Just doing my reread. I love this second installment, and how it tests Link's rivalry with King Bulblin but ultimately pits him against Zelda for good. I love that everything always comes back to Link as a person, not Link as this unbeatable hero, and that Midna is always there to rescue him - in more ways than one - when he needs her to. Their love feels so natural; you seriously portray that loving relationship so well.

So, so well done. Thank you so much for writing.

I read every chapter and loved it I really don't like zelda not the game but the girl she pisses me off but I liked the story so good job and I love the couple midna x link. :-)

i love it! the only problem that bugged me to no end was that zelda saved midna in the game... why would link hate her so much before he found out she was psychotic? anyway, it was a great story. i think cincinnatus was a good symbol of how you portrayed link in this story. great writing!

okay, i just have to review before i forget: i LOVE the little summary. it reminded me oddly of the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, only the was a lot darker... and i would never read that to kids... i'd also like to say that i love your nice cliffy that will slowly eat me alive until i get back to the story. oh, and i'm glad you didn't just drop the whole "threatening Prince Ralis and Princess Zelda." i've found that a lot of authors do... great story so far!

I think you have a fantastic talent for writing, Die Schildkroten. The words are so well-crafted (I can't imagine you can write chapters as quickly as you say!) that they read as quickly and clearly and smoothly as drinking water. The plot moves well, the characters are well-rounded and believable, and you keep me wanted to read.

I have one criticism, however, and this falls to how Midna was handled. I can see why you wouldn't want to write too much of her and bring too much romance to the story, but with the amount of times Link says he loves her, I feel like it's unfounded because we haven't seen it (I know, I read the prequel as well, but I do feel we needed at least one scene in this story). Also, I think she was written a little cowardly; I can't imagine her not fighting in the battle with the bulbins. I understand it could "distract" Link and he would worry about her, but if that would truly be the case, than it would reveal that he doesn't trust or respect her as a warrior, and (biased opinion alert) I have always thought of her being a warrior as central to her identity. These could very well be my personal problems, but I do think giving Midna a role would help smooth out some of Link's rough edges and make the story feel a little more complete.

All in all, however, I very much enjoyed your story and I hope you're still off writing somewhere. Thank you for sharing your work with us!

Awesome story.

I love a lot of things about it, the Characters, the Plot, the descriptions, everything.

But, if there was ONE thing I had to say that bothered me the most, it would be the hardened demeanor of Link. Sure, after all Link has been through, after everyone he has killed, everything he has saved, he would be no saint, of course.

But I don't think that he would be so callous to outright disrespect Zelda right in front of her men, or threaten Ralis so openly, or tell Barbarossa flat out, that he could not do anything but provide little resistance, and die.

Though, I would have to say you make up for that, for those tiny moments where Link realizes what he has become, and when he flat out tells Barbarossa to retreat to live another day. Or when he has his moment of resolve, where he realizes that a year ago, he could never behead the warlord, and after that moment, he finds his resolve, with the help of Midna.

All in all, I enjoyed every word of this story.

Amazing.

You write with such FORCE! I can practically feel their fear, see what they see, and witness what they witness!

To hell with the kingdom," Link returned savagely, "and to hell with you. If you're going to stand between me and Hanch all morning I'm going to make myself some damned toast."

Midna frowned at his back. "Focus, Link. Zelda has to want something."

"I'm not thinking about that just now," said Link. "I'm thinking about toast."

FTW quotes right there!

I just realized I never reviewed this before, which was a bit of a problem for me, seeing as I rather liked this. The entire story was a bit more comprehensible than Prophesy, yet required more thought (on my part) than Moments. The best of both worlds. The ideas behind this trilogy is fascinating, though.

I'll admit, I don't know quite as much about history as I should: The stuff I learn in class goes in one ear and out the other. The fact that I cannot for the life of me recall Napoleon's story says enough (I keep getting it mixed up with Caesar's). However, when I did know them, I really loved the allusions. The ones I would recognize were the ones that related to Greek or Roman mythology/history (those two blur a bit). I an absolutely absurd amount of fun connecting the Achilles/Helen/Hector section. Always did feel Hector got a bit of a raw deal.

Purely out of curiousity though, did Barbarossa's name have more to do with the Roman Emperor, or the German operation into the U.S.S.R.?

I really liked this. The plot was engaging, the themes were thought-provoking, and the style was evocative. In general, I just think you're really good at this writing thing.

A sad and riveting sequel. I loved it.

Just so you know, I'm absolutely terrified to read the last book.

great fic. i enjoyed it.

awesome. i like your use of vocab as well as the second sentence.

very nicely done. I like it a lot.

scabardsword

QUIVErarrows

you said "until his scabard was empty