Reviews by Aganuzir

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:54 pm

Thank you for the new chapter (11) and for your teply to my previous comments.

It seems I have got my wish to hear orc comments on Angmar-Elfhild encounter. Smile smiley face

Now I see, I was wrong to suppose they would jeer openly about it. You are right, of course. Angmar is so ‘Igh Up’ that any comments about him could be done only in frightened whispers. It reminds me of Shagrat & Gorbag talk in LOTR about the war. They were very discreet, though their topic was not so personal as in this case. I liked that you have shown that the orcs fear Angmar much more than a soldier would an army commander. Nazgul are feared and hated, I believe. However, fear or no fear, the desire to gossip prevails. That makes orcs human somehow, not beasts or robots.

Funny ideas on “what Angmar does with his girls”! Smile smiley face

I have a feeling one of the orcs is right, though…
Best wishes,
Aganuzîr

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Thu Jul 07, 2005 8:55 am

Chapter 10.

What a wonderful chapter! Congratulations, Elfhild!

It was wise to let a woman render Elfhild’s feelings. Really, girls need so little to let their mind race and imagination work. The way their mind works leaves men agape very often. Men wander : “what have I ever done or said to make her fall in love with me?” And no rational answer is forthcoming. Smile smiley face

Mysterious Dark King of great power … Sure! Given more time to ponder on “I will remember”, Elfhild will fall in love without more encouragement needed. I think she was not bespelled, it was just a natural process.

I only hope you will not let Angmar become too romantic himself. Smile smiley face

That would be out of character. What is natural for a sixteen-your old maid is not so for a 4500 year-old wraith. I think he will not forget her, but surely a young peasant like Elfhild could hardly be more than a favorite pet to him in the future?

Leofgifu’s reaction is also priceless. The public opinion is so important for all of them, they fear what the neighbors from their little village will say, even the captivity and all the pain and loss don’t change that.

Strange, though, that orcs made no comments. Or will they later? It might be funny to tell her who exactly was she gawking at. I think, the incident might be a protection to Elfhild. The orcs will be afraid to harm her, as there is a slight possibility that the ‘Igh One will ask for her later.

It was a balm to my soul Smile smiley face

to read about Mordor horses being healthy and well cared for. I think the interpretation of nazgul horses as poor abused (and spooked) beasts was one of the greatest mistakes of PJ’s movie. After all, according to the Tale of Years the nazgul horses made the trip from the Fords of Isen to Sarn Ford as swiftly as Shadowfax! The same applies to race Bree-Weathertop in LOTR. The Nazgul horses must have been Mearas, and not the abused sorry beasts.

Thank you for your detailed pictures of the medieval tack. It is well to make readers to learn new things.

I definitely like “Circles” even more than “Second Darkness”! You write so beautifully, Angmar and Elfhild!

And thank you for all the updates of the SD.

What a bloodbath you made! Rian, Finduilas etc. in one go and in such a dirty way!
And it seems that the Easterlings have revolted. Seems plausible, as now they have no enemies like Gondor, so they may think of their own freedom. Looks like the Dark Lord is going to have problems in the East. But perhaps Vartang’s attack was a part of Sauron’s design?

One thing, though. What about the mithril necklaces the Morgul-Lord has given to Lilandra, Finduilas and Rian? They served for naught, it seems. Were they of no power? Or have you forgotten about them?

Now “Halfling Subtle Torture Project” has come to an end. Hmm, I am afraid I share the feelings of Guntha (I liked the man!) that it was too subtle for mortal understanding. Smile smiley face

All that effort and money to make suffer a pathetic halfling! After all, he was miserable in the Shire even when the quest succeeded, as it is in the book.
Well, Frodo was never one of my favorites. Speaking of hobbits, I liked Ashgaz much more. That was a success! Sam I found irritable, don’t know why.

Now I am looking forward to Eowyn’s story. Must be interesting. She must have rather “controversial” feelings towards Angmar. Will she be happy with Faramir? Hmm, wasn’t there a prophecy: “No living man will please thee”? And what about Aragorn? The latter is free now, it seems, as Arwen has sailed West. He must think about needing a heir.

Well, I shall learn soon enough, I hope.

Best wishes, Angmar and Elfhild!

Aganuzîr

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:10 pm

I can say that the new chapter was worth waiting for it. The nazgul in the Ninth chapter! Smile smiley face

At last we behold the Morgul Lord in all his glory!

I loved how you made the tension mount: The army marches by, the advance-guard, the standard bearers with Eye standards and Morgul sigil – you know the Morgul Lord is coming! But there are only orcs… orcs…orcs.. Where, where is he? Then it has become colder, the leaves rustled without a wind, the sense of fear ..and here He is at last, clad in black and silver with a crescent moon on his shoulder and a crown on his head. Awesome!

I can’t say, however, that I liked the accompanying picture of the Black Rider you put on your web page. This nazgul is not cutting an impressive enough figure, I think Smile smiley face

. He is rather small and sits crouched in the saddle. Not like you depict the Morgul Lord.

Who was his lieutenant clad in a scarlet mantle and a head-dress? Khamul, most likely?

I should say that Elfhild’s behavior was a bit too forward for a shy maiden. Gawking at the King like this… What possessed her?

Orcs are most real. You surpassed yourselves in this chapter. Their bawdy talk, their songs are wonderful. Straightforward, no nonsense, no difficult western allegories, just to the core of the matter. Actually, the songs were even too good for orcs. Perhaps, Elfhild had a chance to hear the greatest orc poet of the age? Smile smiley face

The Notes:
Interesting are your musings on the Sigil of Morgul. Just what is “the ghastly face of death”?
I know there is no answer in Tolkien’s works, but I have always pictured it as a scull superposed on a moon. But, perhaps, you are right and it is just a sickle moon…

About the tower of Minas Morgul. Yes, Minas Morgul was a twin of Minas-Tirith so, originally, at the end of the Second age, they must have been almost identical. But the tower of Echtelion dates from TA 2698, when Minas Morgul was already occupied by the nazgul for 600 years. I suppose that the tower of Minas Morgul was identical to the tower that existed in Minas Tirith before Ecthelion. The nazgul must have renovated their tower, at least adding the upper rotating level. I suppose, though I have nothing to prove it, that originally the tower had 7 levels, but later two more were added to get 9 levels. And they added beautiful glow to the walls and pale flowers to make it a real jewel.

And, of course, I am most grateful for all the updates of the Second Darkness!

Again several new wonderful characters: Candon, Debanni, her mother, her brother,. Isn’t it funny: every time you introduce a new character, I think: “Oh no! Not another character. At this rate I shall never be able to learn what happened to the old ones...” But then the new characters grip my attention as much as the old ones did, and I start to care for them as well. Still, I would be happy to learn how Eowyn fares without Angmar. And what has happened to the three girls left in Morgul?

Actually you surprised me with your R-rated chapter. I liked it a lot, but isn’t it the first one in all the project? I had the impression that you desperately tried to stick to PG-13, even when at some turns of the story it was next to impossible. (As with Angmar and Eowyn as well as Rian and Vartang in the dungeon for instance). In general there was a lot of kissing but no mention of sex. I think that your choice to include some chapters for mature readers improves the story a lot. Perhaps, once you have started along this dark path, you could edit some of the earlier chapters where more explicit content is appropriate. Not necessarily HOW they do it, but at least acknowledge that they DO it. Smile smiley face

Best wishes and many thanks for this week’s updates,

Yours,
Aganuzîr

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Sun Jun 19, 2005 2:39 pm

Aganuzîr accepts the cup reverently on bended knee and drinks deeply from it.

“Aarsh Tor Satum-ob, O Ash Bubhosh, Shakh Dushgoi-ob!”

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:21 pm

The Age of Sauron has begun, Darkness unescapable is on us!

Congratulations to the authors of the Second Darkness for its first birthday on the web!
Many happy returns of the day!

Your faithful reader toasts you with a goblet of Dushûrz-Gabhîk, the glowing green wine.

To you, Angmar and Elfhild!

Aganuzîr

Annatar's Gift · Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:08 pm

Awesome piece!
Khamul the Easterling in mortal life...
Congratulations!

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Sun Jun 12, 2005 2:20 pm

A great new chapter, Angmar and Elfhild!

I knew you were expert in dialogue, but now I see that you write place descriptions and battle scenes with the same talent.

Thank you a lot for your kind words and for explaining the meaning of my name. I figured that "uzîr" in Nimruzîr and Aphanuzîr was the same as "dil" in Elendil and Amandil, but now I am quite sure.

Now to the beard question. It is a difficult one, as Tolkien himself appeared not too interested in it. Confused smiley face

Let's take LOTR. I have searched through my E-text for "beard" just for the fun of it.
We know that Gandalf, Bombadil, dwarves, Theoden, Saruman and Treebeard had beards. We are not told whether Aragorn (or Boromir) had one. On the other hand, the statue of a king of old (Isildur?) at the Cross-roads had a beard: "The eyes were hollow and the carven beard was broken, but about the high stern forehead there was a coronal of silver and gold".
Silmarillion: Tulkas, dwarves, Hurin (what a company! Shocked smiley face

) had beards.
UT: Dwarves and Drughu
And, of course, everyone knows that Cirdan had a beard!

From UT I have got a note by Christopher Tolkien: "In a note written in December 1972 or later, and among the last writings of my father's on the subject of Middle-earth, there is a discussion of the Elvish strain in Men, as to its being observable in the beardlessness of those who were so descended (it was a characteristic of all Elves to be beardless); and it is here noted in connection with the princely house of Dol Amroth that "this line had a special Elvish strain, according to its own legends".
So I believe till very late Tolkien had not considered beardlessness as an elven character in men.

As for me, I somehow imagined Numenorean kings to be beardless, like elves. At least, while Elves were still popular, the fashion probably dictated for the numenoreans to be clean-shaven.

Angmar wrote:
>Is the Angmar in The Circles bearded or beardless? He had one
>in SD and he is in no mood to shave at this late date.

Funny, I am practically sure that Angmar's beard was NOT mentioned in SD even once! Was it? I only remember his long dark hair.

My advice for the Circles: don't mention the beard at all, follow Tolkien's example. Let people draw their own mental image.

Best wishes and many thanks,

Aganuzîr

And in the Darkness Bind Them: Vol I · Mon Jun 06, 2005 5:19 pm

I enjoy your story very much. Quite interesting POV on the Witch-King.

I liked the last chapter a lot. Telperien reminds me of Elisabeth I of England...
Please update soon!

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:33 pm

Thank you for updating. I appreciate very much the atmosphere and how well you follow the map. The description of Firien wood is enchanting. The orcs are very real.

Thank you for replying to my posts!

Angmar said
>I have gotten into endless online discussions of what the Nazgûl are -
>invisible, perfectly preserved men (which is what I go by);
>walking perpetually rotting corpses; dust or vapors trapped in
>magical clothing; or mindless zombie-like robots.

I think, Tolkien writings support your opinion. The other POV's are inspired by the PJ's movie.

The nazgul never aged or died, just became invisible. "Haggard king", white face, keen and merciless eyes,- that's how the Witch-King is described. Actually, being a "great lord of Númenórean race" he must have been Elven-fair when mortal.

About nazgul having material bodies.
It seems to me that Tolkien first conceived the nazgul to be shape-shifters. In the first drafts of the Gaffer's encounter with a nazgul the latter looked like a hobbit! Then Tolkien has written several versions of the Counsil of Erlond where all these observations about "loosing shape" and "giving shape to their nothingness" belong, and then proceeded further. In the first draft of Eowyn-WK fight, she cut off the Fell-Beast's head and that alone has caused the disappearance of the Witch-King! In the next draft, the WK remained very much alive after the death of his beast, so Tolkien must have changed his conception of nazgul's material body at this point. I believe Tolkien simply failed to correct the previous chapters.

About Gandalf in SD. I think that Gandalf the Gray was a well meaning wizard, but not exactly a god-like creature as Gandalf the White. He made lots of mistakes. Perhaps, out of kindness, he wanted to cure Madurz both of her love and her memories, but failed in the latter?

>By the way, I believe I have translated your name from Adûnaic and
>understand its meaning.

I would think so, considering that my name was inspired more by your writings than by the Notion Club Papers… Smile smiley face

I know "Agan" is death, but I am still not sure what "uzîr" means. Can you help me?

Best wishes,
Aganuzîr

The Circles: Book One: The Triumph of The Shadow · Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:52 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Angmar and Elfhild!

Angmar said

> It is fans like you that make us want to continue. In the past, some people have disliked >our stories and portrayals of the Nazgûl, but good words are like a soothing balm to >wounded pelts.

Strange, I can't imagine ANYONE disliking your nazgul. They are the most REAL nazgul you can find in all the fandom.

Please write more about them!

About Second Darkness: You know there is a gap at the beginning of the story (about Madurz and Gandalf and her meeting with Khamul). Are you planning to fill it?

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Reviews by Aganuzir