Memory Of Darkness by Jay of Lasgalen
Karri · 5 April 2004 · Chapter 3: Whispers in The Dark
Its wonderful to see this scene from Legolas's perspective -- especially as I've already read it from Arwen's, and so know it turns out all right in the end. ;-) I hope you will be kind and hurry with more.
Author's reply
Shh! Don't give anything away! Although this is based on the incident mentioned in EoME, I'm writing each chapter from scratch, so be patient!
LKK · 1 April 2004 · Chapter 2: Darkness Falls
For some reason, I hadn't realized that Elrond and Thranduil were also mapping the caves until this chapter. I guess I missed out on that piece of information earlier. I liked how both fathers reacted to their children's distress. I think the situation will be harder for Thranduil than for Elrond though. Thranduil is so accustomed to having the forest help him connect with Legolas and his people. But with the kids underground, the forest can't help much. Elrond isn't accustomed to the forest's connection, so he won't have that additional loss. The kids have handled themselves very well. Even though they're scared and worried, they've kept themselves focused and made good decisions. I wish I could be as rational as them in times of emergency! Elrohir needs to get over his guilt trip though. He certainly wasn't at fault and no one other than him could possibly think so. I hope Elladan can find his way back to the palace quickly so that he can bring help!
Author's reply
Elrond is also a map freak, so he wouldn't turn down the chance to explore the tunnels! All three parents know that something is wrong, but not what - not yet. I'm glad you think the 'elflings' have handled themselves well - I'm not keen on stories where the twins are just buffoons, so although they tease one another, they can also be sensible and responsible. Poor Elrohir's guilt is more because he feels so helpless at the moment - he doesn't realise how much he is helping Arwen. Jay
Nilmandra · 30 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Darkness Falls
I like your Arwen, Jay. She is not a frightened, helpless maiden, but someone that can stay calm and do what needs to be done in an emergency. I also liked that both Thranduil and Elrond could sense that their children were in danger. I hope the twins manage to bring help quickly, but I am sure this will be a difficult rescue!
Author's reply
I feel that Arwen, given who her parents and brothers are, is not a weak character. That is perhaps why I didn't object too much to her rescuing Aragorn and the hobbits in FOTR. She learned medicine from her father. She won't panic, but knows things are bad. And I do like to make a strong link between 'my' elves! Jay
daw the minstrel · 28 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Darkness Falls
I like how brave Arwen is being here. She really is a strong person and not a lot of fanfic shows that. Thranduil must be going crazy with Legolas so badly hurt. I liked the bit about talking to an unconscious person. Elrond has taught his children well.
Author's reply
Welcome home, Daw! I hope your trip went well. I haven't written about Arwen that much, but when I do include her, I like to show her as a strong character, well able to keep up with her brothers. Poor Thranduil only knows that something is wrong at the moment, but not what - that comes later. I think Elrond would teach all his children the healing arts - and we know the twins were healers, because Aragorn 'sent for the sons of Elrond' after the battle of the Pelennor Fields. Jay
Elendiari22 · 25 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Darkness Falls
Oh, this is getting intense! I like that Elrond and Thranduil can sense when their cildren are in danger; it's a very nice touch. I can hardly wait for the next update! Thanks!
Author's reply
I like to write a very close bond between 'my' elves - Legolas and Thranduil; Elladan and Elrohir; Elrond (and Celebrian) and their children. The next chapter should be posted next week. Jay
Amlee · 25 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Darkness Falls
I must say I am still snickering at the use of your Elvish curse! Another great chapter up. Waiting for more. :)
Author's reply
I'm not sure where 'Balrog's Balls' came from - I suddenly heard Elrohir saying it! He probably got it from Glorfindel ;) I'm glad you like this. Jay
Nilmandra · 20 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
I think we better speak before we write more stories, Jay. Poor Elrohir is getting tortured. If you're going to pick on Elrohir this time, I'll do Elladan next time! Poor things - a cave in while lost in the dark. Yuck. Reminds me why I am claustrophobic. :/
Author's reply
Yes, why do we love torturing our favourite elves? You're worse than me when it comes to poor Elrohir - you're picking on him in two concurrent stories! Hmm, claustrophobia? Nasty. You'll notice that none of the elves are claustrophobic in this story. Yet. Jay
LKK · 19 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
I loved that you continued Elrond's and Elrohir's fascinations with maps that you established in MidWinter Gifts. They were practically salivating at the idea of exploring the caverns. I'm a little surprised Elrond didn't come on the expedition. But why, oh why, didn't the young ones use the maps they were making to find their way out of the tunnels! Foolish elves. Now look and see what's happened to them. :-( I suppose it's too much to hope that Elrohir's not injured in his fall. Worse yet, because Elladan didn't warn Arwen and Legolas about the imminent rockslide, they could be injured too. I was going to say what a cliff-hanger ending this chapter had, but it's really a cliff-falling-off-of ending since Elrohir lost his grip. Either way, this reader's heart thinks it's a bad way to end a chapter. Update soon for the sake of my heart, at least! LKK
Author's reply
You should know by know that I like cliffhangers - but they're not usually quite so literal. I used the map idea as a plausible reason to get them into the caves in the first place, without it being a foolish risk. Poor Thranduil is going to feel *very* bad about this ... Jay
JastaElf · 19 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
AI!!! a literal cliffhanger!! But he fell!! NO!!! Eeep. What a tale! You sure do love to get these folks into messes, don't you?? (grin) as if the rest of us should talk.... ;-) I love the fact that Elrohir and Elrond are map freaks. I am too! I love maps, maps of all sorts, and orienteering (which is sort of what they're doing, with the added level of mapping the caverns) is so much fun! However, I think if I had been Arwen I would have clouted either Elladan or Legolas for that stunt... then pretended I didn't know it was them.... ;-) A really great beginning! I look forward to watching the tale unwind. Oh--and Barnaby says hi. :-) He's going to Mount Vernon this weekend...
Author's reply
As I said to Daw, I'd not thought about this being a cliffhanger in that sense. But me? Put my characters through torment? ;) I try to give the twins different personalities, and one part of that is that Elrohir loves maps and books, and helps his father in cataloging the library. I liked the way he talked Elladan into joining the expedition. And thanks to Barnaby as well! Mount Vernon? Sounds interesting! Jay
Elendiari22 · 18 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
Oi! Not good! Oh, I can see this turning into a lovely long adventure. Thanks!
Author's reply
No, not good at all. Poor elves. I don't see this being a particularly long story - but I've said that before ... Jay
FirstMate · 18 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
Oh...wonderful start!! I love your stories of the younger twins' exploits and this one promises to be a great story--what should have been a fun little adventure exploring the caves has now turned dangerous and it will be interesting to see how they all handle themselves during a crisis (well, assuming that Elrohir really does fall and gets hurt). I'll be awaiting the next chapter eagerly!
Author's reply
The crisis looms large in the next chapter, and I hope you like the way they respond. I want the twins to appear mature and responsible, unlike some fics I've read where they sound like the Weasley twins! How about an update of 'Lost' soon? I want to find out what's happened!! Jay
Amlee · 18 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
ROTFLMAO! "Balrog’s balls!"??? So funny! Great story!
Author's reply
It was fun trying to think of an Elvish curse - this could be an expression Elrohir heard Glorfindel using. Jay
daw the minstrel · 18 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Journeys In The Dark
Holy cow. A literal cliff-hanger! Well, I guess he's not hanging any more. I could see that this was a risky situation from the start, but actually it sounded like fun. You could map the place like the twisty little passages in some computer games.
Author's reply
LOL! I hadn't thought of it being a cliff hanger in that sense before! Poor Elrohir, but he's not the only one with problems just now ... Jay