Ring-bearer by Kara's Aunty
Antane · 5 July 2011 · Chapter 8: Frodo
Yea for someone else nominating it then - I will leave a nice review for you! :) Le hannon for answering my question about 'Now and Always' I will have to fix it. *hugs for all your kind words* Namarie, God bless, Your happy bloom :)
Antane · 4 July 2011 · Chapter 8: Frodo
The fires raged within him too. What an intense scene here. Indeed a moment of hell for him. I know I reviewed already but still love it. Just sent you an email about the MEFA's too that I need a response to quickly. Le hannon! Namarie, God bless, Your berry :)
Author's reply
Hello m'dear, you know, when I saw that you had only received one nomination this year - one! - I was gobsmacked. How could that be, I asked myself, when you write so well? So it was my honour to redress this most grievous of literary situations, especially when I've enjoyed your stories so much ;) As for 'Now and For Always', it's the whole series! I appreciate very much that you were going to nominate 'Ringbearer' cousin! Frodo's chapter at the end does seem a tad frisky! It's not meant to be, but it just so happens that the intimate language might lead people to think more of rumpy-pumpy than the seduction of pure evil over fading innocence. Anyway, as it happens, you'd probably have lost your nomination anyway as someone else nominated it less than a day after the series was complete! So thanks for the thought, and I'm delighted you are so happy with all your truly well-deserved nominations! M ;) P.S. - my email is stuffed. I can receive but not send, which is why this reply is so lengthy ...
Andrea · 20 June 2011 · Chapter 9: Gollum
The lake below responded with another great glare and light reflected prettily off the Ring, sending him into further paroxysms of delight. Great description! There's nothing else left now but the Ring. Even the most dangerous surroundings only exist to contribute to Its beauty. And that was the beginning of the end (of The One Ring)!
Author's reply
Hello Andrea, oh, you liked that sentence, did you? *beams* Gollum's second stint with the Ring was so brief (a few sentences in the book) that there was no choice but to expand on what was already there. Not that it worked well for Gollum, in the end ... Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 9: Gollum
Oh, yes, It did to him what I suspect It meant to do to Frodo, although It intended to send Frodo dancing into the arms of the Nazgul instead of into the magma below. A superb series here.
Author's reply
Hello m'dear, so much for Gollum's gloating. Silly, silly boy. At least he died happy (grins), and the Ring (and all its evil) perished with him! Thanks very much for all the feedback, and for the compliment on this series. It's a real boost to know you enjoyed it :o) M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 8: Frodo
Ah, excellent one here, and a good twist away from expectations. Yes, It caught him at the end. Poor Frodo--as if It intended to allow him to live long enough to do more than claim It.
Author's reply
Hello Larner, when I wrote this drabble - or at least the first paragraph of it, it crossed my mind that it may come across as too ... erotic, for lack of a better word. Still, it was the RIng's seduction of Frodo that had to be portrayed, so I left it the way it was and hoped it wasn't misunderstood by readers. What a relief it hasn't been (at least, no one's mentioned anything). I'd hate for it to be interpreted as tacky! So I'm really pleased you enjoyed the drabble. But though the Ring may have ensnared Frodo at the end, at least it didn't last very long ... Oh, how I hate to thank Gollum for this. Then again, the effects of the Ring's hold did linger, so perhaps I shouldn't be too thankful! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 7: Samwise
Ah--excellent reasoning here! YES! That's our Sam!
Author's reply
Hello Larner, glad you think so! Thank goodness for Sam's ingrained hobbit sense - the Ring never really stood a chance against it - and especially not against Sam's love and concern for his poor friend! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 6: Frodo/Tom Bombadil
Oh, no--you did very well with this one particularly. Fool's gold indeed, and love Frodo's acceptance that he has indeed become a fool himself in holding on to the thing!
Author's reply
Hello again Larner, yeas! Someone liked the 'fool's gold' descriptor! *hops around in glee* I thought it was a fitting description, and really hoped it sounded Tom Bombadil-esque enough to get away with :o) Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 5: Bilbo
Ooh--I LIKE this one particularly! Excellent characterization of our beloved Burglar!
Author's reply
Hello Larner! So pleased you enjoyed Bilbo's drabble. It gives the series a bit of lightness, methinks - especially as it's all dark and angsty hereafter! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 4: Sméagol
How very difficult it must have been to find himself in that situation. But to be convinced It loved him? Oh, but It was most effective! (Shivering!)
Author's reply
Hello Larner, indeed! Who knows what lies it planted in the gullible Sméagol's mind to assert it's hold on him. It makes me shudder to think about it ... Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 3: Déagol
Ooh--LOVE that you include Deagol--it would be so easy to skip over him, after all! Delightful to see how It captured him so swiftly, no matter how brief Deagol's thralldom!
Author's reply
Hello Larner, Déagol absolutely could not e missed. Though he bore it for one of the briefest times, he was instrumental in bringing it back into play as a threat to the West. Glad you enjoyed his drabble! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 2: Isildur
And thus becomes Its victim. Poor man--had no idea as yet how quickly It took him.
Author's reply
Hello Larner, it must have taken him almost instantly, methinks. Poor Isildur ... M ;)
Larner · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 1: Sauron
Oh, I appreciate how sometimes doing something short and pithy can help get past the stops in life. Yes, it's time to get out there himself, although he'll shortly learn he's nowhere as invincible as he imagines.
Author's reply
Hello Larner, yeah, Sauron's in for a shock, isn't he? *snigger* Thanks for the words of support re: writer's block, and for R & R-ing, M ;)
Silmarien · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 6: Frodo/Tom Bombadil
Wow, a chapter just for me! Thank you *so* much. And so well done! Can't wait to read more.
Author's reply
Hello SIlmarien, I had to write this for you (and the one other person) who mentioned/alluded to Tom because I'd forgotten about his brief time with the RIng until you'd mentioned it ... *blushes* So I'm delighted you enjoyed it :o) Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Antane · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 9: Gollum
Liked the interesting touch of the lava's light reflecting on the Ring. BTW, to blow my own horn a bit, for the one on Frodo, you probably would like my "Naked in the Dark" poem in the Anthology section. Namarie, God bless, Your bloom who thinks you could continue this with the other Ring-bearers - ie Galadriel, Gandalf, Elrond, even the Nine and the Seven if you would like :)
Author's reply
Hello again, Cousin! Well, there was precious little material to work with in this chapter as Gollum's second stint as a Ringbearer was so short (a matter of seconds), so I had to work with the few sentences J.R.R. dedicated to it. Explains why the lava got a shout, eh? *chuckle* The only Ring that caught my attention for this series was the main enchilada, so I probably won't do the others (but thanks for the suggestion). I have instead a third and final set of nine drabbles planned for this series - now trilogy, I suppose. (Ohmigosh - I've written a trilogy!!). But I definitely will be giving 'Nekkid In the Dark' a wee look over. (Did you spot the deliberate mis-spell? I just Tomberlaked your poem title! Not that I'm into Justin. Too young and too pretty ...) Anyway, I'm waffling nonsense now, and I;d better not subject you to any more. Thanks for R & R-ing this series, Tooky, Cousin M ;) Author Reply: Aargh! I meant Timberlake-d your poem title. I Timberlake-d it!!
Antane · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 8: Frodo
Delightful if such a word could be used for this most terrible of the rapes of his heart, soul and will Frodo suffered. I think this is what he could have felt, even though it was not what really happened (ie he thought he claimed the Ring but truly it was himself claimed by the Ring). I must admit I felt cheated when I thought you would only do one on Frodo and combine it with Tom, but here I am rewarded by drowning in angst. Namarie, God bless, Your happy berry :)
Author's reply
Hello again, m'dear, thanks very much! I knew you'd feel hard done by with the Frodo/Tom chapter. Secretly, this made me cackle in delight (because I'm horrible that way) as I knew there was yet a Frodo-only chapter to come ... I'm bad, I'm bad, ya know it, sha-mon Ahem. Very bad Michael Jackson impersonation there. Just ignore it. You described Frodo as having thought he claimed the Ring, but the Ring actually claimed him - that is actually what this chapter portrays. It shows Frodo being seduced by the Ring, and him eventually succumbing to its pull. Frodo succumbing to its pull - i.e. the Ring winning the long, hard struggle for domination - despite what Frodo imagined otherwise. Not that it did the Ring much good in the end ... *cackles again* Thanks for R & R-ing, Tooky bloom, Cousin Mo ;)
Antane · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 7: Samwise
Bravo, Sam! What a treat to read on Father's Day too. Bravo to you, too, cousin, for such a neat little piece here! :) Love Sam's reasoning, truly showing love for master and plain hobbit-sense. Namarie, God bless, Your bloom :)
Author's reply
Hello bloom, thought you might like Sam's. It's stuffed full of plain hobbit sense (or as stuffed full of it as a drabble could possible be) and it's meant to reflect his use of the love he bore his master to resist the tawdry, inferior pull of the Ring (inferior pull at least in Sam's case, his affection for Frodo being stronger than the Ring's empty promises). Glad you enjoyed, and thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Andrea · 19 June 2011 · Chapter 8: Frodo
Thank you for putting Tom Bombadil in! The drabbles about Sam and Frodo were very good. I especially liked this line: Only a fool would contemplate destroying that which completed him! It is very sad, but true that in the end Frodo felt incomplete without the Ring. And without "help" (from Gollum) he could never have destroyed It!
Author's reply
Hello Andrea, you're welcome! I hope Tom Bombadil was the one you were referring to ;) It is a very sad thing indeed. But even Gandalf suspected that Frodo would not be able to destroy it himself, and also that Gollum had 'a part to play' before the end. I do wish Frodo had healed enough to enjoy life in the Shire with Sam, Merry and Pippin - that he could have lived a full and happy life in Middle Earth after all his trials. Alas! It was not to be. Such was the nature of Sauron's Ring. Still, at least he found healing in Valinor, and he did get to see his Sam at the end of their lives ... *sniffle* Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
shirebound · 18 June 2011 · Chapter 7: Samwise
Frodo needed him. Him, not some Ring-addled halfwit who'd lost every ounce of hobbit sense! As if he'd ever claim anything responsible for tormenting his poor master. Wonderful!
Author's reply
Hello shirebound, thanks very much! It does seem like a very Sam-ish response to the temptation of the Ring (at least I think so), using his love of others to see him through !a strategy that undoubtedly aided Frodo too). It must have been a terrible trial for the little gardener, though, with Mount Doom being visible and the Ring's power increasing greatly in kind. Poor Sam! Poor Frodo!! I don't know how either of them managed it. Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
Armariel · 18 June 2011 · Chapter 7: Samwise
Is this it? A delightful series! Thought-provoking and wonderfully understated. ~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Hello Armariel, no, there are another two drabbles to go. But what lovely comments. I'm so glad you've enjoyed them so far! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;) Author Reply: Hello Armariel, thank you so very much for nominating 'Ringbearer' for a 2011 MEFA. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it enough to honour it with a nomination. You have really made my day, m'dear! Thanks again, M ;)
Antane · 18 June 2011 · Chapter 6: Frodo/Tom Bombadil
I think you did Tom very well here, my dear. Now I do begin to wonder who all your other bearers are since only one more come to mind, but I'm sure you have it all well in hand and I look forward to see who else you mean. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Hello dear cousin, I'm so glad you liked this drabble duet. I didn't want to include Tom at the expense of Frodo, but I didn't want to skip his very brief time as a bearer of the Ring either. It's a relief to know people are okay with the result ;) And I look forward to revealing who else I mean, though I'll give you a hint: the clue is in the summary. *wink* Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)
shirebound · 17 June 2011 · Chapter 6: Frodo/Tom Bombadil
Nice! You wove Tom into this series beautifully.
Author's reply
Hello shirebound, gosh that was a fast review! I'm delighted you enjoyed Tom's appearance - particularly given the headache it caused me this morning when I realised he had held the ruddy thing for a minute ... *sniggers* Thanks very much for R & R-ing, M ;)
Antane · 17 June 2011 · Chapter 2: Isildur
I don't think Isildur was a wuss - he fell quickly because the Ring was so powerful at that moment, almost as much as it would be for Frodo when he was at the Fire himself. I think that was a major factor in it all, but so is graces given and cooperated with, such as Frodo was given to withstand it just long enough to fulfill his vocation. Namarie, God bless, Your berry :)
Author's reply
Hello berry, mayhap you have a point. But I still think he was a wuss. I'm just bad like that ... *evil grin* Your evil cousin Mo x
Antane · 17 June 2011 · Chapter 5: Bilbo
Cute, cousin. Why didn't he just snatch back the tea service since it was his anyway? :) Namarie, God bless, Your bloom :)
Author's reply
Hello m'dear, I think he probably bought it back (along with his other possessions) from whichever of the ladies who made the successful bid. I just used the line to contrast his shifting priorities. *wink* Thanks for R & R-ing, Tooky bloom, M ;)
Silmarien · 16 June 2011 · Chapter 3: Déagol
Ooh, I think one of them must be Tom Bombadil. As for the other, didn't someone put the ring on a chain while Frodo was unconscious in Rivendell?
Author's reply
Hello Silmarien, chapter six is just for you, m'dear. Hope you enjoy it! As for Rivendell, I'm not counting that because no one in particular was mentioned (that I could find). I'm just assuming they sort of prodded it onto the chain without touching it or lifting it, daft as that sounds ... Thanks for R & R-ing, Kara's Aunty ;)
Andrea · 16 June 2011 · Chapter 4: Sméagol
Very good so far. I especially like the contrasts between the Ringbearers themselves and between their wishes and reality. Some examples: Sauron who thought himself invincible - and lost the battle. Isildur who won the battle and the Ring, but later lost his life. Deagol who dreamed of being mayor of his village, but was murdered. And Smeagol who got the precious Ring, but was banished from his family and land. I just remembered another Ringbearer (for a very brief moment). Let's see if I'm right!
Author's reply
Hello Andrea, glad you're enjoying the contrast between the bearers. Your summary of them more or less nailed it! I have a sneaking suspicion the other Ringbearer you're thinking of may be the same one appearing in chapter six - and they are, then the Author's Note of that drabble is a thank you to you as well! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)