Stirrings of Shadow by Fiondil
6336 · 26 January 2009 · Chapter 55: Explanations and Revisions
Hm, so Denethor is pondering is he, let's hope he takes his time about adding two and two together?! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Well, there will be nearly sixty years before the Ring War. I'm sure Denethor will take all the time he nedds to figure things out. *grin*
george · 26 January 2009 · Chapter 55: Explanations and Revisions
Bwaha, exciting plans in the brewing! (Although you had me worried with the chapter title for a second--I was like, oh no, author's notes and not a new chapter? LOL Glad I was wrong.) I felt for Thengel with your mention that he once more had to go view the dead and see to their burial. It must be one of the hardest parts of being king, and really drive home the responsibility he has as a leader. Aragorn's not the only one with a touch of precognition, huh, if Denethor's already being reminded of stories of the long-lost king (either that, or Thorongil's pulling some pretty powerful mojo among the wounded, I suppose)? Can't wait to see what happens next!
Author's reply
Oh no, this story is far from over although it is nearing the end as you probably can guess. Once Thengel secures his throne then it's all over save for the shouting, as the saying goes. Thengel is a great leader and understands the responsibilities that go with the crown. When I first started writing this story I didn't know how powerful a personality Thengel really is. In some ways this is more his story than Aragorn's. The next chapter will be posted sooner than this one was, I promise. Thanks for your review, George. I greatly appreciate it.
george · 26 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
Hi again! I saw your author's reply so I went back and reread the chapter and it does read more naturally to me now. Now Thengel's loss of temper and Widfara's almost youthful sense of betrayal do the job of really bring across how shaken they feel, I think, rather than you just saying that they were disheartened (on a side note it is also interesting how everyone's feelings of betrayal highlight just how much trust warriors placed in the etiquette of war). I can feel the grim mood around the fire listening to the enemy singing a lot more now! I also thought it was interesting how in accord Gilhael and Aragorn are--when Widfara asks the same question twice (which is a nice touch to his disbelief, btw) and the two rangers give the same answer, just swapping reasons with eachother!
Author's reply
Hi, George. Thanks. I'm glad that the revision reads more naturally. I appreciate you pointing out the flaw in the chapter. In a warrior society, there are certain conventions which are kept to. That the rebels in Edoras refuse to adhere to those conventions is a shock to Thengel's men. Such things are not supposed to happen (unless one is fighting against orcs or Sauron).
Linda Hoyland · 25 January 2009 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
The plot thickens!It must be tough for young Widfara to see all this.I like Thengel here.
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. I'm glad you like this and Thengel especially. Yes, I imagine it was very hard on Wídfara to see this but he's made of strong stuff and he has people like Aragorn to help him through it.
rick · 13 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
yay! I love it when the cavalry comes over the hill in the nick of time. Be interesting to see how the Thengel/Aragorn/Denethor triangle plays out.
Author's reply
Thanks, Rick. I hope to have the next chapter up before the end of the month.
Sunny · 12 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
The first meeting between Aragorn and Denethor. And Aragorn is evidently feeling a few chills... but then his line would have a predisposition for precognition, in addition to the healing, wouldn't it? And we also all know how it all ends between the two of them, don't we? I wouldn't wonder that the possibility of _that_ end wouldn't echo back in time. (At this point in time there is no bad karma between the two of them. But Denethor is going to choose to nurture jealousy and enmity, and will make some less-than-happy choices; influenced by Sauron, yes, but that influence wouldn't have abrogated his free will....) So even with that path not-yet-trodden, the horrifying _possible outcome_ (at this point in time) still has the power to chill. It is a great pity that Denethor made those choices that led to his ignoble ending. Yet I wonder if not Aragorn might not also have influenced the beginning of that path? It seems that he feels the chill of that outcome _we_ know, and who know if that didn't influence _his_ attitudes as well? (Thinking about precognition and possible paths to the future is as bad as contemplating quantum physics. I suspect I need to roll a sanity check... ;-) )
Author's reply
I am not sure if Aragorn has had a premonition about Denethor at this point or not, but certainly their meeting is momentous and of course Aragorn is meeting the man whom he thinks could one day be his steward if he ever becomes king as Elrond foretold. At this stage Denethor is still untainted by Sauron and there is nearly 60 years before the Ring War and all that came of that for them both.
Larner · 12 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
These have arrived just when needed, it seems. And it sounds as if the Dowager's men have as little honor as does she! Now, to see the new strategies set in motion, and the interaction between Aragorn and his so-distant cousin from the south. Like as brothers or close kin, it was said--in looks and interests, at least. Now to see if that almost-sibling rivalry is obvious from the beginning.
Author's reply
We will see in the next chapter how these two men react to one another.
george · 12 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
YAY! I'm always so glad to see an update from you! Quite a rollercoaster ride for Thengel and his men here, and I'm excited to see how you involve Denethor. Somehow I never imagined the two meeting until Thorongil arrived in Gondor, but it will be very interesting to see how this earlier introduction affects the way their relationship unfolds, and Thorongil's eventual reception in Gondor. Just one bit of concrit--it feels like you overstate that Thengel's soldiers are demoralized. It seems to me that if you just went a bit more into describing the compelling reasons you have for them being demoralized (the sense of treachery, their losses, the singing) it would be less report-like and create more of a mood that would suck the reader in. Everywhere else in your story you've definitely 'shown' rather than 'told,' so I figured I'd point it out here. Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Author's reply
Hi George. Thanks for your concrit... I will look over the chapter again and see if I can change it up a bit as you suggest. This was not an easy chapter to write and I wasn't sure if I was pulling it off. Obviously not. *grin* As for Denethor and Aragorn... there is nothing in canon that specifically states that these two did not meet until Aragorn went to Gondor and given the storyline that I have developed here, Denethor's presence in Rohan at this time would make sense. We will see how their relationship unfolds and what that means to Aragorn's future soon enough with the next chapter. Author Reply: I've gone in and made some changes to the text per your suggestions. Not sure if it's an improvement but hopefully it's closer to what you were expecting.
Agape4Gondor · 12 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
Wow - what an exciting chapter to read - and probably felt the same for the writer! I could not believe the treachery - but Gandalf had said,one time, that treachery was always there enemy. It was good to 'hear' the Gondorian horns..... But I got chills when I realized 'who' from Gondor had come to succor Rohan. Needless to say - I CANNOT wait for more.....
Author's reply
Hi, Agape. It was pretty exciting to write and I wasn't sure if I really pulled it off as there's not much detail about the attacks themselves. I was more interested in exploring the effects of the attacks on Thengel's army. And chills, huh? *grin* That makes it all worth while. I hope to have the next chapter up very soon. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Elentarri · 12 January 2009 · Chapter 54: Unexpected Allies
Yay! Thank you. It wasn't there a while ago :-) Think it has something to do with the 8 hour time difference :-)
Author's reply
You're welcome. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Elentarri · 12 January 2009 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
Hello? Can you please update this story? I love Thorongil stories. :-)
Author's reply
I just posted a new chapter this morning.
Kaylee · 18 December 2008 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
"Night falls on Rohan"...very, very ominous, this silence from Edoras. I don't like it. I don't, meldonya...and I expect that's rather the point. *scrubs eyes* What if what happened here is anything like what happened at...*brain fogs up* The other place with the dead guards. Ick. *slaps cold* Sorry...I know I should know. Help me, meldonya? *beseeching look* I did read the chapter, I just forgot the name. Anyway...I'm rambling. Sorry. I loved the chapter but it's chilled me. Where now is the horse, where is the rider, as dark days fall on Rohan? ~Kaylee
Author's reply
You're thinking of Upbourn. And yes it's very ominous, this silence from Edoras. We will see in the next chapter just what it means.
Agape4Gondor · 16 December 2008 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
Very difficult chapter to read - no matter the mens' crimes - to leave them to die in that was in unconscionable... (sp?) It would have been better to hang them - that, at least, was justice. What they did was a crime!
Author's reply
A very difficult chapter, period. What the people of Upborn (or at least some of them) was indeed a crime and I'm sure Thengel will address that matter once he regains his throne.
Agape4Gondor · 16 December 2008 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
Got to write to tech support... I swore I wrote a review for this chapter and I"m not getting updates....
Author's reply
Well, you could have written the review here while you were at it. *grin* Best to contact tech and see what they can do. In the meantime, just check the site every oter day (if not every day), since you know I update my stories rather regularly.
Rick · 16 December 2008 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
oooohhhh, cliff hanging! Good, though - trust Gandalf not to explain anything thoroughly - you've got that cold.
Author's reply
Thanks, Rick. I'm glad you liked this. Gandalf, being Gandalf, never explains anything to anyone's satisfaction. I think it's his way of being mysterious or something. *grin*
Shoshana_Rose · 16 December 2008 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
I think this is a nice resolution to the previous chapter. You dealt well with the reactions of different people to the disturbing events in town. I'm continually impressed with your characterization of Thengel King. You've portrayed him as a magnificent leader who is also intensely human. His little comment that broke up the tension before Edoras is yet another example of this king who knows what his people need, even in times of great stress. Can't wait to see what you do next.
Author's reply
Thanks, Shoshi. I'm glad you liked how the events of the last chapter were resolved. It was not a pleasant experience for any of them and Mithrandir still has some explaining to do. I'm also happy that you like my characterization of Thengel King. He's become one of my favorite canon characters. Perhaps one day I will be inspired to write more about him when he was in Gondor. I'm sure there was a bit of a learning curve for him there just as there was for Aragorn in Rohan. *grin*
Larner · 16 December 2008 · Chapter 53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...
It does sound as if there is a need to reconnoiter here. Certainly the finding of Upbourne deserted save for those killed was grisly to the extreme. What next?
Author's reply
As to what happens next, that will shortly be revealed. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Larner. I appreciate it.
Larner · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
A terrible way to die. I find myself wondering who it was who ordered these executions. Ghastly!
Author's reply
We will find out the answer to that soon enough.
Shoshana_Rose · 1 December 2008 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
Wow, what a grisly scene! I guess that the parents of Upbourn were retaliating against the threat to their children and families, but I wonder if an execution wouldn't have been kinder to the garrison! This seems both oddly detached (an unseen death by starvation and/or exposure) and also exceedingly cruel, if it was indeed the families of Upbourne. I wonder if something else isn't going on. You are certainly keeping this story interesting! Can't wait to see how they proceed from here. Lol. I liked the reappearance of Elrohir and Elladan, and the brief banter between them and Aragorn. "I heard that." *Snicker.* Cheers, Shoshi
Author's reply
Hi Shoshi. Well, as to the reason for all this, it will be made clear eventually. War is cruel and sometimes even good people are pushed too far by the horrors of it and commit acts of cruelty no less than the 'bad guys'.
Agape4Gondor · 29 November 2008 · Chapter 51: And So It Begins
Yikes and Yikes are about all I can say - once because I don't know how I missed this chapter and twice because of Widfara's precipitous actions! Great chapter - glad it was friend not foe who approached at the beginning.
Author's reply
Hi Agape. I guess 'yikes' just about covers it. *grin* Wídfara is just young enough to be rashly bold or boldy rash (take your pick). Hopefully it doesn't get him killed one day. Glad you liked the chapter.
Ainu Laire · 29 November 2008 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
Wow. And I mean wow. And this is all Thengel's mother orders? I cannot believe the cruelty of some people. This fic is very much dark indeed, and I am wary about the future; I expect more bad than good, if this is the way it is going to go.
Author's reply
We don't know if this was done by Thengel's mother's orders. Most likely not. More than likely, once the children of Upbourn were rescued their parents and the other citizens of Upbourn revolted against the garrison. We'll learn more about it eventually. As dark as this may be, it does get better (after all, we do know that Thengel succeeded and Théoden eventually took the throne), but war is war, after all, and it's never pretty.
@co6336 · 29 November 2008 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
Well I did wonder if it was some kind of plague, it was in a way, a man made plague! So Mithrandir is dabbling again is he, very helpfull Maia that one! Very glad you posted this after Thanksgiving, reading this would most deffinatly put me off my turkey and all the trimmings! More please, I think, Lynda
Author's reply
Given the content of the chapter I didn't want to spoil anyone's turkey dinner, which is why I held off for two days before posting it. As for the extent of Mithrandir's 'dabbling', we'll find out just what is role in all this was eventually, if not immediately.
george · 29 November 2008 · Chapter 52: What Happened in Upbourn
Oh dear goodness. Must know what happened!
Author's reply
We'll find out eventually, I promise.
rick · 15 November 2008 · Chapter 999999: Character List
this is great! write faster! you do splendid stuff. please keep on going, I can't wait for the next chapter. if you're wondering, yes i also liked several of your other stories & await updates to Elf Interrupted part 2 with great impatience also. thanks for writing. yes i'm being very inconsistent about capital letters despite being a grammar nut because i'm feeling lazy. small grammatical nitpick because I can't help myself: in a couple places, you have it's = it is (with apostrophe) where you needed its = possessive (no apostrophe, belonging to it) and vice versa. Probably oversight on your part.
Author's reply
Hi Rick. Thanks for your encouragement. I hope to write a little faster with this story as we are actually coming towards the end anyway. As for the it's vs. its thing... I'm aware of it. Unfortunately my beta-reader, being blind, can't differentiate between them so I will be going back over the story in its entirety and making the corrections. I do wish though that if people find such errors they do more than tell me they've found them but actually tell me *where* in the story the errors can be found so I can correct them immediately. That would be most helpful. Thanks for letting me know, though, how much you've been enjoying this story and my other stories. I really appreciate it.
Linda Hoyland · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 51: And So It Begins
You had me afraid for Widfara then!I love the courage of the Rohirrim,while I find the Elves rather chilling.A most exciting chapter.
Author's reply
Wídfara will always be one of my favorite OCs. The Elves are... well, Elves and they don't necessarily function on the same moral scale as humans do.