Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2006
· Chapter 10: A First Time for Everything
Ah, I wondered how that came about. This is so Merry, to be frightened to death for Pippin's sake and then to be angry with Pippin because he frightened him. A good thing Frodo and Bilbo were there, and Sam too, to try and keep Merry steady while Frodo went after Pippin.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, it was a good thing that all of them were there.
This established the pattern for Merry and Pippin. By the time Pippin left with Merry on the Quest, Merry had been truly angry at him only four times in their lives, and this was the first. Each time involved Pippin putting himself into a peril from which Merry could not save him.
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2006
· Chapter 9: Clear Night
Oh, how beautiful. The stars are described in such a poetic way here, and I doubt any of them will ever forget it. It brings to mind the Lay of Gil-galad and the single star that Frodo and Sam saw in Mordor.
The end was cute--"glorious noise" indeed! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I am glad--I was trying for something poetic, some way that Gandalf could impress the importance of the stars to his young friends. While not Elves, the stars *would* one day come to mean quite as much to them as to the Firstborn.
But Gandalf would not forget that they were children still, and what they would love to do!
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2006
· Chapter 8: First Lessons
Oh, these are so sweet! I don't know which I like best! Merry learning to swim is adorable; Sam just beginning to learn to read is reminiscent; and I wonder how Eglantine reacted when she found out her little one had been up a tree. :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I tried to think of what would be one of Frodo's more important life lessons to each of them.
Well, I don't expect they really *told* her about it--then. *grin* But Frodo would have been sure to keep the little one perfectly safe.
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 7: Running
Wow! It's so poetic, and the imagery is lovely, but you really have a knack for making that last line the most powerful. Yes, they will have to run to survive, and that is a chilling thought when one is thinking of those dear young Hobbits.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I just thought that it was appropriate--so much that was innocent and carefree would become far more when their lives were on the line.
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 6: Cousins and Caterpillars
Oh! My stupid clumsiness--that's the second time this week I've left an empty review! Sorry.
Awww...such a sweet story for Frodo to tell. So, they got to see a butterfly come out of its cocoon. Once, when I was in second grade, one of the teachers brought in a bunch of them, and my class got to be there when the butterflies emerged; then we were allowed to take them on our fingers until their wings dried, and I thought of that, reading this story. Very appropriate for spring!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
It's an amazing thing to witness, and I thought it might spark a story idea in Frodo, when Pippin asked for a tale.
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 6: Cousins and Caterpillars
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 5: The Hard Things About Waiting
Yes, these are perfectly suited to the personality of each. Dear Sam, always on the watch. :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes. I think Sam was always afraid that once Frodo got back to Buckland among the kin he'd grown up with, that he would not want to come back to Bag End. He knew how much Frodo loved Merry, and he'd not seen the melancholy that being near the River brought on.
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 4: A Sticky Situation
LOL! Oh, I can hardly type, so sorry if there are serious spelling errors! A sticky situation indeed! Tree sap? Really! But the last bit with Eglantine thinking of the soaps was the *best*! LOL!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, I thought it would be funny--she'd catch a whiff of that strong stuff, and of course it would never occur to her what the real reason was, LOL!
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 3: What You're Used To...
Right. If only Sam knew! But poor fellow. If you've shared a room (or bed--I've done both with little siblings) for any length of time, it is lonely when you don't have to any more, even if you're like me and don't want to admit it. :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, it definitely is; I too, shared a bed with my sister for a few years.
And for my hobbits, sharing sleeping space is a natural instinct, almost, though they've rather grown away from it in the relative safety of the Shire...
Queen Galadriel
· 11 April 2006
· Chapter 27: A Conspiracy of Comedy
I've been in a rather dark mood myself today, trying to crush anger that I don't like to feel even if it is deserved, and I came here and read this to cool off...and ended up hysterical! Again. LOL! I just love seeing Aragorn playing pranks for a change! Now, when will Frodo's turn come, hmm? *grin* Thank you for this delightful little story!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Well, I am very happy if I have helped to brighten your day a bit, dear!
I think Aragorn must have learned a bit about playing pranks from his foster brothers, don't you think?
((hugs))
Larner
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 35: Through Shadows to the Edge of Night
A perfect description of that scene.
Author's reply
Thanks so much!
Frodo Baggins
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 35: Through Shadows to the Edge of Night
Beautiful! Poetic! I love the way you write, Dreamflower!
God Bless,
Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Thank you!
harrowcat
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 35: Through Shadows to the Edge of Night
Well pictured Dreamflower. I, too, like that image. I think it might have come directly from one of the illustrations for the book.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm not sure, but I know it is a powerful image.
Bodkin
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 35: Through Shadows to the Edge of Night
They must have been shattered - and so depressed at this point. It's a beautiful image...
BUT it's such cinematic twaddle - I mean - you're being sought by all and sundry - so you make a point of walking along the skyline in single file so everybody can see you clearly and get the chance of a good shot? It's like those shoot the duck stalls you get at fairs. The Three Hunters do it too. It's amazing they all survived. Somebody must have been on their side! :D
Author's reply
*snerk*
You are right. But, of course, they *were* discouraged and dispirited, and they *did* have to get down off that mountain. And, as Gandalf had already alerted the enemy with his fire-making, I suppose it was worth the risk.
I do love your way of looking at things, LOL!
Pearl Took
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 35: Through Shadows to the Edge of Night
Oh, Dreamflower! This has a lot of power! I'm always amazed at how much a drabble can convey. Wonderful!
Author's reply
It is amazing how much can be conveyed in only 100 words. Thank you!
PIppinfan1988
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 27: A Conspiracy of Comedy
"Pippin gave a frightened squeak. “Not me! I promise not me, Gandalf!”
LOL, I would've pointed my finger in Pippin's direction, too--given his shaded past in pranks. I enjoyed Gimli's stockings and the lizard!
There had to be quite a bit of banter going on during those long treks in order to keep up everyone's spirits. I have to imagine that our beloved Pippin and Merry were at the center of most of it.
Pippinfan
PIppinfan1988
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 35: Through Shadows to the Edge of Night
This is beautiful--especially since I've recently read throught this bit in the book. Exactly how I imagined it. These poor folk just spent a day of marching, a night in freezing snow, and now walking again toward safety. They're exhausted, cold, and defeated. You caught the emotional tension very well--very well done.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you; that had to have been one of the hardest parts of the journey, backtracking over the way they'd already gone, and knowing their climb had been in vain.
Bodkin
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 34: Reminder
I do like a bit of Gimli-centricness. And the sense of eternity, maybe, would have been a great help to Frodo and Sam at that moment. A sense of something beyond the immediate urgency and loss.
Author's reply
Yes, that *is* exactly it! Gimli, and Frodo and Sam as well, needed to believe, and to have that belief strengthened!
Anso the Hobbit
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 34: Reminder
That was really beautiful and you captured Gimli very well! :D
Author's reply
Thank you! I had been wanting to do Gimlli's POV for a while.
Larner
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 34: Reminder
Nice to see the moment from Gimli's point of view. Yes, he needs that moment of awareness, that surety that some things are indeed eternal. Durin's distant descendant in a way giving Gandalf to Durin for safekeeping, if I'm making myself clear.
Author's reply
Yes. You got it exactly. He needed the comfort, and the strength to go on, and was able to draw on that, as well as to share it with Frodo and Sam.
Larner
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 17: Blue Eyes
I'm sure I've reviewed this before, but just reread it, and find it still moves me, seeing how the other three react to those eyes. And Pippin looking forward to the day he can accompany Frodo out of the Shire....
Author's reply
I just felt that Frodo's eyes would have been very dear to those who loved him. And Pippin, being so very Tookish, understanding that Frodo would someday leave, and wanting to go with him...
PIppinfan1988
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 34: Reminder
I just read this passage yesterday at lunch--and your tale from Gimli's pov gave me shivers. Your story actually amplifies the Professor's own words, and it is just beautiful. Well done!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Well, this part has always niggled at me. Written from an outside POV, it appears that in the midst of grief and danger, Gimli is suddenly taken by a whim to go sight-seeing. I just knew that there had to be more to it somehow--I just had to get into his head to find out what.
And do you see the parallel here to Galadriel's Mirror? I never did before...
Pearl Took
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 34: Reminder
". . . some things are eternal and enduring, in and of themselves."
Oh! Wonderful, simply wonderful. Thank you!
Author's reply
And thank *you* for your kind words! I am glad that you liked it.
Pearl Took
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 33: Ill Wind
"I cannot help but wonder if we are doing the right thing."
That gave me shivers! Well done :)
Author's reply
Oh, thank you! I did want his little moment of doubt to be a bit ominous--none of them realize yet what is going to happen in just the next few days...
Baggins Babe
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 34: Reminder
A poignant look at the Fellowship at their darkest moment. I always loved the idea of Durin's Crown - such a beautiful image. Glad to see that it gives Frodo new strength. Bless that Dwarf!
Author's reply
Thank you.
You know, as I was writing this, it came to me that there was a certain amount of parallelism here--Frodo goes with Gimli at his invitation to peer into this mirror-like water, and Sam quietly follows, and they all see something remarkable.
Rather like when Galadriel invites them to look into her Mirror in the next part?