Raksha The Demon
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 14: No Pain, No Gain
Ouch! I hope Arwen doesn't break any of Eowyn's fingers; I would think that the half-elf, even when turned mortal, would still be physically quite strong.
Great image of Elessar pacing outside the door, chewing a fingernail.
Author's reply
There are always so many terrifying childbirth stories around; Arwen may have found that the actuality wasn't quite as horrible as she had been led to believe. It's mostly fear of the unknown, I think. I'm pretty sure that Eowyn's fingers survived intact; not sure about the King's fingernails though. Thanks for commenting!
Larner
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 14: No Pain, No Gain
Meriadoc Brandybuck has a TATTOO? Oh, please, NO! Oh, dear.
And quite the contrast between the two expecting to feel pain and the ones waiting! Heh!
An allusion to the "9" glyph our Fellowship actors all sport?
Author's reply
*chortles* Sorry! Maybe it's just a small, discreet one. I didn't really mean to allude to those famous "9" tattoos, it just sort of happened that way.
It's always harder to watch the ones we love than to experience that pain ourselves, isn't it?
Larner
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 13: Boys Will Be Boys
Mag knows full well how to get past the embarrassment and wounded pride of an adolescent boy! Love her manner of doing so.
Author's reply
Mag does know her darling boy through and through; knew and loved him until the day he died, and beyond. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Larner
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 2: In the Kitchens
Yes, our feisty Mags here--feisty to the end!
Author's reply
Thank you! This is actually one of my very earliest Mag stories; she's definitely grown into the feisty woman we know and love. Glad you enjoyed this!
grumpy
· 29 January 2006
· Chapter 11: Death Warmed Over
Poor Aragorn, to be bought down by the rocking of a ship, maybe he will get his sea-legs after awhile.
Author's reply
I surely hope so! It's been fifty years and I still don't have mine.
Bodkin
· 28 January 2006
· Chapter 12: In Memory, Rustling Like Silk
I can't imagine that elven women would have appealed much to Boromir. Not enough warmth - and too much wisdom. He seems to me one who would rather be in control - and yet, at the same time, afraid of breaking what was before him. Interesting contradictions!
Author's reply
Thank you for stopping by! I think everything about Imladris would have disquieted Boromir, the ancientry and wisdom of elvish culture leaving him to feel green and ignorant - not a feeling he would have enjoyed by any means.
Larner
· 27 January 2006
· Chapter 12: In Memory, Rustling Like Silk
A wonderful word picture. No, I doubt Boromir will find his way into an elleth's bed.
Author's reply
I don't see it happening myself, either; but my friend EdorasLass has had no trouble envisioning it, and has in fact written a lovely drabble series you can find here:Boromir and Numiel. (At least I hope you can; I've not tried posted a link in a review before. Let's see if it works!
Larner
· 27 January 2006
· Chapter 11: Death Warmed Over
What a wonderful way to flatten the Dunedain at the end! Wonderful, Ann!
Author's reply
The challenge was to write a character I'd not tried before; this let me take care of two at once! Writing this provided quite a chuckle on an otherwise-dull workday afternoon.
Larner
· 27 January 2006
· Chapter 10: Lobelia's List
You have me giggling with this one. Ah, dear Lobelia! Dear, avaricious Lobelia!
Author's reply
Oh, you just know she was making a mental list every time she visited! "I want this, and this, but I'll get rid of that atrocity first thing! What a disappointment it must have been to suffer the indignity of an auction, instead of having it all willed directly to her!
Thank you for being such a faithful reader and commenter! You're a treasure yourself!
Larner
· 27 January 2006
· Chapter 9: It's The Thought....
Oh, so that was their welcome to Edoras and Meduseld, was it? And I can see our Eowyn reacting just that way.
Author's reply
Poor Theodred! Expecting a somewhat weepy little girl, find this fierce little thing instead! Though I'm sure once he got used to the idea, they became fast friends. Who couldn't love and hero-worship such a one as he?
Larner
· 27 January 2006
· Chapter 8: Aurora
This is a Japanese tradition, you know. Love to see it find its way into Middle Earth, and Lothiriel's response.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I didn't realize it was also Japanese; when I was looking for inspiration for the challenge I found it as Scandinavian. Writing this made me homesick for Alaska, as well - it's been years since I've seen the Aurora.
Branwyn
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 11: Death Warmed Over
Never having been seasick, I will take the word of others about how horrible it is. (Does it get better after a while?) It is refreshing to see a less-than-perfect Aragorn in this drabble. Why do I get the impression that Imrahil is snickering at the poor, queasy landsman? :-D
Author's reply
It's never, ever gotten better for me; so I actually do have enormous empathy for Thorongil in his suffering.
Quite the snickerer, that Imrahil, isn't he? :D
Branwyn
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 10: Lobelia's List
Lobelia has so much personality! One of the few memorable female characters in the LOTR. I laughed at her pondering whether to give the old Gaffer the stuff that was too worn too sell, and her honest appraisal of her own son shows her shrewdness. Who to watch Otho? ROFL!
How disappointed she must have been when it turned out that the rumors of Bilbo's death had been greatly exaggerated!
Author's reply
I think the origins of this lie in my now-lost Second Drabble ever; I remember writing this type of thing early on but, because lists were allowed at HASA, I foolishly tossed it aside. Now, older and wiser (and with a perhaps-misplaced great confidence in my writing), I tried to recreate her unique combination of hypocrisy and charm.
Author Reply: I think the origins of this lie in my now-lost Second Drabble ever; I remember writing this type of thing early on but, because lists were not allowed at HASA, I foolishly tossed it aside. Now, older and wiser (and with a perhaps-misplaced great confidence in my writing), I tried to recreate her unique combination of hypocrisy and charm.
Branwyn
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 9: It's The Thought....
I love Theodred taking the children in his own care. And Theodred's nurse kept his old toys! It seems sexist that he gave the toy sword to Eomer; on the other hand, based on the children's relative ages (isn't Eomer several years older?), giving her the stuffed animal makes more sense. Besides, in no time at all, she will find a stick or a piece of scrap lumber to use as a sword. Nice drabble!
Author's reply
I believe Eomer was 11 and Eowyn 7 when they came to live in Theoden's household. (If I had done my homework, I would not have put a strapping lad of eleven on the same horse with Theodred and Eowyn, no matter how powerful the steed!) Perhaps the concept of a baby shieldmaiden was unfamiliar to Theo's nurse - she maybe was expecting a more weepy kind of little girl. I'm sure she discovered her mistake soon enough, poor woman.
Raksha The Demon
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 11: Death Warmed Over
Snork!
Poor Thorongil, Heir of mariners, getting horribly seasick. Just too funny, without diminishing the talents and prowess of Aragorn-of-the-many-names.
Did Aragorn's missing ear-chunk ever grow back?
Author's reply
Oh, I just love the image of the earnest, stalwart Thorongil/Aragorn brought low as so many others (myself included, alas) have been.
"Did Aragorn's missing ear-chunk ever grow back?"
Not in any story I'll ever write!
Raksha The Demon
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 10: Lobelia's List
Very typical Lobelia! Who to watch Otho, indeed?!
Author's reply
Poor lady. What energy, what cunning! If only those powers had been harnessed for good, rather than evil! I'm so glad she ended up a bit of a heroine; a salute to the innate good-heartedness of hobbitry.
Raksha The Demon
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 9: It's The Thought....
Awwwww. This is sweet and very poignant. A stuffed pony and wooden sword, just the thing for two sad little Eorling orphans. Maybe someone carved a practice sword for Eowyn later...
Author's reply
Thank you! I can just imagine her sneaking into his stuff to borrow that sword...
Larner
· 29 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Denethor's Confession, Exactly As He Whispered In My Ear
Yes, appreciate the sentiment.
Author's reply
Thank you! Quite different from my usual Denethor, who tends a bit warmer and fuzzier. I was afraid to write him for a long time after this, not knowing which Denethor was trying to get out.
Larner
· 29 June 2005
· Chapter 5: Thus Are Legends Born
Wonderful picture, the younger imagination finding reasons for the older, prosaic brother to see a dragon by the Anduin. Lovely moment!
Author's reply
I wonder, was Boromir being the unsufferable know-it-all? Or playing devil's advocate to encourage his brother's imagination?
Larner
· 29 June 2005
· Chapter 6: Memory
Yes, we need traditions to keep us grounded. Lovely!
Author's reply
I imagine Faramir holding story hour for family, staff members, and visitors each evening. What a marvelous household that must have been! I (aka Mag) would have loved to have been a part of it.
Larner
· 29 June 2005
· Chapter 7: Needlework
Aha--I find I like how the sword and needle are both put to work. See why you suggested I read this one as well. Beautifully done!
Author's reply
Thank you! She must have had a trememdously difficult girlhood, but we have the pleasure of imagining loving women surrounding her, teaching what was necessary (even if she didn't appreciate the teaching at the time.)
Branwyn
· 27 June 2005
· Chapter 7: Needlework
I especially liked
"Shieldmaidens do not sew."
"Nor do they weep."
That sewing skill could be very useful on the battlefield (ick). Well, at least she does eventually get to practice with that sword (or she would not have dispatched the Wiki and his mount).
Author's reply
Very true. I was strongly influenced here by another young shieldmaiden, Arya Stark from "A Song of Ice and Fire", whose trickery and skill (and rage) enable her to escape the massacre of her father and companions. We don't know how Arya's going to end up (we've been waiting 3 years for the 4th book) but I can't envision a life of quiet embroidery for her anytime soon. Unlike fortunate Eowyn!
Branwyn
· 27 June 2005
· Chapter 6: Memory
Another favorite from over at tolkien_weekly. This was very sweet. I can imagine Boromir hamming it up for his adoring, younger brother!
Author's reply
Yep, stories featuring cute!little!Boromir and Faramir are always crowd-pleasers there, though I admit I did enchant myself with the idea of Boromir playing elf-princess, oliphaunt, and dragon: terrifying and delighting his little brother with a mighty RAWR!
Elendiari22
· 17 May 2005
· Chapter 3: Elfwine
This makes me smile every time I read it. I haven't read much about Eomer abd Lothiriel, but I imagine they had a very happy life togther. I love the phrase "grey-eyed sea-queen". You have such a way with words!
Author's reply
Thank you- your kind words truly brightened my day. I really love these two. A long, happy angst-free life together - uninteresting for Tolkien to write, but providing great opporunities for happy tales for us to weave!
Armariel
· 24 April 2005
· Chapter 4: Denethor's Confession, Exactly As He Whispered In My Ear
Lovely--a real word-feast. I think I like the last one best. I almost hate him a little less now.:D
cheers
Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
This was so different from the way I usually write Denethor (being of the "kinder, gentler Denethor" camp)that I almost pulled it after posting. It has received quite favorable comments, though, like yours - thanks! so I must have touched a resonating chord.