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A Cat in King Elessar's Court  by Agape4Gondor 7 Review(s)
Episcopal WitchReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/17/2008
This chapter settles it; I'm officially in love with the Cat. (I hope he will forgive me for not using a capital "C" in previous reviews.) I'm not surprised to learn from your responses to my reviews (what fun to hear from the author - thanks!) that the Cat is based on actual cats. He's so real!

Hmm...communicating by telepathy? Or does Denethor understand the language of meows?

I have a strong mental image of the Cat nestling in Denethor's arms...this story is casting a poignant light on the Steward. And poor little Cat--if Gondor equals Denethor to him, he's in for a rough time ahead. I hope he makes himself known to Pippin...someone else to scratch him behind the ears....

Author Reply: The Cat officially accepts your love... He will take all offerings - just send them via Agape's addy.

From Unfinished Tales: Queen Beruthiel used the cats as spies in order to learn the secrets that the people of Gondor wanted to keep hidden so that she could have an advantage over them. She was able to speak with her cats or read their minds in order to learn what they had discovered. Unfinished Tales: "The Istari," p. 401-402 note 7 and my fav research site: http://www.tuckborough.net/animals.html

Tolkien says she could 'speak with her cats or read their minds.' I've had the speech part lost over the years; the Cat can read people just because of his long life and experience and 'heightened' mental capacity (his words - not the scribes!) However, Denethor can read the Cat's mind. In a future chapter... the Cat is so 'livid' that his thoughts fly like radio emissions and are picked up by all who are near him!

Scratching is allowed, the Cat says, by readers also... Just stick out your hand....

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2008
Sorry I'm late with this chapter.

Bless her heart, liking Peregrin Took! He is such a likable lad. And how sad that she remembers Denethor's smile as being like the ones he smiled before his wife died. *sigh* He smiled too few of them afterwards.

Wonderful Agape!!!

Author Reply: Hi, Pearl! Thanks so much for the 'wonderful' - it is most appreciated!

As for Alqualonde - he is well able to pick and chose his friends. As all cats do. No dogs for Denethor! LOL

TariReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2008
Why couldn't a cat cry? This is Middle-earth. I love this little guy so much he almost makes me want to get a cat. Almost, but not quite. There are no cats like him.

I shall have to keep looking for new chapters since SOA doesn't alert us to new posting.

I look forward to the next chapter.

Author Reply: Oh Tari! I'm finding the same yearning.... I can't - the kids wouldn't be able to visit - very allergic!!!!

And SoA does send alerts - look around - you'll see how.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2008
There's no question that animals can grieve. They may not think precisely as we do, but we share so many feelings.

Author Reply: My own dog went into such deep mourning when my husband passed away that I had to get another dog to keep her company. So, yes, I believe they have feelings... the tears were the problem. Most folks think that it is because of a piece of dust or dirt or some such in the eye that causes this phenomenon. I'm thinking that perhaps they really 'can' cry.

Thanks for the comments.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/2/2008
I was so relieved that the cat finally got his supper! It's lovely to see his admiration of Pippin and how he communicated it to the Steward.

Author Reply: I loved how Denethor reacted. He seemed, in the book, to be slightly taken with the Took at their interview... I just carried it a little further!

And yes - Alqualonde thanks you for your concern where his well-being was at risk. He too was grateful for the feast!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/2/2008
I adore cats and I completely approve of tears as a show of emotion for your darling cat. Besides, I have a feeling this is a very unique cat and with cats that's saying much. This line was so true to the breed, (I loved him, in my own way.) And so they do. Denethor is very lucky in his friends.

Author Reply: Ah! Bless you, GW... Denethor needed more friends like Alqualonde to get him through the War of the Rings - which started for Gondor back an age!!!

InklingReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/2/2008
This is a fun read, Agape! I like this hard-working feline with a "great knowledge of Middle-earth’s history." And your note on cat tears cracked me up...it's the kind of thing I would have obsessively researched too! (What I really wonder about is the drooling hedgehog!) Well, this is a special cat so why shouldn't he have the gift of tears as well?

Author Reply: I am an inveterate researcher - which somestimes drives me up the wall. Alqualonde was quite content with me just posting that he was led to tears - however, I had to make sure there might be a 'possibility' that cats actually did cry real tears! And the hedgehog... well, you can decide for yourself on that one!

Thanks for the comment! Most appreciated.

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