Antane
· 6 September 2008
· Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak
This is one blessing that it appears on the surface did fail, but in Boromir's fall, what good God drew out of it - Frodo was able to shake off the terror that held his will in shackles well enough to decide to go off on his own to Mordor and Boromir did redeem himself. Only one more blessing left - and I would be torn whether that one or the first one would be the most important, but since Frodo was also wrapped in Sam's cloak, he could use both blessings and he would need them! Can't wait!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Boromir's confrontation with Frodo is certainly a catalytic element in the plot. I would hesitate to interpet is quite so explicitly in a theological way, because I see no indication for that in the books.
I hope poeple won't be disappointed with the last chapter!
Inzilbeth
· 6 September 2008
· Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak
This has been a most enjoyable and very original story, as well as being beautifully written. All Galadriel's ladies are so unbiased and wise in their blessings, as you would expect, of course.
Author's reply
Thank you. The last chapter should be up some time next week.
Larner
· 6 September 2008
· Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak
Fortunately the blessing was fulfilled in the end. Good that they, foresee the dangers besetting Boromir.
Author's reply
Well, it's kinda easy, if you've read the book... ;-)
Dreamflower
· 5 September 2008
· Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak
Aww...I had wondered how you would handle Boromir. This is a difficult one: Belegwen has done her best, and it's more than possible that she did not fail, for in the end, Boromir came back to himself and fought for his companions. Perhaps the Ring would have had a tighter hold on him without that blessing.
Author's reply
You're right, I meant to leave it open whether or not it had failed.
shirebound
· 5 September 2008
· Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak
Oh my, I can just feel their anxiety and foreboding. I like the fact that one of them realizes that Boromir has his own wisdom, although it might be clouded and unreliable on the Quest.
Author's reply
Yes, one needs to find a balance between Boromir-bashing and Boromir-idealization.
Casualis
· 5 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
That is a delightful, unusual story. I am happy I chanced upon it and I look forward to more chapters.
Casualis
Author's reply
Thank you. More chapters will be coming forth soon.
Baggins Babe
· 3 September 2008
· Chapter 3: The Third Cloak
Young and foolish he may have been but Pippin did truly grow to meet the threat. I think these chapters are wonderful - the Elf maiden sewing each cloak is so perfectly suited to make that particular one, and the language and imagery are beautiful.
Author's reply
Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you enjoy the story.
Baggins Babe
· 3 September 2008
· Chapter 2: The Second Cloak
I feel sure that some of Galadriel's maidens would have travelled with Arwen and I'm sure they would have thought Aragorn very young. It is wonderful to see that they recognise his greatness and maturity though.
A wish of great foresight for the future King - he took that dark path and came to the light indeed.
Baggins Babe
· 3 September 2008
· Chapter 1: The First Cloak
"May his spirit be fed by the memories of goodness and beauty, no matter how dark the shadow or how deep the despair. May hope grow in his heart like a mellorn tree, with strong roots and flowers untouched by winter.”
That is our Sam! What a beautiful wish for him - and I hope some of it rubs off on Frodo too.
Linda Hoyland
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
This chapter takes some working out.I thought it was Boromir's cloak,but see other reader's say Merry.I like being made to think.
Author's reply
Evil me wanted you to start out thinking it was Boromir. ;-) See my reply to shirebound's review for how I think it fits for Merry.
Dreamflower
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
What a wonderful description of Meriadoc Brandybuck, one day to be the Master of Buckland, and a future Knight of the Mark! The blessing was quite perfect for him, as have all of these been so far.
“What can I wish for someone who feels washed away by a flood? It is not only the quest that has done this to him. It is the might of his companions that makes him feel smaller even than he is. All the time he is forced to look up, after he has been used to being a figure of some authority. This smothers his confidence.”
It did have to be so hard for Merry, who left home with the firm intention that *he* would protect his cousin, only to find that all of his planning was useless in the face of the storm that faced them all, and that he'd have to give over his job as protector to others more equipped to deal with the dangers of the Wide World.
Author's reply
Indeeed. I'm glad you find this so obvious...
Antane
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
I couldn't figure out who this was, but looking at the reviews and seeing Merry's name there twice, I would say it fits him and he did indeed gather his courage to be there at the hour of need.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanks! See my reply to shirebound's review for how I think it fits for Merry.
Esquire_of_Rohan
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
Very good.
Author's reply
Oh, another new reader. :) Thank you.
Larner
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
A proper blessing for Merry. Yes, a proper one.
Author's reply
I think Merry likes "proper". ;-)
Estel Greenleaf
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
I'm impressed by the originality and uniqueness of this piece. :)
-E.G.
Author's reply
Thank you. The idea just popped into my head one day, and I was quite taken with it. ;-)
shirebound
· 2 September 2008
· Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak
Is this Merry? When they were in the house of Tom Bombadil, I remember that he dreamed about "water rising in a dark pool". I like the wish for him to not let the current overwhelm him.
Author's reply
Yes, it is Merry. I was also thinking of the Bucklanders' affinity with boats and rivers. When I reread FOTR in preparation for this story, I thought it was very evident that Merry set out as the leader of the group. He organized the move to Crickholloow, the ponies, the provisions etc, he had been to the Old Forest, he had some knowledge of Bree. He also makes virtually all the decisions in the early stage of their journey, and he must have felt that he was swimming and keeping his head well over the water. But is wasn't to last.
Grey Wonderer
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 5: The Fifth Cloak
And so he did change just as they all did. I liked their concern for Legolas and this showed how they could understand him so well even if some of the others confuse them. Since he is of their race they know what he must feel.
Author's reply
Thanks for all your kind comments!
Grey Wonderer
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 4: The Fourth Cloak
Oh I did like this one. It is interesting to try and imagine how the Elves felt about Gimli when there was so much unresolved between the Dwarves and their race.
Grey Wonderer
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 3: The Third Cloak
(As the shadow grows, so let him grow able to meet it.”) These words fit so very well with all that happens to Pippin on the Quest.
Grey Wonderer
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 2: The Second Cloak
I love this look at Aragorn as a young lad. It must have been very difficult to actually feel mature among the Elves.
Grey Wonderer
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 1: The First Cloak
That so describes Sam. I also like that you chose to write about his cloak first as he often gets left for last. Lovely.
Grey Wonderer
· 31 August 2008
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Very interesting idea. I like knowing about the making of the cloaks. This should be very entertaining.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 August 2008
· Chapter 5: The Fifth Cloak
Poor Lindhris to love in vain!
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. Bit of humour never comes amiss, I think.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 August 2008
· Chapter 4: The Fourth Cloak
I especially enjoyed the lovely touches of humour in this chapter.
Antane
· 28 August 2008
· Chapter 5: The Fifth Cloak
I feel this way myself - sameness, no challenges, and longing for something else, some definition to life that is just uniquely my own. And I think very slowly I finding it. I hear also the Sea Longing that will arise in that Elf's heart in the end. I can't wait for the blessing of Frodo's cloak, though Sam's fit so well for him too and Larner is right that Frodo did share Sam's cloak - and so the blessing.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you very much. The idea of sameness eating a life away is brilliantly described in Thomas Mann's "Der Zauberberg".