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Reunion in Mirkwood  by Mirkwoodmaiden 2 Review(s)
mystarlightReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/27/2020
I have just thought that if Gandalf asked them to guard him there should be extra guards to watch the prisoner. If guards left their positions their captain should be furious as they are part of the army I think and if they left there is another question why? I am sorry to bother you. Can't wait for another chapter. Stay safe!!!

Author Reply: Not to worry. It isn't a bother. Technically I agree with you. But when I write I try to stay close to what I have read in Tolkien's various writings. In the chapter "the Council of Elrond" in the Fellowship of the Ring, Legolas says that they were vigilant yes but perhaps too kind, or to use Legolas' word "overkindliness". They didn't have the heart to keep in him the dungeons the whole time. Early on he says that they guarded him as Gandalf wanted but also to keep in mind the "hope still for his cure," In Spring they let him climb trees. From my reading of the chapter they were not harsh captors and that is more what I was trying to reflect.

Looking at the chapter in Fellowship again I could rework that portion of my chapter to reflect the initial guarding of Gollum. It could make for some interesting interactions.

Thanks for writing!!

Stay safe!

((hugs))

MM

mystarlightReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/27/2020
Little elfings were really clever to get so close to Gollum but where were the guards? Wonderful bond between Thranduil and his sons.

Author Reply: Mystarlight!

Good question! I could say that they bribed the guards with wine or got them drunk, After all it worked in the Hobbit!! But the real answer is part of me didn't think about it and the other part of my creative brain remembered that the dungeons of Mirkwood are generally not horrible places as stated somewhere in Tolkien's writings. I surmised then that there were differing levels of cells and keeping in mind that Gandalf had some hope (however misguided) of Gollum's possible reform and the fact that Mirkwood elves generally were kind to their prisoners (who were not dwarves, I guess) I went with the idea that the cell that Gollum was placed was like minimum security. And in the end he was more treated like a prisoner/ guest. Thanks for paying attention and pointing that out! :-))

About Thranduil and his sons, I just feel that family is probably the most important thing in Thranduil's life. He has lost so much and tries to paid to what is really important. And sometimes in life we don't recognise moments when we should. I wanted to give Thranduil that moment.

Stay safe, mellon nin!

MM

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