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

Starlight at Eventide  by Ariel 10 Review(s)
EstëReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2006
This was a delight - you know you are entertaining me and teaching me at the same time. You are giving me lessons in the history of English country life. I should be ashamed really. I put it down to being brought up in London.

P.S. I have not left my e-mail address in the box above because I do not know if these reviews ar public.

Right on to the next chapter.

Author Reply: :D

The reviews are public, but it looks like the email addresses, even of those who do enter them, are not shown. They are sent to me, however, and, if you haven't gotten any of these replies, then they may be being used to send these replies back. Your choice what you want to do, though I am delighted to see you enjoying this story.

InklingReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/28/2006
This chapter makes an interesting contrast with the previous…how much more difficult it is for the husbands to have a discussion like this than for their wives!

I liked the horses too…courtship is so much simpler for them, and yet the rituals must still be observed.

Ps—thanks for your astute comments on Hyacinth…you’re quite right, reality was my goal, not likability. I’m glad you think I succeeded!


Author Reply:
LOL! My beta thought it ironic they were trying to discuss the subject while breeding horses. :D I was being subtle... hehehe! Growing up on a farm had its advantages.

MeReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/27/2006
Seems churlish of me to leave a review that has no reviewness to it.

I like the relationship between the cousins, and the way that Pippin can take the lead when necessary just as he did among the Uruk-hai. Nicely done.

I like Merry's instinctive defense of his wife and his old-fashioned blush when "the subject" is brought up.

Lovely story!

Author Reply:

*Preens*

I have to admit, these are two of my favorite chapters. The boys are definite favorites of mine. :D

MeReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/27/2006
Interesting comment about gender dynamics.

I think most of the women I write are strong. I realized that it is almost an obsession (strong female characters that is) when I deliberately made, against my own inclination, one wife somewhat weepy, clingy, wimpy, and prone to faint in emotional distress. Even she shakes her head at herself on waking. But I know women like that IRL as well so I guess it's not such a bad thing for a change.

Author Reply: Yes, yours are good too - that was one of the reasons I approached you originally - though if I get into specifics, then 'Me' will be revealed. LOL!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/27/2006
Well - its a start Pippin. At least he admits there is a problem. Now to get him to see ways to solve it - but not too befuddled with ale I hope. *g*

Author Reply:

LOL! Not too. He's a thoughtful thing though. It might take a bit of logic (from Pippin?) to get him to see what he should do next.

aprilkatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/27/2006
This is the conversation I've been hoping for. Only Pippin will be able to penetrate Merry's caution, and obviously even he is going to have to work hard to do it.

So - the Took is going to get him drunk and soften him up?

Author Reply: Hehehe! Well, not too drunk, and Merry has always been a thoughtful sort. It might take a bit more than drink to let him see the error of his ways.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/26/2006
So Merry now has to remember the way of it, does he? Poor Merry. And Diamond's realization that Merry has lost too many too close together to open easily back to his wife is all too accurate. Alas, our poor Merry.

Author Reply:
Yes, it is very much 'remembering the way of it'. Once you get out of the habit, it becomes harder to find time for it and pretty soon you wonder how it could once have been so easy... It is a slippery slope Merry is on, certainly.

SilverMoonLadyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/26/2006
Am desperately biased, I know, but I still think this story is absolutely purely delicious emotional genius!:) Beautiful!


Author Reply:

*Squee!* I can handle bias - especially when it is in my favor. ;)

I got your text msg - hope you warmed up on the way home! I was in a chat all evening or I'd have called! Better luck next time!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/26/2006
Yes, Pippin! Good for you! Merry may be older, but the difference by this time in their lives really is negligible.

Poor Merry. It's very clear he is scared to death. It's not just being afraid of hurting or harming her, is it?

I do hope he will finally open up to Pippin. He needs to.

Author Reply: I think you'll find the answer to your question (at least as Merry sees it) in the next chapter. But even he doesn't see everything, or understand totally why it is that he has responded the way he has. However, being a 'guy', he's going to look for some logical reason for his reaction.

I love writing gender dynamics. In far too many fanfics (written by women, no less) I see shallow, stereotyped and unadmirable female characters. I hope the women writing them don't really see their gender that way, but I get very tired of reading them. I wonder if people are so afraid of Mary Sues that they can't make a female character with depth, intelligence, courage and femininity. We know they exist that way in RL - the authors themselves are proof of it.

AuntiemeeshReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/26/2006
"I am sure you were most attentive," continued Pippin, trying so furiously not to grin that his own cheeks flushed, "but consider, perhaps, that wasn't the kind of 'attention' your lady wife was starting to feel the lack of?"

It can be so difficult to be delicate when the subject matter is sex, and clearly Pippin is enjoying himself rather more than he should be, lol. But he's right, Merry really does need someone to talk to, and I'm glad Pippin didn't back down when Merry snapped at him. :)


Author Reply:

Heheh! I had a ball writing Pip in this. He was saying what I probably would have (self-insertion anyone?). You don't back down when it's someone you care about.

Return to Chapter List