev! It is always a pleasure to receive a review from you. It is sometimes amazing how thick people can be, isn't it! Let's hope that the elf helping them to battle the orcs will help them to realize what they ought to be paying attention to.
sofia
· 14 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
things just keep getting intense!...
Author's reply
Sometimes I can't wait until they can just sit down and chill!
Muinthel
· 13 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
well well!
it is great to see that you are still on this story. I like that chapter...hopefully the next one comes soon and is longer!
get my ranger fighting ...so he can finally come and rescue me from this insane chaos over here!
everythings ok on this side of the world and my boys are being great! but I find very little time for myself!
the LotR exhibition is in germany these days (near Berlin).....guess who is going! I'm totally excited!!
Muinthel
Author's reply
Hello! I am happy that you can still find time to do some fanfic reading. It must not be easy these days.
I do not know if Aragorn is brave enough to handle an army of little boys! That is scarier than an army of Mordor orcs!
Oh, I hope you enjoy the exhibition! That should be a lot of fun!
French Pony
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
One thing I have always wished I could do is whistle on two fingers. I am so jealous of Legolas for being able to do that.
I'm not at all jealous of him trying to run blind through a raging battle, though. He must be absolutely terrified, and it's a good thing that he has Aragorn at his side to keep him oriented. With a little luck, Our Heroes might just win this one, but it'll take some luck. That, and the people realizing that orcs can be killed after all. Watching Legolas bring one down might do wonders for their self-confidence.
Author's reply
Hi FP! I'm jealous of him too. My husband can really rip off some amazing whistles. When I try, I just end up slobbering all over myself.
As for bringing down an orc, Legolas might just do that.
Socket
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Oh, it's always get to get an e-mail that you have updated this story! Thank you for sticking with this exciting tale, despite all distractions. Now that you have the laptop, I hope you can update soon, with or without your gallant beta. And I loved the idea of a whistling elf!
Author's reply
I found my beta. She had vanished behind a new email address that was not letting me through, but she saw my cry for help and contacted me. We should be all set now.
Thanks for sticking with me too!
Agape4Gondor
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Glad to have you back - and your computer - another great chapter. The fear must be numbing to these poor simple people....
Just going to sit here and wait - - - - -
Author's reply
Oh, don't sit there! Go get a drink or something! :)
Lamiel
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Hooray! Oh, it is such a delight to see this story updated again. The confusion and near panic of the battle come through very clearly here - I think that Legolas' blindness actually helps with that. I always find it difficult to show battle scenes happening as quickly as I would like in stories, because it takes time just to describe everything and that slows it down. Not so here. Aragorn's explanations give us the groundwork for what is happening, while Legolas' perceptions bring us into the heat of the moment. It works very well.
I particularly like your description of Legolas' reaction to the Orcs. This instinctive hatred is on a very deep level, I think, something like racial memory. I thought that your portrayal is very much in keeping with Tolkien's descriptions of the Elves in combat.
And Elves can whistle! Ha! I didn't expect that at all -- I thought perhaps Legolas was going to glow or something to get people's attention. This is much better. Hee!
He took a risk, but thankfully the crowd is a bit too worried about the Orcs for mob mentality to set in just now. Oh, what a brave and noble Elf Legolas is. He's willing to put himself in danger to save a town of people he doesn't know, even people who have abused him so badly. You can have your Bruce Lee if you like -- and I'm not denegrating him for a second, he's as beautiful and athletic a man as anyone could wish for -- but Legolas will always be the hero par excellence for me. Especially when he is written with the care and skill that you bring to your work.
Author's reply
Hey girl! You know something, I have come to enjoy writing from Legolas' POV. It is still difficult, but I like it more now than I used to. Now I'm debating for the next chapter what POV to be in.
As you know, I have been enjoying Bruce Lee lately. I've been watching his fight scenes, but I have no idea how to capture such moves and beautiful imagery into words. But that is not a concern when in the elf's POV. I've been listening to Lee's words on fighting as well, in interviews. They provide an interesting perspective.
I'm pleased that you liked Legolas' reaction to the arrival of the orcs (though I was irritated to see the stupid typos in that and other sections. Corrected now. Grrr...). Just so - I was looking at what Tolkien had written in The Hobbit of the hatred the Elves had for the Orcs. Racial memory - I think that is it exactly!
Legolas did take a risk. I wanted to show him, despite his blindness, taking on a leadership role here. He is fully capable of doing so, and really must step in since Aragorn hasn't got much of a voice.
I still owe you a review. But I am waiting for when I am alone and can take the time to leave a proper one. Soon...
Jay of Lasgalen
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Hmm ... that last comment of Alun's has me worried. 'I will protect you as long as I can.' Yes - but how long will that be? Hopefully the people will unite against the orcs, but if they decide there is another enemy in their midst (and I wouldn't put it past Malcovan et al to set agitators among them) the crown could turn on Legolas, Aragorn and Alun.
Great chapter!
Jay
Author's reply
Hi Jay! Yes, the baddies are still on the loose and probably up to no good. I'v been fiddling about with which POV to be in, elf or ranger, for the fight scene next chapter. Sometimes that is a surprisingly diffcult decision!
Alison H
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Ah, Nightwing, welcome back! I'm glad you have your new, shiney lap-top at last :D
The tension was really high in this chapter and it was exciting to see Aragorn, Legolas & Koryon watching the Orcs draw even closer to them.Poor Korim, I hope he and his brother reach the safety of their fearless Grandmother.
Alun made a welcome return to the fray and now the friends can set about seeing off the Orcs and restoring some semblance of order to the town, though it will be very difficult with enemies of a different nature still to subdue: Ramhar and Malcovan.
I had to smile at Legolas' whistle and Aragorn's remeberance of its' effects.He certainly got the crowd's attention by jumping onto the wall..and scaring Aragorn yet again!
Aragorn's cough is very worrying, especially with added shortness of breath.He and Legolas are really in no condition to fight Orcs and they really need to take care.
Thanks for updating this brilliant story, Nightwing.Your fans are still here, believe me! I can't wait for the next update.Take care.
Ali.
Author's reply
Hello Ali! Thanks for sticking with me, despite the awful gaps between updates. I do think the laptop will help.
I have my sights set on Monday morning for a good writing session. My daughter is off school, and I'm taking the day off work to stay with her. She will sleep in, so if I can just drag my fanny out of bed as if I was going to work but plunk myself down in front of the computer instead...
Hi, Nightwing
An update! Wow! And the suspense doesn't flag.
Author's reply
I'm glad to hear it! It is difficult to keep my momentum going when I have so little time to write. I'm pleased that I still managed to put out something exciting.
Tension is rising! I love this story and was thrilled to see another chapter up. I cracked up laughing when Legolas often over looked talent was reveled. Ah yes, the good ol' whistle. I'm sure Legolas has had a one or two directed at him before, haha. I can't wait until the next chapter!
Author's reply
(snort) Yes, the elf would garner a few wolf-whistles, wouldn't he?
daw the minstrel
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 45: Standing Tall
Legolas certainly got the crowd's attention. Looks like things are coming to a crisis. I look forward to seeing how you work it all out, Nightwing.
Author's reply
Hi Daw! I am happy to see you. I've got some battle-scene working out to do, no doubt about that. I hope, with the laptop, to be able to devote some time to getting another chapter completed before the next millenium.
anj1290
· 16 January 2007
· Chapter 44: A Brief Quiet
I've read all of this story in the past few days, and I'm beyond words. I've alternately laughed, cried, and yelled at my computer screen (sadly enough, I'm not exaggerating). Aragorn and Legolas are my two favorite characters in the series, and this beautiful bond you've painted between them is a joy to read about. I've gone searching for other Aragorn/Legolas friendship stories and haven't found any that come remotely close to this. And forgive me if I'm bringing up the obvious/saying something that's already been said, but this story puts a whole new cast on the blindfolding of the Fellowship in Lothlorien as well as the journey through Moria. Thanks so much for this story, more than I can say, and I can't wait for the next chapter.
Author's reply
Hello! Sorry for taking so long to repond to your review. I am glad you are enjoying the story.
No, I think you are actually the first to see a link between Legolas' blindness and the blindfolding in Lothlorien, and the darkness of Moria. Perhaps it will help him to be better prepared.
The next chapter is in the works. About half-way done. Real life has been throwing up all the roadblocks it can think of lately, but I'll get another chapter out soon, I hope!
Tari
· 4 December 2006
· Chapter 44: A Brief Quiet
I am now up to date. I have to tell you, you are a master story teller and a great suspense writer. I will hang in, waiting patiently for the next chapter. I know what a busy wife and mom you are. How you find the time to write such a detailed story is beyond my understanding. I certaily could learn a lot from you.
Thanks,
Tari
Author's reply
It's beyond my understanding too!
Glad you made it though. Now you'll wait a dreadfully long time for the next update, I fear. It's the holiday season, my work partner is abandoning me in two more weeks, and I have family issues. Dear dear, the Gods are conspiring against me whenever I try to carve out some writing time.
But you kept plugging away, and I will too. See you next update, whenever that is!
Tari
· 28 November 2006
· Chapter 39: Hope Fades
I had to reply to your opening comments. I have an idea of just what you are going thru. My niece, who is like a daughter to me, was diagnosed with OCD when she was 13. It's a horrible thing for anyone to have to go thru. She's much better now. I hope your daughter is too.
Author's reply
She is doing much better, thank you. I worry about what changes adolescence might bring, but try not to focus on that too much, since the future cannot be predicted. We have a good team of specialists, so we can get help for her quickly when she needs it.
Tari
· 28 November 2006
· Chapter 38: The Pawn
This chapter was very difficult for me to read. I wanted to reply yesterday after I finished it, but decided to wait till today. Nothing has changed. I still want to pound Ramhar and Malcovan to a pulp, tar and feather them and then boil them in oil for what they are doing to Legolas. Nevertheless, this is another excellent chapter. I hope Tarnan finds out what they're up to soon.
I decided to read one chapter per day. I know your busy life and all that you put into you story makes it difficult to post another installment at any regular inverval, however, it's well worth the wait.
Thank you.