Caught Between the Light and Dark by Budgielover
Pearl Took · 6 July 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
I love how brave you have Pippin being :) I'm teary with fear for Merry :( And Frodo is using all his wits and every trick in the book!! :) Eagerly awaiting the next chapter :)
Author's reply
Three smiley faces and one frowny face! *cheers* I think that is a new record! Thanks, Pearl!
GamgeeFest · 4 July 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Elvish - that's smart, when only about half of them can read it. Just when we think things can't get any worse, Merry's life is now in danger. I love your Merry/Boromir friendship. Boromir has really warmed up to the hobbit and I love that he looked to Merry for approval when he found the air vent. It's good to see that the soldier isn't beyond enjoying praise, but then, hobbits have that effect on people, don't they? Good thing Frodo had that sling shot. His use his hobbit sense and "magic" to fool the goblins shows just how well their simple approaches to solving problems work.
Author's reply
GamgeeFest, that was a very wise comment about hobbits 'having that effect on people.' Yes, absolutely. They bring out the best in Big Folk, without trying, without conniving. I have read Boromir written as a evil man so many times that I suppose I go the other way, and try to show him as he must have been before being corrupted by the Ring. I am certain that by the end of his life, he must have loved all the hobbits.
Ariel · 3 July 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Oh, definitely! Now we are getting back into hobbit abuse! First Pip, then Frodo, now Merry! Hurray for hobbit angst! :D
Author's reply
'Hobbit abuse? *tries to look indignant and failing at that, ties to look innocent* Terrible things do seem to happen to hobbits in my fics. Odd, as I truly love them so much. They are just so much more interesting when they are being abused ... as opposed, to say ... a happy summer day on a picnic. Just before they are attacked by wolves. During an earthquake. There I go again...
GamgeeFest · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
I don't know how you manage to keep your chapters so intense, but this is gripping! Your descriptions of the cavern, the way the orcs surrounded and tormented the warg, the Nazgul and of Frodo's fear and stealth put me right in the moment. I could hear and see everything, and I keep forgetting this is AU. Excellent work!
Author's reply
I don't think you could say anything nicer, GamgeeFest, and I thank you for it. For you to say you could 'hear and see everything' is a comment to be treasured. Thank you!
Larner · 29 June 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
Hidden from the orcs but revealed to the Nazgul at the same time--a terrible position to have to take. Glad he could escape after all. Bless him.
Author's reply
Not caught between a rock and a hard place but between a descending sword and a thrusting knife. Which do you choose? I'm so glad you commented on Frodo's choice - being 'caught' is a recurring theme in this fic and it is so nice when someone mentions it. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
"His right forefinger slid into the golden band and those shrieks faded away in the absolute cold of wearing the Ring. He had forgotten how icy it was in this not-place, and how windy." Oh, well done!! An excellent, bone chilling chapter.
Author's reply
I just love what Mr. Jackson did in portraying the Wraith-world ... I never had a clear vision of it before Our Movies. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter!
girlofring · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
Whew! Go Frodo! Hurry!
Author's reply
*giggle* Now Reese, you know it won't be that easy! ((Reese))
Andrea · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
Wow! Now I can release my breath! I'd never thought what a dramatic chapter would lie behind that one word: Nazgul! I admire Frodo's bravery! Of course he is deadly afraid of the Nazgul and nearly overcome with it's icy cold grasp - but he is still able to control his emotions. And he puts on the Ring, not being forced by It or the Witch King, but of his own free will and he prepares to battle with both, the Ring and the Nazgul! Wow! And he manages to escape! Maybe, with a bit of luck, he will meet Merry and Boromir outside! I hope so! He will be in need of a rest.
Author's reply
That whole chapter was focused towards that one word, Andrea, and I am so glad that it had the desired impact. I love seeing the Nazgul in fanfics - they are so unrelentingly terrifying. Can you imagine being hunted by such creatures? Our poor Ring-bearer will indeed need a rest ... probably in a nice, quiet white room with padded walls... ;)
eiluj · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
Poor Frodo, having to step in that filth. And congratulations to you, because all too often fanfic writers forget that hobbits have *feet* which tell them about their world. And sometimes those feet sense things the hobbits would rather not be experiencing.... And I didn't think it could get much worse: but you bring in the Witch King! And then Frodo puts on the Ring!
Author's reply
One of the major lessons I have learned in life is that it can always get worse. Isn't it great that we can incorporate our life lessons in our writing? *snickers and goes back to imagining how it can get even more worse*
Pasha ToH · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
very nice, I am really enjoying this story... Pasha ToH
Author's reply
I am glad, Pasha. Thank you for letting me know - comments like yours make it worth all the work.
Legolass · 25 June 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Most interesting story, and well-written too.
Author's reply
Greetings, Legolass! (Love a good pun.) Thank you for the compliment - I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you are enjoying the fic.
Larner · 21 June 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six
Had been following this on FFN, but prefer to follow it here. Excellently thought out, I think. And the plans by all are fascinating.
Author's reply
Hi, Larner! I agree, this site is far better than FF.Net. I (and several other authors) are thinking of dropping our membership there. Anyway, thank you for appreciating the work gone into plotting this fic - that a reader goes beneath the action and adventure to savor the richer details is a joy to the author.
Pearl Took · 20 June 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six
Good old Merry! He's so very clever. And Boromir taking all that pain in his hands. Frodo is doing well - shame about his message though. And I hope Pip will be alright. So cool, Merry thinking about the air shafts and such. Well done as always :)
Author's reply
Merry is clever, isn't he? And he knows it. He's such a joy to write. All of the Fellowship are, really, but the hobbits are special. Thank you for enjoying the story!
Dreamflower · 19 June 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six
OOoohh!! This is getting really suspenseful--like it wasn't already! You do know how to ramp up the excitement. By the way, very good description of Pippin's sword fight!
Author's reply
I have to confess this one is really fun to write. I think I'm developing the mindset of: 'Let's see what could possibly go wrong.' Followed by, 'Then how could it possibly get worse?' There's just something about hobbits that encourages that mindset. And if you think the suspense is just beginning ... heh, heh, heh... :D
Andrea · 19 June 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six
Wow! Most of the fellowship seems to be in grave danger now! I'm proud of little Pippin, he fought for so long. I only hope, he will recover. You won't let him die, will you? And Frodo is very clever, trying to slown down the goblins and collecting as much information as possible. Well, his message was discovered too soon and what will he think, after the goblin leader told him, where he's brought to? "You don’t know?" the goblin sneered. "Nazgûl." Great story!
Author's reply
I really don't know how things get so desperate in my stories, Andrea! One day nothing terrible at all will happen to the Fellowship, and they won't know what to do with themselves. I'm glad you are enjoying the story.
Hobbit Lass21 · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
GAH!! CLIFF-HANGER!!!! You are remarkably good at those....please, please continue! By the way, thus far it is very good. Intriguing, with very good descriptions. I could almost see what was happening!
Author's reply
*bows modestly* I do think I have carved out my own niche in LotRs fanfiction - driving people nuts with cliffhangers! They are just so much fun that I can't resist. Thank you for saying to could almost see the action taking place - that is so important. Thanks!
GamgeeFest · 23 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
That was some very clever and quick thinking on Merry's part. Pippin would have been impressed indeed had he been there.
Author's reply
I hope Merry gets to tell him about it. Can't you just see that delighted Tookish smile? Followed by the wish that there were just a few more fireworks that Merry might have saved? *wink*
Pearl Took · 21 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Sorry I had fallen so far behind on this, Budgie. So many things I like. Frodo's bit of a dream before realizing where he really was; Merry hugging Pippin's pack with Frodo's behind him; Boromir being so touched by Merry's expressions of care and compassion and the need they both understood for jesting a bit when under stress; the frustrated goblin telling Merry more than he should have; Pippin not shying off under Gandalf's glare. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!
Author's reply
Pearl, thank you so much for picking up on Merry hugging Pip's pack. I felt that was really important, for some reason. You always read with such an understanding eye, well mixed with affection, that it just amazes me.
Hai Took · 19 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Wow! You hardly give time to breathe! I thought things were going great than one thing after another with Boromir and Merry! At least everything seemed to have worked out well, despite all their set backs! Merry was thinking quickly and able to get Bill to pull Boromir up, poor Bill, though I'm sure he doesn't thank Merry for the rough treatment! Hopefully these two can have some time to rest now, although I doubt it will be for very long! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
'Rest,' she says... heh, heh, heh (((Hai)))
girlofring · 18 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Exhilirating! Thrilling, Suspenseful, and mischievous of Merry to mess with Gandalf's fireworks again!
Author's reply
*grins* I think Gandalf had other uses in mind for those fireworks. What will happen when he gets his hands on Merry, I wonder?
Andrea · 18 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Fireworks! That's a splendid idea! What else would Merry use to save his friends and warn Rivendell? "They are dangerous." [...] "Which? Wizards or fireworks?" "Both!" Boromir responded LOL! That's just great! I really like your Merry. Despite his fear of heights he has a lot of other talents. Boromir is really lucky to have such a creative hobbit by his side.
Author's reply
I think Boromir is starting to realize tha, Andrea. Can you imagine seeing the hobbits through his eyes, in the beginning? They are 'childrens' tales' to him, too small and weak to defend themselves, innocent of the perils the Fellowship will face. And there is some truth in that. But they are also brave and smart, fast-learners and loyal. I just love writing 'getting to know you' stories!
Mysterious Jedi · 18 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
This is still interesting; please continue. <>< Saved from sin through Christ, Mysterious Jedi
Author's reply
I would hate to think it was becoming boring! Thanks, MJ!
mirthor · 17 April 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Great story. I like the relationship that is strengthening between Merry & Boromir during their adventure. Looking forward to the update.
Author's reply
We have so much leeway in fanfiction that Professor Tolkien couldn't fit in into his masterpiece; the development of mutual respect and affection, and finally love between the Fellowship. Merry and Pip and Boromir have much in common; brave and noble spirits, love of their people and Middle-earth, a common cause ... I love to see that relationship develop, too.
Anso the Hobbit · 17 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
I loved this! You are so great with all the little details that show the personalities of all the Fellowship. Poor Pippin, not feeling like they listen to him at all! And i like how Boromir trusts Merry enough to put his own guard down, even if it was involuntarily, and Merry was approached by that mountain goblin. Please continue soon! :)
Anso the Hobbit · 17 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
I loved this! You are so great with all the little details that show the personalities of all the Fellowship. Poor Pippin, not feeling like they listen to him at all! And i like how Boromir trusts Merry enough to put his own guard down, even if it was involuntarily, and Merry was approached by that mountain goblin. Please continue soon! :)