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| Shire: Beginnings by Lindelea | 127 Review(s) |
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| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/24/2004 |
| Such a beautiful chapter. The Thorn dies and yet he sees what some of the end results his sacrifice are. So is he is the ancestors of Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam? Interesting to imagine Sam included, however distantly in the family web, though come to think of it... the Thorn reminds me of what the Gaffer might have been like had be been a Took. Sorry to see him go, but the Fallohides endure. Author Reply: Yes, Thorn is the ancestor of Frodo, Merry and Pippin. Beechnut is the ancestor of Sam. Yes, Sam does have a little Fallohide in him, though he is more Harfoot than anything else. It was very difficult to write his death, the deaths of so many hobbits. My only comfort was to make Mandos as warm and welcoming a character as I could. Why else would the doom of Men be called a gift? | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/24/2004 |
| Has Pickthorn dissapeared? He's my favorite character. I'd love too see more of him though Blackthorn is an interesting character. The weight of responsibility appears to be settling well on his shoulders. Author Reply: Not sure what you are asking; he was in this chapter. He's the one who fetched Violet (his mum) to Lily's side. You'll see more of him when (Black)Thorn gets back from Rhudaur with Glorfindel. Not much left to this part of the story, really. The journey to Cardolan, meeting the Harfoots, settling down, and an epilogue. Then, I think, there will be a part 2 with Marcho and Blanco, unless that's part 3, and part 2 involves the hobbits moving from the "lost villages" in the angle to Breeland. After all, M and B go from Bree to found the Shire. Anyhow, haven't got the later parts worked out yet. Am still thinking about M & B and what sort of hobbits they are... all I know at this point is that they are brothers, and that they inspire many hobbits to follow them. | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 1/24/2004 |
| What a gruesome sight for poor Thorn. Are the people of Rhudaur trying to imitate Mordor or Minas Tirith? If so they seem to be leaning toward Mordor with their decorations and the sulfur and thunder Thorn heard. Author Reply: Thanks for the review. The city is built in imitation of Minas Tirith, I think (must go back and check when MT was built) or perhaps even an earlier city from lost Numenor. My ancient Tolkien history is a bit sketchy. Mordor has not yet been rebuilt. Sauron is dwelling in Dol Guldur, I think, as the Necromancer. I'd have to look at my notes to be sure. In any event, they are leaning towards the Shadow. There were men of Numenor who fell under shadow and practiced human sacrifice, so there is precedent for the men of Rhudaur going bad. I do remember clearly that Rhudaur fell under the shadow of Angmar soonest of the three northern kingdoms, so it is logical (to me, in writing this story) that they would have already been inclined to evil. The thunder and sulfur were Thorn's perception of Glorfindel's building anger. | |
| finafyr | Reviewed Chapter: 150 on 1/22/2004 |
| I just wanted you to know that I think this is a wonderful story.. I have been a lover of Middle Earth for over 30 years... and find that I cannot get enough stories .. so when an author such as yourself has the spirit and beauty that I equate with Middle Earth I find it a delight... I love finding out more about early Hobbit history..I want to know about Thorn and his people.. thank you.. from the bottom of my heart thank you.. I eagerly await your next chapters.. Author Reply: Thank you for the feedback! I know what you mean about not getting enough stories. LOTR ended too abruptly! It left me wanting more. I think that's why I started writing in the first place, to fill up the corners. I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks again. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 1/22/2004 |
| How positively ghastly! My son Ace reminds me that when the Witchking came north to rule, he came to Rhudaur (I haven't looked it up myself). It doesn't surprise me, with all the evil these people have in their hearts. And I don't believe for a moment that they are just going along with the wishes of their king, and don't see the humanity of the vermin they are exterminating. Good people surround themselves with symbols and reminders of beauty, peace and justice. Evil people fixate on death, pain and anger. You can't be good-and-just-misguided and decorate your fence with skulls. The other day I thought it would be amusing for Glorfindel and Blackthorn to go to see the king and win him over, but now I'm nervous about it. All those skulls! It has to be ripping Black's heart to shreds to see the evidence of just how the People have suffered. To paraphrase Theoden, what can one do against such reckless hate? And although the idea of having an Elf-Lord revealed in all his wrath is still scary as anything, I begin to doubt the wisdom of their plan. *Deep breath* I'd like to make a comment about a nicer thing? I am enchanted that the elves seem to find things in the Hobbits to admire and from which they can learn. Your elves are very Tolkien - despite their wisdom and years, they retain an innocent joy in life that does you credit. Glorfindel has never had to examine the passage of time from the point of view of a mortal. He's once again surprised by the little folk, but it's a respectful sort of curiosity, never superior or disdainful - even to the point of trying a pipe. I like him. And Thorn is a good leader for his people. He's eager to absorb all he can from this time with the Elves, from recovering the old skills of weaving to learning to write to preserve the old stories, and longing for a pony of his own. He's going to need to be strong, but he seems up to it. I'm still apprehensive, but I'm also eager to see how he handles the king. Author Reply: Your son Ace is exactly right. From what I've read, Rhudaur "fell under shadow" instead of being conquered in battle as Cardolan (though I think the plague helped finish Cardolan) and then Athedain were. I have Glorfindel's speech and Thorn's speech worked out. I'm still not completely sure what moves the king of Rhudaur. I am sure it is not pity, at least, not on his part. But his wife, now... hmmm... there might be something there to work with. Thank you for the remark about my elves. Elves make me very nervous (that is, writing about them). Thorn is his father's son. He has been well-taught, and he must have "something" or the Lady wouldn't have bothered talking to him. Although hobbits don't normally go around hearing voices of higher beings, there is precedent -- I am thinking of Frodo hearing Gandalf speaking to him when he puts the Ring on just before the breaking of the Fellowship. (Take it off, you fool!) But Thorn's speech to the king of Rhudaur will have to wait, for I am off to watch "Pirates of Penzance" now. Have a good weekend! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/20/2004 |
| I am intrigued about the way of the People that one does not survive the loss of a mate. Certainly this does not persist into the new land (which you even say - new land, new ways) but there are echoes of it in the Hobbit aversion to remarriage, as well as where we have seen a Hobbit turn his face to the wall to welcome death. It is not that grief is lessened, but that somehow they accept better than we do that death comes to all, and that sometimes it is not the worst choice. I have to think about that a bit more. I noticed that Black at the beginning of the chapter becomes Thorn by the end. In the birth of the next generation, he has accepted leadership more fully. And I loved the gentle response of the elves to the birth of hobbit babies. Of course they haven't seen young ones in a very long time, and never ones as small as this. It seems perfectly natural they would want to hold, and sing, and nurture in a way I think only elves could. Elrond is really tenderhearted (who would have guessed!) and already half a hobbit. It must have pleased him to no end when he encountered Bilbo. What is Glorfindel up to? After Elrond, he's the scariest Elf-lord. If the King of Rhudaur knows what's good for him, he won't mess with a twice-born Balrog slayer and one who hears the Lady! Looking forward to the battle of wits. Author Reply: Thanks for the review! I was beginning to think the story had lost its (whatever it is). Can you tell I'm brainless tonight? Going to take the night off from writing and watch "Pirates of Penzance". Death, after all, is the Gift of Eru. The Men of Numenor fell because they desired immortality, didn't they? Hobbits are perceived as purer and more innocent, so perhaps they have not been corrupted by the longing for prolonging life beyond its prescribed span. Don't get me wrong; they love life and revere it, refusing to take the life of another hobbit, say, and not prone to suicide (so I was told when I had Estella contemplating such in "Ruffians" when there seemed no other escape). It's just that they are not afraid of death. I guess I get this impression from Pippin beneath the troll. He doesn't seem frightened. Tenderhearted Elrond comes from the description in The Hobbit, "kind as summer". I can just see the Elves enjoying the babies... Am still working out just how Glorfindel scares the king of Rhudaur. (What makes Elves scarey? Why are people in awe, just seeing an Elf? Cannot find an explanation. The Elves are powerful, my "Tolkien Companion" says, but neglects to go into detail. Guess if Glorfindel can stand against the Nazgul, mere Men are no match for him; that is the premise from which I'm working.) The Muse has a magnificent speech worked up, just am not sure where in the course of events it falls. Black, too, has something to say. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 150 on 1/8/2004 |
| Elf names! What I call "The Sindarin Baby Book" [there is a well-known list at a different site which is actually named "The Quenya Baby Book"]: http://www.councilofelrond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Semantics&file=index&volume=4 (or: from their home page, go to Languages, then the Elvish name list is the last choice). Modern names, with Elvish equivalents suggested. Lots of repetition, and many are too unwieldy, but it certainly suggests many meanings I'd never come up with on my own. Also helpful (for us non-Sindarin speakers) to watch how he's putting the name together. Here you can download a *free* Sindarin-English, English-Sindarin dictionary (Dragon Flame) to find words with particular meanings: http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/ Male suffixes: -ion, -on. Female suffixes: -eth, -iel, -ien, -wen. But names do not have to have suffixes. You can just pick an appropriate word. Combining words is, alas, for those who really want to devote time to learning Sindarin. Some interesting mostly gender-specific names (note which suffix is used): Doronion/Doronien (oak tree); Sell (girl); Fainiel (white daughter); Faron (hunter); Taragon (horn); Sarnon/Sarion (stone); Merilon/Merilwen/Merileth/Meril (rose); Taurion/Tauriel (forest); Fimmeth (slender); Lenneth/Lenniel (tuneful/sweet); Cuinnien/Cuinneth/Cuinwen (vivacious, alive); Cúnir (bowman); Gornnir (man of valor); Ríon/Riel/Rien/Riwen/Rieth (crown); Eithelien/Eithelwen (water spring); Pathon (smooth); Aras/Arasiel/Arasion (deer); Glánion (white); Lagoron (swift); Nórion (fire). Some names which I am under the impression could be used for either gender: Uinimlad (from the valley); Ethuil (spring season); Túgann (bold strength); Bôr (steadfast); Nîth (youth); Hênarth/Sellarth (lofty); Ardunn (high hill). Hoping I haven't made any dreadful errors here.... Author Reply: Such a wealth of information! Now just to pick and choose a few names... and if *I* make any dreadful errors, hopefully my readers will be gentle in their correction. Thanks much! I had no idea of the resources available, but then I've been writing mostly about hobbits and very little about elves up until this point. What fun! Something tells me the Fallohides will soon be "home" (at least, home for the nonce, until it is time for them to move on to Breeland about 250 years later). Now I have to decide whether to continue after that point (their settling down) in "Shire", making it one of those super-long stories, or if I should have a Shire: Part I followed by Shire: Part II... decisions, decisions... (thoughtful frown) Thanks again for the input. | |
| Lindorien | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/7/2004 |
| Dear Ms. Lindelea: This chapter is going good. Again, this chapter is one of the good ones and I get I am going to say this over and over because all your chapters are like that. I think that its funny that there would be all these different creatures in the woods. I think its really funny to have black squirrels that are dangerous. Are they black because of spells? Is that what you mean? We have to go to bed now, but we will read more tomorrow. Good night! Thanks, Lindorien's children Author Reply: Well, the black squirrels aren't dangerous in themselves, they are a *warning* of danger in the Forest. Can you think of other things that warn of danger, without *being* dangerous? They are black because of the evil spreading over Greenwood, which will eventually cause its name to be changed to "Mirkwood". Good night! I enjoy reading your reviews. | |
| Lindorien | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/7/2004 |
| Dear Ms. Lindelea: This chapter is going magnificent! A Giant saved him? This chapter was probably one of the good ones and also, there should be a name for the giant and for the creatures. Thanks, Lindorien's children Author Reply: Well, just about anybody would seem to be a giant from a hobbit's perspective. There will be a name for the giant, and the creatures, if you just keep reading! | |
| Lindorien | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/7/2004 |
| Dear Ms. Lindelea: The whole chapter was very good. Something very scary is happening in it. They thought something was blood but it is really berry stains. It's a little short for a chapter, but good. We think that the rescuer scared the goblins away, if they were goblins and left Pickthorn to rest. We want to hear the next chapter. Thanks, Lindorien's children | |