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| The Dooming of Small Hands by Thundera Tiger | 13 Review(s) |
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| Ariel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/16/2009 |
| Book canon gap fillers where the author clearly knows his/her way around the texts are my absolute favorite type of fanfic. I've not been reading much in the last few years, but it is a distinct pleasure to find that competent writers have not been as idle as I have. This was a distinct pleasure to read, and one of my favorite parts of the book. You've added to the story, without reiterating things we already know, and described a scene that I can easily see occuring. Thank you. | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/15/2008 |
| You've tapped into a a great irony of LOTR - it took the one who loved hobbits the best to see and order the necessity of their sacrifice. And another; that it takes creatures of great wisdom to see the limits of wisdom. Very nicely done. Author Reply: Hey Meckinock, Thank you so much for the review and the insights. I've always been a little curious about Gandalf. He obviously loves the hobbits, but he's also the one who keeps sending them off on these dangerous adventures. That's got to be painful for him, and I wanted a chance to explore it. Anyway, thanks so much for the review! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/14/2008 |
| Well, you certainly tapped into Gandalf with this one. Very well done, having him face the burdens of his bestowed role. But, he will not ask of others what he will take upon himself... And he treasures the Hobbit innocence like any weary elder with the young and youthful. The aspect of small hands moving world events is always appealing, and I really like that as a connecting image and theme. I did like how you extrapolated the descent of power on through the Valar to Eldar and Dwarf to Men, so by extension, to Hobbit. Although, I kinda felt Sauron did not find the Dwarves useful to his purposes in the same way he did not find the Telerin and Sindarin elves all that useful. Partially because their affinity with the natural world itself makes the population more resistant to his destructive philosophy. They are not bent on taking away Eru's powers for themselves. Hobbits have that aspect as well. Ack! Now you know I enjoyed your story! It has set me to pondering the the wisdom of the Wise and the Enemy. Gee, your writing has such an ease and flow to it. Which makes just reading very enjoyable. Add your insightful ideas and it becomes wonderful too! Very happy to see this and more from your pen! Author Reply: Hey Redheredh, Thank you so much for your review, and huge thanks for your compliments about Gandalf's character. I was a little worried that I'd taken him too far, but at the same time, I had trouble seeing him any other way. Good points about the dwarves. I do agree with you, though I still think that the Ring could sway them if they held on to it long enough. The Seven didn't do much other than arouse greed for gold, which was not what Sauron wanted. But he still managed to turn it toward his own gain, and I think it's part of what kept the rift going between elves and dwarves. At the very least, it managed to keep the suspicions high, even though the rings had nothing to do with Doriath and the First Age fiascoes. Anyway, the dwarves might have made good candidates, but I think they would have been a risker bet than hobbits, whose strength lay with themselves rather than with their heritage. That's something the Ring would find hard to twist. Just my thought, for what it's worth. Thanks again! | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| A lovely story though I don't see Elrond taking Elbereth's name in vain. Love the Sam and Frodo sleeping parts and the realization that such innocence is doomed to be lost, but it is that innocence that will save them. Gandalf and Elrond may think they are dooming Frodo, but this is not a choice they are making themselves. It will be revealed that God has already chosen His bearer. I came across this quote a while ago that fits Frodo: “The Everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart,” says St. Francis de Sales. “This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with His loving arms and weighed with His own Hands, to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God.” Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Hey Antane. Thank you for such an insightful and thought-provoking review. I was rather fond of the innocent picture myself, though I was worried that I overplayed it a bit. The fact that you enjoyed it makes me feel better. As for Gandalf and Elrond making the choice, Gandalf does acknowledge that the Ring has come to Frodo for a reason. He chalks it up to fate rather than Eru, but the idea is there. Even so, I think he and Elrond are still going to feel responsible for their part in this, regardless of how much say they did or didn't have. Hence the struggle that dominates the conversation. I understand where you're coming from with the criticism on Elrond and Elbereth, and I wondered about that line myself, actually. If you want an explanation, here are some conclusions I've come to regarding Elrond as a character. The guy has been around since the First Age, which is a long time, and he's seen a lot of tragedy and lost a lot of people that were dear to him. He has ancestry with the Noldor and seems to have inherited their doom, but he also has ancestry among the Sindar. That's where a lot of my justification comes, because the Sindar were occasionally very cynical. You'll see it if you watch for it in the Silmarillion. On top of that, Elrond married Celeborn's daughter, and my own take on Celeborn is that he is also cynical regarding the Valar. I suspect she had a lot of influence on her husband. Anyway, I don't think he would take a crack at Eru himself, but the Valar are not beyond reproach because the Valar don't see the entire picture, either. Anyway, that's my explanation: Sindar cynicism coupled with Noldor doom compounted by the fact that Elrond probably hasn't gotten much sleep in the past four days and the person he's labored to save is the person that Gandalf wants to send off to almost certain death. :) Take it for what you will. But I will definitely take a closer look at it for future stories. Thank you again! | |
| Neilia | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| This well may have been the conversation between Gandalf and Elrond regarding who should bear the ring, and what it would mean for the bearer.*sigh* It is always difficult to destroy and entrenched evil...even a small bad habit one wants to quash. Author Reply: Thank you so much for this review. I'm glad you think the conversation was authentic enough to pass canon muster! That's quite the compliment! And I'm thrilled that you caught the difficulty and the struggle that came with this kind of a choice. That was one of the main ideas I wanted to get across with the story, and the fact that you picked up on it really makes my day. Thanks again for the review! | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| Very interesting of the powers the Ring has over Vilya. I like how you incorporate back-history from The Hobbit, of Bilbo's accomplishments and his long bearing of the Ring – that, maybe, is often forgotten. How sorrowful for Gandalf. He is called a manipulator, but you show so well how it pains him. *g* Sweet dabble of humor in so serious a piece; I feel sorry for Sam's neck when he wakes. -Kitt Author Reply: Hi Kitt! First up, you have my sincere thanks for your review. You caught on to one of the main ideas that inspired this story, which was Gandalf's role as a manipulator. I kind of like to think of him as a sympathetic manipulator. He's doing this because there isn't another choice, but that doesn't mean he's happy about it. I'm thrilled that this idea came across cleanly for you, and I'm glad that you liked the history, too. Sometimes I have too much fun playing with the backstory and forget the real story, so it's always good to hear that the history portions are enjoyed. :) Thanks again for the review! | |
| docmon | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| First of all, Thundera, you are too kind in your thank you on this! Your stories are a joy to read. And this is no exception. This argument between Elrond and Gandalf is masterfully crafted, especially because both sides have their valid points. It's such a logical argument, I feel this conversation had to have happened at some point. I particularly enjoy Gandalf's concise summation of history - all of it - into a journey that inevitably has come to this moment. Gandalf's arguments are insightful and undeniable; Elrond's warnings are harsh, but also undeniable. Perfectly in character for these two. Gandalf must have suffered great anguish on knowing to what he was sending Frodo. Elrond doesn't hold back in delivering his warnings to Gandalf. You've crafted those lines perfectly and they pack a powerful punch! They're even better than when I saw them! I still maintain that, although I think this is just how they would have argued this decision, Frodo understood more than these two (and most others) gave him credit for. He knew he needed to be the bearer. And he knew he would not return unchanged. Perhaps it gave him the added determination he needed. And perhaps it was easier for Gandalf to think he didn't know so much of what he faced. Great job in showing us this piece of the story, which the Professor left open for us to play with, of course! Author Reply: BETA! Please, let me bow at your feet! Seriously. I mean everything I say. You put up with a lot from me, and I'm so grateful that you're willing to tolerate such a sporadic contact. I'm working on it! I promise! Anyway, thank you so much for so many compliments, and if these lines sound better, it's because of your feedback. As for Frodo understanding more than he's credited for knowing, I'm in complete agreement with you. Even if it's not on a conscious level, I think there's an instinctive realization in Frodo that comprehends a lot of what he's being asked to do and a lot of what's left unsaid. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to get that across without breaking perspective. Because even though Gandalf knows hobbits better than most, the fact that Frodo can surprise him from time to time says that he's still got more to learn. So for perspective's sake, Frodo is more innocent in this story than he would have been had we seen things from his point of view. And I think you're right, too, about Gandalf's feelings. I think it helped to go with the opinion that Frodo didn't know a lot of what he would face. At least that way, he could stay innocent a little longer. Anyway, thanks for the review and thank you so much for all your beta goodness! | |
| Lamiel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| This is a lovely gap-filler, and a necessary one. I had not previously considered the extent of Gandalf's betrayal of Frodo, but your take on it rings true. The pacing and tone of the tale is nicely done, and the conversation is very natural and flows beautifully -- a subtle thing, but it speaks highly of the writer's talents. And for all the angst there is humor here too -- again it is subtle, but beautifully woven in with the rest. I'm thinking of Gandalf's comment that Elrond looks as if he's been in a debate with Celeborn and Thranduil. Oh, now there's a thought to be feared! I am so glad that you continue to share your gifts and to work in the LOTR fandom. Now I will return to patiently waiting for an update to LoLaS or one of your other WIPs . . . Author Reply: Hey Lamiel! If Frodo's betrayal is a topic that interests you, let me recommend Aratlithiel's "At the Sammath Naur." FANTASTIC vignette that explores the idea of betrayal and how it affected Frodo in the end. I think you can find it over at HASA, but it might be at FF.net, too. Wow, that's a powerful story. Anyway, I'm thrilled that this story flowed well for you. I'm always a little nervous on dialog-heavy stories, especially if it's between people like Elrond and Gandalf. So it's good to hear that the conversation came across cleanly. As for the humor...well, it's me. I can't be completely serious in a story no matter how hard I try. Ah well. Thank you so much for your kind words! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| "I wondered that I did not note Its presence when Bilbo stayed here after the death of Smaug. Now there's something I never thought about! Gandalf's logic about why the time of hobbits has come is wonderful. This is a marvelous, heart-rending story, very well told. Author Reply: That's an interesting concept, isn't it? And Gandalf wandered around with Bilbo for quite a while while he bore the One Ring, yet no one seemed to notice. Possibly it was just biding its time, but it's still a fascinating concept to think about. What would have happened if they'd realized sooner what it was that Bilbo had found? Anyway, thank you so much for your kind words, and I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Gandalf's logic was one of the ideas that drove this story, so it's good to hear that it rang true for you. Thank you again! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2008 |
| Oh! Oh, this just pierces me! Yes, this had to be so hard on Gandalf--to realize what he was being forced to do to Frodo, to know that such a dear friend would be taking on the weight of the world, and that even if the world could have a tiny hope of being saved at the end, his friend would not. But he did what he had to do, and knowing Gandalf's own compassion, it had to hurt. No wonder Manwe lent the grace of the Eagles at the end--though even they did not wholly save Frodo... So good to see another of your stories here again! Author Reply: Hello, Dreamflower! I've always found Gandalf to be such an interesting character, especially given what he knows of the Rings and how they affect others. To still be able to send out Frodo speaks of great faith in hobbits as well as a huge sacrifice on Gandalf's part, which I tried to get across here. He has to do it, but it's something he wrestles with, even so. So I'm glad that this came across for you, because it was the idea that sparked the fic in the first place. Thank you so much for your review! | |