Ariel
· 17 June 2005
· Chapter 37: Interlude with Letters
I know it's been a while since you wrote this, but I found a typo and figured I'd call your attention to it. In the following segment...
Pando and Ririon were both asleep when he returned, so he helped himself to the one seedcake they’d thoughtfully left for him from the day’s offerings, then after changing to his night robe he sat down to read the rest of his letters.
Dear Master Ririon,
I hope by this time you have reached Minas Tirith once more and are comfortably back in your rooms in the Inn of the King’s Head. All goes well here, and I have noted that Merry’s nightmares have become more manageable since your visit.
I think you mean Rumevir, right?
Still, in a tale of this magnitude and perfection, one measly typo is hardly grounds for comment... ;)
Working my way through - and still enjoying it thoroughly!
Author's reply
Bless you for catching that one. I did it at least TWICE in that batch of letters, apparently--had had someone else catch the other one. Thanks for the heads up.
Glad you are still enjoying it. Hope you like the last few chapters.
Ariel
· 16 June 2005
· Chapter 35: Plans for Married Life
You'd laugh if you heard how I was reading this thing.
Because it is so big, I have had to copy it in pieces into my PDA, and as I read through each chapter, I delete it off the PDA so I will have room to load the rest of the story! I still haven't gotten the entire thing copied out into a word file (the format I download them to the PDA in) and the file is SO big, it almost doesn't load on my desktop! LOL!
But, I am not complaining! I am delighted to have something steady and available to read whenever I find a spare moment and I will be very sad to finish it. Thank you again for this very satisfying tale.
Author's reply
Oh, how wonderful! A blind friend has downloaded it to her Braille 'n' Speak, a sort of PDA designed for blind folk to use, and another to a BrailleNote, which has a braille readout. The first has it read to her in a synthesized voice, and the second reads it via the braille readout, so both also take the stories they read with them to read during odd times in the day.
Am so glad you are finding the story satisfying enough to be willing to download it in bits and pieces! Thank you--that is very flattering indeed!
Armariel
· 9 June 2005
· Chapter 16: The Bathing Room
Love this story. Am really glad there's so much more of it.
But==pssst--my favorite (so far) is still "For those with eyes to see" (hope I got the title right *g*) That one is right next to the book, I think........
xoxox
Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
Am so glad you like For Eyes to See as Can, as it's the one that got me into this mess of writing fanfiction. And am glad you like this story as well, for you still have a good way to go with it. It's fun to look at the various characters from so many different viewpoints.
Armariel
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 9: A Family Formed
Just wanted to let you know I am really enjoying the story, and I don't even care now that it's better than mine. (Shoot, I knew it would be, lol) The wealth of detail and research is amazing and I really really like your take on Aragorn. The thing Gimli said about Frodo's smile was very poignant. And I am thankful now that you've provided Ruvemir with someone to love!
blessings & cheer
Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
It is not better than yours, merely different. And I am so glad you love my take on Aragorn. Have loved him for forty-one, going on forty-two years now. Love the King of Gondor and Arnor, and always have.
Claudia
· 28 May 2005
· Chapter 7: The Houses of Healing
Hi! I've just now discovered this fic, and I am truly enjoying it. At first, I wasn't sure...with the original characters and Frodo having already sailed and all (and I'm a Frodo junkie)...but I'm on chapter 7 here, and I'm truly won over. I adore your main character. I love that he is "not perfect" and of short stature as well (to sympathize a bit with how the hobbits might have seen Minas Tirith, perhaps?) I adore the heart in this story, how much the King misses Frodo, how much his companions adored him, how strong he was. I especially loved the story aabout Frodo calming the soldier mad from his war experience. I'm just happy that I have so many more chapters still to read! Thank you for writing this story.
Author's reply
It is always a thrill when soomeone discovers a story and enjoys it. I, too, am a Frodo junky, and have been in love with Aragorn for well over forty years now, which is why I try if possible to write both into each story I write. Frodo may have already sailed to Tol Eressea, yet he is still at the heart of this story.
Ruvemir has become one individual whom I have come to admire, and wish I could meet him in person. As with Faramir walking into the text once Tolkien got the story to Ithilien, I found Ruvemir sitting there in the Crossed Keys in Casistir and taking over, as it were. That someone who was exceptionally short would be the one to capture the Hobbits for the memorial just seemed natural; that he would be a good person at heart was also natural. That he would seek to portray the Hobbits as they were also was necessary, for I've always felt the Hobbits would have difficulty with heroic depictions.
And I'm so glad you found the story of Frodo calming the man to be wonderful, for this, I've always felt, was also a good part of his nature--to want to aid others however he could, to try to share the gifts that had been given him.
Thank you for the review. Such keeps us writing, you know.
Ariel
· 27 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Budgeford and Bag End
Thought I had better review in case you thought I had forgotten you.
There are many wonderful things I could comment on and I probably should more often, but I wanted to concur with your view of what the Ring did to Frodo's chances for marriage and a family. Yes! That is also what I have always thought.
Just a question too - I notice that in a lot of the hobbit fics I read, there seems to be a 'fanon' that people follow. You have many of the same characters and positions as Lindelea (and others) writes and I wondered if that was per an agreement or if it was just because you enjoyed doing so?
Author's reply
Oh, dear--the borrowing of characters and devices and so on.
I found myself intrigued mostly by the stories of a few folk when I started--Baylor, Chip of Dale, Anglachel, Jodancingtree, and Lindelea in particular; and those plot devices and characters I'd seen them use that were not counter to canon I have admitted from the beginning I integrated into my first story, "For Eyes to See as Can," which is basically Sam's own story of his relationship with Frodo and how possession of the Ring changed him and affected all who went with Frodo on his journey. I took the idea that Frodo might have been born with a heart murmur (which I know may or may not be a serious condition in a child) and examined it from that point of view, how it would have affected the way the good folk in Brandy Hall treated him and could have led to Bilbo demanding at the last to take Frodo as his ward to give him a more realistic final raising. Lindelea and I have exchanged a number of emails regarding the borrowing of Budgie and Viola (I'd intended to integrate my own story into what I saw as a sort of established Shire social structure), and she has always been thrilled to see that her characters were seen as sufficiently true to life someone else would include them elsewhere. Now I'm waiting to see if Ruvemir or Narcissa or one of my other characters might find their way into other stories to expand on what I've added to the world of Middle Earth.
You will note, however, that my Budgie and Viola have slightly different backgrounds, and had a son instead of a daughter, and named their son after Frodo's father. We do diverge.
Ariel
· 17 May 2005
· Chapter 6: Rain and Distress
*blushes*
Goodness, yes. In this chapter, I see my error.
I don't know how I saw him initially - I don't think I ever gave the character much thought, actually. Of the elves, I was drawn to Elrond and some to Galadriel, but I was so decidedly a hobbit person that I always saw even these characters as beyond my reach.
Excellent reading. Though many people shy away from long stories, I am delighted I will have 80 chapters of this story to enjoy.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, eighty chapters to this one. It was bidding fair to equal the original the way it was going. Hope you enjoy it all.
I liked the Hobbits, but my favorite was always Aragorn. I always loved Aragorn and love him more now. I now offer more honor to the other hobbits than I used to do, I think.
Ariel
· 16 May 2005
· Chapter 5: Shaping the Face Unseen
Just thought to let you know I was reading through this compelling tale - though I am hard pressed not to savor it slowly. I've copied it into my PDA, as a word document, in order that I may throughly enjoy the story and read it over my lunches or when my job has me waiting on someone else. You've provided me with something more delicious than my sandwich to look forward to.
BTW, I love the black haired Legolas! Perfect. I get tired of movie induced, cookie cutter descriptions. My favorite Frodo fic describes him with brown eyes in stark defiance of the films, though I must confess to being rather captivated by that particular contribution Mr. Wood made to the character.
Reading on.
Author's reply
Alas, I had always, always from reading LOTR from the first seen Legolas as golden haired, which I am certain came from the text somewhere. It is his brother Tharen who labors before the Inn of the King's Head, and who has raven hair.
Author Reply: BTW, one of my blind friends downloaded it into her Braille Note so she can read it at her leisure using a braille readout. Glad you have been able to do similarly with your PDA. I've never thought to try downloading books to mine, which is rather elderly at this point. Don't know if it handles Word documents, actually. Will have to try it.
Glad you are enjoying it.
Ariel
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 1: Revelations
Truth be told, I saw this fic at the beginning and always wanted to read it, though, because I had somehow managed not to get 'hooked' on it yet (another WIP!), figured to read it when it was complete.
Well, now it's complete.
Thank you for reminding to get back to it. I know I have a delightful read ahead of me.
Author's reply
I try to get a good deal of the story done before I start posting it so I can try to keep to a chapter a day schedule for putting it on the sites. I hope you do enjoy it, and that you find Ruvemir an acceptable addition to the world of Middle Earth.
fadagaski
· 21 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
It is very late right now, so I will be brief before I collapse on this here keyboard. I have followed this story avidly, as it obviously crafted with love and care. Parts of it are somewhat repetitive, though I would be hard-pressed to find a way to make it unnecessary. Yet the whole thing (all 79 chapters!) was a wonderful read from start to finish - the OCs are unique and well-manifested, and your treatment of the many sensitive topics is to be commended.
And now I need to sleep. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. And I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Gentle Hobbit
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 77: Arrivals
It takes a lot of work to keep up with your chapters! I've been enjoying the fic very much, particularly for how the characters' love and fascination for whichever craft they have felt drawn towards is shown. Your descriptions of Ruvemir's process have been fascinating in how he so carefully reveals the shapes wihin the stone. However... this also leads to one (small) complaint! I was hoping to read about how he brought Frodo's image "out" of the stone. There was such care and consideration about that stone, but in the end, all there was was "and the four figures were completed." Your own skill in describing the process left me "hungry" for more. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading about the reunions between Ruvemir, hobbits and Aragorn. Lovely!
Author's reply
This is one story that has insisted on layers and layers of details until at times I wondered if it would ever let me go. I'm so sorry I didn't get into more detail on Frodo's figure, but was fearful it would become boring at the end. That you were hungry for more detail is quite the compliment.
And I'm glad you enjoy the reunions--I wanted to see them right for the entire group, real but not fluffy, if you understand.
Thank you for following the story for so long, and hope so you enjoy the ending.
Paladin1420
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
I catch my breath and dry my eyes and say thank you for this wonderful story.
I love that so many loose ends were tied throughout the story and I also appreciate how you included so much detail of daily life - from sculptors' tools to eating utensils, from fabric to food - it added a dimension to the story that made me feel I was there too.
I will surely miss looking for new chapters and will now have to reread it.
Thank you.
Author's reply
I thank you for your feedback, and hope so that you will enjoy what I post next. And I am so glad the details have added to your enjoyment and feeling of inclusion in the story.
Pernauriel
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
I truely enjoyed reading The Kings Commission. I am going to miss reading a new chapter everyday. It was also a wonderful ending.
Author's reply
I am honored that you found it so engrossing and that you love the ending. Thank you so much for following it for so long.
grumpy
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 999999: Author's notes
Hi! Just wanted to say how much I totally enjoyed reading your story, I looked forward to each and every chapter. Your story was wonderful, loved how you weaved together Ruvemir and Aragorn with the other characters and their stories.
As a great fan of the rangers of the north, I really liked how you wrote about Aragorn's kin, Hardorn, Halladan and Gilfileg, whom I am glad to know is now looking for a wife.
thanks for the great story!
Author's reply
Well, the Rangers of the North are important, too.
So glad you followed through on the entire story and found it so satisfactory. Thank you.
Raksha The Demon
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 79: Time Passing
A lovely penultimate chapter; and a great Rest of Ruvemir's wonderful, fruitful life. I particularly liked the ending, that moment where Aragorn feels Frodo's presence while thinking of Ruvemir...
Author's reply
I hope you have gone on to read the actual last chapter as well, though.
Thank you so much for the feedback, and am so glad you appreciate the way the chapter ends.
Radbooks
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
It was the perfect ending for your story, Larner. Though I am sorry that it had to end at all! :) Ruvemir and the mantle he gave to Frodo as he passed with all of the threads in it was very touching. None of us are ever truly aware of how many people's lives we affect and touch as we are on our own journey. I do hope you continue to write because you do have a gift for it. I've been meaning to tell you that I also am a teacher, an elementary school librarian and also live here in Washington State. I was touched in reading your notes for chapter 80 about things that you have had to deal with in your life. Yet as horribly painful as that has been for you, look how you have been able to draw on those experiences to produce such a wonderful story. I know that in my own writings that is often the case. Anyway, I do thank you for all of your time and effort that you put into this story and for your willingness to share it.
Author's reply
I'll admit I've known pain in my life, but being short and being called names and being looked at askance has been among the least of it--at the time I was more angry than hurt, and found plenty of compensation in growing up my mother's daughter.
Love has a way of working backwards through all of that, bringing the blessedness out of it all. Now, to keep myself open to it.
Thank you for following the story--it is fully appreciated.
Author Reply: Radbooks, BTW, if you are as I suspect Primsong, I'd love to see your story published here.
Tigger
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
Well, I thought the chapter before this was the end as well. Sigh...What a lovely and...right way to end this amazing story. Thank you so very much for this gift of a tale. I will be re reading this and recommending it to all of my friends who adore LOTR and good stories based on it. Thank you again!!
Author's reply
And I thank you, very, very much.
harrowcat
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
How could I have missed that the previous chapter wasn't the last? *calls self a ninnyhammer!* But I am so glad that it wasn't because this chapter fulfilled everything I wanted to read about with Ruvemir and Frodo. The setting caught me by surprise as I had imagined, earlier in the story, that they would only meet when both had gone on. This was so much better which is why I read but am not a writer. I am trying to be a better reviewer. Now, as you suggested to re-read to get the full effect. But when do I sleep? Thank you, too for your Authorial insights. I do so agree with your thoughts about the complimentary nature and destiny of Aragorn and Frodo. I think that I have read everything that you have posted Larner but am certainly going back to check!
Author's reply
Thank you for this review and all you've given me. And take not to yourself unearned names!
Am so glad you feel this setting was the more appropriate.
As for when you sleep--I myself have found myself asking that question repeatedly. Insomnia has been an almost constant for several years, which is one reason I ended up writing.
Thanks again for keeping me going throughout the process.
Bodkin
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
I love the mantle and the meeting between Ruvemir and Frodo. This story has been most enjoyable, and I'm only sorry I didn't manage to review the last chapters so efficiently, but I have been reading avidly whenever I could catch up.
I hope you have plenty of ideas in mind and pick up some of the possible side trails from this.
Thank you for writing this.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, and am so glad you liked the mantle.
One day I'll revisit Ruvemir, I suspect. But gotta get the nuzgul that crept out from under the bed taken care of, first.
Kitty
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 999999: Author's notes
Now it is truly over ... *sigh*
It was a very touching end for this story, and it was not so sad as I had feared. In the contrary, I was glad Ruvemir got a glimpse of Frodo, and I loved the idea with the cloak. Hopefully they will meet in the West again and have the chance to talk, it would be so nice for Ruvemir to get to know Frodo personally.
Thank you again for sharing this wonderful story! I will wait eagerly for more from you, and in the meantime I am reading your earlier fics and probably re-reading this one.
Author's reply
Thank you, Kitty. It makes me weep to read it, but they are the healing tears that Aragorn knows as he goes back to find Arwen.
I'm working on that. Look for it one day in your favorite bookstore.
Lindelea
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
Ahhhh, yes, an absolute gem of an ending.
I still intend to savour the story slowly, chapter by chapter, but even if it is a long time before I get all the way through that journey, I wanted to leave a note after the "flying" pass through, fraught with distraction and interruption.
Wonderful, simply wonderful, and comfort even in the midst of tears.
Author's reply
Then it has done its job, and done it well.
From you and your writing, I take that as a great compliment.
Thank you.
::: thunderous applause :::
thank you for the last few months of highly, highly enjoyable reading!!!
Author's reply
Thank you, sgt pepper, for following it and enjoying it. I am so pleased this has been so well received.
Dreamflower
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
Ah...so satisfying an end to so satisfying a story. This story is magnificent.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Dreamflower.
Lee
· 17 March 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
Thank you for taking us on this wonderful journey. I will cherish this story and I'm adding it to my yearly reading list.
I think this expresses what I feel about the story, the characters and especially, endings:
For everyone there is a time
And a purpose and a place
You've left me now, far behind
Stepped out of the frantic race
But while the twinkle in your eye remains
As clear to me now as then
I can see you without pain
I can hear you once again
Your voice and words still reach me
Now, though I barely listened then
And your courage and wisdom teach me
Much more than I can comprehend
For everyone there is a time
And still a purpose, still a place
While you are in this heart of mine
And my memory holds your face
(c) Leoni Venter
Author's reply
Thank you, Lee. Thank you very much; and I appreciate the song as well.