At the Rising of the Moon by Linda Hoyland
Reviews (20)
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Raksha The Demon
· 28 January 2007
· Chapter 3: See the blazing Yule before us
Poor Elbeth; the life of a Lady, even a young one, has its duties as well as pleasures, and those duties include bathing and dressing up. Why do the grown-ups have all the fun indeed?!
Great entrance by the dirty, leaf-strewn King and Steward. They cleaned up nicely, that's for sure. And lovely dancing men!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I feel for Elbeth too.It must have been hard for young noblewomen.
I'm glad you enjoyed our heroes arrival and the dancing.I can just imagine them all !
Raksha The Demon
· 28 January 2007
· Chapter 1: Here we come a-wassailing
Gudrun is a great character; few people would be so quick to try to put the Steward of Gondor and King of Gondor and Arnor into their places. Her respect is not easy to gain; and the lads will have their work cut out for them.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm glad you like Gudrun, I would love to be like her if I reached such an advanced age though I would be in awe of the Queen still>I don't envy our heroes.
Larner
· 13 January 2006
· Chapter 4: Under the mistletoe
A lovely ending to a lovely evening; and I suspect that there is far more reason for the mistletoe than even Aragorn will say. After all, it was a dart of the inoffensive mistletoe that was used to slay Baldur the Beautiful; and it was sacred to the Druids for its seeming ability to live on air alone.
To kiss under the mistletoe is to invite fulfillment, if I remember correctly.
But loved the gifts.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story. It is such a sad story of Baldur and the mistletoe,it is a mysterious plant.Traditionally it is banned from English churches as it is still considered pagan.
The gift of the cloak was my idea,the flask was Raksha's.
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
Larner
· 13 January 2006
· Chapter 3: See the blazing Yule before us
Tried to review this the other night, but the weather kept knocking me offline.
Lovely image, and the Sacred King has brought home the sacred herb and hung it in the hall, and now all dance, even Aragorn son of Arathorn, in joy and delight.
Author's reply
Thank you for tis much appreciated poetic review,I love your imagery.
Raksha The Demon
· 13 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Actually, I'd have paid good money to see Faramir and Aragorn running naked through the orchard and then standing on their heads. Oh, it was a joke? Too bad...
Roast chestnuts are chewy and taste...well, nutty. But good.
Thanx for the wonderful story!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.You are welcome to the story, I had fun writing it !I fear one about running naked though the orchard isn't forthcomoing though(grins)!
I confess to never having tasted roast chestnuts and getting the description from a newspaper article.
Raksha The Demon
· 13 January 2006
· Chapter 4: Under the mistletoe
Aw. What a scrumptious Yuletide treat! So nice to see Aragorn and Faramir and their long-suffering wives dress up and party and dance. And the close bond between King and Steward is lovely, and what both of them deserve.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I greatly enjoyed writing this for a change and am so pleased your comment started my creative juices flowing !
I feel Aragorn and Faramir ought to have that close bond,if fate didn't keep intervening !It is still there though,buried deep.
harrowcat
· 13 January 2006
· Chapter 4: Under the mistletoe
Poor men! They just can't understand we women! But at least they keep trying! Enjoyed all this Linda.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the story.It was fun to write.At least Aragorn and Faramir try hard to please !
Bodkin
· 13 January 2006
· Chapter 4: Under the mistletoe
And he will live more than another hundred - and he still won't understand females!
I love Elbeth - she's such a little personality. I think she feels quite proprietorial about her Strider. So much so that she's even willing to be kissed in public without going 'yuck'.
It sounded a good party - and I'm glad to see that Uncle Imrahil is showing his affection for Faramir. He needs it. And they had better make the most of this peaceful interlude!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I don't think any man will ever truly understand women and maybe the other way round too ?Elbeth is indeed propietorial about Aragorn and adores him.
I 'm glad you noticed the part about Uncle Imrahil as it is quite significant. Peaceful story was a nice change to write !
Bodkin
· 12 January 2006
· Chapter 3: See the blazing Yule before us
The old sensing each other can be really useful at times - Arwen and the sprogs (except they're a bit young to do it just now) know when help is needed.
And poor Faramir - all the effort of going to get her mistletoe and Eowyn doesn't even show her appreciation. Arwen is much better at soothing male egos. Perhaps Eowyn needs a few lessons!
I'm with Elbeth on frilly frocks. I can't see Eowyn being much of a frilly person, either - unless she's trying to conform to Gondor's standards for party dresses for little girls. I expect Elbeth will enjoy herself in the end, though. Despite Aragorn's refusal to make a new law outlawing fancy duds.
Author's reply
I think even in our world,some people instictively know when their loved ones are in trouble.I think Arwen has had a few centuries to practise soothing male egos.Perhaps she will give eowyn some tips ?
I like nice dresses,but like Elbeth,dislike frills and flounces,which I doubt Arwen or Eowyn would ever wear,while wanting Elbeth to look nice compared with the other little girls.
Thank you for your much appreciated review.
Larner
· 10 January 2006
· Chapter 3: See the blazing Yule before us
Aha! Yule is officially begun!
Love the descriptions of the gowns and dresses, and appreciate Elbeth's preference for a dress devoid of frills and bows.
No bows on, eh? Heh!
Author's reply
I like pretty dresses but am not keen on bows and frills myself.It is fun to "dress" my favourite characters.
Thank you for your much appreciated review.
Larner
· 10 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Ah, a lovely ceremony has been made of it, and one sees the transformation of Aragorn to THE KING clearly. Wonderful.
Author's reply
I love writing Aragorn in all his kingly glory and am pleased you enjoyed the scene.Thank you for your much appreciated review.
harrowcat
· 10 January 2006
· Chapter 3: See the blazing Yule before us
I am getting really confused Linda because I have an alert out for this on the other site too so I have finished it there. Won't spoil it for others but loved it a lot.
Author's reply
Thank you for your much appreciated review.I'm so pleased you are enjoying the story.I got rather behind with my updates here,but will put the final chapter up soon.
Bodkin
· 6 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Aragorn has his moments of being very paternal - which is, I suspect, just what Faramir needs!
I like the way he knows the special incantation. He is constantly surprising Faramir with all the things he has learned over his 90 or so years. It must be handy in some ways! And he can put on the splendour and dignity - just like the cat - and be impressively regal. He'd just rather not have to bother.
And the way that Gudrun is clearly more impressed by Eowyn than Faramir is entertaining, there in Gondor. Although she remains determinedly independent.
Aragorn and Faramir had better get a move on, though, or there will be a search party out looking for them.
Author's reply
Yes, I think Faramir still needs a father to make up for how Denethor reated him and Aragorn is ideal,both to show him affection and tease him,as well has impress him at times !
I think the ladies will be about to summon a search party for their missing husbands!
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I had fun creating Gudrun !
Nilmandra
· 4 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Nice tale. I like how Aragorn did his transformation into Lordly King at just the right moment. Tolkien would be proud.
Author's reply
Thank you for your much appreciated review.I am honoured that you think Tolkien would be proud !
Bodkin
· 31 December 2005
· Chapter 1: Here we come a-wassailing
No Faramir - chestnuts should not be boiled. You've missed half the fun if you haven't been roasting them on an open fire, with Jack Frost nipping at your nose.
Gudrun has put the King and Steward in their place very well - somewhat below the cat. I'd have thought she might give Faramir a bit of concession for reflected glory, though - after all, he is married to the White Lady of Rohan, Theoden's niece and Eomer King's sister.
Everything seems quite peaceful so far!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I have to admit I've never tasted chestnuts,or if I have I can't recall.
Gudrun(And this author) Ough I agree,to have given Faramir some reflected glory.
Larner
· 29 December 2005
· Chapter 1: Here we come a-wassailing
Faramir needs to chill, I think. Too long was he his father's son; now his lord seeks to aid him to appreciate simple life and the pleasantness of plain speaking.
Ah, Aragorn is comfortable enough, and will teach his steward well.
Author's reply
Poor Faramir has spent so long bound by endless protocol,he finds it hard to cast aside when appropriate.I think Aragorn is just the right person to teach him how to relax and not take plain speaking as an insult to the crown.
THank you for your greatly appreciated review.
meckinock
· 29 December 2005
· Chapter 1: Here we come a-wassailing
It's nice to see the boys relaxing and having a good time! Nice story for the holidays.
Author's reply
Thank you for your much appreciated review.I felt my poor heroes deserved a break frm my usual angsty fare !I am looking forward to reading your latest chapter as soon as I have time to sit and savour it properly.
Bodkin
· 28 December 2005
· Chapter 0: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
This seems to promise a happy ending to Another Tale - but I cannot believe that Aragorn and Faramir will be able to go out and return safely without some disaster striking them on the way! It would go against Nature.
Elbeth is a seriously cute addition to the cast. Long may she retain the belief that kissing is icky and that Strider is hers to command!
Author's reply
Maybe Nature is having a Christmas truce with our beleagured heroes ?I decided to see if I could write a tale without torturing them !
As I said on the Other Site, this might be a dream,an AU or what really happens,only time will tell !
I think Strider will always be at Elbeth's command,somehow !
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
Raksha The Demon
· 27 December 2005
· Chapter 0: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
A great holiday story so far! I liked the description of the decorations.
Loved Faramir's protestation that he had recently written a poem to Eowyn - romance includes flowers and festivity as well as poems; but, being a mere man, Faramir probably doesn't understand such nuance.
Elbeth and Aragorn's dialogue about the healing properties of mistletoe was amusing.
Author's reply
Poor Faramir,he just doesn't understand that Eowyn wants more than a poem,nice romantic gesture though it is.
I think Elbeth is more interested in the practical properties of mistletoe.
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
Larner
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 0: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
What difficulties indeed can the two of them get into? As if the Queen weren't completely correct the two of them always seem to draw some serious problems to them! Heh! Will be interested in seeing this story continue.
Author's reply
I'm not intending anything other thansome light hearted holiday fun for our heroes but getting the mistletoe is unlikely to be too easy !Many thanks for your much appreciated comment,my first on this site !