Riddles in the Dark by Mirach
obsidianj · 9 January 2014 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
This is a great piece. I like it that you never come out and tell the answer to the riddle outright, but reading the paragraph following each riddle, the reader can get the right answer. Even if they are riddle-challenged as I am.
walker-skye · 26 December 2013 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
Nice weaving together of canon and imagination. It gives a very plausible explanation for why Gollum would remember those particular riddles, too. Thanks for a good afternoon read!
Author's reply
Thank you very much for the review!
shirebound · 12 December 2013 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
That's very clever, and so heartbreaking. A great gap-filler about Smeagol's past.
Author's reply
Thank you very much!
Dreamflower · 12 December 2013 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
Very nicely done! I love the way you interspersed Smeagol's past with Gollum's present. Such a sad life.
Author's reply
Thank you very much!
UTfrog · 12 December 2013 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
Terrifying! Well told. Thanks
Author's reply
Thank you for the review!
Larner · 11 December 2013 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
Oh, but I like this, to see each of those riddles in the context in which he learned it and then experienced the reality of each answer! Poor Smeagol--what he gave up for a tricksy band of gold that didn't love him as much as he loved it!
Author's reply
He gave up everything, I would say - not only his entire life, but also death.
Canafinwe · 11 December 2013 · Chapter 1: Riddles in the Dark
What a wonderful story, and so heartbreaking! I love your opening line: just such a perfect tie-in with 'The Hobbit'. The choice to have each riddle lead on to a segment of his later retreat into darkness is amazing, too. Such a simple little piece, but the contrast of his ordinary homey (though not always happy) life with his miserable existence later is so very effective. The piece gripped me utterly, and made me feel pity for a character I so seldom even tolerate. Thank you for sharing this beautifully crafted portrait of mystery and loss!
Author's reply
Thank you very much! It struck me as I was rereading the Hobbit how much Gollum's riddles express his own experiences and miserable existence, in contrary to those laid by Bilbo.