Soledad
· 19 September 2008
· Chapter 33: Argument and Anticipation
I'd so love to read a "Denethor lives" AU in which Pippin gets the chance to make the old Steward unbend a little...
I hated the movies the passion of a thousand burning suns (well, save perhaps the parts with Boromir, which were great, I have to admit), and especially what PJ made with Denethor, but the scene Pippin singing for him was very touching.
Author's reply
You would curse me with yet another nuzgul, Soledad? I can't finish what I'm working on now! Heh!
Sorry the movie version of Denethor drove you crazy. But I loved Pippin singing in it, too, even if it wasn't consistent with the book. Billy Boyd did an excellent job with the role.
Andrea
· 19 September 2008
· Chapter 33: Argument and Anticipation
Between Peregrin Took’s mercurial mind and Sam’s common sense and Merry’s ability to think several steps ahead and Frodo’s empathy--not to mention the cooking prowess of them all--the evening should prove entertaining, instructive, comfortable, provocative, and most delightful.”
Wow! That was a perfect characterisation of the four hobbits, and with so few words! I'm impressed :)
I find the reasoning of Tooks sufficiently confusing at times to be refreshing, and a wonderful exercise to the mind in trying to follow it.
I totally agree. It's really a pity that Denethor didn't meet Pippin (or another Took) earlier on.
Author's reply
Am glad you appreciated the precis on each of the four Hobbits, and that you agree interaction with Hobbits might have had a positive effect on Denethor had he met them earlier in his life.
shirebound
· 19 September 2008
· Chapter 33: Argument and Anticipation
“It is too bad, I think, that Pippin didn’t come into his service years ago when his thinking was less rigid. I find the reasoning of Tooks sufficiently confusing at times to be refreshing, and a wonderful exercise to the mind in trying to follow it at times.”
Love it! And what an intriguing "what if".
Author's reply
Yes, definitely an intriguing idea, although Dreamflower is probably right that longterm Denethor might have not benefitted.
Glad you enjoyed the story.
Antane
· 19 September 2008
· Chapter 33: Argument and Anticipation
"...I find the reasoning of Tooks sufficiently confusing at times to be refreshing, and a wonderful exercise to the mind in trying to follow it at times.”
Is that cute or what? :) Much better that than a crossword puzzle or whatever...
“Thinking of which, shall we, you and I, spend the evening in the guesthouse in the Sixth Circle, do you think? Between Peregrin Took’s mercurial mind and Sam’s common sense and Merry’s ability to think several steps ahead and Frodo’s empathy--not to mention the cooking prowess of them all--the evening should prove entertaining, instructive, comfortable, provocative, and most delightful.”
Most delightful indeed! I am jealous...maybe you could write a sequel so we can be there at least virtually? Pretty please with mushrooms on it? I do love Aragorn and Faramir stories too. That Ranger/Steward is a hobbit in a man's skin.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, definitely more interesting than crossword puzzles, if more frustrating at times! Heh!
As for being jealous--I, too, would love to be there, although not if they were eating sturgeon.
Hobbits in men's skins, are they? Okay!
Anyway, thanks so for the feedback.
Linda Hoyland
· 16 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
This was a lovely choice of characters for young and old in this very moving story.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. I'm so glad you found it moving.
Soledad
· 9 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
I loved to see Círdan - he's such a neglected character! And his interaction with Elanor was lovely.
So, Ruvemir has finished the other memorial, eh? Will you show us the third one sometime, the one standing in Arnor, too?
Author's reply
I need to finish a couple stories I have regarding Ruvemir! And am so glad you liked seeing Cirdan here! Thanks, Soledad.
Pearl Took
· 9 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
Beautiful, Larner!! A soothing, peaceful story.
MEWD
Author's reply
Thank you so, Pearl. I'd not intended to post this until the challenge was posted on LJ, but managed to get ahead of myself a week. I'll post it elsewhere this weekend.
Radbooks
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
A most delightful tale, Larner! I enjoyed it very much. :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you like it, Radbooks. Have missed hearing from you. Thanks for the feedback.
Antane
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
I'm glad Elanor remembers how deeply she was loved by Frodo, the only one of his myriad nieces and nephews he ever saw with his physical eyes, though he saw more with the eyes of his heart and what a comfort that must have been to him, to know that his Sam would be happy, though even know the pain is still fresh enough to bring tears to Sam's eyes. Love the idea of the memorial. Cute that Elanor wants to follow Sam when he goes West himself. Ache that she's at first excited that maybe that's Frodo's ship she sees but alas it is not. Hantanyel for this reverent tale, my dear Larner.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I am certain she would remember Frodo's love beyond what her parents and others tell her about it. And Sam would grieve for Frodo's absence, I'm certain.
There are several who believe Elanor had wanted to go with her father when the time came; a fanon, of course, but an intriguing one.
And am so glad you like this.
cookiefleck
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
I melted at "Daddy cried last night."
Author's reply
Ah, but our Sam does carry his own memories, after all!
Thanks for letting me know you read it.
Andrea
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
What a lovely story, Larner!
Among all the Gamgee children, Elanor is very special. And so I found it fitting that Sam sought to teach her "proper" language, whereas her brother Frodo speaks exactly like his father.
Cirdan also recognised that specialness and tried to answer all her questions to help her find her place in Middle-Earth. He did that in a gentle way, although from Elanor's point of view not all he said was easy to understand.
But she'll understand it later, I'm quite sure.
Galdor observed a longing in Elanor's eyes. Is it the Sea Longing? Or the longing for her uncle Frodo? It even might be both.
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea. Elanor is old enough to be receiving a proper education--in a few years Frodo-lad will also be pressured to speak properly, I think, although for now he IS his father's son! And I'm certain she will remember this, understanding perfectly what he meant when the proper time comes.
As for what her longing is, I suspect your last guess is right.
Thanks again.
Virtuella
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
What a wonderfully original idea, a meeting between one of the oldest inhabitants of Middle-earth and one of the youngest. Beautifully written, touching and insightful.
Author's reply
This was written to meet the challenge to have someone young interacting with someone who as at least two generations older. I figured, who better than Cirdan and one of Sam and Rosie's children? And it had to be Elanor!
Thank you so very much! I am honored.
shirebound
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
What a wonderful conversation. I suspect that Elanor absorbed from it what she could, and stored away for future years what she could not. I love Cirdan's gentleness -- and honesty -- with her.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound! And I'm certain that you have grasped Elanor's reaction perfectly. She'll remember, and understand more, as she matures.
Kitty
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
Ah yes, Ruvemir's other commissions in Eriador ... that's something you one day will have to write ;)
I can imagine the faces of the Hobbit children at their first look at the sea! This immense water surface must be stunning for someone who sees it the first time, particularly in a time when neither TV nor photos were available to show it otherwise.
The talk between Círdan and Elanor was sweet and moving. He was very gentle with her, explaining why Frodo can't come back and that her father was allowed to sail one day and she wouldn't be able to accompany him. And I see it was a great comfort for her to think of herself as a friend to Aragorn and Arwen :)
Lovely, Larner, absolutely lovely!
Author's reply
Yes, so I've been told! One story featuring Ruvemir I have about half done, for Baranduin, I think it is. I find it's being drawn out slowly; and the other has only a few paragraphs right now.
Yes--they are seeing that first expanse and realizing it's only a portion of what's out there further.
He doesn't quite say she can't go, too; but does try to explain how she's likely to be tied here. And she'll inherit her father's relationship with Aragorn, and WILL be needed by him when Sam leaves, I think.
Thank you so much, Kitty.
harrowcat
· 8 September 2008
· Chapter 32: At the Harbor
Ah, I gave a happy wriggle when i found this today Larner. We don't hear enough about Cirdan. I love his foresight about Elanor. When are we going to get a word picture of the unveiling of this memorial? Hint, hint!
Author's reply
I'm so glad it pleased you, Harrowcat. The challenge WAS to present someone young interacting with with someone older, and who provide more of a contrast than Cirdan and Elanor as a child?
As for Ruvemir--I have two more stories in the works with Ruvemir in it--now to finish them.
Soledad
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
You just had to trigger my arachnophobia, hadn't you? *g*
Excellently done, Larner. What a chilly idea! And it blends wonderfully with the main body of your stories as well - world-building at its best.
Andrea
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
Wow! I think "creepy" is the best adjective to describe the atmosphere you created here!
I haven't read a story from a spider's point of view so far. But I found your Shelob and Ungolianth very convincing.
And if I think of what happened to Frodo in one of your stories after the spider bite, ...
Their plan nearly worked. But only nearly!
Author's reply
Yes, it nearly worked.... I'm rather glad it didn't, of course.
And I'm pleased you found the atmosphere appropriate for the subject. Thank you!
Elflingimp
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
Wow! I would have never thought it! I loved it ,it was creepy but very good! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Yes, indeed creepy! I'm so glad you also felt it good. Thanks, Elflingimp!
Kitty
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
I find it a bit difficult to imagine Shelob as a small spiderling – that sounds so cute and not at all like the monster she became in the end. And she was certainly not cute when she started to eat her own mother though she wasn’t really dead at that time. Yuck.
Such a pity Ungoliant got the time to try and transport her fëa to another body! Middle-earth would have been better off without her.
Anyway, very interesting POV! Though I am afraid it's not going to make any spiders more welcome at my flat ;)
Author's reply
Yes, it SOUNDS cute, but then spider life isn't particularly cute when one thinks about it. Certainly being bitten by a large spider when he was a child in South Africa didn't leave Tolkien much enamored with them, although I prefer to think of most of them in terms of Charlotte rather than of Shelob or Aragog or their personal kin, of course.
After reading Ellie's story this one insisted on getting written, too. It had been working at me for a time, and sneaked in while reading Ellie's and grabbed me in a headlock, insisting I put it at the front of the queue. Am so glad you found it interesting! And I have a bit more of my-verse explained, of course.
Thanks so, Kitty.
Virtuella
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 21: New Daughter
Too close to life for comfort - I wish all poor slave children of our days would find themselves rescued like this little girl!
Author's reply
I agree, Virtuella. In the original story for which this is a gapfiller of sorts, Hasturnerini had been sold off to satisfy her father's debts, and Arwen felt impelled to purchase her and Benai of Camaloa, an "Africanized" Dunadan from a people south of Harad whose ancestors were among those who'd fled Numenor but ended up being blown southeast by the storm that blew the other nine ships to what became Gondor and Arnor. We know that Elendil's ships ended up in Eriador where he founded Arnor while those of his sons ended up in Gondor; so if I had a tenth one end up in Camaloa, I don't feel particularly guilty! Heh!
As you noted, slavery is still practiced in some places in Africa, and so many are children and women stolen from their own villages and sold into forced service and degradation elsewhere. I agree--if only all of them could be rescued as Hasturnerine was.
Virtuella
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 28: The Brides' New Homes
What an interesting concept. Hasn't it been the fate of women for most of history to abandon their homes and find new ones with their husbands? You have given very insightful glimpses into the newly-wed experience of these Middle-earth females. I like Eowyn's section best, the way she feels the trees to be strange, but yet not unpleasant.
Author's reply
Yes, usually it's the bride who enters the groom's family lands, although in our culture they often both change homes so as to start the new home together. And I'm so glad that Eowyn's experience spoke to you. Yes, strange, but not unpleasant. Thank you!
Virtuella
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
Ooooh, creepy, creepy! What a fascinating story. The child eats the mother and the mother possesses the child. Kudos for writing so convincingly from the perspective of an evil spider!
Author's reply
Yes, and eventually Shelob, in my-verse, tries to give her mother a new home, one that fights her tooth and nail. And thank you! Now and then I do write the villain's point of view! Heh!
harrowcat
· 1 September 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
Woah! Not a story to read just before breakfast! *g* I am not afraid of spiders but I did evict a rather large hunter spider from my bedsit just before bed-time last night.
Very realistic.
Author's reply
Ah, am glad you found it so, Harrowcat. I'm not afraid of spiders either, although I have a healthy respect for what they might do.
The other day I found quite an imposing wolf spider in a client's laundry basket, and carried it outside the laundromat and shook it loose near the propane tank. As for the smaller spider I found spinning a web in my bathroom, she was shown outside rather forcefully, I fear.
Of course, there was the story Mom used to tell of the day I came home carrying the largest tarantula seen in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She said I must have been very gentle with it, for although it had its mouth parts to my hand it didn't appear to be bothered by being carried about by such a small girl as I was. I was three years old at the time, and I was apparently enchanted by its furry body. I certainly can remember watching the tarantulas that would cross our driveway and that lived on the hillside across the street from our home, there before we moved westward. The wolf spiders of the Pacific Northwest are the closest to the tarantulas I remember from my early childhood, although they are but a tenth the size.
Dreamflower
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
And so Ungoliant came to dwell within her daughter Shelob. Rather gruesome, but a very good explanation of who and what Shelob was! *shiver*
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, Dreamflower! Yes, gruesome indeed! But such is the way of spiders that when one invites you to dinner you should perhaps ask what wine is likely to go with yourself as the main course. Heh!
Linda Hoyland
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 31: Spider's Ambition
A very chilling tale.I love to hate Tolkien's giant spiders!
Author's reply
Thanks so for the feedback, Linda. We all love to hate Tolkien's giant spiders, I think!