Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Road to Edoras by Dreamflower	9 Review(s)
Etharei	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 5/18/2007
I just wanted to let you know, dearest, that I'm still reading this and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm very excited that you've continued writing it, as I'd hate to think of those poor Hobbits and sick young Bergil being stranded out in the Wilds indefinitely, plus I'd love to read about the Hobbit delegation's impressions of the Golden Hall. This chapter was particularly beautiful, and had me tearing at the end in memory of the fallen son of Theoden. I wish I could give you more useful feedback than cries of "Wonderful!" and "Great writing!", but I can't muster the words the describe the wealth of feeling your stories always inspire in me. Needless to say, I enjoy every word you write :-) Thank you for sharing your gift! Author Reply: Yes, I felt dreadful about the long hiatus, but the story was not presenting itself to me in a linear fashion, so I had to sort of catch up to myself. Now all I'm having to do is fit in some "transitional" material, and do some editing, for most of it is finished. But I would never have left the poor delegation or my readers stranded indefinitely! I am so glad that you found this chapter moving. I simply could not find it in me to allow them to pass the Fords of Isen without a tribute. Theodred's story, as told in UT is so moving, and I think that the hobbits needed to learn it. He was a real unsung hero of the War. And I treasure every little bit of feedback, trust me! It makes me feel good to know that you are still enjoying my stuff! Thank you for letting me know!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 4/21/2007
Ah, the grief of a life cut unwarrentably short by the treason of Isengard; and I'm SO proud of Freddy for accepting this offer so he could join in the honor given Theodred Theoden's son. Beautiful. Author Reply: I just didn't see how they could pass by the Fords of Isen without paying tribute to the one who died there so bravely and nobly. And Freddy has grown a lot, hasn't he?

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/14/2007
Two chapters! I hope that means that the juices are flowing nicely! Freddy was very brave - but he is, isn't he? He did well to ride across the river - and better to go back to honour Theodred and learn more of the courage of the men whose battle contributed to keeping the Shire safe. The hobbits whose names must not be spoken are - in some cases - showing the strain of the journey and its possible outcomes. I'm glad Freddy enquired what would be likely to happen to them - and I somehow doubt that their fates will be cruel, unless they make it so. But Clodio doesn't seem in a good way - although it's about time he saw his mistakes. Cado - well, I'm still hoping that he has a road to Damascus moment. I'm looking forward to discovering what happens next! Author Reply: I'm well along towards the ending, actually, but I have a lot of transition and connecting passages to write in order to get there smoothly. Still, now that RL seems to have settled down a bit, I hope to be able to get there more quickly now! Freddy is and always has been brave, but he's never really counted himself that way. And I think that he knew he needed to honor Theodred--he's learning so much of the Men who had fought the Shadow for so long. The closer they get to Edoras, the more the prisoners are bound to worry, as are those who are in charge of them.

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/13/2007
What a lovely tribute. It's good to see that the soldiers are learning the hobbits' meal schedule and that Freddy is overcoming his fear of water. At least he can joke about it now, if wryly. The healer's observations were intriguing, and the Rohirrim's eager acceptance of the hobbits' cooking was sweet, as was their awe of the Freddy and Beri. Freddy questioning about the Banks' brothers punishment and his epiphany on the full meaning of Frodo and Sam's quest show that his character is continuing to grow and learn from this experience. I love your Freddy. :D Author Reply: Thanks! Freddy, and the others, are going to grow greatly over the course of this journey, I do hope! I'm very fond of Freddy myself.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/13/2007
Wow--that was an awesome chapter! Because of Frodo, this land they now were going to visit was also free and safe, and the sacrifices of people like this brave Prince could have meaning. I'm hard-pressed to think of any remark that rings more true--and not beccause of Frodo, but can apply to any soldier in any "age". I glad to see Freddy coming along with his fear of water. :-) Alas, I fear that with the small party of leaders being gone, when the cat's away, the mice will play. I smell trouble... PF p.s. it was nice to see Clodio's little voice coming to reason in the last chapter, but I'm not really envisioning any of the prisoners redeeming themselves like I did before--I'm just riding along with the story and enjoying every word. :-) If any do, fine, but I'm not anticipating it. :-) Author Reply: Thank you very much! I could not imagine this group passing the Fords without paying respect to the one who was buried there. Freddy is gradually overcoming his fear of running water--it may never go away completely, but he is learning how to manage it. Clodio is beginning to realize what he's done--wasting not only his own life but that of his sons as well.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/13/2007
I like the way seeing the sites of battles and hearing the tales of what occured are helping give creedance to Frodo's Quest and earning respect for the four travelers. Nothing makes something real like seeing it all for yourself. Author Reply: Yes, it does make it all real, to realize that you are right in the place where history happened, and to hear of sacrifices from those who knew.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/13/2007
What a fascinating chapter, Dreamflower! I found it very touching to see the respect shown by the hobbits when seeing Theodred's last resting place, as well as the emotion shown by the Rohirrim. Brave Freddy, to face his fear of the river! I always say, it is not bravery to have no fear - courage is to feel fear and still face the danger. He has certainly grown in character. Glad to see the Rohirrim were as taken with hobbit cooking skills as everyone else! Author Reply: Well, when I realized they would enter the Gap of Rohan at the Fords of Isen, it seemed only right that the whole group would stop there, and pay respects to the one who had given his life there. Yes, Freddy is brave, and has been all along. And he's beginning to have a chance to face that particular fear--he has grown, a lot, and will even more by the time they return. giggle Well, hobbits are good cooks!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/13/2007
Wow! Brilliant Dreamflower. It is great to see/hear more of Theodred. Especially for those of us who haven't got around to reading more widely. And here we see the true power of Rohirric memory and shared story-telling. On a par with Beowulf! Author Reply: A good deal of Eothain's tale was condensed from UT, and much of it was direct quotes--so any brilliance is due to JRRT! But I'm glad you think I incorporated it well. I do hope that you get a chance to read UT; it's fascinating material! The Rohirrim are used to learning and telling tales from memory, and I felt that this particular tale would have a powerful emotional meaning for Eothain, so that he would remember it even more.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 1/13/2007
Freddy managed the river very well. It is good there are some who know about his problems and are always there for him. And I think every time he goes through water gives him a bit more self-esteem. The way they paid their respects to Théodred was touching. I still don't have forgiven Gríma this treachery. Well, I'm not Frodo and think Gríma deserved what he got in the end anyway. And it is good Freddy is beginning to realise how much his friends truly accomplished and why the Shire was so peaceful for so long. I think the more hobbits do understand of this, the better their relationship with the outer world will be - they see for themselves that not all men are ruffians but many of them died while holding back the threat in the East, what was one of the reasons the hobbits could live in peace. Author Reply: I think Merry made sure that there were those who knew and could help his future brother-in-law to deal with that problem! And you are right--every time he overcomes it, it gets a bit easier for the next time. I think he got what he deserved, too! Freddy has known this in his head for a long time. And he understood more at the beginning, about the Ring anyway, than even Merry or Pippin or Sam. But I don't think it had really connected for him emotionally how important Frodo's mission was to the Outside world. Even meeting and knowing the Men he's been travelling with, it's taken a while to set in. But as they get to the South, and the lands where the battle against the Dark had been a daily fact of life for generations, it is going to really hit home for him (and the other hobbits).

Return to Chapter List