Lindelea
· 4 May 2009
· Chapter 52: Concerns Voiced
O my.
Where specifically would I read more about the background to this story? I can snatch a snippet, a few pages here and there, perhaps even a chapter (if it's short) but no more than that at present.
I just found my old copy of the Sil but don't have time to re-read it at the moment... (has it really been 20 years?) besides which Middlest has swooped down and claimed the book and is in the process of devouring it. Perhaps she will abandon writing Hobbits for Men and Elves... don't know yet.
The package arrived and I am so looking forward to a free moment to explore its delights!
*hugs*
Author's reply
This is in the Alkallabeth and hinted at in the Appendices, that Ar-Pharazon was too close a cousin to be allowed to marry Tar-Palantir's daughter, but that he staged a revolt and married her by force, changed her name, and took the Sceptre of Numenor for himself. In the Alkallabeth it also tells that Amandil was a close friend and advisor to Pharazon, but that in time they were estranged as Amandil remained one of the Faithful.
The actual marriage offers from lords of Middle Earth are my own invention, however.
And am glad the little package arrived safely.
I picked up a new copy of the BBC version of The Hobbit, and at the end it has excerpts from interviews with the Master himself. I find I like it better now than I remember liking it before the Kid took my original copy and it was stolen from his vehicle. That was about fifteen years ago.
Am still working on the Passover story.
harrowcat
· 14 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
To get five generations of Master into a double drabble is really clever Larner. I liked Sam's lines the best.
Point of information: What is to the north of Bag End? I dont have my books with me here at my parents.
Author's reply
On the north side of the Hill I suspect is most of Hobbiton itself; Overhill is the next village north of Hobbiton; and beyond it is the Northfarthing and, if you go far enough north, Annuminas on the edge of Lake Evendim, I believe.
It was interesting for me to try to imagine what each of those five Masters of Bag End might have thought, standing there atop the Hill! Thank you so!
Love to your parents and Jet!
Andrea
· 14 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
Beautiful!
Frodo Baggins looked over the land he loved so fiercely, that he yet wished were more alive and aware.
Frodo's wish became true at last - in Sam!
Sam is aware of the world outside and he's also aware of the world's history: the past lies in the East, the present in the South and Sam's own future in the West. The Shire is more alive than it ever was!
Thank you very much and happy belated birthday :)
Author's reply
Oh, but you are so right, Andrea, although Sam would never have come to what he did had he not decided to stay by his Master for as long as he could.
Thank you so--and thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a great joy!
Antane
· 14 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
Love it! Esp. Sam and Frodo's. Happy birthday!! Many more!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad, Antane. And I had a wonderful birthday, got to spend part of it with Lindelea and her family and Zoe, and am so glad to have had such a wonderful one!
Lindelea
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
Happy Birthday!
*sigh* A lovely double drabble, nicely held together with the theme that twines through the lines.
It was wonderful to see you! Have a safe trip back home.
*hugs*
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so much, Lin. The visit was wonderful, the gift is so appreciated! And love to the little Hobbits, the hubby, and Zoe. And joy to all as we look toward the finish to Easter Week and Pesach!
Raksha The Demon
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
I quite like this, particularly the ending; the sense of generations and history and destiny is well presented. BELATED Happy Birthday!
Author's reply
Ah, but it WASN'T particularly belated, being posted right on my birthday! Ah, am in the last year of my fifth decade.... (Shivers! How is it when it feels like yesterday when Big Bro and I were squabbling in our woods as to whether or not I should enter his camouflaged tent?)
Yes, Bag End now has a history as a Hobbit hole, and there is both continuity and disruption it has known. Only one I didn't include was, of course, Lotho--poor guy!
Linda Hoyland
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
A beautiful atomospher drabble>Many Happy Returns of the day!
Author's reply
Thank you so--yes, just what I'd hoped to convey. Am so glad I managed! And my birthday was wonderful--and thanks to all who helped make it so!
Love to you always, Linda.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
I loved this and it seems most appropriate for this season.I love to imagine the North restored and Aragorn in his rightful place.What a clever idea of Ruvemir's!
Author's reply
Oh, am so very glad you think so, Linda! I, too, love to think on Aragorn able to return at last to find Annuminas is rebuilt into the capital it was meant to be! And of course Ruvemir would be so clever!
Erulisse
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
I love this little bits, but I hesitate to point out to you that you have numbered this one as 52, skipping 51. Is there a 51 yet to come?
Author's reply
Ah, it was but a slip of the cursor. Sorry about that, and thank you for pointing it out! Gaack!
Am so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
shirebound
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
Ohh, that's lovely. May Bag End always be the home of hobbits who love it, and the precious Shire.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree so, Shirebound! Joy to you!
Dreamflower
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
Very nice! I like that you started with Bungo-- he's so very often forgotten about!
And so sweet to end with baby Frodo-lad, to young yet for dreams...
Author's reply
He dug Bag End, after all. And who best to end with than Frodo's namesake? Thanks so!
Celeritas
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 51: Masters of the Hill
Lovely, just lovely! I particularly liked the way you characterized Frodo's attitude towards the Shire, and then how Sam sees not the Shire but the lands beyond it and all that they symbolize.
Happy birthday! I hope you had an agreeable time and that there was yummy cake involved.
~Celeritas
Author's reply
Thanks so, Celeritas.
Sam now sees furthest, I think, for he's been truly broadened by his experiences.
No, no cake as yet, but the day's not over yet...
Celeritas
· 10 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
As soon as I saw the word "sculptor" in your story I started going, "Please let it be Ruvemir, please let it be Ruvemir..." Very nice way to rework the stone. But though I'm all up for scriptural references at this time of year, I'm curious as to how the quote at the beginning fits in other than a general reference of reworking things: this stone has already served a high and mighty purpose, and is being restored to it. As far as I can tell the only people who rejected it were the forces of the Enemy.
Author's reply
So glad to have Ruvemir revisit my laptop. I think he's a bit confused, as he was introduced via the Toshiba, and I now have an HP Pavilion. He seems suspicious of it, and has resisted other attempts to tempt him to return.
True--it was the Witch-king's people who destroyed the building; but the stone has found a new place and new purpose. And now that Elendil's statue is no longer viable we have instead a depiction of Frodo.
Anyway, thank you! A joyful Easter and Passover season to all!
6336
· 9 April 2009
· Chapter 7: Word of Resignation
No, not that bunny but the one where he destroys the Umbarian fleet.
Sorry if I am giving you troubles,should I build a bigger hutch for you?
Lynda
Andrea
· 9 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Beautifully written!
Even Frodo would have liked this sculpture of himself. For it does not show him as a "typical Gondorian hero", nor as the Ringbearer. It shows him as the storyteller and scribe AND as a hobbit.
I'm quite sure that no other could have done this job better than Ruvemir!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm certain you are right, Andrea. And NO one could do better than Ruvemir!
Thanks so!
inzilbeth
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
How wonderfully appropriate! A lovely story, Larner.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you think so, Inzilbeth! Thank you so.
Sunny
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Ah – ”That fic” is _Angainor_, in case you didn’t figure it out. You know, that story _still_ makes me shudder, even though I haven’t cared to revisit it after you published it. Which makes it a very successful fic, I suppose – for certain values of “successful”.
I tend to favor happier stories, though. Though pain and tragedy (in carefully measured amounts) have their places even in those. There are even a very few of my favorites that make chills chase one another up and down my spine. And one or two that always make me cry.
I am a true sucker for happy endings, though. Or at least – completion (as there are certain stories that won’t support a true Happily-ever-after without getting twisted into a pretzel. Which makes my illogic-detector start howling)
Author's reply
"That fic" makes me shudder, too. I'll be spending a few days with my former college roommate, and hopefully will get the next chapter of Rings done while there. Now I need to get going or I'll not make it the licensing bureau and complete everything else I need to see done before the training I have to go to this afternoon for my job before I start my drive southward.
Take care, and a joyful spring to you! I'm celebrating Easter, and other friends are celebrating Passover. Wish I could attend a Seder dinner tonight, but I'll probably pick up some KFC along the road.
Sunny
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Waste not, want not. And recycling is an admirable concept. (And did the piece that eventually became a sculpture of Frodo “discuss” its disposition with Ruvemir, like the stones for the memorial in Minas Tirith?) ;-)
Is the Muse quietly creeping out of whatever hole she appearantly has been mostly hiding in (except for providing you with short items) since That Fic? I hope so. I am hankering for an update of your longer fics. If it will help, I have some cookie-bribes for her. The cayenne-and-chocolate cookies of my latest batch were particularly popular, despite certain necessary adjustments to the recipe (couldn't use butter, due to a guest's allergy to milk products)… ;-)
Author's reply
Oh, I do suspect that having found it no longer properly depicted Elendil, the stone was perfectly happy to do so for Frodo, and let Ruvemir know that fact!
The Muse is allowing advancement at the moment of "Stirring Rings." I'd hoped to have the latest chapter there posted, but became ill with migraines and found myself not working on anything that requires much in the way of thought or concentration. I have that chapter mostly done--need to finish it up and go over it for continuity and search out the errors. Plus I have a good portion of the next chapter for "Or Perchance" done as well, and need to get THAT done.
Now I must get up and head out to get my drivers license renewed--it's my birthday Monday, and the bureau won't be open then.
The chocolate in those cookies sounds wonderful, but not the cayenne--I suspect the acid reflux would object violently to that. At least I have no problems with milk....
Thanks so, Sunny!
6336
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 7: Word of Resignation
One more bunny for the hutch!
Pretty please?
Lynda
Author's reply
And what bunny would that be, Lynda? Looking at the relationship between Thorongil and Denethor? I want to write that one day, although I can and do recommend Anglachel's "The Hands of the King" which examines that in great detail--you can find it on Henneth Annun. But I have SO MANY longer works that are eking their way out so slowly lately! I'm not adding another longer work when I'm having such difficulty finishing "Stirring Rings" and "The Tenant from Staddle"!
Give me time, though, and I may yet get to it!
ArianneG
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Oh, indeed! Elendil would've been mighty chuffed to know that, I'd think! He'd probably consider it as partial payment for his debt--he was bested by Sauron, and Mandos must've had to counsel him some before he could go on--especially with Isildur his eldest coming to such a sticky end courtesy of the Ring. If Elendil had details about at least part of Frodo's journey--I can imagine he'd feel rather guilty (misplaced though it might be) in the Halls of Waiting if Elendil was anything like his descendant Aragorn in temperament. He'd probably be thinking that had he managed to hold out a bit longer, or been a tad luckier, or his son possessed of a stronger will, Frodo would've never needed to leave home and kin behind and die by inches (nearly) in Mordor. Frodo however would be blushing madly if he ever knew where the stone came from; that there'd be so many statues of him all over the place would've flummoxed him. Probably insist it wasn't right for him, the dear silly hobbit.
Oldies are the best goodies, really--and perhaps only old stone, great and noble in its original form but shattered from its original purpose, then later renewed and remade into a new purpose and design as honourable as the old, much like Frodo himself, would capture the Ringbearer's spirit as it truly is now after the Quest--the hints of the promise that Bilbo saw and nurtured in his heir kindled through trial and hard-earned grace into the full glory it was always meant to be. And the irony--delicious indeed! Now is the Kingdom truly renewed, when even the meanest of broken things has found new purpose. And your quote--not being Christian, I'd forgotten it was Holy Week; but your story is very much in keeping with Easter and Christ's sacrifice. Indeed, the stone that was thought unworthy of serving any great purpose has been raised by the Builder to become the keystone of the magnificent Edifice! Your writing, suffused with this theme, never fails to lift my spirits. And LOL at Ruvemir's clever play on words! Worthy folk, all of them.
Author's reply
Thank you so for these comments and observations, ArianneG. Yes, Frodo and Sam managed to see things done properly to allow for the finish at last to the very evil Elendil died in an attept to dispel.
I am Anglican, so we are definitely observing Holy Week at the moment, and I am heading out soon to spend Maundy Thursday night, Good Friday, Easter, and then my birthday Monday with one of my best friends. Together we will celebrate the renewal of the season much as Gondor under the Telcontars did each year on the anniversary of the destruction of the Ring. If that theme is visible in my works, it's because the Master put it there in HIS works first.
Indeed, worthy folk indeed! And it was nice to find Ruvemir again willing to pay a call! Thank you once more!
Antane
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
What a great gift for Aragorn to have in his garden and showing Frodo as scribe also. I would love to have a statue of him myself and of course of Sam also - and Merry and Pippin, if such could be managed! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'd rather like the model for the memorial Aragorn had raised before the Citadel of Minas Tirith, myself! And this is one pose I doubt Frodo would have criticised too much, really.
Thank you so very much, Antane.
Kitty
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Would you be surprised that I saw the word 'sculptor' and knew that could only be Ruvemir? *grin* Glad to see him again.
Love the symbolism to use a piece of the ancient Citadel to build Aragorn's new home in Annúminas. And Ruvemir is right - I'm sure Aragorn would appreciate the irony to sculpt Frodo from the remains of the statue of Elendil. After all, Frodo managed what Elendil fought and died for - the fall of Sauron. And to place this new statue in the King's garden is just perfect :)
Author's reply
Well, of course it could only be Ruvemir--who else? It was wonderful that he agreed to visit with me again!
Oh, yes--this was how Elendil died, doing his best to see to the destruction of this manifestation of the Shadow, a goal that was reached only through Frodo's own sacrifice. No, I'm certain he'd approve.
All is being renewed, and as much as possible the old is being mixed with the new that the continuity with the past is clear. And for the King and his family, they will always have a memorial of Frodo as he was before he truly became one with Arda Marred.
Thanks so! Am so glad you enjoyed it!
Fiondil
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
A lovely story, Larner, and a lovely moral: that even that which has been shattered beyond its original purpose can still be molded into a thing of beauty for the enjoyment of all. Very apropos for the Holy Week. It was also good to see Ruvemir again.
May you have a blessed Easter.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Fiondil. I doubt that Elendil would begrudge seeing his damaged statue redone, and particularly for such a purpose, particularly as it's a given other statues of him will be raised here in what was once his city. And had it not been for Frodo the ruins would undoubtedly have languished for at least another age of the Sun.
Yes, it was wonderful to have an excuse to include Ruvemir again. He has another story in the works, but I don't seem to be making much headway with it.
Thank you so very much, and may Holy Week be uplifting for you as well.
harrowcat
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Oh *happy sigh* What a fantastic coffee break find on a very busy day.
Happy Holy Week Larner.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I am so honored!
And a blessed Holy Week to you, too! Take care and God bless and keep you and your family.
Dreamflower
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
How lovely to see Ruvemir again!
I love seeing the rebuilding and renewal of Annuminas. It sounds delightful.
What I really loved was the description of the pose; it really will be almost like sharing the garden with his friend!
Author's reply
I enjoyed allowing Ruvemir to work on the reconstruction of Annuminas here, Dreamflower, and am also glad to see him again. For those involved in rebuilding Annuminas this must have seemed like a dream come true, a fantasy suddenly granted. At last their land once again is viable and worthy of the respect it once knew.
And I'm so glad you feel this way about the pose of the statue--I so agree!