Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil
Rick · 11 March 2009 · Chapter 61: Riddles and Runes
I think I've missed reviewing about the last 3 or 4 chapters, but I've been reading them, because they've all been good! This story is moving right along, I'm waiting impatiently for the next development. Yay! Keep going...
Author's reply
Hi, Rick. I wondered when I hadn't seen any reviews from you for a while. I'm glad to hear that you're still reading and enjoying this story. Thanks for letting me know.
Jancy · 11 March 2009 · Chapter 61: Riddles and Runes
Hello Jancy here! I wished I had more time to read your fantastic stories but at least I was able to read this one. This is a very fascinating story. And this chapter was a great one. Wights are scary things, and I liked how you wrote this scene. The riddles added great flavor. Hope in the future I can read more.
Author's reply
Hi, Jancy. Thanks so much for letting me know that you are reading this story and enjoying it so much. I really appreciate it. I had a lot of fun researching the riddles and choosing those that would easily fit the parameters of Middle-earth. I didn't want to make them up myself or borrow from "The Hobbit", so I went to the actual Anglo-Saxon riddles of the Exeter book. With some 90 riddles to choose from, though, it was not an easy task to find the right ones. I'm glad you found the riddles added to the chapter. I hope you can read more in the future, too. *grin*
Larner · 11 March 2009 · Chapter 61: Riddles and Runes
Excellent! Widfara was most inventive and cool under fire; and the others did well in uttering the invocation and seeing the thing turned out of its lair. Now, to see the city won back and learn who it was who did this atrocity and see proper justice given. And I would guess that our friend Saruman is involved somehow, although none realizes it as yet.
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I spent an entire day researching the riddles and coming up with the invocation in Sindarin before I even started writing the chapter itself, which took another day to write. We will encounter the person responsible for the barrow-wight in the next chapter. Our intrepid heroes are out of the woods yet. *grin*
Larner · 7 March 2009 · Chapter 60: Tómiddes Sceadwe
I'd had a suspicion that they'd find the old Queen there. The Betrayer has herself been betrayed--now to put a stop to him! Well described.
Author's reply
I'm sure a few people had the same suspicion as you did, Larner. As to who is responsible for her death and what happens next remains to be seen.
Elflingimp · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 60: Tómiddes Sceadwe
Ahhhhhhhh! Fionil you have me shaking in my shoes!!!!!!! Hugs Deb the Imp P.S. and other things. LOL!
Author's reply
Scary enough for you? *grin* Wait until the next chapter... the fun has just begun. *evil laugh*
Sunny · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 60: Tómiddes Sceadwe
Quite right. Those peepholes ate there for a reason – and bursting in on somebody in deep meditation – or whatever – wouldn’t be a good idea at all. *sniggers* Oh, dear, _what_ sort of questionable company has Denethor been in, since he evidently isn’t unacquainted with the finer points of breaking and entering – hey, Bilbo, it seems you have a _very_ unsuspected colleague!! (And I must say I rather like this younger Denethor – so very unlike the paranoid b*****d in ROTK!) So Éolind got betrayed in her turn – and to such a nasty end at that! I expect that Aragorn and Denethor will join Thengel in very firmly stomping out that sort of thing. As will anybody who might hear any details of what they found in the licweg. Not that I expect any of the principals to want to talk about it, but _something_ would almost have to be told to the King and his closest councillors. Dabbling in Necromancy … *casts suspicious glance in direction of Isengard* … hopefully the one who did _that_ will soon have a little heart-to-heart talk with Námo…
Author's reply
Oft the betrayer is in turn betrayed. Such is the course of evil. We will see who is responsible for her death soon enough. I don't know where or when Denethor learned his little trick. I suspect one of the older Rangers decided to give the young lord some additional education beyond what Denethor's tutors considered appropriate for the Steward's heir to know. *grin*
Agape4Gondor · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 60: Tómiddes Sceadwe
WOW - is about all I can say. I'm on the edge of my seat. Though I have a feeling the queen was not a 'good' person in any sense of the word - her fate still is unkind..... *shudders*
Author's reply
Thanks, Agape. And the fun is just beginning. *grin* Éolind's fate was indeed unkind, but unfortunately she only brought it upon herself.
george · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 60: Tómiddes Sceadwe
Augh, augh, augh. Cliffhanger why! Sorry for the lack of intelligent review. But you definitely do a great job of building up the tension! Also, glad to see Wídfara turning around and becoming to Sigefred something of what Aragorn was to Wídfara. *sniff* Our young Rohirrim's growin' up!
Author's reply
Yes, our young Rider is taking his cue from his hero, Thorongil. *grin* I'm glad you found this chapter intense. That was the whole idea. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. More to come.
bookworm · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 60: Tómiddes Sceadwe
Oooh wow *shudder* I thought she was dead, but not like THAT. As ever, an excellent chapter! (Also, Denethor the pickpocket? ROFL. I need to know the story behind THAT!) PS. May I ask permission to use Helacaran from your "All the Tides of the World? It's only a passing mention, but the idea is yours so...
Author's reply
Thanks, bookworm. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for letting me know. Perhaps Denethor will reveal just how he knows about picking locks. I'm suspecting that it was something he learned from one of his Rangers. *grin* As for using Helacaran.... yes, of course you may, with proper acknowledgment. I'm always happy to have others play in my Valar-verse, even in passing. *grin*
Agape4Gondor · 25 February 2009 · Chapter 59: Into the Scamelas
I think someone should run a sword through Aragorn for that scare. Both men probably lost considerable of their life years from the shock!!!! Great chapter - I had chills as I continued to read it. What on earth??? Who on earth??? Who on earth??? Looking very much forward to the next chapter - as always!
Author's reply
Hi, Agape. *lol* Poor Aragorn. He just coudn't resist and he's just young enough I think to let himself be persuaded to do something like that. At least he was smart enough to wait until Gilhael was beyond sword's point so as not to get himself skewered. The answer to your questions will be revealed over the next couple of chapters though not all of them will be... some of the answers won't be made clear until towards the end of the story. Glad you're looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Larner · 25 February 2009 · Chapter 59: Into the Scamelas
Sufficient to the licweg is the evil thereof, if I might paraphrase a bit? Shuddering! Now, to get into Meduseld and find the Dowager and the means to counter the rebels! Then to release what's been caught in the licweg back to where it belongs.
Author's reply
I couldn't have said it better, Larner. *lol* The next couple of chapters will focus on the licweg and what lies within and then we will see about the rest of the war afterwards.
Linda Hoyland · 21 February 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
I love it that Thengel won't stoop to the level of his enemies,a lesson leaders of today could all do well to heed. As always I love the scenes for Aragorn and Widfara.What a wonderful twist at the end!
Author's reply
Hi, Linda. Thanks. I'm glad you like scenes with Aragorn and Wídfara. Wídfara has sort of stolen the story away from Aragorn in some ways, I think. *grin* Certainly, he is people's favorite OC here. And it is a pity that our leaders today have not heeded the lesson Thengel gives here. Perhaps if they did (or if just some of them did), we would be living in a saner world. Glad you liked the twist at the end and that you are still enjoying this story. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Linda Hoyland · 21 February 2009 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
War certainly brings out the very worst in people. I loved Thengel here.
Author's reply
Unfortunately what you say is true, Linda. We only need to look at what's happening around us today to see it. That being said, it also will bring out the best in others. Thengel is a prime example of that.
Agape4Gondor · 18 February 2009 · Chapter 58: What Is Decided
Good chapter - I like that the boys seem to be the ones with the foolhardy courage - something needed in desperate times - but with Aragorn leading - all should *crosses fingers* be well. Psst - Hooray for Denethor....
Author's reply
Boys, of courese, having no real experience, romanticize things and think it's great fun. Older and presumably wiser people know better, but, you are correct, Agape, that such foolhardy courage is needed in desperate times. As for whether all will go well even with Aragorn leading.... that remains to be seen. *grin* And I'm glad you like Denethor in this. Hopefully, my characterization of him will dispel in reader's minds that he was always a vindicitive snob (to but it mildly and politely).
Larner · 18 February 2009 · Chapter 58: What Is Decided
Having walked along the Shambles in York, the idea is, of course, familiar to me. Have the rebels drawn to themselves a wight or two, I wonder, to haunt the lower way to the necropolis? I like young Sigefred, I find, and appreciate how the older folk have adopted him. Now, to find out what is now happening!
Author's reply
Besides the Minster and the city wall, the Shambles is what I think of when I think of York, having been there some time ago. I'm glad you like Sigefred. He just sort of pushed his way into the story and now I've grown rather fond of him myself. *grin* We'll see just what lies in the licweg eventually. First, Aragorn and Denethor have to make sure Gihael and Wídfara are okay.
Agape4Gondor · 12 February 2009 · Chapter 57: Friends in Low Places
Great chapter - needless to say - I was on the edge of my seat during it all. What brave folk are in the tunnels.... Now, to get this city taken!!!
Author's reply
Thanks, Agape. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. It will take a few more chapters I think before the city id fully taken but the end is nearing. Don't fall off your seat while you're waiting. *grin*
6336 · 11 February 2009 · Chapter 57: Friends in Low Places
That is the one problem that most traitors have, not every one wants to join them, there will always be people who will fight them any way they can. Throngil and Company seem to have found them. Hope Gilheal and Widfara will be O.K. I wonder what Eolind is using, is she getting a little help from a certain White Wizard of our aquaintance? More please, Lynda
Author's reply
You are so right, Lynda. Traitors never think that others will betray them and that there are people who hold to their honor no matter what. As to what may be lurking in Edoras, we'll find out soon enough. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Larner · 11 February 2009 · Chapter 57: Friends in Low Places
Ah, an aptly named chapter indeed. Now, why were the others spared, and what is the secret of evil near the gates? We will soon find out, I must assume. Interesting!
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner. I'm glad you found this chapter interesting. You may recall that Cyneric was the young guard Aragorn encountered in Meduseld when he was searching for Théoden. He is loyal to Thengel though he is forced to work for the traitors and decided not to reveal Gilhael's presence to the others. So the chapter has a double meaning since Cyneric is but a 'lowly' guard who hates his new overlords and will do what he can to foil them. As for what evil lies near the gates... that will indeed be revealed soon.
Ainu Laire · 9 February 2009 · Chapter 55: Explanations and Revisions
A quick snippet- yes, I'm still reading (and loving) this story. And I am already enjoying your Denethor. Hopefully he and Thorongil remain on good conditions for a while... it's such a pity they became rivals. Those two together, what a tag team.
Author's reply
Hi Ainu Laire. I think Aragorn and Denethor would have made a great team if Denethor's jealousy hadn't gotten the better of him. At least here, at the beginning of their relationship, they can be friends and comrades. Thanks for letting me know you're still reading and enjoying this story. I really appreciate it.
Rhyselle · 6 February 2009 · Chapter 56: Over the Wall
Oh! What a place to leave us! Nice suspenseful chapter! I love the interaction between Aragorn and Denethor. This is a Denethor I could grow to like very much. Most of the tales I've read involving Denethor and Aragorn interaction during Aragorn's time in service to Rohan and Gondor have them in nothing but conflict. I could see the tiny beginnings of what could develop into a friendship here. Widfara is my favorite of the OCs in this story. :) I hope that he gets a happy ending. I think he deserves it. Well done!
Author's reply
Hi, Rhyselle. Everyone thinks of Denethor as we see him in LOTR (either book-or movieverse)without taking into account that Denethor at 27 is not Denethor at 89. Plus the fact that here the two have just met. They don't know each other well enough to either be friends or enemies and I think they started out as friends, but Denethor grew jealous of 'Captain Thorongil'. It is a shame that they parted (at least on Denethor's part) as unfriends if not exactly enemies. I think Aragorn truly grieved to find that Denethor was dead when he arrived in Minas Tirith. Wídfara is one of my all-time favorite OCs, too. As to a happy ending... we'll have to wait and see. *grin* Thanks for your review, Rhyselle. I appreciate it very much.
Larner · 4 February 2009 · Chapter 56: Over the Wall
Not precisely a cliffhanger, but as near as can be! Now both parties are almost at the point of discovery, and the Dowager has her suspicions on what might be happening. Now--how do they get out of this? Nice thinking, to bring the knives away with them so no one is the wiser as to how they got in.
Author's reply
As to how the two parties get out of their predictaments (or not), that will be revealed in the next chapter. *grin* As for the knives.... always leave a little mystery behind. People may think twice about taking you on. *lol*
rick · 4 February 2009 · Chapter 56: Over the Wall
ooohh, another cliffhanger (am I surprised? not hardly...) - good one. Denethor & Aragorn seem to be getting along so far, I wonder how long that will last. this story overall is very good & interesting, as well as plausible from a canonical viewpoint. Nail-gnawing again, dash it all.
Author's reply
Well, there is no reason for Denethor and Aragorn not to get along. Any animosity on Denethor's part against Aragorn is years and years in the future. At the moment they are comrades-in-arms if not exactly friends. Glad you liked this chapter, Rick. Thanks for letting me know.
6336 · 4 February 2009 · Chapter 56: Over the Wall
Fiondil, you know I am really going to have to have a little chat with your Muse, he just loves to have you leave us hanging! Well they are in now to see if they can do what they came to do with out being discovered! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Well, good luck with that my dear. *lol* I just write what the Muse tells me to and I stop when he tells me to, as well. But never fear, I shan't leave you hanging for too long. I will be updating this story until it's finished every week now that "Wars" is finished. Something to look forward to. *grin*
Larner · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 55: Explanations and Revisions
And certainly he has good reason to ponder, for he is a man learned in lore; and this is his equal in so many ways. They might have been brothers, but intead became rivals on Denethor's side, at least.
Author's reply
Very true, Larner, on all counts. A pity, too, because I think Aragorn would have welcomed Denethor as a brother rather than as a rival. But for the moment, at least, they are comrades-in-arms, if not friends, fighting a common foe for the sake of oaths to Thengel and the people of Rohan.
Agape4Gondor · 26 January 2009 · Chapter 55: Explanations and Revisions
Excellent chapter... I very, very much liked your portrayal of Denethor and I loved Aragorn's 'guarded' approval. Hooray! Hooray!
Author's reply
Glad you approve, Agape. We'll see more of Aragorn and Denethor interacting in the next chapter.