Reviews (72)

Mirkwoodmaiden · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Mathom Houses and Memorials

My dear! I love Ch. 9. It is wonderfully written. Again you've developed a real talent for writing Pub scenes. It must have been all that field work that you and I did! The Great Mathom house was well described. It made me want to leap through the computer screen and visit it. The detail made it come alive! You could see what made the Fellowship such a awesome achievement. the chapter is written with humour and humanity! I truly believe that Aragorn would have that "common touch" just as you describe. Court life I think would seem very confining! The Pheriannath wing the houses of the Healing was a lovely idea and the care with which it describes the design for children was equally wonderful. Suffice to say I really enjoyed it! MM (PEF)

Andrea · 25 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Partings and Homecomings

Thank you again for this wonderful story! There were some dark moments in it, but in the end there was only joy and happiness. How would I have liked the books to end like this! And now you gave me an alternative ending! I'm happy :)

Ithilrande · 24 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Partings and Homecomings

I seldom am moved to write in response to stories, but I wished to thank you for the sweetness of this. I am especially impressed with the quality of writing. It is seldom that others are able to capture the magic of words as the Professor did. I was deeply moved by this passage... "The land was preparing to go to sleep for the winter, guarding the seeds for next summer's harvest. The trees were still wearing their autumnal colours, although most were in scanty garb now, the last few leaves clinging on gallantly until they were torn away by the first gale. Dry leaves gathered in drifts in the gateways and under hedgerows, eddying and swirling as the wind caught them. In the distance the land was veiled in a damp mist and a haze from many bonfires. Smoke puffed from many chimneys and drifted in the still air." I found the smells and the feel of the chill autumn air surrounding me whilst I sat in my office cubicle. A great feat that I felt compelled to acknowledge. I look forward to reading more of your works. Thank you.

Dreamflower · 24 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Partings and Homecomings

OMG!!*crying&laughing* This was the *perfect* ending to a wonderful story!! Why would anyone want an angsty, miserable AU, when they can have a sweet and happy one like yours? Talk about eucatastrophe--this is the ending I sometimes wish JRRT had given us in the first place! Take a bow for a job well done!!!

Breon Briarwood · 24 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Partings and Homecomings

Bravo! Bravo! *standing ovation* What an incredible ride this has been. From the angst and illness to the healing and happiness, this is a wonderful story that I will be reading again. :D

Arwen Baggins · 24 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Partings and Homecomings

That was a great story, though mind you you might want to say in which chapter the rating will be bumped up. I just loved it! Especially seeing Frodo at Ring-Day. But the end? Oh, come on! You have to write about when the kids meet! That would be so much fun.

shirebound · 24 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Partings and Homecomings

"The smial was warm and cozy and full of the smells of home: polish, baking, washing. Frodo allowed himself to be enveloped in the dear familiarity of it all. It had been his home for so long, and no matter where he went he was always comforted to know that it was still here, nestling in the side of the hill, the polished floors, the dried flowers, the cheerful clutter." *happy sigh* *applauds loud and long* My goodness, Baggins Babe, where have you been? Any more stories up your sleeve? You do the fandom great honor.

harrowcat · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Ring Day

*It had been a unique birthday.* What an understatement! What an emotional roller costor of a story. A truly brillliant chapter and I agree completely with Shirebound. Too many great bits to quote a favourite but I do love your relaxed and happy Aragorn and you are making Arwen so much more real for me. Thanks so much. This is definately on my read regularly list.

Lily Baggins · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Ring Day

This is an overwhelmingly touching and beautiful (and pretty darned funny!) story . . . it's exactly how I wish Frodo's life after the quest had gone. Your last chapter here actually made me cry, it was so sweet and moving. I can't give praise high enough for all of the elements of this story. I do hope you continue to write more.

Andrea · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Ring Day

Two chapters in a row, and "It's Ring-Day!" - wonderful! I enjoyed these chapters very much. A very vivid description of the celebration of Ring-Day, from the cheering crowds to the detailed description of the robes. There's one sentence in Frodo's speech, I would like to quote: "I suppose that is how everyone feels, to have nearly lost all that we hold dear, and to be given a second chance." That's so true! And I'm glad that Frodo himself has been given a second chance (by you) to live at peace in Middle Earth for the rest of his life. Well, maybe he even gets married someday... who knows. Thank you!

shirebound · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Ring Day

There really aren't words to adequately describe how I feel about this gem of a story. It's as if the Professor had penned a complete alternate ending to his Tale, and it has just been discovered and shared with those lucky enough to be reading this.

Dreamflower · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 11: A Rose in the Kitchen

How delightful, and how hobbity! I *love*love*love* hobbits in the kitchen! This is *so* fun!

harrowcat · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 11: A Rose in the Kitchen

Iam loving this story even though I don't usually like AUs! You have had me in tears. But now, *fights way out from under a pile of fluff,* I shall be giggling my way through work today. Thanks so much.

Tigger · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 11: A Rose in the Kitchen

What a lovely happy chapter!! Made me feel all fuzzy and warm. Nothing like Hobbits feeding and taking care of those they love. Oh and all the little stories of growing up and who did what to whom!! And Eowyn had a wooden sword just like me!! :oD Lovely, lovely chapter!!

Mirkwoodmaiden · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 11: A Rose in the Kitchen

Baggins Babe! This story is as good as I remember it being! Your hobbits simply come to life! Their joy and sorrow springs from exactly who they are! Ahhh! The return of the dreaded tea towel! LOL!!! Will Pippin ever stop getting into mischief, or think about getting into mischief! Rose is so wonderful and warm. Very earthy and grounded! Love the banter between the Hobbits when Aragorn is slicing the meat (Roast Beast?) they are delightful! Mirkwoodmaiden (PEF)

Andrea · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 11: A Rose in the Kitchen

Well, no "fluff warning" can stop me from reading on! So I did read on and I can tell you, I don't remember the last time when I laughed so much. This bit, for example: "Merry tried rope-walking once, on the washing line at Bag End. Fortunately he had a softish landing when he fell off." "I landed on Bilbo, who was having a nap! He chased me round the garden and threatened to send me home to Buckland.. Then he started laughing and said he wished I'd landed on Lobelia!" Thank you! I'm looking forward to the celebration of Ring-Day!

shirebound · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 11: A Rose in the Kitchen

I love the gentle teasing, especially of Aragorn! And this makes my heart happy: "No-one is more delighted to see it than I, my dearest Frodo. I don't believe I shall ever grow tired of hearing you laugh and seeing your face wreathed in smiles."

Andrea · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Revisiting the Black Land

Wonderful! I must admit, that I was as anxious as Rosie about that trip into Mordor. But Frodo was able to overcome his frightening memories and see what has become of the Land of Mordor, now that all evil has vanished - Nature always finds a way. I think, Frodo is truly healed now. And that's a wonderful thought. Thank you!

shirebound · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Revisiting the Black Land

"It would never be anything other than rocky and inhospitable but ordinary things were growing in a race for life." What a relief. And I'm very much looking forward to September 22!

Dreamflower · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Revisiting the Black Land

Very Well Done! You showed that there was still some apprehension, not only from Frodo's friends, but he himself. And his violent reaction to the memories was exactly right--as was his recovery from them. One thing I liked was your explanation of why the dust and ash from the mountain's eruption had not buried Ithilien and Gondor: the wind from the West and the rain was well thought of! Frodo's and Sam's amazement at how quickly and thoroughly nature had obliterated the evil of Sauron was wonderful. And I much appreciated Rosie's reaction to their return. In some ways, Frodo still has not quite yet understood the depth of love his friends have for him--Sam and his cousins, yes, but not the others. But I think he is beginning to. I am looking forward to the birthday and Ring Day celebrations! PS: You had a couple of typos you might want to fix: "larva" instead of "lava" in a couple of places.

Tigger · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Mathom Houses and Memorials

Oh...What a lovely monument to Frodo, Sam and all the hobbits have done for Middle Earth. Sneaky Aragorn to get them to officially open it, but what a far better tribute to Frodo and Sam in their eyes than any statue would be. Nice thinking there and it works wonderfully!! This has been a wonderful story. Looking forward to seeing how the trip to Mordor turns out.

Dreamflower · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Mathom Houses and Memorials

It's so nice to see Frodo, able to accept the gratitude and tribute of others with no more than the normal embarassment of modesty, rather than the pain and humiliation of undeserved guilt. Well done!

shirebound · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Mathom Houses and Memorials

Thank you for taking us on such a marvelous tour of Minas Tirith. I'm enjoying this very much... especially things like this: "Frodo's journey was marked in red, and Rose stood on some steps to look more closely. She had seen small maps before, but this one brought home to her the scale of the journey. Here, at the top left, was Hobbiton, and she followed the red line with her finger, tracing each mountain and river. She knew how far it was to Gondor, riding safely and comfortably, and their journey had been neither. The Misty Mountains, the great River Anduin, the Emyn Muil and the expanse of the Marshes, then the Mountains and the wastes of Mordor, all now seemed much more real. "They walked," she whispered dazedly. "They walked all that way." She stared at the two, who were exclaiming over one of the giant siege catapults. "They actually walked all the way to Mordor."

Dreamflower · 15 March 2005 · Chapter 8: Sightseeing in the City

Trust Pippin not to lose sight of the essentials, LOL! Seriously, I am *so* loving this wonderful happy AU of yours. Frodo's concern for Aragorn's own feelings of guilt was so touching. And there was just the slight angsty moment for poor Legolas, who does indeed face immortality without his dearest friends. But the tour of the city was wonderful, and the idea of a night out with Dwarves--I *do* hope you will be showing that, as well as a visit to see the greening of Mordor.

shirebound · 15 March 2005 · Chapter 8: Sightseeing in the City

Ah, so *that's* why Sam ended up with the Star of the Dunedain! I love that it might have been Frodo's idea. "Sam WAS home, had always been home..." *sigh* And going to Mordor! Amazing. This whole story is amazing.