EllyBaggins · 14 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A-Farad We Will Go
hapless chick! lol
Tâd Edhel a Firion by Fiondil
Reviews (121)
Elflingimp · 14 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A-Farad We Will Go
I am beginning to look forward to this story everyday,it is very enjoyable the way you are posting it.Aragorn is going to be lucky if there is any part of his body that hasnt been injured by the end of the story,but I guess it will toughen him up for the future. I love the name he was called at the end, hapless chick,that was funny!
Author's reply
Well, pretty soon you won't have the story to look forward to as we're getting near the end and I intend to post the last chapters together. I have to make a 21-hour train trip to Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia,k where I will be taking up my new post as an English teacher there and will be off-line for a few days until I get settled in. So I will look forward to reading your (and everyone else's) reviews of the last chapters once I'm back online.
geumpy · 14 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Into the Taur of No Return
Great chapter, I liked Estel meeting with Beorn. It was not Estel fault that he had left the path, he was pushed, by something.
Author's reply
No, it wasn't Estel's fault that he left the path, but nevertheless.... And I'm glad you enjoyed the meeting with Beorn. I had debated about whether to include him in the story, and decided I wanted something from "The Hobbit" to link Estel within that particular story even if he would not be aware of that link.
lwarren · 14 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A-Farad We Will Go
Insomnia has its hold on me, and look what I found! Hunting a wild, mad, possibly Shadow-possessed boar. Hmmmmm, now why does cause me a GREAT deal of concern for our lovely Aragorn? I loved the trip through the forest, how they were able to stay in villages along the way - and the reactions of the villagers to the presence of a MAN in the group! Ah, but trouble is upon them - and you do it so well, Fiondil! Go Aragorn! You show those doubting elves how tracking is done, even in the dark. Those poor parents, having to wait for daylight to look for their elflings. Spiders and the boar - why not? The more, the merrier! ;-) Aragorn mashed flat by charging boar - I tell you, this trip will be one he can tell his grandkids about, should he survive it! Ouch, the injuries sound very painful; I'm glad Elrond came right along to see to his son. Great chapter - intense, lots of action, lost elflings and heroics by Aragorn and his elven friends, and additional cool herbal remedies and names! Can't ask for much more than that - but I will! More, more, more! LOL Looking forward to the next chapter! Linda
Author's reply
Sometimes insomnia pays off, doesn't it? Glad you liked this chapter, as intense as it is with the boar hunt and the spiders. And hey! if you're in Mirkwood, of course there are spiders, lots of them. Glad to hear you think the herbal stuff is cool. I had lots of fun researching possible herbal remedies and what the Sindarin word might have been for common (and not so common) plants. Keep reading. It only gets better (IMO).
lwarren · 14 August 2006 · Chapter 11: Have Yourself a Merry Little Penninor
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into a celebration of the Wood Elves and their neighbors. Estel's encounter with the guard in the stable was funny, although I'll bet the guard didn't think so when he had to face his own lord after the elves and Estel left. Glorfindel continues to amuse, he is such an ellon! ;-) And Estel is showing his true nature now, acting more as a leader of men would and seems more secure and confident. I loved his meeting with Gandalf in the room of rainbows (I want to go there - it sounds marvelous!) Estel really needs someone he can confide in and take counsel from. Loved Estel's dealing with the drunken Garulf - that boy needs some lessons in manners! Still, a neck pinch at least shut his mouth! Great chapter, Fiondil! (Oh, I haven't skipped READING any of these chapters, not one, no sir! I read each and every one with great delight - it's reviewing that I am behind on! Hopefully I can go back and remedy that!) linda
Author's reply
Ah! Okay, now I understand what you meant. But really, you can just wait until the last chapter and review the story in it's entirety, unless, of course, you REALLY want to review every chapter. *grin* Anyway, I'm glad you liked this chapter. I think Estel is coming to terms with who he is and accepting the fact that he's a leader in his own right whom even the Elves can respect. He's no longer little Estel and I think Legolas has helped with that, insisting on calling him "Aragorn" rather than Estel as Elrond and Glorfindel continue doing.
Lily Baggins · 14 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A-Farad We Will Go
Oh my gosh, this story has me so in its grip!!! Of course, I'm living for the Aragorn injuries and illnesses, but along the way, you make them all perfectly believable and suspenseful. I particularly enjoyed---er, besides the wild boar charge, which was wonderfully done---Aragorn dealing with the other Men from Lake-town. A great story!
Author's reply
Don't worry, I know what you mean about 'enjoying' certain scenes even though there's nothing 'enjoyable' about them. Glad you are enjoying (there's that word again) the story so far.
lwarren · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 10: We're Off to See the Ithron
Now I don't see Thranduil as overly rude - outspoken, irrascible maybe, and temperamental...LOL But after all, he is a King, and thus subject to little outbursts and such! :-) I like the way the healer and Legolas take care of Estel. Legolas is turning out to be a good friend (hmmmm?), even if he is an elf...and his two friends are funny, too, the way they tease and pick on their Prince and the mortal! I enjoyed going with Legolas and Aragorn on their tour - and the ride the next day, too, until the 'blizzard' hit! I'm glad Mithrandir came looking for these two - I had to laugh that Legolas was just a tad off course in trying to get home! Can't wait to hear what Mithrandir and Aragorn talk about when they finally get together! Another great chapter, Fiondil! I'll have to go back and pick up the 2 or 3 I missed! That poisoned shard in Aragorn's wound was particularly nasty - and the trip along the path through Mirkwood particularly spooky (tho' I loved the sound of the silver horns herding the spiders into the elves' trap!) Linda
Author's reply
I've never thought of Thranduil as rude or incompetent either, but I have seen him as less refined than Elrond or even Celeborn. It makes him more fun to play with. If all the elves were super sweet guys, they'd be boring! Glad you are enjoying the story. I think you will like the way the relationship between Aragorn and Legolas develops over the next few chapters, as well as the friendship between Aragorn and Mithrandir (the whole point of the story). And yes, go back and read the chapters you missed! You'll like the story even better if you do *grin*.
irene · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Meet Me In Thranduil's Stronghold
Now I've read so far only to find another Rude!Incompetent!Thranduil fic. Bye!
Author's reply
Then I'm afraid you haven't read far enough. I don't believe Thranduil is either rude or incompetent. I do think he is a bit rougher around the edges than someone like Elrond and more willing to speak his mind. That doesn't make him imcompetent or even necessarily rude, merely fun to play with. And frankly, this story isn't about Thranduil anyway. So why don't you give the rest of the story a chance. You might be surprised.
eliza61 · 11 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Meet Me In Thranduil's Stronghold
Whew, that was a packed chapter. Legolas has had a full day, first he rescues Estel then he picks a fight with his Adar. Your going to have to remind him that parents rarely like to be corrected by their kids, no matter how right they may be. ( a fact I am finding out first hand as mine become young adults) I hope Thranduil and the rest of the Mirkwood elves aren't always this rude! Elrond, Thranduil and Glorifindel together should really be interesting, wish I could be a proverbial fly on the wall for that one. (oh well I'll have to wait for your next update) Great chapter as usual. E. P.S. I am putting all the blame on you if I am humming "Meet me in St. Louis" all weekend.
Author's reply
Yes, parents rarely like being corrected by their children, but sometimes even parents need a wake-up call, don't they? And I wondered how many people would recognize the reference to "Meet me in St. Louis"; I was hard-pressed to come up with an appropriate title for this chapter. I guess we're both showing our age, aren't we?
fawlen · 11 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Meet Me In Thranduil's Stronghold
Poor Estel how much more can he take but as the saying goes what does't kill us makes us stronger.I love Galadhor and Laslaerion so funny!and Thranduil just blew me away with his attitude but he is a king after all and Legolas standing up tho him like that GO LEGGIE LOL.I can't wait for Elrond to appear as i think there will be some strong words from all parties,thanks for updating so often it brightens my day Fawlen.
Author's reply
Thanks Fawlen, I'm glad you're having such a good time with this story. One or two people have felt that my frequent updates have been too frequent, but personally, I hate having to read a story in dribs and drabs, with sometimes weeks or even months between updates; you tend to forget what's happened before. Stay tuned for more.
Idril Celebrindal · 11 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Meet Me In Thranduil's Stronghold
Go Legolas! stand firm! I liked this chapter also, can't wait for Elrond to arrive and I also can't wait for Estel to find out why he is there.
Author's reply
We all want to know why Estel is in Mirkwood, don't we? LOL I promise though that all will be revealed soon. Keep reading; it only gets better (IMO).
Idril Celebrindal · 11 August 2006 · Chapter 8: Elven Roads (Take Me Home)
I loved the use of the dialog in this chapter, it gave a new twist to the scene in the Two Towers(to me anyway). I enjoyed your version of their first meeting. It was an enjoyable chapter.
Author's reply
Glad you're enjoying this story Idril. I always thought that scene in TTT had more to it than just clever lines. It just always sounded like an old joke between Legolas and Aragorn. I had fun writing this first meeting between them, too.
meckinock · 11 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Meet Me In Thranduil's Stronghold
This story is a lot of fun, and I can tell you're having fun writing it. I can't leave a review that would do it justice at the moment (and your posting schedule is killing me) but wanted to let you know I'm enjoying it and I'll sit down and re-read it at a more leisurely pace when I can. Love the embedded references.
Author's reply
Sorry about the posting schedule, but it's a bit better than giving you the entire story all at once, now isn't it? Anyway, I'm glad you are having so much fun reading it, as I certainly did have fun writing it and was sad to come to the end. I look forward to seeing a review from you when you've read (or re-read) the story in it's entirety.
Lily Baggins · 11 August 2006 · Chapter 8: Elven Roads (Take Me Home)
As an Aragorn h/c fan, I have to say I am delighted and truly impressed that in eight chapters, Aragorn has gotten feverish, sick, bruised, stabbed, poisoned, fallen off a cliff, concussed, and chewed out. You are MY kind of writer!!! But through it all, the descriptions, characterizations, events . . . all are wonderfully written. Your characterizations of Elrond and Glorfindel are just lovely---especially the so-well-done scene of Elrond going nearly into shock in Rhosgobel. Very much enjoying and look forward to more.
Author's reply
"I have to say I am delighted and truly impressed that in eight chapters, Aragorn has gotten feverish, sick, bruised, stabbed, poisoned, fallen off a cliff, concussed, and chewed out." Not to mention, lost in the woods. Hmmm.... when you list all the things that have happened to Aragorn in 8 chapters, it does seem like he's had a busy time of it, doesn't it? And the story is only half done! Glad you are enjoying this, especially the Elrond-Glorfindel scenes.
Anonymous · 10 August 2006 · Chapter 8: Elven Roads (Take Me Home)
Brilliant chapter. (great story, too, I just picked it up) You have a very delicate touch with humor, keeping the story lighthearted without descending into slapstick. I also like your insight into young-Aragorn's character.
Author's reply
Glad you found the story and are enjoying it. Humor is difficult to write, so I appreciate your comments. Even though all these terrible things are happening to young Aragorn, I didn't want it to sound either too slapsticky or too angsty (assuming such words exist). This story was really written tongue-firmly-in-cheek.
Elflingimp · 10 August 2006 · Chapter 8: Elven Roads (Take Me Home)
I am glad Aragorn finally made it there in one piece,I could almost feel the terror too when he lost the path and couldnt find his way back(or should I say got pushed) I am wondering what Elrond will say ,surely it was not Aragorns fault someone shoved him and yes I recognized some of the things that were said it made me think of the scenes in the movie.
Author's reply
When I came to write the first meeting of Aragorn and Legolas, the scene in the movie (Two Towers) where Aragorn makes it to Helm's Deep came into my mind. I don't know if it was the way Orlando Bloom gave the lines and the way Viggo looked at him as he said them or what but everytime I see that scene it just feels to me as if the two characters are reenacting something from their past. I decided that the first time Legolas met Aragorn these particular words were spoken under this particular set of circumstances and that afterwards it became a running joke for them.
Misty · 10 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Into the Taur of No Return
I just found this story yesterday, and have been reading it straight through to catch up. It's very good, though I feel quite sorry for poor Aragorn. He's been through quite a bit, hasn't he? I have to say that I found a familiar 'in-joke' that I had to comment on. /"Menelvagor rode the nightsky in eternal pursuit of the White Stag while his faithful hound raced behind him. "Do you think Menelvagor will hit the moon tonight, Adar?" Estel asked as he sat on a fallen log watching the two elves prepare the camp, for Elrond had forbidden him to help. "Not tonight, iôn nîn, for see, the moon has yet to rise and so it is safe from Menelvagor’s arrows." The two of them shared a smile."/ Have you happened to have read 'Shoot the Moon'? It's a story I wrote based on a conversation with my nephew, about Menelmacar (in Quenya) accidently shooting the moon while he is hunting the White Stag (based off of Pegasus) with his hunting hound (Elenhu, which is Canis Major) beside him. Being the astronomer that I am, I had to write a story about the hunt taking place in the stars. This just seemed very familiar to me. But I am immensely enjoying the story and look forward to reading the rest.
Author's reply
Hi Misty, Glad you are enjoying the story. The scene you quoted should be very familiar to you as I borrowed the reference from your wonderful story which I had read some time ago. You may have noticed one or two references in earlier chapters from Nilmandrs's "History" tales. She got a kick out of seeing herself in my story. Hope you don't mind. As I told Nilmandra when she commented on it, I like making oblique references to other authors' tales that I've read and admired as a way of acknowledging them and as a way of inserting my tales into the larger Middle-earth universe we are creating here on SOA. And of course I used the Sindarin form of the constellation name because Aragorn and Elrond would've been speaking in that langauge.
EllyBaggins · 10 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Into the Taur of No Return
wow, this just keeps getting better and better! I'm not leavng the computer till i can read on! lol You're descriptions of Mirkwood are very atmospheric, they really bring this story to life.
Author's reply
Well, I do hope you leave your computer for some things! lol. If this were a book, I guess you would call it a real page-turner. Not sure what you can call it on a computer, though. I'm happy to know that my descriptions of Mirkwood, though rather vague in detail, were atmospheric enough. Difficult to describe something you've never really seen or experienced, and Tolkien's own descriptions are annoyingly vague.
grumpy · 10 August 2006 · Chapter 5: Bad Ithil Rising
Radagast called Elrond a stupid elf, well I guess when you are a Maia, you can get away with that. Estel what ever possessed you to think that Elrond is trying to kill you off. Now I must admitt Aragorn has had some very bad luck. I will blame it on his dream.
Author's reply
As to why Estel is acting the way he is, you'll just have to read on (hee-hee).
grumpy · 10 August 2006 · Chapter 4: Orcs Get In Your Eyes
Love your discription of Radagast and his house, the birdsnest in his hair was a good touch. Poor Estel, an orc this time, but he did get to ride on a eagle, named Thorongil.
Author's reply
yes, I thought the birdsnest was a good touch too. Since there is little description of Radagast and his environs in LOTR, I was free to let my imagination roam.
Elflingimp · 9 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Into the Taur of No Return
Well at the beginning of this chapter I was wondering what it would be like to just camp out under the stars and travel along like Estel and the elves and have all that time to do it. At the end I was glad not to!! Ugh!! Giant spiders(skin is crawling) I hope dear Estel doesnt get to injured!
Author's reply
Yeah, camping never really appealed to me either, though sleeping under the stars always sounds so romantic, doesn't it, until you realize that you're not sleeping alone....
Calenlass Greenleaf · 9 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Into the Taur of No Return
This is a very suspensful chapter. I was on the edge of my seat until the last sentence. Then the thought hit me. "Now I have to wait for the next update..." Excellent descrptions.
Author's reply
Glad you like the descriptions. Never having actually traveled through Mirkwood, except in my imagination, I wasn't sure I would be able to capture the sense of why it was called Mirkwood rather than Greenleaf at that time.
eliza61 · 9 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Moon Over Rhosgobel
I am so loving Radagast. Any one who can leave Elrond and Glorifindel with their collective mouths hanging open has got to be a wizard. Great chapter as usual. Oh, I love your chapter titles, I'm probably showing my age because I can name all the original titles. LOL
Author's reply
None of the commentators have really mentioned the chapter titles, so I wasn't sure if they "worked" or not. I had lots of fun coming up with them, and I'm showing my age too considering some of the original titles haven't been heard in decades. Glad you're enjoying them and the story.
lwarren · 9 August 2006 · Chapter 5: Bad Ithil Rising
Well, I thought Estel was making a rather nice recovery, but that was only the wicked author lulling me into a false sense of security! :-) And I continue to love your Radagast - shrewd, kind, and cantankerous all in one! Now Estel's question to Elrond, though! I gasped! To think it is one thing, to actually voice it is entirely different! Poor Elrond, and thank heavens Glorfindel was around to take care of him (I thought the description of him being "shattered" was so graphic). Glorfindel in all his enraged glory was quite a sight, but nothing compared to that poisoned (and I am assuming it is poisoned, as the blood pouring out was black and odorous) wound breaking open! ICK! Once again, Radagast the competent healer takes charge...I hope he can save the situation...not only Estel's life is at stake here. Very tense, descriptive chapter, Fiondel! Linda
Author's reply
Which is why I put the warning label on this chapter and why it's a PG-13 rating. I did try to make it as ungraphic as possible without losing the suspense of the moment. Glad you like "my" Radagast. He sort of grows on you, doesn't he?
lwarren · 9 August 2006 · Chapter 4: Orcs Get In Your Eyes
You write a very mean battle scene, Fiondil! I found myself holding my breath all the way through the ambush and the chase, and when our three intrepid heroes turned to fight, I kept hoping that reinforcements from ANYWHERE would turn up. And I suppose they did, AFTER Estel is wounded! Bless his heart, he just can't buy a break lately! Once again, your details are so interesting - the names of the swords and the history of the mounds where they found themselves making their last stand. But wait! Eagles and some very large bears to the rescue! *deep breath* And Radagast! He has always been a favorite character of mine, especially in his interactions with the wood elves. (At least in the fanfics I have read *g*). I so glad Radagast is taking such good card of Estel, though I'm sure he feels that the heir of Isildur needs some new and extended history lessons! :-) Great chapter! linda
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda, I appreciate your comments. I really don't know too much about sword fighting (although I did take fencing in college sometime back in the last millennium), so I'm glad to see that someone thinks I got the scene right. As for Radagast: I always thought Tolkien gave him short shrift, and I thought I would "correct" that impression. Obviously, Gandalf's characterization of his brother Maia at the Council of Elrond is from Saurman's twisted point of view. I never thought of Radagast as having failed in his mission, sidetracked maybe, but not failed in the same way as Saruman failed. Keep reading. It only gets better.