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A Red Sun Rises  by Katzilla	85 Review(s)
Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/4/2026
Haha! Firefoot sounds like quite the character! I like the descriptions, which help me form a clear picture as I read. Steam rising from the sweaty horses! Great detail! The leaders seem very efficient. Also, His instincts screamed at him that they could not afford this break reminds me of the woodman and the axe; instinct says to keep chopping and just get the job done, while wisdom (and experience) counsels that the chopping will go faster and with better results if you stop to sharpen the axe periodically. (It almost seems unfortunate that the Rohirrim are too honorable to rid themselves of Gríma, even if it means taking some underhanded action. But then they'd be no better than the servants of Shadow.) Éothain sees clearly, indeed. "a puppet for the destruction of the Mark" is an apt description. Yup, Gríma is infuriating. I can barely stand to read about him at all. The tension thickens... Author Reply: Lol, if you think Firefoot sounds like a character here, you will have to read the sequel to this story, Untold Tales of the Mark. Somehow, he evolved to a full-blown character there. I had great fun writing him and his master bickering like an old, well-attuned couple. You are right with your tale of the woodman and the axe; unfortunately, oftentimes I also fall prey to just working myself ragged without a break, because my conscience will not allow me to make one. And yes, how much sadness and drama could have been prevented if somehow had just got rid of Gríma. But he is the King*s advisor, so for as long as Théoden doesn`t command it, he is safe. I understand your emotions regarding Gríma, but I don't have good news for you: there is a whole lot more evilness coming from him in this story... Thank you for commenting!
Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2026
I have to admit, I love it when a fanfic author (in particular, a fanfic author writing in Tolkien's world) says such a thing as "there is still some fuel left in my writing tank". Now that I'm retired and have time to be reading the stories on my ever-lengthening "Want to read" list, that is especially true. Earlier on, my interest was fixed on hobbits. As far as Men went, Beregond and Halbarad were always on my list of interesting characters. (I'm surprised I didn't fixate on the Rohirrim, considering how horse-crazy I was in my first few decades.) So many stories, and not enough time to read! <- That was my lament. But more recently, in the absence of new hobbit-centered stories, I began reading about other characters, including Aragorn, Faramir, Éomer and Éowyn. It's like a whole new world has opened up. Yay! As to this chapter... You hooked me right away with the urgent summons and the need for secrecy. Reading on, it's understandable. The sighting of Uruk-hai would be concerning (alarming, as Éomer later tells Háma), indeed. But the current political situation in Rohan is hamstringing those who would protect the land and its people. Éomer is a practical man. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Sort of along the lines that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. Gríma, as always, just makes me want to hiss and spit like an angry cat. Well-crafted! I look forward to reading more. Author Reply: Hi Lindelea, and thanks so much for your thoughts! It is really funny, for me, as well, as I have always been fascinated by monsters and aliens from when I was little, but in Tolkien*s universe, it is the most normal people that captured my undivided attention. I suppose that is because the canvas for fanfiction in the Mark is SO promising for what I like: dramatic, dark stories that require real heroes to get through to the other side. The time when Théoden was in decline offers so many possibilities, and I am always surprised that there is barely anyone playing in that sandbox. So I claimed it for myself. ;-) Trust me, you will discover entirely new depths of your hatred for Gríma, if I'm not entirely mistaken... ;-) I don't know why I enjoy writing him so much, he is just such a `giving* villain... ;-) I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on the next chapters. Have a wonderful day & kind regards, Kat