Reviews (21)

bobo baggins · 19 September 2004 · Chapter 24: Farewells

Sorry I haven't left a review before, but I love your story! Please update soon! The farewells haven't finished, and is Frodo going home?

esamen · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 24: Farewells

Stepping unnoticed into the room, Jessimine set the tray down on a chest of drawers before clearing her throat to announce her presence. Both lads jumped at the sound and this upset Frodo’s balance; his arms gave out and Sam just barely caught him before he hit the pillows. Once Frodo was propped up against them, both of them turned reluctantly to look at the indignant hobbit-lady. I really like this little bit here. Beautiful writing. And I loved the whole chapter! You've got it all -- our brave Frodo, our faithful Sam, darling Hazel, stalwart Rangers (with, of course, tender hearts) and Jessimine organizing the universe. All my favorite people! I will have to come over and visit often . . . can't wait for the next chapter . . . Happy writing!

Bodkin · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 24: Farewells

I'm glad Frodo appears to be well on the road to recovery. Poor Gavin - he really doesn't want to leave, does he? Who will help little Hazel with his reading now? He really seems to have taken to hobbits. Sam seems to have accepted his nephew calling Mr Frodo, 'Uncle Frodo' quite well.

esamen · 8 August 2004 · Chapter 23: Relief and Recovery

Hazel lay still for a moment, thinking over his father’s words. I’m proud of you. His da had never been overly demonstrative about his emotions, although he could put warmth and love into simple words like no other Hazel knew. It made him feel bigger, and more confident somehow to realize that his father had seen something in him to make him open up and speak plainly of his feelings. Oh, I love fluff. I would never say that "nothing has happened" in this chapter . . . This is my favorite kind of read. I just so enjoy all about the love and attention. Poor Frodo, he is getting SO beat up in this story! . . . but at least he knows he's loved! And little Hazel is just darling. You have a great little fella there. I really like the way you portray his relationshp with his father, as in this quote above-- it's one of those moments when good parents help their children grow up. Great chapter! Love it! Thanks, Esamen

Bodkin · 8 August 2004 · Chapter 22: Fire and Ice

I am glad Frodo appears to be recovering at last - although I wouldn't be surprised to find there are some twists and turns yet! Maypole sounds all right to me - pretend it's named for the flower rather than the month. Mayblossom (hawthorn blossom) is out at about the same time. And Thrimidge-pole does sound a bit strange. I wanted to have someone drinking burgundy the other day - and thought Burgundy is the region of France from which the wine gets its name. France is not in Middle Earth. It's difficult, isn't it - so many words we take for granted are linked with historical places and deeds.

esamen · 19 July 2004 · Chapter 21: Wolf Bite

Frodo woke with a start and a small cry to the loud crack of thunder. It seemed to shake the ground; he could hear the shutters rattling against the round windowpanes above his bed. Lightning flickered, illuminating his small room with a sudden, vivid flash. Of all the rooms in Bag End, he’d chosen this one for his own that morning when he’d come here to live, for good, with his dear Uncle Bilbo. It had always been his favorite room, for it faced the gardens outside and offered a perfect view of the sunset in the evenings. I love my Frodo-Bilbo scenes too . . . I love the way the chapter ends! I think we all have to have some loving memories around when we're not feeling well. Carry on . . . I'm so glad you're posting this at SoA. I'm really enjoying it.

Bodkin · 18 July 2004 · Chapter 21: Wolf Bite

Poor Frodo - Sam would be worried sick if they told him, though I doubt if he will imagine anything worse than the truth. Shame Fennel had to see what she did - could have a nightmarish effect on her. More suffering ahead, I suspect. Good thing Faramond is there.

esamen · 14 July 2004 · Chapter 20: The Worst Expected

Fantastic! Any writer loves those words! I'm working on a story that I absolutely love, and I am very much learning as I go. If you'll email me your email address, I'll send you a bit of my non-LOTR work and you can see what you think of it. And you are welcome to send yours to my personal email address. I usually give a little deeper feedback when I know someone is really serious about developing their writing. Be warned though . . . I may take a few days to respond. Sometimes real life just has to be addressed. See ya later

Bodkin · 14 July 2004 · Chapter 20: The Worst Expected

I like the relationship between Gavin and Hazel. There's one hobbit who won't think all men are ruffians. Poor Frodo - his injuries are rather alarming. I'm glad Jessamine appears to know a bit about healing, and is keen to learn more.

esamen · 14 July 2004 · Chapter 20: The Worst Expected

Whew! Another update already! You ARE industrious! I am going to have to wait until after 5:00 to read all your work if you keep posting at this rate! Sam, speechless with fright by the sudden intensity of his master’s pain, could only helplessly sit beside him and try to comfort him. Tears running down his own face as he saw Frodo’s, he took one of his master’s hands in his, and Frodo gripped it almost painfully tight. Sam could think of no way to comfort him, only to sit beside him and wait until the fit had passed. But his heart flew into his throat and he nearly cried out, himself, when Frodo turned his face into the pillows to muffle a scream. This part was very interesting to me . . . I would think that it would be hard to write about painful moments like this . . . I'm working on a (non-LOTR) story myself that's going to have some major pain for one of the characters, and so I read passages like this with a lot of curiosity. I think you did a wonderful job. See ya next chapter!

esamen · 14 July 2004 · Chapter 19: Worry

Frodo moved his head again and his thick lashes fluttered, struggling to open. But he had used up much of his strength fighting the herbs the first two times, and he could not manage to come back to full awareness. But he dimly heard Sam’s voice above him, and felt the comforting, well-known hands stroking his cheek and grasping his own hand tightly. He tried his hardest to wake up, if only to assure Sam that he was all right, and at last succeeded in giving Sam’s hand a weak squeeze. Tremendous! What a beautiful scene! Very Middle-earth-y, with the Rangers and the Bindbale and the hobbits out under the stars. This is my very favorite place in the universe and I love to come visit whenever I can. Did I read in one of your messages that you are still in high school? Woman, you can WRITE! This is a great story and I love the way you put words together. I work at a university and I wish that more college students could write this well. You have a talent. Thanks for sharing it . . . may you always be inspired to write . . . and thanks for the update. Esamen

Esamen · 12 July 2004 · Chapter 18: Courage

Faramond watched as Frodo fell asleep again, and after a moment, he resumed stroking the hobbit’s dark ringlets, his heart now considerably lighter. He smiled to himself, wondering, as he often did, at the remarkable race of Hobbits. They seemed child-like, both in their size and their innocent simplicity, and yet they could be surprisingly observant and wise, too. Yes, our hobbits just charm everyone, don't they? After all these years, I have finally talked my family into watching the movies just now. We finished ROTK last night. A whole new group of hobbit fans joined the club! Write on . . . plenty of us hungry readers out here . . . thanks for the new chapter!

esamen · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 17: Quite a Pickle...

He watched as the wolf dragged her burden over to the bush where her puppies waited, but when she began to eat her meal (the puppies were still too young to eat much more than a few bites of the meat), he turned away, covering his ears to drown out the sounds of her noisy feasting. Hobbits were gentle creatures by nature and Hazel was no exception. This is such a fun detail! What a sweet little boy! You really must have spent some time dreaming him up . . . or do all these things just come to you as you write? Or do you have a real little fella around thatyou keep in mind as you write? I just love this little Hazel guy. Too bad he couldn't have gone with them on the quest. Thanks for updating . . . don't let Frodo get well too fast now . . .

esamen · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 10: Outbreak

Hello there -- I have to say that I am reading your story in a silly way -- jumping back and forth from chapter to chapter, looking at one aspect and then another. I just want to tell you AGAIN how very much I am enjoying it. I really like this chapter and the one that follows. Yes, they are a little unconnected in the big picture of the whole story, but the scenes, details and dialogue within them are just marvellous. It encourages me to be a better person. Reading and writing fanfic really fills a need in my life. With all the discouraging things going on in the world, I need a little bit of reminding of how to be tender and loving. You have a beautiful touch with showing affection among your characters. Keep it up -- the ability to write like this is a precious gift, and I think that you are going to help a lot of people, even if perhaps you don't always know who they are.

esamen · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 16: Danger

Well, yes, that is a genuine 14K cliffhanger. It almost tempts me to run over to ff.net to read the rest of the story as you posted it there, but I'm going to stay here and wait and relish the suspense! And I want to see the new version anyway. Oh, the wonderful agony of waiting for an update! I can't wait for Faramond to reach Frodo . . . happy writing.

esamen · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 15: Calm Before the Storm

Another wonderful chapter. Gosh, I was worried that you were going to make someone drown in it. Looks like we're past that, though. I just LOVE Faramond! You single girls should all get his phone number! What a great date he'd be! I'm not sure exactly how much you have changed this from the ff.net version. I don't know the story that well. But this story seems very . . . deep, intense, detailed, personal, with the relationships shown instead of told, if you know what I mean. That is a big thing for me as a reader Now, when the inevitable tragedy happens, I think that the deep bonds that Frodo and Hazel share will make the emotional level even more intense for the reader. I can't wait to see what else you are going to come up with! I feel like I'm reading a whole new story! This is great! Thanks! I'll be waiting for the next update!

esamen · 8 July 2004 · Chapter 14: What Could Possibly Happen?

Hazel snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see it!” he teased, pushing the brim of Frodo’s hat down over his eyes. Frodo grinned and pushed the hat back up so that he could see. He flicked the reins and urged Galad into a canter, sending Hazel, who had not the time to get a good grip, falling back against the seat and nearly over it into the back of the cart. Well hello there dear Tathar -- what a beautiful chapter! I love that bit of action and description above. You have a real knack for making the reader see the scene. And I loved the bit about Frodo leading the pony over the bridge. I actually have a lot of experience with horses and bridges. I was a little worried at first that your bridge might collapse with the hobbits on it. Something similar happened to me once . . . some boards on a wooden bridge fell through as the horse I was riding went over it . . . the horse gave a tremendous jump and landed facing backwards, and so I had to back him quickly off the rest of the bridge in order to get over it. I don't know what I'd have done if I'd been a hobbit in a cart. Anyway, I just love all the details about Frodo. The hat, the sweat, the checkers . . . everything is so fun to read . . . but seems like you are building up to something dangerous here, m'dear, with that horrible cliffhanger ending. Are you being mean to your fan(atic reader)s? Carry on . . .

esamen · 7 July 2004 · Chapter 13: Tales By The Hearth

Of course this challenge could not be passed, and so the fencing match continued. By the time their hour was up, all three were out of breath and exhausted, but very pleased with themselves. Each had won at least one match -Frodo had shown his skill and won two - and congratulated one another as they entered the house. Well, I'm glad you finally let him win something! ;) Actually it was all a very fun chapter, what with the piglets and such. Have you lived on a farm. That would explain a lot about this story . . . the setting does seem very genuinely rural and hobbity. Nice work!

esamen · 7 July 2004 · Chapter 1: A Letter From Buckland

Dear Tathat, I was thrilled to find your new chapter to Silver Lining at ff.net! I usually only scan SoA for fanfic. So I was happy, happy, happy to find your new work! I just love your vision of hobbits . . . and I confess that I absolutely love a strong, heroic Frodo who gets hurt and needs some care and comfort! I came a little late to fanfic writing and reading, so I am still hungrily looking for good writers and good reads everywhere. I have written only one thing myself, here at SoA. I'm a Christian and I don't like to run into slash, so I pretty much stick to SoA for my author updates and explorations. I went to your story on ff.net on a referral from Obeliamedusa. Thanks for continuing to write. I just love to read your work. Please update at Stories of Arda also, and then I can keep up with you. You are a special writer-- your stories are inspiring and soothing at the same time -- and that is something that I need every day. You have a gift . . . keep on using it, because you are doing a lot of good with it! And keep that wonderful Frodo battling all his health problems !!!! ;) Love, and may you always be inspired to write, esamen

Pearl Took · 18 February 2004 · Chapter 9: A Turn for the Worse

This is a great story, Tathar. I just know how bad Pippin felt thinking he almost killed Frodo. Looking forward to more. Pearl Took

Grey Wonderer · 9 February 2004 · Chapter 2: Brandy Hall

This is starting out very well. You have a way with hobbits. I was glad to see you'd posted a new one as I enjoyed the other so much.