Wherever the Prompt Might Lead by Larner
Antane · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
Love it! He's having some fun there and you know a little plot bunny ran out to have fun in the snow too - something I can add to my Yule gift to our beloved queen. Hantanyel! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Ah--am looking forward to seeing where that little plot bunny goes, as its twin is firmly attached to me! Heh! Thanks, Antane.
Queen Galadriel · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
Oo, I like the dreamy quality of the first bit of this; it reminds me of the first snowfall I can ever remember--rare things here now. Hmm, that line sounds like something from a song of Bilbo's...or one of Frodo's imitations. :) Why do I get the feeling that single thrown snowball is the beginning of a complete free for all of flying cold white? :D Hope Sam was ready.
Author's reply
Yes, the first portion is a bit dreamy, as Frodo falls to his regular first-snowfall traditions. Only his traditions go from the wondrous examination of how the world is transformed by its blanket of white to his little snow sculpting--to his greeting of those he loves with that first snowball! The song is a nursery rhyme, one that was recorded by Burl Ives back when I was a small child. "The Moon is the North Wind's cookie. He nibbles on it day by day until he leaves a ring of crumbs that crumble all away. "The South Wind is a baker. He kneads clouds in his den until he bakes a new Moon that greedy North Wind eats up again!" I don't know who the original author is. As for the snowball fight--you may be right. As for Sam being ready for it--I'll let my next posted story answer THAT one! Heh!
Queen Galadriel · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
LOL! Oh my goodness, he really did get him a monkey! ROFL Poor Arwen...and Melian...and everyone else in the citadel for that matter! Hahaha!
Author's reply
Well, now he knows first hand why more folk don't keep them! Heh! Amen as to the reactions of the other denizens of the Citadel!
Queen Galadriel · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
Mmm...perfect picnic lunch. Very cleverly done, as always!
Author's reply
I agree! And thank you, as always!
Lindelea · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
LOL! Is this how your garden looks this morning? As does ours! Stay warm and safe! Hugs, Lin
Author's reply
Much like this, but without the decorative lake. The driveway is a quarter-mile length of packed snow! It was raining and melting last night in the town where I work while more snow was falling in the little valley where I live. Love to Zoe, Hubby, and girls!
Dreamflower · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
What fun! I love the idea that the hobbits, especially Frodo, might have had a little winter fun before they had to go off into peril. And once again you have proved your cleverness in working in your unwieldy list of words. I especially loved A fork in the path, and pristine snow lies on the sheet of ice covering a decorative lake. Icicles glimmer like crystal, pendant from the rope binding small boat to miniature wharf. And the unexpectedly delightful end to the introspective beginning!
Author's reply
He's pretty much recovered from the Morgul wound--I, too, see him indulging in his usual first-snowfall rituals, including throwing the first snowball of the season! Heh!
Rhyselle · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
*giggle* Oh this was cute. Somehow I wasn't expecting Frodo to whack Sam with a snowball, because of the peacefulness of the first part of the ficlet, but then "Thwack!" and Sam got nailed. This ficlet was "on the money"! :)
Author's reply
So glad it gave a giggle as well as expressing Frodo's delight in the beauty snow gives to a landscape. Thanks so, Rhyselle!
Periantari · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
aww what a lovely description in the beginning and then the end came as quite a surprise which contrasted with the rest of the drabble which is perfect. :)
Author's reply
Am so glad this story managed to do just what I'd intended. I like to think Frodo had his little rituals regarding the first snow...and the first snowball! Heh! Thanks, Periantari.
Kitty · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 21: First Snowfall in Imladris
Frodo is rather mischievous here - but I am glad he enjoyed himself and the snow!
Author's reply
Oh, indeed--and I, too, am glad he enjoyed himself and the first snowfall of the season. Too bad he couldn't have known this enjoyment up on Caradhras. Thanks so, Kitty!
Kitty · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
*lol* Poor Aragorn, he seems not overly happy with his purchases just now! I'm amazed how you still manage to keep up using all the words and still write such lovely drabbles!
Author's reply
Oh, Aragorn is now regretting this gift! And it's getting harder to use them all and keep a coherent story going, I find. Ah--I think I'm now caught up on responding to all the responses now--at last! Now, to get back to sleep for a time!
Kitty · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
Very hobbity, to take something to eat to tide him over the waiting :)
Author's reply
Yes, very hobbity indeed, Kitty! Thanks!
Kitty · 21 December 2008 · Chapter 18: Monkeyshines
*lol* That monkey got the brothers in a lot of trouble, it seems. Such a monkey had to be irresistible to two boys, of course. Nice that Húrin brought them something to eat - somehow I have the feeling behind Denethor's back.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree; and I can see Hurin thinking of seeing to it that their time locked in a room wasn't totally durance vile! Yes, behind Denethor's back! Thanks, Kitty.
Speedy Hobbit · 20 December 2008 · Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
A pet monkey? Oh, I foresee this making things very, very intersting!
Author's reply
I agree, Speedy Hobbit--very ineresting!
Lindelea · 20 December 2008 · Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
*sigh* And this is just the beginning. Who, I ask, in his right mind would want a monkey for a pet? (I hear that squirrels are nearly as bad.) Hope you are staying warm and safe! Our furnace finally required the repairman's visit. I'm so glad it was on a weekday and not on the weekend in the midst of the biggest winter storm in five years. *shiver* Anyhow, now that it is officially repaired we are supposed to be good for the next year or so. Whew. Gotta go. Thanks for helping me start my day.
Author's reply
Some folks just can't be warned! And they look so cute and innocent.... We had a squirrel briefly, but the cat got it when it figured out howto open its cage. Our furnace works okay, but the fusebox is apparently having difficulties. Glad I could give you a chuckle or two! Heh! Love to all.
Dreamflower · 20 December 2008 · Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
Oh dear! That monkey is really ubiquitous, isn't he? I wonder what they will name it?
Author's reply
Since I have to work monkeys into all these stories now, it's getting increasingly difficult to find new ways to work it in! Heh!
6336 · 20 December 2008 · Chapter 20: Gifts Intended
Is he sure he wants to give Eldarion a monkey? They are more trouble than a room full of two year olds! Still hanging in there, Keep them coming, Lynda
Author's reply
Now you have me giggling, Lynda! Heh! Thanks so!
Alquawende · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 4: The Mariner's Return
The words meshed together perfectly. It was nice to read a fic about Erendis and Aldarion in their happier days... Thanks for writing.
Author's reply
It's nice to know they HAD happier days--once, at least! Thank you so.
Periantari · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
oo what a nice powerful last line to make the whole drabble perfect. I love this line and the description you have: The moon hung like a pendant in the western sky as the dawn brightened that to the east. No amount of money could have purchased such beauty, he thought as he settled himself in the chair set for him. Perfect. :)
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Periantari. I am truly honored!
shirebound · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
This makes me happy. :)
Author's reply
It does me, also, Shirebound. The one thing to help prepare him for what comes next! Thanks so much!
Speedy Hobbit · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
Awwww, what a sweet series of ficlets! I like how you touch on a very wide range of characters from the Silmarillion to RotK. =)
Author's reply
Thanks, Speedy Hobbit. To keep from continually retelling the same tale with the repetition of the prompts, I decided to bounce around a bit. It's been a lot of fun.
Antane · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
What a welcome awaits Sam! Even if there was nothing to eat or drink, they'd still be able to feast just on seeing each other again. What a joyous time for them both! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, Sam has a wonderful welcome awaiting him. The one thing that could make it more joyous, though, would have been to have his beloved Rosie with the two of them, too. To need to lose her to find Frodo again must have seemed a steep price, at least at first, although they do have the choice to go on to find her again. Thanks so, Antane.
Andrea · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
Beautifully written, Larner! I like this one very much :)
Author's reply
Oh, I am so glad you do, Andrea. I think this is about my favorite so far!
Dreamflower · 19 December 2008 · Chapter 19: Waiting on the Dock of the Bay for Reunion
Wow, you've done it again! This one is just marvelous--with all the details of his preparations, using the words so naturally! And it packs an emotional punch as well. In a way, this series reminds me of constructing a sestina, where you have certain words that you have to put in, in certain places. But there you only have six words to deal with finding nuances of meaning for. This one just gets harder and harder! I am in awe of your persistence!
Author's reply
Thank you so very much, Dreamflower. And whether it's persistence or old fashioned stubborness who can say? Heh! I've not heard of a sestina, so will need to look them up. Again, thanks so.
Queen Galadriel · 18 December 2008 · Chapter 18: Monkeyshines
Oh my, they were quite the little rascals as kids, who would have thought! :D I was thinking, for one of the prompts you should do a followup to "Gifts Requested" in which Aragorn returns. Does Eldarion get his monkey? :D
Author's reply
It's fun to think of the Lord Steward's children as kids, finding the kinds of trouble they might have gotten into. And since I must work monkeys and wharves into these stories now it just appears that this kind of stunt might have happened to them. As for a followup to "Gifts Requested"--that's just a possibility! Heh! We'll see! But I have tomorrow's already mostly plotted out--just wondering what word I'll have to work into it!
Dreamflower · 18 December 2008 · Chapter 18: Monkeyshines
Oh dear, that monkey has been terribly busy. I take it that the culprits are Boromir and Faramir? Or perhaps Boromir and one his cousins? Again, clever use of your list of words!
Author's reply
Yes, there is at least ONE busy monkey in these stories. However, I doubt it is the same one Isengar knew, as he probably had returned to the Shire when Bilbo was still a lad at the latest. I'd thought of this as Boromir and Faramir, although it might have been one of Imrahil's sons, of course! Thanks for the compliment. It's proving fun.