ellie
· 31 March 2011
· Chapter 27: To Go Home at Last
what a cool story! Nicely done! Love the joint singing to release those who were trapped and see their spirits safely to Mandos for healing and rebirth.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Ellie. And if all who held inherent power sang together, how much more effectively would be the release of the evil of the place, and the release of those whose spirits were still caught in the memories of their final battles! Thanks so much for your patience, also, in awaiting a response!
Teresa
· 30 March 2011
· Chapter 27: To Go Home at Last
How lovely! Arwen truly understood her father, and how such a request would not only heal the land and guide the lost souls, but it would also help those who fought in that battle and who lost friends and family because of it. This vignette makes me think of spring and Easter! :)
Author's reply
It must ins ome ways have been difficult for Elrond to wait so long to sail from Middle Earth, as he'd said his goodbyes to Arwen already, yet missives and news would arrive from time to tome, I'm certain. At least what she asks was something he could only feel good about!
I'm glad that it brings Easter to mind, Teresa. A time for preparation for rebirth, at least. Thank you so!
Teresa
· 30 March 2011
· Chapter 26: Breaking Protocol
Chuckle.......Pippin would definately make sure that there would be mirth and mischief for Aragorn ----- even if it was by proxy! He'd never allow Strider to be constantly swamped by protocol! Did he continue the pranking lessons with Aragorn's children? I wouldn't be suprised if Sam and Merry didn't add a few suggestions on occasion! Many thanks! :)
Author's reply
Oh, definitely! Can't be allowing one's friend get stodgy, even if he IS the King! And he probably did enlist the children to keep their father on his toes once they were old enough to understand.
I'm certain that Merry would embrace the project once he was assured it helped keep Strider in good fettle, and perhaps Sam might, very quietly, offer a suggestion now and then, as long as no one knew about it....
Heh! Glad it gave you a laugh!
Ellynn
· 30 March 2011
· Chapter 27: To Go Home at Last
Aww, beautiful.
Author's reply
And thank you so, Ellynn!
Elflingimp
· 30 March 2011
· Chapter 27: To Go Home at Last
Oh Larner that was just beautiful! My eyes are moist and I feel their pain. I always wondered what would happen to them and this was a wonderful way to end it. Thankyou The Imp
Author's reply
I'm so very glad you feel this was a good way to deal with those whose spirits lingered after the Last Alliance, Imp. I've hinted at this visit by Aragorn and Arwen to the battlefield before the site of the Black Gate, and that it helped purify the Dead Marshes; I was glad to write it at last!
Tari
· 29 March 2011
· Chapter 11: The Gifts of the Valar
They were all right, however, Iluvatar was the master of it all. I love your discription of the water fall.
Author's reply
And you are right as well! Iluvatar is a great giver of sometimes hidden beauties.... And I'm so glad you like the waterfall! It must have been spectacular!
UTfrog
· 28 March 2011
· Chapter 26: Breaking Protocol
Wonderful! Aragorn and Arwen do need reminding of normal people. Bless Pippin for his instructions to the pages and to them for obeying..
Lovely story - thank you!
Author's reply
Hope it gave you a giggle! And thank you!
Raksha The Demon
· 27 March 2011
· Chapter 23: Fragility
A stunning ficlet in all senses of the word. Stark, evocative, with powerful imagery. There's a strong sense of Celebrian as daughter, mother and beloved member of this powerful family, their grief at this sudden horrible twist of fate. Nice foreshadowing with the broken glass.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you find it that way, Raksha. Ever after, the moment when they realized Celebrian had been taken must have been etched in the minds of each in lines of grief and horror. From the moment I found my image of Galadriel clenching her hand over the shards of glass in my mind as a result of reading the prompt for the day, the ficlet wrote itself.
Thanks so for the comments!
Linda Hoyland
· 27 March 2011
· Chapter 24: Subtlety
A great use of the prompt and insight into Grima
Author's reply
Thanks so, Linda!
Linda Hoyland
· 27 March 2011
· Chapter 23: Fragility
Poor Galadriel to witness what happened to her daughter. A powerful story
Author's reply
It must have been such a terrible moment for them all, Linda. Thank you so!
Teresa
· 26 March 2011
· Chapter 23: Fragility
What a terrible moment for Galadriel and her family! To have that knowledge and yet be unable to do anything to stop those events from taking place...... sighs. Did the phial break as a warning of the attack, or was it just a coincidence that her gift shattered at that exact time? Poor Galadriel and Celeborn, I'm sure that they never forgot this attack and its consequences. No doubt the same was true for Elrond and their children.........As always, your words paint the situation with distinct clarity! Many thanks for sharing! :)
Author's reply
It's hard to say why the phial broke at just that moment, but in the glimmering of its shards the vision came to her. No, none of those who lived with the knowledge of this assault and its aftermath ever forgot it.
And I am honored by your praise! Thank you so very much, Teresa!
Laikwalâssê
· 26 March 2011
· Chapter 23: Fragility
how often has this scene be described but you made it again so vivid and awesome. Poor Galadriel, poor Celeborn. I can really imagine the expression on his face. Thank you. Lai
Author's reply
I know--so hard to appreciate how hard the knowledge of this attack must have hurt them all! And each of them must have appeared as shocked as they felt. Thank you so, Lai.
Ellynn
· 25 March 2011
· Chapter 23: Fragility
Wow, what a poignant description of this event! Beautifully done, Bonnie.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Ellynn. How horrible it must have been for all of them, to realize she'd just been ambushed and stolen away, and find themselves unable to stop it!
Teresa
· 25 March 2011
· Chapter 22: A Propitious Visit
I love seeing Radagast sharing time with his friends in the forests! I also like seeing that Aragorn had a bond with him as well as Gangalf! Your stories are like a mosaic; each story adds to the depth and richness of the others. Many thanks for sharing them! :)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you feel this way, Teresa. It's fun to see what else we can find when we start turning over the leaves a bit, if you will, and imagine what Aragorn might have done in starting out on his second search for Gollum!
Cairistiona
· 25 March 2011
· Chapter 22: A Propitious Visit
We don't see nearly enough of Radagast in fanfiction... very well done! I especially liked the seven doves detail, and Radagast's comment that even the Great Eagles are watching "this one's progress". It's those little details add richness to this short story (although one wonders if the animals would be acting so much like heralds if Aragorn had his bow ready for the hunt! Methinks probably not. LOL). Part of me would love to know what advice Radagast gave Aragorn, but really, I think the story works better without giving that away--leaves more scope for the imagination!
Author's reply
I enjoy including Radagast when I can. Am so glad you enjoyed it.
Part of the omens I sort of borrowed from my own story "Lesser Rings," which was one of my earliest writings since I entered the fanfiction community. In it Aragorn visits Harad twice, which in my-verse is proto-Egyptian in nature; and he visits the temple of the Lady of Stars in the Valley of the Sun, where people often go to have omens read.
And I do suspect that many of them would have made themselves scarce had they believed he was hunting for them rather than for Gollum.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 22: A Propitious Visit
I just loved this,what a lovely idea!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you did, Linda. Thank you! I'd think he'd consult Radagast, as his birds might have seen signs of Gollum somewhere.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 21: A Grim Purpose
A great response to this prompt. A very scary dark tower indeed!
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so! One day it MAY get written into Stirring Rings, if I'll EVER get back to it again! Aack!
Linda Hoyland
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 20: The Return of the Kingdom
I love Thorin's courage and determination here.
Author's reply
It's just too bad he became so stubborn, though, and almost fought a needless war with Thranduil's folk and the Men from Laketown.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 19: That We Not Fade
I feel sorry for both Legolas and his father here.
Author's reply
I know, Linda--I do, too. Thanks so!
shirebound
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 22: A Propitious Visit
This is lovely, and so easy to envision with your wonderful descriptions. Dear Radagast never lacks for advice and company!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so for such kind words, Shirebound. No, Radagast won't ever be alone in Middle Earth! Heh!
Elflingimp
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 21: A Grim Purpose
One word describes this.....shivers. Hugs Deb
Author's reply
Am so glad that the story managed to strike just the chord I'd intended, Deb. Thanks so!
shirebound
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 21: A Grim Purpose
I don't remember ever reading anything about how Gandalf gained entry to Dol Guldur. This is very descriptive and nicely done.
Author's reply
It's a topic I know I will address IF I ever get that far in Stirring Rings, of course. Thank you so, Shirebound!
Ellynn
· 24 March 2011
· Chapter 21: A Grim Purpose
Very well written - I like the scary atmosphere! ;)
Author's reply
I'm glad to have done the atmosphere well, Ellynn. Thank you!
Freyalyn
· 23 March 2011
· Chapter 20: The Return of the Kingdom
Have just whipped through all of these and am now a bit shell-shocked. The main thing I'm remembering at the moment is Glorfindel and Frodo's interaction, and the former's understanding of the latter's intention, and the comfort given. But all the stories are so touching.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Freyalyn. There are a week's worth yet to write, so I'll be adding onto it until the thirty-first, of course.
Somehow the idea of sacrifice keeps coming back to Frodo, although so many within Tolkien's world sacrificed themselves or what they thought they treasured most for some purpose or another. At least Glorfindel would truly appreciate precisely what Frodo faces as he looks perhaps to throw himself into the volcano if he finds he cannot drop the Ring. That he would be approached by Frodo as someone with knowledge of what he faced, even if at first Frodo was thinking of Maedhros, the only one he knew so far who had actually leapt into one, just seemed very likely. And having fallen to his death in the arms of a Balrog, Glorfindel does have a good idea of what Maedhros might have experienced and what Frodo might anticipate, after all.
Thank you so for your comments--they do mean a lot.
Ellynn
· 23 March 2011
· Chapter 20: The Return of the Kingdom
I like your descriptions of Dwarves' past, especially Thorin's resolution in the end.
Author's reply
This one, set in the time period of "The Hobbit," seemed the perfect way to illustrate the concept of refugees, as they come home and seek to make a new life for themselves out of the shambles left by whatever enemy or disaster drove them away.