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Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil  by Larner 11 Review(s)
tgZB4r7BIFqVReviewed Chapter: 41 on 1/20/2016
That's not just the best ansrew. It's the bestest answer!

curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 41 on 5/6/2009
Oh, poor Gollum. And how beautifully written.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you like it so, Curiouswombat. Thank you! I feel sorry for Gollum, really.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/6/2008
Sorry to be so late in reviewing here. So busy I can't stand it, but this is an interesting tale...never thought that Isildur's bones would be found and by no less than Smeagol and his family. And I would share Gandalf's bit of heartache here for the ruined creature coming home to nothing after so very long. You did Gollum's speech very well! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Gandalf feels sorry for Smeagol, but knows he's treacherous as well. I'd always wondered how it was that in Unfinished Tales Aragorn and Gimli would find the original Elendilmir and the locket Isildur had carried the Ring within in the hidden storage place in Orthanc.

More of this will be dealt with eventually in "Stirring Rings."

And am so glad you feel this is true to Gollum's speech! Thanks so!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/6/2008
Oh, the Stoors have found Isildur's remains, dug them out and given them a honoured place in their hole? Fascinating idea. And Isildur's belongings would explain how Gollum's grandmother could have had lots of beautiful things, of course. Great story, Larner!

Author Reply: In someone else's story I once read they found Isildur's remains and used his cranium as a drinking bowl. And those would be beautiful things to one such as Smeagol was at the time--beautiful indeed.

Thank you so, Kitty. Was looking forward to hearing from you!

CeleritasReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2008
This was chilling anyway, but the coda at the end was perfect!

Now of course I have to wonder what exactly Saruman did--Tolkien didn't paint too savory a picture as it was!

Author Reply: I am so glad you appreciated it. One day much of this will be touched on in "Stirring Rings," once I get that far. Am still trying to get finished with the fall of Arnor at this time, but it IS coming one day!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/2/2008
Woah! Shivers down the spine time!

Author Reply: Oh, then the story is achieving its purpose, isn't it? Can you tell it was written for a Halloween theme of some sort (in this case, Dead Things)? It's nice to finally get it posted here where more are likely to read and respond to it, now that the ALEC voting period is complete.

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/2/2008
Your Gollum voice is wonderful!

Author Reply: Thanks so, Soledad. Am so glad you feel that way!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/2/2008
Very plausible indeed!
It was wise of Smeagol's grandmother to not take away Isildur's belongings. But she could not know that the most dangerous item was still lying in the river!

I wonder if the discovery of the Ring by Deagol and Smeagol sealed the fate of their kin. For it might be possible that the murderers came there in search for the Ring.

After Smeagol had found out what had happened to his kin I really pitied him. It was the first time in his long life that he was aware of being completely alone. For before he met Bilbo he *had* had a companion - his precious!

There is "no going back"! A perfect title for this story.

Author Reply: Oh, you're so right about the most dangerous item remaining in the river. Too bad It is finally found and manages to steal away two of her grandsons!

This story will be working with "Stirring Rings" eventually, once we reach that far, and you can perhaps guess whose agents it is who slaughter those who live in the smial when they come. And you are so right about how now he is truly alone--until he finds himself Frodo's guide, at least.

And am so glad you agree on the proper nature of the title.

Thanks so, Andrea.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/2/2008
Oh, how very plausible this is! The flight of Gollum in search of the Baggins--his eventual discovery of his old home (I found that reminiscent of Mole finding his old hole in Wind in the Willows)in an almost instinctive manner.

And that his family found the remains of Isildur makes sense, since the Ring was found nearby...

How hard it must have been for Gandalf to hold back his compassion for the wretched creature!

Author Reply: Oh, I agree, Dreamflower. I'd not thought of the similarity of Mole revisiting his own hole, but you are right. And in this case Gollum has so little else to go on other than ancient memories and newer urges fostered by long-time possession by the Ring.

I read another story in which Smeagol's family had a drinking bowl made from Isildur's cranium; this seemed perhaps another way they might have dealt with the finding of his remains.

Gandalf did show great compassion for Gollum--"As for me, I pity even his slaves." But he had to learn some things swiftly and had to use fear of fire to get the information he needed!

Thanks for the feedback!

RhyselleReviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/2/2008
That was just heartbreaking...

You have managed to make me feel something for Gollum that I had great difficulty feeling when I read about him in THE HOBBIT and LOTR... compassion.

It's so easy to just think of him as the wretched, nasty, double-crossing monster he appears in the text, but you brought his past to life, even when writing about dead things.

Poor Gollum.

Author Reply: I think Gollum was much to be pitied, although that fails to make what he did any better, of course. Am so glad I can cast a different light on the poor thing! Thanks so for the feedback.

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