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In Empty Lands  by Larner 10 Review(s)
Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/20/2011
Loved the little dance thought by Boromir. An apt description of how elves move.

On a sadder side -- the Ring begins its attack.

Well written.

Author Reply: I'm certain that the Fair Folk were most graceful in all they did, even in the mere lifging of one's shoulder. And, yes, already the Ring is about Its work--or perhaps Boromir's own imagination is merely working overtime.

Thanks so, Agape!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/26/2009
*sigh* Needless to say I don't like Boromir's fantasies about the One Ring. He's already coming under its influence.

So now Boromir knows why the Dwarves of Erebor and the Elves of Mirkwood don't get along well. Probably good, as we all know it takes a while for Legolas and Gimli to bury the hatchet.

Nice to see a bit of Bill and Sam caring for him. But of course, I love it when horses are included ;)

Author Reply: How much Boromir is under the influence of the Ring and how much is simply his own native ambition is hard to say. And, yes, he does know why at least some of the Dwarves and Elves don't coexist very well. Legolas and Gimli, as we well know, have some appreciation to build for one another!

And am so glad you appreciate how well Bill is loved by Sam. And it was a pleasure to include this beloved pony in this one!

Thanks so very much.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/21/2009
I bet that surprised Legolas. To have Frodo there, and him not knowing it. He might want to go in for a check-up, to see if his ears and eyes, are OK.

Author Reply: About the only one who could possibly hide effectively from an Elf, I'd think, would be a Hobbit who was already hiding when the Elf arrived on the scene! Heh!

Thanks so, Grumpy.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/15/2009
So that's what really happened when the dwarves tried to ask the Woodland Elves for help! For the elves it must have looked like annoying interruptions, indeed, while Bilbo and the dwarves really needed help.

The Ring is already influencing Boromir greatly! It's really tragic and frighteningly quick. Even more so when you take into account that they are still in Rivendell, which might weaken the powers of The Ring.

And I loved Sam's "conversation" with Bill the pony! He's as fond of Bill as Bill is of him :-)

Author Reply: I tried to think what it was that might have happened to cause all to have gone black and the feasters fled to another portion of the forest like that, and how in the end Thorin might have gotten separated from the rest as he did--and this is what presented itself.

How much is the Ring, and how much merely the THOUGHT of the Ring and what It might do, is the question. The Ring Itself might be fully quiescent. I doubt the Ring would have been anywhere as successful with Boromir had he not already wished to be the hero who saved Gondor and the Free World so very much to begin with.

Thanks, Andrea.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/13/2009
How interesting to get Legolas' POV about that long ago visit of the Dwarves and one uninvited invisible burglar!

It's sad to see the Ring already working on Boromir. I'm fond of the notion that It was rather quiescent during the stay in Rivendell, preferring not to attract the attentions of two of the Three without being upon It's Master's hand. But the sorts of things It is using on Boromir are just the kinds of temptations I've always imagined.

And fun to see Bill, and to see Sam taking care of him!

Author Reply: I, too, suspect that the Ring was mostly quiescent during this time, and have even postulated that the chain used to thread through the Ring had a spell upon it to isolate It as much as possible. But Boromir is already full of worry regarding his land and people and his father; it might just be his own imagination at this point is all.

And it was interesting trying to imagine just why, although we are told Dain had a good relationship with the Elves of Mirkwood Gloin and Gimli would still hold such suspicions of them and Legolas such suspicions of Gloin and Gimli.

And I wanted to let them see that no matter how badly used Bill appeared to be, first, it wasn't started by those who brought him, and it was at the end a matter of survival in which Bill played his role nobly.

Thanks so, Dreamflower.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/13/2009
How nice to see another chapter! Love the love Sam has for Bill and that little lurker has for him too. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Thanks so, Antane. And there was such obvious love between Sam and Bill it needed some open expression!

CeleritasReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/12/2009
I really enjoyed this because you had two characters that almost never interact converse with one another freely and very IC.

Legolas' explanation for the Dwarves was interesting; given his actual attitude towards them I think he's allowed this earlier problem to develop into a full-blown grudge, though, and without his knowing it!

And I loved the glimpse at Bill and Sam's caring for him!

Author Reply: I'm so glad you feel I have the two of them in character. Legolas so rarely converses openly with others, appearing almost stand-offish at times; trying to imagine how he and Boromir might begin sizing one another up has been interesting, to say the least. And there is the grudge--and the question as to how much responsibility he might have felt toward the escape of the Dwarves, and particularly in light of the accusations made in the Council regarding the contrast between the Dwarves' imprisonment and that of Gollum. I bet that rankled!

And I wanted Bill and Sam to enjoy some quality time, short as it might be!

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/12/2009
Uh-oh; the Ring is already getting to Boromir with visions of glory.

I loved the interaction of Sam and Bill; Sam has such a loving heart. Thankfully, we all know that Bill will be alright and have a good life after his adventures.

Author Reply: How much is the Ring's prompting, and how much just Boromir's nature? Finding such images in the Man's heart already would only make Its job that much the easier.

And I wanted to let Bill's already noble spirit shine, and particularly after following Lindelea's Tenth Walker series--Bill proved one capable and loyal animal!

Thanks so!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/12/2009
Sam and Frodo's visits with Bill really touched my heart.

Author Reply: I am so glad, Shirebound. I love them all!

Aranel of the Golden FlowerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/12/2009
This was lovely, thanks!

Lily :D

Author Reply: Am so glad you like it, Lily. And so hope it added to the joy of the day!

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