Sweetpea Deepdelver · 24 December 2013 · Chapter 17: Many Strengths
Very interesting. I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more of your writing.
False Faces by Alisha B
Reviews (38)
Timmy2222 · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 17: Many Strengths
Yes, just fine, I enjoyed reading this story. Though I always think that Tolkien's world demands for some "ancient" vocabulary, this plot was delivered nicely. Take care, - T.
Timmy2222 · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 14: A Healing Hand
HA! I love these turns! Now, on the other hand, I was right that the young man is not dead, but the twist was very well done. Aragorn appears a little bit too light-hearted and easy-going for the ordeal that lies behind him. I would not suppose him to make small talk just to distract the men from his ancestry. - T.
Timmy2222 · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 11: Alone Again
This chapter had quite a plot point! First, I would not have thought the young man to be dead (very bloody ending, though. that causes me to pity the man as well as Aragorn, who had to see him). I thought he would be able to escape and bring help. Second, I would have guessed the whole story will take place at Isengard. Now, wrong again. I look forward to see where this turn will take me to. - T.
Timmy2222 · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 9: Knocking on Death's Door
Again an interesting chapter, but I have to admit that I would have appreciated a character death warning in the header. The killing of a pregnant woman, even though she does not play a major part in the story, does not come lightly to me. Saruman plays his sorcery very cunning... - T.
Timmy2222 · 8 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Let the Games Begin
Now we see where this was leading to. Poor Aragorn! The chapter title could be considered somewhat mockingly... - T.
Timmy2222 · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 3: The Escape
Again a good chapter to read, but - though I might spoil the mood - there are some things I found strange: Aragorn had before wandered the lands far and wide, and his knowledge of direction was excellent. The Orcs were quite inattentive to let their captive sit on the horse and think him to be sleeping! A more powerful approach to his escape - f.e. he pushes the Orc rider off the horse - would have tightened the pace and add to the stregth of Aragorn to gain freedom on his own. I suppose Orc archers not to be so accurate at aiming that they would have risked to shoot Aragorn's horse. They might as well have hit him. Another solution would have been to let the Orcs overtake Aragorn, or that the horse shies away from a certain obstacle and throws off the rider. Anyway I enjoy to read it and I hope you won't consider my remarks unfriendly. You can give it back - if you want to - by reviewing my stories (g). - T.
Timmy2222 · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Strange Behavior
I laughed heartily about this sentence: "Orcs made him nervous, and hospitable Orcs made him question and worry." This is too good to be true! -T.
Timmy2222 · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 1: The Attack
Wow, what a start! Hope it's going on like that! -T.
Lady Wind · 24 May 2004 · Chapter 17: Many Strengths
Well, having read both the current and the previous version of the fic, I must say that I approve of your edits. I really think both what you added and subtracted improved the story, especially changing the confrontation between Fev...can't spell name... and Aragorn. It's really nice that you took the time to go back and really go over your work, rather than just leaving it in a state you felt to be unfinished. : ) I also approve of your sequal idea! Most gollum-capture fics I've read have been poorly written, so it would be nice to see a good one done. (one exception is "Boundaries of Time" by gypsum, but it remains unfinished unfortunately...) Ah, enough blathering. Good job!!
Author's reply
My goodness, I'm terribly sorry for not responding sooner, but Real Life hasn’t given me a chance to be online in over a month. Thank you for your kind words, and I’m honored you thought enough of my story to re read it! I still can’t say I’m 100% happy with this final product, but then I’m afraid I’d alter more then sentence structure and border on major plot changes. But c’est la vie! Some bad new, though. I don’t think I will actually do the sequel. The more I think about it, the more I know I’d mess up Gollum’s character. I shudder right not even thinking about it. He’s a little too complex/complicated/weird/whatever for my current skill level, and like you said, it has to be done right. It’d take a little more then adding “precious” to every sentence. :-) But! I am currently working on another short story, hopefully around 5 chapters. Still centered around Aragorn, of course, though this time he's much younger. False Faces taught me that it can be difficult and annoying to post WIPs so I’m going to wait until I finish the whole thing. There were a few too many times that I wanted to go back and change major details or add a subplot but couldn’t because it had been posted already. Anyway, sorry for babbling. Thank you for the review and for taking the time to reread my story. I’m glad you approve of the changes; I spent entirely too long on them!
grumpy · 14 February 2004 · Chapter 17: Many Strengths
hi there, loved this story, it is so good. Great fight scene, and loved the part where it is easier to heal Aragorn, when he is not awake to fight them. would love to read more from you when Aragorn finally manages to get hold of Gullom. thanks for the good read
bumper · 5 February 2004 · Chapter 16: Many Traps
love the story, what a cliffie, first the elves and rangers are outnumbered, but now Aragorn is being surrounded, this does not look good. can't wait for more
luinthien · 5 February 2004 · Chapter 16: Many Traps
Oh you bad bad author!! Cliffies are evil!! I can't believe that you're going to leave us hanging there. Another great chapter! I can't believe that there is only going to be one more chapter. This has been a great story. Keep up the great work.
grumpy · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 15: Decisions
hi there, just wanted to say good i think this chapter is, and the whole story. You have done a good job on Elledan and Elrohir, as healers and as elves. A lot of writers have them acting like little elflings, when they are 3000 year old warriors. I also like how they interact with Aragorn.
Rinn · 26 January 2004 · Chapter 15: Decisions
Hmm, I see many different ways this could work out. But at least Aragorn is all fixed up now, even if he is a little tired and sore. I'm glad the twins sat him down and made him see that he was wrong about not wanting to help Gandalf. You did a very good job with that part, I think. They let him come to his own conclusions. I think that helps keep him in character better! (not that there was a problem, mind you) Ah, shoot, I have to run to class, but I just wanted to drop a review and tell you that I enjoyed this chapter! Keep up the good work!
Rinn · 21 January 2004 · Chapter 14: A Healing Hand
Wow! I loved what you did with Aragorn's healing. It was very well written with great description. Hopefully Aragorn will be back to his normal self after this, although I'm interested to see if you write in any side effects... Also, I'm sure Felnorvard will show himself again... that should be fun. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. *g* Guess I'll have to wait and find out! Keep up the good work!
Kathira · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 14: A Healing Hand
I hate to be like the repetitive, silly, chirping reviewers on ff.net, but this is really good. Please continue! I like the way you are handling the change in Aragorn's feelings and attitude, nice and subtle, such that although it's obvious to others, he doesn't realize it himself. It's good to see the twins also, especially in their role as healers. I also like the combination of medical and mental practice in healing and diagnosis. Overall, the story is very well done, suspenseful and interesting. I encourage you to continue writing generally, original fiction as well as fan fiction. You could easily be published professionally.
luinthien · 15 January 2004 · Chapter 14: A Healing Hand
Sorry that it has been so long since I have reviewed. I have been enjoying the story very much!! You are a great writer and I can't wait until the next chapter. I see a lot of angst ahead for poor Aragorn. Thank goodness his brothers are there for him. Keep up the good work!!
Rinn · 11 January 2004 · Chapter 13: The Last Leg
Good story! I was wondering where Aragorn was. Did you have a specific place in mind when you wrote it? I was looking at the map, and it got me thinking. If Aragorn is in a thick forest, there is really only two if they're following the mountains, Druadan and Firien. Did Felnorvard take him all the way to the Druadan forest? Talk about being saved in the nick of time, that's REALLY close to Mordor. And, I also have to say, rescued by Faramir's rangers? I love Faramir almost as much as I love Aragorn... *G* Anyway, keep up the good work and post soon!
Kathira · 8 January 2004 · Chapter 13: The Last Leg
Oooh, rescued by Faramir's rangers! (Maybe?) I am really enjoying this story very much. Excellent work with both plot and characterizations. Keep up the good work and keep those chapters coming!
luinthien · 7 December 2003 · Chapter 11: Alone Again
I'm sorry for not reviewing lately, but I am enjoying the story very much. The inner struggle that Aragorn is going through is very compelling to watch unfold. I'm wondering when he is going to realise that the elixir is causing it? I guess not for a while! I particularly enjoyed the part where the spirits were talking to him, that was very good! I'm very afraid for him when he gets to Sauron! I'm looking forward very much to the next chapter!! Keep up the great work!!
Kathira · 7 December 2003 · Chapter 11: Alone Again
This is very good work, well-written with good characterizations. Love that Aragorn angst and torture! I was sure the young couple were in on it, being forced to cooperate with Saruman in breaking down Aragorn's resistance. I like his inherent mental toughness, btw, that worked well. I encourage you to continue developing your writing. This is reasonably convincing as an AU event, but you may want to think about why Aragorn doesn't tell Gandalf about his experience with Saruman (once he escapes or is rescued, of course), since in the books Gandalf still basically trusts Saruman up to the events leading to the Council of Elrond. Memory clouding effects of the drug, perhaps? Anyway, I am anxious to see where you are going with this. Poor Aragorn, we do love to see him beat up!
Author's reply
Hey! I did think about Aragorn telling Gandalf. By the time my story ends and Aragorn escapes, (hope I didn't ruin it for anyone. lol) I've put him right before he finds Gollum. So my explanation for it is Aragorn finds Gollum in the Dead Marshes, goes to Mirkwood with him then heads back toward Rivendell. Sometime in all that, Gandalf goes to Minas Tirith, in April of 3018 he's in Hobbiton, and in July he's already at Isengard according to the timeline in Appendix B. I'm going under the assumption that Aragorn may not have been in contact with Gandalf, other then letter instruction. example: "Aragorn, make sure you meet Frodo in Bree if I'm not back yet, and take him to Rivendell." I don't think it's too much of a stretch considering how hard it would be to actually find either of the two while they're traveling. Their paths may not have crossed during that time. Somewhere around chapter 16 or 17, I have Aragorn address the topic a bit further. Thanks for the review!!
grumpy · 12 November 2003 · Chapter 9: Knocking on Death's Door
hi there, so gald to see your story here, I have to say it is one of my favorite storys, the first time i can across it spent most of the day reading it, and now that i know you have adding to it and made it better, I will be rereading it once again all nine chapters at once. looking forward to it and more
luinthien · 12 November 2003 · Chapter 9: Knocking on Death's Door
Poor Milena! But I have the feeling that Aragorn and Rayford are going to be in for something worse then what she got. I can't believe that Aragorn is already thinking about giving in to Saruman already. What is in that potion anyway?? He is going to have to fight harder than that if he is going to defeat Saruman. Poor Aragorn. He has enough doubts on his own, he doesn't need Saruman probing around and making things worse. This is a great story! Keep up the great job!
Patty · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 3: The Escape
Exciting as all get-out! You're an excellent author, Alisha. I can't wait to see into whose presence Aragorn has been brought!