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Jay's Drabblets  by Jay of Lasgalen 6 Review(s)
elliskaReviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/14/2006
I love the idea that Gandalf had a hand in seeding the tree that he later led Aragorn to find. What a clever idea and a great drabble!

Author Reply: I got to wondering how the tree got there, and how Gandalf knew. After that, it was obvious! Glad you liked this.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/7/2006
A very likely scenario. Very likely. Especially considering that the White Tree seems to have a character of its own - rather like a living dowsing rod for regality. A nice icy pocket of earth and it can sit and wait out the Long Winter, while the Stewards rule in the White City.

Author Reply: The White Tree does seems rather ornery - it produces a seed once in a blue moon, which will germinate perhaps hundreds of years later. It doesn't seem a good policy for efficient reproduction. It's a bit like pandas.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/6/2006
And how long did it take to bring the one to find that seedling where he'd planted it so long before? Lovely.

Author Reply: Gandalf's a long-term planner. He knew the king would return one day, and this was a way to guarantee there would be a tree to symbolise the renewal.

Thank you so much for reviewing so many drabbles at one go!

DotReviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/6/2006
Oh, this is interesting! It makes perfect sense to me. I love the idea of his utter faith that the time will come for it to be found. I’m always full of admiration for your skill with drabbles and there’s a wonderful atmosphere of secrecy and silence and reverence and expectation in this one.

I must catch up with the rest of your stuff this weekend. And a very happy birthday to you for tomorrow! :-)


Author Reply: There's an element of long-term planning in many events in Tolkien, I think. Gandalf needed to be sure that whatever happened in Minas Tirith, there would be a White Tree to symbolise Aragorn's reign.

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/6/2006
Well, of course, *that* makes sense!

Author Reply: Gandalf obviously knew the tree was there. To me, that meant he'd planted it. The trouble is, I still don't know why!!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/6/2006
Mmmmm, nice. One thing you can say about folks in Middle-earth (Gandalf, Aragorn, etc.)... they really show great patience when it comes to long looked-for events finally arriving.

Author Reply: Yes - there was a lot of long-term planning in many parts of Middle Earth history. It's as well that some of the characters lived long enough to see them to fruition!

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