Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Healing the Blessed Isle  by shirebound 13 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/19/2016
It is wonderful to see Gimli so happy and fulfilled and all the friends enjoying the wonders of the West.

Author Reply: Thank you. Imagining this type of fulfilled life for the hobbits and their friends fills me with such joy.

PSWReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/19/2016
Such a joy-filled story! I really very much enjoyed it, thanks for writing! :-)

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I thought my days of writing multi-chaptered tales were over, but this idea just wouldn't let me rest. *beams*

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/13/2016
Without volition, he heard himself calling out words in the most ancient language of his people, and trembled to hear in response the fulfillment of his greatest desire -- the voice of Mahal, singing through the earth.

How beautiful! The perfect ending of a wonderful story.

I also very much liked Mahtan's (and Gimli's) gift for Gandalf.

Author Reply: Thank you, Andrea. Oh, I worked so hard on this ending! I wanted it to make me (and everyone else) sing and be happy as much as Gimli.

Dear Gandalf. What do you get for the wizard who has everything? I'm just delighted you enjoyed this.

MikoNoNyteReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/8/2016
“I am forever a child of Mahal, and feel closer to him here than anywhere I have ever been.”

That sums up Gimli in one sentence. Oh this is so so good! His healing is not just of himself but of his friends and the others of Tol Eressea! And while it is true a dwarf is known by his work, I think they are also known by their spirit. Gimli's spirit rises like the fires of a great forge, fueled on by his love of his friends and his love of his work.

I admit to being puzzled over Gandalf's "gift" of seeing Feanor. They lived, as it were, in the same time; so unless Gandalf was serving someplace else at the time.... Yet still, seeing Feanor from Mahtan's point-of-view would have been unique. So I accept that, putting myself in Gandalf shoes (like anyone could do that!!!) and picturing the view of life through Mahtan's eyes... *smiles*

And "What does it smell like to you?” Coming full circle with this question. *laughs* But Aule's answer is both wonderful (you capture him well!) as well as frightening. I've been underground in well-lit caves and mines and let me tell you, they scare me sh*tless! Yet I can feel Gimli's love for these spaces and Aule's as well; after all, he created them! And the ripple of his creative love, his creation, finds it way deep below and into Gimli, blessing him. Ohmygosh Shirebound - you deserve more than a "thank you!" for this story and this final chapter. You somehow caught the joy, the worshipful joy that permeates many who create in this world, reflecting back the love and joy they feel in their craft to the creative force, be it God, Goddess or whatever! Their joy of creating in this world is a beatitude to the creative force itself.

You, quite frankly, rock!

Thank you oh so much for this delicious story.

Author Reply: Your review makes me bounce with joy! I poured so much time, love, energy, and research into this tale, and hoped it would be enjoyed. *hugs you*

Regarding Gandalf 'seeing' Feanor, I took that desire (per the quote that precedes chapter 6) from what he told Pippin. After all, what do you get for the wizard who has everything? :)

Thank you again for your much-appreciated reviews.

LavenderTookReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/1/2016
All the loving gifts given back and forth here in abundance and received in such gratitude is so joyful. A beautiful closure to a loving tale of beauty.

*hugs you*

Author Reply: Bringing out everything in this story made me feel so good, and it's wonderful to know that it gives you warm fuzzies also. Thank you, my friend, for your sweet and very much appreciated review.

*many hugs*

layneReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/1/2016
Awwww ... what perfect gifts for all of them. Gimli really put all his love for his friends and thoughts and creativity into his gifts, didn't he?

“And I have been longing to visit, but have had matters to attend to that kept me away,” Gandalf responded. His friends has grown used to his absences and sudden reappearances;

Hee, I do hope that's not because something ominous is brewing somewhere ...

( Unless it means another new story from you of course )

:D

Love this story, very much. Gimli deserves all that and more!

Author Reply: Thank you, Layne. Dear Gimli! He deserves a happily-ever-after as much as anyone. I'm so happy you enjoyed this tale. :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/29/2016
This glimpse of Gimli's joyous communion with his people's Lord is so poignant! How wonderful and precious--as precious as the shining gem he found gifted to him!

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Larner. I absolutely loved writing this.

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/28/2016
It's wonderful that they were able to help Gimli to find contentment during his years on the Lonely Isle, before his death. It would be interesting to find out how much longer he and the hobbits live after this, and how they spend their final years.


Author Reply: Thank you, Kathy. We're so fortunate that the Professor allowed us space to endlessly imagine and re-imagine their lives in the West. :)

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/28/2016
Outstanding! One of the best Gimli stories ever. Thank you.

Author Reply: Oh my, thank you. I really appreciate that.

lbiloverReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/28/2016
Such a beautiful and healing story, for all the characters and for your readers. And reveals your own considerable wisdom and insight. Thank you!

Author Reply: Thank you, my friend, what a lovely thing to say. Writing is hard on my hands and fingers, but extremely satisfying for my spirit. I'm just delighted you enjoyed this. *beams*

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List