Holding Back the Flood by shirebound
Raksha The Demon · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 4: Unexpected Consequences
My favorite part of this suspenseful chapter is Elrond's reaction. Your writing shows his strength and discipline; there are glimpses here, of the deadly warrior he must have been during the battles of the Last Alliance.
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you. Elrond's status as wise Elf-lord and powerful Guardian is such a fascinating area to explore.
Raksha The Demon · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 1: The Sorcerer Prepares
Really excellent characterisation of the wraith here; and the writing of his thoughts is quite credible. Frodo's in for a rough time, I fear!
Author's reply
Thank you, Raksha. How chilling to get into that ancient, corrupted mind!
inzilbeth · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Oh my goodness! Please update soon! You've certainly got great pacing and tension building here and very interesting to actually see Elrond using Vilya. And yeay! Aragorn to the rescue!
Author's reply
Thank you. I think this story is trying to gallop away with me! I have a great deal of "Aragorn to the rescue" to write for chapter 6, so I should get started...
Galimeril · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Ai me! The suspense is killing me. This is very well written, your use of vocab is great, I like the way you portrayed Elrond's relationship with the valley and how he used Vilya. You've got me on the edge of my seat and I'm lovin it! Keep it up, reading this is a much better way to spend my time than studying for the AP tests! ;D Have a great weekend! Galimeril ;D
Author's reply
Thanks, Galimeril, and good luck with your tests! I'm glad this gave you a bit of distraction. I'm always fascinated with the way the bearers of the Three (and even the Nazgul) might use their rings, and the choices they make in wielding them.
Althea · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
After reading this I feel almost as breathless as Merry. So much is going on. Nazgul are on the loose;Frodo's leg is hurt; Elrond is trying to mentally hold back a flood; Gimli, Sam and Legolas are trapped behind a wall of stone; and Legolas and Sam are unconscious. Wow! I love all the suspense.
Author's reply
Thanks, Althea. It's a challenge keeping track of so much going on. I feel as breathless as Merry!
Ainu Laire · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
I was looking to say something thoughtful and awe-inspiring, but the only thing I could think of at the end of this chapter was that Cave-ins are FUN. I'm sorry, I'll think of something better later... just know that I enjoyed the rock-smashing-stuffies.
Author's reply
LOL, you're such an angst lover! I'm glad you enjoyed the smashing and crashing. :)
Larner · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Not good--Elf and Hobbit both unconscious. At least Elrond is holding back the flood--literally--while others hurry to the rescue. Now, to get them all out and treated properly--and Frodo most quickly!
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo most quickly! Chapter 6 will begin exactly there; you can imagine how impatiently I've been waiting for that part of the story! :)
lbilover · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Oh, oh, oh! What a cliffhanger! *frets* One thing about LOTR that has always baffled me is exactly *how* the bearers of the Three actually used them. So I was intrigued by how Elrond uses Vilya and how Gandalf lends his support with Narya to help give him strength. Thanks for another suspenseful, interesting chapter!
Author's reply
Thank *you*! :D I loved exploring all three Elven rings in "Mind to Mind", and it's fun trying to figure out how they might have worked in tandem with their bearers. How lovely of the Professor to leave us so much room for speculation.
Andrea · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Oh my! What a cliffhanger! At least we know that they can't be dead! But they might be badly hurt. and why was it that the one Dwarf within a hundred miles – the person best suited to dig him out – was trapped WITH him Well, it might be possible that said dwarf will be the first person to start the h/c part ;-) I really hope so!
Author's reply
Thanks, Andrea. "Said dwarf" is turning out to be fun to write. I like seeing events and people through his eyes. He's such a fish out of water in Rivendell (or has been, up until now).
Ruby · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
You seem to thrive on three genres:angst, hurt/comfort and drama. Three lovely spices to add to the soup-or, uh, story. Like it! Keep it up!
Author's reply
Thank you, Ruby. I love the 'comfort' part of h/c most of all, but it often takes a bit of hurt or drama to get us there. :)
Jay of Lasgalen · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
**EEP!!** Poor Legolas and Sam! And Gimli too, if Elrond's control over the flood falters. I really like the way you've built on what Tolkien gave us and shown Elrond's ability to sense an attack on the valley and defend it. Jay
Author's reply
Thank you, Jay. The Professor so generously gave us a great deal of canon-based 'wiggle room' in which to imagine and explore. What fun.
cookiefleck · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
This is so exciting. (Sam!!!) Aside from the delicious cliffhanger ending, I liked how you described Merry's thoughts as he ran. And the description of Gimli seeing the basket, and then Legolas and Sam, was great. Three cheers for Sam h/c.
Author's reply
Thank you. I enjoyed following Merry's thoughts down as they flew around in his head. And I do apologize for making you wait so long for the Sam h/c!
Antane · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Another cliff-hanger! You naughty hobbit! :) But of course I should not talk since I love to do that myself when I can. :) :) Do hurry Strider and everyone! And you too, my dear scribe! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Antane. I'll do my best to hurry everyone along. :)
Dreamflower · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Oh my! This is not good! What a cliffie! Of course we know that they will be all right--but how? This is such an exciting adventure! I love that Pippin knew something was wrong with Frodo, and that Gandalf knew something was wrong with Elrond, and how Aragorn instantly followed Gandalf's instructions though he did not know the reason! Wow! I look forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. This is turning out to be such a fun story to write and think about. :)
Cairistiona · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Just getting caught up with the last two chapters... so exciting! I'm very much enjoying the tension, and the points of view of all the different characters involved. Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Thank you very much! :)
6336 · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
Oops! Bad Nazgul, bad, bad, Nazgul! Lat's hope Elrond can hold on long enough and that Aragorn and the Imlardrian contingent can get there in time! I do hope the mushrooms are O.K.! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Indeed, that nasty Nazgul has caused all kinds of havoc! Aragorn and Elves (and Gimli) to the rescue...
Socrates399 · 20 March 2009 · Chapter 5: Fire and Water
AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! I hate suspense! :-) Reading stories like this makes me wonder how it must have been for the people who read LotR as it was published. Could you imagine having to wait for a year (or more...I can't remember the dates exactly) with Sam unconscious on the groud and "Frodo was alive and captured by the enemy"???? (I also wonder about the people who had to wait for the The Return of the Jedi...) Anyway, I'm really enjoying your story. Thank you!
Author's reply
I agree, The Two Towers ended with poor Frodo and Sam in such a dire predicament! It must have been agony to wait for the next book to be published. Thank you so much for your review. I'm glad you're enjoying this!
Cairistiona · 10 March 2009 · Chapter 3: A Clash of Cultures
Ah, nice chapter... I liked the interplay between all the characters but especially Sam's thoughts on Elves. "Elves were a marvel; their faces were lit with more than sunlight, it seemed, and they had lived through thousands of years of history." I like that description of them.
Author's reply
Thank you. I really enjoy imagining how hobbits view others (and how others view hobbits, of course). :)
Larner · 6 March 2009 · Chapter 4: Unexpected Consequences
Oh--this is too bad, that once again Frodo bears a Morgul shard! Now, to get it out and save Sam, Gimli, and Legolas. And our stubborn Frodo is intent on doing just that, all by himself if need be!
Author's reply
Yes, there are many rescues to be done, and little time to accomplish them!
GamgeeFest · 6 March 2009 · Chapter 4: Unexpected Consequences
Eeek! Frodo hurt - but not too critically. Good thing Merry moved so quickly. Really, what was that wraith thinking? That rock would have crushed Frodo to death. But now Sam and Legolas are trapped, with the river about to flood the cave! Elrond is still recuperating from making the flood at Bruinen and to try to hold back this flood will tax him greatly. And where's Gimli? *worries*
Author's reply
Eeek! Where ring-bearers go, trouble follows! Yes, the wraiths have become a bit too comfortable with their Captain (or Dark Lord) doing all the thinking for them. This one was strong on intention, weak with follow-through. :)
lbilover · 6 March 2009 · Chapter 4: Unexpected Consequences
Yay for brave Merry, and I love his hobbity 'that's what cousins are for'. But poor Frodo. (Although I know you will give him lots and lots and lots of comfort!) Not just his injury, but his fears for Sam and Legolas. And our fears, too. I hope the next chapter isn't too far off!!
Author's reply
Comfort 'R Us, you better believe it! :)
lbilover · 6 March 2009 · Chapter 3: A Clash of Cultures
You really do write an Elf's POV so beautifully. I love the beginning of this chapter as Legolas communes with the tree. I came away from this chapter feeling that I have a better understanding of the antipathy between Legolas and Gimli and why it existed at first. Beautifully done! And eeps, that cave opening!!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you! One of the things I hope to bring out in this story is that these two only *think* they have nothing in common. But that's not necessarily the case.
lbilover · 6 March 2009 · Chapter 2: A Fellowship Forming
I'm finally catching up on the chapters of this story that I've missed. :) “Someone found one of the black cloaks – the one with the slash in it where Frodo stabbed him.” Pippin sat up straighter, the pride in his cousin shining in his eyes. Oh, I loved this, just because film Frodo never got show his heroism. What I love overall is how you show the deepening connections being established among the future Fellowship. There's so much time that Tolkien has to gloss over, and I can never get enough of fics that fill in that time. Sam and Legolas bonding over flowers, Gimli spending time with the hobbits, and gosh, I never really thought about the fact that Pippin was only 11 when Bilbo left! Okay, on to the next chapter. :)
Author's reply
film Frodo never got show his heroism. So true! I hated that whole Weathertop scene where Frodo dropped his sword and backed away. Why on earth did they film it like that?? I'm glad you're enjoying this. "Fellowship bonding" is one of my favorite gaps to fill.
Celeritas · 6 March 2009 · Chapter 4: Unexpected Consequences
Aha! A call to action if ever there was one! I'm looking forward to seeing where you're going with this.
Author's reply
Thank you! I know where we're going, just... not all the details of how we're going to get there. What fun.
Lily Baggins · 5 March 2009 · Chapter 4: Unexpected Consequences
Wow, this is an awesome chapter! So suspenseful and action-packed, and eeee, Frodo's hurt! Is this related to the h/c you mentioned? *salivates* Gracious, it looks to me like there's a lot of trouble ahead for everyone. I'm very impressed with how evil your Nazgul is---I'm getting the shivers reading it. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's reply
Heeee, there will be plenty of h/c to go around, and of course what would be the point unless Frodo was smack in the middle of it? Nasssty Nazgul. Serves him right for continually underestimating hobbits. Thank you so much for reading! :)