mearasrider · 23 November 2006 · Chapter 4: Brego
good job!! Brego is actually in the books, but he is only mentioned once or twice.indeed, i was surprised that pj thought to put him in TT!
Straight From the Horses' Mouth by Chigger
Reviews (27)
Anonymous · 30 May 2005 · Chapter 5: Arod
Warning: plot bunny! You should try a story from the character's swords' POV, i.e. Anduril, etc. I don't know, that thought just popped into my head and I thought I'd through it out there, 'specially to you.
Farawyn · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 5: Arod
Love these! I recommed you read "The Golden Bell of Greenleaf" that is (I think) still in progress on this site. The author is Iwarren. It's not from a horse's POV, but I think it might give you some pleasure.
coonzalas · 18 February 2005 · Chapter 5: Arod
Excellent! I'm so glad you finally updated. I had forgotten that Eomer was actually at Helm's Deep. Too much movie influence, I suppose. One thing I noticed though: "Legolas also felt the intense heat and commented on it to Gandalf." Heat and cold don't normally affect elves. Unless that also is a fan creation. I'm not sure where it is in Tolkien's work, butI do remember reading it. Coon
Author's reply
Movie influence is tough to overcome. What you see usually sticks better than what you read, I suppose. But it sure makes writing book-verse hard! :) Thanks for the review, and yes, I got the whole Legolas commenting on the heat incident from the Professor.
esamen · 18 February 2005 · Chapter 5: Arod
Wow . . . you did some work on this one. Nice job of pulling together canon, a horse's distinctive voice, and a horsey perspective! All those details like warming the bit and the cramps after the long ride really make this a story unlike any that I have ever read. I liked seeing the story through the lens of Arod's eye, and I especially liked the relationships among the horses. They do remember each other, don't they? And how fun to imagine their conversations. And I absolutely loved the arrival at Isengard and the description of the hobbits. I hadn't thought about the fact that hobbits would be new to ALL the creatures there in Rohan. You have really run the range, from Bill to Arod! Any more horses up your talented sleeve? Congratulations, Esamen
Author's reply
*giggles nervously* You may notice that it took me 11 months to pull THIS out of my talented sleeve! But I really needed the break from all this schoolwork, homework, housework and various other sorts of work that have been piling up lately. Feels good to finally have this posted, ya know? However, I WILL get your chapter back to you sometime. Hope you've been getting more writing done than I have. :) Thanks for the review!
Pasha · 30 January 2005 · Chapter 4: Brego
wonderful... gives a bit of insight to why brego returned to save aragorn... bills was cute, I laughed about him kicking fenny, but I have known horses to hold grudges... all well written, and I hope for more... Hasufel for one?
Author's reply
Sorry it's taken me so long to answer. I wish I could excuse my delay by saying that I've been working on this story, but unfortunately, that's not true. RL has been hammering down lately. But thanks for the review, the complements and the wish for more. Here's hoping I can wake up the plot bunny and finish at least the first installment of Arod. Hasufel *might* come in the far and distant future, but he features big in the Arod chapter. :)
coonzalas · 4 October 2004 · Chapter 4: Brego
I suppose I should be ashamed using the review system to poke someone, but I don't know your email! A long time ago, I read a Silm story of yours that I really liked. It was set in the modern world, and I adored it. Now I come out of lurkdom after a long while and find that it has disappeared! Pray tell where is it? Could I please have a copy? Also, the Straight From the Horses' Mouth series is hilarious! Please continue. Coon
Author's reply
I've been thinking about picking up this story again, but Arod had grown so big and out of proportion that I lost all energy. But I think I'll look into him just as soon as I can get schoolwork off my back. :) As for the other story, I *told* Coriel not to delete it!! That particular story was actually on her page, since she wrote it and I just beta-ed and sorta-kinna co-authored it; but she deleted it!! So I'll forward your review to her (she's off at college now) and tell her to e-mail it to you. And if you want to bug her yourself, you can click on her name on her story page and send her a note yourself. Thanks for the review!
Lily Frost · 2 May 2004 · Chapter 4: Brego
I really like your horse's eye perspective - they probably realize things that their rider's don't. I couldn't find any errors, but perhaps you could liven it up with a few sarcastic remarks from the horses? I like Arod's complains of Gimli. The way you change mannerisms between Bill and Aslfoth is good too - they would speak differently considering their masters. I have a dying group dedicated to the furred, finned, feathered and scaled creatures of Middle Earth, and was wondering if you could help me wake it up by posting this or at least letting me post a link to it? It's here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rhosgobel/ Thanks. By the way... what about a Nazgul horse? That could be interesting... they don't necessarily have to be evil.
Author's reply
I like to think that horses know more about certain things than their riders do. Things such as how tiring and hot being ridden is. :) In Arod (which has reduced my poor plot bunny to a wilted little creature off in the corner) I really explore that. So once the school year's over, maybe we can get back to him. :) Arod is also pretty sarcastic in certain places in his own chapter. :) Those two were easy, but Gondorian horses and Rohirric horses don't sound very different. :) So I'm relying more on cultural backgrounds for them. Arod and his companions speak of the old tales and ballads, since that's how the Rohirrim remember their history. Feel free! Knock yourself out! All the more power to you! I'll come check it out; but in the meantime, go ahead had post a link. Believe me or not, I've actually written one of the Black Horses; but my beta says that there might be a canon error. Yet like any big sister, she didn't feel like helping me, and frankly I can't get my energy up. :) I can e-mail it to you if you really want to see it. Just drop me a line through my page here at SOA, and I'll get it to you. :) Thanks so much for the wonderful review!
Lily Frost · 2 May 2004 · Chapter 1: Bill
Very nice! Very cute, coming from Bill.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. Since Bill is very nice and very cute, I'm happy his tale came off the same. :)
Kitt of Lindon · 4 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Brego
It is interesting how Brego compared Theodred to Aragorn by the riverbank. And I really liked Arod and Brego's horse-talk. (Got to love horse-talk.) I can't wait for Arod for he's one of my favorites. Are you going to do Shadowfax? I always thought it would be fun to write Shadowfax for many a reason, yet his life is so full of deeds that you could expand that into its own series. I didn't see any mistakes as I read through it (but from me that probably doesn't mean anything.) Great chapter!
Author's reply
AAA!! There it is!! >_< I was afraid someone was going to ask me to do Shadowfax. :) Actually, he's the one I had in mind when (in the prologue) I said that I was scared to death of certain horses. He seems the sort that is WAY too far above my limited knowledge. However, he is in the back of my mind and my muse is considering him. :) I was hoping people would like the comparison; and I'm glad you mentioned it. :) That makes me feel a whole lot better. As I told Esamen, I will try my best to use more horse-talk in future. I didn't know this would be so popular. :) Thanks for the wonderful review to lighten my evening before going back to work on Arod. I actually think he's going to need three chapters, he getting so long. But he is my favorite horse in Middle-earth, and I simply MUST do him as much justice as possible. :) Thanks again!
Grey Wonderer · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Brego
I enjoyed this one for many reasons and one is because in the version of the movie that was shown in the theater, I didn't like this addition to the film. It wasn't until I saw the extended version and the scene between Brego and Aragorn that I came to like this part of the film. I love seeing it from Brego's POV. As I read, I could feel his saddness at the loss of Theodred in such lines as: Grief consumed me, for there are few relationships so intimate as that between horse and rider after their first battle together. The fall of one at first brings grieving untold to the other until death would seem a mercy; but I knew that my pain would soon diminish if never wholly leave me. and Had my actions there condemned my master to death? If I had only allowed him access to his saddle and born him home once more, would he have lived? Was I now leaving Aragorn to meet the same fate as my master? or was he already dead? I love it! You have done a wonderful job. Also enjoy the part about trying to keep Gimli from digging his heels into the horse!
Author's reply
I was shocked, to say the least, when Aragorn went over the cliff for the first time. :) But I thought he had one darn cool horse with him. Which was another interesting part of writing this. I had to figure out the whys of everything. Such as why he still had his halter on; because the Rohirrim wouldn't just turn a horse loose without taking that off. Also, why he felt that he needed to save Aragorn. It was only while writing it that I discovered the amount of guilt he felt at leaving Theodred to die. But it made for an interesting bit. :) And Gimli just isn't a rider. :) Not only does he dig his heels into Arod, but he bounces like an old sack of potatoes and his axe handle probably causes trouble too. :)
esamen · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Brego
Nice blending of verse and imagination. I like the conversation between Brego and Arod. In fact, I loved all the horse-to-horse conversations. Please include lots of horse talk! I think it's the most fun part of the read. I'm a grammar teacher . . . here's your grammar catch of the day: and a dwarf, stunted of growth, who’s (use 'whose') beard far outmatched that of any Rider I had known. Sorry . . . I can't help myself. Great job! Looking forward to Arod!
Author's reply
Having Arod standing there just seemed more interesting than having Brego all by himself. Let's give a little life to the end here! :) I will try my best to include more horse-talk for you. ;) AAAAA!!!! A grammar teacher! Everybody run! :D Thank you. I would much rather you point things like that out as opposed to leaving them unmentioned. And Grammar is not my strong point; nor is spelling. I'm a Math person, myself. :) Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, and I will post the first half of Arod as soon as possible. (So far he's going to have at least two chapters.)
Esamen · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 3: Frea
When he had finished that, he lifted all my feet in turn, tapping the bottoms gently. Hmm. Sounds like a horse trainer has been here . . . nice details in the description . . . reminds me of my friends who raise horses . . . wonderful vignette of a horse's view of training.
Author's reply
I've learned a few things about horses through experience and through reading. Who wants a horse that will fight everything you do? I'm just glad I sound like I know what I'm writing about. ;)
esamen · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 2: Asfaloth
Oh, very nice. I like the way that the story deepens when the reader gets Asfaloth's view of Bill. . . They had with them a delightful pony by the name of Bill, an ignorant young thing who asked an endless string of questions as we traveled together. The story really gains a new dimension with the second point of view added.
Author's reply
I always thought Bill was cute, and so Asfaloth just had to say something! :D Thanks for the review!
Esamen/ Karen · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Bill
So fun! I love the voice! and I love the reference to Asfaloth speaking Elvish! On to the next chapter . . . no rolling of eyes yet :)
Author's reply
The entire "accents" idea came from Bill who just would NOT use proper grammar, no matter how many times I told him to. Therefore, we suddenly have horses with different nationalities. :) I'm glad your eyes are remaining in place. ;)
EomerofEastfold · 3 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Brego
Carrying Legolas and Gimli is nothing. Book-verse Firefoot carried Eomer and Gimli together, which must have really been backbreaking. I mean, if Legolas can walk on top of snow, then he can't weigh that much. It's hard to believe, though, that Eomer is your favorite character, seeing as how you praise Legolas so often. Elves and the Rohirrim are almost complete opposites, by my reckoning. Or, is he just *one* of your favorite characters? Honestly, I would have liked to have seen book-verse Brego, but I know that didn't give you much to work with. Anyway, this was well done, and I don't think you could have done much better with the ending. Fleeing in terror at the Paths of the Dead isn't exactly a good ending for a noble horse, is it?
Author's reply
But maybe Firefoot is a heavier horse than Arod. That was the only thing Coriel didn't like about Arod's description, that fact that he was light. She goes more for the really tall, really muscular, really BIG horses; and I'm afraid that I'm right there with her. ;) But I did like movie Arod. And Legolas doesn't weigh much, no. :) Please bear in mind that I have Coriel watching my descriptions of Legolas. :D Yes, Eomer *is* my favorite canon character, but Legolas is just below him. What is more, these horses have been around Men like Eomer their entire lives, Legolas is new to them. :) Yes, Elves and Rohirrim are complete opposites in everything but their love of horses. But both are darn cool, too. ;) What is there about Brego in the books? As far as I know Theodred's horse wasn't mentioned, and there wasn't a whole heck of a lot about Theodred in there either, to my knowledge. As for the ending, I had originally planned to go all the way through Helm's Deep, passed the Paths of the Dead mess and end the story while he's traveling to Gondor with the Rohirrim, because Arod has to get to Gondor somehow, and Brego would probably go with him. But it got rather boreing sitting down in a stable while everything was happening. :)
EomerofEastfold · 18 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Frea
It took me too long to get to this, I admit..... But, now that I have, I have to say I enjoyed it greatly, though I can't imagine any of the Rohirrim treating a horse as a burden or with neglect. By the way, you don't read romance novels, do you? Handsome man on a black stallion, and the like..... :)
Author's reply
Yes it did, but I'm glad you made it. :) But I'm not much better. I've been putting off the next chapter for several days now. :D I'm glad you liked it! As for Frea's first master, that wouldn't have been in here but for that blurb in WHWB that I couldn't get around. So I just imagine that the guy would have taken good care of Frea once he got over having lost one of his best mares. Hey, let's give him the BOTD. And besides, how else would Ceorl have been able to get him? :) No, no romance novels . . . well, literally anyway. Westerns might count. But hey, handsome man on a black stallion and the like is every girl's dream. :D
EomerofEastfold · 5 February 2004 · Chapter 1: Bill
I've only had the chance to read Bill so far, but I found it pretty funny. :) Hey, though, if you're going so far as to do OC horses (Such as Frea), why not do Shadow or Silvermist? *Big Wicked Grin*
Author's reply
If my memory serves me correctly, Silvermist is Eodreng's horse. Correct? I remember Shadow. That was the first time you killed a character I had gotten quite attached to. :) I would love to do them, but I would need your help with many of the details. It wouldn't do to contradict anything, now would it? :) *Big Agreeable Grin* Glad you enjoyed it!
Kitt of Lindon · 5 February 2004 · Chapter 1: Bill
I just love the way you portray Bill. You bring up the points in the story that would have meaning to a simple country pony. 'Fearful beasts they were, and completely unsociable. I know, for I tried talkin’, but they only snorted at me in return.' (that is one of my favorite quotes right there) It is a very good idea having the different horses have different 'accents'. I look forward to more.
Author's reply
Thank you! Since I consider myself just a bit of a redneck (if a refined one :) ), I got a lot of entertainment out of writing like that. :D It's very interesting to look at these things out of a horse's eyes. But it's also a trifle difficult, since I don't have all that much horse sense. :) Thanks again for the review! Hope you like the rest just as much. :)
Grey Wonderer · 4 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Frea
I have loved this one since I first read about him in "The White Horse and The White Banner". Wasn't he the reason for the plot Bunny? So glad you included him. I was so sad when his mother died and through his telling, I felt as if I had watched it! Another wonderful chapter!
Author's reply
Actually, I went back and looked at the reviews not too long ago, and I believe it was Celebros in All Is Fair In Love and War that inspired the plot. But Frea definitely had to be included. He and Ceorl are my pet project. :)
coonzalas · 4 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Frea
SQUEE!! I loved it! I've never thought about Frea that way before, and having Ceorl rescue him was wonderful. I especially liked the last sentence! coon
Author's reply
Frea is my dream horse (and his master isn't that bad either.) :D I thought it would be interesting to have Ceorl start out as a skinny kid :b, but one with the Rohirric love of horses, of course. And I imagine that Aldor told him he could join the Riders as soon as his skills were sharp enough, and he had a good mount. That's the reason he was looking so hard. :) I just had to stick that last sentence in. :) After all, we know what happened. :D
Grey Wonderer · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 2: Asfaloth
I enjoyed this one also. Your horses are very endearing and I liked hearing of this part of the novel from Asfaloth's view-point. I also like that this lovely elf-horse took Bill under his care and enjoyed the pony's comapny. Just a small thought about this Bunny: Are you doing one of the dark horses of the Black Riders????? I note that these animals have been mentioned in both accounts so far and I was wondering if one of them gets a chapter. (Don't hit me too hard.)
Author's reply
Thank you. I don't see how anyone could help liking Bill, and Asfaloth is no different. :) I'll take that as a request and see what I can do. :)
coonzalas · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 2: Asfaloth
I am really enjoying this story. You post so fast too! Keep writing! coon
Author's reply
Ah, well. . . I got excited. :) The next chapter is almost finished, but after that, I've barely started! So, things may slow down now. :) Glad you're enjoying it!
Amaniel · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 0: Explanation
I promise not to critique your horse knowledge, but I don't think you could do that bad. You know more than you think. :) I like this idea. I'm glad you decided to pursue it. I seem to remember you working on it while I was there. It took a little bit to get it up, huh? It's turning out great though! I'm interested to see how you do with Brego. He should be interesting.
Author's reply
You miss the point entirely! I WANT you to critique! But only if it's a glaring mistake. :) It wasn't so much taking a long time to get it written (the first two chapters have been waiting since before I even started Treason) as waiting for all my other stories to get out of the way. :) But two more horses are already finished and awaiting their turn. :) I've barely started Brego, though. Before I start any of these chapters (unless their my own invention of course) I have to do a lot of research to be sure I don't mess anything up. And then when I'm through with them, Coriel gives them the once over just to be sure I didn't get anything wrong. But she's more interested in Thranduil right now. :)
Grey Wonderer · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: Bill
Bill is perfect! He sounds so like Sam! This is wonderful and I am so glad that you decided to do it. I love this line especially: Most unnatural he seemed to me, but that’s merely the opinion of an uneducated country pony, and I mustn’t say aught against Mr. Frodo, as he’s my Sam’s most favorite of hobbits. I bow to your brilliance! You have out-done yourself yet again!
Author's reply
I'm glad. Don't worry, I don't use that much slang all the time and my Southern accent isn't that thick. :) But as I'm also a part-time Western writer, it wasn't too foreign, and actually rather fun to write. But the spell-check sure hated it. :D Thank you. You may rise. :)