Calime
· 8 October 2004
· Chapter 12: Those Who Are Called
I loved this part:
"You said I am of the Firstborn, but I am not called to Valinor." Canohando was beginning to understand, as he had not before, the tragedy of his ruined people, and his voice was bleak.
"No, dear one." Arwen touched the Jewel that hung around his neck, settled it so it lay centered against his chest. "Not to Valinor, but you were called to me, and I think also to Frodo's land, hereafter. You are known, and your change of heart is known - you will not be put to shame by the One who gave music to the Ainur."
I'm glad you're taking up the question of the Orc's spiritual position in Middle Earth, and am looking forward to what you have to say!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you're enjoying this, Calime!
Yes, Canohando's greatest adventure is a spiritual journey, so it is something he has to come to terms with.
Thanks for reviewing!
jo
Calime
· 8 October 2004
· Chapter 11: The Doom of the First-born
I'm excited to see Legolas and Gimli enter this story. We'll need all the help we can get to make it through the coming night! Screwing up my courage as best I can!
Calime
· 4 October 2004
· Chapter 8: The Dark Hours
This tender moment was very well rendered, and Ilike how you incorporated the dialogue from the appendix.
Calime
· 23 September 2004
· Chapter 5: In the Dungeons of Gondor
Tears and more tears. I read the review by FantasyFan and your comments, and I agree totally. The strangeness of it all is that we still weep for Frodo in a AU story when we could just as likely think of him still in the Undying Lands or passed on with Sam to heaven as in your other fan fiction. It is a testament to your skill that we can feel both of your stories equally--no half hearted AU here.
Calime
· 23 September 2004
· Chapter 4: The Elf-queen
This line brought tears to my eyes.
'"The Darkness runs on my footsteps, even when I flee." His voice was heavy with grief."
Emotionally powerful and piercingly perceptive--vintage Jo.
Author's reply
Thank you, Calime! I'm so glad you're enjoying Canohando's story - and thanks for reviewing!
jo
Calime
· 23 September 2004
· Chapter 3: Dangers
After a slow build, a magigal sense of anticipation falls over me, and I hurry on.
Calime
· 16 September 2004
· Chapter 2: Under Cover of Darkness
Poor Canohando will have to face the disapointment of not finding Frodo alive. How on earth did you get us to worry so much about this orc of your Jo?
Calime
· 16 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Insomnia
I love this part:
How like my runt, the orc thought now, that his pact of brotherhood would call on him to shed his own blood. And how like us, that we would make ours from the death of some other creature.
It is interesting that God used both of these methods for his own covenants, and the former was indeed the higher of the two. I always enjoy how you make me think. :)
Calime
· 16 September 2004
· Chapter 0: A Different Point of View
A good beginning! So very "Frodo and Sam." I'm looking forward to this story.
Lindelea
· 15 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Insomnia
I love the way you draw a character in a few strokes of your pen.
Courage and compassion: Canohando had not encountered such a mixture in his thousand years of life. Compassion alone he would have despised as softness, but Frodo's courage gave it a core of steel, and Canohando's resistance had crumbled before it.
You have summarized the earlier story very neatly, once again painlessly, almost casually, in passing, filling in needed background.
The brown wizard as the servant, perhaps? I hadn't thought of that, but it is fitting, somehow.
Now I'm eagerly anticipating the long journey with the Shire as its goal. Am still thinking over the question you asked me about the Travellers' descendants.
Author's reply
I love reading your reviews, Lindelea! I'm glad you've gotten back to this story.
And Radagast as servant? Frodo wouldn't think so, of course, but I can imagine Canohando might be confused: you might say the wizard and the hobbit each served the other, at different times and in different ways.
Anyhow, I'm really looking forward to reading your comments as you go along!
jo
daw the minstrel
· 15 September 2004
· Chapter 34: Uncertainty
This is so poetic and so terribly sad. "Love was her protection." I still can hardly bear to read about the baby.
Author's reply
Thank you, Daw.
At least now - too late - Malawen can own that unwanted child as her baby, because she sees Canohando in him. But to be an Orc raised by Elves who hate him as a monster - that might be even worse that growing up among his own kind, and I hate to think what he might have become.
jo
FantasyFan
· 15 September 2004
· Chapter 34: Uncertainty
I was afraid of exactly this happening. Many times during Canohando's slow redemption I thought, perhaps Valinor will be opened for one redeemed orc. But then, I kept reminding myself that this was a universe where even Frodo was denied passage to the west, and I thought it could not be possible here. But it is, and she is not ready to go yet. I think Canohando is exactly right that without him the Darkness may take her, and without her he will always regret. I hope that there will be time, before Celeborn sails, for them to come to some resolution. It would be sad if Canohando gives up this last great celebration of his victory.
Author's reply
"It would be sad if Canohando gives up this last great celebration of his victory."
Yes, it would. I think it's a question of how fast can Malawen cast off (not out, for it is not within her) her own Shadow. He will sacrifice his great desire for love; can she sacrifice her shame and self-reproach in order to go with him?
Canohando found strength for his healing in Frodo. Is there any of that healing power resident in the Shire itself?
Hmmm...
jo
Rose Sared
· 15 September 2004
· Chapter 34: Uncertainty
Oh, what a bind, so much easier to be mortal and have all our choices made for us. More lovely writing, but hie you to your pen and finish that other story as well, Jo. You are most, most talented.
Rose
Author's reply
Thank you, Rose! You liked that other story? It wasn't too depressing?
jo
esamen
· 14 September 2004
· Chapter 34: Uncertainty
"We will be together, though we wander homeless for a thousand years."
Oh . . . sob . . . surely not . . . a handkerchief, quick! My darling Canohando, being so strong and true!
I am crying over an ORC!!!!????
Wow. Just, wow.
esamen
· 13 September 2004
· Chapter 33: Recompense
Oh, Jo -- I was thinking about this story . . . you are weaving quite a parable here, I think? Sorry I've been so slow to catch on. Kind of like the hypocritical Pharisees and the repentant sinners, and who gets to go to heaven in the end?
No wonder I love it so much. The desire of my heart. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's reply
lol! You know, I hadn't really thought of it that way, though I can see it when you mention it. Of course, Valinor isn't heaven, exactly. But I think it's interesting that Itaril, who really didn't deserve to sail, also didn't *want* to! And Canohando, who wants it so passionately, is given the chance.
And (leaping off the cliff into the wildest speculative theology) wouldn't it be odd, if the "external" conditions of heaven and hell were actually the same, and what the blessed experience as glorious light and joy, was felt by those with evil hearts as blazing fire? If true reality is love - and a person has chosen hatred all his life - what will it mean to him, to be forced to confront reality?
(reining myself in) Ahem. I'm so glad you love the story, Esamen!
jo
Kathira
· 13 September 2004
· Chapter 33: Recompense
I love this story so much (and all your work). My taste in fan fiction is pretty narrow - if Aragorn isn't in it, I'm generally not interested, but you are such a great writer, you have really made me care about these characters. I'm torn now, in a way, I would like to see Canohando and Malawen go to the West and live in bliss forever, but on the other hand, I could see them living happily in Middle Earth also, making those babies that Canohando has been wanting. A greater gift for them might be the gift of mortality, to live out their lives together, to see their children and grandchildren born and to finally pass together beyond the circles of the world. There Frodo and Arwen and so many others would be waiting for them... A tough choice, but I'm sure you will work it out for the best.
Author's reply
Thank you, Kathira! That really makes me very happy, that you've gotten to care about these characters even though Aragorn has passed out of the story!
You're right, I find myself torn as well, what would be the happiest outcome for them. Altho' - Valinor is not heaven; I wonder if they couldn't have those babies there! ButI don't think mortality is a choice that's open to them: unlike Arwen, neither of them is half-mortal. My understanding is that Elves who remain permanently in Middle Earth dwindle into a hidden, rustic people, who no longer play a part in the affairs of the world... if leprechauns were real, perhaps something like that. And Canohando's original ancestry is Elf, of course, much degenerated by Morgoth and Sauron. So whether in Valinor or Middle Earth, I would expect them both to live until the dissolution of Arda.
jo
Rose Sared
· 12 September 2004
· Chapter 33: Recompense
Oh, so his redemption is quite complete and yet the mercy of the elves is wasted on him, he will not go until she goes, and that, to all intents, is never. Twisty twisty plotting - just wonderful.
Where is that OFic Jo, I'm waiting.
Rose
Author's reply
But then it isn't really the mercy of the Elves, is it? The mercy of the Valar, more like - and mercy is never wasted. But I will plead guilty to twisty-ness...
By now you should have the OFic, and I'm be on pins and needles to hear what you think of it. Not a feel-good story like Queen's Orc, I'm afraid.
jo
esamen
· 12 September 2004
· Chapter 33: Recompense
Canohando's head jerked up, his eyes wide with shock, and Celeborn smiled. "I shall sail at summer's end. Radagast will be of the company, and I suppose most of the Elves now gathered at Rivendell. You may both come with us, if that is your desire."
Oh, my gosh. You have really surprised me here. I suppose I should have guessed . . . I could NOT figure out how you were going to end this story! I couldn't really see Canohando taking tea with the hobbits in the Shire, but what else could happen!
This is just fantastic. I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve before the whole thing's over. Hurry, hurry! Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
LOL! Well, the Orc will drink tea if it's offered - he drank plenty with Radagast and Frodo, in Mordor - but I'm not sure the hobbits would invite him in.
I'm so glad you like this!
jo
TieAillin Alcarion
· 11 September 2004
· Chapter 33: Recompense
Oh, JO! This is just amazing! Malawen really needs her heart cleansed at this point--oh, she just can't be left behind, and neither can he...please, take them both...and perhaps he'll be healed in body as well?
I don't know if I can take this...but there is always hope. :-)
Author's reply
Yes, there's always hope! Of all Tolkien's themes, maybe the most pervasive.
jo
daw the minstrel
· 11 September 2004
· Chapter 33: Recompense
Oh my. I should be happy for Canohando, but I am worried about Malawen.
Canohando is indeed becoming more like Frodo. Were you aiming for baptism imagery? It's what I thought of. As if Canohando is born again. But poor Malawen! She's been hurt so that she can't seem to trust enough to drop her fierceness.
Author's reply
It's funny, you know - it just seemed like what Celeborn would do, to pour some of the water from the fountain over Canohando's head; it seemed right. And after I had written it, I thought of the baptism analogy. Maybe it makes symbolic sense - that the Orc is "baptized" in the "tears" of one of the great Elven leaders, before he is given passage to the West...
jo
Lindelea
· 10 September 2004
· Chapter 0: A Different Point of View
Swim around those puffs of cloud as if they had been islands, looking down at Sam’s planting of Michaelmas daisies and mums in the Bag End garden.
You hook me with the first sentence and reel me in with the second. How deftly you introduce the characters and the framework upon which this story is built, how you immerse it in homey little details to make it go down easily.
Once again I am reminded why you top my favourites' list.
*hugs* and thanks, in anticipation of another fine read.
Author's reply
(blushing) Thank you, Lindelea. As you also top *my* favorites list - no one, but no one, writes Merry and Pippin like you do! I think the Professor himself would applaud.
jo
esamen
· 31 August 2004
· Chapter 32: Morning and Night
The drumming sank to a gentle pattering, like spring rain, and Celeborn's voice swelled to a cry of triumph that echoed against the night. Then he bowed to them in silence before he turned and disappeared among the trees.
Oh, beautiful! You write the most beautiful endings. And I love the way that Frodo's memory is always present in your vision of ME.
I work at a university and this is my busy season. Your lovely stories give me a much needed lovely moment! Happy typing,
Esamen
Gentle Hobbit
· 29 August 2004
· Chapter 32: Morning and Night
What delight I had this morning to find three new chapters of this story I love so much. I find it an overwhelming task to properly write out a full review of all the details, touches, and thoughtful moments that all work together in making this story so delightful for me, but one thing that carries through the whole story is this: Canohando is the embodiment of Frodo's legacy, for the path of Frodo's healing brought wisdom to the Ring-bearer that made him the only person who could truly pass on that sense of peace and healing to Canohando. This, of course, is no great observation on my part, since this all has been stated many times in the story, yet it is such a strong theme for me. And so even if Frodo is long gone, there is a part of him that remains, always present, always recognizable within Canohando. Thank you for this.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Gentle Hobbit. Yes, Canohando is a living memorial to Frodo - in a sense I'm still writing about the Ringbearer in this story, as he lives on in his Orc "brother". I'm glad he's recognizable.
jo
Rose Sared
· 28 August 2004
· Chapter 32: Morning and Night
Well fancy that, working class elves. LOL. Nice idea Arwen's nurse and Rivendell works its healing magic on our pair. Makes me sigh. Thanks
Rose
Author's reply
lol indeed - and that was a challenge, I tell you, to write a working class Elf! Yet, someone had to cook and wash the dishes - and chase small elflings around when they were too little to be wise.
I'm glad it worked for you, Rose. And I haven't forgotten that other story, either - trying to get it in shape to send you...
jo
Breon Briarwood
· 28 August 2004
· Chapter 32: Morning and Night
Your two characters make a wonderful, albeit unusual, couple. I'm so glad they finally got together! But now, knowing they have acceptance in Rivendell, are they still willing to leave that safety to visit the Shire? (I know, of course they will, right?) *waiting patiently for more*
Author's reply
But Celeborn and the Elves are leaving, you know. Rivendell is soon to be deserted...
I'm glad you like Canohando and Malawen. Thanks!
jo