Cairistiona
· 22 March 2013
· Chapter 14: What They Found
Hmmph. This cliffhanger ending is my punishment for not having had time to review the last chapter, isn't it? MY APOLOGIES TO ALL THE READERS! *g* I jest, of course, because it makes perfect sense to end the chapter where the tension is high. You've done a terrific job in both of these chapters of very slowly building to this latest mystery. I'm looking forward to finding out more about this sad, lonely Elf.
Author's reply
Hi Cairistiona. No, this isn't a punishment, as Námo would say, it's a lesson. LOL! I'm glad you liked how I built up the tension over these two chapters. We will eventually learn the poor ellon's history. It isn't a happy one, I assure you. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Celeth
· 22 March 2013
· Chapter 14: What They Found
Wow! A new companion, and an elf too! Who could it be, and how has he survived all these ages past, in the ice? He does not seems to understand their speech, does he? Poor little thing. I hope they become friends, eventually. I can't wait for Monday.
Author's reply
We will find out eventually the Elf's story. It is a rather sad one, I'm afraid. Thanks for commenting, Celeth. I appreciate it.
shirebound
· 22 March 2013
· Chapter 14: What They Found
Oh my goodness, what a discovery. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next chapter!
Author's reply
Thanks, shirebound. We'll learn who the Elf is eventually though not immediately.
UTfrog
· 22 March 2013
· Chapter 14: What They Found
Wow! That was a shock, though I suspect Maglor and company were even more surprised. The new arrival's backstory should be fascinating. Eagerly waiting for Monday!
Author's reply
Indeed, UTfrog. The stranger Elf's story is quite fascinating and very sad, as you will see. Until Monday!
ladyevenstar
· 22 March 2013
· Chapter 14: What They Found
o.O ahhh cliff hanger!!!!!! why?!?!!?!?!?
Author's reply
Why what, ladyevenstar? Why a cliffhanger? Because it's there. *grin* Why a naked Elf? We'll discover that soon enough, I promise.
Freyalyn
· 20 March 2013
· Chapter 13: Mithlond
Excellent story - just discovered it, and whipped along quickly, really feeling the cold and weather and wind with the group, and now I've caught up. Well done, and thank you for sharing with us.
Author's reply
Hello Freyalyn and welcome. I'm glad you found this story and are enjoying it. I really appreciate you letting me know. Thank you. I post chapters every Monday and Friday, so you won't have long to wait for the next chapter. *grin*
Kevana
· 20 March 2013
· Chapter 13: Mithlond
I'm embarrassed to say that's the second time in the same story you have faked me out with quicksand. *sheepish grin* I thought he was in trouble there for a second.
Great chapter, thank you for the update!
Author's reply
Nah nah nah nah nah. LOL! I'm sure you're in good company, Kevana, and more than one of my readers thought the same. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Agape4Gondor
· 19 March 2013
· Chapter 13: Mithlond
I had to giggle over the fact that it took the Elves several days to decide what to do. Leave it immortal beings to take time....
As for the visit in Mithlond. Sad, as this entire story about the destruction of the land is.
I'm glad they're kind of deciding to stay in the Towers. I think it a wise move. Except for the water situation. But I truly wonder if they are far enough away from the beast and the 'inhumans' for comfort's sake.
Author's reply
Hi Agape. Well, when you have thousands of years at your disposal, what's the rush? LOL!
As I was writing this story, I tried to imagine what it would be like if I were living here after an ice age had destroyed our civilization and how I would feel seeing everything I had once known destroyed. I tried to imbue this story with that same sense of irretrievable loss which the Elves must surely feel as they make their way to the Sea.
And the Towers are a good place for them right now. We'll see how they handle the water problem and other inconveniences in the later chapters.
Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Larner
· 18 March 2013
· Chapter 13: Mithlond
They do tend to find the soft places into which one might sink, don't they?
I'm a bit amazed that various land plates haven't moved and subsided under one another enough to completely change a good part of the landscape. (My home is built upon what was sea bed a good hundred thousand years ago, as is true of places far east of the Olympic Peninsula--you can find sea fossils in the Rockies, you know; and most of Britain is characterized by sea bed limestone and chalk as well.)
y
Author's reply
Well, I decided not to change the geography too much at this point otherwise it's unlikely that Mithlond would have still been there and I wished to use it in the story. This is fantasy after all so I'm allowed certain liberties. *grin* Thanks for revieiwng, Larner. I appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 18 March 2013
· Chapter 13: Mithlond
Quicksand in the ice?! don't know anything about quicksand, but wasn't expecting seeing on cold places, well, you learn something new everyday.
So the city is still there, so sad that none one will rebuild it.
And the elves and their complex of superiority, once in a while they need to remember that mortals are incredible strong and their survival and adaptation skills surpass the elves by miles.
And again, poor Maglor, he will have the whole World to ask forgiveness. A long list, but he can start with himself, I guess.
Author's reply
There is no ice in the Gulf itself, Fantasia, and the climate is warming so the River Lhûn is becoming marshy in places. And Maglor has plenty of time to get through his list, as we will see. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.
UTfrog
· 18 March 2013
· Chapter 13: Mithlond
A good explanatory chapter. The distances discussed help reveal how very far the company has already come. I am sure they were disappointed that the sea was not where it used to be. Somehow I think you are setting us up for some adventures very soon. Thanks, as always.
Author's reply
Hi UTfrog. Yes, I am, but considering that the sea level would have dropped considerably during the ice age, it stands to reason that the waters of the Gulf would have receded. We'll see what happens when they eventually reach the sea but that won't be for some time chapter-wise. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
6336
· 17 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
Oh, those goats. Sorry, seem to have missed that paragraph on the first run through.
Well my Kitty, Kitty is sitting the middle of the Den washing a paw and has no intention of attacking Elves, unless they come between her and the Kitty Treats, that is!
Waiting for Monday.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Yeah, Lynda, those goats. LOL!
Agape4Gondor
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
Of course, I'm wondering who on earth inhabited that 'nice-feeling' tower???
You are giving our Elves a lot of choices, aren't you? They can stay there and try to survive the winter, or go on to Mithlond, or even further south.
As for the goats, I so hope they keep a couple for milk and cheese. To vary their diet. Also, I understand that goat's milk can be fermented. Need I say more. Hmm - might be best to keep these Elves away from anything 'alcoholic' as they all have pretty volatile personalities.
Excellent chapter. This is a nice end-of-winter, beginning-of-spring tale.
Author's reply
Hi Agape. We'll probably never know for sure what animals inhabited the towers. And we'll see which choice the Elves ultimately choose and why. And there will be a discussion about goats in an upcoming chapter.
This tale will actually see us into summer before it's done, so enjoy, and thanks for reviewing. It's greatly appreciated.
Agape4Gondor
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Wow! Another great and gripping chapter. I loved the beasts. They were quite frightening with their intelligence. Watch the flank indeed. And who would have ever thought that you'd have to be afraid of kitty cats. *g*
It will be good to 'see' the towers.
Well done.
Author's reply
Hi Agape. The cats are quite frightening with their intelligence and we haven't seen the last of them, unfortunately.
Thanks for taking the time to review. I really appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
One of the towers is still more or less intact and has a wholesome feel to it. Makes me curious how that can be. Is there shelter enough for them to stay for the winter? I imagine the towers to be pretty exposed to the winds standing on a hill. On the other hand they seem to be very sturdy and if they find enough game and water, they couldn't really ask for a better place.
So, neither of them knows how to build a ship? As elves they have all the time in the world to invent the craft anew, but I imagine it might delay their return to Aman quite a bit. I hope the Valar send them some help ro we readers die of old age before they ever arrive at their destination.
Author's reply
Hi obsidianj. Well, the tower that is more or less intact is the one that housed the palantír, so that may have something to do with it. I'm sure the Elves will manage well enough, as we will see.
And I promise you that you won't be dying of old age before the story ends. LOL!
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
First the half-orcs and now these cats. They sure sped the group of elves along. That was quite some race. I like the dynamic between Denethor and Maglor. They should work out a short-hand for when Maglor should take over. Denethor has by far not the battle-experience that Maglor has. They lose valuable time when they discuss strategy in a dicey situation that requires fast decisions. Loved the "kitty-kitty" comment. Luckily, I was not drinking anything.
Author's reply
Hi obisidianj. I'm glad you like the dynamics between Maglor and Denethor. I thing you're right that they need to work on signals for when Maglor should take over, but I doubt they'll bother. Maglor is Maglor and just naturally takes over when the situation warrants it and Denethor is probably secretly happy to let him do so.
Anyway, thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Larner
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
It sounds as if they are in the best place for the moment, and that indeed the Valar are keeping an eye on them. Wonderful look at their arrival at Elostirion!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed, Larner. It really is the best place for them right now though they will be making a trip to Mithlond just to check it out. Thanks for reviewing.
Larner
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Sounds like a sort of sabretooth tiger, or a feline version of the Wargs. Glad the foul things were easily confused by unexpected behavior and that they were finally conquered.
And the towers still stand, if somewhat damaged? Fascinating!
Author's reply
Yes, that's essentially what they are and they are similar to the creatures Glorfindel encountered in Aman as described in "Elf, Interrupted: Book Two".
And the towers still stand, for which the Elves will be grateful.
Thanks, Larner.
Larner
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 10: Moving On
Well, they've made it around that high mesa, at least. Now, to see what is left of the Shire. Elves do tend to heal rapidly, it appears, and particularly when they are near their beloved trees. Glad he's looking to replace his harp. Now, what is it that they hear?
Author's reply
The harp will prove important to Maglor, as we will see eventually. Unfortunately, the Elves will only be skirting what had once been the Shire and will not see it in its entirety. As to what they hear, that will be seen shortly.
Thanks, Larner.
Larner
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 9: Tûm Ivon
It would appear that the servants of Yavannah have been busy indeed here, and that Galadriel's gift to Sam is still giving of itself to this day as well. Oh, but the thought that an Ent or two might be watching over these along with Tom Bombadil is delicious! No wonder the party wishes to linger the night! It will be healing to those who are still healing.
Author's reply
So it would appear, Larner, and the Elves will take every advantage of the situation and spend some time recovering from their recent ordeals. Thanks for reviewing.
Laer
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
“It is indeed a mystery. One we are unlikely to solve.” Perhaps the valor decided to keep one tower in tact for just such a purpose. :) Hope the inhabitants of the other two towers do not come back for a visit while they are there. 0.o
Author's reply
You may be correct about that, Laer, but we probably will never know the reason. At least the Elves are willing to take the towers as the gifts that they are and I'm sure if whatever once inhabited the towers comes back they'll be able to deal with them. Thanks for commenting. It's appreciated.
Larner
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 8: Annúminas
That was quite the find--primitive half-orcs of a sort camped in what had been a King's courtyard. It will be interesting to see how they get past the fall they've come up against.
Author's reply
I think the Elves found it sad that such a place had been taken over by these creatures who would never know or appreciate what Annúminas once was. Yet, that is true of our own history: later peoples squatting in the ruins of earlier civilizations without any sense of the glories of earlier times, using the remains of palaces as garbage dumps or worse.
Anyway, thanks for reviewing, Larner. It's appreciated.
Larner
· 16 March 2013
· Chapter 7: Along Lake Nenuial
Neandertals? At least they have avoided enemies until now. And they all came through it with the likelihood they will make it to what remains of Lhun.
Author's reply
Yes, Neanderthals, or at least some now extinct (hopefully) branch of primitive homonids that may have mated with orcs. At any rate, we'll see how well they all fare as the story progresses. Thanks, Larner.
Celeth
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
I hope whatever lived in the other towers doesn't come back while they'll be staying nearby!
Strange that the Elves should use the crebain as a measure of distance. I thought they were evil birds and used to be spies of the enemy. I suppose after all this time they have been "rehabilitated"...
Author's reply
Hi Celeth. Well, we say "as the crow flies" and for most people crows are not good birds but usually omens of bad luck, so I don't think it unusual for the Elves to use a similar expression.
At any rate, we'll see how they fare at the Towers and what adventures they find while exploring the hills surrounding them.
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
curiouswombat
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
And the Long Road Home stretches out before them...
(I would like to say thank you, especially, for updating so regularly - it is always a pleasure to see another chapter has been posted.)
Author's reply
You're most welcome, curiouswombat. One thing I try to do is to be consistent in my updating and I'm able to do that because I wait until I have either completed the story or am nearly finished with it before I start posting. Which means, that while you are reading and enjoying this story, I'm busy working on another that will see the light of day after I've posted the final chapter of "Journey Home".
Anyway, the Road Home is indeed long as we will see.
Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate them very much.