Sunny
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
These are the same kind of cat-things that Glorfindel had a couple of encounters with back in EI, right? So are they of the same lineage, for want of a better word, or has some fallen Maia cooked up a new batch of them?
I liked Voronwë's "Here, kitty, kitty." But I suppose that like all cats they will want to do things in their own time, if at all. Maglor clearly wasn't having any of that, though. The cats were a threat to them all, and getting rid of them was clearly a necessity.
Author's reply
Yes, they are, Sunny, or at least very distant descendants who managed to cross over to Middle-earth before Valinor was removed from the Circles of Arda.
Maglor is not one to sit around and let others dictate his life for them, including intelligent evil cats who won't cooperate by coming close enough to be skewered by arrows. So, swords will have to do. Luckily, the cats were just surprised enough that the Elves were able to best them, but we will see later that the threat from these creatures is not over.
Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Sunny
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 10: Moving On
It would be rather amusing if the Valar decide to take the Harthadrim up on their little joke and have High Tea with them when they arrive in Valinor! (And seeing the low humor they have displayed on occasion in your fics, they just might do that, too!!)
I do wonder what might have happened if Maglor had actually decided to go to Imladris openly while Elrond lived there? Elrond would have welcomed him, I think, as would Glorfindel, being a Reborn, but it would be hard to tell with the other Elves. Resentments and grudges would after all have long lifespans among immortals!
Author's reply
It would be amusing, wouldn't it? And Námo sitting there saying, "Shall I be Mother?" LOL! We'll have to wait and see.
I think you're right that Elrond and Glorfindel would have welcomed Maglor but others might not have been so welcoming and that is probably why he never revealed himself to the Imladrins. A pity, but there you are.
Thanks for commenting, Sunny. It's much appreciated.
Sunny
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 9: Tûm Ivon
Now, this was a wonderful surprise for our intrepid Elves - especially the little mallorn!
Author's reply
A surprise indeed, Sunny, and a well-deserved one for them al after what they've endured to date. Thanks for reviewing.
Sunny
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 7: Along Lake Nenuial
Leadership wrangling with a difference! It's almost amusing to see Denethor trying to shove Maglor into the hot seat, while Maglor is equally insistent that the hot seat is Denethor's and no one else's! (And yet, all the while Maglor is giving leadership advice to Denethor!) Still, it looks as if they are working together well enough. :)
Author's reply
It is rather amusing the way Denethor tries to get Maglot to take the lead and Maglor keeps refusing but at the same time can't help acting the leader. Luckily, they respect one another too much to let it destroy the group's cohesion and they do work well together as we will see in subsequent chapters. Thanks for commenting, Sunny. It's much appreciated.
Kevana
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
Ha, when you're an Elf, you just wait for the forest to grow to build yourself a ship. Rather mind-boggling! I love how you're always putting in these moments of alienness that pull me up short and remind me just who these folks are.
Well, Harthadrim, I guess you have to figure out how to build a ship from scratch. Unless you want to lasso a few sea turtles and hope Ulmo's feeling generous... *grin*
-Kevana
Author's reply
It's easy enough to forget that these are Elves who don't think 500 years is that long a time and are quite wiling to wait the ice out. Showing up their "alienness" is something I like to do to remind readers that these characters, however human-acting they may be, are not humans at all.
And we'll see eventually how they come up with a ship but that won't be for quite some time. There's plenty of story left to tell.
Thanks for reviewing, Kevana. I much appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
They have shelter for the winter, that is good. I would like to know why the tower survived the ice destruction as well; maybe we need to ask a Valar.
And just now they realize that they don't know how to build a ship. Just great! maybe all the way walking, like the Exiles did before them.
I always liked Maglor, he was some kind of classic Greek hero to me, if someone knew how to portrait heroes were the Greek, they were glorious but full of flaws, never perfect and most of the time, tragic characters. That was Maglor for me, and now, thanks to you, he has become one of my favorites, along with Glorfindel and Namo.
Thank you, waiting for updates. Have a nice weekend.
Author's reply
Hi Fantaisa. I think you're right about Maglor being very much in the tragic Greek-hero mode and I'm glad you like my rendition of him. He's a very complex character and I wasn't sure at first if I could portray him correctly.
I hope you have a nice weekend as well and thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Cairistiona
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
Well, I'm as curious as Maglor as to why the tallest tower is undefiled while the two broken ones are filled with filth! And I think you've set yourself a very huge challenge if we now must wait for the glaciers to melt before they can move on--that's a lot of chapters of watching trees grow. *g* I jest, of course. It only makes sense for them, if they've found a good place to dwell with food and shelter, to settle for at least the winter. And I like the idea of Elves again living in the Towers. Gil-Galad would be pleased to know at least one of his towers still stands whole (or nearly whole).
Author's reply
I suspect that it's because that particular tower held the palantír, but who can really say? And I really agonized over just how these Elves would reach Valinor and, given their circumstances, it only makes sense that they would need to wait until they had the materials to build a ship unless the Valar kindly provided them with one. At any rate, we'll see eventually what they end up doing and why. I'm sure Gil-galad would be very pleased to know that at least one of the towers remained nearly whole. Thanks for commenting Cairistiona. I really appreciate it.
6336
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
Well it looks like Elendil knew how to build, or had good architects!
Goats, what goats?
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Actually, it was Gil-galad who had the towers built for his friend, Elendil, and I'm sure the elvish masons incorporated preservation spells in their work so the towers would last for a long time.
And why not goats, or certainly prehistoric versions of them? They had to come from somewhere, right?
Thanks for commenting, Lynda. Glad to see you back. Hugs.
shirebound
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
we may well have to abide in these lands for some time while the ice recedes, the Sea unfreezes and the land is seeded with trees, for I do not see how we can continue on otherwise.
Oh my, that would be a long time indeed. I'm curious to find out what happens next!
Author's reply
Long for mortals, perhaps, but for Elves? At any rate, we'll see how things go for them. Getting to Valinor will not be as easy as one might think (otherwise there's no story, is there *grin*). Thanks for reviewing, shirebound. I really appreciate it.
Erulisse
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
I love the fact that the three towers are still standing after a fashion. The visual of the three white towers against the sea and setting sun was always such a powerful one and it's pleasant to have it live long afterward and to experience another life in this tale.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. I figured that at least parts of the towers would've survived. They were made by Elves, after all. Of course, they are not even close to the sea as a quick look at a map of Eriador will show, but they are quite a sight, nonetheless. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
UTfrog
· 15 March 2013
· Chapter 12: The White Towers
I hope the saber tooths were not the inhabitants of the soiled towers. Yes, it does appear the Valar are keeping good watch over the travelers. They find what they must have when they need it. Thanks.
Author's reply
We'll probably never know what animals once inhabited the towers. Luckily they seem to have abandoned them so the Elves should be okay staying there. And your observation about the Valar is very astute. Thanks for reviewing, UTfrog.
bookworm
· 14 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
"Are you insane?" *LOL* I dunno Maglor, I always wondered about Feanorian sanity. And charging at them with swords like that... weeeeell. Although it worked, I suppose. Hm, so it seems someone (or something, considering) is meddling - one wonders if this is a random attack or if there is some actual plan to stop them (and if so, why)
Author's reply
Hi bookworm. Yeah, well, I don't think we can ever say that Maglor is working with a full deck. LOL! As for the cat-creatures, who can really say? I doubt the Elves will ever really know the answer to that question. Anyway, thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Larner
· 14 March 2013
· Chapter 6: The Journey North
A longer journey than they'd wished, but Denethor is right in being pleased about the relationships now coming to be. And I like his reasons for asking Maglor to take on the leadership for the group.
Author's reply
Very true, Larner. And Denethor is very wise in how he deals with Maglor. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 14 March 2013
· Chapter 5: The Baranduin
I can appreciate his concerns and wonder as to the fates of Tom and Goldberry. But they cannot expect things to be as they were ages earlier, of course. Our Puget Sound was once a major river system that was carved into a sound by glacial action, so I have a good idea of the changes the ice ages wrought.
Author's reply
It must be difficult, though, for them to see just how far the changes have gone when they remember what it was like before. At any rate, they have to deal with the here-and-now rather than the there-and-then, so to speak, and much of this story revolves around that particular theme. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. It's appreciated.
DJ
· 12 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
I sure like how these are coming along!
Author's reply
Thanks for letting me know, DJ. I appreciate it very much.
Ellynn
· 12 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
It is sad to see everything empty and ruined. Have you ever seen any of the episodes of Life after people? It is a documentary series (on History channel, I think), showing how man-made objects would slowly be ruined by time if mankind suddenly disappeared. Some of your descriptions occasionally remind me of the series. Depressing.
Looking forward for more.
Author's reply
Hi Ellynn. Don't have TV so have never seen the show. And no doubt it will happen someday. Nothing, not even we, can last forever. Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying the story in spite of it being somewhat depressing with its descriptions of everything being empty and ruined. I appreciate you letting me know. Thanks.
curiouswombat
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Wow! That was exciting!
Author's reply
I'm glad you found it so, curiouswombat. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Kevana
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Getting attacked by big cats is bad enough, but unnatural big cats? And they manage to find the one group of Elves in that part of the world? Something's afoot in Middle-Earth.
Denethor freaked out a little bit there. I don't blame him – talk about crunch time. There's a really interesting dynamic between Denethor and Maglor developing, I can't wait to see where it goes.
-Kevana
Author's reply
Denethor and Maglor are building a very interesting relationship between them and it will be a major part of the storyline. And whether there is something afot in Middle-earth remains to be seen. Thanks for comenting, Kevana. It's greatly appreciated.
Tari
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Sounds like they were attacked by saber-toothed tigers sent by Morgoth. I fear the elves have not seen the end of them yet.
Author's reply
Ah, you remember! Good for you, for I suspect that somehow these may be descendants of the very saber-toothed cats Glorfindel encountered in Aman. And no, the Elves have not seen the last of these creatures as we will shortly see. Thanks for reviewing, Tari. I appreciate you doing so very much.
Cairistiona
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
I fear I may be too out of breath to leave a coherent review! What an exciting chapter... and now I'm wondering if perhaps mastodons will be next on the attacker list! I'm so glad you've left Elostirion still standing at least in part... I've always been fascinated by that particular piece of Middle-earth geography. I'm eager to see what Maglor finds in it. (Probably not a mastodon!*g*)
Author's reply
Hi Cairistiona. Not as out as breath as I was when I finished writing the chapter. LOL! We'll see very much more of Elostirion in the chapters to come. I always found them intriguing, too, and wish Tokien had given more background on them. Thanks for reviewing. I appreicate it very much.
Fantasia
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Well, that was a very fast trip. I was tired by the end of the chapter. These creatures remind me of the ones that Glorfindel fought while living in Aman.
There is an evil force behind this attack and there still two groups around. Hopefully, the towers will help to shelter them. And Maglor is such a mighty warrior and strategy, don't think that any elves, not even Glorfindel and Firond can compare with him.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. Yes! These are very much similar to those very creatures, though many generations further on. And whether there is an evil force behind the attach or not remains to be seen. We'll see how important the towers turn out to be in the next few chapters. And Maglor is a consumate warrior with far more experience in stragey than Glorfindel and even Finrod as you surmise. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.
Laer
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Wow saber toothed tigers. They would be smart to be able to live in that weather, but stubborn dweeebs. They should have said "too much trouble" and left the elves alone. Jeesh!
Looks like they finally got a bit of luck finding the buildings. Now lets hope they don't have any residents. Four legged or two legged, that have a taste for meat. Tasty looking meat. Hmmm. I think I know why the critters chased them down. Bright, shiney, yummy looking...no wait. That would have been me and they wouldn't have had any problems ditching me. siiiiiggghhh. All this snow must be getting to me. :)
Author's reply
Hi Laer. Well, as Maglor points out, these creatures seem to have a heightened intelligence and that is why they acted as they did.
And yes, I'm sure the creatures were thinking, "Great! A new menu!" LOL!
Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.
UTfrog
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Well,this chapter was certainly worth the wait. The battle scene was excellent. I had not thought about the sabre tooth cats. They would be a reasonable hazard of their trip. Hope the elves can rest at the tower for just a bit. They have come so far.
Thanks again.
Author's reply
Hi UTfrog. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and found the battle scene to be excellent and that such creatures would be a reasonable hazard in that time and place. We'll see how the Elves fare with the towers. I think thay'll be staying there for a bit, if just to catch their breaths before moving on.
Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it.
Celeth
· 11 March 2013
· Chapter 11: Race to the Emyn Beraid
Now there was one action-packed interlude. I was almost panting as I read about their race against the great cats (saber tooths?)! I'm sure glad they were able to subdue them without suffering any casualties.
I wonder what awaits them at the towers now. I keep wishing they would run into other people, but then I guess none could have survived they ice age so far north.
Thank you for this story. I'm really enjoying it. Have a great week!
Author's reply
HI Celeth. I'm glad you found this an exciting chapter. And yes, they are some type of sabertooth cats (there were several breeds). As for the towers, we'll find out more about them in the next chapter. And whether they run into other people is debatable, considering the harsh conditions. Still, you never know.
And thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoyig the story. I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me. Have a great week yourself!
ainisarie
· 10 March 2013
· Chapter 10: Moving On
I am thinking back to the chapter at the ruins of Annuminas. There were a couple of women and a child mentioned...where are the rest of the women, were there other men than the ones that attacked the elves? And WHO is coming upon them now. Inquiring minds want to know.
Author's reply
Hello Ainisaire. Unfortunately we have no further information about the creatures living in the ruins of Annúminas. We only know what Maglor witnessed. I'm sure there were several women and children and even some men but they were not visible to Maglor so there's no saying how many there were. As for what it approaching them now, that will be seen in the next chapter. Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.