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| Caught Between the Light and Dark by Budgielover | 150 Review(s) |
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| Templa Otmena | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/8/2005 |
| And the tone hasn't a-changed... the way in which you described the rapid and frenzied turn around in bahaviour, amongst the hobbits in particular was very well done- ...'the hobbits began calling shrilly, frenziedly, their teasing forgotten. Aragorn hushed them with a hand tight around the two younger hobbits’ mouths. Sam clamped his hands over his own mouth, eyes frantic above his overlaid palms.' And then of course reminding them (and us!) that on top of everything else that may have happened, the need for silence was still paramount. Lol, I enjoyed the trial and error type scenario that the fellowship worked on in figuring out what to do. Gimli informing them on rocks was a lovely touch, Legolas rather thoughtlessly firing arrows at a poor, dangling Aragorn was another one ;) I /do/ adore 'your' hobbits... you wonderfully manage to capure the best of canon and, as you said, make our favourite foursome that much more accessible. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/8/2005 |
| Now that was close! Merry must have been frightened to death, but in the nick of time he did exactly the right thing. Thank you for switching over to Frodo here, but it made me only more uneasy (as you intended, I believe.) "Many, many cold luminous eyes were staring at him." Can't wait for the next chapter! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/8/2005 |
| Absolutely gripping. Glad I wasn't interrupted; it would have been difficult to tear myself away. Poor Merry! I sympathise completely. Heights make me giddy. Yikes, poor Frodo, I'm getting more and more worried. And now the Fellowship is split. (and ouch! Boromir's wrists. Merry's limbs. Pippin slamming into the wall.) | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/8/2005 | |
| Excellent chaper! The unease is setting in ever deeper, especially with the division of the fellowship. And now our first glimpse of Frodo's abductors! I also loved your characterizations of Boromir and Merry. I'm definitely looking forward to more of their interaction. I found it odd that there was so little discussion of exactly who would go after Frodo, though. I understand wanting-and needing-to keep everyone together, but bringing all the remaining hobbits into a dark, rank, forboding tunnel just seems like *asking* for trouble. Especially when going up against an enemy that is both swift and silent. Ignoring the fact that this may well be the point (from the storyteller's end of things), I would have thought that the hobbits would have had to argue their way past Gandalf and Aragorn in order to come along. Just a thought. Actually, I'm very tired and rather sick, so this may not be the best time for me to review...oops. If this has turned into a rambling piece of nonsense, I apologize! Thanks for such a great read! Can't wait to find out what happens next! | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2005 |
| This is wonderfully intriguing!! Very creepy. I'm loving it :) | |
| Hai Took | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2005 |
| Oh dear! Of all the hobbits Frodo is the one to go missing! At least their Fellowship is made of a variety of folk and hopefully all will be well. Aragorn did a good job in fgiruing out what happened. Gimli knowing about the stone work came in handy. I do hope they are able to find Frodo before too much harm befalls him! At first when Sam went to Bill I thought perhaps had had run off or something, I was gald to see him back, once more prepared. While I'm talking about Sam, how very unfair of everyone to assume he had rope and then for them, especially Gandalf, to seem so put out by! Gandalf should have thought to take rope! Grumpy old wizard! Hope they will be able to find Frodo soon! Looking forward to more! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2005 |
| Ay-yi-yi! Shades of The Black Mountain! (Have you read that one? It's not hobbits, but was well-enough done to hold my admittedly scattered attention.) Nice details, as usual, great ratcheting up of the tension, as if we weren't worried enough before... Looking forward (as always) to more. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2005 |
| It's surprising how quick a story can take a completely different turn. From the teasing of the three cousins, where Merry and Pippin obviously enjoy Frodo's misstep, to this feeling of suspense and hidden danger. It seems as if all evil in Middle Earth is focused on the Ringbearer, to prevent him from fulfilling his task! I would like see Frodo's POV in the next chapter, but - of course- you're the author and you're doing a great job. Please continue soon! | |
| Estelnalissi | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/5/2005 |
| That's twice now Budgielover has written a chapter which flows so engrossingly that the cliff hanger ending slammed in to me out of nowhere. In this chapter, especially, who would expect Boromir's poetic speech to leave us in a high state of anxiety about Frodo's fate in the clutches of the menacing, silent, organized enemy, so evil it had been walled up? If I'd been reading on that ledge the conclusions of either chapter would have sent me to the bottom of the crevass. I'm so frustrated with the suspense I may have to take up head banging! Caught Between Light and Dark has so much, including an unpredictable plot, dabs of humor, and the Fellowship working together at its best. One example of the author's sensitivity and understanding of the characters is the scene where Aragorn bids Pippen to take guard duty because Gimli's physical strength is needed. Staring at an empty landscape with his back to Frodo's emergency is the last thing curious, active, concerned Pippin wants to do, but Aragorn perceptively explains so that Pippen not only assumes the watch without pouting, but does so fiercely knowing that by doing so he is helping to keep Aragorn from falling. Sometimes, as in chapter one, the Fellowship makes plans through discussion. Then there are the beautiful moments when they function in perfect accord without words as when elderly Gandalf flexes his wrists and grasps the blanket. Descriptions of the clues Aragorn finds on the ledge, the Fellowship watching from above, and the entrance to the tunnel are so vivid I feel as if I've seen, Caught between Light and Dark, the Movie! My favorite image was of Sam trying to restrain himself by clamping both hands over his mouth and of his eyes peering out above them mad with worry. Actually, my mouth needs two handed clamping so this review doesn't run longer than the chapter, but I can't wind down without saying I'm always deeply touched by the good, brave hearted Boromir, whose fate is so tragic. Therefore I especially apppreciated his eloquent explanation of how Frodo was chosen to be kidnapped as a means of demoralizing all of the Fellowship and condemning all of the free people of middle Earth. Take your time, Budgielover. The wait will be worth it. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/5/2005 |
| This is off to a wonderful, suspenseful and altogether creepy start! I loved everyone teasing Frodo in the first chapter, and how quickly they became serious when they realized Frodo was missing. You've got me on the edge of my seat. | |