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From Wilderness to Cities White  by Larner 10 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/7/2011
Abosolutely delightful aa are moste tales where small children are involved.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Tari. I tend to think that little Tom was particularly delightful as a child.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/2/2011
How beautiful!

It was a wonderful idea of Melian to create a picture book about the Quest and the origins of "Ring Day".

And little Tolman's explanation about the gifts to Gimli and Legolas is just great!

Thank you very much, Larner!

Author Reply: I'm so glad you've enjoyed this so, Andrea. Thank you!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/30/2011
I love this sweet story! Sorry it's taken a bit to get here. Little kids are so smart. I love the 'Reader's Digest condensed' version of the tale and the pictures. How neat that Tolman shares the same birthday and gifts were given and guests coming all the way from Gondor. That is true love. I love Frodo-lad's hug of his little brother and Tolman's expression at the question.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I'm now tempted to write and illustrate that book! We'll have to see if I can find time now that I'm in a new job. As I wrote that Tolman was born following the Ring-day Fete in Minas Tirith, it seemed right to write a birthday story involving his own birthday celebration as well. Thanks so much, Antane!

TeresaReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/24/2011
Awwwww........Tolman was so cute! Many thanks for posting this! I loved the glimpse of Sam and the others! :)

Author Reply: Very small children are delightful--most of the time, at least. Heh! And I was delighted to offer this glimpse to you, Teresa. Thanks so!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/23/2011
Just delightful!

Author Reply: And I thank you, Linda. Hope your birthday was delightful!

6336Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/23/2011
Out of the mouths of babes.

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Indeed, Lynda! How both Frodo's must have enjoyed that example of logic! Heh!

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/23/2011
What a cutie-pie!:):):) Very sweet little tale.

~~~~~{~@

Author Reply: Little ones can come up with logic that is so obvious once you examine it, can't they? Glad you enjoyed it!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/23/2011
Ah. This is so gentle and perfect. I too, had tears in my eyes by the end of the tale. And the gifts to Legolas and Gimli...wel... *grin*

Author Reply: I'm so glad it moved you, Harrowcat! And of course those would be the gifts HE'D offer to Legolas and Gimli! Heh! And, within a couple of months I should have a new member to the family, as I've finally committed to purchasing a puppy. It's not been born quite yet, so am waiting for the call indicating it's here.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/23/2011
Aww...that's so sweet! I loved his logic about Legolas and Gimli's gifts! The tradition of a faunt's third birthday is such an adorable one-- I'm so glad Mr. Nunn asked his question about birthday gifts that inspired JRRT's Letter #214!!!

Author Reply: Tolkien gave us as much in his letters and in his personal notes as he did in his actual writings, it seems. I, too, love this tradition.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/23/2011
What a dear, lovely story. A child's logic is just wonderful, isn't it? And turning the Quest into a picture-story for children is an inspired idea.

Tolman wanted to turn back to the picture of his father and Frodo climbing the sides of Mount Doom. He looked at it for a time, then asked, “Did Unca Fodo go back there, Da?”

“Go back? Oh, little Tom, I don’t think that until he agreed to go over the Sea as he ever really left there.


*sniff* *hugs Sam*

Author Reply: As I indicated in "The Ring-day Fete" that little Tolman was born on the Birthday, it seemed that perhaps his own POV might do well for this year's Birthday story! Heh!

And I'm sure that Sam's eyes were perhaps a bit too bright on many such occasions, and he definitely deserves that hug!

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