Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner
Fiondil · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 57: Star Daughter
The guardian Elf smiled. “It would appear that someone else is arriving also, and they are busy welcoming the newcomer. I fear your arrival would only serve as a distraction at the moment.” Now that's an understatement if I ever heard one. *lol* A lovely moment in the early history of Imladris' First Family, Larner.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, definitely that, Fiondil. Now I've seen both births written there! Thanks so very much!
Sunny · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 57: Star Daughter
*bounces* Delight all around here!!
Author's reply
Am so glad, Sunny. Thank you!
shirebound · 7 July 2009 · Chapter 57: Star Daughter
What a lovely moment! I can just imagine that radiant, beautiful child, and her joyous family.
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you can, Shirebound. And I loved finding a way to write this birth, too. Thanks so!
Dreamflower · 28 June 2009 · Chapter 56: The Game Lost
Ooh! What a creepy fate! Far more ominous, if less dramatic, than being drowned in the wave that sank Numenor!
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Dreamflower. Thanks so!
Kitty · 27 June 2009 · Chapter 56: The Game Lost
Fascinating, Larner. Ar-Pharazôn's arrogance came through quite well, and his talk with that deck scrubbing sailor was interesting. I kept waiting for him to lose his temper and hurt the guy for his honest words, so the end was surprising. Amandil? Was that a vision or did one of the Valar or Maiar take the shape of Amandil to give him a last warning? But of course he didn't listen and had to see his plan through *sigh* You found a fascinating - but quite chilling - way to get rid of that army without any fight. I had always thought they had drowned, but to have them aging and dying in a few minutes might have been much more horrible for them, watching each other doing so and realising that the warnings had been true and they killed themselves in not listening. Though I can't help wonder how many of the lower ranks were with the heart in this attempt to conquer Valinor and how many were only forced to obey orders. And I know the Faithful escaped, but how many of these who drowned with Númenor were really so bad as their king? But that's something the Professor is responsible for, not you.
Author's reply
As Tolkien doesn't tell us precisely what happened to Ar-Pharazon's armada, we do get to imagine it for ourselves, of course. Were they sucked down into the abyss when the world was broken; did the wave that went on to drown Numenor take out the ships and their crews first; did they make it this far and find such a fate awaiting them? We don't know for certain, of course, so I enjoyed imagining this awaiting them! Was it a vision, or was Amandil's ghost allowed to visit the ship, or as you suggested one sent in Amandil's shape? Again, we get to imagine this for ourselves. But I like to imagine that those within the great fleet were given every chance to turn around and go back, but refused to the end. I doubt most who were lost with the island were anywhere as bad as Ar-Pharazon had become, and there had to have been infants and children who were lost who had never had time to commit great sins. But great cataclysms take great and small, the relatively innocent as well as the decidedly guilty. And indeed as this is the Master's own story we are adding to, we cannot be guilty of their deaths, I suppose. Thanks so very much, Kitty!
Linda Hoyland · 27 June 2009 · Chapter 56: The Game Lost
I don't usually read Simarillion stories but I liked this and your view of what happened to Ar Pharazon.I always asumed he was drowned by the wave,but this is much more chilling!
Author's reply
I'm glad you did give it a try, Linda. If nothing else, the A_L_E_C challenges encourage us to look at different characters and times than we usually write, I find. And I agree--this would be a very horrible way to find one's end. Thank you so!
Raksha The Demon · 27 June 2009 · Chapter 56: The Game Lost
Well, we know who's going to win the Dumb And Dumber Award, Akallabeth era. Also the So Long, Sucker prize!. I just feel sorry for all the grunts, lower-decks sailors and workers who had to come along for the ride. And was that really Amandil, spared by the Valar long enough to give his boyhood friend a last warning? Wow, neat trick. Nicely done; one of your best vignettes.
Author's reply
I had to laugh aloud when I read your comments, Raksha. Indeed! I love to imagine that right to the end Ar-Pharazon was given every chance to turn back, but that in his hubris he could not imagine anyone would think to stand against his will! I am so honored you think this one of my best. Thank you so!
Linda Hoyland · 27 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Thank Goodness for Merry's wisdom!At least Pippin wasn't asked to wear pink ruffles or something!Delightfully amusing and true to life.
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad that the pink ruffles didn't occur to anyone--including me! Heh! And am so glad it feels true to life to so many! Thanks!
Armariel · 27 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
*teeheeheee* Poor Pip--imagine having to wear BLUE at your wedding, of all things! Better than lilac and dusty rose however;) yikes!.....and at least Diamond just misses being a bridezilla....lol ~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Glad it made you giggle. Yes, alas for poor Pippin, although I suspect he appeared smashing in the dark blue shirt under his tabard, don't you? Heh! And I do believe in the end Diamond felt it was worth the fight! Thanks so, Armariel!
Grey Wonderer · 27 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
I really enjoyed this one. As a person who used to deal with weddings through a prior job, the entire thing rang very true.
Author's reply
So glad you do, GW. And I'm certain it rang VERY true indeed! A friend was the father to three brides in quick succession--he informed me all he seemed to do was hold out the wallet and credit card and hold the hands of the bridegrooms to keep them from going quite crazy as the women arranged everything. Actually, he was Cajun and a superb cook, so he prepared the wedding meals, which, of course, were excellent. Thanks so! And it's wonderful to give a smile to someone whose stories have given me so many!
Antane · 25 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Well, I'm glad all that turned out well! But it was close there for a while... :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Glad it gave you a smile and hopefully a chuckle, Antane!
Silmarien · 24 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
LOL. When I got married in the late 80s, the fashion was to have the groom and groomsmen's cummerbunds match the bridesmaids' dresses. The dresses were burgundy, and my fiance absolutely put his foot down. In the end we compromised by having the men wear gray tuxedos with gray cummerbunds. It's clear why my husband had such well-developed self-preservation skills. His mother wanted him to wear a toupee for our wedding -- he won that round, too. Excellent story, with that ring of truth.
Author's reply
Our wedding must have seemed quite informal to most of the guests--Tony and the groomsmen and my brother, who gave me away, each wore a suit of his choosing, although Becky and Jeannette wore dresses particularly made for the wedding--and I wish I could still find the pattern, as they looked beautiful in them, although Becky would look beautiful in ANYTHING! Am glad this story brought up fond memories for you. Sounds as if your husband, Pippin, and Micolo are all brothers under the skin! Heh! Thanks so!
Andrea · 24 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Merry to the rescue! Diplomatic skills are needed here, and Merry knows this business perfectly! Micolo interrupted, “And how old are your nephews and nieces, Pippin?” he asked. “People all expect the flower carrier to be just out of faunthood, after all.” Young Micolo is learning quickly, it seems ;-) And thanks to Arwen's gift of foresight Pippin must have looked splendid on his wedding.
Author's reply
Pippin needed just a bit of reinforcement and prompting to help take at least a bit of control of the situation. And with Pippin's example, Micolo also strikes a bid for freedome! Yes, learning quickly indeed! And of course our young Took would look splending on his wedding day--what else? In fact, I wonder if he couldn't have carried off even lavender and dusky rose? Heh! Thanks so, Andrea!
Soledad · 23 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Oh, Larner, this was just too funny! I'm just getting back to reading, after a particularly stressful time before the term ended, and it was an absolute delight to find this little vignette. Poor Pippin, overrun by the in-laws... although blue is still better than dusky rose with lilac, I guess. *g*
Author's reply
So glad it gave you a chuckle. It was a pleasure to write, I found. And I suspect for a male Hobbit dusky rose and lilac would be considered ghastly! Glad to have you back. Have some more writing to finish before I look at the chapter, I fear, but will see to it soon. Happy summer!
6336 · 22 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Silly Pippin, did he really think he had any say in it? He should have listened to Uncle Morigrin, just nod and smile and let the womenfolk get on with it! He did get his way on some things and Midsummer was probably the best time, in a communit6y so tied to the land as the Shire is, the land comes first. Not quite the wedding from hell, but something to laugh about in later years. Lynda
Author's reply
Well, so many bridegrooms find they have so little say in their own weddings, after all. And I'd think that in Hobbit society the needs of the land and their animals would often come before more easily arranged activities such as weddings! Yes, something to laugh over in the future! Heh!
Kitty · 22 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Oh, poor Pippin! I seem a bit untypical for a female, because I sided with him ;) It's not fair to decide everything over his head and deny him any saying in his own wedding. I wonder what Eglantine would have said if she had been there ... but then, more females wouldn't have helped, I guess. And then Merry arrived - yay! He was just great, after he was finished teasing Pippin about wearing blue. When they started in on the guest list after the meal, I started giggling and could barely stop. It was so much fun to imagine the faces of Olimbard and his family when it finally hit home what exactly it meant for Diamond to marry the future Thain and Took with his huge family! :D Bless Arwen's foresight - even if Pippin had to wear blue, at least it was something decent. And who could argue a shirt made and embroidered by the Queen of Arnor and Gondor herself? Thanks for the laugh, Larner, that was fun!
Author's reply
I suspect I'd side with him, too! Had Eglantine I'm certain she would have spoken up for him--AFTER making up her own mind as to what he MIGHT want, of course. Heh! You're certainly right about realizing what might be involved in the North-Tooks were now going to possibly find themselves hosting a good proportion of the denizens of both the Great Smials and Brandy Hall as well as their own folk--it must have suddenly seemed daunting. Heh! And the foresight given the descendants of Earendil and Elwing must have been blest many times by the King's friends! So glad, Kitty, this gave you a laugh!
Sunny · 22 June 2009 · Chapter 55: And Just Whose Wedding Is This?
Whose wedding it is? The bride's, of course! And the groom had _better_ make sure he matches the other decorations! (with a very doom-lade Or Else appended) Still, Pippin managed to sneak in some input of his own - with Merry's help - which is excellent training in diplomacy for the future Thain!
Author's reply
Yes, that is very true, Sunny! Hope it gave you a smile!
Szepilona10 · 10 June 2009 · Chapter 54: Summoning the Grey Company
I love Halbarad! Right more about him soon please (or Hildigor or any of the Dunedian) God Bless! ~Szepilona10~ P.S Yes, I know that I haven't been reviewing and I am sorry, but my computer has decided that every time I click on a link it should freeze, so right now I am on my sisters computer.
Author's reply
Ah, dear--sounds as if you might well have a virus on your computer. You need to run a good virus and spyware detector, I suspect. Good luck! Will write more as I can, although right now I'm doing well to keep up with work. It's been a very stressful last couple weeks!
grumpy · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 54: Summoning the Grey Company
Poor Halbarad, waits forever for Aragorn to be king, and doesn't quite make it there, not only that he knew too!
Author's reply
It must have been difficult for him, knowing he might well not see Aragorn become King after all, although I suspect he and Boromir stood together, watching the Coronation in the end. Thanks so, Grumpy!
Kitty · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 54: Summoning the Grey Company
Beautiful, Larner. So that was how the Dúnedain were summoned. But the second drabble was a bit disconcerting, knowing what was to come. One wonders if Halbarad had a premonition even back then. Very brave of him to be willig to sacrifice himself for the greater good, but I'd still prefer him alive *sigh*
Author's reply
One wonders how much of the Dunedain foresight Halbarad inherited. I was happy to imagine how it was that the Grey Company was summoned, as so little is told of it! Anyway, happy Saturday, which it should be where you are right now! Thanks so, Kitty!
Linda Hoyland · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 54: Summoning the Grey Company
Beautiful and heartrending. You capture why I have a very soft spot for Halbarad!
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad I did, Linda! Halbarad must have been an exceptional man!
Armariel · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 22: The King's Time
Just...........beautiful. What else can I say? Except that I was feeling a little bent out of shape tonight. Not sure why. Touch of PMS maybe. Anyway, this story somehow smoothed out the kinks and put me at peace once more. Guess I have a good idea Who told me to read it.;) ~~~~{~@
curiouswombat · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 52: Concerns Voiced
This one gives me shivers down my spine. Well done.
Author's reply
Am like it works for you. It's the first time I've tried writing Amandil and Ar-Pharazon. Thank you.
Andrea · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 54: Summoning the Grey Company
Halbarad was a great one! And thanks to these drabbles he will get the attention he deserves. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea. I'm glad to be able to find Halbarad agreeing to allow me to write him. Thanks!
harrowcat · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 54: Summoning the Grey Company
I am finding that, because of great authors like yourself and Surgical Steel, I am coming to an ever greater appreciation of Halbarad, Glorfindel, Gildor and others. Thank you all. Your second drabble gave me the shivers. Brilliant.
Author's reply
I am honored, and am glad that I managed to move you emotionally. Thank you!