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| Fey by Thundera Tiger | 51 Review(s) |
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| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/11/2011 |
| That was the best tale I have read in a long time, I am glad it had a positive ending...I wasn't sure. Eowyn knew he went thru some darkness it seemed and could relate to it, I loved Olorin being in this tale as well, it was peaceful and sweet, it took the creepy away. Hugs The Imp Author Reply: Thanks so much for the review, and I'm glad I could provide a positive ending. Faramir will be on the mend and he'll get to go one and do fun Fourth Age stuff, so yes, it's definitely positive. Thanks again! | |
| Praveen | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/11/2011 |
| Thanks for your kind reply for my earlier review to chapter 4. So 1. The creatures were Mewlips. I had guessed this by end of chapter 5, but so have some other commentators. In a way though, they are spawn of Morgoth, since I tend to think all evil creatures, which are usually not Eruhini or created by (other) Valar, must have originated from Morgoth. Though, as you say, they are not related to or minions of Sauron. 2. The things Faramir feared we pretty much as I thought. 3. Gandalf. I like the fact that he sent the dreams. He must already have been in the west then, since he says 'we'. I was wondering by end of chapter 5, if the dreams were the work of the Lord of Dreams. They could not be ordinary dreams, since Faramir had begun to have them in waking life. Either they were sent by some one, or Faramir was having halusinations - Mad. That was a strong possibility according to modern science, since he had 'schzitzophrenic genes' from his father - though I can't imagine you actually making him mad. This story was so good, to the extent that I haven't read - haven't had the patience to read - any other ff since. You have set such high standards! I do have remaining questions though. 1. How do Mewlips live under water? The chambers themselves have air in them, it seems. So is the water held off, by magic, in this submerged chambers, creating a water vacuum? So did water rush in, and people temporarily drowned, when the mewlips lost? Did Aragorn and co struggle to breathe for a while and emerged on the surface, like divers, holding Faramir? 2. The end, for all the intensity, seems a bit abrupt. Will you write an epilogue? perhaps showing how the Mewlips are finally driven completely from the Marshes? Thunderous story! :) Totally mad :) <= The best compliments I could think of. Author Reply: My thanks for your review, and my apologies for the lateness of this reply. I was on vacation and had little Internet access! Many people caught the Mewlips as the enemy, which surprised me because I happened upon them by accident one day and chalked them up as some of the most obscure creatures I'd ever heard of. Clearly I need to get busy with my Tolkien research! ;) Glad you liked Gandalf. At this point, he's still two years away from sailing into the West, but he's not the only one keeping tabs on Middle-earth. I actually envision him in the home of Tom Bombadil for all this, but that's just me. You can put him wherever you'd like. As for the Mewlips living under water, I have no good answer for you. I was taking cues from the Barrow-wrights, who have mounds that seem to open and close magically. The water was never very deep in this part of the swamp, and I kind of envision the roots coming up and opening holes that the Mewlips slip into. But again, that's pretty vague. I didn't want to develop the Mewlips too much because even Tolkien didn't delve that deeply into them. As for Mewlips finally driven completely from the marshes, I don't think that's possible. They're kind of like orcs. There will always be one or two still around. ;) | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/10/2011 |
| Well, it's about time that Faramir got a good night's sleep! And if he needs an extra hand to fluff his pillow, I'd be happy to help . Seriously, more lovely hurt/comfort. Faramir certainly seems the worse for wear; damaged lungs are no picnic in this fairly low-tech society. I'm assuming that the shadow Aragorn detected over Faramir's heart was not physical in nature, and had something to do with Gandalf? And it was great seeing Gandalf again! It certainly made more sense for Gandalf to be orchestrating those strange dreams than Gimli. Beautiful Faramir/Eowyn scene, too. I bet she rode hell-for-leather from Emyn Arnen to Minas Tirith; and they are just so good and comfortable together. So the Swamp Demons were Mewlips? Very good choice of antagonists, and darned spooky they were. You've made me a very happy Faramirist with this story. Author Reply: Tardy again. But here at last with a reply! Thanks so much for the review. Glad you liked Gandalf. I've always felt he had a soft spot for Faramir. The poor guy was in far too many no-win situations, and Gandalf could certainly relate. And a "happy Faramirist" is some of the highest praise I could ever hope for, especially coming from you. Thanks so much! If I'm even remotely close to the mark, it's because I try my hardest to mimic the great Faramir writers. ;) | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/10/2011 |
His a living torch both in body and in mind, for there is nothing to stop the memories now. Is there a word missing here? Other than my not being quite sure how the fire is not burning Faramir, and exactly how fire empowered the line of Stewards, I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter. We don't get enough fanfic with Faramir on the offensive, showing off his warrior skills. And he's awesome here, using bones as improvised torches. This chapter kind of reminds me of those Die Hard movies, only it's Faramir v. Swamp Demons to save the day (and Legolas and Aragorn and co.)! Faramir's feeling hope when he finds Aragorn alive is a nice touch; as a nod to Aragorn's boyhood name and the theme of Aragorn as the epitome of hope as well as it being a completely natural emotion for Faramir at this point. Author Reply: Apologies for the tardiness in this response. I've been on vacation and incommunicado. Anyway, no missing word. Just a miss-typed word. It amounts to the same thing. I'll go fix it! ;) Many thanks for the review. As for the fire not burning Faramir, it's based on something my brother sees occasionally in the ER when patients try to commit suicide by fire and fail miserably because the vapors burn but they don't. From Faramir's perspective, though, it's a little confusing. I'll see what I can do about it. Glad you liked the reference to Estel, though. I was trying to underplay that since it felt a little too obvious on a first draft, but of course you would spot it! :) Thank you again! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/10/2011 |
| Hah! I *knew* somehow it was Gandalf, or at least suspected. Read at a gulp, in a tearing hurry, but I hope to come back and read at leisure some day. thanks! Author Reply: Please accept this wondrous cookie of your choice for figuring out the Gandalf angle. There were actually several who did so early on, and I was very impressed. Congratulations! And many thanks for the review! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/10/2011 |
| Oh dear, they're in the thick of it now! Very intense chapter; things getting worse and worse until that final frightening line. A battle with orcs and Haradrim would probably be much easier, one would at least know what one was fighting. Faramir's present tense viewpoint works very well throughout the story, by the way. Author Reply: Thanks for your comments on present tense! It was a point of extensive debate while this story was being written and betaed. And it was a lot more work than I anticipated. But I learned a lot from the experience, so it was worth it. | |
| Adrianne | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/9/2011 |
| Oh, I did not see that coming! Gandalf, Olorin, Mithrandir, by any other name is the wizard of wisdom that we love. And oh, how appropriate that it should be so. Stunning conclusion to a masterful story! I particularly love this line of Aragorn's: "It seems you are not the only one given to creative interpretation of the rules, and we must needs discuss this at a later time." And this from Eowyn: "Gondor estimates travel by the standards of slow horses and cautious riders." And finally this: '"Rest," she tells him. "There is no threat here. Close your eyes, and I will guard your sleep." The burn within his heart ebbs. Stars and moon give the night a gentle glow. Far away, as though through distant mists, he hears her promise taken up by a wandering pilgrim. Rest. Sleep, and I will also guard your dreams this night. Whole and at peace, Faramir sleeps."' And thus content with this tales end, I too will make my way to bed and sleep a peaceful sleep. Thank you. Author Reply: Thank you so much for your review! I'm glad you liked those lines. Eowyn surprised me with how fun she was to write. I was hesitant at first because I'm awkward with romantic couples, but Eowyn was spunky enough to make it entertaining. I'm so glad you liked her lines! Thank you again for your kind words! I truly appreciate them! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/9/2011 |
| Ah, Faramir's going hunting! You illustrate the dichotomy between Faramir the Thinker and Faramir the Man of Action here; he's making the necessary command decisions and preparing to go out into danger... Author Reply: I kept going back to Beregond's statement in the books that Faramir is bolder than most men think. That was kind of the driving force behidn this chapter: What would a bold man do that might be a little bolder than others are expecting? And how would he go about it in a clever fashion? That was the main reason an entire chapter became devoted to how Faramir convinced himself and others to head for the swamps. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/9/2011 |
| I'm not thrilled about the King going off to explore that stinky swamp; and the dreams are certainly cryptic. The plot is thickening, danger is not close but perhaps not that far away either? It's a measure of the general unease that Faramir is not sure of his own mind, which is usually such a powerful engine... Author Reply: Well, he wouldn't be Aragorn if he didn't wander off into the muddier places of Gondor. ;) You can take the Ranger out of the Wilds, but you can't take either the Wilds or the Ranger out of the King. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/9/2011 |
| Excellent beginning; spooky and sweet by turns. I love the relationship between Faramir and Aragorn here; the way Faramir turns to the king for support and also feels protective of him. And weird, spooky dreams, even while Faramir's awake! Nice hurt/comfort scene too, heartfelt but not overdone, just the way I like it. Author Reply: Gyah, the h/c between Aragorn and Faramir kept giving me grief! These are able-bodied men in an armed camp, and they're not going to go in for hugging and tucking others in. But they do care about each other, and they are dealing with the unknown. I'm so glad you felt it wasn't overdone! That was a scary scene to write! | |