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

The Minstrel's Quest  by Gentle Hobbit 10 Review(s)
BudgieloverReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/9/2005
Oh, sweet Pippin! I could so here him joining the conversation, just as you described it, and then being put out so the journey would be bearable. Good for Pippin, terribly frustrating for the reader who wants hobbits! I also enjoyed the minstrel's musings on Frodo's name. I've often thought it was an odd name and wondered at Professor Tolkien's choice. It seems out of place among names like Merry and Pippin and Sam, and it was interesting to know that someone else muses over that, too.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/7/2005
It is little by little, I see, that he begins to learn.

CreashunsReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/20/2004
This is such a lovely tale! I am joying it so much!
Thank you for sharing it!!

Author Reply: You're welcome. I'm glad you like it.

TatharReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/19/2004
Ohhhh, this is excellent! First of all, I love minstrels in general, and secondly I too have always had a fondness for the unnamed minstrel who sang the Lay of Frodo. Your idea is so creative - I would never have thought of it. As Frodo is my very favorite hobbit, I just love hearing the rest of the Fellowship telling of his trials and courage to this loveable, curious minstrel. And to travel along with Farohan through your beautiful writing style just makes it come alive.

Marvelous, I can't wait for the next chapter!

Author Reply: Thank you for your lovely review! Writing is going rather slowly at the moment for a variety of reasons, but I enjoy creating Farohan's story very much. And as Frodo is also *my* favourite hobbit, I love writing about him in this different way. It gives me a chance to examine the character in a new way.

maya_arReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/19/2004
Hello,
This is a lovely idea for a story, and I'm enjoying the way you're writing it. Looking forward to future chapters!
cheers,
Maya


Author Reply: Thanks! The idea for this story is one that I've had for a long time, and I'm very fond of it. I am just so surprised that no one else has done it before (at least that I know of).

trishetteReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/19/2004
Beregond was quite right in marking hobbits as very fond of food judging by Pippin! The poor growing tween, living on rations considered meager even by Men! I cannot wait until your next chapter comes out.

Author Reply: Thank you! Beregond certainly is quite observant, I think. And I'm halfway done the next chapter, but unfortunately "real life" is interfering at the moment!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/18/2004
I am enjoying this very much. Look forward to more.

Author Reply: Thank you! I hope to have the next chapter finished before too much time goes by...

songspinnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/18/2004
I am enjoying this immensely. The power of music and of musicians is captured nicely here (and I don't just say that as a musician ;). Having Pippin and Beregond traveling together was a nice touch - I wondered if that was by choice or by way of a smart healer... Wonderful descriptions of how hobbits must seem to those outside the Shire. I look forward to the next part.

Author Reply: Thank you! I suspect that the placing of Pippin and Beregond in the same wain was a bit of both. Smart healers know what will bring comfort and encouragement to the wounded, and if there were any choice in the matter, I am sure that either Beregond or Pippin would have asked for the same wain.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/18/2004
I guess many armies take some sort of musician into battle, even if it's just a bugler. I had never thought about why though. I like the idea that after the battle the harper is useful for distracting those in pain.

Author Reply: It seems natural, doesn't it, that the harper has more roles than that of writing and playing lays for the general audience. While a bugler may not be able to provide calming music, a harp is almost always soothing.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/18/2004
What a wonderful story. Yes, even Frodo's very name would sound strange to someone from Gondor! But a minstrel must weave everything together, no matter how strange on the tongue.

This is such a great description of hobbits:

"Quick to laughter and good cheer ... Hardship was uncommon to him. ... Yet he did not hesitate to fight."

Author Reply: I loved writing the part with the musings over Frodo's name -- something a little different from the story around it.

Return to Chapter List