Memory Of Darkness by Jay of Lasgalen
Manderly · 15 May 2004 · Chapter 6: The Longest Night
That was quite heart-breaking. Poor Thranduil! There really is nothing worse than for a parent to see his/her child suffer. Hopefully Calmacil is right about the stubborness - I think both father and son will need it to get through this.
Author's reply
This is actually worse for Thranduil than for Legolas - at least he's unconscious most of the time. But they're both strong - and stubborn and can help each other.
Karri · 15 May 2004 · Chapter 6: The Longest Night
A very intense chapter, Jay! Nice work. :-D
Author's reply
I'm glad you like it - poor Legolas is not at all well, and Thranduil has to suffer as well.
daw the minstrel · 15 May 2004 · Chapter 6: The Longest Night
Jay, it occurs to me that you have an injured Legolas in both your current stories. How do you do that? I would get so confused! Poor Thranduil. I know that Legolas is in a lot of pain but at least he is unconscious most of the time. Thranduil is agonizing here.
Author's reply
The other story is already written, I'm just polishing it as I post. So I only have to worry about Legolas in *this* story. And as he's out of it mostly, I can concentrate on Thranduil angst!
LKK · 4 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
I'm glad everyone is back in the palace safely. But I fear their troubles aren't over yet. At the very least, Legolas is going to have a long recovery. And if I remember rightly, your Legolas does not make a very patient patient! ;) Too funny about the boots, Jay! Nice piece of levity to balance the chapter. Good job.
Author's reply
The next chapter will be about Legolas and his recovery. I got some great information from Nilmandra about the effects of such injuries - it won't be an easy time. At least when he's able to be difficult he'll be a long way to being fully recovered! I'm glad people liked the boots part - I was afraid it may come across as too frivolous in the circumstances. But people joke at the most dire times in RL.
Vi · 4 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
love the last line good to see them work together
Author's reply
Elrond has begun to train his sons in healing, although they're still young yet. It must be hard for the twins to work on each other, though - all that shared pain!
Nikara · 3 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
Very nice chapter. It is fairly impressive how easy it is for this bunch to get in trouble. I'm glad that everybody is at least able to be healed now.
Author's reply
But this time it really wasn't their fault - they were trying to help Thranduil! But yes, they are all back safe and sound. Things could be worse.
Bodkin · 3 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
I'm enjoying seeing Arwen taking a positive and brave role in this tale. Much as I love the twins and Legolas, she never really seems to get much of an opportunity to show herself as anything more than 'girlie'.
Author's reply
Although Arwen isn't my favourite character, when I do write her I like to show her strength. I don't think Aragorn would have fallen in love with her if she'd been weak. Jay
Rose Sared · 3 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
Oh, how nice to have an update of this story, time to pick up the pieces and be rotten patients all round I reckon. Thanks for a lift at the end of my Monday. Rose
Author's reply
I'm not sure about rotten patients; Legolas is going to be in no condition to argue about anything for a while, and Elrohir is mostly all right now. I read your comment about the end of Monday when I got up on Monday morning - I love time zones! Jay
Elendiari22 · 2 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
Oo, I can't wait for the next bit! I like ow Elladan masks his fear and concern with humor, and how concerned he is for his siblings. I love how you write the Elves.
Author's reply
I like writing Elladan - though Elrohir is my favourite - but he doesn't like to show his feelings too much to others. I'm glad you like him! Jay
Nilmandra · 2 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
I am glad they are all safe back in the palace now. Poor Elrohir, he ignored his injury for good reason at first, but now he is going to pay for it. Legolas sounds to be in awful shape, though, and I am sure you'll tell us how awful next update :/
Author's reply
At least Elrohir has the very best to look after him, and his arm will soon be healed. Next chapter will be mostly Legolas, and you're right, he's not in good shape. You can guess most of it, you gave me the medical information I needed! Jay
daw the minstrel · 2 May 2004 · Chapter 5: Night Draws Near
This chapter read very quickly, which I think is a sign of how well it was written. The dialogue was very realistic and moved the plot along well. I've been reading your stories for quite a while, Jay, and I think you're getting stronger as a writer. I liked the joking about the boots too!
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought the chapter flowed well, as I actually found it quite 'stodgy' to write. I tried to balance the boot incident between injecting a little humour, allowing Elladan his revenge against Lanatus, while not descending into the 'twins as idiots' stereotypes I hate. Thanks for the compliment, too! Jay
lwarren · 22 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
AGGGGHH! I'm hurting just reading this chapter! Poor Legolas! And you had me worrying for awhile that there was some sort of spider hidden somewhere near those two! Whew! at last Thranduil and the others have found them, tho'! Arwen has definitely outdone herself, with the way she's protected Legolas and refused to even move when it looked like another cave-in. Update soon, as I could hardly bear the ending and hearing that the worst was yet to come for our Prince!
Author's reply
The next chapter is about half-written, but I haven't got to the Legolas part yet! I have it on good authority (thanks, Nilmandra!) that recovery from such injuries is not pleasant, so look out for more angst. Thanks for the review. Jay
Alina · 12 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
This is wonderful, angsty tale. I love the interaction among the characters, especially Legolas and Thranduil in this chapter. Very tender but never too much. I´ll be waiting for your next update (poor elf). Alina
Author's reply
I like writing angst, and hurt/comfort. There's plenty of both to come, and more Thranduil/Legolas.
LOTRFaith · 12 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Yikes! You are seriously scaring m... :-) Hope you post soon! Namaarie~ LOTRFaith
Author's reply
Yes ... poor Legolas, and poor Thranduil too. It won't be easy for them!
Elendiari22 · 11 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Ooh, let the games begin! This is great! I can't wait for the next update!
Author's reply
Games? Well, there'll be lots of angst to come, and plenty of hurt/comfort.
Yuna_Dax · 11 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Hey Jay! Wow, another wonderful chapter in a fic I've been following for a while, well... I follow all of your fics but I do enjoy this one in particular. The realism of the characters is great, as is the storyline :) Keep up the great work!
Author's reply
I'm glad you like this - the twins aren't central characters, but are around, and will feature more in future chapters.
daw the minstrel · 11 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
The worst is just beginning?!!! Are you kidding? Poor Legolas! You had me going for a minute, Jay. I was afraid that the movement Legolas sensed was a spider. Arwen was very brave and did what she had to do. I really admire her.
Author's reply
Yes, poor Legolas - the next few days won't be much fun. There are no spiders in this story, just Legolas hallucinating a little, and developing the claustrophobia we're all familiar with through fan fiction. And as for Arwen, I've said before that Aragorn wouldn't have fallen in love with a wimp!
Nilmandra · 11 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
I am glad Legolas was rescued - glad his father knew how to get to where he was. I am glad to see Arwen continue to be brave and strong too. And you did good, I think, with the crush injury. It reminds me why I stayed far away from that side of the trauma unit. :( The build up of acid is going to make him hurt terribly from head to toe when he next wakes. Lets hope the healers are believers in the 'people heal better when not stressed by pain' philosophy! Who am I kidding - of course Elrond is! I must admit, too, that I am a big fan of the comfort part of hurt/comfort. :)
Author's reply
I think most stories ignore Arwen - but she must have had something special for Aragorn to love her so. If you can give me any ideas on how 'crush syndrome' makes the victim feel, I'd be grateful - all I can find out is the medical symptoms. And don't worry, there will be plenty of hurt AND comfort to come!
LKK · 11 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
PHEW! You really had me going off on a frightening tangent there, Jay. With Elrohir and Arwen discussing spiders, then Legolas spotting the lights over Arwen's shoulders, I was certain there was a spider's nest in the cave! I'm quite happy to be wrong. :) Sounds like the next few days are going to be rough on the prince. Hopefully, Calmacil and Elrond came help shorten the time period and prevent any downward health spirals. My favorite moment this: Legolas leaned back against his father, feeling obscurely relieved, a remnant of his childhood belief that his father could do anything, would make everything all right – somehow. Very touching.
Author's reply
No spiders, just Legolas hallucinating a little. The hibernating spiders links to a one-shot story, 'Mid Winter's Eve' that I wrote over a year ago. In my universe, Thranduil's wife is dead, so he and Legolas rely on each other a lot, and are very close. I *hate* evil! Thranduil stories!
Karri · 11 April 2004 · Chapter 4: Light At The End Of The Tunnel
*sniff* Poor kid! (All of them - but especially Legolas.) And poor Thranduil! Seeing his beloved child in so much pain has put him through the ringer already, and there's more too come. Oi! It's gonna be a rough chapter 5 for everyone! I look forward to it, though. Excellent work. It's not easy going back and filling out out a scene from an earlier story, but you're doing a great job of it! :-)
Author's reply
Yes, there'll be more Thranduil/Legolas angst to come. I'm glad you like the expanded scene - we've come to the end of what was written before, so the rest is new territory!
Nilmandra · 6 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Whispers in The Dark
Oh, brave Arwen! She did what I would expect her to do, and used her body to protect him. He would have done it for her, and they both know it. Legolas's confusion is well done, and his reaction to the pain. Poor thing - being trapped under rock is dangerous and miserable. But I am glad the parents all know something is wrong and are on their way to help. However, someone should smack Lanatus. I'm sure you will have a long line of volunteers.
Author's reply
Knowing who her parents and brothers are, I think that Arwen would be brave and courageous. Poor Legolas isn't very coherent at the moment (and it will get worse) but rescue is on the way. I'm afraid you'll have to join the queue to hit Lanatus! I love writing him - he's a little light relief in all the angst. Jay
LKK · 6 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Whispers in The Dark
What is Lanatus' problem?! Sheesh! Someone give that elf a personality transplant. Did he seriously believe that the twins would abandon their sister and friend? *shakes head in disbelief* I liked your description of Legolas' slow return to consciousness. Especially the part where he wonders why the person calling his name doesn't shut up and help the other hurt person and let him sleep in peace. Amusing and true. I hope Arwen won't pay too high a price for her bravery in protecting Legolas from the next cave-in! Looking forward to the next chapter. :-)
Author's reply
I'm afraid that's what Lanatus is like. He doesn't really approve of *anyone*, especially not those Noldorin half-breeds! Poor Legolas is hurting and not too coherent, but Arwen is doing her best to help. The next chapter should be up in the next couple of days! Jay
mistry89 · 6 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Whispers in The Dark
oh no, no review until you stop with the cliff-hangers!!! Seriously, this is great - those caves/tunnels/whatever have been begging to be explored since The Hobbit!
Author's reply
Well, I don't think the next chapter will be a cliffie (but I can't promise anything). As for the tunnels, I liked the idea that not even Thranduil knew exactly what was down there - and as mapping them was his idea, he's going to be feeling rather responsible!
Amlee · 5 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Whispers in The Dark
AHHHHHHHHHH!! Another cliffhanger! :p Great Chapter! Oh! Also I hope you put snotty nose Lanatus in his place soon!!
Author's reply
I love writing Lanatus - he's been very quiet for a while, but he's fun. And hopefully the next chapter *won't* be a cliffhanger!
daw the minstrel · 5 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Whispers in The Dark
Oh my goodness, what a place to end the chapter. Your description of Legolas's pain and confusion struck me as very realistic. The parents' knowledge that their children were in danger must have been awful, because they were helpless to do much until Elladan appeared with information.
Author's reply
The part of this chapter set in the cave was written months ago, but as I was adding detail to it I kept thinking of the opening of 'Fire And Shadow' - I do hope it doesn't sound too similar! The parents would have been worried, but the fact that they didn't know *where* the children were wasn't going to stop Thranduil or Celebrian from looking!