And All Was Made Ready... by Dreamflower
Larner · 7 July 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
Ah, but it was good to read this once more, Dreamflower. The emotions are so well written, and the shifts from POV to POV are well done. Glad to have good reason to read it once more for the MEFAs.
Author's reply
Thank you dear! So nice of you to review a second time!
GamgeeFest · 2 July 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
I enjoyed seeing the tweenager in Pippin still fully intact, though he has learned to check his impulses quiet a lot since leaving the Shire. I never thought of the crown being heavy, but I guess it would be. Poor Frodo! At least he didn’t have to go very far with it. I also had to chuckle over Sam’s consternation of being measured by the tailor. It wouldn’t be something he’d have had to endure before, since his mother and then his sisters would make his clothes for him. They probably just slapped a piece of cloth on his back, marked where to make the cuts and be done with it! And so Prince Imrahil learns never to get a hobbit started talking about family relations – though it was actually Sam who started that conversation. A long day for them all – but the feasting more than made up for it I’m sure.
Author's reply
I like to think that Pippin's youth was not completely ruined by his experiences--only tempered. And when you read the description of that crown (which I must say, sounds *ghastly* in canon!) it seems that it would be very heavy. You are probably right about Sam's clothes, not to mention that most of them were probably hand-me-downs from his brothers or cousins! Well, Sam did ask about Faramir's family--but Imrahil opened the floodgates when he asked about Sam's! I think it would probably be like asking *me* about hobbits; whoever makes that mistake always learns more than they wanted to--unless they are another hobbit-person! *grin* It was a long day--but a joyous one, with a feast at the end!
Imhiriel · 22 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
I enjoyed this story very much. It's seldom that I've seen a story dealing with the immediate preparations for the crowning, and it was nice to have the Hobbits' perspective on the event. I liked how you had each of the four PoVs about the same scenes, sometimes overlapping and giving new insight into the PoV of the others. Sam's worries about the braces made me laugh out loud, but there were many other small details (mostly again about Sam) that had me smiling throughout. I bet Imrahil felt quite overwhelmed with the flood of information his casual question about Sam's family elicited! And Gandalf’s laughter was more than reward enough for Pippin. That's a nice observation of the special bond between those two. Now Aragorn handed the crown back to Faramir, and there was a gasp from the assembled host... That's an interesting detail - I can understand why the people might be shocked to see Aragorn seemingly refuse the crown.
Author's reply
When Cathleen and I were trying to figure a good theme for our May challenge, Coronation Day seemed a perfect fit, and we ended up with several lovely stories from various people about that event. I love multiple POVs anyway, and it was fun to see the same thing through different pairs of eyes, and how each one's personality and experience would affect the way they saw things. I wondered if the device would work in this one, and am very glad that people seemed to like it. Sam was a lot of fun to write--this sort of pomp would have been even more foreign to him than to the other three hobbits. When I was apportioning hobbits out to the four leaders, it dawned on me that Imrahil was going to end up with Sam, and I wondered what in the world they would talk about! Well, Sam soon solved that dilemma for me and for Imrahil as well! I am sure that by the time they came to that last furlong, the Prince knew more than he'd ever wanted to know about the Gamgee-Cotton clan, LOL! I love the occasional mention in canon of how different Gandalf's laughter was after his return, and I think that would mean a good deal to Pippin. There was definitely a special bond there for them. And it seemed to me that the only ones who'd be privy to the details of how the coronation would be done were the ones *directly* involved in it, so to those not in the know it really would seem as though he were rejecting the crown at first! Thank you for such a lovely and detailed review! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Raksha The Demon · 14 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
What a treasure-trove this story is - I love the four hobbits' POV of the preparations for the coronation and the coronation itself. The changes to their characters are revealed, as well as the things that are still very hobbity about them. Sam's POV is wonderfully written; and I liked Pippin's delight in the beauty of Minas Tirith, the city he had come to love. Favorite moments - Sam's discussion of Gamgee geneology with Prince Imrahil as a captive audience, and, of course, this line: And Lord Faramir came and knelt in front of Strider--and even though he was kneeling, Sam thought that he looked as proud as he did humble. And brownie points for good, very Tolkienish characterisation of Frodo - not deathly ill, but aged and somewhat fragile despite his joy in the great day.
Author's reply
This is the kind of gap-filler I love to write; I *love* writing multiple POVs, seeing the same things over again through different pairs of eyes. I'm always glad when Sam comes off well, I always worry about getting his "voice" right. And my Pippin is a great appreciater of beauty--he did love Minas Tirith a lot, I think, and was very proud to wear her livery. LOL! When I realized that Sam was going to ride with Imrahil, I wondered, "what *would* they find to talk about?" Fortunately, Imrahil tried to put Sam at ease, and asked the one question that would open the hobbity flood-gates! And Faramir would be one who could combine humility with the *right sort* of pride, not the false pride of thinking himself superior just by being born to his role, but the true pride of knowing who he was and what he could do well and being comfortable in his skin. (Nor the sort of self-deprecating false humility that is actually a sort of pride itself, but the humility of knowing he was mortal and vulnerable.) I think that he was *both* a proud man as well as a humble man--very like the king he would serve. It's not something everyone can do, and I think it a quality king and steward would recognize in each other. And that observant gardeners could see. Some people like to write Frodo as far more physically frail than I do. I do think that he eventually came to that point, but I do not believe that it was until his last six months or so in the Shire that it did. And I don't think it began until his first anniversary of Weathertop. My personal opinion is that his age had caught up with him a little, as well as he is still somewhat recovering from his ordeal. But he's a hobbit, and tough. And emotionally, he's fragile, as you say, for he feels guilty about Gollum and the Ring. But he just refuses to examine *those* feelings. And my Frodo has always found his greatest joys in the happiness and well-being of those he loved--which included his King!
Antane · 14 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
Very nice gap filler here! Love the hobbits happiness that Frodo was a little less brooding, Frodo wishing it was Gollum and Sam who were honored though too bad he is refusing to see his own vital, absolutely essential part - they couldn't have done their parts if Frodo hadn't done his, their wonder at all it, Sam being uncomfortable in such fancy 'get ups' but love especially Frodo seeing Gandalf as he really was and ending with a nice hobbit pile! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I love writing this kind of gapfiller. I just opened the book to those pages, beginning with the quote I used for the title, and as I read, I put myself in each of their heads in turn. My Frodo is not quite as physically frail as some other people write him, but he has a great blind spot when it comes to himself--he refuses to admit that he did not fail in his task, even though he failed to cast the Ring in (for his task was only to bear the Ring to its place of destruction). Right now, it's only a small cloud over his joy, but sadly, he allows it to grow. He finds it far easier to honor *others* and ignore himself. Sam would never have been comfortable in "finery"--the Gaffer saw to that! But he'd eventually learn to bear with it, LOL! Frodo was one of "the Wise" by the time the Quest ended. I'm certain he could see Gandalf's true nature by then. And the hobbits *had* to end up together in the end--they'd come through too much to allow themselves to be seperated again.
Andrea · 14 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
What an exciting day for all participants, for the hobbits in particular! You did a great job in showing how each hobbit experienced this day in his own individual way. But at the end of the day our dear hobbits go back to an old tradition - the hobbit-pile :) They’d said not a word, but after the servants had all left, Merry, Pippin and Sam had quietly come to Frodo’s room, and arranged themselves about him, as they had done ever since leaving the Shire. Thank you very much!
Author's reply
It was an exciting day, and it was wonderful to have an opportunity to experience it myself, by putting myself in their heads and exploring how each of them would react to what they were experiencing. I think, that having come together again against all the odds, after all the separation and all the danger and anxiety, it would be difficult to pry them apart! You are very welcome!
Linda Hoyland · 14 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
I just loved Sam and Frodo's thoughts about Aragorn as he was crowned and they see him as he truly is,just beautiful!
Author's reply
I think his nobility and kingliness could scarcely be hidden from those two, especially Frodo, who came through his experiences with an enhanced vision of the world, I think. I'm so glad you liked it!
Baggins Babe · 13 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
And suddenly, carried through the clear morning air from the White City, came the joyful clamour of bells, deep and sonorous. As one, the four hobbits turned and looked at Minas Tirith, and watched a great white standard break over the Citadel, as bright and blinding as snow in the sun. I think that is my favourite part of the whole story - the joyous clamour of the bells. What a great story, Dreamflower, and how wonderful to see it though the eyes of our beloved hobbits. Hope you're managing to catch up with your reading as well.
Author's reply
When I was trying to get inspiration for this story, I loved this quote from "The Steward and the King": "then all the bells rang, and all the banners broke and flowed in the wind..." and I wanted to capture that moment for the hobbits. And so far as I know, it's the only place in LotR that we have a mention of bells! I truly enjoyed looking at the same moments through four very different pairs of eyes! It was great fun to write! (And I'm beginning to find some stories I'd missed, LOL!)
Agape4Gondor · 13 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
'Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth in making that little luxury available' - I do so love Prince Imrahil! I loved Frodo's concern for Merry - even just recovering himself he is still 'aware' of his cousins! Ah - the kindness of the cook and those who journeyed with the Ringbearer. *sighs* 'it should have been Gollum who was honoured' - *shudders* 'And suddenly, carried through the clear morning air from the White City, came the joyful clamour of bells, deep and sonorous. As one, the four hobbits turned and looked at Minas Tirith, and watched a great white standard break over the Citadel, as bright and blinding as snow in the sun.' - OM HY GOSH - when you describe this and the banners - it makes my heart bleed - I soooooo want to see it, don't you??? *sobs* I find it very interesting indeed that SAM is the one who continuously remembers Boromir - I will have to think on this a bit. It is good, however, for my heart, to have Boromir remembered period. REALLY beautiful story. I've neer seen one of this time. And to have it be the Hobbits who bring it to light is a delight. Thank you so much for sharing this. You should see the great smile upon my face!
Author's reply
I've not written Imrahil very often, but I think that I've begun to see the shape of his personality. I think he would have been more than glad to see the returning army supplied with coffee or any other treat he could make available to them! My post-Quest Frodo is not quite so frail as those of some other writers--but even so, he is at his best when he is thinking of others and not of himself. I have a feeling that cooks (and others) would have spoiled those hobbits to death if they could, LOL! I took my story to begin from those two paragraphs in "The Steward and the King" that start with the phrase I used for my title. And I was intrigued by the mention of bells in that second paragraph--it's the only place in LotR that I know of that speaks of them. The "snow in the sun" phrase is from JRRT himself. Sam tends to think of Boromir as "poor old Boromir". My Sam was never very comfortable around Boromir--he thought him "too grand", and I think he also sensed Boromir's ambivalence about the Ring. But he liked and respected the Man from Gondor, and never blamed Boromir for his lapse, he only blamed the Ring. I just began, as I said, with that one phrase, and put myself first in one hobbit's head, and then another... It makes me very happy to know that it made you smile!
shirebound · 13 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
How wonderful. You've 'caught' everyone so well here, and I especially love the details -- such as Merry's coin pouch and Frodo seeing Gandalf blaze with light (almost the way he had seen Glorfindel do so). A marvelously insightful look at this coronation from the POV of four individual hobbits.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! It's all the little details that I love when writing fic, especially gap-fillers; I want to figure out all the little things JRRT did not tell us. I think that by the end of the Quest, Frodo was also one of "the Wise", and that he would be able to see Gandalf's true nature finally. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Kitty · 13 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
Somehow I can understand Frodo - I don't like to be the center of attention myself. Though not exactly for the same reasons as Frodo here. But as much as I can understand the feeling, I am still glad Aragorn insisted on Frodo taking part in the ceremony. If anyone ever deserved it, then it was Frodo, no matter what he himself thought. You caught their feelings during this sunrise and look at the mountains and Minas Tirith very well, I think. What a difference to the mountains earlier and to Merry and Pippin's first arrival in the City! And the changing POV worked well, too. Sam's discomfort about the finery made me smirk, I have to admit to my shame. Our dear gardener has still to learn that he is no mere gardener any longer, how much me may deny it. Well, at least Imrahil was able to distract him very well, and Aragorn managed the same with Frodo. Beautiful story, Dreamflower - your descriptions were so vivid that I could see everything before my eyes, from the sunrise to the coronation itself.
Author's reply
No, Frodo's wish to shun attention is deeper and darker than just the natural modesty of hobbits, though sadly, I think at this point only Gandalf realizes that. But it was completely necessary for Frodo to be the one who assisted in the coronation--Aragorn would not have become King without him, and he knew it, and wanted all of Gondor to know it as well. I loved being able to look at the same scenes through four different pairs of eyes--heck, I just love multiple POVs, anyway, LOL! *grin* Sam has no idea yet that he is already well on the road to his eventual gentrification--at this point, he'd find it appalling! And I'm beginning to like Imrahil. I've written him briefly a couple of times, and I think I'm beginning to see the shape of his personality. I'm very glad you found the descriptions vivid--I always worry about my descriptions!
Lindelea · 12 May 2008 · Chapter 1: And All Was Made Ready...
*contented sigh* Such a joyful work, written with so much thought and care! The characters are perfectly in-character, and to see the scenes from the differing viewpoints, well, you know that is a concept that I find fascinating. They may be changed, and yet essentials remain. Frodo's care and concern for his cousins, Pippin's gauging Frodo's mood and working to keep things light, Merry's observant nature, Sam's steady good sense. I want to read the story of Bilbo's and Aragorn's meeting. Um, I'd have lots more comments but wrestling has broken out in the other room and I must go and quell the young hobbits before something gets broken...
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! I really did want to convey the joy of the day, and how it affected each of them. I love to write multiple POVs--to see the differences in how each character's personality affects the perception of the same events. That's been written: "Appearances Can Be Decieving" in my Mathoms II: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=4556&cid=19016 one of my Marigold Challenge tales from a while back! By all means quell the wrestling! LOL!