grumpy
· 4 August 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Well I got a good cry out of this story, but it was a happy cry, because Beregond got to go into the white city again, and wear his old uniform.
Fluffy the cat says hi, she is helping me type this
Author's reply
I am so glad you found the tears engendered happy ones, Grumpy. I remember how proud Beregond had been to tell Pippin how satisfying it was to be found worthy to be a Guard of the Citadel, and I'm certain Aragorn had been made aware of that. That in the end he'd allow Beregond to fulfill his desire to see the city that was originally the home of his heart again just seemed right.
And my Lydia, the snowshoe Siamese, just left me her rent upon the bathroom floor--this time a small fieldmouse. I hope it's not the one I helped escape from her yesterday and returned outside! Heh! I'm certain she sends Fluffy her best. The poms are all quiet for the moment, though, and have no care for cats or mice, although little Ruffy sat upon the poor mouse's body for a time as if seeking to warm it somewhat.
Raksha The Demon
· 2 August 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Quite a touching story of Beregond's last days and final return to Minas Tirith. Well-written as usual!
Author's reply
Thank you so, Raksha. And I'm honored. Thank you again.
Tigger
· 31 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Oh Larner...You've made me cry w/this one. It's so lovely and I really do believe towards the end, Beregond was allowed to come hone. It's just something I can see both Aragorn and Faramir agreeing on and Beregond certainly deserved to come home after so many years of faithful service.
Beautifully, beautifully done my friend. Now I need to go and find a Kleenex. I didn't know until just now my box here in my room's empty. :o)
Author's reply
Oh, I did? I'm honored to have moved you so, Tigger. Yes, it was time for Beregond to come home! Thank you!
harrowcat
· 30 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
I am on borrowed time on a French keyboard but I had to stop in and say how much this moved me Larner. Very glad he came back to his city once more.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Harrowcat. I believe he'd be allowed to come "home" to die. Thank you. Have a good remainder of your vacation.
SurgicalSteel
· 30 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Oh, I really do like Beregond being allowed to come home for his final days - and it's really not changing his sentence, in an odd sort of way. Forgiveness and justice all at once - and his passing and funeral are particularly appropriate.
Just lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you so, SS. Yes, mercy--and love expressed. Appropriate to a hero of the stories.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
This is truly outstanding!I just loved it and it brought tears to my eyes.How like Aragorn and Faramir to visit Beregond and Aragorn to allow him to return home to die.Thank you for such a treat to read this wonderful story!
Author's reply
I am honored, Linda! Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Elflingimp
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Thank you Larner for that beautiful, emotional(sob) story, I always thought even thou nothing happened to him for what he did other than having been banished from the White City being told he couldn't come back was rather harsh as he was saving Faramir's life, I am glad he got to come back to what he must of thought of was his home,but who was under the white tree? You know I had to ask. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
All the honor in the world could never make up for being forced to leave what he had to think of as his true home, I think.
As for who else was under the White Tree--well, I never said it was THIS White Tree, did I? Heh! No, I suspect that someone was under the White Tree on Tol Eressea that night, and he sensed it while touching the bark of the Tree there by the Citadel.
Radbooks
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Oh, very well done, Larner! I've always liked Beregond and it was nice to see him allowed to come home at last. I especially loved the tie-in with how the Noldor were allowed to return home to Aman and how could the people of Gondor be any less forgiving than the Valar.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you liked that, Radbooks. Thank you! I am honored.
shirebound
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Ohhhh, I'm all weepy with good tears. This is so lovely...
The King showed him the whole of the city, now cleansed of wounds, its gardens filled with trees going gold with the autumn’s advance, late roses and chrysanthemums glowing like small fires, doves celebrating the last of the sunset by wheeling about the Tower of Ecthelion, their wings catching the golden light.
What a marvelous story, full of love and hope and wonder.
Author's reply
I'm honored--to evoke such emotion is always reassuring. And am so glad you liked that particularly. Thank you so much, Shirebound.
Andrea
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
That was wonderful Larner, and very moving!
And it shows that indeed a new time has come with a new king who is very different from the old steward, Denethor. For I fear under Denethor's rule such an act would have been impossible!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Andrea. And yes, Aragorn is quite the contrast in so many ways to Denethor.
Kitty
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Oh Larner, this one left me in tears. I was *so* glad Aragorn showed Beregond the White City through the palantír and, even better, *finally* allowed him to come back to Minas Tirith. (I was never really happy with his banishment; there's always this little voice in the back of my mind that says that he had to leave could mean simply that he had to live mainly in Emyn Arnen and not necessarily banishment, and to the hell with the law ... silly, I know!)
Anyway, it was so moving to have him back in his city, gladly welcomed by the people. And that he was allowed to die right below the White Tree, surrounded by all his loved ones, the King included, and in peace once more, and laid to rest in the tomb of the Guard, that was just perfect. Thank you so much!
Author's reply
I read that story by Lady Branwyn and this one sprang to mind, Kitty. And I, too, felt that the banishment was unfair, although the King must follow the law, even if he finds creative ways to offer reward instead of prescribed punishments. And who better to lie in the tomb for the Guard than Beregond?
Thank you!
Lindelea
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
Ah, but how I love Beregond, even here at the end of all things (on M-e, for him, anyhow, but we know from JRRT that he goes on to the Halls of Mandos).
A tender, loving, and honorable end.
Author's reply
I am so honored you find it this way, Lindelea. Thank you. Yes, an honorable end for a greatly honorable Man.
Antane
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 30: The Guardsman Comes Home
That was a worthy one who has now received his rest and returned home. How good to be able called "my beloved" by a king - that was the best part and that he was allowed to return to Gondor at the end.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Antane. Thanks so very much!
Linda Hoyland
· 25 July 2008
· Chapter 29: Words of Counsel
I had never really thought why Glorfindel was not chosen,but you give a very plausible explanation here. I liked the way you show Legolas gradually warming to Gimli. Glorfindel knows the hearts of the Fellowship well. A very good story.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you feel this is appropriate, Linda. I think Glorfindel would greatly appreciate Aragorn's possible doubts and weaknesses, and would foresee much of what would trouble Frodo particularly. And he's had a long time to come to appreciate Dwarves and their strengths, I'd think.
Thanks so for the feedback!
Antane
· 20 July 2008
· Chapter 29: Words of Counsel
stand by both Frodo Baggins and our Estel. Remind the Hobbit that he is compassed round with the love and concern of those who serve the Light
I love this! And the idea of keeping faith with Frodo by rescuing Merry and Pippin is very interesting. Just watched TT again last night for I think the 14th or 15th time - I'm beginning to lose track!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I have no idea at all how many times I've watched all three films--saw ROTK in the theater alone at least twelve times! Heh!
And at that point it was the only way they could keep proper faith with Frodo and Sam--to attempt to rescue their cousins and companions and compatriots. And Frodo needed that reminder to help keep himself grounded, I think.
Dreamflower
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 29: Words of Counsel
This is really nice. I like stories that examine how Legolas and Gimli made friends. Having Legolas consult Glorfindel--someone I'm sure he admired greatly--was a deft touch--and I think it was a wonderful idea having the second part focus on the hunt across Rohan--for though I think they'd begun to become friends in Moria and Lothlorien, I think it was that hunt that truly cemented their friendship, with their mutual worry for their young friends.
But of course, they didn't rescue them after all. Hobbits can be quite surprising!
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, although it's perhaps difficult to say here whether Legolas approached Glorfindel or the other way around, not that it matters, I suppose. And I agree that it was during the run through Rohan that the true brotherhood between Elf and Dwarf was confirmed. They may not have actually rescued Merry and Pippin, but their attempt to do so put them where they needed to be for the next part of the quest.
Ah, yes, Hobbits can always surprise one! Heh!
Kitty
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 29: Words of Counsel
Larner, you’re updating faster than I can read – not to mention review! You’re really spoiling your readers today.
Nice to have a look at Legolas' feelings at being chosen for the Quest. It is true, at first one would have expected one of the mighty elf-lords to be sent (and I think the Professor did that, too, as in the first drafts he used Glorfindel and only later replaced him with Legolas). But it is true, too, that it would have been much more conspicuous.
And the quest was fulfilled partly because all these different races worked together so well for the greater good, putting aside their animosities and enmities.
Author's reply
Oh, the two birthday requests I responded to in this just came up, and I found I couldn't resist them. Now, to get the wedding written and the battles against the Witch-king's army written! Heh!
And I've always felt that only when all the Free Peoples worked together would they be able to fight Sauron successfully. Mutual need for aid and assistance served where reasoning could not, forging this unusual friendship.
I'd have loved to see Glorfindel along in the quest myself, but am rather glad he didn't come in the end.
Kitty
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 28: The Brides' New Homes
Five lovely ficlets, Larner! I think you caught the feelings of these brides very well.
Though I have to admit, for all my compassion for Rosie, I enjoyed the way Frodo dealt with this Dirna. I can *so* imagine his Look! Well done, Frodo! (And well done, Larner, too!)
Author's reply
I found I had to bring Dirna out of "Second Mum" into this story and see how she might manage to cause offense here. Not quite Lobelia or Lalia's league, perhaps, much less the equal of Dreamflower's Hyacinth; but certainly as frustrating a person as any might think to come across.
And I found the challenge interesting enough, at least! Five brides, five marriages--and one bachelor who at least saw other marriages made--and well made, I'd think.
shirebound
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 29: Words of Counsel
Remind the Hobbit that he is compassed round with the love and concern of those who serve the Light
I just love your Glorfindel. :)
Author's reply
He has a strong appreciation for what Frodo will face, and for Aragorn's personal concerns about himself, I think. I find I like him, too.
Thanks, Shirebound.
shirebound
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 28: The Brides' New Homes
This is a lovely series of snapshots. Each bride found happiness in a home she never dreamed would be hers, in a situation strange to her, but surrounded by love.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--a new home, new situation, but love encompassing each of them. Am so glad you like it, Shirebound.
Dreamflower
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 28: The Brides' New Homes
These are all very nicely done! I love the way the first three make almost a cycle to themselves, dealing as they do with Luthien and her line.
The one with Eowyn is lovely--I think she really took to her new life with Faramir as another adventure.
And I love the last one, of course. It's always fun to see Frodo put someone in their place with a bit of righteous anger!
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you like them. I just got them back from RiverOtter and had to post them immediately.
I loved the thought myself of Faramir wanting to treat Eowyn as a bride--carrying her on his saddlebow in spite of the fact she's probably an even more accomplished rider than he. You're right--a new adventure for her and her new husband. And as for the last one--Oh, yes--the WRATH OF BAGGINS! I doubt he lost his temper easily at the best of times, but when he did....
Thanks for the feedback.
Linda Hoyland
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 28: The Brides' New Homes
I just loved these you capture the different wives and their circumstances brilliantly.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you think I did, Linda. Wilwarin wanted a new wife thinking on her new home, and Rhapsody always loves stories about earlier times, so hope they both love them.
Linda Hoyland
· 5 July 2008
· Chapter 27: The Birth of a Different Hope
I enjoyed this very much.
I liked the way you mentioned the effect Aragorn has on people and loved Ioreth here.
Author's reply
Aragorn with the Elessar stone on his breast must have been rather overwhelming to face at times. But he is THE Elessar for the descendants of Numenor. As for Ioreth--she's so much fun to write! Heh!
Kitty
· 3 July 2008
· Chapter 27: The Birth of a Different Hope
Another lovely gapfiller, Larner!
Ah, so that was how our dear Steward tried to find out more about the Lady Éowyn – asking everyone available who could know something. With Merry he found the right one, didn’t he? I loved the whole conversation.
And Ioreth was so very Ioreth-ish – chatting on and on with Faramir barely saying anything. I’m impressed it was sufficient to raise a brow to stop her! *grin*
Now Faramir only needs to talk to the object of his desire ;-)
Author's reply
Ah, thank you, Kitty. Am so glad you enjoyed this peeping after Faramir's investigations! And I suspect Faramir knew Ioreth well enough to keep her on track with a look or two. Heh!
Pearl Took
· 3 July 2008
· Chapter 27: The Birth of a Different Hope
A marvelous, wonderful, truly hopeful story, Larner! I love Faramir's tenacity! He doggedly pursues every recourse he has to achieve his objective - ;-) LOL Ah, what love will do . . .
Author's reply
Ah, yes--he is indeed a tenacious one, our beloved Faramir. And now he has enough information to realize that if he pursues the lady he is not competing against the King, and to begin to understand just why she might have come with the Riders of Rohan. Yes, indeed, what love will do, as you say!
Now--I've managed to have Faramir conduct a conversation with each of the Hobbits! It's been a delightful exercise!
And am so glad you enjoyed this and indeed found it hopeful! Thank you!