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Light from the West  by Armariel 3 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 8/17/2006
Yes, Sam has the most beautiful soul, and Frodo should know.

The butterfly, as you know, enchants me, and I'm glad Eru sent it--or perhaps a certain sea maiden thought of sending it for Eru....

Author Reply: Ah yes, we all love butterflies, I'm sure....I guess you know that butterflies are traditionally symbols of the human soul, and "psyche" means both "soul" and "butterfly" in Greek. A friend sent me some photos of a "glass" butterfly once with transparent wings, don't know what country they are native to. Wasn't sure why I put it into the story until I remembered that bit about the glass being filled with pure light for those with eyes to see, and so forth. Yeah--I knew it was in there for some good reason!

Guess Frodo knows better than anyone else just how beautiful Sam's soul really is!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/17/2006
I do like the idea of squiggles in the hair. Lyrien and Marilen are very endearing - I'm not surprised Frodo likes being an adopted uncle to them. And Galendur's attention is being good for Dinlad. The good thing about being an elf is that they have plenty of time to grow into the elf they ought to be and outgrow the self-centredness of youth. Even the poet whose name I can't recall might manage it given another couple of ages.

Author Reply: Yes, I imagine that the advent of hobbits to the Blessed Realm might have served to make squiggly hair fashionable at least among the youth! Still, I suppose the fuddy-duddy parents wouldn't have gone in for the idea of foot hair to match!

Seems a lot of readers like my girls...I've noticed the parts in which they appear get read more than the others. It's nice to be able to provide Frodo with the kids he'll never have himself! The parts with Galendur get read more often also. Yes, I dare say he could prove to be a good influence on Dinlad...although he could maybe end up teaching him things his mother would rather he didn't know as well! Such is the fun of being an uncle/older cousin/grandpa--have fun with the kiddies and then send them back home to their parents!

Another nice thing is that the Elves grow up much more slowly than mortals, which I think is a good thing for Frodo...his elflings will still be children by the time he's ready to take his leave of the world some 60-odd years later, although how good for them that will be, I'm not sure. Maybe kids can deal with loss better than adults can, sometimes.

Thanks bunches for reviewing!

~~~{~@

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/16/2006
I love the idea of him kneeling in prayer for his Sam - what a lovely image! And so cute that the elflings wanted to have hair on their feet too. :) He is so loved...

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Somehow the idea of a tiny hobbit praying by the seashore in the moonlight just enormously appealed to me! And I suppose only kids would ever want foot hair LOL

Yes, I just had to make sure he was beloved by all...he should be compensated in some way! Must surround him with friends who just couldn't do without him until Sam comes along!

hugs
Armariel~~~{~@

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