Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Minstrel's Quest  by Gentle Hobbit 6 Review(s)
BudgieloverReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/9/2005
I absolutely loved the hobbits coming to Farohan to commission him with the lay - so much for the opinions of Men to hobbits! And it was so wise and kingly of Aragorn to honor his master bard's decision, even if he disagreed with it. The bestest part, of course, was Merry and Pippin absolutely delighting in describing Gandalf's letter to the poor man. How odd that must have seemed to him, to reconcile those words with the savior of the world!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/7/2005
Nothing like confusing the poor minstrel with so many physical facts when he needs something more, to know the soul.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/7/2005
I love Merry's determination about all of this and the way that he has taken charge of it with the help of the others. I am glad that Farohan will get to write his lay even if it is not the main one written. I simply love this story and was happy to find more of it posted.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/27/2005
"Ah! Yes... of course." Merry faced Farohan then. "A stout little fellow..."

"...with red cheeks," said Pippin.

"Stout...?" Farohan said.

"Taller than some..." said Pippin.

"And f... no... no, he has a cleft in his chin," Merry said.


Interesting. Very interesting. And wizards never lie? I wonder what Merry and Pippin's game is here. At first I just thought that they had bonded with Farohan and didn't want a stranger coming in to write Frodo's lay - but now I'm not sure that it's that simple!

But Farohan has been commissioned by the Ringbearer's cousin to produce the lay - so whatever his master might think, he can carry on writing his lay. Hurray!

Author Reply: Merry & Pippin aren't necessarily ready to make it *too* easy for Farohan, are they! Perhaps there is still a little bit of a desire to test him, even as they are growing in their trust of him. Or perhaps there's a ribbing playfulness that comes out as teasing. Or perhaps even... no. No. That would be saying too much. But... as you said, Farohan now has his own independent commission. He is now free to continue as he sees fit. On with the lay!

illyriaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/22/2005
There's the spirit, Farohan! I'm glad Farohan didn't just give up and forget the idea of writing the lay. And I love your in command!Merry and the conversation at the stage-building site. And the two cousins descibing Frodo made me giggle! :) Thank you for this chapter. I can't wait for Farohan to meet Frodo.

Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed the recounting of Gandalf's letter! And I'm very fond of in-command!Merry too. As he said to Pippin in the Houses of Healing, the world of Men (and especially Aragorn) is "deeper and higher" than that of the Shire. Yet Farohan is now the one (figuratively) entering Merry's world where "the soil of the Shire is deep," and well does Merry know it!

I'm sorry that it has taken so long to get the next chapter out, but I hope it's worth the wait.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/21/2005
Merry and Pippin looked at each other and unspoken words passed between them. They once more faced the minstrel.

"You may have failed your master's trust, but you haven't failed ours. You asked us yesterday if there was anything that you might do for us. Both Pippin and I agree on this: we want you to write for us that lay."

How wonderful! And I can't wait to "see" Frodo through Farohan's eyes.

Author Reply: It has taken me a long time both to answer your review and to post the next chapter. I'm sorry! However, Farohan is finally able to "see" Frodo (and Sam!) in Chapter 9. At last!

Return to Chapter List