Anonymous
· 27 February 2025
· Chapter 99999: Notes for the Interested, or Merely Confused
Where are Eldarion and Elboron? Aragorn repeatedly mentions that Ulrich saves his son's life, so where is his son? And daughter?
Author's reply
Perhaps they're off on a visit to Rivendell. Or maybe they stayed in Minas Tirith and are busy with their studies or training and so don't come into the scenes in this story. Or maybe they're spending time in Harad (by this time, Gondor has won some allies in the region, according to my version of the 4th Age) to learn about other cultures. That's not meant to be flippant but represents a few guesses at something plausible.
In 2004, when I wrote this story, I didn't even know the name(s) of Aragorn's son(s). (Actually, even up until now, I've had the impression that Elboron was fanon rather than from Tolkien, but it seems I may be mistaken from what you've written here.) And while I included his tiny daughter in other early stories written in 2003 and 2004 that were set before his first son was born, since I didn't know the name and birthdate of his son(s) [again, are these available in writing anywhere nowadays? The information was impossible to find in 2003 or 2004; believe me, I searched hard for it] at the time I was writing those stories, the daughter was only a guess on my part because I actually didn't know if JRRT had mentioned any daughters. (Actually, I still don't know, or if I did know at one time, I've forgotten.) Over my first decade of writing fanfic, I had very little resource material besides LOTR itself to draw upon. And my copy of LOTR didn't even have the name of Merry Brandybuck's wife, Estella! (Another fanfic writer told me who he married, actually, because she had a copy that included Estella on the family trees as Merry's wife.)
My first "love" in the fandom was Beregond, and yet I only found out years after writing several stories about him that Tolkien gave him *two* sons! I had to go back and do some rewriting to incorporate that knowledge, and I probably didn't succeed in updating every Beregond story/scene I'd posted.
I still know woefully little about the Northern Rangers, the Men of Gondor, the Rohirrim, the Elves of Mirkwood and Lórien, the various groups of Dwarves, etc.
I've slowly collected resources over the decades since 2003 (including, a couple years ago when I got a Christmas bonus, a complete set of HoME), but I still don't have an extensive knowledge of all aspects of Middle-earth. I'd love to feel as if I understand Dwarves, for example, for an upcoming story that includes a visit to the Lonely Mountain. I worry about making a serious error out of ignorance, or overlooking some important character... such as Eldarion. Or Elboron. On a brighter note, I just bought Unfinished Tales and am excited about reading it!
In sum, I just did the best I could at the time. Hopefully that answers your question.
Nienor Niniel
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Oh, that was good.
I was a little surprised to see Fatty down in the South: have you written about how he came there?
Pilgrim and his alternate ego gave me the creeps. The scene in the hut in Rohan... I was so scared, it's a wonder that I didn't have nightmares last night.
I like how Ferdi again learnt that not all Men are Ruffians and how we learnt that not all Ruffians are the same.
Oh, did you write how Ulrich rescued Eldarion? I seem to recall that Ulrich had a cameo appearance on the lake when the hobbits were in Evendim.
Hobbits in boots... *chuckles*
All the best, Nienor
Author's reply
Ah, Nienor, another review that I don't remember seeing before. I'd hate for you to think you'd taken your time to write a review, and it wasn't appreciated!
You know, I cannot go back and read that scene in the hut, myself. I can scarcely believe I wrote it.
I was a little surprised, myself, that Fatty went to the South; someone has said that it doesn't fit into canon, and my only defence is that it doesn't say anywhere that some few extraordinatry hobbits did *not* live in the Southlands - after all, Pippin and Merry went south in the end, and Sam in the Epilogue says something about them belonging just as much to the south as to the north, if I'm remembering right. But the fact that it was remarkable that they did so, might be evidence against my imaginings. Ah, well.
But in writing "Small and Passing Thing" it just popped up out of nowhere, and it seemed to work, so I explored a bit more of it here. The story of Freddy's going south is not written anywhere, only hinted at in these two stories. I'd love to write it, someday, and also Frodovar's wedding to Forget-me-not, but now that the little ones no longer nap it has become very difficult to find writing time, and the Muse has not cooperated in a long time, to make matters worse.
Anyhow, if I haven't mentioned how I've appreciated your leaving feedback as you worked your way through these stories, allow me to say it now. Thanks, much.
Author Reply: p.s. No, Ulrich rescuing Eldarion is another of those story ideas that is the germ of a seed, not yet sprouted.
Ariel
· 28 September 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
*Lugs tome up back up to Lindelea's Library of Prolific Fiction and plops it into the return bin.*
There! Finished!
OK - you wanted an intelligent opinion on the angst level of this fic and I'd have to give it about a 6. It's very readable, as are all your works (though I'll tell you right now, I'll never live long enough to read them all - though maybe just he angsty ones :p), but it seems like, though you have a lot of pain, injury and drama described, you shy away from really ripping the reader's heart out with it. If this is something you want to learn how to do, I think Ariel's Angst-To-Go service can give you some pointers, but I will tell you now, you probably appeal to more readers without venom dripping angst than I do with it.
*Eyes 246 reviews at SOA on one story alone*
Yeah, hon... I really wouldn't suggest changing what works.
Author's reply
Did I not answer this review??? I was *certain* I had.
Must be brain fade...
Thanks for taking the time to read one of these "epics" (in scope, whether or not in theme!) and render an opinion.
I'm not sure I'm cut out to compete for the title of Angst Maven; I think I'll leave that distinction to you! (You do it so marvellously well.)
I do tend to "blur" the scene a bit when it gets to be too much... for me, at least.
Anyhow, thanks!
Hai Took
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
You do have a way of making the most touching endings! The last few chapters were certainly exhausting! The worry over Ulrich was terrble! the situation was so sad, what with the executioner knowing him and then having to do the deed of hanging him! How terrible that would be! Pilgrim being hanged along with him was terrible! Freddy giving wanting to give his life for Ulrich was very bittersweet! Reading his good-byes to his family made me cry! Good thing Merry didn't give up on those dusty old records, he eventually found something of use in them! Nell eventually being the one to make the decesion on weather or not Pilgrim/Brant should die! It was really, much more merciful to have the Pilgim killed then to allow Brant to live with him the rest of his life! I'm glad that Nell set a boat for Brant, very sad. You created a wonderful character with Pilgrim/Brant, very complex! I loved the return of the hobbits back to the Shire! Merry and Ferdi keeping their boots was great! Pippin, Diamond, Sam and Rose getting such a wonderful surprise on their return! Thank you for such a wonderful story!
Author's reply
Thank you! The ending is the reward I give myself for plodding through the angst and character growth.
The quality of mercy is an interesting concept. Just what is merciful? Such considerations have had me pondering for weeks.
Thanks for hitting the high points in your review! It was a delight to read and remember along with you.
Dreamflower
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
This has been a thoroughly marvelous story. You are such an inspiration to me, the way you have fully realized your version of JRRT's post LORT Shire, and the future of his characters. You have such a deft way with OCs as well. I loved the theme of "mercy"--mercy for the former ruffian Reinhart-Ulrich, and mercy for Pilgrim-Brant. (the split personality, multiple identities also put me in mind of Frodo's mercy to Gollum-Smeagol) Mercy was one of JRRT's themes as well, and we know that mercy and pity are what attracted Gandalf to the hobbits at first.
Author's reply
Thank you! I find OCs rather fun to write, for they give me more "scope for the imagination" as Anne of Green Gables was so fond of saying.
It was interesting to explore the theme of "mercy", although I wasn't quite as bold as JRRT. Both Bilbo and Frodo showed mercy to Gollum when they were very much in danger, whereas I don't stretch my hobbits quite so much; I let them consider pity and mercy once they're safe from harm. (Though Nell is pretty brave, to trust that Brant won't hurt her, I s'pose.)
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm looking forward to reading your post-quest story as well, but have it on hold until I finish "StarFire" since that is set not too long after the Quest. I find my imagination grows lazy if I read while writing... have missed more good stories than I like because of this (as Pearl Took can attest!).
Bluegrass Elf
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Oh, I'm almost sorry that it's ended. The whole story was done so beautifully.
Author's reply
Thank you for your encouraging words. I'm almost sorry, too, but it is certainly a relief to get my favourite hobbits safely home again.
Bodkin
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Just reading reviews - do (please) work on the second part of the Shire Beginnings plan - I really enjoyed that.
And thinking on The Merchant of Venice - does that make Nell Portia?
Author's reply
Hmmm. Nell as Portia, an interesting thought. She did plead for Brant, in a novel kind of way. Brant was desperate, thinking he'd be condemned to live in a dungeon cell for the rest of his life with the Pilgrim. But Nell came through for him.
Have hauled out the "Shire" outline and am looking at it. After all, StarFire is nearing its conclusion and I haven't decided what story will follow, yet.
Thanks for the comments!
Lyta Padfoot
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
You've brought this roller coaster of a story in for a safe landing. Ulrich is reunited with his family, Farry and Goldi are enjoying parenthood, Ferdi and his Nell are able to heal and reflect. It was hard to imagine Pippin a grandfather when Goldi's pregnancy was revealed, but now I see he'll be a fantastic one. Those unnamed twins are lucky little hobbits to have Sam and Pippin for grandfathers. I'm looking forward to the conclusion of StarFire and the launch of other tales. I like to print the chapters and bring them to my college classes to read before class.
Author's reply
Roller coaster--what a perfect description!
I had already imagined Pippin as a grandfather in "Shire" and yes, he's a great one. (Sam too, I think)
My goodness, my tales are going places! (I like to print them and proofread them at appointments or lessons.)
Thanks for the encouragement! StarFire is coming along, racing to its conclusion (bad pun, i know). Soon I'll have to consider what story will take its place.
FantasyFan
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
This is a perfect ending for your story. The hobbits are home again, grateful to be where they belong. I had not forgotten Farry and Goldi's impending event, and the timing worked out perfectly. I read what you said in your other response about Rose being a twin - and it's funny, I had always made the other assumption: that she and Jolly were 'Irish twins', but then there is no real evidence for that, either. It's fun to imagine either way.
Brandt is not forgotten - he never would have been, after all that happened - but it is good to see him remembered with mercy and forgiveness. And Nell and Ferdi are incredibly romantic, at the end. Happy tears all around.
You are to be congratulated once again on another marvellous story. This one had more angst, more cliffhangers and peril than most, but it made a great read once I recovered from the first couple of chapters! Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
FF
Author's reply
Well, good, for I'd worried it was anticlimatic (don't know if I spelled that right). I like the thought of twins. Never had any myself, though. Know a few.
Tolkien wrote a lot about mercy. It is an intriguing theme to explore. When is "mercy" merciful? Had some interesting "death penalty" discussions with people while working on this story.
Nell and Ferdi remain incredibly romantic to the very end, which I probably won't write. This may be the latest story on their timeline, unless I decide to do Forget-me-not's wedding.
Thanks so much for the praise and encouragement. Your comments helped more than you know, I suspect. And they give me the courage to tackle yet another story...
Connie
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Oh, it's over. I hate to see a story end. I know they have to, but every time one ends I just ask myself," is that it?" I always want to know more. And you certainly have left a lot of doors open for future stories. Now we need to know about Farry and Goldi's children. There's Ruby and Frodovar's wedding, in seven years. Oh, there are so many possibilities.
This had such a poiniant ending. Love, sorrow, memory and forgiveness all rolled into one. I just remembered, there's still the story of what happened post wolves-pre twins for Farry, Goldi and all those left behind.
I can't wait to see what the muse cooks up next. I know "Starfire" has to be a focus now, but still looking forward to whatever comes next.
Thanks for sharing for efforts with all of us.
Connie.
P.S. I just remembered something that occurred to me the other night. The hobbit toast that appears in so many of your stories; "Live long, laugh long, love forever" wouldn't be tied in any way to the song "Live, laugh, love" would it? Like I said, just a late-night thought.
Author's reply
I keep worrying about running out of things to write about... guess I shouldn't worry. Of course, it feels a bit odd to contemplate writing a story about two completely invented characters (such as Frodovar and Forget-me-not) without even a mention on the genealogy to give them nodding acquaintance with Tolkien.
There's a song? And here I thought I was being strikingly original! (haha) What song is it? Who sings it? Is it old, or current? I'm afraid my listening is restricted to the classical station, or to Celtic music.
I certainly wouldn't mind hearing your impressions of StarFire, though it will hardly be as heavy and thought-provoking as "Rain" was. As to StarFire's companion (for I invariably write on two stories at once), part 2 of "Shire" and the Thain story were vying for pride of place, but I think the Thain story is a bit more developed and will probably win.
Thanks for reviewing!
Author Reply: Perhaps I ought to rephrase that "wouldn't mind" and say I look forward to hearing your impressions... for indeed, I do.
Beruthiel
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Very sweet ending.
What exactly is the significance of the title, "As the Gentle Rain"? Apologies if that should be obvious, but I can be rather dense sometimes.
Waiting with bated (or is it baited?) breath for the next story.
Author's reply
Thank you. Hope the ending wasn't too much of an anti-climax. I would have left the story with Ulrich's being set free, but there were a few loose ends to clear up. I fear I reach the end of too many stories requiring some sort of epilogue to tie up the loose ends (or snip them off, or whatever) as I haven't figured out, always, how to weave them in.
If you will look at the quote from Shakespeare at the beginning of the story, you will find the phrase "it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven...". The original title was "The Quality of Mercy" but I wanted to be more subtle than that.
My editor tells me it is "bated", short for abated, or holding your breath. I don't know where she gets this stuff, but then, I don't need to know as long as she is willing to generously share her time... (spoilt rotten, that I am)
Bodkin
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Thank you. Lovely story. Happy ending. Most enjoyable. And twins, too!
Author's reply
You're welcome. I do like a happy ending. I imagined twins in Diamond's family (she had twin sisters in "Jewels", and twins of her own--three sets!), and then we must remember that Rose Gamgee is a twin (she shares a birth year on the genealogy, and while I suppose she and her brother might be nine months apart, it's fun to contemplate them as twins), so it's not too surprising that Farry and Goldi might have twins together.
Thanks for reviewing!
Meldewen Ilce
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 53: Homecoming
Oh Lindelea - what a LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY ending!
I have tears in my eyes, both from the loveliness of the story and from sadness that it has drawn to a close!
Author's reply
Thank you! It is so nice to get positive feedback from an author whose stories have given me enjoyment in their turn.
I hardly can believe it's finished. Now what will I find to obsess on? (ahem. I mean, spend my spare thoughts on when performing routine tasks, or stuck in traffic, or whatever...)
StarFire's fun, but much lighter fare. Guess I need a bit of a respite, come to think of it!
Glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks for the advice you've given along the way.
Beruthiel
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 52: The Quality of Mercy
Maybe I'm a sick and twisted person, but I would have liked it if Merry had found the precedent and arrived too late. That would have been very angsty and ironic indeed.
Nell impressed me greatly. Almost all of your hobbit ladies are remarkably strong and intelligent women. (I say almost because I do remember a few snobs and gossips from other stories of yours.) Love how they take no crap from the men, even though all of Middle-Earth seems to be male-dominated.
Brant was the executioner's uncle?! That was quite a surprise. Does he have any living relatives who remember him from before the War? What would they say when they found out he was the Pilgrim?
So sad the story's almost over, but at least there will be others to look forward to. Muse: Get to work on that Paladin-becomes-Thain story!
Author's reply
You know, there was an alternate ending where Merry arrived too late, but I could not craft it to my liking and scrapped it.
It is one of the reasons I fear being labelled "predictable". I'm a sucker for a satisfying (read that: "happy") ending.
Since fanfic is relaxation for me, I tend to stay away from "downers". Sure there may be plenty of angst in the middle, but the ending had better make me feel better or I rue reading the story. (Would hate to rue writing such!)
The Paladin story is coming along, nearly all outlined now. Hope to post the first chapter soon after finishing this story. In the meantime, "StarFire" is once more in production, and Ferdi is about to live up to the epithet "Fool of a Took", and all for your reading pleasure... (and mine, for I do enjoy reading reviews, as many as I can get)
Beruthiel
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 51: Into Eternity
Good thing you posted the next chapter as well. That would have been a wicked cliffhanger!
Fatty is a most remarkable hobbit. I have to keep reminding myself he's a fictional character, and then I'm always disappointed. The world needs more people like him.
Am actually hoping the next chapter doesn't miraculously rescue Ulrich. That would begin to seem like Deus ex Machina at this point. Ulrich not being saved would be more realistic, showing that in real life, things don't always turn out the way you want.
Excuse me, the deeper portions of my brain have informed me that if I don't get to that next chapter within the next two minutes, I will shrivel up and die of curiosity. Must be going.
Meldewen Ilce
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 52: The Quality of Mercy
You know I thought about what happened to Pilgrim/Brant, how Nell told them to hang him - and now that I think of it I can see she said it out of mercy more than anything else as the man living out his long years in complete madness was no mercy at all.
I do hope time his neck was broken and he died the man was able to find some sort of peace because in a way you had to pity him - even with having said that I am also relieved that he is dead as I fear had he lived he would have found some way to hurt others.
Again this has been a wonderful story and I hate to see it come to a close but then I anxiously await your next project(s)!
Connie
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 52: The Quality of Mercy
YES!
Merry found the precedent, and the jurors saw reason. Yay!
Nell certainly showed that mercy comes in all shapes. I think she impressed a lot of people, Ferdi and Merry not the least.
Looks like all our heros are going to live. I knew you'd bring them through.
Connie.
Connie
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 51: Into Eternity
Thank God you didn't leave us "hanging".
I'm gonna try to get the next chapter read before I have to leave.
Connie.
FantasyFan
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 52: The Quality of Mercy
Well, it seems Merry has saved the day with his bookishness. I wonder what it was exactly that he remembered about the story, that put him on this track? It is a comfort to know that sometimes justice can be served even when the strictest interpretation of the law is not. Somewhere is a very famous book it says that the law was made to serve man, and not man made to serve the law. At least in Gondor today, that proved true. I wonder how Ulrich would have fared in our courts.
And though technically it is true that the jurors bent the truth to save Ulrich, in reality he is not the same person who tortured the hobbits. His story and Brant's are woven together. In each case a young man was placed in a situation that was too much for him, but Ulrich's choices marked him as different from Brant many times. Ulrich kept his honor at the end - he helped to defend the hobbits against the Pilgrim at the handfasting, he refused the opportunity to escape (though I doubt he really would have gotten far) and he would not take the life of a hobbit on the gallows, even though it was offered for the succor of his children. How many condenmed men would care so much for honor? I grieved for him, thinking as did all but Merry, that he was lost: but I didn't feel sorry for him, as he had made his peace.
The one I felt sorry for was Brant. Even though I judge him guilty for his choices, I feel sympathy for the youth who was broken by the torture and horrors of war. It was chilling to watch his madness grow, and saddening for the Pilgrim to take everything from him at the end, though maybe Brant chose to go away to escape. The mercy that Elessar could offer him, of a dungeon for long years, was really no mercy at all. Nell again shows her wisdom and strength in accepting the responsibility of asking for the kinder but harder mercy. You really need to write a story focusing on the wonderful strong ladies of these hobbit families - they are as remarkable as their menfolk, though in a less showy and obvious way. You could do them justice, I think.
So the next is the final chapter? I am looking forward to seeing Farry and Goldi again, and seeing how each group reacts to the other's adventures.
Meldewen Ilce
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 51: Into Eternity
Oh I had another thought about Fredegar willing to give up his life to save Ulrich's and it is something Jesus said: Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends...
And even though Ulrich refused it, I still can help but cry as it was a gesture of friendship as well as love...
FantasyFan
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 51: Into Eternity
I am now reading these last few chapters, and you have me sobbing into my tea. Ulrich is brave, Freddy is brave, Nell is brave, and all march on to the inevitable conclusion. Your writing here is very powerful and emotional and so gripping!
And, it's not predicable at all. All the theories that I had were absolutely wrong - and I was trying to guess what you were going to do. After the hint you gave in a previous chapter, I knew it was Freddy that had offered his life as a guarantee for Ulrich, but I never imagined he would go through with it and ask to be hanged. Freddy has earned over again the reputation for bravery and selflessness that inspired him to become part of the original conspiracy and to become a leader of the rebellion. He may not have quite the fame of the travellers, but he is a hero nonetheless. Frodo would have been proud of him.
Meldewen Ilce
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 52: The Quality of Mercy
First of all you had me crying for nearly the entirity of the previous chapter as I did not want to see Ulrich die - I could help but feel sorry for the executioner as I know he did not want to have to hang a friend - and I cried when Fredegar went to offer his life for Ulrich's, and it was tears all around when they reached the gallows.
I am so glad Merry and Elfwine found that thing in the law that allowed for Ulrich to be saved and I must admit I was a bit surprised when Nell told them to hang the Pilgrim as I know it is not the hobbit way to take a life. Still once the man was dead it was a way of knowing for sure that he would never harm her or her own ever again.
And it seems it is a bit ironic that the executioner hung his own uncle...
LOL - I could help but laugh at the part in the Houses of Healing when the healer scolded Faramir for yelling for quiet.
And Ulrich's retrial - I am glad they decided that the man who was the Lockholes guard died years ago and that Ulrich is not that man. I am glad that he is now free to return home to his family!
Oh this story has been wonderful, so angsty - I almost regret seeing it come to a close!
Brava!
Bodkin
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 51: Into Eternity
Just don't want to leave this chapter out. What a night - sitting through it knowing you are going to die at dawn. Like sitting at a deathbed, only you are the victim. What a cliff-hanger!
Bodkin
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 52: The Quality of Mercy
Oh, very devious. It's amazing what you can get away with when everyone is colluding.
I hope poor Nell doesn't suffer dreadfully from having been the one to 'free' Brant through asking for his death. He would have found release from the Pilgrim at last. Plus, a lifetime in a dungeon really is not preferable.
Good old Ulrich, turning down Freddy's offer to save him - very honourable. And I thought it would take Merry until the last millisecond. Though it seems a bit nit-picking to demand a precedent and then fix the re-trial.
(Who creates the first precedent? If you can't do something without a precedent then how do you ever start doing anything?)
Brilliant. I don't want it to end. The hobbits are great, but the non-hobbits are great too. More.
Bodkin
· 13 June 2004
· Chapter 50: A Murderer's Lot
I would go for more reader torture myself. It's more fun. Divide and rule.
You are taking this to the wire, aren't you? I hope rescue comes somehow, but I suspect he will have the rope round his neck when Merry comes rushing down, yelling, 'Wait! I've found a precedent.' I just hope he doesn't come rushing down shouting, 'Freddy's dead.'
I am surprised they didn't wangle him another couple of days to see if Frodovar would recover (because he saved his life) or to allow his own wound to heal (pointless as that would seem, you seem to have to be healthy before they execute you).
I shall be sorry to see this end. Fingers crossed you have some more hobbit adventures planned!
Author's reply
Sorry, you got outvoted. But the two chapters are nearly ready for posting (the one is, and the other is coming along).
The Muse agrees with you, or why would she end so many chapters with cliffhangers? I always feel sorry for the readers when that happens, for I have the comfort of knowing what happens next, and they don't (unless they are shrewd guessers).
Something in your review was quite funny; I won't tell you what it was now but you'll see on Monday.
Anyhow, this gives me time to polish the second half of the chapter that split itself in half.
I have always thought it quite ironic that you have to be in good shape to be executed--though I suspect it was not always so. I remember tales in my history reading of men dragged from their sickbeds to be hanged or whatever...
Thank you for the kind words. I surely appreciate the reviews; many of them have made me a more thoughtful writer.
I'll be sorry to see this end, as well. It has required much deep thought to put together. (The Muse pats my shoulder in an unusually gentle manner and murmurs something about the "thain story" and "farry and ferdi go to gondor".)