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| Stirring Rings by Larner | 315 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Endaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/20/2006 |
| This is an interesting view of the debates. I am assuming that you've read the section on the Istari in the Unfinished Tales. I was expecting something similar to that, but this wasn't what I was expecting. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next chapters. Author Reply: Unfinished Tales leaves us SO unaware of how the debates actually happened, it's fun to figure out what might have happened and fill in the gaps. I hope the rest of the tale continues to keep your interest! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/20/2006 |
| This is a very interesting start to an intriguing story. I like the idea of it and look forward to more of it and to see where you take it. Author Reply: I hope it continues to remain intriguing as it goes along. And I look forward to your feedback. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2006 |
| I love the image of Curumo trying on different bodies under the supervision of Manwe and Earendil, as if the Lord of the Air and the Mariner were top fashion designers - well, very top! Quite typical of Curumo to first try a 'masterful', attractive model complete with dashing white armor and a sword. Interesting idea that the Istari kept their powers, and memories, in their staffs. What would happen if they lost their staffs, or the staffs were broken by natural causes? (maybe some were sent along with Olorin and the others and were kept by the Istari as reserves, in Rivendell or other secure havens?) Curumo already has much too high an opinion of himself. Though I do feel sorr for his being afflicted with joint pain! Still, I think the Valar must have spared the hands from arthritis; what with Gandalf being an excellent swordsman. Author Reply: Yes, I too enjoyed the idea of the candidates for this service having to play around with different forms until they came out with one that was just right. And Curumo still hasn't completely grasped the idea that it's not his job to BE masterful in this case. I see the staff of a wizard being somewhat similar to Sauron's Ring in some ways, for it holds much of what made up the Maia from whom the Wizard came. With the staff withdrawn the wizard would be pretty much limited only to the skills and knowledge he's gained in human form and what little he remembers from his days before accepting the service; and if it were to be broken--I think he'd see it as the end, for to be deprived of that information and power and all would leave him feeling little better than the Men he resembles. I doubt, however, that the wizard's staff would be easily broken, not having been formed by Manwe of intangible matter such as wisdom, power, and experience. I was partly inspired by Ian McKellan's comment that he knew all the aches and pains of Gandalf's body in assigning some joint pain. But I agree arthritis of the hands would be a terrible setback for Gandalf particularly, but also for Saruman in his notetaking for his studies. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2006 |
| I loved seeing the debate about how the Wizards should look. You get the feeling that they really are creating something new, and that the Valar are a little rusty at that particular skill. It gives a sense of the limits on their power -- they are not, ultimately, the Big Kahuna of Arda. But they make up for it with teamwork and input from lots of different people. That's a lesson that Saruman never does seem to absorb, despite being there and watching how all these people worked together to create his appearance. Author Reply: Oh, you have hit it directly on the head, French Pony. Yes, teamwork is VERY important now, a fact the Lord of the Valar appreciates, but not the first among the Istari. That indeed in the end leads to his downfall, I think. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2006 |
| Oh, this grows more and more intriguing! I love the way you incorporate some of what we do know into your speculation, and then develope it into part of the story. I find it interesting that Manwe suspects Saruman from the first of not having the humility it will take to succeed. And yet he still allows him to volunteer, and to be considered the leader...was this his own idea, or the prompting of Iluvatar? Looking forward to more! Author Reply: Very good question as to whether in allowing Curumo his desire to be first among the Istari Manse might have been inspired by the Creator. And I must admit I have no idea! Shall we see as we go along what comes out of this? | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/19/2006 |
| I am really liking this story it is really interesting! Author Reply: Thank you, Imp. We aims to please! (GRINNING) | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2006 |
| A different and unique story.I'm interested where you will take this. Have just turned off the other site ads.Thanks for the warning. Author Reply: Glad you approve of how it begins. Now, if I can just keep it going.... Good luck with keeping viruses off your machine--need to do a system restore on the Dell, and until that's done and I have my blockers and virus checker back in place I am still apparently unable to get my email, which is a royal pain. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2006 |
| This looks like it'll be good. I like the contrast between the proactive Elves, engaged with and concerned for the world and the future, and the Valar, who seem to have just shut the world out of their minds. The Valar always did strike me as somewhat feckless. The idea that Finarfin and Finrod, two extraordinarily selfless Elves, were the ones to set the wheels turning that eventually led to the Wizards arriving in Middle-earth, is appealing. Author Reply: Am very glad you approve, French Pony. The Elves at least have ties in Middle Earth, and relatives of various sorts. I'd think they'd want to see things actually being done to help the inhabitants of the Mortal Lands protect themselves. Hope the story continues to please. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2006 |
| Wow! Oh, how interesting! Now I find I wish I knew more of the Elder Days; for I haven't yet gotten through the Silmarillion, and haven't been able to get some of the others...yet. I really like the characterizations here, especially of the Valar, and even though I don't know all the "Wizards'" true names, it's easy enough to tell that Curumo is Saruman. He doesn't seem a good one to send, even then. Can't wait to see where this is going! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: The stories of the Maiar that became the Wizards are told almost more in Unfinished Tales than in the Silmarillion, and even there are pretty sketchy. Leaves a lot of room for exploration. Although Tolkien felt Aiwendil was "failed" because he worked more with nature than with those who needed to guard the world against Sauron. Curumo is a bit of an egotist, I agree. And I fear Vaire has the right of it.... | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2006 |
| Interesting justification for who was sent to aide Middle-Earth and why they had to take the form they did. It is also nice to see Finarfin and Finrod together in a story, even if it is just for one chapter. The mention of the test was fascinating as well and speaks much of Galadriel for the fact that when she was faced with it, she saw it for a test and realised that she had passed it. Author Reply: Galadriel realized she would be tested, but I always got the idea she wasn't fully certain how that test would come. I felt that her brother and father would be intensely worried for her once they realized Sauron wasn't fully defeated but would be rising again in power, once it was realized the Ring wasn't destroyed; and that messages would be sent to them from Maglor also seemed likely, once he realized he was indeed forever banned from Aman but no more than that. Just what that meant probably didn't fully set in for him until the Last Ship did sail, I think. But having disposed of the last Silmaril and accepted he'd never sail himself, I don't think his repentance would have gone completely without note on the other side, or without appreciation. There is no question he was well and truly punished, having lost most of his family and personal integrity to the vow; and I like to think that eventually he rejoiced to reenter the Presence, even if he never walked again in Tirion. I like to think that the lords of the remaining Noldor within Aman challenged the Valar themselves to see to it their daughter/sister were not forgotten. | |