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I Entulessė (The Return)  by MJ 4 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/26/2010
Now, THIS would be terribly disconcerting, to watch Gandalf so quit the body in which he has spent so long! Frodo must be appalled!

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/20/2010
What a place to leave a chapter! There have been hints of this 'end' for Gandalf, but I am hoping that the death of the mortal body of the Grey Wizard is only the first step of a return to the immortal body and fully returned memories/capabilities of Olorin, and that Frodo's dream at the very beginning was a presage of it. I do expect that Gandalf had a few mixed feelings about dying again, though. I hope it is resolved quickly, because if not the Valar are going to have a couple of very upset hobbits to deal with.

The other thing that struck me in this chapter is the tone of the very beginning paragraph, and how it reminds me of the description of Frodo's reaction to Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien. An intentional parallel?


Author Reply: You know, I'm not entirely sure if it was an intentional parallel or not. I first wrote this story almost eight years ago (which is much more recent than "The Awakening," which was first written in 1992 when I was painfully bored at work :)). At the time, I was still making somewhat conscious efforts to skew my style more toward Tolkien's, and I had been reading LotR at least once a year since 1964. So it's entirely possible that a parallel with Cerin Amroth was at the very least lurking in the back of my mind, though I don't recall that it was conscious. I do see your point, looking at it now, and maybe it was just my Muse, Dementia, busily at work in the background. Thanks for pointing it out!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/20/2010
Oh my, what a fascinating assembly. I am glad that the light and voices of these grand beings aren't too much for hobbit eyes and ears, and each bearer is honored in a way that makes my heart happy. I look forward to future chapters.

Author Reply: Ah, I see you got to the third chapter after all. :) I couldn't imagine that the Valar would not have wanted to thank the Hobbits directly, and would have presented themselves in ways that their guests could both tolerate and appreciate. Thanks for the review!

Erulisse (one L)Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/20/2010
What a cliffhanger. You have come upon the stage as a shooting star. You are presenting well written, well researched, and beautifully envisioned stories and I am looking forward to the other 15 chapters of this tale and any others that you may have to offer. Not since Clodia wrote so stunningly have I had a new author whose works I have enjoyed as much. Le hannon.

- Erulisse (one L)


Author Reply: You're welcome, Erulisse. I'm kind of an old shooting star (57, been writing one way or another for about 50 of those years, got about 40 novels and more under my belt), so I've had a lot of practice. :) I also have to admit that I deliberately decided to end the first batch of chapters with that particular one because of its cliffhanger ending. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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