News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Chance Encounter by Dreamflower | 16 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/13/2014 |
| Soo--Beregond's judgment took place on Sam's birthday, did it? I really like this story! It's one of the stories I've copied and pasted to Word documents on my computer. I like how Pippin outsmarts those three con artists, and the birthday party the others threw for Sam! (And those are just two of the aspects of this story that I like. =)) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 9/8/2014 |
| I'm so exhausted from these weeks of helping my mom move, in constant 90 degree heat and high humidity, that I came looking for a story to whisk me away from 'real life' and into an engrossing and fun story with our beloved hobbits. Your writing is so lovely, my friend. Thank you for gifting us with so many hobbit tales. Author Reply: Thank you so, dearest! It's been hectic hectic here, too! I am so glad this tale was able to give you a well-deserved break! | |
| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/18/2013 |
| When I consider that time period in canon, it seems as if on the one hand, not much is happening other than waiting (and, as you remind us, in the case of the Hobbits unknowing, and even in Aragorn's case still not certain, the poor Man), and on the other hand, very busy, what with the aftermath of the battle, the coronation, the transfer of power, Beregond's judgment, preparations for Théoden King's resting place, the Faramir/Éowyn courtship, the finding of the White Tree, the wedding etc. I really like reading stories set in this time period, particularly if they know to incorporate these events, leave them out with justification, or know how to work around them. You have done all three superbly, teasing just a bit beyond the scope of the narrative, and yet have a fully original plot as well. But the main reason why I leave this review is that wanted to tell you how much I just adore the poem in this last chapter. I recognised it immediately, remembering reading it during the MEFAs a few years ago, so I thought I was prepared. But apparently it touched me even more profoundly this time around, because the tears were just rolling down my face from the first verse right on through to the last. It's so, so wonderful! And besides being profoundly moving, it's such a perfect encapsulation of Tolkien's philosophy in LotR, and of Galadriel's words from the movies, "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future". Meaning it is, so to speak, a treat for hearts and minds *g*! Author Reply: I too, am very fond of Post-war Minas Tirith stories, whether short or long, for the very reasons you state: a lot of important things happened, but there were also some very useful gaps as well, and so room for a few untold tales. And I thank you so much for what you say about "The Smallest Hands"; I knew I needed something very special for Menelcar to sing, and this one took more work than my poems usually do; it wasn't until I realized that one potential line had a scansion that fit "I Sit Beside the Fire and Think" that I scrapped all I had done thus far and recast it using that particular rhyme scheme. Adapting one of the Professor's own poetic formulas made the whole thing just flow more naturally for me, and I soon finished it. I like to think perhaps he was guiding me a little bit, to express his philosophy about the story. And I am especially glad that you find it emotionally moving! Thank you for your kind words! | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/1/2006 |
| I am so sorry I didn't get back to this wonderful story until now, but as soon as I got home three weeks ago, I'm afraid Real Life got in the way in a very, very sad way. However, I finally did get a chance to catch up only to find out it's all over. :o( This was such a lovely little gapfiller of what might have happened during the hobbits stay in Minas Tirith. I loved Aragorn's plan and Pippin's kick in a certain place. When I turned 13, my Dad took me down to our basement and taught me *exactly* where and how hard to kick if I ever found myself in danger. I just hope that unlike Pippin w/Boromir's lesson, I never have to use it. And no...I didn't hit my Dad when he was teaching me. He just showed me where and why and that's all!! So stop wondering. ;oD Poor Frodo and the others, wanting to go home so badly and yet not being able to. Been there myself w/a few of the hospital stays I've had over the years and it's so long and trying when you want to go home and can't for whatever reason. It's just a shame Aragorn wasn't more properly prepared for Frodo's question and they had this flareup happen. Happy they were able to resolve it though. Good thing Gandalf was there to smooth things out and talk some sense into Frodo. That stubborn Baggins... ;o) Thanks so much for this lovely story. I see this was only a prequel though. Good!! I'm looking forward to the rest of the story. :oD Looking forward to your next tale. :o) Author Reply: I have been assured by a couple of people who actually have had to make use of that bit of information that it is quite accurate, and I have had occasion to witness a couple of accidental blows landed that way as well. I really think that Boromir would have tried to give Merry and Pippin every concievable trick and advantage he could think of, to help them overcome the inevitable size differences. Ever since I first read the book in 1967, I have been mildly ticked off at Aragorn for telling four homesick hobbits they couldn't go home without giving them any good reason. This was my opportunity to make him squirm a bit for that. However, I didn't want to leave things at that, so with Gandalf's help, they were able to work it out. Sometimes I wonder, though, where JRRT's head was when he wrote certain scenes. Well, "A Different Kind of Quest" takes up the day after this story ends, although, since I wrote it long before I thought of Menelcar, he does not make an appearance. But it deals a bit more with the stay in Minas Tirith. | |
| Gryffinjack | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/28/2006 |
| Congratulations on another excellent story, my dear! You really are able to sustain a story from one chapter to the next. I don't blame Frodo for being angry with Aragorn. I understand his reasonings, but he should have given the hobbits more of a reason than he did, particularly Frodo. "Frodo looked at him incredulously, and then a bit angrily. "And if we don't wish to wait, my Lord King," he said, coldly and formally, "would you command us to?" ... "Since you wish it, my lord, I will treat it as a command." Frodo turned away coldly, his face white except for two red spots on his cheeks." I do not envy Aragorn having to suffer the cold wrath of Frodo. It is far worse than the hottest of tempers and something that I suspect kept Merry and Pippin in line more than once while growing up. Thankfully, Gandalf was there to calm Frodo down and make him apologise to Aragorn. This really was a splendid story! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/25/2006 |
| I'm not surprised Aragorn wants the hobbits to hang on until Arwen gets there. Letting them go would be like giving up hope and accepting that he was stuck with being imprisoned in the Stone City without the reward that made the thought tolerable. While all the remaining Fellowship is together, he can say to himself that there hasn't been time for her to arrive yet. Not to mention he wants them at the wedding. I hope Menelcar appears in more stories! He has an interesting perspective on both kings and hobbits. Author Reply: You are absolutely right. And of course, if they knew, they'd definitely want to *be* at the wedding--no hobbit wants to miss seeing a friend get married! I'm very fond of Menelcar, so I am sure this is not his last appearance. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/24/2006 |
| Oh, I absolutely loved this story! I really enjoyed listening to Menelcar and Pippin singing duets. I am so glad you put such emphasis on songs and singing in your world; I love music, but I am not musical, so I don't put much of it in mine, yet we know that hobbits loved poetry and songs. I especially enjoyed that last song Menelcar sang--and the last bit from his humorous tale had me rolling! :-P I have a question to ask about your poetry, but I will have to do that later because its almost time to leave for work. Frodo and Aragorn's exchange was marvelously done! Your wonderful characters are written with such clarity, your world of hobbits and Middle-earth, flawless. It blends with the Professor's epic like milk and honey in tea! I am so sorry to see this end. Well...you do have other books in your wee library. ;-) Thank you so much for a beautiful tale! Pippinfan Author Reply: I am only somewhat musical myself--I play two instruments rather badly, LOL! And my singing is only good in a group situation. But I love music, and I love the way JRRT has woven it throughout Arda--really, music brought it into being. I just wish more fic writers also put as much emphasis on it. I'm glad you liked the last song. It was one of my more difficult to write. And I thank you so much for your compliments--I am always pleased to be told that my writing blends with his, though I think it has a long way to go to be as brilliant. Thank you for reading and reviewing and for your encouragement as well. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/24/2006 |
| And so--Frodo here had figured out that for which Aragorn waits. Poor Frodo, and poor Aragorn--waiting at the end can be so difficult. Author Reply: Yes, given a few moments to reflect and put together the clues, Frodo is perceptive enough to guess. And realizing that which Aragorn waits for makes him far less importunate at waiting himself. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/23/2006 |
| Poor hobbits. They want to go home so badly, but at least Frodo understands why Aragorn wants them to wait. That should help the others to be patient also once Frodo explains it to them. Very appropriate of Menelcar to write the story of Pippin's mythic triumph over his not-so-intelligent foe as a humorous one. ;) And Pippin drastracted Frodo brilliantly, though I wouldn't be surprised if Frodo found a way of having a word or two with him. I was surprised to see this come to an end so quickly. I was ready to read another nine chapters. Author Reply: Well, Frodo is only guessing, so I don't think he would say anything to the others unless he was sure. Menelcar has seen enough of hobbits to know that they like to treat things lightly--and really it is quite hobbity to do so. Well, I had to end here, or I would have overlapped into the earlier story, that actually took place *after* this one "A Different Kind of Quest", which takes place beginning the very next day actually. Sort of a problem in writing prequels, LOL! But rest assured, you've not seen the end of Menelcar! | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/23/2006 |
| What a lovely way to end the story. That song was so beautiful. Oooh! Frodo does angry again! I often wondered what their reaction was when Aragorn asked them to stay on, but I'd never considered they might be angry. That is a very interesting thought. Poor Aragorn - I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of Frodo's temper! I'd love to have seen the wedding though! *sigh* Author Reply: I am so glad you liked the song. I wanted something special to end with. No, I wouldn't either, actually. I think Frodo does a swell angry! But, really, read the text in the book--Aragorn comes across as rather unfeeling, don't you think--Frodo tells him they are homesick and want to go home, and he tells them not yet, and doesn't tell them why? I thought it was a bit high-handed myself the very first time I read that. Perhaps another story...maybe... | |