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LifeWatch  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
BodkinReviewed Chapter: 14 on 6/23/2006
The minstrel did a very good job if he could move those who experienced some of the events as much as he did!

What a wearing way to spend the day you first woke up, though. I'm not surprised Sam is a bit confused. Still - everything will probably begin to seem a bit more normal after a good night's sleep. Maybe.

Author Reply: I know I've seen summaries for a story or two about that minstrel, but I hadn't given him a lot of thought before this. (Actually, his offering his instrument to Frodo and Sam came into this story in the re-write... it seemed the right thing to do at the time.)

And now I find myself wondering about that minstrel. Was he there at the Black Gate? Did he despair of his life? Did he fight in desperation against overwhelming odds? Did his heart leap at Gandalf's cry? Was he among the first to see the Ring-bearer as the Eagles landed? Did his hands help to carry them to where the healers were working? Did he, perhaps, himself carry Samwise?

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 14 on 6/22/2006
"He drew deep breaths of the fresh, green air of Ithilien as the tale concluded and the minstrel bowed before the hobbits on the throne, offering his instrument before him, in homage, as if, once such a tale had been played and sung, the harp could never play again any lesser song."

Such beautiful imagery!

I loved Eomer putting his hand on Merry's shoulder during the ballad.

MEWD!!

Author Reply: Ah, thank you. I never really noticed the minstrel before, but in going over the scene I began to wonder about him. How was it that he was chosen to render such an important ballad?

Whew. July's coming, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading your new chapters. It seems like an eternity since I had some daily reading time.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 14 on 6/20/2006
It's so wonderful to view all this from Merry's POV. I especially enjoy experiencing with minstrel's song with him, and how you're filling in all the little gaps in this part of the Tale.

Author Reply: Those gaps just beg to be filled, don't they? *g*

I think if I had time for another epic, I'd set myself to imagining the minstrel's tale. Somehow he caught at my imagination during the re-write of this story, when the image of him offering his harp to Sam and Frodo came so clearly to mind.

But at the moment *that* little idea is way back, way way back, on the list. And it's likely already been done, and done with excellence, by someone else. I know I've seen at least one story summary here on SoA though I don't know who the author was.

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