Fiondil
· 27 December 2009
· Chapter 72: Coveting the Light
I just loved this, Larner! This is truly a wonderful ficlet and Olórin especially shines in this. A very interesting look at some of the Maiar when they were still 'young'. Thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
As you know from "Stirring Rings" my version of Olorin is one who loves to dance with the Breath and the Light; and what better version of this is there than becoming a dancing circle of snowflakes? And once Mairon assaults the female Maia, Olorin would undoubtedly interpose himself to protect her! SS commented she felt this reminded her very much of your writing, so I was very honored. But considering the prompt of "Wicked Things," what else could I have written? Loved finding ways of including Osse, Uinen, and Ungoliant in this.
Antane
· 13 December 2009
· Chapter 71: Questioning
A very interesting Q & A session. I didn't know how the questioner was until he said that he didn't want to hurt Gollum and then I suspected and later knew. Gollum is very well done. Gandalf's words to his Elven host were interesting also, especially his first ones, and I liked that he asked that fish be given to Smeagol.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I do not believe that Gandalf relished relying on threats to get answers, and that he truly wished the best for Gollum. But he has so much he needs to know! Once I knew that the elements I was to include were riverbank, thief, blue, and stone, it seemed that for this dialogue I was fated to write the interview of Gollum by Gandalf as related to Frodo in "Shadows of the Past."
GamgeeFest
· 6 December 2009
· Chapter 71: Questioning
I believe this is the first gap-filler I've read about Gandalf's interrogation of Gollum. Fascinating! Though it's almost entirely dialogue, I could picture it well, and it's chilling to think that Deagol is still hidden after all these years by the riverbank, lost from his family - almost as though he took the Ring's place.
Author's reply
The idea that somehow Deagol took the Ring's place is chilling to me, and truly strikes me as eerie. It's a thought that had never occured to me, and I'm glad you voiced it! Thanks so, GamgeeFest.
Kitty
· 2 December 2009
· Chapter 71: Questioning
I can very well see the interrogation going in that way. That mix between denying everything and then telling it nonetheless while muttering to himself was quite like Gollum. Poor Gandalf! I'd go up the wall if I'd have to deal with that creature!
Author's reply
Oh, yes--struggling first to eke out a few words, and then dealing with mounds of horrible detail! That's our Gollum for you--all or nothing!
Thanks so, Kitty.
harrowcat
· 2 December 2009
· Chapter 71: Questioning
I am glad that you wrote about this, erm...interview. The questioning of Gollum in Mordor and by Gandalf are darker elements of LOTR that I don't really like to contemplate too closely. I really hated what PJ had Faramir doing at Henneth Anun
Author's reply
It had to have been rather uncomfortable for Gandalf to speak to Gollum, no matter how much he wanted to know. And I, too, hated that part of the movies. But then we didn't have the wherewithal to do them, more's the pity! Heh!
Lindelea
· 30 November 2009
· Chapter 71: Questioning
Wonderful gap-filler. I've often pondered that conversation, but you did such a good job of scratching that itch...
*shudder*
A bath sounds like a good thing.
Wearied, certainly. Whew.
Author's reply
How the information Gandalf later related to Frodo must have come out in dribs and drabs, and how horrible a good deal of it was!
Thanks so, Lindelea! Love to the Hobbitlings and the Husband, and a hug to Zoe!
Linda Hoyland
· 30 November 2009
· Chapter 71: Questioning
You did a great job with this dialogue challenge. I tried it but found it was beyond me!
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. My first truly successful writing was in the field of dramatics, actually, so this was a pleasure. But even I found I needed to do exposition there at the end!
Linda Hoyland
· 30 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
These drabbles are beautiful, I enjoyed them all and am honoured to have one dedicated to me.
Author's reply
Thank you so very much, Linda. Joy to you always.
Grumpy
· 28 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
I wonder how long it took Imrahil, to figure out that the King, and Captain Thorongil, are one and the same person?
Author's reply
In my-verse, it took about four years for Imrahil to make the full connection, until the day that the Lord Elessar first saw Ruvemir son of Mardil in an inn in the city of Casistir.
GamgeeFest
· 18 November 2009
· Chapter 68: A Problem with Names
Cute! I liked Frodo's Dingle best! lol!
Author's reply
Yes, we must keep that before the folk of Buckland! Heh! Thanks so, GamgeeFest!
Antane
· 15 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
Love the bit about the mushrooms and Faramir not letting it be known that Aragorn does indeed know his way around Minas Tirith. Alas, that all the 'newness' would not be appreciated by Denethor.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I particularly like the idea that Aragorn didn't feel compelled to let everyone know he'd been to Gondor before. And I suspect you are all too right about Denethor's take on the situation.
Thanks so, Antane.
Raksha The Demon
· 14 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
A fine quartet - I particularly like the first one, which shows Faramir's intelligence and good sense. (is my bias showing) But all of them paint a lovely picture of the hope and joy pervading Minas Tirith.
Author's reply
Am so glad you like all of them, but thought you'd like that one particularly. But then Faramir is, after all, among the favorite characters for almost everyone, even those whose first love is Aragorn or one of the Hobbits, or even who is a pervy Elf fancier! Heh! My bias is much aligned with yours, for all that my heart was first given to Aragorn.
The White City must have been filled with such wonder and hope there after the almost undreamed of victory against Sauron.
Again, thank you so, Raksha.
Kitty
· 14 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
Ah Imrahil - it took him quite a while to figure out why Elessar seemed so familiar to him and with his surroundings, eh? *grin* Faramir was indeed much more perceptive.
It seems our dear Imrahil has still a lot to learn about Hobbits. The kitchen is the most important place - save maybe the larder - for them!
Good idea to lock the palantír up, if you ask me. Better no one is tempted, in case someone is getting into the room where that thing is stowed.
Oh well, Faramir has dreamed of some of it, has he not? Though I have to admit, I regret Boromir's loss more than Denethor's. Would have been interesting if he had survived.
Author's reply
I enjoy thinking that Imrahil ended up taking a few years to put all the pieces together, as you know well! He's learning a good deal about the new King and his companions, and all must have been amazed to learn just how important food is to Hobbits.
I felt that the Isengard stone should have been carefully kept, and that Aragorn would definitely wish to have a carefully crafted box in which to keep it, and particularly when he must travel.
I think most of us feel as you do about Denethor and Boromir. But you are certainly right--it would have been quite a different feel to the place, I'd think, if Denethor had survived.
Thanks so very much, Kitty.
urfrog
· 13 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
Just lovely! Thank you
Author's reply
Am so glad you think so, utfrog. And thank you!
daw the minstrel
· 13 November 2009
· Chapter 70: The King Surprises
I like these, Larner. Imrahil and Faramir make great POV characters. They're insiders, but still they watch Aragorn with a certain amount of distance. And indeed it would be lovely if Boromir and Denethor could have known that Gondor would survive and flourish.
Author's reply
Thanks so, Daw. I've not written a good deal involving Imrahil since I wrote "The King's Commission," and felt he deserved a bit of quality time. And I do like including Faramir when I can.
It is good to know that Gondor flourished under Aragorn's rule!
Linda Hoyland
· 6 November 2009
· Chapter 42: The Dance
What a beautiful poetic story!I love the idea of dancing things into being lik the Hindu legend of Shiva's dance of endless renewal.
Author's reply
Song and dance have always gone hand in hand, throughout human existence, I think. That these two would have indeed danced and sung so much into being just seemed so right!
Thanks so, Linda!
Armariel
· 1 November 2009
· Chapter 68: A Problem with Names
What a darling story......and I like the name!:):):):)
Author's reply
I'm so glzd you do! And now and then it's nice to write somehing basically fluffy in nture.
Thanks, Armariel.
Kitty
· 1 November 2009
· Chapter 69: On Lordship and Lands
Faramir was always so much more perceptive than his father, or at least he was able to see a bigger picture, not narrowed down by his own pride and arrogance. I like the way he saw the similarities between Eärnur and Boromir; he was quite right, wasn't he? And his imagination of the new king was quite accurate, too. Admittedly I was happy that he got his wish to see a new White Tree in full bloom.
Author's reply
Faramir was never blinded by the envy and concern for his own future and how well he did compared to others as was his father. A lack of personal ambition tends to leave people more perceptive and forgiving of others, I have found, than those who are worried others might find them wanting in any fashion.
And I, too, am so glad he DID get to see the White Tree bloom! Thank you so!
Raksha The Demon
· 29 October 2009
· Chapter 68: A Problem with Names
Very cute and funny - even the dog and cat are named Frodo. I think Frodo Baggins would have gotten a kick out of the multiplicity of Frodo-names; I know I did. Though it is definitely wiser to give the little filly a feminine name!
Author's reply
Personally, I suspect Frodo would have been appalled, but then you might just be right! Heh! And I, too, am glad they named the filly after Merry's mother rather than after Frodo. Thanks so!
Raksha The Demon
· 29 October 2009
· Chapter 69: On Lordship and Lands
What a great birthday prezzie - thanx much! You write thoughtful, reflective Faramir well; he would take the long view and see a bigger picture than his father and brother. At least we know that he will get his wish for a White Tree eventually...
Author's reply
Am so very glad you appreciate it, Raksha. Hope your birthday was a joy!
And I agree--Faramir sees the patterns apparently repeating themselves, and is not so tied to the thought of himself as becoming Ruling Steward as his father was, or of being the Savior of Gondor as his brother was. And he doesn't feel threatened by the idea of the King returning.
And to see the White Tree blooming in the courts of the King must have been such a joy for him to know!
Thanks so for the feedback.
Antane
· 29 October 2009
· Chapter 69: On Lordship and Lands
I love Faramir tales. :) You can already see the love and longing for a king that will be so readily displayed when the king really does return and I love also that my hobbity man was reading, a scholar instead of a warrior, no matter how good in battle and able a leader he was. *hugs him*
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Raksha loves him, too, which is why I wrote this one, of course. And I think that Aragorn, Faramir, and Frodo must have found one another particularly compatible as friends!
harrowcat
· 29 October 2009
· Chapter 69: On Lordship and Lands
Brilliant Larner. And I learnt such a lot from reading this.
Author's reply
Am so glad you feel you did learn from this one. Thank you, Harrowcat.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 October 2009
· Chapter 69: On Lordship and Lands
I loved this.Faramir has everyone so well summed up and is often enough to dream of a King and a better future, while poor Boromir and Denethor are doomed by their own pride. At least we know that Faramir's dreams come true.
Author's reply
If anyone would understand this family, Faramir would. And, unfortunately pride did affect his brother and his father a bit too much.
Thanks so, Linda.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 October 2009
· Chapter 68: A Problem with Names
What an adorable story!I loved the pony and the pup and of course,the Hobbits.
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you do! I loved writing a dog into this one!
Celeritas
· 28 October 2009
· Chapter 69: On Lordship and Lands
I liked this, right from the start with Faramir's initial thoughts spurred on by the drawing of Earnur. He is right, of course, to worry about his brother, and it's very like him to draw upon the lessons of the past to make conclusions about the present.
Of course Denethor is able to do the same, but the conclusions he draws are not the same ones and are flawed.
Lovely!