News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Moments in Time by Larner | 13 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/16/2008 |
| It is rather late after a very long day at work and was just 'browsing' my way around SOA when I found myself re-reading this Larner. It brought as many tears to my eyes as the first time. I still think that it is one of your best short pieces. Author Reply: I, too, love this one in a special way. Aragorn was prepared all his life to follow the ways of Elros; he had to have been taught how the Kings of Numenor were prepared to pray for their people and to offer the First Fruits on the holy mountain. Tolkien tells us that the thoughts of the others were ever upon Frodo and Sam, who had the greatest responsibility for the safety of all others; that Araorn would find himself actually praying just seems so right for him. Thanks for moving me to revisit it also. Did a small amount of editing--diacritical marks needed adding or changing in a few places. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/15/2006 |
| Oh, this made me cry. I never really thought about it, but of course they would pray for one another as we do, and especially in such times of trouble. How poignant and truly moving to hear the prayers of Aragorn's heart for his dear "small brother". No, none of them were ever alone. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Aragorn was raised to become the sacred King, and must have been trained to pray by Elrond and Glorfindel. And he'd certainly wish the best for his small brother, I think. No, none of them were ever alone, no matter how alone they felt themselves to be. | |
| Endaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/14/2006 |
| Another good story. Just one question though, would Aragorn have known who and what the Istari were? Your story suggests that the answer is yes, but they were supposed to keep their true selves hidden. I understood that it was only Cirdan who truly knew. Author Reply: I believe that once Gandalf returned and stated he was sent back on purpose to fulfill his original purpose to see Sauron felled that Aragorn would look on him as a blessed guide. Certainly his stated wish in ROTK that Gandalf should remain to rule all the lands shows he feels there is a divine mandate that Gandalf possesses. The very fact Gandalf was granted a resurrection at all indicates he has a blessed purpose in my eyes. I don't think Aragorn needs to be specifically aware of Gandalf's origins as a Maia to see him as a blessed guide. Also, as Gandalf had told his names to Faramir I would be surprised if he hadn't also told them to Aragorn, with whom he has appeared to be even more intimate. And I doubt that Galadriel would be ignorant of Gandalf's origins and purpose, born and raised as she was in the heart of the Blessed Realm and undoubtedly being familiar with the Maiar, and then having a mind capable of using both inductive and deductive reasoning. I'm reasonably certain that she would have been fully aware from her earliest acquaintance with Gandalf the Istari that he was a Maia; and the purpose of opposing Sauron would be, I think, pretty obvious to all who dealt with him over time. Am very glad you enjoyed it. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/13/2006 |
| I beg you, Manwë, send them guidance. Lady Varda, let your stars shine upon their path and offer them hope. Lord Ulmo, if you can offer them any aid within that dead land, I pray you do so. Lady Yavanna, these are your children if they are those of any of the Valar—sustain their hope and their joy that these two might find them again when the quest is done with. Oromë, hunt the orcs, wargs, Nazgul, and all other who would endanger them off their path. Lord Aüle, guard them in the dark places and allow your soil to be softened under them as they rest. And Namo, if my small brother of the heart is indeed destined to enter your halls, welcome him gently, I pray you. Oh this was absolutely beautiful, Larner. I was moved to tears by Aragorn's exquisite prayer. To ask so much for others and so little for himself said everything about his character too. It really is so good to have you back. Author Reply: Thank you, Baggins Babe. I am honored by your response. Am able to access the internet for the moment, but this year's experiences have taught me that this may also be but a momentary glitch toward rightness. Heh! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/13/2006 |
| Very touching ficlet, Larner! It brought tears to my eyes. To let them go on alone and not following them must've been a difficult decision for Aragorn. To face Mordor with them would've probably been easier for him, in spite of the danger, because he then would've known if they are alive and all that. Knowing how much he loved these two, I can imagine how much he thought about them and how hard the uncertainty about heir fate lasted on him. And then to have to lose Frodo to the Undying Lands ... poor Aragorn. Even if it was necessary for Frodo to allow him the much needed healing, for these remaining in Arda it was so hard. And Aragorn lost so much more than only Frodo then. It is very telling of Aragorn's character that he prayed and asked so much for Frodo and so little for himself, isn't it? Author Reply: Some writers love evoking angst; I find I most love writing pathos. I've always felt the relationship between Frodo and Aragorn would be especially deep, and it's always an honor when I'm told I've managed to portray it in a manner that moves others deeply. And, yes, I think Aragorn's thoughts, like Frodo's, would be more of others than for himself. Thank you. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/13/2006 |
| Oh, Larner, that was so beautiful! Really a masterpiece! Thank you for sharing :) Author Reply: Thank you so very much, Andrea, for your response. I am honored. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/13/2006 |
| Touching and beautifully written. I felt I truly was hearing Aragorn's thoughts. Author Reply: Oh, I am indeed honored, Linda. I hope that now I'm (temporarily, at least) back online I'll be able to catch up with your stories. It's been a true pain being stuck offline for so long! | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/12/2006 |
| A very plausible and well done introspection from Aragorn's POV, Larner. I especially liked the comparrisons between Frodo and Sam's journey to that of Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas'. For all the fruitless running across Rohan, yet we have had the easier way in the end, I think. Our way has been well marked by the trampling of orcs, by iron-soled boots and the crushing by them of fruitful things. We even have had reassurance those we sought were yet alive in the fallen brooch, in footprints left in mud, in signs left on the battlefield. And we have had the unforeseen reunion with Gandalf, past all expectation or hope I also liked how the King's Prayer was broken into three distinct sections, each their own 'moment in time'. Author Reply: I am honored by your response. These three moments I think Aragorn would especially have found himself thinking of Frodo and Sam, and praying for their safety. And, yes, each is indeed a moment in time. Thank you. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/12/2006 |
| Oh my, Larner! This is magnificent! Author Reply: Oh, I'm so very glad you like it, Dreamflower! Thanks so much! | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/12/2006 |
| Wonderful. Absolutely beautiful and heartfelt, and exactly right somehow. Reads almost like poetry and touches the heart with its gentle cadences. ~~~{~@ Author Reply: From one as capable with poetry as you, that is high praise indeed, Armariel. Thank you so very much! | |