Reviews (16)

Author's reply

I adore that scene, especially when Merry accidentally kicks a Man's ale out of his hand in his enthusiasm. I couldn't write a book version of Edoras without finding some manner of including that song somehow ... and naturally I had to involve Frodo too. He needed some levity especially when he would be guilt-ridden in the next chapter. I think on some level Merry and Pippin knew this too. And as for Sam, well he just knows when to stay out of the cousins' way like any good hobbit with sense. LOL! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

As always, my dear Antane, I thank you and am glad you enjoyed! ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I have Internet service at long last in my new apartment!!!!!!!!!!! It's so very nice to be able to read new tales about my fav hobbits once more and I plan to post soon again too!!!!! :D

Author's reply

I don't know why, but I've tended to find movie-Aragorn to be a bit more humble than book Aragorn. Don't get me wrong, they're both humble but let me explain: movie-Aragorn is humble throughout the entire story; he does not wish to be king at all which in and of itself is an example of his humbleness. And as much as he loves Arwen, he loves her deeply enough to want only the best for her even if it means he will never see her again when she sails West. It is only through Frodo's own sacrifice that Aragorn finally allows himself to take up the sword reforged, becomes more comfortable with his fate to be the King, and into his own being. "For Frodo." Book Aragorn walks around as a Ranger carrying the remnants of Narsil, knowing the day will come when they are to be reforged. He knows that he has the power to reforge the North and South realms of Men. He already contains the humility in him, yet it is not brought out fully until Frodo offers to take up the Ring. Each step of the Fellowship's journey and the trials they bear force Aragorn to embrace his humility until he at last is indeed crowned king only through the sacrifice of one small hobbit. They're both humble, but to me it's brought out slightly differently IMO. What are your thoughts on Aragorn's humbleness? Ohh, this line of thinking just sparked a thought for the story you know I've been working on, where Frodo receives tending from a certain someone! :) I don't feel that Frodo could truly believe Aragorn's words the way he might have wished to until he was set on the path to healing. I think Frodo would have wanted to believe Aragorn and did take stock in his words to a certain degree, but he would not find the true meaning or take comfort in them until much later I fear. It's good that both Gandalf and Galadriel were with him on the ship and in the Blessed Realm to be able to remind him of others' sacrifice coupled with his own. Thanks for reading! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

WHAT??? You wish you could write so well of deep matters???? But YOU do!!!! You may not realize it, Queen Galadriel, but you have written well of deeper matters in some of the stories you've posted, evoking those same kind of emotions in all of us, as you have felt through this chapter of mine. I'm very flattered though and I thank you from my heart for such a kind compliment. *blushes deeply* Anyway, Frodo needed to have this talk with those he came to love and trust. He needed to realize that the parting of Elrond and Arwen was not his fault and to not add the guilt of their eternal separation add to his already overburdoned spirit. Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing this entire tale, Queen Galadriel. As always, I appreciate the feedback and it makes me want to write even more! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Sam was a very, very practical hobbit indeed. Pippin, of course, knew just the thing to get his Merry merry again. As another reviewer said, Trust food or drink to help Merry's grief." Unfortunately, all the revelry and celebrating of the proud people of Rohan do little to help poor Frodo. He is cheered for a time ... but a short time only. ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

LOL! Two of my favorite things ... horses and hobbits! I did my research on that stable. I knew pretty much how I wanted to describe the Royal Stable of Edoras, but double-checking some of the details gave me another excuse to watch ROTK ... again. LOL! Due to his growing need to take care of Frodo and watch out for Gollum, dear Sam sort of forgot about his beloved Bill the Pony for a little while there. But, at least that was one happy ending to the story when Sam and Bill were reunited once more, as we all know. Thank you for reading/reviewing, my dear Queen. ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Yes, poor Pippin out of all the hobbits needed to be a kid again and not the more mature lad he'd been forced to become due to the journey and experiences of the Fellowship. He needed the chance to act a tween, even if just for a short time, in order to relieve the stress of war. Thanks for reading, Queen Galadriel! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Yes, the Ring and his journey to destroy it changed poor Frodo in so many ways. Perhaps it was his dreams of the far off shores that sustained him until he could reach them. Elrond knows Arwen will be happy with Aragorn and he knows that Aragorn will take care of her to the best of his ability and then some. His fear lies of what will happen to her after Aragorn dies and she is left alone to mourn. I think that seeing his own wife, Celebrian, will do much to help heal Elrond in the West, although he will never forget Arwen. Thank you so very much, Bodkin, for reading and reviewing each chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed these littel glimpses of the hobbits as they passed through Rohan on their way home. I hope you continue to read my tales, if I may say so. :D

Author's reply

Yes, he most certainly did need that time to grieve and accept Theoden's heroic death. LOL! Yes, dancing on table (especially when drunk) can be very dangerous indeed--that's why practical Sam was smart enough to stay away from the revelry. I don't think the men of the Rohirrim would let either Merry or Pippin come to any harm if it could be helped. (I once had a friend in college who ended up cracking her ribs when she was doing a kegstand.) Thanks for another review!

Author's reply

Shadowfax just kind of trotted his way into the story when I was writing it. He knows how much Gandalf loves the hobbits and over the course of the War and its aftermath, he came to know and love them just as much. I hope to write a longer hobbit/Shadowfax tale in the future--it's been on my idea list for a while now and I love horses (and hobbits)! Thanks, Bodkin!

Author's reply

Me too! As the youngest of the Fellowship and the only one not yet of age, juggling seemed a very Pippin element. Instead of carrying around a sword or learning how to fight, juggling allowed him a few moments to be merely a tween again. Thanks!

Author's reply

Thank you, as always, Antane! :D Once Frodo learned of the parting of Arwen and Elrond, I think his guilt would have started to present itself more so than before, thinking their parting was his fault. (I hope Dreamflower takes in that little plot bunny too ... I hope she read that you liked it too) Aww, thank you for the compliment. I have a whole hutch of little ideas ... they pop into my head at the oddest times somedays. Lately, I've been thinking of interesting ideas for my story for you, Antane. ;) Namarie, ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you very much, Harrowcat! I'm very glad you enjoyed all these little snippets of the hobbits stay in Edoras during their return journey home, sad as they may sometimes be. And thank you for reading/reviewing all four chapters! :D ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

ROTFL!!! True. Very, very true, Harrowcat! Now if only food or drink could have helped poor Frodo.

Author's reply

Bill was like the tenth member of the Fellowship to me. He was the silent partner that worked behind the scenes and helped carry the packs, shielded the hobbits from the harsh winds of Caradhras, etc. When I picture Sam, surrounded by horses in Edoras, I see him missing faithful Bill more than ever now that his mission helping Frodo was accomplished. Sam was elated when he learned Bill made it back to Bree, of course. Thanks! :D

Author's reply

Hi Harrowcat! Yes, Pippin does seem like he out all the hobbits would be the one to enjoy juggling the most. He took (pardon the pun) the opportunity in Edoras to be a tween once again and take some time to laugh and play. After all, carrying a sword throughout Middle-earth and helping Frodo on his journey was hard work. Thanks for reading/reviewing!