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Along Came A Spider  by Jay of Lasgalen 9 Review(s)
DotReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/10/2004
So sorry this is late…. What a great chapter. I’m glad Elrohir definitely seems to be improving. Even more so than the physical description of Elrohir, the fact that Elladan has allowed himself to become more aware of his surroundings really shows confidence that Elrohir will recover. I don’t blame him for feeling so cooped up. I’d probably go mad in that tiny, dark room as well.

It’s so good that Elladan had Legolas to talk to him, bring him books and persuade him to go for a ride. And the fact that Legolas has experienced what Elrohir is going through means he can really feel for both of them.

I thought you did a great job with Elrohir waking up. I could almost feel that bone-deep exhaustion. It must be strange to have your family there every time you open your eyes. It’d be a sure sign that they feared for you, which must be rather frightening. It was quite touching how aware he is of Elladan’s tiredness and to see his reluctance to disturb him.

I loved the part where Elladan lets Elrohir hold the cup of water himself. He seems to know exactly where his brother’s frustration stems from and it’s so thoughtful of him to give him this sense of control and a little personal victory.

Eagles! I would *never* have thought of that. Wow, what a wonderful, magical element this lends to the story. I loved the tale about Gwaihir and the idea that the eagles would have such respect for Elrond. And thank heavens Elrond’s “fledgling” will be well. That must have been a truly awful moment for Elrond and Celebrían when they thought they’d lost Elrohir and hadn’t reached his side yet. I really felt for them too when they hear Elladan’s version of what happened. Oh, and I like how perceptive Elrond was to leave his sons alone for a while.

I was wondering if Elrohir would remember his encounter with Námo. What a terrifying thought, that he could have ended up as one of the houseless ones. I hadn’t realised that but of course that would indeed have been a possibility. Crikey, if Elladan hadn’t been able to help bring him back…:-( I love the way Elrohir tries to lighten the mood and reassure Elladan. He obviously saw what a terrible shock it was for him.

Lovely ending to the chapter too. It’s great to see them laugh with each other again and even though there’ll probably be lots more frustration and impatience from Elrohir, at least he’s on the mend! :-)


Author Reply: Please don't apologise for being late - such a lovely long review more than makes up! Elladan is at the stage now when he knows Elrohir will recover, is growing frustrated with the inactivity, and is annoyed with Elrohir's techiness. He knows exactly what his twin needs, but does not always agree with it.

I needed Elrond and Celebrían to get there quickly - hence the eagles. I think they would have helped the elves in any case, but wanted to make a personal link with Elrond and his sons. Feeling and hearing about Elrohir's near-death experience must have been hard, but Elrond was a twin himself, so he knows his sons need a little time alone.

At the moment, Elrohir recalls little of his time with Námo - but more may come back to him. The thought of him becoming one of the houseless ones came from that Halloween drabble - often a small point in a story leads to a plot idea for another (like the eagles).

Thanks for the wonderful review!

DeepBlueSomethingReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/9/2004
Glad Elrohir is finally getting better. It was sweet the way he encouraged his brother to get out and have some fun even though he knows he won't be able to join in. Legolas mentioned a time during his recovery when he was well enough to be bored but too sick to do anything about it. Sounds like Elrohir is in for a boring few days. Lets see how long it takes him to snap. (LOL!)

I like the way you added the eagles in this chapter. That was a really cool touch. I laughed when the eagle referred to Elrohir as Elrond's fledgling. Very cute.

Author Reply: Elrohir's reasons for wanting Elladan to go out had two causes - he genuinely wanted his twin to get some fresh air, but he was also fed up with Elladan's fussing! He will snap again soon - he's *not* a good patient.

The eagles were the only way Elrond and Celebrían could get there quickly enough - and I used what I had found out about them in a short story 'High Flight', which is also here. And of course Elrohir is a fledgling ... ;)



pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/7/2004
This is a good story that shows the love between the twinns...How bad it would be if one was lost, the other may follow...
Please continue this it is great....

Update soon...

Author Reply: I think that the twins have a deep bond - and I'm not sure what would happen if one died :( I suspect the surviving twin would not last long.

Thanks for your review - I'm glad you like this!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/6/2004
Poor Elrohir, it will be not so easy for him as long as he is confined to bed! It must be quite boring for him - and for Elladan as well. Maybe they can play some games to held him occupied? Elladan at last can go with Legolas and do something like riding, but Elrohir?

I loved Elrohir's remark about how Námo would react if he had both twins in his halls! And the eagles were a very nice idea, too.

Author Reply: Poor Elrohir - yes, he will be bored, but between Elladan and Legolas will be kept occupied.

I think that if both twins were in the Halls Námo would have a riot on his hands from the other dead!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/6/2004
I am glad Elrohir is recovering. That moment when Elrond and Celebrian were sure they had lost him must have been terrible - and his return must have seemed incomprehensible. He seems to recall his near-death experience fairly clearly - I hadn't thought about his rejection of Namo's invitation meaning that had he still died he would have become a houseless spirit (mainly because he can't die! - he still has things to do).

Now he's grumpy and weak and wanting to do things for himself - Elladan will probably find this stage almost as difficult to stand, for entirely different reasons. Elrohir has told his brother to go out - I wonder how long it will be before he gets resentful of Elladan's freedom.

It's a good thing the eagles brought E and C to see to their fledglings - that must have been some experience. One E2 will envy enormously, I should think.

Author Reply: Originally, I just intended to have Elrohir turn away from Námo and come back. After writing that Halloween drabble, I realised there was the possibility of him having become one of the Houseless Ones - much angst for Elladan at the thought.

Poor Elrohir is going to be very grouchy. He resents having someone watching him, and he resents being confined to his room when he's alone. I need to let him get up!

I think E2 and most reviewers would like to fly on the eagles!

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/5/2004
Oooh, the Eagles! They're something of a deus ex machina, but then, that's how Tolkien tends to use them. But they are a wise and impressive and totally completely cool deus ex machina, and you use them well here.

Now Elrohir gets to enjoy the best and the worst part of being sick -- the getting-better-time. Each day you feel a little less terrible, but it takes so long to get all your strength back, and it's so frustrating. . . but each day you can do more. He is a very lucky Elf.

Author Reply: After checking in The Hobbit and LOTR, I decided that it would be reasonable for the eagles to help out, especially if they were well disposed to Elrond for past help.

Poor Elrohir - I think he's going to get very grouchy. He's not a good patient, as has been pointed out before.

LiannaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/5/2004
Ooh, I want to ride an eagle. It sounds so cool. Frodo and Sam didn't get to appreciate their ride, but Elrond and Celebrian will appreciate theirs later, even if they couldn't enjoy it at the time because they were so worried about Elrohir.

You did a great job conveying Elladan's relieved-yet-frustrated boredom. And poor Elrohir will be going through the same thing soon. Being incapacitated or being the companion to someone in that condition is just so dull, even nowadays with the help of daytime TV. It's hard to imagine what it would have been like back in Middle-Earth.

Author Reply: I think E&E will want to fly on an eagle too! Sadly,they will travel back home by more traditional methods.

Daytime TV helps if you're bored? Not here it doesn't! Thank God for the internet ... and in M-E, along comes Legolas with some books to help out.

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/5/2004
You did a great job describing the frustration of waiting for someone to recover/recovering yourself! Been there, both places.

I like the involvement of the eagles. I always liked them. Cute to describe Elrond's 'fledglings.' :)

But I loved: "“Can you imagine both of us in his halls? Námo would have sent us on our way to be reborn even faster than Glorfindel was!”

Too funny.

Author Reply: I decided the eagles may well help at a time like this. To them, of course, of course E&E would be fledglings!

I had that particular line about both twins in the halls long before this chapter was ready, so jotted it down so I didn't forget it.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/5/2004
I always like to hear about the eagles. Those kind of talking, cooperating animals are so other-worldly and magical. Elrohir is finding out some things that are startling him.

Author Reply: I like the eagles. I'd planned to use them some time ago to get Elrond and Celebrían to Lasgalen quickly - then saw that Nilmandra had them in her last chapter as well!

Poor Elrohir is going to need some time to think about his encounter with Námo, I feel.

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