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The Wind Changes  by Larner 6 Review(s)
Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/18/2009
I loved it when Pippin thinks of the Witch-King as blinking before Gandalf's power, like in a very high-stakes poker game. Pippin's POV is wonderfully written; and his refusal of despair and subsequent infection by Hope is nicely entwined here.

Author Reply: Yes, Pippin recognizes the one who has just been outdone by a masterful opponent. Am so very glad you like how it is written, and Pippin's point of view. It was an interesting prompt to write, to--obviously, as I ended up writing it twice! Heh!

And I think that Aragorn did just that--brought out the HOPE in others that he was named for.

Thanks so, Raksha!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/18/2009
A good sense of smell would not have been very pleasant around the spider's lair and in the tower of Cirith Ungol. It must have stunk abdominably, even without the odour of their feelings.

Oh, such a pity Sam didn't realise what that bundle held! Would have saved his friends a lot of pain and despair. But oh well, it was more important to find Frodo, and that he did, and in time.

Author Reply: Oh, yes, I suspect that he and Frodo found themselves gagging frequently as they made their way out of the tower!

It's said that animals can gauge our feelings by our scent; and we know pheromones help prepare us to become infatuated with potential mates. A most interesting sense, our sense of smell!

Thanks for the feedback--I do appreciate it dearly.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/18/2009
Interesting approach to have Pippin recognise the smells for the different feelings.

Just knowing something that foul thing did not know, something the Enemy in all his self-conceit could not appreciate, gave Pippin heart---- I like Pippin's way of thinking here, to feel better just because he knew something the Nazgul did not. Yes, that's the way to go - trust Frodo and keep your hope up!

The smell of fire, and particularly of burnt meat, must have haunted Pippin for the rest of his life, always bringing back the memories of Denethor's death. That death alone would have given me nightmares forever, even without any more reminders.

And the return of the Travellers and their determined demeanour must have given the Hobbits a lot of hope, suddenly realising that they could get rid of the ruffians.

Author Reply: We know Hobbits had better hearing than did Men; that their olfactory sense also might be heightened is a distinct possibility. Although much of how this is written is, of course, because of the prompt sentence I was given! The sight of a large fire and the smell of certain smokes, and over all the sickening scent of burned meat would, I think, truly disturbed him for the rest of his life, just as you indicated

But to come home and see the feelings of defeat and despair give way to hope once more--that must have truly filled Pippin with a nearly savage appreciation. And he is, after all, the most hopeful of Hobbits imaginable in his way!

Thanks so, Kitty--I so rejoice you liked this one!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/18/2009
"Smell" is a unique sense through which to view these scenes. And you end with one of my favorite moments in all the trilogy.

Author Reply: The starter sentence, of course, set the stage for the use of the sense of smell--we are told our most powerful, primitive, and basic sense in the long run. And I do love that moment also!

Thank you so for the feedback, Shirebound.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/17/2009
Frodo smelled of blood, pain, bewilderment, and fading terror. And in spite of the sweat and blood and filth, there was that indefinable scent to him that was simply that of Frodo Baggins of the Shire.

Wonderfully said, Larner!
Between all the stench, known and unknown to Sam, and all the emotions that are literally smellable, he recognises a scent that hasn't changed at all. It remains "solid", even if it is overlayed by other smells. The scent of his master and best friend Frodo.

And I'm quite sure that Frodo experienced something similar!

(Is "smellable" the correct expression? My dictionary does not know it. But it looks good ;-))

Author Reply: Yes, Frodo is Frodo in spite of all that has happened to him, and can be recognized by what we are told is our most primitive and basic of senses. And I'm certain Frodo also knows relief, being surrounded by the essence of Samwise Gamgee!

As for "smellable"--well, you ARE writing in English, and we're forever cobbling together new words that are readily definable by adding on such suffixes or equivalent prefixes. Yes, it looks good!

Thanks so for the feedback!

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/16/2009
Augh. No time to read this at less than gulping speed.

I look forward to the early morning, when I will hopefully have time to savour (before the rest of the house is up and about)

Au revoir!

Author Reply: I hope that they please. They are also on the LJ site for the LOTR community, of course.

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