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| Stirring Rings by Larner | 12 Review(s) |
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| walkerskye | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/5/2012 |
| excellent stories! these origin tales fit just right with the Istari as we come to know them later in the Professor's tales. I do wish someone would dare to tell the stories of the Blue Wizards more, how they opposed Sauron from the East. and I wonder also, since these 5 brother Maia were sent, is it not possible that 5 SISTER maia might also have been sent elsewhere, where their tales were never recorded? To the Dwarves of the far north, and maybe even the Haradrim of the far south? I don't feel up to imagining such, but I'd love to see what you might do with it! just an idea, to play with perhaps. Again, thanks for these tales, I look forward to more like them. Author Reply: It's been fun imagining the history of the Wizards as they found themselves entering into Middle Earth and becoming part of its history. Don't know that I'll write the history of any sorceresses that might have been sent by the Valar, but one never knows. Thanks for the response! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2006 |
| Lots happened in this chapter! Oh, that Saruman could have learned from the wisdom of the Dunedain who were willing to lay down their own pride and go and be part of something else for the good of others. But, no, he couldn't do that... he'd never see doing that! Radagast gets to work right away... his love for the earth and growing things is wonderful! I wonder if he makes house calls? I could use his help! :) I really enjoyed the conversation between Olorin and Osse... the friendship they have and then the joy of the water dance that is shared - well in a way. At least Olorin understood Osse's love for it in a way that others had not. Then Cirdan immediately knowing who he was and giving Olorin the ring. Just like that... now there was a truly wise elf! He is someone else we need more stories about! I've read a few, but not enough! :) Author Reply: Saruman just isn't particularly good at being a student, much less admitting sometimes positive submission is necessary and more freeing than self-determination and trust in ones own perceived mastery and skills. I, too, could do with Radagast's help. The former tenants left a right mess here about the barn. And Osse and Olorin have an appreciation for one another. I'll try to explore Cirdan more if I can in this story. But as he remained so much there in the Havens he's hard to think of stories for sometimes. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/9/2006 |
| Olorin will listen - and he is interested in other people's replies. I'm not surprised that Cirdan recognised him as the one who would stir people to action. Unlike Curunir - arrogant is a better word for him. I wonder what did happen to the Blue Wizards?... Author Reply: Oh, yes, Olorin is quite a different animal than Curumo, I think. And the arrogance and secret insecurity in Saruman becomes more obvious. As for the Blue Wizards--they do make an appearance in the newest chapter. Hope you appreciate their appearance. | |
| Lee | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/9/2006 |
| Simply beautiful, Larner! Thank you for taking me on yet another wonderful adventure. I have always wanted to know more about the Istari, and I am sure you have a Palantir of your own to spy out the true tales of days gone by. I'm looking forward to the next chapters with joy in the knowledge that you write LONG stories :-) Author Reply: I wish I did have a palantir of my own, although our imaginations serve well enough, I suppose. And thank you so much for letting me know how well my own forays into Middle Earth are accepted. Thank you so much! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/9/2006 |
| IT was interesting to read about Radagast and Gandalf receiving his ring., Author Reply: Radagast has always been one of my favorite characters we see little of in the stories; the idea of the wizard who devoted himself to birds and beasts was fascinating to me when I was young. And how Cirdan would recognize in Gandalf his true nature and would give him the Ring of Fire just seemed so logical. | |
| Dwelf | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/8/2006 |
| Two more chapters, and already the stage is set, the characters ready to play their part. The atmosphere is already thickening, the intrigues entangled. The North of Middle Earth was a sad place to live at the time, much divided and the poorer the people and the land become for it. You know, in a few words, how to shape a land and its people. In a few words, the essential is well understood and the reader feels the atmosphere. I’ve always loved Tom Bombadil, and never really underdstood what he was doing there (in the middle of Frodo’s quest) as if Tolkien has lost something in the wrong book. But it was a very refreshing meeting for the 4 hobbits and I am sure gave Frodon some hope for what was to come. And now, through your story, I appreciate even more his presence and his importance, and of course his strange “wisdom”. Every words he says has a meaning and I can’t help wondering if when he asked Curumo if he was looking for “his brother”, it was only in reference to their old time in Aüle’s service. Your description of Curumo’s behaviour is brutal and subtle at the same time. Brutal because he is immediately unfriendly and there is no question that anybody would like him or even give him the time of day. And yet, he awakes pity in us (and I am sure he would hate that most of all). I find him and his situation sad. He is obviously lost, unprepared for his task even clumsy (his doubt about using horse is quite amusing). He is over confidant but in the wrong settings. We should not be too harsh on him; he was/is one of the most brillant helpers of Aüle, his intelligence, skills and knowledge are not matched in Valinor (now that Sauron and Faenor are gone), he was always praised and admired by all, he is a mayar so he is almost at the top of the “food chain” (forgive my expression). Noone can blame him for having a high opinion of himself. His arrogance is based on an eternity of brightness and power. And beside he volonteered for the job. Proud of saving the world without realising a second of the risks. Whereas Olorin took a long time to agree but he did it in full knowledge and with a bit of fear (I think, if I read you right). So I am not surprised as his behaviour both in the tavern with the ‘hooded man’ and in Rhuadar. I agree with your author note to Dreamflower, he mendled with other lives, did not realised it at first maybe, but can not help doing it again and again, and so maybe digging his on fall. And he cringed at the idea of bending to others, because he never had to do that and in his mind, he would never do such things, and so cannot understand why anyone would do such things willingly. Of course, I loved Olorin and his journey and his arrival to the Grey Havens. As I loved Cirdan, we never see enough of that one. He is always there like a shadow and I am sure he affected things truly and in depth, yet he is barely mentioned anywhere. And for me, Radagast is of these heroes who never received medals, but without whom victory would be a bitter word, a word of ashes. Thnak you again for allowing us to travel with you. Author Reply: I am so honored by this review, Dwelf, for you have indeed cut to the heart of the whole piece, I think. That you appreciate the clumsiness of Saruman as he tries to find (or force) his way is heartening. As Bodkin has indicated elsewhere there is too much "self" in Saruman, and he does as you point out, make a striking contrast to the greater humility of Gandalf. I agree, there was probably a bit of fear in Olorin's consideration of accepting the commission offered him. I, too, have wanted to see more of Radagast and Cirdan; at least writing fanfiction allows us all to flesh them out more fully. And thank you for indicating you enjoy going on the journey with me, wherever it take us. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/6/2006 |
| What a start for the chapter! At least Curumo seems to have had a bad conscience, if he had to tell himself this after his betrayal of Endorgil. But still, I want to kick him. Mirdunmar seems to be a sensible guy, and he is right – the permanent strife against each other was their downfall and they should stop it. If one of them would name himself King, I fear the others would fight him. Hm ... Saruman saw the wisdom in this, but couldn’t bear to see them bow their knees? *rolls eyes* Now, he was not the one who had to do this, and is proving over and again he is too proud for his own good. Olórin was *such* a contrast to Curumo! Really, Larner, even if one didn’t know the outcome, it would be obvious who is the more trustworthy and why Círdan gave Narya to Gandalf and not to Curumo. Enjoyed the story about the hat. In the end it was something like Gandalfs’s trademark, wasn’t it? Author Reply: Curumo isn't lost yet, although he's on his way. But I certainly want to kick him, too. Ventari and Mirdunmar see where their continued arguing, battling, and seeking to keeping themselves Rhuadari first will take their folk. But Saruman himself has a hard time bending the knee, and thus will have difficulty seeing others do it, particularly to others. At least we have now a reason WHY Gandalf wore his hat, don't we? Heh! Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/6/2006 |
| I love that Gandalf's first thoughts upon landing are how to encourage and nurture his sense of humor about the world. He's the only one who doesn't seem to take his mission seriously, which is probably why he was the one who Got It in the end. Author Reply: I think Gandalf took this mission very seriously, but realized he must retain a sense of humor if he is to get through it with his sanity intact. Those who take themselves and others too seriously will never get far in the end. Am so glad you're following this. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/6/2006 |
| No wonder Olorin was the one who was able to lead and inspire others. He has humour and compassion and is not too proud to accept advice from others. It is not surprising that Cirdan gives him Narya as soon as he meets him, being a very far-sighted Elf. Saruman's pride is already too well-developed and he does not have a sense of humour - dangerous traits in one so powerful...... Author Reply: Yes, Olorin's humor and compassion were his saving graces. And Cirdan's foresight has shown him this one NEEDS Narya. And you are certainly correct about the lacks that lead to Saruman's self-destruction in the end. Thanks so much for the review. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/6/2006 |
| Two Larner chapters before I have to go off for three days is a treat. So each arrives according to the way their personalities are dictating and people are already reacting to that. Saruman may be learned but he fails to see to the true heart of nobility if he doesn't understand this.... yet he could not bear to remain to see the likes of Maeleg bow the knee to another, no matter how strongly the blood of Elros Tar-Minyatar ran through his veins. But Cirdin is very deep-seeing and fore-sighted. I am always sad that we see so little of him in LOTR. Thank you for making him come more alive in your tales. Author Reply: Give my love to your family and students. And we do see differing reactions indeed to the varying personalities. None is precisely like the others, and of course they'll elicit varying reactions. Basic self-centeredness of Curumo/Saruman poorly prepares him to be empathic. Too bad the Valar didn't appreciate this truth from the beginning, save, of course, for Vaire. But she, as the weaver for the Valar, would better appreciate the end results of patterns woven than her fellows, I think. I wish I could bring more Cirdan into the stories, and am always glad when I can find reason to include him and his perceptions, which after all were described by the Master himself as being most discerning in nature. Have a good three days away. | |