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Falling Into Shadow  by MarigoldG 9 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/5/2007
This was posted on a day when between work and ISP problems I couldn't read and properly respond to it. It's marvelous, MarigoldG; and so much in keeping with all three involved. I, too, rejoice that Glorfindel was free that this other grave danger did not come back to haunt the others. And I, too, look to see this further expanded some day.

Author Reply: Thank you Larner! I am so pleased that you liked it and thought that everyone was in character. Hopefully I will be able to write the next bit soon - I want to see what happens too : )

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2007
Aww this is such a lovely, cousiny moment! I loved Merry's selflessness and Pippin's love and concern, and Glorfindel's appearance was great. It's so nice to see a new story from you! :D

Author Reply: Thanks ST! I am glad that you liked this! It really seemed to me that Merry would not want in any way to take anyone away from Frodo's side, no matter how ill he was himself, and what else could Pippin be when Merry needs him but filled with love and concern : )


LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/3/2007
Back from being out of town all week, and what a lovely surprise to come back to!

Dreamflower certainly does have a way of sparking thought...

The elf couldn’t help thinking about the prophecy he had himself made so long ago. If pressed, this steadfast little one might have the spirit to strike down the Witch-king himself. Even as the thought came to him Glorfindel rejected it as, although this was no man, it was still too fantastic even to imagine. And Merry would almost certainly not survive such a deadly encounter. Relieved that such a confrontation would never take place, Glorfindel turned his mind back to the here and now.

Ah, Glorfindel, if only you knew...

I love your Pippin wishing he could face a dragon, or something, rather than just sit by and wait. I'm sure he felt that tenfold in the Houses of Healing.

I remember reading something about Merry facing the Black Breath at Bree, and again at the attack on the hilltop, and again at the river, and thought about the (possible) cumulative effect on the Pelennor... was that Dreamflower who said that?

I have a final chapter or three of Bergil's story, involving the Black Breath, but just haven't had the spark to write it. You've done so beautifully, here, in helping me to imagine something of the after-effects that if that bit ever does get written I'll have to give you credit for the jumpstart.

This has been a long and chatty note, and I have to get offline in a moment or two, but I just wanted to leave a good word and a *hug* and hopes for a little more leisure time when summer arrives.

And hopefully you'll keep writing and adding to my reading list!

Author Reply: Hullo Lin! I hope that you were on holiday and that wherever you were that you had a good time!

One of my favourite things to imagine is Glorfindel's reaction when he finds out that Merry helped to slay the Witch-king. There might be a bit more about what Glorfindel comes to think about Merry in this story, if I can ever find time to write more of it.

Yes, Pippin is a hobbit of action and he is as fiercely protective of Merry as Merry is of him. He'd want something more tangible to protect Merry from rather than a mysterious illness - but he will do his best.

That may have been me you saw talking about Merry and the number of times he faced the Black Breath. Folks keep forgetting the Ford and some folks don't even take Weathertop into account, and I thought that was unfair for Merry. So I have handed out several starters about it and I know other folks have picked it up. It's a big fandom though, so who can say where it first came up : )

Let me know when you write those chapters! And hopefully you'll have time for a Challenge story soon!

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/3/2007
Very nice job here!

I had not thought of the other Hobbits suffering after affects from the encounters with the Nazgul - but remembering that poor Merry had an awful run-in with them in Bree gives this story even more credence.

I have thought that Boromir's 'weakness' might have come about because of the battle at the bridge in TA June 3018 - the Nazgul attacked Faramir, his men, and Boromir there - Interesting things in these books, isn't there?

Again - very nice job - well written.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I am really pleased that you stopped by to read and even more pleased that you liked it!

Yes, they were all four exposed at Weathertop, and Merry, Pippin and Sam at the Ford. After what Merry already went through in Bree, to the point of swooning, it would make sense that by the Ford he would be pretty sensitive to it.

That is a really interesting point about Boromir, and Faramir too. In fact, you have given me an idea for something to include later on in this story, should I ever get time to write more...Thanks! I will definitely give you credit for the idea if I am able to get that far.

There are so many things that we can pick up on and run with in the books that it would take several lifetimes to write them! And then others pick up on plot points they might read in fanfic and that sparks more stories; fanfiction is a wonderful way to add to the universe that Tolkien created!

Thanks again for your lovely review!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/2/2007
The effects of people's encounters with the Nazgul is both awful and fascinating! Gld to see yor take on this and please don't let it be the end. Loved Glorfindal's on-going premonition about the end of the Witch King.

Author Reply: Thank you Harrowcat! Hopefully I will find some time to write more of this. I am hoping that there will be some more about Glorfindel's thoughts on the matter!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/2/2007
Oh please let there be more. Does begging help motivate you at all? I love this and Pippin is so determined to help Merry but yet so worried. I enjoyed the way that you wrote Glorfindel's thoughts as he tried to encourage Pippin but worried about the Hobbits. I wonder what Pippin will do to try to keep Merry from falling into shadow? More, please?

Author Reply: Thank you GW! Begging does motivate me but the promise of Pop-tarts is even more effective, lol!

Pippin is a very determined young hobbit and he won't miss out on a chance to do his best to look after Merry for a change : )

Glorfindel is very smooth isn't he!

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/1/2007
Beautiful! So simply beautiful!

Author Reply: Thank you so much Pearl!

Speedy HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/1/2007
Excellent story! Dreamflower's stuff does provide excellent inspiration, does it not? I have gotten inklings of stories from her myself, although I have never carried them out. I loved the foreshadowing of what is to transpire months later on the Pellenor... I wonder how Frodo will react to Merry taking ill thus?

Author Reply: Thanks SH! Dreamflower can provide some very niggling inspiration - you should write those inkilngs of yours!

I don't know if they'll let Frodo find out, or he might have something to say about them coming along on the Quest, especially Merry : )

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/1/2007
“Do not fear for your cousin, Peregrin.” Glorfindel paused with his hand upon the doorhandle. “He is very strong, in body and will. I know that he is in the best of hands, and the worst is over.”

“Frodo will be all right, now,” Pippin said stoutly. “I know that Lord Elrond and Strider and everyone will make him better.”

”Frodo was not the cousin that I spoke of.” He smiled at Pippin


*That* was beautifully said! I loved it! With the exception of their wives, these two were a pair made to compliment one another. A "package deal", so to speak. ;-) I liked how young Pippin was so ready to do anything to help his ill cousin.

I really enjoyed reading this lovely take on Merry having contact with the Black Breath twice over. I'm glad you wrote this, as I also enjoyed Dreamflower's The Three Hunters. :-) Personally, I'd like to see you continue this little gap-filler. :-D

PF


Author Reply: Thanks T! I liked the way that it never even occured to Pippin that Glorfindel was talking about him.

Merry and Pippin are definitely a "package deal"; two halves of the same heart. I think that their wives would have understood that the way that any one else close to them would have. Pippin will do anything for his Merry and the other way round.

Three times over in fact - don't forget Weathertop! It makes it all the more heroic that he was able to survive the Pelennor.

I will do my best to get some more written, in my copious free time, lol!

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