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| The Set of the Soul by Nilmandra | 46 Review(s) |
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| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/25/2008 |
| Guys, your kindness is overwhelming. I really thought I was seeing things when the story alert for this popped up in my inbox! What a tense start! You reeled me straight back in to the story. Not to mention the fact that I could feel my chest tightening just reading about Lathron’s struggle to breathe. I couldn’t decide who to feel sorrier for – Thranduil or Tathiel. Poor Thranduil, to have two of his sons bitten. And Tathiel is in a tough position trying to stay calm when she knows it doesn’t look good for Lathron – and then to discover that Emlin is missing! Ack. It was a very effective moment, though, when no-one realises at first who she’s asking about her daughter. I love how Bregolas acts immediately. His sensitivity to spider venom. No! Well, that makes things a bit more... complicated. No doubt Camnesta will be kicking himself that he didn’t mention it but it probably just never occurred to him. It stopped. That was a real fall-off-the-seat moment! Thankfully I at least knew that Emlin was with Tinánia. But wow, daw. I’ve seen you write gripping scenes plenty of times but the atmosphere and tension in this whole part is incredible. The whole forest seemed to be close to panic and, well, you can imagine how uncomfortable I was with the thought of that blasted spider overhead. I’m cringing even now. Tinánia is amazing – you can really feel the conflict in her as she wants to just get rid of the spider if she can and yet wants nothing more than to protect Emlin from any further danger. She’s absolutely that brave and tender soul that we all know but with more confidence now. I think I moaned out loud when she realises that Lathron is in such trouble in the midst of all this. Speaking of bravery, Emlin really shines here. She’s just an elfling but there’s some strength in her. Not surprising, I suppose, knowing who her parents are! What had been here, hidden somewhere, were the eggs. Now they were hatching. Oh God. That’s just incredibly disgusting. Way to traumatise me! Poor Legolas. Thank heavens for Ada, who tries to reassure him even while his other son lies in such danger. But I thought that spurt of guilt was very realistic. And then, just incase I was getting complacent, we have Lathron struggling to communicate and then nearly losing himself again as he tries to reach his wife. I’m worn out!! Fascinating glimpse of how his visions work, though. And I love, love, love that Tinánia can reach back and reassure him through their bond. "Whee!" the spider said. My reaction at that point is unrepeatable in polite company ;-) Though the uh-oh made me laugh! And sigh in utter relief. I’m still so impressed by Emlin. She’s just so willing to do what’s necessary. Even when she doesn’t want to leave Tinánia alone. "Breathe, Lathron," his father ordered, so he did. That made me smile. Yay for formidable fathers and obedient sons. He wished he could smile. And that brought tears to my eyes. The scene between Lathron and Tinánia is very touching. He just adores her. And what a lovely insight into his character when she asks him about his visions. And not just his character but his mother’s and his father’s too. I’m glad he had his mother when he needed her most and I thought he showed a very deep appreciation of Thranduil when he says Adar was good about valuing the strength in each of us, even when he did not understand. As bad as it sounds, I’m glad in a way that they discovered his sensitivity to spider venom before he was destined to a job that he’d do wholeheartedly but that would never be his true place. Legolas seems to be doing much better! Thankfully. And Emlin’s back in her rightful place at his side. "I will be a healer and a warrior." Heh. Something tells me that whatever she chooses, Mirkwood will be lucky to have her. It’s interesting to watch Legolas try to understand Lathron. I think they’re very alike in their humility, even though all Legolas realises yet is that he had to act as he did because otherwise his brother would have been left alone. You can really see how having Bregolas and Lathron as his two role models could make him into Legolas of the Fellowship. And that troublesome squirrel is back! He started this whole thing! "I could be safe in more places if I had a sword." LOL!!! Nice one, Legolas. And a very fitting ending :-) I can’t possibly thank you both enough for this. I love this series and it made me so happy to see more of this story yesterday. Nilmandra, thank you for your generosity with this – and for giving me more Lathron! – and I sincerely hope things improve for you. And daw, you did an amazing job with the chapter. You should be very proud of yourself. Thank you for another wonderful gift. I’m so lucky in my friends. Author Reply: I had a wonderful time writing this, Dot. I got hooked into writing about Lathron and Tinania, and was afraid I hadn't done justice to the kids, especially Emlin. But then Nilmandra beta read and said the Tinania/Emlin parts were the best in the chapter. So go figure. I can never tell! As I was writing, I thought about how much you hate spiders and sat back for a moment. Then (I'm sorry) I laughed. I hope reading this didn't send you into too much trauma. C'mon. The baby spider was cute! Born to be bad, but cute. Whee! One of the parts of "May the Valar Protect Them" that I liked the best was the portrayal of Lathron as visionary and not quite in sync with Thranduil. Well, you know how I like father/son conflict. So this story was a chance to play with that part of his personality. Nilmandra was very generous to let me do this. I would have been sad if I to give one of my stories to someone else to write, and I kept asking her if she was sure she didn't mind. But she said go ahead, and I had a terrific week doing it. I woke up every morning glad to have it ahead of me. I think many of us feel lucky in our online friends. I know I do. In your case, you're reaping what you sowed with your generous reviews and interesting conversation. | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/25/2008 |
| I loved the story no matter who was writing it, Nilmanda stories were the first stories I ever read for Fanfiction and Daws were the second and I shall always love you both, you are most talented! Hugs The Imp Author Reply: Bless you, Elflingimp. You know just what to say. Nilmandra and I stumbled on one another's stories five years ago when we were both just starting out in fanfic. We became one another's betas, and I learned a lot from her. daw | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/25/2008 |
| What a delightful ending to a thoroughly enjoyable, though harrowing, story. Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Agape. I had a ton of fun following up on the beginning Nilmandra wrote. Whee! daw | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/25/2008 |
| Wow - didn't know this was written a long time ago. Just saw it posted now. A real hear-stopper. I had my mouth open the entire time I read this chapter. Very good, very taut, very scary! Now onto chapter 2! Author Reply: I've never had a story sit for so long - they get started, they get finished, we move on to the next one .. .but this has not been a good year health wise. I am so glad Daw was willing to play in my world and finish it for me. Glad you liked the beginning. :>) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/25/2008 |
| Delightful. I'm so glad Lathron survived the spider bite. And Legolas, of course - and I'm pleased the allergy passed him by. Tinania and Emlin did well - stupid spider. It deserved to drown. You did a great job writing these characters - love them all. I hope Nilmandra feels better soon. And that Dot enjoys her birthday. Author Reply: I was nervous about writing someone else's characters. I've never done it before. Well, except for Tolkien's. :-) But this was fun, mostly because Nilmandra had already set the plot in motion and I got to sort it out. I've always been intrigued by Lathron's visions, so that was fun to fiddle with too. Glad you liked it, Bodkin. daw | |
| scarletdragon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/25/2008 |
| OMG, u r still alive. I was beginning 2 think u had been eaten by a giant spider, or been killed by orcs! Cool story. Don't dissappear again please! Author Reply: Hi, Scarletdragon! You're probably talking to Nilmandra because she hasn't been around for a while. That's why she asked me to write chapter 2 for her. She's busy at work and has also been sick a lot this year, so I don't know how soon she'll be posting again. Glad you liked the story. daw | |
| Naledi | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/25/2008 |
| I'm so glad to see this finished. And I wouldn't have noticed the change in authors without the explanation - you've picked up the style and characters with no obvious transition. It was good to see Legolas still determined to get his sword even after the fright he'd been through. He's definitely cut out to be a warrior :) Author Reply: I had a great time finishing this, Naledi. I went through chapter 1, highlighting what I needed to pick up for chapter 2, because I wanted to do the story justice for Nilmandra. And yes, Legolas is cut out to be a warrior, one who won't leave a companion who's in trouble. Glad you liked it. daw | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/24/2008 |
| Hey, you never told me you were available to finish stories! This is great, daw. I love the "uh-oh" as the spider falls into the river. And yay for the girls! That must really suck to be a warrior wood-elf with a spider-venom allergy. Permanent desk-duty, anyone? A lovely finish to the story. And Happy Birthday to Dot! Author Reply: LOL. I didn't know I was available to finish stories either until Nilmandra suggested I try it with this one. I had so much fun. I woke up every morning I was working on this thinking, Yay! I have that story to write. Nilmandra writes good strong female characters. I always thought that about Tathiel in "May the Valar Protect Them." I had to ask Nilmandra what Lathron did. Turns out he's an advisor, first assistant to the chief advisor whose name I've forgotten. Also I had to shove all the other siblings off stage because I was dazed at the idea of writing about that whole herd. Author Reply: Besides, you know dang well you'd hurt me if I touched "Truce." | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/24/2008 |
| To quote the spider: 'Whee!' A new chapter from Daw/Nilmandra!! I'd more or less forgotten this story, but had to read the update before I went back to read the original post. Poor Lathron. His sensitivity to spider venom is worrying, but I'm so glad he survived. The moment when he stopped breathing must have been terrifying for Thranduil. Tinánia and Emlin are wonderful - little Emlin is so brave! And strange as it may sound, I just loved the spider - its 'Whee!' as it swung on its thread and the 'Uh-oh' as it fell into the river made me laugh. Thank you Daw & Nilmandra for a wonderful story, and happy birthday to Dot for Tuesday! Jay Author Reply: You know, I'd almost forgotten this story too when Nilmandra suggested I could finish it if I wanted to. But when I reread it, I was excited to be working with a real plot, which I haven't been doing much in fanfic lately. I've always like Lathron, with that visionary, dreamy side, so this was a chance to think about that a little. And I think Nilmandra is really good at writing strong female characters, like Tinania, Emlin, and Tathiel. I got carried away with the spider, I think. Whee! This was fun. daw | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/24/2008 |
| I'm speechless. I never expected... I didn't... Oh wow. I haven't even read it yet. Off to do that now. Seriously touched here. Author Reply: Look at me, pretending to be Nilmandra! Hope you like it, Dot. I had so much fun writing this, I could hardly stand it. daw | |