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The Time of Probing by Larner	8 Review(s)
PSW	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/3/2016
I was going to read the whole story and then review...but I just had to pop in and say how fascinated I was by the image of so many different Elves singing the song over Frodo. I loved the idea that all could participate simply because of what they are --Elves -- not what they do. They didn't have to be healers. Bakers, blacksmiths, warriors -- and I loved the pins in Arwen's sleeve. What a wonderful scene! Author Reply: These are Elves who have become true masters at what they do, and who share the gift of being able to use songs of power. As for the pins in Arwen's sleeve--when Mom had her machine open and was using it, it seemed that there were always pins lying about the house, and she would pick them up and pin them into her sleeve until she got back to a pincushion, a habit I found myself emulating when I began designing doll clothes. Then I had a roommate in college whose skill in sewing was well beyond par, and she did the same. So, it seemed only right for Arwen, too, to do the same. Thank you!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/8/2013
I'm glad they have made Frodo more comfortable. it is interesting seeing these events through Sam's eyes. Author Reply: I am glad, too. Of course, he deserves and needs such comfort, particularly as he fights the shard's influence. And I have always liked writing from Sam's point of view. Thanks so, Linda!

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/7/2013
I like the scene where all the Elves, summoned directly from their work, sing together with the hobbits, Aragorn and Gandalf for Frodo's healing. It helped a lot, it seems. And I was a little surprised about the harsh tones Elrond used when Aragorn told him that "he had sworn himself to Frodo's protection". Perhaps he does not see yet that the fates of Aragorn and Frodo are closely linked and that one cannot succeed without the other. But he will find out very soon! Author Reply: I suspect that songs of healing were often sung within the halls of the Last Homely House, and that those who had the greatest strength in such things came from many different callings to offer what comfort and healing as they could before returning to their own callings and responsibilities once more. I was amazed by the variety of singers myself as each presented himself or herself to me! Aragorn, as the Chieftain of the northern Dunedain and as the hoped-for leader of the final battles and King to reunite the two nations of the Sea Kings, was not a private person to go off on a whim or swear himself to any passerby who caught his sympathy. I'm certain that Elrond knew just how closely the fates of Frodo and Aragorn would prove; but to swear himself to Frodo's protection on just meeting him must have seemed rather precipitous. And in defense, Elrond, too, is under some stress here, what with a badly stricken Ringbearer on his hands, and with the whole household suddenly being borne down upon by guests approaching from all directions, all summoned not by him but maneuvered there by the Powers themselves. Plus, the son of his heart is obviously approaching the point of collapse and, as usual, seems least concerned for his own welfare. Then to find that the shard itself was playing shy and would not allow itself to be easily removed while the Ring is reacting to finding Itself in the midst of a veritable banquet of souls to devour wouldn't be precisely reassuring, I'm certain. So, don't be surprised if Elrond tends to perhaps overreact just a bit! Heh! Thanks so, Andrea, for the comments!

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/5/2013
I am surprised that they are waiting to probe the shard but obviously Elrond knows best and the song worked. Hopefully Strider will rest now too. Glad to see another chapter up. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: The indication in the text was that the wound was probed twice, but I suspect that the original probing took place only after people had a chance to rest some and after Elrond had had the chance to evaluate Frodo's condition as well as he could. Therefore I've always thought of the first probing to have taken place the morning after their arrival. And I'm certain that Frodo was strengthened by the songs of healing sung for his benefit! Thanks so! Plan to post a couple of chapters a week until it's finished.

Laikwalâsse	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/5/2013
indeed, even powerful Elf-lords can blanch. It´s a frightening concept in having the evil influence of the ring in Rivendell. Again Elrond reprimanded Aragorn harshly in not being free to do with his life as he pleases. First I was shocked about the tone but considering Aragorn important role in the future Elrond is maybe right. I know I would be hard pressed in coping with such a handling. Great chapter - I liked the singing and the brought healing. Lai Author Reply: I suspect just being inside the boundaries of Rivendell helped curb the Ring's influence somewhat, but It still must have been intrigued to be surrounded by such a choice of powerful victims, or so I'd think. Realizing that the Ring was checking out his people for possible manipulation must have been disheartening to Elrond. Once I appreciated just what Aragorn's destiny entailed, I was amazed that this future great King had made a vow to Frodo to become his protector. And this must have caused some dismay to those who knew him--after all, a King isn't supposed to vow himself to individuals, but to his nation as a whole. Although I've always seen a good deal of Finrod's influence in Aragorn. Thanks so very much!

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2013
Wow, the power of the one ring even in Rivendell. Great second chapter. Author Reply: If neither Gollum's cave nor the Shire offered the Ring the chance to show Its stuff properly, how must It have reacted with all of the greater minds and potential power to be found in Rivendell and Elrond's house? I suspect that It found far greater scope for Its ambitions there than It had seen since It caught Isildur! Thanks so!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2013
Oh, I love the image of all those people singing for Frodo! Such a warm and intimate setting you created for that! I've always thought the Ring made a "strategic withdrawal" while in Rivendell. It truly wanted to get back to its Master, and being claimed by one who might actually be able to wield it such as Elrond or Gandalf would not suit its purpose at the time; confident in the shard of the Morgul knife, it went slightly dormant until they left Rivendell, and it could seek out a good target for its wiles. Your Ring is far more powerful than my idea of it, and spreads a wider influence; I enjoy seeing how differently that plays out in your stories, showing how much it tempts many that we never see it actively tempting in the source. Elrond's precautions of the silk cloth and such do not seem to have dampened its abilities much here--clearly he's surprised to find it still exerting its power! I wonder who the white-haired Elf is? (BTW--been re-reading "Murder Most Foul" on my Nook, and really enjoying it even more on the second time around. I have found an application that will allow me to upload your stories from fanfiction.net without the problems of font size I have when I upload them from here. My only problem now is that not ALL of your stories are over there yet, LOL!) Author Reply: I've wondered about the Ring possibly going into dormancy as well, what with all of the competition and possible competition there. But if It could manage to CATCH such a person as Gandalf, Elrond, Erestor, or Glorfindel, might it not see such a conquest as a feather in Its metaphorical cap? And It was made by one who had intimate experience with manipulating Elves just prior to Its making, after all. And it does add a bit of drama if the Ring sees all of the Elves within Imladris as sort of a smorgasbord set out for Its contemplation. The white-haired Elf I suspect is a Sylvan Elf who accompanied Celebrian to Imladris when she married Elrond. Perhaps one whose "echoes" are enough unfamiliar that It wishes in particular to test Its powers on him. The idea that it was recognized in movie-verse that Frodo carried Evil with him when he entered Lorien has been playing at me, I find; couldn't these Elves so different from those of the more pure Noldor Its Master knew best capture Its attention in particular? But mostly I find that the Elves of Rivendell just sense the truly evil nature of the Master Ring and respond to It with repugnance and discomfort. Actually, everything I've posted here I posted on FF.n as well, as the three archives I posted on from my first assays at posting my fanfic were FF.n, Henneth Annun, and here. FF.n has removed my nonfiction essays, but I did post them there. And my few Potter-verse stories are there, too, while they are not here or elsewhere. And do send me a private email regarding that app--I want it! And I'm honored you're finding yourself rereading Murder Most Foul--still one connected with the serendipity of real life that leaves me gasping when I think about it!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2013
and the third time through Pippin, who was clever at such things, joined in. What a nice detail. I was hoping you'd update today! Author Reply: I've always thought of Pippin as being gifted with music, as I think is true of many of us. And I'm glad I was able to get this posted today. Am working on the final chapters now. Thanks so, Shirebound!

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