Sundry Scrolls IV by Raksha The Demon
Dreamflower · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
Imrahil is so matter-of-fact here, even in his grief for the fallen, and his joy in the victory, he doesn't lose sight of the practical. I really like this one!
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Dreamflower. I enjoyed writing Imrahil; I think he's as savvy as he is lordly. And the enormity of Sauron's final defeat probably hasn't hit him yet...
Dreamflower · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
I don't think I've ever seen this from Sauron's POV before, but you've done it brilliantly! His helplessness and rage are perfectly captured, as is his realization of what it all means in the end.
Author's reply
Sauron is definitely not going to go gentle into any good night; and the contrast between being the high-and-mighty-Dark-Lord and being a helpless disembodied spirit had to have been one heckuva shock for him, not to mention a spiritual/actual sort of comeuppance... Thanx for reading and reviewing, Dreamflower!
curiouswombat · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
I like all four - but I think this fourth is my favourite - the way that you use words, for example the description of Aragorn and Ecthelion's recognition of who he could be, is just a pleasure to read.
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Wombat - this is only the second time I've written Ecthelion, but I've always been intrigued by him. I think it's quite possible that Ecthelion could have figured out Thorongil's connection to the line of Isildur...I'm pleased that you liked this story and the others.
shirebound · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
I would have given you my allegiance, son of my heart What a difference between the desires of one Steward and the next. Another beautifully written piece.
Author's reply
I think Ecthelion would have been convinced of the rightness of Aragorn's claim; and also thought that the North and South kingdoms, united under Aragorn, could better oppose Sauron. Thanx for the review!
Inzilbeth · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
You've really done justice to Faramir here and this reminds me of how much he and his new king have in common.
Author's reply
It's part of my mission as a Tolkien fanfic writer to do justice to Faramir; so I'm delighted when readers tell me I've done so; thanx much! I do think that rough living and privation is one experience Faramir and Aragorn share - they both have been reared in comfort, but then went out and put themselves not only in harm's way but into a life with long months spent in the wilderness for the sake of others. It had to be a sobering and humbling experience; and one that I think Tolkien deemed a good training for rulers...
Inzilbeth · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
LOL! A grumbling stomach; how true to life is that! Nice to see Imrahil remembered on this day.
Author's reply
I thought that after the adrenaline surges and stresses of a near-hopeless battle, Imrahil might well find hear his stomach grumbling; especially since the Armies of the West didn't take much with them in the way of munchies, only the bare minimum. And nothing stokes the appetite like battling hill-trolls, I'd think... Thanx for the review, Inzilbeth!
Inzilbeth · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
Very lividly written, Raksha, and interesting alternative fates for Sauron.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing; Inzilbeth; writing Sauron seriously was quite a challenge, and pondering his possible ultimate fates took me into new territory as a writer...
Inzilbeth · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
I would love to read that conversation between Wizard and Steward, should you ever decide to commit it to paper! I too tend to favour Ecthelion having guessed the truth; he was a man of wisdom after all. Very nicely done, Raksha.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Inzilbeth. Maybe I'll get around to that conversation; though it might not be the easiest dialogue to write. I think Ecthelion was fond of Gandalf; or at least respected him, and that the wizard might have highly regarded Ecthelion; enough so that they were on the same page in most matters...
shirebound · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
Now Faramir raises his head, to seize with hungry eyes, the gleam of Eärendil’s bright star in the grey-streaked heavens. How difficult it must be to find a scrap of hope in such a dark time. Once again Earendil inspires those "with eyes to see".
Author's reply
I think anyone in Faramir's position had to find a way to keep up his spiritual strength as well as his physical strength, given that he was a commander of beleaguered men. And I believe that Faramir was used to making do with less emotional sustenance rather than more, compared to Boromir. Earendil's star is an intense symbol for all Dunedain; I think Faramir would have taken occasional comfort from seeing it.
shirebound · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
There was much to do now. In a minute. He looked up, trying to understand, trying to believe. I'm enjoying the unusual points of view you're bringing us. Everything rings true.
Author's reply
Thanx, Shirebound. I've never been in a battle, or even participated in a re-enactment; but I would imagine that after such an intense struggle for life, there would be a brief moment of disorientation/adjustment after the struggle ended and one was still alive and unhurt, even for an experienced soldier. And it must have been an awe-inspiring thing to see that Sauron, who had been a very real threat and antagonist throughout Imrahil's life and for millenia before it, was not only defeated but gone.
shirebound · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
He heard the Voice of the One summon him by his most ancient name. He remembered the resonance of that Voice, which had once poured forth the songs of creation. And the notes that had once been his in the Great Music arose in his heart, as the only greeting he yet had strength to make. This is marvelous. I never thought about what happened to Sauron after the wind dispersed his "shape of shadow".
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked the piece, Shirebound; it wasn't easy to write but made for an interesting, mind-stretching creative exercise. I don't think that he just meekly disappeared from the universe forever...
harrowcat · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
I loved this look into Ecthelion's heart and especially the bitter-sweet last sentence. This begs for a longer piece. An AU speculation on 'what if Thorongil had returned to claim the throne at that time!'
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed this piece, harrowcat. It had to be bittersweet; I think Ecthelion missed Thorongil. And I don't think that the time was right for Aragorn to reclaim the throne of his fathers; though how he reached that conclusion, I don't know...
harrowcat · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
Despair is truly a vicious foe - in any age!
Author's reply
Despair is a terrible, insidious foe; faced by all the heroes in Tolkien's stories. The people of Gondor, especially those of Minas Tirith, had a close and long dose of it, living in such proximity to an unrelenting and supernaturally powerful Enemy. Faramir tells Frodo that he and his people have not had hope for awhile; yet Faramir (and many other Gondorians) have not succumbed; and Faramir seems to have been especially good at inspiring others - I figured that his considerable imagination and appreciation of beauty would have helped him seek and hold some kind of spiritual consolation and inspiration from parts of the world untouched by evil... Thanx for the review, harrowcat!
harrowcat · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
The end of war can never come soon enough. I love the way you end this with such a return to normality.
Author's reply
And it was a battle with such uneven odds, the only hope for victory depending on two hobbits trekking up the slope of Mt. Doom. Yes, fight for one's life, kill the orcs and fend off the hill-trolls, then Boom!, it's over, we've won, and even a high-and-mighty-and-noble commander can acknowledge that he's sweaty and hungry... Thanx for the review, harrowcat!
harrowcat · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
This is a truly masterful piece of writing Raksha.
Author's reply
What a lovely compliment, Harrowcat - thanx! I was rather nervous about trying this; writing nearly all-powerful Dark Lords seriously is a bit intimidating, so your feedback is especially appreciated!