Drabbles, Vignettes and Such by Gandalfs apprentice
shirebound · 18 June 2006 · Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
I do love 'plain hobbit sense'! And a Sam-Boromir scene is always a rare treat.
Author's reply
Boromir is learning a lot in his trip to the North--kings in disguise and cheeky halflings are just the beginning. You have to wonder what he made of Rivendell, since, it seems, Gondor had lost all its connection to the Elvish kingdoms.
meckinock · 18 June 2006 · Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
Hi, GA, This made me smile. You've captured Sam's instinctive and fierce defensiveness of those he loves (a membership in which club old Strider has recently earned membership) and I love Boromir's affronted . I see a man of Númenorean blood, and damn my eyes if that is not Elendil’s sword. Yet he spurns me, the Steward’s son of Gondor? LOL. Wish this was longer...
Author's reply
Hi, it's nice to hear from you--it's been a while. Boromir doesn't quite understand Aragorn's priorities. The interaction between the two Men at the council is Tolkien at his best, I think, showing Aragorn's political canniness and Boromir's rather rigid lordliness. Aragorn has got Boromir right where he wants him, for now, and doesn't want to venture further for the moment. And the book does say that he left Rivendell to scout with Elladan and Elrohir the very day the Council ended. There certainly was no time for a long chat about the succession!
harrowcat · 18 June 2006 · Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
It really is amazing just how uncommon common sense seems to be. But then Sam has far more than his share so it leaves some of the rest of us short!
Author's reply
True! I think Sam missed the significance of what happened between Boromir and Aragorn at the Council meeting, but he did see Boromir's suspicion. And he is in a very good position to give advice about that!
Bodkin · 6 June 2006 · Chapter 20: Work Detail (Aragorn, Arwen)
Yes, Arwen. Keep him busy! Beautifully suggestive!
Author's reply
Thanks! Lucky Arwen....
RS · 4 June 2006 · Chapter 20: Work Detail (Aragorn, Arwen)
Oh No!!! You can't just leave it like this...(Squeal!) You have no idea how wide my smile is right now! Boy, you haven't written much but this is sure saying a lot! Be still my heart! You just got me all giddy! Very, Very Enjoyable!
Author's reply
I liked writing it, too. Thanks for reading. G.A.
harrowcat · 4 June 2006 · Chapter 20: Work Detail (Aragorn, Arwen)
Nice work if you can get it! *g* He might apply for overtime too!
Author's reply
And cancel several meetings with the Council for more pressing royal duties.... Thanks for reviewing. G.A.
SurgicalSteel · 4 June 2006 · Chapter 20: Work Detail (Aragorn, Arwen)
Oh, my. I liked this!
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it. I like my eroticism on the subtle side--it leaves much more to the imagination! G.A.
RS · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 33: Alas, for the dying of the trees (Gimli, Legolas)
I agree with Gimli! "Spare me Elf!" I wish all my white hair can fall off my head and have dark ones sprout in their stead come spring time! No gouts yet and no arthritis yet (knock on wood!)--unlike poor Gimli. "Spare me Elf!" This story brought a smile to my face!
Author's reply
As for me, no gout, but arthritis, yes, and a bunch more nasty nuisances of aging. Sometimes I just get irritated with those Elves, and it was fun to put that feeling into Gimli's POV.
Larner · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 33: Alas, for the dying of the trees (Gimli, Legolas)
Oh, Legolas, they WILL come back again! Unlike white-bearded dwarves and mortal kings and fey hobbits.
Author's reply
I think that part of the Elves' problem is that they don't really differentiate. All things and creature "pass." As a mortal, I find it hard to sympathize.
Larner · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
A fantastic memorial to a brave man and good friend. I truly love this one.
Author's reply
As a true Halbarad fancier, I find this very hard to bear. For all his fantasy, Tolkien was very realistic about some things, and this kind of loss is one. Thanks for reading! G.A.
RS · 17 April 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
I am now in a state of melancholy. I do love the friendship and bond between Aragorn and Halbarad. Also I am so involved with your fic "The Sword of Elendil" that this little vignette has moved me so than anything. Wonderful!
Author's reply
Hi, RS! Yes, it's pretty painful. I hate it that Halbarad dies right before Aragorn comes into his own. Unfortunately it's all too real.... Have you read the new chapter in "Sword," "The Test of Battle"? Aragorn runs into some trouble... G.A.
meckinock · 16 April 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
Oh, man. A nice glimpse of their friendship, but it's hard to imagine that was one of their last moments together. Aragorn needs him, yes, but he won't be there. Ouch.
Author's reply
Ouch, indeed. I wanted to write a farewell to Halbarad story, but not along the usual lines of the moment of death in the Pelennor, or Aragorn in the midst of mourning--rather to show what has actually been lost. It's a great and noble end for Halbarad, but a big part of me wishes Tolkien hadn't killed him off. I doubt Aragorn ever found such a friend again.... Faramir is too young for it to be the same.... BTW, how did you like the great-grandmother Saelind in "Sword"?
grumpy · 16 April 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
Poor Halbarad, I always felt sorry for the guy, to come so close to seeing all fulfilled. I like it that they got one last chance to talk and laugh.
Author's reply
Tolkien doesn't tell us the death toll from the Battle of the Pelennor; we just get a list of some of the names. But there must have been MANY dead and wounded. Halbarad was Aragorn's biggest personal loss: his best friend and the man, who, for all intents and purposes, was Steward of Arnor. Thanks for reading!
demeter d · 16 April 2006 · Chapter 3: Horse Thief (Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel, Asfaloth, Aragorn)
Marvelous bit of fleshing out the characters and relationships. We really know so little about the twins. So nice to see a bit more.
Author's reply
I wrote this in part to establish the twins as characters in my own head (like everyone else, I was having trouble telling them apart!).
demeter d · 16 April 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
There is so much Tolkien did not say about Halbarad. he led the Dunedain while Aragorn went on his many journeys. He forsaw his own death on th other side of the paths of the Dead, yet he followed Aragorn anyway. So nice to see this filling in the details a bit. Love;ly piece!
Author's reply
That Tolkien said so little about Halbarad is, in a way, a blessing for the fanfic writers. After all, we don't even know how old he is supposed to be in LotR! It's more usual for him to be portrayed as older than Aragorn. I see them as nearly the same age, and like brothers in their relationship.
Envinyatar · 15 April 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
This was wonderful - and very moving. I liked the way you move from the epic speechmaking to the intimate, poignant conversation. A lovely little gapfiller. Sorry to have been silent for so long - more reviews soon, I hope, Envinyatar
Author's reply
Hi! I wanted to show both sides of Aragorn's and Halbarad's relationship, the personal and the political. I have missed hearing from you! I do hope you have more time soon-- G.A.
shirebound · 15 April 2006 · Chapter 17: King's Man (Aragorn, Halbarad)
That's a beautiful, stirring tribute to Halbarad -- a man about whom we know so little, but who meant so much to Aragorn.
Author's reply
Halbarad is, of course, one of my favorites and a major player in "The Sword of Elendil." Thanks for reading! G.A.
grumpy · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 6: Longing (Aragorn)
What better time to think of Arwin, then now, at least he can get lost in his memories.
Author's reply
Yes, Aragorn had relatively few chances to relax, after all, as a Ranger and a soldier.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2006 · Chapter 6: Longing (Aragorn)
Poor Captain Thorongil can't get a break! That song is probably going to haunt him for the next 40 years or so. A fine snapshot of the good Captain's melancholy during a happy social occasion.
Author's reply
My aim was to paint a little picture of Aragorn's moodiness. "Strange and grim at times," Frodo said. G.A.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2006 · Chapter 38: Apprentice to the Wind
An interesting and very original drabble. I like the detail about the proud parents gliding above.
Author's reply
They really do that. Not that I've seen an eagle, but I have seen sparrows teaching their babies to fly. G.A.
Larner · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 38: Apprentice to the Wind
Yes, the first free flight is ever a time of wonder and discovery. And overshooting is not that unusual, after all. Lovely!
Author's reply
I based this on a true story about an eaglet on his first flight on an ornithology Website. G.A.
Larner · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 6: Longing (Aragorn)
Yes, a torment and a delight at one and the same time would that song be to Aragorn son of Arathorn, no matter what identity he might wear at the moment.
Author's reply
And he has to keep it to himself! G.A.
Larner · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 37: Chivalry (Gandalf, Shadowfax)
A, yes, the honor bestowed by both on one another. I can truly see this.
Author's reply
It's a relationship between equals in a strange way, I guess. After all, Shadowfax goes to Valinor with Gandalf at the end. G.A.
shirebound · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 37: Chivalry (Gandalf, Shadowfax)
a strange tongue, courteous and rich with reverence for all growing things Lovely communication here! You show Shadowfax retaining his regal dignity, yet understanding what manner of being needed him.
Author's reply
I didn't want to use the word "tame" of Shadowfax and Gandalf, but aimed to show a partnership. I'm glad you think I succeeded. Thanks, G.A.
Bodkin · 16 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Elfstone (Celebrimbor)
Sounds beautiful. Created in hope and coming at last to Hope.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! G.A.