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Guarding from Afar  by Larner 8 Review(s)
Kitt OtterReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/13/2013
Beautiful, and a bit spooky! I like that Rosie was quite right about who protected their farm.

Author Reply: Thank you! It's been a time since I last wrote a--disturbing--story, and I figured it was time to do so. And I'm certain that Rosie would realize who their nearly spectral guardian would prove to be!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/30/2013
What a fascinating idea!

Author Reply: I agree--which, I think, is why I found myself so caught up by this plotbunny! Thank you so much, Linda.

TariReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/27/2013
As always, this was another amazing birthday drabble, though I hate to call it a drabble. It's more like a short story. You are now one of my favorite authors.

Author Reply: Well, technically speaking drabbles are exactly a hundred words long, or multiples thereof. So, yes, this is in truth a short story! I am so very glad that you like it! Thank you so!

TeresaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/24/2013
I enjoyed this very much; the thought that Frodo and Sam were able to protect the Shire and her people from so far away was excellent! The Ring might have been tightening It's grip on Frodo and Sam while in Mordor but they were able to subvert It's evil will to their purpose instead. Here's hoping that when that happened Sauron had a nasty case of mental indigestion! It was also fascinating that Rosie and Esmeralda were able to see Frodo and Sam at those times. I wonder if that could have helped them stay true to themselves and keep fighting the Ring until the end? As always, you have given me something to think about! Many thanks! :)

Author Reply: It is pleasing to think that the Ring managed to bring the complete opposite to what It wished that these two might do at times. Certainly the curse on Gollum should he seek to touch Frodo and the Ring again worked directly to the Ring's destruction, and Sam realized the image of him as the Hero of the Age was an impossibility. That at those moments when the Ring sought to sow horror in the hearts of Its bearers that instead it should work to strengthen their wills against It must have indeed surprised the Ring, and the thought that Sauron also might have felt mental indigestion has me smiling! Rosie knew that Sam would be coming back to her, and I so hope that Esmeralda's love for her cousin/fosterling would help to protect him when he so needed every extra ounce of aid!

Thanks so much, Theresa!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/24/2013
there was *power* there, power such as I’ve never seen in the eyes of none I’ve ever knowed.

Oh my, what an interesting idea. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if occurrences like this happened 'from afar'.

Author Reply: What would denizens of the Shire have felt if they could have seen Sam getting ready to pass the Silent Watchers, or Frodo just as the Ring took him? I so hope that the Ring's evil intent did manage to work against Its best interests at times. Thanks so very much for the feedback, Shirebound!

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/24/2013
This is tremendous! I love stories about what was happening in the Shire and Rivendell on those fateful days in March. There are not nearly enough stories of this time to satisfy me. If a bunny bites you for a Rivendell story, I will be sorry for the bite, but thrilled for the story.

This is a really good and unusual look at the Shire. Your detailed descriptions and the way you brought everything together at the conclusion form extremely strong and skillful writing. Thank you so very much!

Author Reply: This one insisted on being written, and written right then and there. I do wish these bunnies would sort of sit back and let me get the other stories finished that have languished for oh, so long!

I do so hope that more than just Rosie knew that things out there had suddenly gotten better, and that now and then our heroes managed inadvertently to make things better for those back home. And I thank you so for your reaction. I am honored!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/23/2013
How interesting that such visions would be seen in the Shire. Frightening for sure too. Love the ending and Frodo's peaceful, light-filled dream and the mercy given he asked that it be,

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: This was one of the more persistent plotbunnies to attack me lately, one that insisted had to be written NOW! I found I wanted to see the Ruffians themselves terrified, and what might happen if the Ring tried to distract Sam and Frodo at those crucial moments and found Itself being stymied in such a manner.

And Frodo so deserved that unexpected blessing by an unnamed Dunlending. Thank you so, Antane!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/23/2013
What an interesting story! I can certainly see why such apparitions would terrify the Ruffians!

Author Reply: It was another of those plotbunnies that attacked me with vigor, and I wanted to have a chance to see the Ruffians absolutely horrified! Thank you so, Dreamflower!

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