Queen Galadriel
· 27 May 2022
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Hello, Shirebound. Very, very long time no word. I haven't written fanfiction in several years and even more life stages, and much of what I did write is in terrible need of... a LOT of help if anything! But I do come back here to read every now and then, and your stories continue to draw me. I have many bookmarked because I read them repeatedly, just because they make me so happy. Your writing, older and newer, continues to have a positive impact, and I want you to know it. How amazing to find some new stories when I visited your author page!
This is a sweet, beautiful story, alive with the spirit that makes your tales so beloved and so very rereadable. I was immediately fond of these two brothers and so love the way that sharing their livelihood with the hobbits contributed to all their healing and ultimately helped assure both brothers' and their families' futures. Reading this was as warm and sweet and lovely as the beautiful handmade candles scented with rose, or lavender... or Athelas. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank *you*, my friend! What a delight to know that these tales continue to bring you happiness. Just tonight I was longing for a new tale to write, after several years of 'real life' diverting me from the hobbity joy, and maybe your love and enthusiasm will inspire me.
PSW
· 21 March 2018
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Oh, what a great little story! I love hearing about the everyday Men who must have fought with them all ... and this was a great setting in which to do so. I must admit, between Conquistadora’s fish skins for burns and your wax therapy, I’m learning all sorts of new treatments lately. :-) Also loved that Sam, the gardener, was the one who came up w putting athelas into the candles. Of course he did. It’s one of those things that just st makes so much sense it passes everyone else by ...
Enjoyed, thx for writing!
Author's reply
Thank you! "putting athelas into the candles" is the idea that inspired this whole story. I wish we could all buy (or make) some for ourselves! I really enjoyed writing this, and am delighted you like it. :)
jan-u-wine
· 21 November 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
at last, I've had a chance to read this lovely ending.....
how beautiful the images conjured. I hear the somber/merry hobbits, watch them through the lens of time crafting their candles to form, in concert, a piece symbolic of their beloved Shire.....
and the very ending, a wonderful 'book-end' to the ending of ROTK....
wherever we are, whomever we are, Hobbit, Dwarf, Elf, Man.....it all begins and ends with running into the arms of those we love....
thank you so much!
Author's reply
Your review is so beautiful! Thank you for reading, Jan. We've both found so much inspiration within the Professor's beloved Tale.
Lavendertook
· 17 November 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
This was wonderful. I love that the brother's have the first Bag End miniature diorama, and that Gondorians kept prized sculptures by the hobbits for generations. And I love all the ways the title comes into play through the tale. Your stories just grow richer with each layer like Frodo's wax hand bath.
Hugs,
LavenderTook
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, my friend! Honestly, I keep thinking that each story will be the last, that there can't possibly be anything more to write about. The hobbits keep surprising me! ♥
LavenderTook
· 17 November 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
A sweet chapter getting to learn about the brothers' craft together with Frodo getting some soothing healing, the hobbits having creative fun, Frodo showing his altruism again, and Sam coming up with a new way of using athelas. (-:
Hugs,
LavenderTook
Author's reply
I'm so happy you're enjoying this story. It was the idea of 'athelas candles' that inspired this whole story. Wouldn't we all love to have those!
Lavendertook
· 17 November 2017
· Chapter 3: A Most Resourceful Dwarf
I'm late in coming back, but this is a lovely story to get back into. I loled at Pippin's "farewell cake". So many nice details to feel the brother's immersion into the luncheon world of the hobbits and their Gimli. I like the brothers trying to figure out the size difference between the sets of hobbits, not knowing the entdraft story. And Merry having to take off on other duties. And PT for Frodo's hand--of course there would be! (-: You can just feel the happy bustle in this scene.
Hugs,
LavenderTook
Author's reply
'Happy bustle', I just love that. It's the little details that bring everything to life, I think. Thank you so much! :)
lbilover
· 6 November 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Aww, what a sweet ending to this tale. I bet that Bag End became a treasure heirloom passed down for generations. It's lovely to think of Delumîr and Caladîr being so rewarded for their kindness and devotion to the hobbits. <3
Author's reply
Your review gave me such a big smile this morning. *beams* Bless our hobbits, and everyone who loves them.
Andrea
· 1 November 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
...and Samwise happily kept several pieces redolent with the rose oil he loved
Wow! My comment turned out to be a tiny plot bunny. Thank you very much!
I very much liked the idea of a hobbit "fan shop" in Minas Tirith, and the miniature Bag End made of wax.
But these words from Delumîr I liked most:
“May the lives of all those who stood against the darkness be forever filled with the light of a thousand candles.”
Beautiful!
Author's reply
Hooray for Andrea-inspired sweetness! May hobbity love and the brightness it inspires continue to enrich our lives. Happy Halloween, and thank you again for your support and enthusiasm. :)
Antane
· 30 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
“May the lives of all those who stood against the darkness be forever filled with the light of a thousand candles.”
Love this! We have so much to learn and love from all the heroes of Middle-earth. More precious than gold indeed. Maybe even, dare I say, mithril.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Antane. More precious than mithril indeed! I completely agree. :)
Linda Hoyland
· 27 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
A lovely ending to a lovely story.
Author's reply
Thank you, my friend. I really enjoyed writing and sharing this tale.
demeter d
· 25 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Yes, "happy and heartwarming". And as always, full of love and light. Glad you are still with us!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I always hope my stories will bring a smile. I'm glad I'm still being inspired by the Professor's amazing Tale!
layne
· 25 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Like I said before, the athelas candles are BRILLIANT. I wish we have them here!
Thank you so much for writing this beautiful story, Janet. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Very much :)
Author's reply
Thank you so much, my friend. I'm inspired now to bring a variety of fragrant candles home to burn when I need cheering up. I'm delighted that you enjoyed this. Our hobbits deserve every happy moment and good friendship. And so do we. :)
Larner
· 24 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Ah, but so proper a memorial for the Hobbits to have within this shop! Delightful!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm so happy this rings true for you.
addie71
· 24 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
It's sad to think that Aragorn was afraid some harm might fall the hobbits in Minas Tirith, but it turned out to be a wonderful arrangement for the hobbits and their new friends. I love how this ended.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you. Where to end a story is as challenging for me as how to start it!
Magis
· 24 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
This is such a hopeful and heartwarming story! Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you, Magis. 'Hopeful' and 'heartwarming' are what I most love writing (and reading) about. Our hobbits, and those who love and respect them, deserve their happily-ever-afters. :)
Sandy
· 24 October 2017
· Chapter 5: More Precious Than Gold
Beautiful! Made me feel all warm and cozy inside.
Author's reply
Hooray, I'm so glad. Thank you!
Linda Hoyland
· 3 October 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
What a wonderful idea of Sam's!
I once visited a candle factory and the candles were all different shapes and colours.
Author's reply
Dear Sam. What would any of them do without him? :)
Antane
· 26 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
Sorry for late review here, what a splendid gift to give to Frodo! I had not heard of this type of therapy before. Do you how far back the use of it goes and how would one use it today?
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I don't know how far back the use of it goes, but I've had hot wax therapy myself (for wrist and hand tendinitis). It's so interesting, and feels great! If you Google 'paraffin wax treatment' you'll probably get a lot of information. You're welcome to use the idea in your own tales. :)
layne
· 26 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
I googled up candle wax sculpture and I found lots of beautiful images.
even ocean waves as they roll towards shore, the colors of one wave blending from the deepest blue upwards to a frothy white cap.
I want that!!
Found some rather disturbing images, too, though 0_0
Sam's ( yours!! ) idea of infusing the candles with athelas oil is nothing short of BRILLIANT. I want that too!!
I love this chapter :)
Author's reply
Yay, thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed this. I've seen some really beautiful candle sculptures.
Dreamflower
· 24 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
Athelas candles! What a brilliant idea! Your cleverness never ceases to amaze me, Shirebound!
And of course, I should have thought of wax therapy. It's not all that unusual these days.
This is such a delightful story--I hope it keeps on going.
Author's reply
*beams* Thank you, my friend. I wasn't sure I had another story idea in me after all these years, but "candle making at Cormallen" just wouldn't leave me alone. I've had that wax therapy on my hands, and started to wonder if Frodo might not enjoy it..... :)
Dreamflower
· 24 September 2017
· Chapter 3: A Most Resourceful Dwarf
Oh dear! Somehow I thought I had already commented on this chapter!
I love the delightful hobbit scene you have created, from the makeshift privacy screen to Sam's potato soup to Pippin's chatter. I am also falling for your OCs!
They are so respectful and awed, yet they try to follow Aragorn's insistence that they not be formal with the hobbits.
Author's reply
Thank you! I can never resist an idea for a Cormallen story. It's truly my "happy place". I've never had potato soup myself, but I suspect it's quite yummy.
lbilover
· 23 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
Ah, the mystery of the wax is revealed! I'm intrigued. I wonder if this would help my mom's arthritic hands. I love how everyone in the story is contributing to the well-being of all. Truly the meaning of fellowship. <3
Author's reply
We can talk about wax treatment when I see you. It's interesting!
Thank you for putting words to what I try to convey in my stories, and what I feel is the essence of the Professor's tale. :)
Andrea
· 23 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
“But isn’t kingsfoil just a weed?”
“Hardly. I will let the hobbits explain,” Aragorn said with a grin, then he hurried away.
That is a splendid idea of Sam.
And the wax therapy for Frodo's hand was just the right thing to do.
Maybe Sam should also make some candles with rose oil, so that, when he is at home again, he can give them to a very special person :-)
Author's reply
Oh Andrea, what a lovely idea!
Larner
· 22 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
Ah, delightful. And as Ithilien was known as the Garden of Gondor, I would be more surprised if athelas wasn't growing there! Lovely therapy for Frodo's hands, and I'm glad that Sam thought of adding athelas oil to the candles.
Author's reply
Thank you! I've had hot wax therapy myself, and enjoyed it.
addie71
· 22 September 2017
· Chapter 4: Wax On, Wax Off
Oh, I love this! Sam's idea for the candles is a stroke of genius.
Author's reply
Thanks, Addie! It was that one idea that inspired me to write the story. Good old Sam. :)