Soledad
· 17 February 2008
· Chapter 11: Rowan Mine
Awww! *melts into a puddle* You've brought back my beloved Quickbeam!
Ents are such wonderful creatures, so different from everyone else. I'm glad that Quickbeam got more rowan trees growing.
Author's reply
I, too, fell in love with the "impetuous" Ent. But I felt that the Ents needed reassurance that there were good stewards in the world for the forests of Arda! And I'd think that Merry and Pippin would especially remember his tale of the destroyed grove and would engage their friend the High King to see to it that a new grove might be started to the renewal of the damaged portions of Fangorn. Am so glad this pleased you so.
PIppinfan1988
· 26 January 2008
· Chapter 39: Regrets
Wow. Awesomely done! I've read it elsewhere that the "Enemy" comes not but to "steal, kill, and destroy." The Ring is certainly the Enemy here.
I don't have the energy nor am I that tenacious to go "deep" into a storyline such as how the Ring destroyed Frodo and Bilbo's "natural" lives, but I'm more than happy to read what your own tenacity will bring forth! :-) I think you dealt with the issues at hand very nicely and I can easily see how It could force Its way into their thoughts and dreams to distort anything "good". I do so like the thought that Frodo at least had the chance of a "normal" love-life, though chose a different road for his own reasons.
Very well done!
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Pippinfan! Yes, I suspect that the Ring did Its best to damage the ability of Its bearers to live normal, happy lives and develop proper emotional relationships; and that image of how possibly Frodo in time might have become another Gollum-type creature sparked by footage PJ filmed but never used in the films just sort of sticks in my imagination.
It's a subject that does interest me, obviously.
Kitty
· 8 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
That was a very touching story, Larner! Poor Lilith, after all she's gone through it had to be a huge comfort to her that Frodo visited her frequently. Her kiss to him near the end was a very special gift. Only a pity it was the only one he got, as he never courted Narcissa.
When Aragorn talked with the Captain, I very soon guessed who he was and was a bit surprised Frodo didn't realise, too. But anyway, Aragorn did in the end and brought them together again, and I was very glad he married her, even if she was already dying.
Author's reply
Yes, at least she knows she's not alone in her last days. I suspect that Frodo and Pearl might have kissed on occasion, too, which would be how he was experienced enough to thoroughly kiss Lilith; but I agree he OUGHT to have courted Narcissa--or Lily Proudfoot, or one of the other possible loves folks have come up with for him!
Whether Frodo wasn't paying close enough attention or just not wanting to make the connection is the question, I suppose. And Lilith deserved the chance to know she was so loved, and to take that memory and joy with her, as well as the memory of Frodo witnessing the event.
Thanks so much!
Linda Hoyland
· 6 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
A touching bitter sweet story. I see you agree with me that the Numenoreans are not easily tempted tostray.Poor Lilith, a sad and brave woman and very vivid OC.
Author's reply
Am so glad you also find it touching. I've always tended to see those of Numenorean descent as being similar to the Elves in that it was difficult for them to have their hearts stirred more than once, and they tended not to just couple about anywhere, so that's how I tend to write them. And I'm so glad you appreciate this OC--she's been playing with my imagination a bit lately, or so I've found!
Linda Hoyland
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
what thoughtful and beautiful gifts! I enjoyed this.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, Linda. And joy to you as the new year commences.
Andrea
· 4 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
Frodo felt the twist within himself that grieved that her captain had been restored to her, but an even stronger feeling of triumph, one that surprised him with its intensity.
Perfectly described, Larner!
It was wonderful to see that Lilith's Captain saw much more in her than all the others before and after him. The marriage at the end is the best proof. Only true love counts.
Frodo's short hesitation to act as their witness is very understandable. Lilith gave him a precious gift! She gave him hope! For the Ring did not destroy everything. And she was very attractive.
However, I still wonder how much of the conversation between the captain and Aragorn Frodo overheard when he stood at the door. Did he recognise there and then who this captain was?
If so, I would still understand why he didn't inform Aragorn immediately.
He did not know then, but it would have cost him a kiss!
Author's reply
There must have been at least one stab of jealousy, or so I'd think. And, like Brendi was convinced, better to know the grief of a love lost than to know the more bitter regret that the love was never made real and official, to know that last warmth together!
Am so very glad that you appreciate that hesitation, but that it was swiftly and thoroughly eclipsed as he realized THIS was the true love for her.
I don't think he'd completely filled in the blanks till he saw them together.
And that kiss was a shared gift, I think, between the two of them. Too bad, though, when he went back to the Shire, he didn't follow her suggestions and seek out Narcissa or let another love find him.
Thank you so for the feedback.
Theresa Greenfalcon
· 3 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
That is one incredible story - shows that true love doesn't see just the physicality of the beloved, but something deeper. I truly enjoyed this one.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked it, Theresa. You are so right about love being deeper than just physical attraction. Thanks so much!
harrowcat
· 3 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
A perfect little tale Larner that moved me immensely. I am glad that Lilith found her Captain. Of course some of this impacts a little on Frodo's reactions in certain parts of 'A King's Commission' but you have slotted it in so well.
Happy New Year.
Author's reply
I'm so glad that this moved others as well. We've had a discussion on one list as to what kind of interbreeding might have happened between different races, and whether the so-called faerie-wife was indeed a fairy or perhaps an Elf or Maia; but what might have happened had a woman from among Men become attracted to a Hobbit? And certainly Frodo must have gathered his own degree of attraction.
Grey Wonderer
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
This is beautiful. It reminds me of the poem, "Evangeline" by Longfellow in some ways. I love the way in which Frodo helps her through he last days and how she manages to surprise and help him as well. Beautifully done.
Author's reply
I've never been compared to "Evangeline" before. I just felt I wanted to see Frodo do a thorough kiss of someone, someone who would be able to give him something as much as he helped her, and this is what came out.
Thank you so much, Grey Wonderer. I am honored.
Halrohir
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
Hello Again, larner:
I read this lovely piece of work with the bittersweet feeling of sadness and triumph mixed. How wonderful that you reunited Lilith at the last, with her beloved Captain. And just as wonderful, was the romance you spun between Lilith and Frodo! You didn't go into any graphic details, just simply wrote what the observer would see and hear - a wonderful writing device.
Well Done, Once Again!
HALROHIR
Author's reply
I obviously was able to achieve the feelings I was trying for. No, I try not to go into graphic details, but I did wish in this story for it to indicate that Frodo was indeed stirred by her. Anyway, as one individual once indicated to me, the most important faculty to have functioning properly in a good romance is a responsive imagination, as it can and will heighten the joy and delight of the situation more than almost anything else.
Thank you so much for the comments, Halrohir.
SurgicalSteel
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
I overall very much enjoyed this - I like the story of Lilith, and how she wasn't motivated to escape for herself but for someone else. I like that she was able to make a life for herself, and I like that she and Frodo were able to take comfort in comforting one another.
My only quibble is with the manner in which complex cancer surgery is described by Aragorn. It frankly made me hit the back button, although I returned to read the remainder of the story. It's just not that simple, and wasn't though of as that simple even going back to the 1700s and 1800s. The most common belief was that cancer spread by direct extension and if it came back in other places, it was because the original surgeon hadn't removed enough normal looking tissue around the cancer. Most cancers don't have anything that looks like a neat 'sac' around them. Re-connecting blood vessels wasn't done sucessfully until the mid-20th century, and is only rarely done in cancer operations. And operations as complex resecting a large tumor and re-attaching blood vessels would be complex enough to require at least two skilled people to complete.
That being said: I enjoyed every other part of the story very much.
Author's reply
I'm sorry, SS, to be apparently making a resection appear simpler than it is. I do rely on Aragorn having been trained by Elrond, who was at the time the greatest healer in Middle Earth, and would probably have had a far greater appreciation of what tumors are and how cancers spread than anyone else within Middle Earth. I don't think you've had the chance to read "Lesser Ring" as yet; in it Aragorn does do such a resection. I'm aware I simplified both the tumor and the resection of it too much--I only hope you can forgive me--this is, after all, a fantasy story. I doubt the tumor Lilith sported was all that large when it was first removed; the probabilibity parts of it were missed is likely. That once the realm of Gondor faded knowledge of how to properly remove tumors should be lost just seems very likely.
The actual tumor was based on my great aunt, who had a tumor removed once at the Mayo Clinic, but who refused to go back after a year, having realized it was coming back and knowing that they'd indicated that if they had to go back in they'd have to cut the vagus nerve, which would cause one side of her face to droop. The cancer itself did the job only a few months after she should have been there again for the surgery; and she died some years later. I fear I speeded up what happens to Mistress Lilith somewhat compared to what Aunt Ethel knew.
I am very relieved, however, that you appreciated the story in spite of this anachronism. Thanks so much for the feedback.
shirebound
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 48: In Defiance of the Dark
I read this at the LOTR Yahoo group, and was so impressed. You really show how people of quality and good heart can come together to enhance one another's lives.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. Yes, people DO manage to enhance one another's lives, when we are generous with ourselves.
Thank you so much!
Antane
· 29 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
Very interesting and thought-provoking.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Antane. Mae govannen.
Grumpy
· 29 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
What a great Yule story. Loved it the Pippin was trying to get all that stuff back to the shire. I think that Aragorn found perfect gifts for Arwen, the different charms was a great idea.
Author's reply
Am so glad you enjoyed it, Grumpy. And of COURSE Pippin won't worry when he chooses gifts just how he'll get them home.
And am so glad you feel Aragorn did find the proper gifts for his beloved bride.
Baggins Babe
· 23 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
The perfect gift indeed - both the shawl and the bracelet, and Arwen will treasure both, not just for the images contained there but because they are proof of Aragorn's love and thoughtfulness, and the love and care of the hobbits.
A beautiful story - Merry Christmas, Larner!
Author's reply
Oh, so true, BB. She'll have these to treasure for years.
A joyful holiday to all!
Fiondil
· 23 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
A lovely piece, Larner. Pippin is correct: if you see the perfect gift, buy it then because it's most likely not going to be there the next time you think of it. My mother would often, when buying Christmas gifts, put one gift aside for a future birthday (or vice versa). I liked the description of the different charms and the discussion about the proper materials for the shawl. Obviously, you either do that sort of thing yourself or know someone who does to get that kind of detail down. Merry Christmas.
Author's reply
I crochet, and tried filet crochet once--only once, though. My mind likes to skip steps, you see, and I'd have to redo entire rows because I'd skip one or more. I certainly have looked at enough of the graphs for both filet crocheting and cross-stitch, which my mother did--the graphs for both were remarkably similar; and I've read of folks like Sylvia Sydney who created her own cross-stitch patterns.
Glad you approve! And a joyful holiday to you!
Radbooks
· 22 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Oh, what a precious story with some of my favorite people. I want one of those shawls... only with Aragorn and some of my favorite elves on it! :) The charm bracelet would be marvelous too...
Author's reply
I'm tempted to try my own hand at it, believe me, Radbooks! Filet crochet can be fascinating to do! And the charm bracelet must indeed have been marvelous....
Kitty
· 22 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Buying Yule gifts in July is certainly early, but Pip’s right: If he’s finding the perfect gift for someone, he has to buy it then, because often he’ll not get it later. And how convenient to know the King is about to send waggons to the North and to be good enough friends with him to ask him for some space :) I can *so* see him dragging this giant bundle up to the Citadel - so sweet, thoughtful and touching of him to find gifts for his loved ones at home, even thoug he can't carry them all with him.
Somehow I doubt the ‘I’m home again and you have to forgive me’-gift worked very well with Paladin and Eglantine, at least in the beginning. Though of course, now I am wondering how particularly these two were taking the gifts - I hope they were nice enough, considering how much effort Pippin made.
Found Merry talking so expertly about different threats and advising Aragorn amusing – and it was great how all the Hobbits joined in and helped to find the right source for this gift. Though I was sighing about the fuss Frodo made about the drawings. Glad he did them, even if in secret, and good to know he’ll get his memorial, if he wants it or not, as I still disagree with him about the matter ;-) And loved the way even Elrond was roped in to help with the bracelet, too.
Anyway, these gifts were absolutely great, Larner! What a wonderful thing to get – and that goes for the shawl as much as the bracelet. Lucky Arwen - I am sure she appreciated them very much! (And now I wonder if Pippin couldn't talk Marigold into making something - say, to lay on a sideboard or the like - with the faces of the four Travellers for Aragorn, as he can't wear lace shawls?)
Thank you, Larner, for another lovely story!
Author's reply
Am so glad this story pleased you so, Kitty. I used to buy gifts at all seasons--before my situation changed and now it seems I rarely have any extra money to do much of anything when I see the perfect gift.
And it would be Pippin who would see the RIGHT gift and would get it, no matter how difficult it might be to have sent home! Of course the rest would go with small and light things; only Pippin would think of buying a saddle as a gift!
And I'm certain that after working out the details of the shawl he had Marigold make for Esmeralda Merry would have begun to appreciate what it takes to make such things.
I've not done much with filet crocheting because I have trouble keeping in the right row of the pattern--I keep skipping rows; so I've done only one or two such pieces. For some reason doing motifs or regular patterns is easier, and I love doing different stitches; so doing a tablecloth or afghan of blocks is easier for me than trying to do filet crocheting. My stepdad's mom, though, did it all.
And who knows--maybe one day Marigold just MIGHT make something for Arwen!
And thank you!
treymaine
· 22 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Oh!, how lovely.
I had tears in my eyes at the end.
Well written and wonderfully sentimental.
Happy Holidays.
Author's reply
Am so glad you liked it, Treymaine. Thank you, and may your Christmas also be joyful.
harrowcat
· 22 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
The perfect gift for Arwen and perfect gifts for so many other people and, of course, the perfect gift for all of us at this special time of the year. Thank you Larner.
Aragorn is not the only one who needs to take a leaf out of Pippin's book. I say so every year!
Happy Yule and a wonderful new year. I shall be off line while at my parents. Please pray for them. Mum now has an infection around her cathetar site and is bypassing it big time. Dad is feeling rotton with a nasty cough and he has had to give up the pipe-weed too! Jet is fine so I am hoping he will keep me sane!
Author's reply
So glad you like it. I really need to get up and get the bread started, but can't seem to get the energy up yet. Worked all night last night, and we ended up watching ROTK for movie night before I found myself in the kitchen fixing up eighteen meals for the next week for two clients.
Christmas is so sparse this year, and am feeling a bit depressed myself, and am missing my husband a lot at the moment--my husband and my mom. Am praying big time for both of your parents!
Spent last week with my former college roommate and her guide dog and cat, and now am home and preparing for what Christmas we can find.
God bless and keep you. And pet Jet for me.
Raksha The Demon
· 22 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
I love the details about all the gifts - the candlesticks for Faramir and Eowyn reminded me to polish up a vignette I'd rough-drafted months ago (just so you don't think I used your idea as an uncredited inspiration), and especially the description of the charms on Arwen's bracelet. The bit about Celebrian's handmaiden and guard and their young son who left Middle-earth with Celebrian really intrigued me - have you written about them elsewhere?
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like them. And I NEVER worry about other borrowing ideas from me, considering how I do so from others!
I haven't written about Calistie as yet, although that portion of Stirring Rings will come soon enough--IF I can get past the final battles in Arnor with the Witch-king.
A joyful Yule to you.
Neilia
· 22 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Oh, Larner, this is so beautiful. It has been years and years since I've seen any pictures worked in lace. It is truly an art. This is a keeper and a great memory enhancer for me.
Author's reply
I've tried filet crocheting a time or two, although I found I didn't have the patience with it, although I've done some very nice lace tablecloths and runners. My stepdad's mother was excellent at it.
Thank you so for the compliments!
Queen Galadriel
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Aww, I *love* this! Definitely one of your best short stories (and I say so with real thought, hesitating even now because it’s a hard thing to really decide upon, you know, there are so many gems that stand out and twinkle in this anthology)!
Had to smile and laugh at dear Pip and his giant bundle (well, sometimes big hearts seem to necessitate an abundance of things showing forth the love they contain, after all). “I’m home and you have to forgive me gift” huh? Cute! But a little sad that that forgiveness didn’t come as soon as might be hoped for. And the memories of the clock…”I didn’t mean to!” indeed! *grins* It’s so wonderful that he held onto so much vivacity and native cheer and, well, grew up in the ways that mattered most but was still able to stay young enough at heart to sound just like a kid when he says that stuff!
Ah, and a new person on the scene! Marvelous! I love Mistress Aiden; she seems definitely after the Shirefolks’ own hearts, cheery, good-natured, sensible, and steady enough to avoid needing a healer when she learns who she’s been talking to. :P
The bracelet sounds a lovely thing! I guess so many charms would have made it very heavy to wear, but if it was a good fit it wouldn’t matter much, plus the fact that it will, I’m sure, be one of Arwen’s most precious possessions.
A wonderful, heart-warming story filled with so much of the beauty of the season!
Merry Christmas (or Yule)!
Galadriel
Author's reply
I'm glad you do, my Lady!
I just can so see Pippin buying more than he can easily carry, and needing to approach Aragorn in this way. Yes, he's the youngest, and most impulsive and irrepressible, which Frodo needs by him.
The charm bracelet for Eglantine, the pocket watch, and the earrings started with Cathleen, and as I often do, I referenced them here. Hope she doesn't mind.
I'm glad you like Mistress Aiden--seemed Gondor needed to have a Breefolk in it for some reason.
I'm honored you like it so much! Thank you!
Now to get the next chapters of Stirring Rings and Tenant written and posted, although the plot bunnies are running rather wild, I find! Oh, check out Anor, Ithil and Gil.
Grey Wonderer
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
This was wonderful! I loved the care that everyone took while selecting the gifts and how they all worked together. I adored Pippin talking Aragorn into having his gifts sent in the waggons. And all the talk between the member's of the Fellowship as they got everything for the gifts. Pippin's ‘I’m home again and you have to forgive me’ gifts! Lovely, every word!
Author's reply
The gifts Pippin takes home are actually from Cathleen, and I hope she doesn't mind I referenced them here. And am so glad you like the dialogue--I try to do it right, and am glad when folk tell me I succeeded.
Thanks so much for the feedback, GW.
shirebound
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Well that was just pure magic, Larner. I felt I could see every gift perfectly. But in the midst of wonder are always the small, delightful moments...
He looked up to see much the same expression on Frodo’s face as he’d seen there the first time the Hobbit had seen him dance.
*giggles*
Author's reply
Yes, poor Aragorn--suffering the pity of a Hobbit who is more gifted in dancing and drawing.
And am so glad that you felt you could see the gifts.
Thanks so much for the comments! A joyful Christmas to you!