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| The Gardener by meckinock | 13 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2015 |
| But it will still matter that you were there. What a perfect thing to say. This is a wonderful conversation. Author Reply: Thanks, Shirebound. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2015 |
| What really impresses me about this is how your characters talk about deep feelings in such a genuine way. Their tone and words are honest. That's hard to achieve. I really liked the link between gardening and being a guardian. I never thought much about how being a gardener would shape or maybe just reflect Sam's way of looking at the world. Great story, meckinock. I've missed reading your stuff. Author Reply: I've missed reading my stuff, too. I don't know where the gardening stuff came from. I started out thinking Elrond knew you can't always save the ones you love. Gardening - maybe it's just what I do, hehe. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/22/2015 |
| Your writing has a such a smooth, natural rhythm to it. I'm looking at it and wondering how you do it. Anyway, I was enjoying the lovely opening - and it is a very lovely description of the Last Homely House - when I got to this: In his long life he had made many hard decisions, passed many death sentences, but nothing like the one he passed today. He wondered if there would ever be a time when he did not have blood on his hands. And then I got goosebumps. I think what I like most about this whole piece is how Elrond is aware of what this quest means. There is no doubt in his mind that there's a very real possibility that any one, or all, of them might not survive. But it is what it is. I thought the part where Glorfindel doesn't want to disturb Gandalf was particularly moving. The acknowledgment of what the hobbits mean to him and the events that have just been set in motion. You have such lovely light-hearted moments too. I laughed at the description of Merry and Pippin and them needing new clothes! Of course Sam would go to the gardens. What a touching image of the hobbit and the elf lord sitting there. And you caught not only Sam's voice but his racing thoughts perfectly as he tried to explain himself. And it was just gorgeous and heart-breaking and perfect that Elrond didn't try to tell him that everything would be ok but to make him see that it was worth it to be there and to try and to do his duty, no matter what would ultimately happen. “This is why you must be the one, Sam. Because you are a gardener.” It was such a moment of honesty, of truth, from both of them. The ending made me smile - Aragorn and Gandalf conspiring and Elrond trying to take no notice. And the perfect sentiment. Sam is a good man. This was wonderful, Meckinock. Made my day, anyway, whatever about the birthday girl :-) Author Reply: Again, I have to thank Nilmandra for having a special birthday so we could all get together and do this. We really have to make this an annual event, I think. You know, Dot, the absolute best part of posting a story has always been your reviews. You could write a review of the classified ads and make them sound like Tolstoy. Thank you for the lovely review. I've missed you, and I wish you great joy and success. | |