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| Stirring Rings by Larner | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| abbott411 | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/23/2021 |
| Very beautiful when Manwe comes across Olorin finally! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/24/2006 |
| I'm finally finding a bit of time to catch up on my reading - and my writing! The start of the school year has been unusally hectic this year with many, many changes for me. Now, on to the review! I'm really enjoying this story. I loved the fact that Manwe couldn't find Olorin anywhere... it made me smile. Then when he did find him, he was dancing... it was precious. I really liked the relationship between the two of them. Interesting how Olorin was willing to give up even more of himself than was required of him. Just like Saruman, eh? :) I found myself liking Radagast quite a bit, too... not much is written about him so I don't have much of an image of him in my mind and I found myself liking him quite a bit here. Author Reply: I guess I've been reading your reviews today in reverse order, so bear with me. And I know how school years can send things wonky. I doubt Olorin would take this commission lightly, and would wish to think deeply about it before even discussing it with Manwe. And to delight in the gifts of Breath, Light, and Song would be the greatest delights, I'd think, for those who'd been created to see the Creator's own face. There is indeed a decided contrast between the two Maiar; one that I wanted so to explore and play with. Saruman had to have more taken from him; Gandalf gave up more than was needed; and I think this basically shows the basic difference between the two of them. I first started thinking about Radagast when I read some of Jodancingtree's stories about Frodo needing healing; in her AU version Frodo only finds healing when he follows Radagast back to Mordor to assist in restoring its ecological balance. She wrote some fascinating thoughts; and one day I'll read her series about the Queen's Orc, too. I've let them languish too long, I think. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/5/2006 |
| Oh shoot. Sorry about the blank review there. I think, of the five, Olorin seems the most willing. Very interesting how he formed his shape. To tell you the truth it reminds me a little of sculpting, or, oddly, doll-making. :) Maybe because basic shape, features and details, then hair and clothing are usually the order I work in when I do such things. I really love this bit: "Do you like it, Lord, Lady?" he asked. "Perhaps a piece of whimsy, but enough of a touch of elegance at odds with the rest to amuse those with whom I must treat, don’t you agree?" That's like him! :) Very interesting that he willingly put his memories and experiences into a staff and Manwe actually had to give some *back* to him, when the others didn't want to give so much up. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Yes, the one with the sense of humor, who realizes he will need that humor to properly judge others and to survive what is coming and see it through. And he gives more than he needs to, and has some restored; he chooses the lower seat and is lifted up.... The one who truly remains faithful. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/2/2006 |
| A lovely, fitting start to Olorin's journey. Wonderful descriptions of the two wizards' staffs. And a fitting comment by Varda that Olorin would find friends in Middle-earth; he seems to have had a wonderful ability to befriend all sorts of people - Elves, hobbits, Men, dwarves, etc. - that is not really emphasized with the other wizards, and that of course helped him accomplish Sauron's downfall, as well as enriching his time as a mortal. Author Reply: So glad you appreciate it. I decided to go with the movie versions of the staves for Gandalf and Saruman, but tried to make that of Radagast in keeping with what I see as his character as well. The compassion of Olorin is emphasized in UT and the Sil, and so it had to be emphasized here as well; and you're right that only his ability to befriend and communicate with all aided him to accomplish his task. As for what doing so added to his time in semi-mortal guise--what a wonderful perception! Thanks for that thought, for it's not one I'd thought on, really. Had hoped to post the next chapter today, but find it needs major revision after still another visit to the Tale of Years. Drats anyway. But will have it up soon. | |
| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/1/2006 |
| Quite a contrast to Saruman here - Radagast is willing to serve (although reluctant). Gandalf is immediately willing to undertake the mission, to be as a servant, and to diminish himself far more that the Valar would require. His humility is likely what saved him from Saruman's fate. Author Reply: Indeed, the others provide quite a contrast to Saruman. Radagast already indicates he'd rather continue the supporting of life and growth before and during the actual fight against Sauron and the cleanup and reclamation afterwards, but at least he's looking at making certain all continues as Yavanna and Vana have led the way; while Gandalf looks to make himself truly part of the process of living in Middle Earth and fighting Sauron alongside the others rather than leading the fight and appearing the hero. I agree--his humility was indeed what helped save him. Great power sublimated all too often ends up overwhelming the one who holds it, and that this didn't happen with Gandalf/Olorin indicates he was very aware of the danger he was in to fall to the same desire to order others. To do that requires a good deal of humility and a proper sense of perspective, of which a good sense of humor is often a component. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/30/2006 |
| The difference between Curumo and Olórin is so obvious, even in this one paragraph. I can’t imagine Curumo would go and help the survivors from Ennor! Aiwendil impressed me – he thought his role through much better and was able to understand very well what was truly needed. He isn’t one to seek power, that much is clear even now. As for Olórin – well, once more he proved he was the best of the lot. Not only he gave up his power himself instead of having it drain from him, but he gave up even more than Manwe had intended. Even if we didn’t know the outcome of the mission of the Istari, I think from the last three chapters it would be easy to see much of it. Author Reply: Arrogance is a good indication that, if that arrogance isn't knocked out of one, one will end up destroying ones own chances. I started with Tolkien's own depiction of Olorin's nature before he was sent to Middle Earth, and tried to imagine the scenario of how it fell out. He's described as having served Nienna, Este, Yavanna, and so on, and having a special affinity with dreams. He also walked disguised, it was said, among the inhabitants of Tol Eressea, leaving relieved spirits in his wake. This certainly indicates that from his earliest times he was highly compassionate. And I truly think that of all the Maiar, Olorin would be the one to seat himself lower at a feast and be called to sit closer to the host. Glad you approve. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/30/2006 |
| I like the way you show Gandalf was always quite a character ! Author Reply: Oh, I'm certain that Gandalf would always be a character. I suspect that his sense of humor must have bothered Saruman quite a bit, actually, but would have been appreciated by the Creator and Manwe. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/27/2006 |
| Ah, they rest of the wizards are off and on there way. I do like your discriptions of each of them. Radaguast and Gandalf being my favorites. Author Reply: Yes, all five are now set loose in Middle Earth, and it's about time. Am so very glad you liked how I picture them. I admit to having used the familiar images from the movies, but have tried to keep it true to the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and LOTR. And I still feel Tolkien might have sold Radagast a bit short. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/26/2006 |
| Interesting that all of the subsequent Istari chose the forms of elderly Men. There's been no word from Curumo on how well the educated guess about that particular disguise played out, but everyone seems to think that it'll work. They seem to be counting on five different versions of the same approach (wise, elderly man) instead of diversifying and choosing five different approaches (elderly man, precocious child, hobbit, whatever) in case one or the other doesn't work out as intended. It shows either a great deal of trust in their own logic or a lack of imagination. Knowing the Valar, probably both. I'm still intrigued by the choice to send these guys over an ocean in a skiff. It's not the idea of a long, physically trying journey to test their spiritual mojo. It's the choice of a skiff in particular. Skiffs are primarily designed for river fishing, and would hardly be my choice for crossing the open ocean. Author Reply: It would have been interesting had Aewendil and the rest tried other races, but felt that the logic of the second chapter where Earendil is advising Manwe would pretty much hold for the rest. As for the lack of imagination on the part of the Valar--well, they do have that problem, don't they? (Grinning) I may have blown it, for I'd merely understood that a skiff was a smaller craft capable of carrying sails, and so I'd used the term here. I admit almost all my sailing time has been in motorcraft, and I have no idea what name to give to the small vessels used here. Shall I change it, and if so, to what? I'm always grateful for more informed data than I possess. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/26/2006 |
| Wow! And so we have the making of or rather, the becoming of, Gandalf. Love the background of caring and light that you have given him and his relationship to Sauron! And so we see another layer of complexity as we recall that Gandalf says 'I was the enemy of Sauron.' Brilliant. I love the way that you have him being humble enough to be the only one to hand over so much of himself to the staff that he is given some back. Yet he also isn't found until he wants to be and only after he has considered what he is being asked to commit himself to! I also endorse all that Dreamflower has said and so much better than I could, especially about Radagast. For some reason the blue wizards had me thinking about the Magi or Kings at the Nativity! I know it is still August and Christmas is miles away but the leaves are just begining to turn here and there is Autumn in the morning air. My favourite time of the year is just around the corner and the acorns and conkers are getting ready to fall! (I'm not quite sure why I wrote this but I will let it stand.) Author Reply: When I wrote that some of what he'd entrusted to the staff was given back to him, I was remembering the parable of the guest who seats himself way down the table from the host whom the host draws nearer to the host's own seat that he might have the proper honor due him. I can see this in Gandalf, can't you? It was interesting to think how each of the chosen would have gone about making himself a proper shape for use in the project, and that each would go about it differently. I've always felt that in UT and the Sil Tolkien sold Radagast a bit short, feeling his dedication to nature and birds and beasts was a sign of failure. After all, there's more than one way to skin a cat. And I think I've seen a FanFic in which Palando and Alatar and perhaps Radagast did serve as the Magi.... I'll have to search through FFN and HASA, as I would have read it there. | |