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| Cities and Wilderness by Larner | 64 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 8/22/2026 |
| "one leg and one ear" One thing I appreciate about your stories is that you include less-than-perfect outcomes. So often in fanfic, a character falls ill or is injured but then heals completely. It reminds me of the television series I watched in my youth, where no matter what characters went through in the current episode, they'd show up as good as new in the next episode, with no apparent aftereffects. But RL isn't like that... Oh! Merry! And the way he tells his tale is so matter-of-fact, not embroidered at all, just the bald facts as they happened, told from a plainspoken hobbit's perspective. that might pierce—pierce him: he seems to falter at the thought of the Nazgûl Captain, and I don't blame him one bit. "as neat as neat, as Sam would say" – so hobbity! I think I melted, just a bit, just now. And then going on to talk of how suspicious they all were back in Bree, and his casual mentions of Strider, and poor Derunol hasn't a clue as to the identity of the narrator or the others he's talking about... Poor lad. Lost his leg and his ear, and his brother's gone. Merry's repeated "They're so thin!" sounds just like the kind of detail a hobbit would fix on. The young Man's gradual dawning of understanding is well done. None of them is awake, even. How I love Cormallen stories! Especially knowing the joy and honor that will be coming soon. But oh, the agony of not-knowing. Merry's distress at Frodo's unconscious responses rings true. How will anyone else really understand? Most of the Shirefolk never did come to understand, sad to say. I can believe that Merry, knowing how well he has known Frodo, and having had his own encounter(s) with the Nazgûl Captain at Weathertop and Bree and before Minas Tirith (I'm trying to remember if it was the same Nazgûl that accosted him in Bree?), understands more than most. I like the hopeful conclusion quite a bit. (I am told to convey greetings from the fur-family along with the two-legged household members. We all hope this note finds you well.) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 8/5/2026 |
| . If this Meriadoc Brandybuck could come back from the shadows as he had, then so could Derunol! Yes he will! What a marvelous, moving, and insightful conversation. Inner wounds are as real and life changing as outer wounds, and can be more challenging for people to understand. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/20/2026 |
| This is lovely | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/15/2026 |
| Nice! I haven’t read one of these where Faramir goes to plan his house before, or at least where he scouts out the ruins. It was very nice. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/2/2026 |
| Denethor's insistence on carrying 8yo Faramir on his saddle is a lovely picture of a father's love and care, so different from the glimpse we have of him at the end of his life, consumed with grief and bitterness, and burdened by worry and impossible responsibility. (I love Faramir's forethought for Éowyn's comfort in her new home-to-be.) The signs (and Pippin's explanation of the scouts' arrow "code") that Legolas and Aragorn left to mark their trail for the other members of the Fellowship – what a clever idea! It really is amazing that Frodo survived the Morgul knife. Whew. I am fascinated at the idea of the ruins of the old fortress. I could – and often did! – spend hours exploring old castle ruins in some of the places we visited over the years. I can clearly see in my mind's eye, Legolas lounging on a branch that would not be likely to hold the weight of a Man. The "recently swept" floor is a nice touch. I was able to form a mental map of the layout from your descriptions. Well done! I can understand why hobbits would not be so fond of granite hills – much harder to delve, I should think. The ending is perfect. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/2/2026 |
| as he slept, Pippin seemed to hear others join him in his song, and he smiled in his dreams, knowing that Faramir and the Lady Éowyn and whatever children they gave birth to would be very happy here. That's lovely. And the detail about Legolas sitting so lightly on the branch is a nice detail. | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 5/18/2026 |
| “and perhaps one of the most responsible of Hobbits” *I immediately think of the Bree incident, and just now while typing the Maggot Farm incidents* :) “From the sounds of it, most of them didn’t find it particularly funny, although it must have been eminently diverting. “Ah, Hamfast, my good fellow—there you are!”” heheh, sneaky Bilbo. He is not completely responsible either, is he? “Well, as the Dwarves said so long ago, Dark for dark business. There are many hours before dawn. I must away and quickly” ohhhh THAT is what the title is from. I couldn’t think of it. “and then the Thain and his party. Probably a good thing that Missus Lalia hadn’t come with her son that evening, the Gaffer thought wryly” oh, yes, and I forgot the Thane would be there! It is not Pippin’s father yet, is it? “Dark for dark business, I suppose, as Mr. Bilbo used to say. I’d say as it’s time t’ put them barrows as was hired into service, considerin’ as how many Hobbits I see here and there under the tables, sleepin’ it off. Well, I’d best be to it, then. It’s part of what stewards is supposed to see to, after all.” heheh, yes, Sam is right. Nice view of events! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 5/16/2026 |
| I've never thought about the Party from the Gaffer's perspective. Brilliant! I love the little details, especially Hamfast's observation that Bilbo hasn't visibly aged. (I wish I felt half as spry as a 30yo, myself...) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 5/14/2026 |
| This is a wonderful point of view for this momentous event. The Gaffer's a keen observer, even if he doesn't always have (or seek) all the clues to piece together a mystery. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 5/4/2026 |
| I remember, more connected with watching ROTK than from reading the book, wondering about Aragorn's change from a Ranger's garb to that of a Gondorian. (Boromir's vambraces were a nice touch, which I seem to recall came out of the film though I don't remember whose idea it was.) Perhaps in Mandos Denethor will learn better. In my version of his story, the scales fall from Denethor's eyes (in a manner of speaking) upon reaching Mandos, and he sees all things truly. Certainly, he remains in the Halls of Mandos contemplating his choices and deeds, along with his failings, including his pride, but the "learning better" part happens early on. The details regarding Meneldil's armor are fascinating, including the possible fire damage to the right gauntlet, as well as the incredible state of preservation of (most of) the original leather components. “When we meet one another in Námo’s halls?” Aragorn hazarded, checking to see whether he could easily reach his dagger. Okay, now I'm curious about the identity of the armorer. Alas, poor lonely Merry! I love that the chapter jumps forward to and finishes with the Coronation. Faramir's flash of foreknowledge and his recognition of Boromir's vambraces, along with the suggestion of Boromir's conveying reassurance to his younger brother from beyond, are well done. Lovely story! I read it on my phone yesterday, and came back to the laptop today to re-read and convey some of my thoughts. Nicely done, and I hope to read more from your keyboard soon. | |