Inzilbeth
· 25 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
This is the first story I've come across which addresses the former ownership of those knives and, most particularly, that brooch which I have wondered about and searched HOME looking for more details! Yours is a very plausible and delightful tale. Beautifully done, Larner.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Inzilbeth! I wrote this to go as a companion piece to "The Ritual Disturbed," also in this collection. I've been wanting to write this for quite some time, so I am grateful that the challenge offered in the B2MEM activities allowed me to write to this. It gave me a chance to visit both the brooch and the barrow-blades at the same time!
Tigger
· 24 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
Ooooh...This is lovely Larner!! So this is the origins of the hobbits swords then. Loved it and no wonder Merry's sword had the power to help take down the Witch King. It had been empowered by a Song of Power by his greatest enemy after all.
Love all of the back ground and little touches you always put in your stories. They just link up so wonderfully w/the canon it always amazes me. :o)
You do know what you have to do now though? You need to write out Glorfindel's reaction to seeing these weapons again after so long a time. :oD
Really loved this. Lovely, lovely, lovely!! :o)
Author's reply
Am so very glad you found it so satisfying, Tigger. It was wonderful to be able to write this story at last, and to see so many cooperating to see the swords forged properly. And I do love expanding on canon, as you know.
And I do think that it is likely Boromir might soon hear Glorfindel's thoughts on those swords soon enough! Heh!
Thank you, thank you!
Linda Hoyland
· 23 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
What a fascinating glimpse of the history of these amazing swords!
Author's reply
Am so glad you appreciated it! Thanks so, Linda.
Linda Hoyland
· 23 March 2010
· Chapter 78: Peril Unforeseen
I enjoyed this very much.Yes, grief is the price we have to pay for love.
Author's reply
Oh, but you are so very right, Linda. Thanks so very much!
Lindelea
· 22 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
a particularly sardonic smile, eh?
Makes one wonder... for some reason you recalled to my mind the journey Glorfindel made with the leader of the Fallohides, to wrangle safe passage for the hobbits through that hostile and Shadowed land... (not canon, of course, but plausible, I hope)
Well done, a nice tying together of past and present, building upon hints in the narrative.
Author's reply
I am going to have to read "Shire" now, as it's one tale of yours I've not read as yet. I wrote this in part as a companion piece to "The Ritual Disturbed," and am so glad it works so well for all.
Elena Tiriel
· 22 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
Oh, this is a great backstory for the barrow-swords, Larner! And you even solved the mystery of the sapphire brooch! *vbg*
But there is also a hint of regret over the loss of the youngest prince of Cardolan and his family.... such a waste of potential!
Well done!
- Barbara
Author's reply
I had to give some context for that brooch, I found, now that I've finally explored a possible beginning for the blades. It was written to fit in with my story "The Ritual Disturbed," so the blades had to be somehow tied to the ones I saw being buried here in that story. And I do regret the loss of that young prince. You are so right in your recognition of the loss there.
Thanks so, Elena Tiriel.
Fiondil
· 22 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
This gave me chills, Larner. Excellent backstory on the Hobbits' swords. Now we know and it sheds a whole different light on the Barrow-downs chapter. Thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
I've always wanted to explore what smith wrought those blades and how the spells against Angmar were wound around them. And I got to visit that barrow once more, which was satisfying, somehow. Thanks so!
Andrea
· 22 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
"Blessed are they by representatives of all of the Free Peoples; may they serve their bearers well."
All Free Peoples? Actually, they forgot a certain people. And so I found it very fitting that the "swords" ended up in the hands of hobbits and that it was one of those hobbits who successfully used the blade against the Witch King of Angmar.
Author's reply
You're fight--not quite ALL the free peoples, although their blessing comes through bearing them! And what a blessing that proved, as you note.
Thanks so, Andrea.
Ellynn
· 22 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
Excellent! I really love the background story you created about those special blades. Seemingly simple story, yet so powerful. Well done!
Author's reply
I am so very honored! And I loved finally exploring their forging at last!
shirebound
· 22 March 2010
· Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
I really like this backstory to the wonderful 'swords' given to the hobbits by Tom.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, Shirebound. It was a joy to write this. Thanks so!
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 78: Peril Unforeseen
The relationship between Legolas and Gimli really did change quite a bit. And while it meant so much sorrow for Legolas when all his mortal friends died, I think his life was so much richer for these friendship while they lasted and long afterwards.
Author's reply
I must agree with you here. Legolas has had the chance to truly know mortals of several kinds now, and to realize they are in ways the richer because they are transient and ephemeral in nature.
Thanks so, Kitty!
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 77: Notice of Eviction
One of these stories that leave me truly angry. If I'd only be able to get my hands on these bullies ... *grumble* Makes me want to read the part of RotK again where the returning Travellers sent the men packing, just to even it out.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree. What was done in the Shire during the occupation allowed by Lotho was horrible, and I'm glad that Frodo and company returned when and how they did. Although I suspect all wish they'd returned home perhaps a bit earlier, even.
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 76: The Wraith's Report
Urgh. These two deserve each other, really. Good to know they will be disappointed - they're not rid of Gandalf yet.
Author's reply
They must have made uncomfortable allies, as seems to be true of all of the Enemy's folks. And, no--they're not rid of Gandalf yet--not at all, at all!
Thanks again so, Kitty!
irene
· 19 March 2010
· Chapter 78: Peril Unforeseen
A clever little story though I don't like it. That's not your fault. I ever disliked Legolas' love for men - only hinted at it by Tolkien but established firmly in fandom now. His friendship with Gimli is extraordinary and surely doesn't extend to all dwarves.
Finally, I've always thought he should have been more interested in his Father's desparate fight against the forces of Mordor.
So, I'm not able to give full credit to your story.
Author's reply
I'm sorry you don't like Legolas being depicted as being equally a friend with Aragorn as he was to Gimli. However, in "The Last Debate" in ROTK Legolas admits he does much as a result of the love and respect he holds for the Lord of the White Tree, and in the Appendices Tolkien states afterwards he led a number of his people south into Ithilien to found a new Elven land there, aiding in the healing of Ithilien, leaving Middle Earth with Gimli only after Aragorn was dead.
As I must interpret these, it appears he was a friend to both Dwarf and Man.
I do not question Legolas's interest in his father's struggle against Sauron's forces, which were directed more at the evil aimed at them from Sauron's former fortress in Dol Guldur that he built during his years as the Necromancer than from Mordor itself from what we can tell. It was after those who'd taken part in the Battle of Five Armies were approached by Nazgul asking after the thief who'd taken a ring, a "mere token" Sauron wished returned to him as earnest of their willingness to please him, that the Elves of Mirkwood and the Dwarves of Erebor sent their deputations to ask advice of Elrond as the greatest living loremaster within Middle Earth, seeking to understand why Sauron would be hunting such a thing. This lead directly to the Council of Elrond and the formation of the Fellowship.
Only through defeating Sauron completely could Erebor be free of the threat of Rhun or Mirkwood of Dol Guldur, much less Gondor freed from combined threats from Harad, Rhun, Mordor, Khand, and Umbar, and Imladris and Lorien from the forces from the Misty Mountains, Dunland, and Angmar. Sauron was working to defeat all the free lands, using his slaves and allies throughout the lands of Middle Earth.
From what I can tell, it appears that Tolkien himself has established Legolas's friendship with Aragorn as becoming a leading reason for his future actions and decisions, including the choice of when he and Gimli left Middle Earth together.
I do thank you for your kind words regarding this triple drabble. I doubt that the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn much predated the Council of Elrond, actually, and was not likely as deep at that time as was portrayed in the PJ movies. But I suspect that the Fellowship of the Ring forged deep bonds among all of the Nine Walkers.
Raksha The Demon
· 19 March 2010
· Chapter 76: The Wraith's Report
Khamul is going to eat those words. Well, choke on them as he crumbles into dust. Hopefully the Mouth will end up as a drunken sot staggering around the alleys of Umbar or something...
Good characterisations of these two of Sauron's greatest minions.
Author's reply
Oh, how wonderful an image--Khamul choking on those words as he falls to dust! Yes, perfect! As for the Mouth--well, I have awful thoughts as to his origins, and I hope to get them written soon! Heh!
Thanks so, Raksha!
shirebound
· 18 March 2010
· Chapter 78: Peril Unforeseen
Indeed, an Elf's greatest peril can be something that only grows over time. The heart chooses its own brothers and kin. Lovely.
Author's reply
How well you have stated it, Shirebound. Thanks so!
Fiondil
· 18 March 2010
· Chapter 78: Peril Unforeseen
Love for the 'other' is perilous, indeed! That Legolas is willing to accept that peril and its consequences speaks well of his character. May we all learn from Legolas' example in our own lives. The peril is indeed great, but the rewards are incalculable and will follow us into eternity.
Author's reply
Indeed so, Fiondil my friend! And I doubt he found he regretted embracing that peril much.
Thanks for the comments!
Andrea
· 18 February 2010
· Chapter 77: Notice of Eviction
Timono Bracegirdle again!
He and his "generous" client have the nerve to tell the tenants of Bagshot Row that Frodo Baggins is the cause of all their troubles and that Lotho is their saviour by moving them to those "splendid" new buildings?
Who will believe them, I wonder?
Sadly, they have no choice at the moment! But if Frodo and Sam had been there, they would have reacted as Daisy said:
“He’d be right there to tell old Pimple a thing or two, and you know it! And our Sam would be there right behind him, backin’ him up!”
Author's reply
Oh, you are so right! I think both Lotho and Timino are convinced that if they hear such things enough the rest of the Hobbits of the Shire might just convince themselves the sentiments must be true. Although I suspect the only ones deluding themselves are Lotho and those closest to him.
Thanks so, Andrea!
harrowcat
· 17 February 2010
· Chapter 77: Notice of Eviction
A time of troubles indeed. Sometimes all that you can do is bend and weather it.
Author's reply
Oh, you are so right about that, Harrowcat! Love to you and your folks and Jet!
Linda Hoyland
· 11 February 2010
· Chapter 74: Fighting Enemies
This is hilarious!It reminds me of my youth when my father and his brother used to talk about creating gaping wounds for First Aid contests at the tea table while my Mum and I were slowly turning green and not wanting to finish our meal as result!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you found it appropriate, Linda. My brother and his friends would describe the dissections they were doing in Biology classes!
Linda Hoyland
· 11 February 2010
· Chapter 76: The Wraith's Report
THey just don't get it,do they? Very witty and clever.
Author's reply
No, they just don't get it at all! Thank heavens they didn't--it would have spoiled the later surprises--heh! Thanks, Linda.
Antane
· 28 January 2010
· Chapter 74: Fighting Enemies
That's telling them! You go, Arwen! And I'm right behind you. Poor Bilbo - I'd be just as grossed out.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Glad it gave you a chuckle, Antane. Thanks so! And I'd be as nauseous as Bilbo also! Heh!
Antane
· 28 January 2010
· Chapter 75: Night Songs
A sweet story, love to see Faramir. :) And love also Gandalf's words about the sky and rest.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, too! For Gandalf, this end to his labors must have felt so sweet!
Soledad
· 27 January 2010
· Chapter 76: The Wraith's Report
Heh! They are really clueless, aren't they? If they only knew!
Excellent conversation - chilly and yet funny. Not an easy thing to achieve.
Author's reply
Indeed--if they only knew! Although they shall know of his return soon enough!
Thanks so, Soledad!
Dreamflower
· 27 January 2010
· Chapter 76: The Wraith's Report
Oh dear! What irony that they find such grim amusement in an event that did not in any case occur! And of course, the reader can find even more amusement in knowing how wrong they are in their suppositions!
Loved the little power struggle between the two, as well!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, ironic indeed! And I simply cannot imagine any of Sauron's folks avoiding power struggles!
Thanks so!