Reviews (27)

Soledad · 16 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

Oh how bittersweet! We knew the War was won at a terrible price, but seeing the aftermath is always so sad, isn't it?

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 6: Ithilien

Another beautiful chapter... and I loved how you brought in the Rohir and the bit of hope that he is moving on with his life.... *heavy sigh* Here on the edge between the tame and the wild. It used to be the edge between the light and the shadow. Gorgeous line. I am so pleased I found these six vignettes. They are truly beautiful. I can't wait to read more of your writings. Beautiful and haunting.

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 5: Minas Tirith

The line 'these garments spread out before me' speak so beautifully, forlornly, pitifully.... of dreams lost. I loved the ending for I was fooled and assumed it was the soldier who died. Beautifully written.

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 4: Lossarnach

Very nice indeed. A good perspective.

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 3: Rhun

Whoops. Just found the title - I had a feeling it was Rhun or Harad. I think it would help if you put the titles at the top of each page for if one scrolls from next to next - one doesn't know, except for the obvious ones... Blessings.

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 3: Rhun

Poignant... I could not figure out what land this child is from though...

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 2: Minas Tirith

Oh my! Another exquisite moment. I loved the 'my mother gave me no reproach line' - beautiful moment in Minas Tirith. Beautiful - hearth-wrenching - joyous.

Agape4Gondor · 2 August 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

I don't know how I missed these... this first chapter is exquisitely haunting. Though afraid he had died, and grateful that he lived, I hope now for peace for him. And for her who is probably in her own bed right now weeping. The poignancy of the mundane rocks this tale!

meckinock · 26 July 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

The focus on the shoe is really brilliant. I love how you've opened the curtain on the wider cost of the war, the cost to ordinary folk. This woman is such a believable character, and her anguish is so real.

Tink · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 6: Ithilien

This has so much hope in it, wonderful. I especially liked how, near the end, it went back around to the boy from Rohan who lost his leg. He left his mother's scarf behind as a gift. Perhaps there is a future for him in Ithilien....yes, the world will heal. I really enjoyed the POVs of these characters, you really brought across the suffering of war for both soldiers and all those caught in between. What worse horrors would have befallen all these people if Sauron had been victorious?

Tink · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 5: Minas Tirith

This choked me up, but in a good way, if that's possible. During wars, so many are sacrificed. This was a good reminder of that, that the families of soldiers and civilians suffer too. Even when the wars are "won".

Tink · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 4: Lossarnach

I was glad that this young man intended to go back to his trade as a blacksmith. Just like Sam Gamgee went back to being a gardener (mostly). They are able to leave this war behind, and all the terrors that went with it, and resume their lives for their children's sake. Wonderful writing.

Tink · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 3: Rhun

These stories were very realistic in showing the hardship and suffering that was caused by Sauron and his "henchmen" all over Middle Earth. Also, even though the war was won, there is as much pain and suffering after while everything heals.

Tink · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 2: Minas Tirith

I like how, even though they had a small celebration, they had so much happiness. I thought that may have been what kept this soldier going, he didn't want to miss the sister's wedding; come orcs, Sauron, or the blowing up of Mt. Doom.

Tink · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

This was so realistic, the mother's obsessive thoughts about the shoes show me how hard this has hit her. She is glad to have him back, although missing a leg; but knows how much it is hurting him because he probably doesn't see a future now.

Kitt Otter · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 6: Ithilien

Well, in the fifth chapter I was surprised by the end; yes, very sad, but ironic that the soldir lived and the healer died. This one was perfect as an ending to itself and the rest: "The world will heal." And we got to see the one who tended the Rohan lad from before. Wonderful weaving between sorrow and hope, showing us what the "unknowns" felt. -Kitt :)

Kitt Otter · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 4: Lossarnach

I breathed a sigh of relief for the speaker in this chapter when he came home to an unscathed home. The previous I loved for the details of the eldest's life on the farm, that it must go on. Still beautiful writing! Kitt

Episcopal Witch · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

Just stunning. It took me only a few minutes to read your story, but I had tears in my eyes by the end. So simple, and the simplicity is part of what makes it so powerful. You did catch me in a personal place--the older of my two sons just turned 18, and just got his driver's license so he's riding out proudly, and while I was doing deep cleanup recently I found a pair of little shoes with the imprints of little feet still in them....But also, because the story hit me so personally I can attest that you hit the mother's voice spang on. The memories of her son's lifetime wrapped up in the intimate physical objects...the vivid flashbacks of tickling the little boy's toes--we mommies do love our babies' toes! (what happened to the dad, I wonder? it sounds like he's gone--but you're right not to tell us)...and the way the mother's thoughts go round and round and round fixating on the trivia of what to do with the shoes, as she tries to handle both her grief and her relief that her son came back. What a wallop!!!

Linda Hoyland · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 4: Lossarnach

It is great to see these lovely stories here. Welcome to SOA!

daw the minstrel · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 5: Minas Tirith

Very nice reversal at the end. Touching details.

Jay of Lasgalen · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 5: Minas Tirith

This is another lovely tale, thenarration so stark and simple. I love the twist at the end - I thought it was the girl's POV, but it reminds us that civilians died as well. Jay

Jay of Lasgalen · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

That is an amazing piece of writing, and so heart-rending! The mother's voice is very powerful. Well done! Jay

daw the minstrel · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 3: Rhun

This seems like a real tragedy to me--an innocent corrupted, one of the worst effects of the Shadow.

daw the minstrel · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 2: Minas Tirith

It was a modest feast with sparse dainties and humble wine, and one unexpected guest, who wore no wedding clothes That's a really nice line. The emotions in these pieces are understated, represented in small things, and all the more strongly shown for that.

daw the minstrel · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 1: Rohan

I love the way she focuses on the trivia of the shoe, unable to look for long at the stark pain of the loss. That seems true to life to me.