Reviews (1,168)

Author's reply

It is an adjustment. For so long Aragorn was the captain of a company of Rangers or traveled alone or with Gandalf or his brothers or perhaps his kinsmen among the northern Dunedain. Getting used to talkative Hobbits and yet learning they were nevertheless far more intelligent and competent than he imagined must have been a marked change from his usual travels. Glad you enjoyed it, Amy.

Author's reply

Yes, in this one everyone learns SOMETHING! So glad you approve! Thank you.

Author's reply

Your review itself is poetic, Bodkin. Thank you! Landroval just pushed his way in and told his own story; but I felt he would recognize the Eagle-like aspects of Aragorn if any creature would; and how would he feel toward such a small, helpless-appearing creature as he now clutched? As for Gorbag--SHUDDER! Orcs and the Ringbearer make a strange combination, I found.

Author's reply

You know, this could indeed have served just as you've indicated. How marvelous an idea! Thank you. And am so glad the inclusion of Landroval's perception has proven so welcome. Thank you for the idea, my Lady.

Author's reply

Ah, but Iluvatar knows his creatures so well He can even use their predictability to teach lessons to others they may well need some day, as well as to bring unexpected good out of an otherwise horrible situation. And am looking forward to that book. Perhaps you could produce it here? (Hint, hint, hint....)

Author's reply

Well, it WAS the "Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder" challenge, after all! And it's not just beauty or ugliness that might be seen in Frodo, I think. And am so glad you appear to have liked it.

Author's reply

Am so glad it left you wanting more--that's a wonderful compliment! Thank you, Elflingimp.

Author's reply

No, Sam didn't know, and thought he was looking on the beauty of his Master for the last time; to find it restored but imperfectly must have been a lasting grief to him. Can't say why Gorbag and not Shadrat wormed himself into this one, save that he was the one who coveted the mithril shirt for his own. Would one who was so attracted to a mail corslet he couldn't even wear not have reacted strongly to the perceived beauty of the one who'd worn it, resenting it, detesting it as ugly? Landroval, once he grasped Frodo's body, insisted on having his own point of view expressed. That's one of the parts that sort of just appeared, mostly unplanned at all. But how would such a creature react to the smallness and fragility he found himself carrying from danger. But only when he was certain Aragorn was Gwaihir's equal and was identified with the wisdom of his own race would he surrender Frodo to him--that came as a surprise even to me. And at last we have the other brother in Love who also sees beauty once he is certain it is indeed Frodo he holds, and who will do all he can to see that beauty recalled. Thank you very much for the compliment, Dreamflower.

Author's reply

Somehow Landroval's own feelings of protectiveness raised wrote itself into the story, along with his realization that Aragorn was the equal to his own lord. The challenge was to look at something one sees as beautiful and another sees as ugly; but I found it needed few more points of view than just that.... And you're right about Gandalf's magic. I'd considered the possibility of having the Eagles carrying the cloak back to Galadriel, but remembered she and Celeborn and their folk were otherwise involved beating off a final attack on their own land, then joining with Thranduil in the final cleansing assault on Dol Guldur before Thranduil asks them to join with him in renewing the old name of the Forest of Green Leaves, Eryn Lasgalen, once more. So, that being true, how was it Sam's cloak was cleaned and healed of the hurts it had taken? Surely Men couldn't have been considered equal to the task of reweaving it? But, Gandalf had long known Galadriel, who appears to have done some studying under Vaire before she left Aman, and he served under the Weaver herself at times, it's said; so perhaps just this once he let a bit more of his nature as held in his staff shine forth? Made sense to me!

Author's reply

The challenge called for two viewpoints, and I somehow managed four--or five? But more than beauty and ugliness would have been seen in this one, I think. As for more stories about the Eagles--well, you're not the only one asking for that, and I might one day do just that. Thank you!

Author's reply

Oh, thank you, Grey Wonderer! I'd wanted to do something from an Eagle's perspective, and found this fit the bill wonderfully. The challenge was to show how the same object/individual could look ugly or beautiful to this person and that, and I found I had to take it sort of full circle from the beauty Sam saw in Frodo to the ugliness perceived by Gorbag to the promise of beauty seen by an Eagle to the hope for it returned seen by Aragorn and Legolas. And I so love your first story in your own collection. Thanks again for the review, GW.

Author's reply

No, Ted never does truly learn, does he? One to avoid his own responsibilities and think ill of all others, especially those who never truly wronged him, always.

Author's reply

I think all who must face the terror of wars must at times be haunted by the memories of that time spent. And Hobbits have never been raised to such pursuits....

Author's reply

The great tragedy of war is that so many are lost and then never found again, and no one knows where they go or what becomes of them, not for certain, at least. And if I can evoke the same imagery as Elven music--now, that is a wonderful accomplishment, and I thank you deeply.

Author's reply

Have found myself a few times trying to capture the image of Luthien dancing and Beren watching her, struck with her beauty and grace; I can see this picture in my mind, but doubt my drawing would do it justice.

Author's reply

I understand Tolkien drew the idea from the memory of crossing the battlefield after a firefight, seeing bits and pieces of dead soldiers who'd been hit by mortars or grenades or cut apart by machine gun fire, lying here and there, now and then recognizable as the ones seen going "over the top" in the first rush on the enemy's position. It was a powerful image, and I feel he did well to include it in the book and that PJ did so also in the film. I truly reminds us of the true cost of war, I think. And, yes, Tribbals should have been the one to do this and no one else--I found she wanted to reenact the enchantment I felt thirty years ago when I watched a young lady with Downs syndrome dancing to "Chavala." So glad it moved you.

Author's reply

I am so very pleased you like it, Armariel. Thank you so much! (How do I do it? How did you come to write that lovely poem that's up for a MEFA? Heh!)

Author's reply

I suppose my father was lucky that he spent the last of the war finishing his training as an officer, and died when his plane crashed before he could be dragged into the Korean War. My stepdad, however, never spoke of his experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, flying from the deck of a carrier in the Pacific. He was rather too good at putting the past behind him, I always thought. And that night, with the memories of the horrors of war on his mind, Pippin found the healing magic of the music, and went to sleep with the images of a small Hobbit child and Luthien dancing, enabling him to dream of Frodo whole again, able to dance for him also. And I agree about our special children and folk being special to the Creator. Thank you so much, Demeter.

Author's reply

It is in the memories and hearts of those who are ordinary people that the past is most commonly remembered, and the memory of those who are gone is kept alive. At least the folk of Hobbiton that night now have reason to remember that their lives are indeed better because Frodo Baggins lived among them. Thanks for the response, Linda. Author Reply: /Larner covers her embarrassed face.... Got mixed up as to which story this review was for, and so wrote the response as if it were for "Whining." Sorry about that. I personally think that Elisien's family is a good one through which to look at what has been accomplished in the past few months, and particularly to view the accomplishments of the four Hobbits. Thanks.

Author's reply

Yes, music is ever magic, and this time has been a healing one, I think. One simple gift from a child brings out the more profound gift of another, and allows easing of two hearts that night.

Author's reply

Yes, there is horror along with the beauty of it. And Sauron did so much to try to destroy the will of those fighting for the city--I'm only glad he lost in the end.

Author's reply

And the beauty was needed that night by Pippin, and helped fulfill Tribbals, I think.

Author's reply

Yes, the music has helped, and the dance even more. And I cannot think that Pippin will ever think of such a child as helpless or graceless again, for he now knows better. Thanks so much for the feedback, Bodkin.

Author's reply

There was so much of horror to this war; and the rain of heads was but one part of it, and more intended for the Men of the city than for accidental Hobbits, of course. I had to finish my tribute to the young lady who danced to "Chavala" for us so long ago, I found, and Tribbals insisted on being included, after all; and it helps to weave the associations already built in many ways. And that the Creator would allow her to share some Elven magic seemed just so right for Tribbals Broadloam. I've played the recorder, but never a proper pennywhistle, although I'd like to find a good one somewhere. Am so glad you like the perspective of the story, and it only seemed right that the dream should be shared as the magic of the music and dance was shared for the two of them. So glad you loved it. I think this is one of my own favorites I've written.

Author's reply

Wars turn former farmers into heroes and former wealthy men into manual laborers alongside those usually seen as their social inferiors. War can be such a great and terrible leveler, I think. I've found the idea of the rain of heads had been invading my dreams and wanting expression somehow in a reaction of Pippin to the event; and then Tribbals demanded inclusion--and so this came out. The instruments played at the party were described as having lovely tone, so of course even a pennywhistle from Dale must have boasted the same excellence; and after learning that the Shire themes and Frodo's own theme were played first on a pennywhistle, I must admit this is in part intended to honor the work of Howard Shore and the musicians who played the music for particularly FOTR and ROTK. May they always be honored, and their music delight people for ages yet! And am so glad you felt toward this story as I find I do. Thank you.