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In Shadow Realm  by Legolass 7 Review(s)
Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 30 on 4/16/2007
Here I am finally! I have to say I really like it to have a chapter from you waiting for me in my inbox, but reading said chapter is even more wonderful than looking forward to it - in spite of the fact that the ending is not exactly what I'd call reassuring. ;-)

I'm beginning to become more than a bit nervous about where this story's headed, but I guess I'll have to live with that, huh? *drills a hole into stone wall, squeezes through it, and wraps herself around Legolas and Aragorn determined to not lose sight of them whatever a certain author may have planned*

I do not even want to think about Legolas having to stay in such a place for all eternity or about Aragorn losing himself forever! *shudder* I was so relieved that the Lady's Lamp had somehow accompanied Legolas into the Shadow Realm, I do not know how he ever would have been able to find Aragorn without it. Your description of the Shadow Realm was fascinating, vivid, surreal, and eerie.

"He could only place his trust in a bond that would transcend all speech." *sigh* There were lots of melt-worthy moments in that chapter, and the moment when Legolas found Aragorn was heart-breaking. I had hoped so much that Aragorn would be able to remember him, or at least *want* to remember him, but the state he's already in is frightening. Poor Legolas - finding Aragorn like that must have been the worst shock of his life, even with the dream to warn him. Still, I can't believe that Aragorn won't react to his friend's presence given some time - the bond between them can't be lost already, not as long as Aragorn still lives. *sniff* Besides, no-one can't react to being hugged by Legolas (I couldn't *g*)!

I know exactly how the elves, hobbits, men and one dwarf waiting on the other side of the stone wall feel right now. *wonders if chewing fingernails would help her to calm down until the next chapter* Legolas' selfless love for Aragorn is incredibly touching, I only hope he won't have to go through with that vow. *big tearful puppy-eyes look pleadingly at author* I'm a bit torn between melting and worrying right now, I'll probably have to do both. ;-) A wonderful chapter, Legolass - if anything, the story keeps getting better, I only hope you don't plan to kill all of us with the ending. *g*

*hugs*
Duckie *waddling in circles, tearing her feathers, and racking her brains over how to best free her elf and ranger* :D

Author Reply:

Aaah, how I've missed you, Duckie - feathers, pecking and all. *hugs* It's good to hear you sounding so cheerful - although this chapter did not end on such a good note. :-)

Well the ending is coming up soon, perhaps in less than a week. So - keep waddling in the meantime, and keep sending your best wishes and hopes to our poor Elf and Ranger. They need it. Let's hope their bond will not fail them - but what am I saying - I will determine whether it does, right? Or maybe this story has a life of its own...

See you again soon, Duckie, and take care of yourself!

Hugs
Legolass


GrumpyReviewed Chapter: 30 on 3/17/2007
Hmmmmm, Legolas seems to be having problems getting Aragorn to move along in the right direction. Maybe he should give Aragorn a hotfoot (are there matches in Middle Earth??), or shave off his beard, to get his attention.
Legolas's nightmare has come true, and with the light fading, he needs some help!

Author Reply:
Lol - what's a "hotfoot" Grumpy? Anyway it would be really hard to give Aragorn a shave in the Shadow Realm don't you think? :-D

Yes Legolas' nightmare is materializing, and the elf has to find a solution - or perish with his friend. The next chapter will determine all, I suppose. See you then - and thank you for your very welcome visit.

Legolass

Tiari ClovisReviewed Chapter: 30 on 3/17/2007
Wow, I wouldn't want to visit the Shadow Realm! Certainly not. I loved the begining chapter's discribing the place. You really got the oppresive blackness across and the...well how easily one could dispair in there.
Great chapter! I loved it.
I can't imagine how Legolas is going to reach Aragorn. I hope he can.
Oh, I love the twists in your stories too. I read For the Love of the Lord of the White Tree too. I liked that one as well, but I thin I like this one even better. I do need to review that one too.

Okay here's what I noticed, keep in mind I'm just a beginer when it comes to critiqing and I hope I don't offend or anything like that

Pitch black ink, swirling and churning in thick waves – loaded with vicious desire to consume, to overwhelm. {Nothing with this one I just loved it, so descriptive!}

Terror grew in him and tried to release itself in a cry – and it was then that the elf realized he was not drawing breathing {Here I think you want breath too, instead of breathing. Or you could eliminate the drawing and Just have not breathing. Up to you} … no, no breath! No breath!

He no longer took stock of where he was in the Realm, or how far he had gone, but plodded on, seeking, suppressing the tension that simmered somewhere within him, and grimly holding on to hope. {This sentence here seems a little long to me,}

Well that's all I noticed.

Okay, this is long enough. Talk to you Later, Tiari

Author Reply:
Tiari, I just re-read what I had written in response to your review for the last chapter (29) and horrified myself - I know I wrote it half-asleep and it showed, lol! Well I hope this one is a bit more coherent, although I can tell you I am stealing time between 'real-life' tasks again to do it. :-)

First, thanks so much for your observations about the SR. It's nice to know it comes across as a horrible place, which it is.

Second - THANK YOU for picking up that mistake (breathing)! I had actually used breathing first, then changed it to 'drawing breath,' but neglected to make the corresponding change for 'breathing' - I did say I wrote it half-asleep! So thank you for informing me - it's rectified now.

As for the long sentence, however, I'm afraid I'm going to leave it as it is. :-) You see, I want the stories to be in keeping with the discourse of that era, whereby tales were written in long sentences, with lots of embedded clauses. Tolkien did that, too, quite often. :-) It can sound cumbersome, I know, and if I were writing a contemporary story for commerical purposes, for today's readers of contemporary stories - that kind of sentence would be chucked out of the computer screen faster than an arrow from the elf prince's bow! But for my LOTR tales - I guess I will beg to adhere to that kind of discourse. :-) I DO appreciate your candour nevertheless, and you are not wrong; you'll just have to forgive me for that indulgence. :-)

Thanks again for your review, Tiari. I wish you'd been here in the earlier stages of the story, but better late than never. See you next update (and perhaps in the review pages of "For the Love...".)

Regards,
Legolass


harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 30 on 3/13/2007
How could we forget you Legolass? Sorry that RL is being difficult for you too.

Author Reply:

Thank you, Harrowcat, it's nice to know you remember me! I've missed hearing from all of you. See you next update - when 'real life' lets me. :-)

Legolass

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 30 on 3/13/2007
This is a truly chilling chapter and maybe I'm not very smart to read it just before going to bed !Legolas's devotion is very touching.
Gripping and well written as always.

Author Reply:

Hope you didn't get nightmares from the chapter, Linda. :-) Thank you for dropping in - I've missed you and the others.

See you next update - which will determine the outcome of Legolas' efforts and Aragorn's fate.

Legolass

MMBReviewed Chapter: 30 on 3/10/2007
I have only recently come to your stories - and before I started reading this one, I read For The Love of the Lord of the White Tree. I'm am in awe of your command of the characters and ability to weave a compelling and addictive story. This story is just as good as the one that it follows, and you can be assured that I will be checking out any other tales you have posted here.

I can understand the demands of Real Life getting in the way of writing - I too write fan fiction (another universe entirely for the time being, although I'm beginning to dip my toes into the LotR universe) and have a Real Life that tends to seriously get in the way. Please know that I will be anxiously and patiently waiting for your next update. You've left everyone very much in the thick of danger here.

Nicely done!

Author Reply:

Welcome to this story, MMB, although it's drawing to a close very soon! Thank you for your compliments, and I hope my other tales will give you pleasure as well. And I hope the LOTR universe will see more than your dipped toes. :-)

Yes 'real' life (I consider LOTR my TRUE real life) is pretty demanding at this time, but I'll try to update as soon as I can. Legolas and Aragorn are really in danger as you say. The next chapter will find them out of it - or spell the end for them. *eeep*

See you then, I hope.

Legolass


Alison HReviewed Chapter: 30 on 3/9/2007
Hi, Legolass! I was only thinking of you yesterday---I'm glad you're back.

Poor Legolas, he is trying so hard to bring his beloved Aragorn back but the Shadow Realms' hold on the King is strong.I do not doubt Legolas' determination to bring his friend home but I worry that the cost to Legolas will be too great.

Your writing was full of wonderful, but terrifying, images once again and I felt Legolas' panic when he couldn't find his friend.I love your way with words.

Your brilliant story is drawing to a close and I'll be sorry to see it end.Legolas will be known to Aragorn in the end, won't he? I hope real life lets you update soon!

Take care.

Ali.

Author Reply:
Hi Ali,

It is obviously a VERY hard and painful time for our elf. I wonder whether the "cost... will be too great", as you say. Next chapter will tell, and yes the story is drawing to a close, so it has to be make or break for Legolas and Aragorn. See you then - and thank you for reviewing - I miss my online friends!

Legolass

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