The Vault of Annúminas by shirebound
Larner · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
Revelations! And Frodo is wise enough to make the connections and yet is reluctant to accept what he's learned. Alas, poor lad! Oh, I love our Frodo and Aragorn both.
Author's reply
I just can't get enough of their friendship, and all the many ways it could have developed. It's such fun to explore the "might have beens".
Dreamflower · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
That's our clever Frodo! I can't wait to see what Estel tells him!
Author's reply
Aragorn kept his secret from Frodo for a *few* years, anyway! But hobbits are amazing creatures, not to be underestimated. :)
lbilover · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
Oh, I can see why you were so excited to get to this chapter. How thrilling, and Frodo's dawning understanding of exactly who Aragorn must be is done wonderfully :)) Thank you.
Author's reply
I'm all a-bounce with this chapter. I'm so happy you like it. :)
Amy · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
Young Frodo has figured it out, and what is his Estel going to do now? I love the material details in the underground passage and chamber, and the secret password!, and Aragorn tripping over a root. The thought of Elendil having been there is shivery-good. Looks like Aragorn is going to have to come out of hiding, now that Frodo has figured out his secret!
Author's reply
Young Frodo is growing up, and is a most intelligent and unusual hobbit. Estel is definitely going to have to make a decision here about what (and how much) to reveal. Thanks, Amy!
Antane · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
It would be nice to see that sketch! :) He's so happy, he's teasing and now his Tookish curiosity is come to the fore. Hmmm... I should add to all his other sweet innocent attributes, that he's so squeezably soft! :) :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
I'd love to see that sketch, as well. There's no one quite like our Frodo. :)
Andrea · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
“Estel,” Frodo whispered, “why do you carry a broken sword?” Aragorn stared at him, frozen with shock. “What did you say?” LOL!!! Frodo is such a clever little hobbit that even Elendil's heir is speechless for some time :) And he figured it out all by himself, he only needed to see the portrait. I'm very proud of him! But now it is time for Aragorn to explain - a lot! A miniature waterfall? Splendid! I would like to have one in my living room!
Author's reply
Frodo's had many years to wonder about Estel's 'secret', and finally it's all coming together for him. I'm really looking forward to getting the next chapter written. Thank you so much, Andrea.
Lindelea · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
(joyfully) Yes! Oh, yes! (And yet, in the middle of the wonder, there was a giggle, for all of a sudden I heard Ricky Ricardo's voice saying clearly, "Lu-u-ucy! You have some 'splainin' to do!")
Author's reply
Wheee! And there certainly is a great deal of 'splainin' to do.
harrowcat · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
Yeh!!!! Now that's the sort of chapter that makes me suck in my breath. My insides are squirming like Scamp wriggling in glee with a new pair of Ranger's laces to chew. A chapter to treasure; to treasure and reread again, and again and again and......
Author's reply
Ooooh, thank you very much. What a wonderful Scamp analogy, I love it.
Idril Celebrindal · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
Oh lovely chapter and now I have to wait for Aragorn's response, wicked of you! :-) I haven't reviewed a lot but I am really enjoying this story! Idril
Author's reply
I'm so glad you're enjoying this, Idril. Sorry about the cliffhanger!
SurgicalSteel · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 12: Behind the Door
Gracious me, what a lovely chapter! The ruined murals on the walls of the tunnel - gracious, I'd love to see those. My, Aragorn gave a rather short and to the point answer when Frodo compared him to Halbarad, didn't he? “At least you didn’t break your ankle like Halbarad. You didn’t, did you?” “No.” *giggles* Passwords that only work for the right person and uttered in the correct language - shades of both the doors of Moria and that secret passage that Bilbo opened on Erebor, nicely done. And it seems that Frodo's just reasoned out just who Aragorn is from very minimal clues. Very clever young hobbit - and I may have to ponder that a bit further, too. I can't wait to see more!
Author's reply
I'm so happy you enjoyed this. I've been trying to work out what would happen in this chapter (and the next) since I began the story. Ponder away! What fun. :)
Linda Hoyland · 26 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
A very exciting chapter.I'm longing to see what Scamp discovered. I like to picture Aragorn singing too in my stories,though I think he has a wonderful voice!
Author's reply
I'm glad you're enjoying this, Linda. I would love to hear Aragorn, Elladan, and Frodo singing together!
Mairi · 25 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
I love the way you write the hobbits. They're so very... hobbity, for lack of a better word. In fact, all the characters are very nicely done. Your dialogue could use a tiny bit of help, but it's nothing really. Nice work!
Author's reply
Thank you, Mairi. "Hobbity" is what I strive for, in addition to making sure Frodo is cared for, respected, and loved.
lbilover · 22 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
Ooh, I'm so anxious for the next chapter now, to discover what is behind the door and more about who made it and everything. Clever Scamp!!! :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm anxious for the next chapter too, and am having a wonderful time writing it. Finally we're going to find out what's hidden in the ancient city, wheee! That's one clever doggie (and hobbit), what a terrific team.
Larner · 22 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
Dust of pearl and opal? Right, I think, for the lands and halls of Elendil. Now, to find where they lead. Bless small Scamp, and her blessed young master.
Author's reply
Frodo and Scamp make a perfect detective team, don't they? This is a fun story to write. :)
grumpy · 21 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
Wow, with a little bit of luck, they have found what they were looking for. Like the bath time song, hobbits do like their comforts, nothing like a hot bath.
Author's reply
The "Baggins Boys" do seem to carry quite a bit of luck around with them. :)
Tigger · 21 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
Yes, once again Scamp has found treasure of some sort. Now, what's behind that door? Hmmmm? I've been loving this story since you started it. I'm sorry I've been rather missing in action w/the reviews, but I've really not been feeling that great lately. I've done more reading than reviewing of just about everyone these days. Anyway...I love the idea of ground opal dust being part of the covering of a secret passage's floor. It is my birthstone after all, so... ;o) Can't wait to see what Frodo, Aragorn, Elladan and the ever seeking Scamp find behind that door!! :oD Great addition as always. :o)
Author's reply
Tigger, I know you're reading and enjoying, and that's what matters. Just take good care of yourself. Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I'm hard at work on chapter 12. :)
aprilkat · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
The treasure hunt is on! And the puppy has taken them straight to it, it seems! I can't wait to see what they find! I love the opening with them singing Frodo's bathing song. What an image that is.
Author's reply
Go puppy go! Yes, we're getting closer to whatever there is to find. Hobbit bath songs... just couldn't resist having everyone sing one. *grins*
Mysterious Jedi · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
Excellent, as always. I'm glad Elladan and Aragorn like Frodo's song. I never thought about Elladan and Elrohir's names reflecting their gifts, before. Plenty of fluff, as I've come to expect from you. I look forward to more.
Author's reply
Thank you, MJ. There's no getting away from the fluff! I'm so happy you're enjoying the story. :)
Lindelea · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
OOo. Narsil! Ooo. Fairy dust! (ok, not really, but opal dust and pearl dust sound somehow mysterious and magical) Very much looking forward to following them into the hole. Hoping that not *everything* was crushed to dust...
Author's reply
Narsil indeed! *grins* I love the idea of fairy dust. We'll soon see what lies within the passage...
Cuthalion · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
And now I'm very curious myself! Crushed pearls and opals - how exciting! Mona
Author's reply
I hope the resolution of this little 'treasure hunt' is worth the wait! Must get writing...
Cuthalion · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 10: Fun and Games
Beautiful chapter, Janet, and so peaceful. Frodo fishing (and having his meal with "lots of garlic" - hmmmm!), and Aragorn and Elladan, doing a contest to please their hobbit companion - simply lovely. Ans surgicalsteel certainly has a point here - Aragorn washing in a fountain, that's something I'd love to watch. *grins* Mona
Author's reply
"Peaceful" is exactly what I hoped for, with this chapter. After so many days of riding, I thought our friends could use a day off to just enjoy the lake and its bounty.
Esteliel · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
This story is such a delight, thank you for writing another chapter! I loved to see Elladan and Aragorn singing Bilbo's bathing song! Your description of the plant-covered area was so catching, I felt as though I was there myself. The pearl dust is so fascinating and such a good find! Wow! The damp cloth Aragorn gives to Frodo to cover his mouth is also such a thoughtful gesture, especially with one short hobbit, and two tall companions. This is some amazing piece of writing, Shirebound! Well done! ~Esteliel
Author's reply
Goodness, thank you very much. And we hear so much about Elvish singing, it's fun to imagine one singing a hobbity song!
harrowcat · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
He had to admit that he was growing quite curious, himself. Quite curious? Well, as for me make that very, extremely, excessively..... curious!
Author's reply
We're nearly there, at last! *grins*
Andrea · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 11: Behind the Curtain
“Why do you think anyone built a tunnel into a hill? The folk who lived here weren’t hobbits, after all,” Frodo said. LOL!!! I love Frodo and his questions! They show his intelligence, but this one is also very funny. It seems to be impossible for a hobbit to imagine men building a tunnel ;-) And "Hooray" for Scamp! She did it again! Clever puppy. Now I'm curious to find out what lies behind that door. You know, there was a secret door at the Paths of the Dead which Aragorn had no time to go through and investigate. But this time no one is hindering him! I like that!
Author's reply
Frodo may be young, but he's very clever and is a most unusual, inquisitive hobbit. He's such fun to write. I never imagined it would take me so many chapters to finally get us to that hidden door. Now to see what's behind it...
Pearl Took · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 10: Fun and Games
Still a wonderful tale. I'm not sure if I'm feeling more Frodo-ish or Aragorn-ish. How much of a hurry am I in to get back to the treasure? Loverly :-) :-)
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl. The story is taking rather a leisurely path to the treasure, but we're nearly there...