Hooray, a sequal! I read the last two about a year ago and wondered about a sequal, and I found it!

lol! Nice.

omg...-snicker- you're an evil evil person you know that? Poor Elrond...I would SO love to see the look of horror on his face :D

Hello, I'm a huge Orc fan who has only just discovered your Egla Ash stories - three years after you wrote them! Hah! I've just read "Hope As Long As The Stars Shine" and "Whisper Of Things To Come," and now I'm two chapters into "Hearts of Darkness." I'm liking this story rather more than the two prequels, which laid on the Elven singing a tad too thick for me. (Which isn't to say I don't think the lyrics were pretty: did you come up with them yourself? Also, I loved the detail about Egla singing to his arrows in "Whisper Of Things To Come.") I'm going to be sure and let other Orc fans know about these stories - since I managed to miss them, it might just be that others have as well. Egla is a very Elven Orc but there now, it takes all kinds, and he seems hardcore Orkish in this particular storyline. I'm sure he will be redeemed once more from his darkness, but I can see how your writing is developing and maturing in these early stories and so I think it will be related in an interesting way. I LIKE the way you have taken an old friendship and brought it up to weave with Gollum's tale, particularly in the parallels you draw. The comparison between his situation and that of an Orc's is most apt. Lindir seems like a sweetheart, though I fear he will be badly hurt over the course of this story.

Man I read your other story and then In the Hall of the Wood Elf King I cried when I read this again as I liked Brethil, Tanglinna they were my favs SOB

I think it would be funny if was Egla Ash that said And you have my bow. Then he could have joined the fellowship! *imagines an orc in elf clothes in Legolas' scenes* I wonder if he would get all the fan girls...

I don't like this chapter... you know why...

"And do NOT let it go because it looks sad, Brethil,"

"Lindir and I would be glad to," Legolas said with a small smile. "Just don't let him go."

"Mithrandir would not be happy if Brethil OR Lindir set Gollum - er - Smeagol free."

"I am not nearly as bad as Brethil must have been!"

Hm... They are not nice to Brethil! No said anything like that in Free Willy!

mellon

tree hugger this was beautifully written sorry i didn't review before the end but i was so ingrossed i decieded to wait till now i take my hat off to you once again (a grovels as she speaks) it is amazing how you put it altogether i was heart broken at the death of our fav elfs may the halls of mandros be kind to them. i take my leave for the mo

namarie aurora..

Wow- color me impressed. I don't know where to begin. I love stories with conflicted characters, especially when said character gets it right and is accepted in the end. I don't normally like angst stories, but this one was really good. Egla Ash is just a great addition to Middle-Earth. Also, interweaving the various LotR was very well done- I especially enjoyed seeing more of the humanity (hobbittity?) of Gollum.

You rock- now I know why Jastaelf recommended you so highly.

Oh, BTW, where does the inspiration for the Elven Healers come from? They sound to me suspiciously like Deryni...

Anyway, this is great, and I look forward to reading through the rest of your stuff.

Great chapter! I was very amused with Lindir trying to get Smeagol out of the tree-the song was wonderful, BTW!-and the other Elves' boredom. For some reason I was also very amused at Tavor picking at and throwing grass, it just seemed a very typical thing to do when one is bored and stuck somewhere.

The interwoven bits with Gandalf and the discovery of the "precious" are well done; an interesting way to use movie verse.

And Legolas is hunting orcs...Egla Ash's message was disturbing, and it is no surprise that Legolas found it sorrow-inspiring as well. Up until that point there was always the sliver of a possibility that maybe something else had happened to the unusual orc.

There is a dark cloud of foreboding...I really don't know what to expect, so I suppose I will have to keep reading. : )

-Aranel

I am really enjoying this just as much as the other two stories, and especially like seeing how the Elves are handling Gollum. I have never seen a fic covering this much before, and I like it.

Singing Orc princess? *wrinkles brow* I take it that this is not Egla Ash... I take it that there is some sort of hilarious story behind this?

On a more serious note, it is so sad about Egla Ash. You made him such a wonderful character, and it is tragic to think that he is so changed. I can see how Legolas would be his target for revenge, however...I think Tolkien once mentioned that deep somewhere the orcs despised their condition, so Legolas's "failure" to save Egla Ash from that state in any way would cause some angry feelings in such a twisted being.

*very sad smile* I miss the old Egla Ash. : ) But this makes for a very interesting and good read.

-Aranel

Hm...this promises to be an engaging story! I am in a hurry to get to the next chapter, so I won't say much.

The descriptions of Gollum were very good...he would elicit some pity, wouldn't he? I've always had such conflicting feelings over the creature...a mix of disgust, pity, and regret...

Tanglinna and Brethil...the ones there is so much fuss about, hmm? I am looking forward to getting to know these OCs better(along with Tavor, as I've heard he has a defined role in many of your stories as well). Lindir sounds like a fun young elf to be around...still a little on the gullible side, hmm? : )

I like the repeated warnings of watchfulness for Gollum...that would be very important.

Your last paragraph was something else! Painful...I really don't know what to say.

-Aranel

oh my word! I cant help but cry. I loved the master archer and poor poor Brethil. How could you. I really liked both of them. I enjoyed Tanglinna. But does this mean he wont be in any more stories? Because that would be to sad. And the tricksy trio. Never to be again? It just cant be. I think you take to much joy from writing about their deaths and making your readers cry! UGH! its just all to sad.

is that the end?please say that's not the end! i want to read elrond's reaction when egla ash show's up with legolas in imladris.