Claudia
· 20 September 2006
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
omg, thanks so much for linking to this! This is exactly what I was yearning for! I just adore Strider's thoughts about Frodo, how he is learning about hobbits and about him for the first time, how he sees so much in Frodo -- his scholarly notions, his naivite, his strength...
I really, really liked this!
Author's reply
Sorry for the lateness of the reply -- I don't check reviews on my older fics as often as the newer ones. Anyway, I'm so pleased that this fit the bill! Thanks for your kind remarks. - Rowan (Sue)
Antane
· 16 August 2006
· Chapter 3: Samwise Gamgee, August 1392
'There goes Mr. Frodo Baggins and his Sam'
I love this story about FrodoandSam - two names, one heart and soul. I'm glad I've discovered you! And I love that new sweet, loving story about Pippin and his hero. Could I post some of your stories on my website? http://www.writers-haven.net/hobbity_love.htm. I know you'd feel right at home there! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
Hmmm...
I'm honored. My stories will indeed be in some great company there. Thanks.
Larner
· 14 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Boromir son of Denethor, February 1419
To see the Ring already working on him, and through Boromir's eyes....
Thanks.
Larner
· 14 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
Yes, this is our Frodo.
Larner
· 14 January 2005
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
It's the first time I've encountered your story, and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. We seem to be seeing many of the same aspects to the characters, as well as being drawn to the same title. And I beg your forgiveness, for it appears you did have the title first! Yes, we both borrowed it from the Master.
Author's reply
I think that's one main reason I enjoyed your story as well, because of the similar insights we seem to have, as well as the fact that it was just ripping good!
Titles get re-used all the time, so it's no big (as Buffy would say). I did once change a title because I saw another story with the same one, but then I saw others with the same *new* title, and I said "ah, screw it". It happens all the time in fanfic. How many stories are there in various fandoms called "Reflections", I wonder?
- Rowan
Larner
· 14 January 2005
· Chapter 3: Samwise Gamgee, August 1392
Yes. that's our Frodo!
Larner
· 14 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Primula Baggins, April 1380
You borrowed my title, I see.
Lovely images. Thanks.
Author's reply
Actually, I think we both borrowed it, from Tolkien. :-)
Also, the first chapter of mine was posted back in June '04, and I hadn't seen your story at the time. But I have since, and loved it, BTW. Thanks!
-Rowan
Connie B.
· 13 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Boromir son of Denethor, February 1419
Ooo, this gave me a cold shudder. You capture Boromir's slide into lust for the ring very well. I kept thinking the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and so it was for Boromir. He just had the wrong concept of help for his friends.
Thanks for giving this to us. Guess we'll see more in the Spring.:)
Connie B.
shirebound
· 13 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
What a great chapter! I love hobbity teasing, especially when it shows the affection between them all, and how much spirit Frodo still has under the circumstances. And how wonderful that Aragorn can see that Frodo is as special as Gandalf hinted that he might be.
cher
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
"How was this possible? What could it mean? This was a hobbit, after all. A creature of quiet sunshine and tilled meadows, meant for peace and laughter. Was this why I had felt drawn to make the acquaintance of this gentle folk -- because it was from among them that one would come who could change the fate of Arda?"
I like all of these, but the one about Gandalf really strikes a chord with me. What foreshadowing!!
Author's reply
That's one of the things I'm "into" about LOTR: how so many little or coincidental things (like Gandalf deciding to hang out with hobbits) all turn out to be important pivotal moments leading up to the final defeat of Sauron, as if there is a subtle hand guiding it all. And I did think that this was a thought Gandalf might have, if he was somehow able to sense that Frodo would be significant.
Thanks for your kindness in reviewing!
Pebbles66
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
I am loving this series! I really like seeing how other people view Frodo, and the loyalty and love he inspires in them. Please write more soon!
Author's reply
Thank you! This may actually be the last update until at least late March, since I will be going out of the country for a couple of months. But you never know, I might get inspired and squeeze in another one before then.
esamen
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
"I still have one good arm, Meriadoc," Frodo interrupts dryly, from the other side of Pippin.
Oh, this is beautiful. I love it. What talent you have!
I've gone back to reading the books lately, and Tolkien's Frodo is still the best. He has a wonderful, dry, ironic wit. Tolkien wrote him as such a normal, real person, not a strange, superhero fanfic-type character. I think that you write him very well, as more of a real person, which makes him even more truly heroic.
Anyway, thanks for all your hard work! I hope you write more soon! I'll be watching down the road for you!
Esamen
Author's reply
Thanks for your kindness and taking the time to review. Yes, I've often thought that book-Frodo (who this is firmly based on despite having movie-Frodo's looks) is a vastly underappreciated character. And I'm so glad that somebody else thinks that his "realness" makes him all the more heroic. So often I hear, "Oh, Sam's the real hero" or "Legolas is the coolest" or whatever.
But enough of that. Hopefully I can squeeze in another chapter before leaving the country for a couple of months. Legolas or Boromir next, I'm thinking.
-Rowan
Connie B.
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
Cool! You updated. I especially liked the part about Frodo surviving out of stubborness, just to spite the Black Riders.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Thank *you*! We'll see if I can do another before leaving.
Dreamflower
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Aragorn son of Arathorn, October 1418
Oh, excellent! How wonderful it is, and building on the previous story of Gandalf and Frodo!
I love Aragorn's forthright pragmaticism, and his honesty. He will not lie to Frodo, even to spare him, but he will (true to his Elven name of "Hope") put the best possible interpretation on it.
And Merry's observations delight me, as well--you've done a brilliant job with this!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. That means a lot. (And I've been wanting for a long time to put those words in Merry's mouth.)
Ariel
· 10 September 2004
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
These were very nicely done - a pleasant read from someone who knows her canon well (I prefer canon fic). I liked the study from Gandalf best - IMHO, that is the one you capture the most closely to book - though you may also have simply improved over time. Nicely done pieces. Bravo!
Connie B.
· 10 September 2004
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
Nice. I liked the foreshadowing. Bilbo falling out of a tree and into Gandalf's lap was a nice touch.
Thanks.
Connie B.
esamen
· 9 September 2004
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
A moment or an eternity later, I came back with a start and a gasp. Such a melody this one had! Bright with hope, heavy with sorrow. Unfinished, yes; its completion would be built on his choices. But a deeper or a more complex and bittersweet song, I had not heard even in the presence of the eldest Elves; at least, judging from the notes that I heard, and they were just the beginning.
Oh, this just takes my breath away. Everything here -- your vision of Gandalf, of Frodo, of Bilbo -- is just fantastic. Rowan, you can really write. Thanks so, so much for sharing your vision!
I'm going to have to run over and see if you've written anything else! This is my favorite kind of fic reading -- Frodo centric, beautifully written, and full of love. Thanks again!
Yavanna
· 9 September 2004
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
Rowan, I'm enjoying very much your story. I think you are offering us some really tender, colourful and interesting insigths about our favourite character. I hope you have in mind a lot more chapters.
shirebound
· 9 September 2004
· Chapter 4: Gandalf the Grey, December 1392
Another marvelous chapter!
"I can cope with being bored, Uncle. I've sat through some of your birthday speeches."
I suppressed my laughter by busying myself hunting for my pipe. This was a quick one.
What a wonderful explanation of why Gandalf chose Bilbo for Thorin's expedition! And how fascinating to see Frodo through these wise, ancient eyes and thoughts.
Dreamflower
· 21 June 2004
· Chapter 3: Samwise Gamgee, August 1392
Wonderful! I love any story in which Lotho gets cut down to size! The interaction between Frodo and Sam, and the bit about how people will say "There goes Mr. Frodo and his Sam" was lovely. By the way, terrific tribute to Dragonsinger also. Menolly would appreciate it.
Connie
· 21 June 2004
· Chapter 3: Samwise Gamgee, August 1392
That was a good chapter. It really shows that you like Sam. I could see something like this happening to them.
Keep up the good work.
Connie.
shirebound
· 21 June 2004
· Chapter 3: Samwise Gamgee, August 1392
What a splendid writer you are! I do love this story, and the way you tell it.
"I did other things too. Like bringing him little presents such as pretty rocks I'd found, or one time a turtle shell that had lost its turtle."
Every chapter is such a joy.
Holdur
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Bilbo Baggins, May 1389
I love the theme of the hobbits seen from outside eyes! I especially liked Primula's story. So touching and so sad.
shirebound
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Bilbo Baggins, May 1389
This is a wonderful conversation between Bilbo and Frodo. You really show their similarities (the need for honesty, and equally sharp intellects) and how much they truly love one another.
Connie
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 2: Bilbo Baggins, May 1389
Another great chapter. Poor Frodo. How sad it is that he thought life was good just because he had food, shelter and clothing. He no longer seemed to view love as a vital part of a good life.
More, please.
Connie.
Author's reply
Hmmmm, that could be one interpretation. I guess I was trying more to convey that Frodo was half-heartedly trying to defend his upbringing, out of a sense of duty that had probably been drummed into him for years. Obviously he did long for more than the creature comforts in life, or he wouldn't have been so eager to go with Bilbo.
Next time I'll try to communicate my characters' emotions a bit better.
Thanks for the review!
-Rowan