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| Evensong by Rose Sared | 7 Review(s) |
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| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/31/2005 |
| Rose, I've fallen in love with this story already; I just wish I didn't have so much catching up to do! You did such a wonderful job of conveying Gimli's feelings about his health and aging. I don't think anyone ever expects to get old! I felt so bad for him, sitting there listening to the doctor catalogue all his physical failings. And this line was so powerful: Ice slid over his spirit. I was pleased, though, that his first reaction was to go visit his old friends again, and it was a treat to get a peek inside his head. I really liked his thoughts on being a dwarf, especially contrasting Legolas's reaction to being underground with his own: The deep had diminished the elf, even as it enlarged Gimli. The insights into Dwarven society and Gimli's character are really intriguing. I'm looking forward to exploring your world. Author Reply: Thank you so much for your kind words, do be careful with the catch up as it is not finished yet, up to chapter fourteen though so you have a little reading to make up. I hope that the story makes sense if you have not read the previous two in the arc -let me know if I am getting too self referential later on, please. Much appreciate the feedback Rose | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/12/2005 |
| "In the kindly dark under the mountain Gimli raised his right hand and rested it in the middle of his breast, under the warmth of his beard." That is a brilliantly subtle statement of a dwarf's point of view, so matter-of-fact and natural that it sort of hides in plain sight. Your use of words is wonderful. The signs and symptoms of Gimli's heart failure are ominously authentic here, as is his combination of dread and denial. This is terrible, but I'm really wondering what it was that came up to the elf's neck and why Gimli had to run when he got out of it. Sorry to be so late in starting this story, by the way. It looks like a really good tale. ~TF Author Reply: What kind words and so welcome. Thanks TF, I hope you enjoy the ride. Rose | |
| Aislynn Crowdaughter | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/7/2004 |
| Hi, Rose! Just to add to the review I left at fanfiction net already: I just registered that I got it wrong and this story is set in FA 110, not FA 120! Sorry, then, because in my other eview I was getting the circumstances all wrong, and therefore wrote a few things that make no sense. Anyway, all the things I said about the way you portray Gimli and how he deals with the revelation of his impending mortality (with is beautiful and subtle) on fanfiction net is true, nevertheless, and I am looking very much forward to see more of this story! Legolas will be very hard hit by Gleowyns letter, since it brings home to him with zttermost shapness the mortality of his friend. And it will also bring home to him the mortality of Aragorn again, wich he will dislike also. Now he is starting to pay the price of associating himself so closely with "Mayflies"! On the other hand, knowing that Gimli may have another ten yeras to live in Middle Earth at leasst (according to canon), will make it all the more amusing (although also heart-wrenching) to see Legolas fuss over him.... But I am relieved that they have, at least canonically, ten more yearsd alltogether to enjoy in Middle earth, includuing the stricken dwarf. Please continue soon, this is very promising! Greetings to you, Aislynn Author Reply: Aislynn, thank you so much for both of your reviews. The length of this story requires some years before the end of things, and anyway I am sidling up to the difficult stuff! I've been thinking about the theme of this, which has struck something of a chord for my readers. The endeavour will be to make this a story more about maintaining hope against the odds, as well as about the mortal stuff. It will be interesting to see if I can do it (ducks and runs for cover) Nothing like aiming high, huh? Stories of Arda have such a clever system I do appreciate your reviews here, although my sad review count on ffnet will miss your steadfast support. Next ch next week I hope. Rose | |
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/7/2004 |
| *gulp* RS!!!!!! Is it you??? It is! And I almost missed this story! Bless the elf, if I hadn't been looking for stories about Legolas, I would have! Yours was right on top! I looked at it for 5 minutes thinking, I don't remember that story....duh, linda, because it's new! I am, as usual, absolutely blown away by this first chapter! So, we are still dealing with mortality/immortality, huh? I feel a crying jag coming on...I really do! Poor Gimli! (I know how he feels...since I reached a certain age, I have been literally falling apart. :-/) And now, even Aglarond offers little comfort to him...the caves are immortal, too! So, a trip to see the King of hearts, and my favorite idea guy...the one who talks to trees, ya know! I loved seeing Gleowyn and her family again...Barda is dead? Not fair at all...and poor Brytta, to think it was his fault. Then he sees Gimli drinking the same stuff as his Grandda and knows immediately what's wrong...a double blow for the boy! *sniff* I loved Gleowyn's foresight in sending Legolas a letter about Gimli's impending trip...of course, the dwarf will not appreciate it if the elf turns up to escort him, will he? This is just great, and I am so glad to see it! (had to laugh at your note before the story, about losing ch.1 in the black hole of cyberspace somewhere...don't you just hate tech-no-logy sometimes?...I know it H-A-T-E-S me!) Update soon...yesyesyesyesyes now I have RS chapters to look for *skips away singing* :-) linda Author Reply: Linda, I knew there was a reason I was putting myself through this again, (writing) And here it is - your wonderful review! Go kiss yourself on the cheek from me (Hah!) I think there is a LOTR junky on the line between Theresa and me that pinches our e-mails and reads them! Hers are the only mails that go missing, it is verrrry strange. You have been hiding your light under a bushel as well - Yes we want to read about the horse and his elf! And as many other tales as you can drag out of the brain! Mortality, hmmmm. Occupies the mind, doesn't it, when you get to half way? I hope that the themes won't get too clunky throughout this fic, but there are LOTR canon questions I want to have a tilt at. Updates weekly I hope. Rose | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/7/2004 |
| Oh GOOD! Poor Gimli - it doesn't seem right for his indestructability to be infringed upon by something as paltry as ill-health. He is right - he is a warrior, not an old dwarf. Except that time gets to us all, except the elves - and I doubt that is always a good thing. I'm sorry Bardor died - he was a good strong character, and Gleowyn and the children will miss him. Poor Brytta - children do have a tendency to see themselves as being responsible for things they cannot possibly help, while at the same time being incapable of taking the responsibility for things they can control, like the tidiness of their rooms! Also typical that he blames the medicine for killing his grandfather rather than for keeping him alive . . . although, mind you, he could have a point. How much medicine is taken to counteract the side effects of other medicine? Can't remember, but I seem to recall it is quite a large percentage. Very sensible of Gleowyn to get straight onto Legolas. Too sensible for any of the chaps, of course. Very happy to see this. Keep the inspiration flowing. Author Reply: Thanks Bodkin. I agree, Gleowyn has retained her forthright nature and does not intend for her dwarf to get lost somewhere in the wilds. I did feel sorry for Brytta, but more on him later, I hope. Gimli, of course, has forbidden Frior to pass on any of his medical information to Gliver, or anyone else otherwise no way would his heir allow him to be tripping aroun M-E without an escort, there will be an accounting when the other shoe drops. There is a fine line between self sufficiency and selfishness I think, and to give him his due, Gimli, who is both humble for a dwarf and honourable to his bones, has no idea just how beloved he is of his people and his wider cicle of friends. Enough already, on to ch 2. Rose | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/6/2004 |
| Well it does not seem to have suffered much for want of a beta. It is excellent! Author Reply: Thank you. Start as you mean to go on, I hope! grin> Believe me it will be better when I catch the pesky edits and put them in, but by that time hopefully Ch2 will be up. Rose | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/6/2004 |
| So, mortality as a theme again, Rose? I find it interests me more as I grow older. The poet Stevie Smith says that what gives the first half of life its intensity is the possibility of love and what gives the second half of life its intensity is the possibility of death. Oh dear. I sound morbid and I don't mean to. I feel for Gimli though because he is also mourning what seems to be the loss of himself. Poor Brytta. I like seeing these characters again after the time gap. Brytta was just a baby! Author Reply: Ummm, blushes. Yes, I suppose the whole great galumphing cycle has mortality as its theme, since I still have not answered the questions I posed myself at the beginning of the tale. (The usual questions of life the universe and everything, with immortality and extended lifetimes thrown in for good measure, not to mention just what posessed Gimli to go with Legolas at the end of Aragorn's reign.) Still haven't got the answers, but finding out some of the why's and wherefor's has been fun. I hope to have a little dance with the Valar in this one, hey if its good enough for the Greeks? (dodges lightning bolts for her hubris!) Sometimes I find being an author is a bit like being an elf, time just flashes by and before you know it the baby is ten! Thanks for reviewing, I will do my best to keep the tone light given the angsty subject matter, I will even try to add a love story sub plot (mind you the wretched protagonists are fighting me every step of the way on this one) Enough already from me. Thank again for the encouragement. Rose | |