News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| A Cat in King Elessar's Court by Agape4Gondor | 10 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Episcopal Witch | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/14/2008 |
| So the Cat pads off to keep an eye on Gandalf--and even though he probably wouldn't deign to admit it, to try to find some comfort. "‘So we are the mouse and the Dark Lord the cat?’" Wonderful! "Tears filled my eyes. ‘Why did not you say this to Lord Denethor? He would have understood.’" This is one of those places in this story where I want to jump in and make things turn out differently. If Gandalf had truly gone on to explain his plan...would Denethor have understood? Or although he might have then understood what Gandalf had in mind, would he still have thought it foolish and wrong? One of the constant delights of this story is the way that Alqualonde is always a Cat. The milk, and jumping into Pippin's bed to cuddle! Author Reply: I really have to giggle, as the scribe. The Cat continues to remind me that HE is the Cat. Yes, I really think the Cat was looking for comfort, but not from Gandalf :-) I want to shake them all every now and again... but this is what Tolkien wanted for his tale and who am I to say he was wrong??? *goes off in a corner mumbling about Boromir being killed* I really don't much think he would have changed his mind about sending the Ring to Mordor. Anyone in their right mind, would think the same thing. Too dangerous, Hobbit too ineffectual as a warrior, Sauron too powerful. Better to hide it. What is interesting is the fact that Denethor would think he could keep it and not be tempted to use it. By this time, the Palantir is an obsession; the Ring would be the same and worse, as we all know! | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/11/2008 |
| Wow. I didn't realize I was so far behind. The interplay between Gandalf and Alqualondë is precious. I especially loved Gandalf calling him a "Little Swan". I'm sure a cat would love being called a swan. Not. How funny. Tari Author Reply: Ah! Forgive the lateness of this reply. Gandalf called Alqualonde 'Little Swan' because Alqualonde is another name for Swan Haven for the Teleri in Aman.... | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/5/2008 |
| Once again I have to admire Alqualondë's loyality. No matter what things seem to be, Alqualondë stays true to Denethor. The conversation between Alqualondë and Gandalf was very entertaining in that both of them are very strong-willed. I liked the fact that while neither of them agrees with the other, both were willing to listen. Lovely chapter. Author Reply: There is nothing that could sever the cats friendship and loyalty to Denethor - nothing except death. I know the cat will listen to others, and I hoped that Mithrandir would listen to the cat. Neither of them is stupid. LOL | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/5/2008 |
| Very well put that it is a cat and mouse game.Denethor's greatest folly is thinking only of Gondor.The cat is becoming wiser than his master because he listens.I'm loving this story. Author Reply: Thanks, Linda. Very glad you're enjoying this. The cat appreciates your enthusiasm too, but he warns you that he will not allow foul talk about the Steward. One has to draw the line somewhere.... | |
| Szepilona10 | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/4/2008 |
| I am enjoying your story! Write more soon please! ~Szepilona10~ Author Reply: Got a bunch of chapters ready to post... Very glad you're enjoying this! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/4/2008 |
| Ah, that the fate of all should lie bound up in the fate of a small golden trinket born by a Hobbit armed with a sword he can barely bring himself to use, his wits and endurance, and the support of the most faithful of friends. And so great good came out of great evil.... Author Reply: If Alqualonde is using Peregrin as a gauge for Hobbits, then he can't have had much confidence in Frodo. At least not yet. Peregrin will show his honor in the final hour. Oh - Except for the respect that Faramir shows the Hobbit. Because of that the cat can hope. | |
| Fiondil | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/4/2008 |
| A most disturbing conversation between Alqualondë and Mithrandir, but the Wizard is wiser than either Cat or Steward in this and of course we know (now) that Denethor's beloved Boromir would have sided with Mithrandir and Faramir against his father in this. Very sad, but very true. We see this happening even today. Good chapter. Very mind-provoking. The image of Alqualondë curled up beside Pippin is very sweet and brings to mind many happy memories of my own cats (when I had them) curling up next to me, offering me comfort even as I offered them my own. Author Reply: I think the cat was looking for a little comfort himself... though he definitely is not shy about sharing comfort. :) As for their little chat - it was difficult for them both. But I think they both have respect for each other and will give thought to what the other says. At least, that is my hope. | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/3/2008 |
| ‘yet he disobeyed his Steward! How does one overlook such a thing?' Alqualondë will soon learn a very hard lesson on the subject of obedience. Playing cat and mouse - well said indeed! A wonderful chapter, Agape! Author Reply: I cannot begin to even think of how difficult a soldier's life can be. What decisions must be made, now and again, when the course of action takes a turn different than what one would expect. And then have to 'go against' everything you have been taught. I do not envy soldiers, nor their commanders. We have seen it too often in the RW... The line seems very thin, to the cat, in this instance. Did Faramir choose rightly? Was Denethor right in trying to 'save' Gondor in any way possible? Did the cat think Denethor had the strength to endure and refuse the call of It? He loves the Steward. He believes in the Steward's strength. In his mind, Denethor would not fail. Denethor could hold It and not succumb. At least, until his little talk with Mithrandir. Who knew the thing could be so very evil? Thanks for reviewing! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/3/2008 |
| This is a fascinating 'conversation' between wizard and our "little Swan". And the thought of the cat sleeping on Pippin's bed is lovely. Author Reply: The cat is still shaken, though he wisely pretends he sleeps with Pippin for the Hobbit's sake... Please, tell no one of this weakness of his! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/3/2008 |
| There I watched, upon my sill, as hope flared in Mithrandir’s eyes. He did not chastise Pippin for his question about hope – it exuded from him. I watched in amaze as he paced the little room, flinging his arms about him, and speaking of chances, of mistakes turned to right, of hope. My own hope flared. What a perfect description of Gandalf the White's role at that point in the story! Alqualonde is a very wise and discerning cat, yet his loyalty to Denethor has a blind spot. It's one a very great many creatures, many of them roaming about on two legs today, make: thinking that to be loyal means the object of one's loyalty must always be right. Learning that sometimes Denethor can be wrong may not be easy, yet he'd serve his lord better with his eyes open than shut. And trust a cat to understand perfectly the role Gandalf proposes. He knows very well the ways of predator and prey. Author Reply: Denethor has always been the prey... and that is why the cat gives him his respect and love. He sees Denethor's courage as he slips and slides all of Gondor through the hands of the Enemy, ever knowing that, in the end, he most likely will be eaten. *shivers* Alqualonde thanks you for recognizing his 'quality' but reminds you that one should not judge too harshly if one has not padded in the pawprints of another. The scribe aplogizes for the cat's lack of tact. | |