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| Sundry Scrolls II by Raksha The Demon | 84 Review(s) |
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| Little Dwarf | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/29/2008 |
| Well-written and very atmospheric! I loved the tenderness between Faramir and Eowyn, and also the bittersweet memory of Frodo... :) Lovely! Author Reply: I was trying for a certain atmosphere; the moon, the water, the heights of Henneth Annun; so I'm pleased you noticed. I'm sure that Faramir would have missed Frodo and regretted that the one who saved them all did not get to enjoy the victory and peace for very long. | |
| Little Dwarf | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/29/2008 |
| A wonderful look at a younger Aragorn, determined and clearly in love... *sniff* The book Aragorn betrays nothing of his love for Arwen; the movie Aragorn is *very* romance-oriented, being sentimental but not overly so. Your young Aragorn was well-balanced, though I'm certain that becoming King meant much more to him than a means of conquering Arwen's hand. Am I wrong to think that this happens before their troth? Because from this:"She had looked upon him as if he were a clever child when he spoke his admiration. Ah, but he was patient." I gather that, as this point, his love for her was still one-sided... I also *loved* the description of the peaceful and secluded life of the people of Bree and their ignorance... And the contrast reminds me of some fanfiction ideas I had... :) Author Reply: No, you're not wrong to think that this tale happens before the trothplighting of Aragorn and Arwen. I think Aragorn is about 25 here, give or take a year or two. If he'd asked Arwen for her hand at this point, she still would have said the polite equivalent of 'Dream on, kiddo'. It's only after Aragorn has acquired 25 more years of military and other-cultural experience, not to mention a little humility and a lot more wisdom, that he is at last a match for the nearly 3000-year-old Peredhel princess. But one of Aragorn's more endearing qualities is patience, and I think he would be willing to wait. Aragorn also seemed to have tremendous self-confidence; and that would give him the conviction that Arwen would accept him in time. I would enjoy seeing what those fanfiction ideas of yours are... | |
| Little Dwarf | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2008 |
| Wonderful! When I read the title and saw the protagonist of this ficlet, I was prepared for an angsty piece, but you knew better than that!! This was very in character for Pippin (he is a lot braver than he used to be, but remains the Hobbit who values the joys of life) and Beregond's appearance was fitted. I loved the little story! :) Author Reply: I find it very difficult to write hobbits; and have only tackled hobbit angst peripherally. From the outset, this vignette was intended to show Pippin's courage and the strength of hobbits, as well as their priorities. You are right that Pippin is braver than he used to be; he had to grow up quickly, and he has seen things that most hobbits, even most Tooks, never do; and learned about honor and courage (as well as developing his own). Pippin has always been my favorite hobbit. Thanx for reviewing, Little Dwarf! | |
| Little Dwarf | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/29/2008 |
| Wow. Just wow. At first, I was a little confused by the shift from one character to the other, but by the time I realized where you were taking this, I was already admiring the beautiful style! I *loved* it, what an insired idea!!! :) Author Reply: It's a piece that's a bit off my usual track; especially since Glorfindel is a character normally well out of my range, ditto the Witch-King. But I loved connecting them to the house in Aldburg and what was happening there. Thanx for the comment; I'm so glad you liked the vignette. | |
| Little Dwarf | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/29/2008 |
| Excellent! The last paragraph captures Faramir's... essence... so well! I loved the angsty introspection, and your characterization was perfect! Author Reply: One of the things that has always drawn me to Faramir is that not only is he a man of letters, an intellectual, but he is an outstanding warrior and military leader. He may personally prefer to be gentle and gracious, but when necessary, he'll lead the charge and cut down Haradrim or whoever is invading Gondor. I wanted to capture this dichotomy, and show that Faramir, weary as he was, could draw on deep reserves of strength to do his duty; and then spare some sorrow for the music and the lore he was leaving to lead an ill-starred and dangerous mission. Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Small Dwarf. | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/18/2008 |
| Ooh, a chilling but plausible AU! Denethor has enough wisdom to turn away from immolation but not enough wisdom to accept the restoration of the King. This fits very well with canon, where Denethor does waver before the end and Imrahil does remark that Denethor's mood has been "strange." Personally, I find this version of events, where Denethor's fall is only partial, more believable than canon. Having Denethor realize that he doesn't know the words to the fashionable, new songs is a nice touch. He realizes that the world outside is changing even if he refuses to change. How his own irrelevance must have galled him, almost as much as Aragorn's kindness. An original view of an often-discussed subject. Author Reply: I do feel bad for Denethor here, he's become a prisoner of his own device. The angry, paranoid Denethor we saw in ROTK would not have readily let Thorongil/Aragorn, the upstart who Mithrandir was going to supplant him with, put his grubby vagabond hands on Faramir; he'd have trusted Gondorian healers to save his son. Sob. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Branwyn. | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/18/2008 |
| It must have been strange for Gandalf to be at rest, after so many years of hurry and conflict. I wonder if he was bored in his "retirement" or if he was assigned other tasks. In this fic (and in Tolkien's writing) he is clearly at ease in the company of Men and Hobbits. Was he changed by so many years among mortals? I liked the reference to his brotherhood with Sauron--it is easy to forget that Sauron, like Lucifer, was a fallen angel. A well-written and interesting piece! Author Reply: I hope poor Gandalf was bored silly after a few years of peace and harmony in paradisical Valinor! He seems to be such an active, resourceful guy, someone meant to strive as well as reflect. Yes, imagine younger Olorin and younger Sauron, during the time of the Trees and earlier, fellow Maiar; they might have even been friends. Thanx for the review, Branwyn! | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/18/2008 |
| How lovely! Too bad that Sam is not there to rejoice with Faramir. The land around the Black Gate, lifeless and blasted, always seemed less hideous to me than the Morgul Vale with its deformed living creatures. I don't think Farmir should denigrate his own achievement--Aragorn found a miracle waiting for him on the mountainside, but Faramir's labors allowed this miracle to happen. Thanks for sharing this lovely piece of writing! Author Reply: I do hope that Sam will see the rebirth of Minas Morgul, or at least the transitional phase; I have the feeling it will still be several decades before the vale is deemed safe. And yes, credit for the slow transformation belongs to Faramir; though I'm sure he's smart enough to have accepted the aid of dwarves and elves in this slow but crucial endeavor. Thanx for the review, Branwyn; I'm glad you liked the piece. | |
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/18/2008 |
| Awww, this is sweet. How many times over the years will Aragorn sit in lonely places warmed by thoughts of his love alone? I like it how the musings lift his spirit and make the lonely post more bearable. His ideas for a big family are adorable and still show how young he is. Author Reply: Sorry I'm so late in answering. Aragorn is still quite young, isn't he, and not that removed from the boy who fell head-over-heels with the vision of Luthien in the groves of Imladris - he hasn't seen that much of the world, or known much of the pain that life, and that world, can inflict. Right now he has his dreams, and his considerable strength and unusual patience, and that can be enough; which is what I wanted to capture. Young Aragorn is also a rather endearing sort of fellow to write! Thanx much for reviewing, obsidianj! | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/11/2008 |
| You're captured that moment of odd moment of blankness that comes when a great work is done. How strange it must have seemed for Gandalf. Author Reply: A belated reply to your review - thanx for reading and commenting. Yes, that's what I was aiming for, the odd mingling of relief and aimlessness that comes after the end of a great endeavor. And for Gandalf, the work had been so long... | |