-THE GAMES OF THE GODS-
-Disclaimer:-
CS: Well, er, that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be...
Dung Beetle: *wanders by*
CS: Eep, bug! *runs away*
Glorfindel, and most male elves hanging around: *rolls eyes*
Rachel: Eew, bug. *drops a big rock on it*
Dung Beetle: *squelches as it is squished*
CS: *flies back in like Peter Pan, all glittering and happy, then Author-zaps the rock+squishied bug out of existance*
Glorfindel: ...O.o
Rachel: What? She runs, I squash, she comes back and cleans up. It's a good system!
Glorfindel: ...right. CS owns nothing...it's all Tolkien's. (Thank the Valar...which are also Tolkien's)
-64: Gondor-
"So when and where exactly is Glorfindel going to catch up with us?" Kari asked me as we rode south, towards Fangorn.
"He didn't say. He just said some business had come in with a Rivendell messenger and we should go on ahead." I lied smoothly, not turning my attention from the path in front of me. I didn't like lying to Kari, but...well, my reasoning was that if Glorfindel was smart and wanted to keep our relationship going, he'd catch up on his own and explain why the bloody HELL he ran out on me.
Was I mad? Only a little. At least when compared to how angry I'd been right after the door shut behind Glorfindel. I'd made up my mind then and there that Kari and I would leave without him, and it had only taken a few moments' thinking to come up with an excuse as to why. But Kari would be suspicious if we left early as well as without Glorfindel, so I decided to take the risk that we would be able to get out of Caras Galadhon, and Lothlórien, without Glorfindel spotting us the next morning, and stay there for the night.
Unable to sleep, I had, instead, thoroughly cleaned out my flet, which I'd intended to leave for someone else to clean up just to exasperate Galadriel. I found all the books, went to the deserted, though thankfully not locked, library, put them all away, finished packing, got Aratelpe and Lomesure ready, and then went to get food for the journey from the kitchens the instant it was available. From then on, my mind was split in two - half was fervently telling Glorfindel (as futile as I knew it was) to remain asleep, and the other half was on whatever I was doing. Which wasn't much, as I had nothing more to do but wake Kari and skedaddle out of Caras Galadhon.
I'll admit, I was somewhat surprised when we got out of Caras Galadhon and, as far as I knew, Glorfindel hadn't even woken. Maybe I was rubbing off on him or something. Whatever the cause, I was thankful as we rode out - though slightly nervous that he'd catch up before we even left the Woods, which was why I challenged Kari to a race. She accepted, and by mid-afternoon, the Golden Wood was behind us.
It wasn't as if I was putting Kari or me in any danger by leaving Glorfindel behind, anyways. With the way things were going in Middle-Earth at the moment, whether or not we had Glorfindel would probably have little difference with the size of the groups of Orcs we were liable to run into. And Kari and I both had our weapons, anyways - Kari her bow and a short dagger, and me my new double-bladed sword. I'd considered leaving the sword behind in moment of bitter anger, but decided that to do so would be foolish on far too many fronts.
Anyways. Kari and I talked little during the first day out, but as we camped that night somewhere between Lothlórien and Fangorn, Kari started asking me questions about Minas Tirith, wanting to know what to expect beyond what she knew of the books. The questions continued the next morning, and for the rest of the day. So the days of our journey passed, and I think that, due to the absolute lack of mentioning the subject, Kari forgot as easily as I that Glorfindel was 'supposed to catch up'. Over the rest of our journey, we strengthened our friendship almost back to where it had been on that fateful day when our house in the Australian Outback was hit by lightning.
It took us three weeks to reach Gondor, most of which were spent laughing and talking - except for the brief day of mourning when we knew Boromir was dieing and the Fellowship was breaking - but all the while we were scanning the countryside for any sign of Orcs or roving bands of Men. It seemed, however, that we were either extremely lucky, or no one wanted to attack us for some reason or another - or maybe they just couldn't see us, what with our fancy Lothlórien cloaks and nice, fast horses - because we were not bothered until we reached the Rammas Echor.
"Rammas Echor? Sounds like some sort of disease." Kari commented when the wall finally came in sight and I told her what it was called. I chuckled.
"That it does. But as you can see, it's not. It's just a big wall they built around the Pelennor Fields when Ithilien was overrun." I said.
"Sooo...it's like the Great Wall of Gondor?" Kari asked, tilting her head to one side as she looked at it. I grinned at her.
"Something like that. I just call it the Really Really Freaking Big Wall." I said.
"Well, you always did have a problem with being concise." Kari said impishly, and then spurred her horse forward again. I cried out in mock outrage and followed after her.
We reached the wall near sunset, and quickly found the nearest gate. Kari pulled her hood up over her face, and I pulled out one of my scarves and wrapped it around my ears like I hadn't done since I had returned to Rivendell, before pulling my hood up, as well. The guards hailed us as soon as they spotted us - which wasn't too quickly, due to our Lothlórien cloaks - and demanded the pass-word for the gate if we knew it. Kari looked at me, and I grinned at her for a moment, before turning my attention back to the gate and saying in perfect English,
"Open sesame." Kari sniggered as there was a shuffling behind the gate, and then three guards emerged, two flanking one who was obviously their commanding officer.
"Who are you and what business have you in Gondor? War is nigh at hand, and we wish no strangers in our land unless they be fighting men." he said, eyeing us warily. I smiled with satisfaction, seeing that my warnings to Boromir and Denethor about spies coming in all shapes, sizes and genders had gotten through.
"I am called Rachel, and my companion is Lady Alkarisil. We come out of the north, from Rivendell, and seek protection in Minas Tirith." I supplied. The guard looked at us for a moment, and then nodded.
"Very well." he said. "You may pass." He and his men moved aside, and Kari and I shared a surprised look. "We have heard of your coming from Mithrandir." the guard said, amusement in his voice, as he noticed our surprise.
"Ah." I said with a smile, deciding that Gandalf needed a big thank-you the next time I saw him. I went to bid the guards farewell, then, but suddenly stopped, feeling...something in the south. I shared a glance with Kari, and then we both locked our eyes on the skies of Mordor, where the dark clouds that covered that land were now slowly expanding to cover the stars.
"The Dawnless Day has begun." Kari murmured, her eyes wide. I looked down at the guard.
"Look to your posts, the enemy is moving!" I warned, and then kicked Aratelpe into a gallop, Kari not far behind. "May the Valar protect you!" I called back to the guards.
"And us in our stupidity!" Kari called over to me as she came even with me. I glanced over at Kari and gave her a wild grin, which she returned, her hood now thrown back, cloak and hair streaming out behind her in the wind. She looked like a mad woman, and I'm sure I did, too. I laughed into the wind as we sped over the Pelennor Fields, the Shadow and all other threats fading as I enjoyed the speed.
I had yet to gallop an Elvish horse for the pure pleasure of it, without the terror of being followed to spur me on, and I found in exhilarating. I really should have taken advantage of having Liltalen all those years ago and set some records for galloping around Minas Tirith in their once yearly horse race.
All too soon, however, the gates of the White City approached, around the same time as what would have been dawn. We slowed our mounts until we finally stopped in front of the gates, and the guards called down a challenge. I gave them the password for the gate, and then they, like the guard at Rammas Echor, wanted to know our names. I was just about to supply them when a happy cry came from one of the guards.
"Lady Asira! You have returned!" he called down, and then sent orders for the gate to be opened. I looked up in surprise.
"That I have." I said, recovering as the gate opened.
"You are most welcome! Mithrandir came not long ago bringing sad tidings of Lord Boromir, and we feared the same fate had befallen you!" the guard met Kari and I on the other side of the gate, and I recognized him as one of those Boromir used to go drinking with.
"No, I am safe and unharmed, as you can see." I said.
"And you have returned with an Elf. From Imladris?" the guard asked, seeming to notice Kari for the first time.
"This is Lady Alkarisil of Rivendell, wife of Elrohir, son of Lord Elrond Peredhil, ruler of that Realm." I supplied with a smile. The guards eyes widened, and he bowed deeply.
"M'lady." he said politely. Kari shot me a glare.
"You needn't have said ALL of that." she said. I grinned impishly back at her.
"Oh, but it's such fun." I said, and then turned back to the guard, who was smiling with amusement. "Is there a place for us to stable our horses?"
"There is, though I cannot guarantee how long they will live should we fall under siege for very long." the guard said, looking worriedly towards the south.
"Oh, Gondor has many friends in lots of odd places. I'm sure we won't be under siege for very long." I said cheerfully and reassuringly. Good thing I had a reputation for being annoyingly optimistic. "Now, stables?" The guard named a stable, and I took the lead and led Kari and I up through the city to the third ring, where the afore-mentioned stable was. Once we saw our horses settled - right across from Shadowfax, as it happened - we set off up the streets.
We got many looks as we walked from the few that were out and about - it was near what would have been dawn if it wasn't for the black cloud that hung over us, after all - but it wasn't until the sixth ring that I was recognized again, and then it was by the guards of the gate. When we finally reached the gates to the Citadel, we were admitted without a challenge, word of our coming apparently having gone before us.
Two servants appeared when we entered the Citadel and took our saddlebags, assuring me that mine would find it's way to my room, and Kari's to a guest room. Then we were lead by a guard, disregarding the fact that we had just traveled an entire day straight, to the throne room of Minas Tirith. Denethor was there, as was Gandalf, Prince Imrahil - and Pippin. Gandalf seemed indifferent to our arrival, Imrahil and Pippin pleasantly surprised, and Denethor...I briefly considered running when I saw his expression, but the doors were already shut behind me.
"Lady Asira." he said coldly, standing and stalking closer to me.
"My lord Denethor." I said smoothly, curtseying to him. His displeasure only deepened.
"I am surprised you have the courage to return here after what you have done." he sneered.
"You mean seeing to it that Boromir helped set in motion events that will save the world of Men - and all other races - from the Shadow and Darkness that even now threaten to engulf your lands, thereby bringing himself greater honour than any death on a battlefield could achieve?" I asked blandly in reply. I could see Pippin's eyes widen slightly in fear for me at my disrespect. Imrahil seemed amused, while Gandalf seemed to be teetering between the same thing and wondering if I was trying to commit suicide - for real, this time. I could not see Kari's expression, but I guessed it was like Gandalf's. Denethor himself seemed to grow angrier for a second, and then it abruptly all drained out of him with a sigh.
"Why have you returned instead of remaining in the north, where it is safe?" he asked, returning to his seat. Pippin now looked amazed. Imrahil remained amused, and Gandalf had settled on that expression, as well.
"It was boring." I said with a shrug. Denethor looked at me incredulously for a moment, and then chuckled mirthlessly.
"I knew you were not one to remain in an uninteresting situation, Asira, but I had not thought you were this mad." he said.
"I usually hold myself in check much more." I said with a smile.
"Well, it is good you have returned. Word has spread of Boromir's death, and many of my men seemed to fear you had been lost as well. How you have become so well liked when you are constantly stepping on toes, I do not know, but your arrival will bolster their courage somewhat." Denethor said, eyeing me speculatively. I smiled back at him.
"Oh, I'm sure it will. But if you don't mind, Lady Alkarisil and I have been on the road since yesterday's dawn, and even Elves need rest." I said. Denethor nodded, and waved a hand at us in dismissal.
After leaving the throne room, I led Kari to her guest room - after asking only two servants where she was to be situated - before heading to my own rooms. Inside, I called for a bath, and the servants brought one quickly, though they informed me that this would be the last such luxury for a long while, as water was to be hoarded now. I nodded pleasantly in agreement, not caring as long as I got my current bath now, and then once they left, cleaned myself thoroughly. Done, I left the bath for the servants to empty, then crawled into bed and went to sleep.
----To be continued...with the character I'm really annoyed that they left out of the movie!----
(And the ever-lovable soon-to-be Prince of Ithilien!)
-Authors Note:-
Well, I didn't get flamed or pelted with as many unnatural things as I thought I would...nor get as many death threats as I feared I might. Guess that just goes to show what understanding and wonderful reviewers I have. :) (Of course, the fact that I'm always telling you people how wonderful you are might have helped...who knows?) I'm glad you all decided not to kill me, though, as this story IS going to having a happy ending, and I'd hate to leave you without that ending...but it will take a few chapters to get Rachel and Glorfindel back together. 'A few' meaning six, in this case.
And speaking of the ending of this fic - this story is so long that I have, inevitably, made a few wrong-turns in it's writing, and had to go back and re-write scenes. However, sticking with the writer's philosophy of 'never throw writing out', I have saved the majority of the more lengthy wrong turns, and still have them kicking around on my hard drive. The question is, once I'm done TGotG, would you, the reviewers, like to see these wrong turns? I'd probably post them all as a final chapter or two, and they'd be rough and un-polished, but they would perhaps be interesting. It was a thought, and I figured I would ask you all and see what your opinions might be.
In other news - my mom bought my dad a DVD player for his birthday. So there is now a DVD player in the house! Yeah! Now I just need to convince people to buy me the extended and normal editions of all the Lord of the Rings movies on DVD...or maybe I'll have to go get a job and buy them myself...
Anyways. That's all from me for now. I'll see you all again on...well, to be honest, Friday night. Because I find myself unable to continue updating in mornings...therefore, I shall be doing it the night ahead of time. Most of you will probably not see the chapter until the next day, anyways.
~Crimson Starlight
-Disclaimer:-
CS: Well, er, that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be...
Dung Beetle: *wanders by*
CS: Eep, bug! *runs away*
Glorfindel, and most male elves hanging around: *rolls eyes*
Rachel: Eew, bug. *drops a big rock on it*
Dung Beetle: *squelches as it is squished*
CS: *flies back in like Peter Pan, all glittering and happy, then Author-zaps the rock+squishied bug out of existance*
Glorfindel: ...O.o
Rachel: What? She runs, I squash, she comes back and cleans up. It's a good system!
Glorfindel: ...right. CS owns nothing...it's all Tolkien's. (Thank the Valar...which are also Tolkien's)
-64: Gondor-
"So when and where exactly is Glorfindel going to catch up with us?" Kari asked me as we rode south, towards Fangorn.
"He didn't say. He just said some business had come in with a Rivendell messenger and we should go on ahead." I lied smoothly, not turning my attention from the path in front of me. I didn't like lying to Kari, but...well, my reasoning was that if Glorfindel was smart and wanted to keep our relationship going, he'd catch up on his own and explain why the bloody HELL he ran out on me.
Was I mad? Only a little. At least when compared to how angry I'd been right after the door shut behind Glorfindel. I'd made up my mind then and there that Kari and I would leave without him, and it had only taken a few moments' thinking to come up with an excuse as to why. But Kari would be suspicious if we left early as well as without Glorfindel, so I decided to take the risk that we would be able to get out of Caras Galadhon, and Lothlórien, without Glorfindel spotting us the next morning, and stay there for the night.
Unable to sleep, I had, instead, thoroughly cleaned out my flet, which I'd intended to leave for someone else to clean up just to exasperate Galadriel. I found all the books, went to the deserted, though thankfully not locked, library, put them all away, finished packing, got Aratelpe and Lomesure ready, and then went to get food for the journey from the kitchens the instant it was available. From then on, my mind was split in two - half was fervently telling Glorfindel (as futile as I knew it was) to remain asleep, and the other half was on whatever I was doing. Which wasn't much, as I had nothing more to do but wake Kari and skedaddle out of Caras Galadhon.
I'll admit, I was somewhat surprised when we got out of Caras Galadhon and, as far as I knew, Glorfindel hadn't even woken. Maybe I was rubbing off on him or something. Whatever the cause, I was thankful as we rode out - though slightly nervous that he'd catch up before we even left the Woods, which was why I challenged Kari to a race. She accepted, and by mid-afternoon, the Golden Wood was behind us.
It wasn't as if I was putting Kari or me in any danger by leaving Glorfindel behind, anyways. With the way things were going in Middle-Earth at the moment, whether or not we had Glorfindel would probably have little difference with the size of the groups of Orcs we were liable to run into. And Kari and I both had our weapons, anyways - Kari her bow and a short dagger, and me my new double-bladed sword. I'd considered leaving the sword behind in moment of bitter anger, but decided that to do so would be foolish on far too many fronts.
Anyways. Kari and I talked little during the first day out, but as we camped that night somewhere between Lothlórien and Fangorn, Kari started asking me questions about Minas Tirith, wanting to know what to expect beyond what she knew of the books. The questions continued the next morning, and for the rest of the day. So the days of our journey passed, and I think that, due to the absolute lack of mentioning the subject, Kari forgot as easily as I that Glorfindel was 'supposed to catch up'. Over the rest of our journey, we strengthened our friendship almost back to where it had been on that fateful day when our house in the Australian Outback was hit by lightning.
It took us three weeks to reach Gondor, most of which were spent laughing and talking - except for the brief day of mourning when we knew Boromir was dieing and the Fellowship was breaking - but all the while we were scanning the countryside for any sign of Orcs or roving bands of Men. It seemed, however, that we were either extremely lucky, or no one wanted to attack us for some reason or another - or maybe they just couldn't see us, what with our fancy Lothlórien cloaks and nice, fast horses - because we were not bothered until we reached the Rammas Echor.
"Rammas Echor? Sounds like some sort of disease." Kari commented when the wall finally came in sight and I told her what it was called. I chuckled.
"That it does. But as you can see, it's not. It's just a big wall they built around the Pelennor Fields when Ithilien was overrun." I said.
"Sooo...it's like the Great Wall of Gondor?" Kari asked, tilting her head to one side as she looked at it. I grinned at her.
"Something like that. I just call it the Really Really Freaking Big Wall." I said.
"Well, you always did have a problem with being concise." Kari said impishly, and then spurred her horse forward again. I cried out in mock outrage and followed after her.
We reached the wall near sunset, and quickly found the nearest gate. Kari pulled her hood up over her face, and I pulled out one of my scarves and wrapped it around my ears like I hadn't done since I had returned to Rivendell, before pulling my hood up, as well. The guards hailed us as soon as they spotted us - which wasn't too quickly, due to our Lothlórien cloaks - and demanded the pass-word for the gate if we knew it. Kari looked at me, and I grinned at her for a moment, before turning my attention back to the gate and saying in perfect English,
"Open sesame." Kari sniggered as there was a shuffling behind the gate, and then three guards emerged, two flanking one who was obviously their commanding officer.
"Who are you and what business have you in Gondor? War is nigh at hand, and we wish no strangers in our land unless they be fighting men." he said, eyeing us warily. I smiled with satisfaction, seeing that my warnings to Boromir and Denethor about spies coming in all shapes, sizes and genders had gotten through.
"I am called Rachel, and my companion is Lady Alkarisil. We come out of the north, from Rivendell, and seek protection in Minas Tirith." I supplied. The guard looked at us for a moment, and then nodded.
"Very well." he said. "You may pass." He and his men moved aside, and Kari and I shared a surprised look. "We have heard of your coming from Mithrandir." the guard said, amusement in his voice, as he noticed our surprise.
"Ah." I said with a smile, deciding that Gandalf needed a big thank-you the next time I saw him. I went to bid the guards farewell, then, but suddenly stopped, feeling...something in the south. I shared a glance with Kari, and then we both locked our eyes on the skies of Mordor, where the dark clouds that covered that land were now slowly expanding to cover the stars.
"The Dawnless Day has begun." Kari murmured, her eyes wide. I looked down at the guard.
"Look to your posts, the enemy is moving!" I warned, and then kicked Aratelpe into a gallop, Kari not far behind. "May the Valar protect you!" I called back to the guards.
"And us in our stupidity!" Kari called over to me as she came even with me. I glanced over at Kari and gave her a wild grin, which she returned, her hood now thrown back, cloak and hair streaming out behind her in the wind. She looked like a mad woman, and I'm sure I did, too. I laughed into the wind as we sped over the Pelennor Fields, the Shadow and all other threats fading as I enjoyed the speed.
I had yet to gallop an Elvish horse for the pure pleasure of it, without the terror of being followed to spur me on, and I found in exhilarating. I really should have taken advantage of having Liltalen all those years ago and set some records for galloping around Minas Tirith in their once yearly horse race.
All too soon, however, the gates of the White City approached, around the same time as what would have been dawn. We slowed our mounts until we finally stopped in front of the gates, and the guards called down a challenge. I gave them the password for the gate, and then they, like the guard at Rammas Echor, wanted to know our names. I was just about to supply them when a happy cry came from one of the guards.
"Lady Asira! You have returned!" he called down, and then sent orders for the gate to be opened. I looked up in surprise.
"That I have." I said, recovering as the gate opened.
"You are most welcome! Mithrandir came not long ago bringing sad tidings of Lord Boromir, and we feared the same fate had befallen you!" the guard met Kari and I on the other side of the gate, and I recognized him as one of those Boromir used to go drinking with.
"No, I am safe and unharmed, as you can see." I said.
"And you have returned with an Elf. From Imladris?" the guard asked, seeming to notice Kari for the first time.
"This is Lady Alkarisil of Rivendell, wife of Elrohir, son of Lord Elrond Peredhil, ruler of that Realm." I supplied with a smile. The guards eyes widened, and he bowed deeply.
"M'lady." he said politely. Kari shot me a glare.
"You needn't have said ALL of that." she said. I grinned impishly back at her.
"Oh, but it's such fun." I said, and then turned back to the guard, who was smiling with amusement. "Is there a place for us to stable our horses?"
"There is, though I cannot guarantee how long they will live should we fall under siege for very long." the guard said, looking worriedly towards the south.
"Oh, Gondor has many friends in lots of odd places. I'm sure we won't be under siege for very long." I said cheerfully and reassuringly. Good thing I had a reputation for being annoyingly optimistic. "Now, stables?" The guard named a stable, and I took the lead and led Kari and I up through the city to the third ring, where the afore-mentioned stable was. Once we saw our horses settled - right across from Shadowfax, as it happened - we set off up the streets.
We got many looks as we walked from the few that were out and about - it was near what would have been dawn if it wasn't for the black cloud that hung over us, after all - but it wasn't until the sixth ring that I was recognized again, and then it was by the guards of the gate. When we finally reached the gates to the Citadel, we were admitted without a challenge, word of our coming apparently having gone before us.
Two servants appeared when we entered the Citadel and took our saddlebags, assuring me that mine would find it's way to my room, and Kari's to a guest room. Then we were lead by a guard, disregarding the fact that we had just traveled an entire day straight, to the throne room of Minas Tirith. Denethor was there, as was Gandalf, Prince Imrahil - and Pippin. Gandalf seemed indifferent to our arrival, Imrahil and Pippin pleasantly surprised, and Denethor...I briefly considered running when I saw his expression, but the doors were already shut behind me.
"Lady Asira." he said coldly, standing and stalking closer to me.
"My lord Denethor." I said smoothly, curtseying to him. His displeasure only deepened.
"I am surprised you have the courage to return here after what you have done." he sneered.
"You mean seeing to it that Boromir helped set in motion events that will save the world of Men - and all other races - from the Shadow and Darkness that even now threaten to engulf your lands, thereby bringing himself greater honour than any death on a battlefield could achieve?" I asked blandly in reply. I could see Pippin's eyes widen slightly in fear for me at my disrespect. Imrahil seemed amused, while Gandalf seemed to be teetering between the same thing and wondering if I was trying to commit suicide - for real, this time. I could not see Kari's expression, but I guessed it was like Gandalf's. Denethor himself seemed to grow angrier for a second, and then it abruptly all drained out of him with a sigh.
"Why have you returned instead of remaining in the north, where it is safe?" he asked, returning to his seat. Pippin now looked amazed. Imrahil remained amused, and Gandalf had settled on that expression, as well.
"It was boring." I said with a shrug. Denethor looked at me incredulously for a moment, and then chuckled mirthlessly.
"I knew you were not one to remain in an uninteresting situation, Asira, but I had not thought you were this mad." he said.
"I usually hold myself in check much more." I said with a smile.
"Well, it is good you have returned. Word has spread of Boromir's death, and many of my men seemed to fear you had been lost as well. How you have become so well liked when you are constantly stepping on toes, I do not know, but your arrival will bolster their courage somewhat." Denethor said, eyeing me speculatively. I smiled back at him.
"Oh, I'm sure it will. But if you don't mind, Lady Alkarisil and I have been on the road since yesterday's dawn, and even Elves need rest." I said. Denethor nodded, and waved a hand at us in dismissal.
After leaving the throne room, I led Kari to her guest room - after asking only two servants where she was to be situated - before heading to my own rooms. Inside, I called for a bath, and the servants brought one quickly, though they informed me that this would be the last such luxury for a long while, as water was to be hoarded now. I nodded pleasantly in agreement, not caring as long as I got my current bath now, and then once they left, cleaned myself thoroughly. Done, I left the bath for the servants to empty, then crawled into bed and went to sleep.
----To be continued...with the character I'm really annoyed that they left out of the movie!----
(And the ever-lovable soon-to-be Prince of Ithilien!)
-Authors Note:-
Well, I didn't get flamed or pelted with as many unnatural things as I thought I would...nor get as many death threats as I feared I might. Guess that just goes to show what understanding and wonderful reviewers I have. :) (Of course, the fact that I'm always telling you people how wonderful you are might have helped...who knows?) I'm glad you all decided not to kill me, though, as this story IS going to having a happy ending, and I'd hate to leave you without that ending...but it will take a few chapters to get Rachel and Glorfindel back together. 'A few' meaning six, in this case.
And speaking of the ending of this fic - this story is so long that I have, inevitably, made a few wrong-turns in it's writing, and had to go back and re-write scenes. However, sticking with the writer's philosophy of 'never throw writing out', I have saved the majority of the more lengthy wrong turns, and still have them kicking around on my hard drive. The question is, once I'm done TGotG, would you, the reviewers, like to see these wrong turns? I'd probably post them all as a final chapter or two, and they'd be rough and un-polished, but they would perhaps be interesting. It was a thought, and I figured I would ask you all and see what your opinions might be.
In other news - my mom bought my dad a DVD player for his birthday. So there is now a DVD player in the house! Yeah! Now I just need to convince people to buy me the extended and normal editions of all the Lord of the Rings movies on DVD...or maybe I'll have to go get a job and buy them myself...
Anyways. That's all from me for now. I'll see you all again on...well, to be honest, Friday night. Because I find myself unable to continue updating in mornings...therefore, I shall be doing it the night ahead of time. Most of you will probably not see the chapter until the next day, anyways.
~Crimson Starlight