Lindelea
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 47: The Perfect Gift
Oh, this is delightful! (As I thought it would be, hearing bits and pieces...) I'm heading out the door, but couldn't resist clicking on this for a quick read. No time to pick out all my favourite bits! But I enjoyed the read, and appreciate your cleverness in meeting the request while still staying firmly within the bounds of canon.
Author's reply
Am so glad you appreciate it, Lindelea! It did take some thought to manage keeping within canon and yet have the Hobbits actually helping pick out and, to an extent, help in designing the perfect first Yule gifts for Arwen.
Love to the Little Hobbits, and may your Christmas be filled with joy.
ROTFL! Oh my, the little rascal! But a smart little rascal, and a perfect darling! Oh, that was a good one!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
So very glad you enjoyed it, my Lady. Yes, very smart little rascal--however else might he be? Glad to give you a good giggle! Heh!
Queen Galadriel
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 42: A Summer Night's Peace
Wow…I’m rather speechless… This is so dominated and made so beautiful by that mood, that tone or emotion of mingled joy and sorrow, blending to make a deep, sad, almost overwhelming sweetness that so often characterizes your stories such as these. Everything contributes to it—the perspective, the imagery, the depiction of these beloved people..everything. I’m in awe, once more.
Oh dear, poor Arwen. And poor Frodo; yeah, slightly embarrassing conversation. And Legolas really shouldn’t have laughed, though I found myself trying not to smile (and failing utterly in the end), but that’s different from a female and a mortal. ;D Stubborn Baggins…sometimes he doesn’t seem to get that it’s okay not to have perfect knowledge or not be perfect in any other way. Well, he’s glad to accept others with their faults, but he can’t accept them in himself, which can be both a good and a bad thing.
This is such a peaceful scene beneath the Tree; I love Frodo and Aragorn’s conversation. Yes, brothers truly, more truly than they realize now. I wish Frodo had allowed himself to be carried to the Hallow, it would have done him good; but I’m glad, still, that he found such peace just where he was.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I'm glad you found it so, my Lady. I'd been wanting to try another first person POV, and whose better than my beloved Aragorn's?
Yes, stubborn, but still beginning to accept what will come; and so unwilling to be less than his best, unfortunately.
Thanks for the feedback.
A beautiful depiction of this first meeting between Faramir and Frodo after the quest was done. And I love the way the flower-crown and the star in Mordor are recalled here, both beautiful things in the story itself and equally so when told here to Faramir.
Queen Melian’s lace! I love that! Perfect way to use the flower and give it a Middle-earth name.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I'd always wondered WHICH king was pictured there, and now we know! Heh! And I, too, always loved the image of the statues head so crowned. It was pointed out once on The One Ring Net that it was Frodo who received the hope from the floral crown one would expect Sam to respond to while it was Sam who found hope in the star seen from Mordor, a sign usually associated with Frodo. Here it is becoming increasingly obvious that Sam is becoming the one whose strength is seeing both through the ordeal.
And it's been fun trying to think of ME names for varius flowers that here have culturally-derived names. Indian paintbrush I finally decided would be fairy's paintbrush, and I think I once named some plant dwarf's beard.
Queen Galadriel
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 44: Of Coins and Kittens
The coin…yes. Oh, to think what memory that must have been to Sam when he received it…and the house, a token, I see. That’s so sad, but so like Frodo to do that. Bless the adorable little kitty for being a comfort to him while she could, in that simple way animals seem to have at times.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
The coin was returned when Frodo's will was read. At that point Sam will truly understand.
And Frodo deserved that comfort if anyone does!
Queen Galadriel
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
LOL! Oh my goodness, those two! Hahahaha! Hilarious! I need them around to help me invent (and carry out) pranks on certain dear persons of my…er, acquaintance. Even when I have an idea I never do it right and it always backfires…though this seems to have backfired on Merry and Pippin as well! And how long is it going to take Sam to “cool off?” Hehehehe!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, this one backfired a bit! It was fun to write, too. Having to sit in the tree past dinnertime might be seen as an appropriate punishment--or maybe Sam will keep them up there much of the night!
Be careful what you wish for--you just MIGHT get it!
Author Reply: Yes, this one backfired a bit! It was fun to write, too. Having to sit in the tree past dinnertime might be seen as an appropriate punishment--or maybe Sam will keep them up there much of the night!
Be careful what you wish for--you just MIGHT get it!
Queen Galadriel
· 21 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything from the point of view of a barrow-wight before now. Chilling! But the most interesting part of this was the end, from Tom Bombadil’s POV. That is so interesting and certainly makes me think more deeply about him. The first time I read the FOTR I was a little bored with that part of it because I wanted to get to the “good stuff” (in my mind, Bree, Weathertop, Rivendell and beyond). I’ve come to appreciate the parts in the Shire and the Old Forest much more since then, but I never gave Bombadil enough thought to look beyond the surface much. Ah, this makes me want to read FOTR again, but I’ve still got two more HP books to read (Order took forever…thank you for the tension-relieving half-spoiler there, BTW *grins*) and I know I really ought to wait till summer when I can actually enjoy it to the full.
God bless,
Galadriel
P.S. Did the turn table ever work? Sounds like that would be a handy thing. My grandparents want me to keep all their old records eventually because they know I’m the only one of us four grandkids that actually cares about that stuff, but I’ll never have room for the bajillion piles of them they have stored away plus a record player. I have the latter already (a gift from them) but I’m terrible with it; how does one get used to that when one is so used to popping a cd in and pressing a button, or carrying one’s music in a pocket, stored on a tiny ipod?
Author's reply
Poor Tom gets short shrift always, which is somewhat frustrating for those of us who like him. Am so glad you liked seeing it from his POV.
No, the turntable isn't working quite yet. Oh, it's working, but we're not yet communicating properly with the computer as yet. I'll try it again when I go down again.
Now to figure out how to get to my chosen chapter in my MP3 player. I can't seem to play anything but disk 3 of The Two Towers at the moment.
Kitty
· 18 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
Fascinating to look at this part of the story from this particular POV, and rather unusual as well, to know what the wight thought. And though it was a rather creepy story, I couldn't help but smile at the image of the hroa the wight was using. It's easy to see why captives were either terrified or laughed about it. Ludicrous, indeed! Well, at least the wight was able to see the hobbits as they true are, what I found interesting.
I do share your opinion of Tom's origins - it has to be something in this direction, after all. And of course he had to realise the twinship between Aragorn and Frodo, although they belong to different races.
Author's reply
I was inspired by "Spellbound," one of Shirebound's stories, one that when I read it as she was writing it a few years ago obviously struck a chord. But I wanted to look at it anew, particularly as until this story was written it wouldn't allow me to get poor Gandalf past the Barrowdowns in the last chapter of "Stirring Rings." Just trying to think WHY we only see the creepy hand as it creeps out to take the sword's handle has niggled at me.
And am glad you, too, suspect this is how Tom came into being.
Baggins Babe
· 16 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
This was a superb look at what must have happened inside the barrow, and shows terrific insight into what the wight was thinking.
Pondering on who and what Bombadil may be is endlessly fascinating and I think this is one of the most likely explanations - and I loved that he recognised Frodo as the Prince of Stars and that he (of course) knows that Aragorn is another.
Author's reply
So glad you enjoyed it. And do look at Shirebound's "Spellbound" for another view, one that helped inspire this one.
Bombadil was inspired by his son's doll, I understand; to think that he began as a Maia as well just seemed so right. I'm so glad you feel it plausible. And of course Tom would recognize in Frodo and Aragorn both that they were sent specially and contained the Light of Stars.
Thanks so for the comments, Baggins Babe.
Linda Hoyland
· 15 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
A Chilling tale !
Author's reply
Oh, thanks for letting me know the mood was conveyed properly! So glad you had the chance to read it.
harrowcat
· 14 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
Oooooh. *shivers* And there I was in the waiting room waiting for my second blood test in two weeks. Not really a good choice of reading matter before seeing the Vampire! You and Shirebound are the only two people who have persuaded me to read a tale of 'horror'. And you have both tackled it so well.
And I do love your insights into enigmatic Tom.
(Turns out I am anaemic and my thyroid levels are off. Not good news combined with high blood sugars especially as it is mostly my own fault! Off to see the Doc next Thursday.)
Author's reply
(Larner shivers! Larner is terribly needlephobic.) Sorry to lead to that feeling just before seeing your phlebotomist! My husband, as a diabetic and kidney patient, was ALWAYS getting blood draws to check out iron levels, glucose levels, calcium levels............
I'm honored that Shirebound and I were able to help you find an acceptable horror story--it's not my favorite genre, either. And it's always fun to speculate on Tom Bombadil and his origins.
Good luck with your doctor. It's hard to get me into the clinic to see a doctor at all, they've found.
Rhyselle
· 14 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
I am totally stunned and awed by this story, Larner. It is so incredibly amazing. Not many people have written regarding the Barrowdowns and the Wights who dwell therein--but you have managed to give personality to what, at first glance, is just a creepy archetypical monster image.
I particularly liked the end bit from Iarwain's POV. It's so easy for people to dismiss him as a crackpot strange guy that doesn't make sense in the surface impression of the hobbits' world, particularly if readers don't know anything about the Valar and the history of Middle-earth that is the background of the existence of the Barrow Downs. I like your thought that Tom Bombadil, like Melian, was a Maia who took on physical form emulating that of men and elves, respectively.
Thanks for sharing this with us! Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you, Rhyselle. I recommend you also look to read Shirebound's "Spellbound," as I found it truly inspirted me to wonder about the origins of the wights when I read it at its publication a year or two ago. Once I thought on the wight's origins, then there was the question of the type of image he'd have sought to project when he took on a shape so as to serve Morgoth.
Bombadil has intrigued me. I know that the inspiration for him was a doll belonging to one of Tolkien's children--Christopher, I believe; but that he was one who awoke first--I'd be wondering why when I began writing "Stirring Rings" and found myself seeing him as a Maia who'd tied himself to the mortal lands, eventually being granted a wife by one of Ulmo's followers who protected the Withywindle.
And I'm looking forward to whatever you write next.
Lindelea
· 13 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
Ooo, well done! Nice expansion on the scene from two unique POVs. Dreamily written with the cadence of ancient legend.
Author's reply
I am honored indeed, Lindelea. Hope to see you next week, then.
shirebound
· 13 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
and the mithril shining of one of those great spirits who stood ever against the darkness. A Star-Child--here, within the mortal lands?
Tom Bombadil sought to beguile them to their destinies, distracting and instructing and confounding them with his capering and song and mixture of joy and nonsense that was in truth sense beyond understanding.
This is a marvellously-woven look at the wight's thoughts, motivations, and history, Larner. This is such a fascinating part of the Tale, isn't it?
Author's reply
In part the memory of your version sparked this, although the plot bunnies lingering alongside the nuzgul guiding "Stirring Rings" had a good deal to do with it, too. But it was interesting to look at my own version of the wight and see how he reacted to what he saw....
Thanks for the feedback. Your "Spellbound" is still the best treatment I've read so far.
Fiondil
· 13 December 2007
· Chapter 46: The Ritual Disturbed
A very powerful story, Larner. I loved the comparison between the Wight and Iarwain, two who were meant to serve the Light, but only one does, though his choice of service has it's own concomitant consequences. Yet, for all that he may have abandoned his allegiance to Lord Irmo, Iarwain never abandoned his allegiance to Ilúvatar and that is what matters the most. The conversation between the Wight and Iarwain was espcially illuminating on many levels.
Excellent job.
Author's reply
In part this was inspired by Shirebound's "Spellbound," although the actual unleashing of this plot bunny and the one that saw me writing "The Craft of the Elven Smith" was brought about by trying to write Gandalf's journey past the Barrowdowns in my latest chapter of "Stirring Rings." Until I wrote these two stories, I was not allowed to finish that chapter.
We don't know for certain who or what the wights were, whether houseless spirits or failed Maiar or what; that at least a few might have been the latter just seemed right as I began writing this.
Bombadil is referred to as "Eldest." We know he is immortal at least as are the Elves, although he is not an Elf. We know he has taken a bride in the River Daughter, Goldberry. We know that he has come to limit himself mostly to the bounds of the Old Forest, where he watches over the trees and apparently looks over the Hedge into the Shire from time to time, where his knows Farmer Maggot personally; and that on occasion he visits Bree. That he started as a Maia who, like Melian, came to tie himself to Middle Earth, seems very possible; and from what we can see of his nature, the focus of his former allegiance was likely either Yavanna or Irmo. Considering the dreams our Hobbits knew when resting in his house, I'd guess Irmo was the more likely.
IF he was a Maia originally, he would probably also be able to pass into and out of the realm of possibilities I postulate that Sauron turned into the Shadow Realm in which his Nazgul existed. We know that Sauron could not do any true creation, but that he did twist what was already present within Eä; I suggested that the Shadow Realm might originally have been a plane of awareness where those who were among the greatest craftsman among the Maiar and the Eldar and those who wore the Rings of Power might sojourn where they might touch the Song of Creation and bring back out of it the imaginings of their minds and make them manifest. Once Frodo was healed, in "Reunion" he was taught how to enter that realm freely that he might create clay figures that appear close to life, and fire and color them with the might of his will rather than having to labor over them in a studio and have to use kilns and so on.
So, the wight tries to hide in the Shadow Realm, but cannot do so effectively, as Iarwain can follow and confront him there.
Anyway, thanks so for the response to this. I don't think that Bombadil ever forsook his original allegiance to the Creator, which was why he was allowed to remain his own Master.
Linda Hoyland
· 3 December 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
An amusing ficlet which is almost a drabble!
Author's reply
This was written in response to a challenge, and it was fun just to look at the immediate situation in this one.
This isn't even a drabble, being eighty-some words. Haven't done a proper drabble yet, I'm afraid. Am very glad it gave a giggle!
Pearl Took
· 1 December 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
That naughty little rascal! LOL LOL
Author's reply
As I wrote this I found myself thinking, "Grey Wonderer could well have done this!" Glad to give you a chuckle.
Pearl Took
· 1 December 2007
· Chapter 44: Of Coins and Kittens
Warm and wonderful Larner! Not really the price Sam pays for Bag End - the price is losing Frodo.
Author's reply
You are right, Pearl Took, about the real price for the smial. But Frodo has one more bit of business complete now.
Kitty
· 1 December 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
*lol* Hadn’t known Sam to be so violent! Though Pippin and Merry should have known better than to do that! Seems Frodo has to go and calm everyone down ...
Author's reply
Yes, that's the way of it, I think. Glad to give you a chuckle.
cookiefleck
· 30 November 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
I wouldn't bet on Sam being cooled off by supper-time and I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of Sam's frying pan, either! Cute one!
Author's reply
No, I wouldn't count on it, either. Poor young Hobbits, stuck up a tree as they are! Glad it gave you a giggle.
cookiefleck
· 30 November 2007
· Chapter 44: Of Coins and Kittens
This is so sad and sweet. Sam knowing that Frodo is leaving yet playing along as though he doesn't know is heartbreaking. It was easy to visualize this as it played out. Good job, dear.
Author's reply
Yes, all too easily can I imagine that such a scene as this happened. Sam KNEW Frodo was leaving, and obviously believed he was going to Rivendell. To learn the truth must have been devastating.
Thank you so, Cookiefleck.
Radbooks
· 29 November 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
*giggle* NEVER mess with Sam and his stuff!
Author's reply
No, it doesn't do to try to pull such a trick on Sam. It's fun now and then just to do fluff, I think.
shirebound
· 29 November 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
Hah! These two are getting bread and water, assuming they get anything at all. Everyone knows that the cook is the most important person in any camp!
Author's reply
And this time the usual cook is most devoted to seeing to it these know such a thing better not happen again! Glad to give you a giggle.
Grey Wonderer
· 29 November 2007
· Chapter 45: Lack of Discretion
I love this and I also think it so very like Pippin to think that Merry should have 'talked him out' of his brilliant idea. LOL Personally, I don't think they're getting down in time for dinner.
Author's reply
No, I think that they may get to sit up there for a time. Glad to give you a laugh.
Edlyn
· 29 November 2007
· Chapter 42: A Summer Night's Peace
This was gorgeously moving. I can close my eyes and see Aragorn and Frodo beneath the tree and hear their voices as I read. You truly have a gift.
Edlyn
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you found it moving, Edlyn. I am truly honored.