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Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner	16 Review(s)
Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/19/2009
I had tears in my eyes as I read of Sam's thoughts.... A lovely tale and sharing of warrior's 'living through' and overcoming.... Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you feel this way. Frodo wouldn't be the only one left scarred by the war, after all. And their families need to understand.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/7/2007
Oh, so very lovely! :) I love the loving concern the parents show their sons (that goes for parents-in-love as well, of course--I love that, so Hobbity). The incident with the gazing ball rings so true. Odd things will spark memories, even if they aren't necessarily absolutely traumatic ones (as Pippin's were), and the three remaining travellers' reactions to it were so in character. Oh, poor Aragorn, I don't blame him! My family tends to talk lightly about self defense (especially now that it's becoming increasingly important for me), but while I know sometimes we do what we have to do, the thought of really and truly hurting someone...I don't think I could. So like Aragorn to comfort his friend by telling of his own experiences. My favourite part of this has to be Elanor showing such complete trust, and Pippin, Sam, and Berevrion's playing with her. grins And the imagery at the end, of the shadows lifting with the return of the sun and the beautiful rainbow of promise is so perfect. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I borrowed the phrase "parents-in-love" from another writer, and can't tell you now from whom, but it fit so very well. So many things can trigger memories, and am glad the incident of the gazing ball rings true for you. So, you are contemplating some training in self-defense? I hope this isn't part of why you've been a bit distracted, but believe you won't regret it. But certainly Aragorn must have felt the need to reassure some of his younger kinsmen by sharing his own experiences, as they now seek to do with Merry, Pippin, and Sam. And am so glad Elanor manages to steal the show as I'd intended; and all were ready for the end of the dreary days, I think. I know we could do with a real respite from all the rain we've known--my lawn is still soggy.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/1/2007
The parents and parents'-in-law did a good job in bringing the three remaining Travellers together here. They needed the company - and then, taking them to meet the Rangers reminded them that there is more to the world than a rather parochial Shire. Lovely how the beautiful Elanor managed to bring about some comfort to all of them - and remind them why their victory was worth the sacrifice. Author Reply: Yes, all those who stand as parents have learned better how to deal with Merry and Pippin and Sam right now, and now feel free to ask for reassurance and advice. And of course it's a child who helps them finally shake off the dreariness and put things in proper perspective--and what better child to do it than Elanor? Thanks so for reviewing, Bodkin.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/1/2007
Poor Pippin to be reminded of the palantir like that. Author Reply: Yes, it's strange what odd things can trigger memories at times. But at least he made it up to his mother, but made certain the new gazing ball wouldn't be confused with the palantir.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/28/2007
Ohhhh love it!! shivers with delight Aragorn's story sniff and Baby Elanor giggle going to Berevrion (sp?) and him picking her up (how tiny she must seem to him! like a little baby doll eeeeee) and Sam giving her raspberries and Pip giving her horsy rides...and the rainbow! A lovely little piece. Whenever I see a gazing ball I think "palantir" too! lol Maybe I'll get me one soon, they have such pretty ones at a local store here....... ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Yes, a bit of Aragorn's own history slipped in here along with a realization acceptance is needed; and Elanor had to be an active part of the story--I found her stamping her golden-haired foot at me and pouting, demanding she be heard. I love giving babies raspberries, and suspect even lords among men and hobbits both would share that delight; and of course Pippin, now that the tension's broken along with the weather needs to be up and galumphing about to shake the willies out! And that rainbow was needed--the realization there is beauty to come out of this, and the rain will stop for a time till it's needed again, and that there's always hope and joy, if they're capable of reaching for it. I'd love a gazing ball, but need to get the garden into some kind of shape, first. I've had a finer crop of thistles than anything else; but as I'm not entertaining Eeyore I'm afraid I've just not appreciated them properly. Heh!

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/28/2007
Another beautiful story, Larner. The Travellers must have had times like this, especially with Frodo's absence so keenly felt. I'm sure all soldiers have their moments when something triggers a memory. I loved little Elanor's trusting approach to Lord Berevrion, and how pleased he must have been to find this tiny hobbit lass demanding to be picked up. The Rangers had been regarded with suspicion for so long that it must have been quite a shock to be trusted by Lord Sam's little daughter. Good for Elanor - her father's daughter for sure. Loved the concern shown by the parents here, especially the Cottons. What a sensible family they are. Author Reply: The first year especially must have been hard at times--I certainly agree there. And almost everone I've ever known who's had a traumatic memory seems to have at least moments when it all comes back on them. But the realization that their own children will be able to know a degree of trust and pleasant anticipation of new experiences must have been reassuring to everyone who fought the Shadow; and Elanor embodies that realization, as she becomes the very first child not born among the Dunedain warriors who approaches them openly. As for the Cottons--with Bell gone and the Gaffer partially invalided with arthritis and losing his hearing, I'd truly think the Cottons would take to parenting Sam when they felt he needed it. And as I've managed to leave Nick out of my other stories, I felt I needed to give him a showing of his own. Hope he doesn't mind!

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/28/2007
"The frogs have just begun truly waking up, and there was one outside my window croaking a couple nights ago, and I thought I could hear Frodo begging for help, or the way his breath caught there toward the last before Lord Elrond was able to remove the shard of the Morgul knife.” Sam was slower to relieve himself, but at last Berevrion’s patience was rewarded. “All the grey--it’s like we was there, goin’ through the blasted lands o’ Mordor again, sir. And all the rain is just a mockery of what water we couldn’t find then, if you understand. A bit o’ blue sky will show through for a moment, and it’s as if I see him openin’ his eyes, trustin’ me to get us on down the road a bit more afore he collapses again." And Pippin's reaction to the gazing ball and the reaction of Pippin and Merry to those rooms and not wanting to be around others, just each other at night. But good that their parents and Sam's Rose and in-laws (love that father-in-love) know to consult Middle-earth's equivalent to grief counselors and those who know how to deal with PTSD even if they don't. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I grew up on the remains of an old farm. The house was in the middle of the property, up on the one rise on the whole five acres, with ponds, swamps, and drainage ditches covering much of the land. The frogs will start waking usually in January for a day or two at a time, and by the time February is half through are very active. We had all varieties and sizes, from tiny tree frogs no larger than a fingernail to huge bullfrogs, and the croaks of each was quite individual. And the images the croaks can cause in that twilight time when one is not quite asleep and not quite awake can be interesting. So I tried to think of the kinds of memories such weather was likely to evoke in each of our lads, and then find an experience Aragorn himself would have been likely to have experienced that would help them accept their own attacks of the dismals weren't anywhere as unique as they might think--that even Men have their own memories that can haunt them. The description of inlaws as "father-in-love" came from someone else's story originally, but I think you know I've had all kinds of stories inspired by those told by others, as is true of all of us, I think. This is a bit of fanon I happen to like. To know they were responding to the depression appropriately was the important thing for all of them, I think; plus the realization it's not unusual or a sign of weakness. They're already learning how to deal with the memories and learning how to integrate the grief and joyful thoughts they hold toward Frodo. And they all needed a moment of literal horseplay and that rainbow, I thought. Thanks so much, Antane.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/28/2007
Great story, Larner! It's good to see that Paladin and his wife have finally come to accept what Pippin went through, and that they are taking measures against it. It was a brilliant idea to come to Bree and look for Rangers. I like Berevrion. He found a way to assure our three travellers that their reactions were quite normal, taking into account what they experienced. And his story about Aragorn's first battle against man helped the hobbits a lot, I think. But the star of this story was undoubtedly little Elanor, fearless and trusting and happy. That's what they fought for and what will make them happy, too. Thank you very much, Larner :) Author Reply: The older generation is getting a handle on what their sons experienced (or son-in-law, in the Cottons' case), and will do what is needed to try to understand more and help rather than hinder or suffocate. It was for the children, of course, that all fought in the end; and that they see the first signs that the new generation was able to live in trust from their earliest years must have been heartening to all who fought against Sauron and his realm and focus. This generation, at least, won't need to be tested to the breaking point from infancy, and men and hobbits both could rejoice in the fearlessness of Elanor. So glad you liked it. And thank you!

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/28/2007
This is a wonderful story, Larner! Stories that I'm sure could be told by most every soldier. I love Pippin galloping off with Elanor! Author Reply: Yes, most soldiers can relate to this situation, I think. And at that moment Pippin needs a bit of silliness, and who better to be silly with than little Elanor. Thanks for reviewing.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/28/2007
Poor Pippin, after the horrible experience with the palantír the accident with his mother's gazing ball had to happen. I suppose I would be wary of all items even remotely like it after such an experience. It was good to see even Paladin and Eglantine have begun to understand and that all three older couples realised the three friends had to be together, even more so as it was the first year without Frodo. And it was a good idea to ride to Bree and look after the Rangers. Having been forced to fight for all their lives they can understand so much more than the other hobbits how it feels to live with these memories. It must have been a relief for the Travellers to realise even the warrior-trained Rangers - and even Aragorn - have their own nightmares. Loved it how trustingly Elanor approached the Ranger. It's truly a difference to the distrust most others have shown them for so long, and I am sure he enjoyed it. Author Reply: To be going through a fit of doldrums in part brought on by ongoing nasty weather, then to find oneself facing a gazing ball almost just the size of a palantir would have been difficult, I think. Just the name would bring back the memory of the "seeing stone," don't you agree? The parents and the Cottons are becoming more savvy about how the Travelers need one another's understanding to get through the worse times; and indeed now, as all are still becoming used to not having Frodo there it is worse for all of them. Glad you agree they need the insight of the Rangers. The Rangers of Arnor deserve to be trusted and approached in friendship, and so Elanor starts with Berevrion. I'm certain he appreciated it. Thanks so for the response.

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