Reviews (166)

Kathira · 6 December 2004 · Chapter 41: Frodo's Country

A beautiful end to a beautiful story. I am so glad that Canohando finally found his true place in the world and his heart's desire. It is the mark of a great writer to make the reader feel so much for the characters, that we truly care what happens to them. I think that even Tolkien might have been moved by this series overall. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

Meldewen Ilce · 6 December 2004 · Chapter 41: Frodo's Country

Oh Jo - I am speechless and I am tears, what an unexpected and beautiful ending to this story!

daw the minstrel · 17 November 2004 · Chapter 39: Blowing the Horn of the Mark

Omigod, someone who actually knows how to use "harebrained" correctly. Give me a minute to recover. And so Radagast is helping Malawen in the same way he helped Frodo, but teaching her to heal others and so heal herself. Good. I liked the descriptions of Canohando's quiet amusement at the hobbits in the pub. Actually I liked the descriptions of hobbit life in general. They are amazingly brave, just as Gandalf knew. Loved the "Awake! Fear! etc" stuff from the books. It's so much fun to recognize stuff like that. Canohando is kind of scary in his Orc-ness, but he's like Faramir, who knew that battle was sometimes needed.

TieAillin Alcarion · 16 November 2004 · Chapter 39: Blowing the Horn of the Mark

Wow, this just keeps getting better and better! Glad you killed off the orcish Elf with the big plans--my heart sank when I thought perhaps Canohando would have to miss the boat to stay and stop him. I really want to see his impression of Valinor, and see if the Valar can undo what Morgoth did. And what an impression of polio. You continue to amaze me. I'll be posting on CTF when my baby Elessar is born--or email me privately. Smiles, Tracey

Lady of the House (fanfiction.net) · 15 November 2004 · Chapter 38: The House of a Hundred Windows

I absolutely loved this story. Sad, angry, warmed, loved, I was all these and more. Wow, beautiful, brilliant. Only two questions? Is it finished, because I really want to know if they find a cure for the fever? Does Malawen sail into the West with Canohando? LoH

Lindelea · 10 November 2004 · Chapter 38: The House of a Hundred Windows

The King had already opened the border for the Orc! Nice forethought on his part. Ah, Farador, you're a perfectly mischievous hobbit! O no, this fever doesn't sound good. Their legs hurt? I love the description of Brandy Hall, exterior and interior! You've visualised things so clearly! He was no taller than the other hobbits, yet he filled the room with his presence. His eyes were penetrating, seeming to take in every detail of his guests' appearance even as he indicated a seat to Canohando and came personally to escort Malawen to a cushioned chair. Ooo, sounds like a Master of Buckland to me! Hmmm, somehow Sariadoc reminds me of Bilbo! Ah, very touching! and Sariadoc is so perceptive, and understanding, and wise. He combines the best of the Travellers, I think. (Went back and looked at your genealogy to refresh myself, though I had a pretty good idea of his ancestry)

daw the minstrel · 10 November 2004 · Chapter 38: The House of a Hundred Windows

The hobbits are showing up well here, I think. They see Canohando as Frodo's Orc. I wonder if their isolation helps them in a way. They didn't see the terrible things that other people saw.

Meldewen Ilce · 10 November 2004 · Chapter 38: The House of a Hundred Windows

Lovely, Jo, simply lovely! I am concerned about this fever that has struck the hobbits but I am also glad that Radagast is there and I am glad than perhaps they'll soon have some of Elrond's healing knowledge from the books he left behind in Rivendell... Truly, Canohando is Frodo's brother... Am I correct in understanding that Sam was Sariadoc's grandfather - and if so that would mean that one of Sam's daughters married into the Brandybucks, just as Goldilocks married into the Tooks. Wow, I'd say that is definitely one way of tying the Gamgee/Gardener line with the two most important families in the Shire, and in a roundabout way it gives them a family relationship to Frodo Baggins as well... LOL - I'm babbling - anyway, great job with this story and I look forward to more - and I keep wondering, will Canohando and Malawen sail West when the time comes or remain in Middle-earth forever?

esamen · 10 November 2004 · Chapter 38: The House of a Hundred Windows

Wow! That update was quick! Are you enjoying being back in the Shire, after all your travels abroad? Well, I am enjoying being back in "your" Shire. You do it beautifully! I absolutely adore all your hobbits. So well done. ******* The hobbit looked up at him gratefully, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "Did he? That's good to hear. Flora's lasses are the cunningest little things, all curls and dimples, and usually they're climbing all over me when I stop by. Farador is lovely. So like a young Frodo. I just love being around him. And around all the rest, too . . . *********** "Don't mind my cousin," he said. "He never reads anything at all, so of course he's bone ignorant. Rabby, shut your mouth, for pity's sake, and go tell them to get a couple of guestrooms ready. Hee hee -- new names, same tousled hair and curious eyes. Gotta love 'em. ************ "I am Gorbidas, Farador's uncle, and you are Canohando the Orc, is that correct? The very same who is described so unforgettably in the Memoirs of Frodo Baggins: Travels with the Wizard of Rhosgobel – dear me, dear me! It is an honor to meet you, sir. Welcome to Brandy Hall." He held out his hand to Canohando, and when the Orc took it, the hobbit pumped his arm up and down vigorously. Canohando stared down at him in mingled wonder and amusement, but a voice from across the room made him look round. "Very well, Gorbidas, you're not running for Mayor, and he couldn’t vote for you if you were! Pour us out some of the Hall's finest and sit down, man. Come have a seat, Canohando. Is the lady your wife? Welcome, my dear." This has got to be my very favorite moment in this chapter. The Elves were mean to Canohando and now the hobbits are friendly! Isn't this a switch! But the part about the name of Frodo's Memoirs, and then the bit about running for Mayor, are just divine. Just inspired. Mmmm, I think that you are showing the immense impact of Frodo's life. Even the smallest of us can change the world, or some such thing? Beautifully shown. ************ "You use too many words I do not know, Master of Buckland," he said finally. "Malawen is my mate, but Ninefingers never met her. Yet it was his gift that sent me searching for the Elf-Queen, and so I came to Lothlorien, where she was... that is a strange thought." He met the Master's eyes, suddenly intent. "Farador tells me that you still keep the bear tooth I gave my runt. I wonder why." And now THIS is wonderful also. Great dialogue . . . keeps the scene very vivid . . . this is a natural response from an Orc . . . a little harsh, but doing his best to be a little polite. There's no way that he's going to start speaking fluent Shire-ese on his first day there. (I can't believe that I have internalized this story so completely that I know what kind of vocabulary an Orc would use in the Shire. Is this nuts, or what?) ************ Why, Canohando, what would you have had us do with that tooth of yours? I don't have it, by the way; it is kept at Bag End, in Frodo's old home, under a crystal dome, I believe. A strange mathom to keep in one's parlor, I always thought, in spite of its historical interest. But what would you do with it?" Oh, are we going to visit Bag End? Please do! I want to go! **************** The round-faced hobbit in the fore of the picture he passed over without interest, but the narrow face slightly to the rear, with its high cheekbones and humorous eyes, was no less familiar and no less dear, than it had been when he said farewell in a mountain clearing more than a century before. Oh, I'm crying too . . . I will stop writing this very long review now, so that you can stop reading it and get right back to your keyboard. Hurry, hurry! Thank you so much for this beautiful piece of work. It is fabulous. Hugs, bows and confetti from across the virtual miles! Esamen

Breon Briarwood · 10 November 2004 · Chapter 38: The House of a Hundred Windows

Don't know what to say for this chapter. What a great moment for them!

Breon Briarwood · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 37: A Gate Across the Road

Yay! They're almost there! Just wondering though what Arwen wrote in the letter. (and glad Radagast is going to leave Malawen alone now.) :D

esamen · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 37: A Gate Across the Road

Hello, hello! I was so excited to see your new chapter! I have to say that this is an incredible piece of work. It's like seeing the whole story from a different angle . . . and then suddenly there will be a similarity to the original story: "Two whole hours without food? It's a wonder you're not fainting by the side of the road, my lad!" Darak regarded the hobbit with amused exasperation. That's something that Strider himself would have said, or Gimli, or Gandalf. Beautifully done! And I love Farador's name, and his resemblance to our hero. Seeing the Shire through Canahando's eyes is going to be a real treat. Looking forward to it! Happy typing, esamen

daw the minstrel · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 37: A Gate Across the Road

I liked Radagast's use of a bird messenger. And the soldier of Gondor is nicely done. He's cautious but respectful. I also like the idea that this little group is as mixed as the Fellowship was.

Calime · 26 October 2004 · Chapter 18: The Road to Lothlorien

A terrific chapter full of touching scenes like the parting in Gondor, and Canohando's steadfastness leading of Arwen in spite of the fact that she is beginning to slip away. But I think my favorite is when Canohando reflects on the good of the new age in contrast to the loss that the others feel. You have beautifully expressed the way new life and fhope ahve sprung from the ashes. Good stuff!

Calime · 26 October 2004 · Chapter 17: Shadows on the Moon

I very much like your having Canohando provide the moral direction in this chapter. The studied weighing of mercy and suitable suitable punishment gave real meat to this chapter. Throughly enjoying this as I have all your stories, though at a somwhat slower pace.

bobo baggins · 23 October 2004 · Chapter 36: Out of Legend

Finally! Canohando gets a true welcome in an unknown place! I'm glad that he finally gets the treatment he deserves. Thank you for this interesting story! It spins a whole new aspect of Middle earth for me. I don't know what will happen once they reach the Shire, but I am sure that they can settle down happily there.

Rose Sared · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 36: Out of Legend

Hobbity hobbits and the two lovers getting on with the family thing, but polio in the Shire, how are they going to beat that then? nice update and looking forward to more, as ever. Rose

daw the minstrel · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 36: Out of Legend

I like the idea that Canohando is known among the hobbits. Somehow that seems fitting, that he's a legend to these people as Frodo is a legend to others. I still can't quite forgive Malawen for not wanting to sail and so holding him back, though.

esamen · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 36: Out of Legend

But when he had realized that Frodo could name off every hobbit killed in the battle, the Orc had been struck speechless. That had defined the Shire for him, more than anything else Frodo told him: every dead soldier had his name, and was remembered with honor. Oh, wonderful. What an awesome insight. Yes, that's the Shire, although I had never thought about it that way before. Now, are you going to bring Frodo on the scene? It doesn't seem likely that he would still be alive, but he did have the Ring at one point so it wouldn't be completely impossible. You seem to be a little cagey with your words as you write about him! It doesn't seem quite clear to me yet if he is still alive or not. Although you have beautifully sketched the understanding that the memory of him is very much alive. Oh, lovely, lovely. I'll be waiting for your answer! And your next installment! Thank you!

obsidianj · 17 October 2004 · Chapter 35: The Freedom of the Road

This is such a delightful story. I started with Following the Other Wizard and fell in love with Canohando. When I saw there is a sequel I started reading it. I like the way you describe the last days of Aragorn and Arwen through the very unique point of view of an Orc. When Aragorn went to his last rest I had tears in my eyes. I love it that Canohando is still an Orc. He has to fight the habits of a lifetime but he can do it. The deep rooted hatred between the different races is not easily overcome. It takes a wizard to smooth the waters. Thank you for writing this story. I hope to see the next chapter soon. Chris

esamen · 9 October 2004 · Chapter 35: The Freedom of the Road

But the Hobbit turned so sharply that the water in his pail sloshed out over his feet. "Canohando?" he repeated. His eyes were round with wonder. "Canohando the Orc?" Oh, cruel, cruel jodancingtree! Evil cliffhanger! how on earth do you expect me to work, or cook, or write my own stories, when you leave me staring at the screen like this! Let's see. It can't be one of the four Travellers, since they have seen orcs and elves. Is it one of Sam's children? But this meeting is happening on the east side of the Shire, I think? Not in the Westmarch? You are so mean. Please update quickly or I will have to come over there! Will bribes of chocolate and champagne hurry you along? I'll send some right away. Esamen

daw the minstrel · 9 October 2004 · Chapter 35: The Freedom of the Road

Oh how exciting! They're finally nearing the Shire. And Canohando's name is known there. Radagast is kind but not stupid, and I'm glad he's trying to talk some sense in to Malawen.

Breon Briarwood · 9 October 2004 · Chapter 35: The Freedom of the Road

Ah! I had nearly forgot that Frodo went home after his travels. Of course Canohando's name is known in the Shire. Maybe the hobbit's acceptance of Malawen will ease her thoughts regarding Valinor?

Gentle Hobbit · 8 October 2004 · Chapter 35: The Freedom of the Road

Ah! Hobbits know of Canohando! Frodo's story of his brother has reached beyond Sam, Merry or Pippin. I am looking forward eagerly to seeing how this unfolds. And I also am hoping so much for Malawen to thaw and allow Canohando to be "not torn in two". I so want him to be able to sail. I have not felt this attached to an original character before, and it is your skillful writing that has made me so.

Rose Sared · 8 October 2004 · Chapter 35: The Freedom of the Road

Oh, horay, for once good words proceed Canohardo instead of ill will - great. Lovely chapter - I so liked stern Radagast. well done Rose