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Keep Alive the Memory by Celeritas	114 Review(s)
Kara's Aunty	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 1/13/2009
Hello Celeritas, Kira does seem to be an unfortunate soul in matter's of health; trouble with her foot, wayward 'friends' who are jealous of her time spent with the Red Book causing her to almost drown, and now, the effects of grief at the loss of the Red Book's tale - poor lass. One point though: The expression 'sick up' and the seasonal reference 'fall' are Americanisms, not hobbitisms :) It's clear Penny worries for the effect Kira's demise would have on Rosemary, but her concern does seem a bit misguided at times. I'm beginning to suspect she has no regard, solely for her niece, at all; that her concern for the child's welfare is incidental to that for her sister's; but she IS trying to keep their family together in whatever way she can, I suppose. Her revelations about Kira's father were poignant and her love for her sister is indisputable. I just wish she loved her niece for her own sake and not Rosemary's, which seems to be the case (I don't think you wrote it like that though, it's just my interpretation). I'm a bit gutted to see I only have three chapters left after this. And there's no hope of a new chapter of Sharing Sam to look forward to either (I LOVED that story), sniff. You are too cruel... See you soon, M ;) Author Reply: Yeah, I've mentioned before that if Kira ever managed to meet me in real life she'd probably smack me a few good ones, and for good reason. I just did a "find word" on Chapter 13 and didn't find "sick up"; I think the phrase I used was "spit up"--if that is an Americanism, I'm sorry--I just couldn't think of any other phrase for "vomit" that didn't sound too scientific, too modern, or too crass. As far as "fall" goes, I did at one point do a "find/replace" with fall vs. autumn until I remembered that one of the Elvish names for autumn was "Lasselanta" or "leaf-fall." Since hobbits appear to have inherited, way back in the day, a good deal of their knowledge from elves (although not necessarily month-names), I decided to let it lie. Penny has been quite frustrated at Kira at times, often because she has a seeming lack of concern for her own health. This and Kira's growing bookishness have stood in the way of her really getting to know Kira for her own sake. But she does love the lass, and not just because she's so dear to her sister. Well, all good things, etc., etc. Here's the current queue-up for my writing: my beta currently has all of KAtM's sequel that I've written (well, almost all); as soon as he's fully acquainted with what I'm planning on doing I'll polish up the first few chapters and get them up, hopefully before this month is o'er. Once the second chapter of that is up I'll be clear to put the next bit of Sharing Sam up (chapter 2 mentions some details on hobbit courtship practices)--I do have at least five more stories in that series planned. But there may be a bit of a lull. Also, I have to apologize for the Great Reviewing Slump; I've been horribly slacking and the longer my list gets the less I want to get it done! Author Reply: Forgot to mention: if you really are starved for my writing I've got some relative frivolity up under the name "The Sandbox." And lurking on Livejournal some challenge fics and other such things.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/7/2009
I had to leave this and think about it before I could come back and do a review. Much as I liked this tale - and I really did think it well-written - I still quibble (in my own mind) with pieces/parts of it. Tom's betrayal comes to mind. It astounded me. And I don't think it's because of the way it was written - but because he did it. If that makes any sense. I've been betrayed a number of times and the hurt is beyond coping sometimes. I'm sorry our little heroine had such happen to her. I still cannot understand her capitulating to his needs. But as one of your reviewers states, perhaps she has more diplomacy than I do. She must! : ) I also had a difficult time with the loss of her dreams... not the nightmares - but her dreams of further reading. It touched me deeply. One of the hardest things about life is when it attacks so viciously that one is left in a deep pit with no dream left - oh my! That is, to me, the most grievous of wounds. Dear Fiondil and I have spoken often of it. Character building - Yes... but horrific and scarring - Yes. If you had ended it with the first part only - I would have been sorely disappointed. BUT - you gave us the treasure of THE meeting. And though I would have dearly loved to have had Kira's mom meet these two (and still wish she did) at least Kira did, and I can only think that there was a measure of healing brought about by this meeting. In fact, I am sure there was healing, for I don't think she would ever have gone off to Hobbiton by herself without this meeting. Again - a wonderful tale - not always easy to read - but nonetheless - gripping. Author Reply: You're well within your rights to quibble; I know from talking with some of my earliest readers that this is a really difficult story and I'm still astonished that I did some of the things I did in writing it. I, for one, still have difficulty not so much with Tom's betrayal as that I created a Shire in which such a betrayal was possible. But Kira's truce with Tom was an act of necessity, and made more so that she wouldn't have to deal with Tom every time she saw him than that he would feel somewhat happier. I think she realizes that Tom is a horrible, selfish little brat, but more importantly that he doesn't see it that way; and that's been one of the most difficult--and most sense-making--realizations I've had any number of times that I've been hurt (especially when I was younger). Kira, fortunately, has learned her lesson at a much younger age than it took me, which will help her out a lot when it comes to dealing with so many different and difficult people in the upcoming years. If she is more kind, diplomatic, and forgiving than you or I would be, I'd like to hope that that's because she is, after all, a hobbit, which creatures seem to have their heads screwed on a lot more tightly than ours (though there are obviously exceptions!). Kira's dreams of further reading have only been abrogated, not abolished. She may not be able to read anymore from libraries, but that's just a temporary decision (even if Mr. My-Grandfather-Would-Disown-Me Took wants to make it permanent). She has to hope for that because it's the only thing she has. And there are other ways of getting around the Ban. THE meeting, yes. That and the poem. I couldn't end the story on a sad note; it wouldn't be true to Tolkien otherwise. And forget about Kira's mom--I want Tom to see them--and hopefully an engraving of the expression on his face. But yes, Kira is starting to heal. Only time will tell if that is brought to completion or not. I'm sorry that I've stuck you with a "difficult" story; I can only hope that by the end of the sequel all or almost all is made better.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/7/2009
So, the story is finished. An not on an entirely happy note for a rabid bibliophile such as me. I know one likely outcome of this. Kira is likely to develop a will of the finest steel, and probably also a velvet covering of diplomacy – if perhaps not outright dissimulation – to veil it. She knows by know some of what she wants in her life. And she _also_ knows that if she shall have those things, she will have to acquire those things all by herself. And that few – if any – are likely to help her. Instead, it is more likely that she will meet both overt and covert opposition. I am reminded of the children of immigrants who want to be a part of Norwegian society, and don't want to be mired in the medieval customs of their parents' homeland. They must often make some very hard choices. A bitter sort of knowledge for someone so young. Another likely outcome has to do with trust. A delicate plant at the best of times, and with what she is likely to see as Tom’s personal betrayal of her, and also what can be seen as the more general betrayal of their offices by the library keepers, is it likely to take root in Kira at all? At best I fear it will be a stunted and sickly growth. There is one small gleam of hope for her now, as I see it: The old Mayor and his son. Perhaps they will be able to nourish the delicate seedling of trust until she is old enough to control her own life. As for Tom – I don’t think he will ever be able to understand what he has destroyed: Kira’s trust in him, as well as any possibility of real friendship from her. She may keep up the _appearance_ of fellowship and friendship, but anything more is a vain hope. Though I am not sure at all that Tom is able to distinguish between that illusion and the real thing. Daffodil and Roly may perhaps know that they have lost _something_, and perhaps they may even understand something of _what_ they have lost – though if they _do_ understand, I am also quite sure they will do their best to avoid thinking about it. It is, after all, uncomfortable knowledge. The story ended with a faint note of hope with the poem, though. Perhaps Kira will indeed be able to keep the memory alive. Author Reply: No, the note at the end isn't entirely happy, but that's what sequels are for, right? Kira certainly does have a certain "dual citizenship" right now, which will lead to a lot of difficult choices. You're spot on with the steel will and the velvet diplomacy: she will have to learn, very quickly, how to tactfully deal with other people if she wants to stay sane. But she does have a support group, albeit a very limited one. You've already mentioned the Gardners; the younger generation among the other families (namely, Kerry, Sandra, Merina) also appear to be on her side in spirit. But yes, it's going to be tough. Trust is a very peculiar sort of thing, and in this case it's tied very closely to mercy and estel (both of which latter qualities seem to come much more naturally to hobbits than they do to men). Kira certainly knows that she has no actual friend in Tom or in the library keepers, but does that mean that they'll never change? And even if not, should she deny them the chance? Tom has deluded himself on a number of things and although I think he knows that Kira will always be irked at him in some way I don't think he realizes that he's actually lost something. Faint note of hope indeed. I know that this story is a tragedy, but it wouldn't be right if it didn't have some sort of eucatastrophe at the end, even if it's a meager one.

Virtuella	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/7/2009
"I have heard Men say that our focus on what was has made us unable to adapt to what is, or to look to what may be, and that is why we must diminish" Ah, interesting point. That was a really good passage, the meeting with Legolas and Gimli. And it is great to see how much Kira has grown and how determinded she has become. I can see her in the future, just like Bonnie said, with the ink flowing through her to record all that is left of the Third Age. This has been a fascinating story, thank you so very much! Author Reply: Yes, I love what Tolkien has to say about the Elves (especially in the Silmarillion) and why, as embalmers, they must fade in the face of Men. Kira has grown, quite a bit for her age, hasn't she? I'm looking forward to people's reactions to her when more time has gone by. You're very welcome, and thank you for reviewing so faithfully! ~Celeritas

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/6/2009
This is a wonderful story! I don't normally read hobbitfic, but this absolutely showed the Shire's nature. I find it sad that the Red Book was destroyed shortly before Aragorn died. Once Legolas and Gimli leave (as they obviously will soon), there won't be many alive who remember the truth of what happened. That is the saddest part of all. I love that Kira found that poem and decided not to turn it in to those who would just lock it up, never to be read. Your explantion of how it got where it did makes wonderful sense. I am quite looking forward to the sequel! ~ Indy Author Reply: "I don't normally read hobbitfic, but..." That is a very, very high compliment! Thank you so! Re: your second paragraph. That was one of the main thematic/moodish elements to this story, indeed to all of my manuscript ficcery. I specifically chose to set this tale around Aragorn's death so that I could get that whole dying-of-a-generation aspect that surrounds so much of our own history as it turns from memory into myth. It's very sad, but it's a part of life. Fortunately we have people like Kira, Kerry, and Sandra (all part of the first generation of "fans": those who did not know the Travellers but still love them) who still know what happened, even though they're removed from it by time. I love that Kira found that poem, too; though I hope that eventually she does give it to someone else and not fall into the same error as those she "saved" it from. I'm not entirely sure when I'll start putting the sequel up, but I'm hoping within a month or less. Expect much more irregular updates, however, as this story still hasn't reached its first draft yet.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 1/6/2009
Am feeling very replete at the moment. Thank you so much for such a delightful tale! And may you write more to our delight and edification! Author Reply: You are very, very welcome! Thanks as usual for your kind support.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/6/2009
Oh, that poem! Poor Frodo, and the wreck of his heart and hopes left by both the actions of the Ring and its loss! And she gathers, then, the Adventures of Tom Bombadil? Perfect, to bring back the feelings of wonder and awe that appear to be abndoning many of the Hobbits of the Shire now that their greatest exemplar born to the land is so long gone from it! Yes--to return Frodo's gifts to the Shire is now her task! Lovely! Now, to read your author's notes! Heh! Author Reply: Yes, that poem. Well, as far as I can tell Tolkien gathered the Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Given Kira's relationship with the people who have all the books right now I can't say how the poem managed to get itself into a copy of the Downfall (much like Trekkies vs. Trekkers, I like to have these "early" fans use alternative titles for the works), but it must have eventually or else we wouldn't have gotten it. But I do think that the raw emotionalism and bleak despair of the poem is one of the few things that has a chance of snapping the Shire back into reality.

Elentarri	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 1/6/2009
Lovely story. Sad in a way. But thank you for sharing. :-) Beautiful writing style. Author Reply: Yeah, I'm afraid that a lot of my writing is sad in a way, but that's often in following Tolkien's own themes. We all want to go back to the Third Age but we can't. But thank you for reading and reviewing, and I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/5/2009
I'm just sorry that Kira's friends didn't get a good look at the night visitors; but at least Kira was able to meet not only an Elf, but the Elf of the Fellowship, as well as Gimli. I would like to see that poem. It's been a fascinating story; and I'm ready for the sequel! Author Reply: Yes, I would have dearly given a good deal of money to see the expression on Tom's face if he had seen Legolas and Gimli. XD I'd love to see that poem as well, in its original form with handwriting and all (drool) but it is a real Tolkien poem and can be found in Adventures of Tom Bombadil under the name "The Sea-Bell." Thanks so much for following along and reviewing!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 1/5/2009
I meant to mention that your use of The Sea Bell was very clever! And your explanation is quite plausible. I don't think there will be a problem in quoting it. I often quote JRRT's poetry (and others occasionally) in my stories, most notably in "Life of a Bard". As long as attribution is given, I don't think it matters. And I am glad if you think my rambling reviews were of encouragement to you. I sometimes think I blather on a bit too much. But I love "talking" about the stories I read--it's one of the major perks of fanfic. Author Reply: Well, I'm glad you thought it was! I've always hoped that Frodo actually wrote that poem, and who wouldn't want a desk with a secret compartment, anyway?... There is no such thing as blathering too much when it comes to talking about my writing (as I mentioned in Ye Eljay I'm thinking of putting up some excerpts of the HUGE conversations I had with my beta about it, all done from a reader's perspective). I love hearing what people think about it, not just in the gut reactionary sense but in terms of larger themes, what they think is going to happen next, why they think a certain character acts in a certain way, symbolism, parallels, etc., etc. Bonus points if they make me think about my own stuff in a way I haven't thought about it before. All quite self-centered, I know, but there you have it.

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