The Journey Home by Fiondil
Laer · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 26: Hunting
dang, I am behind on reviewing! The dwarfs old haunts seem to be taken over by something as nasty as the orcs of old. :( 15 of the creatures. I think that is about 14 too many :/
Author's reply
Hey, better late than never, right? And I think you're right that even 1 of these cats alive is one too many. Thanks for reviewing, Laer. It's appreciated.
Fantasia · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
Goodness, those elves have a good sense of time! well, a winter season for recovering in a temporary home.
Author's reply
And a good thing, too, Fantasia. And yes, they have the whole winter to look forward to. We'll be seeing how Maglor spends his time as he recovers from his wounds. Author Reply: Aorry, I pressed the submit button too soon. Just wanted to thank you for reading and reviewing and let you know how much I appreciate you doing so.
6336 · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
Yay! Elves to the rescue! They were running a bit late weren't they. I bet Artahlion will be healed before Maglor though, he has a hard road ahead of him. Huggs, Lynda
Author's reply
Well, they might have been a bit late but they did save the day and that's all that matters, right? Definitely Arthalion will heal before Maglor. We'll see how he (andthe others) deal with that in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. Hugs.
Kevana · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
Denethor and Co. to the rescue! It's amazing they were able to find them. Sheesh, these kitties don't know when to quit. It's like they're specifically targeting the Elves. So unnatural. I guess this means Maglor is going to have some wicked scars. Yeouch. Frozen blood on wounds. *grimace* I wonder if ellith dig scars too. Arthalion's battle cry got to me. He has even more reason than the others to hate those things. That was perfect. So was his telling Maglor to shut up, though that was perfect for an entirely different reason, LOL! Thrilling chapter, Fiondil. Feel like I can breathe again now that it's over! Awesome job. You know what else is awesome? Rosy maple moths. Unless you're a maple tree. As I am not a maple tree, I think they're great. Have a wonderful weekend! -Kevana
Author's reply
It was pure luck or the will of the Valar (and Eru), take your pick. I think Elves are able to heal more completely than humans so perhaps the scars won't be so horrific. But I think Maglor will just be grateful that he's alive whatever the scars. Arthalion probably felt he could finally avenge Arthad by killing these critters and we see that he has come fully into himself in the way he interacts with Maglor here. You are right, the rosy maple moths are quite awesome and eerily beautiful, as if God had dipped them into several cans of paint because He couldn't decide which color he wanted them to be. LOL! Thanks for the comments and the link, Kevana. Both are appreciated. Have a great weekend as well.
Larner · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
A fitting battle cry, I suppose. And all acquitted themselves well. Now, to return to the towers and see how things are there. Glad that the cavalry arrived in the nick of time!
Author's reply
Fitting, indeed, Larner. I'm sure Arthalion felt he was avenging his brother in some way. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It's much appreciated.
Cairistiona · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
That one left me aching for poor Maglor and slightly out of breath from the running. I'm so glad the Elves finally got the bright idea of carrying him! And poor Arthalion with his broken arm... I guess he and Maglor can commiserate with one another while they heal. And now they're heading "home"... they might as well call it that, because it's home for now, however long "now" will end up being. Terrific chapter.
Author's reply
Hi Cairistiona. Yes, I'm sure they are all eager to get home however temporary it might be. It's still a safe haven. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I appreciate you letting me. Thanks.
curiouswombat · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
What a well-paced chapter - a really well written pursuit and fight and believable help at just the right time. Just what I needed to take my mind off work during my lunch break!
Author's reply
I'm glsd you found the chapter well-paced and believable in al its particulars, curiouswombat. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
UTfrog · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
Another nick of time rescue! At least I can relax this weekend even if you have more cliffhangers next week. Thanks for continuing a great story.
Author's reply
You're more than welcome, UTfrog. When I first began writing this tale I had no idea what trouble these people would get themselves into once the found Maglor and continued on to the coast. It's been an interesting journey all around. Thanks for commenting. It's very much appreciated.
Celeth · 10 May 2013 · Chapter 28: A Desperate Run
What a relief to know that Maglor survived. For a minute there I thought the Belain had devised a short-cut for him to get to Valinor (if going thru the Halls of Mandos and Lorien can be called a shortcut).
Author's reply
And that would've completely made this story pointless if they had. LOL! I'm glad we're all relieved that Maglor survived, Celeth. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
Tari · 8 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Oh,dear! What a mess. One bad thing after another. Have the cats picked up their scent, even during a raging storm? I know they will make it back to the settlement, but at what cost.
Author's reply
A veritable mess, Tari. We'll see how it all turns out in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Kevana · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Maglor sang! Maglor sang! Maglor...got torn up by Melkor's evil pet kitties. Oh, no. Save an Elf, spay and neuter your evil cats. Thank goodness for useful blizzards and good companions, and that fabulous Elven healing factor. It was good to see the poor ellon being taken care of for once. But now they're limping over the snow with an injured Maglor not doing so well, and beasts running them down? I can see the scene you're painting in my head, swirling white everywhere and howls on the wind from the darkness. You're giving me the shivers. Thank you for the suspenseful chapter! I'll go resume my spot on the cliff till Friday. Have a frabjous week and a watch out for those jabberwockies, Fiondil. I can't possibly leave you a creepy sea-creature after an ending like that. Have one of my favorite things in all Creation, the nudibranch, aka the sea slug. Everything about them is wonderful. Even the name, nudibranch. Maybe especially the name nudibranch. Sure, they're toxic, but they're still cute. I consider it part of their charm. (I managed to review on time for once, huzzah.) -Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. Yep. Maglor sang. As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures and Maglor singing is about as desperate as you can get when the ellon doesn't actually want to sing. And I'm glad you could see the scene so vividly. I try my best to show, not tell. The nudibranch is certainly a colorful critter, isn't it? I like the name better than sea slug. And so what if they're toxic? Everyone has a character flaw. *sly grin* Anyway, thanks for reviewing. It's very much appreciated. Have a great week yourself.
Larner · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Oh, dear--they have the cats coming after them directly now! Not good! I am glad someone was able to use his bow to rescue Maglor.
Author's reply
No, not good at all, Larner. We'll see how Maglor and the others fare in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Freyalyn · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Goodness, this is a bit of a cliffie! Poor Maglor and the others, running through the blizzard with monsters in the dark behind them; rather nightmarish...
Author's reply
Hi Freyalyn. Yean, it's quite a cliffie, alright, and the trek back to the encampment has to very nightmarish for them all, especially for Maglor. We'll see how the fare in the next chapter. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's very much appreciated.
Sunny · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
So the hunters have become the prey ... and it doesn't really surprise me that the claws of these nasty cats seem to be as poisonous as the rest of them.
Author's reply
Indeed, Sunny, on both accounts. We'll see how Maglor and the others make out in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Ellynn · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
What a perfect last line!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it, Ellynn. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.
Fantasia · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
"And somewhere behind them, there was more than the howling of the storm on the wind" You are so cruel. Friday now. Poor Maglor. But in a weird way, it is good, it will show him that the others really care for him and they will do anything to save him.
Author's reply
Cruel, am I? LOL! Well, perhaps just a little. Anyway, you are correct that being so injured and allowing the others to care for him should help him appreciate them more and believe that he is truly a part of the "family". Thanks for commenting, Fantasia. I much appreciate it.
6336 · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Hm, seems that the Demon Cats are music lovers or maybe not! Ouch! Honestly your charecters have got to learn to watch their backs! First Glorfindel and now Maglor. Hope they make it back safe. Huggs Lynda
Author's reply
I doubt the cats are music lovers, Lynda, just temporarily thrown akilter by Maglor's singing. Anyway, we'll see how successful they are in getting home safe in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. Hugs back.
someone · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
You do like snowstorms as plot devices, don't you? *grin* Those cats don't clearly understand good music if they tried to kill Maglor when he was finally singing. I was starting to suspect that he had lost his voice somehow, but that doesn't seem to be the case. But poor Maglor, his back must be really painful.
Author's reply
Well, when you live in the Snow Belt and you are writing this story in the middle of the winter... *grin* And I doubt the cats understand or appreciate any kind of music, regardless of who is singing. Which just shows how evil they are. *grin* We'll see how the Elves make out in the next chapter. Thanks for leaving a comment, someone. It's greatly appreciated.
Cairistiona · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Whew. What a thrilling chapter. The fight and the song were amazing. What a time for Maglor to finally let forth his song, and I liked how it, albeit briefly, mesmerised the cats. But his injuries were dire... I'm more than a little worried, given how he was starting to retreat into himself at the end of the chapter, how he'll manage the rough road ahead. Nailbiting stuff! I imagine I'll be thinking about this all week until we finally see how things play out in the next chapter!
Author's reply
Hi Cairistiona. I'm glad you found the chapter thrilling. That is what I was aiming for. As for Maglor and the others, we'll see in the next chapter how well they fare in their run for home. Maglor's injuries are dire but not life-threatening, so he has a good chance of surviving this. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.
shirebound · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
“Arthalion and I were able to see your fire from the plains. If we leave the fire burning, those creatures may think we’re still here.” Very clever. What a desperate situation.
Author's reply
Very clever, indeed, Shirebound, and a very, very desperate situation. We'll see how they make out in the next chapter. Thanks for leaving a review. I really appreciate it.
UTfrog · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
The singing and the feeling of joy were brilliant! You are such a good writer. My heart was pounding during the fight. So with yet another cliffhanger, we wait. Thanks again.
Author's reply
I'm glad you found the singing and the feeling of joy brilliant, UTfrog, and that you found the chapter exciting. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Celeth · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
Finally Maglor actually sings his masterpiece, but everyone is so busy with urgent and important matters (such as trying to avoid being killed and eaten) that no one even has time to say whether they liked it or not. I hope he will sing again soon, and to a more appreciative audience haha. That said, this was a wicked cliffhanger. Poor Maglor injured and hardly fit to stand, and having to travel in a storm, while being hunted by those beasts. I can't wait for Friday. Was it just me, or was this chapter a little shorter than usual? Or maybe I was "gobbling" everything up again and didn't even notice.
Author's reply
Hi Celeth. Isn't that just the irony of the situation? Maglor sings and the only critic are the cats. LOL! Sorry about the cliffie, but that's how the chapter wrote itself. And this chapter is about average in terms of length; the last two chapters were slightly longer than usual but not extremely so. Most of my chapters tend to fall between 3000 - 5000 words. Anyway, I'm glad you gobbled up the chapter and are looking forward to the next. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It's much appreciated.
curiouswombat · 6 May 2013 · Chapter 27: Hunted
I don't comment chapter by chapter because (whispers) I sometimes read this at work... and I don't log in to anything there. But today I am at home, as it is a public holiday, and so I am taking the opportunity to say that I am still reading along, awaiting each new chapter eagerly (hence the reading it at work), and finding their whole journey fascinating. I'm guessing that the next chapter is going to be a long road home in itself as they struggle to get to the towers with an injured Maglor and the dread cats in pursuit. And I am, of course awaiting it with bated breath!
Author's reply
I quite understand, curiouswombat. Of course, nothing says you can't read and work and then review when you get home. *grin* At any rate, I am glad you are still reading and enjoying this story and find the whole journey fascinating. We'll see how Mglor and the others fare in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Cairistiona · 4 May 2013 · Chapter 26: Hunting
A very interesting chapter. I had to roll my eyes at Saelmir and his "yeah, mountains, whatever, we have work to do" ways. The hunt through the crevices was nerve-wracking; I kept expecting them to get pounced on as they backed out of that first one. And the quiet conversation about the past and Arthalion's softly spoken, "Perhaps the Belain miss you" was my favorite moment of all of it. And now the chase is on. Looking forward to whatever encounter with the cats, close or distant, the next chapter brings.
Author's reply
Yeah, Saelmir is pretty funny here and I wouldn't have wanted to be checking out the crevices myself. Maglor and Arthalion are far braver than I am. I think Arthalion's observation that perhaps the Belain miss Maglor is a favorite with a lot of readers. And we'll definitely see just what kind of encounter they have with the cats in the next chapter. Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment Cairistiona. I really appreciate it.
obsidianj · 3 May 2013 · Chapter 26: Hunting
So, they found the cats. Let's just hope the cats don't find them... These crevices sounded scary, especially with these cats around.
Author's reply
Yeah, I don't think I would've been brave enough check out any of the crevices knowing that there are evil creatures about, but Elves see things differently I suppose. We'll see how it goes in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.