The concept of this is very interesting. In the execution, I felt, it varied. The first and last chapters were the strongest. The first chapter had a very eerie quality to it, and while it was hard to believe that Gandalf could indeed take the ring, I belive that if he had taken it, he would act much as you describe. The last chapter was surprising in identifying Gimli as the only one in the party willing to fulfill the quest, rather than his own desires. I had wondered why you had left him till last, but with this twist it made perfect sense. I like it that you left it open whether he succeeded or not.
I'm a bit more doubtful about the middle chapters. It irks me that you give Legolas a very noble motive for coveting the ring, but make Merry and Pippin take it out of weakness and greed. Frodo and Sam resisted the power of the Ring admirably, and Tolkien hints that hobbits would be more resilient to it than any other species. The chapters about Aragorn and Boromir, while quite good in themselves, were a bit too similar in the plot line. The chapters about SAm and Frodo were good, though not as good as the first and last.
Author's reply
Thank you for writing, Virtuella! I appreciate hearing your thoughts. I agree with you that it is hard to believe that Gandalf would take the ring, and I'm glad you see that his fall would happen similar to my scenario. That is just what I intended with these vignettes: IF the characters fell prey to the Ring, what would they do? (I found Gandalf's scenario creepy too! And some others were particularly hard to write.)
As to the motivations for each in taking the Ring, I used the theory that the Ring looks for the weaknesses of each person. While Legolas will have the safety of his realm as a primary worry on his mind, hobbits do not have such worries. They think of the simpler things in life. This is why, in canon, the Ring could not seduce Sam. He had no grand aspirations to prey on. In my scenario, the only desire the Ring can use is Sam's desire to protect Frodo. Pippin did not desire wealth or power, or worry about the Shire as a whole for the Ring to use as a weakness. So all that was left were the simple things such as his curiosity, or in Merry's case, his concern for others that led him to want, at times, to take charge over others, such as his cousin.
The Ring finds everyone's weakness. But those who are more worldly have more weaknesses, as they know more about *power*. Legolas (and Boromir and Aragorn) knew much about power, and so the Ring led him to desire that power. That desire for power of Mirkwood wasn't intended to come off as such a noble motive for coveting the ring. But each reader will have their own interpretation!
The order of the vignettes had nothing to do with when each character gave in - they weren't meant to be chronological or linked, but a series of individual vignettes. Each scene was actually placed at different time periods during the journey. So leaving Gimli to the last by no means meant that he would have lasted to the end. Sorry that was not apparent.
Thank you for writing! I appreciate when readers are so thoughtful about the stories they read.
phyloxena
· 18 May 2007
· Chapter 5: Aragorn
At least my great hero dies in battle, and he didn't have time to turn monster. Thanks for small comforts.
Author's reply
Yes, you are right, that is some comfort, isn't it? Far better than the alternative. I think Aragorn would agree with you, too.
Thanks for commenting, phyloxena.
docmon
fliewatuet
· 5 February 2006
· Chapter 9: Gimli
I really love your take on how Gimli would handle the Ring. He is so steadfast and loyal to his quest ... but other than Frodo, he has no Sam to support him.
I would love to see more of your 'what if' vignettes.
Author's reply
More vignettes! Well, I hadn't really considered that! I'll give it some thought and see what comes to mind...
I'm glad you like my take on Gimli. It was a bit tough at first, trying to find a scenario that felt appropriate. But once I hit upon this one, it just all fell together.
Thank you for your comments!
Ithilien
· 4 February 2006
· Chapter 9: Gimli
Oh, man, this was a great series of vignettes. You really got my mind going and I love that you explored each character and how they each failed. This is the ultimate lesson, isn’t it? Fate wouldn’t allow the outcome to follow the same course had everything not aligned as it had.
And even here you show the ultimate hero of the story, Frodo, giving in to the Ring’s call. I think that was my favorite among these. That and Gimli (did Gimli actually succeed? I’m left wondering. I’m thinking not, given all that happened to the others, but you did leave me with HOPE, and that was the message in that story, wasn’t it?). Oh, and the Gandalf story – that was scary just for what was left unsaid!
I think my least favorite one was Aragorn’s story because it summarized events from the actual Tolkien telling without saying much about the details of them, and that left just the shifting fate to be told. It seemed a little lighter in substance than the others. I guess that is my only real critique. Otherwise, fabulous!
Is there supposed to be a wrap up chapter or is the story now complete? It stands alone, I think, but if there is more, I will most definitely be coming back again. Thanks for sharing this fabulous set of alternate stories with us!
Author's reply
Thank you, Ithilien! I'm so glad you enjoyed these. They had my mind going for some time, so I'm glad I could share the pa- uh, joy. ;-)
Yes, I deliberately left Gimli's end ambiguous. I didn't want to TOTALLY depress my readers! Actually, I didn't necessarily see Gimli succumbing to the Ring, since Tolkien said Dwarves were rather resistant to It. I did see some room for hope with It in Gimli's hands.
Aragorn's story was meant to be more introspective rather than an active piece; maybe that's why it felt less substantial. But it wasn't meant to follow Tolkien's timeline, because Aragorn took them to Minas Tirith, and on the way decided to keep the Ring for himself. But perhaps that could have been clearer!
You're the second one to suggest an epilogue of sorts, and I've begun to play with the idea. Honestly, it never occured to me to write one, but I think it may be a good idea. It may take some time, though, since I hadn't even thought about it before it was suggested.
Thank you for your comments! And for sharing your great stories as well!
Lamiel
· 29 January 2006
· Chapter 9: Gimli
Now this is very different. Usually when we envision what temptation the Ring might hold for Gimli we think of Moria, the restoration of the Dwarves from exile, and so on. Curious that the story would end with Gimli envisioning himself as Ringbearer... and still not especially liking the Ring, either. Also, to gain it he has lost the company of the rest of the Fellowship. H'm. Interesting.
I trust that this is not reality, but another 'what if' scenario. Will there be an epilogue? You imply that this is the end, and it's fine if it is, but I think an epilogue might help to tie everything back to where you started. Just a thought. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Author's reply
Hi, Lamiel, thanks for the review! Yes, I didn't want all these vignettes to all be the same, and I tried to draw from each character how they would react to the Ring's influence. I found it difficult to imagine a scenario where Gimli would voluntarily take the Ring. And since Tolkien says Dwarves were particularly resistant to the Ring's influence, I thought this was a credible scenario.
If he received the Ring from Frodo, he would try to continue with the duty they had been given. Though it would begin to wear on him, he might be able to resist its pull for the time of the trek to Mordor. So, I don't see him turning to Moria to restore the dwarves immediately, but trying to continue the journey south. If he succumbed at some point, perhaps that's where he would head.
This is just another 'what-if' scenario, like all the others, be certain of that! But I hadn't thought of an epilogue! I know I started with a prologue, and then got to the business of presenting each scene. But an epilogue is an interesting idea, and I will think on that. But if I decide to, it will take a little bit longer than these have come, since I had been fairly close to finished when I began posting these. But thanks for the interesting idea!
Larner
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 8: Frodo
Oh, how awful! Definitely the worst of all!
Author's reply
It is just awful, isn't it? And more so, because it almost was true! Hope you enjoy the last one!
Gentle Hobbit
· 25 January 2006
· Chapter 8: Frodo
Oh my goodness -- this gave me the shivers. I've read all of the vignettes up to this one, and you've had some interesting looks at the different possibilities.
I half expected Frodo's vignette to simply be the quotation from RotK since, really, we already know that he answered the call. But you extended it skillfully and gave a far creepier ending. That last line, about Sam's hope, was particularly good, in a rather despairing way!
Author's reply
Thank you, Gentle Hobbit! I'm honored to give you the shivers. ;-) Yes, I had plenty of a jumping off point for Frodo, and I worried about starting with such a long quote, so I'm glad it worked for you. I agree with the creep factor, and I think part of that is simply because it was a hobbit - to think of any of them succumbing was more difficult because of their nature that seemed to go against it. Another part of the creepiness came from how close they came to this being the reality. Very close!
thank you for your comments!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 7: Boromir
I do like this series showing the effect the Ring has on each member of the Fellowship. I enjoy occasional AU musings, and in each chapter of your tale it's so easy to see how it could have come about.
With poor Boromir it's not so AU - he alone of the Fellowship really did try to take the Ring for the good of Gondor. And this is what would have happened :(
Author's reply
Thank you, Jay! I have enjoyed many of your stories, so it's quite gratifying to receive your review.
Not so AU for Boromir, you could say simply extending canon. That said, it was the piece that gave me the most trouble! Go figure.
Inkling
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 6: Samwise
“Now what?” Sam asked wearily.
“Now, nothing.”
Perhaps the most depressing of the vignettes…with an existential despair in these lines that reminded me of a Beckett play.
Sad though the ending is, it would only have been that much sadder without the intervention of Gollum…for then the final scene would have had Frodo and Sam struggling to the death at the Cracks of Doom.
Author's reply
I must agree, Inkling. I found myself very depressed just thinking about Sam taking the Ring. It was very difficult and seemed to go against much of how I see him. This was the only possible scenario I could see where he would do this.
You're right it would have been much sadder if it came to that sort of ending, but I think Gollum still has his part to play in this saga.
Inkling
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 4: Pippin
This one could easily launch a much longer fic, if you felt so inclined…
Author's reply
That's so funny you've said this, Inkling, as you're not the first to say so. I might have to consider it...
Inkling
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Gandalf
A truly disturbing what-if…and somehow the more so for being presented entirely through uneasy conversations. In one of Tolkien’s letters he described Gandalf in possession of the Ring as ultimately making good seem more loathsome than evil…and this vignette picks up on that idea, I think. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing, Inkling! Yes, this vignette is one of the most disturbing for me. I'm glad you like how it's presented. I worried a bit that most of it didn't feature Gandalf at all, and it was supposed to be 'his' vignette. I didn't know what Tolkien had said about Gandalf's possession, but thanks for the reference. It makes me feel as if I was on the right track!
Thank you!
Larner
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 7: Boromir
How horrible--and no hint as to those he betrayed getting the foul thing. Gaack! But this is much as I expected.
Author's reply
yes, wouldn't it be? Even I like the 'real' version better - in that things don't go so horribly in the end.
Larner
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 6: Samwise
Except in this scenario those words are true, and not the acceptance that the quest was done and now were they also. How terribly grievous. But, yes, I too have seen this temptation used on Sam.
Author's reply
I did think this sort of temptation made the most sense with Sam, and kept closest to book canon as well. It was hard to write Sam's, partly because it was so depressing to think of Sam succumbing to the Ring. It was a struggle sometimes. It's a near thing, too, because Sam did it all for the right reasons. A case of the wrong action for the right reasons, I'm afraid.
Thanks so much for all your reviews!
Larner
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 5: Aragorn
This has been the hardest to read in so many ways, to see my beloved Aragorn fall so, to fall so short of his promise. "To rise above the greatest...or to fall with what remains of your kin...."
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it anyway! Yes, the great fall far, and when Aragorn falls, it's a long drop. Though I didn't take it as far, I think this scenario would play out as terrifying and despairing as Gandalf's.
Larner
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 4: Pippin
Poor Pippin--Grishnak and his folk have taken him and the Ring? And again Aragorn seeks to protect as he can, knowing it is very likely hopeless. Yet he was not called Estel blindly....
Author's reply
That's right, Larner! Aragorn would not give up, even under these circumstances, I think. When do we break down and say he's just downright stubborn? ;-)
Larner
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 3: Legolas
How horrible a torment, to have to ask that forgiveness. As with Boromir, the Ring again sought to seduce through the initial image of It wielded by the strong present ruler, to be supplanted ere It reached that one by the victorious Son. So glad you didn't follow this one through to its possible conclusion as you did the first two.
Author's reply
Yes, somehow, I didn't see Legolas keeping the Ring. I didn't realize, though, how similar it was to Boromir's story. That's interesting. Thanks for reading and for your comments!
cher
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 6: Samwise
Oh, no !!!!!! :(
Author's reply
Oh, yes, cher. It all just falls apart. Quite depressing I'm afraid, even to write it!
Larner
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Merry
And I thought the loss of Gandalf was horrible beyond belief! Ah, this is heartrending! Poor Merry, facing just what Tolkien foretold for Frodo had he not had the Ring taken by violence by Gollum! And Aragorn again lost! Alas!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner. Yes, it was quite sad to see how this turned out. In fact, at times it was downright depressing to write. But I could only write what they told me. ;-)
Larner
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Gandalf
And the beRinged Gandalf would sacrifice even Aragorn, would he? Yet Frodo hides his suspicions from a wizard gone bad--he may yet prevail.
Such a horrid possibility!
Author's reply
Yes, Gandalf with the Ring is perhaps the scariest of all possibilities, I think. He would eventually get to the point where he could justify sacrificing Aragorn, I believe. And, yes, the question in the end is how much does Frodo suspect? Only that there are things he doesn't understand, or that there is a reason to not trust Gandalf, or even that Gandalf was behind the deaths of the Rangers? It could be any of these!
Thanks for all your reviews!
Radbooks
· 19 January 2006
· Chapter 3: Legolas
I forgot to review this one! This one was not so much spooky as I could almost understand Legolas's reasons and so maybe even scarier than the other ones. I did enjoy how we clearly knew what he was thinking and why it made so much sense to him. When he choked Frodo, I assumed that was it, but then when you left it uncertain there at the end, that was even better. You write Aragorn very well by the way - he's my favorite LOTR character and I have liked him in each chapter so far. I am NOT going to like the one when he takes it! :)
Author's reply
thank you, radbooks! I'm so glad that you're enjoying how I'm writing your favorite character. That is gratifying. And you're right, sometimes, the more realistic something is, the scarier, even if there is less Death and Destruction.
I almost did end it after Legolas realized what he was doing. But then the characters kept talking...
Can't wait to hear what you think of Aragorn's chapter.
fliewatuet
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 3: Legolas
Quite a different turn than the previous vignettes, but an interesting turn nonetheless (and Aragorn stayed alive in the end ;-)) It is not that much of a 'what-if' compared to the previous chapters. That one of the Fellowship almost fell prey to the Ring's lure during their journey is not so far off. Tolkien might just have skipped to tell this particular event ...
Author's reply
hi fliewatuet! Yes, not so much death in this one. It does stay rather close to canon. I think you're right, Tolkien might have just skipped over this one... ;-)
Actually, I find it hard to believe that during this long journey, none of the others (save Boromir) felt the effects of the Ring. They had to feel some sort of effect. Tolkien simply chose not to focus on that. He left that to us!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 17 January 2006
· Chapter 3: Legolas
This is excellent. I've often wondered what effect the Ring would have on others, and this is exactly how I think it would seduce Legolas. Why is his father the only ruler not to have a ring of power? Why must they fight shadow and struggle alone? Why can't the Ring be used to protect his family, his people and his home?
I liked Aragorn's argument about what would happen when Sauron discovered the whereabouts of the Ring, and will happen to the other elven realms when it is destroyed. Then, the strength of Mirkwood wil be their salvation.
Jay
Author's reply
Thank you, Jay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Some of this one was tough, especially towards the end, but Legolas's thoughts on the Ring came quite naturally. I think it's just how his thoughts would go, given influence by the Ring.
I'm glad you appreciated Aragorn's arguments, too. It was the most logical counterargument I could see. After I wrote it, I thought, wow, that makes a lot of sense, which was a good thing. ;-)
thanks again!
Radbooks
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Merry
Oh, very well done. You do a marvelous job at capturing Merry here and then Strider's hesitation about not wanting to touch the Ring himself. Then to see them all die there on the steps of the Prancing Pony, again I shudder. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Author's reply
thank you, thank you, radbooks! such kind words. glad to hear i got a shudder out of you, too! ;-)
fliewatuet
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Merry
Wow, these vignettes are fantastic. Each an interesting scenario and brought to a chilling end without having to go into epic detail. I am curious by what twist of fate the other characters will come into possession of the ring and what will be the outcome.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, fliewatuet! I'm so glad you're enjoying them and that I've aroused your curiosity. I really wanted to present a brief picture, just hinting at the horrid possibilities that lay beyond the story. More to come!
Mysterious Jedi
· 16 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Merry
Oh, wow. At least they realized what had taken Merry and did not just see it as flat-out betrayal.
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj
Author's reply
oh, yes! That would have been terrible if the others had reacted that way. Strider certainly understands what is happening, and probably much better than the hobbits. Now that you mention it, I didn't really consider that they wouldn't understand, and being so early in their journey, it really was a possibility I should have considered. It might have ended up being the same story, but perhaps there should have been more uncertainty among the hobbits. Thanks for giving me something to think about!