Reviews (26)

Sage · 10 February 2025 · Chapter 0: Author's Note

I'm pleased to see that you have been able to restore Dol Guldor and that you have yet a third story in the works. I always look forward to your writing.

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 24: Epilogue

Really nice story - I very much enjoyed all the detail and research and imagination that went into it. I look forward to the next story. Thx so much for writing!

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 22: Aftermath

Ah, Radagast … I don’t think she would have wanted that. Glad to see friendships and alliances being formed, even if the cost was so painful. They will all need all the allies they can get!

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 21: The Price of Victory

Well, that was tense! And sad again. So much going on, great battle scenes!

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 20: The Battle in the Sky

Wonderful chapter - the bird battle was so well written. A sad ending, but the swifts were very brave. <3 We shall see how Gandalf and company do on their end…

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 19: Diversion and Decision

I’m sad Eredan had to kill his friend. :-( Seems like things are about to get going …

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 18: The Gates of the Necromancer

Ooo … that stairway is really cool. :-) Well, it seems they did need Drianna’s help there. I’m wondering if they should have listened more to Arahael. Too late now I suppose…

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 17: The Path to Dol Guldur

Well, I was wrong - there she goes. I suppose if she’s needed for some reason then all is as it should be … but she really needs to knock that chip off of her shoulder. *Someone* must risk the most, and this time it’s Gondor. Next time it may be someone else (or it may not - Gondor’s always right in the thick of things…) Seems like the pieces are in place - things are about to get tense!

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 16: A Plague of Spiders

Well yikes - what a revolting development! So gross. It’s sad about the two cavalrymen that died, but they are more sure of Eradan now and Drianna—who I have been thinking really needed to chill—has shown quality by not insisting she ago along or making it hard for the others. Hopefully the rest of their plan goes more smoothly! Though I’m not holding my breath…

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 15: Eradan Returns

Hmm… well, it seems that the escape was not planned, yet Haldir is right - it is curiously timed. It also seems that Sauron does actually believe them to be traders. I guess we shall see if things go as planned or if Sauron is actually more clued in than it seems…

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 14: Escape

Hmm … either they let him go and are just playing with him, or the bobcats caught up with him and are taking out the enemy. Either way, what a horrible place from which to escape…

PSW · 9 February 2025 · Chapter 13: Vales of the Anduin

Interesting encounters, both the one with Isildur (!) and that with Hagar’s kin. And Ardugan out there doing his own thing… I feel like there was almost no point in them trying to dress us as traders, but we shall see what it gets them!

PSW · 4 February 2025 · Chapter 12: Messages and Missions

He was unimpressed with Gandalf? Hmmm …. Loved all the bird descriptions! I had to look up swifts, and read about how they spend most of their life flying - really cool. Was interesting to see the pieces of the plan start to click into place. We shall see if it actually works…

PSW · 2 February 2025 · Chapter 10: To Rivendell

I wonder if perhaps Drianna and Ardugan will get along. Either way, she need to slow down and think a bit or she will end up in the same situation as her brother… Very interesting discussion of the fostering in Rivendell - I have often wondered what that might look like, how it might work. It has its benefits and downsides, for certain!

PSW · 1 February 2025 · Chapter 9: Rendezvous

I enjoyed this meeting of the brothers - the backstory and explanations of not only their lives but a better look at the lives of the Northern people in these times. The Rendezvous seems very special - a lovely tradition.

PSW · 1 February 2025 · Chapter 8: Drianna

It will be a situation unlike any she’s ever faced. Hopefully she will be able to rein in her impulses and acquit herself admirably. I have faith in her!

PSW · 1 February 2025 · Chapter 7: Rhosgobel

This chapter was a lovely negative (as it were) of the last chapter - or perhaps the last chapter is an unlovely negative of this one. Two homes of two Maias, both with careful nurturing of plants and animals to create a habitat suitable for its chief inhabitant. But whereas visitors find help and succor within Rhosgobol, they find only fear and pain within Dol Goldur. I very much enjoyed this chapter and your take on Radagast!

PSW · 1 February 2025 · Chapter 4: Eradan

Well yikes - that didn’t go as planned… As before, the descriptions really drew me in. I could picture the wide land, feel the sense of exposure and isolation. I can see why the men were uneasy - it makes me uneasy just thinking about it. And now… I guess we shall see…

PSW · 1 February 2025 · Chapter 3: Eotheod

Well hello Gandalf! :-) I enjoyed this new setting and look at the history of another familiar people. It seems that Hagar will get more adventure than he was planning for - I hope all goes well for them!

PSW · 31 January 2025 · Chapter 2: Fornost

Your descriptions are beautiful - I could see it all clearly, the land and the buildings and the desperate times. A part of the atmosphere of LOTR that has always struck me is the feeling of a world having fallen from a great height, and you capture it so very well. “Her words were the blade of a sword she had always wielded with a master’s skill…” Very nice. Thx for writing!

PSW · 31 January 2025 · Chapter 1: Introduction

Very interesting - lots of good history! The line of Elendil does have many twists and turns…

PSW · 31 January 2025 · Chapter 0: Author's Note

I did not know about these before the Breach, but I am excited to see them and look forward to reading them soon! I love the Dunedain, and am always happy to hear tales of them… :-)

Lindelea · 30 January 2025 · Chapter 2: Fornost

Ah. I am in the middle of editing my story of the fall of the North-kingdom, the battle with the Witch-king, and Glorfindel's prophecy. So I'm going to put this one back on the shelf and read it a bit later. I'll enjoy the sequel instead, I'm sure, and all the better for knowing this one is waiting to be read when I finish editing the climax and ending of my Thain story.

Leithian · 27 January 2025 · Chapter 0: Author's Note

Oh dear thank you so so much for starting to re-upload this story. The introduction is really helpful as a review for all the events that have happened so far. As someone who can never keep the dates straight I really appreciate it.

Lindelea · 26 January 2025 · Chapter 1: Introduction

I appreciate your recapping this background in setting the stage for the story to come. Much of it is familiar to me from the research I did while tackling the subject of the battle in which Glorfindel spoke his prophecy about the Witch-king. Had I not written that particular story, I probably wouldn't have known most of the history this chapter presents. I feel as if knowing the background gives me a jumpstart into enjoying the story, which makes this introduction highly valuable, at least the way my mind works. That said, something struck me in the reading. I knew, of course, that Minas Ithil fell and became Minas Morgul, but what was it before it fell? Was it a fortress with a garrison from Gondor? Or was it something more – a seat of power (ruled by a prince, something like Faramir became in Ithilien)? I guess I forgot (or never knew) that it had its own palantír. Who would have used that Stone? (Did they use it to communicate with the Northern Kingdom? With Gondor?) Is Minas Ithil's palantír the one that fell into Sauron's possession? (Or does the Witch-king use it? I am now starting to confuse even myself. Don't mind me. I am off to get another cup of coffee.) And now my brain is pondering where Saruman got his palantír. I think I knew at one time but have forgotten. Anyhow, this sounds like a marvellous gapfiller! I'm looking forward to reading more.