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In the Deep Places  by Lamiel 3 Review(s)
elliskaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/5/2005
Great fight scene. Those are incredibly difficult to write--rather fight one than write one myself. Great job.

Loved this interchange:

“Couldn’t we?” Aragorn’s voice was bitter. “What do you feel, Legolas? Is it truly worse than the Shadow of Dol Guldur? And your people have fought that for centuries.”

Legolas turned his head sharply toward the Ranger. Aragorn was nearly invisible in the darkness, but he was standing close enough that the planes of his face caught Legolas’ faint light. His eyes glittered in the dark. Legolas wondered what he sensed. Aragorn was mortal, but in him the blood of Númenor ran true. He had some foresight, and at times a near Elvish perception. But did he really think that the Shadow here was no worse than in Mirkwood? Perhaps, Legolas thought, the loss of Song truly has affected my mind. Perhaps the Ring plays upon my fears, and this Power is an illusion. But Mithrandir had sent them on, and Legolas remembered the look of pain and sorrow in his eyes. Perhaps Aragorn is overconfident.

“We fight the encroachment upon Mirkwood,” he said cautiously. “We do not seek the Shadow in its lair. And it is not my place or yours to judge Mithrandir. We must protect the Hobbits.”


I especially loved your description of Legolas' reaction to the Balrog. Perfect!


TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/2/2005
"...the screams of a thousand Elves that assaulted his mind, as if all pain of all the ages that Elves had fought the Enemy and lost and died in agony was captured and hoarded and fed upon by this creature of Morgoth..."
(Hoping it's not breaking some rule to quote) I loved the way you described this source of Legolas' terror of the Balrog. You put an excellent new perspective on the original tale. Can't wait for the next! TF

Author Reply: Oh no, quote all you like! I put a lot of effort into word choice and language when I write, and nothing delights me more than when a reader takes the time to note passages or phrases that you like. Thank you!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/2/2005
I really like the Gimli / Legolas perspectives - they just see the whole thing from a different angle. They are coming to respect each other's strengths, too - despite themselves. Poor Gandalf. I love the suffocating images of evil - very palpable. Looking forward to more.

Author Reply: I tried to keep the perspectives unique - I'm aware that they contributed to the excessive length of this chapter, but I felt it was necessary because Gimli was just too far gone in the battle frenzy to notice essential details like Frodo being stabbed or Aragorn bashed by that cave troll. Both of their perspectives were necessary, not to mention fun to write.

And yes, poor Gandalf. But I have a feeling that it all works out okay in the end.

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