News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Fostering by Larner | 15 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Eirinn Leigh | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/18/2015 |
| By far the best of your stories I have read so far. beautiful beyond telling. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I do appreciate the compliment! It was enjoyable to write so much from Bilbo's POV, I found. | |
| NotACat | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/29/2015 |
| This makes some references in your other stories make sense now ;-) Do you have a recommended reading order for your linked stories? Author Reply: I apologize for missing this comment earlier, NotACat. No, there's no particular reading order, as you'll find most of my stories follow much the same timelines and all are linked save for the AU stories. You'll find many hints in one story filled in with details in another, and reminders of happenings here in still other stories. Thank you so for your patience with me! I appreciate feedback a good deal. | |
| Soledad | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/1/2008 |
| I'm working through your stuff one by one, as you can see. ;) What I liked in this story most was the central role Bilbo played in it, especially his interaction with the Lady Gilraen. Bilbo isn't appreciated for the fantastic character that he is by half. It was interesting to see how he became the scholar that he obviously was... and a teacher, too. Author Reply: This one was supposed to be just four chapters, and then Harrowcat and Dreamflower asked questions, and the last three chapters added themselves to the mix. We know that Estel was about ten and that he and Gilraen were living in Rivendell at the time Bilbo came through; I'd read a few meetings, and wondered what Bilbo might have thought of the Man-child in this Elven haven and what a realistic reason might have been for Bilbo to turn from an inveterate reader and collector of maps into a true scholar, and this was what came out. And I wanted to explore what Gilraen and Bilbo might have thought of one another. As for Bilbo--I so wanted something that was primarily from his point of view with this idea I've postulated that there was a spiritual tie between Aragorn and Frodo, and this was what came out. This gave a valid reason why Estel wasn't mentioned in The Hobbit, at least. Anyway, must get to bed. Hooray! Daylight Savings Time is FINALLY OVER! | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/6/2007 | |
| What a lovely story! I've always wondered how much Bilbo and Frodo knew about Gollum once being a pre-hobbit, if you will, so that section was my favorite. Thank you for sharing! Author Reply: You've chosen one of my shortest and one of my longest stories to read. I'm so very glad you appreciate it. In book-FOTR in "Shadows of the Past" Gandalf is pretty clear that Gollum is related to Hobbits, an idea Frodo found revolting. The Stoors were those of the earliest Hobbits who lived in the valley of the Anduin; the Harfoots lived in close relationship to those Dwarf colonies east of the Misty Mountains; and the Fallohides lived furthest north, although as they tended to be a more wandering folk they also ranged furthest south as well, and they were associated with Elves. After the migrations westward some, mostly of Stoor descent, went back east again across the mountain chain again. Tolkien doesn't say why, so I had fun figuring out the reasons when I introduced them in "Stirring Rings," which I have yet to finish--it's 18 chapters so far, and I suspect it will be pretty long before I'm done. Having spent most of my life in sight of the Cascade Mountains and knowing the nature of rainshadows and summer wildfires east of the mountains, I just applied that knowledge to explain why the Hobbits might have migrated west to begin with. I've always felt that Frodo and Aragorn were spiritually related; certainly Aragorn would not have gained his destiny or his wife without Frodo and Sam's journey; and then there is as close a relationship between Frodo and Sam. So, I found myself one day playing, "What if..." and this story is what came out of it. Thanks so much for the comments, and I'm glad some of my stories that have been on the site for more than a year are being read again. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/25/2006 |
| I just finished reading Fostering. Yes, I love the idea of the three of them being brothers. And Starlight/Sunlight are perfect descriptions of their two personalities/essences, which you carry over into the very hue of their "Light of Being." Your writing is, as always, beautiful, and small treasures abound within your stories. I especially liked this imagery: "...his hair was somewhat lighter, as if the sun was shining on clear waters over brown pebbles." Thank you once again for a heartwarming read. Author Reply: I'm so very glad you liked it, Cookiefleck. This was one that grew rather quickly. Originally intended to be told in four chapters, it grew to seven. I've always connected Frodo with the Elven stars in my mind; and I'm so glad you also appreciate the color of the Lights of the two of them. And the closeness of Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn has always been part of my own image of the three of them. Thank you so very much for letting me know how much you enjoyed it. The last chapter of "Reunion" is now posted here, although it will take me a few days to get caught up to speed on my other sites. | |
| WhiteLadyEowyn | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/1/2005 |
| My dear Larner, this was a most wonderful story.. I have been reading "The Acceptable Sacrifice" as you've been posting it, as I am a recent joiner here (( and writer as well, having published a couple of things here so far )). But a very special friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this story, and I am glad he did. It moved both him and I to tears. Thank you for writing it. Author Reply: I am always flattered when someone finds a story I wrote previously and enjoys it. This was one of the stories that is just slightly AU, I suppose, but was very satisfying to read; and I'm grateful that Harrowcat inspired me to follow up on the idea I'd written in "The Ties of Family" in which I first considered the idea that perhaps there might be an even closer tie between Aragorn, Sam, and Frodo. That is has moved you and your friend is satisfying, as this is what we hope good literature will do--bring emotional fulfilment to our readers. Thank you for the great compliment you have paid me this day. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/30/2005 |
| Oh, Larner! Such a beautiful story! I'd never truly given such consideration to the brotherhood of Frodo, Sam, and Elessar. One could not but see it, of course, but I had never thought of it in this light. And such a satisfying, fulfilling, overwhelmingly beautiful ending! "For Eyes to See as Can" is your masterpiece (so far), in my opinion, but this story has the best ending. Namarie, and God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: First stories are often the best, for they're the ones written with the most heart, or so I've been told. So I appreciate that you love "For Eyes to See as Can." But I wanted to explore further the idea that Harrowcat so loved, that possibly Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn had been meant to be brothers from the beginning, and how it was that Frodo and Sam would have been born in the Shire instead. Am so glad that you appreciated it, particularly as I was almost reluctant to post the last chapter. Yet it is the chapter that so many--including myself--have resonated to most strongly. | |
| SlightlyTookish | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/20/2005 |
| What a beautiful ending! So wonderful to see all the friends together again :) Author Reply: Yes, it is time for this reunion, after all! | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/20/2005 |
| Beautiful, Larner! What a wonderful way to end, with all our dear friends together again, happy and whole, and how fitting that Ruvemir should be there with those he loved. While not being conventionally religious, I am convinced that the next world will be a lot like this. Thank you! Author Reply: Oh, I definitely hope that the next world will be far superior to this one! Glad you liked the ending. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/20/2005 |
| What a wonderful ending! At last they are all happy and whole! I liked it to see Bilbo there. His part in this story was very difficult. To know for such a long time what would be the fate of Frodo and Sam, not being allowed to tell them anything and the constant feeling of fear for their lives! “I’d have spared him all the grief if it had been possible,” Bilbo said quietly. “But I find it was well worth it to see that one now, surrounded by the love so long known and now fulfilled. Thank you for the honor of fostering those Lights for so long.” Wonderful! Thank you, Larner! Author Reply: Thank YOU for responding so positively to my story, Andrea. I love to see Bilbo happy as well as Frodo and Aragorn. | |