Sunny
· 25 December 2008
· Chapter 25: Disturbed Rest
Seems that Frodo has fallen down a rabbit hole. Or perhaps Morpheus (not Irmo; Gaiman's creation, the one who looks like Námo after the Ninny-incident) has gotten just a leeetle bit confused, maybe drunk a bit of Frodo's tea XD
Loved it, and not only because I am particularly fond of the Cheshire Cat (the image of him quietly disappearing, until only the grin remains, hanging in mid-air is ... irresistible :-D
Author's reply
Oh, Morpheus has been around quite a long time, as you know! Heh! I had the image of Frodo meeting the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz and the Cheshire Cat, and things started snowballing from there. I HOPE one doesn't HAVE to be an American to get some of these references! Heh!
And what WOULD most folks do when confronted by the Cheshire Cat's grin hanging in the air, anyway? Glad you loved it.
I had one pain med after an operation I stopped taking after two nights. The dreams weren't bad--just so disjointed and simply weird I couldn't stand them! And aspirin worked fine!
Kitty
· 25 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
Lovely story for the occasion, to have Isengar returning home. What a relief to Gerontius! It's only so sad Hildifons wasn't with him. But at least he has one of his sons back.
You did a great job with this series of ficlets, including more and more of these prompts!
Author's reply
Thank you, Kitty. I hope you enjoy today's absurdity--and this time it's NOT 150 words! Heh!
Kitty
· 25 December 2008
· Chapter 23: The Pilgrimage
Oh yes, Pippin would understand. He did something very similar, after all - only he returned from his journey after a bit more than a year and got to see Paladin's (and not only Paladin's) reaction first-hand.
Author's reply
Yes, he knows how close he came to NOT coming back, and has lost Frodo, Denethor, Boromir, and how many others? He understands indeed, I think.
Thanks so very much, Kitty!
Andrea
· 24 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
What a wonderful idea to let it end with Isengar coming home!
It might be even Christmas because of the snow atop Great Smials.
You did a great job with this Advent Calendar!
Merry Christmas (once again)!
Author's reply
Somehow after yesterday's, this insisted on being written for today.
Now, tomorrow's will be something QUITE different! Heh!
Sunny
· 24 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
You managed to shoehorn every required word into each of the advent ficlets! Impressive! *Skips back to revisit a couple of favorites, even though it is Christmas eve*
A Merry Christmas to you, and a happy and creative new year!!
Author's reply
Thanks, Sunny. Yes, I managed to get them all in there, although I had to redo one when I left out "hole."
And a joyful Christmas to you as well!
6336
· 24 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
Nearly there, only one more to go, yes?
And you are still telling a story, which makes sense, yay!
Merry Christmas/Happy Hoildays
Lynda
Author's reply
This is the last official one in the series; tomorrow's offering will also incorporate all the words, but in a far different way. Heh!
Author Reply: And am glad you see them as still managing to tell a story! Thank you!
Lindelea
· 24 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
Aw, beautifully done.
...as of snow, melting... Yes, and hope stirring like a seed. Bittersweet, indeed.
Lovely job!
Author's reply
Thank you. For all he had twelve children, the absence of two, he knew not where, must still have been difficult and a matter of some grief, particularly as clannish as Hobbits are.
And I thank you so, Lindelea!
Dreamflower
· 24 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
Oh, you have made such a marvelous use of Isengar in this set of stories! This one is very poignant--I like the touch that the servant does not even recognize Isengar, and Gerontius' hope that he found his brother, however fleeting.
Now, since this is Christmas Eve, does that finish them for Advent, or will you have one more for us tomorrow?
Author's reply
Lindelea managed to make me care about Isengar, and the nature of many of the words made certain there would be sailing imagery common within several of them. That some would involve Isengar appears to be inevitable, especially considering how deeply my writing is entrenched so often within the Shire.
We don't know how long Isengar was gone from the Shire, or for certain whether he ever even returned. In some marvelous stories I've read Isengar did go seeking news of Hildifons, and perhaps even to bring him home, should it be possible, so obviously that affected the way these stories went. That Pippin in the last one should have realized that the Old Took had never truly gotten over the loss of that one son, and realize how close his father came to knowing the same grief, and also realizing how he, Merry, and Sam know that grief having lost Frodo to the Sea's Mercy, no matter whether or not he is better for having gone--it seemed necessary to me. And that Gerontius should rejoice for the return of the one while still grieving for the one who did not come back....
That finishes the story for the series, but I DO have one more addition for tomorrow, although it WILL be a bit different.... Now to finish it!
Kaylee
· 24 December 2008
· Chapter 24: The Return of the Prodigal
oh...oh!! At first I thought it *was* Hildifons, but then I remembered Hildifons was described as the lost son of the Old Took, who *never* returned. So this must have been Isengar, who went to sea (presumably in search of his elder brother, though Encyclopedia of Arda didn't exactly tell me so).
How my heart breaks for old Gerontius, knowing that his son's quest has failed and his lost son never returned...but I suppose it's some *very* small comfort that he didn't lose them *both*. I sincerely hope Isengar told his father he was leaving personally, or even asked his permission!
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
I, too, grieve for Gerontius. Yes, here we see Isengar come home again, and alone. Too bad, but a relief he at least came back.
Thank you so, Kaylee.
Lindelea
· 23 December 2008
· Chapter 23: The Pilgrimage
*sigh* concise, and powerful.
Ah, so peach *was* one of the words. Cleverly done. You can get a lot of the words in, when you describe art!
Author's reply
Yes, it was, and I'd forgotten to include it in the list here.
The paintings helped, believe me! Heh!
But tomorrow's will be solemn, too--have it mostly written--just waiting for the final word so I can figure out how to add it into the outline I already have.
Then the one for Christmas itself--it will be QUITE different!
Queen Galadriel
· 23 December 2008
· Chapter 23: The Pilgrimage
Oh wow. For being so short, that's very powerful. Poor Pippin!
Author's reply
Thank you, my Lady!
Queen Galadriel
· 23 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
Ah! But what happened?
Author's reply
Maybe I'll write the continuation of this story one day--I just haven't done so as yet is all.
Thanks for wanting more!
Kaylee
· 23 December 2008
· Chapter 23: The Pilgrimage
Larner, hi! *waves* Kaylee here, been reading this fic and enjoying it very much!
Was 'peach' one of the prompt words? I notice it's been turning up in every prompt for the last few, but it's not posted on your prompts list. Also, the list is one short...I just went and counted. Perchance it's 'peach' that's missing?
I just love these little fics! They're always imaginative and wonderful...I can't wait to see what you come up with for tomorrow! This chapter in particular made me want to cry for Gerontius, losing his son that way. And of course Pip would understand. I love all the little touches the prompt words have given these stories.
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
You are so right, Kaylee--I forgot to write in peach! It's now there in its proper place!
And if any would appreciate Gerontius's feelings, I think it would be Pippin--who almost left his own father with a similar hole in his heart.
Thank you so for noticing the left out word in the list. One more day, although I have something sort of planned for Christmas day, too, if I can bring it off!
Cairistiona
· 23 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
Ooh, I like this very much ... could be a good start to a bigger story. And a good way to get all those many words in!
Author's reply
Yes, it indeed could be a starter for a much greater story. I'm not certain what ship it is, whether it's Isengar's or someone else's. But it was one image that struck me at the time!
Independence1776
· 22 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
I feel so sorry for the sailors. Storms at sea are never fun.
~ Indy
Author's reply
No fun, perhaps, but in this case perhaps necessary for survival! What appears another hardship yet will drive them to a safe haven!
Kitty
· 22 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
That sounds like a desperate situation. And to have to endure a storm to be brought back will be hard on these sailors, indeed. Particularly as they don't know Ossë's intent.
Author's reply
Oh, you're so right, Kitty. The storm particularly would be hard on them all--but in this case they need it.
Thank you so, Kitty!
Sunny
· 22 December 2008
· Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
Ahhh – snow!!
This takes me back. Norway and snowy winters do (supposedly) go together.
Making snow angels. Tobogganing. Skiing (not that I have ever been particularly fond of that). Ice fishing. Making snow forts and having snowball fights. Making snow sculptures. I remember making a snow huldre one winter, and being ever so frustrated at not being able to color her! :-)
Unfortunately, this Yule is going to be a green one. As in there not being any snow on the ground. *mourns the snowfall earlier this month – that melted.*
Author's reply
Then you will love my Yule gift, Sunny!
We get so little snow here in the Pacific Northwest; we get a few inches and it freezes things for days! Seattle is about at a standstill, and the sanding crews here on the Penisula are working overtime. I doubt, however, we'll have much if any left on Christmas Eve, though. That's how things go here in western Washington. This is our fourth day of snow--unusual for us!
Lindelea
· 22 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
Tough love, indeed! May the storm drive them to safe harbour.
Bottle of peaches! Perhaps Cookie is a long lost relation of Sam's...
Author's reply
I giggled when I included that, remembering the solar calculator and poor Legolas inflicted with dogwood and then cattails! Heh! But with such a list many of these stories are taking place aboard ships now--doesn't give a lot of scope! Heh!
6336
· 22 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
hm,a benevolant(sp) Osse, unusual, he is usually such a pill of a Mair! They only ones to temper his enthusiasims(sp) are Ulmo and his mate Unien!
Nearly there,
Keep them coming,
Lynda
p.s. I can't spell this morning!)
Author's reply
Osse isn't usually known as a particularly kind or benevolent Maia, it's true. But I'm developing a soft spot for him, I find!
Yes--two more! Thank heavens!
Dreamflower
· 22 December 2008
· Chapter 22: A Hard Mercy
Oh dear. That *is* hard. Poor sailors.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree, Dreamflower. Thanks for the feedback.
Linda Hoyland
· 21 December 2008
· Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
POOr Aragorn! This made me smile.
Author's reply
Maybe getting his son a monkey wasn't as good an idea as he'd thought? Heh!
Thanks, Linda.
Linda Hoyland
· 21 December 2008
· Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
It is good to see Frodo happy.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Linda. Yes, happy Frodo is always nice to see!
Linda Hoyland
· 21 December 2008
· Chapter 18: Monkeyshines
Naughty young Hobbits!They are as bad as the monkey!
Author's reply
Actually, it's Boromir and Faramir here who are being disciplined--but I could see this happening with the Hobbits during their stay in the White City--Merry and Pippin, at least! Heh!
Thanks, Linda.
Speedy Hobbit
· 21 December 2008
· Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
Oh, this one most certainly elicited a giggle!
THWACK!
XD
Author's reply
I like to think Frodo had a tradition or two regarding the first snowfall of the season, and was still up to it there in Rivendell. Glad it gave you a giggle! Thanks, Speedy Hobbit!
6336
· 21 December 2008
· Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
Getting harder and harder, but you are still doing it and making them work!
Keep them coming,
Lynda
Author's reply
Yes, Lynda--it is becoming more difficult. Only a few more days now....
Thanks!