Voices of Middle-Earth by Armariel
Farawyn · 6 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Beauty (Faramir)
That was a lovely half-drabble! I did count them. : )
Author's reply
Thank you my dear! You know I didn't even intend it to be so...then I did a word count and voilá! 50 words exactly. How about that? *g* xoxx RoZ/Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna · 30 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
Sorry it took me so long to find this: I haven't been on in awhile. Thank you so much for writing this! :) As usual, you have a breath-taking use of words. I just love the water imagery: there's something so pure and mystical and almost sacred about it. Light and water, as Sam might say. I especially love these lines: So sweep your mind of all doubt and in the firelit chamber of the night lie still and listen, you will hear my voice as a streamlet through the clouds and in the mystic pool of dreams I'll serve you answers on silver plates. *sigh* I can almost hear his answers through your gentle words. Thank you so much! Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
Thank YOU for inspiring it! Glad to see you back, was afraid RL (Real Life) was maybe dealing you a bad hand. Yes, I am rather partial to water imagery myself, I use it a lot if you've noticed *g* Womb symbol, some would say. Maybe, I don't know. I don't think much about symbols when I write, I just go with the flow (whoa, there it is again, lol) I like light imagery as well, have an idea about the stars in my head at the moment, but it's still pretty vague. I did write my poem for the week, but it had nothing to do with LotR. Maybe later on this week my Tolkien muse will come back! Again, thanks bunches for reviewing! cheers Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
I don't think so..... and thanks. She promised me that she wouldn't ever read anything with a higher rating than PG, so I'll bet she's happy you didn't up the rating. Who said anything about her admiring me??? *giggle* I'm sure she'll be reading this so I'd better not say anything that would make her trash my room. But then again, she probably will anyway...
Farawyn · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
What if I told you that my little sister, who is 10, goes to this site all the time and that I strongly suspect that that was who Anonymous LotR Lover was?
Author's reply
Well, if that's her, then she's gotta be pretty sharp for her age! and you are lucky to have a younger sister who admires you, that seems to be a rarity nowadays *wink* I don't think I've posted anything really harmful for a very young person, at least....have I?
Farawyn · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
I was just wondering....... why is this rated PG??
Author's reply
Well, the entire collection is rated PG, since some poems contain rather disturbing themes, and I don't see a way to rate them individually, so to be on the safe side, you have the PG rating. I told myself at least one or two of them should be a PG-13, but since I seriously doubt anybody under the age of 13 is reading these, I'm not gonna worry too much about it...lol
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Shieldmaiden (Eowyn)
Fantastic imagery. A good meditation for Eowyn as she watches her brother prepare to depart for war, and plans secretly to follow.
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Outcast (Grima)
Ah, Grima--you do have a core of decency still within you. May it bring your soul some ease.
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 14: Last Night in Mordor (Sam)
A fitting tribute to many, many; and in particular to Sam and Frodo.
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 13: The Witch King (Witch King)
In this curse on Frodo, I see a reflection of the relationship between Saruman and Grima, both intended to be changed into whining, fawning slaves. Am so glad Elrond was able to turn Frodo back from that fate, and wish that Grima had been able to accept the chance for healing offered through Frodo's own offer of time and respite.
Author's reply
Well, actually I wasn't absolutely sure whether WK was addressing Frodo, or Gandalf, or Eowyn. Maybe it could have been any of them, he being the obviously satanic figure he is. I've seen an alarming amount of this sort of thing in real life, authority figures wishing to drain those under them of all their individuality and flavor, turning them into mindless and obedient automatons, perhaps even unaware that they were doing so. Guess a lot of us have wished that Grima had chosen redemption, which it seems none of the villains ever does, surprisingly. Gollum comes the closest to it, but never quite makes it somehow.
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 12: Farewell Lullaby (Frodo)
What a blessing to wish for Elanor ere Frodo departs.
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 11: Boromir Speaks (Boromir)
Beautiful movie-verse statement--to see the love of the older brother for the wiser younger one, whom he recognizes as his superior for all Faramir is the younger.
Author's reply
Whoops, missed this one somehow. The love was conveyed beautifully in the movie, I thought. Big mistake leaving that scene out of the theatrical version of TTT, it's one of my favorite scenes anywhere and makes a huge difference! Thanks bunches...glad you're not shy about reviewing any more. I'm often puzzled by how few people review; I always tell people when I like something they've written, maybe I don't review every single chapter, but eventually I must tell them!
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 9: Eowyn's Wedding (Eowyn)
Oh, how beautiful a look at the happiness at last come to Eowyn.
Author's reply
Thanks, I thought it was high time somebody wrote a happy poem about her. Every other one I've read about her was so depressing....And this one practically wrote itself! *tells herself Faramir had nothing whatsoever to do with that* :D:D:D
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 8: White Gem (Frodo)
And, so a small Hobbit has fallen in love with the semi-divine maiden intended for the love of the King who is the twin to his own heart and light. Again, imagery to lighten the soul.
Author's reply
Oh yes...I got the distinct impression from the book that he was smitten with her from the get-go, and I wanted to write a story about it, but it ended up being a poem instead. Seems that nearly always happens when I get a LotR story idea, it somehow winds up as a poem, whether because of innate laziness, a contrary Muse, or my own passion for shuffling words around and painstakingly fitting them like mosaic tiles into strange and lovely images, which you can't do so much of in prose, or all of the above.....
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 7: In the Tower (Frodo)
Indeed a dark poem, and true to the Ringbearer.
Author's reply
Wow, I just now saw that I haven't answered this! while answering someone else's review of the same piece. It always takes me by surprise when something really dark comes out of me. I did write this one in a time of personal crisis and scared some of my closest friends with it! The way it just poured out of me with scarcely any effort on my part was a trifle disturbing, at that. But when such things want out of you, there's really no denying them, is there?
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 6: The Bridge (Sam)
Once again you have me weeping. It is a beautiful and yet heartrending image, Sam able to cross the Bridge to Frodo only at need, until at the last he can go bodily to be with him.
Author's reply
Well...not really "only", but Frodo is advising Sam against dwelling overmuch on the past, I think. Lovely place to visit, but not really a good idea to live there! At least, not until nearly the end of your days..... Thanks once more, I greatly value your comments!
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 5: The Gardener Speaks (Sam)
You have me weeping. It is such a beautiful tribute to Frodo and what he has been to Sam, always and ever. Thank you.
Author's reply
I love it when I have that effect! Don't you?:D Thank YOU so much! xoxox Armariel~~~{~@
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 4: Falling Leaves (Arwen)
Obviously inspired by the movie's imagery, it is yet appropriate to both movie and book Arwen. Her grief was devastating at being left behind.
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 3: My Star (Arwen)
Your voice for Arwen is lovely.
Author's reply
Thanks, I guess I do have a special affection for this one, it being my first LotR poem..... cheers Armariel~~~{~@
Larner · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 1: Upon Meeting Arwen (Aragorn)
Some have the gift of poetry. I so wish I did. Lovely imagery.
Author's reply
And some have a most uncanny knack for story-telling;) Wish I had more of that but I guess I should just be content with the gifts I have and try to use them well, rather than coveting someone else's! Thank you, thank you! blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
That was great, Armariel! It had a lovely little beat, too; da dun-dun-dun-dun dun-dah da dun-dun-dun-dun dun-dah and so on....... lovely, again. Yesss, you can make nice rhymesessss...... Update sssoon! Farawyn P.S. Thanks so much, Anonymous LotR Lover! That gave me a ton of encouragement.
Anoymous LotR Lover · 25 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
Hey, Armariel, and Farawyn too, for that matter. I just wanted to say that I love all your poems, Armariel, and that that was a spectacularly AWESOME bout of poetry between you two!!!!! I'll be looking for Armariel's next reply to Farawyn. LotR Lover
Author's reply
Oh goodness me, I thought I'd already replied...well, it's there now! LOL Thanks bunches for your comments, LotR Lover! cheers Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 22 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
I call! I call, dear sister. But Inspiration comes when she pleases, you cannot force her to give of herself. Yet now, what can this be named, other than the gift of Inspiration herself? For she is truly the mother of my child, not I. I care for, and nurture, and love and provide for my child, but the one who gave him life is the sister of our queen. Did you know? The mother of Inspiration is the lady called Dream, which all of us posess, from the young toddler, aspiring to be great, and famous, to the old and aged, that have dreams for their grandbabies, dreams of a bright, hopeful, sunny future.
Author's reply
There you see, I knew it I knew that you could do it if you set your mind to it and decided to get through it and didn't just say "screw it" even if others pooh-pooh it or even misconstrue it with jaded eye to view it but you will never rue it or tell yourself "I blew it" just with your soul imbue it however you intuit just get down and DO it! Yessss precioussss, we CAN makes nice rhymeses....heheh Pssst--look what Anonymous LotR Fan said! Somebody besides me does like your stuff...;)
Farawyn · 22 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
My son ... I cannot see him, for I am blinded with a mother's love. Is he beautiful? Or does he look like all the other youths that Imagination sees. Maybe it is so that he is not so very fair outwardly, but has the inward beauty that only children of the servants of Imagination can produce? I love him so much, so very, very much, I would gladly give him a younger sister or brother. But only when the sister of Imagination, who is Inspiration, sees fit shall I have another child to pick flowers for my hair and give me kisses sweet.
Author's reply
All children bear the blossoms of beauty in the eyes of those who love and cultivate them, whether or not the rest of the world sees anything but bare limbs and uninteresting leaves through the roseate cloud. And think not that Inspiration is a capricious wench who comes and goes as she pleases-- she is shy, needs courting, nurturing, tenderness and devotion bread and roses and will come if called from the core of a patient and listening heart.
Farawyn · 22 May 2005 · Chapter 24: Answers (Frodo)
Beautiful, Armariel, absolutely beautiful. I love it. Thank you for it.
Author's reply
You are most welcome, my dear. Thank you for reading and all your comments; I treasure them. blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 22 May 2005 · Chapter 23: Questions (Sam)
This is my son, my firstborn, and Poem is his name, but he has two friends, also. One, Story, is your darling daughter, and the other, Song, is in my heart along with another, sweeter child whose name is Joy. Beauty and Love reside there too, in that home of fairies, I love them all so dearly, though friends and family scoff and say, "They are not your children, only imagination and fancy are they." Come, help me prove them wrong, show them that our children live, even if only in our hearts. It is true, blood runs not in their veins, but something much more precious than gold- that is Belief. Belief in stories, for how can you truly call yourself a Poet when you are not first a Storyteller? Um, I think I had a little fit there ... I just get angry when "friends and family scoff and say, "They are not your children, only imagination and fancy are they." Thank you for giving me the gift of your poetry, I am honored, that one poem was all for me!
Author's reply
Already he's walking toddling down rainbowed paths picking flowers and handing them to you to wear in your hair and display with pride in each sunny window. For the children of belief are the forgers of starry gates and moonbow bridges for Imagination is a lofty queen who rules the world and gifts the children of the body, small or grown with a sunlit playground and a stable of dreams far above the slag and mud of weighted reality.