Rising to the Challenge by annmarwalk
Larner · 14 December 2008 · Chapter 28: Like Calls to Like - New! Added 12/06/2008
A true Rohir's response to the challenge of her attention; and he was right!
Author's reply
It's still odd to me that his response came in the form of a poem; you'd think that would be a form of Gondorian frippery that he'd particularly despise. But he's got his own firm grasp on the concept of love poetry, that's for sure. Thank you for commenting!
Larner · 14 December 2008 · Chapter 27: Call of the Wild - New! Added 12/06/2008
Excellent!
Author's reply
Thank you! And thank you for your MEFA review as well. I'm quite pleased at the result on behalf of Morwen and Thengel.
Larner · 14 December 2008 · Chapter 26: First Love - New! Added 12/06/2008
Ah, indeed--some such friendships are indeed intended from the start! May all be blessed by the advent of this Ranger. (Love the name!)
Author's reply
Haha! Oh, the dog's name was never in doubt, from the moment I saw the picture and envisioned the story. I adore Boromir's complicity in this, to make sure his little brother get's his heart's desire. *grin*
Larner · 14 December 2008 · Chapter 25: Envinyatar - New! Added 12/06/2008
Ah--at least he was able to travel by that hope renewed and to come to honor it, even if he did not see the full renewal come to be! And his father repudiated it before he could see his rival's face yet again! Alas!
Author's reply
Oh, so sad and angsty, even for me! I wonder what was in my head as I wrote it. Poor Boromir, what an agony that journey must have been for him. Thank you for reading and commenting on this, and all my drabbles - I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.
RS · 14 December 2008 · Chapter 44: October Morn - New! Added 12/14/2008
Nice! I can definitely smell the air. A very tranquil scene!
Author's reply
Thank you! It was inspired by just such a day - I wrote it in my head on the way to work. Very glad you enjoyed it!
Raksha The Demon · 7 December 2008 · Chapter 27: Call of the Wild - New! Added 12/06/2008
Hubba-hubba, that is one manly man. Easy to see why Morwen fancied him! Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you, and thank you also for your lovely MEFA review! I'm hoping to be inspired to write more about Morwen and Thengel.
Raksha The Demon · 7 December 2008 · Chapter 26: First Love - New! Added 12/06/2008
Awwwww. Faramir finds a furry friend! Well written as usual, and touching.
Author's reply
Thanks, Raksha! If you haven't seen it already, my reply to Daw the Minstrel includes the picture of Faramir and Ranger that inspired the story. Ummmmmm....inspiration.....
daw the minstrel · 6 December 2008 · Chapter 26: First Love - New! Added 12/06/2008
Oh I like this. I love Boromir supporting his little brother and Faramir's smitten state toward Ranger.
Author's reply
Thank you! The story was inspired by this picture: It was great fun to imagine how Faramir and Ranger met, and how Boromir helped them to stay together. Thank you for reading and commenting!
shirebound · 6 December 2008 · Chapter 25: Envinyatar - New! Added 12/06/2008
Ohhh, that's wonderful. You pack so much emotion and heart into so few words. If only things could have been just a bit different in the end...
Author's reply
If only things could have been just a bit different in the end... That's why we write AU's! *grin* So we can have the ending we want. Thanks for commenting!
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 17: Fatherhood
At six in her heart it is merely a pony; years yet before she learns it is more than a pony this alliance will bring her. Thought-provoking, Ann.
Author's reply
She's not too young to begin training for her future career; a pony would certainly be an enjoyable start. Thank you for reading and commenting! What a treat to find all these reviews in my mailbox this morning!
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 18: Sammath Naur
How it MIGHT have been! Yes, a different decision, one that would have spared further generations Sauron's evil, at least. And how differently Gondor and Arnor might have developed!
Author's reply
My mind just boggles at some of these might-have-been scenarios. Where would we all be without Tolkien's works to bring us together?
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 19: Decisive Action
Grima perhaps come to his ending a good deal earlier? But Eowyn has shown she can--and will--take care of herself when it is necessary.
Author's reply
Given half a chance, I think Eowyn would have happily demonstrated that she's got the heart and guts and ferocity (and cojones) to have been a perfect Rohirrim warrior. In this case, at least, I prefer my version to the canon.
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 20: Family History
Oh, so wonderful! A new generation learns of the despair and determination known by the White Lady, and how she and an equally determined and desperate Hobytla both went to war in spite of command and expectation, winning for themselves glory unthought of.
Author's reply
I just laugh and laugh over the idea of Barahir growing up hearing these stories, and never quite making the connection between the fierce Shieldmaiden and his warm cuddly grandmother. Ha!
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 21: At Second Sight
Ah, like leaves, green and then falling; but nurturing and beautiful while they last, and most beautiful before they fall as they know they must.
Author's reply
Just think of how many generations of Isildur's heirs she's seen come and go! After a while she must have learned to shield her heart. I wonder what was different about this last one, that he was able to steal it away?
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 22: Life Sentence
The law is satisfied--but so is honor. For though Beregond may not enter the city again, yet he is now Captain Beregond, of Faramir's own White Company! Love this one--sentenced to a life of living, and not of regrets.
Author's reply
I love Beregond, and Bergil, and am always delighted (and a bit stunned, like him) at his sudden promotion from the rank and file of his company to Captain of Faramir's personal guard. Hurray for Beregond!
Larner · 13 November 2007 · Chapter 23: Wonder
Ah, poor Gandalf, giving up this part of his life in Middle Earth! He's known such beauty and joy, and such grief; and now it's all but over. Ah, Rosie--you can trust Elanor to him.
Author's reply
We know that he enjoyed the company of hobbits more than any other race; it must have been bittersweet for him both to savor their triumph and also realize that his time with them was over. Elanor embodied the future, in which he, alas, had no part. Poor Gandalf!
Larner · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 24: Bad Example
Heh! Little boys, trading dirty-sounding words! Although I prefer "blue-footed booby" to "bloody whoreson!"
Author's reply
Faramir is about four years old, and hero-worshipping madly; Boromir is nine, and old enough to be fascinated by soldier-talk. It's just a recipe for disaster, isn't it?
Raksha The Demon · 11 November 2007 · Chapter 17: Fatherhood
Aww; poor, innocent little Lothiriel is already a pawn in the marriage-game; as would be typical of a powerful Prince's only daughter. At least she'll get a pony out of the situation!
Author's reply
"Pawn" might be a harsh way to put it; it's the way of the world for those useful highborn daughters and something I'm sure they learn to expect from early on. A pony now, and one of those handsome Rohirric princes later - lucky girl!
Raksha The Demon · 11 November 2007 · Chapter 24: Bad Example
Faramir must be quite young; and his discomfiture is very natural, and seems typical of older/younger brother interaction. They love each other, but the kids aren't saints, Boromir is not above setting up his brother. Excellent play on words, and birds' names.
Author's reply
Poor Faramir, hero-worshipping his big brother, and shame on big brother for taking such advantage! I had great fun writing this - it was a gift for a birdwatcher, and all the birds were ones she had seen and written about recently.
Raksha The Demon · 11 November 2007 · Chapter 23: Wonder
A beautiful picture of a beautiful moment; as Gandalf holds a hobbit baby for the last time; and not just any hobbit baby, a Ring-bearer's child. Little Elanor will obviously inspire many happy memories in the Undying Lands.
Author's reply
Oh, what a lovely image you've given me - of Sam telling Gandalf of his children and grandchildren. What tales he'll have to tell!
Raksha The Demon · 11 November 2007 · Chapter 20: Family History
A lovely look at Eowyn in her old age; I like the way little Barahir is so surprised that his grandma was a storybook heroine.
Author's reply
It would be a surprise, wouldn't it? That sweet old lady ever having been the young and ferocious Wraithbane?
Raksha The Demon · 11 November 2007 · Chapter 19: Decisive Action
Well, that problem is solved ahead of schedule! Good for Eowyn, but at a terrible cost, I think. Excellent piece; my only quibble is that Eowyn has grey eyes, not blue.
Author's reply
I'm so used to writing Numenorean grey eyes and Rohirric blue - that lovely moon-and-sun contrast between certain Numenoreans and their Rohirric companions. I never realized that her eye's weren't blue!
Antane · 10 November 2007 · Chapter 18: Sammath Naur
I have sometimes wished it could have ended this way and Frodo never hurt, but then selfishly, terribly, I'm glad it didn't because then I would have never met Frodo and my life would have been so much poorer, though I wouldn't have known it. Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
It never would have occurred to me to write this story had I not been intrigued by the "Different Decisions" challenge, and watching FOTR at the same time. Like you, I'm too enamored of the story as it was passed on to us to really wish for this scenario to have taken place. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Larner · 12 July 2007 · Chapter 16: Behind Every Great Man...
This has me giggling some. I don't think it's Aragorn, for I can't believe Elrond's fosterling would remain ignorant of the names of the plants, and there was no real time for some helpful servant to write off to those on the way from Imladris to get the names of her favorite flowers. Denethor and Finduilas, perhaps? Somehow that seems right in character, or so it seems to me! Poor bridegroom--nervous and hasn't a clue!
Author's reply
Good guess! It is most definitely Denethor, and his manservant Mormegil. I tried to find a way to list the characters individually for this drabble (as they are listed in the MEFA story details) but finally gave up; it is fun to make people guess. I'm very glad you enjoyed this story! (Some mentioned to me that my LiveJournal format was not compatible with her browser; that's why the sudden flood MEFA nominated stories here.)
Larner · 11 July 2007 · Chapter 15: A Triolet: The Weaver's Song
A most charming weaving song, and I see now where the words came from in the song Faramir sang as he wove a coverlet for his son.
Author's reply
Thank you! The challenge at tolkien_weekly was "Cold"; the subject of Boromir's gorgeous cloak was brought up by another author (Ribby), and after that the plotbunnies were being flung fast and furiously. A very enjoyable evening, and very representative of the pleasures of fandom life, the delightful synergy among writers. Glad you enjoyed it!