shirebound
· 21 September 2010
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
I've read many hurt/comfort fics over the years, but Gandalf-healing (especially blended with Frodo- and Bilbo-healing) is a treat. What a marvelous, epic story.
Author's reply
Personally, I would hesitate to call this hurt/comfort (largely because I was a fan fiction fanzine editor for over 15 years, and saw a LOT of h/c cross my desk for consideration). The concept of healing rather than h/c is much more appealing to my mind -- and rest assured, I take no offense, it's just a knee-jerk reaction kind of thing. I'm just happy that you appear to be taking so much pleasure from the story!
FantasyFan
· 21 September 2010
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
And here's where the other shoe drops. The distractions Frodo has felt have had a purpose: to distract him from the pain and darkness of the wound on this anniversary. And Olorin's pain is not only the pain of the Morgul wound he has been absorbing, but also the pain of regret, and of a final parting he cannot (and would not try to) prevent, the pain of loss that is the other face of love. That sadness is one all parents know.
The second half of this chapter is very entertaining. If hobbits are born of the song of Olorin, and Tooks are among his favorites, and Ványalos is a special friend, I would not be surprised to conclude he is the inspiration for all Tooks. I think Frodo will enjoy his company, once they meet.
Author's reply
Parents, and, I'm finding, anyone who lives long enough. So many friends and family left behind, alas, always sad for the survivors.
I can't recall if I ever come right out and say that Ványalos has his own connection to the Hobbits, but I definitely had that in mind (especially with Pippin).
FantasyFan
· 21 September 2010
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
I can see how things are becoming easier for Frodo. The country looks familiar, and the friendship of Gandalf is substituting for the friends he has left behind. There are new and curious things to stimulate his mind, and most of all, he has allowed himself to hope a little once more. It's also good to see Olorin surprised by what has become of his house, but I'm hoping he can become a little more easy in his mind as well. I feel as if he's still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Author's reply
Hmm, this story has a lot of shoes waiting to drop (as do many of my novels). I hope you don't find it too frustrating... :)
FantasyFan
· 21 September 2010
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
A promising start for Frodo in his new life. Lots of reassurance and acceptance, and it seems that his healing has already begun. It is also good to see Bilbo reinvigorated. Bilbo always has seemed so energetic before the destruction of the ring, even more so than the rest of the Hobbits - bustling about, vigorous in his plans and activities. To see a return of that makes me smile.
Then you throw that last line in, and I wonder what it is that I have been missing. Who is Olorin's pain for - himself, Frodo, Bilbo, or the Valar themselves? (Makes me want to go right on to the next chapter, but unfortunately work awaits.)
Author's reply
I had always figured that there would be little blessing in going to Aman for Bilbo if he didn't wake up enough to appreciate it! :) Glad it gave you a smile.
And there's a lot of pain in the world, of many kinds, for many people, as will become clear...
shirebound
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
There's nothing I appreciate more than respect, comfort, and healing for Frodo, and I've been writing stories about it for eight years. What a joy to find this wise and gentle tale where Frodo's well-being is so carefully considered.
shirebound
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
"When I first saw the Shire, it stirred dim memories of my home, and whenever I was in need of peace and rest, I could find no better place for it.”
This explains a great deal. I do love how you're 'filling in the corners' of so many subtle and obscure passages from the Professor's grand tale, as well as expanding on the friendship of these two very special people.
Author's reply
It had occurred to me that if Aman is indeed the last remnant of Arda Unmarred, there would likely be parts of it that reflect all the different parts of Middle-earth -- or, more likely, there are parts of Middle-earth that were designed to reflect parts of the West. That Olorin was said to dwell in Lorien, but did not seem to have the fondness for Lothlorien (or any other place in Middle-earth) that he had for the Shire made me wonder if there was some similarity between the Lorien of Aman and the Shire. This was my way of devising an explanation, at least one that made sense to me.
shirebound
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
whatever purpose we serve, all are equally noble and worthy so long as we fulfill it with a good and honest heart.
How lovely. And oh, what a marvelous 'origin' for our beloved hobbits! Your story is such a wonderful and beautifully-crafted answer to "...and then what happens?".
Author's reply
Thanks *blush*. But then, that's often the reason I write fan fiction, because I want to know what happens next.
FantasyFan
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
What a place to leave a chapter! There have been hints of this 'end' for Gandalf, but I am hoping that the death of the mortal body of the Grey Wizard is only the first step of a return to the immortal body and fully returned memories/capabilities of Olorin, and that Frodo's dream at the very beginning was a presage of it. I do expect that Gandalf had a few mixed feelings about dying again, though. I hope it is resolved quickly, because if not the Valar are going to have a couple of very upset hobbits to deal with.
The other thing that struck me in this chapter is the tone of the very beginning paragraph, and how it reminds me of the description of Frodo's reaction to Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien. An intentional parallel?
Author's reply
You know, I'm not entirely sure if it was an intentional parallel or not. I first wrote this story almost eight years ago (which is much more recent than "The Awakening," which was first written in 1992 when I was painfully bored at work :)). At the time, I was still making somewhat conscious efforts to skew my style more toward Tolkien's, and I had been reading LotR at least once a year since 1964. So it's entirely possible that a parallel with Cerin Amroth was at the very least lurking in the back of my mind, though I don't recall that it was conscious. I do see your point, looking at it now, and maybe it was just my Muse, Dementia, busily at work in the background. Thanks for pointing it out!
FantasyFan
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Lovely descripton of the towers and city, and enlivened with just enough hobbit pertness to be grounded. Same as Elrond's observations about Gil-galad: he's instantly become a person, not just a name.
I'm glad to see Cirdan get some recognition for his part as a ringbearer. I think often he is forgotten, in the background building his ships. *nods* He should not be.
An interesting discussion in this chapter of the tension between loss and reward, between pain and celebration of the job completed. I assume this is building to the meeting with the Valar.
Author's reply
You assume correctly. And I share your feelings about Cirdan -- which is why I wrote another short story which I'll post here soon. First things first!
FantasyFan
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Based on this first chapter, I am eager anticipating what will come. This has been set up nicely, with a good deal of tension as to what Gandalf, at least, will face when he reports to the Valar. Your style is well-written and paced, and I am sure I will enjoy the rest of the story as you post it.
Author's reply
And I hope you do enjoy them, FantasyFan. Thank you for reviewing!
Shemyaza
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Oh I cannot tell you just how delighted I am to see this story on SOA. I read it a couple of years ago in pdf format on your site and it held me in thrall, so much so that I am now re-reading it here!
Yours is by far one of the best tellings of the story beyond the actual War of the Ring. I cannot recommend it more highly than that.
Author's reply
And I thank you, Shemyaza. This version is slightly different from the old PDFs (mostly continuity things, but I found I had to change "Endor" to "Endorë" because too many people thought I was talking about the Star Wars Ewok planet *sigh*). I hope you enjoy your second reading as much as the first. :)
shirebound
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Oh my, what a fascinating assembly. I am glad that the light and voices of these grand beings aren't too much for hobbit eyes and ears, and each bearer is honored in a way that makes my heart happy. I look forward to future chapters.
Author's reply
Ah, I see you got to the third chapter after all. :) I couldn't imagine that the Valar would not have wanted to thank the Hobbits directly, and would have presented themselves in ways that their guests could both tolerate and appreciate. Thanks for the review!
What a cliffhanger. You have come upon the stage as a shooting star. You are presenting well written, well researched, and beautifully envisioned stories and I am looking forward to the other 15 chapters of this tale and any others that you may have to offer. Not since Clodia wrote so stunningly have I had a new author whose works I have enjoyed as much. Le hannon.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
You're welcome, Erulisse. I'm kind of an old shooting star (57, been writing one way or another for about 50 of those years, got about 40 novels and more under my belt), so I've had a lot of practice. :) I also have to admit that I deliberately decided to end the first batch of chapters with that particular one because of its cliffhanger ending. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Ainu-Yavanna
· 20 September 2010
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Years ago, I found this story on your website and I loved it from the very beginning, especially the long conversations between Gandalf and Frodo. They inspired me to read much more of Tolkiens work to learn about the universe of LotR. Thank you for that.
I am so glad that you post your work now on “Stories of Arda”, because I still hope that you will finish another story too, taking place after the events of “I Entulesse”. And I hope for many inspiring reviews that will encourage you to write again.
Author's reply
Thanks, Ainu-Yavanna. I am writing again, thank Eru, and will be posting more things here as well as on my own site as I slowly complete them. Part of the reason I want to start putting my stories here at SoA (aside from my respect for the archive in general) was the hope that in an active community, the interaction with readers would encourage my writer's block to loosen and start flowing again. After one day, I think it's working! Thanks for your help!
shirebound
· 19 September 2010
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Oh my, what a splendid tale! I don't have time this evening for more than two chapters, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this. My compliments to your imagining of this event, and how everyone, from Vala to hobbit, may have experienced it.