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| Cities and Wilderness by Larner | 63 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/30/2026 |
| What a beautiful gap filler. I remember the wearing of Boromir's vambraces, but never once wondered where the rest of Aragorn's kingly garments came from! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/25/2026 |
| Dear Gaffer, he's one of my favorite characters. I enjoyed exploring his soft heart in "How Does Your Garden Grow" and "When the King Comes Back". I miss writing, but my wrists just won't allow it any longer. Author Reply: I miss your writing, and wish I could twitch my nose and heal your wrists. Gaffer is indeed quite the character, and I am certain that considering how his children turned out, he was a good dad. How hard it would have been to say "NO" to his daughter, even about a war-battered tom such as she was holding in her arms. Thank you so! | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/24/2026 |
| Awwww...fortunately the cat will have a good home, I think. With Sam cooking. Author Reply: I just hope that one of the local healers will treat the abscess for that cat! Heh! At least he's likely to keep the Hill rodent free. Thanks so, Fimbrethil! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/24/2026 |
| Well, at least the battle-scarred Tom ought to be able to contribute by reducing the local populations of mice, rats, and moles, I should think? What'll they name him, I wonder? ...I could never resist such a look in the eyes of one of the wee hobbits, either. This battle was already lost before it began, I suspect. Author Reply: Oh, but I know! And don't forget the voles, who are infamous for gorging on bulbs and root vegetables. I find myself missing my dear Lydia who used to bring me voles by the gross! All the daffodils, crocuses, flags, and the like that would bloom for two or three years before disappearing? | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/19/2026 |
| I hadn't thought of Legolas and Gimli's "constant bickering" arising because of the Ring's influence – I rather put it down to a longstanding bad feeling between the two races, stemming from the time I read something about Elves hunting Dwarves like animals early on in Middle-earth history. I double-checked just now, and found an interesting essay on the topic at the "Ask Middle Earth" tumbler account (https://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/post/67465996730/elves-and-dwarves-early-contact). In addition, there certainly did not seem to be any love lost between Thorin (and his Dwarves) and Thranduil (and the Wood Elves under him) in Bilbo's time. Gimli faced a lot of suspicion and downright hostility when they came to the Golden Wood, as well, making his request for a strand of Galadriel's hair extra-extraordinary. However, the idea does make sense, and I can easily imagine the Ring fanning the flames of old resentments and grudges as part of its nature. Perhaps it's a wonder (and a testament to the innate goodness of hobbits in general and Frodo in particular) that the Elf and the Dwarf became friends in spite of everything. Author Reply: I am sure that much of the bickering and mutual distrust seen between Gimli and Legolas was due to traditional prejudices. But wouldn't the Ring find that prejudice as a proper entry point for Its work to weaken trust amongst the Fellowship? (Not that I'm preaching to the choir, right? Heh!) I see as part of native Hobbit magic that their small size and apparent helplessness drew protective behavior from the larger races as well as the assumption that Hobbits were largely in need of the help of others in spite of the fact Hobbits had been living independently in the Shire for well over a thousand years and in company and cooperation with Men in the Breelands for even longer. It took being allowed to enter Lothlorien for the Dwarf and Elf to begin purposely spending time together. Once they were no longer within the easy reach of the Ring once Frodo removed himself from the Fellowship, they were able to cement their friendship. Love the addition to that one exchange before the Black Gate between the two of them proving that fact. | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/19/2026 |
| He calls Frodo "mellon nín". I should have thought of that myself, but for me that is a name only for Arwen, Aragorn, or among the Elves. Author Reply: I suspect that by now Legolas has realized that Frodo speaks at least some Sindarin, and that now, when Frodo is apparently comatose, the Elf will unburden his heart, by using those terms that are more familiar and thus more intimate in his own life. | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 4/19/2026 |
| Hi, Larner. Well, everybody seems to have survived. Alas for the Gaffer's taters and Bag End, though. And Gríma and Saruman, I suppose. Glad Freddy gets some recognition. He really suffered as much as the Fellowship Hobbits. Author Reply: Most Hobbits of the Shire had no appreciation for what Frodo and Sam achieved outside the Shire, but so many benefited from what Freddie and his fellows did in raiding the Big Men's troves and seeing those in need getting their food back. I love thinking that Freddie's heroism would be so recognized. Thanks so much, Fimbrethil! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/18/2026 |
| He remembered the imaginings he’d found himself entertaining—of himself returning to his father’s halls as the conquering hero, the Ring upon his hand, Sauron no more than a blithering memory of malice, the Dwarves subjugated as servants to the Firstborn. Oooh! These are very challenging insights. Author Reply: I suspect perhaps only the other Hobbits were largely immune to the calls of the Ring, protected unconsciously by Frodo seeking the safety of those he knew loved him as he loved them. Legolas could protect himself from the Ring's influence by recognizing Its alien nature, or so I imagine it. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 4/14/2026 |
| Of course he's curious and wants to hear some facts from someone much closer to the action. I can only imagine the rumors that must have circulated in the Shire... And gone (beyond the bounds of the Shire) must be unfathomable for Shire-folk in general. (He asked the Gaffer four times, LOL!) I smiled to see Freddy and Estella staying at the Cottons'. I wish I'd thought of them taking in Hamfast and Marigold, too... And when Freddy and Estella walked in together, the description, One was taller than most Hobbits, and was far, far too thin for his build. There was a feeling to him as if he’d lost a good deal of substance.... By his side was a lass, one whose hair was shamefully short, well, that arrested me, and thank you for that nod to my imagining of the aftermath of the Scouring, but it was the fact that everyone rose in respect at their entrance – it was that detail that brought tears to my eyes. And of course, the story ends with appropriate hobbity humor. Pipped the Pimple, indeed! Author Reply: You know how much I've been inspired by the writings of other fanfiction writers, and I so appreciate how your own writing led to me joining the company. I believe the song of Freddie Popped the Pimple was written by Dreamflower, and I had to include that here! I rejoice that so many of our fellows had appreciated that I give nods to their writing in my own. Bless you all! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/14/2026 |
| What a difficult farewell this must have been. It is painful to imagine. I should think Eldarion and his sisters are fully aware that he will lose his mother soon after Elessar lays down his life. This slice-of-time tells so much in so few words. Author Reply: Aragorn had apparently decided that to survive to three score and ten by a multiple of three was enough for him, so this was well planned in timing. May he ever be blessed for his choice not to prolong his life to the point of losing himself. | |