News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| A Matter of Appearances by Lindelea | 8 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| storyfish | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/4/2006 |
| ‘Farry?’ Pippin said, starting forward, and Faramir’s eyes popped open, almost as if beyond his control. ‘Da?’ he said. ‘It wasn’t a dream, then? Da?’ And Pippin stumbled forward, to envelop his son in his arms, and Merry laughed aloud, even as the tears poured down his cheeks, after all he had watched his beloved cousin suffer, and all he’d imagined during the long and anxious hours of following Farry’s abductors. *sniffs* Beautiful! There's tears in my eyes, reading this--I'm so glad Farry's back in Pippin's arms again. And hooray for Strider! And the palantir--I shudder every time I read that word, because of the harm it did Pippin way back during the quest--well, you've made me reconsider its value for good. And I love your descriptions of Aragorn practically flying to the Shire to come to Farry's aid. (My hero!) ...and sorry for the lateness of this review. These last few weeks were pretty crazy--I moved apartments, my parents came to visit, and I transitioned from my summer to my school year jobs. (Yikes!) But I've finally time for sitting down at my computer for a little bit and unwinding... thank goodness. Author Reply: Goodness, I never saw this review until now! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your impressions. And yes, I think the Palantir in itself could be a force for good in Elessar's hands. And so, your belated review is appreciated and answered even more belatedl! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/1/2006 |
| Yeah. Athelas and the king's hands. I'm glad Aragorn was able to remove the ink marks, too - certainly a reminder Farry (and his father) didn't need. And it sounds as if Ferdi's survival will be a pleasant surprise for all and sundry, since even the king's magic ball hasn't shown his unexpected recovery. Shame this will be such a fleeting meeting with Aragorn - and it'll probably take letters to inform him of Ferdi's recovery. But food sounds a very good idea! Well done, Bergil. The hobbits will feel a lot more like themselves once their bellies are full. Author Reply: One of the high points of the story, and one of the reasons I allowed EF to persuade me to write the thing. Well, there is still the possibility for Pippin to carry the news to Aragorn personally, since the royal party will be travelling to the Bridge some time in the next fortnight. Though Ferdi won't be well enough to travel, and so the King won't meet him (this time). | |
| MaidenofValinor | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/31/2006 |
| Strider to the rescue!! Love love love the allusion to Faramir...uh, Man-Faramir. xP I agree with Pippin: Strider is a wonder. And you did glorious things with him, really. Oh, dear. You know something really horrible must have happened if Pippin can't remember his last meal. Haha. This makes me happy and brightens my already bright day. Thanks muchly. Author Reply: How odd. I was sure I had answered every review on this chapter, but I don't see an answer here. Much belated thanks for taking the time to leave an encouraging word. | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/31/2006 |
| This was totally fantastic!! I love that Strider saw it all unfolding in the palantir. What had once nearly ruined Pippin now helped save his son. And I love the healing hands of the King. "‘Well, we cannot send the lad back to his mother with ink all over him,’ Elessar said." No that would indeed be too great a burden for Diamond, especially as she didn't even know he was in danger. "Pippin waited, and Merry, scarcely breathing as they watched. And then the King took up the kettle, pouring the still-steaming water into the basin, and then he took up two leaves, wrapped in a cloth laid nearby, and breathed upon them, and crushed them in his hands, and cast them into the water. Immediately a fresh and living scent rose into the air, driving darkness, fear, even despair from Pippin’s thoughts, and a shadow seemed to lift from Merry’s soul, and even Faramir breathed more deeply, and stirred. ‘Waken, Faramir Took,’ said Elessar. ‘Walk no more in blind and silent terror, but open your eyes to love and to light.’ Faramir took another deep breath, and uncurling, he sat up a little, and fisted his eyes as if rubbing sleep, even nightmare, away." Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! MEWD, Lin!!! Author Reply: It must have been traumatic for the King as well, watching the young ruffian preparing to mutilate Faramir, and himself too many miles away, helpless to intervene. And the fierce joy that must have blazed up in him, seeing the young ruffian's secret defiance of the fat man's orders. Whew. Diamond will know that her son was in danger, but I wonder if she'll ever know exactly *how* much danger. (Or if she'll "let on"--remembering now that Pippin talks in his sleep... Perhaps she'll protect her husband's belief in her innocence towards this evil, much as he thinks he is protecting her.) Thanks for staying with me to the good part! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/31/2006 |
| That palantir remains a very tricky thing. I’m sorry about Ferdibrand,’ Elessar said then. ‘I saw his burial, or the start of it, at least... Even for the king it is very hard to interpret what it shows. The truth, but the interpretation of the truth can at times be difficult. Fortunately for Farry, seeing the ruffians hiding in the rocks and waylaying Farry and Ferdi is not subject to much interpretation. I loved the idea of the king bellowing from his tower and running off. Strider has a bit of a protective streak toward his friends too: bet Pippin learned from him. Idle speculation: I wonder if the king himself could give evidence against the ruffians at any trial, based on what he saw in the palantir? He was an eye-witness, of sorts. There is that business of interpretation though... Athelas in the hands of the king is almost as good as Ent-draught, they say. Better, because there isn't the pain to accompany the cure. I liked the echo of the other Faramir's call, in the way Elessar finds and brings Farry back. I think we've discussed before exactly what we think athelas can do, and I think here it especially fits in with my previous thoughts of its active ingredient being something like a chelator: binding and removing poision whether of the physical or spiritual type. Here it binds up the "permanent" ink - removing stain, in both senses of the work, from Farry. That's a nice, tangible thing for the youngling to grasp, and makes a visible step toward convincing him that the ordeal is over at last. And the final cure: food. Food is comfort, familiarity, sustenace, social activity, love. Perfect for hobbits. It is life back to normal. But, Farry will be allowed to stay up for late supper, and in a way this is also an acknowledgement that he must be treated a little different from what he was before. He has survived a terrible ordeal that would have broken many adult hobbits, and he cannot be treated entirely as a baby any more. (At least not until Diamond gets a hold of him.) I know this story was not in your original outline, but it does fit with the character of Farry as we know him from your other stories. He's a little more serious and a little more thoughtful than other lads his age. Having extraordinary experiences like this (as well as having extraordinary hobbits as his parents and closest contacts) must contribute to his character. Author Reply: I love the image of athelas as a chelator, and that it can bind both physical and spiritual toxins. Your character analysis of Farry is spot on. So often I find you give me insights into my own characters, things that are true about them, that I wrote in, without complete and deliberate thought. The Muse so often surprises me with things like that... | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/31/2006 |
| *grin* This is just so beautifully perfect, it really is! *sigh* If I had time I'd read it again right now, but the DH's alarm will be going off in just a few more minutes. I love this scene--Strider's like a loving father, who will take care of things and make them all right. Lovely, just lovely! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/31/2006 |
| Yeah! the hands of the King are the hands of a healer. Greatest chapter yet but I've got to run as I am late for work. Will try and come back to comment more fully! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/30/2006 |
| Bless them all! Late supper it is, and Aragorn has been making certain all is in readiness for them. I LOVE Aragorn, of course; and rejoice the athelas in the hands of the King has removed that stain as well as the one on the poor lad's heart. | |