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| Fostering by Larner | 51 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Eirinn Leigh | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/18/2015 |
| By far the best of your stories I have read so far. beautiful beyond telling. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I do appreciate the compliment! It was enjoyable to write so much from Bilbo's POV, I found. | |
| NotACat | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/29/2015 |
| This makes some references in your other stories make sense now ;-) Do you have a recommended reading order for your linked stories? Author Reply: I apologize for missing this comment earlier, NotACat. No, there's no particular reading order, as you'll find most of my stories follow much the same timelines and all are linked save for the AU stories. You'll find many hints in one story filled in with details in another, and reminders of happenings here in still other stories. Thank you so for your patience with me! I appreciate feedback a good deal. | |
| Soledad | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/1/2008 |
| I'm working through your stuff one by one, as you can see. ;) What I liked in this story most was the central role Bilbo played in it, especially his interaction with the Lady Gilraen. Bilbo isn't appreciated for the fantastic character that he is by half. It was interesting to see how he became the scholar that he obviously was... and a teacher, too. Author Reply: This one was supposed to be just four chapters, and then Harrowcat and Dreamflower asked questions, and the last three chapters added themselves to the mix. We know that Estel was about ten and that he and Gilraen were living in Rivendell at the time Bilbo came through; I'd read a few meetings, and wondered what Bilbo might have thought of the Man-child in this Elven haven and what a realistic reason might have been for Bilbo to turn from an inveterate reader and collector of maps into a true scholar, and this was what came out. And I wanted to explore what Gilraen and Bilbo might have thought of one another. As for Bilbo--I so wanted something that was primarily from his point of view with this idea I've postulated that there was a spiritual tie between Aragorn and Frodo, and this was what came out. This gave a valid reason why Estel wasn't mentioned in The Hobbit, at least. Anyway, must get to bed. Hooray! Daylight Savings Time is FINALLY OVER! | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/6/2007 | |
| What a lovely story! I've always wondered how much Bilbo and Frodo knew about Gollum once being a pre-hobbit, if you will, so that section was my favorite. Thank you for sharing! Author Reply: You've chosen one of my shortest and one of my longest stories to read. I'm so very glad you appreciate it. In book-FOTR in "Shadows of the Past" Gandalf is pretty clear that Gollum is related to Hobbits, an idea Frodo found revolting. The Stoors were those of the earliest Hobbits who lived in the valley of the Anduin; the Harfoots lived in close relationship to those Dwarf colonies east of the Misty Mountains; and the Fallohides lived furthest north, although as they tended to be a more wandering folk they also ranged furthest south as well, and they were associated with Elves. After the migrations westward some, mostly of Stoor descent, went back east again across the mountain chain again. Tolkien doesn't say why, so I had fun figuring out the reasons when I introduced them in "Stirring Rings," which I have yet to finish--it's 18 chapters so far, and I suspect it will be pretty long before I'm done. Having spent most of my life in sight of the Cascade Mountains and knowing the nature of rainshadows and summer wildfires east of the mountains, I just applied that knowledge to explain why the Hobbits might have migrated west to begin with. I've always felt that Frodo and Aragorn were spiritually related; certainly Aragorn would not have gained his destiny or his wife without Frodo and Sam's journey; and then there is as close a relationship between Frodo and Sam. So, I found myself one day playing, "What if..." and this story is what came out of it. Thanks so much for the comments, and I'm glad some of my stories that have been on the site for more than a year are being read again. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/25/2006 |
| I just finished reading Fostering. Yes, I love the idea of the three of them being brothers. And Starlight/Sunlight are perfect descriptions of their two personalities/essences, which you carry over into the very hue of their "Light of Being." Your writing is, as always, beautiful, and small treasures abound within your stories. I especially liked this imagery: "...his hair was somewhat lighter, as if the sun was shining on clear waters over brown pebbles." Thank you once again for a heartwarming read. Author Reply: I'm so very glad you liked it, Cookiefleck. This was one that grew rather quickly. Originally intended to be told in four chapters, it grew to seven. I've always connected Frodo with the Elven stars in my mind; and I'm so glad you also appreciate the color of the Lights of the two of them. And the closeness of Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn has always been part of my own image of the three of them. Thank you so very much for letting me know how much you enjoyed it. The last chapter of "Reunion" is now posted here, although it will take me a few days to get caught up to speed on my other sites. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/9/2005 |
| Larner! I just love this story! It is so creative and interesting in the turns it takes and in the whole idea of the story. I do feel sorry for Gilraen, after raising Aragorn and given all in doing it, she doesn't have much left in her life! I like that Bilbo sought tell her of the existence of the other two although, I think poor Gilraen is beyond true happiness at this point. Wonderful way to bring Gilraen back into the story in describing her nightmare to Aragorn. I love how you gently weave the story and how you describe the love growing between the three. Elrond calling upon Earendil to protect and guide at the end was also a lovely idea! I shall try and finish tomorrow night! MM Author Reply: Am so glad you find it so well done, MM. It was a joy to write, and definitely one of the shortest I've done. The idea of the one she still felt she would have loved best having to deal with the burden of the Ring that his brother might become King must have been terrifying, for all he was not even a Man now. And I do believe Elrond would at times have invoked Earendil; that Galadriel gave Frodo the star glass containing Earendil's Light and that Frodo invoked him in Shelob's Lair becomes even more poignant in some ways. Am still working on The Heir Apparent, as you can tell. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/5/2005 |
| Larner! I really like this chapter. I love how you sketch Gilraen's change. She has given so much and we can see the cost. From your characterisation we can really see the slow progession from Gilraen as a younger woman full of hope to the woman who eventually will say "I gave hope to the world, I have no hope for me." Gilraen's life was never an easy one. You cover her life having left Rivendell very imaginatively and I've really enjoyed reading it! It's an ared I have yet to tackle in my stories. P.S. to answer the question you asked in your review about where I was from. I was born and raised in Central California, but I spent almost 8 years going to University and working in England. Because of the amount of writing I did while I was in England, the British spellings have worked their way into my memory! My friend Baggins Babe (born and raised in London)has declared me an "honorary Brit." MM Author Reply: I've traveled extensively throughout Britain myself (LOVE YORK!!!!) and appreciate the "honorary Brit" status you have been granted. I'm so glad that you appreciate the idea that Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam are shown as spiritual brothers here, for it's an image of them I've carried for SO long. And am glad you approve of the way I show Gilraen's changes in personality. She has lived in part through her son; but in case he does not make it to the throne, she will not allow herself to see another great loss. I always felt that was her tragic flaw. And, in this version, to fear for the safety of the two who weren't born alive to her and to forsee what Frodo will undergo must be tearing her apart. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/5/2005 |
| Larner! I forgot write in the review of Chapter 1 about how delightful Estel is. I love the fact that he senses there should be others, brothers of his, to keep him company and there creates them. It is a really inventive storyline and one that I rather like! MM Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate Estel as I write him. Although I was one of four, I still had imaginary friends and an imaginary twin sister I so wanted to share my world with. I sometimes project a good deal of my own life on my characters at times. I used my childhood fascination with caddis fly larvae as a device in my first story, even. Anyway, will try to read more of yours today before I have to leave for work. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/5/2005 |
| Larner! I love the theme of this piece. It is an good wrinkle to add into the story that perhaps spiritually if not physically that Aragorn, Frodo and Sam are brothers. I like your Gilraen, she is a bit more direct than mine and actually more like I see her before Arathorn dies. Spirited and direct. I've written her as more subdued during her time in Rivendell. The conversation between her and Bilbo is wonderful. You get the feeling they are both trying to feel the other out. Interesting story! I shall read more! MM Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you appreciate it. Am trying to find time to read more of your story--yesterday was a bear, and every time I'd try to bring it up the blasted phone would ring. Get so tired of that after a while, and can't always talk on it as the computer room is also the dog room. I haven't gotten to where Arathorn dies yet in yours, so I have as yet to see how Gilraen changes in your telling. | |
| WhiteLadyEowyn | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/1/2005 |
| My dear Larner, this was a most wonderful story.. I have been reading "The Acceptable Sacrifice" as you've been posting it, as I am a recent joiner here (( and writer as well, having published a couple of things here so far )). But a very special friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this story, and I am glad he did. It moved both him and I to tears. Thank you for writing it. Author Reply: I am always flattered when someone finds a story I wrote previously and enjoys it. This was one of the stories that is just slightly AU, I suppose, but was very satisfying to read; and I'm grateful that Harrowcat inspired me to follow up on the idea I'd written in "The Ties of Family" in which I first considered the idea that perhaps there might be an even closer tie between Aragorn, Sam, and Frodo. That is has moved you and your friend is satisfying, as this is what we hope good literature will do--bring emotional fulfilment to our readers. Thank you for the great compliment you have paid me this day. | |