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In the Deep Places  by Lamiel 4 Review(s)
elliskaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/5/2005
The loss of Gandalf is one of my favorite parts of the book (I know that sounds horrible, but I love those angsty moments and besides we all know he isn't killed). You handled it very well here. Gimli was perfect. You do a great job with him.

And this: They left the One Ring in the hands of a Hobbit, and all the world swung in the balance with only a few mortals and a Wood-elf to fight for it, and the Valar had turned their backs, and they were cowards! Legolas lifted his head to scream this to the sky, to cry challenge to Manwë himself, but only a faint gasp escaped his constricted throat. He was shaking with rage, but grief sealed his lips. His heart burned, and though his eyes were dry, his soul wept. Wow!




Author Reply: Thank you for all your reviews, Elliska. Both action and angst are hard to write, I think, so I'm very glad for the feedback on these two chapters.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/5/2005
I've read some of your other reviews and this is one of the times I regret being a crappy reviewer beccause I don't think I can do this story justice. I am so impressed with everything about it, in a semi-articulate sort of way. I need someone to ghost-write my reviews, really...

It is so nice to see a gapfiller that actually fills gaps, for one thing. Then the character development is just awesome. Even keeping the POV to Legolas and Gimli, we get such wonderful insights into all of the members of the Fellowship - and the interplay between Legolas and Gimli is not only really funny but also incredibly insightful. You have put so much thought into these characters, their experiences, motivations, fears, prejudices - it's all wonderful. I'm afraid I won't be able to resist going over and reading the rest of the story on ff.net, so please post the completed story here soon.

Author Reply: Oh, please don't put yourself down, Mechinock! Your review just made my day - I really wanted this story to be about the characters, but also to be entertaining as a gap filler for the little things that Professor Tolkien just didn't have time to give us. I'm very glad to know that it's accomplished those goals.

I'm polishing the story as I archive it to SoA, making small tweaks in the language, mostly. So feel free to go ahead and read the rest on fanfiction.net, if I'm too slow getting it up here. But please let me know if you do!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/5/2005
Lovely again. Watching movies is OK, but you just can't beat reading things.

Good bit of shoulder butting the elf, Gimli. Excellent bit of orc-hewing, chaps. I like the inrush of sensation for Legolas, compounded by his pain for Gandalf. So much more realistic that it is the death of the wizard that would completely upset Legolas's life view, that just plain death. It is, after all, only sixty years since the Elves of Mirkwood were involved in the Battle of the Five Armies and I seem to remember that one or two people - elves, men, dwarves, not to mention bad guys, were killed there.

I like seeing Aragorn somewhat insecure over being dumped with the job of being in charge. It must have come as a shock. Legolas's solid support must have given him a bit of a boost.

Author Reply: Yes, I think the movie writers could use a refresher course on Mirkwood's history there. For that matter I think they could stand a rethink on their treatment of Legolas' character in general, but that's another story.

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/5/2005
Yeah, I never could agree with the movie's take that Legolas didn't understand death. It's much more plausible that he couldn't understand Gandalf dying. It seemed particularly wrenching that Legolas' physical/spiritual relief upon leaving Moria is spoiled by the grief of Gandalf's death. It seems like the two together would be somehow very painful. Interesting twist that he doubts and accuses the Valar. The mourning of the company was well done, especially the way that Aragorn is doubly burdened with both sadness and the new pressure put upon him as leader. Good chapter! More, please? TF

Author Reply: I thought that the movie's interpretation might be fitting for an Elf of Lothlorien or even Rivendell, but not from Mirkwood. But for a Maia to die... well, that's something else entirely.

Thank you so much for all your reviews, TithenFeredir, both here and at Eternal. Since you asked so nicely, the next chapter will be archived soon.

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