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Coalesced Diffusion  by Thundera Tiger 6 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/1/2013
Oh, in my-verse Dunedain exploration ships have brought back a few plants from other continents that Gandalf suggested the Hobbits might well like, including the potato, many beans, maize, and squashes; and quinine becomes used when the terrible fevers arising from the Dead Marshes overwhelm much of Gondor and Arnor. Much of this was lost in my-verse during the ice ages, I suppose, as most of these plants were supported by the Hobbits and the Elves, and with the loss of these two peoples memories of them were lost with them.

Author Reply: Ah, so much more of it all makes sense. So we've got spuds, an early form of corn, the cinchona tree (or the extract thereof)... You know what would really round it off? Guava. I think Middle-earth would be MUCH happier with a study supply of guava. I'm salivating just thinking about it! (That could also be the bowl of nectarines sitting me and the fact that it's lunch time, but it could ALSO be the thought of guava.)

AdrianneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/30/2013
You are not making this easy, are you? I could only narrow it to nine! Perhaps a fitting number considering. Aragorn, the name alone brings images of strength, courage, enduring moral valiance, and wisdom. I've always seen him as a type of Christ, one of many in this tale of good and evil. So here it is, my list:

Letter, Potato,(I understand why such kindness with stir Aragorn's heart anew), Stain, Cheer, Educate, Seal, Law(Beautifully expressed and I like that you refer to it as the 'gift of Man'.), Gloves,(Again, another favorite part of 'The Return of the King'.), Smile, tender and heartbreaking all at once.

Author Reply: Interesting... I've heard the Messianic comparisons before, though in all honesty, I think they might work better for Gandalf than for Aragorn. It's Aragorn's stretch of painful indecisiveness between Lothlorien and Fangorn that makes me question how well the metaphor holds for him. But that time period aside, I can definitely see where people are coming from.

Speaking of which, I'm so glad you liked the "educate" prompt, because for me, that was the end of Aragorn's indecision. From there on out, he was the king that he was always meant to be. I don't know how well that came across in the writing, but that was the intent.

Thank you so much for the review!

robbieReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/30/2013
This series is great!
My favourite so far is "potato" (Aragorn): So sweet and thoughtful. It's telling a whole story and so much about three people in so little words.

Author Reply: So "potato" is almost more about Arwen than Aragorn, which is kind cheating on my part. ;) But I think you're right in that it does show how Aragorn can appreciate Arwen's gracious qualities and her intelligence in being able to keep up with someone who is clearly an expert gardener. Thank you so much for the review!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/30/2013
Again a brilliant series. You grab hold of each moment with precision.

*giggle* But my favorite one was 2. I can easily see why those hankies would bother him (along with all the other little insistences on imposing Shire civilization on the Wilderness).

Author Reply: Many thanks for the review! The second prompt has me wondering what else the hobbits brought on their journey since they had time to prepare for it (unlike Bilbo). Handkerchiefs might only have been the beginning!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/30/2013
"the son he raised to be King"... ooh, love that. My other favorites are Letter, Straw, Cheer, and Law. I'm already wishing this 'story' would go ever on and on.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you're still enjoying it! I'm really fond of "Law" because it's Halbarad's only appearance in these chapters and I really like the character, but my favorite is "Straw" because it has so many ramifications that echo throughout the story. For a few months, Aragorn doesn't to have an anchor point on where he's going or what he's expected to. It's a fascinating period for this individual.

FiondilReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/30/2013
And don't forget tobacco (pipeweed). That came from the Americas, too, but I'm sure people in medieval Europe used some kind of weed to smoke before the discovery of tobacco.

Anyway, it's hard to choose a favorite here. "Handkerchief" was funny. I liked the horse-related imagery in "Horse"; a very clever use of metaphor. And of course, the last one, "Smile", evokes a great image from the movie.

I think if I had to choose a favorite, though, it would have to be "Decoy", because, really, bells on Asfaloth's tack? What part of "We don't want to attract attention" do you not understand, you stupid Elf? Do you think we're on a hobbit holiday? LOL!



Author Reply: The bells on Asfaloth's tack always have me scratching my head. I mean...what exactly does Glorfindel intend to do with those things? It feels entirely too festive for a Ring-wraith hunt. The only thing that makes sense to me is if he means to attract the Ring-wraiths, thinking he won't find Frodo and could be a good diversion. But boy, it's a stretch.

Huge thanks for the review!

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