Fimbrethel · 3 April 2026 · Chapter 13: Chef's Surprise *Added 6/28/2009
I noticed Ecthelion's wife. Glad to know he had one for real! heh.
The Life and Times of Mag the Cook by annmarwalk
Reviews (39)
Fimbrethel · 3 April 2026 · Chapter 8: Mousery
somehow I read 'Tokens' as "Tolkien's" haha
Fimbrethel · 3 April 2026 · Chapter 7: Unmasked
right! right! the revenge of the coffee, shall we say?
Fimbrethel · 3 April 2026 · Chapter 3: Constant
I forgot about this side of Boromir. Nice.
Fimbrethel · 3 April 2026 · Chapter 2: Stag and Star
right, Imrahil and gahwa. Beware Gondor!)
DinaLori · 14 November 2011 · Chapter 12: A Meal Fit For.... - New! Added 1/24/2009
That menu sounds out of this world! This may be the first time I've bookmarked a fic into my 'recipes' folder. I believe I've found my Thanksgiving menu for this year, so thank you. *smile* This was a sweet story. I loved that some of the hobbit customs were adopted by Gondor (after all those four did for ME their customs *should* be honored by others) and that Mag slipped and called Faramir "darling boy." Loved it! Now off to read some of your other works!
Author's reply
Aw, thank you! I really enjoyed researching and writing this little story, and I'm thrilled to think you might add some of those recipes to your holiday meal. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.
Elena Tiriel · 3 July 2009 · Chapter 13: Chef's Surprise *Added 6/28/2009
Oh, I really like Mag! She's such a dear... and you've really made her a unique and interesting person. The last two chapters though... now, they just made me hungry! LOL! Nicely done! - Barbara
Author's reply
Hee, thank you! I wish someone would organize that "Feast of Threes" and invite me to it.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 13: Chef's Surprise *Added 6/28/2009
I see now why the Chamberlain became so fond of her.
Author's reply
Thank you! She kept her eyes open, and her mouth shut, two very valuable virtues.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 12: A Meal Fit For.... - New! Added 1/24/2009
That's a fantastic menu - as long az I don't have to eat it. I think I'll never be worthy to dine in the presence of Karoli Baba the Wise.
Author's reply
Hee - I'd eat it in a heartbeat. I just don't want to ever be expected to cook it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 10: Girl Talk NEW 7/14/2007
Oh God, oh God, oh God! *rolls on the floor in hysterics* Denethor and his hair ointments. Mag having an interest for Gandalf. Now I've seen everything!
Author's reply
Oh God, oh God, oh God! *rolls on the floor in hysterics* SCORE!
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 9: Foreign Ways
She isn't afraid to try out new things, is she? More power to her!
Author's reply
I don't think she ever would have become the imaginative foodie she was without a certain sense of fearlessness. Her genius, I think, was in adapting new foods to the customs of the City, gradually increasing familiarity with new tastes, as well as added a certain sophistication. I like to think she did so, anyway.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 8: Mousery
Oh, poor Mag! The mere thought to have to share her kitchen with a snake!
Author's reply
Poor, poor Mag. Can't you just imagine the look on her face?
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 7: Unmasked
I so love those stories when people who used to know Thorongil suddenly recognize him in Aragorn. Does Maguey have a real life equivalent?
Author's reply
Yes, the real-life equivalent of Maguey is tequila (as I'm sure you've guessed.) Maguey is actually a type of agave plant; tequila is also made from agave but not the same variety.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 3: Constant
Oh, Boromir! *sniffles* I'm still mourning him, and I've read about his dead more than thirty years ago for the first time. What a wonderful description of brotherly love between him and Faramir - and Mag is like a mother to him, which he really needs in this moment.
Author's reply
I'm thrilled by your comment - this story even made me cry when I reread it recently. Thank you so much for taking the time to read through these and comment so thoughtfully.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 2: Stag and Star
Heh! That's Imrahil for you: always an eye for the opportunity. Erm... is gahwa actually coffee? Because in that case I so understand the strategy!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm imagining a young, pre-War Imrahil here, still young and restless, not yet having found the proper outlets for his energy. A bit of mischievous wild-child when he can be. Not canon in the slightest but enjoyable to consider. *g* Yes, gahwa is coffee! I fiddled with a similar name (something Bedouin, I think) until I was happy with the way it sounded.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 1: A Breath of Fresh Air
Awww, Finduilas! And in a rare moment of happiness, too. I like it how naturally she offers her assistance.
Author's reply
Thank you! I really like the way the Fandom has created a persona for the lovely, gentle Finduilas, particularly the early years of young starry-eyed romance and happiness. It's great fun to write.
Soledad · 1 July 2009 · Chapter 0: Snakes
That shows how important motivation is. ;) Lovely beginning. On to the next part.
Author's reply
Well, it's as good a reason as any for a lifestyle choice *g* Thank you for reading and commenting!
Larner · 28 June 2009 · Chapter 13: Chef's Surprise *Added 6/28/2009
Another native of Lebennin, apparently! Excellent indication of how Mag eventually became cook! And I see I managed to review at least one of these stories twice! Heh!
Author's reply
Thank you! I adore my sunny natured Mary Sue OFC. Thank you for commenting!
Larner · 28 June 2009 · Chapter 2: Stag and Star
Ah, yes--the first coffee shops within Gondor were started by Prince Imrahil, eh? Well, why not? Heh!
Author's reply
Hahahaha! Well, his name is never sullied by being associated with "trade", and there's a fair bit of money to be made. Imrahil likes money - he can spend it on nice things. A win-win situation! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Larner · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 12: A Meal Fit For.... - New! Added 1/24/2009
Definitely a challenge, and one that Mag has met marvelously! Hurrah for good sense in a cook's body!
Author's reply
Ah, Mag. What would they do without her? Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting!
Lianna · 25 January 2009 · Chapter 12: A Meal Fit For.... - New! Added 1/24/2009
Ooh, that carrot soup sounds good. And I love stuffed grape leaves. I would have made a pig out of myself at that banquet, and I'm not even a vegan.
Author's reply
I got very hungry myself working on that menu! It made it very difficult for me to eat my own normal boring food. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Raksha The Demon · 24 January 2009 · Chapter 12: A Meal Fit For.... - New! Added 1/24/2009
Still adorable after the second time I read it, ditto the third. You get points from me just for the image of Faramir sitting down to eat elevensies with Aragorn; but the rest is delightful as well. Mag can still come through for her darling boy-er-Lord Steward.
Author's reply
Thanks for rereading, Raksha! It was great fun to look at this story again today, even if it did make me very hungry, hee!
Violin Ghost · 20 August 2007 · Chapter 10: Girl Talk NEW 7/14/2007
Oh, that was just funny! Gandalf, of all people! I've been following EdorasLass's Under My Wing series for quite a while, and was delighted to discover this series recently. It's wonderful -- I love having an insider's look into Faramir and Boromir's lives through the eyes of servants who loved them. You write Mag magnificently, and it's nice to see Eowyn interacting with these two who were such a part of her beloved's life. I'd love to see Mag interacting with Faramir, whether as a child or as an adult. :) Thanks for a great read! Should I expect more? ~Violin Ghost
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and commenting! Mag has a LiveJournal of her very own with many more stories here. Some that deal particularly with Faramir include Mischief (bitty Faramir), Holiday Treats, and Care Package.
Larner · 15 July 2007 · Chapter 10: Girl Talk NEW 7/14/2007
Am giggling at the thought of Aragorn even then being too scruffy to consider! How rich! And to consider Gandalf--it was only fitting SOMEONE found him so desirable, even if Mag managed to turn it into a joke. Wonderful!
Author's reply
Did you ever read EdorasLass's story, of Nannys' first meeting with Thorongil? First Impressions. It's priceless, and certainly served as part of the inspiration for this story. I was giggling madly as I wrote.
Dreamflower · 14 July 2007 · Chapter 10: Girl Talk NEW 7/14/2007
Oh, I do love this!! Now, of course, it makes me want to see a fic where a young Mag is mooning over Mithrandir during one of his visits to the City, LOL! *snicker* I can just imagine how he would have reacted to *that*!!
Author's reply
Mag's not too much of a mooner, and is usually pretty cool and collected, but it would be interesting to see her all flustered, wouldn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for reading and commenting!