Caught Between the Light and Dark by Budgielover
GamgeeFest · 9 August 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven
Don't stop there! Frodo's so close to being rescued, and hopefully being able to help Merry once he's free. And the others are caught, literally, between a rock and hard place. *waits anxiously for more*
Author's reply
"caught between" - yes, exactly! Thank you! *hugs GamgeeFest*
Ariel · 8 August 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven
She is back! The mistress of the cliffhanger! Really, wonderfully suspenseful and exciting! I read so few WIPs, but your writing is irresistable. Do carry on!
Author's reply
Hi! I just wanted you to know how much I value this comment, especially from a writer of your caliber. As you know, words like this mean a lot. Thank you.
Pearl Took · 28 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Ack!! Torture!!! You're torturing us!!! I hope I'm able to get online enough to catch the next chapter while I'm on my trip. This is awesome!!!
Author's reply
You caught me - I am a secret closet sadist. I hunch over my keyboard and think, now how can I make my friends suffer... What is actually rather disturbing is how easily I can come up with these plots. The more hobbit-torture the better! (I will return to my little closet now - it has nice, white padded walls...) *grins*
Hai Took · 27 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
NO! Oh dear Merry isn't diong well at all! I feel really bad for Boromir not being able to do anything, but maybe Merry is right? He does need sleep, and that's all he's doing, right? Sleeping? You have me all upset now! Hopefully there is more soon? I did want to comment on other stuff as well so...I was really glad that Gandalf was able to discern what Frodo and written, of course I doubt it was anything to do with what he was seeing, more sensing what Frodo had wrote, very cool and wizard-like. I do think it is terribly unfair of them to have saddled Sam with Pippin "They had solved the problem of Pippin’s abundance of energy by having Samwise clamp the tweenager’s arm in his and lock-step him through the tunnel." Poor Sam, stuck trying to keep Pippin under control ;) Well done and looking forward to more! The hunters just have to be close to Frodo! As long as the Ringwraith doesn't get him first! Yikes! Hope more is soon!
Author's reply
Thank you, Hai, for getting so involved in this story, and for letting me know you care about it and what happens to our heroes! It is comments like yours that make all the work worthwhile, because (as you know as a writer) we want to share the joy and excitement and wonder of the LotRs universe. I can't imagine having more fun that we already are, doing this!
pipinheart · 27 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
This is good please continue...Poor Merry, he is ill, I hope they can get to Aragorn, he dosen't look so good...All medicine in Elvish,how convient... Good Job
Author's reply
Did you ever have one of those days when you feel like the whole world is against you? Poor Boromir - that must be exactly how he feels... Thanks for the encouragement!
pebbles66 · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Oh, you are so cruel to end a chapter like that! And nothing from Frodo either. Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to wait till you write more. Please make it soon!
Author's reply
You are right, Pebbles, it is being cruel. I cannot argue with you. But can you think of another way we could have more fun? Hooray for fanfiction!!
Dreamflower · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Wow! What a cliffie!! This is so packed with action and peril--poor Merry! And will you get back to Frodo next time? I love the way you show Merry figuring things out--he is usually characterized as especially intelligent, but in your hands, he is close to brilliant--one step ahead of everyone, even when he's injured and sick. And I like the way Sam is keeping a grip on hyper!Pippin. But I sure feel sorry for Pip when the upper wears off... And where's Frodo? *more*more*
Author's reply
I have to tell you, Dreamflower, that I had your comment about Pippin in mind when writing the 'when the uppers wears off' scene... heh, heh, heh I'm so glad the story is still able to hold your interest!
GamgeeFest · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Poor Sam, having to contend with an overactive Pippin. Sounds like they'll be running into the goblin band searching for Frodo soon, and I would suspect that Gandalf would begin to feel the Nazgul's presence the closer they get to the end of the tunnel. I just hope they don't bypass Frodo. And poor Merry. He's coherent, when he's awake enough, but he is dangerously close to slipping. Boromir's panic is especially angsty. Seasoned soldiers don't allow themselves to show their panic very often.
Author's reply
I suspect that Sam's contemplated the possibilities of a quick smack upside Pip's head, if he could just explain the tweenager's sudden silence to the others. Pip may drive him to it yet. I wonder what Frodo would do when he found out? Thank you for your comment on Boromir - I love stories that show the development of the love Boromir must have held for the hobbits, that he would be willing to give his life for them.
girlofring · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Gandalf very insightful about Frodo and the Ring. Sam knowing that trouble still lies ahead even if they are not the intended targets. Why hasn't Gandalf heard the Ringwraiths cries?
Author's reply
Isn't it great about fanfiction how we get to explore concepts that spark and flame in our minds? We all know how an innocent comment can birth a plot bunny that results in a new thought or concept in the fandom. This universe is so rich... To answer your question, I suspect that the Fellowship is yet too far from Wraith to hear it. Legolas would have a better chance, but not through solid stone. However, as they draw closer... *grins*
Ariel · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Oh, *SQUEE*, Merry angst! Oh, I am enjoying this one Budgie! Please DO keep it up. *Unabashed Grin*
Author's reply
How could I not, if I can make YOU *squee!* *Budgie gets up from her keyboard and prances around room, singing "Ariel likes my story! Ariel likkes mmmy sttooriiieeee..."*
Elwen · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
This work is so wonderful. Your insight into the workings of each character of the Fellowship is perfect and I can see and hear them clearly. And I really felt sorry for Boromir, here. Poor fella. I think he needs to take some lessons in Sindarin when they all get back together again.
Author's reply
Thank you, Elwen. I treasure your words. I see the scenes I write so clearly in my imagination, and hear the words spoken between the characters, that I often feel I am just recording what I see and hear instead of writing. *laughs* Of course, there is no 'off' switch ... which I don't mind at all, actually...
Andrea · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
OMG! What a cliffhanger! This is NOT AU, is it? Merry has a lot of deeds to do in the future. There must be someone who can help him. I'm not quite sure about where those two really are. Maybe Frodo is much closer to them than the others. He needs help himself, but if he manages to escape, he can help Merry, for he can read elvish letters. Although Aragorn or Gandalf would be much better! Can't wait for the next update :)
Author's reply
You sound so involved in this story, Andrea, and I cannot tell you how much of a delight that is to a writer. (As you know!) It is delightful to see people express anxiety over the characters, and wonder about the twists and turns of the plot. And to answer your question ... well, aren't all of our (fanfic writers) stories AU, in the strictest sense of the term?
Larner · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Cliffhanger! Excellently thought out, and I understand about Boromir's growing concern. Love Merry using the blade of his sword as a mirror.
Author's reply
Oh, I am so grateful when a reader comments on something I thought was important, or funny, or simply set the mood. Thank you, Larner, for being such an attentive and responsive reader!
Lindelea · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
"I think Gandalf might want to discuss with him the proper amount of powder for blowing things up," Aragorn said with a smile. "Or not," he added when the wizard glared at him. "That might not be wise information for someone like Merry to possess…" Hmmm. Perhaps I ought to rethink Elessar giving the secret of black powder to the Brandybucks... LOL Pippin sounds like me when I've had too much chocolate. Very tightly written, and the Merry-angst is hard to bear. Please don't keep us hanging long!
Author's reply
Too late! Too late! Aragorn's already done it ... wouldn't it be fun to tie the two incidences together? Thanks for your comment. Where else can we feel good about making our readers feel bad? *giggle*
Hai Took · 21 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
Whew! Honestly I didn't forget about your story but had to wait until I had time! Now I have a great many more things to worry about! I must say I felt bad for the warg that the Nazgul was using as well! How terrible, I suppose they aren't known for their kindness or anything but it certainly inspired pity in the readers! Poor Frodo wandering around either visible to Goblins or Ringwraiths, not a great choice but he seems to have balanced it out well and is at least hidden from both it seems for the time being. I was holding my breath with him as he tried to hide in the little nooks and crannies of the cave! Oh my, now Merry is sick! Poor Boromir not sure how to care for him and I'm sure he would blame himself if anything were to happen to Merry. Too bad Aragorn labeled everything in Elvish. Pippin was having a bit of a problem and I think Aragorn may have just given themselves more of a problem with a hyper active hobbit then one who was near collapse iwth exhaustion :) Now that I'm caught up there is just the wait for the next chapter to contend with. Looking forward to more, thank you!
Author's reply
It sounds like you need a break, Hai - a mental vacation if not an actual one. I hope you are enjoying the story, among all the angst and stress and tension! You might want to give some thought to that holiday, though ... as things are about to go from bad to truly, truly terrible... *grins evilly*
Mordaen · 17 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
This is a very good story. I love the hobbits' dialogue (it's hilarious!). Please write more.
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying the story, Mordaen. Thank you for letting me know, and for letting me know what part you especially like!
Lindelea · 16 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
And there would be no anxious Bilbo hovering over him with plasters and toffees and hugs. I love these little glimpses that expand the world from the narrow focus of the desperate situation, to the wider, brighter world behind them. The wizard losing track of the subjects! Ha! Hyper Pippin is quite astonishing (and amusing, too, even in the middle of this desperate situation). Brave Frodo! (And his imagining Sam's "look", LOL) But what about Merry?
Author's reply
Not to worry, we return to Merry in the next chapter. Thank you so much for quoting that one sentence - it held great signficance for me, for some reason. I suppose it tied Frodo to a world he no longer had, a world he could hardly bear to think about. Home and safety and normalcy ... motivation enough to save a world.
Lindelea · 16 July 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
I love the humour infused into your first paragraph, and here: "Hah," Pippin said dizzily. "I had it just where I wanted it. It only looked like I was losing." Goodness, Merry angst! (it's hard to come by well-written Merry angst, but you're doing beautifully) Did Boromir truly not read Elvish? I had some sort of idea that the Gondorians' names were Sindarin, and so I thought perhaps they'd know the language as well. But I'm not all that clear on the topic. In any event, though he might be well-versed in battlefield medicine, he might not know what to do when confronted with a full-fledged medical kit. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
I love writing Pippin ... he is made up of my nephews and nieces and younger friends and dim memories of being that age. Which is probably why he gets into so much trouble. *cough* And if you are enjoying the Merry-angst, you'll love chapter ten! Re the question on the elvish influence in Gondor, I always thought it had waned by then and elves and their culture were only a dim memory. Remember the sensation Elrond made, when he brought Arwen to be wed? Even if not, I cannot see Boromir learning Elvish ... Faramir, being Mithrandir's pupil, might have but not Boromir... Isn't it fun to spectulate on? :D
GamgeeFest · 16 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
LOL, as if Pippin isn't hyper enough on his own. Aragorn clearly did not think through the implications of this one. I hope Pippin will be alright though, that seems like a very powerful drug indeed. I loved Frodo's reminiscing about Bilbo and his description of Sam's *look*. That is so much like Sam. But Frodo's is in even more of a pickle than he was before, poor guy.
Author's reply
Honestly, things just seem to get worse and worse for Frodo, don't they? I don't know how that happens. Sometimes I have a very bad time of it trying to explain it to the Frodoll that sits on my printer and reads over my shoulder... I'm glad you enjoyed Frodo's little daydream ... it eased his mind for a few moments and stiffened his resolve. I think Sam represents home and safety and normalcy for Frodo ... all the things he left behind in the Shire.
Larner · 15 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
An already slightly rummy Pippin on an upper--I find myself cringing at the picture. Good to see Frodo able to think and fight the influence of the Ring while doing such an un-Hobbity thing as climbing to safety. Well done.
Author's reply
'Slightly rummy Pippin on an upper' - what a perfect description! I think it is a good thing that our Merry is in no condition to physically flatten Aragorn when he sees his little cousin ... of course, Frodo might do it for him!
pebbles66 · 15 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
Another great chapter. I love how you write a strong, brave Frodo. How awful for him that the Ring was resisting him, trying to betray him to the wraith! I also love your very hyper Pippin. Can't wait for more!
Author's reply
Hi, Pebbles! I'm glad you enjoy a strong, proactive Frodo. I like to write him as perhaps having to depend on being defended by the Fellowship, but not necessarily liking it. He couldn't have done what he did had he been weak. And as for 'hyper Pippin' ... I fear it is only a matter of degree, with that one. *grins*
Larner · 15 July 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Clever Frodo; steadfast other Hobbits, true companions, and concerned Boromir as he tries to figure out what to do next. Wonderfully wrought!
Author's reply
*purrs and rubs against Larner's ankles* Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying this!
Andrea · 15 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
Never before have I thought of the possibility, that the Ring would physically resist its bearer to take it off. I thought it would only mentally influence him. But nothing can resist the stubborn will of a Baggins! Go Frodo! I hope, Merry and Boromir will be near. Aragorn has achieved what he wanted. Pippin isn't tired any more. But it's really dangerous to walk unnoticed into a cave filled with goblins (and a Nazgul) with an overactive Took at your side ;-)
Author's reply
That was an enjoyable section to write, expanding on what we know of the Ring. And I think, Andrea, that your remark on it being 'really dangerous to walk unnoticed into a cave...' with Pippin in this state is about to come very, very true... (grins)
Ariel · 15 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
LOL!!! Pippin on speed! Now THERE'S an image! Heheheh! I am very glad you have Frodo going up the shaft where Merry and Boromir might have a chance of finding him! Much better than those orcs getting him!
Author's reply
*smiles* I had intended for there to be much more 'high-Pippin' humor than I found I could use, unfortunately. There is only so much humor you can insert in a primarily angst-story, even with our sweet Pippin. And you KNOW it can't be that easy to reunite Frodo with any of the Fellowship... (heh, heh, heh)
Pearl Took · 15 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine
GO FRODO!!!! And Merry and Boromir are tracking the vent shafts :) :) Oh no! Pippin on uppers!!!! I think Aragorn will regret that decision ;) Well done and looking forward to more :)
Author's reply
I think Aragorn will regret that too, Pearl - though of course, with Pippin, sometimes it is hard to differentiate between his normal hyper behavior and chemically-induced hyper behavior... And I thought Merry was rather clever to have thought of tracking the others by following the air vents. 'Hobbits truly are amazing creatures!'