Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth by DrummerWench
Larner · 10 January 2016 · Chapter 18: Trickster
Aha! So, that is the way of it, is it? Raven has always been known for trickery, after all. And Nahar appears to have had the best time of all!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! Yes! Nahar was happy; Raven was happy; the people of the Éothéod (and their mares) were happy. Even Béma was happy in his ignorance!
shirebound · 5 January 2016 · Chapter 14: Tree and Star
This is absolutely lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! I'm glad you liked it!
earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
This is probably one of my favourites out of this collection. A touch of Pinocchio, but not as dark. I like a story with a true happy ever after ending.
Author's reply
The happy endings show up, or don't--I seldom get a choice as to how a story ends! The stories unfold as they will. Thank you again, earthdragon, for reading and commenting! I"m so happy you've enjoyed my little tales!
earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 8: The Swans
Brilliant. A mixture of swan lake and Tolkien and a lovely explanation for why the House of Dol Amroth have the swan as their symbol.
Author's reply
So glad you liked it! As a variation on one of several real-world swan tales, it nearly wrote itself! Thank you for commenting!
earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 6: The Lady in the Water
Wonderful story. The golden haired lady was, of course, Goldberry, who sounded a lot more interesting than she usually does. Poor infatuated Kali - thank goodness for Gladden's commonsense.
Author's reply
Thanks, earthdragon! Oh, I figure Goldberry is plenty active, when just doesn't get a lot of press! Also, I wanted to try a "helpful animals" story, which worked really well with a Hobbit protagonist.
earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 2: Spiderwebs
This was a beautiful story, although I'm rather sad that the web smith didn't find a soulmate of her own.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and commenting! At first, I did try to get her hooked up with the king, but she would have none of it (characters are like that)! For now, she's happy being single.
earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 1: The Sorceress
Oh, this was very good and very much in the tradition of classical fairy tales. If there's a moral in this tale, I would suppose it would be not to count your blessings. How sad to think of the prince constantly searching for a way back into the golden woods and never finding it.
Author's reply
Thank you, earthdragon! I'm so glad you liked it! Yes, this one is rather sad; many real-world fairy tales have sad or tragic endings. If there are morals (I don't intentionally write morals), one of them is a pretty common one: Actions have consequences. Again, thank you for commenting!
walker-skye · 26 November 2015 · Chapter 15: A Son of Eärendil
These are wonderful! I found them on a very dreary and wet Thanksgiving day. Thak you for this gift.
Author's reply
Walker-skye, thank you for commenting! I hope they brightened your gloomy day. So glad you like them.
Larner · 14 November 2015 · Chapter 17: Dragon's Journeys
Ooh, I love the images in this one, as she flees from the compulsion of Sauron, now that he arises anew. And there is the dragon, I deem, that Tolkien himself desired with such a fierce desire as he wrought his own gifts from Faerie to share with a desirous world.
Author's reply
So glad you liked this, Larner! I have wanted to write a dragon tale for quite a while, and when I was inspired to try Old English style alliterative verse, it seemed like just the vehicle for a dragon story!
galathil · 30 July 2014 · Chapter 16: Fair and Foul
Hi DrummerWench. I love your chapters. I don't how I misses this one but I'm glad to have found it. Hope you write some more soon. Kind Regards Galathil.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Galathil! There are a couple story-seeds in my head, though finding the time to get them planted is a puzzle. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Larner · 5 July 2011 · Chapter 16: Fair and Foul
I so rejoice that they have found one another, and that she is restored in mind and spirit. A wonderful adaptation of Beauty and the Beast and a few other tales I have seen. Now--will her orc children come to bear pure spirits as well?
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Larner, for your encouragement! I really appreciate your comments! About the orc-children--maybe; one can hope, and she does. The ones she's lost track of--maybe not. Although, they have yeni to work on it...
walker-skye · 2 July 2011 · Chapter 16: Fair and Foul
I love these. best thing I've read in ages. the variety is delightful. and I can well see the book in Sam's lap. I look forward to more to come. Many thanks.
Author's reply
Thanks, Walker-skye! I'm glad you enjoyed the different stories--they do come to me in different moods, locations, styles, etc. I hope there are more coming down the pike, though can't really see more than one or two stories ahead at a time. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Elflingimp · 1 July 2011 · Chapter 16: Fair and Foul
I just wanted you to know I loved your story..it was neat I didn't know what was gonna happen until the ending, it was a good mystery! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Hi, Imp! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm very happy you liked the story and appreciated the mystery!
Raksha The Demon · 27 June 2011 · Chapter 16: Fair and Foul
What a nifty version of Beauty and the Beast, set in M-e! I truly did not see that twist coming, but it makes sense, given Orcish history. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Thanks so much for commenting, Raksha! I really appreciate it. Re: twist--I am glad to hear it! And I'm so glad you liked it.
Tari · 12 March 2010 · Chapter 2: Spiderwebs
What a beautiful use of spider webs. I could use some myself. I don't recall Tolkien saying anything about how King Thranduil met his wife. Your interpretation is quite lovely. I don't remeber who told me to read your stories and ficlets, but I'm very glad they did.
Tari · 8 March 2010 · Chapter 1: The Sorceress
Poor thing. He was caught in the web of Gladriel's beauty just as Gimli was. If only he had listen to the warning of the elves before leaving the woods. I think I would have stayed, but who knows?
Lady_Roisin · 30 January 2010 · Chapter 0: Sam's Book of Tales
I just started reading this and I am feeling very intruiged. I like this so far and I like the idea of fairy tales and folklore being written by those who lived in Middle-earth. I look forward to reading more.
Author's reply
Hi, Lady_Roisin! Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm glad you find the prologue draws you in; I hope you like the various tales!
Larner · 28 January 2010 · Chapter 15: A Son of Eärendil
A mighty curse, this one! Poor guy! And I don't blame the sea spirit for his curse, not really. Indeed a strange doom!
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner, for stopping by to read and comment. And the curse might be a /leetle/ over-the-top, but so are the blessings!
perelleth · 27 January 2010 · Chapter 15: A Son of Eärendil
Yay! I was so happy when I saw the laert! And I loved this. A son of Eärendil, much as the sea faring king of Numenor, yet with drops of Homer! Delightful sad tale. I really love it how you are somehow testing -and proving- how Tolkien's world is really rooted in western tradition. The weaving Penelope, the irate sea-spirit who could be Osse, Ulmo dwelling in the wreck of Numenor... it all mingles seamlessly. Beautiful!
Author's reply
Hi, perelleth! Thanks for reading. Also, thank you for your thoughtful comments and recognition of the sources for the various elements. I'm so glad it all works!
Celeritas · 26 January 2010 · Chapter 15: A Son of Eärendil
Aside from the tone (which, once again, is spot on), I really liked the fusion of the Odyssey, the Cottage of Lost Play, and the Flying Dutchman. Somehow the echoes of our own legends make the Middle-earth elements seem more timeless. Good job!
Author's reply
Thanks again, Celeritas! I'm glad you enjoyed the tale. I'm also happy that you found the mashup of real-world story elements and Tolkien's worked!
Celeritas · 15 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Tree and Star
I just wanted to leave a brief note saying how much I love all these! You've got the fairy-tale style down perfectly and manage to fit it in so well with what we know about Middle-earth!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Celeritas! I'm so glad to know that what I'm trying to do with the style(s) and Middle-Earth is working! DW
perelleth · 10 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Tree and Star
Beautiful! Tis always makes me wish to re read old tales! YOu always manage to keep the tone and the voice as well as the evocative rythm of ancient fairy tales. The awakening of the Ents under the stars while Yavanna and the elf sing has that quality of something very ancinet and somehow true!.
Author's reply
Hi, perelleth! I'm so glad the tales read as "ancient" and traditional--you know that's what I strive for, so am always happy to know that the language is working. Thanks for reading and stopping to comment!
Larner · 10 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Tree and Star
Ah, a perfect Beginning tale! Yes, to see the Ents awakening! Lovely, DrummerWench! Nice to see this added to once more.
Author's reply
Thanks again, Larner for your always encouraging comments. I do appreciate them, and I'm glad you liked this one. DW
ellie · 18 March 2008 · Chapter 13: The Troll Bridge
how very cute! Good orc stories are hard to find.
Author's reply
Hi, ellie - I'm glad you liked it! You're right, there are very few orc tales. I may have another one. *pokes at story seed* But don't hold your breath! DW
Larner · 16 March 2008 · Chapter 0: Sam's Book of Tales
What a wonderful prologue! Ah, yes! Ah, yes indeed!
Author's reply
Hi, Larner - I'm glad you found the prologue, and that you like it! It seemed, you know, quite /likely/ to me--Sam is interested in tales, and now has traveled widely & met so many different people. Also, thank you again for your very kind comments--I really appreciate them! DW