Reviews (134)

Mysterious Jedi · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

dressed in rags, but adorned with jewels---do you think there's any symbolism in that?

Andrea · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

Shirebound, this story is breathtaking! "Let death be the last thing he sees before awakening again" That wight is pure evil! But at last Frodo remembers Tom Bombadil's rhyme while thinking of old Bilbo's silly spider rhymes. That is very convincing. You also captured perfectly the rhythm of Tom Bombadil when he's speaking to Goldberry. And now - Tom to the rescue!

cpsings4him · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

Shirebound, this is BRILLIANT! It's so wonderfully creepy and dark...yet, somehow, full of hope! “I think not,” Bilbo had said with a curious smile that Frodo had not understood at the time. “You underestimate yourself, my boy. If you ever find yourself alone in the dark, facing something no one else dares face... I think you might surprise yourself.” I LOVE that line! I love that thouht that Frodo is returning to his time with his Uncle Bilbo to give him strength and courage. Great job!

Connie B. · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

Fantastic chapter, Shirebound. I especially liked Frodo thinking about Bilbo's stories and remembering the things the older hobbit had told him about his own courage and overcoming fear. The short scene between Goldberry and Tom was nice, too. I'm looking forward to what happens after they are rescued. The scene in the book is so short and leaves a lot unexplained. Thanks. Connie B.

SlightlyTookish · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

Another wonderful chapter! I love seeing Frodo take strength from Bilbo's stories here, and I especially liked the bit about Bilbo telling Frodo the true stories, without embellishing them or making all his adventures sound like fun. I'm sure this prepared Frodo better for his own adventure better than anything else could have :)

Dreamflower · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

Bilbo. Frodo’s thoughts flew back, unbidden, to a far off time -- sitting in front of the hearth at Bag End, listening raptly to stories that made his uncle’s eyes sparkle and gleam. The real stories, grim and serious, when he and Bilbo were alone, and his uncle wasn’t embellishing anything for his uppity relations or making his Adventure sound jolly for the children. I love that you make *this* the key to waking up Frodo's courage. I love the idea that Bilbo did tell Frodo the "real" parts of his story, and that it is the desire to make Bilbo proud of him that gives him the impetus to go beyond the Ring's temptation and *act*. I love that it is remembering Bilbo's silly taunts to the spiders that reminds him of the silly poem to summon Tom. Bilbo, good old Bilbo. Who had sense enough to make the best hobbit in the Shire his heir.

Auntiemeesh · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

The Dark Lord’s hand... Observe what one hand can do, small one. This is such a well thought out and written explanation of why the wight manifested as only and arm and hand. I love how Frodo's thoughts turn to Bilbo in a crisis and he finds his own hope and the solution to his own problem from Bilbo's stories. I particularly liked this, The real stories, grim and serious, when he and Bilbo were alone, and his uncle wasn’t embellishing anything for his uppity relations or making his Adventure sound jolly for the children. This was a great chapter and Yay! Tom Bombadil is on the way. :)

Anso the Hobbit · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

I love seeing Bilbo in this too. He knew more about these things than he let on I think. It`s good that he told Frodo about them though, he needed it now. Another great chpeter!

Breon Briarwood · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

*big sigh of relief*

Elwen · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

Oh now . . . this is a chilling chapter. *shudders* I like your little aside to Goldberry and Tom. And GB's thoughts about the wights lack of love for nature. A very appropriate thought for her.

Lily the Hobbit · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

What a brave hobbit!! It almost made me cry. It's amazing how you knot everything together.

smaugs_mommy · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Voices in the Dark

I'm really enjoying this...and I can't wait for Tom to get our dear hobbits out of there :)

Ariel · 2 March 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

At last I have a chance to read this! Very nicely done, SB - tight to canon and compelling in the interpretation. These are the kinds of fics I really enjoy so I am very grateful you are writing it.

Auntiemeesh · 26 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

I love all the detail in this, particularly the sword glowing green in the presence of the wights, explaining the green glow in the barrow when Frodo wakes up. I'm also fascinated by the ritual the wight is attempting to play out with Merry, Pippin and Sam. I must say, you're doing an excellent job of having to WIPs going at once. :)

Hai Took · 26 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

*shivers* The way that they got lost and confused when all the hobbits got separated. The idea that the wight controlled the weather and even the kind of fog created to keep out sound or redirect it was so creepy! Laying the rituals and trying to decide how to proceed with each of the hobbits was creepy as well, perhaps I'm over using the word but it fits this story so well! Also that the wight could search their memories was disturbing! Interesting as well that the sword would clow green for wights! Such and fascinating idea! Too bad Merry didn't end up carrying it, or would it show Ringhtwraiths? Hm, maybe I just got my bad guys confused, I hope there will be more soon! You are filling in details so wonderfully! It all fits will with the books!

Larner · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

Again, a fascinating description of events which serves well as a gapfiller. The description of Sting's mate is fascinating. All is well written and consistent with much of archaeology and mythology.

Nilmandra · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

This is an interesting turn - the wight recognized the Ring of Power and set Frodo aside unspoiled. Boy, did he ever underestimate Frodo. I wonder if he feared mixing his spells with that of the power of his dark lord? Now, I have often wondered why the wight left them alone, and I am curious to see you show us why.

Nilmandra · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 2: Snared

I like your evil, creepy wight. He is clearly drawn to the power that Frodo carries and is able to ensnare the hobbits all too easily. Gandalf knew how dangerous this was when he heard of it - what if that wight had taken the Ring? Would it be just a trinket? Terrible thoughts of the waking dead rising to terrorize this part of Middle-earth, or the wight handing it over to the Witch-King are filling my mind!

Inkling · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

Now THAT was unexpected: the wight recognized the Ring! And is afraid to mess with it! What a dutiful minion…as opposed to Grishnakh, who wanted the Ring for himself! (To do what, though—challenge Sauron? We never know, of course, though I always found it an interesting question...but that’s a subject for another fic!) You know, I can’t help but feel a little sorry for the wight, with its morose meditations…it’s stuck in this forgotten backwater of evil, trying to stay relevant… A great chapter!

Lindelea · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

Continues excellent, carefully crafted, with attention to the finest details. So that's where the greenish light comes from! And you have me very worried for our friends, even though I know the outcome! All is logical, and the details fall nicely into place in the web you are weaving. (Even Merry's words on wakening... you've "explained" them and so much more!)

Gentle Hobbit · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

You're right. It is creepy. Such slow, deliberate preparations and thoughts -- you really showed how the wight is weighed down by centuries of time. I am looking forward to when Frodo wakes up!

Claudia (too lazy to login) · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

This was so chilling. I don't think I've ever imagined anything from the wight's POV. I do like his obvious confusion which therefore leads to cautiousness in dealing with the halflings...:-) He might JUST have underestimated them...

Breon Briarwood · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

*bites nails*

Dreamflower · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

This is really beginning to make some sense out of an episode that I think JRRT left unexplained on purpose. You seem to be covering all the bases. Why did he seemingly leave Frodo alone? Why the ritual garb for the other three? Why did Merry seem to have knowledge of the past? (And on that last one, I have a theory of my own. Doesn't contradict yours, but it makes sense of some things that happen to him later.) This is an amazing gap-filler.

Mysterious Jedi · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: In the Barrow

I love how Sam was considered worthy of respect equal to that given to Merry and Pippin. If only he knew---I can just see his blushes and hear his stammering!