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Moments in Time  by Larner 12 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/18/2006
Just delightful. I loved Aragorn's encounter with Lindirieth.I'm planning to have him go incognito in my latest story in a different context. I love the way you write him.

Author Reply: Haven't dared go onto the other site to catch up on Web of Treason, as it loads the computer with Trojans and worms and spybots in spite of the guardian programs I use, so will wait, I think, until you get caught up here before I start commenting again. Am SO tired of having computer woes!

So glad you enjoyed it, Linda, and look forward to seeing your next one here.


SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/15/2006
This is a lovely story. I loved seeing "a day in the life" of the hobbits, Aragorn, and friends through the eyes of Lindirieth. Her discovery of Strider later was perfect, as was the bantering and conversation between the friends at the Lady’s Garden :)

Author Reply: Am so very glad you felt this was perfect. And what is a poor pair of women of the city going to know about how Hobbits devil one another? They must have been somewhat scandalized!

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/13/2006
You write with love and dignity and those attributes also shine forth from the characters in your stories. I keenly felt Frodo's struggle as I have also (a different scale/situation, of course) been on the receiving end of tributes that I didn't feel I had done enough to deserve. I always enjoy reading Sam through your eyes.

Author Reply: I try to keep the native dignity of the Hobbits rather than writing them childishly. They might at times behave somewhat childishly, but I feel that is mostly due to their tendency to be lightspoken that the wrong words don't do harm.

Am so honored you find this admirable. Thank you!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/13/2006
Glad to see an update from you, Larner, as I was a bit worried about you. Hope you're well.

It is understandable Lindirieth can't truly imagine what Frodo and Sam did. It is easier to believe a tall, strong man has done something heroic than a hobbit, small as they are, isn't it? And I had to grin repeatedly about the thought what she would say if she knew *who* the ranger was. For Aragorn it must've been a nice change to escape the stiff formality of the Court and to have some hours off with friends only.

Well, Pippin *had* to find the men's plates too small! I am sure in the Shire the plates have to be very big in relation to the size of the people *lol*
And I loved his idea he had to outdo Will Whitfood in weight to be a good Thain *grin* Though, of course, when they returned he had managed it even without gaining any weight ...
I refuse to set out to carouse with a cousin who looks as if he was intended to be kicked around a playing field. Now, only a loving cousin could say that! *lol*

Otherwise, the discussion at the table was interesting. It deepened the characters of the hobbits a bit for the men and explained a lot about the government of the Shire. And I loved the humour in it. The cousins as the creator's revenge on Frodo for his youth *lol*

Though I can understand why Frodo was uncomfortable with the way the people of Gondor refused his money as their way to say "thank you", as he can't carry too many gifts back to the Shire, it still makes me angry how much he undervalues his deeds. The question if he deserves the honour shown to him or not is something about what I will forever disagree with Frodo, I fear.

To have Frodo and Merry finding the book that once belonged to Gilfileg was a very fitting gift for Aragorn and a nice touch. As was his encounter with Lindirieth years later and his gift of the famous cherry and strawberry jam to her. You know how much I love all these little reminders of other fics. Oh, and Aragorn must've been rather surprised to be called "Lord Strider" from someone other than a hobbit :) To realize his true identity must've been quite the shock for Lindirieth.


Author Reply: I was hoping to do something both humorous and thoughtful, and it appears I managed properly. Pippin is one with several roles going at the moment. With Frodo he's the class clown, seeking to goad his beloved cousin into smiling and humor and resuming the role of senior cousin; with Merry he's still much the little brother and tease who's nevertheless growing up far too quickly; when on duty he's very much the Captain of Gondor he's been made, and very serious about his duties; and he's continuing to grow into the wise fool of a Took he must be when he follows his father as Thain. He's realizing that for Frodo there's no true going back as Merry predicts, that he's been too hurt and changed to truly be just Mr. Baggins again. But he'll do his best to help Frodo find himself as he can.

I agree that Frodo thinks far too little of his role in bringing down Sauron. And it was fun to imagine how Merry might react to Pippin's stated ambition to look like a substantial Hobbit. So glad you enjoyed the description of what Merry envisioned for him.

And am always glad when hints from one story are picked up on in another. Gilfileg must have regretted the loss of the book, as it's been part of the heritage of the Chieftains of Arnor since the days of Araglas.

And the gift of sufficient anonymity that a woman of the city would approach him familiarly must have been precious in the King's sight.

So very glad you enjoyed it, Kitty.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2006
This was lovely!

This part:
It was said that two of them had walked openly through Mordor itself to throw down the Black Tower, although she found the tale that they’d done so by carrying the Enemy’s Ring to Orodruin itself barely credible.
It rings so true; judging by appearances, of course it would be hard to believe.

And the hobbity history of the Shire, and Frodo's "claim to fame" in his genealogy...

And "Hobbits don't take such situations well" *snork!*

And Pippin's ambition: "if I’m to be Thain one day I ought to try to look as substantial as I can" !!!

roll stuffed with greens and sliced pork
Um. I'm hungry.

And the recounting of Frodo's childhood qualities, along with the speculation as to the character of his imagined children!

And i am interrupted, less than halfway through. Hope to get back again.

Read in one of your review responses that you're having trouble with hackers. I'm sorry to hear this. Perhaps they ought to have their first two fingers removed, rather like the French treated English archers (when they could catch them, that is). Sorry, have been writing savage ruffians lately and I'm afraid it's a hard habit to break.

Hope to get back to read the rest of this next week.

Author Reply: Hope to get back down your way in a week or two. Life continues frustrating, believe me. If it's not one thing it's six others, but at least I am free of the tenants from the nether regions, which is a tale in its own right!

This was mostly a chance to do extended character sketches. And how would a typical resident of the White City see the Hobbits or respond to them as they reveal themselves? Frodo went through Mordor accompanied only by Sam, and somehow brought down the Black Tower? This small being who fusses over not being allowed to pay for a meal, and who obviously loves haggling? Who has admitted he was a terror in his younger days, and laments his misspent youth?

And it was fun to write Pippin the clown whose wisdom yet shows itself when he is free, for the moment at least, from having to goading Frodo away from too much introspection and solemnity. I find I do love writing Pippin as much as you do.

What would Frodo's children have been like, one wonders? I sometimes want to revisit the story I read of the illegitimate daughter Frodo left in Bree, and figure out what she might have been like.

And for Aragorn, I think that a day of anonymity would have been a precious gift.

Anyway, love to the husband and girls. My daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons have joined me and I find I love it.

Take care and God bless.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2006
I really enjoyed this. I like the way Frodo wanted to pay his own way. I do think he would have wanted far less attention than he got. I always enjoy your Hobbit stories. I love the way you write Merry.

Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you liked it, GW. Yes, Frodo, I think, would have resented as he saw it having everything handed to him.

And I love writing all our beloved fellows.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2006
"I refuse to set out to carouse with a cousin who looks as if he was intended to be kicked around a playing field."

I loved that line - thought about it several times at work today and kept giggling to myself.

I've missed your stories and it was a real treat to find this this morning. What a gift for Aragorn - to be able to spend a day as Strider, unnoticed by the people of Minas Tirith. Being King must be rather trying for someone like him, used to freedom. Like living in a goldfish bowl I suppose.

Ah yes, the fruit purchases and the jam making - how wonderful to see it referenced here.



Author Reply: So glad you enjoyed that description. To get home and find out both Fatty and Will Whitfoot have been brought down to emaciation must have been quite a shock for our four Travellers, I think.

And for someone who's been thrust from anonymity to the center of public life, to be spoken to as a person would be a great relief, and Frodo of all people would appreciate that situation, I think. And it was fun to tie this into other stories I've told.

Am still fighting hackers. Had to wait weeks to have the satellite dish and connections checked out; and now have to find the restore disk for the Dell. Hackers will be the death of all computer systems, I think! Why can't we put them all into a single room with one too few computers for each and where they can only hack each other's systems? Poetic justice, don't you think?

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2006
Oh what a delightful encounter! It was so fun to see Lindirieth trying to puzzle out the information she overheard, and to figure out how much of it she would be able to understand! I do so love the stories set in MT before the hobbits go home, and this was such a sweet one!

Author Reply: So glad you loved it, Dreamflower. Yes, how would our beloved heroes appear to the normal woman on the street who hears Frodo recounting not his great triumph but instead just how misspent his youth was? Pippin is revealed as somewhat less than a prince of Halflings, and at the same time somewhat more in spite of his youth. Merry's concern for Frodo is shown, as is Sam's. And Aragorn gets a brief conversation, albeit an honest one, with the woman who meets him in the garden without having to fight through his status as King.

Again, am glad this met with so much approval.

EndaewenReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2006
Lovely. So many moments to smile at in this one.

Author Reply: And I rejoice that you have enjoyed it, Endaewen. Thanks so much for the feedback!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/11/2006
Ah, Larner, a lovely little story. i agree with Queen Galadriel. since "An Acceptable Sacrifice" ended, I have not spent near enough time in your Gondor. It is a very good place to visit. That gift from Frodo of one day of anonymity for Aragorn has given him the gift of a subject who dares to talk to him like a person, which gift, I am sure, he would prize highly. This little gem meshes nicely into the complex world you have created so far. One character intrigues me. " a younger kinsman of mine who came south to serve... captive in Rhun for several years..." is that character in the story about the travels to Harad? That one I have not completely read. It sounds like there is a story there. Best Wishes!

Author Reply: It's fun to revisit Gondor from time to time, although I find I love several folks' versions of the city. Am so very glad mine is apparently so well accepted.

Oh, yes, a moment speaking to a subject as a person instead of as the Great Lord High Poobah must have been indeed greatly prized by Aragorn, who after all has had a more informal time of it up to now, as so many of his people in the north, as his own relatives, would feel a bit more free to speak their minds than those in Gondor who've lived under the strict formality of Denethor for so many years.

The younger kinsman is introduced in the latter half of "The King's Commission," and his story told there. Gilfileg is a bit of a favorite of mine now. And I hope you appreciate the story of "Lesser Ring" as you finish it.

Thanks for the good thoughts--I still need them.

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