Reviews (317)

Author's reply

It’s nice to see you again, Jay! About Legolas missing where he aimed…. He hit the first guy and killed him straight off. The second one he shot at was Brund, who Legolas surmises had the presence of mind to move his butt once he realized what had happened to his buddy. My thinking was that he was already moving when Legolas fired, and got out of the way just in time. Bad luck for Our Heroes. And you’re exactly right about Legolas having more than an inkling of what’s bothering Sam (although he’s only got half of the story right now. He knows that the stabbing has deeply disturbed Sam, but he doesn’t know that Sam is tormenting himself over the thoughts that went through his head.) Unfortunately, Sam doesn’t really have the luxury of recovering at his own pace. The Fellowship will need to get going again soon, and they can’t afford to have one of their number stumbling about in a daze. On such an important mission, everyone needs to be dependable.

Author's reply

Hello, lovethosehobbits! It’s nice to see you here again. I’m happy to say that I seem to be chugging along nicely on the next chapter, so I have high hopes of avoiding another long gap. Three months is way too long to go between postings, but the crazy thing is that when you’re busy enough, it doesn’t feel like three months at all. I hope you enjoy the music. I find their pieces to be so conducive to creative writing that I wanted to share.

Author's reply

I’m glad you liked it, Ariel. To be honest, it’s hard to keep all the new things I’ve learned about writing in mind when I’m actually doing the writing. I have to try and remember them when I’m editing. Things that looked fine the first time around can read very poorly upon a straight re-read. Yes, poor Merry. I think everyone and their brother saw that coming. :)

Author's reply

Thanks! I will update as soon as I can, although it won't happen as often as I would like. I am extremely busy at work right now and am working some very long hours, so I don't have a lot of time to write, but I do work on the story as often as I can.

Author's reply

The Fellowship members are all so different, all so interesting, it must be great fun to explore them. Indeed, it has been. One of the great joys of this story (for me) has been to delve into the characters’ heads and speculate on how they react to what is happening and to each other. Legolas and Sam have been particularly enjoyable; I would say that their relationship has been uplifting to write. The fact that the Fellowship is such a mixed bag of people is one reason, I think, that Tolkien’s books are so beloved. Here we have five races (counting Gandalf) standing together against evil, succeeding against all odds, and becoming brothers along the way. And they are all so different from each other! They each come with their own baggage – past experiences, prejudices, hopes, fears, dreams…. Yes, they do fuel the imagination. Glad you liked the story of how Aragorn found Legolas. I think he’s showed by now that he’ll fight, quite literally, until his last breath. As for me, my favorite image in that short story was that of Aragorn and Gimli shimmying out on the fallen tree, over the water, to drag Legolas back to shore. I like the idea of the two of them working together, and I also like the idea that one could not have managed it without the other. Ah, teamwork in the Fellowship – I love it. Sam’s getting the next chapter, so you can bet he’ll do plenty of brooding over just what it is that’s bugging him. You’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head: he’s very conflicted about his role in the fight. Killing just isn’t done in the Shire. It’s not a part of Sam’s world at all, and even though he felt it necessary to stop the Men at any cost… now that it’s over, he can’t resolve the conflict. He fears what the other hobbits will say when they find out (Frodo most especially). Of course, they already know, but he doesn’t know that. Yes, it was definitely Garan’s proximity that woke Legolas up. I thought that he and Sam might somehow be sensitive to him; Sam knew that he was there as soon as Legolas did. Bill knew it, too, but Merry just couldn’t react in time. Even with his sharp hobbit-eyes, he couldn’t see him (and there is a reason for that). Garan is tricksy, yes he is, Precious. (Okay, that Gollum-speak isn’t a hint or anything. It was just fun to do.) :)

Author's reply

Thanks, Wantanelf. :) It’s very nice to know that you’ve been here since the start and that you like the story. All the characters in the Fellowship have been intriguing to write (even Gandalf, I suppose, although the process of writing his chapter was like pulling teeth). I will certainly keep these chapters coming until the story reaches its conclusion. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

Author's reply

Yes, I know this update took a while to arrive. I never want it to work that way, but it usually does. I will try and post again as quickly as I can. I don’t think many people know this, but even though eight weeks can pass between postings, there’s never a time when I’m not working on the story in some way, shape or form. Sometimes the words just pour out of me; that’s when the bulk of the chapter gets written. When that’s not happening I’m constantly re-reading my writing, changing words and improving paragraphs. I also do this when I’m picking up again in the middle of a chapter. It gets me back into the right frame of mind and helps avoid repetition. There’s usually a mood at the core of every chapter, a reason for the central character to act/feel the way he does, and all the descriptions I write of that character’s emotions have to fit.

Author's reply

Oh, don’t worry – I never put the story down, not really. Every now and then it has to sit for a while when I get stymied. It’s amazing how long it took for me to get from the end of Sam’s speech to the end of the chapter. I just couldn’t make it happen. But I finally got there, and now I can move on to the next chapter at last!

Author's reply

Wow! Does this story really take that long to read? Well, I suppose it might – chapters 1 through 14 take up 138 pages in Word (TNR, 10-point font). It’s become a novel of its own, and I never noticed. I’m so glad you’ve had such a good time reading it. I love finding a good story to sink my teeth into. In this story, I have tried to write what I wish I could find more of. I will do my best to update as quickly as possible, though I’m sorry to say that lately it’s been about two months between chapters. I think this chapter may come more quickly than that, though. I’m eager to write the end of the conflict. Hope you like it when it comes!

Author's reply

I think Sam gave the Fellowship the most important information as soon as he was revived – that there were four Men left, one of them was a sorcerer, and they would be doing everything they could to finish what they started. Sam was victimized by them, a grave indignity, and he is reluctant to talk about it. Of course, he’s even more reluctant to talk about the fight on the clifftop because of his own role in it. Hobbits are not violent creatures, after all. And yes, Merry should have listened to Bill, although he’s not really to blame for what happened to him. He wasn’t far from the shelter, and Bill wasn’t all that worked up until just before Merry was seized. There is a reason that the hobbits’ sharp eyes didn’t see that the Men were near (which will be explained in the next chapter). I’m glad you’re continuing to read and enjoy the story!

Author's reply

Thank you very much! Your enthusiasm is really encouraging to me.

Author's reply

Out of all the reviewers, you have made the most accurate assessment of what’s bugging Sam. You are completely right. He has drawn blood - done murder, as it seems to him – and he isn’t able to come to terms with it. Replaying the scene in his head, he doesn’t know what he would have done differently, but he still can’t make it seem right. Because of all this fear and doubt, he is terrified that the others will find out what he’s done and judge him for it. He doesn’t realize that they all think he did a very brave thing. What Pippin can’t understand is why he is so reluctant to talk. If he knew better what Sam went through before he was ready to kill, he might see more clearly. Glad you liked Frodo’s protectiveness of Sam. Frodo is more reserved than Sam is, but he feels great affection for him, I think, and that love and friendship can shine through at a crucial moment. Sam really needed someone sticking up for him even as Gandalf needed to get him to start talking. Really, I think it is better for Sam to at least have made a start. He can’t keep all those dark truths bottled up forever.

Author's reply

I’ve ruminated on the ‘nobility’ of the various members of the Fellowship before, and I do agree with you that all of them could claim it in some way with the exception of Sam. And the funny thing about that is that he does end up as the Mayor of Hobbiton. Really, every single person in the company was destined to lead. I’ve actually got a nebulous idea for a story based on this very concept. You’ve got Sam’s behavior dead on. He’s definitely downplaying his role in the story, and he’s building up Legolas a little. You are exactly right that Legolas would feel less hesitation at giving more details, and that he would gloss over some of his own actions that Sam saw fit to expound on. I imagine that he has been in some dangerous situations before, and so he is much better able than Sam to deal (mentally) with what he experienced while in captivity. Unhappy Sam has never been through such a wringer before. Moreover, he has never had to kill before. He is absolutely mortified by what he’s done, even though he doesn’t know what else he could have done, and he is not at all comfortable telling everyone else about it. He doesn’t know what they’ll think of him when they hear, and in his shock and sorrow he is imagining the worst. Elves and Vulcans have a lot of similarities too. Interesting! I didn’t realize that I was describing Vulcan healing techniques when I was talking about Legolas’ deep sleep. I don’t know much about Star Trek period, but I did know that Vulcans have pointy ears. :) I don’t think that I’ll have much more time to write in the future than I’ve had lately, but I do think that this next chapter will come more smoothly than the last two. I’m back to some action instead of everyone sitting around, talking and thinking. Also, I’m back to Sam’s and Legolas’ POVs. Since I’ve spent more time on them than anyone else, I do feel most comfortable when I’m writing them. As for printing the story out – please do wait until the end! Before I post the last chapter I plan to update the rest of them. I’ve made some little word changes and such here and there, and I want to make sure that the story on this website accurately reflects my master copy.

Author's reply

I’m glad to hear that you liked Pippin, Dreamflower. You’re so right – he is young, and Tookish to boot – but he’s not stupid, and he’s not three years old. I think he’s more mature than a lot of people give him credit for. I enjoyed the breakfast scene as well. It was hobbity and it was fun. In my mind, it stands out in stark contrast to most of what’s been going on, especially with regard to Sam. His life has been utterly unreal for the past few days, and this pleasant moment is something he would have difficulty participating in at the moment. Pippin has seen his share of horrors in this story, but compared to Sam, he has been relatively untouched. There was a brief time in which I considered excising most of Sam’s story, thinking that it might be unnecessary or repetitious. I decided to leave it in not only because it was a good way to show what Sam is feeling now that he’s done what he’s done (and how he reacts to everyone around him), but also because it really has been a while since I posted the first chapter. I thought the recap might be useful to everyone else who isn’t as steeped in the story as I am.

Author's reply

Yes, Merry was a little naïve – but what happened was not entirely his fault. He didn’t go very far at all, and it wasn’t until just before he was seized that Bill really started acting up. There is a reason he didn’t see the Man waiting for him (which will be explained in the next chapter), and Bill sensed what he could not. You’re right about Sam’s retelling being a relief to him, for exactly the reason you stated – now he knows that he hasn’t betrayed Frodo (against his will, but that wouldn’t make any difference to Sam. In this case, failure is failure is failure.) Still, there’s a lot that he’s not saying. He would feel better knowing that the rest of them already know the worst of it, but not until he’d gone through a period of feeling just awful that they knew. What he did to Jakov is his deep, dark secret now. Glad you liked Pippin’s POV! I worked hard at bringing out his youth, but I didn’t want him to come across as a buffoon. A lot of people seem to think that he is naturally clumsy or careless, but I think that his curiosity and youth merely override his more prudent sensibilities on occasion. We’ve all been there. Anyway, I imagine that he would want the approval of the rest of the hobbits and the “sophisticated” Big Folk, and that their presence would be a restraining influence. Really, Boromir, Strider, Gimli and Legolas would probably have been somewhat exotic to him, being of foreign races and warriors to boot. Between the four of them, there’s an awful lot of pride and gravity to face.

Author's reply

Yes, the big showdown is here at last. I can’t wait to finish writing it!

Author's reply

It’s so nice to hear that people are “excited” to see updates to the story. Thank you very much for saying so; it gives me a lift like you wouldn’t believe. You’re also not the only person to say that the chapter was “worth the wait”, which I can’t identify with (portions of it stubbornly refused to be written, and as a result, I just can’t love it as much as some of the others. Gandalf’s chapter is another good example. Some chapters come out with joy and ease; others struggle to be born, and thereafter I always remember the irritation I felt at the time.) Still, what really matters is what you, the reader, see in the end – a cohesive whole. I’m glad that the various moods of the hobbits came through. This chapter really focused on them more than anything else. Sam’s reluctance to talk is deep-seated; he’s got a few demons to deal with before he can fully recover.

Author's reply

You like Sam, don’t you? :) I’m glad you enjoyed the chapter. It was not one of my favorites – the ones that come less than smoothly never are – but I think it came out okay, considering. It is pleasant for me as a writer to be back with Sam. I’ve spent so much time on him and Legolas now that they feel more familiar to me than the rest of the Fellowship. “We thought we’d lost you before; we won’t lose you again.” I also liked this quote from Frodo. I see him as being much more reserved than Sam is, and I have done my best to portray that. Still, he does care for Sam, and there will be times when he shows unguarded affection.

Author's reply

Thanks!! :)

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Yes… a cliffhanger. The last one of the story, though. Resolution looms on the horizon. By the way, Legolas did wake up there at the very end of the chapter.

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Sorry about that, valjean. I will try to update ASAP. I hate it when authors leave me on cliffhangers as well. Fortunately I think this next chapter will be written relatively smoothly.

Author's reply

Always a good idea to wait until morning to check for updates… but that doesn’t always happen. I’m glad you liked the chapter. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but it was time to end the chapter. By the way, Legolas did wake up there at the very end. Let’s just say that he is highly attuned to the feel of this particular evil now. Some part of him sensed it when it drew near and woke the rest of him up. I will try to update soon. I haven’t had as much time to work on the next chapter as I would like, but I think that it will flow pretty smoothly (and quickly). The chapters with the most conflict usually do.

Author's reply

Yes, the Fellowship is in a little bit of trouble now, but you are right – Garan really doesn’t know what he’s facing. He’s got too much confidence in his own abilities and he has underestimated Sam and Legolas both. He thinks they’re both dead. What’s more, he has no idea that he is now facing trained warriors, angry hobbits, and a real wizard. Heh.

Author's reply

Interesting comments on the distance between Sam and Merry and Pippin. I think that this distance is as much Sam’s doing as anyone’s. I haven’t pulled out my copy of LOTR in a little while (and fanfic tends to make my memory of little details murky sometimes), but if I remember correctly, he tends to preserve the distinction of rank/class. I deliberately made his use of honorifics inconsistent in the last chapter, at least with respect to Legolas. He stopped calling him “Mister” at Legolas’ request, but they are no longer alone together. The whole situation was a little unreal to him – how could he have been prepared for it? – and being reunited with the Fellowship is pulling him back into old habits. He did call Merry and Pippin “Mister”, and Frodo too, of course. (Frodo is the one person that he’ll never stop addressing that way.) I think that if Sam knew how Pippin saw him – as a hero – then it could go a long way to easing the barriers that exist between them. Sam doesn’t see himself that way at all, though. He’s done something nearly unthinkable for a hobbit, and he’s withdrawing from everyone in his attempt to hide it.

Author's reply

Yeah, I know the cliffhanger kinda stinks. I considered not posting this chapter until the next one was close to completion, but it had been two months already. I’ll just have to do my best to get it done. I’m glad to hear that you liked Pippin. I have to agree that, too often, he’s portrayed in fanfic as being nothing more than a cute little nuisance. He doesn’t come across that way at all in the books.