ET's Dribs and Drabbles by Elena Tiriel
ainisarie · 30 April 2018 · Chapter 16: Son of Durin (Gimli, Glóin)
I;ve no idea if y9ou are still involved in fanfic in anyway, but I am catching up on authors and stories here. I am familiar with your Fell and Fair from HASA and these little stories are very like it in many ways. I wish I still had access to Fell and Fair, as I'd love to read it again.
elliska · 17 March 2009 · Chapter 14: Unwilling (an Avari, an Ent)
This one made me cry. The subject matter--both the Avari and the destroyed orchard you reference in your note--are dear to me. Well done. Very powerful!
elliska · 17 March 2009 · Chapter 13: Renewal (Narsil)
What an awesome POV! This is totally unique and so well done--who would have thought the POV of an inanimate object could be brought to life so well. Love it!
elliska · 17 March 2009 · Chapter 12: Men of the Twilight (Faramir, Éowyn, Éomer)
Catching up on my reading... Hooray! :-) This is a great glimpse of Faramir. It fits the way I think of him very well--so thoughtful and reasoning and willing to question assumptions. Of course, dwelling on these thoughts are going to lead him to a very nice reward. Well done!
Raksha The Demon · 5 April 2008 · Chapter 13: Renewal (Narsil)
A masterful piece; conveying the power of the blade and the skill of its makers and those who re-forged it. And kudos for your excellent research skills!
Author's reply
Hi Raksha! Wow! "Masterful" is a compliment indeed, coming from an accomplished author such as yourself... Thank you! - Barbara
daw the minstrel · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 14: Unwilling (an Avari, an Ent)
It's really hard for me anyway to envision what it means to live as long as Arda. What would you see? What would that do to your sense of time?
Author's reply
Hi Daw! Yes, it's just mind-boggling, isn't it? If I multiply the changes that I have seen in my (very short by Elven standards LOL!) life by hundreds, I can't imagine it! Even if you think of the fey Elves in The Silmarillion, versus the rather tame ones of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, you can get a little bit of an idea of how they mellowed, both individually and as a race. But I still can't really grasp the idea of living for thousands of years.... what would I do with myself? LOLOL! Thanks for your thoughts.... - Barbara
daw the minstrel · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 13: Renewal (Narsil)
This is very cool, ET. In a figurative sense, it also applies to Aragorn, I think.
Author's reply
Hi Daw! You know, I had not really thought of it that way, but yes, indeed the renewal and tempering process does indeed describe Aragorn's life journey, too.... I am blessed to have readers that are so astute that they keep pointing out things that I hadn't realized about my own drabbles! LOL! Thank you! - Barbara
Jay of Lasgalen · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 8: A Long, Unexpected Drabble (OFC)
I don't know how I've missed these! I love this one - that struggle with the word count is so familiar! It really is an impractical obsession, but such fun. I remember answering the same challenge, and using the fact that a certain pair of twins were 111 when their sister was born :>)
Author's reply
Hi Jay! Yes, we drabblists do tend to be a bit on the, er *cough* obsessive *cough* side, don't we? LOL! I very much remember your drabble for the eleventy-one challenge... I was absolutely floored to learn that the twins were 111 when Arwen was born! What a perfect idea for that challenge! And thanks for your kind words! - Barbara
Jay of Lasgalen · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 14: Unwilling (an Avari, an Ent)
I'm glad you're reposting your drabbles here. This is so very sad, filled with such sorrow for what has been lost. I particularly like this line: 'stole our beloved stars from the night.' But I want to believe that elves still live! There's a stretch of ancient woodland here where I often take my dog for a walk - there could be some hiding among the trees ... Jay
Author's reply
Hi Jay! Thanks, I'm just getting around to putting my most recent drabbles up in my favorite archives. Yes, it is sorrowful that such a being would give up and leave this world. And thank you for picking out your favorite line... that is my favorite, too! ;-) Perhaps it was just this one Elf who ended up being surrounded by a city.... maybe there are more out there! I know that when I walk through an old-growth redwood forest, the sense of awe, wonder, and profound peace leaves me open to the thought that there are ancient beings there who will not show themselves to these mere modern people rushing through and not really taking their stewardship of the land seriously.... Thank you for your kind words! - Barbara
Jay of Lasgalen · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 13: Renewal (Narsil)
Beautiful. I just love the imagery you use for the sword! Jay
Author's reply
Hi Jay! Thank you! I'm very pleased with how this drabble developed... I saw a TV program recently about a sword-master making Japanese samurai swords the ancient way, and it just fascinated me.... And hey, I'll take inspiration wherever and whenever it chooses to strike! And Imhiriel's birthday request for drabbles from the PoV of things that don't normally have a voice was simply brilliant.... - Barbara
Larner · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 14: Unwilling (an Avari, an Ent)
Ah, how tragic, and how Tolkien himself would feel this spoke aright of his own experience, seeing the home of his youth give way to "progress."
Author's reply
Hi Larner, Yes, I agree, Tolkien would definitely have empathized.... and he probably saw even more profound change during his lifetime than my father did in his. I'm glad you found the drabble tragic, Larner... that's just what I was aiming for. Thank you for your comments! - Barbara
Larner · 22 March 2008 · Chapter 13: Renewal (Narsil)
A stirring experience as we are made one with the sword that Aragorn will bear to the south and east. Originally the work of Dwarven smiths, it now is made anew by the Elves--very fitting that he who is Elf- and Dwarf-friend should bear a sword that has known the skill and magic of both, bringing the third Kindred's own strength to bear in the fight against Sauron even as three others of the fourth kindred manage the actual killing stroke!
Author's reply
Hi Larner, Wow! you know, I had not really thought of it from the angle of the different races that worked on Narsil... have you ever thought of writing a drabble about that? LOL! Thanks for your thoughts, Larner! I'm glad you thought the drabble was stirring.... - Barbara
Lindelea · 15 March 2008 · Chapter 12: Men of the Twilight (Faramir, Éowyn, Éomer)
Oh, my. I don't think I've ever really *noticed* that passage you quoted, at least, not to take in hand and turn it over and examine it curiously. Good food for thought, and beautifully written. Thanks!
Author's reply
Hi Lindelea! Thank you for your great review! it was quite a nice birthday (plus one) gift, too.... Yes, I have never really thought much about that passage, either... but since Faramir and Éowyn were both under the influence of Shadow sickness, that passage about Men of Shadow popped into my mind... I always thought it was an unfair characterization, so I liked twisting it on its head. LOLOL! Thanks! - Barbara Author Reply: Er, serves me right for answering while distracted... of course, the Rohirrim were Men of the Twilight, not Men of Shadow... but that passage did come to mind when I thought of the Shadow affecting both Faramir and Éowyn.... - Barbara
Raksha The Demon · 5 October 2007 · Chapter 12: Men of the Twilight (Faramir, Éowyn, Éomer)
Very nice ficlet - I liked Faramir's observations of Eomer's attention to Eowyn. Something tells me the Houses of Healing are in for some sunshine soon! (alliterating in admiration...)
Author's reply
Hi Raksha! Wow! Alliterating in admiration... I am so honored! Thank you! ;-) Yes, I think this drabble sheds light on Éomer, too... and I'm rather fond of hunky Rohirrim men, myself... LOLOL! *distracted by two good-looking men in the same drabble....* Thanks for your kind words! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 1: A Long Tradition of Ancient Lore (Faramir, Denethor)
Joyful to see a young lad realizing that maybe history isn't as dull as it appears when reduced only to dates and brief descriptions.
Author's reply
Hi Larner! First, let me apologize for not replying immediately... I hadn't realized that there were (no longer) new reviews for this story. Yes, I had fun writing this drabble. I think Denethor must have had a love of lore himself, and perhaps he remembered how his father had passed it along to him... (and just maybe by then he had given up on trying to interest Boromir in history? LOLOL!) Thank you for letting me know how you reacted! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 2: Ambush in Ithilien (Faramir, Rangers)
Yes, King and sons and nephew died, and now it will be up to Earnil to fill the gap on all stormfronts.
Author's reply
Hi Larner! Yes, indeed... since the Steward would not accept Arvedui's claim, Gondor needed to cast about for a new king — and who better than a winning general? I always thought that the loss of all Ondoher's heirs was an especially tragic episode in Gondor's history... and, of course, Faramir would know all about it, since his father got him so interested in history! LOLOL! Thanks for your thoughts, Larner! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 3: There and Back Again (Frodo, Bilbo, Balin, Gandalf)
And so Frodo had met the one his Uncle Bilbo had respected most among his former companions, and heard how he was now missing, and in time came to appreciate what had become of him. Reason to grieve.
Author's reply
Yes, indeed! I think Frodo not only respected Balin because of Bilbo's influence, but because he had had the opportunity to meet the Dwarf in person. I think you are right that Frodo was even more touched by Balin's fate than he might have been otherwise. Thanks for your review! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 4: Earth and Sky (Legolas, Gimli)
A wonderful look at the continuing erosion of their mutual antagonism, and the realization they are brothers at heart.
Author's reply
Yes, I think so.... at that moment, Gimli changed from being "a warrior" to "my brother-in-arms", and I think that Gimli, too, in retrospect would realize that Legolas was looking out for his welfare as a fellow warrior. Thanks for your words! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 5: Alas, Poor Ufthak! (Ufthak, Shagrat, Orcs)
Alas indeed, poor Ufthak! At least one meal got away, and left her with a sick belly.
Author's reply
Yes, one meal did get away... and to imagine that humble Sam was the great warrior who wounded (and possibly even killed) Shelob just boggles my mind.... talking about on-the-job training! LOL! Thank you for your review! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 6: Triumph Incarnate (Sauron)
No, he missed a few vermin there--the ones who refused to scurry at his bidding. And he totally missed the smaller ones who in time would see him truly brought down with no new arising.
Author's reply
Yes, Sauron didn't manage to get all the Númenórean vermin eradicated... at least some of the good ones survived.... much to the pleasure of us Tolkien fans! Thanks for your comments! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 7: Silver and Gold (Celeborn, Galadriel)
I always rejoiced that they came back together. Lovely, Elena.
Author's reply
Hi Larner! Yes, even though Tolkien only hinted at it, I just can't imagine Celeborn staying in Middle-earth and fading away while Galadriel waited for him.... it might have taken many centuries, but I think he must have sailed eventually.... Thanks! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 8: A Long, Unexpected Drabble (OFC)
Heh!
Author's reply
LOL! Yes, only crazy people voluntarily put themselves through the throes of drabble writing..... ;-) - Barbara, who isn't about to stop writing them anytime soon....
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 9: The Usurper (Castamir, Ornendil)
Here Castamir sowed the first seeds of his own downfall, the arrogant fool. My idea of what he did was also terrible.
Author's reply
Hi Larner! Yes, indeed... once Castamir gained power, he really showed what a horrible ruler he was... and he ended up getting what he deserved! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 10: Claws (Smaug)
Alas, the poor crow! Alas, alack!
Author's reply
Hi Larner! Yes, you can't help but feel sympathy for the poor crow here... even if he is foolish enough to try to steal from a Great Fire-beast! LOLOL! - Barbara
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Dark Appetites (Shelob)
To think of her hiding there still, in small chambers where none might think she would fit, merely biding her time--SHUDDERS!
Author's reply
Hi Larner, Yes, I thought this small nugget of a passage left open some rather creepy speculation.... LOLOL! Glad it gave you shudders... because I'm just twisted that way! - Barbara, who is actually gentle and mild-mannered in real life..... honestly!