Gandalfs apprentice
· 8 May 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Hi Nightwing
You go, girl! Let those creative juices flow at their own pace. I'll be looking forward to the continuation of the story when you're ready. You know, one of the fun parts of this is I feel like for the first time I know what the Victorians experienced waiting for the next installment of a novel by Dickens or Trollope to come out.
You may remember we had a little exchange earlier about a story about Aragorn and Arwen's romance and elves swimming naked in forest pools... Well, I wrote a story. You can read it at www.tolkienfanfiction.com. (I'm not an approved author at Stories of Arda.) I'd be very interested in your opinion.
Oh, and given that you're one of those Legolas lovers, I'm sure you won't miss Kingdom of Heaven! That and Harry Potter are high on my radar screen. FYI Next year Viggo Mortensen's new adventure flick, Alatriste, where he plays a famous Spanish sea captain from the 17th century, will be released. He was cast in the role apparently in part because of all the good swordsmanship he learned playing Aragorn, plus he speaks Spanish. It's in filming now and if you google Alatriste you'll find photos from the shoot.
Author's reply
I'll see if I can get to your story. My husband's surgery is tomorrow though, so it might be a little while before I can read it.
I saw "Kingdom of Heaven" a few nights ago. A good movie. Not great, but I enjoyed it, and it was a pleasure watching Orlando. I will certainly be buying it on DVD when it becomes available, which is more than I can say for "Troy". Even with Orlando looking so delicious, I never want to lay eyes on that abysmal movie again.
I'll definitely be looking into Viggo's new movie. I like that actor very much. He is as interesting off-camera as on. Very active in working for social justice and against the Iraq war. Good man.
fliewatuet
· 6 May 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Another wonderful chapter (well, wonderful for me to read, certainly not wonderful for Legolas to experience). I loved your description of how Legolas felt inside his box, being brought to his prison.
The old man that touched him was truly creepy! And I cannot shake off the feeling that Ramhar had something to do with the death of Legolas' mother. But I am really curious to learn more about the reasons behind the superstitious behaviour of Legolas' captors with regard to Elves. Is it just the way those people are? Or was the superstition 'encouraged' by someone who might find it useful to have influence over a bunch of people fearing/hating Elves?
I wish you good luck with your new house and will wait patiently for your return to writing.
Enjoy your break,
fliewatuet
Author's reply
Hello, and thank you. The old man is big time creepy. An ultimate evil dude, and your feeling about Ramhar is tracking along the right lines. I have some tweaking to do with my outline to try to get things to come together in at least a somewhat coherent manner, so I'm going to be focusing on the backstory of some of these characters for a bit. I hope when I begin writing again I will not be feeling quite so confused!
Muinthel
· 5 May 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
....what a great chapter! and what an ending for the summer.....! I hope everything will work out just fine.....with your husband and with the house...! I hope to "see" you via e-mail once in a while!
you did a great job in the richness of language and "mindpictures" in this chapter, so I'm sure many will stay with you and wait until autumn. your last sentence kicks the adrenaline not only for Legolas up into the sky!
Muinthel
Author's reply
Hello my dear! So wonderful to hear from you. I hope you have a good summer too. I'll be in touch. If I lose my home email due to the house going down, I'll be back on my work email.
I did leave Legolas in a suitably bad spot, with that creepy parting comment by the bad guy. Want to be sure my readers come back!
When will "Kingdom of Heaven" arrive in Germany? I saw it last night, and it was definitely a better movie than Troy, thank goodness!
Rose Sared
· 3 May 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Good luck with the building and your husband's op. I will look forward to your energy when life allows you writing time again. Do love this tale it has all the iingredients, tension, angst and occasional humor. I'll be watching this space and thanks for the pleasure thus far.
Rose
Author's reply
Hi, Rose! I'm happy to hear from you. Have a great summer!
No wait... is it summer or winter in your part of the world?
ziggy
· 2 May 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
ohmigod! Any disappointment??!! What are you trying to do? Kill me with suspense!!! This has just been a fantastic chapter- such menace! You have very carefully built in a sense that there is someone EVEN nastier than Ramhar .. and this character just OOOZES nastiness, menace and power. The bit about the edge of his robe... and the fact that even the soldiers are scared, breathless and pity our poor Legolas.Also, wonderful is the way you have made your reader share Legolas' blindness- a cunning plan to make him blindfolded so his real blindness is hidden for the time being. And using those other senses- when you describe him being circles- I can really feel that sense of helplessness and holding one's breath - brilliant. Ramhar is threatening- a sort of heavy fisted threat- you can imagine him taking real delight in someone else's pain - but you have given him depths now with those hints at a past ... 'she' is presumably Legolas' mother, or perhaps sister ... I need to go back now and see if you have given any hints earlier in the story.I was trying to work out how old Ramhar might be if he knew Legolas' mother ...it gives me something to do in those long empty summer months! (Are you feeling guilty yet?) Even the details about leather straps holding him instead of ropes is perfect- I htink tha tis one reason I enjoy this story so much - Ican totally believe it- every detail is beautifully written and considered - and so truly, I understadn why you need to take the time to think about this- you cannot write this sort of story by just dashing off a few thousand words every week / fortnight. I am grateful to you for maintaining such a wonderfully high standard of writing- there are fewer and fewer good writers posting so please take whatever time you need but don't abandon us! Thanks for what you have done so far. I will look forward to your next chapter, and treat myself by re reading the chapters so far!
Author's reply
I am always trying to think of ways to keep others from learning that Legolas is blind. I don't want them to know yet, so he's got a cloth tied over his eyes at the moment.
Legolas' mother only died 4 years ago in this story, so Ramhar's age now and then is not significantly different. He does have a past, and a reason for his hatred. That's one of the reasons I'm taking a pause for a time. I need to work out the details about him and the really nasty guy, as I want all parts of the story to be believable and come together in a plausible way.
I won't abandon you! This week I am reading a book written by a blind man, to get some perspective. So even if I'm not actually writing at the moment, I am still working on the story.
OakWolf
· 30 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Ay, Nightwing these endings are killing me- but thank you for your time and imense creativity good luck this summer, everything's for the best.
Author's reply
I agree, it is a rather bad place to leave our elf. But we will get right back to him the instant I update. I hope you have a good summer as well.
Magna
· 30 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Hello, Nightwing. I completely understand your situation. I myself have been busy and have had no time to write, which is something I love. And I seem to be losing interest! (NOOOOO!) But I can understand.. Now to the story.. WHERE ARE YOU TAKING THIS?! I hope that you end Aragorn's and Legolas's torments soon. This is too much to take!! UGH! I hope their terrible situation is resolved soon!! Once again, your talent as a writer has left me lost for words. You are one of the best. Great job.
Author's reply
Hello! I am happy to see you again, new name or not. Noooo! Losing interest in writing? I would suggest taking a break and seeing if your muse returns, or perhaps writing something different and new. See if that revives the spark.
Where am I taking this story? That is precisely one of the reasons I am taking a break from posting this summer. The future of this story needs a lot of thinking about, and I didn't feel I could really get things properly mapped out and still be writing and posting at the same time. So you not see some chapters for a while, but I will indeed still be working on TSAW.
As for the current dire predicament our elf is in, I will promise you that he will, in the end, be fine. Have a great summer!
Magna
· 30 April 2005
· Chapter 35: In Other Hands
Oh... Poor Legolas! Nightwing, you are so cruel!! But I can handle it. This story has never failed to astound me. I love reading your work. Great job!
Magna
· 30 April 2005
· Chapter 34: World on Fire
Hi Nightwing.. Remember me? Yes I changed by name, but I'm Em-chan from the Eternal website. Sorry.. I've been busy and have not been following your wonderful fic as well as I could have. But I am so glad I did. Wow.. This chapter was a tad dark, wasn't it? But it still was great. You are such an awesome writer; I wish I could write as well as you. Keep up the good work!
Bev
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Well...*sniff*...I must start with saying that I love this chapter as I do all of them. Written only from Legolas' perspective, it is rich in description; from the sound of their boots on the floor to the sound of the tourches flickering. Who on earth could this vile, evil being be? And who is this woman that Legolas apparently resembles?
*sigh....slowly wipes tears from eyes*...I am heartsick at the prospect of having to wait soooo long for this story to continue. BUT...I certainly understand what you have to do. Real life does go on. I hope everything goes well with you and your family. Please know that I will be here to continue on with this story when you return. Be well.
Bev
Author's reply
I try like crazy to get enough description in when I'm in the elf's POV. It's hard work to do so without his eyes.
I am happy that everyone has told me they are willing to wait for the story to return. I sat in the library last night for three hours working through some of my plot ideas. So much for taking a break! I'm doing what I can before my husband's surgery. Afterward, I think I'll be playing the role of nurse for a while.
Oh, and the elf resembles his mother.
sofia
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
I so understand how you feel like taking a break. I want to take a break on one of my stories that I'm writing but my mind keeps swimming with ideas and it drives me crazy. Any way, in the fall I'll be expecting another chapter.
On to the story- I wonder if Ramhar is talking about Legolas' mother... and I wonder what happened to him concerning the elves. You got me hooked!
-sofia
Author's reply
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I need to turn my mind off for a while, or I will go crazy. I dream this story 24/7, and it is fatiguing.
Yes, Ramhar was speaking of Legolas' mother. I was concerned that his statement might be too vague, so I'm very pleased that you recognized what he meant. Legolas understood what he meant too. Poor elf, he's in a bit of a state right now.
treymaine
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
I have enjoyed reading your story. I understand that writing is demanding as is real life.
I hope that your husband's surgery goes well.
I hope the house plans go smoothly.
I look forward to fall when you will be able to continue.
Best wishes.
Author's reply
Yes! Yes it is! Amazing how so many people do not realize that. It is a huge investment of time and concentration and thought and research. It is as much labor of tears as a labor of love.
Oh, gawd. Did I really just write that last sentence? Sheesh, just a little over the top. I'm getting giddy. Now I know it is past my bedtime.
See you in the fall.
Lady Greenleaf
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
of course i understand about about wanting to take some time out. Hope you like your new how, and good luck with the surgery on your husbands shoulder.
^ ^
'
v
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I hope I like the new house too. I'm sure I will. Anything would be better than the hideous excuse for a house I have lived in these eleven years. I will be tossing roses and leaping about with glee as they bulldoze the thing into the ground.
And I will have my own writing nook. No more trying to "get into the story" with Sponge Bob Square Pants playing in the same room. It really does not set the proper mood at all.
Alison H
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
"Beautiful are the elves.You look just like her".
Are those not the most chilling words in this entire magnificent story? I swear, I don't think I breathed at all as I read this chapter.Poor Legolas! I felt his fear, his claustrophobia and his sorrow on the road to his confinement.
The 'older' man who entered the cell where Legolas was held--that was Malcovan wasn't it? Legolas felt pure evil radiating from him and I felt it too.Absolutely chilling.
This story is still the best, most involving LOTR fan fic I have ever read and I have all 36 chapters printed out so that I can wallow in the utterly believable friendship between Aragorn & Legolas.
"If love is indeed in the brightness of things", Legolas said to Aragorn,"then you are the light in the darkness"---I was reading this story again last week and that remark is just my all-time favourite line cocerning friendship.I could blub now thinking of the circumstances where it was said!
I will wait very patiently for an update--whenever you feel it is time to continue I will be ready to gush over your beautiful story.Take your time and I hope that everything goes well, particularly with your husband's surgery.
Best wishes and hugs to you.Enjoy as much of the summer as you can.A friend of mine in New York is having a house built in Florida and she's moving in the summer, along with her hubby and 7yr old daughter.I know how stressful it all is for them.
Bye for now.
Ali.
Author's reply
I was rather pleased with that last comment Ramhar made to the elf. It just "flashed" into my head, and I grabbed it gratefully before it could skitter off and vanish.
Yes, that old guy was Malcovan. He is terrible. I hate writing him already.
Wow, thanks so much for the compliments! I love the friendship between the elf and the ranger, and I'm pleased that I am able to describe their relationship convincingly.
I'm feeling stressed, and I'm only moving to another part of my own back yard! I cannot imagine moving to another state. That takes courage.
AM
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Thanks for a marvelous story. Will be waiting on tenderhooks 'til the fall.
Author's reply
Thank you! Have a good summer, and don't fret about the elf. I'll take good care of him until fall.
Ireth
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Dear Nightwing, ever since I found your story on various sites I have been mesmerised by your story, and it's so very good that I don't really mind waiting for God knows how long for you to continue, just as long as you continue!!! Which you said you would, so in autemn I will be checking for any new updates, hoping that everything will turn out the way you want, with your husband and the home and all, and I can tell you it can't be autemn soon enough for me!! This story might have turned into a monster but it's a nice fluffy one, and I would like to keep cuddling it....I hope you will gain your control again (although I think it's working on its own very well!) and like I said, I'll be waiting....for ever how long it takes!! Absolutely fabulous work for now, thanks, hugs and lots of kisses!!!!!
Author's reply
Thank you, thank you! Fear not, I will continue. I just hope the house plans go well and we can get settled quickly once it is ready.
I'm grateful that you think the story is still running along smoothly. I feared it was getting really spazzy, and I want to get it firmly facing its future without any more surprises for me. It's been making me nuts, the way it suddenly veers off. Makes me feel like I'm not the one in control here at all.
timewarp
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Hi, I just started following this a couple of chapters ago and have finally 'caught up' with it. I'm very impressed, especially with the detail of the descriptions-I can see, and hear when it's Legolas' PoF, it all in my head clear as day.
The way you've writing, it doesn't actually need to be Aragorn and Legolas any more. It would probably be just as enjoyable for someone with no LotR knowledge and could stand on it's own with very minor alterations.
Thanks for what you've written so far-I'll be looking forward to further updates in the autumn.
Note to self: must get printer-reading off a monitor plays havoc with my eyes!
Author's reply
Oh, are you a migraine kid like me? My head just aches after reading on the monitor. I print off every story that I follow. It is so much easier to read that way, and it's nice to hold it in your hands and be able to keep it!
Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying the story.
Anonymous
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Dea Nightwing,
I hope everything will be alrifgt in an amount of time. I'll be happy to wait till autumn. and I will occipie myself with reading harryPotter six, too and a few books by Hohlbein. May the muse be with you!!!!
Greetings,
yours Sandra
Author's reply
Hello Sandra. Things will be fine, as long as my husband regains a useable arm. The summer will just be so busy, I really feared that if I tried to work on the story with so much else going on, the quality would really suffer. Thank you for writing to me.
daw the minstrel
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
This was a chilling chapter. I'm still trying to draw deep breaths and convince myself that I don't have a leather strap around my throat. I like the way you made use of how Legolas has learned to tell many things just from hearing.
I'm sorry that you're so busy in RL that you won't have time to write for us, but I understand. Have a good summer.
Author's reply
I figured you would be one of the understanding people. Frankly, I am amazed at your literary output. And you also work and have a young child at home, yes? How do you do it?
Writing from the perspective of a blind person has gotten no easier. I find myself thinking thinking thinking... sometimes it flows, and sometimes it's like wading through a bog. I cannot wait until I can dive into a story in which Legolas can see, and I can write about him flashing his magnificent bright elven eyes about. They are one of my favorite things about him, and I can't use them!
fadagaski
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
I'm glad you are wise enough to take the time out when you need it. Good luck with your house, your family, your life in general, and I hope HP6 doesn't read like the plagiarised fanfic that HP5 was.
Author's reply
Ah, when I was referring to the "new" Harry Potter book, it was the one that came out last summer. The 5th one. I have not read it yet. Oh dear, it sounds like you did not like it at all. A plagarized fanfic? The HP books are fun, but I don't particularly care for her writing style. Now I'm even more curious to see what I'll think of this one.
Ithildin
· 28 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
So it is good news and bad news in this chapter, eh? Good news, another chapter to read and the plot thickens. Though Legolas doesn’t think it is good - our Elf is in the clutches of some very, very bad villains, it would seem. Yes, he is in a very bad place, and the bad news is he will have to stay there for quite a while!
Ah well, I can certainly understand your reasons and I will wait as patiently as I can until you resume writing! I truly hope all goes well with your hubby’s surgery and your new house and all. Sounds like a busy summer for your family.
Please know that I think this is an absolutely riveting story and I have kept a constant watch for new chapters, and read each one immediately upon discovering that it had been posted – regardless of time of day or night! Therefore, rest assured that I will still be here when you return with your muse refreshed and on course to deliver more tense, anxious, exciting, cliffhanging chapters of To See a World. :-)
In spite of the busy-ness I hope you have a good summer and a restful break,
Ithildin *(
Author's reply
I know, this was a hell of a place to leave the poor elf. Thankfully several months of waiting for the reader does not translate to several months of torment for Legolas. He'll not be a prisoner that long. Nor will Aragorn be sleeping for months!
Thnaks for letting me know you are enjoying the story so much.
Author Reply: Umm, that would be t-h-a-n-k-s. I need to go to bed!
ravennat
· 27 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
Cool, cool. Everyone's entitled to a summer vacation :)
Hope everything goes swell with the house and you remain in good health.
I look forward to reading more when you get around to it.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for understanding! Everyone has been great about my taking a vacation. I'm certain that it will be to the story's benefit.
TithenFeredir
· 27 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
I don't think I've ever read anything that made me as physically uncomfortable as what you are doing with Legolas right now. The merciless restraints and the confinement in that horrible box, so vividly described, are just nightmarish. Now you've introduced this new creepy character, and you are hinting at some terrible use to which he will put our elf? ...but not until fall! It's going to be a long, long summer waiting. It is a terrible disappointment, but RL is the higher priority. Best wishes on the house, the shoulder surgery, and the summer in general. Please do come back, this story is too good not to finish.
And...could you just untie Legolas from the post and put him in a nice, dry, well-ventilated cell for the summer, one with a good, soft bed and a window so he can see the trees and the stars at night? ~TF
Author's reply
Yes, that stuff is nightmarish. I'm a pretty good claustrophobe, so I know how to get into the misery of it. The bad guy is big-time creepy. I hate him.
Do not fear for the elf. He knows this is fiction, and when I am done with him I let him out and he runs off and has fun. He's up a tree in my back yard right now, and I'm not worried. That chain around his ankle won't let him get too far away from me. ;)
Robinscat
· 27 April 2005
· Chapter 36: Close to the Edge
To be honest, my heart dropped when I read your statement to not post until Sept or Oct. This story has captured me as no other story has. I find myself thinking during the day, how are Legolas and Aragorn to get out of this mess, will Legolas see again, What of his mother's killers, will he find his cat again. I can almost see a movie in my mind.
But I understand your reasons, and can only hope that you will be able to finish this awesome story.
Please don't abandon your faithful readers.
Robin
Author's reply
Believe me, I think about exactly those same things! How are they going to get out of this mess, what about the killers, what about the elf's eyes???
All of these questions are exactly what I will be settling down about this summer and thinking hard about. I need to firm up the rest of the storyline here, or it'll become one crazed, meandering, incoherent mess.
I will finish To See A World. I will not abandon this story, upon my honour as an elf!
(All right... wannabe elf)
Bev
· 17 April 2005
· Chapter 35: In Other Hands
Dang It....Sorry to be so late with a review....I hadn't realized a new chapter was up.
Great..great...great. *whew* So glad to have Aragorn out of that house. Poor Legolas needs him...now. I fear that there is torture in his future. Please...just don't make it too bad..*lol*. I can't stand to see Legolas suffer.
Please...up-date soon.
Have I said how much I totally love this story....your writing is exquisite.
Bev
Author's reply
Hi Bev! Hmmm, I think if you can't stand to see Legolas suffer, this might not be the story for you! But, I do intend to practice restraint, to the best of my ability. There will be a lot going on, and challenges for our elf in his current predicament, but he will not be "at effect" forever. There will be decisions to make and actions to take in the future.