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Keep Alive the Memory by Celeritas	10 Review(s)
Beatrice	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/17/2010
Wow, what a beautiful ending. I have to be honest: I teared up more times than I can count since my last review. This story has been very powerful and should pull on the heart-strings of any fan that feels a connection to Middle Earth and a desire to see and experience that which is impossible. You've conveyed that love and pain of a world that is gone and impossible to attain perfectly; I look forward to reading the sequel. Well done! Author Reply: Oh, gee. is abashed Thanks a lot!

Kara's Aunty	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/14/2009
Hello Celeritas, Ah, the end of the tale. Such a pity. It was a fascinating journey, following the Shire's future generations as they coped with (or ignored) the deeds of their ancestors. Kira's newfound ability to read and her ensuing struggle to come to terms with her friends' rejection of this gift and the knowledge it provided her was a turbulent literary ride that left smiling, frowning and dying to take a swing at Tom. I'm so pleased the lass got to meet Legolas and Gimli, it was something she deserved after all she's been through. And her little tour of the sights important to the Traveller's tale was very poignant. At least she has a precious relic of Frodo that no one can take from her (although I'm not sure that she shouldn't have shared it with the rightful owners - still, she's been on a heck of a journey and her emotions have been all over the place, so perhaps that can be forgiven). Thank you for this bittersweet story. It was a very interesting and entertaining take on Fourth Age Hobbits! M ;) Author Reply: Oh, believe me, it ain't over yet! grin But Kira's as much on the road to recovery as she's going to be, so I had to leave her to it. I completely agree: Kira deserved to meet Legolas and Gimli after all of that! It should be a memory that helps her when things get tough. The poem will continue to feature in the sequel as well. You may or may not be onto something. Thank you for your lovely and faithful reviews, and I'm sorry for putting your emotions through the wringer! ~Celeritas

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/7/2009
I had to leave this and think about it before I could come back and do a review. Much as I liked this tale - and I really did think it well-written - I still quibble (in my own mind) with pieces/parts of it. Tom's betrayal comes to mind. It astounded me. And I don't think it's because of the way it was written - but because he did it. If that makes any sense. I've been betrayed a number of times and the hurt is beyond coping sometimes. I'm sorry our little heroine had such happen to her. I still cannot understand her capitulating to his needs. But as one of your reviewers states, perhaps she has more diplomacy than I do. She must! : ) I also had a difficult time with the loss of her dreams... not the nightmares - but her dreams of further reading. It touched me deeply. One of the hardest things about life is when it attacks so viciously that one is left in a deep pit with no dream left - oh my! That is, to me, the most grievous of wounds. Dear Fiondil and I have spoken often of it. Character building - Yes... but horrific and scarring - Yes. If you had ended it with the first part only - I would have been sorely disappointed. BUT - you gave us the treasure of THE meeting. And though I would have dearly loved to have had Kira's mom meet these two (and still wish she did) at least Kira did, and I can only think that there was a measure of healing brought about by this meeting. In fact, I am sure there was healing, for I don't think she would ever have gone off to Hobbiton by herself without this meeting. Again - a wonderful tale - not always easy to read - but nonetheless - gripping. Author Reply: You're well within your rights to quibble; I know from talking with some of my earliest readers that this is a really difficult story and I'm still astonished that I did some of the things I did in writing it. I, for one, still have difficulty not so much with Tom's betrayal as that I created a Shire in which such a betrayal was possible. But Kira's truce with Tom was an act of necessity, and made more so that she wouldn't have to deal with Tom every time she saw him than that he would feel somewhat happier. I think she realizes that Tom is a horrible, selfish little brat, but more importantly that he doesn't see it that way; and that's been one of the most difficult--and most sense-making--realizations I've had any number of times that I've been hurt (especially when I was younger). Kira, fortunately, has learned her lesson at a much younger age than it took me, which will help her out a lot when it comes to dealing with so many different and difficult people in the upcoming years. If she is more kind, diplomatic, and forgiving than you or I would be, I'd like to hope that that's because she is, after all, a hobbit, which creatures seem to have their heads screwed on a lot more tightly than ours (though there are obviously exceptions!). Kira's dreams of further reading have only been abrogated, not abolished. She may not be able to read anymore from libraries, but that's just a temporary decision (even if Mr. My-Grandfather-Would-Disown-Me Took wants to make it permanent). She has to hope for that because it's the only thing she has. And there are other ways of getting around the Ban. THE meeting, yes. That and the poem. I couldn't end the story on a sad note; it wouldn't be true to Tolkien otherwise. And forget about Kira's mom--I want Tom to see them--and hopefully an engraving of the expression on his face. But yes, Kira is starting to heal. Only time will tell if that is brought to completion or not. I'm sorry that I've stuck you with a "difficult" story; I can only hope that by the end of the sequel all or almost all is made better.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/7/2009
So, the story is finished. An not on an entirely happy note for a rabid bibliophile such as me. I know one likely outcome of this. Kira is likely to develop a will of the finest steel, and probably also a velvet covering of diplomacy – if perhaps not outright dissimulation – to veil it. She knows by know some of what she wants in her life. And she _also_ knows that if she shall have those things, she will have to acquire those things all by herself. And that few – if any – are likely to help her. Instead, it is more likely that she will meet both overt and covert opposition. I am reminded of the children of immigrants who want to be a part of Norwegian society, and don't want to be mired in the medieval customs of their parents' homeland. They must often make some very hard choices. A bitter sort of knowledge for someone so young. Another likely outcome has to do with trust. A delicate plant at the best of times, and with what she is likely to see as Tom’s personal betrayal of her, and also what can be seen as the more general betrayal of their offices by the library keepers, is it likely to take root in Kira at all? At best I fear it will be a stunted and sickly growth. There is one small gleam of hope for her now, as I see it: The old Mayor and his son. Perhaps they will be able to nourish the delicate seedling of trust until she is old enough to control her own life. As for Tom – I don’t think he will ever be able to understand what he has destroyed: Kira’s trust in him, as well as any possibility of real friendship from her. She may keep up the _appearance_ of fellowship and friendship, but anything more is a vain hope. Though I am not sure at all that Tom is able to distinguish between that illusion and the real thing. Daffodil and Roly may perhaps know that they have lost _something_, and perhaps they may even understand something of _what_ they have lost – though if they _do_ understand, I am also quite sure they will do their best to avoid thinking about it. It is, after all, uncomfortable knowledge. The story ended with a faint note of hope with the poem, though. Perhaps Kira will indeed be able to keep the memory alive. Author Reply: No, the note at the end isn't entirely happy, but that's what sequels are for, right? Kira certainly does have a certain "dual citizenship" right now, which will lead to a lot of difficult choices. You're spot on with the steel will and the velvet diplomacy: she will have to learn, very quickly, how to tactfully deal with other people if she wants to stay sane. But she does have a support group, albeit a very limited one. You've already mentioned the Gardners; the younger generation among the other families (namely, Kerry, Sandra, Merina) also appear to be on her side in spirit. But yes, it's going to be tough. Trust is a very peculiar sort of thing, and in this case it's tied very closely to mercy and estel (both of which latter qualities seem to come much more naturally to hobbits than they do to men). Kira certainly knows that she has no actual friend in Tom or in the library keepers, but does that mean that they'll never change? And even if not, should she deny them the chance? Tom has deluded himself on a number of things and although I think he knows that Kira will always be irked at him in some way I don't think he realizes that he's actually lost something. Faint note of hope indeed. I know that this story is a tragedy, but it wouldn't be right if it didn't have some sort of eucatastrophe at the end, even if it's a meager one.

Virtuella	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/7/2009
"I have heard Men say that our focus on what was has made us unable to adapt to what is, or to look to what may be, and that is why we must diminish" Ah, interesting point. That was a really good passage, the meeting with Legolas and Gimli. And it is great to see how much Kira has grown and how determinded she has become. I can see her in the future, just like Bonnie said, with the ink flowing through her to record all that is left of the Third Age. This has been a fascinating story, thank you so very much! Author Reply: Yes, I love what Tolkien has to say about the Elves (especially in the Silmarillion) and why, as embalmers, they must fade in the face of Men. Kira has grown, quite a bit for her age, hasn't she? I'm looking forward to people's reactions to her when more time has gone by. You're very welcome, and thank you for reviewing so faithfully! ~Celeritas

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/6/2009
This is a wonderful story! I don't normally read hobbitfic, but this absolutely showed the Shire's nature. I find it sad that the Red Book was destroyed shortly before Aragorn died. Once Legolas and Gimli leave (as they obviously will soon), there won't be many alive who remember the truth of what happened. That is the saddest part of all. I love that Kira found that poem and decided not to turn it in to those who would just lock it up, never to be read. Your explantion of how it got where it did makes wonderful sense. I am quite looking forward to the sequel! ~ Indy Author Reply: "I don't normally read hobbitfic, but..." That is a very, very high compliment! Thank you so! Re: your second paragraph. That was one of the main thematic/moodish elements to this story, indeed to all of my manuscript ficcery. I specifically chose to set this tale around Aragorn's death so that I could get that whole dying-of-a-generation aspect that surrounds so much of our own history as it turns from memory into myth. It's very sad, but it's a part of life. Fortunately we have people like Kira, Kerry, and Sandra (all part of the first generation of "fans": those who did not know the Travellers but still love them) who still know what happened, even though they're removed from it by time. I love that Kira found that poem, too; though I hope that eventually she does give it to someone else and not fall into the same error as those she "saved" it from. I'm not entirely sure when I'll start putting the sequel up, but I'm hoping within a month or less. Expect much more irregular updates, however, as this story still hasn't reached its first draft yet.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/6/2009
Oh, that poem! Poor Frodo, and the wreck of his heart and hopes left by both the actions of the Ring and its loss! And she gathers, then, the Adventures of Tom Bombadil? Perfect, to bring back the feelings of wonder and awe that appear to be abndoning many of the Hobbits of the Shire now that their greatest exemplar born to the land is so long gone from it! Yes--to return Frodo's gifts to the Shire is now her task! Lovely! Now, to read your author's notes! Heh! Author Reply: Yes, that poem. Well, as far as I can tell Tolkien gathered the Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Given Kira's relationship with the people who have all the books right now I can't say how the poem managed to get itself into a copy of the Downfall (much like Trekkies vs. Trekkers, I like to have these "early" fans use alternative titles for the works), but it must have eventually or else we wouldn't have gotten it. But I do think that the raw emotionalism and bleak despair of the poem is one of the few things that has a chance of snapping the Shire back into reality.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/5/2009
I'm just sorry that Kira's friends didn't get a good look at the night visitors; but at least Kira was able to meet not only an Elf, but the Elf of the Fellowship, as well as Gimli. I would like to see that poem. It's been a fascinating story; and I'm ready for the sequel! Author Reply: Yes, I would have dearly given a good deal of money to see the expression on Tom's face if he had seen Legolas and Gimli. XD I'd love to see that poem as well, in its original form with handwriting and all (drool) but it is a real Tolkien poem and can be found in Adventures of Tom Bombadil under the name "The Sea-Bell." Thanks so much for following along and reviewing!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/5/2009
I can forgive you just about everything else you put Kira through: you let her meet Legolas and Gimli! That had been one of my fondest hopes from the time the story began, but I scarcely dared to mention it, lest my hopes be dashed. The two of them were beautifully in character, and having read the Book, it was no wonder Kira instantly recognized them. I also think that Kira has matured a great deal, in her ability to forge a truce with Tom. It's a hard thing to do, when a friend has broken friendship, and yet will not admit to being at fault--to overlook it and go on graciously. I know from sad experience that he has forever forfeited her trust. Forgiving does not always mean forgetting, contrary to the old saying. I still have hopes of Tom finally learning how wrong-headed he has been, and of realizing exactly what he ruined. (And while that might or might not include the Book, I am mostly talking about Kira's faith in him.) I very much am looking forward to the sequel, especially if it means revealing some of the reasons that the Proudfoots are so estranged from the Brandybuck side of the family. I also hope we will get to see Kira vindicated in some way, to her friends and her mother and the others who have used "good intentions" to squash her hopes and beliefs. Author Reply: grin Yeah, that encounter was a wee bit implausible but I decided to indulge my fangirlish side for once. Kira definitely needed to see for herself some sort of concrete proof that she was right and everyone else was wrong, so I had to put something like that in there. Very glad you thought they were IC, as well. I always get a bit nervous when writing canons, especially ones that I don't know quite as well. Well, one of the forms that I borrowed from for this whole tale was the "coming of age" genre that used to be so popular. Kira's truce with him shows that she realizes that some things in life you just can't avoid, so it's best to make it as easy as possible. But no, she's not going to forget, and she won't forgive him unless/until he actually says he's sorry (and not just for hurting her!). Till then, she'll at least tolerate him. We all have hopes concerning Tom, from his getting sense beaten into him quite literally to a full repentance and out-and-out romance (I will not, of course, say if I agree with this latter hope). I'm still very much in the exploratory stages of the Proudfoot side of Kira's family and how close/distant they are from the Brandybucks (we really haven't seen enough of them to say). But the reasons that Kira's mother doesn't like either, I hope, are fairly evident: they encouraged her father to overwork himself, which rather than building his strength shattered it. She blames them for his death.

Esquire_of_Rohan	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/5/2009
Wow! This was an excellent story. Very well writen. I love it! Author Reply: Thank you so much! I hope (soon) to be able to put up (and hopefully complete) its sequel, which advances the plot of the story about twelve years and touches on the same themes.

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