D.Finnis-Robb
· 31 August 2023
· Chapter 27: An Eye-opener and No Mistake
I hope you will forgive another note here but I feel that this sentence, "But yes, Melian was not the only one of my race to wed with one of the Children," might be slightly off. The Maiar are not a "race" of course, but were spirits of a higher order than that word implies. "People" could work here in the context of a conversation with someone as learned as Elrond, but even that is not quite right.
Sorry, I should've mentioned I'm a teacher and have trouble enjoying work without making notes.
D.Finnis-Robb
· 31 August 2023
· Chapter 24: The Truth Shall Set You Free
“As for your other question, it may have been destiny— I do not believe it was fate.”
-Very happy to see an intelligent presentation of the difference between these two forces; it lies at the heart of Tolkien's writing and seems to be presented here with equal care.
D.Finnis-Robb
· 31 August 2023
· Chapter 17: Troubling Questions
"He looked once more at Mirimë’s changing eyes. She might look like an ordinary hobbit matron at the moment, but he could not quite forget that she was not any such thing.
“I think you already know the answer to those questions in your heart, Frodo. Why does it distress you so?”
Frodo gazed at her again, and then dropped his eyes. He sat there silent for a moment, and then rose from his chair. “Excuse me, Mirimë. Thank you for an excellent meal. Uncle Bilbo, I think I will retire now.”
-An excellent moment caught simply and beautifully.
D.Finnis-Robb
· 31 August 2023
· Chapter 15: Encounter Among the Trees (part 2)
This is excellent and I am enjoying reading for the first and saving my comments for later. But one thing I noted here; Thranduil is lord of Greenwood here during Túk's time, but would it not be Oropher? Does that mean that Túk lived in the Third Age and Mirimë had been watching them for a long time before this? Or do you mean to say that hobbits are exclusive to the Third Age?
Eirinn Leigh
· 27 October 2015
· Chapter 79: Across the Sundering Sea, part 1
You left off here?!
Well I can't say I haven't done the same before but I do hope you find your inspiration again soon!
Author's reply
Not so much a lack of inspiration as a lack of time due to A Series of Events in RL, and the interruption of other stories in need of attention and an uncooperative computer.
Eirinn Leigh
· 26 October 2015
· Chapter 21: Frodo Takes a Walk
This treads on questions in Christianity; specifically why, if God in omnipotent and all powerful, he allowed sin and all it's grief into the world. Most appropriate considering the Christian origin of much of Tolkein's inspiration.
Author's reply
Thank you! I try to be very subtle in any hints of Christianity (as was Tolkien's own practice) in my stories. He tried to avoid anything overt or allegorical! as Arda was a pre-Christian world, and so do I, but in this story, which takes place in the West I am a bit moe willing to explore such questions than in those which take place East of the Sundering Sea.
I hope to get back to this story very soon.
Eirinn Leigh
· 26 October 2015
· Chapter 18: Memory
Hobbits are the steady quarter notes, half notes and whole notes that fill the entire notation from top to bottom of a musician's sheet music with not room left for but the most fleeting measures of melody... yet without them and the 3rd position flutists, 4th seat violinists, tubas, violas and so forth that play them the music would be less rich and the melody would falter. That is what hobbits are. Unseen and indispensable.
Author's reply
Beautifully put, my dear! Thank you for extending the metaphor in such a lovely manner!
Eirinn Leigh
· 26 October 2015
· Chapter 14: Encounter Among the Trees (part 1)
I wonder what kind of ribbing that unfortunate elf got for his clumsiness once back in the halls of Greenwood?!
Author's reply
LOL! I'm sure he got. Some, though of course it wasn't his fault. And I'm sure it would never occur to them to blame Yavanna's handmaiden. ;)
Eirinn Leigh
· 26 October 2015
· Chapter 3: The Tookish Inquisition
Run a hobbit dry on genealogy? She must be something indeed!
Author's reply
She's quite thirsty for any news she can get of her family. She is taking shameless advantage of her new "grandchildren" to get it.
Antane
· 5 March 2015
· Chapter 79: Across the Sundering Sea, part 1
"his Gamgees" :) Gotta love it.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Well, he does feel that way about them. *grin*
Andrea
· 5 March 2015
· Chapter 79: Across the Sundering Sea, part 1
Great! He has taken the prefect moment for his visit. And I like it that it feels as if he is standing beside his three friends to welcome Aragorn.
Author's reply
Thanks!
In my stories, Frodo's use of the Palantir and occasional special dreams are a way he can still keep "in touch" with his loved ones, sort of.
Larner
· 26 February 2015
· Chapter 79: Across the Sundering Sea, part 1
I rejoice he is there on that day to receive his friend alongside Sam, Merry, & Pippin.
Author's reply
Yes, he's standing alongside them now.
Lindelea
· 26 February 2015
· Chapter 79: Across the Sundering Sea, part 1
So glad that Frodo could be there, too, if only in thought. It seems fitting. I wonder if Elessar was aware of him?
Author's reply
Well, in "Comfort and Joy" I sort of established that in most of his visits he feels like he's really there, even though he cannot hear what's being said.
As to that, you will have to see...
shirebound
· 26 February 2015
· Chapter 79: Across the Sundering Sea, part 1
How wonderful that Frodo can be part of this wonderful occasion.
Author's reply
Yes, this is a special occasion, and there will be more about it.
Antane
· 25 February 2015
· Chapter 74: Mourning: Adamanta
Love that last bit, that Adamanta would be there for Frodo in his grief even as she dealt with her own. Once the initial shock fades, I hope they would realize they can still talk to Bilbo and sense his presence even though they can longer see, hear, or touch him with their physical senses. There he is though in their hearts, especially Frodo's.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Adamanta would of course be there for Frodo, but she would also grieve for him as well.
I think they might indeed realize that--they are not typical hobbits, after all, but I am not sure it would be something they would speak aloud about.
But Bilbo will ALWAYS be in Frodo's heart.
KathyG
· 20 February 2015
· Chapter 78: The Tower
He'll learn that Sam has become mayor, if he doesn't know that already! =)
Author's reply
Oh, he's seen Sam as mayor--plus he predicted that one! But he'll see a few things unexpected.
Larner
· 19 February 2015
· Chapter 78: The Tower
A gentle journey. Now--to learn what they see this time. Twenty years lead to many changes in the Mortal Lands.
Author's reply
He's seen some of them; he tends to go up about once a year, occasionally twice. Usually at Gandalf's prompting. But he's not seen all the changes, and also he really needs this now.
Lindelea
· 19 February 2015
· Chapter 78: The Tower
Poor Frodo. May he find some comfort there.
Author's reply
I believe that he will, I truly do.
shirebound
· 19 February 2015
· Chapter 78: The Tower
Oh, I love it when Frodo can use the palantir. I can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's reply
I am working on it now.
Andrea
· 15 February 2015
· Chapter 77: Returning Home
I think it was a wise decision to not have a look in the Palantir on his and Bilbo's birthday.
It would have triggered so many memories of birthdays together with Bilbo that it might have overwhelmed him.
Author's reply
You are right. Which is why he decided to wait.
Antane
· 12 February 2015
· Chapter 77: Returning Home
Little by little he will heal. I am glad he has others around him who love him and respect him and his grief and know just what to do and not do. Bless him and them!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, little by little. It's a process, and the ones who are still there and know him well will know how to help him.
Lindelea
· 11 February 2015
· Chapter 77: Returning Home
p.s. Love the pony's name!
Author's reply
Thanks! I had something else in mind, but this came out better.
Lindelea
· 11 February 2015
· Chapter 77: Returning Home
Aw. Part of me was wishing that Frodo would have his glimpse of the Shire on his birthday, and that he would see Merry and Pippin and Freddy and Sam (and Folco? in some versions of the Shire, anyhow) celebrating his and Bilbo's birthday.
Author's reply
Not yet. He's had the occasional glimpse of such over the years, but this year it will be a little later.
Lindelea
· 11 February 2015
· Chapter 76: There is a Time
"A bit young. Back you go!" Sounds a bit like Gandalf might be talking to Frodo, in terms of slipping away after Bilbo. (Did Frodo actually promise to wait for Sam? I don't remember.)
Larner
· 11 February 2015
· Chapter 77: Returning Home
I had wondered if that was the name you'd been seeking, much as I had asked Fiondil for help in coming up with a name for Rozita's Anemone. A gentle return after so deep a loss, and I rejoice he still had gifts for Adamanta and Gandalf. His heart will heal, and I look forward to his return to the Tower.
Author's reply
Yes. Of course, I had no way to know that by the time I made the request, he'd be unable to help.
His heart will indeed heal. But Bilbo had been a constant all his life, save for those few years after the Party, and even then he had hopes of visiting him one day. It will take a while before that Bilbo shaped hole is mended.