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The Unwilling by Thundera Tiger

Aug 28, 2010 17:33

Author: Thundera Tiger
Title: The Unwilling
Rating: PG-13
Theme: Two Sides to Everything
Elements: Did the Ringwraiths have free will, or was their will completely subjugated by Sauron?
Author's Notes: I'm late to the challenge, and the story itself got a little distracted from the elements as another issue presented itself. Sorry! But there is ( Read more... )

month: 2010 august, august, challenge: two sides, 2010

Comments 22

lindahoyland August 29 2010, 02:12:23 UTC

I'm not a fan of the twins, but this story had me gripped, willing Elrohir to survive. it was also interesting to see a Nazgul as an individual.A very powerful story.

One minor point;to me as a British reader, the word "Cabin" seemed very New World with images of the Wild West rather than M-e, we have huts and cottages rather than cabins.

I enjoyed this story very much.

thunderatiger August 29 2010, 02:57:20 UTC

MANY thanks for the comment and the pointer. Being a western American, I see anything from a rustic hunting lodge to a forest getaway to a farming shack and the first word that comes to mind is "cabin." I'll go edit now. I hadn't thought twice about the word. ::headdesk:: Good catch!

dreamflower02 August 29 2010, 02:18:50 UTC

Oh my! This is an intense and unexpected encounter, and a great response to the challenge, even if indirectly. But a debate with one of the Nine could never be more than oblique.

I find it telling that Elladan was more or less able to hold his own in spite of his injuries--perhaps Khamul would not have been so over-confident if Elladan had been hale and whole.

On the other hand, if Elladan had been healthy and uninjured, perhaps his foe would not have stayed his hand to play a cat and mouse game with him.

I also find the doubts Elladan has afterward both sad and realistic. But it makes me wonder if perhaps some of Elladan's words might have unsettled his opponent as well. And for a Nazgul, doubts of his Master's will could prove very painful.

Wonderful story and well worth the wait!

thunderatiger August 29 2010, 03:08:48 UTC

Well, initially the conversation was going to feature Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn, with the latter providing an outside perspective and taking the stance that the Rings were fated to either fail or doom the elves in the end. When Khamul and Elladan decided to take over the show and all other characters dropped out, the substance of the debate shortened dramatically. The essence of the original debate is still there, but it's in a much more abbreviated form.

Anyway, the circumstances needed to get Khamul and Elladan to sit down and talk were so extreme, that I think you're right: If Elladan had been whole, neither he nor Khamul would have stuck around.

As for Elladan getting under Khamul's skin, he definitely did. I didn't play it up enough for anyone to really notice, but every time Khamul got rattled, he'd deflect back to Elladan's impending doom. That was my attempt to characterize the Nazgul from the other side of the wall. :) Many thanks for the comment, for the prompt, and for all your help! You're a gem!

mrowe August 29 2010, 10:37:24 UTC

An interesting question, and a worthy answer to the challenge prompt. I definitely enjoyed this one.

thunderatiger September 5 2010, 03:23:52 UTC

Thanks so much for the comment! I'm glad you enjoyed!

curiouswombat August 29 2010, 11:27:02 UTC

What a powerful, and thoughtful, piece of writing. There was such a sense of desperation - not only from Elladan, but from Khamul too - it was clear that Elladan was getting to him.

Also, it seems to me, that he has given Elladan a lot to think about and to discuss with his father and grandmother. Perhaps it will strengthen them in their relationships with Vilya and Nenya... give them strength in the years that follow this.

thunderatiger September 5 2010, 03:25:53 UTC

I'm so glad the desperation came through in this piece. I wasn't sure if enough tension was maintained throughout the story in order to make desperation possible. As for Elladan and Khamul, those two really surprised me. They had a lot to say to one another, and they were both pretty stubborn conversationalists once they got going. They wouldn't shut up and let me end the story! And I agree with you that they've given each other much to think about. Thanks for the review!

ceshaughnessy August 29 2010, 14:05:29 UTC

Wow, I really enjoyed this story! So riveting, and I loved the dialogue and interaction between Elladan and the Nazgul. Amazing use of your promtpt, too! Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Thundera!!!

thunderatiger September 5 2010, 03:27:52 UTC

Thanks so much for the comment! I'm especially glad you liked the dialogue. I've never written dialogue for a Nazgul before, so I wasn't sure how to portray that convincingly. They don't speak much in the books, either, but when they do, they're pretty eloquent. And they make a lot of threats, too, which can easily run afoul of megalomania. But I had fun, anyway. Thanks again!