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| Stirring Rings by Larner | 9 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/17/2012 |
| This was a difficult chapter to read. What a horrible battle, but aren't they all horrible. My heart broke when I read what happened to Marco. How very, very sad. He was a true hero. Author Reply: We know that those who marched out to support Arvedui did not return, and hard as it is to do, I have to address this. Yes, Marco was a true hero, one to whom much was owed. But I sincerely doubt that Angmar would have been merciful to one such as he, not even as small, helpless, and endearing as a Hobbit is capable of appearing. Indeed, it must have given the Witch-king particular satisfaction to "punish" him for his temerity in standing with the King of Men of the North. But I am certain that the Hobbits must have stymied him from the first, and I doubt he would begin to appreciate just how spiritually strong they were. | |
| curiouswombat | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/13/2012 |
| Oh what a sad, brave, ending for Marco of the Marish. A chapter that held me enthralled from start to finish. Author Reply: We know only one of those who left the Shire ever returned. How difficult that must have been for Bucca. Thank you so, CW. | |
| Eluthaun | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/13/2008 |
| This body of work has brought me immense pleasure! Nothing delights me more than to see the family dispute between the Baggins and the Sackville Baggins fleshed out as it was in this account. I was also -in particular- impressed with the notion of the wizard-staffs- of how the greater potential and memories of the Istari were stashed within- only able to be sifted a few notions at a time. I also feel you have truly understood Tolkiens great theme: that pride is the greatest downfall of all, and possibly the root of all evil. I loved seeing Tolkien's world wielded so lovingly and deftly! I wait eagerly for the next installation! Author Reply: I am honored. There had to be a reason why each staff was specific to the Wizard; and if they were indeed Maiar, then it only made sense that if they were to appear as mortal men somehow there had to be some kind of limiting factor to keep them from easily converting back. With the staves serving as a sort of repository for much of what they knew as Maiar that would be inappropriate for Men to know, this solved that problem. I'm so glad you believe this idea serves the purpose well. Hubris has always been the downfall of great ones. Again I am honored, and thank you so for the feedback. Hopefully no other chapters will take eight months to finish! This last one was most stubborn! | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/11/2008 |
| How dreadful for Buccan - and poor brave Marco. It is horrifying to think of hobbits being tortured and killed by the forces of Angmar. I loved the glimpses of our beloved hobbits' ancestors, especially Holmwise Goodchild. I see a lot of Sam in that one! And how typical of a Baggins to be carrying a book! Author Reply: I agree, Babe. We know that Bucca alone of those who marched out to the service of Arvedui returned home again, although in my version he will have a younger companion who will go on to the Northfarthing when all is finished with Bucca's homecoming. We know Bucca was an ancestor of both the more modern Tooks as well as the Oldbucks-cum-Brandybucks; he'll be bringing back a wooden duck and a sword.... And, indeed, trust a Baggins to be carrying a book! Heh! I decided to base it on one of the styles of books that Tolkien indicated in The Hobbit was favored by Hobbits. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/8/2008 |
| Eeek - hobbits killed and tortured by Angmar's minions! A harrowing chapter, and not just for the poor, brave hobbits. I hope you write more of this engrossing story soon. Author Reply: I hope nothing I write ever is so terrifyingly reluctant to be written as this last chapter proved to be! It took ages to get it done, for it refused to flow until yesterday. For weeks at a time all I seemed able to get would be a single paragraph or sentence or phrase. Finally, yesterday morning, the rest came and allowed itself to be finished, but not until I'd removed a paragraph and started rewriting it--then at last I could finish those last five pages. It was SUCH a relief! As for the Hobbits--it appears that Bucca was the only Hobbit to come out of the Shire to Aranarth's relief to return to it. It's a rather horrible situation, I admit. Now, to get back to both of the epics, as the next chapters of both rely somewhat on one another. | |
| shadowfax | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/8/2008 |
| Wow so you updated at last!!! This was another great chapter....and how you have nicely shifted the pov from Gandalf to Bucca of the Marish! The siege Fornost was nicely done and the despair and helplessness as well as the faithfulness of the Hobbits very nicely shown. Poor Marco....what a cruel death even though it does add to the emotional element as we feel Bucca's horror! Please do continue soon! Author Reply: This has proven the most stubborn chapter I've ever tried to write--except for the original story I've written parts of for years, and have been trying to make into a believable whole at last. This was definitely Bucca's chapter, as will be the next as well. To see Annuminas razed and Fornost taken must have been horrible for the men of Arnor and all their allies! Yes, too cruel a death for Marco; but he's shown just how enduring the Hobbits can be. Am working on the next chapter, although I do have a couple of commitments I'm seeing to along with that one. I hope no future chapter might get stuck in transit as this one did. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/7/2008 |
| Ohhh, how unutterably tragic. War is bad enough, but knowing that hobbits were involved is just heartbreaking. At least everyone now knows their worth. Author Reply: Oh, I know--the thought that some of our guys' ancestors fought and died in this war is rather sad in many ways. But these have indeed proven the capabilities of Hobbits. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/7/2008 |
| Oh, how sad! Poor Bucca, and brave Marco! This was a real action packed chapter, Larner. You did so well with the battles and the fighting--that's always a hard thing to write, I find. But you kept things fairly clear and easy to understand. So, we see one of Sam's ancestors, eh? I love his fascination with the Elves--something he'll be handing down to his descendants. Author Reply: I am honored, Dreamflower. Am so glad you feel it was easy to follow. And, yes, we have one of Bilbo and Frodo's and one of Sam's ancestors. And yes, we start seeing some family trait. At last--this chapter has taken SO long to write! I'm so glad to get it done so hopefully I can get onto the next chapter! And it was sad to write about Marco. | |
| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/7/2008 |
| Another chapter! At last! *throws confetti in the air* This was wonderfully grim, if you know what I mean. The details of who the Shire sent, and just how useful and loyal they were - cleverly written and with a gruesome reality. Nicely done. Author Reply: At last I managed to get this chapter finished. It was such a relief. Am so glad you felt this felt realistic. Thanks so much! | |