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Fostering  by Larner 7 Review(s)
MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/5/2005
Larner!

I love the theme of this piece. It is an good wrinkle to add into the story that perhaps spiritually if not physically that Aragorn, Frodo and Sam are brothers.

I like your Gilraen, she is a bit more direct than mine and actually more like I see her before Arathorn dies. Spirited and direct. I've written her as more subdued during her time in Rivendell. The conversation between her and Bilbo is wonderful. You get the feeling they are both trying to feel the other out.

Interesting story! I shall read more!

MM

Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you appreciate it. Am trying to find time to read more of your story--yesterday was a bear, and every time I'd try to bring it up the blasted phone would ring. Get so tired of that after a while, and can't always talk on it as the computer room is also the dog room.

I haven't gotten to where Arathorn dies yet in yours, so I have as yet to see how Gilraen changes in your telling.


KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/11/2005
Oh, another fic, and so soon after your last! *beams happily* I had started to have withdrawal symptoms - I fear you have badly spoiled me with your daily updates! And this one has a quite interesting thema.

I loved the first meeting between Bilbo and Gilraen and his view of how his adventure and his status as bachelor will be seen in the Shire. And I loved Gilraens dream about her lost sons and how they will be born somewhere else.
Another lovely part was how Estel played with his imaginated brothers and how he not only hunted and fighted, but healed as well. And Elrond was very nice and understanding.

I look forward to more!

Author Reply: I'm glad you appreciate the theme. It's heartening. And remembering my own imaginary playmates when I was a child, I thought it very likely Estel would do much the same.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/11/2005
This was a really delightful look at Bilbo. His encounters with Gilraen and Estel were wonderful,and it was interesting to see Rivendell through the eyes of an interested outsider. Gilraen's anguish over her lost children was an intriguing twist. It's hard not to speculate about where these two lost ones might pop up again. In the meantime, Estel seems to have a vivid imaginary world going. Bilbo is wonderfully sympathetic to the loneliness of an only child, and I laughed when Elrond, told about his latest adventure, calmly inquired as to whether he'd done a good job patching up his imaginary playmates.

Author Reply: Yes, we see all of Estel's studies sort of reflected in his play, including the healers training. So glad you are enjoying it.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2005
A new story so soon after you finished your last one! I'm very excited and I really enjoyed this first chapter. I loved the meetings between Bilbo and both Gilrean and Estel, oh and then with Elrond. I liked the scene with Gilrean and her 'meeting' Iluvatar and him explaining what he was going to do - you could feel her anguish and his reassurance of his caring for all of them and that he had it all in his hands. Even though it was very difficult for her, at least she was able to have knowledge that it would ultimately work out for Aragorn. I was wondering if this story would be going on into the time when Aragorn was older - like up until he meets the hobbits or sometime later into his life. I know we had 'talked' at one point during your last story about the story Aragorn told the hobbits about how the rangers discovered who he was and I thought you had mentioned at that time that it might make an interesting story. Well, maybe you don't want to give that much of your story away at this time, but I was curious! :) Thanks again for starting a new story so soon.

Author Reply: I briefly touch on Aragorn's time as a new recruit, but just barely do so. The story is mostly looking at Gilraen and Bilbo, together and singly, I think.

But am glad you are enjoying it. Thanks!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2005
Ah! *deep and satisfied sigh*. Great beginning Larner and the immediate attraction between Bilbo and Gilraen was perfect - cemented by the exchange of information dear to the heart.

And now you have me wondering about possible spiritual and emotional connections between Bilbo and Elrond. How do they both react,as foster Fathers, to Sam, Frodo and Aragorn coming to Rivendell and then setting off on the quest?

Thank you for the intro tag; I am very honoured. How did you subdue the other Nuzgul to nurture this one first? Only tranquiliser darts I hope!

Author Reply: Glad you like it so far, Harrowcat. This one didn't indicate it would be as long and complicated a story as the other one, who is purring with the cats as I work on its story as well. At least it is out of the bag of cat sand and into the computer now.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2005
What an interesting premise. I know that I am looking forward to more. I have been missing your stories since you finished the last one.

I really like your Bilbo; so curious and intelligent, and yet still very hobbity. I love his frank admission that it was only pride that stung him into going along with the Dwarves. And his observations of the child Estel are very astute.

Oh, boy! *looks forward to updates from Larner now*

Author Reply: I always loved how Bilbo decided to go with the Dwarves mostly to prove them wrong when they characterized him as "an excitable little chap" and so on. I could see myself seeking to prove myself in much the same way. But I wished to also explore how he went from the reader of adventures to the one who prepared Frodo and Sam for their own adventure. Also, as I'd described him before as one who'd begun sharing the knowledge and wisdom of Rivendell with his various cousins and so on via copying and binding books, I wanted to see how he'd begun that project--and this is what came out.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2005
I was wondering if you would flesh out the bit you wrote about Aragorn's discovery in Rivendell while reading Gilrean's journal in your last story. This is a wonderful beginning. I loved Gilrean's dream. Poor lady must have had so much heartache knowning Aragorn was supposed to have the aid of two brothers and then have lost them. Knowing they would still be there for him in another way must have given her some comfort.

I can so identify w/Bilbo and Estel's imaginary cousin/brothers. I too am an only child (I have a much older half sister, but when I was born, she was married and starting her own family. Anyway...) and I had an imaginary little sister. Mom's still got my drawings from Kindergarden where I'd paint pictures of the two of us playing. So, yes...I can very much identify w/what Bilbo and Estel experienced.

Looking forward to seeing where this goes. :o)

Author Reply: Mom told me my first imaginary friend was named George. But I had more, of course. I had a brother several years older, a younger sister only two years younger than I was, and a much younger brother as well, but wanted someone who truly understood me; so my imaginary twin was very much a part of my play for many years.

Thanks for the review.

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