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StarFire  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 9/1/2004
WHEW!! You had me worried! I think I had better take a break for a while!

Author Reply: Poor thing! Must warn you there are bouts of angst to come... with intermittent spells of sunshine, and a lovely sunset at the end. Hang in there. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 15 on 5/7/2004
So like Ferdi to be unable to kill the pony.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 15 on 5/6/2004
I forgot to mention in my review for chapter 14 that Pippin, asking his mother what he did wrong, sounds just like Pippin, asking Diamond what he did wrong in the other story. That made me giggle, but it didn't make the final draft of the review.

I am curious to have you tell me exactly how you changed the story after my review (I have some vanity, you know). I am guessing that it was the comment about Ferdi destroying the horse himself that was the trigger - and it does work wonderfully here. Ferdi knows what he must do, bound to obey the orders of the Thain. But he also knows that it is wrong, and he can't do it. The best of bad choices is to let the pony go. But something in Ferdi is going to break from the strain.

This scene has tremendous drama - you had me holding my breath about whether he would kill the pony or not. I have deliberately not gone and looked in stories set in later timeperiods for word of Starfire, so I don't know what the ultimate fate of the pony is. Ferdi's anguish about his own lost honor is heartbreaking - especially as he is the most honorable hobbit I have ever seen. But his fault is similar in a way to Pippin's - his pride makes him a perfectionist, and at this point he has not overcome the pain that keeps him aloof, so he tends to beat himself up too much.

All the time however, I find myself wondering about Pippin. How will he react in the morning, having to face Tom and Ferdi having changed his mind too late? Ferdi will be honest about what he has done, when he finally arrives. There's a chance for mutual growth and forgiveness, but there's also plenty of opportunity for misunderstanding.

You have sucked me in with another story, my dear. I do so enjoy your writing!



Author Reply: You were right. Ferdi in the original draft was going to take the pony out for a last ride and decide to let him go. The revision has a great deal more drama.

It will do you no good to look for Starfire in future stories. He's not there. I am still trying to figure out how, believably, to save him from being written out of this story. Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for the review! I am glad you are sucked in. I do so enjoy your reviews!

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