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| Stirring Rings by Larner | 315 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/23/2006 |
| Great story. So that was why the Istar, were sent as old men. Earendil was very wise, when he did speak. I loved it that he ate all his bait, that he was supose to use fish with. Author Reply: This was the reason given in the Silmarillion for them being given that shape, and so I thought to make it a bit clearer perhaps WHY the shape of elderly Men would have been chosen. The use of the staff to hold the power, experience, and knowledge of the Maia is my own extrapolation on known facts, given the situation and why it was important that Saruman accused Gandalf of wanting the rods of the five wizards as well as why he was asked to surrender his staff and then had it broken. That would be to abandon him to the world of Men altogether, and only his most native abilities such as his slyness and his ability to use his voice to dominate the thoughts of others would remain to him. And perhaps in part due to his discomfort with his current shape and situation, Curumo is quicker to forget what he's recently been told than he would have been had he perhaps been allowed the original princely shape he'd tried first. And Earendil, personally knowledgeable about the life of both Men and Elves, would be a voice I believe Manwe would listen to. Too bad Curumo didn't take a page out of Manwe's book and realize that everyone needs experienced counsel from time to time. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/23/2006 |
| Now I know why Manwe & co. granted Curumo's request to go to Middle-Earth - they were heartily sick of him and his high-and-mighty attitude! I suppose Curumo is thinking that the lowly Second-born of Ennor will scrape and bow to him and gratefully take whatever scraps of knowledge he might kindly bestow upon him. At this point, I think he almost deserves the joys of rheumatism, sleeplessness, and the common cold that the vicissitudes of mortal life, even Maiar-inhabited, will bring him. Osse and Uinen were very kind and patient with Curumo; as were the long-suffering Elves who also tried to teach him. A shame that he was too impatient to heed them! No wonder Cirdan gave Narya to Olorin! Author Reply: Yes, Curumo does make one want him gone and on his way just to have ones hands free of him, doesn't he? And if Curumo thinks Men will bow and scrape, he shows therein just how little experience he has with them, doesn't he? One tries to be kind to children, and in spite of his current appearance as an old Man, Curumo is definitely inexperienced with pretty much everything except erudite knowledge, the workings of Aule's forge, and the company of those attached to Aule's train; but in the end most folk of any kind will find such attitudes highly distasteful. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/22/2006 |
| Eek, I can just see Saruman in a pointy hat, lol..... You will find that such utterances, once listened to seriously, are seductive and must be repeatedly thrust from one. Very true. An almost Hawthornesque utterance. I thought this was going to be about Gandalf, but I think it's more interesting to read of Saruman...because he's such a bad egg I suppose *g* Author Reply: Yes, who's going to win through in the end, the one who accepts and embraces the pointy hat or the one who doesn't? But in the end this is about those three wizards of whom we remain aware, so you can believe Gandalf will appear a good deal. A Hawthornesque utterance? Yes, a good description indeed, I think. Thank you. Saruman is an interesting one to consider--I have to agree with you there. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/22/2006 |
| Curumo the Arrogant gets at least a little comeuppance here, I see. The bit with the hat was cute. It is completely out of character for someone like Curumo to wear it, but it is so very in character for Olorin. Perhaps the hat is the real key to resisting the might of Sauron. Only the Istar who can humble himself enough to wear a pointy hat can acquire the necessary wisdom. Speaking of wisdom, what an interesting choice, to send someone on a two-week sea voyage alone in a skiff. Was this also intended to teach humility? Or perhaps to toughen up a creature used to the comforts of Aman? Author Reply: Actually, French Pony, you have managed to point out ideas of which I'd only barely thought on, but which are indeed true. ONLY one who knew humility could win through in the end, as you have so astutely pointe out. He was given the choice between a fairly swift voyage with Earendil and Aiwendil, or this protracted one by himself, and you see what he chose. Humility and learning the nature of the limitations of his new bodily form I suspect were indeed part of the reason for this choice. That, and the chance to speak with Osse and learn from Osse's experiences and observations. But will he choose to remember any of it is the question. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/22/2006 |
| I have just sat down with time enough to appreciate these three chapters Larner. It is great and I am looking forward to seeing how you develop each of these characters. I haven't made time to explore much of the rest of Tolkien's work so this is also exciting. I have often wondered about the the fate and history of the 'five' wizards. I love the concept of the staffs (or should the plural be staves?)containing much of their power and wisdom. I also like the very 'other worldly' tone of the beginning of this. Very much looking forward to more. Author Reply: The proper plural is staves, but I doubt many are aware of that, of course. There had to be a proper reason why the Wizards would carry such things and why the breaking of them would be such a potential disaster in their eyes. Without access to their proper power and memories and experience as Maiar in their true form, they were limited to those memories and skills they'd built up for themselves as Wizards caught in the shapes of Men, which would be terrifying for someone like Curumo, I'd think. Am so glad the story is already catching your imagination so. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/22/2006 |
| It must have been very hard for the Maiar to get used to there different bodies. BTW, I am now putting new stories on my LJ as well as the other site, a nice plain interface and no ads of any sort. I try them out there and polish for here. Author Reply: I agree--it would indeed be difficult for Maiar to accustom themselves to the bodies and limitations of mankind, minus the relatively short lifespan, of course. I'll have to find some way to get into my email and download it so I can get your livejournal url. Once I get my own computer back up and online I'll do that. Don't want to risk my daughter and son-in-law's machine. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/22/2006 |
| I like your explanation for why the Istari took the forms they did. Author Reply: Very glad you do, Linda. Thank you. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/22/2006 |
| My goodness, you are ambitious! I glanced at this only, tonight, and will have to set it aside for later reading. My eyes are closing even as I type. But look forward to reading, and knowing how you research, I'm sure I'll learn quite a lot along the way. Did you say you were coming down our way again soon? We have found the most wonderful little pizza place, right in our neighbourhood. Author Reply: I hope the week after Labor Day. I'd hoped to come down for Meesh's birthday the first, but can't, as I have to work, durn it anyway. But there's no question I NEED the extra pay. Do they serve anything besides pizza? Sorry, but I have the digestive system from unmentionable places, and it just doesn't bear well with tomato sauce and cheese mixed together for some reason no one's been able to fathom. Some places do have chicken or something similar, and I could handle that. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/21/2006 |
| Never did want to listen to anyone, did he? *sigh* He must have been extremely frustrating to those who had to attempt to teach him. I look forward to seeing the arrival of the others... Author Reply: Yes, self-centeredness doesn't work any better for wizards than it does for men, does it? Poor Curumo, already on his way to being the Saruman we have come to hate. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/20/2006 |
| "Must I be so diminished?" he demanded, then looked appalled as he heard his own voice. Hmmm, my sentiments exactly...comes to us all, Saruman! heheh....Actually I was rather expecting Manwe to think, Hmmm, should we be sending this one out? Kind of an arrogant cuss, isn't he? He'll even have to go to the bathroom *shudder* *giggle* Author Reply: Yes, Saruman has some coming to terms to meet. And I'd imagined his discomfort at having to deal with relieving himself, but had so far managed to avoid writing them. But I think he'd find the process to be most demeaning, don't you? And I'm certain by this time Manwe has the idea that perhaps sending this one may not be the most auspicious of acts; but, having committed himself, he goes ahead and allows the chips to fall as they do. After all, Iluvatar will be able to bring good even out of what Saruman might intend to be evil.... | |