Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner
Vilwarin · 6 January 2009 · Chapter 37: Imogen
Oh, that was very sweet. Cats are so enchanting animals!
Author's reply
I agree. And as I've written the white cats of Aragorn into other stories, I felt it was time to explore them a bit more deeply. Thanks so much!
Fiondil · 6 January 2009 · Chapter 42: The Dance
Just lovely, Larner. I suspected it was Yavanna and Aulë before I got to the end. For all their differences in temperment and interests, they greatly complement each other. And their dance goes on....
Author's reply
Am so glad you enjoyed it, Fiondil--and indeed their dance goes on! Thank you so!
Antane · 6 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Sorry to be so late in reviewing here. So busy I can't stand it, but this is an interesting tale...never thought that Isildur's bones would be found and by no less than Smeagol and his family. And I would share Gandalf's bit of heartache here for the ruined creature coming home to nothing after so very long. You did Gollum's speech very well! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Gandalf feels sorry for Smeagol, but knows he's treacherous as well. I'd always wondered how it was that in Unfinished Tales Aragorn and Gimli would find the original Elendilmir and the locket Isildur had carried the Ring within in the hidden storage place in Orthanc. More of this will be dealt with eventually in "Stirring Rings." And am so glad you feel this is true to Gollum's speech! Thanks so!
Kitty · 6 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Oh, the Stoors have found Isildur's remains, dug them out and given them a honoured place in their hole? Fascinating idea. And Isildur's belongings would explain how Gollum's grandmother could have had lots of beautiful things, of course. Great story, Larner!
Author's reply
In someone else's story I once read they found Isildur's remains and used his cranium as a drinking bowl. And those would be beautiful things to one such as Smeagol was at the time--beautiful indeed. Thank you so, Kitty. Was looking forward to hearing from you!
Kitty · 6 December 2008 · Chapter 40: Seeking to Give Comfort
Poor Lúthien, I am glad at least her mother is understanding, as her father certainly wasn't. Sometimes I wonder how things would have turned out different if Thingol had accepted Beren ...
Author's reply
Oh--missed this one! Thingol knew not what he wrought when he laid that requirement on the young Man--sowing the seeds of the destruction of his land. Thanks so, Kitty!
Celeritas · 5 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
This was chilling anyway, but the coda at the end was perfect! Now of course I have to wonder what exactly Saruman did--Tolkien didn't paint too savory a picture as it was!
Author's reply
I am so glad you appreciated it. One day much of this will be touched on in "Stirring Rings," once I get that far. Am still trying to get finished with the fall of Arnor at this time, but it IS coming one day!
harrowcat · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Woah! Shivers down the spine time!
Author's reply
Oh, then the story is achieving its purpose, isn't it? Can you tell it was written for a Halloween theme of some sort (in this case, Dead Things)? It's nice to finally get it posted here where more are likely to read and respond to it, now that the ALEC voting period is complete.
Soledad · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Your Gollum voice is wonderful!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Soledad. Am so glad you feel that way!
Andrea · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Very plausible indeed! It was wise of Smeagol's grandmother to not take away Isildur's belongings. But she could not know that the most dangerous item was still lying in the river! I wonder if the discovery of the Ring by Deagol and Smeagol sealed the fate of their kin. For it might be possible that the murderers came there in search for the Ring. After Smeagol had found out what had happened to his kin I really pitied him. It was the first time in his long life that he was aware of being completely alone. For before he met Bilbo he *had* had a companion - his precious! There is "no going back"! A perfect title for this story.
Author's reply
Oh, you're so right about the most dangerous item remaining in the river. Too bad It is finally found and manages to steal away two of her grandsons! This story will be working with "Stirring Rings" eventually, once we reach that far, and you can perhaps guess whose agents it is who slaughter those who live in the smial when they come. And you are so right about how now he is truly alone--until he finds himself Frodo's guide, at least. And am so glad you agree on the proper nature of the title. Thanks so, Andrea.
Dreamflower · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Oh, how very plausible this is! The flight of Gollum in search of the Baggins--his eventual discovery of his old home (I found that reminiscent of Mole finding his old hole in Wind in the Willows)in an almost instinctive manner. And that his family found the remains of Isildur makes sense, since the Ring was found nearby... How hard it must have been for Gandalf to hold back his compassion for the wretched creature!
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Dreamflower. I'd not thought of the similarity of Mole revisiting his own hole, but you are right. And in this case Gollum has so little else to go on other than ancient memories and newer urges fostered by long-time possession by the Ring. I read another story in which Smeagol's family had a drinking bowl made from Isildur's cranium; this seemed perhaps another way they might have dealt with the finding of his remains. Gandalf did show great compassion for Gollum--"As for me, I pity even his slaves." But he had to learn some things swiftly and had to use fear of fire to get the information he needed! Thanks for the feedback!
Rhyselle · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
That was just heartbreaking... You have managed to make me feel something for Gollum that I had great difficulty feeling when I read about him in THE HOBBIT and LOTR... compassion. It's so easy to just think of him as the wretched, nasty, double-crossing monster he appears in the text, but you brought his past to life, even when writing about dead things. Poor Gollum.
Author's reply
I think Gollum was much to be pitied, although that fails to make what he did any better, of course. Am so glad I can cast a different light on the poor thing! Thanks so for the feedback.
Virtuella · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 40: Seeking to Give Comfort
Indeed, Melian would understand. Lovely little snippet.
Author's reply
Oh, I must agree, Virtuella--Melian is perhaps the only one who wound appreciate how her daughter could be drawn to an adan. Thanks so!
Virtuella · 2 December 2008 · Chapter 41: No Going Back
Creepy, eerie, excellent. The descriptions are great, of how Gollum finds his way home after all that time, the memory of finding the body of Isidur, the remains of his family, killed, no doubt, by the servants of Sauron. A very spooky and throroughly impressive piece!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad this was able to convey all of that! Thank you so much. And I agree it was likely Saruman's folks who saw the remains of his family slain in this manner. Thanks so for the feedback, Virtuella.
inzilbeth · 1 December 2008 · Chapter 40: Seeking to Give Comfort
Oh yes, Melian understands her daughter! Fortunately for M-e so does Eru. A good point, well made.
Author's reply
A special Maia who birthed a special daughter, and both intended for purposes of unification of the Children of Eru. Thank you for the comments, Inzilbeth.
harrowcat · 1 December 2008 · Chapter 40: Seeking to Give Comfort
'I understand' can be the most wonderful words in the world.
Author's reply
Oh, but I do appreciate that! Thanks so, Harrowcat.
Raksha The Demon · 1 December 2008 · Chapter 40: Seeking to Give Comfort
Luthien inherited her mother's capacity for falling head-over-heels with someone not of the same races/sub-species; and leaving all else behind to be with that person. Nice Silm gapfiller!
Author's reply
Yes, her heart is stirred much as her mother's was. Both were necessary to bless this world. And I love YOUR two gap-fillers on the same subject! Heh! Can't wait to see them posted elsewhere.
eiluj · 1 December 2008 · Chapter 40: Seeking to Give Comfort
Interesting subject. I'm glad Lúthien loved Beren so, because she certainly had to fight for her happiness. I don't remember *ever* seeing anything -- fic or otherwise -- about any of the Ainur's reaction to Melian's own marriage.
Author's reply
Raksha has written a couple ficlets on the subject as well, again as a response to Ranger1's prompts for a birthday story. And I've only seen one story on Melian's reception by the Valar after the fact, and that was intended to be humorous. She and Sauron are comparing notes on their upcoming trials before the Valar, and decide to forgo the situation, escaping by taking the shape of a werewolf and a nightingale. Thank you so for your comments.
Virtuella · 27 November 2008 · Chapter 13: The Craft of the Elven Smith
I find myself greatly charmed by this story. The concept is a fascinating one, to think that such a wide variety of items made it trough the ages in Middle-earth and finally arrived where they were most needed. Because there were so many of them, and so many recipients, the narrative could heve become rather disjointed, but I felt each section was just the right length and it was easy enough to follow. I also greatly approve of the female smith and her considerable creative power!
grumpy · 24 November 2008 · Chapter 38: Faith Tried
Well Galadriel gave Celeborn much to think about, I always thought it was neat that Galadriel gave a push to the couple.
Author's reply
How did I miss this one? Gads! We know that the two in Middle Earth most given to foresight were Elrond Halfelven and Galadriel Artanis. That they each should see that only through his desire for Arwen should Aragorn be moved to reach for his destiny, I suspect they would have used even that. No matter what, Elrond would most likely lose his daughter, either in the destruction of Middle Earth under Sauron or in marriage to a mortal. I suspect he would prefer the latter, particularly knowing the one to hold his beloved child's heart was his equally beloved foster son. Thank you so very much for these comments, Grumpy!
Linda Hoyland · 20 November 2008 · Chapter 39: All Woods there Be Must End at Last
I sympathise as I'm the sort who easily gets lost.I'm glad Legolas and Faramir found them and their wives are not too cross.
Author's reply
I suspect that Diamond and Estella were secretly relieved not to hear murmured "That's the third time you've asked to see that one--can't you choose alreadys?" and so on. And it's fun to think of our small heroes taking such an out to avoid going shopping! Glad you enjoyed it!
Andrea · 19 November 2008 · Chapter 39: All Woods there Be Must End at Last
“This is at least the third time you have passed near me, and I am barely within the forest at all.” LOL!!! Legolas teasing Merry and Pippin, that's an event to remember :) I found it also very amusing that Merry knew exactly (and beforehand) what Estella would have to say to their little "walking trip".
Author's reply
When I was given that line from the song sung in the Old Forest (one that made the trees upset) to work from, this was what came out. How does a Hobbit lost in an unfamiliar forest find his way out, do you think? Heh! And I do suspect Legolas would take pleasure now and then in baiting the Hobbits! Heh! Nor do I think that Merry, in several years of marriage, would question what she was likely to say to such a situation as this. They're not exactly newliweds now, after all. And he was just about right, don't you think? Heh! Anyway, thanks so for the comments, and I'm glad it made you chuckle!
Kitty · 19 November 2008 · Chapter 39: All Woods there Be Must End at Last
*lol* Our dear Hobbits might be warriors now, but they are certainly no Rangers, eh? Getting lost so easily, tsk, tsk. Love the way Legolas showed up and teased them, and how their wives reacted after showing up as well! That was fun!
Author's reply
Oh, how true! No, these aren't Rangers, although they do know how to forage, of course! Heh! And who better to tease them than Legolas, and then their nearly fuming yet still laughing wives? Am glad it gave you a chuckle!
Kitty · 19 November 2008 · Chapter 38: Faith Tried
Celeborn's initial anger is only too understandable, but if Galadriel saw in her mirror what was at stake, then it's no wonder she accepted that match, even if it meant losing her granddaughter forever. Lovely, Larner!
Author's reply
Oh, I do agree, Kitty--better to accept her love for a mortal and encourage her in it than the alternative, which would be to see all lost to Mordor! Thanks so for the comments!
harrowcat · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 39: All Woods there Be Must End at Last
I love Legolas in this Larner. I think that he has been taking lessons from the Twins, or perhaps Glorfindel! Tell the truth it was all great! :)
Author's reply
Am glad you do, Harrowcat. He knows these Hobbits so well, and it must have been fun watching them wander about lost for a time, knowing they'd done it to themselves. And it was fun to write something lighthearted this time.
6336 · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 39: All Woods there Be Must End at Last
Well that was sneaky of them, you mean to tell me that Estella and Diamond couldn't have parked them at the nearest inn with a pint a piece and left them to it? Silly Hobbits! Like Legolas in this, he was his usual, helpfull self! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Oh, yes, silly Hobbits. My son and a friend once did the same to me when they were younger, leaving me searching for them and unable to meet the folk I was supposed to meet due to their decision they didn't want to go, too. They slipped back home after they thought I would have left without them.... And Legolas was amusing himself at their expense, of course! Why not? They'd brought it on themselves, after all.... Thanks for the comments.